A/N: Well, you people are weird, if I may say so myself
I mean it's not like I'm not thankful about you reading
It's just that I always wondered how you can favorite but not review
I'll admit it is a lot easier to press one button than type a whole message
But guys if you knew –and you must know- how important a review is, you wouldn't be so hesitant
All this intro of course was to say I hope you like it and even of you don't,
Well review anyway
I do not own it
Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Fools rush in where the angels fear to tread
I yawn audibly and take a look at my watch. I can actually feel their eyes on me but I pay them no attention. I look away from them and begin patting the floor with my leg.
"So, her brother just burnt her hair and she was just so angry." A girl named Martha Rivers explains.
"Well, as much as I enjoyed listening to that," I say ironically spotting two girls behind Martha sending understanding nods my way.
"I have to go do something more important." I finish winking at both Martha and the two girls.
I start strolling away when I spot the always heart-warming figure of Alysia Thomas taking glimpses at me from a corner.
"Oh, hey!" I greet her absent-mindedly. Suddenly she blushes and comes to me. 'No! Don't cut your pace Al. Let her run behind you.' I almost hear Scorpius' voice inside my head.
"Albus!' She says breathlessly.
"Yes?" I cock an eyebrow and look down on her.
"We haven't spoken for some time." She starts. Wow! She's in fact running after me to ask to talk. That surely is an improvement.
"Yeah…Alysia right?" I ask. Oh this is such a weird thing to ask the girl I've been dreaming of for the past two months.
"Ye-yes…" She replies with a sad face. Gaaah… How does Scorpius expect me to not respond to that?
"Well, now I've got to go see someone." I whisper suggestively. Or at least I hope it is suggestive.
"But you can always come cheer me in the next Quidditch match. The girls are coming." I motion to the three squeaking girls and wave at her.
"But I-…" I can hear her call after me but I ignore it.
"That was pretty cool." A distinctively blonde about my height mutters coming out of a wall and starts following me.
"Yeah. And I'm getting used to it too." I admit despite my modest self.
"That's good." He nods agreeing.
"And how about you?" I take a side-look at him questioningly.
"So, I'm guessing you learnt about the deal with Weasley." Scorpius scratches his chin thoughtful as I confirm his suspicions.
"Well, not as bad as I expected. That's all I can say for now." He mutters but I'm feeling he's not absolutely truthful about it. Plus he does look almost worryingly thoughtful.
"It's just a deal Scorpius." I comment entering Transfiguration with him.
He waves at his friends and begins moving their way. Suddenly his usual team of Gryffindor girls cut his way circling him. At first he tries to avoid them –unlike himself- but as soon as he realizes he's trapped he sighs and turns his attention to them.
"Hello Scorpius!" They all chorus together and I roll my eyes. Does it get more stupid than that I wonder.
"Hello." He smiles back at them. Wait! Smiles? I rub my eyes and look again to make sure I saw right.
No, nope. Still a smile. Not a smirk, but a smile.
"You look tired. What you've been doing last night?" A brown-haired girl asks mischievously. Scorpius, for his part, just shrugs.
"I have this big test in History of Magic next week and I was studying till late." He replies and I can almost hear the girl's grin hitting the floor with a 'thud'.
"That sounds boring." Another girl mutters disappointed.
"I'll admit it was." He laughs a bit with himself and messes his hair awkwardly.
"But, it's time to take responsibility for my life right? Time to grow up." He shines a wide grin at them and the entire Gryffidor fan club of his turns crimson just like their respectful House.
Taking this opportunity to escape from them the blonde finally sits next to Andy Goyle.
"Not that bad huh?" Rose's voice wakes me up from shock. I nod repeatedly.
"You did that?" I ask unbelievingly.
"Sort of." She replies and sits next to me.
Soon I spot Ethnie Finnigan running and sitting right next to her.
Now I suppose I haven't talked about Ethnie yet.
Well, she's Rose's best friend and damn good one too. I mean most of the time I'm just surprised she can put up with my cousin without cutting her wrists. Yeah, Rose can be just a little bit unpredictable…
As for Ethnie, she's got light-brown hair which used to be really long but she had them cut in the summer. Well, I cannot deny that I –like many boys- felt quite sad with her new hairstyle, because long hair really suited her.
