Chapter Nine
The hall was alive with the typical hustle and bustle of Hogwarts students milling about, gossiping and filling themselves up with breakfast in preparation for the school day. England and America were the first nations up and they were occupying one of the many benches that lined the hall. England's blonde hair was mussed and his eyes were slightly bloodshot and it was obvious to America that the older nation had spent the night tossing and turning rather than sleeping.
America bit into his bacon sandwich, trying to quell the queasy feeling that had settled in his stomach whenever he thought of last night's kiss with England. He wanted to bring it up, he felt as though it had to be brought up, but that maybe it wasn't the right time.
It was just that, right now, England looked so sad. He was staring into his mug of tea, one hand stirring it absentmindedly, his expression was distant but his frown was fixed. America took a deep breath and cleared his throat, immediately startling England and capturing his attention.
"Uhm, Artie?" America started, scratching the back of his neck.
England merely blinked his big, green eyes at him, urging him to continue.
"Okay," America hesitated, was he doing the right thing? Surely, they needed to talk about it, right? Get it all out of the way? "What happened last night?"
England rolled his eyes. "Honestly, America, were you asleep for the entire meeting? We are going to split off into teams, remember?"
"No, not that!" America blurted, causing several students to look their way. "Sorry," he apologised, going a tint of pink. He turned his attention back to England. "Anyway, I meant what happened with us. You know, in the courtyard." He was speaking in hushed tones and his body had taken on the posture of someone divulging a deep secret to a close friend. "You know- the kiss," he added dramatically, his eyes lighting up at the mention of their previous encounter.
It was England's turn to go a shade of pink, although, he took it one step further and went a deep shade of scarlet, he looked like a fire truck. "I-I'm sorry," he stuttered, trying to connect the right words together. "I didn't mean to do that. Frankly, I don't know why I did. It was just all of the stress and the frustration and then you were being so nice to me and I don't know what came over me but I just really wanted to kiss you and now I'm all kinds of confused and…" he trailed off, afraid that if he said anything more it would ruin the fragile structure that was their relationship which he had worked so hard to establish with America.
"It's okay," said America, a sad smile on his face. "You don't have to explain it. We can just pretend that it never happened, there's no need to dwell on it." But maybe, just maybe, America wanted to dwell on it, he wanted to talk about it and perhaps he wanted to acknowledge that it happened, but he'd sacrifice his wants for England's needs. That was what a good friend would do.
"Thank you, Alfred," England smiled at him, making America forget his previous dissatisfaction at their arrangement. If it made England happy then it made America happy.
"Oh, America." England's smile grew even wider and he almost looked like he was going to laugh. "You've got a big blob of tomato sauce on your chin." When America looked confused he pointed to the exact spot. "Right there. Thought you'd like to know." Bemusedly, he reached over and wiped the sauce with a discarded napkin before standing up.
"I've got to go now, though; don't forget that we've got a meeting later with the others. We need to come up with a team name." At the phrase "team name" the Brit rolled his eyes. "I'll see you later. Glad we could sort this out. Just friends, yeah?"
America nodded and England, looking the happiest that he'd been in ages, left. America watched him go and released a long, exasperated sigh. He had been friendzoned by England.
How could life get any more confusing?
"I now declare us to be Team Awesome!" Prussia announced, banging his fist on the table. "Wait, that wasn't right." He frowned, pretending to think. "Ah wait yes, it's Team Awesome plus Austria and when we say Plus Austria we have to say it really quietly because he's less awesome than me and Hungary." Prussia dropped into his chair and sighed. "Wow, that was pretty exhausting."
Prussia, Austria and Hungary were huddled in a corner of the Restricted Section having grabbed a table and three chairs from the main part of the library. After checking that they were secluded enough to discuss their future plans, the three dropped their human identities and began discussing their team name which Prussia had apparently already decided for them.
"Well, I think that's a rubbish name," Austria huffed, his arms folded. Today, Austria's stubborn little cowlick, otherwise known as his Mariazell, seemed to move whenever he got angry and seeing as he was with Prussia it moved as though it had a life of its own.
