Nightmares & Daydreams (for Gemma)

[bella]

Bella sat at one of the old rickety tables with her papers sprawled about, her Transfiguration text book off to her left and her Potions text book on her right. So far her Transfiguration essay was the closest one to being done. She had it placed in front of her, quill positioned to write her conclusion but no words were coming. Clearly she hadn’t caught up on sleep yet and frequently her mind drifted to why the sudden change.

Before her rendezvous with Drew the previous night, lack of sleep had been due to her mother’s idiotic letter. But now she was having trouble staying up because instead of having nightmares, she was having daydreams. And the effect, in turn, was getting behind in her homework. Her Transfiguration essay was due tomorrow and her Potions essay was already supposed to have been turned in. Bella had to laugh out loud, shaking her head. Drew had told her he’d finally managed to pull her over to “the dark side” – maybe he was right.

Deciding she was getting nowhere, Bella rolled up her Transfiguration essay and set it on top of her now closed book and pulled over her Potions essay instead. She tried reading the passage again, but comprehended nothing. “This is hopeless,” she muttered, giving up almost immediately. Perhaps she would just take the P for the paper and not even worry about it any more. Bella pulled out a fresh bit of parchment and began to sketch to perfect description the lake, and began then focusing on drawing out the outline for both her and Drew. Trying to capture their night on paper was hardly worthy, but maybe if she got it into a solid memory she could concentrate a bit more. Bella sighed heavily and was lost again, oblivious to the quiet murmurs around her.

[gemma0avery]

Gemma, unlike Bella, was not working on schoolwork. In fact her purposes for being in the library were not book or learning based at all…

If one wanted to find Gemma Avery at that time they would find her crouched behind a table with a large pile of book that had been stacked into a stage-like shape with socks on her hands giving a sock puppet show to a group of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor first years. The purpose of her show, to Gemma, was very important. The sock puppet show, which Gemma had been doing every year since her second year and she dearly hoped would be continued by someone after she left, was based on the reasons why Slytherins were generally an evil group and how they she be avoided so one would not get a detention.

“No, no my little Gryffindor… Do ignore what the others have told you about our houses being rivals and come walk down this dark hallway with me.” Gemma made a green sock puppet with googley-eyes say in a wicked, snake-ish voice.

“I don’t know about that…” the innocent looking red sock puppet with equally googley eyes started to say before the green Slytherin sock puppet lunged at it and started to drag it off the book pile/stage.

Both sock puppets disappeared from view and Gemma made sounds of terrified shrieking and evil laughing from behind her book pile/stage. Her sound effects made the right impression in the group of first years around her as they started to look ever-so-slightly terrified.

[bella]

Slowly Bella’s small sketch transformed, becoming more definable and able to tell who the pair was and a good likeness of the glistening moon reflecting on the lake’s surface. She smiled at her work, holding it up to admire it. But it hadn’t helped her: Bella’s mind was no closer to homework; if anything, it was further away.

She had almost decided that she should stop fooling around and get back to work when she heard a distinct sound of admirable gasps. She looked up, wondering what was causing the hushed fascination. She glanced around, trying to look for the source. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, and curiously she stood up and left her work one step at a time. After turning around one of the shelves, she saw a small group huddled on one side of the table, Gemma Avery on the other. A wide smirk crossed Bella’s face.

Bella was on the side with the children, their back facing her. She backed up and took another route, going out of sight to creep up behind the table and kneel beside Gemma. “You’ve got quite the party going on over here,” she noted, suppressing a laugh. “Have any spare puppets?” Her eyes glistened in mischief, glad to welcome a distraction. Homework and her essays were far away now, forgotten on the table with her drawing.

[gemma0avery]

“Spare?! Bella you speak about my actors as if they were nothing but mere socks!” Gemma gasped dramatically “These actors are an important part of teaching my never ending lesson!” she continued on, still keeping her dramatic flare about her. But them Gemma settled down and shrugged “And anyways, this showing is over. You’ll have to wait until next Friday when I’m doing my showing of Why Slytherins Need to Pull Their Wands Out of Their Asses and Calm Down, and I always have a nice sized audience for that one…” she finished smugly.

Gemma started to shoo away the first years as she removed her sock puppets and put them in her messenger bag with a mischievous grin on her face. She started to gather up books, only a few at a time though since they were heavy, and put them away on the shelf near her. She glanced down at titles occasionally, noticing she’d probably have to retrieve a few of them later that night for her essay.

