Chapter 23
Aine noticed a crack of light trying to fight its way into the dorm when she first woke up, after checking on Ginny who was still happily asleep and blissfully unaware of the loud chatter from the halls, she noticed George was also gone.
Curious to what was going on, she began to carefully untangle herself from the blankets but stopped when not only George returned but other 3 occupants of the room. They all looked quite shaken, even locking the door which Aine thought was also strange but kept quiet as Lee and Kenneth headed towards their beds. George and Fred stood by the door still and were speaking in whispers, Aine noticed Fred slap George's arm before she decided to say something.
“Everything alright?” she moved towards the edge of the bed, both of them froze in place having a silent conversation before George turned towards her.
“Have you been up long, darling?” George glided across the room before her.
“Only a minute or so... why do you look so freaked out?” Aine questioned pushing herself to her feet.
“McGonagall just came thru while the party was still blastin, yelled at everyone who was still out” Fred informed her, taking off his shirt and changing into another “she was proper mad, took like 100 house points.” George stared at Fred with a strange look, wondering where he came up with that lie.
“Oh... Maybe I should go back to my dorm then...” Aine began to look for her shoes.
“No!” George gasped taking a hold of her shoulders keeping her in place. “I mean if you try to sneak back... You'll end up gettin detention. You should just stay here till mornin” he explained releasing her quickly.
“Uh but -” she had pointed to his bed, motioning to Ginny “Where will you sleep?” she asked.
“I can just bunk with Freddie... its only a few hours till mornin.” he had somehow guided back into bed, caressing her cheek before he began to back up “Don't leave tomorrow without me.” it felt like more of an instruction than a request but she nodded in agreement anyways
“You promise?”
“I promise”
-
Despite his best attempts, Aine of course learned that the ruckus from the night before was more than an out-of-control party, and that it was Sirius Black in Ron Weasley's room with a knife.
A part of Aine wanted to comfort Ron, to help him since they had gone through something similar, and it felt like the right thing to do but a bigger much stronger part of her wanted to be left alone.
Thankfully her mother had sent her a letter and she ventured to the Black Lake for some much-needed fresh air. She was also pretty upset with George, he had lied to her face, she understands that technically he didnt say anything but he didn't say anything! But can she even be upset she wonders, it was the middle of the night and if he did tell her right then, how would she even react?
“Yo.” Jameson was standing adjacent to her, his eyes looking at the letter next to her in the grass “Been a minute Murphy.”
He continued as he stepped closer, Aine rolled her eyes jokingly because what he means is they haven't talked privately in a while, that whether she wanted to or not, he was going to make her talk about why she was upset, most of the time Aine appreciated this it was hard for her to express negative emotions but there were sometimes Jameson felt like he was pulling teeth with her.
“It could've been longer.” Aine replies in an airy voice.
‘Ah the Shes going to be stubborn today’ Jameson sighed.
“If I asked you a question, will you answer it honestly?” Aine suddenly questioned him.
“Hmm that depends” Jameson lowered himself to the ground making himself comfortable “Will you answer my questions honestly?” the grass was slightly moist and he wished he had his cloak to lay on instead.
Aine let out a heavy sigh, folding the letter back into her bag and for a second Jameson believed that she was going to deflect again but she just turned fully towards him, her eyes tired.
“You know it's okay to be angry with your boyfriend, it a very normal thing to happen.” He began “It would be weird if you didn't get mad at each other once in a while.”
“But I dont want to be mad, I feel as if Im upset for no reason.” Aine tried to rationalize.
“Look, it's something is making you upset then there is a reason. It's always good to just talk it out.” Jameson sighed “You have a talent for holdin things in and then you...” he trailed off giving her a look.
He didn't need to say it, Aine knew he was referring to her small breakdown in the summer.
It had been the middle of July and she hadn't slept for nearly two nights, no matter how hard she tried, she would just stare into the darkness. It felt as if every time she tried to relax her mind, her breathing would come in shorter and she would imagine the nothingness of death before letting out a gasp to pace her bedroom.
