Chapter 3 - Adding Mystery to Insult
The next day, the teachers had returned and classes began.
"I don't understand why no matter what year we are, Gryffindors always have Double Potions with Slytherin. Is it not enough that Snape teaches it? Honestly," Ada said to whomever was listening.
"Snape's got it in for Gryffindors. He hates everyone if they're not in Slytherin, especially Gryffindors. He's quite the greasy git in my opinion," Ron Weasley answered.
"So, I take it you don't like him, aye, Ron?" asked George, mockingly.
"Who would? Of course Slytherins do. He gives them points for no reason," Ron snapped.
"Hmm? Wood?" Ada asked, attentively. She had tuned out everything that was said when she noticed Oliver staring at her again.
"Not Wood as in Oliver, Ada. Get him off your mind. He's too strict for you," assured Fred.
"He's your friend, too you know. And you just have to get used to it. He's strict when it comes to Quidditch. It's his first love," Ada said, defending Oliver.
"We know he's our friend and yes, he is a bit too involved in Quidditch but I'm not sure if Hogwarts would permit a student/teacher relationship. I wouldn't want to date Oliver. Yuck. Could you imagine the sex? Like a Quidditch game..." laughed George. Ada stared at him, appalled.
"I know you're only joking so I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Ada drank the last of her water and moved her plate away to put her head down. Just as she felt the warmth of the soft wooden table, Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands and cleared away the plates and food.
"Start of term classes begin today. I would like to wish you all good luck due to the fact that you will indeed be needing it," he said, loudly and clearly.
The students looked confused as they usually do after the short speeches of the headmaster and filed out of the Great Hall. Fred, George, Ada, and Emily met by a statue of a warthog to compare schedules. Gryffindor had Advanced Divinity with Ravenclaw first.
"Well, at least we have that together. We shouldn't have skipped that ridiculous class so many times. Another year of Trelawny. Kill me now..." Emily sighed.
"Oh, it'll be tedious, sure. We'll have fun though. It's better that we have it with Ravenclaw. You'd be stuck by yourself in there," Ada commented.
"Advanced Divinity? I'm taking that too. See you there." Their conversation was interrupted by Brooke. She smiled widely at Fred and George and quickly glared at Ada and Emily.
"Piss off, Brooke," Ada snarled.
Brooke glared at her once more and walked off with two other Ravenclaw girls, Marjorie and Mandy. They were both the same height as Brooke with the same orange-tinted skin. Both of them had bleached blond hair and wore even more make-up than Brooke. All three looked half starved.
"Yeah, go eat a piece of cake or something!" Emily called after them. Ada, Fred, and George smiled at Emily's remark knowing only too well that the three girls most likely had some sort of eating disorder.
"I bet she can't even tell the two of you apart," Ada said to the twins.
"She should be in Slytherin so I don't have to look at her everywhere I go. I hate her giving Ravenclaws a bad name. I hate her sleeping in the same dormitory as me. I hate her," added Emily.
"She's not like that with everyone. Just you two," noted George.
"Well, not everyone considers you both and Oliver close friends, either. That's why she treats us like that. That's her only reasoning, it is," Ada replied.
Emily was still mumbling about Brooke when Oliver walked up.
"Quidditch History after Divinity and Quidditch practise whenever you don't have classes," he said, straight away.
"Depends how much homework the team has. I don't want to pound Quidditch into them too much. But you can expect us to start practising as early as a month before season," Ada assured him.
"Not if Harry's the captain. We can convince him to ease up a bit," Fred said, smiling.
"I'm not the captain. Ada is." Everyone turned to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Wait...what? Say it isn't so, Harry. I'll curse you, I will," George said, disappointingly.
"Wood offered me the position but I turned it down. Maybe next year though. It's just too much responsibility right now. I love Quidditch but I'm not determined enough to boss everyone around," Harry answered.
"Great. Long and strenuous practises...AGAIN! We never get a break, George." Fred threw his hands up in frustration.
"Oh, don't be so quick to judge. I'll push you, I will, but I'll look out for the welfare of the team as well. Not just my desire for Gryffindors to keep the cup," Ada defended herself.
Hermione tugged on Harry's robe. "Let's go, Harry! We'll be late for Transfiguration. Don't get off to a bad start on the first day. Besides, McGonogall always has amazing first days," she said.
"Don't shove, Hermione," scolded Ron, "We'll go when we go. Transfiguration is a dull class anyway. First days are the worst."
Before Hermione could start an argument with Ron, Harry said goodbye to everyone and pulled Ron along. Hermione smiled and nodded at Harry as if he agreed with her rather than he was trying to avoid an argument.
"Bye then! Keep an eye out for them, Hermione," Ada called after them. Hermione turned and waved as they walked away.
