End of a Friendship

[Minoas Stratis]

Another chapter of Minoas' life came to its end. For a couple of hours now, O.W.L.s for him and his fellow fifth years were already a distant memory belonging to the past. The corridors boomed with the inevitable conversations for a while, as students were cross-checking answers with each other but soon the almost forgotten feeling of freedom, invited them outside the castle. Minoas didn't bother to find out if he had answered properly the questions of his last exam. It was pointless and there was no reason to worry about it now. He knew he had did his best and he was in good terms with his consciousness. The only thing he wanted to do now was to relax and socialize, something he hadn't done for ages. The Headmistress was generous enough to let fifth and seventh years visit the Brightstone Village right after the end of their last exam. So Minoas didn't waste a second. He took his friend Artemis by the hand and guided her towards the exit of the school.

He was in a particularly good mood that was bringing to light a more talkative side of him. As always, there was the usual teasing between him and his friend which sometimes was crossing the line of flirting. It was something it was happening effortlessly and somewhat unconsciously but now it was bringing thoughts of how she was perceiving this. Was she feeling the attraction or it was just him? He was restored from these thoughts every time the freezing wind was touching his face, making every single cell of his system object to with a shudder. The existance of the turbulent, winter wind hadn't cowed a bit the people and the visitors of the village who despite the cloudy weather were out for their shopping or for a walk like them. They made a brief stop at a coffee shop where Minoas took an almond flavored latte for take-away and insisted to pay for whatever Artemis ordered as well. Although the interior of the coffee shop was redolent with warmth and arousing scents, it was also buzzing with the conversations of the shop's customers.
A visit to the park was something they were both considering now that the winter had brought its substractive transformation to nature.

"It's rediculous how much free time we have now in our disposal." he said and held the door for Artemis as they were exiting the coffee shop. He was forced to put on his winter cap now that he couldn't feel his own ears. "It's always like this. Find a million things to do while revising and then dry up with ideas when you have the free time." he remarked and took a pleasant sip of his drink, letting the almond taste leave a luscious aftertaste in his mouth. "So what's your plans for holidays?" he asked as his fingers surrounded the paper cup to absorb as much heat as possible. It was the most asked question in their conversation but it was always followed by inthralling answers. This was what he liked on her. He was never getting bored even if they were discussing about Quidditch for the nth time on the same day.

 

[Artemis Jackson]

The glorious ring of the school bell indicated that the O.W.L.s were now over, giving most of the fifth years a sense of relief and evident euphoria. The worries of having to study have already faded in the mind of a certain fifth year. For the past months all that preoccupied her mind were the exams that contained all that they had learned for the last five years. Just thinking about studying all of those again for such a major exam in her lifetime was a nightmare however, she somehow managed to keep her studying habits a constant thing in her schedule for her whole fifth year. Now that she need not to worry reviewing herself for the nth time, Artemis thought of hanging with Alliyah or going to the Pitch instead of just celebrating it with a good read. Before she started her search, a special friend offered to just have a good time outside. She insisted that she go change first before they departed the castle. It took her a few minutes to finish, before she and Minoas exited the massive castle together.

The weather's winds were pretty harsh, however it did not affect Artemis' brilliant mood. Together with Minoas, they talked and teased - their normal routine that they never ceased to exclude from their conversational discussions. It was more than nice to be having a comfortable walk with somebody who she thought deemed special. It was a temporary escape from the worrying that she would have to feel whilst waiting for her O.W.L. results. All the hard work that she had been doing would hopefully pay off and earn her high marks. Casting those thoughts that were meant to be thought of in the future, she focused on what was going on in the present. The littlest of sparks always ignited within herself when she was with him. She smiled a little more when they entered the coffee shop to order a drink. With the chilly air outside, she settled for a hot white chocolate drink as her order. She was about to pay when Minoas insisted on paying for hers instead. Shaking her head, she disagreed however with his persistence, she eventually complied. With a small flush, she smiled at him almost shyly. "You didn't have to but, thanks," murmured Artemis. Even with the temptation to just finish their drink off in the coffee shop filled with all the delicate aromas, the pair decided to just take a walk outside. Perhaps a walk to the park. She nodded and with that, they both left the warm place.

