i'll be the one you won't forget {marin}

Being able to get out of the castle for a few hours and go down to Hogsmeade was something Keira enjoyed. In the past, she had quite often visited the wizarding village with her older sister Madison. Now that Madison had left Hogwarts, Keira would have to figure out who else she could take the trip with. Unfortunately for her, she had been up late the previous night working on a Potions assignment and had totally forgotten about the trip to Hogsmeade. She awoke late in the morning- something of a rarity for the Ravenclaw. Keira found that all of her dormmates had already gone down to breakfast, and had probably already left for the village. She dressed quickly and made her way down the staircase into the common room to find it nearly empty, minus the first and second years who were not yet old enough to take the trip.

Keira decided to skip breakfast so that she could have more time in the village. She handed the caretaker her slip as usual in the entrance hall, and a brief glimpse into the great hall confirmed her suspicions of her tardiness. The entire school had already left. Hurrying along the path, Keira went over the different shops in her mind that she had to visit that day. Sterling Tomes was a must, because she was looking for a book professor Walker had mentioned in Ancient Runes class. She also decided that she should take a look into purchasing another few quills at Scrivenshaft's before the day was through.

As she approached the village, Keira ran a hand over her stomach after feeling (and hearing) it grumble. She was famished. Her first venture had to be into the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and a bite to eat. The sixth year pushed open the door to the establishment and was not surprised to see it barely one quarter full. It was still morning, after all. Keira found a small round table close to the door and took a seat, only just realizing how relaxed she felt after getting away from the castle, if only for a little while. With the constant mounding workload of being a sixth year and her will to practice quidditch- Keira had not been taking it easy. Apparently the waitress was too busy to ask what she would like, so the Ravenclaw stood and walked to the bar herself. She ordered just a butterbeer, deciding to ask the waitress for food a little later.

Keira paid the barman and went to sit back at her table when a figure caught her eye. The boy looked to be just an inch or so shorter than the sixth year, and at first she didn't recognize him. It wasn't until she looked at his face that she realized she had seen him before. He had to be either a third or fourth year, albeit his height. She gave him a small smile as she passed, thinking he too seemed to be in Hogsmeade alone that day.

He hadn’t followed her in here, because that would be creepy.

No.

Was it less creepy that he’d just known that Kiera might be, and had come in here just in case? Probably not. Marin preferred not to think about it. It was easier to pretend that he was avoiding Wini because she wanted to take him to a new clothing shop that had opened up just down the road. The shop also sold Rupert Hartwood merchandise. No thank you. Kiera Chesney had caught his attention, but he didn’t know why. The boy had noticed her when she’d tripped and knocked over a small pile of books in the library a few weeks ago. He hadn’t seemed able to un-notice her yet. It wasn’t the first time he’d had a very specific preoccupation with a girl.

There didn’t seem to be a pattern with his fixations, other than the fact that they were all upperclassmen. Alice, Tempeste… Kiera. Three different houses, completely different appearance-wise. Marin didn’t know why it happened. It seemed different to his usual appreciation of the aesthetic of females, too. It was strange to think, but girls that he saw and generally thought were ‘pretty’ were usually blonde. Marin thought that this might be because he preferred drawing light hair to dark hair, but he couldn’t be certain. He liked Alida’s hair and Wini’s hair and the co-captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team had nice hair too. The boy wasn’t sure when he’d started noticing girls properly. It had been a gradual thing for him. Girls, and especially blonde ones, seemed to be everywhere now.

Marin hovered by the bar, waiting for the butterbeer he’d just paid for. Chesney wasn’t here, and he was seriously considering going back to the castle. Wini would probably be in Hogsmeade by now with her friends. If he disappeared, there was no chance of the blonde trying to rope him into some uncomfortable, reluctant socialising. He sighed. The boy collected his drink quietly with two hands and turned to move away from the bar, but he was stopped dead in his tracks. There she was. Immediately, Marin felt uncomfortable. It was cold out, but why did his neck feels so hot? Why was that space under a nearby table suddenly so appealing? The mug he’d cupped in two hands in front of him was suddenly a thousand times more interesting. Why was that? He froze.

She passed him and gave the boy a smile. He returned it a moment too late; she’d already turned away from him. The boy ducked his head, giving himself a moment to decide what he was going to do. Heading back to the castle was still an option. He wasn’t sure whether or not he wanted to linger. A demanding voice from behind him was a welcome distraction and he turned to look. The barman was holding a couple of knuts in his hand and Marin understood immediately. She’d forgotten her change. A quick glance in Kiera’s direction informed him that she hadn’t heard.

