Thank you for the reviews! They were wonderful and left me all fuzzy and warm inside :) I hope you like the (long) chapter ahead of you.
R&R please
CHAPTER 29
'Tomorrow is the day!' Felix gushed happily. 'What are you talking about?' Mathilda asked as she grabbed a bun from the basket down the table. 'Tomorrow is the trip for Muggle Studies.' Felix clarified. Mathilda was fairly disinterested. 'I'm not taking Muggle Studies.' She said. I stuck out my tongue at her. 'Your loss! We are going on cool trips to London.' I said and Felix laughed, taking a bite of his omelette after.
Mathilda chuckled as well. 'It would be kind of nice to get out for a bit. We've only been back at Hogwarts for a couple of months but I'm already feeling tired of school. I can't wait till the Christmas holidays.' She said to us, buttering her bun. 'Pass me the jam, will you.' She said to Felix. He obliged, plucking the strawberry jam from in front of the second year next to him.
Felix took a last bite of his breakfast and then put his arm around me, giving me a brief squeeze by means of goodbye, before getting up from the bench. 'I'm going back to Hufflepuff. Charms starts in ten and I still need to copy Peter's homework.' He said. 'Copy his homework? You're in sixth year!' I said scandalized, although I laughed as well. He shrugged sheepishly. 'I didn't have time to finish, okay?' He defended himself, chuckling. 'I'll see you later, maybe, otherwise tomorrow morning for the trip, yeah?' He confirmed and I nodded, waving at him as he ran from our seats at the Ravenclaw table. I saw him skid to a halt by the Hufflepuff table, tapping Peter Hollywood on the shoulder who seemingly wordlessly handed over his homework assignment. I shook my head with a smile.
'Are you almost finished?' I asked Mathilda. She stuffed the bun into her mouth, holding up her thumb after, grabbing her bag. 'Let'sj sjtoph by the baffroom on our way ftoo the libwary.' Mathilda said, her mouth full as she tried to speak through the bread. 'Excuse me?' I asked her, laughing at her, and she took a moment to swallow her bite. 'The bathroom.' She said again, although I did understand her the first time.
I was leaning against the sink as Mathilda was inside the stall. 'I was actually thinking of sending an owl to the WWN.' Mathilda called from behind the closed door. 'Oh really? What for?' I replied. I heard the toilet flush and the door opened. 'I wanted to ask around if they would possibly need a studio assistant or something over the Christmas holidays.' She said as she washed her hands. 'Like a job?' I asked surprised. She gave a shrug, taking he bag back from me, as I had been holding it for her as she was doing her business.
'Yeah, I kind of liked it during the summer.' She told me as we exited the first floor girls' lavatory. 'You did seem like you had a lot of fun.' I agreed pensively. We entered the library and quietly took a table by the window. Mathilda sat down but scraped the stone floor as she pushed her chair back, leaning her elbow on the windowsill. She gazed through the clouded glass, condense building up on the inside as the fireplaces were lit and it was toasty warm inside, contrasting the chill of the outside. 'Do you think my mum listens to the WWN?' She asked me suddenly.
I almost dropped my Transfiguration textbook. Mathilda's mother? Mathilda had never known her mother. It had always been only her father and herself, them against the world, supporting each other, taking care of one another. I rarely heard Mathilda even mention her mother, let alone wonder about her. I always felt like Mathilda might have even felt resentful towards her mum for leaving her when she was just a baby. But now she was talking of her.
'Why wouldn't she? Everyone listens to the WWN.' I said logically. Mathilda nodded, reaching up her hand, cleaning the moisture of the windowpane with her sleeve, so she could look out on the wet slopes stretching out in front of the castle better. I was silent for a few minutes, hoping Mathilda would say more, but she didn't and I was debating on whether to allow her some time and trust in her that she would come to me when she wanted to talk, or question her about it now.
'Why are you asking?' I prodded eventually. She let out a sigh, looking away from the window and leaning onto the table, pulling out her own Transfiguration book as well. 'You know that girl Katie Bell? She's in Charms with us as well.' She asked in return. 'The Gryffindor?' She added. I nodded, a frown on my face. I was a bit confused by the diversion. 'What about her?' I responded. She took a moment to formulate her words.
'Well, I heard her talk to her friends the other day. In Herbology class.' Mathilda began. I didn't take Herbology but I knew that the Ravenclaws shared the class with the Gryffindors, as Aurora and Mathilda both took Herbology. 'Apparently her grandfather died like twenty years ago, when she wasn't even born yet.' She told me. 'And she was talking about how she thought her dad looked exactly like him, like how her dad has this thick black hair and her grandfather does too, apparently.' I was struggling to understand how this was in any way relevant to anything, but Mathilda seemed pretty intend on telling the story.
'I don't know Cecilia, it just nibbled away at me and last night I was thinking about it when I was in bed and it just struck me, you know.' She said. She scratched her cheek. I noticed that the nail on her index finger was the only one of her nails that was painted, a dark red, as if she was trying out a colour and was too lazy to either apply it everywhere else or remove it from that one nail. 'She knew what her grandfather looked like, never having met him.' She said. 'She must've seen pictures of him.' I pointed out and Mathilda leaned over her textbook, staring at me intently. 'Exactly what I was thinking. Her parents must've shown her pictures.' She said to me and it wasn't until she leaned back again and mumbled her next words that I realized what she was saying; 'I don't know what my mum looks like.'
I blinked a few times. 'Your dad never showed you pictures?' I asked, surprised. She shook her head. I was a bit flabbergasted. It wasn't often that I found out something knew about my best friend and this was big too. I assumed she would know what her mother looked like but she had never talked about it much at all. I thought back to the handful of conversations we had had during our friendship about her mum and none of them did mention her appearance.
'Dad can't even talk about her.' Mathilda answered. 'I just stopped asking, but when I was younger I used to ask questions and all that, but he'd always brush it off.' She grumbled. 'Why do you think that is?' I asked. She shrugged, frustration evident on her face.
'I think it's just a very painful memory for him.' She murmured, clearly uncomfortable with her father's heartache. 'I mean, she literally left him with their new born baby.' She clarified. I nodded understandingly. 'That must've been pretty traumatic.' I said. She humphed. 'Must've been, but it's also been sixteen years and I feel like I deserve some answers.' She said. I couldn't disagree with that. 'Well, ask him, flat out.' I suggested. 'You've always been daddy's little girl to him, he's never refused you anything.' I pointed out and she nodded. 'Yeah, that's true.' She responded.
