Chapter Three... Andy
"I can't believe we're actually back here after all this time!" I looked across Gryffindor's table to see one of my best friends, Erin Sousa, sitting there, looking up at the ceiling.
"Yeah," she shrugged. "It's felt like forever!"
I joined her in her ceiling gazing, Hogwarts has an enchanted ceiling that reflects the outside world in. Since I first stepped into the Great Hall in my first year, it has always amazed me. Tonight the sky was dark and mystical.
I felt a hand on my knee, "Having fun being an astronomer?"
I put my hand upon Oliver's and smiled at him, "Yes, as a matter of fact I am."
He turned his hand up, squeezed my hand, and smiled, "You probably belong with the Centaurs, Andy."
"That's not very nice," commented Erin, still looking up at the ceiling.
I laughed and Percy turned around from where he was sitting by Erin, "You excited about being prefect this year Andrea?"
"Er," I was about ready to explode at how he pronounced my name wrong. It's An-dree-a, not An-drea-a! But, for once I didn't feel like snapping. I could feel Oliver squeeze my hand as in not to explode. I breathed in and attempted to answer his question, "Not especially. I mean, it's an honor an-"
"Not especially?" roared Percy. "How can you not be?"
"As I was saying you piece of dragon crap," I continued calmly -not going to turn all pissy- while Oliver laughed, "I'm honored though I feel it could've possibly gone to a better student."
"Like who? I already got it," Percy responded loudly.
Leave it to Percy Weasley to drag more people into our arguement. Me, being the stupid arse I am, fed into it by bringing in others. "Like Erin," I shrugged with a raised voice. "She is a good student too you know!"
"Yeah!" smiled Erin quietly, looking down from the ceiling.
"No she's not!"
"That's unneeded," sighed Oliver sadly.
"What the hell?" I growled. "Man, Weasley, she is too! And so are other people! So just shut up!" I screamed across the table, standing up. I could feel my ears turn hot my eyes get bugged out.
"Bloody hell Fugler, you shut up! You're going on about how you don't deserve the most prestigious honor given to our year when you have top marks out of all of Hogwarts' history! Not to mention you're a good role model!" yelled Percy.
"Will you shut the hell up, you damn Gryffinshits?!?" yelled Marcus Flint, my sister's childhood friend from across the Great Hall.
"Whatever Flint!" I yelled, glaring at him.
"How dare you make the first insult of the year to my sister!!! You know we were saving that for Harry Potter... Dammit Flint!" yelled Sid who just happened to be sitting next to Marcus. She turned towards me and yelled louder, "Oh Andy dear... Do please shut your face!"
"Make me Sidney!" I roared, sitting down.
"Andy," Oliver pleaded. "Don't..." I looked at him and sighed, tyring to calm down. Sid could get so annoying...
"Oh, just watch me you Gryffinbi-" Sid stood up but I could see out the corner of my eye Marcus pulled her down hastily, trying to calm her down some.
"Fugler!" yelled Percy from across the hall. I looked at his mouth as he mouthed the word "fucker" along with that. I let my head on the table, this could not be good. And, man, did I ever hate my name... And to think I shared it with Sid.
"What the fuck did you say?" asked Sid, who now actually got off her lazy arse and walked over to our table.
Percy looked proud of himself and I could feel myself squeezing Oliver's hand out of fright. "You heard what I said." I didn't like Percy especially but seeing him fight with my older sister who I didn't especially care for was not my idea of a good time.
I could feel Oliver's thumb stroking the back of my hand reassuringly. "C'mon," spat Sid. "Why don't you say it again? I don't think I heard it all too well."
I really hated my surname now -our surname...
"You wanna know what I said?" asked Percy. I sighed and dropped my head on the table again. I didn't want to watch. Wasn't anybody going to stop them? Oliver dropped my hand... Ooh dear. Percy continued on, "I said Fuucc-" but I heard a loud CRACK before he could say the "ker" part. At the sound of the CRACK my head shot up... I looked across the table to see Percy with half a face that matched his hair. Oh man, Sid actually slapped him. Mum and Dad wouldn't be happy when they heard about this -if they ever did. I then looked at her and she seemed pretty full of herself, laughing... The Slytherin table then joined in. I would've joined in -I hated Weasley so much- but then I would've been a lone Gryffindor and that wouldn't be good.
