Boys and Girls ** (EDMUND)

[Deleted]

@edmund
265
<3

It was opening feast, everyone was in their robes and hats, and sitting at their house tables. Once Addilyn and Grey had gotten to school, they said bye to each other and went to their respective seats. She could see him across the room from the Slytherin table, and she gave him a small smile when he glanced down to find her as well. She knew he loved her, just hoped it was just as much as she loved him.

At sight of Edmund, Addi smiled brightly. She ran over to him, gave him a hug, a kiss on the cheek and sat next to him. "Ed! Are you excited to hear what's going on?" He hadn't any time to answer her before Professor Longbottom began to speak. As Addilyn listened, her eyes widened. Wow. The Triwizard Tournament? It was fun, exciting, but also dangerous. Her eyes went straight to her older brother. She hoped, hoped to all of the angels in the sky that he would not even attempt to put his name in that goblet, but she'd have time to speak to him later about it.

Turning her body to Edmund as the feast began, she grinned. "I was right! There is going to be a ball! Well, now I have to find someone to go with but I doubt that'll happen. Yay, I'm so excited!" Addi was happy with her dress and couldn't wait for the ball either. She started putting chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies on her plate along with some rice. Her glass filled with pumpkin juice and she began to eat.

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Edmund walked into the Great Hall, unable to keep a small smile off his face. He was home. He absolutely loved being back here. He'd missed it over the summer. Even wearing normal clothes wasn't worth being away from magic for so long. He was one of the first to arrive, so he moved over to the Slytherin table and sat down. He was sure his friends would be here soon. He thought about saving a spot for Addi, then shook his head and chuckled to himself. He and Addi always sat together. Basically everyone in Slytherin knew to leave an empty spot by whichever one got there first.

Then she was there, hugging him and kissing his cheek, as usual, then asking if he was excited. Edmund grinned, but before he got a chance to say anything, Professor Longbottom began his speech. Edmund teasingly nudged Addi's shoulder when her attention went straight to the front of the room, but he was soon paying just as much attention to Professor Longbottom as she was. Triwizard Tournament, huh? He remembered vaguely hearing about the one with Harry Potter, but he didn't remember much about it. He was going to have to ask Addi about it.

Once the speech was over, Addi turned to him and started talking about how there really was going to be a ball. He held up a hand to nonverbally ask her to pause. "Adds, what do you mean there's going to be a ball? All he said was something about a Triwizard Tournament ... what's that?" He started loading food onto his plate, not really paying attention to what he was grabbing. He was too nervous about this ball ... and the tournament. He didn't understand really what was going on.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
157
<3

Edmund was nudging her shoulder and Addi gave him a look and turned back to Professor Longbottom. Addilyn was always a great listener and she was also a great student. She loved school and she loved learning; but respect was also a big issue for her. She knew Edmund just wanted to ask her a few questions but he could wait; the opening speech wasn't always that long.

Finally the speech was over. Starting to eat Addi laughed at her best friend. "The tournament is like a game; there are tasks and each task has a clue. You get points for finishing the task and doing the best, and there is one champion from each of the three schools that get chosen from the cup up there." Addi pointed to it, continuing to eat. "The ball is a dance, a celebration of the tournament and the champions. It's actually quite exciting, Ed, slightly nerve wracking, but exciting as well."

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Edmund was eating as Addi explained about the tournament. Everyone around them was so excited, going on and on about it and he was starting to feel nervous. Apparently there was going to be a dance. "It sounds like fun," he answered with a smile. "It's a shame it couldn't happen next year. I'd love to enter something like that." He was thinking of his family. If he'd been able to win this tournament then he wouldn't have people comparing him to his brother anymore. At least, not people from the magical world. There was nothing he could do in the Muggle world to stop the comparisons. And to them, he would never measure up to Will. "But a ball? Really? I feel like that's not necessary," he whined, partly serious but also partly trying to tease her at the same time. Who was he supposed to ask to go to the ball with him? After all, since it was a school-wide thing he felt like he should go. Maybe magical balls wouldn't be as terrible as the ones he'd been to ...

