TWENTY-ONE

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Primrose went out early this morning since she wanted to do Christmas shopping. She had been thinking to buy her friends presents.

Thinking that she would be leaving soon, she surely could use the remaining money to spend on them—though there would still be a lot left. At least they had something of her when she's gone.

The thought made her sad. She had found lots of friends here.

There were two possibilities.

One—they're going to remember her.
Two—Primrose and Tom did't exist in that timeline anymore.

She shrugged off the thoughts and continued shopping. She saw a dahlia necklace and she knew straight away to whom she's gonna give it to. It was made of crystal and it shone.

When she was looking around at the bracelets, she remembered about the bracelet that's she's wearing one. She glanced at it with a frown.

She still didn't know who gave it to her.

It could be Konstantin—but he would've told her. She shook her head and continued to find other jewellery for her other friends.

After she's done with the girls, she had decided to go to the sports shop. The sports equipment there were pricey, but Primrose didn't mind.

Primrose glanced at the golden snitch keychains that they sell there.

They sell keychains too? So cute!

She had decided to buy them for her team—for Bletchley as well.

She walked out of the store and had her eyes on an antique shop. She entered and looked around.

There's one more gift that she needed to find.

And it's for Tom.

They're so interesting to see—the things that they had here.

One thing caught her eyes.

A black leather journal.

She opened it to see the inside, and it's blank pages, no lines. It was vintage, Primrose liked it. For a moment, she thought of buying the book for herself.

But she had decided not to.

The presents were all wrapped and put into paper bags. She carried them all home by herself and put them under her bed as soon as she reached so that her friends won't see.

She patted Tofu's head as it meowed and came out from the under the bed, straight onto the bed since there were paper bags at its spot. 

She honestly can't wait for Christmas. And Yule Ball, for some reason.

It's gonna be interesting.

_____

Primrose had her hair up into a messy bun with some braids tied together. She put her make up on, trying to match with her Alyce Paris gown. It was white in colour with a hint of rose gold lining in the inside.

It was a beautiful dress indeed, fitting with its price—expensive. It showed her skin, but not to much. Only her shoulders, a little bit of her back and a little bit of her cleavage.

Primrose looked stunning that night.

She wore her black high heels with transparent heels. She had decided to wear her own diamond earrings instead of the ones Konstantin gave.

She could, just to piss him off.

But it wouldn't be necessary. Plus, the blue butterflies didn't go too well with her dress.

The gown was still a little too long for her although she had worn heels. But that actually made her look more elegant. The dress was flowy and when she walked, the bottom side of the dress flowed perfectly with the perfect rhythm with every move she took.

She approached Stretton at the common room. She blushed slightly when she noticed that he was eyeing her from up and down. She could see the surprise on his face and he was definitely in awe.

"You look mesmerising, Primrose." He said.

Primrose smiled at him, feeling tingly inside as that was the first time someone had ever used that kind of word on her.

"You look amazing too, Stretton." She said, looking at his navy blue suit. They walked together until in front of the hall. There, the headmaster greeted them, then telling them that the champions and their partners will go in first and initiate the dance.

Primrose turned her head to the left side when she felt like someone was watching her from there.

And she was right.

Konstantin had been staring at her with an unexplainable look. Primrose then eyed his partner that she had never seen. Probably a Hufflepuff or a Gryffindor.

It could also be someone from Beauxbatons.

When the girls made eye contact, Primrose gave her a small smile with a nod. Konstantin's date replied likewise.

She then turned away and held onto Stretton's hand, wrapping her hand around his arms. Fiore and her date went in first. Primrose noticed her date—he was a Gryffindor Quidditch player.

After that, Primrose and Stretton moved, followed by Konstantin and his date. They slow danced to the song and Primrose looked down—shy, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Stretton smiled at her, "You're so beautiful."

Primrose chuckled, "Thank you, Stretton."

He pulled her closer to him, by the waist. Primrose could see how differently Stretton was staring at her that time.

A hint of longing, attraction, and passion in his eyes.

I ain't got no one starin' at me lidat before.

