Miss 1004: I updated although nobody reviews me. Im on the verge of tears now T-T But oh well. Its just for the fun of it -
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Part 3: Paul Price
The week passed by fairly quickly and the students (most of them) didn't have a clue about the news. Finally it was Friday, and the hall was occupied by many students, all of them hungry for dinner. When an unexpected visitor arrived from Beauxbatons, the students couldn't hide their surprise. A graceful woman with a handsome feature and smooth olive skin was sitting by the staff table. She appeared to have some giant blood in her veins.
"Finally," said Marie, sighing deeply. "now I don't have to suffer." She gave Jared a contemptous look and gave the woman her undivided attention.
"Good evening," said the woman. "I am Madam Maxime. Some uf you 'no mee. Tonight, we 'ave some very special news. But first, let us eenjoy our wonderful feest."
The students stood up to get plates and got in line to pile up food. Soon, the hall was filled with noises.
"Hi Marie! Hi Violet! Hi Michelle!" squeaked a voice from somewhere. Silvia Perez was waving to the three girls from the opposite side. "How was your summer? I went to Mexico over break. Ooh! I got you something," she said as she dug into her sequined emerald bag. "See? It's chili-flavored gum! Here, you can have these, I've got loads!" She handed them each a bulging red bag of sweets.
"Er….thanks!" said Violet. Silvia beamed and returned to her line.
"What are those?" inquired Kevin.
"What? These?" replied Marie as she dug in her hand to retreive a bright-red packaged gum. "Silvia gave them to us."
"Really?" he said as he sniffed the bag cautiously. "I dunno, Marie….that stuff looks pretty spicy..."
"Hey, are those sweets?" burst in Jared. "Gosh, Im so hungry…let me try one." he took the gum from Marie's hands before she could say anything and popped it into his mouth.
"NO!" yelled Violet. "Jare, those are chili-flavored—"
Jared stood there for a moment, and seconds later, his face turned red. "AARGGGGHHHH!" He yelled. He dropped his plate and it shattered.
"Jare!" Paige screamed. Jared started running around the hall. People were looking at him. Madame Maxime finally noticed when she heard the students panicking. She stood next to him in five giant steps and pulled out her wand. Calmly, she pointed to Jared's throat and yelled, "Aguamenti!"
Water poured out from Greg as he opened his mouth. He spluttered and gasped, finally falling on to the floor with a dull thunk.
"Jared!" Violet yelled once more. She ran towards his side and turned white with fear.
"'Ee as only fainteed." Madame Maxime said calmly. "You weel 'ave to tell Meester Burns eemeediately." Violet gulped and nodded. Kevin stepped out from behind the line and grabbed Jared's legs. "Somebody help me carry him to the apothecary!" he yelled.
"I will!" volunteered a blonde boy with glasses. Marie was familiar with the face but didn't know his name. He grabbed Kevin's arms and carried him all the way to the apothecary with some difficulty with Kevin side by side.
Violet stood there shaking and looking disheveled. Marie wrapped her arms around her and Michelle patted her back. Silvia stepped out of the muttering crowd and said to Violet, "Violet, Im very sorry…I didn't know that it would be that spicy…"
Violet gulped. "Its..its ok, Silvia, its not your f..fault..." she sobbed into Marie's arms. "I…I think I'll go and see J…Jared now..and I might as well take a c…c…calming potion while Im t…there…" she smiled faintly and walked out of the hall.
The next day, everyone was buzzing their inquiries about the health of Jared. Michelle and Marie didn't know because Violet didn't return to the dormitory and Kevin had to get back to his. After breakfast, she returned to her bed, looking exhausted. Marie and Michelle shooed away the buzzing crowd and sat down. Violet sighed heavily and lay her head against the pillow. "So.." started Michelle, looking uncomfortable. "Yes Vi, how is Jared?" burst in Marie.
Violet smiled a faint smile and said, "The chili-flavored-gum…it burnt a hole in his tongue.." she closed her eyes. Marie looked worried. "But hes okay now," said Violet quickly. "hes just resting…we can go visit him later on." They all agreed.
After a couple minutes, Violet, Michelle, and Marie climed up the stairs for the apothecary. "Oh yeah, Vi?" Marie stopped short and asked her. "Do you by any chance know what the boy's name is? I mean, the one that helped carry Jared to the apothecary?"
"Oh…you mean Paul Price?" she smiled. "He's a kind boy…hes two years older than us, and hes really sweet."
"Yea, I suppose…" said Michelle. "It was really nice of him to help you like that."