Jameson was already scheduled to come over for the afternoon, he was to be apparated by his father and then brought home by his house elf. After greeting Connell and Mrs. Murphy he was directed upstairs to Aine’s bedroom, he could tell something was wrong the second he entered the room.
It was dark although it was midday, the air in the room seemed stale but he could see a candle burning on the bedside table. He stepped in and closed the door, almost tripping over a small pile of laundry.
“Aine?” he walked closer to the bed but waited for a response.
Slowly lifting her head from under the blanket, she blinked in confusion before sitting completely upright.
“James? I thought you weren't coming till the 17th?” Aine questioned but she sounded faraway.
“Yeah. Thats today.” He answered taking another step he could see her disheveled hair “You alright? Oversleep or something?”
“Or something...” she mumbled pushing herself to her feet. “I'm sorry let me wash my face, I've been a bit out of it” she tried to laugh that last part but it sounded forced. Jameson nodded as he watched her grab some clean clothes and a hairbrush before she headed towards the bathroom. Letting out a confused breath, he decided to open the window and blow out the candle that was almost all melted wax.
He was sitting at her desk by the time she returned, and that's when he saw those horrible eyes bags for the first time. He had sucked his teeth in reaction - causing Aine to turn away slightly, she moved towards her bedside table, opening it and pulled out a small pink pouch.
“They are awful I know... I need to put on some concealer.” she explained waving the pouch around, heading towards the bathroom again.
“You dont need too.” Jameson had found his words “We are just hanging out, its just – are you okay?”
“Yes.” she practically hissed out “I'm fine... Just tired.” she said that part in a more apologetic tone.
“Hey. It's alright. How about we just talk instead?” the original plan was to take Jameson to experience a muggle movie, seeing the state she was in he wondered if she even bought the tickets.
“Um but what about the movie? I've already bought the tickets” Her face scrunched up as she pointed to the desk behind him. Slightly turning his eyes caught 2 small square cards gently tucked under a figurine of a crying clown, removing it with his fingernails dragging it closer to read he furrowed his eyebrows.
GROUNDHOG DAY
GREENVIEW THEATHER 3PM July 16th
“Aine...” she made a hum of acknowledgement “These tickets were for yesterday.” He squeezed his eyes shut as she scattered over, snatching the tickets from his grasp.
The room had suddenly felt heavy, as if she was emitting her negative energy throughout the room, Jameson clenched his fist as he felt a wave of stress and anxiety hit him. Aine was biting her lip, pacing and mumbling to herself... Neither of them can no longer pretend, something was wrong.
“Aine... You gotta calm down. It was just a simple mistake.” he grabbed her shoulder pulling her to stop, she was crying. “It's okay” he tried to reassure her, the closer he got the more dread he could feel.
“Its not okay!” she shouted tearing her body away “Im so stupid and I wasted your time... I'm so sorry.” she sobbed out, her magic was out of control knocking all of her various trinkets, causing the lights to flicker.
“Aine! Calm Down!” he shouted again wrapping his arms around her torso, pulling her into a tight hug.
Her breathing was short and erratic as she continued to sob, Jameson swore the house was shaking. “Please Aine, just breath with me.” he smoothed down her hair as he counted to her.
1.. 2.. 3..
1.. 2..3..
It took her several tries but she was able to turn her gasps into relaxed inhales, he moved her towards the bed and sat with her as she let out sniffles.
“I’m sor-”
“Don't apologize, just be honest with me. Are you okay?” he replied softly but his gaze was firm.
“I dont think so”
“I'm better now.” Aine answered Jameson’s silence, focusing on the calm water “that was different.”
“I didn't say you weren't better “Jameson rolled his eyes, laying on his back now. “I'm just telling you to be honest with yourself... So that what happened in the summer doesn't happen again.” he turned his head noticing that she had quickly wiped her face and sighed deeply.
