CHAPTER FIVE.
Options arrivals and departures.
Notes disclaimers and other junk in Chapter one.
Genre for this chapter - General, with a tiny thread of humour.
Professor Longbottom went along the Gryffindor table handing out large pieces of parchment to the second-years. That done, he looked at them all, a glint in his warm grey eyes.
" These are your option forms for your third year. They include extra subjects you will not have tackled before. Think very carefully before you fill them in as they could determine your future career in wizardry. And I need them in by Monday. "
Nat, Deborah and Oscar looked at their sheets and groaned.
" It says here we need to keep all our core subjects. " howled Oscar. " I was hoping to drop Potions!"
Nat grinned at her best friend. " What, am I hearing this form the cleverest student in our year? "
" Oh belt up! " growled Oscar, trying not to grin. Nat was sure she could detect a blush under his dark skin.
" And what the hell is Arithmancy? " he exclaimed. " I can just imagine writing to Mum and Dad and asking them which ones I should pick. " And he buried his face in his hands.
Nat and Deborah caught each other's eyes and tried not to giggle. Everything about Oscar was wrong, he was too tall, too skinny and his background just didn't seem to indicate any wizarding talent at all. He was the youngest of four children and the only boy. His parents lived in Yorkshire and his thick cheerful accent had taken a bit of getting used to at first when the girls had taken pity on the isolated boy on their first night at Hogwarts. But his talent for magic seemed boundless and he went through school with a permanently dazed grin as if this were some fantastic dream and he might have to wake up soon. Nat and Deborah adored him, the teachers liked him because he was so clever and everything he turned his hand to seemed effortless.
There was only one fly in the ointment and it was staring at them from the Slytherin table, eyes full of malice as always.
" He's gawking at us again." Nat muttered out of the side of her mouth. Oscar's head came up off his hands and he returned the glare.
Rainer Johnstone was a second-year like them and he had hated all three of them from the word go. Nat, because of who she was (and he never let an opportunity pass to remind everyone of her domestic set-up) Deborah, because she was beautiful with her mass of blonde hair and sapphire-blue eyes and the fact that she had publicly called him a smelly creep and Oscar he hated most of all, because he was Muggle-born, black and exceptionally clever.
The three friends ignored him as much as possible. He was like a bad smell, if you pretended it wasn't there it went away eventually.
" Hey, you three. Any ideas for the future of wizardkind? " asked a cheery voice.
" Hi, Robin. No, we've only just got them. " replied Nat, smiling at her cousin. Robin Creevy was a fifth-year Prefect who was a Beater on the Quidditch team and the apple of her Aunt Ginny's eye. Tall and slender, he had just missed having the trademark Weasley hair; his was the colour of a freshly shelled conker. He had promised his mother he'd look out for Nat. So far it hadn't been an arduous task.
Robin grinned at them. " Well, if you need any advice..."
The Headmistress, who stood up, interrupted him. Immediately, the Hall fell silent.
" Your attention please, " she said." I am very pleased to announce that the exchange scheme where Hogwarts students will attend other wizarding schools has been given the go-ahead. Mr Percy Weasley, " and she pointed to the man at her side who looked very pleased with himself " the Head of International Magical Co-operation has secured us four places in the major schools in South America. I will let Mr Weasley give you the rest of the details. "
Both Nat and Robin groaned as their uncle stood up, producing a wad of parchment from the pocket of his robes.
" I hope it's not like those speeches he makes at Christmas. " Robin whispered and Nat had to bite her lip to stop herself giggling.
" Thank you Professor McGonagall. " said Percy solemnly. " As there are only four places, we have decided to allocate a place to each House. There will be no age restrictions, I feel that you will benefit from such a cultural exchange whatever your level of magical ability, but you must obtain written permission from your parents or guardians. Each student will spend two months at their allocated school and will gain a broad outlook on what it is like to be a wizard in that particular country. Hopefully, next year, Hogwarts can return the favour. If you have any questions, I would be delighted to answer them. Thank you. "
As he sat down, the Hall exploded with whispers.
" I'm going for it! " said Oscar excitedly. " I'd love to go abroad. What about you two? "
Nat shook her head decisively. " No, I don't think I want to."
Deborah shook her head also. " Me neither. I'm no good with the heat. "
Robin also refused to put his name forward. " And miss Quidditch? No way! " he said heartily. " Don't forget practice tomorrow, Nat. "
" I won't, " she said to his retreating back. " One day I might even get a game. "
Nat had been chosen as reserve Chaser for the team, but the first three seemed immune to illness and injury and she was beginning to despair.
