The you I never knew I needed

Chapter 2

    The next few weeks she spent avoiding the Riddles as much as possible. Callum had tried talking to her multiple times but the moment she saw him she'd always hurry to leave the room. She had focused so much energy into avoiding the riddles she nearly forgot about the dance tomorrow. It was nearly dinner time but Bria already decided she wasn't hungry. She hadn't been her normal self these past couple weeks. She's been more avoidant than usual. Not only that but she had been avoiding Snape, the only father-like figure in her life. She couldn't bear to tell him about the book. She already knew how he'd most likely give her a two hour lecture based around the same sentence. "How could you be so stupid?"

Bria stares out at the astronomy tower view, her mind replaying the incident in her mind for the hundredth time while tears stream down her cheeks.

"I thought I might find you here." A familiar voice says softly.

"Nick." She mumbles, quickly brushing away her tears not wanting him to know she was crying.

He stands beside her looking out at the view. His hairs shaggy mess and he smells of gunpowder and sugar.

"Were you out blowing stuff up with the first years again?" She asks, and he turns to her.

He was wearing one of his father's old shirts, the same he always wears. After his father passed away he went through a faze where he'd only ever take it off to wash it.

"Perhaps..." He mumbles as he begins brushing off his shirt.

He looks at her once again, this time a little more closely noticing something seemed off about her. "Out with it." He blurts out, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"I beg your pardon?" She meets his gaze.

"You've been acting quite strange lately." He stated.

"Have I?" Her gaze falls to the floor, and she becomes slightly distant, lost in thought.

"Yes. You've been harder to find than usual, less talkative than usual, your grades have been slipping more than they normally do- and." He lifts her chin up for her to meet his gaze, then rests his hands on her shoulders. "Are you even listening?"

He waited for her to answer but instead she kept silent, still stuck in her mind. She was aware that he was talking to her, but the sound just went in one ear and out the other. It wasn't until he pulled her close hugging her that she snapped back into focus.

"Listen.. I don't know what's gotten into you lately but I just need you to understand you aren't alone. I know I haven't exactly been the best at showing it in the past but I care about you Bria. You can always talk to me if something is bothering you." He whispers softly.

"I appreciate that." She whispers softly, struggling to hold back her tears once again.

"So... have you already picked out a dress for tomorrow?" He asks, gently letting go.

"Not really, but I can tonight." She mumbles, quickly brushing away a tear.

"Are you going to be alright?" He held both her hands, looking into her eyes.

she laughs softly, another tear falling down her cheek. "If I'm being honest I'm not quite sure." She mumbles.

"What happened?" Concern dripping from his tone.

"I did something stupid and lost my last chance at closure."

"Would you be able to elaborate?" He asks.

She nods slightly. "My book.. it's gone."

"Can't you just get a new one?"

"It was the only thing I had linked to my parents. It was the only thing I was left with as a baby. The only clue I've ever had that could lead to further knowledge of my past. Now I'll never know why I was left. I'll never know whether my parents are alive or dead, or if they abandoned me-." Nick brushes the hair away from her face and she stops rambling.