Chapter Twenty Six

Lysander rested his slanted chin on his slender figures, lacing them through one another to form a platform as his elbows were propped up onto the glossy wooden table that was littered in breakfast treats. The sleeves of his ashen sweater were rolled up to his elbows, the ends of his ivory collared shirt folded over them as he watched the entrance to the dining hall with wide, azure eyes. His twin stumbled inside; a distressed expression plastered across his pallid features as he walked backwards, his focus remaining on his companion, Tuesday as she walked facing him. They appeared to be bickering furiously, their eyes darting from one another to the Slytherin table.

Lysander rolled his eyes at the pair before his gaze returned to the entrance, Lily trotting into sight with her arm threaded through her older brother's, her rose coloured lips wearing a playful smile as her scarlet mane was tugged back into a loose ponytail. The siblings parted, Albus dusting off his silver and emerald uniform before stalking towards the table at the far end of the room that buzzed with smug, superficial conversation. Lysander almost pitied Albus, knowing just as well as the rest of his friends did that the seventh year detested his house, only finding companions in the other houses or even outside of Hogwarts entirely.

"How are you feeling, Lily?" Roxanne piped as Lily sat down alongside Liam silently.

"I am feeling better," She replied whilst leaning into the curve of Liam's body, "Thank you for asking. I spoke to Albus about everything as Liam suggested... He really made me feel better and I trust my brother to be careful no matter what."

Liam wrapped his arm around her small waist cautiously as if waiting for her to pull away at any minute. Much to his relief, she didn't. Instead she kissed him gently on the cheek before taking a slice of toast off of his place, nibbling along the edges of it. Hugo pretended to wretch at the pair, Roxanne slapping him around the back of head powerfully.

"Oh just eat your food, Hugo." She growled half-heartedly as Lysander simply grinned at his friends widely before swallowing another spoonful of his yoghurt.

"Good morning students." Headmaster Frampton's voice interrupted the incessant chatter, his unruly raven locks pulled back into a bundle of curls with a scarlet band, "I trust you have all congratulated the three champions, your schools are immensely proud of you and we wish you all luck in the tasks to come.

"The first task shall take place, as I have mentioned before, on the 24th of November. It will be a test of strength and tactics in pressured conditions; it will be primarily based upon your ability to react within seconds, your improvisation when it is simply you and your wand in an unknown task. All I can say is I advise the three champions to get plenty of rest, the next few weeks will fly by within the blink of an eye. Now, with that said, please continue your feast."

"What do you think the task will be?" Liam beamed as similar conversations erupted throughout the hall.

Liam's voice was drowned out with the buzz of noise as Hugo and Ailis returned the conversation, draped in one another's arms loving, Hugo whispering sweet nothings to her gently before returning his attention to Lily and Liam.

"I hate this." Roxanne snapped in irritation, folding her arms over her athletic torso.

"What?" Lysander blurted in confusion as she looked at him sarcastically.

"This," She gestured to the couples that were dotted about them; "Everyone is in a relationship. It's irritatingly stupid that just because I am not putting myself out there for boys to fawn over, I am alone."

"You're not alone, Rox." He scolded her for thinking such a stupidity, "You have all of us. I am not in a relationship and I am perfectly fine."

"Yeah, but girls still chase after you." She corrected as her shapely lips formed a pout, "Everyone just overlooks me."

"If you do not stop saying such stupid things I am going to hex your mouth shut." He warned as her older brother sauntered towards the pair, perching himself across from them.

Fred's tanned skin glinted in the candlelight, his handsome face contorting with a charismatic grin. His eyes were a vibrant jade colour sitting on either side of his straight nose that was dotted with a sprinkling of freckles. He brushed his deep auburn mop out of his eyes before propping his jaw upon his fist, glancing from Roxanne to Lysander curiously.

"What were we talking about then?" He enquired after whispering a brief greeting to the remainder of their comrades.

"Well, Fred, your little sister is being a complete moron." Lysander snapped as Roxanne's dark chocolate eyes widened before narrowing with fury.

"Surely not." Fred joked.

"Shut up you." Roxanne hissed.

"What is she doing then?" He piped, ignoring her dark threats.

"Excuse me, she hasa name... And she can hear you." Roxanne snarled.

"Well she is complaining about being alone." Lysander replied before Roxanne slapped him around the arm furiously, "And no matter how much she hits me, I will not stop telling her how stupid it is to say that."

"The man has a point you know." Fred added before his gaze shifted to the cluster of students from the Beauxbatons Academy, outlining the curvaceous bodies of the beautiful females, "I must say, there are some delicious Beauxbatons girls here."

"Fred." Roxanne growled as her pallid face pinched together in disgust.

"If only you boys were seventeen," He raised his voice, catching Liam and Hugo's attention, "You would love the attention they give British boys."

"Well for you information, I love Ailis' company and hers alone." Hugo snapped defensively before smiling widely at the sandy-haired girl clutching his side.

"I never meant Ailis is not a catch," Fred replied before glancing at Liam quickly, "And Lily is quite the catch too. I was merely stating... Although, Roxanne," His jade eyes darted to his scowling sister, "I am sure the Beauxbatons boys would not mind a younger girl... You could always look for some attention over there."

"Fred shut up already!" She snapped furiously, "I do not want any attention; I was merely stating how pathetic boys are these days. You being a perfect example, mon frère."

"Besides, Roxanne is not alone and she needs to get that idea out of her thick head," Lysander stated before knocking his knuckles against the side of her skull as if it were empty, "She will never be alone so long as we are around."