I then looked at Oliver who looked as stunned as I did, but yet slightly amused, with his wand drawn to ready position... Like he was ready to do something but didn't because he found it funny. But still, jeez, why didn't I think of that? Fight them with something... Another reason I don't do good when I panic and don't deserve prefect. "Ms. Fugler!" a sharp voice called throughout the room. Both Sid and my head's flew the way of the voice. It belonged to Professor Snape, good. It probably wasn't me he was talking to. He continued on, looking at Sid who standing near the Gryffindor table dumbfounded. "Ms. Fugler, would be kind and take your seat?" She then started walking to her table. Every step she had seemed to've been a struggle for her. "And, by the way, Ms. Fugler?" She glanced up at him sternly. "I'll be seeing you in detention for the next week." I laughed, serves her right, though Percy deserved it too.
I looked at Oliver who shrugged and their was quite a bit of silence in the Great Hall. Suddenly, everybody started talking again like nothing had happened.
"Greetings Ms. Fugler," said a voice next to me. I turned to my left to see Gryffindor's resident house ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington -though everybody shortened his name in some fashion, some ways nicer than others.
"Hey Nick," I smiled.
Nick nodded, "Good to see you Mr. Wood, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Sousa."
"You too," laughed Oliver while Percy just shrugged -obviously still shook up about how much of a bitch Sid could be. He was a poop-head anyways. Erin smiled and was about to open her mouth to say something when the Great Hall doors opened. In walked Professor McGonagall followed by a herd of first years.
I laughed, they all looked so small. To think I was in their position only five years prior. Was I really that small and clingy to my fellow peers? I smiled, as the word 'probably' popped into my head.
I thought for a moment. I suddenly remembered being scared about getting into the same house as Sid. That would've meant that I would have to spend that much more time with her. Maybe I was just scared because Sid told me I had to duel my way into Hogwarts. I dunno. Dang Sid, she really scared me so much when were little it really wasn't funny. Actually, she and Marcus both did -they seemed to find joy in the sport.
By this time McGonagall had brought out the stool with the old Sorting Hat which was as old as Hogwarts, if not older. And, believe me, that's old.
Suddenly, the hat's old brim of a mouth opened and began to sing it's annual song which changed every year.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all."
I couldn't help but let my mind wander. What a drab life that hat must have. Thinking up new songs every year, eew. Not that fun. I'd rather work with Professor Snape every day then do that.
"There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat Can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;"
Nice Gryffindors we are...
"You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise in old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends."
This poor hat makes Slytherins sound nice... What a damn lie that is!
"So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Finally that hat stopped singing and everybody started applauding. To be honest, it was a much better song than last years. That was honestly a bad song.
McGonagall stepped forward, "When I call you name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbot, Hannah!"
That girl went to Hufflepuff. Lavender Brown was our first Gryffindor and when the Sorting Hat called out her name, our table cheered loudly -Fred and George Weasley even cat-called.
Pretty soon, the Sorting lost my intersest... It always did -I think it did everybody... I looked at my lap, I didn't deserve prefect. So what if I had top marks in Gryffindor -actually the whole school's history except for in Potions because the head of Slytherin taught that class.
Oliver squeezed my hand and I smiled at him slightly. He looked sad at me, "You okay Andy? I haven't seen you this bad since April."
"What was April?"
"I dunno, but I just remembered you didn't all that fabulous."
I sighed, "Dunno." I then leaned my head on his shoulder and he laughed slightly.
Suddenly the name, "Potter, Harry!" was called out. So it was true, Harry Potter was at Hogwarts. Wow.
Mumurs flew across the room as he walked up to the stool and put the hat on. It seemed like he was up there forever until the hat boomed, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Our table then started clapping like crazy and I could hear Fred and George yell, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
Harry looked at our table as he stumbled numbly towards us. He ended up sitting next to Nick. "'Lo," he smiled.
"Welcome," said Oliver, letting go of my hand, using his to display the table -as if it was a prize" But I hadn't even realized we had been holding hands that long. I sighed, I really had missed Oliver this last holiday because I only got to see him twice when I could meet him at Diagon Alley -Dad was so busy at the Quidditch World Cup in New Zealand that our little family had to go with him.
It felt like we had been going out forever even though it had been only five months -since the fifteenth of April. I laughed to myself, thinking Oliver and I hadn't snogged since June. That had to be a record! A snog sounded good too. Heh heh.
Oh damn. What was I doing? Thinking dirty thoughts during dinner -during the Sorting Ceremony nonetheless! It was thoughts like this that made me feel I didn't deserve prefect, though I guess they might be kinda natural at our age -15 after all. But still, jeez.
"Andrea?" Percy's annoying voice and bad pronunciation zapped me out of my little world.
I couldn't help but snap, "What is it Weasley?"
He looked at me, obviously still mad about what I said and what Sid did, "This is Ronald, my youngest brother."
"He's my youngest brother too!" said George convincingly.
"Believe it or not," Fred said, "mine too!"
