AN: SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! Oh god, Finals are in two weeks.. TWO! I am not even prepared. I'll post next week and I'll take a break till after my exams. How's that sound? Anyway, thanks for the nice reviews. And I'm sorry for those of you who think that Strophe is a lousy character. Perfect and all.. That's how I planned her. This plot will play a part later in the story. Sorry if you feel disgusted by her or whatever, but I like her the way she is. And if you don't like her, then stop reading. Simple as that! Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 8: The Field Trip
I woke up as the room was filled with excited murmurs. Angelina and Alicia were already checking if they had left anything behind, however Katie was still packing. Serves her right for not wanting to pack last night.
It has been weeks since Fred had played with my head in Charms class. It bothered me so much that I didn't feel the thrill of the field trip anymore. Didn't feel like going.
Nevertheless, I got out of bed and towards the showers. Took a good ten minute shower and wore my school robes. We were leaving at night when the younger students had left for Christmas break. So we still had classes as usual.
The Great Hall was filled with students excited about leaving for the field trip. I opened my brochure, which Professor McGonagall had given out a week back.
Students are required to wait at the Great Hall after dinner as we leave for Bulgaria. All students will be riding in the carriages in alphabetical order. You shall share tents with your 'teams'. Those 'teams' will be sorted the following morning. TEAMS will be divided into ten..
And so on. I refused to read another word as I had already gone through it ten times already. I would just pray to God hopefully, that I don't get in the same team as Fred.
I got my red camping backpack (everyone was required to buy one) from under my four-poster-bed and sighed. Katie has gotten over her fear of sleeping in the woods and now had turned excited.
We went downstairs together with Lee, George and Fred; whom I was still not in talking terms with. I sighed, atleast I wont be sharing a compartment with Fred. They are sorting it out alphabetically.
We arrived at the Great Hall and saw atleast a hundred students. We got settled down and ate our dinner ferociously; they were thrilled to get to Bulgaria.
The boys were gobbling their chickens. How charming. "Eat properly, will you?" I joked at Lee. "You girls eat way to little. It's annoying,"
Finally, when dinner ended, Professor Dumbledore had gone through the safety precautions and the rules and regulations that still apply out of school.
"Alright, we're about to sort you out alphabetically. Surnames with A's over here!" Professor Sprout said as a group of students excitedly followed.
I was waiting for the P's to be called out. "P's!" Professor McGonagall said and I went towards the group. I set my eyes on the Patil twins, Pansy Parkinson, Harry Potter and a few others who's names I couldn't recall.
"Hello Harry," I greeted him, thankful I had atleast a friend. "You excited?" I asked him. "Not really," he said quietly but managed to give me a smile. "Don't worry. I'm not either," I told him as we headed to our carriage.
I recognized the horses that Beauxbatons used to transport students, were being tied to the familiar carriages. Dumbledore must've asked Madame Maxine permission to borrow them.
"They used these to get to Beauxbatons," I told Harry, who looked at me with a confused gaze. "Where I came from," I reminded him. "Oh! Right, sorry!" Harry said clumsily as he laughed at himself.
It took atleast five hours to arrive at where we supposed to be. I looked out from the window; the lush green trees, blue frozen lakes and flocks of birds migrating off to somewhere warmer.
"Look Harry, we've arrived," I nudged him as he woke up from his short nap. He looked outside and smiled at the beautiful view. The Parkinson girl had threw up earlier, which made the carriage smelled.. Let's just say we knew what she had for dinner.
We arrived on the ground with a thud. The Patil twins got out first, followed by some other students, Parkinson, Harry and finally me.
I saw Alicia first, and got to her quickly, saying goodbye to Harry. "Oh thank Merlin we've arrived! Zacharias Smith was about to get competitive about the Gryffindor Quidditch team! Imagine if Wood were there, he'd be a dead man by now." Alicia said as I looked around for Katie and Angelina.
But before I could so, Professor McGonagall had us follow her through the thick forest and to a particular empty spot for tents. Since we haven't sorted out our teams yet, we had to sleep in with our roommates, which I had no intention of hesitating.
