(A/N: I fuss about Deathly Hallows in an Author's Note at the end of this, so if you haven't read it, there's your warning.)
Chapter 4: Because of Fireworks
As usual, many unfortunate students were in the library doing their homework early so they would have a free weekend, myself included. I was deeply into reading The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts but that certainly was not because it held vital information that would be on the Auror training exams. Of course not. At least, that's what I told myself. Luckily, my brother seemed to think nothing of it as well.
"Hey May, what did you write on that essay for McGonagall yet?" Marcus asked. I handed him my essay not taking my eyes off the book.
"May, can I have it after him?" Chris asked. I nodded still engrossed in the book. Chris was still talking to me and being as nice as he possibly could. He was still giving me hints about wanting to go out with me but they had become drastically more subtle.
"And me after him?" Frieda asked. I nodded again, this time taking a peak at everyone at my table. Marcus, Chris, and Frieda were all writing their essay. Ginger and I were the only ones done. Coincidently, Ginger was reading the same book I was.
I looked over at the other students. The library was not too crowded since it was a Friday but nonetheless, a good number of students, mostly upper years, were being devoured by work. At the table across from ours, Cedric Diggory was whispering something to a very pretty Asian girl who started quietly laughing. Diggory seemed to beam at her laughter and quickly looked over to share a look with my brother but found that Marcus was looking down at his homework, which was really my homework. Marcus, for his credit, was desperately trying not to fail this year. If it meant that cheating was involved then that would not trouble him at all.
Percy Weasley was deeply absorbed in his own school work and didn't even notice Penelope Clearwater glare at him angrily from right beside him. Last night, during another Girl Talk session with the girls, Laura had told us that the mudblood Penelope was sick of how Weasel didn't have time for her. She further stated that Penelope had yelled at him in the hallway screaming about how she was tired of being second place to his ambitions which, if my sources were correct—and they must have been since Laura knew everything about everyone—included Percy becoming Minister of Magic. It was a laughable notion.
As I rolled my eyes at the mere thought of a Weasley becoming the Minister, Oliver Wood, who was sitting beside Percy, nudged him slightly, obviously asking for his homework. Percy, unlike myself, wasn't as generous and simply shot him an admonishing glare. Oliver smiled innocently in a way that almost made me smile. And almost made me want to give him my homework. Almost.
Fred and George Weasley suddenly came running into the library very noisily carrying a large box. They went over to Oliver and started talking quietly to him, with Percy casting them suspicious glances, then they let him look in the box. He started laughing loudly and Madam Pince kicked them all out, including Percy whose shouts could be heard until he left the library.
Penelope glared after them all.
"Wonder what that was about," Freida said, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. She, like Laura, enjoyed knowing everything about everyone.
"Something against the rules, no doubt," Ginger commented, not taking her eyes off her book.
"Fireworks probably," Marcus muttered. He too did not allow his gaze to wander from my paper as he copied my essay.
"Make sure you don't copy word for word, Marcus, that'll be way too obvious," I said.
"May, I'm a professional cheater, I know what I'm doing."
"Speaking of which," Chris said, lowering his voice as he smirked at his Captain, "Figure out what we're going to do this year to ruin the Gryffindor's stupid winning streak?"
"Oh, I have an idea," said Marcus with a devious smirk. "Draco broke his arm, did you hear?"
"Oh please, it's just a scratch," Ginger said with an eye roll. "He's being dramatic."
"All for a good cause," said Marcus. "He's supposed to get he bandages off in a few days but I think those bandages should last until.. say.. after the first game in which we're supposed to verse Gryffindor.."
"Wait but how is he supposed to play with a broken arm?" Chris asked, scratching his head. "Wouldn't—OH! I get it! Genius!"
"Exactly," Marcus said proudly as Friend kissed his cheek. "And I'll just convieniently forget to mention it to Wood until.. two weeks before the match?"
"Marcus," I chided and Chris openly rolled his eyes at me.