“You're right. I’ll talk to him.” Aine knew what he was saying was true, she never wanted to lose control like that again.
“Okay. So, what did you want to ask me?” he questioned, although it was midday by now, he felt as if he could fall asleep in the warm grass.
“Did something happen between you and Adrian?” this questioned had been burning in the back of head for days, Adrian had stopped her after class asking if she “had rewarded her guard dogs yet?” in the moment she awkwardly laughed it off.
Although she was kind to Adrain Pucey she didn't feel comfortable around him fully, she had just known his was a friend of Jameson but she knew he could be cruel.
“Yes. We aren't friends anymore.” Jameson hissed out “So if he talks to you tell him to fuck off.” his response made her frown, considering she knew that they shared a dorm room.
“What did he do?” she questioned
“Something that I cannot forgive.” again she frowned at the reply.
“But-”
“Aine! James!” They both turned their heads towards Corrine who was jogging towards them, she looked flushed and disheveled as she waved her arms to catch their attentions from the top of the hill.
“Where's the fire?” Jameson teased as Corrine made it towards them.
“It’s Connell- He's in the Infirmary.” she pulled Aine's arm helping her up, as they all quickly ran back into the school.
-
Connell Murphy let out a sigh of frustration, as he stared at the ceiling from his hospital bed in boredom. He could hear Madam Pomfrey feet tapping back and forth between beds in a rush to attend to the Cassius Warrington and Grahm Montague, she was muttering to herself about how ‘violent students were nowadays’.
Connell Murphy had lost his temper and attacked two fellow prefects, and he knew he was in deep shit but he honestly didnt care anymore.
He could only stare at the ceiling, he couldn't bear the look of disappointment Oliver was most likely giving him, it would only make him angrier.
“Was it worth it con?” Oliver asked crossing his arms “This is bad, what if this happened during quidditch season? What if you can't be captain next year?” he chided
That comment caused him to snap.
“Do you care more about quidditch or me?” he hissed at Oliver.
Oliver stared at him with wide eyes and his arms crossed “I care about your future.” he replied tightly, his lips barely moved.
Connell could feel it this uncontrollable force trying to escape, all of his repressed feelings forming an attack, he let us a small breath. This problem -that he was sure he had control of was trying to force itself out again, usually if he kept calm it would happen but today had been so- he thought maybe it was because sometimes people lose control of their magic, but he was 17 now this shouldn't happen anymore.
He didn't want whatever this was to release on Oliver again like before, so he let out another deep exhale.
“Quidditch isnt my future, you know this.” he replied, he didn't give Oliver a chance to respond before twisting his body away from him, readjusting his pillow.
“Con.” he ignored it “Connell.”
“Connell!” the sheet separating him from the rest of the infirmary swished open as his sister and her friends piled in.
“Connell! Are you okay?” Aine asked stepping closer.
“What happened? You fought Warrington?” Jameson inquired.
“I saw the whole thing- they started it! Did McGonagall come yet? I can vouch for you” Corrine rattled. They all surrounded him, chattering over each other and pushing themselves closer, seeing them like this caused the painful boiling anger simmer down more.
“I'm alright, they got it worse. Warrington broke my nose, but I totally stomped him ass-” he cut his explanation short when he heard Oliver scoff.
“Yeah, until Montague started wailing on you- and now you have 2 broken ribs.” Oliver snipped as Aine gasped.
“You lost?!” Jameson blurted out in shock.
“No.” Oliver and Corrine responded.
Connell sat up again, ignoring the pain in his ribs and holding back a laugh. He could feel it now, all of the outrage melting back into his veins, the pain becoming duller on his ribs, he looked towards his sister and how she stared at him with concern and love.
If you aren't looking you can't see it but Connell can, he always can and he wonders if she even knows what's Shes doing or even notices.
