[center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjgwLjA1ZWJhMi5VblZ0YjNKeklFRWdUV2xzYkdsdmJnLCwuMAAA/soviet-program.regular.png[/img]
[img]https://media.giphy.com/media/UZI5fQQHsKlMs/giphy.gif[/img]	[img]https://i.imgur.com/xydwI.gif[/img]
[i]My dirty little secret
Who has to know?[/i][/center][hr][hr]
On the other side of the castle, Demetria and Jomana were also neck-deep in homework. The two best friends were in the Gryffindor common room, sitting side by side at the study table by the window. They’ve already discussed the events of that day, and had decided to drop the subject when they had begun to bicker over it -which seemed to be a common theme as if of late. The girls were currently answering some questions for Charms class, and they were turning out to be more time-consuming than they’d thought. Jomana had taken it in stride, but Demi was growing more tired by the second. All she wanted was to meet up with Noel and pick up where they’d left off. But after the close call they’d had earlier, they’d decided to let things cool off for a little while. They both knew well that it wouldn’t be long until they were all over each other again. 

The brunette had been fuming over a particularly long question when a voice called out to her: [color=DarkCyan]“Hey Graves,”[/color]. And when Demi looked, up she was surprised to find fourth-year [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/e40aaf0b467a4026d1d2982b4d6f61f3/tumblr_p2v7slW3cX1wkxnj3o1_400.png]Tatiana Lychestein[/url] standing beside her, looking as if she’d found the answer to all her prayers. This was red flag #1, as Demi had never had any sort of reason to interact with Tatiana.

[color=darkred]“Hey Lychestein,”[/color] she replied, shifting her position to give her full attention to the girl.[color=darkred]“What’s up?[/color]

[color=DarkCyan]“You’re Noel Jameson’s Potions partner, right?”[/color] Tatiana asked with a curious, hopeful expression. There was red flag #2.

Demi’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. Why on Earth would this She was [i]very[/i] interested to see where this conversation was going. Meanwhile, Jo wore the same expression as the American, yet pretended to still be immersed in her work. She shook her head a little before answering with a dry [color=darkred]“Yeah, why?”[/color]

Tatiana’s eyes lit up, which made Demi’s scowl even more pronounced. This did nothing to diminish the excitement in the younger girls’ face, though. [color=DarkCyan]“Haven’t you heard?”[/color] she asked Demi, who shook her head. The younger girl grinned, seemingly very happy to find someone to spill the tea to. [color=DarkCyan]“Well, there’s this rumor going around that they’ve seen him sneaking around with a [i]Gryffindor[/i]! I know, right?! Him, of all people! Well, anyway, since you’re his Potions partner I thought you might be of help. Maybe you’ve heard or know something about who they are?”[/color]

And [i]there[/i] it was: red flag #3. 

Demi and Jomana exchanged meaningful looks, but refrained from doing or saying anything else. While Jo turned back to her parchment -trying to appear as if she’d completely disengaged herself from the conversation yet leaving a listening ear-, Demi was quick to answer Tatiana’s question.

[color=darkred]“Oh darn… Sorry to disappoint you, but no: I have no idea what -or who- Jameson decides to do in his spare time.”[/color] she replied stiffly, battling with the desire to end the conversation or try to dig deeper to hear exactly what was going around. Being the curious girl she’d always been, Demi decided on the latter. [color=darkred]“But does anyone have any idea who it could be? Any suspects?”[/color] she said in her best fake interested tone.

Tatiana nodded vigorously. [color=DarkCyan]“Well, people thought it was you for a bit, because of the Potions thing. But that was quickly ruled out, because why in Merlin’s beard would the Gryffindor Quidditch captain want to be involved with the likes of Jameson?”[/color] she let out a laugh as if the whole thing was ridiculous, and Demi joined her even when her paranoia was now at an all-time high. [color=DarkCyan]“There’s also the fact that he likes purebloods, so that also rules you out. So, right now, the top contenders are [url=http://makeupandbeautyguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Apply-A-Simple-Makeup.jpg]Jana Doppler[/url], [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/bookclub/images/f/f3/Alexandra-Daddario-Those-eyes-are-incredible.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20151002213759]Lyanna Nielsen[/url] and [url=https://gl-images.condecdn.net/image/1WGKPGL7XbW/crop/405]Olivia Wilson[/url].”[/color]

Demi pretended to be deep in thought considering the options before eventually voicing an opinion. [color=darkred]“If you were to ask me, I’d say it’s Olivia. She fits the type of girls he usually goes for, [i]and[/i] she’s a pureblood.”[/color] She could hear Jomana doing a little disapproving sound with her tongue, but the American paid her no mind. Her eyes remained on Tatiana, who seemed to be thinking through what Demi had just said.

[color=DarkCyan]“It [i]does[/i] make sense… She was actually the I was leaning towards myself.”[/color] Tatiana piped up, looking satisfied with the findings of her investigation. She offered Demi a bright smile. [color=DarkCyan]“Thanks!”[/color] And with that, she was bouncing away towards her dormitory.

Demi shifted her position to face Jomana now. Her best friend was looking less than pleased, which the American suspected had to be because she’d purposely thrown some poor, innocent girl under the bus to cover up her own sorry ass. She’d open up her mouth to say something -very likely to scold her on her cowardice-, but Demi was quick to intervene. [color=darkred]“Jo, if you’re going to lecture me, please don’t. Let’s just pretend this never happened and keep on doing this stupid homework, okay?[/color]

Jomana gave Demi a glare followed by an exasperated sigh before turning back to her homework. [color=mediumorchid]“Fine. But next time, if you do not want things like this to happen, [i]do[/i] try to be more careful.”[/color] she muttered angrily to her best friend, scowling brown eyes on her parchment.

Demi sighed, and also turned back to resume her homework. However, although her quill was effectively working, her mind was in a whole other place. Who could have possibly seen her and Noel? Everyone was supposed to be in class. And even if they were skipping, Noel and Demi had been careful to remain hidden and separate when they could be exposed. There was also the fact that she’d looked around many times to make sure the perimeter was safe before venturing out. So what went wrong?

No, this ‘rumor’ [i]had[/i] carefully fabricated, planted in a way to get people out for a literal witch hunt. Her reputation kept her safe for the time being, but what if the doubts resurfaced? What if some small detail exposed her emerged? It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it would bring her many inconveniences and drama she was trying hard to avoid. One thing was certain, though: if she ever found out who was behind this leak, Demi would make sure they would face the consequences.