Chapter 7 Skins go to Hogwarts

"I wonder where he is," Cook said pulling on a jumper as he prepared to leave his dorm.

"I'm sure he's fine. Probably gone to get an early breakfast," JJ said, putting his trainers on.

"Na I don't think so mate, I would have heard him come home last night, you know how loud Freddie is when he walks."

JJ looked up at Cook giving him that blank but concentrated look that always annoyed Cook, he could never tell what JJ was thinking when he looked like that.

"Seen something you like have you?" Cook asked, winking cheekily at JJ.

"You referred to this dorm as home. I think you're the first person I've heard say that."

Cook shrugged. "Yeah you get used to it don't you?"

"Do you feel like you're mildly betraying your family? Calling this home?"

Don't have much of a family, Cook thought, "Suppose so, Anyway shall we check the great hall?" Cook said eagerly changing the subject.

As they entered the common room Pandora seemed to apparate in front of them.

"Hi JJ! Hi Cook!" She said cheerfully giving them both quick but suffocating hugs.

"You aright panda?" Cook returned, most people thought she was odd and kept a distance from her, but that's why Cook liked her. Of course she wasn't good to be associated with, Cook still hadn't found the it crowd that he was going to take over. His mission to be the next Tony Stonem of Hogwarts was still in the planning process. It seemed like Freddie was destined to be the next Tony Stonem, poor sod, he has no idea what to do with all the attention, Cook thought. The things Cook would do if he was in his position…

"I'm brilliant! Are you two coming to watch Gryffindor Quiditch tryouts? It's on all morning! I can't wait to get FUCKED on butterbeer."

"Quiditch? Oh brilliant is it too late to sign up?" Cook asked, his mind already imagining himself as the best seeker or chaser at the tryouts, screw Freddie, this was Cooks chance to shine!

"First years can't play you cunt!" Pandora swore cheerfully.

JJ flinched. "I don't think this situation needed a word of that calibre of… hurtfulness."

"Oh, but Peeves told me people like being sworn at. He asked me why I'm always on my own I told him I'm not making that many friends and Peeves told me I should swear at people to improve my social skills," Pandora looked deep in thought but only for a second, "anyway I'm going to watch Quidditch there's a load of people just left but I thought I'd wait for you guys since you know we're kindof bonded by destiny and all that."

"Bonded by destiny?" JJ inquired slowly.

"Well yeah think about it all of us bumped into each other on the first day when Filch caught us. The stairs all moved us to the same floor."

Cook laughed her off but JJ seemed to take this theory seriously.

"You know what? I bet Freddie's gone to watch the Quidditch try outs we'll go there." Cook said already setting off. He wasn't about to let Freddie steal his thunder, knowing Freddie he'd probably by some luck be the first first year student to get on the team, and he'll probably still be a miserable sod.

"What if he's not? Maybe he's just having a long thoughtful breakfast." JJ offered.

"Good point JJ, you go to the Great hall while me and panda go to the tryouts."

"But I want to go to the try-"

"See you around mate!" Cook took off with Pandora before JJ could finish.

JJ

JJ entered the Great hall scouring the tables for any sign of Freddie. He spotted Emily Fitch with her head down and eyes glued on her breakfast, determined not to draw any attention to herself, but JJ could spot her phoenix red hair anywhere.

"Emily," He called out to her as he walked up the tables. She didn't look up, "Emily!" he said louder and Emily poked her head up from her food. Her wide eyes gave a quick glance behind JJ and breathed a sigh of relief, probably checking if Cook was behind him like he usually was. Emily was always more relaxed when Cook wasn't there.

"Hi JJ," she mumbled.

"Have you seen Freddie anywhere?"

Emily gave him a blank look.

"Oh er, he's a tall boy, brown skin and… he beat up Tony Stonem," JJ said, proud of himself for giving a clear description of Freddie.

"I know who Freddie is," Emily said, half smiling, it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I haven't seen him this morning JJ sorry,"

JJ frowned himself into deep thought as he thought of other places Freddie would be.

"Its weird," Emily said, surprising JJ by initiating a conversation of her own, "I can't find Effy either. It's really weird eating by myself. Maybe he's in the library?"

"I don't think so, I can't remember Freddie expressing any passion of literature in the duration of our friendship." JJ said.

Emily released a giggle, it was so fast JJ almost thought he imagined it. No one laughed at JJ, in fact no one talked to JJ, everyone always laughed and talked to Cook. What was this warm sensation in his gut?

"Nonetheless I shall check the library,"

"Can I come with you?" Emily asked sitting up in interest. "I haven't got anything else to do today."

"Ok," JJ said, I'd like that. He wanted to say, this could potentially the longest conversation he'd had with a girl. EVER!

Naomi

The most lovable quality of Hogwarts? Naomi pondered, the peace and quiet. She detested her life back home, her mother was a muggle and was so delighted her daughter was a witch she had turned their house into a bed and breakfast for witches and wizards.

Though there were times Naomi admitted she would find herself lost in conversation with an interesting guest of her house, telling her of their expeditions discovering Dragon eggs and battles with death eaters back in the time when You know who was still alive. But there always something happening in her home, some function that required her attention whether it was checking in wizarding families or giving them a tour of her house, there was never a moments peace.

But here in Hogwarts, there were endless opportunities, at this very moment Naomi decided to lose herself in the library, she found it absolutely fascinating no one else took advantage of the books here. Though she suspected her muggle background made her more interested in magical histories than the typical student.

Instead of wasting time socialising with other humans Naomi decided to dedicate ever moment she had in Hogwarts to educate herself on everything the castle had to offer her.

Just as she had picked out a big lovely book for her eyes to devour she heard footsteps coming her way. How infuriating, usually nobody was in this part of the library, especially in the morning. Two figures appeared at the end of her aisle, Naomi rolled her eyes as she recognised them.

"Well look who it is dumb and dumber," Naomi announced.

"That was mean…" JJ said.

"Fuck… it's a muggle saying never mind," Naomi sighed. "What are you starting at fuck face?" Naomi said to Katie Fitch the girl next to him.

Katie's eyes widened in hurt. Wow, during the few weeks that had been in Hogwarts Naomi had corrected Katie in charms class, Its Leviosa to LevioSA. And ever since then Katie had made it her mission to find something nasty to say about Naomi. Naomi's witty comebacks were wasted on Katie as she usually wasn't smart enough to understand them. But there was something different about Katie today, there was no fight in her today.

"What's wrong Katie? Cat got your tongue?"

"I'm not Katie, I'm Emily…her twin." The Katie Imposter said.

Of course, they had been on that detention in Hogsmeade together, Emily was far more sane than her twin.

Guilt rushed through Naomi, "Oh I'm sorry I forgot…"

"It's okay, most people forget me…" Emily said softly.

"That's not what I meant I-" Naomi was at a loss for words, never was she at a loss of vocabulary and never was she apologising to anyone, she was always in the right. She was eager to escape this disastrous situation.

"Sorry to disturb you, we were wondering if you've seen Freddie Mclair anywhere?" JJ asked.

"Or Effy Stonem," Emily interjected.

"Of course not I don't associate myself with idiots" Naomi replied putting her book back on the shelf, her appetite ruined. "Maybe you should check the Forbidden section." She offered and walked away from them. "I was joking…Moron." she added after seeing JJ walk toward the Forbidden section.

She left the library with an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, what was it? Guilt? embarrassment? It didn't matter they would forget about their encounter with her in a few hours anyway.

As Naomi approached the moving stairs Effy and Freddie appeared in front of her.

Naomi rolled her eyes at the thought of helping someone else other than herself. "You have to be kidding me."