" I'm going to see Uncle Percy. " she said and made her way to the High Table.
" Hello, Nat. " said her uncle, smiling at her. " Are you putting your name forward? "
" Hi, Uncle Percy. No, I don't think so. There's too much going on here and I'd miss my parents. "
Percy smiled again. " The selection process is going to be difficult. " he said. " I expect we'll have lots of applicants. "
" I bet. How's Oliver? " asked Nat, secretly delighted when her uncle's ears went pink.
" He's in Australia at the moment. " said Percy wistfully. " With the England team. I think he's due back next week. "
" Give him my love when you see him. " said Nat. She reached over and gave her uncle a swift hug. " Got to go, it's Potions. And Professor Snape can get very sarcastic if you're late.
Percy laughed. " He's never changed. Go on then. I'll be back next week to announce the results. "
* * *
" Pa says Divination's a waste of time. "
" Nat, he's the Chief Auror! He can't think that, surely!"
" He says Professor Trelawny's nuts. He says we should go for something that actually might be useful. Like Muggle Studies."
" Oh yeah. " said Oscar sarcastically. " I //really// need to learn //all// about Muggles, don't I? "
" Or Ancient Runes, or Arithmancy. And there's Care of Magical Creatures. "
All three were agreed on that one. They all loved Hagrid and couldn't wait to see what fantastic beasts he would teach them to care for.
" Well, //I'm// doing Divination. " announced Deborah.
" Me too. " said Oscar stubbornly.
" Please yourselves. " sighed Nat, picking up her quill and ticking Muggle Studies and the Study of Ancient Runes on her options sheet.
* * *
There was an air of expectancy in the Great Hall that night, for the first exchange students would be announced.
Percy Weasley stood up and you could have heard a pin drop as he unfolded a single sheet of parchment.
" It has been a very difficult choice, but we have decided on the following students as the pathfinders for the Hogwarts Exchange Scheme. When I call your name, would you please make your way to the antechamber behind us here where I will give you all the information you need. Okay, from Hufflepuff - Owen Smith. " The Hufflepuffs all clapped and cheered as the brown haired sixth year blushingly made his way towards the High Table.
" From Ravenclaw, Amanda Green. " More applause for the Ravenclaw fourth-year.
" From Slytherin, Davina Brannigan. "
" Look at Johnstone!" hissed Oscar. " He looks as sick as a chip! "
Nat grinned. The black haired Slytherin looked extremely disappointed as the trembling first-year girl left the table.
" And finally, from Gryffindor..." Nat patted Oscar on the arm. He was incredibly tense. " Oscar Williamson. "
They Gryffindor table exploded with cheers and Oscar disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. Grinning broadly he made his way to where the others were and disappeared from sight.
Later that night, the girls prepared for bed. Oscar hadn't returned and Nat fervently hoped her uncle wasn't grilling him too badly. Deborah kissed her poster of Oliver Wood that was lovingly tacked above her bed before climbing between the sheets. Nat had just pulled the quilt up when the door burst open and Oscar bounded in.
" Are you nuts! " exclaimed Nat, pushing him out of the door. " If Robin catches you here, he'll get you expelled. "
" I know. Grab a dressing gown and come down to the common room. " he exclaimed, his eyes large and bright in the dim light of the candles.
Ten minutes later, shivering in the common room Nat and Deborah listened dismayed to Oscar.
" You're going //tomorrow//? Isn't that a bit sudden? "
" No point in hanging around. " said Oscar excitedly. " I'm going to Bolivia. To a place called Santa Cruz. Mr Weasley says it's beautiful there, hot and sunny and the school is one of the best in South America. "
" Oh. " said Deborah. There wasn't much else to say. " You will write, won't you? "
" Yeah. " said Oscar impatiently. " Course I will. Got to go. Need to pack. "
And he ran up the boy's staircase leaving the other two cold and a bit stunned.
" I'm going to bed. " announced Deborah. " Are you coming? "
" Yeah. " said Nat. " In a minute. "
Shortly afterwards, she blew the candle out.
Next morning Oscar was in a high state of excitement, with his trunk all ready he stood with the other exchange students.
Deborah hugged him and then hurried away before he could see her tears. Nat hugged him too.
" I'll miss you. " she said and felt his arms tighten round her.
" You too. " he said gruffly and he kissed her gently on the cheek.
" Take care. Write soon! " yelled Nat over she shoulder as she took off at a run, the place where his lips had so briefly rested burned like a brand.
In History of Magic she placed her fingertips where Oscar had kissed her.
" What brought all //that// on? " she muttered to herself as she picked up her quill and started to write.