The next day, a blasting sound woke us up. It turned out to be some kind of trumpet-horn kind of a thing, which you blew into. It was very effective, as students got out of their tents mumbling.
There were eight cabins (two for each house and gender), where we would have to shower. There were atleast ten showers in each cabin, and the rest would have to wait for their turn.
Some students who had friends from the other houses went and took showers from the other cabins as they had fewer students. The cabins weren't that bad. I knew the teachers had to build them especially for us.
After shower, we headed to an empty field where they served breakfast. The food wasn't as good as the house-elves cooked back at Hogwarts, but they were satisfying enough.
After breakfast, Professor Dumbledore had us go back to our tents and pack our stuff; as we were about to be sorted into our teams.
"Goodmorning everyone!" Professor Dumbledore greeted.
"I hope you had a peaceful sleep last night. I know I did! Alright, moving on. We had sorted all you students into groups of ten. It doesn't matter what house, gender, and year you are. The Sorting Hat has sorted all of you into groups and we believe that the Hat's choices are going to lead to great teams." He began as we all looked at each other curiously.
"These teams are formed to enlighten up this trip. Surely you'd like to have fun, don't you? You will also compete amongst one another and the best team shall win a prize." He said.
"Alright, let's begin, shall we? Back at your old tents, there will be a roll of parchment indicating which group you are." Dumbledore said as he dismissed us. Students were already dragging their feet back to their tents and I saw a few students happy, and a few sad that they were not in the same team as their friends.
I looked at the list:
Bell, Katie – Black Team
Johnson, Angelina – Purple Team
Perkins, Astrophel – Red Team
Spinnet, Alicia – Yellow Team
"We're all split up!" Katie said furiously. "Hopefully the boys would be in one of ours," Angelina said.
Just in time, the boys came with their list and shoved it to us.
Jordan, Lee – Gray Team
Weasley, Fred – Yellow Team
Weasley, George – Green Team
"None of us are together!" Katie imitated Angelina's fury. "What?" George said with disbelief. "That is not fair!" he started. "Oh, Fred and I are in Yellow!" Alicia piped up as Fred just nodded at her. The jealous side of me burned a little.
Suddenly, the tents had changed into the colors of the teams. There were twenty tents now, two for each team. "Looks like this is where we leave now," I joked as everyone departed.
I headed towards the red tents. I saw Madam Hooch standing in between the two tents. I arrived at the tents and placed my items in there next to a friendly girl named Hannah Abbott.
We were instructed to meet and greet our fellow teammates as soon as we had settled in our tents. I got out from my tent and saw a few familiar faces; Oliver Wood, Ron Weasley and Padma Patil.
I smiled politely at Oliver and Ron. "Looks like we meet again," Oliver flirted.
"Alright team! Gather round!" Madam Hooch instructed and all ten of us sat down obediently. "We are the Red team. If you don't know, I am Madam Hooch, Quidditch coach. And I'd like you all to spend a few minutes getting to know your fellow teammates. Now move along!" she said as she went and took out her own tent.
All of us looked around awkwardly. I recognized a few students like Zacharias Smith, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and two others who's name I do not know.
I started off with them, since I had no idea whom they were. I walked towards them. Obviously both of them were good friends, one was a girl and the other a boy, fourth year, I perhaps.
"Hi, I'm Astrophel," I said to the two Slytherins. "Malcolm Baddock," the boy replied and the girl just replied "Daphne Greengrass," she replied. "You wouldn't know who we are, would you?" Malcolm said as he sneered.
"You wouldn't know who I am either," I replied coolly. "Are you kidding me? Everyone knows who you are." The boy replied again. "Don't mind him, he doesn't like anyone but Slytherins." Daphne said as I just gave her a brittle smile.
"You both fourth years?" I asked as they just nodded. Suddenly, Oliver grabbed me by the arm and urged me to sit down with him. "Hello, I'm Oliver Wood," he said as he grinned. "Why hello there Mr. Wood, I'm Astrophel Perkins," I played along.
