The Amazing Thing About: Friendship. Chapter ten.
Author's note:
Hello and welcome to chapter ten of this story. This is where I start to play a little more with canon concerning wandless magic. I did want to give her something extra to struggle with. I like to inconvenience my characters as much as possible. I do plan to have it tie in with the internal struggle that the character is already dealing with in a way that would make sense but also be unpredictable. I wanted to get across how much her past does control her while she tries to deny it.
Anyway, thank you again for reading. Enjoy.
...
Over the next week Eliza spent a great deal of time in the library researching wandless magic. There were tons of records of witches and wizards with the ability. This didn't make her feel as isolated or weird about it but she hadn't been able to make it happen again. She'd practiced alone in her free time trying to do literally anything without the use of her wand. She tried to make things levitate or move but all she'd managed was to cause a page of a book to flutter and that could have been a draft.
She chalked it all up to a one-time occurrence and put it from her mind. During a practice session with the twins they asked if anything new had happened. Lee had joined them that night as he came to give her a report on how well the test potions had turned out. One had sent someone to the nurse when their stomach inflated three times its normal size. He'd dropped one on accident and it ate through a table and the sole of his shoes. Another one caused intense belching which was pretty close to the desired effect and the twins asked her to keep the recipe for future use. They had the idea to sell them in a bundle with the potion for flatulence which made a lot of sense.
"Nothing. Everything has been perfectly normal." Eliza informed them about her new 'ability' which didn't feel like one at all to her. "Maybe Fred should tickle you again." George teased. "I don't think so." Eliza said while floating a jar of ingredients with her wand. She'd made some progress in her wand work and was focusing on trying to tilt the ingredients into the empty cauldron.
The twins had spread the news of what had happened to their friends and over dinner that night Harry asked if she had been practicing. She had chosen not to share that information as of yet because it made her feel like a one-hit wonder when she wasn't able to do it. "A little but I don't think it's something I can do again." She kept her eyes on her plate.
"I think it was a stress response." Hermione said. "Think about it. You changed schools, moved, you have O.W.l.S this year, and hanging around those two for long enough would drive anyone mad." She joked with a teasing smile. The twins protested and Eliza nodded. "You're probably right." She said though she'd already considered the idea. "You could be working too hard." Harry added and she met his gaze which was filled with sincere concern. After getting to know him he really was a nice guy. They were all nice. He obviously cared very much for his friends and she was grateful to be considered one of them.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Never heard of Hermione knocking someone across a room from studying too much." He muttered before the girl pinched him. "Hey!" He jumped. "What was that for?" But Hermione gave him a stern look that screamed 'Shut up' and he rubbed his arm. "I was just saying!" He grumbled and Hermione reached for his arm again. He leaned away from her, hitting Harry's shoulder and causing him to drop his fork. Harry laughed and playfully shoved his friend away. "I think Hermione is trying to let you know that you're being rude." He said quietly.
"It's alright." Eliza chuckled watching the three of them. "I can take it."
Hermione looked pleased with herself and Eliza smiled warmly at her. Since she'd given Hermione a muggle novel on her birthday it had seemed to seal their friendship. Hermione had been confused at first but after a couple of days she'd found her at lunch to tell her how amazing the book was. It was a fictional story with adventures, romance, and friendship with all sorts of fantasy and magical elements. They'd spent hours talking about the way muggles imagined all sorts of fantastic creatures and how they thought magic was supposed to be.
Harry changed the subject to quidditch and the boys all launched into a conversation about tactics that their captain had discussed and Eliza finished her dinner listening to them get excited about the first match of the season. It was almost three weeks away but they were anxious to win every match this year. "You just wait to see Harry play." Ron was nearly bouncing in his seat as he spoke to Eliza. "He's a natural."
On that night, Eliza, Hannah, and Kelly sat down in the common room with their books to do homework. "You know I heard one of the first years had to be rushed to the nurse with an inflated stomach." Kelly said and Eliza tried to look extra focused on what she was doing. "Oh? How'd that happen?" Hannah asked. Kelly pushed her hair over her shoulder. "Not sure. I heard it from a boy that shares a dorm with him."
