Autophobia

by Strawberrycake98

There were only so many things one had control of, Cordelia once believed that love was one of them, she had to learn the hard way that it was not. As human beings, we all craved things just out of our reach, things we were strong enough to fight off that temptation. Regulus learned nearly too late that she may have been one of those things.

3. Bubble Gum

October 1975

"Look Sirius, I'm not telling you again, I have to get ahead on this potions essay, I can't just galavant around Hogsmeade all day with you four doing Merlin knows what," I told him, waving him away.

I fixed at the patterned shirt under my brown pinafore dress, before leaning down to fix at my socks.

Sirius sat down on the couch beside me with a pout, "When'd you get so boring?" He groaned, he rest his head on my shoulder, "Are you sure you can't just push it off until tomorrow?"

I shook my head, "No, it's better if I go today, the library will be empty and I'll be able to think much clearer," I explained, gathering my parchment and quills into my bag.

"Fine, but I'm not letting you skip out next time, Deels." He replied half annoyed.

As I stood to leave, James and Remus came down the stairs of the boy's tower.

"Where do you think you're going?" James questioned noticing Sirius's pout.

"Excuse me? Not my parent, not your business," I warned.

Remus glanced down at my bag, "Heading to the library I'm guessing, "He inferred.

I nodded without thinking, I knew Sirius would've piped up soon enough about me ditching them. Peter came down the stairs soon after, munching on leftover bread he'd saved from breakfast. You could always count on him to be snacking on something. I thought to myself fighting a laugh.

"If you must know, yes. I'm going to the library to start my potions essay because it's better to get it started now rather than later while I have the place to myself while you lot are rowdy somewhere else." I answered a matter-of-factly.

Peter's brow raised in surprise, as he gulped the final bite of his bread, "Godric, you seem to be in a mood," He implied.

I turned away from Remus and James, giving him a pointed look, "Shut up, or I'll set Dinah free in your room," I retorted.

"No!" Sirius interrupted, "She tore up my good party pants the last time she managed to get in there!"

Remus gave me a look as I bit back a small grin, we both knew what pair of pants he was referring to. It was a little-known secret that it wasn't Dinah at all, not entirely she was more of an accomplice, but that didn't mean Remus and I would've ever shared that secret.

December 1974

Sirius unboxed the delicately wrapped box. These had been a gift that Declan had insisted I bring back to Sirius. I had no clue what was inside but with his insistence, I was definitely scared to see what was inside. It was obvious that Victoria had helped him wrap the gift as well, the corners had been too neat for Declan to have done them.

Remus sat behind me on the couch, James beside him, and Lily sat across from them on the next couch beside Dorcas and Mary, while Marlene, Sirius, and I took the floor in front of them.

"Well, what are they?" I asked growing impatient. The gifts we were exchanging were already belated, I'd waited for long enough.

Sirius pulled out a pair of brightly tone plaid pants, made up of a darker toned taupe, with bright red stripes, with a murky tone of yellow and white. They were hideous. I glanced back at Remus who wore a similar look of disgust.

"I love them!" Sirius finally praised, "Authentic Muggle clothes. Declan never fails me, I asked for authentic fashion and he made me proud." He continued.

My mouth fell open, Declan had told me it wasn't something serious. He thought we'd all get a laugh, not because he anticipated Sirius actually liking them.

"They're so well made, you should call him on Floo later and I can thank him. I say I wear this for the New Years Celebration!" He cheered.

I shook my head quickly, "I don't know Sirius, they're kind of a lot don't you think?" I asked, trying to fight my laughter, "They're not even that authen-"

Remus covered my mouth before I could continue, "I think they're nice, you should wear them," He suggested in agreement.

I turned to Remus unable to hide my distaste for the pants or his encouragement. He gave me a quick wink, and turned back to Sirius, "I think you're going to be the host with the most in those," Remus added encouraging him even more.

I was in complete shock. They were horrendous and now I'd have to see them again, I couldn't believe it.

March 1975

As soon as the new year rang in, Remus and I promised the other our New Year's resolution was to dispose of those terrible pants. Sirius had become insufferable while wearing them. Like we didn't have to deal with his arrogance often enough, he walked around like he was worth millions. Which unfortunately enough, he really was. The entire night of the small party, Sirius walked around with more confidence than usual.

