Chapter 9

Through Irish Eyes

The first days of classes passed by quickly. My housemates and I got along well. Cheyenne was my best friend. Allegra, the quiet yet ambitious one. Cheryl, the loud and rowdy one. Zetta, quiet, yet could make a scene if she wanted to. Orla, attached to Zetta at the hip, and Jasleen; intelligent yet hilarious. In a matter of days, it felt as if we had known each other for ages. We were all friends, almost like sisters, and gradually, I began to feel comfortable. I was finally sleeping properly and Hogwarts began to feel like home.

Mum was proud of my acceptance to Ravenclaw, which made me happy. Her letters asked of everything. Had I made friends? Were my sisters doing their part in looking after me? How was Cheyenne? Was I taking care of Hibiscus properly? How were my classes? My classes, in all honesty, were demanding, especially potions. Professor Snake took a loathing towards all the Ravenclaws, yet was surprised when Lisa and Mona took seats next to Cheyenne and I-, the one class we had with Slytherin. Mostly we were with Hufflepuff. Charms was by far my favorite class of all, with Professor Flitwick as our teacher and head of Ravenclaw house. He was also the school's musical director, and I joined the Hogwarts orchestra, taking on the flute. Cheyenne joined as well. She played clarinet.

September turned into October, with the occasional Seamus sighting, but no close encounters. Mostly it was a wave in the hallway or a smile with a nod that gave me goose bumps all over, and for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something there. However, I wasn't sure if I was confusing myself just by wishing that Seamus was attracted to me

The arrival of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had us all excited. A powder blue carriage emerged from the sky, while a great ship appeared in the Black Lake. We then headed to the great hall for the Halloween feast, the Beauxbatons students joining the Ravenclaw table, while the Durmstrang students took to Slytherin. The biggest surprise of all was that Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian seeker, still attended school. I had no idea that he was still in school and pretty much all of Ravenclaw made a bet that he would turn out to me the Durmstrang champion. The goblet of fire was revealed, and it made the final decision of who would become the three champions.

I sat with my sisters and my friends as one by one, the of age students entered their name into the goblet.

"Eternal glory," Iris remembered Dumbledore's words, "I wish I could enter,"

"That would be an amazing site, watching you go down two seconds into the first task," I commented.

"Hey!"

"But still, it would be nice; bring glory to Gryffindor and Hogwarts not to mention 1000 galleons prize money,"

"That wouldn't be bad," I agreed.

The hall door burst open and a boy from Hufflepuff came forward.

"Go Cedric!" Alicon called in support for her housemate. He dropped his name in and we clapped.

"Look, Angelina!" iris said as the Gryffindor girl entered her name in.

"And Roger!" I said, giving a loud cheer with the rest of the Ravenclaws. Any one of those people who entered would make a good champion, I thought.

There were many failed attempts to gain acceptance into the tourneament as well, the most notable being that of the Weasley twins, whose aging potion backfired on them, turning them into old men. We laughed but we weren't humored long. Someone really did manage to hoodwink the goblet. On Champion selection day, none other then Harry Potter's name came out of the Goblet of fire, well after Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum and Cedric Diggory were announced as the three champions. The Slytherins and Hufflepuffs united for once, in dislike for Harry Potter as the Hogwarts champion I didn't really have an opinion and the 'Support Cedric Diggory' badges did not appeal to my friends, nor I in the slightest. Whether or not the badges bothered Harry, I did not know, but they simply brought turmoil to us.

"Hey!"

I turned around. I was walking to charms with Cheyenne, Allegra and Mina, as we always did. Sometimes, Lisa and Mona would catch us in the halls, and today was no exception.

"Hi," I said to Lisa, however, she and Mona weren't alone. Rather, a group of Slytherin girls followed behind. We didn't talk to them much, for when we did it would end in heated arguments. As far as I knew, Lisa and Mona weren't the friendliest with them rather, neither of them managing to fit into their house. All of them sported a 'Support Cedric Diggory' badge.

"We were wondering if you guys would like a badge?" Lisa asked, nervously. I was shocked. She of all people knew that we hated those things!

"No thanks," I declined her, "I'm not really on anyone's side,"

"And Harry's in my house," Mina reminded her. Lisa cast a glance back to her housemates and then turned back to us. Suddenly, she didn't seem so nervous anymore.

"So you really support that blood traitor then?" Lisa asked coolly. The three of us were startled in the change in our friends' attitude. I couldn't believe the words that were leaving her mouth.

"Since when did blood status matter to you?" Cheyenne asked.

Mina stood her ground, "yes, as a matter of fact I do believe in Harry,"

"Ooh, bravery," Lisa mocked, "the mighty Gryffindor,"

"Lisa, shut it," I said.

"And Ravenclwas who should be known for their wit. Clearly these ones are dumb enough to be hanging around with mudbloods,"

"THAT'S IT!" Cheyenne cried. She stormed up to Lisa, "What the hell has gotten into you?"

"We've only just realized the type of scum you are!" Mona put in.

"Excuse me, if anyone is a scum it's you with your foul words coming from your mouth!" Cheyenne retorted, "You do not call Mina, or anyone else for that matter a mudblood!"

"Do I look afraid of you?" Lisa asked.

