We Will Shine {Book 6 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 20 - The World All Wrong

~Wren~

I'd had much worse things happen to me. I'd been forced into terrorism by my family, and then held hostage by my uncle for two years. I'd been tortured and humiliated in ways so horrible I'd actively suppressed the memories. I'd been locked in a dungeon with a dozen dementors for three days.

So why did it still feel like my world was falling apart?

I had to act like it wasn't, of course. Once Lacy heard that we'd broken up, news spread like spilled water. No one knew why, of course, but maybe that only made the news (and rumors) spread faster. It was only two days before people were staring and whispering in the halls, and I noticed Nico watching me closely. He was the reason I couldn't act completely wrecked, of course; he would go to my uncle if he thought I actually, genuinely cared about James Potter, and this wasn't just acting.

I dreaded the next time we would have to report. It wasn't so hard to avoid him at school, since Albus had no qualms with making a rude gesture in his direction and steering me away under the pretense of him being a prat. Besides, I did have to act upset when I was surrounded by people. But when it was just me and him, I would have to let all that drop, act normal. I wasn't sure if I could do that.

Before that happened, the sixth and seventh years got to go on a Hogsmeade visit. Albus and Poppy insisted I come with them, so I wasn't alone. Which was good, because otherwise I might have simply stayed at the castle, which would have not looked that good to Nico.

"So, um, how are things?" Poppy asked as we left the castle.

I shrugged. Albus was the one who answered. "Been better, I suppose. With our friend group, that is."

Poppy gave me a sympathetic smile. "James, mainly? I've been meaning to ask how you're holding up."

"Fine," I said automatically. There wasn't much I could say about it all without getting into the why, and we couldn't get into the why. I looked down. "I don't really want to talk about it. I'm sorry."

"Oh, right, of course."

Albus forced a grin. "Hey, let's focus on happier things, right? It's a beautiful day. Maybe we can get some of your friends together for a snowball fight, Poppy."

"That sounds fun," she agreed, smiling. "Maybe Astra and Colette would want to join us, too."

"Um... Probably not..." Albus shrugged. "We're in the middle of an argument, actually."

"Oh, about what?"

Albus shook his head. "Nothing important. Sorry. I'm not sure Astra wants other people to know."

Poppy blinked, then smiled. I could tell it was a bit forced. "Oh, all right," she said cheerily. I felt a little bad. Obviously, we couldn't tell her why James and I had broken up, or why we weren't talking to Astra at the moment, but the lack of an explanation could only breed other ideas in its place. However, even trying to be vague would raise more questions than it would answer. I wished we could tell her something, though.

We went to the Three Broomsticks first, grabbing the only free table, one near the back. Albus had just come back with our butterbeers when I spotted two familiar reporters walking through the door. "Hey, look, it's Gideon and Vinnie," I said, pointing across the pub. Albus turned and caught sight of them, then waved. The two smiled widely and started over to us.

"Well, if it isn't some of our favorite Hogwarts students," Vinnie said as they walked up.

Gideon grinned. "Can we join you?"

Albus nodded, and the two reporters pulled up chairs at our table. "Poppy, these are our friends from the Prophet, Gideon Montry and Vinnie Briar." Poppy smiled brightly at them, and Albus gestured to her. "This is my girlfriend, Poppy Stevens."