Hey, hey! An update, and not a horrible wait this time! This is one of my person favorite chapters thus far. Prepare to laugh your socks off!
Thanks again to the real Crystal for doing all the nasty editing work for me in my time of computer crisis!
Disclaimer: Blah.
Chapter 20: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
"Let's do this," Rosalynn said, narrowing her eyes in determination as she mounted her broom.
I took the Seeker's position; last in line, and kicked off the ground.
I couldn't stop a gasp from escaping my lips, as I did the first lap around the Pitch. The stands were so packed! Every member of the school must have turned up; even some members of the Order were there. Nymphadora Tonks and Fern were both in the Gryffindor stands, waving flags. Everyone seemed to have taken a side. People were holding up signs for either Gryffindor, or Slytherin, others for certain people, like Rosalynn or Armand. And… wow: there were even quite a few for me! The sight of my friends screaming and cheering from the Gryffindor stands gave me a boast of confidence. Even Zoe, who sat in the Slytherin stands with a bag over her head, gave a whoop as I passed, and another one as Tonks past.
I couldn't stop myself from smiling, as I passed Dillyn and a couple other Hufflepuff's from his band holding up 'GO TONKS!' and 'LIONS FOR THE CUP!' signs.
"Welcome everyone," called the volume-enhanced voice of Jackson, who was clearly commentating the game. "To what is shaping up to be the match of the year! The final chapter of the intense rivalry between cousins Rosalynn and Armand Black! This is sure to be an intense- screw this! Who writes this garbage?"
I laughed, in spite of myself.
"Anyway!" bellowed Jackson, "Please welcome THE GRYFFINDOR TEAM! BLACK!" there was an overwhelming cheer from the Gryffindor section, as Rosalynn's name was announced, drowning out Jackson. "HEARTWIG! MCGONAGALL! HEARTWIG, ADAL, TONKS, and... SMITH!"
I was surprised that I had even received a cheer almost as aloud as Rosalynn's, also accompanied by several hearty boo's from the Slytherin side.
"And here are the challengers! The dirty, rotten, cheating, scumbags, not that I'm biased, led by the biggest ass-"
"JACKSON!" yelled McGonagall.
"Right, sorry, Professor," he replied, clearly not caring that he had just denounced all of Slytherin. "NEFERET, MALFOY, QUAIL, CLUELESS, oh I'm sorry, CRABBE, FLINT, FANG, AND... BLACK!"
There was an overwhelming cheer from the Slytherin side, and a chorus of boo's from the Gryffindor supporters.
Professor Zydeck, who taught both Muggle Studies and Dueling, and who was head of Gryffindor house, was referring the match. On her whistle, both teams circled around her.
"Captains, shake hands!" she shouted.
Armand and Rosalynn shook hands, glaring at each other with looks full of pure, animal hatred. Armand looked like he was trying to break Rosalynn's fingers, but she didn't flinch, or break her stare.
"NOW!" Zydeck shouted over the crowd. "I want a nice, clean game." She paused to stare bitterly at the Slytherins. "From all of you!"
We nodded, some very reluctantly.
"Let the match... BEGIN!"
Rosalynn instantly snatched the Quaffle, and headed towards the Slytherin goal, the other chasers and beaters from both teams close behind her.
I assumed my position, circling the field, keeping out of harm's way until I could spot the Snitch.
"And they're off!" called Jackson. "Rosalynn Black of Gryffindor in possession, very attractive girl, she's got a nice bu-"
"WILKENS!" yelled McGonagall.
"Right, Professor! She passes to Piper Heartwig, also of Gryffindor. Also very attractive, but her brother wouldn't let me ask her out- and YES! Heartwig SCORES! GRYFFINDOR LEADS TEN TO NOTHING! TAKE THAT, YOU NO GOOD LOUSY-"
"JACKSON!" yelled McGonagall.
"Sorry, Professor!" he called back.
I laughed again. However, I had broken my concentration and was merrily hovering in one spot.
"SMITH!" yelled Rosalynn, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"Sorry!" I called back, assuming my position circling the field for the Snitch, as was part of the game plan.
Armand Black was doing the same, his eyes narrowed in concentration, of which he broke only to bark orders to his team.
