Warpaint

Bee

"That's checkmate!"

I was furious with myself as I watched Albus' knight savagely slice my king in half. It was deeply frustrating for me not to be instantly good at something. The last match was the best I had managed when we had been playing together. The rules were easy! It took me less than a hour to get my head around those.

"No otra vez. Estaba tan cerca esta vez!"

"You speak Spanish?"

"Sorry, it tends to come out when I'm a bit worked up."

"Well chess will have that effect", he said rather proudly before adding "you spent too much time looking at my king and not enough looking after your own."

"You're so cute."

"What?"

Albus was looking a bit like a deer caught in headlights. I felt the same. My mouth often had a habit of running away from me. It was normally insults that came out, not poorly timed compliments.

"I meant that I enjoy spending time with you", I said finally.

I was sitting in one of those empty potions classrooms. I think somewhere along the way I forgot how much I hate the dungeons but playing chess with Albus suddenly became more important. Somehow I feel paler than before though. Albus looked a bit more relaxed now, I always thought it would be Albus being awkward that would be the issue.

We fell into a silence as we got our potions book, I was just rooting around in my bag to get my favourite fluffy purple quill out. It was my lucky quill. Suddenly, he spoke quietly but it was very clear. I think he waited until my back was turned so he didn't have to look at me properly. I didn't care though.

"I like spending time with you too."

*

I checked my phone, I had eight new messages and two missed calls. I decided to check them later, I slipped my phone back into my new dragon hide handbag in dark oxblood colour which I had so carefully picked out. Albus had gotten better so I think the bag was safe. I had a few minutes between classes to meet our in house alcohol supplier for Lou's party.

Freddie Weasley was a mystery, he was the life and soul of the party but he had this deeply cynical side too. I think that was my favourite side of him. We have a common enemy, J-Lou (Lou and James' celebrity couple name) and that's deeper than any friendship we could have with each other. While I couldn't stand Potter, Freddie was the type of person you wanted in your inner circle.

"Hey Freddie", I said with a smile as the boy approached me. I had someone get me a timetable so I knew when to stage a casual meeting with him when Potter wouldn't be around. It wasn't easy as they seem to be attached at the hip.

"What do you want?"

Damn, I forget how attractive Freddie is sometimes. He had this gorgeous skin tone, strong arms and cheeky smile. I didn't date Wotters as a rule, it's a self imposed rule. I don't walk in anyone's shadow . I guess that's something that we have in common, famous fathers, but mine didn't help save the world. My Dad's status still managed to keep me the gossip pages though, if you consider that a good thing. I was starting to have big second thoughts.

Why does everyone assume that I want something from them? For the obvious reason, I do.

"I don't want anything, maybe you don't know me as well as you think."

The first part was a lie.

"I don't think anyone does."

It was a little too close to home. I didn't want to get into an oddly personal conversation with someone I didn't know that well. Freddie was perceptive to say the least. It was deeply unsettling. I felt like I wanted to run away but I needed the alcohol for Lou's party. There was no way in hell that I was asking Potter to help, it had to be Freddie and it had to be now. I was chief party planner. I had to do a good job.

"So are we plotting to break up Lou and James?" he asked in a much lighter way, like it was such a normal thing.

I never thought of enlisting Freddie to help to break up them. At least I hadn't thought about that this time. Maybe I didn't want to break them up. It had gone too far. I was hoping that Lou would just work it out on her own but it didn't seem that likely. I think they were always better off apart. It's not up to me though.

"Not this time."

"That's a shame."

"So I assume it's alcohol you need, how much do you want?"  

"We have a lot of pink coconut cocktails on the menu."

It was Lou's signature cocktail. She had a drink that was made for her, she tells the story that she was on holiday with her family in Monaco. It was her father's private bartender that made her up this special drink using her favourite sweets from Honeydukes. Personally, I think she just wanted to water down her vodka. It was Lou's special day so if I had to fill the whole room with the stuff then I would.

