Only A Matter of Time

Chapter 5

       Pumpkins and leaves lined the streets of Hogsmeade in late October. Alice could feel the leaves crunch under her boots, rhythmically as she walked beside Finn; her hands were clammy, she was evidently nervous. But Finn was lessening her nerves by discussing books and classes with her diligently. She was grateful for that.
       "I know you're gonna hate me when I say it." He laughed as they were passing the Three Broomsticks.
         "Just tell me." She begged him. "I promise I won't judge."
          "Alright." He sighed. "I haven't read Hemingway."
           "Ever?" She questioned.
           "Never."
           "I'm judging you very harshly right now."
            "You promised you wouldn't!" He chucked to himself and intwined his fingers with her own. Alice felt her face flush.
             "I don't always keep my promises I guess."
          As the two passed the Three Broomsticks she saw a head of messy black hair alongside one of blonde locks. They were in the corner in a booth, locked in an embrace.
           Alice felt a pang in her stomach.
  She rolled her eyes anyway, clutching to Finn's hand more fiercely. She liked him, a lot. So, why was James' presence making her feel so jealo-
           "Hey, you wanna go into the bookstore, unless you're hungry, we can go eat, or we can"
            "Bookstore is just fine." She gave him a smile and they headed in, hand in hand. They parted ways, she sent him to where Hemingway was located and she headed over to the mystery novels. She scanned the shelves, pulled a few off and read the synopsis', enjoying being surrounded by silence and the smell of books.
        She plucked another book off the shelf to reveal a face. She yelled out and dropped the book.
         "That's the most I've heard you say to me in several months." The voice swaggered around the shelf and plucked the book from off the ground. He slowly got up and placed the book in her hands.
           "Bugger off, Potter. What are you doing in a bookstore anyway?" Alice swiped the book from him and slammed it back onto the shelf.
            "Ah, she speaks." He gave a fourteen-year-old boy smirk, leaning against the shelf.
            "Not like you've done much either." She muttered under the breath, pretending to examine the books very closely. He scoffed.
             "I guess, but it was you that-"
             "What do you want, Potter?" She turned and faced him with vindication.
             "We were best friends if you remember, Longbottom." He tugged on her braid. "I miss you."
       She rolled her eyes. "Didn't seem to miss me much in the dark corner of the Three Broomsticks."
         "With Cambria Gray?" He exclaimed and took a step closer. "Why do you care so much?" He seemed to be enjoying this.
         "I. Don't." She poked him in the chest and walked to another section. "I just know we both used to hate her and she enjoys to make my life miserable- so it only solidifies the fact that you have changed."
         He just scoffed and stood there baffled. He knew he made a mistake. 
          "So, no I don't miss you. I miss the old you." She crossed her arms and looked him straight in the eye for the first time, and she meant those words. She missed her best friend, too, the old one.
           "You were the one who ended things-" he whispered.
            "No, you changed everything. And then I bruised your precious ego and then you, you stopped talking to me."
             "I'm sorry." He finally said. "I just-what are you doing out with Finnegan McLaggen, anyway?" He looked outwardly irritated as he said the boy's name.
              "I like him, he's nice to me, we read the same books. Not that I owe you an explanation."
              "He's boring. You're not." James pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
              "Whatever." Alice murmured.
              "I just want you to know that I'm not going to stop trying."
              "Stop trying what?" Finn appeared behind James, a puzzled look on his face. James' face grew hard and cold, he frowned and turned to face him.
               "Hey, Finn. I was just telling Alice how I'm not going to stop trying to get her to be my potions partner."
               Alice rolled her eyes at him.
                "She's just so great at potions and I'm just rubbish, you know? I desperately need her help."
                 "Yeah she's pretty great, Potter." He turned to Alice. "I found the book, you wanna go ring it up with me?"
                  "Yeah, sounds good." She gave James a nod as he sauntered off, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
                   He winked at her as she turned back to Finn, giving him a small smile.
                   That boy was going to be the death of her.