But, if, like myself, you have the urge to point this out to her then think again. I still have the scars from that time I told her, her hair looked better before. Apparently cutting her hair so short (a couple of inches over the shoulders) was an action fuelled by the fact that boys dated her only for her hair.
Of course any normal girl would be immensely proud of her so famous hair. Ethnie however, upon realizing how famous her hair was, rushed and cut them. So I guess, after all it does make some sense that she hangs out with my disturbed cousin.
"So, how's training the beast going?" Said short-haired girl asks under her breath.
"I am still standing aren't I? Need you ask?" Rosie replies with a grunt.
"Good then?" Ethnie hides a smile and mumbles.
"Better than expected." My curly-haired cousin clears up.
"But never mind that! Wait till I show you what I got this morning!" I watch as Ethnie jumps up in excitement and Rosie searches her bag for something. After some minutes of fruitless efforts she pulls out a white piece of parchment and gives it to Ethnie grinning widely.
"He wrote?!" The brown-haired girl hisses and takes the paper with unexpected energy.
'He' must be Noah Edgecombe and I'm guessing he sent Rose yet another letter. Sure that boy's insatiable. So, that's why Rose is beaming today. Well, what can I say? Lucky her.
"Oh, shoot, he's so awesome!" Ethnie exclaims delighted after having read the letter over three times.
"Yep." Rose agrees with a small smile. Damn, I wish I knew what that boy's saying that's making them both shriek like that.
Now wait a moment! I could find out… hehehe
I raise a hand over my cousin's head and grab the letter forcefully. Good, I've got it. Now I need to read fast!
"Al! Give it back!" Ethnie hisses scandalized.
'Dear Rosie,
So how are you? How's school? I really missed you all this time. I am bored to death in Auror training. I'm so awfully alone without your witty comments that I sit down and just think of the last time we met and how beautiful your eyes are.
I cannot wait to meet you next Saturday. That's when you've got your Hogsmeade trip right? I think so. I'm in fact –don't laugh- counting the days. You've got me wrapped around your finger, haven't you? Well, no complaints here. Merlin, I should stop now. James is about to come in the room and if he realizes I'm writing to you again, he'll never stop making fun of me about being 'a lovesick thirteen-year old' or so he says.
Love you,
Noah'
"Mr Potter if that piece of paper is as important that you cannot wait to read it till my lesson is over, please don't hesitate to share it with us." I look up from the paper only to come across Rose blushing and Professor Dawlish glaring at me.
"Sorry, Professor." I mutter and begin putting away the letter.
"I don't think you fully grasped the meaning of my words Mr Potter." Dawlish hollows.
"Hand over the paper." She instructs. I stare at her dumbfounded as Rose gives me the 'crazy look'. Shit! I'm screwed.
"Accio paper!" Dawlish hisses and Edgecombe's letter flies from my hands to her office. Slowly she picks it up and fixing her glasses starts to read.
Out-freaking-loud!
"Dear Rose," At that she takes one careful look at Rosie who is currently trying to perform wandless Apparition.
"How are you? How's school? I really missed you all this time. I am bored to death in Auror training. I'm so awfully alone without your witty comments that I sit down and just think of the last time we met and how beautiful your-" Dawlish's voice is cut off and taking her eyes from the letter she stands up menacingly.
"Miss Weasley, you should either stop corresponding with-" She pauses for a second.
"-Your friends or keep your affairs away from Mr Potter. Otherwise I'm afraid we'll have many more such pleasant 'essays' to read in the future." The bat mutters sending, with a flick of her wand, the letter back on Rose's desk as the entire class bursts out laughing. Some Slyterins even start wolf-whistling.
Ok, hm… time to begin writing my will huh?
"Quiet!" Dawlish shouts. "Or I'll start taking points." Most students fall silent at once. The bad reputation Dawlish has when punishment is concerned finally bringing all of them to their senses.
All but one that is.
Scorpius instead of shutting up and trying –like everyone else- to look ashamed of his actions, keeps laughing. And loudly at that. His head is raised up and he is hitting the desk with his fist.
Ok, maybe I won't be the first one to die after this class is over.
"Professor!" I see Rose raising her hand and I gasp. This is bound to be bad. I mean judging by her looks alone, it'll be horrid.
"Yes?" Dawlish cocks an eyebrow and speaks.