"And mine too!" threw in the twin's friend, Lee Jordan, sarcastically. He was also a third year like the twins.
I laughed and nodded and looked at the ever-famed Ronald (I had been hearing about him for quite some time -from his brothers). He was definitely a Weasley with his red hair. He actually looked quite a bit like Percy, without the glasses. "Hello," I smiled.
"Hello Andrea," he mumbled back, pronouncing it like his older brother.
"Call me Andy."
"Only if you call me Ron, and nothing else."
"Deal."
"Deal," he smiled.
The Sorting Ceremony was finally over with some Slytherin. Professor Dumbledore stood up, beaming like usual.
"Welcome," he greeted us. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a we words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
He sat back down and everybody started clapping on cue. Finally the food came. Yea! -I was starved.
Dinner went a lot better than the rest of the day. Erin, Oliver, Lee, the Weasley twins, and I talked the whole time to each other. Percy talked to that bushy-haired first year -Hermione Granger. Nick was making quite an impression on the first years. Thank goodness Sid or Marcus never yelled during dinner.
Before I knew it, dinner was over and everything was gone. Dumbledore got up and spoke about start-of-term notices -just the usual drill-downs... Except for one thing. "And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Oooh-kay. What the hell was that supposed to mean? A couple of what had to've been first years laughed but I didn't... I mean this school had some weird stuff going on but nothing like that! I glanced at Oliver who just shrugged at me sadly -he looked confused too.
Just moments later from the subject of death, Dumbledore used his wand to bring up the lyrics of our school song... Everybody sang them to our own tune and then the Headmaster said, "Ah music! A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" It seemed suddenly that the Great Hall woke up from a trance and everybody bolted out of their seats.
Percy got up and stared at me, "Ready to go Fugler?" At first I didn't know quite what he meant but then I remembered it was the fifth year prefect's duties to escort the first years to their common rooms and show them their dorms.
"Er," I stood up too stammering... I didn't really want all these first years to look up to me like I was God or something. "I, uh-"
My voice was cut short by a voice from across the hall, "Ms. Fugler?"
My head snapped to the voice, I guess Sid's did too because all she snapped, "What?"
It was Professor Dumbledore talking, "Andrea, may I talk to you?"
Sid shrugged and went back to bussiness. I glanced at Oliver who sat down and mumured, "I'll wait..."
Percy glanced at Professor Dumbledore who said, "You can go on your own Mr. Weasley."
Percy looked happy has he shrugged and called, "First years, follow me! First year Gryffindors!"
I walked to the Head Table to meet Professor Dumbledore. "Er, hello sir," I greeted him.
He smiled, "Nice to see you again Ms. Fugler. I hope your holiday went fine."
I shrugged and laughed, "It was okay, how was your's sir?"
"Splendid!" he laughed heartily. Where was he going with this conversation exactly? "Now, I'm sorry I had to call you up here but I was just wondering, what exactly happened between Mr. Weasley and Sidney?"
"Er," I stammered. "Uh..." Professor Dumbledore's looked above me in his half moon glasses. "Well, er, sir?" He nodded. "Do you want the truth that'll make you laugh and that's really disgraceful to us upperclassman or the story that'll make you wonder why you asked me up here because it's so dull but makes us sound like good Hogwarts students?"
"Ms. Fugler," he laughed. "You know well enough that this little fight is the least of Hogwart's problems, I just wanted to know for my own amusement." I looked at him quizically and he shrugged, "Do continue Ms. Fugler."
I shrugged, "You'll be pleased to know you're getting the truthful, humorus, yet disgraceful version." Professor Dumbledore laughed slightly and I then went on and told him about how it Percy said something not so kind to Sid and all that went on from there.
"And how did you react to all this?" he asked.
"Er, once again you'll get the honest version," I sighed. "I let my head clunk on the table, not wanting to watch."
"And you're wondering why you're prefect if this is the only way you react, yet you're a witch, correct?"
"Er, yes sir."
"Don't worry Andrea, you're only 14 -soon to be 15- life's like this now."
"Okay..." I looked at him puzzled. "Um, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Did you really just call me up here to hear this lame story or to reassure me I'm not that bad of a loser?" I just had to ask the question.
He shrugged mysteriously, "That's for me to know and for you to decide."
"Okay..."
"I see Mr. Wood is waiting for you." I looked to the Gryffindor table to see Oliver sitting there, the only student left in the Great Hall. Poor guy looked sad. "So, you're dismissed Ms. Fugler, thanks for your time... I'll be seeing you later," he smiled and waved.
