Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters.
Note: One more batch coming in a few hours. This chapter is particularly funny. Hope everyone enjoys reading!
Idiot on a Train
Due to the tight schedule Fred and George couldn't travel all the way by car to King's Cross Station, nor would they have time for a full conversation and making their way through the crowds. Instead we agreed—much to my disliking—to Apparate. Melinda declined to go this time and George seemed to completely understand. Even when we got there he didn't make any comment about it. He was like Fred used to be, he pushed things that bothered him aside and enjoyed the laughs that came in life. I wasn't sure whether I idolized him because of it or wanted to remind him Houston and Melinda were still happening.
"There's Matt" George said watching Matt talk to someone who had their back toward us. I couldn't even tell if it was a man or woman, their black cloak looked to be rather large and they were wearing an oversized hat which was tilted at an odd angle. I started to call over but then noticed the blonde girl standing to next him and instantly recoiled.
"Damnit, I forgot about her…" I whispered to Fred as I stared over at Courtney, Matt's younger sister. She must have sensed my staring because she turned to look in my direction but thankfully didn't look too hard. Even though she was responsible for the murder of one of my new friend and Gryffindor first year Abby Clearwater and she did involve herself with Margret Burnner I couldn't help but admire her beauty. Her eyes looked greener, her hair seemed to shine, even when she smiled she looked like an innocent child.
I twitched at the thought. There was nothing innocent about her; she murdered someone, or at least helped. She willing let Margret get inside her head and control her; she wanted me and friends—and her own brother—to suffer, or worst. I looked back at Matt who was wearing an expression I couldn't quite read; but the way he stood looked like he didn't completely belong to his family. No, that wasn't right, he did belong, his sister and the older person looked like completely accepting of him, the tall figure even patted his shoulder. But Matt, Matt looked like he didn't want to belong. I watched as the figure pushed away hair from his face but I had to turn away as my stomach gave me a weird sensation.
"You okay?" Fred asked as he noticed me shake myself from thought.
"It's alright, not everyone can stomach the classic romantic gestures" George joked as he glanced back over at Matt and his mysterious girlfriend. I rolled my eyes at George's comment. I was quick to learn the twins skipped over the typical romantic gestures but they remained the most loyal to whoever they were with. No matter what; even now that George knew Melinda was with someone else he'd help her in any way he could.
"C'mon, c'mon, we have to go in five minutes" Fred said pulling on my arm. I looked back over at; Matt seemed fully engaged in his conversation with Courtney and the girlfriend so I merely shrugged and headed toward the train. George grabbed one of my suitcases while Fred pulled along the other, both of them running up the steps before me.
"Tammie!" I looked back, impulsively thinking Matt had suddenly noticed me, but to my surprise I saw Draco coming toward me instead. His parents turned back to look, nodding at me as I waved at them, and then continued out.
"Hey Draco…" I said, realizing I hadn't written him at all.
"Listen, I'm sorry—"
"It's okay, I deserved it, Matt told me you were alright" he said. I nodded, already knowing Matt didn't tell him much else.
"Yep" I told him. He nodded and then looked down at his feet, whatever was going through his mind he was clearly having difficulty verbalizing.
"Is she….you know?" he asked quietly. I dropped my shoulders.
"Yeah, listen Draco, about that…I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I just, I figured if I went you'd try coming too and we both know that would've just made things really chaotic" I explained. "And you know how she, but I think she felt bad about leaving like that" I added even though I doubted it was true.
"It's fine, I mean, whatever, I don't really care" he said, his voice back to its normal tone as he tensed his body.
"Oh Draco, just stop, I'm sure she—"
"I don't' care, it's fine" he interrupted before stalking off onto the train. I looked back, hoping to say something but he was already gone.
"Hello again" Matt said as he stood in front of me. I sighed and returned his smile as best as I could. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Draco, he's upset" I explained, sighing again.
"Why?" Matt asked wrinkling his nose. "Didn't you tell him Melinda decided to come? Or did you add something about Houston?" he asked with a smile. I gave him a weird look.
"No, why? What did you tell him?"
"To ask you if Melinda was staying…" Matt said slowly, scanning my face he spoke. I closed my eyes rubbed the brim of my nose.
"Should we tell him?" Matt asked glancing up at the train. I shook my head.
"I'm sure he'll figure it out" I answered. "So," I said desperately in need to change the topic. "Who's your girlfriend?" Matt wrinkled his nose again.
"What girlfriend?" he asked not even glancing around.
"That woman, with you and Courtney" I said, trying not to chock on Courtney's name. Matt looked over his shoulder and then back at me.
"She's a he and he's my uncle" he said with a loud laugh.
"But she—he was pushing hair off your forehead…" I exclaimed.
"Couples still do that?" he joked just as Fred and George emerged from the train. Fred opened his mouth to say something but abruptly closed it upon seeing Matt. George at least gave a half smile and half wave.
"We should be off love" Fred said touching my shoulder. I glanced at up, noticing a few strains of hair hanging down on his sweat covered forehead. He noticed me looking and reached up to wipe it away but I pushed the hair aside first, giving him a kiss on the nose. Matt laughed as we watched Fred's ears turn dark red.
"And look at that, Fred Weasley can stomach a romantic gesture" George joked, nudging his brother.
"Anyway…" Fred said trying to resume the color in his face. "We really need to get going" he said pulling me closer as I felt myself giggle. "Oh for heaven's sake…" he teased before kissing me. "Stop laughing" he said after pulling away as I tried twisting my face into one of seriousness.
"Have fun at work" I told him with one last kissing before moving over to hug George. "Both of you" I said as he gave me a tight squeeze.
"Enjoy the train ride; the others should be here soon," Fred said stepping closer to Matt. "Um, take care" he said with great uneasiness.
