Thank you to All The Pretty Horses for correcting me in my last chapter. I had Hermione use "Alohamora" instead of "Lumos". But this is fixed now. Sorry for the mistake. Thank you all for reading, and please leave reviews.
Disclaimer: All I own is Serena. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.
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Chapter 2: Quidditch
"ONE OF THEIR FAKE WANDS AGAIN!" Serena heard Mrs. Weasley shout from the kitchen. "How many times have I told them NOT to leave them lying around?" Serena nudged Harry and Ron in the sides and giggled under her breath.
"C'mon," Ron nodded at his two friends. "Let's go help Bill and Charlie." Serena smiled. Bill and Charlie were two of Ron's older brothers. They had already graduated from Hogwarts, but she still loved talking to them. They were hilarious but intelligent, like the rest of the Weasleys. Well… most of them.
They left the sitting room and headed out the back door into the yard. Before they gone far, a loud crashing sound came from the other end of the yard. Bill and Charlie were standing with their wands out, sending two old tables flying across the yard. Charlie swished his wand and sent his table forward. Fred and George were cheering loudly as Ginny rolled on the ground, laughing hard.
Serena laughed hysterically as Bill's table caught Charlie's with a huge bang. One of the legs fell off and towards the ground, narrowly missing Hermione's ginger-colored cat, Crookshanks. There was a loud shout from above their heads and the group looked up to find that Percy was peering down at them from his bedroom window, holding his hands on his hips.
"WILL YOU KEEP IT DOWN?!" he yelled.
"Sorry, Perce," Bill grinned. "How're the cauldron bottoms coming on?"
"Very badly," Percy muttered before slamming his window shut. Bill and Charlie lowered the tables to the ground with their wands. With a flick of his wand, Charlie pulled two table cloths out of thin air and laid them across the table, hiding the scratches the fight had caused.
When dinnertime rolled around the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Serena finally relaxed outside by the two tables, surrounded by plates of Mrs. Weasley's cooking. Serena, who felt famished, dug into the chicken and salad. She stayed quiet, listening to the lively conversation between Fred, George and Charlie.
"It's got to be Ireland," Charlie said between bites of potato. "They flattened Peru in the semifinals."
"Bulgaria's got Viktor Krum, though," Fred reminded him.
"Krum's one decent player, Ireland's got seven," Charlie replied shortly. "I wish England had gotten through. Embarrassing, that was."
"What happened?" Harry asked, setting down his fork.
"Went down to Transylvania, three hundred and ninety to ten," Charlie mumbled. "Shocking performance. And Wales lost to Uganda, and Scotland was slaughtered by Luxembourg."
"Easy there, Charlie," Serena chuckled, patting the older boy on the back.
"It's a disgrace," he groaned, dropping his head. Serena giggled and turned towards Harry.
"So," she asked softly. "Have you heard from Sirius lately?"
"Yeah," Harry said quietly. Hermione and Ron leaned closer to hear what he was saying. "Twice. He sounds okay. I wrote to him yesterday… he might write back while I'm here."
"Look at the time," Mrs. Weasley cut in. "You should really be in bed, the whole lot of you- you'll be up at the crack of dawn to get to the Cup. Harry, Serena, if you'll leave your school list out, I'll get your things for you tomorrow in Diagon Alley. I'm getting everyone else's. There might not be time after the World Cup; the match went on for five days last time."
"Wow. I hope it does this time!" Harry laughed.
"Well, I certainly don't," Percy snarled. "I shudder to think what the state of my in-tray would be if I was away from work for five days."
"Yeah, someone might slip dragon dung in it again, eh, Perce?" Fred tossed an arm around his brother's shoulder.
"That was a sample of fertilizer from Norway!" Percy grumbled, shrugging Fred off. "It was nothing personal!"
"It was," Fred whispered into Serena's ear as Percy stormed off. "We sent it."
…
Serena awoke the next morning to the sound of Hermione's voice. "Serena," her friend called. Serena sat up and rubbed her eyes groggily.
"This feels like Déjà vu," she grumbled.
"Come on," Hermione urged. "Let's go and wake up the boys."
Serena bolted upwards and got dressed. She, Hermione, and Ginny giggled softly as they strolled into the room where Ron, Harry, Fred, and George were sleeping. Serena walked towards the bed where Harry lay and gently shook his shoulder. "Harry," she whispered. Harry's green eyes shot open.
"Serena?" he muttered, obviously bewildered.
"Time to go," she smiled, handing him his glasses. With that, she pranced over to Fred's bed. After several attempts of shaking him awake, Serena pounced onto his back. "Oi!" she snapped. "Wake up, you!" Startled by the sudden weight, Fred shot up, nearly tossing Serena off of his back.
"S'time already?" he asked groggily. Serena nodded and reached forward to brush a few strands of red hair out of the corner of his mouth.