"Slytherin in possession," Jackson commentated. "Malfoy passes to Neferet, there's one girl I would never want to go out with! Er- anyway- oh- nicely aimed Bludger from Tim Adal of Gryffindor. Gryffindor back in possession. Drew McGonagall shoots- ah, no, nice try; saved by Slytherin keeper, Marcus Fang, about as smart as Armand Black is good looking, that one."
There was a loud cheer from the Slytherin stands.
"The dirty, cheating, scumbags in possession," grumbled Jackson. "Malfoy with the Quaffle, Gryffindor Beaters not far behind- and YES! Quaffle intercepted by Rosalynn of Gryffindor. She passes to Piper Heartwig- misses. Slytherin in possession. GET 'EM GRYFFINDOR! THEY'RE HEADING FOR THE KEEPER! Oh, by the way, the new Gryffindor Keeper is the one person I can't say anything about, 'cuz my buddy Dillyn, here, just lo-"
Jackson was cut off, because he had to dodge a Hex from the Hufflepuff Captain.
However, the sight on the field was not any less violent. Tonks had stared at the on-coming oppressors, with a mixed look of animal hatred and determination. Somehow, I couldn't find it in my heart to doubt her Keeping abilities.
"NOW!" yelled Armand Black.
This is not going to end well.
The Slytherin Beater, Crabbe, a boy who greatly resembled a Gorilla, plowed into Tonks at full force, knocking her out of the way, leaving a clear hoop.
"FOUL!" yelled Professor Zydeck.
"MORE LIKE ATTEMPTED MURDER!" Dillyn had snatched the microphone-type thing and was howling curses at the Slytherins.
McGonagall snatched it away before I could blink, her eyes blazing. "Penalty to Gryffindor, for some of the dirtiest tactics I've seen in years!"
Drew took the penalty shot. With a roar from the Gryffindor side, as the Quaffle went in. I shot him a smile, in which he returned graciously.
"Oi!" yelled Armand, who had suddenly appeared behind me. "Looks like Mudblood's got a crush on Ickley Prefect! I thought you two had a row? What happened, Mudblood PMSing?" He looked at Drew. "What's the matter, McGonagall, gonna put me in detention?"
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL HER THAT!" he roared. Despite the game, he reached into his robes for his wand. "Levicorpus!"
"PROTEGO!" yelled Armand, blocking the curse.
"PENALTY TO SLYTHERIN!" yelled Zydeck. "FOR A DELIBRITE ATTACK ON THEIR SEEKER! PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR FOR PROVOKING SLYTHERINS' CHASER!"
"ARMAND!" yelled Rosalynn, from across the field. "LEAVE MY TEAM ALONE! WHAT'S WRONG? TOO SCARED TO FACE ME YOURSELF? BRING IT!"
He brought it.
Both Blacks attacked one other at full force.
"YEAH!" commentated Jackson, "RIGHT HOOK, ROSE! CURSE HIM! CURSE HIM!"
McGonagall was so angry, she didn't even bother to stop him, her Witch's hat only halfway on her head.
More penalties to both teams. Tonks saved hers, and I let out a sigh. However, things just got worse from there.
Penalty for penalty, each team began fighting dirty. Like pigs having a mud bath, dirty. Even Tonks had gotten so pissed -for lack of a better term- she full on attacked a Slytherin Chaser, whom had called her some sort of insult I didn't catch, due to the fact that Armand, whom had ordered the random attack of various Gryffindor players, including myself.
"Gryffindor lead!" called Jackson excitedly as Rosalynn, made another penalty shot. "Forty to thirty! Still no sight of the Snitch."
Just as the words left his mouth, I saw a glint of gold right next to Armand Black's ear.
"What's the matter, Mudblood?" he taunted, as I began to fly at him full speed. "Can't get enough of me? Ickly Prefect not a very good kisser?"
I ignored his taunt, racing right passed him in pursuit of the fleeing Golden Snitch.
The look of shock on his face as I passed was priceless. However, he had taken the hint I was praying he would ignore, and raced after me, hand outstretched.
Dean Heartwig and Crabbe both began aiming Bludgers at the opposing team, which, sadly, both of us managed to avoid.