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
126
<3

Addilyn grinned at Edmund. He was always so ambitious. "Oh, E, it's a fun thing to watch, but actually being in the tournament is scary, and it's not always safe. You could get really hurt in there, and I'm glad we're a year behind. I don't know what I'd do if you were in there..." Addi gave him a small smile, and began eating more food. Ugh, how she missed Hogwarts and it's meals. They were always so delicious.

Next, Addilyn laughed. "It's fun Edmund! Not necessary, but it's an enjoyable thing that can take your mind off of all the stress and tasks going on. So stop it! It'll be fun! And I'm so excited to go, but you have to teach me how to dance."

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Edmund grinned back at Addi. She'd given him the perfect in and she didn't even know it. He changed his expression to a small pout, though he was almost positive she wouldn't buy it. "You mean you wouldn't cheer me on if I was in there, Adds? Or help me prepare for any of the challenges? I still think it'd be fun." Hogwarts food was better than the food at home, which was saying something. He couldn't get enough of it.

Edmund crinkled his nose at her. "You think it's fun now, just wait until all the stress comes. About asking people, being asked, how to dance, what to do when you're not dancing. Ugh," he gave an exaggerated shudder before smiling and putting down his food for a minute, "I already said I would teach you, is that not good enough? How about this: I, Edmund Michael Windsor promise that I will teach you how to dance before the ball." He bowed slightly, still teasing her. "Do you believe me now?"

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
127
<3

Edmund pouted at Addi and she looked shocked. She laughed along with him. "Of course I'd help you, E. But it would be even better, like now, if I didn't have to help you or worry about you." Addi shook her head at his pout. Her blue eyes glanced at all his freckles and her cheeks flushed a light pink. Oh! What was wrong with her?

Her eyes immediately went down to her food and she smiled sheepishly to herself. He mentioned the ball again and Addilyn looked back up at him. "Oh trust me, I doubt a single person is going to ask me. No one likes me at all." It made Addilyn laugh, somewhat. "I wish someone did, but I heard the other day he hates Slytherins..."

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Edmund smiled, "Good," he teased even though a part of him was serious. It meant a lot to him that Addi support him. He understood her relief that they couldn't actually be in the tournament, but he still thought it would be fun. His eyes narrowed slightly when she blushed and turned her attention to her food. What was going on with her?

Then she started saying that no one would ask her to the ball, that no one liked her. Then she started talking about a specific someone who hated Slytherins and Ed felt his anger rising, so he looked away from her, across the Great Hall. His body tensed up and his jaw clenched as he tried to hide his frustration from her. Addi didn't like it when Edmund got mad. After a minute, he looked back to her, a semi-forced wry smile on his face, "Well do you want to go with me, Adds? That way you don't have to worry about not being asked and I don't have to worry about asking someone and we'll both have lots of fun." His stomach was twisting nervously, but he thought it was still anger and ignored it. 

His smile grew more sincere and he reached over and grabbed one of her hands, squeezing it gently. Physical contact wasn't really his thing, so he hoped she'd see this for what it was, an effort to comfort her. "And what is this? You want someone to like you and you didn't tell me about it? Who is it?" he asked gently. He wasn't sure if she'd actually tell him, but he really wanted her to. First, maybe he could help her. Second, then he'd be able to bash the kids face in.

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
244
<3

Addilyn was completely shocked to hear Edmund's next question. Go with him? As friends? Addi grinned. There wasn't anyone else that Addilyn could even imagine going with, and now with everything she heard about Kyle, Addi definitely had no reason to want to go dance with him. When she looked at Edmund she saw an angry look on his face before he smiled at her. Addilyn rose an eyebrow. "Yes, I'd, I'd love to go with you Edmund, of course." She smiled sweetly, her face blushing once more.