Hearing Minoas statement right after they left the shop made her nod in a agreement. With almost her whole fifth year dedicated to studies and only prefect duties, Artemis could not help but feel strange knowing that she need not to worry about studying for Potions later or, finish an essay that she did not even thoroughly research about. "Hmm I agree." She felt at ease with the heated cup in her hands whilst talking about something she can definitely relate to. She thought, this was way better than just practicing in the Pitch all alone. Talking to someone she liked was appealing, now that thought about it. A temporary frown seized her lips though as she thought of what her holidays would consist of. There was nothing special planned out for their family, except for the small celebration of having their whole family as a whole, again. Otherwise, it would be described as ordinary and uninteresting. And about her plans, she thought of nothing about it yet. "The same ol' routine - go back with Ally and maybe have a small celebration. Exams are over after all." It sounded uninteresting to her ears yet, she sported a small smile. Just thinking of how her relationship with her mum developed over the years was heartwarming however, Artemis still felt more at ease with her dad. Overall though, she dearly loved her parents and could not wait to have some quality time with them.

"What are your plans for the hols?" Slowly but certainly, Artemis made sure that her tone was casual. Various ideas were coming to her that involved many things and for a second or two, Artemis pressed her lips together. If he was to search for his father in his own little way, then it was none of her business to intrude. Another scenario of him meeting another girl also rushed in, which triggered a small bit of jealousy. Mentally, she shook her head to cast away all those thoughts that were getting all kinds of emotions from her. Besides, the Slytherin always thought that Minoas came up with these insane ideas that were fun anyway. She took a sip of the warm liquid whilst waiting for him to formulate any kind of response.
​

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Soon the pair arrived at Takarokaro Park and followed the winding path leading deeper. The place was unusually empty and quiet except from the whispers of the wind through the trees. Perhaps the arrival of the blustering winter had contributed to this deserted scenery they were intruding. The intrusion felt less guilty when a few more people seemed to be there for a walk with their pets or to jog with friends. Minoas took a sip of his coffee while Artemis was talking about her holidays. He was expecting her to ask him back but he wasn’t prepared to answer. "Nothing interesting." he replied with a pensive look in his eyes. A disturbing silence lingered for a few seconds between them but it felt endless. It was the same old silence that Minoas was putting between them each time their conversation was going to orientate, even in a not so direct way, towards his father. For his holidays he had been considering a lot of different case scenarios, some of them being too farfetched and bold even for himself. They hadn't really talked about this matter but Minoas could see it in her eyes. She knew about his father's abduction but she was reluctant to refer to this delicate issue as well. It wasn't that he didn't trust her and so he wasn't discussing his greatest concern with her. It was just that he was having a great time when he was with her, casting away even this vital matter from his head. "It will be mostly about my brothers. They will be attending Hogwarts in September so I guess we will be on constant shopping about their supplies, robes, brooms." he confirmed the only decided plan for his holidays. Since both his brothers were difficult children, shopping about their school supplies was going to be a long and laborious process.

The lonesome trail continued with rows of naked trees along it. A cart of vivid burgundy colour was waiting for them at a fork of the trail. The rich aroma of roasted chestnuts wafted to his nostrils, bridging the gap of time between childhood memory and present day indulgence. The old man behind the cart was with the company of a middle aged Romani woman who was holding a basket full of crimson roses. The woman paused the conversation she was having with the chestnut vendor as soon as her emerald eyes fell on the pair.
"Hello little doves!" she beamed. Minoas' attention was abstracted by the paisley patterned kerchief on her head decorated with hanging, golden coins. "Here, have a rose for your girlfriend." offered the woman and flashed a rose out of her basket in an attempt to give it to him. Minoas dimissed a few times the woman's offer as kindly as possible but she kept insisting uncompromisingly. "We are not a couple." he finally asserted. The woman's insistence was bringing out his mulishness as well. "Really?" the woman exclaimed in disbelief and her emerald eyes darted from Minoas to Artemis and back to Minoas. "But I see it in your eyes. In the eyes of both of you." she muttered and she took a step closer to Minoas to study his face. Minoas glanced at Artemis first, clueless how to react to this awkward situation and then inevitably his grey eyes met those of the Romani woman. "Ah yes! The eyes never lie." said the woman convinced. "The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter. Often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter." she smiled with a nod.

