Secrets

Chapter Four

Carter's eyes were moving from the pages in his book to Holly's face. She was rewriting something over and over again in her notebook, still seeming to be lost in space. He smiled at her. As if she sensed it, she looked up. "Did I do something?"

"No."

"What are you smiling for, then?"

"Nothing."

Holly rolled her eyes and shut her book, placing it in her lap. He watched her.

"You know, Carter," she began with a heartless chuckle, "I thought that maybe once I came here and learned magic, I'd be useful and maybe my father would accept me as a member of his own kin. Now I realize that I might as well not even bother thinking about them anymore. Nothing I do is going to please him."

He winced.

"Oh, don't flinch at that. That's nothing."

"That's not true. Maybe he does care."

"He doesn't. I showed you the bruises."

Carter stared at his book. "I-I'll kill him."

A small, amused smile formed on her lips. "No, you won't, Carter. You say that, but in the moment, you'd never kill another human for me. And I don't want you to, either. It's more risk to you than he is to me."

"I'll do it if I have to!"

"With those little, innocent hands of yours? You would never."

"I'll... I'll use a spell!" Carter said, stumbling over words. His cheeks were flushed.

"And he'll murder you on the spot before you'd be able to say even a syllable."

Carter flipped through his book and jabbed the scribbled words with a finger. "There! That spell!" The words Avada Kedavra were written there.

"I said no, Carter."

"I'll do it if he touches you once more, okay?!"

Holly stood up, yawning. "I have to go grab something. I'm exhausted, too."

He frowned. "Where are you going?"

"Dorms."

"Okay... I'll see you later, I guess."

She looked out into the crowd of people, then leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. She left quickly after that and disappeared into the hall. Carter's stomach flipped and his heart raced. His face was fifty shades of red.

"B-Bloody hell," he mumbled in embarrassment.

Draco's arms were crossed. "How is Potter still here?"

Crabbe shrugged. "I don't know." The Slytherins sat at their House table, glaring at Harry and Ron as they stared at a package they had. Before pestering him, though, he made his way to Carter, who was still looking as red as the apple on his plate.

"Mudblood," he spat.

Carter turned to face him. "W-What?"

"You're filthy."

He stared at his plate.

"Malfoy," Holly mocked. She bumped him out of the way. Draco sneered at her.

"It's okay," Carter told her. "I thought you were going upstairs?"

"I did. I came back to find you and ask you about something, but I was rudely blocked from doing so."

Draco sneered at her. "You want to talk to the Mudblood?"

"Mhm. Anyday."

He looked disgusted. Carter was trying to ignore him. "What'd you come down for?"