Forgiveness

[Damien Blade]

Damien tossed and turned as he tried to get to slip. His brain was too active though. There were too many thoughts circling through his head. Each vying for his attention. Damien had never had so many dilemmas in his life. Some people may scoff that this was nothing compared to some peoples problems but Damien had never dealt with emotional girls before. Sure he had dealt with the tough boys at home but he had usually kept away from that and he had understood them. He had known how to react but with JazzyMae and Andrea he was at a complete loss. Not to mention he now knew he was dyslexic. It explained his unusually bad ability at reading,spelling and understanding some people.He hadn't known what it had meant at first . The doctor had just started saying this big words that he couldn't pronounce never mind understand.They had found out about his condition too late for it to not have a big affect on his future life but he was going to be getting help. It was awkward the fact that he went to school in another country. He couldn't have learning support. Damien wasn't sure what his parents were going to do. He was trying to do extra practice but it was hard these days. It was frustrating also. He found those words that he just couldn't get. He would stare at them and try his hardest to say them but they all just jumbled up and he couldn't make sense of it. It made class harder for him.Homework was much harder to complete. At this stage he was going to fail his OWls.

Finally he got out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. He splashed some water onto his face and he looked into the mirror. His hair was in it's usual state. A bit more messy for tossing and turning.His brown eyes stared back at his reflextion. He looked a lot older. He had always looked mature for his age. Living the way he had would do that to a person but now he looked older physically. He had grown taller and more muscular since he was now playing a lot of basketball. He was no longer the Damien who had once lived in New York city. He would always have the scar to remind himself of his childhood but he had started a new life. Sighing he walked back to his bed and sat down. The sky was already brightening. They were after all in the season summer even though they were nearing Christmas. He looked at his watch. It was now half four in the morning. He got off his bed and slipped on a pair of converse and socks. He then walked out of the dorm and the common room.There wasn't a soul out. Even most of the paintings were asleep.Damien sighed. He was hungry but he didn't want to disturb the elves so he went to the Great Hall. It was empty. The place looked bigger now there was no one inside. His footsteps echoed quietly throughout the hall. He walked to the middle of the Gryffindor table and sat down. He folded his arms on the table and lay his head on top of them.

 

[Andrea Kelize]

It was another Sunday morning. Holidays were coming very soon and Andrea Kelize could hardly wait. She missed Australia dearly and was psyched to play basketball once again. Yesterday afternoon, Andrea received a letter coming from her mum. Her mother said that her dad would be the one to fetch Andrea and Percy and later when they arrive, they will go straight to her cousin's house. Andrea felt good that her mum and Aunt Lisa finally declared a truce. She was glad that her mum's family finally learned to accept her dad. She hadn't told Percy the good news yet for he was very hard to find these days but Andrea planned to tell him today. The Gryffindor carefully brushed her hair as she listened at the sound of the water coming inside the bathroom. She had just finished taking a good bath and a roommate of hers was now occupying the bathroom. Andrea put down the comb on the china table in front of her and fixed her robes. After then, she walked out of room and headed towards the Gryffindor House Table.

Walking all those labyrinth of stairs did Andrea's physical state favors again. Although, she doesn't need the favor for she was skinny already. She reminded herself to consume lots of food so she'll hopefully get to the right amount of weight children her age usually have. Andrea arrived at the Great Hall feeling physically healthy. In the outside that is, on the inside she’s is certainly physically hungry, if ever that made any sense. Andrea trotted towards the Gryffindor House Table. She looked at the delicacies and viands available on the table and her stomach began rumbling at the sight of it. She quickly slid into an empty space on the long chair and began filing her empty plate. She filled her plate with her usual morning meal but only added a couple of slices of baked bread just to be sure she gains more than a pound this week. As Andrea was busy munching, she couldn’t help but notice a past friend sitting just eight people away from her. She frowned at the sight. Damien Blade and Andrea still haven’t made up. They fought last year because of a magazine called Rumor Has It. It was a gossip magazine and it spread lies and secrets about a certain student. On Andrea and Damien’s case, the magazine spread rumors about them being together because they were seen a lot with each other. It was a total bull and the worst part of all, in Andrea’s case, that the magazine mentioned she was a slut and said that she’d put a love potion on Damien’s drink to make him fall in love with her. Andrea, being totally tempered and hates being judged, was truly very hurt of what the magazine commented on her. She felt like it ruined her whole being. She was mad at Damien because he didn’t react. It was as if he doesn’t even care on anything else but himself. Their fight started at that point. Andrea started ignoring and avoiding Damien and he got mad too. After then, they started avoiding each other and until now, peace still lays low. Andrea studied him. He was busy eating and apparently had no care on what was happening around him. Just as what he looked like when the rumor was fired. He looked older now. Andrea heaved a sigh as she continued to look at him. She missed him. He was like a younger brother. Not like Percy but more like Arya. Andrea continued to frown and looked away. Her bread seemed harder to swallow, just as hard as her pride were.

