Contentment

Madeline nursed her coffee during breakfast, last night playing over and over in her mind. The old classroom, the walk back, the short letter from her friend.  

M,

What the hell is Grace doing here?  Did you know anything about her coming here for her last year?  Do you want me to do anything about this?  She's all over your man.

Xena

She spent well over an hour writing her response.

And the purple rose she'd found this morning by her door. She wondered who it was from because the only person that used to give her purple roses, years ago, was long gone from her life.  

Shifting in her seat, she smiled when she saw Ginny and Eli walk through the doors, bright smiles on their faces. The two girls made their way to her, offering small greetings before going about getting breakfast. Madeline opened her mouth to ask what their plans for today were since it was Sunday when suddenly the food on Eli's plate exploded, covering the girls head in food.  

Laughter erupted from students nearby, and Madeline shot them a look before taking her wand out to cast a cleaning spell on Eli.  

"You alright?" Madeline smiled at the girl, watching the mess vanish.

Eli nodded, tears visible in her eyes. "Why would someone do that?" Madeline shook her head, turning to Ginny who raised a brow at the two of them before looking down the table, her eyes narrowing. Following Ginny's line of sight, Madeline felt bile rise up her throat. 

Coralina was already staring at them, eyes innocent but a sick smile playing around her lips when she raised her wand like she was making a toast before she turned her attention back to the people she was sitting with, their laughter fulling Madeline's urge to send a curse in their direction. 

Shaking her head, she turned back to Eli. She'd have to deal with the witchy bitch later. 

"Don't pay her any attention." She told the younger girl. "She's not right in her head, okay?" Eli only nodded to that, wiping away a stray tear. Madeline sat down, her body aflame. She knew that their Head Girl didn't apologize to Eli like she told Madeline she would, but she had left Eli and her cousins alone from what Madeline had heard.  

But now this? Madeline wasn't going to let this go.

'''

Madeline sat in her second period on Tuesday, not focusing on what Professor Lupin was saying. 

Percy has been acting strange ever since Saturday night, and she suspected it was because of the kiss.  Oliver hasn't said a single thing to her either since that night, and she couldn't figure out why.  He didn't speak to her all of last week either, until Friday, and she wasn't sure if she was blowing this out of proportion. 

Even Felix didn't say much to her, and she found that odd, seeing as he was the most talkative out of the whole group. 

And then there was breakfast on Sunday. Madeline had meant it when she said that she didn't tolerate bullies. And she was more than willing to fight fire with fire. Professor Snape would have to get over the fact that some of his ingredients for poly-juice potion were missing. 

She felt someone pull on her sleeve and turned her head towards Percy, who had concern written all over his face.  Before she could ask what was wrong, she heard Professor Lupin say her name again.  

"Miss Coleman, you alright?" 

"Yes?"  Her response came out more like a question than an answer.

"Good, then perhaps you could answer my question." He didn't seem upset, but her brows still furrowed. She had no idea what he'd asked.  

"I'm sorry Professor, what was the question?"  She heard a few chuckles go around the room but didn't look around to see who it was.  

"Nothing to apologies for. Mister Flint has asked what it takes to produce a corporeal Patronus and seeing as you did just that on the train, I was hoping that you could answer the question, Miss Coleman."  Madeline smiled at him, looking at Marcus Flint sitting a few seats away from her. She didn't like the smug smile plastered on his face.

She took in a calming breath, looking back at her Professor.  "To cast a corporeal Patronus, a witch or wizard must be able to focus on their happiest memories." 

The Professor nodded his head, smiling at Madeline.  "Yes.  Do the happiest memories have to be pure Miss Coleman?"  Madeline tilted her head, thinking back on what she had learned last year about the spell. 

"No. While in text it says that one must be pure of heart, a dark witch or wizard, or a follower of the darkness can also produce a Patronus."  She told him and watched him nod his head in approval.  "Some historians of the ancient magical properties believe that some people need only to believe with their whole heart in their cause, thus allowing them to cast the spell. Whether they be good or bad." 