I smiled back and walked to Oliver... "Ms. Fugler!" I heard another voice call my name. I turned around to see Professor McGonagall. I looked at her and smiled. She motioned for me to come closer. "I overheard your whole conversation with Professor Dumbledore and I believe Mr. Weasley might deserve a detention or two with me, do you believe that to be unreasonable?"
Hmmm.... I thought in my mind for a moment, after all the torment Weasley had give me I shook my head, "I think that'd be only appropriate Professor."
"Good, I'll assign it to him tomorrow. That is all Ms. Fugler, you can go to Mr. Wood now." It was kind of odd how everybody was starting to aknowledge Oliver and I as a couple this term... It was most deffinetly not recognized last year.
"Er, okay. Thank you Professor McGonagall..." I then ran off pretty fast from the head table, not wanting to be called back.
"What the hell was that all about?" asked Oliver, putting his arm around me as we started walking.
I looked up at him, "That fight between my fellow prefect and somebody of my own blood."
"Sucks you're kinda stuck inbetween."
"I guess if you really want to make me feel so special."
"I do," we were now outside the Great Hall and he kissed me on the lips. I smiled and he then got me into a deep kiss.
I laughed, us kissing right outside the Great Hall. Wouldn't it be ever-so pleasent if we were caught? And, to be honest, being the little goody-goody I was; I didn't want that to happen. "Sweetie, don't you think this is a little much right outside the Great Hall?"
"Um, yeah. Actually, I do..." He laughed kind of embarrassed. "Any suggestions Andy?"
"Er... Classroom?" Okay, so that wad kind of a low but it's not like we were practicing black magic or anything!
"If you insist," he smiled jokingly. Great, a snog session in a classroom. Heh heh. How romantic. But I guess I must've been desperate because I accepted -and he did too. We walked along a bit and he looked at me when we were on second floor corridor. "Er, know of any specific snog-friendly classrooms?"
That was an interesting question you don't hear everyday... "Oliver, this is Hogwarts. I think we might find one. It may not be here next week, but if it's here now -who cares?"
He looked at me and smiled, "Sure thing." He took his wand and whispered to it, "Guide me." Oliver's wand then spun around in his hand and pointed north.
"And what the hell was the point in that?" I loved Oliver but he could be a little weird sometimes... Part of his charm I guess.
"Dunno, pick a classroom?" I laughed at him and kissed his cheek. We were now well inside the classroom -I had never seen it before... Though that didn't stop Oliver from kissing me. I put my arms around him and he put his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. I layed my head on his chest.
"I missed you this holiday Oliver." I confessed. He put his head upon mine,
"I missed you too sweetie, I missed you a lot." I looked up at him and kissed him. We smiled at each other and kissed again. I must say, it felt good to be away from everybody and to just be with my boyfriend. And for the first time in almost two months, I was snogging. In a classroom. With my sweet boyfriend.
Let me just admit, after a while, we were now totally snogging. My hands were just playing with his hair while his hands were tugging at the hem of my shirt, which was now untucked from my skirt. His hands ran all over the place. Madness, heh heh.
I heard a clunk... Like somebody was in the corridors. I pulled away and Oliver stared at me. "What's wrong Andy?" he said, continuing to kiss me.
"I heard something."
"Like what?" He said, pulling me closer.
"I dunno," I said, untuckng his shirt from his trousers.
Suddenly I heard another voice, "Oh... Er, sorry." It was oddly familiar as I pulled away from Oliver, I looked to see who it was. "Well, if it isn't my sister and her boyfriend trying to get it on before school starts?"
Dammit. It was Sid. I watched her turn around and leave the room before either of us could say anything. I turned to Oliver,
"Of all the people of Hogwarts-"
"-it had to be your sister." I looked at him sadly and he kissed me gently on my lips.
"Shit." I said, sitting up. "I think we better get going." I tucked in my shirt and kissed him on the cheek.
We walked in silence to the Gryffindor common room, happy just be in the other's company but embarrassed that my sister caught us. Out of all the people in Hogwarts, it had to be Sid! But what the heck was she doing browsing through classrooms?
"Password?" asked the fat lady who's picture was the entrance to our common room.
"Caput Draconis," I muttered as the door swung open.
Oliver gaped at me, "Andy how the hell did you know that?"
I smiled, "Being a prefect does have its perks." We walked into the common room which was like coming home for the first time in a year... I loved it. Inside were a few upperclass man -all fifth years and up- hanging out. All the younger students must've gone to their dorms unless some other people were having a snogging session -heh heh. Oliver and I walked up the stairs to our dorms until he pulled me into his arms.
"Good night sweetie," he smiled, kissing me good night. I nodded and kissed him back.
"Good night Oliver." I then headed upstairs for a good nights sleep.