"Fine, fine." snapped Minoas in an attempt to prevent her from making things even more awkward for him. He couldn't see his face but he could feel his cheeks getting hotter and he could actually hear his pulse buzzing in his ears. Minoas searched his pockets for coins and paid the woman before receiving the rose from her. Fortunately the woman stopped embarrassing him and let them go, calling them lovebirds as she was saying goodbye. It took a few moments for Minoas to recover from this unexpected incident as he walked away with Artemis. "Some people just don't accept 'no' for an answer." he managed to utter. He shot a timid glance towards Artemis who walking right beside him. "This is for you." he offered her the crimson rose with a sheepish smile.

 

[Artemis Jackson]

Artemis nodded understandingly when she heard the expected response from her fellow student. She wanted to apologize for even asking the question in return however, she knew the evident possibility of creating more awkward silences between them. For this glorious afternoon, Artemis did not want their conversation to shift from a casual one to something that was not to be taken lightly. Artemis did not want any issue sandwiching itself in between them, at least for today. She forced those dark thoughts away. Even the jealousy that bubbled threateningly, she cast off. Instead she focused on the sole warmth of her drink that it was emitting onto her bare palm. It made her feel slightly content with the whole situation she was in. Freedom, as it would always make her feel, was blissful and soothing. Artemis walked and listened with polite ears as Minoas thought of something to say that wouldn't add to their special pile of awkward moments. Her lips curled as she remembered the stories that Minoas shared about his siblings and her interest to meet them one day. "Think one of them will be in Slytherin?" Artemis was never keen on mischievous children but for this, she would probably make an exception. It would be amusing to watch them do things that broke the law and maybe tease their older brother for it. Having a younger brother was what she always wanted from her parents but now that she was a lot older, she felt happy enough that they gave her the best sister.

Both of them continued to converse lightly; Minoas' teases and her remarks making her feel light and free. The traditional way of how they talked to one another was like a stress reliever and Artemis did not mind spending her free time with him all the time. She would never admit that aloud though - just thinking about it made her warm in the inside. She tried regarding him as a friend and only as that, but something deep in her told her otherwise. Just as she was about to sip from her drink, the pair walked was interrupted by a woman whose name was unknown to the both of them. Artemis winced in surprise at her sudden exclamation, stopping midway to take a sip from her hot, white chocolate. She controlled herself from letting her eyes grow into surprised saucers. Instead, she blinked confusingly at the foreign woman and proceeded to contradict her. However, Minoas took the lead in doing it and she stood beside him, nibbling on her lip and uttered several words that supported his statement. "No really, thank you though --" The blonde turned her head to face Minoas, who finally said they were not a couple. Artemis nodded supportively, but the woman persisted on believing so. Artemis now fully stopped walking, careful not to let her lips curl into a slight sneer. She did not want to cause a scene so she let Minoas do the talking and listened; her thoughts running wild as ever.

Who was this woman even? Artemis stiffened for a moment, her eyes not leaving the woman. All that she was saying was affecting her even if she forced herself not to waste a thought. Was she that obvious? Were her actions too clingy? The Slytherin was always over critical of her actions towards others; making sure that it was the right gesture so that people would not over think about it. Her pulse quickened for the slightest moment as she took in the words of the woman. Butterflies swarmed in her, making her ignore the cold weather for once since the heat in her was building up insanely. Control over her actions was what Artemis hated losing so she looked back piercingly at the woman's eyes, guarded and disbelieving. She did not spare a look at Minoas, secretly embarrassed about the information the woman was uttering unto them. Artemis swallowed as she let her assumptions bolt in that brain of hers, and watched as Minoas finally snapped at her. She looked at him, then turned to look at the woman. She stayed silent, and refused to let her gaze falter. Finally her friend payed the vendor, who bid them farewell as lovebirds. Artemis wanted to snatch Minoas arm and briskly walk away however, she knew that it would be impolite to do that. Instead, the blonde looked back so shortly at the woman and walked forward, urging herself to just forget about the whole thing which was impossible.