"Get up, you lot," Hermione called over her shoulder as she, Serena and Ginny headed out the door. Serena snickered when they were out of earshot, mimicking Fred.
"S'time already?" she questioned, sticking her tongue through her teeth like an electric-shock patient. Her friends cackled in response. Serena grinned and turned to go down the stairs, but was stopped by a black mass of feathers. "Eeeek!" She shrieked out loud, covering her face with her hands. After a few moments, she decided it was safe and peeked through her fingers…
…To find her black owl, Lana, perched on her shoulder. The bird hooted happily. "Oh, hey, Lana!" Serena smiled. Noticing the letter on her owl's foot, Serena reached forward and untied it. "Anyone have an owl treat?"
"I do," Ginny offered. She pulled a biscuit out of her pocket. Serena nodded her thanks and fed Lana the treat.
"Okay, you," she tapped her bird on the beak. "I'm going to be off for a few days. Stay around the Burrow, and I'll be back soon. Kay?" Lana cooed and nipped Serena's finger affectionately before flying out an open window.
Serena, eyes narrowed, slowly opened the letter that had been attached to her owl. "No way," she breathed when she'd read it at least a dozen times.
"What is it?" Ginny questioned. Serena quickly handed it to her friends, unable to speak her mind. It read:
Serena,
It's been all summer, but I heard you were going to the World Cup with the Weasley family. That would be positively wonderful, because my dad and I are meeting them at the Portkey to go. Well, I was hoping perhaps you'd like to catch up once we got there, maybe talk on our own for a bit? Well, erm, see you there.
Cedric Diggory
P.S. I heard a rumor you helped save that hippogriff last year.
Slightly illegal, but that's really great of you.
"How did he find out about Buckbeak?" Hermione screeched.
"He practically admitted to liking you!" Ginny squealed, ignoring Hermione's outburst
"He's is pretty cute," Serena sighed thoughtfully.
"This is serious!" Hermione growled, stomping her foot.
"C'mon, 'Mione, lighten up." Serena threw an arm around her friend's broad shoulders. "Even if someone does think we did it, they can't prove it."
"I guess," Hermione murmured, still frowning. The three headed downstairs and flopped down on the couch in a tired heap.
"Why do we have to be up so early?" Ginny grumbled. Serena dropped her blonde head to her friend's shoulder, closing her eyes.
"We have a bit of a walk ahead of us," Mr. Weasley chuckled.
"Walk?" Harry's voice cried out. Serena opened one blue eye and found him standing a few feet away at the kitchen table. "We're walking to the World Cup?"
"No, no, that's miles away," Mr. Weasley chuckled. "We're only to walk a short way. See, it's difficult for a large number of wizards to be transported anywhere without muggles noticing. Some use public transportation, but only a small number can do that without-"
"George Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley interrupted sharply. The entire room went still.
"What?" George replied innocently.
"What have you got in your pocket?"
"Nothing!"
"Don't you lie to me!" Mrs. Weasley fished out her wand and pointed it at George's pants. "Accio!"
Within the next moment dozens of brightly-colored candy flew out of George's pockets and into Mrs. Weasley's palm.
"We told you to destroy them!" Mr. Weasley roared. Serena turned her head to hide the laugh she could no longer keep in.
"We spent all summer developing those!" she heard Fred shout.
"Oh, a fine way to spend half a year!" Mrs. Weasley screeched. "No wonder you didn't get more O.W.L.s!"
After that, Mrs. Weasley said her goodbyes. When she had hugged each of them in turn and they were on their way, she called, "I'll send Bill, Percy, and Charlie along around noon."
Once Mrs. Weasley's back was turned, Serena held up her wand and whispered, "Accio!" Forty of the toffees flew into her palm. Grinning, she ran up to Fred and George and placed twenty in each of their hands. "Happy Christmas," she giggled before hurrying off to her friends. Fred and George grinned and threw the candies in their backpacks.
"She's quite alright, that Serena," George chuckled.
"Have I mentioned that I love you?" Fred called after the blonde. She grinned over her shoulder. George snorted once her back was turned once more.
"At least fifty times a day," he grumbled under his breath. "Ow!" Fred had responded by punching him on the arm. "OwCH!" Twice.
…
"Whew," Mr. Weasley panted, resting his hands on his knees. "Well, we've made good time- we've got ten minutes. Now we just need the Portkey."
"Over hear, Arthur!" a voice shouted before they could begin their search. "Over here, son, we've got it!"
"Amos!" Mr. Weasley smiled, hurrying over to the man who had shouted. Serena grabbed Hermione's arm as she spotted the familiar boy next to the man. "Everyone, this is Amos Diggory. He works in the Department of Magical Mysteries. And you all know his son, Cedric."
