Roomies
Walking out of the great hall, Nova continues to ramble about her new roommate while I occasionally throw in a small nod and hum of agreement. I take in the new faces of students in the corridor, trying to settle the unease in my stomach.
‘-I can’t believe we aren’t roomates this year’ whines Nova, bringing me back to our conversation.
‘I’m going to miss you in the evening’ I sigh looking over at her whilst we walk back to the common room. I think about my new roommate, Hermione, I picture us laughing together and chatting easily becoming good friends. I try to stay as positive as I ca, now slightly nervous to meet the girl I’ll be rooming with for the year.
Just then I hear a voice behind me calling out. Thinking nothing of it I continue talking to Nova until I feel a small tap on my shoulder. Quickly whipping my head around I’m met with a beautiful curly haired girl. It clicks that she was apart of the group sitting with the twins earlier, I saw her trying to point subtly at me. Offering her a small smile I turn my body around to completely face her, Nova doing the same with a slight frown on her face and standing a little straighter.
‘Hi, I’m Hermione!’ she says introducing herself with a sweet smile ‘Are you Evie Bennet?’
So this is Hermione, I think to myself now remembering all the times I had seen her in the halls before.
‘oh yes that’s me, it’s nice to meet you!’ I say trying my best to sound confident, however it comes out quieter than I’d hoped. Nevertheless, Hermione continues to introduce herself telling me she’s a few years younger than me.
We talk for a moment longer, and I’m aware that Nova is still next to me almost definitely not looking friendly. As we speak a group of boys round the corner, hysterically laughing about something. Hermione turns her head, her shoulders relaxing slightly at the sight. The fiery hair of the twins come into view as they walk alongside a brunette boy and another younger boy sharing the same hair as them. Assuming that they be family, I watch as they near me and Hermione.
‘Mione, thought we’d lost you’ says the shorter boy donning shoulder length ginger hair. Hermione retorts back to him as I look back at Nova suddenly feeling awkward and out of place. Her expression doesn’t waver as she watches the interaction in front of us unfold.
‘This is my roommate for the year, Evie’ she says bringing their attention onto me ‘ Evie this is Harry, Ron, Fred and George’ she says happily pointing each one out as she lists their names.
I offer a small wave with a smile managing to get out a polite ‘hello’ as I take a look at them, my gaze meets who I think I met earlier. I couldn’t tell the twins apart or do I know who I met earlier, the thought makes me uncomfortable now not sure exactly who I’m talking to.
A pause rings out between the group, and I instinctively grasp onto the hem of my skirt, feeling the material between my fingertips not really knowing what to do. Nova hooks her arms through my own, clearing her voice somewhat loudly. I feel my cheeks flush embarrassed by her gesture.
‘We’ll see you guys around then’ she says confidently to the group tugging me to turn with her.
Turning my head back around I wave goodbye to Hermione ‘I’ll see you later on!’ I manage to call out as I struggle to keep up with Novas long strides.
I turn back to Nova slightly annoyed by her action but choosing to ignore it as I know she didn’t mean to be rude. I feel her grip tighten slightly on my arm as we walk in silence.
‘Are you alright Nove?’ I ask her gently, feeling a slight uncomfortable air around us. She sighs unhooking our arms and instead lazily resting her arm around my shoulder instead.
‘I just want to make sure those guys are good to be around’ she shrugs absentmindedly.
I chuckle as we walk ‘Trust me Nova, if anything happens you’re the first witch I’ll turn to’