"Probably ate or drank something he wasn't supposed to." Hannah's tone was flippant and Eliza tried not to snort. That was an understatement. As soon as she heard from Lee, she felt guilty, but the student was in good hands and there was no information that it had hurt him. Lee had even paid him to test it. So no harm no foul. At least no one took the potion that dissolved wood and cloth.
"What do you think, Eliza?" Kelly asked. "Hm?" She raised her head and looked from one of the girls to the other. "About what?" She asked.
Hannah tapped her quill on the table. "Someone's not paying attention."
Eliza shifted in her seat. "Yes I am. To my homework." She pointed to her book and wagged her quill around. Kelly sighed and sat back. "I think it's time for another day out." She said looking across the table to Hannah who nodded seriously. "Absolutely. We need a girls-only day."
Kelly sat up straight and rested her elbows on the table, excitement in her eyes. "We can invite Tasha, Hermione, and that quiet girl..What's her name?" She tapped her chin. "Cas?" Eliza asked and Kelly snapped her fingers. "That's the one!"
"What about Ginny?" Eliza asked. Hannah tilted her head. "I don't think I've met her." She said.
Eliza had only spent a little bit of time with the girl after Fred and George had introduced her but it felt wrong to not extend the invitation. "She's the twin's younger sister." She said.
"Sure. Invite her along. We can meet up at breakfast and hang out at the quidditch pitch." Kelly said before her lips curled up in a wicked smile. "Maybe we can catch some cute boys practicing."
Hannah matched her smile. "Now that would be perfect."
Eliza shook her head and turned her attention back to her homework. How she'd ended up with two of the most boy-crazy friends she had no clue. "Sounds like a plan. For now how about we get back to work?" The girls booed her playfully and it dissolved into an ink battle as they flecked it at each other getting it all over the table and their uniforms.
At lunch the next day she extended the invitation to Hermione and Ginny. Hermione agreed but Ginny needed some convincing. She was worried because she didn't really know Hannah and Kelly and she didn't want to intrude. She also mentioned how much younger she was than them. Eliza reminded her that Tasha and Cas would be there, and they were first years. At the mention of Tasha Ginny came around. They got along pretty well and Cas looked up to Ginny even though she was only one year older.
With it settled they all had breakfast together on Saturday as they waited for everyone to arrive. The guys gave them odd looks as they chatted and Lee leaned over the table to shout down the length of the table at them. "Oi! Ladies! We're feeling a little left out." He grinned and the twins snickered on either side of him. "Sorry, guys! No boys allowed today I'm afraid!" Hannah called back which made Eliza crack up considering that she and Kelly were hoping to ogle boys hence the plan to hang out at the pitch.
When they all left the great hall the boys joked and whistled. The younger girls, apart from Hermione, ducked their heads, their faces turning red. "They are so embarrassing." Ginny groaned and she picked up the pace. Eliza put an arm around her shoulders. "They're just having fun." She chuckled while Kelly tossed a wink over at them and blew the boys a kiss.
It was on the way to the pitch that Ginny, Hermione, and Tasha all began to laugh, earning them questioning looks. "What?" Eliza asked but the three Gryffindor girls shook their heads and looked at one another. "Nothing." Ginny smiled brightly. She pulled off the innocent look way too well. "I think they know something that we don't." Hannah said as they made their way into the stands. Once again she and Kelly had brought a huge stash of snacks. Eliza pitched in with some as her parents had sent her a package full of her favorites. She hadn't heard from Alicia or Luke yet but she assumed they were just busy with classes. She didn't want to think that her friends had chosen to leave her behind.
They shared stories and there was a heated debate between Tasha and Kelly over whether or not chocolate frogs were creepy. Tasha insisted that she hated the way they came to life and the idea of eating it put her off altogether. Eliza could see her point. Then Hannah let one hop all over the seats. Tasha had squealed and ran from it only returning once it had fallen below the stands out of sight. "I hate frogs!" Tasha groaned. "Chocolate or not."