"Could I please have a word with Malfoy outside of class?" My cousin asks and I can see Scorpius freezing to the spot.
"I promise you it won't take more than a minute. It is urgent Heads' business and I forgot to mention it to him earlier today." Urgent Heads' business? Why doesn't that sound persuasive?
*********
Oh, man this is just awesome. Weasley's love letter being exposed like that in front of the entire class. And the look on her face… Priceless!
I cannot hold back anymore! I can barely hear Dawlish asking to stop but it's really impossible. I think I'm on a trance or something. Merlin, Weasley got embarrassed and I didn't even move a finger. Perhaps this boyfriend deal is better than I thought. Oh, this will be the end of her. And I will have the entire Heads' Common Room for myself.
"Could I please have a word with Malfoy outside of class?" I stop mid-chuckle. Wha-what?
"I promise you it won't take more than a minute. It is urgent Heads' business and I forgot to mention it to him earlier today." Head business? There's no Head business nowadays. We're not even close to the Balls. Oh, crap!
"It's ok Miss Weasley. You'll be able to talk about Heads' businesses with Mr Malfoy this evening during detention. But maybe you should talk about Heads' behaviour as well." I gulp. In other words it is either Dawlish's wrath or Weasley's killer instincts. Well, that's what I call good luck.
I nod to Dawlish and I see the redhead doing the same.
To my great relief Weasley doesn't manage to get a hold of me for the rest of the day. Mainly because, I watched my every step, ate just a sandwich Andy brought to me in the Slytherin Common Room and actually hid behind a tree next to the Black Lake for three bloody hours.
Of course, having detention with her I can hide no longer, but I have pinned my faith on the fact that she'll be calmer by now. Moreover I have brought an old copy of the Daily Prophet with me. A good old paper is usually the best place to hide from an angry female. You should ask my father. That's where he always resides when my mother is pissed off.
Luckily this copy of last month's third issue arrived just today. My father being the responsible man that he is made it sure to find and sent it to me as soon as possible.
I sit nonchalantly on one of the two seats in the Trophy Room and waiting for Weasley, I open up the paper in page 5.
Now, now, let's see what exactly is that Edgecombe guy made of.
'Interview with a Wonder Boy. By Rita Skeeter.' I read and snort. Of course. Who else would be interested in this sod if not her?
'So Noah, tell me a bit about yourself.
-Well, I haven't done much yet. Hm… I guess I should say I come from an old English family, my dad is a Healer and my mother works in the Department of Magical Law in the Ministry. I have two sisters and I've gotten educated in Hogwarts. At the moment I'm training to be an Auror.'
I snort again. Well, that's an awful lot of things for someone who 'hasn't done much yet' to say.
'Do you enjoy your training?
-It was always my dream to become an Auror and protect people, so yes I do. It's hard but at the end of the day you're just glad you've helped.'
Yeah, real, fully trained Aurors are glad they've helped. For all I know being a trainee means you don't get to participate in rescue operations and such.
'I have been informed you were a quite good Seeker back in school. Have you ever considered accepting one of the offers from famous teams?
-Like I said my dream is to be an Auror. So, no. Besides, regardless of the fact that I enjoy Quidditch a lot and always support sports, I could never put entertainment before safety.'
He can't put entertainment before safety? What sort of lame quote is this?
'I have also been told you were considered one of the smartest people in Hogwarts, How do you feel about it?
-One of the smartest? Oh, I don't know. A Hogwarts who had Hermione Granger as a student could never have me as an example of excellence in studies. But I suppose I was a good student. I did manage to become Head-Boy. Much to my mother's delight.'
I-… Ok, fine I cannot really argue with anything here.
'You appear to be very modest. Do you consider this one of your qualities? What are your good spots in general?
-Modesty huh? I don't consider my self conceited if that's what you mean. I could say I am rather patient, people always tell me so. I like studying and reading so I do well with studies. I can be particularly level-headed in bad situations, so I guess that's a plus.'
Yeah, talk about modesty…
'You said you like reading right? What sort of books?
-Almost everything. Though I very much enjoy muggle authors and play writers. Shakespeare and Goethe must be my favorites.'
So that's why Weasley fancies the pants off that dude. He's just a bookworm like her.
'Except for Quidditch and books what else do you do?
