"SLYTHERIN!" bellowed the Sorting Hat.
The Slytherin table erupted into cheers at the last person being sorted to their house. "Finally some food," said Ron exhaustively.
The table was filled with various edibles after a small pop erupted around the room. Joyful chatter and silverware scrapping against porcelain enveloped the air.
"Would you stop eating so fast", said Hermione to a "half-starved" Ron inhaling a turkey leg in one hand and a sweet roll in the other waiting to be devoured.
"Oh lighten up Hermione, he's a starving boy, you know, since Molly never lets him eat at home," said Tessa sarcastically.
Hermione kicked her in the shin. "Aw! what'd—", she glared at Hermione whom was cutting her eyes towards the Slytherin table with a slight nod. Tessa turned around to see Blaise and Marcus chatting away with their friends, but the boys were the only ones out of the entire table to look shiny from the light hitting their faces. She immediately elbowed Fred in the ribs and made him choke on the roll he tried to swallow.
"The hell, Tess? I haven't even messed with the first years' food, yet", said Fred defensively.
"Yeah, but you messed with someone else's," replied Tessa argumentatively. "I thought you said, no messing with them off the field?" She lowered her tone and glanced at the two clammy students who both stopped eating their food and were already on their second glasses of water.
"No idea what you're talking about," said Fred. He looked at her with a sly smile and went back to eating like nothing was happening two tables over.
Once they reached the Great Hall doors, after the feast ended, Blaise and Marcus speed walked towards the nearest bathroooms before anyone saw their sickly behavior. George laughed and put an arm around Tessa.
"He's just getting the message across", said George sympathetically.
"Well, it was pretty funny watching how long it took for them compose themselves. Lasted longer than I did on those things", replied Tessa.
"Those were the perfect candies too", sighed George. "Should've kept the recipe." They both smiled at the achievement.
"It did take too long though to set in", said George.
"Thankfully, for us, they will never know, since, it seemed like a normal stomach virus," said Fred.
"Don't you mean lucky for you", Tessa smirked at Fred and stared straight ahead at the first years creating a traffic jam at the moving staircases. Fred sighed growing impatient already.
"We've only been here for two hours and you're already annoyed. You're getting old Weasley", said Tessa winking at Fred as she dragged George towards a darkened arch way that would lead them to the Gryffindor tower.
"Lumos. Where's Fred?" Tessa asked trying to keep the light her wand as dimly lit as possible.
"I think he stayed behind for once," replied George. He looked forward to see a pulsating door being shown from her lack of keeping the spell at bay.
"Don't overdo it", said George. Her light slowly dimmed back down and the hallway no longer showed a door at the end. "Good. I think you're getting better at it", said George impressed with her bringing the spell back to what was desired.
She didn't really need to keep the light dim, since no one was roaming the back halls with them, but George knew it was great practice for when they needed it. Even Dumbledore thought highly on her power of spells. He and McGonagall gave her lessons, during 2nd year, to help Tessa concentrate on her spell's power, after she flooded Flitwick's classroom from reading a sixth year book.
Once they reached the door, George took out his wand from his robes.
"Lumos," said George with a flourish. He began moving his left hand forward towards the door handle, when, he heard the click of the lock before he even tried opening the door and smiled at Tessa. The door creaked open slowly to reveal a beautifully lit corridor filled with paintings of various sizes.
"Close the damn door!" said a robust woman in a very large mural lounging on a lavish sofa with a glass of wine. Tessa and George looked at each other and both walked towards the grand staircase with Tessa leaving the door slightly ajar. "How dare you!," the old woman's voice slowly faded away with George looking at the state Tessa left the door in.
"What? I was going to close it, but now it's slightly open and no one will see it 'til professors make their rounds tonight." George just walked faster ahead shaking his head.
"Hurry Tessa; they're on a stair below us!" bellowed George running up the stairs to the painting that kept their dorms hidden.
Tessa looked over the railing to see the first years looking down over the moving staircases' across the flight of stairs. They seemed to be in awe at the sight of it. But what they'll hate the most is when they're in a hurry to class and the staircase decides to move when you almost reach the top of the stairs to your desired location. Tessa ran as fast as she could to catch up to George when she heard a loud bang and looked over the railing to see puffs of smoke rising from the entrance of the dungeons. She shook her head and started moving faster to make it to the dorm before Professor McGonagall looked for all three of the pranksters.
"Fortuna Major," said Tessa while the Fat Lady and George was arguing over who created that "ghastly" noise. The painting swung open without a second thought and they scrambled into the passage way. Once the door swung shut, both sighed with relief and sat on the couch nearest the fireplace.
"Why does Fred have to do that right now," said Tessa exhaustively.
"He has his needs, and those needs are in the dungeons," said George.
"The thing is though," said Tessa. "Why didn't he ask you to come along?"
George stood up and walked to fireplace moving coals around to start the fire. "He just went on his own", George said quickly. The door swung open with screaming first years shouting in awe at their glorious common room which was the perfect get away once the crowd grew larger.