'I don't know, I never thought that I missed having a mother, but lately I feel like I might have just been pretending.' Mathilda said. I felt like she had been a bit as well. Mathilda adored my own mother. They were similar in a lot of ways, but it was more than that. She looked up to her, always took her advice very seriously. Wendela Wiggleswade was a surrogate mother to Mathilda in many aspects.
'Why did your mother leave?' I asked. Mathilda blew a strand of hair out of her face. 'Wasn't ready for motherhood, or something.' Mathilda answered. 'Dad has trouble talking about these things but he did say that she wasn't prepared for any of it.' She told me. We were silent for a few moments. 'Let's just do our Transfiguration homework.' She said eventually and I nodded. 'Yes, okay, let's.' I finished lamely.
Mathilda didn't bring it up again and when we packed up and went to Charms, she seemed to have forgotten all about our impromptu conversation, back to her outgoing self. Even when we sat two tables away from Katie Bell who sat next to Cormac McLaggen, Mathilda didn't betray any of her inner turmoil.
Cho and Marietta sat in front of us and although Cho bowed herself over her parchment, her hair falling across her face, Marietta turned around in her chair to face us. 'I heard you're going to London tomorrow. For Muggle Studies.' She directed at me. I nodded, a smile slipping onto my face. I was excited. 'Yes, we're leaving at nine and will be back around one probably.' I told her. 'If you come by Diagon Alley, can you pick me up some Blemish Banishing Potion from Madam Primpernelle's? I'm running out and I'd rather not pay for the owl costs.' She asked me. I shrugged. 'I'm not sure if we'll have time but if we do, I'll make sure to pick some up for you.' I promised her. She held up her hands. 'No worries if you don't, having them send it over by owl will only set me back a Sickle or so but Madam Primpernelle's shop is already so expensive.' She told me. 'Ms Edgecombe, eyes up front please!' Professor Flitwick squeaked from by the blackboard where he had perched himself on top of his stack of books.
The next morning I woke up earlier than I usually did, feeling excited about Muggle Studies. Even Mathilda hadn't woke up yet and I quickly dressed myself, not waking up her or any of my other dorm mates as I grabbed my bag and went down to breakfast. They didn't have class till second period anyway so I didn't think I'd see them before lunch.
I was already sitting at the Ravenclaw table when I saw Felix come in with his girlfriend Thora Marple, followed closely by Peter Hollywood. They sat down at the Hufflepuff table and although I waved, they didn't seem to see me. I abandoned my tea, swinging my bag over my shoulder and got up, making my way over to them. 'Hello!' I announced myself happily to the three people and Peter yawned in greeting. Felix had been snogging Thora but ripped himself away from her with a blush. 'Oh, hey Cecilia!' He said abashed.
I sat down just as the post came, owls fluttering down to the tables as they were circling the ceiling, looking for their delivery address. I looked over to Ravenclaw table and saw an unfamiliar owl that was flying up and down the table until it made a turn and came straight my way. It had a letter for me it turned out, as it landed on the bench, right next to me. 'Who is this from?' I asked it, taking the letter from its claw. It seemed to give me a half shrug of sorts before flying off again. I rolled open the scroll of parchment and was surprised to see it was from Nina, my brother's girlfriend.
Hey Cecilia,
Although I haven't had the pleasure of writing you before I found a good excuse to do so now. I know it isn't Aidan's birthday till February but I really wanted to prepare a trip for just your brother and myself. However, him having had his promotion and me having a new job as well, I have a hard time not just booking the holiday but also making sure that he is available for it. That's where you come in.
Could you perhaps help me out? It's the first week of February I'm aiming for, maybe the last week of January if that works better. Can you send Aidan an owl, making up any kind of reason for him to not make any kinds of plans that week? I can't send your parents a letter about this because Aidan hasn't introduced us to one another yet. Is that normal? It's been well over a year since we first started going out. Sorry, I hope it's not weird me asking you.
I thought of a week by the beach. I was thinking of Cornwall. Do you know if he has ever been before? It is hardly the best of weather that time of year but on the other hand, there's something very invigorating about walking around the beach in the rain and wind, isn't there? I certainly think it's going to be very nice and cosy hanging up our rain repellent cloaks at the end of the day and curling up in front of the fire. I could make hot cocoa!
I hope you'll help me out. Let me know as soon as you are able to.
Kind regards,
Nina Bugg
I felt a bit strange, having my brother's girlfriend owl me, but it also made me smile. None of Aidan's other girlfriends had ever sought out my advice before, but to be fair, the last time I had met any of Aidan's girlfriends, I had been in early fourth year. Who asks a fourteen year old about anything? I was sixteen now, nearly of age.
I read over the letter once more, sipping my tea; I had poured myself a new cup. That Aidan still hadn't introduced Nina to our parents wasn't much of a surprise to me. I didn't remember him ever introducing a girlfriend to them before.
'Anything interesting?' Peter asked me, nodding at the letter I was holding and I smiled. 'Yeah, a bit. My brother's girlfriend is asking my help to plan for his birthday.' I explained. Peter, although his eyes were still drooping, made a noise of interest. 'You didn't sleep well?' I asked him and he chuckled. 'Is it that obvious?' He wondered. 'You are practically tossing and turning here at the breakfast table.' Thora piped up from Felix' other side. Felix snorted. 'Yeah, if you wish we can tuck you in with your baked egg.' He contributed. Peter grumbled, taking a big bite from said egg.
Felix and I together walked up to Muggle Studies after we finished our oatmeal. I knew everyone in our class was feeling excited about the trip. We didn't often get to leave the school and if we did it wasn't further than Hogsmeade but this was to the other end of the country into unfamiliar muggle territory. When we arrived in the classroom professor Burbage was just busy levitating a couple of trunks out of the classroom's storage cupboard. She looked up at us. 'You're the first; you get first picks!' She said.
We helped her with the last two trunks and then she opened them to show us what was inside. 'Clothes?' Asked Felix, first puzzled, but then, as he held a pair of pants up, he seemed to understand. 'Muggle clothing.' He clarified for me. I looked at the trunks. 'We have to change?' I asked and professor Burbage nodded.
