Micah and Alek walked down the grassy slops leading from the castle to the Great Lake. The two boys held hands as they weaved through the growing crowd of students walking in the same direction. "Where're your friends at," Alek asked.
"I'm meeting them down by the lake," Micah replied. Sunlight reflected off the lake, causing Micah to squint his eyes. "I suppose we won't be watching the second task together." He averted his eyes from the lake and looked over at Alek. The taller wizard wore a red vest over a brown sweater and a pair of tan slacks. Micah didn't know much about fashion, that was Avery's specialty, but even he could tell that red was Alek's color.
Alek looked down at Micah wistfully. "It wouldn't go over very well if I stood with the Hogwarts cheering section. If I didn't support Viktor, my brother would be furious," he laughed at the last part of his sentence as if his brother's anger amused him. "Your school has two champions though. I guess your cheering section will be divided."
Micah nodded. "I hadn't thought about it. I'll be cheering for Cedric of course. I know most of the school is on his side." The two stopped walking when they reached the shore of the lake. "Harry Potter has the support of Gryffindor house though."
Alek raised an eyebrow. "Are you not a fan of Harry Potter? I've heard a lot of mixed opinions about him."
Micah released Alek's hand and shrugged. "I don't really know him. I suppose his friends have reason to like him, but everyone else has to form their own opinions of him. He's a bit of a trouble maker though." Micah turned when he heard his name called from behind him. Luna, Avery, and Neville sat in a small rowboat that floated in the shallows of the lake.
"Micah, the rowboats will take us to the stands in the middle of the lake," Luna shouted above the din of the crowd. "Hello, Alek," she said as an after thought as she waved to the two boys.
Micah turned back to Alek and smiled. "I guess I better go." Micah looked over his shoulder and saw that Neville wasn't watching him. He turned quickly to Alek and stood on his toes to kiss the taller boy on the lips. "By the way," Micah whispered into Alek's ear. "You look good in red." Without saying another word, Micah turned and ran over his friends in their rowboat.
"Hey, mate!" Neville turned to Micah as the Ravenclaw lowered himself into the boat. The Gryffindor patted Micah on the shoulder and smiled warmly. "How've you been? I haven't seen much of you since we got back from Christmas holiday."
Micah swallowed hard. He hadn't been this close to the former object of his affections since December. He inhaled and was instantly greeted by Neville's usual scent of soap and mulch. "I've been busy with choir activities. You look well."
"Thanks, mate." Neville smiled self-consciously. His black coat was open over a blue and grey-stripped sweater with a zipper. The inside of his coat was lined with blue plaid that matched his navy blue scarf nicely. His brown hair had grown even longer since the start of the year and now curled at the ends. "I've been spending a lot of time in the greenhouse, taking care of this wicked flower," Neville sounded excited as he always did when he spoke about plants. "You should come see it sometime."
Micah nodded in response. Suddenly the rowboat began to move across the lake. Micah's group was surrounded on all sides by other enchanted rowboats transporting spectators to the stands in the center of the lake.
Luna skimmed her hand over the cool water of the lake. "I hope Cedric is prepared for today's task." She pulled her hand back into the boat and wiped it on her purple and pink polka-dotted pants.
"He seemed to figure out the clue relatively easily," Micah replied. "He shouldn't be any less prepared than the other champions." The boat reached the platform set aside for Hogwarts students and docked next to a ladder. Neville climbed the ladder and reached down to help Luna up.
"Thank you very much, Neville." Luna took Neville's hand and allowed him to lift her onto the platform.
"No problem, Luna." Neville smiled and moved a strand of hair from his eyes. He looked over and saw Micah climbing the ladder. "I've got you, mate." He reached down and grabbed Micah with his strong hands and pulled the smaller boy onto the platform.
"I could have gotten up here by myself," Micah said with a slight pout of his lower lips. He smoothed his grey jeans and adjusted his charcoal colored coat, the buttons of which were as black as coal. "I didn't need help."