For the rest of the night Tessa forgot about her curiosity towards the two boys and played wizard's chess with Hermione and Ginny until it was time for bed. She slowly walked up the stairs with Angelina, Katie, and Alicia talking about what classes until they made it to their room.
"So the same beds I presume?" Said Tessa, while smiling at the girls.
"Yeah, Yeah", said Alicia waving towards the bed with the view of the lake. She skipped over to her bed and sat down on the newly made sheets.
"Did anyone see Fred walk in?" Said Tessa. She noticed that George left his seat once Ginny and Hermione sat next to her by the fireplace.
"I didn't see'em. But I did see George head up to the boy's dorms," said Alicia.
"Alright", replied Tessa and they continued to talk about their classes, until it was time for everyone to head to bed when the Head Girl banged in their door a second time that night for being awake after curfew.
Tessa walked into the Great Hall early the next morning. She stretched her aching body while walking in between tables. Scanning the Great Hall got her to look at a very tired group of Slytherin boys trying to eat their breakfast without falling asleep into their bowls. She still couldn't find Fred and George, but figured they would sneak into their first class without being noticed. She sat down with Hermione and at breakfast while answering Hermione's anxious questions about her third year classes and what to expect of them.
After breakfast, she headed towards her Divination class. Walking into the room, she immediately saw a couple of Ravenclaws sitting on the first level tables. Tessa smiled and opted for a table in the middle of the classroom. She sat in the middle of the three seated table and waited for Fred and George to show up.
"Morning, dear," said George sitting next to Tessa.
"Have a good sleep?" Fred finished his brothers' sentence and sat on the left of Tessa.
"Sort of, but I know you guys had a great time after you disappeared last night George", Tessa turned and smiled at George.
"We had business to attend to serious business", said Fred. She knew that was all she was going to get out of them and waited for the class to begin.
The rest of Tessa's morning classes flew by without Fred and George. She honestly could learn more without them asking her questions every few pages of notes she would write down. It was especially difficult in Trelawney's class since Tessa "had the gift", whatever that meant, and Fred and George would joke with her on every prediction she made that seemed to astound the Professor. Hermione thinks that it's a ruse to get her to stay in the class for N.E.W.T.S., which wasn't going to happen. Tessa walked into the Great Hall again for lunch and noticed a significant difference in the amount of students eating from earlier this morning.
"Damn," she whispered to herself and opted to sit with Hermione and Harry for lunch.
"So, how was your morning you guys?" Harry smiled "It was alright been a bit overwhelming, but that's always how the first day goes. Also, tryouts are today after my classes are over." Tessa's face lit up "Sweet, I can't wait." Harry smiled and began to eat his food again before talking more about it and not finish his meal.
After lunch, they parted ways, and Tessa went to a free period as she made her way to the Hall of Hexes. There was a an unoccupied study that students rarely used due to it being so far away. "Hey guys, she walked in on the boys' who were bent over a cauldron. While Fred was counting the stirs George looked up.
"Hey Tess", said George and went back to looking at the beautifully colored concoction.
"It looks like a nebula", said Tessa as she walked over to the space that was naturally made for her. "Is this the serious business?"
"Yeah", replied Fred still not looking up at her.
"It's supposed to be a modified Love Potion we're still working it out", said George.
"The thing is though. We need your help," said Fred.
"Oh, no…nope. I am not testing out this one", Tessa started making her way to the table she left her things on, until, Fred put his arm around her and steered her back to the cauldron.
"You won't be testing it," said Fred.
"But you will put it in some else's drink," finished George. She looked up at Fred who was grinning ear to ear.
"How is it modified?" Tessa asked exhaustively.
"Excellent," they both said in unison.
"Well it's the same as the original love potion, but it has some subtle qualities", said Fred excitedly.
"You see this one, we hope, will give the person a subtle infatuation—," said George.
"—More of a crush if you will think of it—" interrupted Fred, "and the affects will increase until the person feels the same affects as a regular love potion."
"And have you tested it out before?" she inquired.
"Well, no," said George.
"But we have a tester that we both feel like they would be great to use in this case," said Fred still smiling broadly.
"And who will I give this to?" Tessa looked at both of the boys hoping it would be an easy project to fulfill.
"Flint", the twins said in unison.
"I'm in", said Tessa smiling. She looked at the boys eager reactions and they went back to looking at the deep blue concoction with swirls of pink, purple, and yellow.
"So what do I need to do," said Tessa as they walked out of the study and headed to their last elective class before tryouts.
"Slytherin will try out tomorrow, right after us, as Wood made our tryouts earlier than usual", said George.
"So, we hoped that you would do it between the changing of the pitch, or wait until after their practice," said Fred who walked up right after shutting the door and locking it.
"I assume I will also have to get something from another girl for him to be infatuated with? Since you locked the door, and you haven't even given me a vial to take with me", said Tessa looking at Fred.
"Yeah, you need to get a Slytherin girls' hair from your next class", said George. "And we'll help. We chose the same elective, so it should be easy to distract the students". He lowered the volume of his voice now that more people were in the hallway.