"Here we go," he muttered to Frieda and I shot a glare at him.
"I was simply going to say that two weeks in advance is a stupid idea," I said then paused, ignoring Chris's "Yeah, I know you think that". "One week should be sufficient."
Marcus grinned.
"Now that is what I'm talking about."
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Because I had finished homework that same Friday, on Saturday evening I was free from my studies. The Slytherin Quidditch team had a meeting concerning Malfoy's arm and no doubt unveiling Marcus's plan to the rest of the team so my brother was nowhere in sight. I was resting on the bank of the lake by Frieda, Laura and Tina on a blanket. They were talking excitedly and giggling occasionally, speaking about Cedric or some boy. Ginger was also near, though refusing to use Frieda's blanket, and still engrossed in her book.
I did participate as best as I could in the conversation until Frieda, not for the first time, began speaking about my brother in an inappropriate matter and I could not stand listening anymore. While she swooned on about him, I took my shoes off and went by the lake to soak my feet in the water. Farther down the lake, third years were playing with the giant squid so I did not have to worry about stepping on any tentacles. With that thought in mind, I wafted further into the lake.
Because the usual beginning of October chill was still unseen, the evening was warm and attracted many students who needed a break from the typical education to goof off.
I looked behind the third years and saw that Fred and George, the kings of goofing off, were talking with Oliver again, the box still in their hands. They looked very excited but Oliver looked uneasy especially when he looked at the lake. I walked further down the lake so the water was up passed my knees, just under my pelvis. I was wearing shorts so I was not too worried about getting my clothes wet.
Suddenly, loud bangs of different colors—purples, blues, reds, yellows, silver—filled the air and I looked over and saw Fred and George's box was erupting. Fireworks were filling the sky as students excitedly watched, erupting as loud as the fire display in "ooos" and "aahs" and jubilant cheers. One of the fireworks tore out over the lake in a zig zag motion and erupted over the water into dozens of tiny fish shaped sparks. People clapped, including myself, and Fred and George bowed.
The Giant Squid was not as impressed. As the sparkling fish entered the water and disappeared, it began thrashing around madly, causing the third years to run out of the water screaming. I too began to follow their example as the squid thundered toward me, trying to escape the glittering noise. Just as I was getting out of the water I felt a long slimy tentacle grab my leg. Frieda, Laura and Tina screamed and moved away while the Squid started to take me under. Ginger was pale as she looked on immobile and wide-eyed.
I screamed, forgetting everything I learned at Hogwarts about protecting myself. Ginger however, snapped out of her immobile state and shouted "Stupefly!" but the spell only caused the Squid to roar in anger and pain, wrapping its tentacle tighter around my leg, up to my waist. My screams became louder as it dragged me under the water.
I was too terrified to remember to hold my breath.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Oliver felt himself grow pale as the squid dragged Mayella Flint underwater. This is exactly what he had feared when his beaters told him of their latest "fun filled" idea.
"Someone get a Professor!" he ordered as he started taking his shirt and shoes off. Colin Creevy who was beside him—he was taking pictures, unfortunately—began running into the castle. Oliver hid a wince when he noticed what slow runner the kid was.
"Wood! You can't go down there!" Ginger Jugson began to yell when she spotted him stepping into the water. "There are more than squids in that lake! You can run out of air! You can kill yourself as well as her!"
He ignored her and jumped in making sure his wand was firmly in his pocket. He was sure he heard her call him a "moron" before he descended into the frigid depths.
As he began kicking his Quidditch toned legs toward the fish, he kept his eyes narrowed at the nearby Squid who still looked several meters away. From his periphial vision however, he caught sight of two suspiciously red haired companions. Fred and George, who apparently went in after him, sent Oliver a thumbs up and swam toward the Squid with him. Oliver swam faster, no matter how much his already aching muscles objected.