"Well, you four get to class. You've got a ways to go and not much time to get there. I'll see you in Quidditch History, you three. I'm off to a first year flying lesson. I can't be late. Bye!" Oliver said, walking backwards.
"Let's just skip Divinity. I really don't want to go," Emily said once Oliver was out of sight.
"Where should we go though? We can't go in a common room because you're a Ravenclaw and we're Gryffindors. I guess we could make an exception to that rule though. It's not the first we've broken, anyway," Ada suggested.
"Fine with us," Fred and George said in unison, adding a shrug.
***
The hallways were completely empty when the chimes rang to signal the beginning of class.
"Filch'll be making his rounds so we've got to be quick," Fred reminded the other three.
They were now only two hallways away from the Gryffindor common room. Suddenly, they heard a screeching hiss coming from behind them. They all turned and Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris, staring at them with her bright red eyes.
"Run," George whispered.
They all bolted down the remaining hallways until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Fred quickly spurted out the password as Filch's footsteps crept closer. The Fat Lady swung open reluctantly, muttering something about rule breaking. Once safely inside, Emily took a good look around.
"This looks exactly like the Ravenclaw common room except it's all scarlet and gold. The dormitory staircases are over there though," she finally said, pointing to the wall right of the grand fireplace.
"Yep. I wonder what the Hufflepuff common room looks like. Harry and Ron said that the Slytherin common room is huge. It's in the dungeons and it has windows that look into the lake. It'd be wild to see the giant squid swim by every now and then. Mermaids too. Greedy Slytherins," Ada said.
They all sat down in front of the fireplace and began to have a pleasant conversation about past pranks they had pulled. They talked for nearly an hour before Oliver rushed in. His face showed surprise and annoyance as he saw them.
"What is Emily doing in here? She's a Ravenclaw. You know the rules, you three," he scolded them. Ada stood up and walked over to him.
"Oliver, it's only Emily. She's more than trustworthy. We can change the password if that'll make you happy."
"I don't care if it's Emily or not! She's a Ravenclaw, now get her out of here. And yes, change the password. And why aren't you in class? It ends in ten minutes time."
Fred, George, and Emily quietly walked back to the furthest corner and sat at the table. They didn't want to be pulled into the argument.
"Well, what it is..." Ada paused. "Hang on. The bigger question is why aren't you teaching your class and why are you in here?"
Oliver's face relaxed. "It's really none of your business," he said.
Emily and the twins now turned their backs to Ada and Oliver. They knew what was coming. Ada's fists clenched at her sides.
"Since when is your business not mine? We've always shared everything with each other! Since when do you think you have authority over me? Since when are you so secretive? And bloody hell...when did you become too good for your friends?"
Ada took in a deep breath after screaming her questions. Emily and the twins stared at each other in shock. Oliver's face was now red with anger. He walked closer to Ada and opened his mouth as if to say something in return but instead he angrily grunted and walked back out through the portrait's opening.
"Erm...class is out in five minutes. I better be on my way," Emily said, awkwardly.
Ada slumped into the chair closest to the fire. Her teary eyes were fixed on the dancing orange and yellow flames. Emily looked at Ada, sadly, and walked over to her. She crouched beside the chair.
"You don't have to go to Quidditch History, you know. Stay in here and take a nap or something. Clear your mind," she whispered, apologetically.
Ada didn't reply. She only stared into the fire.
"I'll see you at lunch, then. Cheer up, pisshead," Emily added quietly as she hugged Ada.
A weak smile escaped from Ada's face. "Thanks, Emily," she said.
***
At lunch, Ada fixed her plate and swung around to speak with Emily. The last thing she wanted was to notice Oliver at the teachers' table, clearly in a very bad mood. Lunch was the best part of Ada's day. Emily cheered her up in no time at all and Fred and George never ceased to amuse her. After lunch, Gryffindors had Ancient Runes. A class that Fred, George, and Ada agreed on skipping so they could discover more spells for pranks. Next came Double Potions so Fred, George, and Ada made their way to the dungeons.
"Glad you're feeling better," said Fred.
"Yeah, it's not like you to be depressed and boring," George agreed.
"We were thinking about slipping a special potion of ours into your pumpkin juice at lunch but you cheered up just fine," Fred admitted.
"Oh blast. Sorry you couldn't have your fun," Ada smiled.
When they reached the Potions classroom, Professor Snape had already begun the lesson.
"Ms. Alucinor. Misters Weasley. How wonderful for you to join us at last. You're late. Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor," he snarled.
"What? The bell hasn't rung yet!" Ada argued.
"They don't go off in the dungeons, Alucinor. Anymore cheek and you'll lose more points. Sit down and be quiet."
Ada, Fred, and George took their usual seats in the back corner of the classroom. Professor Snape droned on about the delicate and dangerous uses of Nightshade for, what seemed like, an eternity. When class was finally dismissed, he called Ada, Fred, and George to his desk.