-I love going out with friends though I'm not the partying type and I often go to rock concerts. Also I spent lots of time babysitting my elder sister's kids. She works full time in the Ministry so I have to come to the rescue sometimes.'
I feel like puking. Babysitting is his hobby? Seriously? How old is he, seventy?
'You seem like an awfully busy person. Do you have time for friends and girls?
-Most of my friends are Auror trainees like James Potter so we see each other in training. As for girls… I'm not that good with them. I always manage to do something to make a fool of myself in front of them.'
"At least he admits it." I growl out loud. And right the next second regret it.
"You know Malfoy talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity." I hear Weasley muttering and shaking her head in pity. For a moment there I forget that she's here to kill me and ponder about this.
"I thought the first sing of insanity was compulsiveness." I'm pretty sure I've read it somewhere….
"Whatever. Where you've been all day?" Hiding of course.
"Look, Wealsey, I know you're mad at me because of what happened in Transfiguration. But I'd suggest for the sake of our deal to go a step back, take a deep breath –inhale, exhale- and reconsider killing me." I say quickly as if tuned.
"What are you talking about? I wasn't planning to kill you." Really? Oh!
"I'd much rather see you get expelled when you loose the deal." Well, that would make sense.
"So why are you hunting me down?" I ask perplexed.
"Hunting you down? I'm not." She states.
"And all this, Heads' business you were talking about in Dawlish's class? Wasn't this just an excuse to attack me?" I ask worriedly and she raises her eyebrows.
"You mean you've been hiding from the sun all day because you thought I was trying to hex your brains out?" She sees me nodding and chuckles.
"Oh, poor Malfoy! Are you in fact scared of me? If I go 'boo' on you will you start crying too?" She adapts a fake-sweet voice and I stand up to my full height menacingly.
"Shut up! Besides if you aren't mad at me then why have you been looking for me?" She rolls her eyes at my question.
"Maybe because I had to talk to you about urgent Heads' business?" She explain. To be perfectly honest that possibility hadn't even crossed my mind…
"Whoops." I put in. I know, I know, what a comeback! It appears as if Albus was right after all. I always sound stupid in front of Weasley.
"Well, yeah, anyway, seems like McGonagall won't be back till the end of the month so we're supposed to make sure the third years make it to Hogsmeade safe." Oh, come on! McGonagall knows I cannot stand third-years. I mean they're the worst right after fifth-years.
Cause they're not really scared and timid like first and second years but they're not experienced in the whole 'live and let live' philosophy of boarding schools like older kids either. So they find the most annoying ways to waste your time. The same, to a larger scale, applies for fifth-years of course, only they have hormones to deal with as well.
It's really quite pitiful.
"What? So we're babysitting third-years?" I whine.
"No, we just make sure they reach Hogsmeade alive. After that they can go die from diabetes due to sweets overdose. I don't care." Hahaha… no I have to admit that was a good one.
"I didn't know you were so insensitive Weasley." I comment.
"I just cannot stand third-years. I feel ashamed I once was one." Huh? Does that mean she too thinks they're insufferable?
"Why so?" I ask out of pure curiosity. She gives me a look that shouts 'why the hell are you talking to me?' but I discard it.
"Well, they've still got a first-year's maturity level only they think they're seventh-years. That always causes trouble." She shrugs and replies. Ok, sooo… we've thought of the same thing. That's weird. Weird? Understatement of the century…
I shrug back and stand up. I take the piece of cloth she's offering me and start cleaning the Trophies.
"Hey, Weasley." I say after an hour's silence. She stops polishing a golden cup and looks my way.
"What?" She inquires.
"Have you ever seen anyone enter this room? You know except for people who have detention here…" I pose the question I've been playing in my head since we first came here.
"No, not really. Why?" She answers back.
"I was just wondering why the hell are we polishing the cups and medals, if no one ever sees them?" She lets her long auburn hair fall in front of her face but I swear I saw a smile before she managed to hide herself behind that bush of hers.
I smile a tad despite my self.
"I don't know. But it's not that hard to imagine McGonagall sitting on her office thinking the exact same thing with you and laughing sardonically." Weasley sends a discouraged look my way. Shoot! I wish I had long bushy hair. Times like this, when you want to laugh but can't, they'd come in handy, right?