"GO!" screamed Jackson. "YOU CAN DO IT, SMITH! KICK HIS A-"
He was cut off by McGonagall.
"GO!" yelled Alison, getting out of her seat.
The cheers from both teams were deafening, and I felt my adrenaline levels rise as the distance closed between myself and the Snitch, along with Armand Black.
I stretched out my hand, my only thoughts devoted to the capture of one pesky golden ball, though, sadly, not to the danger behind me. Armand Black closed the distance between us in one swift motion. He grabbed onto my broom with one hand, the other trying to push me off, forcing me to grab back hold of the broom with both hands.
"FOUL!" yelled Zydeck, but her words were wasted on Armand Black, who grabbed both of my wrists, sending my broom spinning off course.
"TWO PENALTIES TO GRYFFINDOR, FOR A DISGUSTING BIT OF CHEATING BY THE SLYTHERIN SEEKER!" howled Zydeck. "JUST WAIT UNTIL YOUR MOTHER HEARS ABOUT THIS, MISTER!"
Rosalynn snorted.
Me? Well, I was a little preoccupied with trying to regain control of my broom, which was currentlyspinning out of control, not righting itself, as was advertised to do so.
Rip off.
"TIME OUT!" yelled Professor Zydeck.
Ok I thought, Think Ella! Use your magic! Concentrate on stopping!
I'm gonna die I'm gonna die!
Not what I had in mind.
Deep breaths...
Screw that.
"AHHH!"
-----
"Oh, my God!" exclaimed Alison, looking through her binoculers at the sight of the Gryffindor Seeker's broom going out of control. "Either Ella's suicida,l or someone's jinxing her broom!"
"Give me those!" snapped Zoe, who has snuck over from the Slytherin side, ripping the binoculers away from the vertically-challenged Gryffindor. She let out a snarl at what she saw.
"That's not supposed to happen!" she said, gluing her eyes to the binoculers.
"Thank you Captain Obvious!" retorted Alison.
"Ten bucks says Drew saves her," Zoe declared, with a smile.
"You're on," Cassy challenged.
"You two are idiots!" snapped Kali. "Can't you see we have a crisis on our hands?"
"No, really?" said Sam sarcastically. "I thought it was part of the show!"
Crystal rolled her eyes, snatching the binoculers out of Zoe's grasp.
She let out a gasp. Her expression changed from one of concern, to one of anger. "Neferet's jinxing the broom!"
"What?" exclaimed Sam. "Neferet's a teacher! Why would she want to kill Ella?"
"Look!" Crystal snapped, shoving the binoculers into Sam's hands. "See for yourself! You have to keep eye contact; she's not blinking! And, look, she's muttering something!"
"Well, then," yelled Zoe, "why are you just sitting here? Do something!"
Sam pulled her wand out from her robes, and aimed it straight at Neferet.
"Don't!" said Alison, rationally. "You might hit Ella!" She shoved Sam's hand down.
"Then, what are we supposed to do?" asked Cassy, clearly worried.
"Pray?" guessed Alison.
"ARE YOU CRAZY!?" snapped Sam.
"Yes," said Kali.
Alison rolled her eyes.
"Zoe," ordered Crystal, "you're in Slytherin. You can be in the Slytherin stands, without people noticing anything. Get over there and break Neferet's eye contact! I don't care how you do it. Say that a Gryffindor cursed someone in your house, or something. Just go!"
"Yes, boss," she agreed, with a fake salute.
"Just go!" snapped Alison.
Zoe scampered off, without another word.
"Ok," Crystal began again, "Alison, you're fast. Go find McGonagall, and tell her Neferet's cursing the broom. I'm going to run down to the field to see if I can stop Ella if the curse goes too far, and she falls off."
"HANG ON, ELLA!" yelled Alison. "WE'RE COMING!"
------
Use your frikkin accidental magic! I thought. Stop! Stop! Stop!
The broom froze for a moment, but then gave another jerk, and continued to try and buck me off.
I concentrated again.
It jerked to a stop.
For about five seconds.
-----
Zoe was running faster than she ever had in her life. Ignoring the Slytherins making taunts as she passed (she would have to hex them/use her chainsaw on them later) in pursuit of her goal.