With a wave of her wand two corners of the classroom were shielded by two floating curtains that were previously laying on top of her desk. 'I actually have my muggle clothes in my dormitory.' Said Felix. 'You're free to wear those as long as you're back in time to join us.' Professor Burbage told him and he smiled, quickly sprinting out of the room.
I looked at the many clothing pieces. I had been in this class for almost four years now but I still didn't really know what you were supposed to wear. I held up a pair of jeans. I had seen Felix wearing these things many times now; that must be somewhat appropriate. I couldn't really find a top I liked so I ended up taking a green flowery dress from the pile and a brown corduroy jacket against the cold. I quickly changed behind the curtains. I could hear Felix come back in and some other people were finally coming into the classroom.
I stepped out of the changing area and immediately caught Felix' eyes. He slapped a hand to his mouth and he seemed to make an effort not to laugh. 'Have I done it wrong?' I asked him worried and he shook his head. 'No, you look like a real muggle.' He said but I could tell he was making fun of me. I looked him over.
He was also wearing jeans, a plain white t-shirt with the text Pearl Jam on top and over that a plaid flannel shirt. 'You're also wearing jeans, so I've got that right.' I said and he now laughed openly. 'No, you're right about that.' He said but then he leaned closer so he could whisper it to me; 'Pretty sure those are guys' jeans though.' I flushed. 'Is that why you were laughing?' I asked and he shook his head again. 'No, you just have an interesting ensemble in general.' He answered and I groaned.
Everyone else had already taken the other clothes though so there was no opportunity to change again but as we walked out of the classroom as a group a little bit later Felix ensured me that the rest of the class looked stranger than I did. I wasn't sure if that was any real consolation.
We walked to Hogsmeade where we would take a portkey to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic in London so we could from there out make our way to the muggle government. At the town hall in Hogsmeade a fat wizard with a large moustache had a portkey ready for us. 'Gather round students!' Professor Burbage called out and we all pressed together to touch the old metal kettle that was laying on the wizard's desk. After a couple of seconds I felt that familiar tug behind my navel and when I reopened the eyes I barely noticed I had closed we were standing near the wall at the Atrium.
'Portkey users, please step aside once you've arrived fully!' Called out a ministry employee, a nametag pinned to his chest. "Marvin – Portkey Supervisor" it read. We all shuffled behind the line that was set up and professor Burbage threw the kettle in a big box in which already lay a few used portkeys.
'Now, everyone, we are going to stay close together now!' She called out and we all followed her as she led us to the, what the muggles called tellyphone cells that would transport us to the streets of muggle London. We all piled in and although it looked too small from the outside, we could fit tightly together. I felt Felix' chest press into my back and my nose was in that Gryffindor Andrew Kirke's hair, him being shorter than me. As soon as the tellyphone cell reached street level, we piled out with our group of six plus professor.
We looked around uncertainly, waiting for professor Burbage to take the lead. 'It's not a long walk so let's get a move on so we don't miss our appointment. Muggles like punctuality.' Professor Burbage told us as she started walking west, us trailing after her like a pack of nervous nifflers. 'She's right you know.' Felix murmured to me as we walked side by side. 'You say that as if we are constantly late to everything.' I said, bumping him in the elbow. I could see him grinning from the corner of my eyes. 'On average more so than muggles, yes.' He argued. 'I trust you have data to back up that theory.' I joked and he laughed. 'I mean, if you can apparate and be everywhere in seconds, worrying about leaving on time is not quite as necessary, I guess.' Felix mused after a few moments.
We arrived at a particularly stately looking building by the water within minutes. 'I went here on a primary school trip as well once.' Felix said as we went in. 'Now, students, who can tell me where we are?' Professor Burbage addressed the group. No one except for Felix raised their hand.
'Mr Smythwick, go on then.' The professor said. 'The Palace of Westminster. It's where parliament resides.' He said smugly. 'Yes, very good, five points to Hufflepuff.' She said hurriedly before turning towards the hall we were standing in. 'The British parliament, as we discussed in class, is the legislative power of muggle Britain.' She added. It was a grand hall we were standing in, very old by the looks of it, one that reminded me of Hogwarts in many ways.
'You must be Mrs Burbage!' A voice called out and we all spun around to see a short muggle with a neat looking muggle suit come our way, clipboard in hand. He had short hair, slicked back against his skull and a bushy moustache that covered his upper lip like a thick caterpillar. 'Miss Burbage, you must be Mr Brown.' The professor said, extending her hand. Mr Brown shook her hand. 'Excuse me, Ms Burbage, welcome to Westminster.' He said. He took a moment to tighten his tie but then faced us. 'This is your class?' He asked.
I saw his eyes glide over us and although his reaction was minimal, I did catch his brow furrow just the slightest. Did we not do a good job with our disguises? I thought we all looked very muggle but Felix had laughed at the sight of us so maybe we weren't quite as convincing as I thought.
'Yes, we're here to hear all about British parliament.' Professor Burbage said. He jovially stuck his clipboard under his armpit to be able to wave us further, walking ahead. 'Come through, come through.' He called out and we followed after. 'I must say, it's quite unusual, Ms Burbage, for a school to mail the tour fee through the post. What if the envelope had gotten lost in the mail? That's a hefty amount!' He said. 'Why would it get lost?' Professor Burbage asked perplexed. Mr Brown shot her a confused glance but didn't comment further. Instead he moved onto the next subject. 'I read in your tour application that you are from a boarding school in Scotland?' Mr Brown inquired and the professor nodded. 'Yes, that's right.' She agreed. 'And you're here already? You must've left very early! It's only nine-thirty.' He exclaimed. Professor Burbage uncomfortably shrugged her shoulders. Luckily the tour guide was distracted and didn't question her any further.
The rest of the morning was spent inside the building and the courtyard as Mr Brown detailed the history of the building and its function. Some of it we understood as we had learned about it in class, like the branches of government and the execution of democracy, however some terms and concepts were completely foreign like when Mr Brown mentioned that the Palace of Westminster was on the UNESCO World Heritage List (although I could guess what that meant) and when he explained about different parts of muggle history pertaining to the site. It was interesting nonetheless and when an hour and a half later Mr Brown thanked us for our attention and wished us a good day, I felt that light hearted kind of gratification that came with learning new things.