The first thing I did was write to Declan and curse him for ever thinking it was a good idea to send me back with those ugly-ass pants. The next thing I did was have Remus keep a close eye on them. Much to our dismay, we had endured them for the next three months before Remus found them unattended on the ground of their dorm room.

Remus met me at the bottom of the girl's tower, I felt like we doing something illegal. I followed him back up to their dorm, Dinah clutched to my chest. Stepping inside the first thing filling my nose was the suffocating smell of Sirius's cologne, as well as the smell of used quidditch equipment, and amber.

The cursed pants lay on the floor. I set Dinah down, she began to sniff around the room, inspecting it and taking her time looking around, while Remus pulled a small bag of catnip from his pocket. He sprinkled it into the pocket of the horrible pants and called Dinah over.

"Now let's hope she just tears them to shreds and we've never got to see them again," He said standing back.I sat back on his bed, waiting for her to make her way to Sirius's side of the room. She lingered as she pranced over James's pillow rubbing her face along all of his things marking them as her own. Dinah jumped across to Peter's bed picking at his duvet cover pulling at some of the seams and tearing the fabric like we had hoped she'd do to Sirius's pants. As her feet hit the ground again with a thud, she tip-toed closer to Sirius's bed as if her nose was curled up.

Dinah was a bizarre enough cat and she had favorites doubt but this was new for her. She had only ever made this face the one time Declan had attempted to bring a dog in over the summer. She squint her eyes and curled her nose in disgust.

"Come on, Cat. Get a move on." Remus cursed impatiently waving his hands towards our target.

"She's gotta take her time, she's an odd one, you know this." I had to remind him.

Finally, after Remus had finally relaxed to sitting back in his own bed, Dinah made her way to the pants. She picked the first thread when she caught a whiff of the catnip. Her eyes turned black, and she switched. Her claws picked at the awful fabric. We sat at his headboard together watching Dinah do our dirty work.

"I want to feel guilty right now but this is too good," Remus sighed delightedly.

"I can't help but agree," I smiled, "But what if he just tries to fix them?"

"I've got it taken care of," He pointed to a shovel beside his bed, "I'm prepared to resort to burying them if I have to." He added simply.

October 1975: Current

"It's not like they were that great, they were bloody awful," Peter chimed in.

I coughed trying to cover my laugh, earning a glare from Sirius.

"Now if you ladies don't mind, I should be going," I dismissed, using this as my moment to escape.

I skipped out of the common room, my bag heavy on my hip with my supplies. I knew Phillip had been right about staying out of trouble, I had been caught up in a few of the boy's pranks last year. Otis was the one who replied to McGonagall when she sent a letter home warning a far stricter punishment than a few random detentions and some lost house points. To say the least, he wasn't happy and I still ended up grounded for two weeks when I had gotten home in the summer.

I cursed Victoria for suggesting they get an owl. It was the bane of my existence for the beginning weeks of the term now. I like getting updates about my niece but that hadn't made the warnings any better. Phillip even added a letter reminding me. But that didn't change the fact no one was going to intercept the letters before they wound in mum's hand if I had got in trouble. Which I surprisingly hadn't gotten in any.

"Fancy seeing you here," Gideon was walking towards the Gryffindor Common Room as I turned down the second flight of shifting stairs, "You coming to Hogsmeade today?"

He pulled off to the side, he was stopping to talk to me, I fought a blush at the thought.

I smiled, "I've got to get ahead on an essay while I can."

"You know it's possible to balance fun and studies?" He teased.

I nodded, "I know, I'm perfectly capable of balancing a lot of things. But if I'm being honest, I'm competitive and I want that number one chair by the end of this term even if it kills me," I admitted with an embarrassed smile.

"I can admire that," He smirked, "It takes a lot to admit that about yourself, shows that you've got nerve,"

I felt my stomach twist up and break out into flutters as he smiled at me. I hated how bloody good-looking he was. I had to ignore how close he was standing. There wasn't anyone around to interrupt right now.

"Thanks," I replied breathlessly, I tried to ignore the smell of his cologne as it made its way up my nose. He smelled like winter and candy. It was almost like Christmas.

"Well, I'll see you at dinner, Fabian's waiting on me as it is," He smiled, nodding up towards the stairs.

"Of course, enjoy Hogsmeade," I waved, watching as he left up the stairs.

I was so awkward around him like I wasn't myself.