"And just watch out for all our friends, not just the pretty ones" George added patting Matt on the shoulder before walking away.
"Love you" Fred shouted before running after his brother. I started to shout it back but they had already apparated with a small pop.
"I'm sure he'll write" Matt said as we turned to head up the stairs.
"No he won't" I replied with a smile. We hurried to our compartment; I helped Matt put his bags up top and by time we finished the others were joining us. Several students commented on the 'new girl's hair.' One Ravenclaw even asked if she would consider letting her borrow the potion.
"Nice hair" Matt said walking over to give Melinda another warm hug. She pulled back and smiled brighter, already happy everyone seemed to like the job.
We helped the others put their things inside the compartment and then squeezed together, even though Matt suggested he could find another compartment. Luna stopped by to pass out Quibblers, smiling at Melinda. "It looks very you Melinda" she said handing Melinda Quibbler before walking back out.
We spent the two hours reading over sections from the Quibbler and sharing our opinions. Halfway through our discussion on whether the guy who claimed Squids could play musical instruments we heard the sound of the trolley. I was most thankful because it meant we were halfway there already and also because I could gorge myself in sweets.
Like previous years I helped myself to an abnormal amount of candy, which of course I made one of my friends hold on to for me. I started to ask Melinda where she was going but she motioned toward the rest room. Matt stood up to take a look at the treats. He started to ask where the chocolate frogs were but Draco had strolled over and was picking one up. "Have you gotten anything?" he asked me, trying to sound rude but I could tell there was somewhat of an offer in his question.
"I'm all set" I replied nodding back at the others still in the compartment. "Hey Draco, listen…" I started but Crabbed was patting Draco's shoulder.
"What?" Draco asked turning to face him. Crabbe's lips moved but I swore all I could hear was mumbling. "What?" Draco asked, slightly annoyed leaning closer to him. Just then Melinda walked back. I squeezed Matt's arm in anticipation.
"Forgot my robes" Melinda explained slipping into the compartment as Draco turned back around to look at me.
"Did you say something about robes?" he asked still looking a little annoyed that he couldn't understand Crabbe. "Crabbe," he turned back around to face the pudgy faced boy. "What are you saying? It's not that hard to tell that sleeping first year to wake up and move" As he spoke I watched as Melinda slide back out of the compartment, not even glancing in Draco's direction as she headed back toward the bathroom. "Fine, fine, just go" Draco said to Crabbe shooing him away. "What about robes?" he asked me.
"Nothing, I just said that I liked how…black yours is" Matt lied. Draco looked at him questionable but shrugged as he scanned the cart of sweets again. "I'll just take two of these" he said picking up another chocolate frog before handing over his money and started off. He walked a few feet just as Melinda came back, but she was adjusting her perfect pin as she came toward us so she didn't look up as she walked into the compartment. "And Tammie…" Draco said turning back around. "I'm fine, so, just drop it, okay?" he said before walking off again.
"What just happened…?" I asked Matt as I leaned against the door to keep my head from spinning. Matt shook head, trying not to even grin.
"Like you said, he'll figure it out eventually" Matt reminded me as he walked back in to join the others. I stood there for another moment before returning to my seat, careful not to mention anything about Draco.
"Harry c'mon, we have to go the Prefect compartment" Hermione reminded him. Melinda seemed to just remember this too and quickly got up.
"See you in the castle" Melinda said with a wave before exiting. I watched her as she followed the others left out of the compartment. There was only a minute of silence before the compartment door slide open, Draco leaning against the frame. I braced myself for his yelling but he only huffed as he glared at Ron.
"Blue hair, c'mon, really?" he said shaking his head.
"What?" Ron asked. Draco shot him another look, speaking to me and Matt.
"Someone just passed your compartment with black and blue hair. It looks quite ridiculous" he said with a shrug. "Whatever, they just better not be in my house. That mu—Granger girl and Potter were showing her around" he continued. For a moment I felt unable to hold back the names I wanted to call him but then regained control of my thoughts as I smiled at him.
"Shouldn't you be with the rest of the Prefects?" Ron asked.
"Shouldn't you be minding your own business" Draco snapped back.
"What do you want Draco, you're in our compartment" I asked but he was still glaring at Ron. "Oh, you are just impossible" I said getting up and pushing back into the hallway. "You'd think after last year—"
"He didn't do anything for me last year; Fred…I can acknowledge his existence—but not all the Weasley, you know that" he told me as he reached into the pocket of his left robe.
"Well maybe if you didn't stick your nose up all the time you'd notice other people's existence…" I mumbled.
"What?" he asked not exactly paying attention as he pulled out his pocket watch—the one I got him for Christmas—lose money and a folded up letter. "Here, I wrote that to her during the summer…" he said shifting on his feet as he dropped his voice, but not one of trying to sound secretive.
"Why are giving this to me?" I asked as I turned it over in my hands.
"Because I figure if she can't read it you might as well read it; maybe she'll at least hear from you" he said. I looked at him, his face twisted between sadness and hopelessness, but it quickly vanished as soon as I put my hand on his arm. "It's not a big deal, there are other girls" he said firmly, as if reciting something one or both of his parents had told him during the summer.
"Like the witch with the blue hair?" I suggested with a smile.
"No" he replied quickly, but something in his face didn't look so sure.
"It's only blue hair Draco" I told him. "Besides, you want to know the person inside, not just their appearance" I reminded him but he just shook his head and started walking away. "Where are you going?" I asked, suddenly fearful that he'd walk into the Prefect compartment to see Melinda was the one with blue hair. "Prefects compartment?" I asked, trying to sound curious and not anxious.
"No, the bathroom and then I'm going to get my stuff and talk to Goyle about room assignment" he responded giving me a quick wave.