Sure enough, her head of house, Professor Neferet, was sitting alone in the first row of stands, with the whole I'm-cursing-someone look, going on. Seriously, how obvious can you get?
"Professor Neferet?" Zoe asked, tapping the Charms teacher on the shoulder. "There's a group of Gryffindors' planning to sabotage Black's broom." She left out the fact that she had been the one trying to sabotage Armand Black's broom, but couldn't get into the broom shed.
Neferet ignored her, continuing the curse, without even noticing Zoe standing there.
"Yo, N?" said Zoe, delibritely using the name Neferet hated.
Nothing.
Zoe rolled her eyes. Sighing to herself, she pushed Neferet off the bench and onto the floor, with all her might.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" bellowed Neferet, clearly not happy.
Finally, Zoe thought, a response. I should get extra credit for this!
Zoe leaned over the edgem and gave Crystal, who was currently racing down to the field, a thumbs up.
Then, she turned around, a smirk on her face, and endured Neferet's lecture.
----
"OUT OF MY WAY!" yelled Crystal, as she pushed past a couple making out on the stairs as she ran, wand out towards the field.
Ignoring the protests from the Hufflepuff head of house, she ran faster out to the field.
Glancing up, she saw Neferet glaring at Zoe, who turned around and gave her a thumbs up.
Shoving one last person out of the way; Ella's bodyguard, whom was muttering a useless counter-curse. Just for good measure, she pointed her wand at Ella, who was steadying the broom, still not sure if it was cursed, or not.
"FINITE INCANTATUM!" she yelled.
The broom gave one final jerk, and returned to Ella's control, merrily hovering in place.
Crystal smiled to herself at the job well done.
----
I breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly very thankful I had a Ravenclaw friend, and a Slytherin friend whom wasn't afraid to assault teachers.
With the broom back in my control, I took one hand off and gave the baffled Ref a thumbs-up.
The Gryffindor crowd gave a hearty cheer, and I even caught Tonks raising her fist in victory.
"TIME IN!" yelled Professor Zydeck.
In the Gryffindor stands, my friends were victory dancing and welcoming Crystal back with whoops and words of victory, but that wasn't what I was paying attention too.
"Damn it," Armand swore. "And I thought there was going to be one less Mudblood in the world-" he stopped taunting me suddenly, noticing I, once again, wasn't paying attention to him.
Nearly twenty feet from the Slytherin Keeper's head, the whole stinkin' point of the game glittered in the sun, taunting both seekers.
The Golden Snitch had appeared, again.
Zoom. Both Seekers were off. I had the advantage of a head start, but Armand had caught up to me when I made a too wide turn. Snarling curses at me, he tried again to shove past me, but my broom's superior speed held on.
Meanwhile, the crowd was in an uproar. Most people were on their feet. Even McGonagall, who was blissfully ignoring Jackson shouting insults at the Slytherins and screaming for the Gryffindors, had abandon all dignity, and was screaming for Gryffindor, herself. So much for, 'teachers must not take sides'.
"DON'T BE A LADY, ELLA!" yelled Rosalynn over all the chaos. "SHOVE HIM OFF HIS BROOM!"
You don't have to tell me twice.
The Snitch was only about two feet from my hand. Armand and I were engaged in a full on shoving match. With a grunt worthy of a caveman, he shoved my outstretched hand out of the way. In return, I rammed into him and urged my broom faster.
"Get lost, Mudblood," spat Armand. "This is my Snitch."
"Don't you know any other insults?" I retorted. "And, keep dreaming, Death Eater Spawn."
He snarled something in no recognizable language.
The Snitch pulled into a dive, both Seekers following it like ducks on a pond.
I gulped. It was almost straight down. There was no way I was going to be able to pull out of it, unharmed. Putting my misgivings aside, I urged the broom faste,r still, so fast that my surroundings blurred.
It was just enough; my hand closed around the Snitch, but it was bitter sweet. Armand pulled out of the dive just in time.
Me?
Well, like I said, I'm an okay Seeker.
I was going to crash.
"Oh no, you don't!" called Professor Zydeck. With a wave of her wand, she righted my broom.
"Well, don't just stand there!" she called.