"And it won't be hard distracting them especially the Slytherin girls", Fred winked at George. Tessa rolled her eyes as they made it to the Grand Staircase that would take them to their class.
It actually was really easy snagging a hair from a loud Slytherin girl that was too distracted by Fred in class. Tessa yanked especially hard when the girl cackled loud enough that students outside looked in t see what the problem was.
"There." Said Tessa shortly as she shoved the small strands into Fred's hands.
"Thanks, love", he said as she walked swiftly to the common room to get her broom. Tessa turned bright red, and, thankfully no one saw. She reached the end of the stair case the same time Fred and George. They slipped the vial into her Quidditch uniform pocket and swiftly made it to tryouts.
The walk to the pitch was pleasant as they told her the plans if the Slytherins were there and what should happen tomorrow. Once they made it to the field, all three went into their locker room and greeted the old team.
"So, there's only us and a few first years trying out; it should be a good round of people again", said Wood once they entered the room. "Alright! Let's go out and show what you can do." The team walked through the dark hallway towards the bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Once through, they saw the whole Slytherin team in the stands snickering with a handful of Gryffindor girls squealing and talking. "Oh great", said Oliver sarcastically. "Don't worry. Pretend they aren't here; just practice like normal." He walked to the middle of the field turned around and gave his formal speech that he did every year. "Excellent", said the twins in unison and grinned up at their projected target watching the team intently.
Oliver was finally finished with his speech and rose to the air with the chasers wanting to tryout. Tessa joined and waited for him to fly into his position. They first practiced with shots at the goals. Tessa scored most of hers with her almost hitting the right hoop to make one of them. Harry clapped at her aggressive behavior on the last goal while Wood shook his head and clapped at her beating him again.
"Risky, but good effort we need that passion in our games." It was the same thing every year, with Tessa, since Wood was Captain. He knew she would do great with more control, but her risks could cause serious penalties in matches. She would be the relief again. His three starters were excellent players that made most of their goals, as well, and they were more planned in their flying and behaviors. That is what he needed most.
After that, he gave Tessa the spot to try out for Keeper. The only thing Tessa wasn't great at was being a beater. It was too overwhelming, and keeping an eye on one Quaffle, or snitch, was enough. She did excellent as well and Wood waited until it was time for seeker. Once harry did well he leaned over to Tessa, "Would you like to try?"
Tessa smiled and readied herself on her broom. She lifted into the air as Harry's feet touched the ground. "Alright, try to catch the snitch. You will be timed", said Oliver with a muggle stop watch in his hand.
Nerves wrenched Tessa's stomach and she felt unease settling in. She lasted a little longer than Harry's try at catching the snitch, and Wood decided to place her as a substitute for all three.
"I'll most likely play against Slytherin with substituting so much this year", joked Tessa as she landed next to Wood.
"With the same team as last year, we should do well", she heard Harry say to Ron and Hermione as they left towards the castle. She smiled even wider and walked into the locker room to change as quickly as possible to make it to the stands before the Slytherin team went onto the pitch.
Tessa walked up the stairs of a green and white curtained stairwell, after changing into normal attire, and made it to the opening of a level that she knew would take her to the Slytherins watching their team practice. Pulling open the curtains to the stands, she was shocked to see Marcus Flint sitting there waiting.
"Shit", she thought to herself and quietly walked over to him and sat down.
"There's plenty of space you know", he turned to her with a frown.
"I overheard what you and Blaise Zabini were talking about on the train, and I've decided to take you up on that offer", said Tessa.
"Oh", he said with a sly smile. Trying to not roll her eyes, Tessa looked down to see a cup steaming between Marcus' fingers.
"This one will have to do", she thought to herself. She decided to place the vial into her left hand while Marcus was talking incessantly about things "She couldn't imagine".
"After hearing all of this," she said flirtasiously hoping to get this over with before anyone saw. "I was wondering if we could meet up over there tomorrow morning." Marcus raised his cup and held it close to his chest as he turned to look where she pointing. "Damn," she thought.
Without thinking, she moved her right arm around his shoulders and leaned in close with her left hand enclosed on his thigh.
"See", she said in his ear as she pointed with her right arm towards a rock on the embankment of the Lake. Marcus was looking even harder now so he would know, for sure, where to go after her stunt.
"Can you just show me after tryouts? We can walk together." He said while intently looking over the stadium. He dropping his drink next to her hand on his thigh, and she quickly poured the potion into his drink. The vibrant colors immediately blended in with his tea as it turned changed to a darker shade of brown..
After he found where she was pointing, Tessa got up.
"Alright, we must keep this subtle", said Tessa.
Marcus grunted nodding in agreement still in shock over her touching him in such a manner, and took a sip of his tea.
"What time in the morning?" Asked Marcus. Tessa smiled at her success.
"Dawn. Before Breakfast," replied Tessa slyly. She turned around and walked to the nearest tower right when the Slytherin team walked out on to the pitch. She cantered down the stairs and jogged towards the castle to tell the twins of the big news.