(December 1st 1991)
The past week or so hasn't been easy, my mind has been all over the place. Don't get me wrong; having Oliver back is amazing. The main problem is that George has refused to talk to me, even look in the same direction as me. Himself and Avery are the main talk of everyone in Gryffindor. How they are always smiling and walking down the corridors linking onto each other's arms. It's gotten to the point where I've had to move seats in classes because Avery doesn't want any other girl near George so now it ends up being Avery in the middle of George and Fred. She's even taken my spot in the Great Hall next to Fred. It's as if she wants to make my life miserable. Tesha and the rest of the girls try to speaking to Avery at all times because they are still weary because of what she has done. The previous week after we went to visit Oliver in the infirmary Tesha went to speak with Avery. She wanted to let her know about her being bisexual. However, as soon as Tesha told Avery she refused to look at her and accused Tesha of having somewhat of a 'crush' on her. Nevertheless, Avery made a bad comment of Tesha's hair and said she preferred it when it was straight and said it was better than because it was 'normal'. When Cherry found out about what Avery said to Tesha and how she broke the rules by bringing George into the girl's dormitory she went straight to Professor McGonagall and demanded for Avery to be moved out of our dorm. So that's what happened. Avery was moved into another dorm in Gryffindor away from us and the only people in my dorm is Tesha, Cherry, Lillian and me.
Harry and I are currently are sat in the common room in front of the fire like we did previously last week. In his hands is a Potions book, Harry and his two close friends have been studying non- stop for the test that Professor Snape is giving him. He's the only Professor giving students tests just before Christmas. The majority of us students are off schedule and if we are in lessons, it's just for a quick recap over what has happened over the course of this year. Unfortunately, Harry is not the only one with a test. Snape is giving every one of his classes a test and whenever we're in the Grand Hall you can overhear him talking to the other Professor's into doing the same thing. The current thing I'm trying to teach Harry is basic knowledge. Spells mainly.
"Okay, so what does the Oblivious Spell do?" I quickly take the book away from his and close it before placing it into my lap.
" Iris!" Harry lets out a groan.
"I'm sorry but this is the basic knowledge you should know."
"She's right you know. C'mon mate if you can pay attention in Quidditch and know all the rules then you should be able to recall the basics, right?" A familiar accent says behind us. I turn my head around and look towards the common room doors.
"What's the password now?" I ask him. Oliver walks over to where Harry and I are sat and places his Quidditch gear down onto the floor before sitting down on the other side of Harry and throwing his right arm over the couch.
"It's gone back to 'Caput Draconis,'" he informs me before looking at Harry and nudging his shoulder. "So, what is it?"
"The Oblivious Spell is where you can erase specific memories from an individual's mind."
"That's right! Good job." I tell Harry. "Now what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" I bring up the question that Professor Snape asked Harry on his first ever lesson at Hogwarts.
" As you should know I have studied for this question. The answer is you would end up brewing a sleeping potion."
I nod with approval and hand Harry back the book he got out of the Library with Hermione earlier on today.
"I'm going to go see what Ron is up to, that alright?" Harry brings the book up to his chest.
" Harry, you don't need to ask me, go on." I laugh as I gesture to the stairs. Harry makes a sprint to the staircase and you can hear him barge into his dormitory door. I shake my head before turning around at Oliver who I soon noticed was staring at me the whole time.
" So how was Quidditch practice?" I break the silence.
"Good. Practice was good. Look can we talk?"
"Yeah, go ahead." My head starts racing to several things he could possibly want to speak about; George and I, my fall out with Avery.
" I heard you."
"You what?" I ask as my eyebrows burrow.
"I heard you in the infirmary. I heard the whole thing. So is it true?" He moves and sits closer to me.
"What's true?"
" Is it true that you need me? That's what you said to me and I quote 'everyone needs you; I need you."
My face begins to warm up as I feel the pinkish colour take over my skin, I bring my hands up and hide my face in them. "You weren't supposed to hear that."
"Well, I did and I'm afraid you didn't answer my question. Do you need me?"
"Yes, Oliver. If you died on that pitch, I don't think I would've been able to cope. I'm tired of losing the people I care about." As soon I finished what I was saying I froze. I practically just told Oliver I had feelings for him.
"You care about me?" His eyes widen but not in a good way.
"Yeah, I guess I do care for you." I try to avoid eye contact with him as much as possible. However, the words that leave his mouth next make the situation worse.
" Iris, blimey how do I say this.." Oliver moves around his chair clearly uncomfortable. He lifts one of his hands and runs it through his hair before leaning back against the couch. "I don't feel the same way."
My heart sank to the bottom of my chest as I felt the happiness and excitement wash away like a wave. Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down my cheeks, my eyes began to burn as if a massive flame of fire was taking over. The salty taste entered my mouth as I tried to force myself to speak. Nevertheless, it didn't matter how hard I tried I was unable to form any words. In this moment of the time I was at my most vulnerable state.
"Iris..I had no idea."
"No idea!" I finally force myself to look up at him. "So when you made the joke about purposing on my birthday: that just meant nothing to you? Or the times where you look me up and down then just stare at me. Oh, and when you wink at me!"
"Iris, stop please don't do this." He sighed. "I'll end up breaking your heart-"
"You already have."
"Iris when I leave Hogwarts in a few years you'll still be here!" He stands up from his seat and looks down at me. "Our age difference."
"It never seemed to bother you at the beginning and you're only about two years older." I reason with him.
"Iris, I think it's best if we don't speak anymore then." He blurts out.
"W-why?" The words barley manage to leave my mouth as I stare nonchalantly at him.
"Things just won't be right... the truth is Iris: I've never liked you romantically because I like someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Yes Iris! Someone else!" He admitted. "Her and I are made to be," he then gestured to himself and I, "Not us."
"You never told me, Oliver." I wipe the tears that are currently free falling from my eyes. Oliver walks over to the staircase and places his hand on the railing before looking back at me."I never told you because it's none of your business. Iris, I think it's best if we don't speak to one another for a while." He tells me with a simple shrug. How could he be so casual about this? He literally just broke my heart.
" Whatever we had, Iris. It's all over. Don't try looking for me."