'We have a little while before we have to get back to Hogwarts so I suggest we split up into two groups of three and meet up back here at..-' she took out her wizarding watch '-..twelve-forty-five. That will give you plenty of time to explore, I reckon.' She said.
Felix and I stuck together and were joined by none other than Mathilda's ex-boyfriend Andy Cleveley, who I probably hadn't spoken to in years, other than when he occasionally asked to borrow a quill. He didn't seem bothered by the fact that he used to date my best friend and after a bit I kind of forgot about it myself as well.
Professor Burbage joined the other group of three, made up of giggly Gryffindor best friends Alice Tolipan and Sally Pimpernelle, together with Sally's boyfriend Andrew Kirke; which explained why the fourth Gyrffindor was cast out to go with us. The professor was telling Felix that he would be our group leader as she knew he was muggleborn and had grown up in London. Behind her I noticed a hissed argument of Andy trying to convince his Gryffindor friends as to why he shouldn't be the one to join our little group. They didn't bite. 'Come on, Andy, Al and I are best friends, of course we have to stay together and Andrew's my boyfriend. You should've gone out with Alice at the last Hogsmeade weekend if you wanted to be with our group.' Was Sally's final argument.
We had just split up from the rest and were walking down the streets of London; dozens upon dozens of muggles milled around us, when Felix yanked me aside, Andy stopping in his tracks as well when he realized that we weren't following anymore. 'Wait up, I just want to make a call.' Felix said, digging in his jean pockets and pulling out a shiny coin. He pulled open the door of a tall red box, the same as the tellyphone cell that had been at the Ministry as the muggle world entrance to the Ministry of Magic.
'Who are you going to call?' I asked and he jollily sang 'Ghostbusters!' and although I suspected it was a joking reference to something muggle, I didn't have a clue what he was saying. I merely raised my eyebrows at him. He put the coin into the slot at the top of the tellyphone machine and put the handset to his ear, holding it in place against his shoulder as he pressed a series of numbers into the number pad. I wondered if he just memorized the number or if there perhaps was some kind of system to it. 'I'm calling James. I thought maybe the Three J's could meet us.' Felix said as he finished, leaning on the little shelf inside the booth. He looked up worried after a moment, the handset still pressed to his ear. 'You don't mind, do you?' He asked concerned. I merely shook my head while smiling.
I curiously looked inside the cramp box. It felt kind of cosy. 'What are you doing?' Andy called from outside the booth and I leaned back a bit. 'He's contacting his muggle friend.' I told him. 'His muggle friend?' Andy asked. 'He's muggleborn?' He queried and I nodded. 'He is.' I said.
I turned back to Felix as he started talking. 'James, mate, it's Felix! I'm in London!' He exclaimed. I was curious how the machine worked. I had read about tellyphones and understood that they supposedly made it possible to talk to someone who was in a completely different place than you were, kind of like head-travel with the floo. I wondered if Felix could hear James well, through the weird cord that connected the handset to the rest of the tellyphone machine.
'Bring the boys, yeah?' Felix said, waking me up from my musings. He hung up again and looked at me. 'The Three J's will meet us in half an hour.' He said happily. 'Three muggles?' Andy said sceptically. 'If that's not in the spirit of Muggle Studies..' I fell in optimistically however and Felix smiled. 'I told James to meet us in Hyde Park, so we're just going to catch the tube there. It's not too far.' He told us. Andy and I looked at each other, neither of us sure about what was happening. Felix rolled his eyes. 'Just come with me.' He said taking the lead.
Andy looked grumpy but I was excited to meet the cheerful chaps once again. I had only met them once but it had been such a fun evening, seeing them perform at the muggle pub. 'You really don't mind?' Felix asked again, having an insecure kind of frown on his face as he looked at me sideways. 'I just don't get the chance to see them that often..' He tried to explain but I elbowed him reassuringly. 'Stop it, it's alright.' I told him. He grinned to himself, looking at his feet as he walked on. 'I'm not too sure about Andy though.' I whispered to him and he chuckled. 'Cleveley will live, I'm positive.' He retorted. We both snickered quietly.
I was about to say more but Felix almost seemed to disappear beside me. I was just in time to catch him slide down a stairwell that went underground to some kind of middle-of-the-street dungeon. I looked around. None of the muggles seemed to think it strange to have a dungeon entrance outside, a good portion going up and down the stairs themselves as well.
Andy and I stood at the top of the stairs looking down as Felix encouraged us to follow after. He was standing still, looking up at us as he moved further away. I realized that the stairs were moving, albeit very differently from how magical stairs moved. Andy seemed to think so too. 'Is there magic in these stairs!?' He called to Felix. Felix shushed him but shook his head, beckoning us down and we hesitantly got on. It slowly carried us down to Felix who waited for us at the bottom. 'It moves mechanically.' Felix said as we reached him. 'It's a machine. No magic.'
The tube turned out to be some kind of underground railway system. We stood waiting on a platform, the air damp and musky as we were below ground, and after a few minutes something that looked a bit like a train rolled in with high speed, coming to a screeching halt. The doors all slid open by themselves and a wave of people came pouring through them. When all of them got out, the people on the platform started pushing each other out of the way in order to get in. 'Is the.. the train going to leave without us?' I asked Felix as we queued to go in and he shook his head. 'No, people are just impatient and want to get the best seats.' He explained.
Andy looked out of his comfort zone completely. His eyes shot back and forth across the inside of the train cart we stood in, taking a hold of the handlebars to keep himself upright. His breathing was a bit fast and he was sweating nervously. I wasn't feeling quite as nervous. I knew Felix knew what he was doing (although I'd be lying if I said I didn't stay close to Felix and that my hands weren't tightly holding onto a pole in the middle of the pathway).
When we got out we didn't follow the signs that said "exit" but instead went to follow those that directed us to something called Piccadilly. I asked Felix about it. 'There's no direct connection between where we were and where we need to be. We just came from the Jubilee line and we are getting on the Piccadilly now to get to Hyde Park.
After a couple of stops we got out at a stop that was called Hyde Park Corner and when we were carried up the stairs back to street level by once again a pair of these strange eskalaters, as Felix called them, we found ourselves on a busy intersection. 'This way!' Felix called out over the roar of traffic, all kinds of different models of automobileys zooming past us. He grabbed onto my hand and pulled me right into it, making me squeal out in fright. 'Don't go that way, you'll get squashed!' Andy yelled but it seemed that the vehicles were stopping as Felix and I crossed the street and after a second of hesitation, Andy followed after.