“So what’re you up to anyways? Procrastinating as usual?” Gemma asked casually, a joking tone in her voice that was often there “Or just getting distracted to the point ditching it all together?”

[bella]

Bella rolled her eyes, answering rather mock-seriously “Forgive me; I’ve forgotten that your actors are well taken care of and deserve to be treated like more the just socks. It’s amazing what a pair of eyes and a black-markered mouth with do, isn’t it?” she laughed. Bella knew Gemma had been going about her little theatrical performances for years now and sadly knew just about every play she’d done. “I like that one,” she added, familiar with the puppet-play.

But as usual Gemma knew just a little bit more then the every-day friend. Bella sighed and gave a smile that clearly said Gemma’s guesses were true. “Yeah, well, I’ve had a lot of things on my mind.” Which, in all truthfulness, was true. She had to smirk though, adding “My mother’s been a hassle like usual, trying to get me to come she her ‘in her last moments of life’ and all that crap.” She rolled her eyes for dramatic effect. “But,” she added eagerly, “I’ve had better things to think about.” Bella hadn’t told anyone about her late night run-in with her future ball-date yet. Sadly gossiping was one of Bella’s less admirable qualities.

“Do you know who Drew Marino is?” she asked, already prepared to gush the girly topic. Bella wasn’t quite sure if Gemma would have ever seen him around or not. True separate years held them from having any classes together, but what’s to say they hadn’t ever talked outside of the classroom?

[gemma0avery]

“No, not really… Why does that…? Wait, what’s this? Do I perhaps sense some girly emotions radiating from you? Oooh! You’re crushing on this Drew guy aren’t you?!” Gemma squealed in a scandalous tone as she quickly figured things out “Oooh! You’ve so got to que me in here!” She added as she lead Bella over to the table she’d been using earlier and pulled up two chairs from where she’d earlier put them against the wall.

Gemma swung her chair around so the back faced Bella’s chair and sat in her usual fashion so that her legs were on either side of the chair’s back and the chair was tilting slightly back so she was slightly closer to Bella.

“Don’t hold out on me girl!! Fill me in already? Are you guys going to the ball together?” she asked curiously, her usual mischievous smile on her face as always.

[bella]

One of the many reasons both Bella and Gemma got along so well – they were both addicted to the every day gossip of the school. It was easily evident that Gemma was willing to listen to more, and Bella was going to gladly deliver. She followed after the Gryffindor and sat down in the offered chair, not bothering to collect her own things manually – with a wave of their wand it was all beside her, placed in delicate piles; nothing like the mess she’d had before.

“Well,” she said, starting into her little tale. “I guess you could say crush. Have been for a while to be honest,” Bella admitted with a small blush, “But he’s always so…well, I couldn’t ever tell what he wanted from me I guess. We’ve always been friends, but we’ve never really gone past friends, but a few nights ago…” She let her voice drop, leaning forward slightly like she was telling a scary story – in broad daylight. Ha.

“I got a letter from my mum that night, and I just burnt it to flames. But anyways, rather unimportant factor. Drew came in and caught me in the actions, and we started to talk. He said he had to go return some library books so I figured I might as well come with, but he was headed for the front doors. I couldn’t just let him go out on the grounds after hours alone, could I?” she asked, like it had been an inevitable feat. “We ended up staying out most of the night – I was so tired the next day. Hence the undone homework,” she added, gesturing to the pile, “But the best part is he’s asked me to go to the Ball with him,” she gushed. A look of longing came across her features, already planning for it. “Do you have anyone you’re going with?” Bella asked, now curious. As far as Bella was aware, Gemma didn’t have a love-ache right now.

[gemma0avery]

Gemma grinned as she listened to Bella gush about her love-life, but once Bella questioned Gemma about her own love-life’s status she couldn’t help but sigh. It was common knowledge among Gemma’s friends that she was single, what none of them knew though was who she was crushing on.

That’s right, Gemma actually did have a few secrets she didn’t share with anyone, even Bella. Like for example the fact that Gemma had huge crushes on Drake Valo, one of her best and closest friends ever, and Regulus Black, a Slytherin who was a year under. These were things she didn’t plan sharing with anyone anytime soon.

“You know me Bella, I’m single as always… And to make it worse, I don’t even have a gown to wear to the ball… I’m actually considering just ditching it all together and using the night to catch up on my sleep or something.” She admitted in a very un-Gemma tone, followed by a sigh “But don’t let me rain on your parade! Do you have a gown yet? And are you guys going to go on a date before the ball?” she asked with a smile, her mood suddenly picking up.