"Funny how we keep bumping into each other," he said as I just nodded. "Let's see who we're up against," I asked him as we both got up.
I looked around and saw Katie glaring at Draco Malfoy, attempting to hex him, but Snape had been there to stop it. Poor Katie. Then I saw Angelina in the Purple team with Hermione and a few students. Harry and George were talking about something near the green tent. I saw Alicia and Fred talking to the bimbo Marietta. She was giggling harshly and was throwing herself at Fred. Who the fuck does she think she is?
Lee was looking around too. I saw Cho excited and touched Cedric Diggory everywhere at the Orange tents. The Brown, White and Blue teams had no one important in particular.
"Well this ought to be interesting," Oliver said.
I sat down next to Hannah Abbott. I saw Padma walking towards her sister; Parvati, who was in Yellow team. I just realized that the yellow tents were the closest to ours—it'll only take you ten seconds, unlike the other tents, which would probably take a few minutes. I saw Oliver heading back into his tent and I decided to go somewhere else.
I walked over to the yellow tents and sat next to Alicia. "Hate my group," Alicia muttered. "Why? There's Fred." I told her. "Having to bunk with Marietta isn't good though, is it?" she said bored. "Oh right, forgot about that." I said.
"Why is she talking to Fred?" I asked casually, not wanting to show any sign of jealousy. "More like flirting. Honestly, who tells a guy that they like to snog at night and give them a wink after?!" she said irritated. I felt a burning sensation in me.
"I'm talking to Fred," I told Alicia. "Oooh, is Astrophel Perkins jealous?" Alicia said. "No shit, Sherlock!" I joked as she laughed, she stayed where she was to observe me.
I walked up towards Fred and Marietta. Fred seemed to be enjoying her company, which infuriated me more. "Hi Fred," I said as I sat down next to him. He seemed taken aback from my sudden decision to stop ignoring him.
"Marietta," I nodded curtly at her.
"So what were you guys talking about?" I asked them in a tone. "It's really none of your business, Asstrophel," Marietta snorted, which made her sound like a pig. Not that she wasn't one.
"Real mature, Marietta," I just responded as Fred snickered. Glad to know he was on my side. Marietta got up from her seat and walked inside her tent.
There was awkward silent between Fred and I that I was too afraid to break. Not sure what would come out of the careless mouth of mine.
"Hey Astrophel," he said slowly as my spine started to shiver as he said my name. "Hi," I managed to say back.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you back at your tent with Oliver?" he asked calmly. "I'd rather be here with you," I told him as I let my hands dangle infront of me.
Fred grabbed a hold of one of my hands and kept it. I moved closer to him and he seemed to like it. He fidgeted with his hands and started breathing nervously.
"Why are you.. nervous?" I asked. "I'm with you, right?" he said with a sly smile. I managed to blush at his comment and looked down at the grass.
"What do you think of Marietta?" I asked him, my tone changed, filled with slight anger. "I dunno. Am I supposed to have an opinion on her?" he asked as I shrugged. "She just seems interested in you, that's all." I told him. "She does?" he said as his face lit up a bit. I felt embarrassed that he was even a tiny bit happy. I let go off his hands and dug them back into pockets.
Fred seemed to take notice of my actions, took a look at the Red tent and frowned. "I've got to umm.. go." He said as he dismissed himself and went back into his tent.
FRED WEASLEY
I was sorted into Yellow Team. It's not that bad, since I had Alicia. But then again, Astrophel's in Purple. With Oliver. Not only did he try and hit on her too, he tried to blackmail me.
It was way back before Astrophel and I had slept together in the Hospital Wing. Oliver had furiously asked me to leave her alone or I'll be out of the Quidditch team. Who the fuck does he think he is? It seemed effective. I struggled trying to keep my emotions to myself instead of shoving them infront of Strophe.
Marietta was babbling something about how she loves snogging and what not. I looked at Astrophel from where I was. She was talking to Oliver Wood. I got frustrated but I kept a straight face as Marietta was giggling.
