Diaries of a Muggle Born

Now I wish I could say I went right to that classroom the next night and had a wonderful time with Sheryl…but I didn\'t. Don\'t get me wrong I was on my way, but something happened and there was no way I could walk away from it.

***

It was 7:25. I was on my way to the third floor classroom. This was it; Sheryl was finally going to go all the way. This was something I was not about to miss out on, I just hoped we wouldn\'t get caught. I was almost there, only two classrooms away and then that is when I heard the sobs again. I knew it was her. She obviously had taken to one of these classrooms to be alone and cry. I peeked in the room it was coming from and there she was. Sarah was sitting at a desk face in her hands as usual. I looked down the corridor. Sheryl was waiting for me only two rooms down. I didn\'t even think long and before I knew it I was walking in the classroom to comfort Sarah. I had put Sheryl out of mine at this point. I should have known better. But what was I to do. II hesitantly opened the door and walked in. She hadn\'t heard me come in. I watched her for a few seconds before I spoke.

“What is wrong, Sarah?” She nearly jumped out of her skin as I caught her completely off guard.

“What the hell are you doing sneaking around like this?” She spouted abruptly. “You shouldn\'t be roaming the school like this, I should report you.” She was trying hard to clean herself up and not look at me.

“Look, I know something is bothering you. Please, talk to me. I thought we were friends?”

“Friends, after almost five years of little communication or interest you say we are friends. It hasn\'t seemed like that to me in a long time, Lee.” I was hurt, had it been that bad? Was she really that upset at me for not paying a lot of attention to her?

“I\'m…sorry” was all I could muster. I hung me head and started to walk out.

“Wait.” She interceded. “Please, I am sorry. Come sit down.” I froze in place. How could I say no? I returned and sat next to her.

At first there was a little awkwardness. But soon she was confiding in me like we were best friends. She told me about her summer. I couldn\'t believe what had happened to her. She lost her grandmother in June, and then her grandfather in August right before school started. Brad broke up with her because he thought that their positions would make them bias. He was just an asshole. And then she laid the bombshell on me.

“And then all these years you made sure I knew you had no interest in me, even though I wanted you to ask me out.” She turned from me in a state of shock as she realized what she was admitting. And at that moment I took her hand. She started to withdraw but then surrendered. I moved closer and put my arm around her. She pulled me in and we hugged for a minute. I didn\'t know what to say.

“I know you and Sheryl are together. You seem happy. I don’t want to ruin your life, please forgive me for burdening you.”

“It\'s ok.” I comforted her and let her hang on me for a bit. And then I saw it. I will never forget that look of anger/acceptance/sadness/understanding that was looking at me through the window.

“Sheryl?” I said. Sarah looked up and saw her too. She pushed away from me and headed toward the door. She pushed passed Sheryl and ran down the hall away from us. Sheryl concentrated on me for a moment. I don\'t know what happened, I don\'t know what came across my face, but before I could say anything Sheryl just gave a weak smile, nodded and turned to leave me there to stew in my own thoughts.

***

That was almost two weeks ago. Neither of them has spoken to me since. And I not to them either. It was lunch in the Hall. I sat between Donnie and Travis and they were jabbering on about when the champions will arrive that evening. I hadn\'t really told anyone about what happened. All they knew is that I was single again. Which cheered them up, knowing that now I could spend more time with my own house. That evening was going to be a long one with all the formalities and choosing the Adams champion. But little did I know it would be even more than that.

The whole school was in the Hall. It was 7 PM; the guests would be arriving shortly. We were all wearing dress robes. There was an aura of celebration and welcome in the air, I turned to look at Sheryl. She was busy talking to that prefect I didn\'t know from her house. I followed the rows until I found Sarah at her table. She was looking at nothing in particular and being very unsocial. She eventually looked up and when she saw me she averted her eyes quickly and turned her back to me. I started to feel my stomach churn. Both girls that I liked wanted nothing to do with me now. I didn\'t know how long before I would burst with anger at myself. I was relieved when the doors opened. My mind suddenly cleared as our guests had finally arrived.

“My fellow wizards and Witches, welcome to Adams.” Professor Aplington reached out his hand in friendship to each professor and student as they entered. He announced each representative as he finished greeting them.

“May I present Professor Carlos Montoya and Rio de Oro’s champion Louis de Champlain.” They were an odd pair. The professor was squat dark complexion Mexican while the boy was a tall pale blond haired pretty. Pr. Professor Aplington directed the two to their seats. The professor took a seat at the head table while Louis was accommodated at the table of House Appleseed.

“May I present Professor Maya Ambrose and Le Grace de Dieu’s champion Laura Bangcroft.” They were both very elegant and Beautiful women. They moved with grace and the only difference between them was about 35 years. I guessed it was possible they were related. Laura made her way to house Eaglefeather’s table as the professor took her seat next to Professor Montoya.

“May I present Professor James Chesterfiend Mnd Monroe’s champion Genma Takahashi.” There stood a stout man huge with muscles and girth. Next to him stood a short Japanese boy who looked like he was 90 pounds soaking wet. Of course Genma came to sit with our house as his professor joined the rest of the faculty.

“Now that you all have been introduced to our esteemed guests I ask if any of the visiting headmasters have anything they wish to say.” Each of the headmasters stood and gave obviously practiced speeches, short and to the point. They all were basically the same saying that it was great to be here and that they looked forward to the tournament.

“Now comes the time to select Adams’ champion.” He waived his wand and a golden goblet appeared in front of him. There was fire pouring and pulsating out of it. This is known as a Goblet of Fire. I changed it slightly from its original charm so that we may commence this in a more expeditious fashion. I have entered all students who are of the fifth year or greater. In a few moments the goblet will let us know who the chosen competitor is. This will be the witch or wizard who has the best abilities and chance of winning.” Everyone held there breaths as we waited. There was a sudden loud pop as the goblet seemed to explode in a spout of fire. A name was being traced in the middle of the air by fire. When it had finished there was a gasp of excitement as well as disappointment by some hopefuls. “Well, then I ask that after the feast all the competitors adjoin to the room off to my right for their first instructions. And may I congratulate you on being picked Miss Sarah Cate of Appleseed.