25. Failures, Furies, and Familiar Faces
The hustle and bustle of Hogsmede roared louder than usual that somewhat mild, late February day. Busy shoppers scanned over shops, picking up everything off their shopping lists. Students from Hogwarts zoomed happily down the streets, buzzing with excitement for this short but much needed escape from the hectic schedule of classes.
Nervous sixth years stood in a jumbled line. Humming with anticipation, the students chanted to themselves what their professors had taught them, hoping that it would give them the boost they needed in their apparition test. Nearly half the grade had agreed to be tested in the early wave, the other half either being unprepared or still not reaching the age limit.
Mora felt excitement coarse through her veins. Trying to calm down Rubeus, who stood beside her, Mora found that she was now failing miserably. His enormous hands shook madly, endangering the students in line behind them to be smacked across the head.
Before Mora could mutter any more words of encouragement, she heard the plump witch loudly call out her name. Rushing over towards the group of three, obviously tired, old, and possibly cranky wizards, Mora need no instruction. Stepping in the golden hoop, Mora closed her eyes, shutting out the rest of the world besides the hoop lying a simple three yards away.
"Whenever you're ready," the eldest wizard bickered. A little flustered, Mora regained her focus. Lightly flicking her wand, the enormous pop sounded as Mora faded from view.
Instantly, another pop cracked over the faint remains of the last one as Mora apparated into the hoop. Just as she had practiced, Mora landing in the very heart of the circle, not even flinching as she felt herself being pounded back to the earth.
"Mora Cartea," the third wizard began, "Apparition license, approved."
Becoming overcome with insurmountable joy, Mora blurted out a loud, very excited "Thank-you!"
Chuckling, the witch looked back at Mora. "You're very welcome dear."
"To Mora, the only one of us who actually managed to pass!" Ellery toasted, raising his Three Broomsticks mug high above his head. The others loudly clinked their glasses with his own, immediately taking heavy gulps of the swishing liquid. Mora gagged as the butter bear passed her lips. Why the others were so enamored of this drink, Mora never knew.
Sadly enough, Rubeus didn't appear to have the same streak of luck, or talent, that Mora scrapped by with. He failed his test; being told he could make it up with the rest of the students in the summer.
Defeated, Rubeus had explained to Mora who he ended up reappearing in the complete wrong spot, accidentally demolishing the table at which the "judges," as he referred to them as, were perched.
"So this summer, at least one of us will be able to get around!" Korbin called out again.
"What?" Cassidy asked, not having been paying attention to the entire conversation.
"Hey look Cass, it's the captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team!" Korbin exclaimed, pointing over Cassidy's shoulder.
"Oo! Where?" She jumped out of her chair, and in the process, knocked it to the ground.
"You just missed him," Korbin lied smoothly as Cassidy disgruntled and disappointed, lifted her chair right side up and sat back with the group.
"Korbin!" Ellery annoyingly sighed. "Stop terrorizing my girlfriend," he snapped.
"Hey, better yours than mine," Tom muttered, causing a devilish grin to spread across Mora's face.
"What, don't look at me!" Korbin started, "She's the one who just looked at another bloke. If I were you that is what I'd be worrying about right know."
Ellery turned back to Cassidy. "Why did you look for him anyway, Cassie?"
Cassidy smirked. "El, you're cute, but he's…."
"Please, spare me," Ellery raised his hand in the air, stopping Cassidy mid sentence.
"El, it doesn't matter what he looks like," Cassidy cooed, "I'm with you," she sighed, giving him a quick peck. Well, of course this aroused a hearty round of cocky "Awwwws" and merciless and unnecessary taunts and bickering from the Slytherin crew, naturally.
"Even though he is super gorgeous…" Cassidy added quickly, her eyes looming off into the other direction.
As the laughter died down, something caught Tom's eye across the room. Squinting so he could make out the figures in the dim light, Tom couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Yet, they were right there.