"I can't believe we're actually back here after all this time!" I looked across Gryffindor's table to see one of my best friends, Erin Sousa, sitting there, looking up at the ceiling.
"Yeah," she shrugged. "It's felt like forever!"
I joined her in her ceiling gazing, Hogwarts has an enchanted ceiling that reflects the outside world in. Since I first stepped into the Great Hall in my first year, it has always amazed me. Tonight the sky was dark and mystical.
I felt a hand on my knee, "Having fun being an astronomer?"
I put my hand upon Oliver's and smiled at him, "Yes, as a matter of fact I am."
He turned his hand up, squeezed my hand, and smiled, "You probably belong with the Centaurs, Andy."
"That's not very nice," commented Erin, still looking up at the ceiling.
I laughed and Percy turned around from where he was sitting by Erin, "You excited about being prefect this year Andrea?"
"Er," I was about ready to explode at how he pronounced my name wrong. It's An-dree-a, not An-drea-a! But, for once I didn't feel like snapping. I could feel Oliver squeeze my hand as in not to explode. I breathed in and attempted to answer his question, "Not especially. I mean, it's an honor an-"
"Not especially?" roared Percy. "How can you not be?"
"As I was saying you piece of dragon crap," I continued calmly -not going to turn all pissy- while Oliver laughed, "I'm honored though I feel it could've possibly gone to a better student."
"Like who? I already got it," Percy responded loudly.
Leave it to Percy Weasley to drag more people into our arguement. Me, being the stupid arse I am, fed into it by bringing in others. "Like Erin," I shrugged with a raised voice. "She is a good student too you know!"
"Yeah!" smiled Erin quietly, looking down from the ceiling.
"No she's not!"
"That's unneeded," sighed Oliver sadly.
"What the hell?" I growled. "Man, Weasley, she is too! And so are other people! So just shut up!" I screamed across the table, standing up. I could feel my ears turn hot my eyes get bugged out.
"Bloody hell Fugler, you shut up! You're going on about how you don't deserve the most prestigious honor given to our year when you have top marks out of all of Hogwarts' history! Not to mention you're a good role model!" yelled Percy.
"Will you shut the hell up, you damn Gryffinshits?!?" yelled Marcus Flint, my sister's childhood friend from across the Great Hall.
"Whatever Flint!" I yelled, glaring at him.
"How dare you make the first insult of the year to my sister!!! You know we were saving that for Harry Potter... Dammit Flint!" yelled Sid who just happened to be sitting next to Marcus. She turned towards me and yelled louder, "Oh Andy dear... Do please shut your face!"
"Make me Sidney!" I roared, sitting down.
"Andy," Oliver pleaded. "Don't..." I looked at him and sighed, tyring to calm down. Sid could get so annoying...
"Oh, just watch me you Gryffinbi-" Sid stood up but I could see out the corner of my eye Marcus pulled her down hastily, trying to calm her down some.
"Fugler!" yelled Percy from across the hall. I looked at his mouth as he mouthed the word "fucker" along with that. I let my head on the table, this could not be good. And, man, did I ever hate my name... And to think I shared it with Sid.
"What the fuck did you say?" asked Sid, who now actually got off her lazy arse and walked over to our table.
Percy looked proud of himself and I could feel myself squeezing Oliver's hand out of fright. "You heard what I said." I didn't like Percy especially but seeing him fight with my older sister who I didn't especially care for was not my idea of a good time.
I could feel Oliver's thumb stroking the back of my hand reassuringly. "C'mon," spat Sid. "Why don't you say it again? I don't think I heard it all too well."
I really hated my surname now -our surname...
"You wanna know what I said?" asked Percy. I sighed and dropped my head on the table again. I didn't want to watch. Wasn't anybody going to stop them? Oliver dropped my hand... Ooh dear. Percy continued on, "I said Fuucc-" but I heard a loud CRACK before he could say the "ker" part. At the sound of the CRACK my head shot up... I looked across the table to see Percy with half a face that matched his hair. Oh man, Sid actually slapped him. Mum and Dad wouldn't be happy when they heard about this -if they ever did. I then looked at her and she seemed pretty full of herself, laughing... The Slytherin table then joined in. I would've joined in -I hated Weasley so much- but then I would've been a lone Gryffindor and that wouldn't be good.