It made her nervous, really. Of course, she had boys around her but they had never treated Primrose the same way as these men had been treating her.

Boys in the future don't wear cologne anymore. They be out there smelling like weed and disappointment.

The ball ended at midnight, but halfway through it, Primrose felt the need to get out of there. She felt tired out of a sudden apart from her getting bored already.

Or maybe she was just bored and that made her tired.

Primrose was still dancing with Stretton and honestly, she had fun. He was a great dance partner and definitely a handsome one. But a ball in 1943 wasn't her cup of tea.

She can't see anyone she could mingle with because everyone's too attached to their dates.

"Primrose."

She got goosebumps from the way Stretton called out her name. She kept on staring at him and hummed shortly, waiting for what he's going to say.

"I want to tell you something."

That made her even more nervous but she just smiled, "Go ahead."

He chuckled, "But first, let's leave. You look like you're sick of this party. Or maybe I'm a terrible date."

Primrose slapped his right shoulder playfully, "No you're not, silly!"

She continued, "But yeah let's get out of here."

They walked out of the hall and while doing that, Primrose locked eyes with Konstantin. She laughed sarcastically in her head as she had been noticing his glances ever since the party started.

Though he was dancing with his date, his eyes were on Primrose.

She's not trying to be a narcissist but the way Konstantin had been looking at her, was as if he wanted to be in Stretton's place.

Do I look that pretty tonight?

When the both of them had reached the garden, Stretton spoke up.

"I have feelings for you."

Oh wow.

Primrose glanced at him, "You do?"

He chuckled softly, "I do. I can't seem to get you off my mind ever since we talked for the first time. When you asked about 'seeker'."

Primrose remembered. Then she's determined to know more about Quidditch until she tried to participate in it.

And there she was, part of the excellent Ravenclaw Quidditch Team. She smiled, "Ah... I was curious."

He nodded, "You really went from nothing to something. You had no idea what a seeker was, let alone how to play but you... you did it. You—I don't know how to say it but just to let you know that I admire your spirit. Your strength."

"Thank you, Stretton."

That's all that she could say. She couldn't think of anything else to say to him but she knew that the feeling's not mutual.

They kept on walking in silence after that until Stretton stopped his steps and laughed—tho it sounded like he's in pain.

Primrose stopped too and it made her looked down in guilt. She felt bad for Stretton, really. Hearing that laugh was painful to her too. She was definitely not ready to lose her friend, her teammate.

"I know you don't feel the same, Prim. I honestly don't have that much of a high hope that you actually would like me back. Trust me, I don't expect anything from you. I just... need to get it off my chest." He said.

Then he continued, "I just feel like I have to tell you as soon as possible but I don't know why. Honestly, when I told you about my feelings, I feel like the heavy weight on my shoulders have been lifted up."

Primrose stared at him, "Stretton... thank you for liking me. I am... flattered, really. You're a really nice man, Stretton. And indeed a handsome one too."

Stretton chuckled, making her did the same. Then she continued, "I'm sure you'll find the one. The time will come that you'll feel this way again. I genuinely feel glad that you feel your burden has been lifted up from your shoulders by telling me this. I'm really really glad."

He nodded.

Primrose smiled, "You're a great friend, Stretton. I am forever grateful for you, because if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been in the Quidditch Team."

He smiled back while shaking his head, "You got in the team because of your own strength and capabilities, Prim. It's not because of anybody else."

"But if you haven't invited me that day, I wouldn't have had the chance to be part of the team." She argued. Stretton lifted his eyebrows, "You could've come to the selection. You still have the chance to be part of the team."

Silence.

Well he ain't wrong.

Stretton smirked in triumph.

He then sighed, "I really don't want to lose you, Prim. Not as a friend, not as my teammate. I promise, this thing would not be brought up ever again."

Primrose smiled at him, "Thank you so much, Stretton."

"No, thank you." He said and pulled Primrose into a hug. She could feel that he's trying to hug her with a friendly hug, since he patted her on the back.

She smiled into his shoulder while doing the same thing—patting him on the back. He pulled away and smiled, "Do you want to go back?"

