Chapter 2: Flying Sticks

When I opened them, we were on the outskirts of a forest. There were people everywhere –tons of them! –All in tents and around fires and talking and walking and . . . I shuddered. "What's the matter, Emi? Cold?" Nephiro asked.

"No! There's just too many people," I replied hastily, trying not to sound dumb.

"Whatever. Our spot is over here. Come on," she ordered, walking off in the direction of the people. The tents were of different colors and sizes and were in rows. It seemed people were moved in and most were settles in a little too much. It was strange…

Nephiro stopped in front of a white tent. It was a fairly big one, but didn't seem like it could fit more than three people. The edges had gold embroidering and a cool shiny covering to it when you walked up to it. I stood outside the "door" and waiting for Nephiro to do something.

"Go in," she said rolling her eyes. I pushed back the flap and gasped. Inside was like a mini house! There was a kitchen and tables, living room and some bedrooms. It even had a second story. I wasn't prepared for something like this. Magical things should have warnings. This tent would be perfect with a sign saying 'Full house inside. Do not enter if you might be pregnant, have a serious injury or illness, have high blood pressure or if you have a heart problem.'

"Nephiro? Is this your friend?" a misty female voice asked from directly behind me. I spun around and found myself face to face with an almost exact, aged, copy of Nephiro. Her eyes were the same amber-red and her hair was a similar color. She was dressed strangely, in a white dress that seemed to flow over rather than cover her and there was a jewel on her forehead. 'She's so… pretty.'

"Yes, mother. This is Emily black," Nephiro replied, her voice filled with respect. 'This is weird… I don't like that tone…'

"It is nice to meet you, Emily. My name is Naomi. Nephiro has told me about you. I'm glad we finally met," her mother told me, extending a hand, which I took. "I will have to talk to you later. This place… it is full of spirit's beckoning me –I must find out what they want." Her eyes glinted gold for a moment before she turned and left.

"Spirits?"

"My mom has ties to the past. Everyone on her side of the family does. She is a powerful witch, gifted with the sight," Nephiro explained without a hint of emotion in her voice.

"Taught Phiro everything she knows," her dad's voice added. "Well, almost everything." He walked up to us and grinned. "Go and show Emi about, Phiro. Don't be a bad hostess."

"What about you?" Nep asked her father.

"I have to go get Lucien and Adam. I'll be back in a bit." And with that, he was gone in a puff of sand.

'I really need to learn that trick,' I thought to myself.

"Come on, Black. You can put your stuff in here." She led me up the stairs and to the third door on the left. "Up stairs is the living area. All the bedrooms are here. This will be ours. There's a bathroom up here and also one downstairs. It's the room next to this." She opened the door, revealing a nice-sized room complete with two beds , a bean bag chair, and two bedside tables.

"This is pretty nice," I commented, admiring the place.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go outside and wait for my dad to come back."

"Why outside?" I questioned.

"Because, inside my mother will know exactly what's going on. Outside there are distractions to shield me," she replied, exiting the room.

"O… ok…?"

"Coming?" she called over her shoulder.

"Yeah." 'Wow… Nephiro's family is kind of scary. No wonder she's so unhinged.'

So we waited outside Nephiro's tent house thingy and caught up. I decided I would have to go look for Draco later but not now. Now I was going to wait for Lucien and Adam. They showed up a bit later, fill of hugs (and kisses) for Nephiro and friendly smiles for me. Well, at least Lucien. He seemed like a pretty friendly, nice guy. His brother on the other hand, looked like a brooding artist or a jealous boyfriend. He intrigued me.

"Hello, Emi, right? It's nice to see you again," Lucien said to me once he and Nephiro… said hello.

"Nice to see you again too," I replied. 'Very nice to see you again.'

"Why don't you say hi to Emi, little brother?" Lucien growled at his brother.

"Hi."

"Hi." I looked at Nephiro for help. She smiled at me almost reassuringly. "Err.. How are things?"

"OK," Lucien answered. Adam just grunted.

"Why don't we go for a walk once you two get settled in? I'm sure we're bound to find something… exciting to do," Nephiro suggested.

"All right."

I waited outside while Nephiro gave another "tour" and people watched. Everyone was either wearing green or burgundy. I got glares from wizards in robes and warm smiles from those in strange outfits. It seems to me that most wizards don't know how muggles dress.

"OK. You ready Black?" Nephiro asked. I nodded.