As we safely stood on the other side of the street, by an arched stone gate, the automobileys started going again and Felix pointed at the ground where a white striped pattern was visible. 'That means they need to stop for us.' He said. 'I'm getting really sick of this.' Andy complained. I didn't remember him being so whiny when he was going out with Mathilda. 'Where's that Gryffindor courage?' Felix asked with a toothy grin. Andy scowled. 'I'm not scared, Smythwick, I'm just not enjoying myself.' He said. Felix shrugged. Andy turned to me.
'How about we just forget about it and just head to Diagon Alley. We could check out the new quidditch supplies and perhaps get ice cream at Fortescue's.' He proposed but I shook my head. 'I don't mind meeting Felix' muggle friends again.' I contested. Andy sighed, annoyed.
Felix led us further into the park until we reached the edge of a large pond. He sat down in the wet grass, motioning for us to do the same. 'They can be here any moment so let's just wait here.' He said. 'It's probably good to know that they have absolutely no idea about magic so be careful with what you say, alright' He added, addressing Andy. Andy grumbled moodily.
The park was large and although the trees were half bare, all leafs that were left were a pretty and warm orange and brown, autumn fully set, approaching winter already. It was a bit cold but not as cold as it was up in Scotland so it felt almost toasty in comparison. 'Felix!' Someone called out. All of us craned our necks as we looked back.
James, Jack and Joey were running our way from the same direction as we had, all of them in the same clothes. With an amused start I realized that this must be a muggle school uniform. They wore dark blue blazers with red and yellow lined jumpers underneath it, ties loosened around their necks. There was an emblem on their breast pocket but I couldn't see it very well.
Felix got up happily. 'Did you finally get here then!?' He shouted back, meeting them halfway, pretending that we had been waiting a long time already. Andy and I stayed by the water, looking at their reunion from afar. They talked amongst themselves for a moment, hitting each other in the shoulders fondly but then Felix waved them over and started walking our way. 'Have you met them before?' Andy asked. I nodded. 'Just the once. They're nice.' I promised. We both stood up when the four boys reached us. 'Hey Cecilia!' They said. They shook Andy's hand. 'This is Andrew Cleveley, he goes to school with Cecil and I.' Felix introduced him.
'What are you doing here?' Joey asked his friend. 'School trip. We went to Westminster, didn't we?' Felix answered, nodding to us. I agreed. Andy murmured something. 'We have to meet back up with the class in a bit again but I figured you fellows wouldn't mind coming out here.' Felix added and James laughed. 'We would've without you calling! We're quite willingly skipping out on physics class right now.' James chuckled. 'Besides, who'd pass up a chance to see your ugly mug again?' Jack said with a grin.
The three boys took a closer look at both Andy and myself. 'Did you dress yourselves in the dark?' Joey asked, his eyebrows raised. I blushed. 'Are you being funny?' Andy asked irritated but Felix quickly interjected. 'It's all the rage up in Scotland, you know.' He said dismissively. I caught a silent look being shared between them. They dropped it.
Felix already told me that they understood that sometimes Felix would have these things that he just couldn't explain and didn't want to lie about. I felt a surge of admiration for the Three J's for being that understanding. 'Do you have time to grab a pint with us?' James asked. Joey elbowed him. 'It's barely midday. Not even.' He pointed out. 'I wouldn't have time anyway.' Felix said.
'Is that your school uniform?' I asked them and they nodded with a frown. 'We're not a posh boyband.' James jested and I smiled. Boybands existed in the muggle world too? 'You'd make a fine one!' I argued. I patted Felix on the shoulder. 'You'd have to join too.' I told him. Felix grinned lazily. 'What would we be called?' He asked. 'The Four J's, John!' Jack called out. I remembered Felix saying that they'd used to jokingly call him John to fit in better name-wise.
'I'm going for a walk, you coming Cecilia?' Andy suddenly said. We looked at him and I slowly shook my head. 'No, thank you.' I said uncomfortably. Why was Andy being such a stick in the mud? Andy huffed, walked closer to the water and kicked a pebble into the pond with evident frustration. 'What's up with him?' Jack asked. 'His friends abandoned him and he was forced to go with us instead. It isn't personal.' Felix said, although Felix also glanced back at Andy in a way that suggested he might be thinking more of it than that.
'He seems like a prick.' James commented and the boys laughed. I wasn't sure how to react; he and Mathilda hadn't parted on bad terms so despite this unfortunate encounter, I knew him to be quite alright in general. 'You brought your guitar, I see?' Felix mentioned, addressing James.
I took a better look and noticed that James indeed seemed to have a peculiarly long backpack, while the others all had backpacks not all that dissimilar to the ones we had at Hogwarts. He swung it around, taking it off his shoulders and unzipped it at the side, pulling an acoustic guitar out of it. 'I never go far without it, do I?' He answered. His friends nodded in agreement.
We sat in the grass as James played some easy melodies. They talked about things I never heard of and about stories of when they were all together, when Felix was back home during the holidays, or about before Felix had ever gone to Hogwarts and about all that Felix had missed while away, and I listened quietly, not at all bored by the subject matter. It was fascinating. All these things I never knew I knew nothing about.
After a while they got into a bit of a wrestling match as Felix and Jack tried to wrestle the guitar away from James who was reluctant to let go of it. 'Just let Joey play, he's much better!' Jack argued to James who pouted at the statement. 'Says who!?' He rebuffed. 'Give it up, mate.' Joey said to him, pulling the instrument from his unwilling fingers. 'Don't worry, I'll play your favourite.' He said soothingly and although James crossed his arms with a huff, I noticed that he didn't look too bothered otherwise.
Joey did seem more skilled than James as James had simply been strumming the strings while Joey showed off lazily with some complicating plucking, his fingers moving around the neck quickly. 'Go on then.' Joey said to James with a light smirk as he circulated through the chords of a song that I didn't recognize. But I'd be surprised if they knew any magical music, even more than me knowing any muggle music.
They certainly seemed to know the song, Felix starting to drum a beat to his knees. James, Jack and Felix all three opened their mouths and started singing to Joey's guitar.
'Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over bored and self assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word'
They were laughing and singing and so obviously enjoying themselves that even Andy moved closer to us from his place by the water. I shot him a shy smile. I didn't want him to feel like he wasn't welcome.
In the distance a bell rang and Felix stopped drumming the beat. 'It's half twelve already?' He wondered out loud. 'We need to head back.' He added. Joey stopped playing. The faces of his friends fell. 'Don't cry for me lads, I'll be back in a couple of months. We'll play gigs for all of winter break.' He assured them with a boastful grin. and they laughed, punching him in the arms. We all got up and Andy and I stood aside as we watched the four look at each other with apprehension.
'Well, I for one am relieved that you're finally going. It was getting awkward not remembering your name.' Joey joked after a few seconds and Felix melancholic smile turned into a wide grin. He called Joey a name I won't repeat but then embraced him in a quick hug, hugging Jack right after who murmured a downcast goodbye before Felix moved onto James. James pushed off Felix when he went in for a hug from him as well.
'Jesus, what dramatics! We've only been saying farewell for the past five fucking years!' He swore. 'Get the hell out of here and we'll see you in December.' He said fiercely instead. But also on James face I detected a secret smile. I once again marvelled at how the group could still be such close friends despite the circumstances. I remembered Felix mentioning to me that he'd start applying for a permit for them to be allowed into the magical world as soon as he turned seventeen in January. Now more than ever I saw how much they deserved to know.
With a final wave Felix, Andy and I (even Andy giving them an embarrassed nod) made our way out the park again, going down the stairs into the underground metropolis that Felix called the Tube. We went to another platform than the one we had arrived at this time. 'We came from that way!' Andy said, pointing at the corridor we had just passed and Felix nodded. 'That goes in the direction of Acton Town. We need to go the opposite way now, back to Westminster.' He explained. Andy and I both nodded in quiet understanding.
We had arrived back at the meeting point a couple of minutes late, but professor Burbage barely seemed to notice as she was busy explaining herself to what seemed to be a fellow selling boat tours around the Thames, not wanting to go on any kind of tour as he was persistent in his attempts to have her agree to go on one. Eventually professor Burbage near shouted 'I said good day, sir!' before turning on her heel and walking away, heading in the direction of the Ministry. We all walked after her, passing the scowling salesman as we did.
We were back at Hogwarts no more than fifteen minutes later. 'I'll see you at Defence Against the Dark Arts this afternoon.' I said to Felix as I walked to the Ravenclaw table. He waved back happily before he sat down next to his girlfriend at the Hufflepuff table. 'Did you get my Blemish Banishing Potion?' Marietta asked as soon as I sat down. Mathilda, sitting across from her, scolded her. 'How about putting forth the good grace of pretending you're interested in her day besides her getting your stupid cosmetics potion?' Marietta huffed and I laughed. 'It doesn't matter, I didn't go by Diagon Alley. I couldn't get it.' I confessed from the get go. Marietta let out a groan. 'That's alright.' She said unconvincingly.
'How was it though?' Asked Aurora reliably. 'It was very fun! We went on this tour in the muggle version of the Ministry basically and that was cool and we got some time off after and we had to split up in groups of three and just explore I suppose, but Felix got in contact with his muggle friends and we met up in the park and sat around and talked and one of his friends had a guitar..!' I took a deep breath as I finished speaking; too much, too little breath. 'You think she needs a time out now?' Mathilda asked Aurora drily and I chuckled. 'It was really fun.' I reaffirmed though. 'Guess who the third in our group was?' I added after a couple of seconds. 'Who?' Mathilda asked back. 'Andy! As in your ex-boyfriend Andy. Was really keen on being in a right mood the whole time through as well.' I told Mathilda.
'Wasn't that awkward? I haven't spoken to Andy aside from some remarks in class since he and Tilda broke up.' Aurora asked. Before I could answer Mathilda had already interjected. 'Why would that be awkward? Andy and I never were on bad terms.' She said snootily. I had no choice but to agree. 'I thought it was going to be more awkward but it was actually not at all. He was very moody though.' I told Aurora.
'Moody? How so?' Mathilda asked. 'I don't know. We had to split up in groups and he couldn't stick with his friends like he wanted, so maybe that's it.' I explained. But once again I felt like It was only part of the truth. 'Yeah, he was always hanging out with his friends. Never had time for anything or anyone else.' Mathilda said and the comment might've sounded bitter if Mathilda hadn't laughed heartily as she said it.
The weekend went by quickly and only a couple of days after it was Halloween. The whole day everyone was in a holiday mood. Cho smiled a little more than what had become usual and Mathilda went as far as actually sharing her morning muffin with Adrian (which seemed to even surprise him). The Halloween Feast was much anticipated.
It was as good as it always was. Ginormous pumpkins in all corners of the Great Hall, bats flying along the ceiling, the castle ghosts putting up a show during desserts. When everyone got up at the end to head back to their common rooms, I felt slow and satisfied, my limbs feeling heavy of having eaten so much. 'I should have left that last fruit tart alone.' Aurora complained, holding her stomach as we climbed up the stairs towards the Ravenclaw common room, leaving the Entrance Hall behind us. I walked in the back of our group, the boys in our years up ahead, followed closely by Marietta and Cho and behind them Mathilda and Aurora as they talked to each other, complaining about how they were expected to make it to class the next day feeling as full as they did. Someone pulled my arm and I could only just suppress a startled shriek.
I looked left to see that it was Fred, hiding behind a tapestry as he put his index finger to his lips and mouthed to me 'Get rid of them!'. I looked forward again. 'I'm just going to quickly run to the library!' I called out and Mathilda and Aurora stopped to look back. 'The library? What do you need at the library? It's closing in less than fifteen minutes anyway.' Mathilda said incredulously while Aurora said 'You want us to come with?'. I shook my head. 'No, that's alright, I won't be long.' I said. I hoped they didn't notice my voice going up a couple of octaves.
They shrugged and turned around, walking after the rest of my fellow Ravenclaw sixth years and I ducked behind the tapestry, joining Fred in the secret corridor that was hidden away. He didn't waste words. His lips were on mine, his hands on either side of my face, his thumbs stroking alongside my cheeks. I was hardly surprised; he was always so insistent in his kisses.
