37.

The After-Party.

"Gabrielle!" Marcus called after the blonde haired girl, who continued to walk away from him. He continued to run through the large crowd, all of whom wanted to congratulate him. He didn't care. "Gabrielle!" She was gone. Marcus turned sadly away, back towards the revelers celebrating Hogwarts' win. Marcus made his way back to the Great Hall, and slumped into a corner. He looked around at his teammates, dancing and partying, having a good time. Marcus wasn't. Winning had ruined his friendship with Gabrielle.

(/)

Harry was whirling Ginny expertly around the dance-floor in the Great Hall. She couldn't believe their luck. They had won! Harry had managed a save. The Beauxbatons team were nowhere in sight though. That wasn't so good, the least they could was show up. It was only a game of Quidditch. Ginny was about to complain to Harry when Madame Maxine walked through the doors. Hagrid was quick to greet her, but everyone else was wondering where her team was.

(/)

Marcus walked around the empty corridors of the school in silence. Everyone else, including half of the crowd, was in the Great Hall. Marcus didn't like big celebrations much. They seemed pointless considering everything that had happened in the past few years. Marcus had lost his parents in the war. He didn't fit into Slytherin. He wasn't Pureblood. Despite the fact that Slytherin had 'cleaned up their act', the old prejudice was still there. Suddenly Marcus felt himself being grabbed from behind. He was being pulled into a cupboard; he couldn't reach his wand. What was he going to do? Marcus started to panic, he tried battling away his attacker but it wasn't much use.

(/)

"Agrid!" Madame Maxine hugged the half giant as he greeted her.

"Maxine! Good ter' see ya! It's been ages!" Hagrid beamed up at the taller woman. "How've ye been?"

"I 'ave been better 'Agrid. Today was not good. We should 'ave won ze match!"

"It's only a game, don't take it to heart." Hagrid was feeling uneasy, the last thing he wanted to do was offend Maxine again. But part of him wanted to rub it her face. Harry had done it!

"It is more than a game to Beauxbatons, it is our pride too." Maxine looked over Hagrids head with her nose in the air.

"Scuse me," Hagrid nodded politely, "I've someone I need to talk to."

(/)

"Harry!" Hagrid bellowed. Harry turned and hugged his giant friend.

"Hagrid! Come join us!" Harry was stumbling all over the place. Someone had evidently smuggled in some Firewhiskey, and McGonagall didn't look too pleased, neither did Ginny although she was a little red-faced as well.

"You need to get out of 'ere Harry. Ye've had too much!"

"Nah I'm fine!" Harry said before landing on his backside. Seamus and Dean, who were visiting and had probably smuggled the Firewhiskey into the castle, roared with laughter. They were holding their drink much better than Harry.

"Aye, your nights over." Hagrid picked Harry up and slung him over his shoulder.

"Aww come on Hagrid!" Hagrid chuckled. Harry deserved to let go; especially after all he had been through, but now was not the time to do it. The Prophet would report it for days. Harry would thank him later.

(/)

Marcus was fumbling around in a blind panic. "Calm down!" Marcus stopped. He finally managed to reach his wand and ignited the tip.

"Gabrielle," he sighed, "You couldn't have just spoken to me after the match?"

"No." Gabrielle shook her head. "Madame Maxine has the team locked in their rooms. She takes Quidditch too seriously." Marcus could see from the light emitting from his wand that Gabrielle's eyes were stained red. She had been crying. He felt a rage deep in the pit of his stomach.

"But how did you get out?"

"I snuck out obviously. If Madame finds out… Well it won't matter." The pretty French girl gave him a weak smile.

"Don't say that, you can't get in trouble just to see me"

"It doesn't matter. I'm not going back to Beauxbatons." Gabrielle wore a brighter smile now.

"What?" Marcus couldn't hide his confusion.

"I'm coming to Hogwarts next summer! Fleur invited me to stay. The 'Olyhead 'Arpies want me to play for them. I'll study here and travel to Wales on the weekends. It'll help with my Eenglish too!" Marcus was stunned, but also incredibly happy. He was going to see her throughout all of next year!

"Your English is perfect." He breathed the words out. His wand was barely illuminating the cupboard now. He was losing control of the spell. The small white light was flickering slowly in his hand. Gabrielle laid a hand softly on his chest. "Gabrielle…" He began. She put a finger on his lips, cutting him off. Time seemed to slow down, his breathing quickened as she closed the gap between them. His arms found their way around her waist of their own accord. After what seemed like a lifetime, his lips were on hers. The light at the tip of his wand went out.

A/N:

Heyy Guys! Here is chapter 37! I know its a little shorter than usual, but I finally got a part of the story written that I've been planning for ages! That is the Gabrielle/Marcus relationship. So enjoy, leave a review, and tell me what you think of Gabrielle and Marcus! Also, please check out my Iron Man The Author Facebook page! I promise, you'll find some awesome stuff! The link is on my profile, check it out!

Iron Man.