 

[Damien Blade]

Damien wasn't sure how long he had been lying on the table. All he knew was that when he had lay his head down there had been no one in the hall and now the place was filled with people.He was surprised no one had woke him or nothing had woke him. He wasn't sure how he had fallen asleep. His mind had been full of so many thoughts he hadn't thought he'd be able to sleep but it turned out not trying to sleep had been the way to get to sleep because he had managed to fall asleep without realizing it. Some people were snigering as they looked at him but Damien dismissed them, it was probably obvious that he had just woke as he was stretching and yawning and he hadn't really woken up properly yet. He rubbed his eyes and inhaled the smell of coffee.Sighing he sat up straight and poured himself some coffee. The smell and the bitter taste of the coffee help him wake more and be more aware of his surroundings. He looked at his watch and was surprised to see that it was half eight in the morning.He had managed to sleep for four hours on a bench. His back was stiff as was his neck but he had benefited from those four extra hours of sleep and he was glad he had got them.

He got some toast and buttered it. He began eating but couldn't help notice the feeling that someone was watching him. Curiously he looked around and was surprised to see Andi seating only a few people up from him. She was looking at him but had quickly looked down. Damien wished she would swallow her pride and come talk to him. She had been avoiding him which had angered him and since she had never spoken to him or listen to him when he had tried he had given up on her but he missed her. They had been really good friends,, brought together by their fiery tempers. That stupid magazine had done it's job and caused havoc. He didn't see why she cared so much about what that magazine said. It only fired whoever wrote it by reacting to it. That was why after his initial shock and anger he had acted as if he didn't care what that magazine said. He had hoped Andrea would do the same but she had run out of the hall crying, followed by himself and Alliyah. It was the sort of thing he had hoped to avoid. He wanted things sorted out, he didn't know why she had avoided him or not talked to him. It was as if she was blaming him for everything which he was highly indignant about. He had been attacked just as much as she had and yet he seemed to be getting the blame. He got up from his seat and walked towards her. He looked across at her as he sat down. He was now opposite her. "Hey Andi, how have you been?"He asked trying to start of things nicely with a neutral conversation starter.

 

[Andrea Kelize]

Even though Andrea has been in this school for almost three years now, the food never fails to amuse her always-hungry stomach. She always loves the fact that whenever she consumes a house elf food, her appetite immediately becomes fully entertained. Andrea broke a medium size piece from the huge baguette sitting solemnly in front of her. She, then, broke it into even smaller pieces and rested it on the small, white circular plate in front of her. After doing so, she took out a small red mug decorated Gryffindor style and grabbed a pitcher containing fresh warm milk as well. Then, she took one piece of the baguette she broke and dipped it carefully on the fresh cow milk before her. The second her tongue laid itself in the bread, Andrea's stomach immediately breathed a huge sigh of relief. The junior always wondered how the elves manage to create something as professional as these foods. She guessed maybe it was because of their magic or maybe because they were just simply gifted in the culinary business. Truth to be told, every meal at Hogwarts taste like it was made from a highly recommended, 5 star luxurious restaurants.

The sight of Damien made this slightly uneasy for the eldest Kelize. The bread she just ate seemed a little hard to swallow, literally. She grabbed the mug before her and drank some of the milk, hoping it would wash away the now frozen baguette lying in the middle of her throat. Fortunately, her technique worked. Andrea was less mad at Damien now unlike before where she found herself completely despising her former friend. Although, she admits she still feel slightly mad at him. Andrea heard footsteps coming close towards her direction. She suspected someone, although she was not sure who it was. She just shrugged and continued eating. No one can bother her this morning, which she guaranteed. When the short blonde hair came into Andrea's view, she immediately became uncomfortable 'What does he want now?' She thought. Damien sat at the opposite chair. Andrea expected him to confront her again like what he did to her last time they talked which was at the Library. She was caught off guard when he greeted her and looked at him suspiciously. Andrea hesitated. 'What is he doing?' She thought. Andrea was silent for a little while as she studied Damien but after then, she looked away and spoke a solemn "Fine" as she dipped another piece of bread on the milk.