Just as I thought, the library was empty aside from the tired librarian as she dozed at her post. I signed my name in and walked back without interruption. I sat down towards the back, it was the quietest corner in the entire place, and I was going to claim it as my spot for the rest of day. I was determined to have this essay finished and completely edited perfectly. I'd have it done first and that prick wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. I thought to myself and I set my stuff down.

I scanned over the titles I wrote down and went about finding them on the shelves. I was only able to find three out of four of the books, unfortunately, the one I was hoping for most was already checked out. I sulked back to my corner with what I could find.

There were only two little study cubicles back here and I was surprised to see a black bag taking up space on the other side. It wasn't like it was illegal to sit here but the entire library had been empty, why reside in my corner?

"What kind of person does this?" I sighed aloud, as I took a seat.

I tried to pretend it didn't bother me, there were walls around the desks back here for a reason, to block out the other people that may have been around. I opened my book, I skimmed over the chapter contents looking for the sections I needed.

I didn't notice the person on the side had returned. That was until I began to hear the tapping of their quill, I only knew one person who tapped in the rhythm. It was always the same.

I leaned my head out of my cubicle to confirm my suspicions, the black curls were enough for me. I sat back and tried ignoring him. Of course, it had been fucking Regulus. I cursed to myself.

The tapping continued, it was getting harder and harder to ignore it. I could try a silencing charm but the last time I had attempted that I amplified it into the hall, which lead to The boys and I got caught by Filch. We had rigged up something in his office and while hiding in the broom closet, Remus told me I had to cast the charm because they couldn't grab their wands. Our whispers quickly turned into an announcement to Filch and McGonagall where we were cramped and hiding.

I couldn't fight myself anymore, stepping out of my seat, and standing at the opening to his nook. "Why'd you sit here?" I asked.

Regulus looked up from his book, his blue-green eyes meeting mine, "Oh. It's you..." He grimaced, glancing back down at his book, "I'm kind of surprised you're even here, to be honest, I figured it was some little second year based on the patches on your ugly bag." He added, without looking back at me again.

I glanced at my bag, the patches were colorful flowers adorned with bright orange and purple, and the base was a bright green. It was obnoxious but it was something Mum had given me, it was the first thing she gave me in years, I was sentimental towards it.

"My bag is not ugly," I quipped, "Have you not noticed the entire library is empty? Meaning you could quite frankly sit anywhere else," I gestured to the empty library.

He looked up again, glancing past me, "I like this place though, so I guess if you got a problem you can endure me, or leave," He shrugged with a smirk, our eyes meeting again.

This was the most eye contact either of us had kept, too stubborn to be the one to look away first. I swallowed a scream turning back to my cubby. I sat down and tried to fight myself from glaring holes into the back of his head. He stood taller than his older brother but was much thinner. His cheeks had been more slender and his jaw sharper. Regulus could be easily described as a stretched and hollowed version of Sirius. Sirius was what Regulus could've looked like if he had taken better care of himself and smiled more.

I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh, forcing myself to focus back on my book. I wasn't going to just leave, he didn't own the spot, and neither did I, considering him sitting too close for my liking. He'd finally retired the tapping and picked up and seemingly endless amount of scratching against his parchment. If I focused hard enough I could catch the words he was writing, it was driving me mad. I had a fair reason to want to study alone.

I felt like the only reason I'd been second in our class was due to my inability to focus when there were other things and people around. My brain would switch out of focus mode and start picking up the different sounds in the room, or a certain smell would crawl up my nose instantly making me curious as to where it had come from.

I hated it, that's partially why I began chewing gum during exams. I could focus on the smack in my mouth just enough to still focus on my exams. It bothered other people but I didn't really care, I had to manage good grades here or else I'd be forced to come home. But on the rare occasion, I did fall out of focus during an exam seemed to be the exact moments he was scratching the awful quill just right to catch my attention, and to get ahead of me.

I sat up, popping in a piece of bubble gum into my mouth. This almost always did the trick, I chewed against the tough pink gum until it got soft. I finally felt myself being able to focus against, blowing a bubble as I sat up turning the page.

Pop!

I went back to chewing it, trying to savor the flavor, I hadn't found a gum that held its flavor long enough for me to keep chewing last longer than twenty minutes.

Pop!