Professor Lupin clasped his hands in approval, nodding his head and smiling at the girl. "Very good Miss Coleman.  Now, is the spell only used as a deterrent against the Dementors, or does it have other properties to it?" 

Madeline shook her head, looking around the room then and not liking it one bit that everyone's eyes were trained on her.  "A Patronus can also be used to deliver a massage from the caster to it's intended target."  

The Professor smiled again, nodding his head.  "That it can be."  Percy cleared his throat next to Madeline, and she turned to see his hand raised.  

"Professor, could you show us a corporeal Patronus?"  Percy asked, and Madeline turned to watch their Professor consider Percy's request for a moment. 

"Most definitely.  Although, I do think it would be better to see it done by one of your pears."  His eyes landed on Madeline and she swallowed thickly.  "Miss Coleman, what do you say?"

Madeline sucked in a breath, hating this already.  She hated being center of attention in large settings.  "You want me to do the spell?"  She couldn't help the way her voice came out, nervous and small.  

"Yes, if you don't mind."  Madeline took a moment to nod her head.  "Wonderful.  Why don't you come up to the front of the class then, so that everyone can see better." 

Dread filled her when she felt all eyes on her when she stood up and made her way towards the front of the class. 

Sure, she could cast a corporeal Patronus, but when she had mastered it last years ago, it had been in a classroom filled with people that she knew.  And on the train, it had been from adrenaline rushing through her system.  

Once at the front of the classroom, Madeline looked at the students sitting in their seats.  Most looked interested, and she took in a deep breath. 

Raising her wand hand, she thought of a Christmas when she was twelve.  Her grandmother had taken her to see a Quidditch match in France that year to commemorate her parents memory. The chaser on one of the teams had been close friends with her father, and she remembered when he'd caught sight of her on the stands and had stopped the game to offer a minute of silence for her parents.

She caught Olivers eyes, who was sitting two seats to the back of the classroom, and felt her breath leave her lungs when he smiled kindly at her, his eyes staying on her.  

Madeline inhaled, uttering the spell, eyes still focused on the boy in the back, and felt magic ripple through her body and knew her mockingbird sprang to live from the tip of her wand, flying through the room, and over the students heads.  

The magic of the spell felt warm to her, familiar.  She hadn't tried the spell for months after her grandmothers passing and figured that the only reason she had succeeded it on the train had been because of adrenaline.  

Madeline felt heat spreading up her neck at the way his eyes watched her. Curiosity mixed with wonder. She blinked, coming to her senses, and looked up at the bird when it flew by her head, eliminating light and warmth which forced a genuine smile out of her. 

Ending the spell, Madeline lowered her wand, looking at a gleaming Professor. The room was completely silent.

"Very well done Miss Coleman.  Was that a mockingbird?"  Madeline nodded her head.  "Very impressive.  Twenty points to Gryffindor."  

There was an accumulated sound of clapping and approval from some students, and of disagreement from others.  

"Calm down, all of you."  Professor Lupin said, turning to the class, and Madeline took that as an opportunity to go back to her seat, not missing the way Percy was looking at her with pride.  

"You will all have a chance to score points for your house. Tell you all what, I think this month we'll finish up the courses that I had planned for the class, and starting in October, we'll focus on the Patronus spell."  

Madeline zoned out for most of the class again, her mind wondering over to Percy and Oliver. 

After her last class that day, Madeline caught up to Percy in a hallway where she knew he would be doing his rounds as Head Boy. 

"Percy."  The boy turned, eyes softening when he saw who it was. 

"Madeline, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

Percy looked around the hall, his posture growing guarded.  "I'm a tad bit busy-"

"It wont take long, promise." She interrupted him and smiled when he nodded his head. 

"I'm sorry I kissed you."  Percy's eyes grew wide. 

"What?"

"You seem really uncomfortable with it, and I don't want there to be any awkwardness between us."  She told him and watched his eyes search hers before he shook his head. Her only friends were Ginny and Eli, and while she already felt protective of them, like an older sister, she didn't want to let whatever friendship she might have with Percy to dissipate over a stupid kiss. 