Marin was faced with a dilemma. He didn’t want to talk to her or have her acknowledge his existence ever again, really. That one smile had been enough for him and he was more than content with the idea of only ever seeing her from a distance. He felt himself moving in her general direction before he’d really thought it through properly. Marin moved through the pub, holding on to his drink and trying to avoid being jostled by the large amount of people that seemed to be hiding from the oncoming wintery cold outside. The boy felt like summer had barely ended, but things were definitely getting chillier.

Kiera came into view as he hurried to catch her. He reached out and tapped her lightly on the shoulder.  “Hey…,” he called nervously, his cheeks heating up in the process. Just at that moment, Marin received a particularly hard bump on his shoulder from someone behind him moving in a hurry. His arm jerked and he splashed butterbeer all over the girl in front of him. His eyes grew wide and his mouth was suddenly very dry. The drink dripped down her clothes. Marin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing was coming out.

Keira didn't hear the bartender call out to her that she had forgotten to take the change she was owed, and instead was surprised when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned slowly only to come face to face with the younger boy she had just gave a smile to. The girl knew most of the Ravenclaw's by name- remembering names was her specialty. She was quite sure this boy was a Hufflepuff, and it was frustrating that his name was evading her at that exactly moment. Before she even had a chance to try to remember it, Keira had butterbeer all down her front. She had no time to mask her reaction.

"What do you think- !" the sixth year began, in a harsh tone, stopping only because the situation began to come into full view for her. Keira realized that the upperclassman that had passed behind this young boy may have actually knocked his arm. Whether they had done it by accident or on purpose- or if it happened at all- that wasn't the issue now. The Ravenclaw was covered in butterbeer and she was not impressed. Keira pulled out her wand and pointed it towards the front of her robes, blowing hot air to dry herself off. She would be dry, but she knew nothing could mask the smell. Thankfully she had left her overcoat on the back of her chair at the table. Keira was in no position to head back to the school and change- she had already missed a few hours in the village because of her lie in.

Once she felt the hot air starting to do its job, Keira turned her head back up to face the young boy. "I really hope that was an accident," she started, still unsure whether he had been pushed or had spilled his glass of his own accord. At that moment she craned her neck around the Hufflepuff, overhearing a loud call coming from the bar. Keira could see the barman waving something in his hand and staring right at her. "Oh, my change," she spoke aloud, her mood changing back to her usual spryness. She moved around the young boy and walked up towards the bar, all the while still keeping her wand with hot air pointed towards her robes. Keira uttered a quiet 'thanks' to the bartender and turned back again, surprised to see the Hufflepuff still standing there.

Marin. That was his name. It had finally come to her. "You're Marin, am I right?" Keira asked, slowing in front of the boy again. "Don't worry about earlier, I'm sure it was just an accident." She waved her hand in the air to show that all her hard feelings had already left. If there was one thing she didn't hold- it was animosity. What was the point, really? Forgive and forget, that was what her mother always told her. "Besides, I'm sure I smell lovely mixed with the scent of butterbeer." Keira laughed aloud, walking past Marin towards her little round table. "You coming?" she added, not even turning around as she spoke, though speaking loud enough that the Hufflepuff could have overheard.

In the split second after they’d both realised what had just happened, and made eye contact, Marin was completely sure that he’d rather die than face this moment. Completely and utterly sure. Why did the invisible bubble that seemed to follow him around only apply with things like making friends and being picked to answer questions by teachers?  Why couldn’t he just turn it on now and disappear? Marin remained speechless for (what felt like) the million hours that it took for her to say something. When she finally did speak, her voice full of pointed accusation, the hufflepuff did nothing but stare at her. He wanted to agree fervently when she basically asked him if the spill had been an accident, but all he managed was a nod. At least he’d shut his mouth now.

Another awkward bump made him shift his weight and take a small step to the side as someone jostled past. He blinked as his focus zoomed out and he was suddenly aware of his surroundings again. The bartender called out again from somewhere behind him and Kiera started moving. “You forgot your change,” he repeated weakly, after she’d already verbally expressed her awareness of the fact. You’re so helpful, a nasty voice in the back of his head offered. Oh well. At least she seemed distracted by the bartender for a moment. He’d be able to get away. Marin swallowed hard against a dry throat as she moved past him, reminding himself not to turn and watch her walk away.

Well, that was it. His life was practically over.

Now that she’d noticed him, the boy doubted that she’d be able to go back to being blissfully unaware of his presence any time soon. He much preferred the idea of her not knowing anything about him, including the fact that he existed at all. The thirteen year old glanced down at his glass and was caught in a horrid moment of indecision as he wondered if he go back to the bar and order another drink, or if he should just leave. If he left, where would he place his mug? On an empty table? The young wizard’s eyes immediately snapped to scanning the place for a place that he could set his now empty mug down at. The sound of his name made him cringe a little, and he turned to the voice, knowing exactly who it was that had spoken.