Running her hand through her blond straight hair Addi tried to cool her cheeks down. She shut her eyes and closed them again, and looked straight into Edmund's handsome, freckly face. "Why are you angry? I can see it, so don't lie to me."

And as the best friend he was, he asked about Kyle sweetly and gently. Addi gave him a sad look. "Kyle...Kyle Williams. Jamie Greyback told me he hates Slytherins, and he talks badly about us before Quidditch matches, and that, that he's only nice to me because I'm Grey's little sister...I've liked him for a while and I thought, I thought he liked me back, but...he hates me." Granted, Addilyn hadn't actually spoken to Kyle himself about this, but from what Jamie said, Kyle was pretty set on not liking Slytherins. A few tears fell, and she squeezed Edmund's hand, not wanting to let go, and enjoying the rough, warmth of his hand on hers.

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Edmund grinned at her answer, noticing her blush and deciding that he liked it. "Good. Now neither of us have to worry." Did it embarrass her that he'd asked? Ed wasn't sure, but he also didn't want to ask to find out. He just got rid of the anxious feeling in his stomach and he didn't want it to come back.

Of course she noticed he was mad. How would she not? She knew him better than anyone, but sometimes he could fool her. Not this time though. He sighed, still trying to let the anger go. "I'm mad that someone doesn't like you just because you're a Slytherin. It's ridiculous. You're amazing and smart and fun and anyone who can't see that is blind. And if the reason they won't see that is because you're a Slytherin, then they're an imbecile as well." He stopped himself, mid-tirade. Did he really just say all that stuff? He looked away, a little embarrassed and hoping she didn't notice the slight tinge of pink on his cheeks now. Apparently the shoe was on the other foot.

He turned back to see a sad expression on her face as she explained and he felt his blood boil. Kyle Williams made her feel this way? Edmund didn't know him very well, but he felt an instant dislike for the boy. Of course, it was all because of what he did to Addi, right? Edmund reached up with his free hand and wiped her tears away, hopefully before anyone else noticed. "I'm so sorry, Adds," he told her, squeezing her hand back. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked, hoping there was something. He hated feeling helpless, like he couldn't help her, the way he did right now. 

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
157
<3

As Edmund began spitting out all of these good things about her Addi's smile grew larger and larger. Her teeth were showing wide and leaned her head onto Edmund's shoulder. She could smell his cologne, and as she breathed in she shut her eyes, her face turning an even bright red than it had before. Lifting her head back up she smiled at Ed. "Thanks, Edmund. That's super sweet of you, I'm glad you think that well of me." Edmund suddenly began blushing himself and Addi's eyes widened. Why was he blushing?

Edmund wiped away her tears and Addi looked up at him, admiration in her eyes. "You're the best, E. I'm glad I have a friend like you, you're so great and nice to me." She felt him squeeze her hand again, and Addi turned her fingers so that instead of just holding, their fingers interlocked. Her heart was beating fast, and she began eating with one hand.

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Edmund felt slightly better when he realized that Addi was smiling now. At least he'd been able to help a little. He froze a little when she leaned her head on his shoulder. If it was anyone else, he would push them off or something, but not Addi. She needed comfort and even though physical contact wasn't his thing, he could do this for her. He gave her a wry smile after she sat up again, "I just said what anyone who really knows you would say Adds."

"Yeah, that was a pretty good decision first year, huh? Who would've guessed that we'd be such close friends. Besides, I haven't repaid you for even half of all that you do for me," he teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood a little. Then she twisted her hand in his. First he thought she was trying to pull away, but the next thing he knew their fingers were interlocked. He took another bite, but he wasn't focused on the food. He hadn't been for a while now. His pulse was racing and his stomach was in knots. Now he knew the weird feeling in his stomach earlier hadn't been from anger. His thoughts were entirely focused on Addi. He glanced over at her, her familiar blue-green eyes and wavy blonde hair. Something was changing and he wasn't exactly sure what it was.

