Chapter 7 ~ The Reason Behind the Evacuation of Europe
I didn't get any sleep that night, or the night after that, or the next… My mind was far too active, and soon the days and the weeks were just passing by in a blur full of dull classes, homework, and unhealthy amounts of coffee. I spent most of my out of class time in the library, studying and doing homework. Greengrass and Nott were usually always there too and, despite all sitting at the same table, very few words were exchanged. Still, they were much better company than some.
One afternoon I was working on History of Magic homework. I was sitting across from Greengrass, and not far away were seated Davis and Bulstrode who both looked perplexed and horrified at their work. Greengrass was hard at work, on what looked like Ancient Runes homework, her hair up tied up in a bun that was slowly coming undone. I glanced up to watch her for a few moments.
She wrote slowly, carefully and very precisely. It was interesting to watch someone so focused on their work. Then, to my surprise, she frowned, folded her piece of parchment and started again on a new roll. I smirked a little, going back to my own work. She was a perfectionist, it was easy to tell. "Do you understand?" a voice whispered from a few seats further down. "I was hoping you did!" the voice came in response. I tried to ignore them, writing quickly, wanting to get this work done by an appropriate hour.
"Well, I think I sort of understand… But I still don't get how it all fits…" the first voice came again, which I could now recognize as Davis's. The second voice came again, obviously belonging to Bulstrode. "D'you think we could ask Daphne?" she asked. "I was about to say the same thing" Davis said. "You don't think she'd mind, do you?" she asked. There was a pause before Bulstrode replied. "I don't think so… She seems in an okay mood today" she said.
There was another pause and finally Davis's voice picked up in volume, calling to Greengrass. "Hey Daphne… Do you think you could spare a few minutes to help us with our homework?" she asked. There was another small pause and I saw Greengrass place her quill down. "Sure… What is it?" Greengrass asked. Both Bulstrode and Davis seemed to let out small sighs of relief before Davis replied. "Umm… Arithmancy" she said.
"Oh~" Greengrass said and she stood up, making her way over to them. She spoke to them, her voice quiet and finally there was a few moments of peace as I blocked out their soft voices. I continued to scribble down answers, the scratching of my quill a comforting, peaceful noise. "Are you already learning seventh year stuff" I heard Davis's impressed voice, quite a few minutes later. It was obvious who she was talking to.
"Woah" I heard Bulstrode say and I snickered gently. So, Greengrass was studying seventh year arithmancy. It didn't surprise me. But to Bulstrode and Davis it must look like a different language. Sometimes I'm almost sympathetic at their obvious lack of intelligence. Almost. Still, not everyone can be blessed with an excellent intellect like mine.
Finally Greengrass sat back down, where she was working also. Once again, the whispering between Bulstrode and Davis began. "Wow, she's really smart" I heard Davis say to Bulstrode. "Yeah" Bulstrode agreed. "Lucky she's in a good mood, too" Bulstrode replied. "I don't like to talk to her when she's in a bad mood" Davis said, and I couldn't help but simply wonder how sixteen and seventeen year olds such as themselves could be using such basic language. They still spoke the way they did when they were first years.
"Yeah, she's scary," Bulstrode said. "Don't walk up to her unexpectedly when her back is turned." She warned Davis. "Why not?" Davis asked her, nervously. "She turns around really quickly with her wand and petrifies you. It's scary" she said. I paused my writing for a moment. Does Greengrass really petrify people who walk up to her unexpectedly? …No, no, the real question is… How did she not hear Bulstrode of all people approaching her? You would have to be deaf not to hear the loud groan of the floors with her every step, at the very least…
"What's it like being petrified?" came Davis's alarmed voice. "Weird" Bulstrode replied. "All your muscles tighten and you can't move at all… It's scary" she explained. "Doesn't sound very pleasant…" Davis said. That was when I felt it. I have a… Let's say, 'gift.' I can always tell when someone is looking at me, wherever they are. I paused and smirked as I realized who it was. Greengrass. I didn't move for a few moments; however when she continued watching me I finally glanced up. She had an almost interested expression on her face, and as she saw me glance up she smirked.