And then it hit me.
I had just won the game.
Looking down, my hand encased a struggling Golden Snitch. I looked at it with a kind of denial. I seriously couldn't believe what I had just done! I hoisted the Snitch into the air in victory.
The crowd exploded.
"GRYFFINDOR WINS!" declared Jackson, jumping up and down with happiness.
The team flew down around me, all yelling in celebration. Drew and Dean Heartwig even hoisted me into the air.
Once the shock had worn off, I felt the happiness come over me, like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The simple, uncomplicated victory was definitely a Patronus moment.
But, my happiness was nothing compared to Rosalynn's. She was so happy, she was crying, jumping up and down with the thought that she had beaten her cousin, at last.
And, speaking of Armand, he was busy swearing at Rosalynn, demanding a re-match. Whenever a teammate got too close, he spat at them, blaming his embarrassment of being beaten by a Blood-Traitor, her Muggle-Born Seeker, and Keeper on anyone, but himself.
Karma…
I smiled even harder, as my friends, with the exception of Tonks, raced down from the stands.
"Good job, Ella!" said Crystal happily.
"You and Zoe saved my butt, out there," I admitted, gratefully. "I owe you one."
"Actually, all of Gryffindor owes us one," corrected Zoe. "Or you can owe us, like, fifty."
"Oh, be quiet, Zoe," scoffed Kali.
"Seriously," said Alison, excitedly. "There's an afterparty in the Gryffindor common room, later. It's gonna be awesome!"
"That's good, and all," Cassy interrupted, her voice serious, "but where's Tonks?"
Turning around, I noticed she was talking to, none other, than Dillyn, who was staring at his shoes. Jackson was behind him, making kissey faces. I could tell he was helping, about as much as the answers to a test you already took.
My friends and I exchanged a glance, before bursting out into giggles.
"Guess I'll have to congratulate her, later," said Cassy, with a smile on her face.
"Right," said Zoe, standing up straighter. "I'll see you peoples later; I have to go collect my, er…, profits, before the run away."
"Profits?" Kali wondered aloud, as Zoe ran up to random Slytherins, and collected money.
"She was running a betting post on the game," I explained.
"I thought Neferet gave her detention, and took her money?" Alison said, her voice suspicious of the blonde Slytherin.
"Personally," said Sam, holding her hands up, "I don't want to know."
"Well I do," argued Alison. "ZOE! COUGH UP THE CASH!"
"MAKE ME!" Aoe retorted. "COME AND GET ME, SHORTY!"
You can guess what happens next.
Alison took off after Zoe, and chased her around the pitch. I rolled my eyes; some things never change.
--------
After being congratulated by many more people, and fending off reporters for a Wizarding sports channel, whom I directed them instead to Rosalynn. I took a nice long hot shower, and joined my friends at the entrance of the Gryffindor common room.
The excitement hung in the air like fog, just barely masking the worries and problems of the day. Though, I could find it in myself to relax, a bit. I had actually won something! It was sort of surreal, and I wasn't totally convinced it was actually happening.
This was the thing I used to dream about, back before Voldemort, back when I was normal, if you could call me that. So much had changed since then. It was hard to believe that, just a few short months ago, I was sitting in Algebra, dreaming about what was now my reality. Going to school, worrying about Tonks' latest fight and what to do about it, and hanging out with everyone; carefree and happy. Looking at my friends, I noticed how much each of them had changed, and, how they were still the same. There for, me through everything.
I noticed how much I'd changed, as well. I had gone from the dreamer to someone who might really make a difference. Thinking of my friends, my family, all my new friends, the Order, Drew, Lydia, Piper… it made me realize how lucky I was. Should I gamble everything they've done for me, just for some answers?
Then again…
Like Drew had said, being brave is about standing up for what you believe in, even when everyone else is sitting down; when there's everything to lose. I mean, it's not like I can just hand in my resignation slip, and turn back the hands of time. The cat's out of the bag now and Voldemort better be ready when it gets going. A real hero never backs down. I'm gonna keep fighting until everyone is safe again.
After all, what's life without a little risk?
----
"What are yousmiling at?" asked Alison, as we arrived at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. The rest of the gang followed, plus a rather irritable Piper. She looked lonely without Lydia, but I tried not to think about that.
