𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐊𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄
chapter fifteen; Salem Gerard, Multi-Talented
" But I'm not what she needs, long term. " 

  DOTTIE FITZGERALD WASN'T sure what to say after Salem caught her up on everything. She was still processing the news, sitting criss-cross on the floor of their shared dorm, as Salem walked back and forth, getting herself ready for the day.

  "So, Sirius— the same Sirius who ruined your life— now fancies you?"

  "Yes."

  "And his best friend fancies this girl he's playing chess with, also you, while committing to making you— the real you— have a good final year."

  "Mhm."

  "And Lily's upset."

  "She's hurt— rightfully so," Salem slowed, frowning, "I'm sure it felt like I was using her, but beyond that we were friends and I was. . . chatting up her ex-boyfriend."

  "So, what are you going to do?"

  "What?" Salem asked, "Nothing, yet. I can't."

  "Why not?"

  "It's not the right time—"

  "It never will be," Dottie said gently, "Sal, you've dug yourself into a hole— the longer you wait the deeper it gets."

  "I'll tell James who I am, but not now, not right after Sirius tried to kiss me, okay?" Salem let out a breath, "I just need to sort the whole Sirius thing out first."

  "Okay," Dottie nodded, "No, that's. . . understandable. Because you fancy James, right?"

  Salem sighed. She didn't want to say it out loud. This made it real. A physical fact that she couldn't deny— at least when it was in her head, she could deny it. Pretend it was a thought wandered too far.

  "Me? Like Potter? Fat chance."

  Dottie watched Salem patiently, as the redhead scoffed and shook her head— before sighing and letting the silence linger for just enough time that she had to fill it.

  "Yes."

  Because it was reality. It was sad, crushing, unfortunate reality.

  "I wouldn't worry too much," The girl said honestly, offering Salem a gentle look, "Sirius may seem like a prick, but Peter says he's quite understanding with those he cares about. And he, clearly, cares about you."

  "So, Peter?"

  Dottie shook her head, looking down at her lap with a small smile.

  "He wouldn't happen to have anything to do with your date last night, would he?"

  Dottie looked up, her grin crooked with a light blush.

  "Why, Dottie Fitzgerald, you minx."

  "It's nothing yet," Dottie giggled, "But he's sweet."

  "As long as you're happy, Dot."

⥊

  James Potter was taking too much interest in Salem Gerard. She almost didn't know what to do with all his chatter— he'd manage to find her between classes and spark up a conversation she participated in before even thinking.

  Like, James was some sort of special magic that made Salem forget about all her walls and just talk. Laugh with (and sometimes at) him, share snacks before dinner or exchange homework.

  It all came so easily, and Salem only figured out about a week into these routines that their bond from chess had bled into real life, and poor James just thought they were something along the lines of soulmates.

  "We should've been friends ages ago!"

  "I disagree," Salem mumbled, dribbling the quaffle as if it were a football before kicking it to James, "You were unbearable before this year."

  "Ah, ah, ah," James wagged his finger, kicking the quaffle back, "We don't insult our friends, Sal."

  "You're just such an easy target," The redhead sighed, taking a running start to kick the ball— it flew briefly, before rolling right through James Potter's legs. "It's all I know how to do, Potter."

  "Well, aside from play every sport ever invented," James said indignantly, jogging to go grab the ball, "You're multi-talented, it's amazing!"

  "You just don't know me very well," Salem laughed off, watching the boy run back, letting out a heavy breath as he dropped the quaffle, "Can I ask you a strange question?"

  "You just did," James grinned, hopping from foot to foot before kicking the quaffle harshly— still, Salem managed to kick it back while it was in motion and James cursed as he barely stopped it with his foot, "Ask away."

  "Has Lily said anything to you?" The girl asked, feigning disinterest as she pulled her hair up, "Anything strange, I mean?"

  "Eh, not that I can think of," James shook his head, resting his hands on his hips as he caught his breath, "We had a bit of a heart-to-heart before Valentine's Day, suppose we're friends now which is strange enough as-is."

  "Yeah," Salem mumbled, biting her lip before James kicked back, "The side of your foot, Potter, use the side of your foot— you're going to break your toes."

  "Sounds like a fake injury."

  "Trust me, it isn't," Salem laughed, "So, you and Lily?"

  "Me and Lily?" James asked, furrowing his brows, "Oh, no."

  "You don't even know what I was going to ask."

  "If we're getting back together," James stated flatly, brushing his sweat dipped hair back, "It's been a reasonable thing to ask— even Sirius brought it up. She's a great girl, and. . . she still has feelings for me. That much I know. But I'm not what she needs, long term. And we both know that. So, we're friends, and we're getting over each other. She's going on dates, though no one will ever compare to The James Potter, and I'm. . . still writing notes with my Mystery Girl."

  "Right," Salem laughed, stopping the quaffle and attempting to kick it up, bouncing it on the tops of her feet, "Your Mystery Girl."

  "Sounds as if you're jealous."

  Salem had to laugh. She was usually very good at playing dumb with James, but something about his teasing voice made the humor of it all amplify.

  "You wish," The redhead scoffed, kicking the quaffle back.

  Only for James to stop it with his foot.

  "Oh, would you—"

  "Salem Gerard, do you fancy me?"

  "Potter—"

  "No avoiding the question."

  James was grinning like a madman, and poor Salem could feel her face being swallowed in heat that didn't help her case at all. The boy wanted her to admit it, and Salem had never felt more under the spotlight, so she did the rational thing.

  "Of course I don't fancy you," She snapped, "You're arrogant. And— and, you're quite rude. I hardly think I'd ever be able to like you as a friend, let alone anything more."

  James raised his brows.

  "Forget it, this is stupid," Salem shook her head, turning on her heel and starting towards the castle.

  "Sal, wait, I'm sorry—!"

  "Bye, Potter!"

  And James had never been very good at picking up on other peoples' emotions, specifically girls, but he could tell one thing very clearly. 

  If Salem didn't fancy him, there was no reason for her to be walking away with such urgency.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
I love my idiot children.
Also, Dot and Pete??
Everyone likes when I make
him an actual person,
but I literally never see
anyone giving him love
interests so. . .
And, spoiler, I don't think
this book will go past
the end of their seventh year?
I wanna finish this before 2020,
So we have like 2 weeks ladies
and gents!