I noticed the scratching of his quill had silenced, I glanced up, noticing his fingers over the walls of my cubicle, and was met with his peering eyes from above.

"Must you do that?" He scolded, with a harsh glare.

"I guess if you've got a problem with it, you can endure it or leave," I replied just as he had before, wearing a smirk as I blew another bubble with my gum.

Pop!

His cheeks were turning pink with anger as he sat back down with a huff.

There was something so satisfying about seeing him get worked up. It was no different than all the times he'd made petty little comments about my attention span being due to me being a Muggleborn. He'd blame anything I'd done wrong on my blood status if he'd been asked. But there were times I managed to get under his skin without saying anything to him, I just didn't let him know how his words had bothered me. Phillip always told Declan and I that if someone bullies you, don't let them know they've actually hurt you, hold a brave face until you're alone, they usually grew bored eventually anyways.

Aside from the competitive banter that blossomed between us in class, there were very few conversations he and I had. He often made comments about me being a Muggleborn but he'd been one of the only ones of his house that had never called me a mud blood. Though none of that changed the fact he was as awful as his housemates and just as stuck-up.

I took the gum wrapper from my pocket, replacing the old piece that had lost flavor with a new one. I didn't give him much time to settle back into his studies before I overworked my jaw a bit to chew faster.

Pop!

"Merlin, shut the fuck up!" He finally snapped.

I glanced up to see Regulus standing at my cubicle opening. I used my tongue to tug the pink candy back into my mouth.

Pop!

That one was unintentional but it was funny watching his eye twitch at the sound, "I'm about done here anyway," I smiled, packing my bag again. I was barely started on my essay but I knew sitting here wouldn't help me progress anymore.

Regulus glared back at me with his jaw tight as I rose to my feet. I noticed he wore his uniform shirt and green Slytherin tie even on the days we weren't required to dress in uniform. His crooked tie caught my eye, it wasn't my problem to deal with, he wasn't my problem to deal with. I stepped around him, holding my stack of books, I noticed the book I had needed sat on his desk.

Of course, he had it, I sighed to myself, Guess I was going to have to come back for that one and I won't be getting ahead.

I picked my feet up, forcing myself to the front of the library. I was going to have to lug all these books back from my dorm later but at least my room should be empty. Mary, and Rhea, our other dorm mate, were going to be in Hogsmeade with almost everyone else.

When I made it back up to the common room, the busy flood of first and second years busied the room. It was a bit chaotic as I felt like I had to step over the kids to make it up to my room. I remembered what it was like, the telling of stories of Godric Gryffindor, and the other school founders. There were so many stories, it was all exciting.

However, interests change all the time, we'd all began to grow out of the made-up stories and tales of old Gryffindors. My friends, all wanted to make stories of their own to share one day. Which would explain the trouble we found ourselves in.

I opened the door to my room to find Dinah comfortable bathing in the sunlight that peaked through on Mary's bed, the orange cat was too comfortable sometimes. I sat down on my bed kicking my shoes before stretching across my bed clutching my bag. The gum I had last put in was still in my mouth, quickly turning stale.

I had never had much of a problem focusing until I'd gotten here. Maybe it was all the variables at hand, the magic, my blood status, a potential war, and the same type of assholes at school every other teenager had to endure. I wonder if I'd been misplaced sometimes when the sorting hat had picked my house.

September 1972

I sat on the train alone, tapping my feet nervously on the ground. I had found an empty compartment and made myself as comfortable as I could by the window. Otis and Victoria stood together waving with wide smiles from the platform outside. This was my first time away from home, and I was terrified, to be honest.

Victoria gave me as much advice as she could about Hogwarts. I hadn't been so thankful for my brother's looks until this moment or else I'd have even less of a clue about this whole magic thing. Victoria gave me a basic run-down on the houses, what to expect of the professors, and what I needed to do to ultimately succeed. It was a lot for me to take on, I was only eleven and I felt like the world was at my shoulders.

When Victoria had been in school she was in Gryffindor, she said she already saw that type of character in me, just in the few short weeks we'd known her. I had no idea what to expect.

I sat up and my feet leaning forward in the window more, waving them goodbye again before Otis checked his watch and mumbled something to Victoria. She blew a kiss, and they headed back towards the Muggle side of the station.

I hear the clattering of heavy feet from outside, the door rattling as I watched a pair of boys run past the door, the one with glasses smacking his hand against the door, as he giggled.

