The morning after Valentine's Day was strangely silent. I went for my early run, but Hannah didn't show up; I didn't even see her for breakfast. I knew she was still in her room, unable to face me yet. Neville didn't show either, though for different—yet ultimately similar—reasons.
The one who did appear was Malena, in her sportswear, ready to train. She joined me, although in reality, she seemed to have come hoping to find Neville.
We both sighed over our respective absent "partners" and ended up hanging out, talking about how Valentine's Day had been too much for those kids.
"So... how are things with Neville?" I asked, sipping my mango juice.
"He bolted at the first opportunity... but there was a big breakthrough. We ended our date with a kiss... which I made sure happened," she replied with a dreamy smile as she bit into a jelly donut. "I'd bet anything it was his first kiss. He was so sweet, that look of shock... I almost wanted to keep going and find out what other expressions he could make." Then she looked at me teasingly: "And you? Did you dip the churro? Did Hannah not come because you beat the salsa too hard?"
"You have too much imagination... Though I wish that were the reason, I won't lie." I rolled my eyes, smiling.
We laughed a while longer, enjoying the complicity of friends who, deep down, were taking advantage of those kids' innocence.
Afterward, I went back to the dorm for a shower. As I came out, I ran into Hannah. She was walking with her head down, lost in thought. When I called her name, she let out a small yelp of surprise.
"Good morning..." I greeted her with a slight smile.
"H-he-hello, Red..." she stammered nervously.
"You didn't come to train. Look, if you break the habit, it'll be hard to pick it up again," I commented casually, avoiding the delicate subject.
"I... I felt sick, and I couldn't go..." she tried to lie, but her nerves gave her away. After what she had discovered the night before, it was too difficult for her to look me in the eye.
"Well, I hope you get better. Today we have a trip to the jungle; I don't want you fainting and me having to carry you. You'd miss all the fun," I joked.
"I'm fine now... don't worry," she chuckled shyly, though it was clear she wasn't at her best.
"Thank you..." I said suddenly, low enough that she might doubt whether she heard it.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"For not telling Hermione or the others what we talked about yesterday," I clarified.
"You read my messages with the girls?" Her face instantly flushed, feeling exposed.
I shook my head.
"No... I simply trust you and that you didn't. You're my friend. Should I read them?" I asked with feigned curiosity. In reality, I had already read them, but it suited me not to admit it.
"No, no, no, no!" she quickly exclaimed, blushing. She had spent the night debating whether to confess anything to the others, but in the end, she hadn't. Still, the thought of me seeing her history, her conversations with Susan... was unbearable.
"Relax, you have a right to your privacy. Just don't betray me," I said with a wink before walking away. "See you on the field trip."
I didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable. As soon as Hannah saw me move away, she sighed. She was trapped in a conflict: she didn't want things between us to become so tense, but she also couldn't fully process what she knew and suspected. Still, she wanted things to return to normal. She couldn't stand this distance; she wanted everything to be as it was before.
It was still early, but the entire second year was already gathered outside. We were accompanied by several professors and a small group of older students.
Today's class was Herbology, though it wouldn't take place in the greenhouses. This time, we would venture into the jungle itself. We had had similar lessons before, but never one so far from Castelobruxo. The destination was deeper than usual, enough to justify the use of a Portkey to cover part of the journey... and, for safety, an emergency one for the return.
There were too many of us, so three professors were attending: the Care of Magical Creatures teacher and two Herbology professors. Additionally, some older students, from fifth to seventh year, had been assigned as guardians. It was common practice on outings for the lower years: it kept us more closely monitored and reduced risks.
Malena was among those students, having volunteered with the sole purpose of running into Neville. When she waved at him from a distance, he turned bright red and tried to hide in the crowd.
With her "prey" fleeing, Malena didn't flinch. Instead, she approached Hannah and started talking to her. I noticed how Hannah, little by little, was opening up more than she should. The surprised expression on Malena's face confirmed it: she had probably told her something about our conversation yesterday. Malena then looked at me with wide eyes, as if she couldn't believe it, and immediately bowed dramatically in my direction, giving me an exaggerated curtsy. I could only shrug, while she gave me a thumbs-up, as if I had just earned her eternal respect.
The conversation between them remained serious for quite a while, nothing like Malena's usual jokes. At least until it was time to move: the professors organized the groups around the Portkey, and little by little, everyone gathered to activate it as roll was called.
It was during that moment that I received a message from Malena—yes, I considered her close enough to trust her with that ability:
[Malena: I bow before you... merely a simple commoner, acting like a king before a true god.]