"I'm not uncomfortable."  

"Yes you are. The only things you've said to me since Saturday are hi and by, and if that's not because of the kiss, then what's the problem?"  

Percy seemed to consider her for a moment before relaxing his shoulders.  "I just didn't want to give you the wrong impression."  What?

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged his shoulders, tilting his head.  "I mean, I don't want you to think that I'm after you, or anything like that.  You're a lovely girl, very pretty, but I'm not really..."  He trailed off, looking uncomfortable, and something in Madeline's head clicked.  

The way Felix had been staring at Percy when he had kissed Madeline back, it all made sense now.  She chuckled, taking a step closer to put a hand on his shoulder. 

"You and Felix?"  Percy's face twisted with shock before he nodded his head slowly, deliberately.  

"How did you know?" 

"I didn't want to say anything, but I've suspected that he's into boys since last Monday when I met him.  And then there was the way he looked at you when we kissed.  With wonder and desire and I'll admit that it didn't really click until now."  She told him, keeping her voice in a whisper. 

"You're not disappointed?"  Madeline shook her head, smiling at him.  She was just relieved that he wasn't ignoring her for any other reason. 

"Of course not. I'm just even more sorry that I kissed you now. If I knew, I wouldn't have."  

"Don't be silly.  You couldn't have known, and to be honest, I was kind of surprised you didn't go for Oliver."  Madeline raised a brow, eyes wide, but Percy just smirked.  "I know you wanted to.  But, I'm assuming that him kissing Lina put a damper on that want?"

Nodding her head, Madeline took a step beside him.  "Something like that.  Would you like some company?" She didn't want to talk about Oliver.

"On the rounds? Why not."  They started walking, and Percy leaned in so that only she would hear him when a few students passed them in the hall.  "Also, could we keep this between us?  No one but my youngest sister knows that I like boys." 

"My lips are sealed."  Madeline told him and the two spent an hour walking the halls, making sure that nothing inappropriate was going on.  

Percy told her how he found out that he liked boys, and how Felix was the one to thank for his awakening.  In their fourth year, Percy and Felix stayed up later then usual in the common room, working on homework.  One thing led to another, and ever since then, they'd been in a secret relationship. 

Although, Percy told her that they had decided to not call it a relationship but rather a mutual like for each other's company. 

It was delightful for Madeline to see Percy's eyes light up when he talked about Felix and she couldn't help the excitement she had felt when they saw Felix walk past them in one of the halls.  Seeing the way the two boys looked at each other made her wonder how she hadn't noticed it before.  They looked to be completely and affectionately fascinated with each other. 

It was beautiful.  

During dinner, Madeline was surprised that Oliver wasn't at dinner, and when she asked Percy, she found out that he was probably on the field, practicing for the upcoming game in October. 

Her curiosity peaked, Madeline wrapped a few sandwiches into some napkins, and with Percy's instructions, made her way towards the Quidditch field.

True to Percy's word, the Captain of the Gryffindor team was out on his broom.  She made her way to a set of stands, watching Oliver zoom through the sky on his broom.  He was incredibly fast and agile, and so she just sat there, watching him with fascination written all over her face.  

Oliver came to a dead stop when he spotted Madeline on the Slytherin stand, watching him.  With skeptical curiosity, he flew closer to the stands, balancing himself on his broom when he stopped in front of her. 

"Hi."  She greeted him, her cheeks slightly pink and Oliver had to stop himself from smiling like an idiot.  She looked nice.  But he'd already come to that decision, back on the bloody train platform when he had turned around to see that he had walked in front of someone. 

She had looked frustrated and unbelieving, but before he could ask her anything, or say anything, he had been left standing there and watching her get onto the train. 

"Hi.  What are you doing here?"  He didn't mean for the question to sound so rude, but he genuinely wanted to know.  He knew that she liked Quidditch, but what she was doing here, all alone, that was what he wanted to know. 

Madeline shifted on the bench, neck flushing crimson and Oliver wasn't sure if it was from the chilly air or because of him.  "You weren't at dinner."  What?  Oliver didn't even know what time it was.  