I then looked at Oliver who looked as stunned as I did, but yet slightly amused, with his wand drawn to ready position... Like he was ready to do something but didn't because he found it funny. But still, jeez, why didn't I think of that? Fight them with something... Another reason I don't do good when I panic and don't deserve prefect. "Ms. Fugler!" a sharp voice called throughout the room. Both Sid and my head's flew the way of the voice. It belonged to Professor Snape, good. It probably wasn't me he was talking to. He continued on, looking at Sid who standing near the Gryffindor table dumbfounded. "Ms. Fugler, would be kind and take your seat?" She then started walking to her table. Every step she had seemed to've been a struggle for her. "And, by the way, Ms. Fugler?" She glanced up at him sternly. "I'll be seeing you in detention for the next week." I laughed, serves her right, though Percy deserved it too.
I looked at Oliver who shrugged and their was quite a bit of silence in the Great Hall. Suddenly, everybody started talking again like nothing had happened.
"Greetings Ms. Fugler," said a voice next to me. I turned to my left to see Gryffindor's resident house ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington -though everybody shortened his name in some fashion, some ways nicer than others.
"Hey Nick," I smiled.
Nick nodded, "Good to see you Mr. Wood, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Sousa."
"You too," laughed Oliver while Percy just shrugged -obviously still shook up about how much of a bitch Sid could be. He was a poop-head anyways. Erin smiled and was about to open her mouth to say something when the Great Hall doors opened. In walked Professor McGonagall followed by a herd of first years.
I laughed, they all looked so small. To think I was in their position only five years prior. Was I really that small and clingy to my fellow peers? I smiled, as the word 'probably' popped into my head.
I thought for a moment. I suddenly remembered being scared about getting into the same house as Sid. That would've meant that I would have to spend that much more time with her. Maybe I was just scared because Sid told me I had to duel my way into Hogwarts. I dunno. Dang Sid, she really scared me so much when were little it really wasn't funny. Actually, she and Marcus both did -they seemed to find joy in the sport.
By this time McGonagall had brought out the stool with the old Sorting Hat which was as old as Hogwarts, if not older. And, believe me, that's old.
Suddenly, the hat's old brim of a mouth opened and began to sing it's annual song which changed every year.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all."
I couldn't help but let my mind wander. What a drab life that hat must have. Thinking up new songs every year, eew. Not that fun. I'd rather work with Professor Snape every day then do that.
"There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat Can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;"
Nice Gryffindors we are...
"You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise in old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends."
This poor hat makes Slytherins sound nice... What a damn lie that is!
"So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Finally that hat stopped singing and everybody started applauding. To be honest, it was a much better song than last years. That was honestly a bad song.
McGonagall stepped forward, "When I call you name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbot, Hannah!"
That girl went to Hufflepuff. Lavender Brown was our first Gryffindor and when the Sorting Hat called out her name, our table cheered loudly -Fred and George Weasley even cat-called.
Pretty soon, the Sorting lost my intersest... It always did -I think it did everybody... I looked at my lap, I didn't deserve prefect. So what if I had top marks in Gryffindor -actually the whole school's history except for in Potions because the head of Slytherin taught that class.
Oliver squeezed my hand and I smiled at him slightly. He looked sad at me, "You okay Andy? I haven't seen you this bad since April."
"What was April?"
"I dunno, but I just remembered you didn't all that fabulous."
I sighed, "Dunno." I then leaned my head on his shoulder and he laughed slightly.
Suddenly the name, "Potter, Harry!" was called out. So it was true, Harry Potter was at Hogwarts. Wow.
Mumurs flew across the room as he walked up to the stool and put the hat on. It seemed like he was up there forever until the hat boomed, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Our table then started clapping like crazy and I could hear Fred and George yell, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
Harry looked at our table as he stumbled numbly towards us. He ended up sitting next to Nick. "'Lo," he smiled.
"Welcome," said Oliver, letting go of my hand, using his to display the table -as if it was a prize" But I hadn't even realized we had been holding hands that long. I sighed, I really had missed Oliver this last holiday because I only got to see him twice when I could meet him at Diagon Alley -Dad was so busy at the Quidditch World Cup in New Zealand that our little family had to go with him.
It felt like we had been going out forever even though it had been only five months -since the fifteenth of April. I laughed to myself, thinking Oliver and I hadn't snogged since June. That had to be a record! A snog sounded good too. Heh heh.
Oh damn. What was I doing? Thinking dirty thoughts during dinner -during the Sorting Ceremony nonetheless! It was thoughts like this that made me feel I didn't deserve prefect, though I guess they might be kinda natural at our age -15 after all. But still, jeez.
"Andrea?" Percy's annoying voice and bad pronunciation zapped me out of my little world.
I couldn't help but snap, "What is it Weasley?"
He looked at me, obviously still mad about what I said and what Sid did, "This is Ronald, my youngest brother."
"He's my youngest brother too!" said George convincingly.
"Believe it or not," Fred said, "mine too!"