Neville shook his head and laughed. "I've been saying that to you since first year, but that's never seemed to stop you. I can't count the amount of times you've helped me find Trevor." The taller boy shrugged his shoulder and looked out over the lake. "You're one of my best friends, mate."
Micah turned his head to hide the blush that had crept to his cheeks. "Let's not forget the time I cheered you up after your Gran sent you that Howler," Micah mumbled.
The sound of footsteps on the dock made Micah turn his head. Avery had climbed up the ladder and now stood next to Luna. He took special care to avoid Micah's gaze as he adjusted his silver glasses. "I hope it doesn't rain. My jacket isn't water proof." Avery pulled up the collar of his black leather jacket.
Micah started to make some comment on the weather, but was interrupted as more spectators began to crowd the platform. In a matter of minutes he found himself pushed up against Neville. Luna was to Micah's left and Avery was to her left. The second soloist adjusted the collar of his blue and white-stripped turtleneck while simultaneously attempting to ignore the proximity between himself and Neville.
"Well this is cozy," Luna said dreamily. The blonde was holding both Micah and Avery's hands as they waited for the start of the Triwizard Tournament's second task.
Neville laughed. "Maybe later we can all cuddle up in front of a fire with some butter beer." The Gryffindor put his arm over Micah's shoulder, causing the shorter boy to tense up slightly before relaxing and enjoying the warmth.
The second task began and ended and sometime in between that, two estranged friends became close once again.
Micah, Luna, Avery, and Neville made their way up the grassy slopes on their way from the Great Lake to the castle. "I'm so happy for Cedric," Luna skipped beside Micah as the group moved through the crowd of spectators.
"Harry did great too," Neville added. "After today's task both of our champions are tied for first place."
The group made their way into the Viaduct Courtyard. The sound of a familiar voice caused Micah to stop and turn. "Quinn, I've been looking for you," Jessica Smith stomped over to Micah and poked his chest with a manicured nail.
Micah's lips formed an involuntary smirk. "Miss Smith, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He looked up into Jessica's blue eyes and met her gaze.
"It's show time." Jessica smiled as Micah's usual confidence faltered. "What's wrong, Quinn? Nervous?"
Micah pursed his lips and shook his head, causing his black curls to shake. "I'm not sure I follow your meaning," he said in an attempt to regain his composure. He knew it was never a good idea to show signs of weakness around Jessica Smith.
Jessica moved a strand of her straight black hair from in front of her face. "I want you to sing the song you've been practicing, now." She looked around the courtyard. "There are enough members of the Frog Choir here. They'll back you up once you get started."
"Why aren't you singing one of the songs in your repertoire? You are the lead soloist after all." Micah surreptitiously looked around the courtyard. This did not go unnoticed by Jessica.
"Looking for your boyfriend? I'm sure he'll be here soon," Jessica said, enjoying the rare opportunity to tease her second in command. "In fact, most of the school will be here soon, as they'll have to pass through this courtyard to get back inside the castle. I figured it's the perfect time to earn some points," Jessica paused and pulled the enchanted silver pocket watch from her cleavage. "The reason I'm having you sing is so that I'll have a chance to observe how points are earned in relation to the performance."
Micah bit his bottom lip. "I suppose your reasoning is sound, but do I really have to sing that song?" He looked past Jessica and saw that Alek was now entering the courtyard with a group of his fellow Skylarks. "
Jessica smiled mischievously. "Stop worrying so much, Quinn. I'm sure he won't get too excited...unless you want him to," she added with a wink. "Here, give me that coat. You can't move around wearing that." She removed Micah's coat, leaving him in his white and blue-stripped turtleneck. She threw the coat to Avery. The tall blonde caught the coat reluctantly. Before Micah could protest, Jessica turned the boy around and pushed him into the center of the courtyard.
Micah stumbled forward and after steadying himself, turned to face his friends. Micah found Alek in the crowd and saw that he was already watching him. The Ravenclaw sighed before opening his mouth and singing in his clear tenor voice.
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long.