He cleared his throat, trying to distract himself from his somewhat dangerous new thoughts. "So what did you do with your last few days of vacation?" He asked before forcing himself to eat more. It would be weird if he stopped eating in the middle of the feast. 

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
249
<3

Addi felt Edmund freeze and she scrunched her face up slightly. She knew he didn't like physical contact, but it was her and she knew he'd be okay with it eventually.

Her heart beat fast as they continued holding hands. Thankfully the side of the table they were on prevented anyone from seeing their hands interlocked; Addi didn't want any rumors going around the school. "E, you don't owe me anything. You're my best friend, I'd do anything for you, and I'll continue to do anything for you." She squeezed his hand once more. Oh gosh, what was going on with her? She loved Edmund of course, she always had, but this feeling in the pit of her stomach was different and she couldn't quite figure out what it was. Addi glanced down at her plate, her pale face a tomato color and ate the rest of her food.

Dessert finally appeared and Addi smiled. Dessert! Her favorite! With her free hand she grabbed a green macaroon, a chocolate cupcake, and a few different type of cookies. Her goblet filled with milk and she smirked at Edmund. "I love dessert, E." Addi wasn't one of those girls that was afraid to eat in front of guys. She didn't care, she loved food and most boys loved food just as much. As she took a bite of one of the cookies, using the hand that was holding Edmund's, she rubbed her thumb along the back of his hand, her heart beating fast.

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"I know and I feel exactly the same way," Except more. What in the world was going on? How could his feelings for her change so strongly after just one summer? "Just let me know when something happens, ok Adds? You can't keep it a secret. Deal?" He added as a thought crossed his mind. How long had she been upset about this Kyle? Definitely a few days at least. Addi was really good at hiding her sadness from most people, much like Edmund, and he didn't like the thought that she'd been upset for a while without anyone to comfort her. 

His stomach did a somersault when she squeezed his hand again. He'd almost decided this was a good kind of feeling, but at the same time, it was foreign to him. Why was he reacting this way to him. He looked over at her, surprised when her face was bright red. "Hey Adds, you all right?" He asked, concerned. 

Finally it was time for dessert. Edmund was stuffed, but he knew how much Addi liked dessert and he knew how much of it he normally ate. He had to act normal. With his free hand he grabbed a bunch of different cookies. He saw the bread pudding and would normally have gone for that too, but he didn't want to let go of Addi's hand, so he decided he'd have some later. Maybe tomorrow. He smiled back at her, "I know. Remember the competitions we used to have about who could eat more cookies?" He chuckled at the memory, stiffening slightly when her thumb gently rubbed his hand. Instinctively his hand squeezed hers more tightly and after a moment, he allowed his thumb to rub the back of her hand slowly. He didn't really understand what was going on, but he wanted to make sure he wasn't holding back. Trying to make it seem like nothing was going on to any outsider that could be watching, he grabbed a cookie and stuffed the whole thing in his mouth, looking over and winking at Addi as he did so. 

@jill2

[Deleted]

@edmund
227
<3

Addilyn gave Edmund a look and shook her head at him with a big grin. "Of course, E. I don't like hiding things, it just didn't cross my mind to tell you. I'm sorry, it won't happen again, promise. But you have to promise the same thing! You have to tell me when you're feeling something, okay?" Addi would've told Ed if she had seen him more but that wasn't the case.

Oh no. He must've saw how red her face got. Addi coughed and took a drink of milk. Her face still red, she looked up at Edmund and nodded. He looked so concerned. "Yes, of course I'm alright." She smiled slightly at him.

Addi laughed along with him about their cookie escapades as children. Their memories were great, and she loved thinking back on them, and seeing how far they had come together. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she saw he looked at the bread pudding but didn't grab any. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she wondered if it was because of their hands? With a flirty smile, Addi used her free hand to grab him some and put it on his plate. "There, now you don't have to let go." Oh my. She couldn't believe she had just said that. Addi looked into his dark eyes, bit her lip and her cheeks turned pink.