Chapter 1
My 7th and last year at Hogwarts started with assignments and students worrying about what to do with their lives. We all knew the 7th year is the year of big decisions and nobody could escape the topic. Medical, potions, Ministry, Education, Astronomy… the options seemed endless especially to girls like me who always had problems with big decisions such as this one.
I knew that year Hogwarts were supposed to host the Triwizard Tournament and as exciting as it may have sounded we could never imagine what that brought us, students and members of Hogwarts. I was tempted to enter the tournament simply trying to escape the reality of what was about to happen. The last day of school. A job. A career. I ended up not putting my name – of course – as I knew for sure I would die. My magical skills were good to an extent and I was humble enough to figure that out.
- I am so EXCITED! Our last year… the Yule Ball, the tournament.. oh I can wait to pick my dress… - that was all my friend Alicia could talk about. I had my head shoved between a book named “Careers in Potion – Discover What Are you Called For” eagerly tried to find out what my future profession was going to be.
- You should be excited about that big F you will get from McGonnagal if you don’t finish this assignment – I said, she ignored me and turned to Peyton. Their babbling kept going for another hour or so. So did my book.
I watched as Flint entered the common room and walked to a group of 7th year boys sitting near the fire. I swear, I was the dumbest girl Slytherin ever seen. I had the biggest crush on a boy who could be the main character of a sadistic movie. Marcus Flint. Tall, rough, grumpy and not so smart when it came to Potions. Which had me tutoring him a couple of times throughout our years “together”. Tutoring lessons that was filled with ackward silences and a not so happy Marcus following my directions. It didn’t matter to me. When I was 14 and 15 just being around him was amazing. Platonic love. Pure passion not reciprocated at all. Now, with 17 and Marcus with almost 18, I just felt stupid and dumb every time I walked by him.
- I wish you would talk to him – said Peyton, watching me quit looking at Flint and then looking at her. – He is not that bad you know… - she gave me a smile – As a captain he is tough but we got to see his good side as well. He is just not that attentive when it comes to girls.
- I’m over him. – I said quickly gathering my books and standing up. I left my friends in the common room and rushed to my dorm. That same evening, I didn’t notice him looking at me from across the room as I rushed out.
I watched Slytherin lose to Ravenclaw and did my best to keep my eyes away from Flint. It was a foggy and cold Saturday morning and I was very much depressed. The game was bad, my friends were busy with their boyfriends and I walked alone back to the castle. I heard steps behind me and I turned around. Higgs.
- I guess no party for us tonight – he said, talking about the game – It was a rough game. – he cleaned the sweat out of his forehead and started walking with me.
- We can’t always win, right? – I gave him a sincere smile – Next time. – we both kept walking.
- It’s our last year and I just feel like there’s no time or game to lose – he said and I could tell he was feeling the same blues as we all. Higgs was always friendly towards me and I always felt comfortable around him.
- I agr… - I was interrupted.
- HIGGS! – we both turned our heads to a Marcus that seemed mad. He walked fast towards us. – You left without attending the meeting – he looked at me and back to Higgs.
- I wanted to walk with Lizzy – he said smiling at me, I blushed – Why Marcus? We lost so what…
- Elizabeth can walk by herself – he turned to me. – I need to speak to you, now.
- Flint, if you weren’t my friend I swear… - Terrence put his hand on my arm and gave a little squeeze – See you later Lizzy. – I nodded and watched as the two boys walked back to the pitch.
The next week rushed by as we had the Durmstrang and the Beauxtons presence in the campus. They were everywhere and were the talk of the school. Harry Potter and Cedric were the chosen ones and Slytherin couldn’t care less. The 7th years were still fucked, pardon my words. After that weird encounter with Flint I was even more focused on forgetting about him. I added a little bit more of make up in the mornings and my walks to class suddenly became much more interesting when I crossed paths with a handsome guy from Durmstrang. It was really good for my ego the way they looked at me but anyway, they were looking at all of us, but still.
- Lizzy, I think Krum will invite you for the Yule Ball – said Peyton while we were having lunch, I saw Flint’s head pop up from his plate – I was walking by him and his friends and they were talking about you. – I almost spilled the juice.
- Me??? – I said, now couching and embarrassing myself. Higgs laughed.
- Yes, you mam. – Peyton smiled – You had a glow up this past months girl, he would be stupid not to invite you… - Peyton knew what she was doing, she knew Marcus was listening.
- Oh you pretty ladies, we better hurry huh Flint? Soon they will be all invited by these Durmstrang muscular gits. – said Terrence making the girls laugh. Marcus looked at me, serious.
- I already have someone in mind – Marcus said, still looking at me. I turned my eyes back to my toast confused about what just had happened.