"You know what, I'll catch up with you guys later. I want to find Draco," I told them, my voice vacant of emotion. Nep just smiled. They headed left and I went right.

I decided then that people had no manners. No one pays attention to where he or she is going, or whom they step on. It amazed me at the rudeness of the crowd.

If Draco was around I figured I'd run into him… eventually. I stopped temporarily to grab some cotton candy, when I was run into by a passerbyer. I turned to swear at the culprit and came face to face with Rilee Riddle.

"Black, how nice to see you. Didn't think you were coming. Draco said something about you being grounded," she said.

"I am… but I convinced Remus to lift it off because I blamed it on Sir- I mean my dad." Rilee grinned.

"This is Jenna, Karasu, and Mercutio Pachatte, my best friends." I gave a nice warm smile to each of them, but not really meaning it.

"I'm heard a lot about you. I'm Emi."

"Really?" said Jenna, casting her friend a sidelong glance. "And what, pray tell, have you heard?"

"All good things I hope," added Mercutio.

"Mostly good things, we generally don't talk about the past much. We just hit each other," I replied.

"Wait hit on each other? Did I hear that right?" Rilee smacked Mercutio.

"You jack ass." I just laughed.

"How is your summer going? How many times have you tried to kill Draco?" I asked, in a sarcastic but truthful manner.

Rilee is pensive for a moment and counts on her fingers. "Um, I'm not sure since I was gone for a month and a half but probably near 50 or so, that's usually when I lose count."

"Obviously none of them have been successful, since I just got a letter from him last night." I smirked and ate some cotton candy. Though, all it managed to do was make me thirsty and my fingers sticky.

Rilee narrowed her eyes slightly. "Well, I've been rather busy. I don't have time for some stupid elaborate plan to take over the world like my father. Nor do I have the time to take out Draco when he's an assets at the oddest of times."

I returned her expression. "No reason to go all evil, Ri." I offered her some of my sugary poison.

"Ugh how can you eat that –all it is, is gross whipped sugar." Mercutio and Jenna laughed.

"I thought you liked things whipped Rilee?" said Jenna. Rilee burned a deep red, so did Mercutio.

I decided that asking wasn't the right thing to do so I changed the subject. "Lovely weather we've been having!"

"Emi, it rained all last week," Rilee said, eyeing me funny.

"Which is why this shit hole is called England –" muttered Jenna.

I had to agree with Jenna. England was a bad place to live, but I don't live there, so I don't care. "It didn't rain in Czech," I told them, trying to add as much enthusiasm as I possibly could.

"It did in Italy –" grumbled Mercutio.

"And in Germany –" complained Rilee.

"America is all nice and warm –" Everyone shot death looks at Jenna for boasting. She just grinned.

"Well girls... and guy, I must finish my quest. Rilee, do you happen to know where Draco is? I owe him a slap," I questioned.

"I'm not sure if he's here yet but if he is - he'd be in the tent with the all mighty bitch."

"OK. Thanks! I'll see you later," I yelled back to them over my shoulder, not really thinking too much to what she said.

"You're going the wrong way!" Rilee answered back. With red cheeks, I turned and ran the opposite way.

Lucius Malfoy was standing outside of the tent Rilee pointed me too, whispering to a taller, fat man who reminded me of a troll. He spotted me and I felt frightened for a second. Mr. Malfoy was an intimidating man; he stood straight, held his head high, and wore an expression of disgust. His thin, black cane had a snakes head on it and didn't seem to fulfill any purpose.

"You must be Emily Black," he said in his aristocratic tone. I felt like kicking him in the shin. "Draco is inside. Go right in." The Malfoy tent was much different inside from Nephiro's. Sliver and green everywhere along with snakes. 'They hired a terrible decorator,' I thought, smirking to myself. What seemed to be the Malfoy crest was hanging above the unneeded fireplace. Draco was standing in front of the mantle with a depressing look in his eyes.

"Hey Malfoy!" I said in a semi-cheerful voice. "Why the long face" He blinked and turned his head toward me. It was as I had woke him from a trance.

"Emi!" I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. He placed his around my hips and held me tight. "I was thinking."

"Oh…" I had learned already that asking what he was thinking about never worked. I just thought I'd keep my mouth shut.

"Don't worry. It was nothing pressing." He kissed my forehead and chuckled. "Who do think will win the tournament?"

"Me," I responded.

"Good answer," he murmured. Draco kissed me lips. "Sit with me during it?"

"I'll try. Remus told Xanu –Nephiro's dad –that I was technically grounded, so he might make me sit with them." He grimaced. "But I'm still in the top box."

