Empty Gold • d.meadowes

-22-

The sun has sunk long ago, and Dorcas shivered as she made her way across the Hogsmeade grounds towards the gigantic castle that loomed ahead. Around her were several of the Slytherins who paid no mind to her as they walked along. The lack of attention was supposed to come as a relief, but Dorcas couldn't help but be afraid. Something didn't click right. The way they completely ignored her seemed awfully ominous.

But as soon as she reached the castle and walked through the giant oak front doors, all of her worries were washed away as the bright lights shone gracefully over her. For the moment, she forgot about the Slytherins, the things they have said to her on the train on her way home, and she decided to join her friends at the Gryffindor common room. She was safe now, she didn't have to worry about what hideous plan Emma Vanity might be cooking up.

She didn't have to go the common room though, for no sooner had she stepped into the Great Hall, than she was instantly drawn into a tight hug by Maeve, whose dark hair tickled her nostrils. With a low chortle, Dorcas hugged her back. "I've missed you too, Maevey."

When they pulled away, she noticed Silver, standing a little behind Maeve. By the looks on their faces, she could instantly tell that Maeve hadn't kept her promise, and that they had fought while she was away. The idea saddened her, but she ignored the feeling and went over to hug Silver, who chuckled softly. "It's only been a week, Dorcas."

The trio started for the Gryffindor tower, and its distance from the Great Hall allowed them to talk and catch up on what they have missed. Dorcas told them about Noel, as she hadn't mentioned him in her letter.

Maeve seemed extremely pleased to hear about him. "That's wonderful, Dork! Your mother works so hard, she deserves some happiness in her life."

"What is he like?" Silver asked, twirling her silver blonde hair between her fingers.

"He's great," answered Dorcas promptly. "I like him. He seemed really good for my mum. He's a muggle though, and we had to be careful to avoid any talk of magic."

"Aren't you going to tell him about the magic?"

"He's only been with her two months. We don't want him to run away."

As they walked through the castle, there seemed to be no tension between the three of them. They talked like they always did – about their families, about their studies, about people in the castle they didn't like. Dorcas almost told them about her encounter with Emma Vanity, although she quickly bit her tongue and held herself back. With NEWTs just around the corner, she didn't want them to worry about other matters.

Dorcas, however, couldn't help but notice that something has changed between them. There was perhaps a little less life and humour in their conversations, and a little more formality. Moreover, Silver and Maeve seemed to be avoiding talking to each other, although they spoke quite normally to her.

Her suspicion was confirmed once they reached the Gryffindor tower. As Maeve uttered the password for the Fat Lady in the portrait, Silver took a few steps back. "I'll have to meet up with Benjy," she said impassively. "See you guys later." And she turned on her heels and went back the way she has come from.

Dorcas bit down on her lip, but Maeve acted like nothing has happened. She climbed in through the portrait hole and crawled through the tunnel to reach the common room. Dorcas followed her, and as the portrait swung shut behind her, she heard the Fat Lady whisper, "Ouch."

Maeve flopped down on one of the couches in one corner, crossing her arms in front of her. Sighing, Dorcas went over to join her, dropping her bag on the floor. As she opened her mouth to talk, Maeve spoke.

"Before you say anything, I didn't technically break your promise. I didn't fight with her, I just gave her a piece of my mind, and she started ignoring me after that."