"Oh, by the way, I have something for you!" She exclaims and throwing her cloth away she moves towards a table near the door.
"Here." She hands me a book and crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"What's that?" I take a good look at the book, 'Around the World in 80 days by Jules Verne', a muggle book?
"Well, it's called a 'book'. It has too covers and pages with words in between…I suppose you haven't come across one before." She says mockingly.
"Yeah, yeah, very funny. I mean isn't Verne -or whatever his name is- considered to be a writer of children's books?" Wallace in Muggle Studies always said Verne is ideal for kids.
"Verne is for everyone who has a difficulty finding his direction." I have a perfect sense of direction thank you very much. Besides, even if I do get lost I can conjure a compass.
"And why should I read this kids' book?" I ask stubbornly.
"Do you think I cannot handle something more serious, like Goethe or Shakespeare?" I hiss. So the only person who's capable to read such authors is Edgecombe? What am I, stupid?
"Look Malfoy, if I had a choice the only book I'd ever hand you would be 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'. But the thing is, I don't." I'm not sure if she ever gets it, but her words can be very disparaging at times... Imagine what would happen if she said that to someone less confident...
"Then why am I given this?" If not to read it.
"To pretend you're reading it in front of girls." Aha! So that's where this sudden interest in me comes from. Should have predicted it. I mean since when has Weasley been giving me gifts?
**********
Is this person stupid? No, never mind. That was an unnecessary question. It's Malfoy. Of course he's stupid. As if I'd ever expect him of all the purebloods in the world to read a muggle book.
I walk to the Great Hall right after detention is over with him following me.
"And if some girl makes some weird question about me reading what do I say?" He mumbles.
"What would you normally say?" I ask already regretting my idea to make him look intellectual.
"I'd tell her to mind her own business." He quickly replies.
"Well, in that case you can tell her anything but to mind her own business." I answer with equal ease.
"And if she asks what page I am in?" Oh, this is getting annoying.
"Just open a random page in the middle and show it to her." How hard can it be, really?
"And if she asks what the book is about?" I stop suddenly and turn around to glare at him.
"Tell her it is about going 'around the world in 80 days'." I stress the book's bloody title.
"And if she asks to borrow it?" He adds just before we enter the Great Hall.
"You know what Malfoy? I'll just go sit with you. You're bound to do something idiotic with my book." I mutter, cursing my bad luck and the blonde, obviously petrified by the idea of book-related questions, doesn't really protest.
However the moment I enter the Hall I regret my decision. I walk next to Malfoy staring at my feet, wishing I could perform wandless Apparition.
And the moment I sit in the Slytherin table I can see more than a dozen people choking on their food. Including my brother. A familiar whisper spreads across the great Hall and I feel three hundred pairs of eyes on me. I swallow hard and grab a plate avoiding them.
I take a quick look at Malfoy who, being the insensitive git that he is, is talking to Andy Goyle animatedly. Then he opens the book and holds it over his plate which is full of nothing much. Just a piece of fish and a few fries.
I look back at my plate only to come across some mashed potatoes and pork chops and some salad and something that looks like pumpkin pie, though I cannot be sure cause it's half-under the mashed potatoes.
Man, I have my father's appetite.
Good thing I play Quidditch too and burn all this fat I'm consuming.
"What are you eating Malfoy?" I hiss still very self-conscious about my sitting in Slytherin.
"Some salmon and fries." He replies still pretending to read.
"I didn't know they served salmon." I comment thoughtfully.
"I often visit the kitchens so the house-elves know I like it and they make some for me." He explains.
"Well, that's quite obnoxious of you." I mutter grimly and I can hear Goyle laughing from the Malfoy's other side.
"Hey, there Weasley." He greets.
"Hi, Goyle." I greet back waving a spoon his way.
"Didn't they feed you at home Weasley? Or are you saving fat for the winter?" Malfoy smirks looking at my plate with disgust.
"Sorry, but I like to feed well." I respond indignantly.
"Well, then that is about ten times they food you should consume." He points my dish.
"Eat your seeds Malfoy and let me be." I growl and go back to my eating.
And I had just finished my pie when I spotted a couple of girls coming to Malfoy.
"Hi, Scorpius." The boldest of them says.
"Eh? Oh! Hello." Malfoy pretends to be reading seriously.