As the three got closer, Mayella was visibly stationary in the Squid's tentacles. He almost gasped at the limp sight of her, forgetting his goal as she floated motionless in the creature's grip until Fred and George swam a beeline toward the tentacle. Oliver soon followed, ignoring the blood gushing out of Mayella's leg, as he and his beaters attempted to pull her from the monster's grip, only to be greeted with attacks from its other arms. Oliver felt himself whirling through the water at the Squid's strike and felt his head pounding but, in his desperation for air for himself and for his companions, took out his wand and quickly stabbed the tentacle holding Mayella with it. Blood gushed out through the slimy surface of the creature as it recoiled in pain.
When he managed to grab hold of the girl, and began swimming toward the surface with her, he felt himself slowly losing velocity, his lack of air no longer something he could ignore. He could feel his lungs swelling with water and felt his world begin to turn black until two pairs of strong arms began lifting him and Mayella to the surface.
'So close. Almost there,' Oliver thought but he had a sinking feeling that Fred and George were also beginning to lose consciousness. He felt the world starting to go black but just as things were becoming dark, he was suddenly flying over the water with great speed, coughing and sputtering for air. With a breath of relief, he held Mayella firmly in his arms. Fred and George, looking pale, nudged him while they flew toward the shore were Dumbledore stood with his wand raised, no doubt levitating them, and nearby students clapped and cheered.
Oliver smiled wrly and prayed that Mayella was okay. He felt his feet touch the ground and he put Mayella down as the onlookers crowded around them. Dumbledore made the students move back so Pomfrey could help her.
"I'm afraid we will have to do this the muggle way," she said looking worried at the sight of blood on Mayella and Oliver and the Twins' pale features. "Oliver, do you know CPR? Just blow air into her mouth and hold her nose while I press on her chest. I'll tell you when to stop. Now start."
Oliver blinked once in confusion but did as he was told, holding her nose and breathing into her mouth, mentally scolding himself for allowing the blood from his forehead to drip down into her hair. The twins were beside him, each biting their lip while Dumbledore stood over them, his old features compressed with worry. While Pomfrey pressed on Mayella's chest, Oliver was able to view his surroundings, including the concerned and curious onlookers and Mayella herself who remained unconscious beneath him. Oliver suddenly felt a huge weight on his shoulders but he didn't think it had anything to do with George's encouraging pat on his back.
After over a minute of blowing and pressing, Mayella started choking and spluttering water out of her mouth, coughing. Oliver smiled with relief.
"Oh thank goodness," Pomfrey said, her hand held to her heart, and people cheered. But no one looked more relieved than the twins who thought they were all to blame for this.
"She's alive! Yes! She's alive!"
They started whooping and both pulled Mayella, who Oliver was sure had never said two words to the Weasleys, into a huge hug. Oliver smiled shyly at her as they let go (to hug each other). She only groaned and put her hand to her head.
"Can you walk, Miss. Flint?" Dumbledore asked, holding his hand out to help her up.
"I.. think I can," Mayella said as she slowly stood up with Dumbledore's help. Oliver, while the twins still celebrated with each other, watched her carefully, ready to help her up again if she fell. Her leg was still bleeding. Dumbledore conjured towels for his wet students as Pomfrey led them back into the castle toward the hospital wing. Dumbledore followed behind them.
When they got into the castle, they were greeting by a furious looking McGonagall and Snape.
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley! You are both in horrible trouble!" McGonagal screamed. "Thirty points from Gryffindor! Each! I hope you will both think before you do such a stupid, reckless act like endangering another student with your pranks again! And detention! The both of you! Until I feel you are ready to be released!"
Snape was smiling at this. "And Miss. Flint will be fine I hope?"
"After a night's rest and some medication, she'll be as good as new," Pomfrey said hurrying them into the hospital wing.
"And Mr. Wood?" McGonagall asked, noticing the blood escaping Oliver's head but still looking furiously at the two wet red heads.
"Also after rest and medication. I need to patch up Mr. Wood's head injury first and then Miss. Flint's leg injury. I'm surprised their wounds are not any worse."
"I'm even more surprised that they're all alive," Snape said, raising a brow at the twins who looked down guiltily.