"And mine too!" threw in the twin's friend, Lee Jordan, sarcastically. He was also a third year like the twins.
I laughed and nodded and looked at the ever-famed Ronald (I had been hearing about him for quite some time -from his brothers). He was definitely a Weasley with his red hair. He actually looked quite a bit like Percy, without the glasses. "Hello," I smiled.
"Hello Andrea," he mumbled back, pronouncing it like his older brother.
"Call me Andy."
"Only if you call me Ron, and nothing else."
"Deal."
"Deal," he smiled.
The Sorting Ceremony was finally over with some Slytherin. Professor Dumbledore stood up, beaming like usual.
"Welcome," he greeted us. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a we words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
"Thank you!"
He sat back down and everybody started clapping on cue. Finally the food came. Yea! -I was starved.
Dinner went a lot better than the rest of the day. Erin, Oliver, Lee, the Weasley twins, and I talked the whole time to each other. Percy talked to that bushy-haired first year -Hermione Granger. Nick was making quite an impression on the first years. Thank goodness Sid or Marcus never yelled during dinner.
Before I knew it, dinner was over and everything was gone. Dumbledore got up and spoke about start-of-term notices -just the usual drill-downs... Except for one thing. "And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Oooh-kay. What the hell was that supposed to mean? A couple of what had to've been first years laughed but I didn't... I mean this school had some weird stuff going on but nothing like that! I glanced at Oliver who just shrugged at me sadly -he looked confused too.
Just moments later from the subject of death, Dumbledore used his wand to bring up the lyrics of our school song... Everybody sang them to our own tune and then the Headmaster said, "Ah music! A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" It seemed suddenly that the Great Hall woke up from a trance and everybody bolted out of their seats.
Percy got up and stared at me, "Ready to go Fugler?" At first I didn't know quite what he meant but then I remembered it was the fifth year prefect's duties to escort the first years to their common rooms and show them their dorms.
"Er," I stood up too stammering... I didn't really want all these first years to look up to me like I was God or something. "I, uh-"
My voice was cut short by a voice from across the hall, "Ms. Fugler?"
My head snapped to the voice, I guess Sid's did too because all she snapped, "What?"
It was Professor Dumbledore talking, "Andrea, may I talk to you?"
Sid shrugged and went back to bussiness. I glanced at Oliver who sat down and mumured, "I'll wait..."
Percy glanced at Professor Dumbledore who said, "You can go on your own Mr. Weasley."
Percy looked happy has he shrugged and called, "First years, follow me! First year Gryffindors!"
I walked to the Head Table to meet Professor Dumbledore. "Er, hello sir," I greeted him.
He smiled, "Nice to see you again Ms. Fugler. I hope your holiday went fine."
I shrugged and laughed, "It was okay, how was your's sir?"
"Splendid!" he laughed heartily. Where was he going with this conversation exactly? "Now, I'm sorry I had to call you up here but I was just wondering, what exactly happened between Mr. Weasley and Sidney?"
"Er," I stammered. "Uh..." Professor Dumbledore's looked above me in his half moon glasses. "Well, er, sir?" He nodded. "Do you want the truth that'll make you laugh and that's really disgraceful to us upperclassman or the story that'll make you wonder why you asked me up here because it's so dull but makes us sound like good Hogwarts students?"
"Ms. Fugler," he laughed. "You know well enough that this little fight is the least of Hogwart's problems, I just wanted to know for my own amusement." I looked at him quizically and he shrugged, "Do continue Ms. Fugler."
I shrugged, "You'll be pleased to know you're getting the truthful, humorus, yet disgraceful version." Professor Dumbledore laughed slightly and I then went on and told him about how it Percy said something not so kind to Sid and all that went on from there.
"And how did you react to all this?" he asked.
"Er, once again you'll get the honest version," I sighed. "I let my head clunk on the table, not wanting to watch."
"And you're wondering why you're prefect if this is the only way you react, yet you're a witch, correct?"
"Er, yes sir."
"Don't worry Andrea, you're only 14 -soon to be 15- life's like this now."
"Okay..." I looked at him puzzled. "Um, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Did you really just call me up here to hear this lame story or to reassure me I'm not that bad of a loser?" I just had to ask the question.
He shrugged mysteriously, "That's for me to know and for you to decide."
"Okay..."
"I see Mr. Wood is waiting for you." I looked to the Gryffindor table to see Oliver sitting there, the only student left in the Great Hall. Poor guy looked sad. "So, you're dismissed Ms. Fugler, thanks for your time... I'll be seeing you later," he smiled and waved.