"Hey," Cedric smiled. Everyone exchanged a welcome with Cedric except for Fred and George, who opted for a quick nod. Serena rolled her eyes. Obviously the twins still hadn't forgiven Hufflepuff, Cedric's house, for beating them in Quidditch the previous year.
"Good lord!" Mr. Diggory suddenly exclaimed. Serena turned to find that the older Diggory was staring at Harry as though he'd seen a ghost. "You must be Harry Potter!"
"Yes, sir," Harry said quietly. Serena smiled sympathetically. Poor Harry was used to people making a fuss over him, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it.
"Wonderful to meet you, son," Amos shook Harry's hand rapidly. "Well, almost time!" Mr. Diggory set down the muddy boot he was holding in his free hand. Serena assumed it was the Portkey. Deciding to use the distraction to look at Cedric, she glanced in his direction to find that he was staring right back. He'd become extremely handsome; his golden brown hair had grown shaggy, but in a cute way, and his grey eyes were bright.
"Hey," he mouthed with a smile. Serena couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey," she replied.
"Alright, everyone touch the Portkey," Mr. Diggory broke through her trance. "Just a finger will do." Serena kneeled down and touched the muddy boot carefully.
"What does this do?" she hissed.
"I dunno," Harry murmured. "But I'm not sure I'll like it."
"Three, two…" Mr. Weasley counted down. "One!"
It happened very quickly. Serena didn't know much aside from the fact that she was in the air, swirling, flying, falling upwards, and then-
She landed on her feet with a thud. "Look out!" Harry shouted.
"Where-" Serena was cut off when a figure slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Fred came next, landing on top of Serena without a single warning. Ginny and Ron came crashing down as well, narrowly missing Harry's face.
Only Mr. Weasley, Mr. Diggory, and Cedric had landed on their feet. "Ow," Serena whimpered. "Harry? Fred?"
"Yep?" Fred mumbled into her back.
"GET OFFA ME!" Serena shoved him. As she detangled herself from her friends, she noticed a hand in her face. Smiling shyly, she took it and stood to face Cedric.
"Did you get my letter?" he grinned.
"Uh, yeah," she glanced down to hide her burning cheeks. She didn't know what to say, so she backed away…
…And crashed directly into Ron.
"Whoa!" Cedric exclaimed. Ron grabbed her shoulders.
"You okay?" he questioned.
"Just kind of dizzy," Serena replied warily. Cedric reached forward and kept a firm grip around her as they made their way forward. The group had arrived on what appeared to be a deserted moor. A few feet away were two grumpy-looking men in ridiculous outfits. Serena didn't pay attention to anything they said. All she could think about was the blinding pain in her stomach. "I'm okay now," she lied before stepping away from Cedric. But she hadn't moved more than a few feet away when she swayed directly into Fred. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground, watching in horror as her breakfast came back up.
"Serena!" Fred exclaimed, jumping out of the way. The group had gone quiet and everyone was staring at her.
"Is she alright?" Ron asked urgently.
"Serena?" Harry tried.
"She said she was feeling dizzy earlier," Cedric told them. Mr. Weasley immediately kneeled at her side.
"You okay, Serena?" he questioned. Serena didn't dare to open her mouth again. "Fred, you stay with her. I'll go check into the campgrounds, and we'll come back and get you two in a moment."
"I'll stay, too," Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Cedric all offered at once. Mr. Weasley shook his head and climbed back to his feet.
"No use in overwhelming her," he insisted. "Probably just dizzy from the Portkey. Come on." He motioned for the rest of the group to follow. Serena felt her stomach heave again. This time, Fred kneeled beside her and held her long blonde hair back from her face. He rubbed her back in gentle circles and winced as she began to cough. She began to lose her balance again, but this time he pulled her upright into a sitting position.
"Thanks," Serena managed. Fred quickly pulled a bottle of water out of his backpack and handed it over. She opened it, swished a bit of water around in her mouth, and spat it back out on the ground. "Ugh," she groaned. "I puked on you, didn't I?" She sounded so quiet and looked so pathetic at that one moment, Fred almost felt himself get emotional.
Almost.
"Just a little on the shoe," he chuckled. Serena winced. "It's okay, really. Just… don't turn that shade of green again. Scared the bloody hell out of me." Her head fell against his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," she muttered. Fred smiled and gave her shoulders a light squeeze. "Know what?" She glanced up, her light green eyes meeting his dark grey ones. A very tiny smile lit up her face. "You're not as horrid as everyone thinks."
"I s'pose," Fred shrugged. "But don't go around telling everyone. You'll ruin my reputation." Serena smiled slightly-
Before puking again.
Fred let out a sigh and went back to rubbing her back.
By the time Mr. Weasley had returned it, Serena's face had returned to a normal color and her stomach no longer hurt. But that didn't stop Harry and Ron from each putting an arm around her shoulders while Hermione opted to place a hand on her back. It was a difficult way to walk, but her friends insisted.
And Serena wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