Options arrivals and departures.
Notes disclaimers and other junk in Chapter one.
Genre for this chapter - General, with a tiny thread of humour.
Professor Longbottom went along the Gryffindor table handing out large pieces of parchment to the second-years. That done, he looked at them all, a glint in his warm grey eyes.
" These are your option forms for your third year. They include extra subjects you will not have tackled before. Think very carefully before you fill them in as they could determine your future career in wizardry. And I need them in by Monday. "
Nat, Deborah and Oscar looked at their sheets and groaned.
" It says here we need to keep all our core subjects. " howled Oscar. " I was hoping to drop Potions!"
Nat grinned at her best friend. " What, am I hearing this form the cleverest student in our year? "
" Oh belt up! " growled Oscar, trying not to grin. Nat was sure she could detect a blush under his dark skin.
" And what the hell is Arithmancy? " he exclaimed. " I can just imagine writing to Mum and Dad and asking them which ones I should pick. " And he buried his face in his hands.
Nat and Deborah caught each other's eyes and tried not to giggle. Everything about Oscar was wrong, he was too tall, too skinny and his background just didn't seem to indicate any wizarding talent at all. He was the youngest of four children and the only boy. His parents lived in Yorkshire and his thick cheerful accent had taken a bit of getting used to at first when the girls had taken pity on the isolated boy on their first night at Hogwarts. But his talent for magic seemed boundless and he went through school with a permanently dazed grin as if this were some fantastic dream and he might have to wake up soon. Nat and Deborah adored him, the teachers liked him because he was so clever and everything he turned his hand to seemed effortless.
There was only one fly in the ointment and it was staring at them from the Slytherin table, eyes full of malice as always.
" He's gawking at us again." Nat muttered out of the side of her mouth. Oscar's head came up off his hands and he returned the glare.
Rainer Johnstone was a second-year like them and he had hated all three of them from the word go. Nat, because of who she was (and he never let an opportunity pass to remind everyone of her domestic set-up) Deborah, because she was beautiful with her mass of blonde hair and sapphire-blue eyes and the fact that she had publicly called him a smelly creep and Oscar he hated most of all, because he was Muggle-born, black and exceptionally clever.
The three friends ignored him as much as possible. He was like a bad smell, if you pretended it wasn't there it went away eventually.
" Hey, you three. Any ideas for the future of wizardkind? " asked a cheery voice.
" Hi, Robin. No, we've only just got them. " replied Nat, smiling at her cousin. Robin Creevy was a fifth-year Prefect who was a Beater on the Quidditch team and the apple of her Aunt Ginny's eye. Tall and slender, he had just missed having the trademark Weasley hair; his was the colour of a freshly shelled conker. He had promised his mother he'd look out for Nat. So far it hadn't been an arduous task.
Robin grinned at them. " Well, if you need any advice..."
The Headmistress, who stood up, interrupted him. Immediately, the Hall fell silent.
" Your attention please, " she said." I am very pleased to announce that the exchange scheme where Hogwarts students will attend other wizarding schools has been given the go-ahead. Mr Percy Weasley, " and she pointed to the man at her side who looked very pleased with himself " the Head of International Magical Co-operation has secured us four places in the major schools in South America. I will let Mr Weasley give you the rest of the details. "
Both Nat and Robin groaned as their uncle stood up, producing a wad of parchment from the pocket of his robes.
" I hope it's not like those speeches he makes at Christmas. " Robin whispered and Nat had to bite her lip to stop herself giggling.
" Thank you Professor McGonagall. " said Percy solemnly. " As there are only four places, we have decided to allocate a place to each House. There will be no age restrictions, I feel that you will benefit from such a cultural exchange whatever your level of magical ability, but you must obtain written permission from your parents or guardians. Each student will spend two months at their allocated school and will gain a broad outlook on what it is like to be a wizard in that particular country. Hopefully, next year, Hogwarts can return the favour. If you have any questions, I would be delighted to answer them. Thank you. "
As he sat down, the Hall exploded with whispers.
" I'm going for it! " said Oscar excitedly. " I'd love to go abroad. What about you two? "
Nat shook her head decisively. " No, I don't think I want to."
Deborah shook her head also. " Me neither. I'm no good with the heat. "
Robin also refused to put his name forward. " And miss Quidditch? No way! " he said heartily. " Don't forget practice tomorrow, Nat. "
" I won't, " she said to his retreating back. " One day I might even get a game. "
Nat had been chosen as reserve Chaser for the team, but the first three seemed immune to illness and injury and she was beginning to despair.