"Do you think you can wander into my classroom late and sleep through half of it?" he began.
"Sorry, Professor," the three answered together.
"The three of you will serve detention with me if it happens again. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor. I expect your second day of classes will be taken more seriously than today. You're dismissed."
The trio sauntered out of the classroom.
"I expect your second day of classes will be taken more seriously than today," Fred laughed, mocking Professor Snape.
"I hate him. I just...grr...just...grr," Ada cringed.
"I think he deserves some sweets, aye, Fred?" asked George.
"Oh, yes, indeed. Hufflepuff will find that their points will diminish once again. How should we give them to him and what should we use?"
"We'll give him one of everything we have. How though? I bet we could convince Oliver to --" George stopped himself at the mention of Oliver's name because of Ada.
Fred and George looked back at Ada who had paused in the hallway. Pain and sadness overtook her face.
"Well done," Fred said.
"Er...sorry, Ada. I forgot. Come on. We'll have a nice fly around the Quidditch Pitch before Transfiguration," George said, thoughtfully.
A tear streamed down Ada's cheek. "Quidditch?" she repeated. "I've got to talk to him."
Ada dropped her books and ran. When she reached the entrance hall door, she swung it open and bolted toward the Quidditch Pitch. Fred and George ran after her.
"Ada!" they called. "We'll talk to him first! Wait up!"
Ada stopped outside the Quidditch Pitch. Fred and George slowed as the reached her.
"He's got a fifth year class right now," Fred said.
"Class. Right. Go to class, you two. Tell McGonogall that Snape held you a little late and I'm not feeling well. I'll make up whatever I miss," Ada said.
She pushed Fred and George and they knew they'd get nowhere trying to change her mind.
"Bye then," George said quietly.
The two of them gave each other worried looks but walked back to the castle, afraid to upset Ada anymore.
Ada walked onto the field. Oliver was watching the fifth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs flying laps around the field. Ada caught his eye and he walked closer to her, his face that had looked upset from a distance, actually showed sorrow. Ada tried to find her voice.
"Um...I'm --"
Before she could finish, Oliver flung his arms around her.
"I'm sorry," Ada continued.
"Oh, it's not your fault. You were right." Oliver backed away.
"Look...I just came here to apologise because our argument was just as much my fault as it was yours," Ada said, wiping another tear from her face.
"I should've been the one to apologise."
Hermione landed next to him at that moment.
"How much longer do you have to do this, Wood?" she asked.
"Oh, sorry," he answered. Oliver took out his whistle to call everyone down. Harry and Ron landed first and walked over to Hermione. Harry elbowed Ron and jerked his head towards Hermione. Ada overheard Ron whispering to Harry.
"No way. Not yet. I can't ask her now," he said.
"Just go," Harry replied.
Ron nodded nervously and pulled Hermione to the side. Harry walked over to Oliver and Ada. He noticed Ada had been crying.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, concerned.
Ada was about to speak up but Oliver beat her to it.
"It's none of your business, Harry. Go wait with the others. Ada and I are having a personal conversation."
"Oliver, don't get shirty with him. He did nothing wrong. He's just concerned because he's our friend. Leave him alone," Ada said.
"Don't start up again, Ada."
"Start up again? Because I started the last argument?"
"You're the one who took Emily into your common room!"
"Don't yell at me! You shouldn't have been in there anyway! You said you had a class!"
"I'm a teacher now, Ada. Show some respect."
"How can I show you respect when you treat me like this?!"
Harry started to back away.
"That's is, Potter. Go back with your classmates. Don't, I repeat, do not ever interrupt me again," Oliver commanded sternly.
"Yes, sir," Harry replied, nervously.
"He's not the problem here, Wood! He realised something was wrong and he was worried. Don't yell him!" Ada screamed.
"I'm not yelling! Go on, Harry. Ada, this conversation is over. Go back to class. You've already gotten Gryffindor in the negatives on house points. Go away...now."
"Fine. This argument, or conversation as you call it, is over. I'm sorry you had to hear this, Harry. I'll see you back in the common room. Wood...oh nevermind."
Ada marched off the field quickly. Oliver watched her walk away and when she was out of site, he gave an angry sigh and walked back to his class to dismiss them. Harry stood there, waiting for Ron and Hermione.
"Hiya, Harry," said Ron, smiling. Hermione was blushing and the two were holding hands.
"Congratulations. Finally, aye? I knew how Ron felt but Hermione --"
"Yeah..." she answered.
"She's a good actress," Ron finished for her.
***
Back in the Gryffindor common room, Ada was viciously writing in her blue and purple notebook. Fred and George walked in laughing.
"What's that?" Fred asked, pointing to Ada's notebook.
"I would say it's none of your business but I'm not like him. It's just something I write in when I need to get some thoughts out of my head," she answered.
"I'm guessing your apology didn't go as well as you had hoped," George said, still laughing.
