Chapter Seven
I could sense that Fred was upset over the argument with Ang and Alice; as he hardly said anything to anyone. By the time the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station he was out of the compartment and muttered something along of waiting outside for us. I could feel some eyes on me, but I took no notice as I gathered my belongings.
We heard something bang on the compartment wall, Ollie and George ran out the compartment and I quickly followed them. There fighting in the corridor was Marcus Flint and Fred. They reach Flint and intercepted him before he could go after Fred and pond him into a bloody pulp. From where I was standing I saw Abby kick Ollie in the shin, which allowed Flint to punch him.
By now the group was surrounded by a load of younger students, all chanting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!" at the top of their lungs. From somewhere in the crowd a camera flashed. Ange, followed by Alicia, Katie and me kept trying to the stop the Gryffindor lads from fighting and at the same time keeping Lee from joining the fray and Fred from going back into it.
Montague and Warrington somehow emerged from the crowd. Montague went straight for Wood and caught him before he could retaliate on Flint for the punch and the two exchanged blows. Warrington grabbed George from behind and pulled his arms behind his back, leaving him exposed for a free shot.
Fred tore away from me, charging back into the fight after seeing his twin in trouble and drove his shoulder into Flint's shoulder. Flint stumbled off-balance and Fred relentlessly continued his enraged assault. George planted his feet and sprang backward, slamming Warrington into the side of the train.
"Expelliarmus!" I heard from the side of me; turning I saw Alicia, whom had her wand brandished in Abby's direction. The two glared at each other as Ange, Katie and Lee also turned their attention to them.
Abby and Alicia stalked toward each other; stopping only when Ollie crashed into the wall between them, but was quickly back after Montague.
"I knew it; I just knew you could never stand a fair fight. What's the matter? Don't think your toy boy can handle our Fred?" Alicia Spat.
"You need to keep your nose out from where it doesn't belong, Alicia," Abby returned.
"My nose is exactly where it belongs, thank you," Alicia replied. "But, if you're so keen to join the fight, I'll gladly help you out."
"You what?"
"Aw, what is it then, Princess? Too good to get your hands dirty?"
"I'd just rather not have them touch the likes of you, if I can help it."
Both stood at a stalemate, neither one really wanting to make the first move. The six boys fought on, oblivious to the girls' situation. Ange, Katie and I were trying to shout to Alicia over the crowd and stop her doing something she will regret.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Flint tossing Fred down the corridor; causing Fred to fly backwards and crash into Abby, who, in turn, flew and crashed into Alicia. Both girls fell to the floor; Alicia, not noticing Fred had flew into Abby, tore into Abby like a feral cat and Abby took a fistful of Alicia's hair and tried to fend her off.
Suddenly, over the chanting of the crowd, a deep voice roared. "Oi! Wha' the ruddy 'ell is going' on in 'ere?"
Hagrid was making his way with great difficult through the spectators, each and every one of whom fell silent at the sound of his voice. Students squished against the walls to let him pass and as he did so he shooed them off the train. When he came to the site of the action, he reached out with his great hands and separated the closest pair: Fred and Flint. Both Montague and Ollie realised what was going on and pulled apart George and Warrington. Angie and I stepped in to pry Alicia and Abby off each other, while Katie and Lee stood and watched.
"Jus' what in the name of all things good an' 'oly d'you lot think yer playin' at?"
Flint and Fred did not break eye contact. All around them the sudden silence (save for the panting and wheezing of the exhausted fighters) was eerie and the tension was growing. Katie and Angie pulled Alicia (now sporting long scratches down the side of her face) to her feet; Lee gaping at her in awe. Montague, while keeping an eye on Ollie, help Abby up and they joined Warrington at Flint's side. I walked to George and Ollie and helped them while we moved next to Fred, followed quickly by the girls and Lee.
"I'm warning you, Weasley," Flint growled, breaking the silence. Blood was trickling down his chin from a wide split in his lip. "Any funny business this year and I promise you won't live to see your next birthday."
"Righ', get outta 'ere," Hagrid smacked Flint upside the head and pointed to the exit. "Go on, clear off, an' don' you worry: Snape'll hear of all this," he called after them as the four Slytherins pushed their way off the train. "An' as fer you," he turned to the us, "I'm awful disappointed in yeh. I mean, can' says I'm surprised at them four bein' involved in this sorta thing, but I never thought yeh'd sink to ther level, Though' yeh has more sense'n tha'."
"You're right, Hagrid," Alicia spoke up, "It was a draft thing to do, letting them get to us. But, I guess …. Sometimes they just go too far."
Hagrid's hairy face softened a bit. "Aye, well, tha' may be, Alicia, but that's still no excuse. Professor McGonagall'll be hearin' of this too, I'm afraid."
We nodded and slowly filled past Hagrid as he ushered the rest of the students off the train.
As we got off the train, I noticed the Slytherins standing talking to one another. I noticed Flint had his attention to us. I walked closer to Fred to try and stop him from doing something else. But Fred had already locked glares and aimed to walk deliberately closer to the Slytherins than was necessary. As Fred came into range, Flint threw an elbow into him.
Instantly the two boys had hold of each other's shirt collars, fists up and ready and willing to start the whole ordeal again. Montague, Warrington, Crabbe and Goyle kept Ollie, George and Lee at bay (though I saw Draco slunk back out of the harm's way… the coward) and students had quickly gathered round again. In fact, they very well might have picked up where they left off had it not been for Ange and Abby, both of whom had without a second thought, dove between the two boys and forced them apart, screaming at them to stop. I made my out of the crowd and spotted Ginny crying while Percy was trying to comfort her. I walked to them dropping to my knees and holding her close to my chest, comforting her.
'I though' I tol' you lot ter clear off!" Hagrid bellowed as he squeezed his way off the train. "Should'a known better than ter leave yeh teh yerselves! Go on! Get teh yer carriages!"
I saw the Slytherins walk off in the direction of the waiting carriages, as Hagrid watched them all the while to ensure they did not double back. Fred looked over in our direction and the face he gave, shown that he had obviously saw Ginny.
"Oh, no," I barely heard Fred breathed; George followed Fred's gaze and closed his eyes after spotting his crying sister. Fred and George made their way to where we stood. I saw Lee making to follow but only for Ollie to stop him.
"Ginny –"Fred began as he and George kneeled down, like I had done.
Ginny suddenly sprang away from me and threw her arms around both twin's necks. I stood up and walked back towards the rest of the group; letting the siblings have their time together.
Hagrid came up behind and when he spoke his voice was softer than it had been only a few minutes earlier. "Fred, George, let's go lads. Ye've got a banquet ter get to." He turned to Percy. "You'll take care of things 'ere, hey?"
"Of course I will," Percy's chest puffed out in pride. I held my laughter in.
" Righ' then, Ginny? Yer teh come w'me," Hagrid extended his giant hand to her. " Firs' years get ter ride across tha' ther lake. Wouldn' wan't ter miss tha'."
Ginny reached and took Hagrid's hand and they walked towards the lake as Hagrid called out, "Firs' years! Firs' years follow me!" and all the new students followed him for their boat ride. Fred and George stood and it looked like Percy was going to have a chat with them, so I motioned for the rest of the group to the carriages, in which they followed, and we set off towards the castle.