[bella]

Bella’s expression fell slightly as she listened, sad for her friend. Bella would have to get to work on finding someone for Gemma… She wracked her brain quickly of all her guy friends, coming up with several she would consider dating but wasn’t exactly sure if Gemma ever would. And then the thought of what Gemma would do to her if she found out Bella had any plannings of a blind date for her, well… Bella was in no way wanting to get on her bad side; that was something she stayed clear of.

So, instead she decided to voice it straight on. “Come on, there has to be someone,” she stressed. “You can’t tell me there isn’t a single guy here you’d consider dating. Is there anyone I know? I could help you; you know, slyly inform them that you still need a date… I won’t let you just kill away the night with sleeping,” she added sternly. “Come on – just one name. I need something to work with,” Bella grinned, laughing some.

Quickly at the mention of a gown however, Bella was all over that one. “Oh, I’ve had this one for ages. It’s this midnight blue with a lovely silver sparkled pattern trailing down in front. I wasn’t quite sure on my jewelry options though – what do you think: silver chain and dazzling earrings or dazzling necklace and stud earrings?” She proceeded to collect her hair and pull it up into a ponytail, holding it back with one hand: “And hair up or down?” So many questions that only another girl could answer.

[gemma0avery]

Gemma pointedly ignored any questions or comments made about Bella helping her hook-up with or just finding a guy, but she was much more open and talkative when it came to helping Bella figure out stuff like jewelry and hair.

“You’re so lucky! I’m sure that’d be absolutely lovely on you!” Gemma gushed happily, it was common knowledge that blue and silver looked terrible on red heads “Jewelry… Go simple, just enough to draw attention to you! Simple chain with a simple chain, small diamond earring. Hair… Go with putting it up, add slight curls and a bit up glitter!” she told her friend in a knowledgeable tone, a smile on her face.

Gemma continued to gab on about the perk of Bella putting her hair up versus down and why simple jewelry was best, careful to keep her friend distracted from the topic of guys and dates.

[bella]

Well, needless to say it didn’t take much to get Bella off topic. “Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking,” she agreed, nodding her head. It was slightly awkward, still holding her hair up. “I have this one necklace, it’s just a simple chain but when you look at it real close you can see it’s almost like braided metal. That should work…I’ll have to dig around for my earrings though. I’m not sure what happened to them.” Of course, going for a little shopping spree wasn’t out of the question either.

Bella took her other hand and wound a strand about her finger, trying unsuccessfully to add a rough curl to the description of Gemma’s. “I don’t know how any goes with short hair,” she added as a side note, “I wouldn’t be able to go with short – it makes me look funny.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust, letting her locks fall back over her shoulders.

It was only then did she actually notice Gemma had never answered her. Well, if she was going to play like that. “Alright, so,” she said importantly, clapping her hands together and lacing her fingers. “Let’s think here. I’m pretty sure Ryan is still free, and Drake. Oh, I could ask Patrick for you…you might like him. Hmm…” Bella pondered, trying to recall all males she knew. “Are you opposed to going with a Slytherin?” She snorted then, teasing “You could go with that Hemlock boy. Ugh, he’s such a player. I think he’s going to marry that girlfriend of his.” She rolled her eyes, never having found him funny at all. “So?” she pressed, hoping to say a name that would give her some sort of reaction.

[gemma0avery]

Gemma narrowed her eyes at Bella and kept her mouth shut. She glared at Bella for a bit, but then she remembered she was dreadful at holding a grudge against Bella because the girl was just so bloody sweet. Damn Bella and her ability to be sweet… One day Gemma was going to have to get Bella to teach her so she could use the sweetness on other people as well as become immune to it. Sadly that day hadn’t come yet so she was still manipulated by Bella’s absolute sweetness.

“Bloody hell Bella! Can’t you get that I want to drop the subject of dates! Yes, I have a guy I’d like to go with… Two guys really, but factoring in the relationships I have with these two guys I’m more likely to take over Dumbledore’s position as Headmaster when I graduate than get a date with either of them to the ball.” Gemma told her friend in an exasperated tone as she lightly pinched the bridge of her nose “So let’s please skip over that subject and concentrate on you and your date and how I am going to work a bit of my special kind of magic and help you put your look together so well that every other girl in the entire school is envious because ever guy is going to have their eyes on you all night long.” Gemma continued in a slightly pleading tone.

Gemma took a deep breath and sent a dazzling smile at Bella once she’d finished with her long rant-ish speech-thing, hoping dearly that she hadn’t offended her friend in any way, shape, or form.