"What are you doing?' The same girl asks.
"Reading this book…" He motions the book with his eyes.
"No, I mean what are you doing with Weasley?" With…me? Shit I hadn't thought about that one…
"Talking about Heads' business, yet I'm afraid I've totally blown her off." It wouldn't be the first time…
"But it just can't be helped. This book is so amazing." He grins with fake excitement.
"Oh, is it?' The second girl pops in wide eyed.
"Absolutely." The blonde confirms.
"So what is it about?" Oh, no! No bloody way! He's gonna ruin everything now. He hasn't read a single page.
"About this guy Fogg who was imprisoned because he killed his best friend and now he has escaped and is trying to save his life. So he starts a journey around the world, which was supposed to last only a few hours cause there are portkeys all over the globe." What the hell is he saying? I think the only right thing he has is the protagonist's name.
"But as soon as he arrives in Japan he is hunted down by his best friend's sister who is a samurai warrior so it takes him 80 whole days to return back to England cause the Kyoto portkey is ruined by her and he has to go to China where he faces a dragon and gets abducted by a team of thieves. They take him to Arabia and lock him down. Luckily he finds a flying carpet and uses it to escape prison and return to England." I gape at Malfoy and his unlimited stock of wisecrack.
"Of course I'm still in the part where the Kyoto portkey is destroyed. The rest I know because I've read the plot beforehand. I never buy a book without knowing fully well what will happen." He says thoughtfully.
"Oh!" The girls mutter in unison. I bet they're sorry they've asked. Well, at least I'm sorry they did.
"Would you like to borrow it as soon as I'm done?" They both shake their hand with such force I'm scared they might fall off their shoulders.
"No, it's ok. I just came here to ask you if… well..." The first one blushes…
"Well, I wasn't going to do it otherwise, cause you know, you usually tell everyone to sod off, but since I see that you're so nice I was thinking…Would you like to go out with me?" Yes! I knew it! Malfoy stares at the girl for a moment and then at me with weirded-out eyes.
"I'm so very sorry but apparently next Hogsmeade trip I'll have to keep an eye on the third-years. So I'd hate it to drag you with me. But why don't you tell me your name and I'll search you for the next trip?" He smiles and I, taking the message pull out a white parchment and a quill.
"Oh, I'm Tracy Stevens." She whispers and I make a note of her name.
"But I don't mind being dragged along!" The second girl interrupts.
"I'm Rina Fellings by the way." She exclaims ignoring the glares from her friend.
"I'll have that in mind." He nods charmingly. I cannot believe that he just said he couldn't go on a date and instead of being ignored by the girls he actually got another offer. I scratch the second name an idea crawling up in my mind.
"Ok, I have to say something about Malfoy." I make myself known. And unfortunately, like it always happens when the name Malfoy is mentioned I see more heads looking at me than I wanted.
"Listen everybody." I speak just a bit louder.
"Scorpius Malfoy is not available for dating at the moment." One by one all jaws drop to the floor.
Including Malfoy's.
Many girls start protesting and I can even see a couple of people fainting.
"What are you talking about? I'm always available to date." He hisses terrified and glares at me.
"Just play along." I order him without drifting my eyes from the crowd.
Suddenly I hear a loud, angry voice.
"And what you? His girlfriend?" Now it's my jaw's turn to fall to the floor.
"No bloody way! I'm just helping him spread the message." I reply with a death-glare. Malfoy stands there silent for a moment and then messes his hair, though it looks more like he's trying to pull them out and make me eat them.
And yep that image does seem disgusting.
"It's true." He finally mutters. "Now can I go back to reading my book, please?" He adds and returns to the first page which I very much doubt he'll ever finish.
I, for my part, stand up with every intention to return to the Heads' Common Room to do some studying at last. But as soon as I walk a few steps I realize just how many females are glaring daggers at me.
"You know what? I'm not scared of your furious airheads. I'm going in." I exclaim bravely. I don't care if they try to hex me, I'm still going to try and go past them.
"As you wish." Malfoy comments without even looking at me.
"But you should remember; only fools rush in where angels fear to tread." He says knowingly and I decide to show my Gryffindor inspired boldness some other time.
A/N: I'm quite scared this chapter is in fact a failure.
I'd like to know what you think. Were you bored?
Kisses and Hugs
Sarah