Violet smiled again. "Yea, he stayed with me and Kev all night yesterday. He must be really tired." They finally reached the wooden door on the fourth floor. Michelle knocked on it, and a hoarse voice said, "Come in." They entered.
A short man with a smartly cut greying hair greeted them. "Ahh, Miss Erickson. I see you've brought Miss Moore and Miss Park along too. Come on in…would you like some refreshments? Milk….perhaps?" he said.
"Er…no thanks, Mr Burns," said Michelle. "Im not a baby…" she muttered when he dissapeared.
The apothecary was a cozy room with many comfortable beds and couches. A fire crackled cheerfully in the fireplace, and Jared was occupied on the nearest bed from it.
"Hi," he said, looking perfectly healthy and overjoyed to see them. "I've been stuck here all day doing abosoloutely nothing. Mr Burns," he paused, lowering his voice. "suggests that I stay here for another day, just to be safe. That loony old man…." Violet looked stern. "Jare," she said, "hes just trying to help you. And besides, if it werent for your rashness, you wouldn't be here."
Just then, Kevin walked in from the office. "Why hullo there! How are you crazy animals doing today?" Michelle rolled her eyes.
"Good, good," replied Marie. "You two look tired. I think we need some….tea." she said, changing her mind. She was about to say coffee, but thought better of it. She flicked her wand and conjured up a tray of five tea cups, a steaming pot of tea and biscuits.
"Thanks Marie," said Kevin, grabbing a cup and pouring himself some tea with his wand. "So how was dinner yesterday? Anything we need to know about?"
"Oh, nothing much, really." said Marie, twiddling her wand and conjuring a plate to keep her biscuit. "We're leaving next week, and also….dress robes."
"Dress robes? What'd we need dress robes for?" muttered Kevin.
"Hogwarts is having a welcoming party for us." said Violet, helping herself to some biscuit. "Well, I could use a new dress robe anyway…now I have an excuse to get one. Haha…."
Michelle sipped her tea. "Marie? Can you make me and Vi a dress robe?" she asked suddenly. Marie gave her a strange look.
"You know…you make bags and clothes…why not try making a robe?"
"Well, I can try," she opened her mouth cautiously. "but don't expect anything much, Im still a novice."
Violet nodded and looked at Jared. "Jare, you better be more careful from now on. If it werent for Paul and Kev, you wouldn't be talking now."
He shuddered. "Yea, might as well thank him…he doesn't even know me that well…" Violet looked satisfied. Just then, Paul came in.
"Oh hello," said Jared, putting on a wide smile. "How are you?"
"Oh Im fine…" he said, also smiling. "But enough about me, hows your tongue?"
Jared smiled again and stuck out his tongue. "Good as new." He replied.
"Paul, would you like to join us for tea?" Gestured Kevin.
"I would love to!" he said.
Kevin conjured up a chair. "Paul, these are my friends Marie and Michelle. But of course, Marie is more than a friend." Kevin winked at him. Paul gasped an inaudible 'oh' as Mari rolled her eyes.
"Pleased to meet you," said Marie, shaking his hand. "You too," he said. Michelle thumped him on the back saying, "What's up, man?" Paul looked shocked, but seemed like he was enjoying himself.
"What were you guys talking about, anyway?" he asked.
"Ahh, we were talking about the upcoming welcoming party at Hogwarts." said Kevin. "You heard what Maxime said, right? Dress robes."
Jared looked worried. "That means there's going to be DANCING…" he said to Paul. "Im not a very good dancer, you know..."
"No he isnt," said Violet. "Remember? On last year's Christmas Ball, you stepped on my foot eleven times…and yes, I counted." she shook her head at him. Paul looked amused.
"But I think its going to be extremely fun, don't you think?" he asked Violet.
"I dunno..not with HIM for a date…" she gestured at Jared.
"Hey!" Jared yelled loudly. Mr Burns came in and said, "Ahh, Mr Collins! Time for your sleeping draught…you shouldn't over exert yourself…would you like me to bring anything for you?"
"No thank you!" he said through gritted teeth. "Im perfectly fine! I think I can return to my own bed now--"
"Well, if you say so." he said quietly.Jared looked relieved. "But, you havent had your sleeping draught yet! You can return to your dormitory tomorrow, Mr Collins."
"But--" he protested . Mr Burns cut him off.
"Now now kids, get back to your classes, you'll be late!" he shoved them out of the room and closed the door. Michelle saw a bewildered looking Greg through the crack from the door as it shut.
"Well, we're going to be late," said Kevin suddenly. "Lets go."
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Im not even gonna bother asking how it was >o But if you happen to like it...please please PLEASE review!
Miss 1004