I didn't stay behind, sliding my hands up his chest to his neck and on to his hair. 'It's been a while.' I murmured against his lips. 'Mmmh.' He murmured back, the vibrations sending shivers down my back. He kissed me just a little longer before he pulled back. 'How about we indeed head to the library?' He suggested. I frowned. 'Why? We'll never make it in time anyway, it's closing in minutes.' I answered. He pecked me on the lips quickly. 'Don't you think you're underestimating me a bit there, love?' He said to me and I couldn't help but chuckle. 'Maybe.' I conceded. 'Definitely.' He corrected me. 'Come.' He said, grabbing my hand tightly and pulling me along through the secret passageway.
It was a long time before we indeed arrived at the library. We took many detours, Fred leading me up and down the castle. It was well past curfew at some point. Fred knew all the secret corridors luckily because it was not once but twice that we ran into a teacher. The first time I didn't know which one as we behind a large painting that could be swung open, but the second time it was Professor Sinistra who looked tired and cranky and not at all in the mood to be patrolling the hallways. We held our breath as she shuffled past our hiding spot, tucked in the nook of a suit of armour.
We got to the library eventually though. 'I don't come here often at all.' Fred said as we climbed our way through a small hole at the back wall of the library. I wasn't surprised by the revelation. 'If you want to be left alone though, it's a good place. Especially at night. They lock it so they think nobody can get in.' Fred told me as he slid back the wood panel that hid away the secret corridor.
'George and I come here sometimes after curfew if we want to work on product inventions.' Fred said as he quietly stepped forward, sticking his head around the end of a bookcase. 'Downside is that we can't get very loud here and we kind of need to sometimes.' He muttered as he looked back briefly, checking if I was still right behind him. I was.
'Wait a moment. I'm just going to see if the coast is clear.' Fred said as he motioned for me to stay where I was. He darted out into the rest of the library. I patiently waited for him to get back, nervously pressing myself into the wall. The library looked different after curfew. Or in the dark, to be more accurate. My hands felt the wood panelling behind me. I couldn't tell where the secret opening was and I wondered how Fred and his twin had ever been able to find it. Fred came back around and I jumped at his sudden reappearance.
Fred had satisfied his own cautiousness and he relaxed his stance considerably so and said 'The library is all ours, love!'. I nervously chuckled, not feeling quite as comfortable being out after curfew as him. 'Sit down, I bet I can guess your favourite book.' He told me, pushing me towards an armchair by the window by my shoulder. I nearly stumbled but caught myself, sitting down stiffly. I briefly looked out the window. I couldn't see anything, dark as it was outside, just my reflection. There wasn't much light inside either but the fire was still going in the fireplace and some oil lamps were set on low.
'How about The Dreamer and the Magic Rope?' Asked Fred and I looked away from the window to see him standing with a copy of the book he mentioned in his hands. 'A very lovely book.' I commented. 'But not your favourite?' Prodded Fred. I shrugged. He slid the book back on its spot on the shelf and he browed through the bookcases, moving from shelf to shelf aimlessly. His robes were hanging open and his tie was loosened around his neck. His hair was messy in the way I liked it on him; careless and unstudied.
'Ravenwood Castle?' Fred said, waking me from my musings and my eyes focussed to see that he had taken another book. 'My mother loves all of Rhys Morgan's books.' I told him. He groaned. 'Not your favourite then?' He pointed out and I smiled. As he went to give the fiction section another look, I looked outside again. It was completely black outside the windows.
'Here we go, this must be it!' Fred exclaimed louder than he should. I looked back at him. He hid the cover so I wouldn't be able to tell what book it was but I owned a copy myself at home and knew immediately just from the edges that were visible around his fingers. I laughed at his choice before he even started his monologue, reading to me in a dramatic sort of fashion.
'There was once a handsome, rich and talented young warlock, who observed that his friends grew foolish when they fell in love, gambolling and preening, losing their appetites and their dignity. The young warlock resolved never to fall prey to such weakness, and employed Dark Arts to ensure his immunity.' Fred read boisterously from the popular children's book The Tales of Beedle the Bard; the violent story of The Warlock's Hairy Heart he was reading now had given me nightmares as a child.
'How did you guess this was my favourite?' I asked Fred sarcastically. He guffawed, flinging the book aside onto a table, the children's book sliding all the way to the end, stopping just in time not to fall off. 'That story in particular, or the book entirely?' He asked, a glint in his eyes. 'The story! What's not to like about a crazy dark wizard cutting out the heart of the girl he fancies?' I answered him. He flinched at the summary, although still snickering. 'I do wonder how that came to be a kid's tale.' He commented.
He took a couple of long strides forward so he was right in front of me and I gulped anxiously as I looked up at his large stature. 'Don't you worry about me cutting your heart out?' He teased and I got red in the face. What was that supposed to mean? Did he fancy me? Was that what he was implying? I got annoyed at him for a moment because I knew he only said these things because he knew it'd wind me up like nothing else. He didn't feel the weight of his words at all, not like I did anyway. My annoyance disappeared like a boggart in the face of laughter though when he reached down to kiss me.
He pushed me back, pressing me into the comfortable chair, his right leg propping itself up on the edge of the cushion, in between my knees. His lips started trailing along my cheeks to my neck, sucking at the skin there as I gasped for air. Everything with Fred was always so intense, always urgent and immediate. Sudden and unplanned. But all the more zealous for it. 'Fred.' I murmured but he didn't hesitate at all, his lips going lower and lower, reaching the edge of my shirt.
His hands reached upwards, previously leaning on the armrest, to loosen my tie and I gripped the seat, both eager and daunted by the prospect of his rapid fingers popping open the buttons of my dress shirt, his warm fingertips grazing the soft flesh of my stomach as lips trailed even further down, no pause as he pressed open mouthed kisses to my exposed chest. Once again, everything with Fred went so fast.
'Fred.' I said again, this time putting my hands on his shoulder. He stopped his kisses just a moment to look up. My heart was already working overtime but I could feel it almost jump out through my throat as I saw his flustered cheeks and hazy blue eyes. 'Mmmh?' He mumbled and I couldn't remember what I wanted to say. Instead I reached for his tie as well, pulling the already loosened red and gold strip of cloth over his head. He leaned backwards momentarily to quickly unbutton his own dress shirt, shrugging it off hurriedly afterwards. I could hear the blood rushing in my ears at the sight of him.