I smiled back and walked to Oliver... "Ms. Fugler!" I heard another voice call my name. I turned around to see Professor McGonagall. I looked at her and smiled. She motioned for me to come closer. "I overheard your whole conversation with Professor Dumbledore and I believe Mr. Weasley might deserve a detention or two with me, do you believe that to be unreasonable?"
Hmmm.... I thought in my mind for a moment, after all the torment Weasley had give me I shook my head, "I think that'd be only appropriate Professor."
"Good, I'll assign it to him tomorrow. That is all Ms. Fugler, you can go to Mr. Wood now." It was kind of odd how everybody was starting to aknowledge Oliver and I as a couple this term... It was most deffinetly not recognized last year.
"Er, okay. Thank you Professor McGonagall..." I then ran off pretty fast from the head table, not wanting to be called back.
"What the hell was that all about?" asked Oliver, putting his arm around me as we started walking.
I looked up at him, "That fight between my fellow prefect and somebody of my own blood."
"Sucks you're kinda stuck inbetween."
"I guess if you really want to make me feel so special."
"I do," we were now outside the Great Hall and he kissed me on the lips. I smiled and he then got me into a deep kiss.
I laughed, us kissing right outside the Great Hall. Wouldn't it be ever-so pleasent if we were caught? And, to be honest, being the little goody-goody I was; I didn't want that to happen. "Sweetie, don't you think this is a little much right outside the Great Hall?"
"Um, yeah. Actually, I do..." He laughed kind of embarrassed. "Any suggestions Andy?"
"Er... Classroom?" Okay, so that wad kind of a low but it's not like we were practicing black magic or anything!
"If you insist," he smiled jokingly. Great, a snog session in a classroom. Heh heh. How romantic. But I guess I must've been desperate because I accepted -and he did too. We walked along a bit and he looked at me when we were on second floor corridor. "Er, know of any specific snog-friendly classrooms?"
That was an interesting question you don't hear everyday... "Oliver, this is Hogwarts. I think we might find one. It may not be here next week, but if it's here now -who cares?"
He looked at me and smiled, "Sure thing." He took his wand and whispered to it, "Guide me." Oliver's wand then spun around in his hand and pointed north.
"And what the hell was the point in that?" I loved Oliver but he could be a little weird sometimes... Part of his charm I guess.
"Dunno, pick a classroom?" I laughed at him and kissed his cheek. We were now well inside the classroom -I had never seen it before... Though that didn't stop Oliver from kissing me. I put my arms around him and he put his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. I layed my head on his chest.
"I missed you this holiday Oliver." I confessed. He put his head upon mine,
"I missed you too sweetie, I missed you a lot." I looked up at him and kissed him. We smiled at each other and kissed again. I must say, it felt good to be away from everybody and to just be with my boyfriend. And for the first time in almost two months, I was snogging. In a classroom. With my sweet boyfriend.
Let me just admit, after a while, we were now totally snogging. My hands were just playing with his hair while his hands were tugging at the hem of my shirt, which was now untucked from my skirt. His hands ran all over the place. Madness, heh heh.
I heard a clunk... Like somebody was in the corridors. I pulled away and Oliver stared at me. "What's wrong Andy?" he said, continuing to kiss me.
"I heard something."
"Like what?" He said, pulling me closer.
"I dunno," I said, untuckng his shirt from his trousers.
Suddenly I heard another voice, "Oh... Er, sorry." It was oddly familiar as I pulled away from Oliver, I looked to see who it was. "Well, if it isn't my sister and her boyfriend trying to get it on before school starts?"
Dammit. It was Sid. I watched her turn around and leave the room before either of us could say anything. I turned to Oliver,
"Of all the people of Hogwarts-"
"-it had to be your sister." I looked at him sadly and he kissed me gently on my lips.
"Shit." I said, sitting up. "I think we better get going." I tucked in my shirt and kissed him on the cheek.
We walked in silence to the Gryffindor common room, happy just be in the other's company but embarrassed that my sister caught us. Out of all the people in Hogwarts, it had to be Sid! But what the heck was she doing browsing through classrooms?
"Password?" asked the fat lady who's picture was the entrance to our common room.
"Caput Draconis," I muttered as the door swung open.
Oliver gaped at me, "Andy how the hell did you know that?"
I smiled, "Being a prefect does have its perks." We walked into the common room which was like coming home for the first time in a year... I loved it. Inside were a few upperclass man -all fifth years and up- hanging out. All the younger students must've gone to their dorms unless some other people were having a snogging session -heh heh. Oliver and I walked up the stairs to our dorms until he pulled me into his arms.
"Good night sweetie," he smiled, kissing me good night. I nodded and kissed him back.
"Good night Oliver." I then headed upstairs for a good nights sleep.