"You owe me, Bee."

*

We were lazing around in the Gryffindor common room as the first snow of the year was falling. I was trying to relax, I was sprawled out over the best sofa in the common room. It was the best because it was the squishiest one that was closest to the fire.

My head was in Ethan's lap, he played with my hair but I was too distracted by something else. I couldn't relax anymore, my whole being was consumed by chess. Somehow I found myself obsessed with impressing Albus.

"Bee, what do you think?" Ethan asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

"About what?"

"Haven't you been listening? The Slytherin prank of course", he said eagerly.

The Slytherin prank is something that Gryffindors always did after the Quidditch match, win or lose. It's a tradition. I've helped come up with some of the past pranks. Boys aren't very inventive so they asked the experts. It's perfect as we get to be the masterminds but do no grunt work. I wasn't in the mood in this year though. I had to admit that I had a very clear reason, it wasn't just Albus either. I spent too long coming up with this stuff when I should have put a bit more effort into my school work or just not being an arsehole.

"We shouldn't do the prank this year", I announced to the group.

The group who had been chatting was made up of Madi, Lou, Freddie, Potter, Ethan and, a couple of other Quidditch guys, twins, Noah and Liam King.

It was an already an awkward group.

Ethan and Potter had some odd cold war going on because Ethan beat Potter to Quidditch captain even though Ethan is a year younger. The other members on the team seemed to have a tough time deciding who they are following. Noah and Liam had decided that it was Ethan on the pitch then Potter everywhere else. I never thought about it before but Ethan and Potter still spend time together out of Quidditch practice. That's just weird. I guess we all support our own popularity.

Then there was Freddie, he isn't keen on Lou (or James when he is with her). He was looking at the scene like he wanted to pull out some popcorn to watch it unfold.  I don't know what stage Lou and Madi have got to in their ‘Get Freddie' plan but I'm starting to think they are less compatible by the second. It seems like we have an uneasy truce that we're calling friendship.

What is wrong with us?

"Don't be ridiculous", Madi cried. "It's a signature move"

"It's iconic", Lou insisted from her perch on Potter's lap.

"Any good designer knows when things are going to stale", I countered.

"She wants attention", drawled Potter. "We can do this prank without her."

I think it had hit me: I would much rather spend time with Albus.  

Part of me wanted to stay to fight with him but a bigger part didn't want to rise to his bait. I could find out about their prank later to warn Albus but I needed to be alone right now.

*

Albus

"I think Rose had a heart attack when I told her that I wasn't swapping with her for Secret Santa," I said as I finished recounting the story to Scorpius on the way to Defense against the Dark Arts.

Family secret santa is a big tradition in my family. We've done it for ages. Personally, I hated it. Mum always tries to give me someone easy to buy for. Rose always trades with me. By ‘trade', I mean she demands that I swap with her. I don't mind too much as my family are so easy to buy for. It's just Quidditch related stuff for everyone. You could even buy Rose Quidditch related things. That's another thing that I don't like, I received socks every year. I mean, these people have known me for 16 years. It's still socks. I only have two feet, people! I guess I could be more forthcoming about some of my other hobbies.

This year I decided that I wasn't going to swap. Some small attempt at being more assertive.  I knew it was coming when Rose was moaning about getting Uncle Percy a present. The last Hogsmeade weekend was approaching quickly now. It was one of our only chances to get something.

"I wasn't sure the word ‘no' was in your vocabulary", he commented before adding. "It's nice that you're learning new words."

"Git."

There was a small boy who was approaching us. It wasn't unusual to have first and even second years wanting to talk to our family. It's normally James or Lily these days but every now and again someone comes over to me. It was half annoying but a lot of me was impressed that they had the confidence to just walk up to someone they admired and start talking to them. It's brave.

"Mr Potter", he said to me incredibly polite to me. "Professor Ramos needs to speak to you. She's in her classroom."