A few seconds was what took Artemis to recover. It was almost a minute but, she could not help but stay quietly thoughtful for a whilst to really perceive the woman's intentions. Perhaps there were none, the only thing that she had done was to clear Artemis' thoughts about her feelings towards the boy walking beside her. She returned his glance, suddenly feeling amused with his sheepish tone. She did not want to look embarrassed or even feel embarrassed so to lighten up the mood, she accepted the lovely looking rose. "Thank you." Artemis fingered the thorny stem and looked at it closely for a few seconds. Theirs was turning into a different kind of friendship and how it was going so far, Artemis savored it. A genuinely thankful smile graced those normally dry lips and she hid the rose carefully in the inside pocket of her coat. "Forget about that, yeah? Let's walk over there." Artemis pointed further to a couple of trees that seemed to be isolated. "Lead the way, Minoas," breathed the blonde, smiling softly albeit a touch of shyness graced her eyes most especially.
​

 

[Minoas Stratis]

With his heart still racing he led the way, following the pathway that was stretching out in front of them like a grey ribbon meandering through the verdant shrubbery. Minoas shot a restless look over his shoulder to make sure that the odd woman wasn't following them to heel. What a strange encounter was this? It had left Minoas drowning in thoughts and division. The Romani woman had hit the nail on the head. Was he that obvious or the woman got it right by coincidence in her attempt to sell her goods. Whatever was the case, Minoas couldn't help but wonder of what Artemis was thinking. Has she figured out as well what the stranger woman had? If he had to take the woman's words seriously, then maybe Artemis was feeling something similar like him. He kept casting cursory glances at her way when she wasn't looking at him while his mind was cramming with relevant thoughts.
Maybe it was about time to speak of what he was feeling. He had nothing to lose now that he was thinking of it thoroughly. In the worst case scenario he would have to remain her friend and appease his feeling for her shake. Yes, he could do that as long as she was still going to hang out with him as just friends.

Minoas breathed deeply, savouring the freshness and perfume of the oxygenated air which gave him me both peace and exhilaration at the same time. "I really don't know but wherever they end up, good luck to the Head of that house." he smiled softly, returning to the topic she had started before they were interrupted by the woman. "Don't be too tolerant with them. If they figure out they can mess with you, they won't hesitate to do so." he warned her. As a prefect she was definately going to bump into their aimless wanderings. Minoas eyed the isolated trees they were approaching. A single bench was among them and Minoas remembered the place Artemis' sister had mentioned. They passed through a playground to get there. Once crowded with myriads of squealing and laughing youngsters, now only the swings were creaking with the thrust of the howling wind. "Let's have a seat here." he suggested.

Minoas sat in silence and watched the ripples formed on the surface of the small pools of rain water.
"I-I meant to tell you something a long time now." he started saying, surprised that finally he had managed to gather up his courage. He placed next to him the now cold coffee and turned his attention wholly on her. Her striking, blue eyes were making him feel weak and for a moment he flinched. His heart started pounding wildly and his pupils expanded against his grey irises just by looking her beautiful face. He had just came to realize how much attracted he was to her. "It's been a while now that I don't think of you as a friend anymore." he sighed softly, unable to take his eyes off her. "I mean, I don't want to wreck the friendship we already have but...but I feel differently for you." he tried to explain, only to find out he wasn't really making much sense. The attraction was engulfing him like the flames of a mighty inferno but finding the right words to express it was like explaining what water tastes like.

Minoas had unconsciously inched closer to her and his breath was a soft whisper as he exhaled. His face was only inches from hers and the warmth of her sweet breath lit him up like a candle. A rush of heat started in his chest and slowly spread throughout his body, reaching every last limp. Minoas leaned in hypnotized and closed his eyes. He closed the last half inch and pressed his lips on hers. Softly. Lovingly. He breathed his soul and love for her into that kiss when words weren't powerful enough to describe it.