He leaned forward again, his lips capturing mine and his fingers pushing my robe and shirt off my shoulders, the draft causing goose bumps to erupt on my bare skin. I felt so wanted when he kissed me. Fred's touch made me feel desirable; attractive. It was strangely intoxicating to feel like that, especially when in daily life I couldn't feel anything but doubt. Even about Fred.
Fred never showed any commitment (or desire to be so); he teased me with lovely words and by sweeping me away like he did this evening and it made me feel insecure. But then he smiled, his piercing ocean blue eyes glimmering mischievously and he would kiss me, his arms around me, and I felt like it didn't matter. I felt great.
His hands rubbed my sides, his kisses leading further and further down, having already reached my stomach and it became harder and harder to breathe. His broad Beater's shoulders encompassed me, his thick arms moving down to trail south down my legs, fingernails scratching up my ankles with a feather light touch as he moved them up again, even through my tights it causing shudders crawling over my skin. They moved up an up, reaching along my thighs under my skirt.
We both sprang up when a loud creaking noise came from the front end of the library. Fred shushed me, though he needn't, I was mortified into absolute silence, and we both in record speed picked up our discarded shirts and robes and dashed down one of the paths between the bookcases to hide. 'Fucking Filch, it's always bloody fucking Filch..!' Fred muttered with evident irritation and I wondered how he could tell it was him. Seconds later though I heard for myself. 'What do you think, my sweet, are there any naughty, stinking rule breakers around here, you think?' Filch said to his strange cat slimily. I pressed myself back against the bookcase as I anxiously buttoned up my shirt as quick as I could. Fred tapped my wrist and I looked up at him to see him nod towards the end of the pathway. 'Back to the secret corridor.' He mouthed to me, only a whisper of a breath making some kind of sound.
He led the way, sometimes pausing in his step when Filch stopped talking to his cat, listening for irregularities. We reached the wall and Fred pulled me closer to him as he pressed one of the wooden panels. It was good he was there because I wouldn't have remembered which panel we had come in through. Although I wouldn't have been here if it hadn't been for him anyway.
'Just through here.' He whispered when the panels stacked themselves up and slid aside. He pushed me in first and then followed after, sliding the panels back in their place as carefully and quietly as he could. We both let out our breath, feeling relieved.
'Now where were we..?' He said, turning to me with a chuckle and I couldn't suppress a giggle but I ducked out of the way when he leaned in for a kiss. 'Let's get out of here.' I said joyfully, feeling very carefree after escaping from Filch. I started skipping down the secret passageway but I started running when Fred let out a low growl and sped after me. 'Sssht, Filch could still be out there!' I hissed but I was laughing as I said it and he caught up with me, flinging his arms around my waist and swinging me around in a circle twice before setting me back down. He kissed me, leaned back but then grinned, kissing me again.
'Merlin's beard, the adrenaline is pumping out my ears right now! Nothing like almost getting caught snogging after hours by Filch!' Fred muttered to me as we slinked through the dark hallways, nothing but the light of the moon through the narrow windows showing us our path. 'Now you mention it; I should probably get back to my dorm.' I whispered. He groaned. 'Why?' He said quietly, mock-outrage on his face.
'I have class tomorrow. Arithmancy at nine in the morning.' I told him in return. Now his disgust was real. 'Arithmancy?' He asked. 'You're skipping out on me for bloody Arithmancy?' and I laughed. 'I actually like Arithmancy.' I defended the subject. Fred shook his head. 'Aren't I lucky I wasn't sorted in Ravenclaw?' He said and I snickered snidely (feeling on a high after our swift escape from the Hogwarts caretaker) as I said 'Luck has nothing to do with!'. He bumped my shoulder with his own and I almost stumbled but nonetheless we made our way towards the common room. Luckily we didn't run into any other patrolling teachers. But then again, it was quite late at this point.
Up in the tower, in front of the door that led inside, Fred gave me a last kiss, his right hand tangling in my hair as his left teasingly yanked the back of my skirt. I slapped at his hand and he grinned crookedly, winking and stepping back. 'I'll see you around, Cecil.' He said as he turned around, hurrying down the stairs. It took a few moments before I found the sense to start moving. I could barely breathe as I tried to solve the riddle the eagle knocker on the door laid out for me ("Lives without a body, hears without ears, speaks without a mouth, to which the air alone gives birth. What is it?" to which I answered "An echo.") but eventually I found my way to my bed. The girls were all sleeping to which I was grateful. I didn't mind them asking question or me having to own up to my exploits but I was tired and mostly I just wanted to bask in the golden afterglow of my evening with Fred.
I felt so warm inside, my heart still beating a million times a minute as I thought of Fred.
His touch left me hot and lightheaded, making me feel like nothing else could in the entire world. To be fair, no one but Fred had ever kissed me, but I just couldn't imagine how it could ever be as good as with Fred. His lingering fingers, his forceful lips, his body pressing into mine; it was as good as it was because it was Fred. But more important than his touch was that at these moments I had his undivided attention. His ocean blue eyes fixed upon me, studying me closely, glistening mischievously. His lips turned into a smirk or a grin, although there was somehow always something naughty in it, like he always had something unruly and wayward planned. By those eyes, you always expected him to put some cruel joke on you, although he never meant any harm. But those plans were on hold because in that moment he was only looking at me, making me feel so wanted and self-assured. Making me feel like I could be daring and more than just my mousy self. Like I might really matter. It were just at those times, when he'd give that unshared attention, that I could feel just a spark of that, giving me hope that one day I could feel like that all the time.
Sometimes, just at these times, I felt like he might actually like me back.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face and slept deep and dreamlessly.
Well, how was that? Hehe
To start with the Muggle Studies trip, I almost decided upon writing Andy Cleveley out of it completely but decided not to at the last moment. Mathilda's ex boyfriend is not all that important but I added him for a third dimension. It won't be too clear in this chapter yet but in future chapters you'll understand a bit more. He's not going to be a regular character or something though.
Do you guys even like the Three J's though? And Felix? I know one reviewer who loves Felix and I'm happy about that haha!
Fred and Cecil out after curfew! Loved writing it! The one thing I want to pay close attention to is that I don't want to write, like, porn or anything like that haha, but I do want to write that very teenage feeling of wanting to explore each other and being eager to go further and further while also being nervous to do just that. Anyway, I hope I kept the balance alright.
Well, leave a review to tell me what you think and till next time!