Oliver had went back inside the tent and I saw Astrophel walking towards Alicia and sat down next to her. I felt disappointed that she didn't come towards me.
But I was wrong, she went straight towards me and sat down close. She had started a small feud with Marietta so she could leave.
"Hey Astrophel," I said, breaking the awkward silence we had. "Hi," she said. We haven't talked in ages! Her voice made my stomach flutter in a ridiculous speed rate.
"What are you doing here? Why aren't you back at your tent with Oliver?" I asked calmly, not wanting to show any symptoms of jealousy. "I'd rather be here with you," she said. Instantly, I felt happy. I felt like I wanted to hug her, kiss her and every other way in showing my feelings towards her.
She let her hands dangle infront of her knees. I looked at them. They were so tempting not to touch. It was as if they were soft meat and I was a hungry lion who hasn't eaten for years.
I wasn't sure what to do. I looked back at the Purple tent and saw Oliver absent. I took the advantage and grabbed one of her arms and appreciated the soft touch of her skin.
Automatically, she moved closer to me and I felt like the luckiest man in the whole entire universe. My mind started to wander off to Quidditch.. Oliver. This wasn't right. I started breathing heavily and my fingers started moving restlessly.
"Why are you.. Nervous?" she asked worried. "I'm with you, right?" I said, plastering a smile on my face as she blushed. Score one for Freddie!
"What do you think of Marietta?" she asked silently. "I dunno. Am I supposed to have an opinion on her?" I answered honestly. Not sure why she we were talking about Marietta out of all things.
"She just seems interested with you, that's all," she continued. "She does?" I asked, someone fancied me? No one ever fancied me. No one. It was always George who got all the girls because they thought he was more 'sensitive'.
Suddenly, Astrophel let go of her hands and kept it to herself. I felt the happiness that was there earlier had just faded. As if a Dementor had arrived.
I looked at the Red tent and saw Oliver reappeared, keeping the fire going with a spell.
So she likes him?
Of course not you idiot! She just held hands with you!
I held her hands!
So? She didn't hesitate!
Oh Merlin, I hated it when I start arguing with my thoughts. "I've got to umm.. Go," I told her as I saw her face flashed with disappointment.
I got into my tent and waited for Astrophel to leave so I could head to the Green Team, where George was. Not longer than ten seconds had Astrophel left and got back into her tent.
I got out silently, hoping Professor McGonagall wouldn't catch me trying to sneak out. It was starting to get dark and showers are about to start soon. I took advantage of this time and went towards the Green tent, which was the furthest from mine.
I walked and opened the tent curtains. I saw they had a slightly different tent. A smaller one, as they had fewer boys. Harry was on the top of the bunk bed while George was on the bottom. He was taking a nap, I presume.
I walked towards him and smacked him on the head hard. He got up immediately and hit his head on Harry's bed, above him. I heard Harry chuckle and leave for showers with the rest of the boys.
I took a seat next to the bed opposite him. "What is your problem?!" George exclaimed angrily. I rolled my eyes and started talking. "Astrophel's talking to me again," I told him as I smiled.
"Really? No wonder you seem happier!" George said as his face lit up. "Yeah, we held hands for abit. But she let go after Oliver got out of his tent," I added silently. "Oh," George said hopelessly.
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't like a git like Wood, who, by the way, blackmailed you. Bloody tosser!" he complained as I nodded in agreement. "But.. I want her, you know?" I confessed.
"Sounds like my brother's in love," George said, laughing. "I am not," I told him as I blushed, which was unfamiliar to me. No one made me blush except Astrophel (or when George pulled down my pants one time infront of the whole Transfiguration class during first year).
"So what do you reckon I should do?" I asked. "I dunno. Let's see where it gets you first," George said as he just shrugged.
Isn't it great having someone who doesn't give great advice as your brother? Superb!
AN: Hope you enjoyed it :) I'm still thinking about what's going to happen with Strophe/Fred relationship. But I have an idea.. you guys will just have to wait!