So that's unexpected. Professor Ramos is the Arithmancy teacher. I don't take Arithmancy. I don't think I've ever talked to her before. It was really strange. I didn't like this at all.

"Thank you", Scorpius replied to the boy.

It was not the first time Scorpius had been my voice.

"Go", Scorpius said simply. I'm pretty convinced that he can read my mind at this point in our friendship.

When I got to the classroom, I was surprised to see Rose in the classroom. She was sitting at one of the old wooden desks but I could only see a shock of red hair as her face was buried into her desk. In fact, I only knew it was her for certain as her signature brown leather satchel bag was by the foot of the table. I drew closer as I heard a vague sod coming from her. Rose doesn't cry, she's tough. She's probably the toughest person I know.

"Ah, Mr Potter", Professor Ramos said with relief as she ushered me further into the classroom. "Miss Weasley is slightly upset. She wishes to remain in the classroom but I was hoping a friendly face might help."

"Oh, right", I said slightly awkwardly. "Rose.."

"I'm failing Albus!" she wailed.

"Miss Weasley achieved a P on her latest essay. I've tried to explain that this grade won't affect her end of year grade unless it becomes a habit", corrected Professor Ramos.

I thought for the tiniest moment that they might be playing a trick on me. I hadn't known Rose get anything less than an E in all the time we had been at Hogwarts. I guess I've always thought of Rose as a superhuman. I think she enjoyed being that person. I had never seen her so upset about something. It's hard being human. It's difficult when things don't go the way you thought.

"It's going to be alright, Rosie."

"You don't understand Albus, I'm clever. I mean that's my thing. I might not be pretty or really popular but good grades are part of my identity."

"Rose, are you kidding me?" I said suddenly. I think I was feeling mad that she would even think about herself that way. "You're fierce. Your grades doesn't define you. You're Rose Weasley - tough but compassionate. You're my best friend. I know Scorpius will feel that same."

"You can't tell Scor!" she cried dramatically.

It felt like the world had gone a bit crazy. I wanted to ask her why. It didn't make much sense to me. Scorpius was better at this emotional stuff than I am. He would make her see that she is amazing just the way she is. I couldn't think of a reason in the world why she would act like this. I wanted to argue with her and ask why but I just nodded.  

"I don't know want him to know about this, promise me?" she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I promise."

I wish I didn't have to promise. I couldn't have said anything else though but this promise was dangerously like a secret. People were always telling me their secrets because they think I'm good at keeping them. I'm only good as I tend to avoid people when I know a new secret for fear of revealing it. Intensely stressful.  

"Let's go to the kitchens to get you some hot chocolate", I suggested hopefully.

She had a tearful smile and nodded.

*

Why did she want it to be a secret?

I couldn't figure out why it was so important that Scorpius didn't know about it. The three of us shared everything or so I thought.  I wasn't sure that I liked this sudden change of dynamic. It wasn't even a earth shaking secret. I had still chosen to walk a different way to charms so I didn't have to walk with Scorpius though. I needed more time to accept the idea of keeping a secret from my best friend. Rose said it wasn't a proper secret and I didn't have to directly lie but I still wasn't sure about it.

"Hello Albus."

Yuck, I know that voice.

Brenda Albrighton.

I don't know what made me think I could manage a girlfriend. At first, it was nice having someone around to chat with that wasn't Rose or Scorpius. I enjoyed her company but I don't think I was who she thought I was. I think she realised pretty quickly that she wasn't dating James. It wasn't too long before she cheated on me or said she did. Now she just occasionally liked to come around when she saw me on my own and remind me how shit I am. I really wish I had let Rose break Brenda's arm like she wanted to. Life would be a lot easier if I had stayed away from trying to date people.

"What do you want Brenda?" I asked in monotone voice. I was too experienced at this type of exchange with her. It was better to let her get her insult in early. She would go away quicker.