[Red: Pardon granted. *arrogant emoji*]
Shortly after, she wrote again, more directly:
[Malena: What Hannah told me... is it totally true? So many girls and all at peace? Didn't you embellish it? You don't have to lie to me.]
[Red: I don't know what she told you, but yes, it's true. And actually, I haven't even told her about the other girls... Yes, they are all very cooperative. I even slept with the mother of my first woman, my first woman who is also pregnant with my second child. The first was with another girl. Everything is perfectly fine. The only one I'm deceiving, for now, is my official girlfriend, but I plan to change that in the future.]
There was a pause in the conversation. I spotted Malena in the distance: I saw her looking at me with her mouth open, hesitant about what to write. She typed again with theatrical flair:
[Malena: Master... this mortal cannot comprehend your magnificence or your purposes. I can only bow before you and accept that I am in the presence of someone extraordinary. I beg you to teach me how to have a fraction of your power to fulfill my humble and only goal. I dare not be greedy before your excellence.]
[Red: Just keep going like this. You're doing well.]
[Malena: Okyyy... But seriously: I hope you're not messing with Hannah. I don't know how your strange arrangement works, nor do I want to be the judge of your private life, but I don't dislike you, well, so far. I'll just tell you this: I don't care if you have twenty or forty wives, but don't hurt the girl and treat her with the respect she deserves. Satisfy all her whims to make up for the fact that you sleep with at least half a dozen women. Otherwise, I'll beat you up. *angry emoji* *wand emoji* *skull emoji*]
[Red: You know you couldn't.] —I replied with humor.
[Malena: I'd try, though. Downside of being Hannah's super-BFF. *exhausted emoji*]
[Red: Relax, I treat all my women like queens. Well, almost all. Some prefer rough and humiliating treatment, but they are a separate case.]
[Malena: I'm really curious about the crazy things that happen in your bed with so many women. I've seen a lot, but never a guy with dozens of women at once.]
[Red: I'll tell you when we have time.]
[Malena: Okyyy... By the way, I tried to help you. I told Hannah something like, 'no matter what happens; if he's your friend, nothing changes; treat him like always.' You owe me one... but you'll thank me later when I need you with Neville.]
Our chat ended there. I walked over to Hannah to stay in her group and close to her. I noticed how she tensed for an instant, but quickly forced herself to relax. Her doubts were still present; I could see it in her eyes, though it was evident that the atmosphere between us had improved.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I started telling jokes, embarrassing anecdotes I had shared with Malena that morning, and some other nonsense. Little by little, I managed to get small laughs from Hannah, and with them, ease the tension still floating between us.
She realized my strategy, but she wasn't bothered. On the contrary, she ended up appreciating it. She wanted things to go back to how they were, and that made her more receptive. Not everything could be forgotten, of course, but she was convinced she could learn to live with the truth. In reality, my confessions had given her a certain confidence, and she secretly seemed comfortable with that frankness.
Besides, she was sure she would have plenty to tell Susan when she got back. Yes, she wanted to respect my trust, but Susan was her best friend, and Hannah believed Susan would keep the secret. Furthermore, since she suspected Susan had feelings for me, she thought it prudent to warn her about my... complicated love life. Better to prevent her than let her fall defenseless into the wolf's den.
We continued moving toward the Portkey: an old bicycle wheel. We held onto it and, after the professor counted down, we vanished from the Castelobruxo grounds.
We reappeared in a clearing in the jungle, next to three tents. The professor in charge quickly moved us away to make room for the next groups arriving one after another. Soon everyone—students, professors, and guardians—was gathered. Roll was called one more time as a precaution, ensuring no one had been left behind.
With everything ready, the professors gave new instructions regarding jungle safety. Judging by the expressions of the older students, that speech was clearly a ritual on every field trip. Finally, we formed small groups, always close to each other, and ventured onto the paths. The objective was still far away.
If anyone wondered why we weren't transported directly there with Portkeys, the answer was simple: to protect the natural balance of the jungle and the development of the fauna and flora we used as study material, magical and human intervention was kept to a minimum. Besides, the walk helped the students connect with their surroundings and learn from them.
As we advanced, we let ourselves be amazed by the wild, living density of the jungle. Not far from us, Neville walked dejectedly, with Malena right on his heels like his bodyguard, trying to cheer him up with jokes that, unfortunately, weren't achieving the effect my jokes had had on Hannah.
Both of us, now on better terms, exchanged knowing glances and laughed discreetly at the scene. The tension between us had changed color: it wasn't just distrust anymore; now there was intimacy, even a hint of mischief. Hannah, feeling more secure, started making more personal comments, the kind she used to reserve only for Susan.
For me, that was a victory.