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong?
All eyes in the courtyard turned towards Micah as his voice filled the air. The soloist smiled and shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated manner, causing Neville and Luna to break out in laughter.
You know its gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together.
The members of the Frog Choir sprinkled among the crowd began to sing backup, adding their spirited voices to that of Micah's. That was their true talent, joining their voices in a way that allowed them all stood out.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new?
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through.
Micah ran over to Luna and took her hand. After dancing her around for a bit, he spun her into Neville's arms. The crowd loved this and began to cheer, which prompted other members of the Frog Choir to partner up and swing dance around the courtyard.
The happy times together we've been spending
I wish that every kiss was never ending
Wouldn't it be nice?
Jessica had moved to a shaded area and leaned against one of the courtyard's stone pillars. She observed the performance and the crowd from her concealed spot. Every few seconds she would look down at the silver pocket watch in her hand, then back up at the crowd, gaging their excitement.
Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might
come true.
Baby, then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't
do.
We could be married and then we'd be happy,
Wouldn't it be nice?
Micah walked with his hands behind his back, taking long deliberate strides. Once he reached the center of the courtyard, he turned on one heel and faced the crowd. The rest of the Frog Choir sang more quietly, so that their voices did not overpower Micah's voice, which had dropped to a more subdued volume.
Micah took a small step forward and looked up into the crowd. His light brown eyes looked like honey in the faint sunlight. It seemed as if he was simply looking into the crowd, but his eyes stared directly into Alek's as he sang the next lyrics.
You know it seems the more we talk about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But let's talk about it.
Micah held the last note, lingering over it for emphasis. Alek held his gaze and swallowed hard. Jessica noticed the subtle interaction, looked down at the pocket watch in her hand, and smiled.
Micah finally broke off the final note. He then shrugged his shoulders and turned away from Alek.
Wouldn't it be nice?
And that was it. Micah strolled off, making for the main entrance, but turning at the last moment and weaved between shaded pillars until he was next to Jessica. No one in the crowed seemed to notice his detour as the rest of the Frog Choir continued to do runs long after Micah finished his solo.
"Was my performance up to snuff, Miss Smith?" Micah leaned against the pillar adjacent to Jessica and smirked. He ran a hand through his black curls in the way that always annoyed the lead soloist.
One of Jessica's arched eyebrows twitched slightly. "Your performance was passable," she admitted. "Our point meter jumped quite a bit during that little moment between you and your boyfriend," she added slyly.
Micah rolled his eyes dismissively. He had no doubt that Alex had spurred a boost in points. Thinking back to the performance Alek had done on the day of their first date, Micah realized that the Skylark's had probably earned a similar emotion fueled boost. The mention of Alek caused Micah to seek him out in the crowd. When his eyes landed on the Skylark's second soloist, he found that he was talking to Neville. The two never went well together in Micah's mind, but they went together even worse in person.
"It's been nice talking to you, Miss Smith, but I've got to go." Micah left Jessica and strode over to his friends. "Alek," Micah said pointedly.
Alek stopped mid sentence and turned to Micah. "Your performance, mostly." He raised his eyebrows at Micah before continuing. "And today's task, of course."
Neville nodded. "Alek is great. No wonder he's been able to keep you away from me these last few months." Neville's tone wasn't serious, but blanched. "I've heard you two have hit it off. It's great how the Triwizard Tournament creates friendships between students from different schools."
Alek smirked. His hazel eyes shone with amusement. "Micah and I hit it off just fine," he gave Micah a quick wink. "I wouldn't mind hitting it off a bit more with him though."
Micah suppressed a gasp and vaguely wondered what the punishment would be for an underage wizard to apparate to another continent. Luna held back a giggle. Avery bit his bottom lip and pretended not to hear the conversation going on right in front of him. Neville missed Alek's meaning completely.
Alek opened his mouth to make another comment, but was cut off by Micah. "We've got to go," Micah grabbed Alek's wrist and began pulling him away from the group. "Alek needs help with his Charms homework." Micah told the lie, knowing no one would question its validity.