I cocked an eyebrow at her, meeting her with the same steady gaze. After a few more moments she glanced away, packing up her Ancient Runes and bringing out her Astrology homework. I watched her for a little while longer, wondering why she had begun to look at me. Finally I went back to my work, but it was only a few moments later when I felt another pair of eyes on me. Though, not Greengrass's. With a little sigh I glanced up again. This time it was Bulstrode who was watching me, though as soon as my eyes met hers, she turned pink and quickly went back to her work.
Alright, do I have something on my face?
Shaking my head a little I went back to my work, only to hear a quiet whisper from Bulstrode. "They keep looking at each other" she said to Davis. "Maybe they fancy each other" Davis replied. Oh, the constant mindless, never ending gossip that comes from the Slytherin girls. I was about to block their voices out again when Bulstrode said "What if they do, though? Scary couple…" she said.
"Yeah" Davis giggled and I couldn't help but vaguely wonder who on earth this 'scary' couple would be. "Wait!" Bulstrode whispered to Davis "I thought Daphne and Theodore fancied each other" Bustrode said. So, they were talking about Greengrass… Who on earth did they think would be 'scary' with her? To be perfectly honest the thought of her and anyone together was a scary thought in itself- Hang on, they're not implying that I…
"Me too" Davis said. "Wait! If Daphne fancies Blaise, does that mean Theo's open?" Yes. That was exactly what they were implying. "I guess so… Wait, what if he still fancies Daph?" Bulstrode asked. I assumed they were talking about Nott and finally I glanced up to Bulstrode. I was not impressed. Do they really not have anything better to do than to sit here and play 'matchmaker'?
"Do you really think she…" Bulstrode cut off with a small squeak, immediately going pink as her eyes caught mine. "What?" Davis said, not even glancing up to her. "I think he heard us…" Bulstrode whispered and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The whole library could hear them, crystal clear. Slowly Davis lifted her head to give a sheepish smile, pursing her lips. I cocked my eyebrow at her, before turning slightly to glance at Greengrass. Greengrass was watching them also, her eyebrows slightly raised.
She glanced to me, an amused smirk on her lips before she went back to her work. I did the same, but not before noticing that her hair had almost completely fallen out of her bun. I couldn't help but smirk as I tried to once again focus on History of Magic. "Did you see that?" Bulstrode whispered. "…Yes" Davis answered. "Weird…" Bulstrode said. "Just last year they hated each other's guts!" she said.
"Yeah, they looked about ready to kill each other" Davis said. Alright, so this was true, and we were ready to kill each other. Fifth year was almost unbearable… For both of us. And it seemed we took it out on each other, making the year all the more frustrating. Fortunately, it seemed we had both moved past that, now. "Ew, what if they start snogging!?" Bulstrode suddenly exclaimed. Excuse me?
Davis giggled and there was a pause. "Well, I don't think it would be anything like Draco and Pansy" she said. "That would just be weird… And kind of disturbing" she said. Alright, what in Godric's name…? Finally, I couldn't help myself and I glanced up to them again. Neither of them seemed to notice, however, far too preoccupied. "What if they start dating and break up?" Bulstrode asked. "Hell!" Davis looked alarmed before she let out a sudden giggle.
"We'd have to evacuate the school!" she exclaimed. "Board the train and escape as fast as we can!" she said. Bulstrode let out a nervous laugh. "All of Hogsmeade, too" she added. Davis let out another giggle. "All of Scotland!" she exclaimed. Alright, I have to admit, I was a little amused. "Next thing you know" Davis continued, "All of Europe will have to evacuate and there will be the muggle navy and sirens and cops everywhere!" she exclaimed as both of the girls erupted into giggles. "Oh merlin, that's a scary thought" Bulstrode said. "Yeah" Davis agreed.
"At least you've learnt some geography, Tracey" Greengrass cut in. I glanced over to her. She was watching the girls, her eyebrows arched. Both of them suddenly froze. "…Were… Were you listening this whole time?" Davis asked, finally letting out a small, nervous giggle. I smirked slightly, and Greegrass gave her a slight nod. "Oh… erm…" both Davis and Bulstrode went very pink. Shaking her head slightly, Greengrass turned to me once again with a little smirk before she returned to her work. I did the same, smirking as I noticed her hair had completely fallen out of her bun.