"Pft," Prussia rolled his eyes, dismissing the Austrian's input. "Well, of course, you think it's rubbish. What about you Hungary, do you like it?" Both Austria and Prussia turned to face the female, staring at her intensely.
"Uh…" she hesitated, squirming from their intense glares."I don't mind it." Prussia whooped and smirked at Austria. "Although it's not very nice to Austria." She added hastily in order to not upset the Austrian.
"Ugh Hungary, sometimes you're just too nice, you know?" he scolded light-heartedly. "Let's flip a coin." The Prussian suggested, grabbing a random fifty pence piece that a British muggle must have lost. "Heads, I keep the team name. Tails, you pick the team name."
"Fine," Austria agreed. "Hurry up and toss it then."
Prussia threw the coin into the air and placed it on his palm. "Ha!" he cried. "It's heads! I win! Team Awesome plus Austria stays."
"Ugh." The Austrian rolled his eyes. "I'm going to get a drink. Hungary, you're welcome to get one with me if you like." He offered the female nation his hand but she shook her head.
"I'm not thirsty," she chirped. "I'll stay here." Austria glared at Prussia before leaving, his Mariazell swaying from side to side as he walked.
"That coin was hexed, wasn't it?" Hungary asked accusingly. "You little cheat!" she exclaimed.
Prussia simply shrugged. "Well, you win some and you lose some. Poor Austria just seems to lose more than most that's all." He grinned.
"Now about Snape," he said, focusing on the task at hand. "He's a bit creepy, isn't he?"
Hungary groaned. If Prussia's observational skills were the only thing Team Awesome plus Austria had to rely on then getting information worth anything might take a long while.
A very long while.
"I am really hungry." Italy chirped, clinging onto Germany who was conveniently sat next to him. "Is anyone else really hungry?"
Romano groaned, scowling at his brother. "We just had lunch, you idiot. Will you stop moaning already?"
Spain smiled good-naturedly at Italy. "You know, I may have some tomatoes with me," he said before fishing out a tomato from his pocket. "Here you go, little Italy." He handed it to the Italian who demolished it in a few quick bites.
"You idiot!" Romano cried. "Why can't I have one?"
"Oh!" Spain beamed. "Sorry, I have one for you too if you want it!" Spain grabbed another one and handed it to Romano.
"I don't want it now, you bastard," he muttered, though he took it anyway and there was even the slightest shadow of a smile on Romano's face.
"You're welcome, Romano!" Spain grinned, mussing Romano's hair.
Germany rubbed his temples in an attempt to quench his oncoming headache, but he didn't feel as though it was working. "Remind me why we're here again," he said to Japan, who had been watching the exchange between Romano and Spain with great interest.
Japan turned to his friend and smiled. "We're here to discuss our team name and our on-going goal." The five nations were seated on the grass by the lake as the day was warm and bright, something that was a rarity in Britain which the nations were keen to take full advantage of.
"Okay." Germany cleared his throat. "We need team names. Does anybody have any suggestions?"
"I have one," Romano announced grumpily. "How about the I Don't Need This Shit team? It's honest and covers exactly how we all feel."
"Romano!" Spain scolded, shocked. "Don't be so selfish!"
"What?" Romano rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Come on, who here actually cares about what happens to England and America? None of us even like them. Would they do the same for us? Of course not."
"I care," Japan's voice cut through the temporary silence like a knife. "I care very much about what happens to them. To both of them. They're my friends and don't you dare say that they wouldn't do the same for us because they damn well would. America and England are good people and they care about others, which is more than I can currently say for you."
The four nations gawped at Japan, their eyes wide and their mouths open. "I…." Romano started his face a shocking crimson. "I'm sorry, okay. I didn't know that the bastards meant that much to you."
Japan nodded. "You are forgiven."
Germany took a deep breath. "Now that we've got that out of the way. Does anybody else have any suggestions for a team name?"
"We could be called Team Pasta?" Italy suggested. "Because we all love pasta!"
Germany sighed. "Yes, but that doesn't really state our purpose now, does it?"
"What about team Anti-Voldemort?" Spain quipped. "That states our purpose, right?"
Italy's eyes flashed with inspiration. "What about team Anti-Voldemort featuring Pasta?"
