Profiting off a flirt’s misery
This is basically Shay’s POV throughout the lovely @thecursedvaultchild ‘s “the shortest of romantic sparks”
The first thing Shay noticed was how the luminous glow of the candlelight glimmered in her hair before the slytherin seamlessly ducked back into the crowd. The only telltale of her fading figure, the signature glister of her silver tresses.
Shay’s eyes traced her moving figure with intense interest, silver hair striking yet subtle in an almost perfect way. She tried to recall a name to that face, it had something to do with the seasons, she was sure of it. It’s on the tip of her tongue before it slips away. A name she had read, heard and forgotten more times than one.
The chatter was immensely loud in comparison to previous days, the clanking of silverware against plate was barely audible curtained by indiscreet murmurs echoing through the room.
She nearly jumped to her feet when a particular Ravenclaw nudged her shoulder.
“Egwu,” she flashes him a dashing grin, straightening her shoulders and folding her hands. “What do I owe the blessing of your presence to?”
The tasteful wizard sent her a mischievous grin rivalling her own, “Ever heard the name Summer Charn?”
Ah that’s the name she was looking for. Summer Charn, the pearly haired slytherin prefect with a reputation for a mean tarantallegra jinx.
“By the chances that I have, what does it have to do with us?” She plucked her long discarded fork and held it under the light suddenly intrigued by the way the metal reflected the light. “As far as it doesn’t concern any of us I don’t believe I should know her name. Don’t you agree, Egwu?”
“Here’s a better question to ask yourself; how do you feel about some old school gossip and a chance to earn a few galleons?”
“Oh, do tell Egwu I’m all ears.” She blinked lazily like an idle cat. With her head laid in her hands, she appeared disinterested but the twinkle in her eyes said otherwise.
“Well, MaryAnne we both know Diego Caplan.”
She sneered, “Something I hate to admit but carry on.” As much as she showed disdain for the Casanova he wasn’t terrible company, the two became pleasant acquaintances after he had deemed it useless trying to take her out and attempted to befriend her instead. He was amusing or at the very least it was amusing to watch him flirt and fail tremendously at wooing yet another incurious girl.
“The bloke and Charn are apparently dating.” Andre declares.
Her fork slips out of her grasp with a heavy clang, mouth agape. She whipped her head and stared at him with wide eyes. “You’re bluffing!”
She risked a glance at the Hufflepuff table and immediately spotted Diego, wincing at the obnoxious brightening charm he’d cast on his teeth, something he’d never be truthful about.
“Him of all people?! Oh dear!” She clicked her tongue in disapproval, “What was Charn thinking?! She could’ve done so much better; such a shame.”
“Now this is where the galleons come in. There’s a school bet.”
She quirked an eyebrow and gestures for him to continue.
The wizard produced a piece of parchment, an assortment of names scrawled onto it, some familiar and some foreign.
“They’re all betting on how long they’ll last and almost everyone’s in. If you play your cards right-“ he trailed off.
Shay let out a snicker and pointed at one of the names, “Rebecca Lord at 3 days? That’s absurd! I love it.”
“Three days.” The Gryffindor reached into her pocket. Ten galleons sparkling in mint condition, laid flat on her palm. A devilish grin settled itself among her features before she burst into peals of laughter. “And a few hours.”
The wizard laughed along with her, “You’re probably right. Now how about who’ll dump who?” His face screamed mischief, “20 galleons on Diego.”
She stared at him incredulously, “We all know it’s going to be Charn who breaks his heart,” she shrugged, “but it’s your death Egwu.”
“We’ll just have to see about that.” He held his hand out. “Deal?”
“Deal.” She takes his hand and gives it a firm shake with a nod of her head.
Whatever Shay had expected out of their relationship it was far from this. She hadn’t expected them to be so lovey-dovey. It was like watching a couple in their honeymoon phase, constantly trying to one-up the other in sickeningly sweet gestures and the cheesiest pickup lines. She had caught herself in the midst of a gag looking at them once and Merlin save whoever accidentally overhears their flirts.
She sat, ankles crossed in the courtyard under the shade of the stone structures, today officially marked day three. She wasn’t worried but more curious about the outcome of the two flirts’ relationship. Even if she did lose those 10 galleons, Andre would still owe her 20 if Summer was the one to end their relationship and Shay was dead set on proving Andre wrong.
Unknowingly the book she had been “reading” had been held upside down the entire time. Her eyes were fixated on the couple sitting right in front of her, too curious to look away but the babbling of the fountain and the chatter buzzed together in unison in her ears, too dense to make out what they were saying.
Until, “Silencio!” Shay watched amusedly as Summer whipped her arm out of Diego’s grip. “Read my lips: I’m dumping you. And you can keep your sweet nothings. They’re so full of hot hair; just like you.”
She bit back a laugh as Summer victoriously flounced into the castle, a spring in her step. She jumped onto her feet, book tucked underneath her arm and made her way over to the flabbergasted Diego.
“Way to go lover boy!” She placed a cool hand on his cheek and gave it a pat. “You sure did win her over.”
He visibly whined but no sound came along with it, taking her hand in his, grazing his lips against her knuckles as an attempt to sway her into helping him and mouthing something along the lines of “Undo the curse!”
She shook her head, ignoring his silent protests, smiling from ear to ear, “No way! It’s more fun seeing you silent for once.” Shay pried her hand out of his grip and ruffled his hair, “I’ll take you out for some Butterbeer later. Consider it a pity treat.”
She traipsed back into the castle, a hand over her mouth stifling her giggles. Now she just had to find Andre, he did owe her 30 galleons afterall.