"How annoying," I heard a girl's voice from the door.

The girl had a full head of black curls, and found rosy cheeks, "I'm Mary, do you think I could sit here? I'm a little afraid to see what direction they're going in," She laughed walking in more.

I nodded, gesturing to the other seats that were open, "My name is Cordelia," I stretched my hand out formally.

Mary giggled taking my hand, "I'm going to guess by your clothes, that you're a Muggleborn?" She asked with a whisper.

Remembering what Victoria had told me I was a little hesitant to tell her, she had warned me that there were some people who had been followers of a very dark wizard with cruel ideals that saw very negatively against us.

"I'm a Muggleborn," Mary quickly added as if she saw my hesitancy.

I nodded, "I am, but that doesn't mean I can't learn to be the best," I said determinedly.

"I like how you think," Mary grinned sitting back.

She and I ended up in the compartment alone as the train pulled away. We began talking about our likes and dislikes, what we liked to do for fun, those kinds of things until the topic of out familes fell into place.

"Who dropped you off today?" Mary finally asked.

I gulped, I didn't have to tell her my mother was a grief-stricken woman because I had a dead dad.

"My eldest brother, Otis, and his girlfriend, Victoria," I replied, "And my other two older brothers, Phillip and Declan."

"What about your mum and dad?" She gave me a bit of a funny look.

"Uh," I was trying to fabricate some sort of lie but I couldn't, "My mum's sick, and my dad, he just recently passed away," I gulped my tears back.

I avoided Mary's eyes, "Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked, I'm so sorry." She began repeating apologies.

I shook my head, "I'm okay, I'll be okay, that's why I'm here. He told me I was destined for greatness so this must be it." I forced a smile.

The tears were quickly drying as I forced a smile.

"If you ever do want to talk about it, you can consider me a friend in any house you end up," Mary offered her hand out kindly.

I nodded, accepting it, I needed friends and she seemed genuine, "I'd like that,"

My smile was real this time. We were able to fall back into the conversation, talking about the little things we'd brought from home that we were excited to show off to each other. The train ride was beautiful and at one point she and I fell silent munching on sweets from the trolley lady, as we gazed at the scenic view playing out before our eyes. Neither one of us had seen anything like this before it was incredible.

We piled onto the same boat together marveling at the view as well as we rowed into Hogwarts. I had no idea what to expect of the castle except for the description Victoria had given me, but truthfully it didn't do it any justice whatsoever.

I felt like a baby duck doddling behind Professor McGonagall lead this class of first years like myself up through the castle. I felt like I was in the center stage as they lead through the Great Hall as she called it. All the older students looking down at us, felt a bit like my house, to be honest. Rowdy older boys giggling, making stupid faces trying to get the younger kids to crack and get in trouble.

They had us line up in alphabetical order by last name, I was towards the front. I knew what this was for, but I didn't think it'd be in front of everyone like this. I sat back on my heels. Picking at my thumb with the rough edge of my nail.

Our headmaster Professor Dumbledore made a grand announcement, calling for the Sorting Hat to be brought in.

"Rhea Abbott!" The hat called forward.

A short, strawberry blonde-haired girl carefully stepped up to the stool at the front of the podium Dumbledore stood at.

The hat barely hovered over her head before spouting, "Gryffindor!"

Rhea stood up and clapped happily skipping towards the table of crimson that embraced her with loud roars of cheering. They stomped and slapped the table excitedly. It made sense why Victoria had been placed there, that was for sure. Though from my first impression of the house collectively, I wasn't sure what part of that I fit into.

Dammit, I was already next.

"Cordelia Barnes!" The hat called me forward.

I took a careful step up to the stool, nearly tripping on my feet, earning a snarky giggle from the dark-haired boy that stood next to me, he watched me with a smirk as I glared back at him.

I turned forward taking a seat, the dingy hat sat on top of my head, I took a deep breath as I listened to it contemplating. I was grateful it wasn't being announced.

"You've got such an open way of thinking, a dreamy daze about your life, much like a Ravenclaw, hmmm..." It trailed.

"But rich with ambition like a Slytherin!" It added.

"Yet you have the heart of a lion!" It corrected itself, "You'd excel in any house."

"Better make her..." The hat finally announced, "Gryffindor!"