I called her Brenda to directly annoy her, she liked to go by ‘Ren' because Brenda sounded like an ‘old' person name. I never really thought about that before but it was truly dreadful. I cringe at the fact that she was a redhead so I took it as a sign that we had some deeper connection.

She handed me a piece of parchment. This was new. I wasn't sure that I wanted to look at what was written on the paper. Was this another way to torture me? I decided to open the folded paper. To my surprise, it was a list of books. Maybe she had given me the wrong parchment.

"I haven't got all day so stop overthinking everything alright? It's a list of books that you're going to get for me from the library."

Erm, what?

"Why?"

"Are you an idiot? You got me banned from the library!" she said indignantly. I wanted to point out that it was her shitty attitude that made Bee ‘ban' her or maybe point out it wasn't a real ban. "I need them by the end of the day."

"It's not a real ban", I said carefully.

"Not a real ban? You don't know anything about those girls. They're totally amazing but fierce. I'm not committing social suicide for a few books so you're going to help me."

I spend a lot of time feeling sorry for myself over her bullying because I thought so badly that the problem was me but it had always been her. She seemed so desperate for social acceptance, I knew that when we were dating but I never saw it for the ugly thing it was until now.

"No, I'm not", I said firmly. "Next time you feel like talking to me, just don't. I'm not listening anymore."

I just walked away.

She didn't follow.

*

I was on my way to meet Bee for another potions lesson. I was very glad to be leaving behind Rose and Scorpius' discussion about Appleby Arrows verses Ballycastle Bats, it was getting rather shouty, well, on Rose's part anyway. It is always a possibility when you start a conversation with her though. Bee was already there as I turned the corner, her attention caught up in her phone.

"Are you ready for this, Potter?" she greeted as I got a bit closer. Her feet clad in a pair of heels that announced her arrival everywhere she went.

"I can't believe I've finally made it into a potions lab! You trust me with real ingredients", I said feeling real achievement despite my joking comment.

She laughed too.

"Don't get carried away. We've still got the make the potions without melting anything."

I had definitely come along way in the six weeks that she had been tutoring me. Bee told me that she was feeling confident that I could pass my January exam but, more importantly, I believed I could do it. It was the best that I had felt about anything in ages. It was even better than when she told me that she enjoyed spending time with me.

I reached into my bag to get my book out but it seemed to be jammed in there as my bag was admittedly overfull. I pulled it and suddenly parchments and inks had sprung out of my bag as my book came with it. I scrambled to get everything back in my bag as quickly as possible. Bee came to help me before I could scoop everything up myself.

"How many notes have you made on this potion?"

I froze. This was the thing I had been afraid of. She held up a few pieces of long parchment of which I had scribbled over every inch. It was my latest story, I don't think anyone knows apart from Scorpius and Rose that I enjoyed writing particular fantasy stuff. I've never let them read anything that I had written before. I really loved writing, perhaps even more than chess, but my stories were my private thing.

"Please, give it back."

"You write?" she enquired.

She had already started reading. I didn't want her to see but she was reading it. I was using everything in me to stop myself freaking out. I wanted to snatch it out of her hands but I saw her eyes fly across the parchment as she read. She wasn't laughing in my face.

"Just a bit... I mean it's not important or anything",  I said uncomfortably. I was still staring at her, considering the fact that she was still reading my story.

"Albus, this is seriously good", she said with a big smile on her face. "My mum was passionate about language and literature. Your imagery is so vivid."

Good? I didn't know what to say. I mean, she wouldn't lie. I don't think she would. The prickly feeling of fear was leaving me slowly. The warmth in her smile seem to put my mind to rest a bit.

"I don't really know what to say. You're not just saying that are you?"

"Absolutely not, you're a lot better than you'll ever give yourself credit", she said, adding on "this potion isn't going to brew itself though so we need to crack on."

She wandered off to get the ingredients from the store cupboard. I was just checking that I was still alive. She saw my writing and I'm still here. I didn't die of embarrassment like I had always feared. On the whole, today had been a good day