[bella]

“Oh, you’re no fun at all,” Bella pouted, puckering her bottom lip and looking offended. “How come you can help me but I can’t help you? I just need one little name…just one…” She tried really hard to plead, but apparently Gemma’s wall wasn’t going to be broken down. At least not today. All Bella needed to do what go scout a little bit and she’d have a name soon enough. Besides, if Bella found the right name, would Gemma really oppose it if Mr. One-guy-of-the-two asked her to go to the Ball with him? Mentally she had already narrowed down the field…it shouldn’t be so hard… But the fierce begging in Gemma’s eyes let Bella’s fantasy plans shatter before her. Maybe for once she should she just keep her nose in her own business.

Sighing in defeat, Bella held her hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. You win. No names. But let’s just say you do go with one of those two boys then – what would you plan on wearing?” That was allowed at least, right? Bella had already described her own attire…the unwritten girl code demanded that she get some information in return. If not a name, then an outfit. “I personally think I good fitting black might do, seductive and alluring…” Her eyes lit up, conjuring different sorts of gowns. “A deep red might get you places, although the wrong shade would just clash with your wonderful hair…and we can’t have that.

“Although,” she added, slightly teasing, “If you’re really set on making me the envy of every female in this school and the jealousy of Drew to every man because I’m on his arm and not theirs….” Bella looked at Gemma thoughtfully, cocking her head slightly, “Maybe we will get you a nasty shade – can’t have you overshadowing me, can we?” Her laugh clearly ruined the effect. “You can be a close second though, I promise.”

[gemma0avery]

A smiled tugged at the corner of Gemma’s mouth for a moment, blossoming into a full blown grin after a moment or so.

“Lovely, I’m so glad that you’re quick to dress my in ugly shades so you can be tops… But anyways! Since I wasn’t really planning on going I don’t really have anything to wear, plus I can’t really afford a gown anyways…” Gemma told her friend with a casual shrug “But maybe if I go, which I’ll only do if I have some tasty arm candy of a guy with me, I can call in a favor from my cousin Victoria and borrow this absolutely gorgeous red ball gown she has that looks great with my hair… But only if I have a piece of arm candy.” She said in a mild tone, adding a mischievous wink at the end so her friend would no she wasn’t peeved off about Bella bugging her about guys.

Maybe Gemma would go to the ball though, even if she’d probably end up going alone… Then again go alone could be fun, meant you could dance with everyone instead of just your date. But on the other hand she could try and get the nerve up to ask Drake if he wanted to go with her, even if they’d just be going as friends… But it would be a start! A good start that couldn’t ruin they’re friendship if it just didn’t feel right!

Gemma mentally congratulated herself at figure that out, and now she had a bit of a plan going to! And all she had to do to get it going was find Drake and ask him if he wanted to go to the ball together, at least as friends. Oh yeah, Gemma was some kind of evil genius alright!!

[bella]

“Agreed,” Bella nodded seriously like it was something completely dire – and well, let’s face it: to a pair of two teenage girls, dates and dresses were dire. “So, a red then…but only if you have someone worthy of being considered arm candy…” She giggled some, thinking up several of the Hogwarts boys floating around that fit that description – sadly, most of them were ‘arm candy’ for a reason; every girl wanted a piece of them. She tried to narrow it down further, coming up short.

She’d already suggested Patrick, and while perhaps the two could get along for an evening something about hooking one of her friends up with an ex-boyfriend felt slightly awkward. How on earth was she supposed to approach Patrick anyways: Hey Patrick, I was just wondering, do you have a date to the Ball yet? I know things didn’t work out between us, but I know someone – a friend of mine – they’re interested. Yeah, that would go over well. It had ‘awkward conversation’ written all over it. She moved on down the line: there was Ryan; he was nice enough. Frankly if he had asked her to the Ball, she wouldn’t have turned him down. Drake either; he was just fun to be around. That might work. She wouldn’t dare try and get Remus to go with her, knowing Kole had her eyes on him; and well, James and Sirius – that wouldn’t work out too well. Especially since James only had eyes for that Evans girl.

Involuntarily she let out a “hmpth” and folded her arms, observing Gemma in a mix of confusion and frustration. “And there isn’t a single name?” she confirmed, raising one eyebrow. There has to be someone, Bella kept thinking over and over again. But Gemma didn’t seem to be listening, far off in her own thoughts – that brought Bella a round of suspicion. “None at all?”