Pastel pink

Consequences

Chapter 11: Consequences

11th November, 1975

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"You need to talk to McGonnagall." James said, swinging his bag down on the chair by Abellina who was currently sat on her bed with a large tub or fudge and butterbeer icecream in one hand and a charms textbook in the other. Marlene had allowed him in under threat of death but even she had admitted that James was the only one who Abellina seemed able to speak to in coherent sentences. Both Lily and Marlene had also observed the difference in James after the match- he was being kind and considerate towards all the girls and gentle around Abellina instead of joking with her. Despite their prejudices towards him he did seem to have at least a scrap of emotional intelligence.

"I'm not going to McGonnagall." Abellina stated bluntly, she'd skipped class for the past two days and had decided that she simply didn't care about the detentions she could get because if she didn't turn up to class then she didn't have to see them.

"Bu-"

"No buts. I know that i'm supposed to be able to turn up to class, tell them to go fuck themselves in the ass then get them expelled but I can't do that! It's embarrassing enough that you know what happened and i would not be able to sit there and tell McGonnagall everything and then endure the ministry poking around. I just need a few days to get my shit together then...I don't know, i'll go back to Beauxbatons or some shit." Abellina groaned, frustrated tears rolling down her face as she sat in her dorm and tried to explain to James that it wasn't quite as simple as just pulling a prank and getting them expelled.

"Firstly, I meant that she wants to speak to you about skipping class. Secondly, I don't understand it but I'm not going to push at your reasons for not getting them expelled. That said, me and the boys will try too- don't worry! We won't even mention your name or anything to do with what happened!" James announced, taking the spoon from her hand and shoving some ice cream into his mouth before closing her book and pulling the blanket off her.

"What am I supposed to say!?" Abellina panicked, pulling a jumper over her vest and shoving trainers on her feet so that she looked marginally more presentable.

"Tell her part of the truth. Say that you were overwhelmed by everything and didn't feel able to go to class and be around people so you did your work upstairs. If she presses you further then say it's got something to do with your dad- I mean, you're stressed out about that too, aren't you?"

"I guess." Abellina sulked, pushing out her bottom lip and picking up her wand- she hadn't even let it out of her sight since the match and Marlene and Lily said she'd been sleeping with it under her pillow.

"You'll be fine. She's in her office." He smiled gently at her. James wanted nothing more than to pull her into a hug and whisper that it would all be okay and he would kick those prats arses but even though she said it was fine then it was obvious she felt uncomfortable with any human contact.

"What if I run into them?" Her voice was so quiet that it was barely audible and her whole body shook like a leaf. Her bottom lip wavered slightly as her eyes filled with tears which she swallowed into a sob.

"Do you want me to come with you?" James asked gently, smiling to assure her that it was okay and swinging his bag back over his shoulder. Abellina sniffled a little before nodding in his direction and he slowly took her hand, brushing it with the back of his thumb before leading her through the door.

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"Miss Avery, up until this point you have been a model student aside from the multiple pranks you've pulled. Despite that, I now have reports that you haven't left your dorm in two days. Care to explain?"