"I think Mr. Wood deserves some credit for his brave deed," Dumbledore said. "Twenty points to Gryffindor sounds fair. And five to both Weasleys."
Dumbledore continued, "Now both Mr. Wood and Miss. Flint deserve some sleep in the hospital wing. Hagrid will be over soon to obtain your wand from the lake, Mr. Wood, after he bandages the giant squid. You two Weasleys may return to your common room unless you require Poppy's services. I'm sure your punishments can wait until you're both well and rested."
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
"What the hell happened?!" I heard a scream, which I quickly recognized as belonging to my brother. I stifled a groan as the previous day came flooding back to me.
"Shh! She's sleeping!" Oliver instructed, "And I told you. She was putting her feet in the lake and the squid went crazy and grabbed her so I saved her."
It was then that the events really hit me quite hard though I still kept my eyes closed, hoping it was all a dream. I did not want to believe that I had lost the ability to act in the face of danger—some hopeful Auror I turned out to be—and that I landed myself in the hospital wing. The fact that I believed Oliver's lips were on mine was something that would not be a good reality.
"You saved her?" Marcus asked, still annoyed but with less wrath.
"Yes and Fred and George Weasley. But, Dumbledore is the real hero. We would have died if he didn't levitate us," Oliver said modestly.
I wished I could have seen if Marcus was angry or not. Instead I hesitantly opened my eyes to learn that I was not facing my brother and my savior but an end table with a large box of Every Flavor Beans. The card was open to reveal Fred and George's loopy and large signatures.
"You're a moron, you know that?" Marcus said but with sarcasm in voice and I felt him go back to my bedside. Before they could begin arguing again, I "awoke" for them and Marcus immediately threw his arms around me.
"May!" Marcus exclaimed before quickly pulling away, ruffling my hair affectionately instead. "Finally, you're awake. I knew Pomfrey gave you too much drugs."
"Mm, remind me to tell her I want more next time," I said with a smile, snuggling onto his shoulder. He was still in his Quidditch uniform and I hoped he had not spent the night; I would feel even more pathetic if he had. "I still heard you yelling even through all the drugs."
"It was not yelling," Marcus said, kissing my head with a smirk, "Just expressing my concern using my outdoor voice."
Oliver, who was in the bed next to mine with a bandaged head, chuckled and shook his head. Marcus narrowed his eyes at him
"What's so funny, Wood?" Marcus asked irritated.
"You being human," Oliver said blandly, "I was always of the opinion that you were all troll."
Marcus took the open carton of beans from my bedside and threw a bean at him.
"Sod off, Wodd," he said sharply, "And there are more beans where that came from."
"Oh good, she's awake," Pomfrey said with a smile, luckily ignoring Oliver and Marcus' glaring match. "It's about time you're awake too; its already noon. Just have some of this and you can leave. Though you could stay one more night if you feel the need to."
"I don't," Oliver said quickly, crossing his arms over his chest. Marcus chucked a bean at him when Madame Pomfrey served me a spoonful of some concoction.
"And neither does my sister," he added, shooting Oliver a dirty look, "My sister who shouldn't have been here in the first place."
"I surmised as much," Pomfrey said, twisting the cap of whatever bitter antidote she gave me. "Both of you have had numerous hordes of people asking about your welfare. I'm sure you wish to see them."
"She only let me in here because we're related," Marcus muttered to me as the nurse returned to the back room. "Now take your beans and come on, May, I have two Weasleys to kill."
"Don't touch my beaters, Flint!" Oliver said getting up.
"Don't worry, it's not too late to hold tryouts for new ones, Wood," Marcus threatened icily. "Once I get a hold of your current ones, they're as good as dead."
He gave Oliver a just-try-and-stop-me half smile and he grabbed my arm, leading me out of the hospital wing. Oliver glared after him furiously but seemed to realize there was nothing he could do to save his beaters.