It was when red uniforms filed onto the field that Hermione, Tasha, and Ginny all burst out laughing while the rest of them stared as Ron joined their group. "Fancy seeing you here." He huffed and Eliza got a good laugh as the twins pointed in the stands and guffawed loudly. "I thought you said 'no boys allowed?'" They called up to them and Harry waved with an amused smile. The captain didn't look happy to see them at all though and he marched into the stands. The twins followed him up looking far too pleased with themselves.
"This is a Gryffindor practice." The captain set his hands on his hips, his expression serious. "Oh, c'mon Olliver. We aren't here to spy." Kelly stood from her seat and motioned to the girls. "We didn't even know you'd be here."
The older boy didn't look convinced. "I'm asking that you leave."
George leaned over and stole a cracker from the snack pile. "They're not causing any problems, right ladies?" He said and Eliza smacked his hand as he reached for another. "Nope. Just enjoying the sun and getting some fresh air." Hannah chirped.
Kelly pulled Oliver to the side and Eliza could see her putting on the charm. She stood close to him occasionally touching his arm as they talked. The fluttering of the eyelashes was overkill. "If I didn't know better I'd say your friend is putting the moves on our captain." Fred said quietly and Eliza kicked him in the shin guard. "She's good." George chuckled and they watched Oliver rub at the back of his neck, a slight flush to his face. "Atta girl." Hannah smirked.
They all quickly looked away as Oliver nodded though he looked a tad frustrated. "Fine." He said as he pushed the twins back the way they'd come. "But none of this gets back to your team." They all nodded.
"Yes, sir." Kelly winked at him and he turned sharply. The girls all broke into hushed laughter and Hannah dragged Kelly down to sit beside her.
"You're terrible." Hermione teased and Kelly shrugged. "What can I say? I'm good." She winked. "Plus he's kinda cute." She plucked up a licorice wand and nibbled on it.
"Girls are pure evil." Ron muttered and Eliza tossed a bag of chips his way. "You say that until you get a girlfriend." She said and she could swear she saw him and Hermione glance at each other. 'Oh my.' She thought but didn't comment on it. Instead, she turned her attention to the field. The team worked through a few exercises to warm up. She could hear Oliver barking orders and it was amusing to see Fred and George goofing off when his attention was elsewhere.
The practice was fun to watch and they got really into it when the girls on the team started to show off. One of the girls knocked into Fred and zoomed passed him making them all cheer. "Get 'em, Angie!" Tasha and Ginny shouted and when Katie faked a pass and raced through the defense they began chanting Her name as she did a lap over them, fist in the air. Ron tried to compensate by chanting for the boys but was terribly outnumbered and drowned out.
Oliver would shoot an annoyed look their way as they stomped and cheered for the girls but his expression would wither when Kelly wiggled her fingers towards him in a flirty wave. By the end of it Angelina and Katie did an extra few laps around the field looping and weaving around each other with impressive coordination and their group chanted "Girl power! Girl power!" As they went. They even ran down to give them high fives as they retreated from the field. "You lot are welcome any time." Angelina grinned, but Oliver disagreed. "Absolutely not."
"It's all in good fun!" Katie retorted as they headed for the locker rooms, voices fading off.
At dinner that night the girls on the team joined them and they made jokes at the expense of the guys. Harry, Fred, and George weren't bothered by it but one look down the table at the captain, and Kelly sighed. "Guess I'll go cheer him up." She said before leaving them and squeezing into a seat beside Oliver.
"That one's gonna have him wrapped around her finger before the week is out." George commented with a sly grin. From across the table Ron scoffed and cringed. "Girls." He shook his head. Eliza looked to Hermione to see her staring at Ron with her nose wrinkled. "And what's wrong with girls?" She asked. "Look at the way she's carrying on with Wood. I swear the only one around with any sense is Ginny."
Eliza glanced at his sister whose eyes were on Harry before she quickly looked away. "What an incredibly pig-headed thing to say." Eliza teased and Ron jumped in his seat before peering under the table. Across from him, Fred grinned. "Ow! What?" Ron looked utterly confused. Meanwhile, Angelina was looking at Fred like he'd hung the moon.