"Tom, what is it?" Mora asked, her gaze now trailing in the same direction where Tom had now officially locked his eyes. After a few moments of perplexed search, Mora came upon the object of Tom's rage. "That's not…." Mora mumbled, now causing the rest of the table's focus to draw in that direction.
There, at the furthest table in the bar, sat perched two very familiar faces, sipping butter bear together. The two people Mora had come to resent so horribly over the past endless surplus of weeks.
There was Eric and Jades, on what appeared to be a date. They spoke secretly to each other, being sure that no unwelcomed ears could hear whatever they were discussing.
Suddenly, and much to the groups demise, Eric saw at the corner of his eye the huddle glaring. Turning to face them head on, his eyes locked in Mora's own mystifying hazel ones.
Arrogant pride growing inside him, Eric waved to Mora, taunting Tom to so much as hex him in front of all these people.
Anger exploding from inside her, Mora leapt from her seat, nearly knocking over the entire table. She lunged in Eric's direction, ready to curse him until her wand snapped in two. Stopping Mora before she made this into an even bigger mess, Tom and Ellery leapt from their spots, pulling the crazed witch back.
After fighting their restraints for quite some time, Mora finally gave in, allowing them to lead her out of the pub.
Eric and Jades strode causally to a deserted table in the Three Broomsticks, sitting across from each other. Gesturing for the waiter's attention, Eric raised two fingers in the air, motioning for his usual order.
"So," Jades began, breaking the stiff silence that had overcome the two. "What is this favor you're asking for."
"Curious so quickly," Eric chuckled.
"Well, I'd like to know what you're so eager for me to do, Eric," Jades snapped.
"Very well," Eric sighed, as the two mugs were set onto the table in front of them. Waiting several seconds for the waiter to be far enough away, Eric leaned in closer, prepared to share his plan. "I need you're help."
"Gee, I hadn't quite figured that out yet. Thanks for clearing it up..." Jades snapped.
"Will you let me finish!" Eric snarled, breaking Jades abruptly from her sarcastic remarks. "As I was saying, I need you're help, breaking Tom and Mora up."
"And what's in it for me?" Jades immediately asked. She had absolutely no interest in this supposed plan unless she was repaid fully for her efforts.
"Five hundred galleons," he replied quickly, the number simply falling off Eric's tongue. After all, he was the much-anticipated soon-to-be-minister-of-magic's son. It was only natural that he could scrap up such a sum for the services he required. Jades felt suddenly interested in this proposition.
"All I'm asking you to do is do what you always do. Just direct it towards him," Eric explained.
"And what are you going to do?" Jades asked again, taking on a mock professional tone.
"That, I think, you can imagine for yourself."
"When do you want me to start?" Jades said slyly.
Eric smirked, feeling relived that Jades would go along with this. "As soon as possible."
"And when do you want it done by?"
"I will tell you the specifics later on," Eric explained, hosting his glass in the air. "And now a toast. To your…health?" He finished, unsure of what to really say. He was a smooth talker, of course, but all this scheming had dried up his bright ideas (so to speak) for the day.
"No," Jades cut in, "To Tom's."
The two took giant gulps of the drinks, toasting victoriously to their seemingly brilliant plan. Strangely, Eric felt eyes burning through his skull.
How ironic, He smirked to himself, turning to see his once group of pathetic friends. Immediately, his eyes fell over Mora. A diamond ring was twisted onto her finger, Eric having no doubt in who could have given it to her.
Keeping in his anger, Eric knew that this was only the beginning. Daringly, he waved to the girl, hoping to get a rouse out of Tom. But much to his surprise, it was Mora who became agitated. Springing from her seat, she made a jump for Eric. In a matter of seconds, her boyfriend and a few others dragged her away, leaving the rest to chase them out of the pub.
Eric had not ever expected that to happen. Each time Eric laid his eyes on Mora, Mora had turned away in fear.
And now, now she was defying him? Acutely trying to fight him? Eric realized that he was slowly losing her grip over her, and that if he didn't act fast, the entire plan was dead.
"Well Jades," he smirked as he turned back to her, "What are you waiting for?"