CHAPTER 4

FRED, DIVINATION AND THE NOTICE BOARD

Catherine:

I left for Transfiguration. I met Annie in the classroom. "Where've you been?"

"I…um fell." I replied quietly.

"Oh." Annie said contentedly. Professor Winter introduced herself to the class, but obviously the Ravenclaws already knew her. She was the head of the Ravenclaw house. We were going to start the year by turning a porcupine into a pincushion.

Annie and giggled the whole time. Let me just say that on our first attempt, the porcupine lost more than a few quills. However on our ninth try we finally had made a successful pincushion. We even had some extra time to spare at the end.

"So…you kinda like Fred, huh?" Annie asked innocently. This took me by surprise but I thought about it for a minute.

"Yeah." I paused. "I s'pose I do. What about you though, Annie?" After that it was idle conversation until Professor Winter announced that we could leave. I smiled and jogged outside for care and keeping of magical creatures for the first time. The air warm but had a steady flow of cool breezes. Annie, again, told me that I looked like a supermodel with my hair blowing in the breeze. My hair was a light brown, and went down to about the middle of my chest. I had side swept bangs that draped across my forehead.

Today's class was fairly boring. All they would talk about was the safety of handling magical creatures. So with that I was free to let my mind wander off to the fields across the black lake, to the forest and back to the castle again. Soon enough it was time for my favorite subject. Lunch. All though I would never show anyone besides maybe Annie and Juliett, I was truly a pig when it came to food.

We were in the Great Hall for lunch when I caught Fred's eye and he winked at me. I smiled back at him. Geez. I hope that I wasn't blushing that hard. Certain memories fluttered back to me. It had only been a few hours or so since I saw him last but it seemed like so much longer. I though about our sweet goodbye then about my confession to Annie.

As I inhaled my chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese, I listened and watched as Juliett showed us an origami bird. Soon enough it was time, though, to leave for our first ever divination class. We galloped up the winding staircases ignoring the rude remarks of certain annoyed paintings.

In front of me, was a mass of students gathered around something the looked like a ladder to an ancient attic. Among the swarm of people, adorned in red and gold was Fred. He was in a far corner chatting with James (what a surprise). There was some talk from Fred and several nods from James. Fred cracked his knuckles and said something that looked like wish me luck. A few seconds later a felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, Catherine." Said Fred. "So…" he said ever so smoothly. "I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"Oh. Um…Are you asking me out?" As soon as I heard myself say it, all I wanted to do was a face palm. Smooth, Catherine.

He ran his hand through his hair half nervously. "Well. Actually yes…" I suddenly felt Annie and Juliett's presence, smirking.

"Yeah…I'd love to!" I said enthusiastically. I leaned up to hug him and he squeezed me tight. "Well, that's a relief!" He whispered into my ear.

We headed up into the smoky attic. The air had an odd sickly sweet scent. The air was warm and intense. I made my eyes water like crazy. Was this the divination room?

Juliett:

I had all of my classes with Matthew and about half with Annie and Catherine. This year wasn't so bad. I had met many new people that first day. Well, they were new to me at least. Anyway one of the "new" girls' names was Camelle. We had a few things in common such as she enjoyed running also. Some people say it's not a sport, but if you've tried it you would know that it's no picnic.

Talking to Camelle about running made me realize that I left my running shoes at home, so I wrote a letter to my parents asking them to send them. A couple days later a package arrived with my shoes and as soon as I got the chance, I put them on and ran.

Running around Hogwarts' grounds was invigorating. Running past the forbidden forest and the river was breath taking. When I got back I was covered in sweat. Matthew caught up with me almost as soon as I stepped back into the school.

"What happened?" he asked, looking me up and down.

"I was running." I said, still panting.

He smiled. "Let's go get some breakfast."

When we made it to the Great Hall there were eggs, toast, orange juice and pancakes galore! Yum! Matthew and I plopped down next to Camelle.

Annie:

Entering the divination room was a daunting prospect, but I gathered up my courage and climbed the ladder. I looked back and started to wait for Catherine, but I saw that she was talking to Fred and I had a guess on why. I saw the way she looked at him. You could tell. There was no questioning that they would be together. I wished I could have something like that, that feeling of total love and affection. I don't think I am jealous of Catherine necessarily, but still…there's that feeling. My head was such a jumbled mess, I couldn't even think straight. I could see every single feeling inside me at the same time, but I couldn't look at them separately.

"Good Afternoon, class."