"Oh, nothing," I replied, "just happy."
"You should be," said Sam happily. "And you, Tonks. Great save, by the way."
"Thanks, I-" Tonks began.
"So!" said Cassy excitedly. "What did Dillyn want?"
"He's in your house!" retorted Tonks, playfully. "Why don't you tell me!?"
"Seriously, did he ask you out?" asked Alison, getting straight to the point.
"Don't be rude, Alison," scoffed Crystal. "Tonks is allowed to have secrets."
"Actually," she replied, looking rather dejected, "he just congratulated me. I was hoping… well it was really awkward. We ended up talking about types of guitars."
"I think he must really like you," said Crystal. "He doesn't seem like the type to be nervous around girls."
I couldn't help but feel excited as we neared the entrance; I could hear the party from the hall. I smiled to myself; despite anything that was going on, I was going to have fun tonight. Wizards don't know how to have a good time. Boy, are they in for a surprise…
"Password?" said the portrait of a perky blond Witch that was the entrance to the common room.
"Amicitia," said Alison.
----
The party was actually pretty cool. Everyone was dancing, and eating the food Jackson and Dean had snuck from the kitchens. They played a mix of Muggle and Wizard music, which, though the lyrics were a bit strange, considering they were about Wizard things, were still pretty good. They even played a few of my old favorites, including Just Dance by Lady Gaga, Low by Flo Rida (don't listen to the lyrics, one word: DISTURBING), and much, to the hatred of Tonks, Taylor Swift.
In a lot of ways, it was just like those boring dances they had at my middle school. Friends danced to goof off, and the boys and girls stared at each other, really wanting to go dance with when the slow song came on, but were too afraid to make the first move and would rather settle for being 'cool'. The only kids really dancing during those songs, were the more mature highschool-aged kids.
One thing I must add though: Wizards do know how to throw a party. However, they can't dance to save their lives.
Ignore the eleven years of intensive ballet training I had; wrong kind of dancing.
One major difference was that this time, there was an actual reason to celebrate. I must admit, I did kinda enjoy people making a fuss over me and noticing me, but, at the same time, it was awkward. Boys I didn't know sincerely asked me to dance, or asked me to dance on a dare from their immature friends that enjoy kissing people they don't know in broom closets after hours, and tell outlandish stories about it, afterwards.
According to rumors, I kissed about seven guys in different locations at the exact same time. No one believes me when I say I've never kissed a boy in my life.
Back to people asking me to dance; completely foreign to me: I had no idea what to do. Should I dance with everyone, or should I just say no? I don't want to hurt people, but some of them are just… well, I'm the girl who survived a killing curse, so I guess I shouldn't be talking.
As pathetic as it was, I could kick Armand Black between the legs multiple times, win a Quidditch match, survive illegal curses, but, I was completely lost when a guy asks me to dance.
Irony.
Looking around, all of my friends were having fun. There were few people from other houses, not including my friends and Dillyn, who was talking to Jackson in a hushed tone, while Jackson smirked at something Dillyn clearly didn't find funny.
Zoe was happily chatting with a fourth year boy I didn't know. She was clearly telling a story from our Muggle days, because she kept pointing at me and other members of the group, her companion was laughing. Some people shot her odd looks, clearly looking at her Slytherin crested uniform. To these people she tried her best to look menacing and whispered "boo".
Tonks and Cassy were dancing with a couple of boys, a few of Rosalynn's friends from other houses, clearly trying to teach them the 'chicken dance'. Kali and Sam were nearby videotaping.
Whoops. Wonder what that will look like on YouTube.
I smiled to myself. Alison was talking, better phrase being 'flirting' ,with a Muggle-born 4th year Gryffindor boy named Garrett. He looked a bit like Zoe, and spoke without an accent. I wondered vaguely if they were cousins. The boy seemed to be captivated by whatever Alison was saying.
Crystal was talking to a Ravenclaw boy and a Gryffindor girl with striking resemblance to him, book open on her lap, she appeared to be in full Smarty-Pants mode.
