Secrets

Chapter Seven

The school year ended with a bang. Harry had discovered that Quirrell worked for the Dark Lord and had "two faces"- the other was Voldemort. At the ending feast, Slytherin lost the House cup and Gryffindor won. As Carter packed his trunk up, he couldn't help but think about not seeing Holly over the summer. She was dreading going home for many reasons. Before setting out, Carter grabbed his quil and wrote to his parents.

"Marybeth?" Duke called into her dorm. She popped her head out and smiled shyly at him.

"Yeah?"

"I'll miss you."

Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. She stepped out from the doorway. "I'll miss you, too."

He hugged her. Her eyes widened slightly and she hugged him back. "I-I'll make sure to write to you."

"Same here."

Rosaphina tugged her trunk down the steps and greeted Carter and Holly. "Hello. We should get together over the summer."

"Yeah!" Carter said cheerfully.

"I'd love to," Holly said, but her expression was rather dull. "I don't know if I'll be able to go anywhere, though...."

Carter frowned. "I forgot..."

"I'll come over, then," Rosaphina shrugged.

"That's an even worse idea. We'll find a way."

Rosaphina smiled. "Until then, we'll write."

"Vianelli."

She turned towards the voice. Her eyes narrowed. "What, Malfoy."

"Can we talk?"

"No."

"Fine." He shoved a new stuffed bear into her arms and stormed out of the castle. Holly didn't dare to speak. She was never going to tell Rosaphina what she had seen. Rosaphina had the same eerie reaction as she did the night he threw her stuffed animal into the flames.

Marybeth approached them. Carter beamed at her. "I'll miss you guys."

"We'll miss you, too," Rosaphina said.

"This is gonna be a tough summer," Holly mumbled. Carter hugged the three girls and began to cry. Marybeth's eyes watered. Rosaphina's did, too. Holly's expression was stone cold, as always. Carter bawled loudly.

"Can we stop the emotions, now? Summer will go just as fast as the school year did," Holly said finally.

"I'm gonna miss you so much!" He cried.

Holly's expression softened. "Hold on, guys." She pulled Carter away behind a wall, isolating them from the others. "Carter. Don't cry."

He stared at her as he choked on sobs. She stared right back, watching tears fall down his cheeks. She waited until he calmed down a bit more before speaking. "You'll be back here before you know it."

He whimpered. "I don't wanna leave you..."

Holly wrapped her arms around him. She rarely initiated hugs. "I'll be fine. So will you."

Carter hugged her tightly. "No..."

"How many times have I been wrong?"

He cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips quickly. "You're wrong about me not liking you." He grabbed his trunk and scurried off. Holly stood there in silence, looking confused. He wasn't coming back. She was dumbfounded. She stayed that way the entire summer.