I jumped at the voice. I saw, upon looking around, that I was in a heavily perfumed room. How did I get here? I must have so far in thought that I absently took my seat. Damn ADD.

It made me feel funny in the divination room. I cannot explain it, it is just so…overpowering. Everything-the scent, the fire, the décor- it all made me feel somewhat sick. I sat in one of the puffy purple armchairs.

Catherine joined me shortly hand-in-hand with Fred. Let me rephrase. She skipped over with Fred. Yes indeed. Her giddiness had proved my original prediction. Fred had asked her out.

Catherine:

Divination was interesting. The room was thick with perfume, and maybe it was just me and my girly fashion interests, but that room was in serious need of an interior decorator. It was filled with beanbag and armchairs scattered about with multiple side tables. Each table was wooden and held a crystal ball in the middle. We talked about star formations and the constellations. We discussed the possession of sight and how to properly use the crystal balls.

Other than Divination and care and keeping of magical creatures, there was nothing new that happened for the rest of the week. It had rushed by so quickly. It was Saturday morning, actually, and about 5:30 in the morning. I decided to write a letter to my parents who were, in fact, both muggles. My mum always worries that I am going to get hurt in the magical world but my dad knows that I'll be okay. Anyway, for her sanity, I try to write her every other week. The letter read:

Dear mum and dad,

I miss you both so much. I met a new friend this year her name is Annie Austen, and she is soo sweet and nice. I also met a Hefflepuff. Her name is Juliett Barone. She is the funniest! Oh…and I met a boy. He is REALLY cute and asked me on a date for this weekend. Mum, at this point I would like you to check on dad. Make sure he's not hyperventilating. I promise to tell you how it went next week.

Love you always,

Catherine 3

With that I folded up my piece of parchment and tied it up with string. Before I left my dorm I changed out of my pajamas and into my skinny jeans and purple sweater.

I made my way all the way out to the owlery. It was still really early and I figured most people would still be sleeping at this time. I guess I was wrong. I saw Mark Longbottom, Fred, and James all talking on the opposite end of the room. I quietly made my way to my barn owl, Charlotte. I told her to take it to mum and dad when I heard Fred calling me over to his group, which he's never done before.

"Catherine, do you think that if Longbottom asked Annie to Hogsmeade she'd say yes?" he asked tired and bluntly.

"Of course she would!" I squealed.

"On the chance that she says no though…we wouldn't be able to be friends anymore." Mark said defensively and quietly. There was a pause in which everyone considered this when I spoke again.

"You know what Mark…you ask her when you feel the time is right." I looked him in the eye. "Oh, and don't listen to these yahoo's. They don't know the first thing about girls." I said jerking my thumb towards Fred and James.

"Thanks, Catherine." Said Mark appreciatively. Then he left and started for the door.

"Two things. One, you can't blame me for trying to set him up with an amazing girl, and two I do too know about girls. I mean, I'm going out with you aren't I?" Fred said smugly. I glared at him then elbowed him in the ribs.

"C'mon. Let's take a walk." I said and we left for fields. He held my hand sweetly and rubbed it with his thumb. We weren't really walking anywhere in particular, just around the grounds.

"So you think that just because you carried me to the infirmary, I'll forever think of you as my knight in shining armor? Think I'll swoon in your arms?"

He stopped walking and turned to me. Then he did something unexpected. He picked me up and held me like a baby. I wriggled around.

"Put me down!" I giggled.

"If I'm not your knight in shining armor than who am I?" He asked. "I will settle for nothing less." He put me down gently, but kept his arms wrapped around me. I stood up a little higher so I could reach his face and kissed him on the cheek.

"You know I'll get you for that." He said smiling.

"Oh yeah?" I said. Then he bent down and kissed me full on. It was intense and wonderful. He held me close with his arms wrapped around my waist so tight. I ruffled my hand through hair and kept his head close to mine. I hoped it would never end, but he pulled away oh too soon.

"You're beautiful, Catherine." Now I was sure that I was blushing. Then who else would be able to interrupt such an important moment.

"Dude! You've gotta see what they put up-"

"James what is it?" Fred asked impatiently.

"Come look." He said expecting us to follow. Inside the school doors was a mob of at least a hundred students crowded around the notice board. There was a large crisp piece of parchment pinned up that read:

Hogwarts Students:

We are very pleased to inform you that this year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, we will be hosting the first Triwizard Tournament that has been held in the past thirty two years! There have been, however, a few modifications such as: all ages are permitted to enter, there will be three champions from each school, and finally all entries must be submitted before the night of October 31st.

Thank you.