"Wait! Flint!" he called, going after us but my brother did not stop as he stormed down the hallway, still holding my hand. "They didn't mean to hurt her! It was an accident! Can't you show a little mercy?"
"No," Marcus said simply, otherwise ignoring Oliver. Oliver sighed hopelessly, sending me an apologetic look. I bit my lip, looking up at my brother.
"Wait.. Marcus.."
"Don't you dare say anything, May, I'm going to rip them apart."
"Marcus, please don't. You're already on thin ice and you can't afford to stay back another year," I impored, holding onto his arm and unleashing a pouty stare. "It wasn't the Weasleys fault. The squid just went crazy."
"Yeah, because of their stupid fireworks; don't think I haven't heard the rumors," he practically spat but he did stop walking and turned to face me. "They're dead men walking."
"Marcus, I don't blame them, you shouldn't either. They didn't ask the squid to attack me."
"But it did because of them!" He looked at Oliver as if he had something to do with my pity for the twins. Oliver looked just as baffled at my sympathy as Marcus.
"If anyone is to blame then its me for staying in the water too long. Please. Don't hurt them," I pleaded, batting my eye lashes pathetically. Marcus looked at me and sighed then thought for a minute, throwing Oliver dirty looks while he did so.
"Fine. Let's just go back to the common room. Chris is really worried for some reason and we don't want him to piss in his pants, now do we?"
I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Marcus."
"Yeah, yeah. Now come on you bloody brat," Marcus said, taking my hand. I smirked as we walked away, sending Oliver a small wave goodbye. He smiled.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Ginger hugged me the moment we walked into the common room.
"And I told him he was a moron," she said referring to Oliver. Chris quickly hugged me next, kissing my head in a way that reminded me of Marcus. I couldn't help but smile for him.
"He is a moron. But I'm glad you're alright," Chris said with a smile, looking me over. "You are okay, right?"
"Did Wood kiss you?" Frieda asked, interrupting my reply.
"What the hell? When was this?" Marcus asked with narrowed eyes. I opened my mouth to respond but realized that I was not quite sure myself so settled with an innocent shrug.
"Calm down. Its called CPR. It saved her life," Ginger clarified.
"So he didn't kiss you?" Chris asked.
"No. He breathed air into her mouth after Pomfrey gave her compressions," Ginger further explained, her patience growing thin.
"So when do kill the Weasels?" Montague, a fifth year, asked with a smirk. I did not know when he entered our cluster of seventh years but he was doing nothing to hide his excitement.
"We're not," Marcus said simply after reading my look.
Montague looked confused but before he could ask Marcus to repeat himself, Draco, who also had been listening to our conversation, spole first. "I for one was looking forward to it."
There was a murmur of agreement among the gathered Quidditch players. Marcus looked at me and I could hear his silent pleas asking me to change my mind. I gave him a stern look and shook my head. He sighed quietly, turning to his team.
"Well, that's too bad, Malfoy. They live."
"Why can't we even hurt them?" Montague asked. "What about payback? What about revenge? What about—"
"Are you questioning me, Montague?" Marcus asked his voice suddenly heated. He crossed his arms over his toned chest and seemed to tower over the silent fifth year.
"Uh, n-no—"
"I didn't think so. Does anyone else have a problem with sparing their worthless lives?" Marcus asked and everyone shook their heads. "Good. I won't hear any more of that then. Are we clear?"
Again, heads nodded simultaneously. I smiled appreciatively at my brother but he seemed to be doing his best to avoid my eyes.
Ginger sent me a questioning glance but I shrugged, unwilling to deal with a lecture from her about sparing Gryffindors or whatever she disliked about the situation. As my brother and Frieda retreated to his room and the Slytherin team went back to their respective places in the common room, Chris sat down next to me.
"How is the leg?" he asked. "I heard it was bleeding before."
"Oh that was hardly anything," I said quietly, my eyes on my brother's door. "Pomfrey healed it very quickly and now you can't even tell."
"Yeah.."