In the whole party, there looked to be only three people not having fun: the first was Piper, and that was obvious. Even after Griffindor's victory, the loss of her best friend was obvious in her face, and her mannerisms. Snapping at anyone who came too close, sitting alone with her head in her hands. She would glance up at the door hopefully, then realize Lydia wasn't there, and sink back under the waters of despair.
The second was Drew. That made guilt run its course through my system. Remembering our fight earlier, I couldn't help feeling that I let him down. I was too cowardly for my own stupid title: The-Stupid-Friggin'-Chosen-One. Ha!
An image from my nightmare kept finding its way back into my head; the one of Margo and Drew together, and the one of the sorting hat telling me it was a mistake to put me in Gryffindor.
What a day.
Well, I suppose I better just come clean: I have a huge crush on Drew McGonagall. He's brave, funny, kind, caring, a great Wizard, smart, cute, brave…
And way too good for me.
What's Margo got that I don't? What did she ever do to deserve him?
Facing the facts, I don't think he'll ever think of me as more than a friend, and I don't think I could ever think of him as just a friend.
Jeeze, now I know why I avoided this girly stuff, like, the plague. It's torture!
I mean, he's two years older than me, dating a seventh year, a Prefect, an amazing Chaser, and way cooler than me. He saw right through my fame, and all that crap.
He thought I was brave! And I totally blew it.
I not only let him down, I let my friends down, as well.
In case you haven't guessed by now, the other unhappy person was me.
Right now, instead of overtalking to Drew like I wanted to be, I was listening to a sixth year, whom was in love with himself, talk about, what else then, himself.
"And then, of course, Mother told me how far I would go. I mean, I had already battled a Boggart. Of course, your achievement is great too, surviving He Who Must Not Be Named and all. What did he look like? What was it like to-"
"Voldemort," I snapped, the more Slytherin part of me enjoying seeing him flinch, "is not something I want to talk about. Mind your own business."
He seemed undaunted. "Oh, come on, don't be a wuss! I'm sure it couldn't have been that bad-"
Three, two, one! BOOM.
"Voldemort had my friends tortured, and tried to murder me for a reason I don't understand! He completely messed up my life! How is that not that bad! What kind of sick, ignorant, head in the clouds, loser are you?"
"Well-"
Half of the party had stopped to watch now. Great; just what I need! An audience! Would you like a signed picture to go with your circus viewing!?
"Leave the lady alone, you idiot," snapped a voice I didn't recognize.
"What's it to you?" retorted Mr. Annoying-the Conceited.
"Leave," the voice snapped.
"Why should I?"
My rescuer was this tall, blond, surfer boy-type, with baby-blue eyes, and the look of a sorta puppy. Yet, he sorta went Rottweiler on me, screwing up his face to look menacing, and drawing his wand on Mr. Annoying.
"Whatever," mumbled Mr. Annoying. I really should get his name, so I can send him one of those cursed hats.
"Tell it to someone who cares," snapped Surfer Boy.
As soon as I saw the back of Mr. Annoying, Surfer boy took the seat next to me.
"Parrman giving you trouble?" asked Surfer Boy in a familiar non-accent Michigan voice.
I groaned.
"That bad, huh?" he asked jokingly. "My name's Newt Malfoy. No, Newt's not my real name. Its long and hard to pronounce. Wizards seem to have a thing for frikkin Latin."
I laughed. He sounded like someone I could easily be friends with.
"Ella Smith, none of the Girl Who Lived, business," I replied, shaking his hand.
"Yeah, I know how you feel. I got the whole family rep. to deal with. My dad murdered several Muggles, and got sent to Azkaban last year. Family reunion, or Death Eater plotting session?" he replied, goodnaturedly. "Ella's a pretty name."
And I thought my grandma singing karaoke was bad.
"Thanks. Malfoy, huh?" I asked. "So, why are you in Gryffindor, then?"
"Yeah," he replied, looking down. "Someone had to break that wonderful family tradition. Have some Chex Mix," he said, offering me a bowl of the most wonderful food in the universe.
"I love Chex Mix!" I exclaimed excitedly.
"Me too. Beats the slop the house elves cook. Who really wants to eat squid and fish eggs, anyway?"
"Yeah…," I mumbled, glancing over at Drew, feeling depressed and hormonal.