All of the other nations, apart from Romano, nodded. "Sounds good," Germany complimented. The German nation checked his watch. "Now, we'll all meet up in half an hour to discuss ways to help America win this tournament! Team Anti-Voldemort featuring Pasta dismissed!"
"I hate this place," Iceland muttered to his fellow Nordics. His back was digging painfully into the cupboard that he was resting upon. The Nordics had found an abandoned stockroom, larger than the average stockroom, to discuss their plans in. "I hate everyone in it."
"Well that's hardly a big surprise now, is it?" Denmark joked, nudging the Icelandic. "You're always depressed about something."
Iceland gave him a long, measured look. "You don't even know me. You don't know my story."
Norway glanced towards his little brother. "Shut up, Icey. Stop complaining. It could be worse, you could be stuck in the same house as Denmark so you're pretty lucky all things considered. "
"Hey!" Denmark blurted. "I resent that comment!"
"Duly noted," Norway retaliated, a slight smirk present on his face.
"Guys!" Finland interrupted, his happy voice ringing throughout the room. "Shouldn't we just get on with it?"
Sweden nodded. "I agree with my wife."
"Thank you." Finland beamed, causing Sweden to blush slightly. "Okay, so we need a team name. Something unique that sets us apart as the rest because we don't want to be the underdogs now, do we?"
"This isn't a football tournament Finland," Denmark jovially stated, his typical grin plastered onto his face. "But, what did you have in mind?"
"Okay it may sound a bit weird but how about Team Beer, Puffins, Brothers and Wives?" The other nations all nodded in approval.
"I think it's missing something, though," Sweden grumbled.
"Yes, I agree," Norway contributed. "How about Team Sponsored by Beer, Puffins, Brothers and Wives? It gives it that sporting element Dane was joking about earlier."
"Sponsored by Beer, Puffins, Brothers and Wives," Denmark mused. "Yeah, I like it!"
"I think that it's dumb," Iceland stated though everyone ignored him.
"What a great team name, guys!" Denmark yelled. "Good job everyone!" Denmark was about to say something else but was interrupted by a loud, grumbling sound.
"Was that your stomach, Finland?" he asked, surprised at how such a little guy was capable of making such a loud noise.
"Food now, work later," Denmark announced, getting up and heading out of the door. "Meeting adjourned."
"Okay, so we need team names and we need them now!" America instructed, writing the heading "Epic Team Names" on the board that they had discovered in the Room of Requirement, a place that England had conveniently located whilst looking for a secret place to meet.
France yawned. "Can't we just use a random name generator or something?"
"Sorry, does it take too many brain cells to think up something individually?" England quipped before turning to America. "How about Team Tea and Scones?" America grimaced before obediently writing "Tea and Scones?" on the board. "Oi! Why did you put a question mark? It's a brilliant name!" America hastily rubbed out the question mark in order to prevent England from spontaneously combusting.
"I've got one!" Russia piped up. "How about Team Eyebrows and Company?" A wicked little grin spread across his face.
"Ha!" France laughed, brushing his hair off his shoulders. "I like that one! Write it down." Again, America did as he was told and wrote Eyebrows and Company much to the dismay of England.
"This is pointless," China complained. "What are we getting done here?"
"I agree," whispered Canada, Kumajirou clung closely to his chest.
"Okay, I think I've got one! The best name in the entire world of names!" America blurted, rapidly scrawling it on the board. It read: Team Fire-Breathing Hero-Burgers.
"Oh my God. That is-"
"That's absolutely brilliant, America!" France announced, already heading towards the door. "We can finish the meeting now, right? I've really got to be somewhere." With that, he left and the former Allies became Team Fire-Breathing Hero-Burgers.
"What's gotten into him?" China asked, staring at the spot where France had previously stood.
"There's only one way to find out." America hinted, waggling his eyebrows at England.
"Let's go spy on France."
FINALLY! :')
I'm not going to say anything more just thank you to Serendipity321, Berlin, Guest and Dark Angel Keeks for all of your team name suggestions! You guys are great! :')
If you're feeling nice then leave a review.
~BooksAreLikeChocolateButBetter