 

[Damien Blade]

Damien was starving. He had been hungry at half four but now he was starving. He dived straight into the toast and coffee. He wolfed down three slices of toast and finished his cup of coffee before pouring himself a glass of apple juice and taking a flap jack. It was only when he saw a few people point at him that he looked at what he was wearing. He was still in his pjs. He was the only one in the whole hall that was not dressed properly. His hair was probably a mess too but that was no new news to him. He was sticking out like a sore thumb because of his red t-shirt and navy pj bottoms but he just shrugged. He didn't really care, so what if he was in his pjs. He didn't think there was a rule saying he couldn't be dressed like this and to be honest he didn't really care what people thought of him. Once finished his flap jack he realized his stomach was still rumbling.Damien had never got the most food when he had lived in New York, the bare minimum was all he had. But once he had come to Hogwarts, he had eaten to his hearts content. He still did, it turns out he had a big appetite , though he does work it off from quidditch practice and basketball.

After he sat down opposite Andrea, he got himself two sausages, a rasher , a piece of bread and some ketchup. He made himself a sandwich and took a bite. Damien managed to stop a smile reaching his face when he saw Andrea;s expression. He had obviously caught her off guard which made him happy and almost proud for some reason. He didn't want to laugh or smile at her though because things could spiral downwards as he knew she would take it the wrong way. He slowly at his sandwich as she studied him, why? Damien wasn't sure, he hadn't changed much but he guessed she was suspicious of his attitude. He frowned at her answer, he guessed he shouldn't have been surprised. He swallowed the reminder of his sandwich and studied Andrea in return. She hadn't changed much either though she looked older. He sighed, he did miss her and he wished she wasn't so stubborn and proud. But then again the two were very similar personality wise. He decided he wanted to get the whole RHI business out of the way. The two hadn't been mentioned in the lasted issue of the magazine so he hoped they were out of it for good "You know, I didn't react because that was just what RHI wanted. Of course I cared, I thought you knew me better then that to think I wouldn't care. I just didn't show it or react because that was giving people the impression it was true and giving whoever writes the damn magazine the satisfaction"Damien said, his words coming out in a big rush. He wanted her to understand that he did care. He had realized after talking with JazzyMae that the only reason Andrea could be angry with him was because he hadn't reacted.

 

[Andrea Kelize]

Andrea continued to dip the remaining pieces of the baguette she broke in the now warm milk. It still tasted luxurious though it lost some of its flavor. Andrea doesn't know why but she suspects maybe it had something to do with her taste buds feeling uncomfortable. The third year swallowed the last remaining pieces of bread and took drank half of the milk. It tasted surprisingly delicious. Almost like a pumpkin juice which was weird since it was just lowly milk. Andrea broke another piece of baguette but this time, she didn't break it into smaller pieces. She just took occasional bites from it and continued to drink and refill. While eating, Andrea noticed something strange about Damien. He looked like he just rolled out of bed. His hair was a bird's nest and he was wearing pajamas. He looked ridiculous with the whole ensemble. Andrea rolled her eyes. She did not know what was wrong with Damien. She guessed maybe it had something to do with their fight or maybe Damien had just turned mad. Honestly, Andrea had always admired Damien's ability to ignore ridiculous criticisms. She often wonders how Damien manages to ignore criticisms. As far as the Andrea is concerned, criticisms are just awfully unfair and are not even helpful. It only makes things worse.

Andrea studied Damien's plate strangely. For a fit boy, he eats a surprising huge amount of food. Andrea finished the piece of bread she broke from the baguette. She grabbed two slices of pumpkin pies and two chocolate frogs on the tray before her. She decided to eat the frogs first since they were a lot smaller and less tasty. It would be good to leave the best for the last, she thought. She opened the small box, careful not to give the frog any opportunity to jump. She held the frog by its tummy and began moving it towards her mouth. The frog began moving aggressively. Andrea immediately put the frog on her mouth and began chewing it. Merlin, it tasted really good. Almost like a Belgian chocolate. Andrea finished the other quicker than the first. She was about to reach out for the first slice of pumpkin pie when she saw Damien's eyes at her. What? She thought. She was feeling less cheery today. Especially with Damien just popping out of nowhere and suddenly greets her like nothing has ever happened. Andrea decided to just keep it slow. To finish her morning meal and to lurk around. Maybe find Percy and annoy him or it could be the other way around. She was busy thinking about all this when she heard Damien spoke again. This time, he was eating all his words. He was speaking in such rush it may have been near the end of the world. Andrea of course understood what he said literally. She just did not understand his whole concept. Hearing it all made Andrea burn again. She was starting to feel angry since here she was, trying to get a peaceful breakfast and then Damien comes along and ruins it completely by speaking about her most hated moment here in Hogwarts New Zealand. She glared at Damien, her eyes filled with cold and hatred. "Dammit, Damien! I'm trying as hard as I could to forget that moment, okay? I don't need you to remind me of that, thank you very much!" Andrea bellowed. "And you cared? You cared ? All you thought about was yourself Damien! You could have rushed to me when I entered the Hall and warn me! You were obviously there earlier than I was and obviously you already read the magazine, and all you did was eat. Eat! Would you call that care ? And what is this not-giving-them-the-satisfaction crap? You could have reacted a little instead of what you did. It was like I was about to be attacked by dementors and all you could -and want- to do was eat!" She reasoned, pouring all her burden inside and looked at Damien with fireballs in her eyes.