"You better be," Cheyenne whipped out her wand.

"Cheyenne! Don't! She's not worth it,"

Cheyenne didn't lower her wand.

"Scared are we?"

"The only one who's scared is you," I told Lisa, "scared to admit you're not like them. You aren't like that at all!"

But suddenly I realized I didn't see my friend in those bitter eyes.

"My family has descended from a long line of pure blood wizards, as all Slytherins are," she said, "mark my words you traitors don't belong here,"

"It's people like you who don't belong here," Mina spoke up, "I should have known you would turn out to be a two faced bitch. I should have known that you would end up just as dick-headed as your brother,"

"Don't you dare insult Greg!"

"Too bad, I just did,"

"Your brother is a pig, just like you," I told her.

"And your sisters are great ugly cows," she retorted.

"What, are we playing Old MacDonald had a Farm?" Cheyenne asked. I bade her muggle reference no attention.

"My sisters are not cows. You stay away from us. Leave me alone you bitch!"

I turned on my heel, Mina and Cheyenne following.

"Don't talk to me," I warned them and they fell back. I walked. And walked, and walked. Out of the castle till I was down by the lake and sat down on one of the rocks. It hurt. Everything that I had been feeling lately plunged out. Lisa and her betrayal. Mona and how this would affect Magnolia. Mina and how she didn't deserve to be treated that way. Guilt, for thinking Draco Malfoy was attractive even for a second, but most of all, I wanted to go home. I thought I was comfortable, but I had never guessed that people could be so ill wishing. Even Cheyenne…she was my best friend by far, but she wasn't Vanna. And it wasn't as if I could talk to her about Seamus. She didn't get it. Sure, she agreed that he was cute, but I felt there was a long distance between our maturity levels. She didn't really like boys yet, she was more just friends with them, more like one of the boys. I suppose that has to do with growing up with two older brothers, but in any case, she just wasn't someone to talk to. But somehow, the thought of Seamus contented me, somehow, it made me a little bit happier. The thought of his smile made my heart melt.

"Whatcha doin' all the way out here?"

I was looking that smile right in the face.

"I could ask you the same," I mustered. Of all times, Seamus had to find me now, when I was crying.

"Free period," he said, "I like t'come down here sometimes. It relaxes me," I surveyed the beautiful lakes scenery.

"It is nice here," I commented.

"But you still haven't answered me question," Seamus took a seat next to me on the rock.

"Just had to get away," I admitted.

"Did somethin' happen?" Seamus asked. I nodded and retold him everything that had just gone on.

"I just can't understand how people can be so horrible,"

"They're Slytherin. What do you really expect? Course she's gonna follow her brother,"

"I didn't expect her to. In all honesty, she always said that her brother was an arse,"

"Arse or not, she still loves him. I know you and your relationship with Iris. Always bickerin', fightin' botherin' eachother over the same old stuff. But at the end of the day, you really do love her, and you don't want to lost her respect. Probs is the same fer yer friend," Seamus put the point bluntly and I realized that he was absolutely right. As much as I denied it, I did want my sisters to be proud of me as much as I wanted Mum and Dad's respect.

"And you did say that she wasn't getting along with her housemates. Maybe it's a ploy to fit in," Seamus added.

I hadn't thought of that. It made sense, as she and Mona were really the only ones who talked to the students from other houses but I couldn't shake the cold glare from her eyes.

"I didn't even feel like I was seeing her anymore," I said, "it wasn't the Lisa I knew,"

"Could be imperius curse,"

I shook my head, "But that's illegal,"

"You never know,"

"I don't think so. I think she's just scared to be her, scared to be different," I told him, "I know she's not a bad person,"

"She'll come to her senses," Seamus said, "she'll realize who her real friends are. And if she really is gone, as you say then best not worry yer little head over it," he smiled, "friends come and friends go. It's all really just a part of growin' up,"

I nodded, "just wish it wasn't that difficult," I sighed. But somehow, talking to him made me feel better.

"I feel better," I said, "thanks,"

"No problem," he smiled again, "glad to help,"

"You're way more helpful then Alicon or Iris or Cheyenne or anyone,"

"Least I can do,"

"I'm serious," I said, "If I told them they'd just say get over it, or Cheyenne would just be hyped up over it more. She's always trying to protect everyone, and she can't sit still without revenge,"

"Well that's not nice, about yer sisters, I mean," Seamus said, "and I can see how Troy's sister is just like him. He always feels like everybody needs savin'. No wonder his sis takes after him,"

"Yeah, I know,"

I heard the bell ring, signaling the end of the period. I had completely skipped Charms.

"I should head back," I told him, "Transfiguration,"

"Ah, my worst subject," Seamus said as we started up the hill to the school.

"Really?"

He nodded, "me pincushion still curls up in fright every time I try t'bring a needle t'it,"

I laughed.

"There's that laugh, I like, Trina," I blushed. He liked my laugh.

"Don't like seeing anyone unhappy," Oh. Then maybe he just liked seeing happy people in general.

"Well, you definitely helped. Thanks,"

"No problem. And just let me know if you need anything. I'm always here to help,"

"I will,"

"See you round then," He disappeared down the corridor and I watched him go, the butterflies erupting as they did every time I looked up into those Irish eyes.

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