Saturday night's events left his mind buzzing with unkind thoughts towards his mate, and he didn't like that.  He wasn't sure if he could even name the feeling that he got from watching the two kiss.  She had kissed Percy, and who was he to hold it against the bloke for not returning the kiss. 

Oliver wasn't jealous.  That would be insane since he barely even knew Madeline. Madeline.  Oliver liked her name.  

"I definitely didn't pay attention to time."  Oliver told her and felt his stomach protest at that.  Great. He missed dinner because he was out here, flying out tension from the fact that she chose to kiss Percy. 

Gods, help him, Oliver didn't know how to react when he watched her smile in understanding and take out some sandwiches wrapped in a napkin.  "That's actually why I'm here.  Percy said that you were probably here, and dinner was almost over, so..."  She trailed off, shrugging her shoulders.  "I thought you might be hungry."  

"That's very thoughtful of you."  It was.  It really was, and Oliver just wanted to smile like an idiot again because there had been too many nights of missed dinners during his years in Hogwarts, nights when he went out to practice, or just fly to get his mind off of things.  Nights when not even one of his friends brought him food or saved him anything from dinner. 

He never blamed anyone, but this.  This felt unreal. 

Madeline rose to her feat, cocking her head.  "Are you still going to fly?  I can leave them here, if you'd like.  But you really should eat something and-"

Shaking his head, Oliver, for the first time in maybe what could be his entire life, didn't want to fly at that moment.  He didn't want her to leave.  "No, no that's fine.  I'm done flying. Meet you at the bottom?" Relief flooded through him when she nodded her head. 

He was nervous, and it wasn't caused by Quidditch. 

Putting his broom away, Oliver waited for her at the bottom of the Slytherin stands, and this time, he did smile like an idiot when he saw her coming down the last few stairs. She looked divine. Her hair blowing in the slight wind, her black sweater, large enough for comfort, yet still hugging her perfectly.

"Here."  Madeline handed him the sandwiches, and a shiver ran through him when their fingers brushed.

"Thank you."  

"It's nothing."  She told him, following him to some benches outside of the Gryffindor changing rooms.  "Do you skip dinner often?"  Oliver nodded and saw her expression soften.  "How come?"

How come?  Oliver thought back to all the times that he's spent here alone, enjoying the feeling of air running through his body, a different kind of calming adrenaline then when he was out on the field because of a game. 

"It's calming, I suppose.  Helps me take my mind off things."  Madeline studied him for a moment before nodding her head.  "Thanks again for the sandwiches."  He mentally smacked himself for thinking her again, but when she smiled in that teasing, satisfying way that he'd seen her do with Percy and the first-year girl Eli and Percys younger sister, he felt something inside him melt.  Even though they've talked before, in the hospital wing, on the stairs leading to the Astromony tower, she had never, not once, smiled at him that way.  She always seemed to be looking at him in some kind of careful consideration, and he wasn't sure why, but he was relieved that she was looking at him like this now. 

"It's nothing, really.  Although, if you want to thank me again, maybe you should actually eat them."  Oliver chuckled at her teasing tone but took to taking a bite.  It definitely hit the right spot.

"Oh god, what time do you think it is?"  Madeline asked, suddenly standing up in a panic.

"What?"  

"We have Astronomy at nine."  Oliver almost choked on the second to last bite that was in his mouth, eyes wide as he stood up as well.  

"Shites, dinner ends at eight, and you weren't sitting on the stands for long, were you?"  Madeline shook her head.  "Then I suppose we'll just make it if we go now."  

"Then let's go."  She told him, already walking away.  Oliver followed her, taking the last bite.  

They almost made it halfway across the grounds when Madeline stopped dead in her tracks.  

"What's wrong?"  Oliver followed her sight of line when she didn't respond and felt his blood run cold.  

There was a large dog, barely visible in the distance, standing still and Oliver wouldn't have noticed it had it not been for two large yellow eyes focused on them. 

Bloody hell.