"He's been helping me with Charms since first year," Neville spoke after them. "You're in good hands, Alek."
Alek looked down at his wrist in Micah's hand as the shorter boy lead him away. "I agree," he said more to himself than to Neville. "I'm certainly in good hands."
"What were you doing out there?" Micah dragged Alek to an abandoned corridor halfway between the entrance hall and the dungeons.
Alek leaned against cool stone wall and shrugged. "You mean other than watching your performance?" He raised his eyebrow. "That song was...very, illuminating. What was it you were singing about? Something about talking about it makes it worse to live without it," Alek leaned down and put his lips to Micah's ear. "Maybe we should talk about it."
Heat rushed to Micah's cheeks. "It's just a song," he said, taking a step back. "I mean, what's there to talk about?"
Alek pursed his lips. "You're right, you're right." He ran his hand over his sandy brown hair and sighed. He was use to these conversations. Alek would push too far, Micah would become flustered, and then Alek would remember their two-year age difference. "I didn't mean anything by it...What is it you were talking about?"
Micah relaxed. His usual composure returned. "It's fine."
Alek nodded, but remained silent. He was now occupying himself by watching a spider spin a web in the corner of the corridor.
Micah put his hand on Alek's arm. "Alek, I'm serious. It's fine," he sighed. "I guess sometimes I just get a bit...flustered by your forwardness."
Alek's lips formed into a thin smile. "It's understandable. I suppose there's a bit of hormonal changes between the age of fourteen and sixteen. Sometimes I forget," Alek hesitated, then reached out and touched Micah's cheek. "I would never pressure you into doing anything you weren't comfortable with. Ever."
Micah nodded. "Well this conversation didn't go the way I wanted," he mumbled.
Alek raised an eyebrow. "You asked me what I was doing out there. You meant after your performance," he paused in thought. "You're talking about when I was with your friends."
Micah bit his bottom lip. "Yes," he said quietly. He looked into Alek's eyes. The taller boy didn't look hurt, but confused.
"I've talked to your friends before," Alek continued. "Luna, Cedric, Jessica, and Avery even though he refuses to say more than a sentence or two whenever I'm around."
Now it was Micah's turn to look confused. Did Avery really act different when Alek was around? Why? Was there something about Avery that Micah didn't know? He began to ask, but Alek continued talking.
"The only friend of yours I haven't had the chance to speak to is Neville." Micah did not like the direction the conversation was going in, be he remained silent while Alek continued. "Neville is your best friend, or so I gathered from the brief conversation we had earlier. Why have we never met?"
What could Micah say? He couldn't exactly tell Alek that up until recently he had harbored a secret crush for the charming Gryffindor he called his best friend. That would make his behavior seem even worse. Neville was in the past. He was with Alek now. So why didn't he want the two around each other? Why would he only kiss Alek when Neville wasn't looking?
The silence answered Alek's question. "Did you two use to date?" He asked tentatively. Now he looked hurt. Not by the idea of some past romance, but by the implications of Micah's omission.
"No," Micah answered hurriedly. "We're just friends, we always have been." He looked away and decided that honesty was the best policy. "I had a bit of a crush on him though...maybe a bit more than a crush. I'm not really sure when it started, but I noticed it last year." He looked into Alek's eyes and silently begged him to understand.
Alek nodded. "A crush...well, we all have those." He moved away from Micah. "Do you want me to stay away from Neville?"
Micah was taken aback by the offer. In all honesty, Micah would prefer it. Something about Neville and Alek sharing the same space made him nervous. He spoke before he could think better of it. "No," his answered surprised himself more than it did Alek.
Alek smiled. "Good. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine." He reached out his hand. Micah took it without hesitation. "We still have a few hours of daylight. What do you want to do?"
They could have sat out by the Great Lake or played chess in the library, but as the events of the day swarmed in Micah's mind there was only one thing he wanted to do. "Let's go find a quiet place and take a nap."
