Alaric winced, but struggled to maintain composure. He wanted very much to, as cliché would have it, dig a hole into the ground, jump in, and then bury himself alive. Really. It wasn't everyday that he was dished out rejection. Then again, it wasn't everyday that he attempted something that wasn't clearly already available to him on a platter. That was the problem with him, wasn't he? He, the baby of the family. He didn't have to confront anything or anyone that he didn't want to, or wasn't comfortable with. There was always the luxury and safety of someone older who wouldn't hesitate to step into the situation. Besides, he was an heir of the Krum family. Well, of course, there were many heirs of Krum running around on the face of the earth. Still, at the very least, he was the favourite in his part of the family tree.
Alaric stole a look back at the lads, all of whom pretended to be savouring Butterbeer like they were sipping gold, quietly and slowly. Yet, it was ever so clear to him that all activity had stalled at that table for the expense of his now at Valerie's. The boys were painfully lacking in subtlety, and Alaric couldn't help but squirm even more under the immense pressure that he was feeling now, caught between a desire to run away from the situation, and the need to hold his ground or risk being labelled a wimp for the rest of the school term, if not his life. No, he couldn't run. After all, didn't they expect him to be exemplary, like Craig? It was a miracle that none of the lads realised, yet, that he barely possessed the dauntless and reckless guts of the other boy when it came to girls. It was thanks to Alaric's showing in other aspects of life at Hogwarts that still maintained his influence over most of the lads.
They were watching him now, and intently, at that. It was as if they were taking notes from him, living vicariously through what they expected to be the swagger Alaric was supposed too have. His stomach turned again, battling to be allowed to go into hiding even if he couldn't do so. The words spoken by the girl turned and ran in circles in his mind. Of course he was offended. He wasn't used to being spoken to in this manner. Alaric was a boy who always wanted to be the best, to be on top of every game. Yet, he hated the obstacles that came along with it. Why can't everything be easy? He blinked. Then, with a strained patience in his voice, Alaric spoke.
"I-I didn't intend to ask for you to spread your legs for -" He bit his lower lip now, a little embarrassed to repeat the matter out loud, and to her. He had felt misunderstood. Yet, now, as soon as he repeated it, Alaric suspected that she was being sarcastic instead. Quickly enough, he felt the heat rise up from his chest, to his neck, and to his ears. It wasn't as if he was innocent, really. No, not at all. There were certain fantasies put up in the spaces of his mind that even the lads knew about. Yet, of course, in the face of Valerie, he felt embarrassed to have thought about her in that manner. Now, with what she said too ... Alaric shook his head. He was being silly. Of course she couldn't tell. He was sure she wouldn't have the ability to read minds. At least, not yet. No. He was going to be normal. Friendly and normal, good old Ricks.
"I- erh. How're you?" He offered his winning smile, hoping it would offer him some leeway in this situation. After all, the boys were still waiting to see if he was going to received well by who they have been tired of hearing about for months now. They had expected Alaric to go for it, and the expectations were long overdue. "I'm sorry," he added, definitely inexplicably apologetic to Valerie, but really because he needed some cooperation from the girl to make it look good on him, to the lads. "I just- I just thought we've seen each other around so often. But, you know, we never really get to hang out. You know?" Alaric winced at the input of his question, which really was an attempt to plead with the girl for some help in this matter. At least, he thought, just do it for the lads.
Okay, no. No. Pull yourself together.
Alaric grinned again, hoping that this one was more confident than the last. He eyed Valerie's drink. "Let me buy you another drink, after this." He nodded, then attempted to look out a window, though absent-mindedly. "It's a great day, isn't it?" No, it wasn't. He corrected it quickly. "I mean, the rain's a bit troublesome. But, you know, Hogsmeade Day is always a good day, almost." He checked for her reaction. At the same time, the boy could tell, from the corner of his eye, that the boys thought that things were going well. There were nudges and grins, approving, all. At that, Alaric felt relieved, even if slightly, at that. "I'm sorry, I forgot to ask if I could take a seat." He bit his lower lip, feeling a little bad now, especially when she was still giving him such a look. He was just glad that the boys didn't seem to notice. They were hardly the most perceptive of people. "Was I interrupting? You looked preoccupied. Oh-oh, yeah. Yeah. Haha. You were reading. Yeah. Haha." He winced visibly and stopped before his ceaseless speaking would begin to get at himself too. "Sorry. I just want to be friends." Said in a truly ignorant and earnest fashion.