"Back to my room, yes." Primrose said. He nodded, "Well let's walk together then."

Primrose wanted to but somehow, she felt like something's holding her back. She shook her head slowly, "It's okay. You go ahead."

He smiled, "Alright. Here take this. You're shivering."

He took off his suit and put it around her. She noticed her goosebumps and she grinned sheepishly, "Thank you."

He nodded, "Merry Christmas, Prim."

"Merry Christmas, Stretton." She watched as he walked away from her. When he's gone from her sight, her head felt somehow heavy, though it felt empty.

This feeling again...

She started to turn back to the school grounds, her feet aimlessly moved to no desired destination.

Where am I going?

It was her last thought until her mind finally fell into a blank slate. She climbed up the stairs of the astronomy tower.

She reached the top and slowly, she stepped to the edge. She spread her arms out, and let her body fell forward.

"Stop!"

Tom took her right arm, pulling her from the edge.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" He raised his voice. His face was plastered with horror, anger, and worry.

Tom frowned when Primrose showed no expression. She wasn't even looking at him.

It looked like as if she was staring into nothingness.

"Quinton?"

He slowly let go of her arm. That's when Primrose turned around, approaching the edge again. Tom scoffed and yanked her by the wrist, once again, away from the edge.

"Snap out of it. Hey!" He shouted, but Primrose seemed to not hear him. Tom put his hands around her shoulders, shaking her lightly, "Hey!"

Nothing.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked—more like to himself. He stared at her, trying to shake her shoulders one more time. Fortunately this time, her eyeballs moved and she looked at him, "Riddle?"

Tom shut his eyes tightly for a few seconds with a heavy sigh of relief. He opened his eyes, "What were you doing?"

She started to look around her when she noticed that she's at a place where didn't remember going, "Since when did I get here?"

"What was the last thing you remember?" He asked. Primrose frowned, "I was at the garden. I was talking to Stretton and we said good night..."

Then she remembered the feeling. That feeling.

Tom waited patiently. Then she continued, "Then... I had this weird feeling where my legs just carry me around. I don't know how to describe it but it felt so automatic. That's all I remember. It felt like this too when I realised I came here the other day. When you found me."

She stared at him, "Riddle, I think there's something wrong with me."

Tom looked at her, "I think so too. You almost jumped off the tower two times already."

Primrose's face turned into shock—fear, "W-what? Why?"

"We should go to Slughorn." Tom suggested. She nodded in agreement, "Maybe tomorrow. He's still at the ball, it ends at midnight."

Tom nodded, "After lunch. The Great Hall."

Primrose nodded, "Okay. Thank you for helping me."

Tom looked away before turning his face to her once again, "I'll walk you to your dorm."

"Okay."

They started walking. It was a rather silent walk since the two of them were too deep in their thoughts.

When they arrived in front of the entrance of Ravenclaw's common room, they stopped their steps. Primrose was looking down but looked up to him again, "Thank you."

"Good night, Quinton."

"Good night."

She walked inside and when she turned around, Tom was still there, not showing a hint that he would leave anytime soon. She sent him a big grin, "Merry Christmas, Riddle."

It took him quite some time. When Primrose turned away, he finally replied—his voice low, "Merry Christmas, Quinton."

_____

After lunch, Primrose looked around for Tom. When she finally saw him, she gave him a small smile and walked towards him, "Good noon, Riddle."

"Let's go." He said and walked first. She pouted to his cold attitude but followed him anyway.

When they reached, Tom knocked on Slughorn's door. When he opened the door, he grinned widely, "Tom! Primrose! What a pleasant surprise. What can I help you with?"

Tom glanced at her, waiting for her to speak up. She was clueless at first but then she spoke up anyway, "Um... ah... Professor Slughorn, I think there's something wrong with me but I don't really know what it is."

She glanced at Tom who was raising his eyebrows. She continued, "Tom saw me trying to jump off the astronomy tower two times already but I can't seem to remember how and when I got there."

Slughorn's face changed. His grin faded into distress.