"Oh no. The apology went wonderfully. Harry walked up when Oliver and I were talking and he asked if everything was alright since I looked awful and Oliver went off on him. I told Oliver to leave him alone and then he got mad at me again. He blamed the first argument on me which you can guess I didn't stand for one bit so we got in yet another fight and I stormed out on him."
"Would you mind repeating that? Slower maybe?" George asked.
"Her apology went fine but Oliver started another one so they're still not talking," Fred interpreted.
"Oh. Want a canary cake?"
"I don't feel like growing feathers today, thank you." Ada started to write again.
More Gryffindors were coming back from their classes. Ada wondered how Fred and George made it back so quickly but decided not to ask. She noticed Ron and Hermione walk in holding hands.
"Ron. Hermione," she called. They looked over. "Congrats, you two. You look cute together," she added.
"Thanks," Hermione smiled.
"Yeah, thanks," said Ron.
Ada looked back down at her notebook. Fred and George made their way over to Ron to tease him while Hermione walked towards Ada.
"I heard about you and Oliver," she said, "I'm sorry."
"Aw. It's okay. He's never acted this way before but we'll both get over it. Even if we're not friends when we do."
"Well, I do hope you feel better. You're always welcome to talk to me if you need to."
"Thank you, Hermione." Ada forced out a smile. She stared at the fire for a few minutes after Hermione left. She wondered if Emily would be in the library. Ada closed her notebook and walked out of the common room.
The corridors were empty except for a small number of students. On her way to the library, Ada turned a corner and immediately hid behind a statue of Helga Hufflepuff. It was Professor McGonogall and Oliver Wood. Ada peeked out behind the statue and listened to the conversation.
"So it's true then? She's going to have to -- I mean -- and Harry?" Oliver choked.
"I'm afraid so, Wood. You witnessed the prediction. Professor Trelawny rarely has those. Unfortunately, they've seemed less rare since Harry's third year."
"But why does it have to be her? Why does she have to be destined for this? It doesn't make any sense. She shouldn't be caught up in this mess. Do either of them know?"
"I believe it would be best to tell the both of them so they are well prepared for what lies ahead but Professor Dumbledore thinks otherwise. He always has some sort of reasoning behind his decisions. He knows best, Wood."
"Right. I know. So I can't tell her? It's going to be hard to even look at her without feeling the need to tell her. I don't want her hurt, Professor."
"I don't know what to tell you. Ah. Dinner will be starting soon."
Oliver turned and began to walk closer to where Ada was. McGonogall looked at him, pitifully, and walked away. Oliver stopped. Ada looked hard at his face. His eyes watered and he was swallowing with difficulty. He closed his eyes painfully and Ada quietly ran down another hallway before he noticed her. She made her way to the library before dinner. She walked in slowly. Emily spotted her and stood up. She waved her arms frantically. Ada noticed her and walked over to Emily's table.
"Fred and George told me that you went to apologise to Oliver. How'd it go?"
"The apology went well but then we got in another fight because he yelled at Harry for no reason."
"Oh. Well, I'm sorry. If I would've known, I wouldn't have mentioned him."
"No, no. It's okay. I needed to talk to you about it so I started walking here when I came across McGonogall talking to Oliver about something. I know it's got something to do with Harry and I assume me too. That's what I got from Oliver's reaction."
"What'd they say?"
Ada told Emily everything she heard. She hoped Emily could give light to the situation.
"Wow. It must be pretty serious for Trelawny to have a real prediction. And, from the sound of it, you're somehow involved. I'd say we could ask McGonogall but she already said you couldn't know. And it's Dumbledore's idea not to tell you. Oliver wouldn't be able to do anything either. We could ask Trelawny but she doesn't recall real predictions ever happening. Only her absurd ones."
Emily contradicting every idea she came up with was unnerving for Ada.
"Well, what can we do then?" Ada asked.
"I guess we just keep our eyes and ears open and pay more attention to the little things that could give it away," Emily suggested.
Ada nodded and they both made their way to dinner.
When they walked into the Great Hall, Emily pointed out Oliver at the teachers' table. Ada looked at him. He was in a pathetic state. He had his face in his hands and he was breathing heavily. Ada quickly looked away from him and stared at Emily. Emily only shrugged and gave her a clueless look. They took their normal seats at their house tables and enjoyed the food as best they could. Emily couldn't stop thinking about the negative possibilities that could have been predicted. Ada tried not to think about anything. Her effort was wasted. No positive things came to her mind either. Every now and then, she'd glance at Oliver, hoping to see a change. All she saw was him slowly eating his food while he slouched over his plate. What could be so bad to make Oliver nearly cry? I've only seen him cry when he won the Quidditch cup. What's happening? Ada silently thought to herself while she finished her dinner. There was going to be a big change in her life. She only wished she knew what it was.