"So, what's a pretty girl like you doing sitting all alone, talking to Jess Parrman, winner of the Prat-of-the-Year-Award?" he asked cheerfully, clearly not as daunted about the talk about his family as I was Voldemort.
"Are you flirting with me?" I asked suspiciously.
"That depends," he replied cheekily. "Is it working?"
"Not in the slightest," I replied.
"Pity," he said, more serious this time. "Wasting away, pinning for McGonagall, when I sit so readily available."
"Ok," I said, raising a finger. "One, you're flirting with a third year. Two, how did you know I like Dre?, And three, drop the cool guy act."
"Ouch," he replied sarcastically. "My ego is damaged! How will I go on? And, it's a complete secret, so naturally, the whole school knows."
"Ah," I replied, not sure what to think about that piece of news, looking around nervously.
"He's missing out," he replied. "Margo is a real- er… a real…"
"Brat?" I offered.
"Not the word choice I had in mind," he scoffed, "but, it will keep me out of detention."
I glared playfully.
"So, why are you so depresse? Well, other than Prince Charming falling for the Troll and not the Princess? You just became a Quidditch hero. Enjoy it," he asked, getting straight to the point.
"You're blunt," I said, rolling my eyes.
"As an axe," he finished, clearly not bothered in the slightest. "You're not getting out of this; talk."
"Is that a threat?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe," he challenged.
"Fine," I replied, feeling unnaturally at ease talking to him. "I've been a sniveling coward, afraid of meddling and messing everything up, or not doing anything, and failing everyone. I'm afraid I'm not brave enough, strong enough, or even powerful enough to be the 'Chosen One'. I just can't…"
"Think about it this way," he advised, "wouldn't you rather try and fail, than sit at home and never know one way or another? Plus, you seem like the type to want adventure, and to make a difference. Don't let your fears stop you from following your heart."
"Thanks," I said, looking at him curiously. It made me wonder how he could know all this. "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" he asked, playing innocent.
"Know what was bothering me, and just how to fix it?" I replied.
He looked around to make sure no one was listening. Motioning for me to come closer, he whispered, "Can I trust you?"
I nodded.
"I've always known when people are particularly. I don't know how, I just do. I try to help out when I can, particularly the pretty ones."
"Thanks, then," I replied, staring straight ahead, again.
"Go talk to him," encouraged Newt.
"He's mad at me," I argued.
"Just go and quit being miserable for yourself. It's annoying," said Newt through a mouth full of Chex Mix. "You gonna finish that?"
Boys.
"Here," I said handing him my bowl. "Thanks again, Newt."
I turned around, and took a deep breath. I turned around to thank him again, but I found myself talking to an empty chair.
Wizards.
---
"So…," I said, as I sat down next to Drew, whom was watching Dean cluck like a chicken, as Tonks attempted to teach him the Soulja-Boy dance.
"So," he replied, not looking at me.
"This is awkward," I said, studying my shoes, which by the way, are my plain, old clogs, with a weird stain on the toe.
My thoughts on this are, Chance may have had something to do with that one…
"So…," I began awkwardly. "I just came to say… I'm sorry. You were right; I was scared. I'm self conscious, cowardly, and… I'm running out of adjectives. My brain is so not on this planet right now."
He chuckled, slightly. "You forgot insecure."
"You still wanna see if we can figure this mess out?" I asked happily. "And, I'm sorry about... you know..."
"You bet!" he replied a little to enthusiastically.
I laughed. "Tonks won't help us, but Crystal's in Ravenclaw…"
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Drew.
"Depends," I replied. "If you're thinking, boy, I would really like some Chex Mix?"
"No," he said, looking a little weirded out. "Oh, you know what I meant!"
"Shockingly," I replied jokingly, "I did."
----------
By the time Crystal had been completely filled in, I could already see the gears turning in her brain.
"So, you'll help us?" I asked, hopefully.
"Sure. I've got to get to the Library. Out of my way!"
She raced away toward the library, like a mouse who got a whiff of cheese.
"What do you think?" I asked Drew.
"She's going to run the country some day," he said, watching the direction Crystal had left in.
"I've been saying that for years," I replied happily.
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