"Mmhm. OK."

Draco had to go be his dad's shadow, so I was forced to find my way back to the Miketsu tent. No one appeared to be back yet so I helped myself to some water, sat down in a chair and waited. There was a lot of people walking back, chattering excitedly. I looked at my watch and saw that the match is starting soon.

"Did they leave without me?" I questioned out loud. I stared at the passing crowd, wishing I could remember where Nephiro and I said we'd meet. It was absent-mindedly thinking until a young girl with light brown hair, around my age walked by. Everything seemed to slow down as she glided by. Her reddish skirt flared out a little due to the gust of wind and her white tank top left nothing to the imagination. The outgoing outfit was accented by black suede boots with faux fur at the top and her pale skin.

The female stopped in front of the tent and saw me watching her. With an expression of amusement, she gave me a wink with her brown eyes and disappeared.

"What the he –"

"Emi!" My mind snapped back to the other side of the entrance, Nep, Lucian, and Adam stood looked a tad bit impatient. "Are you coming? The match is going to be starting soon!" I nodded and slide off of my seat.

The four of us marched through the other speculators and were directed to a box way up at the top of the massive gold stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen… welcome! Welcome to the final…" said an announcer. I covered my ears. 'Too loud!'

"Damn! Pick up the pace, and boys do not stop to leer," Nephiro yelled back to us when the crowd began screaming and whistling. It was like a giant mush of red and green throughout the stand. "Finally."

The top box was basically full except four seats in back of Draco, which I'm guessing were ours since Mr. Miketsu was next to them, and one by a small ugly creature with eyes too big for it's head. We sat down and I glanced out to the field and saw about a hundred glowing… things… dancing around, going faster and faster. All the men around had dazed look, some were drooling, (even Lucian and Draco) and long-behold famous Harry Potter was pressing himself against the glass. I felt like getting up and giving him a good kick in the butt. When the 'veela' (as Adam called them) stopped their performance the crowd went wild, but instead of cries of ecstasy like before, they were bellowing vulgar demands for the white-haired creatures to continue. I saw a couple of mothers cover their children's ear.

"And now kindly put your wand in the air…" 'How about no.' The annoying loud voice was coming from a young looking man wearing colorful clothes. I sighed, inwardly wishing I had stayed in the tent. "For the Irish National Mascots!" A green blue swept over the field getting a new reaction from everyone.

"Before you get excited Black," Nep whispered in my ear. "It's not real." Almost instantly gold coins were showing on top of us.

"Ow! I think one hit my eyes!" I said jokingly, covering my head with my arms. A fair skinned snotty woman turned a little from the seat in front of me and gave me a rude look. I presumed she was Draco's mum, since she was seating next to him. Draco didn't even notice I was there, that was until Mrs. Malfoy called my an "immature brat." I know my ears would be letting steam escape soon, my blood was almost to boiling temperature, but my little dragon mouthed, "Ignore her" to me. It didn't make me feel any less angry, but it was still soothing for an unknown reason. When the three of them faced the field, I "immaturely" gave them a gesture using my finger; Nephrio chuckled. 'Was that who Rilee call the "almighty bitch"? Sounds true.'

The actual game wasn't as interesting as the mascots. I still don't see why a while bunch of people with sticks chasing balls is exciting… well, maybe I could, I just don't want to. In the end, Bulgaria caught the stupid gold ball, but Ireland still won.

Before we exited the box, Draco pulled me aside and kissed me. His mom looked vivid, but his father seemed entertained. I gave Draco a puzzled look and he smiled.

"Thanks for not smacking my mum for her rude comments. She doesn't think before she speaks…" I wasn't listening to him, I was watching his parents, and was thinking about the black eye he had last holiday. My eyes narrowed at the memory of our fight about it as Lucius laughed at the Minister of Magic's corny joke. "Emi? Honey? Are you listening to me?" I return my eyes to my boyfriend's grey eyes; their usual coldness was gone and was replaced by concern.

"Honestly? No, sorry, I wasn't." He frowned. "I have a really bad headache." 'Liar!' the voice in the back of my head accused.

"Are you feeling faint?" His voice had a hint of panic, and he grabbed my shoulders.

"Not particularly, just tired. I'm going back to the tent, OK?" I didn't wait for his reply before kissing his cheek good-bye and walking away, Quickly, I caught up with Nep and the gorgeous brothers, who had decided I wasn't worth waiting for.