He seemed to be looking down my legs where there were indeed no scratches. I rolled my eyes but smirked, nudging him slightly.
"Stop it, Warrington."
"Can't help it, May, I'm too appreciative of your unharmed leg," he said with a smirk.
"Oh is that what you're calling your checking me out?" I asked playfully, with a hand on my hip. "How creative."
"What are you calling your brother's mercy on the Weasel twins?" he asked with a raised brow. "A complete personality change? Or simply the result of a meddling sister?"
"I was not meddling," I said pointedly. "Excuse me for not wanting him to get expelled for a double homocide."
"Oh is that the reason? I was under the impression that it was something completely different."
"Is that so? And what was that impression leading you to believe, Chris?"
"Just that.." he began but paused. Looking at me thoughtfully he instead leaned toward me and smiled. "Just that you're a little softie."
I grinned, shoving him away. "Soft as a pillow."
"I was thinking marshmellow. That way you'd taste good too."
"I hope you're not planning to let my brother hear you talk like that," I said with some amusement. He shrugged.
"Maybe I don't care what your brother thinks."
As I was about to respond, Adrian Pucey cleared his throat, standing in front of us.
"Oy, Warrington, Flint told me to tell you to get your ass in the room and pick up your dirty laundry because it's all over the floor," Pucey said with a smirk and then with a slight taunt, added, "Because you know, Frieda hates looking at your dirty knickers when she's trying to blow our captain."
Chris glared at him, rising from his seat. "Right. I'm going. Thanks for the message, Puce. Couldn't have come at a better time."
"No problem," Adrian said easily, taking Chris's empty seat. Chris sent me an apologetic half smile, his face quite red, and then headed toward his room. "So much for not caring what your brother thinks, eh?"
I tilted my head in thought, leaning back against the couch, glancing at Adrian thoughtfully. "It's not like I believed him anyway. Everyone cares about what my brother thinks."
Including myself.
Especially myself.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
(A/N: Whooop, that's another chapter down. The next one I hope to have up saaay.. next month ish? Expect more over protective brother syndrome and glaring contests. I was like eh for most of the time writing this because it felt like.. meh Oliver saves May, who saw that coming but you know what? We all know they end up together so leave me alone xD
Now about DH..
This rant contains spoilers..
Consider yourself warned...
FRED :( GAH Just when Perce came back too and how he was holding onto him and crying and George's EAR meeeh :(
Other than that, I really liked it. All the other deaths I was sad about, (Lupin, gah, last marauder) but Fred was the one I really cried for. The only thing I really disliked about the book was the Ginny/Harry ness but that was inevitable. Stupid Ginny. I hate her a lot, little slutface. Freaking Albus Severus? What the hell kind of name is that? xD And HUGO? Scorpius?! HAHA I bet Harry, Ron and Draco picked those. Freaks.
Oh well, I'm just glad the Malfoys survived haha. And they were AWESOME. GO CISSA. I hope everyone noticed what a tight leash she has on Luce. And I don't care what anyone says, Draco married Pansy. They're made for each other damn it.
SNAPE omg Poor, tortured soul. I don't care how fanficy that chapter was, I can read the pensive chapter with Snape/Lily over and over and still be happy. That chapter answered so many questions, I loved it. And REGGG GAH. What a hero. I love him.
OH AND OLIVER. OL WAS THERE! I was excited. He had one line too! That made me really happy. Even if it meant that Colin died. I felt sad for that, poor kid. But oh well, OLLIEEE. Oh, I didn't like that NO slytherins stayed in the great hall with the rest of the school either. Like they're ALL such evil bastards. I mean, what about Theodore Nott? Wasn't he a good kid? Meh, whatev, they're just trying to save their own skin, I respect that x)
To sum it up, I really really loved the book. Everyone was so kickass, even Harry and Ginny was sort of a litte kinda maybe tolerable (only NOT). I still hate her with a passion but xD It was the perfect semi happy ending to the perfect series. Hopefully I'll stop being lazy and write some fics on it. )