“That’s right,” he answered helpfully, trying to inject a little enthusiasm into his tone and failing miserably. The boy nodded again when she affirmed that the earlier spill had been an accident. He watched her hand as she waved the moment away. She walked past him again and Marin wasn’t sure if he was supposed to follow her (since she was speaking to him) or just get out of there (which was a much more appealing option right now). The boy breathed in slowly through his nose before realising that the statement had been sarcastic humour. Well he thought she smelt good, anyway. “Umm... Yes.” Feeling like he didn’t have a choice, Marin followed the girl obediently. His cheeks were pink with embarrassment but he forced his legs to carry him forward. How was he supposed to get out of this now? Marin took a seat opposite the upperclassman, trying to remind himself to take subtle deep breaths. Don't panic, he thought.

When the younger Hufflepuff sat down opposite Keira she gave him a small smile, assuming Marin was probably embarrassed about the butterbeer spill. "No harm done," she told him, still grinning and raising her glass to her lips to take a sip. At that moment, she remembered that his entire butterbeer had messed over her front, leaving him without a drink. "Another butterbeer?" Keira suggested, not even waiting for a response before lifting her hand to wave at the waitress. Her stomach grumbled again. Perfect timing for her to order some chips, and Marin could get another drink.

The waitress arrived at their table and asked what the two would like. "I'll have a plate of chips, actually a large plate, if you could," Keira glanced over at Marin, thinking he could probably do with a meal too. She knew all too well how embarrassment made her hungry- perhaps it worked the same for the Hufflepuff? Everything made Keira hungry, spilled drink or not. "And another butterbeer please," she motioned to Marin's empty glass with her left hand and looked back up at the waitress with a smile.

As the girl began walking away, Keira turned back to face Marin, who she had noticed was considerably quiet all the while she was ordering. "Are you hungry? You can have some chips if you'd like. I slept in this morning and missed breakfast." She laughed, thinking that chips were probably the worst type of breakfast meal, but oh so tasty nonetheless. Keira made a mental note to make sure to get out for her morning run the next day, more so to work off the unhealthy food than anything else.

"You're a third year, right?" she wanted to confirm her facts were correct. Nosiness was a trait the Ravenclaw possessed, and though she was aware of it- that didn't often stop her from occasionally prying to find out as much as she could about her schoolmates. Marin seemed like a shy young boy, which to Keira was endearing. She wondered how he was getting on with his lessons. In her fifth year, she was tutoring a second year Hufflepuff boy whom must now be one of Marin's classmates with his Charms practice. Keira only spent two nights a month with the boy, but he had managed to scrape a passing grade on his exam, so she must have done something right.

She asked if he wanted another drink, but Marin didn’t have time to answer before she was calling a waitress over and ordering things. He’d opened his mouth to reply, but hastily closed it now. The boy wasn’t harbouring any strange delusions of dating the girl in front of him. He didn’t even fantasise about anything like that. He just thought she was very pretty and interesting to observe. So his observation was a tad obsessive, what of it? That being said, he really didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of her either. He might not be trying to impress her, really, but making her hate him was not something he wanted to be doing. He nibbled on the inside of his cheek nervously.

The boy didn’t know what to say when she asked if he was hungry. He’d missed breakfast too, but he didn’t want to accidentally give the impression that he expected her to feed him. Was he hungry? He felt a little sick right now, though that had receded slightly since he’d sat down. The amount of time he had to answer this simple question was running out, and the panic feeling rose as his time decreased. The boy gave a slight shrug instead of answering. “Do you often miss breakfast?” he asked politely, internally quite relieved that he’d been able to answer that fairly simply and naturally. The boy didn’t break eye contact, because Winifred had told him that it was rude to do so too much while someone was conversing with you.

Marin nodded, trying to mentally will his slight nausea away. It wasn’t working all to well yet. “And you’re a sixth year,” he replied simply. The Hufflepuff boy could have gone further. He knew a few things about her study habits and eating habits and he’d even memorised a couple of her classes when they’d been near his. The schedule didn’t change much. He knew she’d be somewhere on the fourth floor on Monday mornings because she was always there with friends when he was heading to his transfiguration class. He didn’t need to wonder whether or not this would be okay to vocalise; it was definitely not okay. She’d probably freak out and that was last on his list of wants. The idea made him even more uncomfortable, if that was even possible at this point.

The silence stretched like a space in between them. A large, dark void. Or perhaps that was just the way that Marin saw it? He swallowed, trying to think of something to say. After a moment of thinking, he came up with something legitimate. “Are you here alone?” he asked, glancing towards the bar again as if expecting ten of her friends to appear suddenly. “How come?”