" I'm going to see Uncle Percy. " she said and made her way to the High Table.
" Hello, Nat. " said her uncle, smiling at her. " Are you putting your name forward? "
" Hi, Uncle Percy. No, I don't think so. There's too much going on here and I'd miss my parents. "
Percy smiled again. " The selection process is going to be difficult. " he said. " I expect we'll have lots of applicants. "
" I bet. How's Oliver? " asked Nat, secretly delighted when her uncle's ears went pink.
" He's in Australia at the moment. " said Percy wistfully. " With the England team. I think he's due back next week. "
" Give him my love when you see him. " said Nat. She reached over and gave her uncle a swift hug. " Got to go, it's Potions. And Professor Snape can get very sarcastic if you're late.
Percy laughed. " He's never changed. Go on then. I'll be back next week to announce the results. "
* * *
" Pa says Divination's a waste of time. "
" Nat, he's the Chief Auror! He can't think that, surely!"
" He says Professor Trelawny's nuts. He says we should go for something that actually might be useful. Like Muggle Studies."
" Oh yeah. " said Oscar sarcastically. " I //really// need to learn //all// about Muggles, don't I? "
" Or Ancient Runes, or Arithmancy. And there's Care of Magical Creatures. "
All three were agreed on that one. They all loved Hagrid and couldn't wait to see what fantastic beasts he would teach them to care for.
" Well, //I'm// doing Divination. " announced Deborah.
" Me too. " said Oscar stubbornly.
" Please yourselves. " sighed Nat, picking up her quill and ticking Muggle Studies and the Study of Ancient Runes on her options sheet.
* * *
There was an air of expectancy in the Great Hall that night, for the first exchange students would be announced.
Percy Weasley stood up and you could have heard a pin drop as he unfolded a single sheet of parchment.
" It has been a very difficult choice, but we have decided on the following students as the pathfinders for the Hogwarts Exchange Scheme. When I call your name, would you please make your way to the antechamber behind us here where I will give you all the information you need. Okay, from Hufflepuff - Owen Smith. " The Hufflepuffs all clapped and cheered as the brown haired sixth year blushingly made his way towards the High Table.
" From Ravenclaw, Amanda Green. " More applause for the Ravenclaw fourth-year.
" From Slytherin, Davina Brannigan. "
" Look at Johnstone!" hissed Oscar. " He looks as sick as a chip! "
Nat grinned. The black haired Slytherin looked extremely disappointed as the trembling first-year girl left the table.
" And finally, from Gryffindor..." Nat patted Oscar on the arm. He was incredibly tense. " Oscar Williamson. "
They Gryffindor table exploded with cheers and Oscar disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. Grinning broadly he made his way to where the others were and disappeared from sight.
Later that night, the girls prepared for bed. Oscar hadn't returned and Nat fervently hoped her uncle wasn't grilling him too badly. Deborah kissed her poster of Oliver Wood that was lovingly tacked above her bed before climbing between the sheets. Nat had just pulled the quilt up when the door burst open and Oscar bounded in.
" Are you nuts! " exclaimed Nat, pushing him out of the door. " If Robin catches you here, he'll get you expelled. "
" I know. Grab a dressing gown and come down to the common room. " he exclaimed, his eyes large and bright in the dim light of the candles.
Ten minutes later, shivering in the common room Nat and Deborah listened dismayed to Oscar.
" You're going //tomorrow//? Isn't that a bit sudden? "
" No point in hanging around. " said Oscar excitedly. " I'm going to Bolivia. To a place called Santa Cruz. Mr Weasley says it's beautiful there, hot and sunny and the school is one of the best in South America. "
" Oh. " said Deborah. There wasn't much else to say. " You will write, won't you? "
" Yeah. " said Oscar impatiently. " Course I will. Got to go. Need to pack. "
And he ran up the boy's staircase leaving the other two cold and a bit stunned.
" I'm going to bed. " announced Deborah. " Are you coming? "
" Yeah. " said Nat. " In a minute. "
Shortly afterwards, she blew the candle out.
Next morning Oscar was in a high state of excitement, with his trunk all ready he stood with the other exchange students.
Deborah hugged him and then hurried away before he could see her tears. Nat hugged him too.
" I'll miss you. " she said and felt his arms tighten round her.
" You too. " he said gruffly and he kissed her gently on the cheek.
" Take care. Write soon! " yelled Nat over she shoulder as she took off at a run, the place where his lips had so briefly rested burned like a brand.
In History of Magic she placed her fingertips where Oscar had kissed her.
" What brought all //that// on? " she muttered to herself as she picked up her quill and started to write.