Take Two

9. Hailey

Thud.

I heard the sound of something falling outside.

What was that?

"I'll call you tomorrow, Sebastian. Bye." I hung up and went to unlock my door. I swung it open and met eyes with Noah.

Did he hear everything?

"Oh, Hail...ey." He drifted off and then paused. He kept staring back at me with a poker face. I had no clue what was up in his mind. "Hi! I didn't know you were awake. Carwyn wanted to give this book to you so I thought I would deliver it."

I guess not... doesn't look like he heard anything.

"Oh look, Harry Potter, isn't this a children's story?" I asked as I examined the cover of the book.

Next Morning

"Gyaaah!" Christian screamed and jumped back as soon as he entered the kitchen. "What the hell Hails?"

My hair was tousled, my eyes were bloodshot, and I hadn't even taken a bath that morning.

"I didn't sleep all night," I muttered.

"Were you working on some project? I thought you took a break!"

"Well she began reading Harry Potter last night, and ended up reading six volumes", Noah explained as he worked his way around the kitchen.

"How could you Severus! Everybody trusted you!" I grumbled.

"Here you go Hails, one nice cup of warm coffee to get you out of your book hangover." Noah placed a cup of black coffee before me. "Never thought I would be saying that to you."

"I need answers!" I yelled.

"You finished reading the sixth book like half an hour ago. You need to give it a rest." Noah protested as he placed a hand on my head and then rotated it around. "If you don't, I am gonna give you some spoilers." With that, he winked at me, and I grimaced. I grabbed him by his collar, pulled him closer to me and glared at him.

"Noah Clifford, if you dare to-"

"Snape was following the headmaster's orders to become a trusted member of Voldemort's team." I heard Christian say.

"What?" I spun my head in his direction. "Then he was on the good side?"

"Always."

"What the fuck, Christian! That's mean." Noah bit out, but I couldn't hear anyone speak. All I saw was blood because this bastard spoiled the ending for me. Why was he even here? Who asked him to come? I absentmindedly grabbed the fork on the breakfast island.

"Christian...." I growled as I pointed the fork at him. He backed up and ran outside the kitchen, and I followed after him.

***

All seven of us were seated around the dining table except Noah, who was the one fixing us breakfast. Both August and Christian were buried inside their newspapers, while others were busy on their phones and Carwyn was applying butter to her toast. Just then June, who was seated across from Christian, pulled back his newspaper.

"Hey freeloader, go help Noah."

Christian pulled back and gaped at her. "Why do I need to do that? I am a guest, and I am paying."

"You are paying the rent, not for the food."

"I can do that too, how much would it be?"

"Some hard work. Go help him before I kick you out of the house."