“Stop that.” he commands and she unknowingly listens, focusing her eyes on him fully. “Seriously I'm fine, please don't worry.” he played it off, gesturing her to come closer. Aine eyes him ruefully but comes slowly, he pulled her gently down so she sat with him on the squeaky hospital bed.
“Listen, I already drank the potion and it will be healed by tomorrow, don't stress.” he placed an arm over her shoulder pulling her closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck to avoid injuring him further.
“Can I stay here with you?” she asked softly “We can go bring you something from the kitchens.” he wanted that but he wanted time alone more, he also knew that at any time McGonagall will come and rip his head off before dishing out whatever his punishment may be.
“Nah, I'm tired so I’d be shit company. If I'm still in here tomorrow you can come back, but go enjoy your Sunday.” he instructed her giving her another squeeze.
“But Con-” she was cut off by the curtain opening again, as professor McGonagall stepped through. Everyone froze in place as she passed her eyes over the group of students before she let out a deep sigh.
“I thought we had stopped your fighting problem in 2nd year, Mr. Murphy.” she began to lecture. “I distinctly remember a conversation about healthy outlets.”
“I vaguely remember that too” Connell replied dryly causing Oliver to make a noise of warning, Aine turned her head towards him in slight shock.
“Then can you explain to me why I have 2 other prefects in the hospital wing, one with a broken arm and the other with a with a mild concussion.” McGonagall tried her best to remain toneless.
“Well, they aren't entirely blameless, I have a 2 broken ribs Professor.” Connell almost regretted his words when she narrowed his eyes at him, he couldn't tell you what happened if you asked him to -it was as if the flame reignited and she was the only who could see the fire.
“Mr. Roberts, Mr. Wood, and Ms. Murphy you may return to your common room.” The professor instructed quietly before turning to Corrine who had a confused look on her face. “I heard you were responsible for the stinging boils curse that was placed on Mr. Warrington, You may wait out in the hall for your head of house” she instructed Corrinne.
Jameson and Aine stared wide-eyed and mouth open, Corrine let out a ‘hmph’ and stomped out the patient area.
“Oh my..” Oliver murmured quickly chased after her, not before giving a Connell a look that said ‘behave or I'll be disappointed’.
Connell felt like that should be enough incentive to stop making little snipes at his teacher so instead of a responding via eyeroll, he just nodded his head slightly enough to make Ollie happy. And then there was 4, Connell slowly released his sister from his hold encouraging her to also take her leave.
“Good afternoon professor..” Aine began her farewell, stopping in front of McGonagall giving her a soft smile, it was subtle but she was doing it again and this time on a teacher.
“Aine.” She looked over at him with confused eyes as he let out an exhausted sigh “Go now please.” nodding her head she exited the patient area with Jameson trailing behind her.
Connell kept a straight face as McGonagall blinked herself back into focus, questioning what had just happen to herself. Her eyes flicked to Connell who quickly turned his head, letting out another sigh to throw her off.
“Professor, I'm really tired. Can you just tell me my punishment now?” he cringed at how whiny he forced himself to sound but McGonagall is an extremely powerful witch, unlike most people she could tell if someone attempted to compel her.
“Mr. Murphy- “she cuts herself off, as if she were debating with herself again. “2 weeks detention served with professor Lupin, and you will be forbidden from attending the last Hogsmeade trip.” she takes another break to analyze Connell's face “I will be writing your parents- and if you cannot control yourself until graduation... I will remove you from the quidditch team next year.”
Connell let out a sigh and let his head hit the pillow “I don't care about quidditch” he responded petually- he was upset about missing his last Hogsmeade weekend with Oliver.
“I dont believe that to be true” McGonagall responded sighing, she knew what she had felt and decided it was best to discuss it with the headmaster. “Rest up, I expect you to behave.” and with that she glided out of the hospital wing.
Connell closed his eyes; he could feel his head pounding behind them. He considered asking for a headache draught but wanted to be alone more, breathing deeply and methodically he lulled himself to sleep.