 

[Damien Blade]

Damien continued eating, he wanted all this fighting between himself and Andrea to be over. She had been one of his best friends and she had thrown it all away by being stubborn. He really couldn't understand why she was so annoyed at him. Of course he had cared, he wasn't selfish, truthfully he had hoped she would react the same way as him which as he thought about it now, probably hadn't been the best idea. But Damien had grown up learning not to care about what people say about you. He had grown a tough amour around himself so nothing could affect him. He had learned that reacting just gave the said person satisfaction and they tended to target you then. For him RHI had been no different. It was engrained in him not to react and he had just presumed rather stupidly that Andrea would do the same. He had run after her once she had reacted, as had Alliyah but she wouldn't listen to him. He could see where she was coming from but he thought she was going a bit overboard. Was she really so naive to think he had only cared about himself? She really didn't know him that well. It sort of hurt him to think that he would be so selfish when he had been nothing of the sort before.

His anger was rising, he was trying to control his as he didn't want the two of them to explode so out in the open. They were causing a scene as it was, people was moving away and talking. Damien sighed "Well, until this is sorted out you won't forget"Damien said his voice louder this time. Was she really going to throw their whole friendship away over this one thing? Was she really going to try and forget it all? Damien decided he wouldn't let her, he was going to keep on reminding her and trying to sort things out with her until things were sorted out. He could be just as stubborn as her and he was going to give up like she had. Damien shook his head at her outburst " Firstly I didn't even know you had entered the hall, secondly I thought you would realize that not reacting was the best. My whole life I've learned that reacting always makes things worse. Do you know how many times I've been to hospital over reacting to someone insults and petty remarks. In my mind not reacting is the best thing to do. The said person gets bored of you and moves on to its next target. I'm sorry if that's not what you think, but that's the way I do and stupidly I thought you would think the same way. I'm sorry for hurting you, I really am. How you think I would be so selfish to actually not care. I fr!ken ran after you and tried to talk to you but you wouldn't let me. For days I tried reasoning with you, wondering what the hell I had done wrong. When I figured it out I really was shocked, because I thought you knew me better then that."Damien said his cheeks flushed with anger and hurt. He could see now what he had done wrong, he hadn't intentionally done it, it was from years of learning that only bad things come from reacting.

 

[Andrea Kelize]

Andrea bit her lip. This whole thing was getting frustrating. She never saw this coming. An argument inside the Great Hall would certainly not participate in her good morning list. After their alleged ‘confrontation’ inside the Library, Andrea thought Damien might not talk to her or bother her anymore. He was very angry at that time and so was she and things went uncontrollably. Andrea refused to believe anything Damien had said. For a fellow hothead, Damien sure didn’t act the way Andrea does when criticized. Damien remains calm while the latter acts oppositely. Frankly, Andrea always wanted to be lightheaded. Her mother once told her that lightheaded people get more perks that hotheaded ones. They don’t get many problems, they are always far from fights and they always live simply and vividly without any distractions. But it’s not like she chooses to be a hothead. It’s simply the way she is. She hates insults and despises bad criticisms. She can’t help being tempered. But later on, as she munched another piece of dipped bread, Andrea thought that maybe Damien got a point. Maybe she should at least try calming herself whenever criticisms approach her. Maybe Damien was right, maybe she should try not reacting next time an insult show up on her doorstep. But then, she scowled at her thought. ‘No. He’s wrong’, thought her, stubbornly.

The fight between the two Gryffindors was starting to attract people now. Their voices were somewhat echoing inside the hall. Whispers from annoyed students were exchanged upon hearing Damien’s words. He was very angry and so was Andrea. It was like déjà vu all over again. Andrea looked away from Damien and gritted her teeth. Damn, he had a point. Andrea had been ignoring her friend since the day that rumor was delivered and up until now, they still hadn’t sorted things out because of Andrea’s refusal to exchange normal words. A sigh escaped her lips when she heard Damien apologized. He was right after all. He did not intend to hurt his friend and Andrea realized that all now but the thing was, it was hard to accept. She finished her pieces of bread. She did not say anything in reply to Damien. She remained silent which was unlike her. She was hesitating on whether to accept his apology or not. Everything was getting confusing, stubbornly speaking. Pride wasn’t something Andrea gives off usually. She had only given her pride to her family with the exception of Percy and to Angie when they went to the ball. She was not ready to give Damien her pride. Sure, her apology was at the tip of her tongue now but she wasn’t going to squeeze out one and give it to her American friend just yet.