"How did you feel? Tell me more about what happened until Tom found you." Slughorn said.

Primrose scratched the back of her neck, "Well, it wasn't much but I do remember my legs walking me... does that make sense? All these times, I thought I was sleep walking, but it happened at random times too—when I was awake."

"I think she's being controlled, sir." Tom said. Primrose frowned, "Controlled?"

Tom continued, "When I tried to wake her up, she didn't wake up straight away. I even yanked her wrist but she's just... in daze. After a few seconds, she would come back—but clueless. She didn't even know what she was doing."

Slughorn looked away, his face tense.

"It is some serious matter, kids. I'n afraid I can't find out more about this alone. Just give me a second, I'll be back." Slughorn went inside his office and he got back to the door, he was wearing his coat.

"Follow me." He said and the two followed. They arrived at Professor Trelawney's place and Slughorn knocked on her door.

"Yes, coming!" The woman's voice echoed from inside the class, where they learned Divination. When she opened the door, she greeted, "Professor Slughorn!"

"Hello Trelawney, may we come in?" Slughorn smiled. She nodded in enthusiasm, "Yes! Yes, please, come in!"

The three of them went inside. When Primrose walked passed her, she frowned. Trelawney held up her palm slightly, "Girl, stop there."

Primrose turned to face her, staring at her with confusion. She glanced at the two and apparently they had the same reaction.

Trelawney approached her slowly while squinting her eyes. Then her eyes widened, "You... you're in danger!"

"H-huh?"

Trelawney started to look pale, "It's not safe... you're not safe alone." She pointed her index finger to Primrose's face, "You shouldn't be alone... never!"

"That's the reason why we're here, Cassandra. Primrose needs help." Slughorn said. Cassandra glanced at him before nodding, taking Primrose by the arm gently, "Come... have a seat."

Primrose sat down on the floor, in front of the table with a teapot, a cup, and a crystal ball. It's the exact same spot where she used to sit with Dahlia when she was still in Divination before.

The two men sat beside her, she's in between the two while Cassandra sat across them. She then looked at Primrose, "May I ask you to put the tea dust in to the cup, Primrose?"

Primrose did as told, putting some tea dust into the cup.

Cassandra nodded while holding her arms out, "Now give me the cup, child."

She gave the professor the teacup and Cassandra looked into it for a brief second before she flinched, almost breaking the cup when she threw it on the table. Some of the tea dust spilled on the table and Cassandra sighed.

"Sorry about that but God, my child... You have jealousy around you. Most importantly, you are under the Imperius Curse." She said, making the other lecturer's face turned horrified.

Primrose looked very confused, wondering how was she cursed. She looked at Tom and he had the same reaction.

"I can't find the source, how did you get curse and who cursed you. But I know that they do this out of jealousy. And they're close... very close..." she said.

Primrose looked down, her expression tense, "Jealous... why...?"

She then looked up, staring at Cassandra, eyes full of hope, "What can I do now, Professor?"

Cassandra sighed, "For now... just don't be alone. Whoever these people are, they wanted you hurt... dead. You've been trying to jump off the astronomy tower two times already. I saw it. Is it true?"

"You're right." Primrose sighed.

Cassandra looked at her sympathetically, "I'm sorry that this happens to you, darling. I can tell that you're a sweet person. And you are not well right now... you're very sick..."

"I'm... ill?" Primrose asked. The professor nodded slowly, "I could only imagine how bad it hurts when you cough, my sweet."

She knows.

Primrose nodded slowly, not knowing what to say.

Slughorn sighed, "What can we do to help her, Cassandra?"

She shrugged, "For now, like I said before. Don't let her be alone. I will surely try to find the culprit but it takes time."

"Understood, Professor Trelawney. Thank you for helping me." Primrose said, looking down. She continued, "Thank you to you too, Professor Slughorn, Riddle."

She finally glanced at Trelawney and her eyes squinted into sympathy when she noticed Primrose's teary eyes, "Oh darling, please don't cry."

"I'll be off, thank you once again." Primrose got up and left.

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