The sea of crimson opened up again, guess I didn't give them much time to rest their cheers. I stepped down to the table, noticing my tie change from a solid black, into a red with gold stripes across. It signals my house. I think it'd be good to write to Victoria that I'm in the same house.

I sat towards the end of the table at the first open seat. A boy with longer dark curly hair leaned across the table with a wide grin, "Welcome to Gryffindor!" He greeted happily.

I nodded, "Thanks," I mumbled.

The taller boy beside him, pushed his round-framed glasses up his nose, "I'm James," He pointed to himself, before pointing to the boy beside him, "And this is Sirius."

"I'm Cordelia," I replied.

James nudged at Sirius, forcing their attention back to the sorting.

"Regulus Black!" The hat summoned.

The boy who was behind me sat on the stool, and as soon as the hat was placed on his head I could see the faint smile fade from his lips. He looked over at Sirius was a look of concern before staring down at his feet as the hat called out his assigned house.

"Slytherin!"

The first of our year, he sulked over the emerald green table, which called him over with loud cheers. They were loud but it was quickly obvious that Gryffindor was louder. As the list of incoming first-years dwindled down I watched my class split.

"Mary Macdonald!" The call rang out.

Mary waved at me excitedly as she sat down on the stool, the hat didn't take much time to consider before it had its decision.

"Gryffindor!"

For the first time all night, I felt like joining in the celebration of my new housemates. I raised to my feet as Mary ran down to meet me where I had been sitting.

She was my partner in crime after that point.

November 1975

Marlene stood in the common room pulling her hair up into a tight ponytail, while Lily helped Mary paint on little crimson and gold stripes on her cheeks. I sat behind Dorcas lacing a red ribbon through her curls, adding just the right amount of house flair.

To James, Sirius, and Marlene this was quite possibly the most important time of year; the first Quidditch game of the year. What better way than starting it off and pair us against Hufflepuff. I wasn't on the team but when half of my friend group was, I learned a thing or two about the game and proper strategy.

James, Sirius, and Marlene would ramble on and on about the game if you let them. Once I had finished with Dorcas's hair, she switched me spots and pulled my hair half up with a bow.

"I'll catch up with you after the game," Marlene waved as she saw James and Sirius tread down the stairs of the boy's tower. They'd only run back before the game to get the rest of their equipment. Remus was already down at the stands saving us spots at the front while we finished getting ready.

I waved them goodbye, sitting patiently waiting for Dorcas to finish.

"What are our chances at winning today?" Mary questioned.

"I'd say quite high, Haywood seems like he hasn't got a clue what he's doing according to what Gideon had said," I replied plainly.

"Gideon, huh?" Lily gave me a knowing look.

I fought a blush, "He and I got caught up talking last night when he got back from his rounds." I shrugged.

Dorcas snort behind me, "You weren't staying up by chance in hopes of catching him and his way up to bed?" She teased.

I swat her hands away, twisting around to glare at her, "I have no idea what you're getting at." I rolled my eyes, moving to my feet.

"Deels has it bad for the eldest Prewett boy, but who blames her, he's fit?" Lily adds in the teasing.

"I don't have anything for Gideon, except for my friendship maybe," I argued walking away from the group.

The girls sat back on their heels laughing as I wound my scarf around my neck. I'd be lying to myself and them if I said I didn't find him attractive. But two years apart made a difference and I turned to mushy girl goo everytime I talked to him. There wasn't anything between us now and there'd never be anything between us. I had made enough of a fool of myself in front of him to ever find me attractive.

"Whatever you say, Deels, but I get to hold the bouquet at your wedding," Dorcas pressed a kiss to my cheek, gripping my shoulders as she moved past me.

"Let's get out to the field before Remus has to start fighting off the first years for the good seats," I pushed her away with a blush.

The girls nodded in agreement. Dorcas grabbed her poster decorated with Marlene's number, while I held onto one with Sirius' number cut-out in the shape of a lion head. It wasn't often we brought anything but ourselves and a pair of house flags but after we won the Quidditch Cup last year, Dorcas and I both agreed that the team was deserving of a few obnoxious signs. Lily cast a drying charm on the paper so they'd never get damaged and we'd be able to save them as long as we wanted to. The stands were already rich with cheers and excitement when we got down to the field. The other houses had filled their stands all to watch Hufflepuff get their asses kicked by the Gryffindor team.

"Let the games begin!"