"Oh you've got to be joking," mumbled Tessa rounding the corner to see a swarm if girls surrounding Viktor whom looked annoyed annoyed peering into the Great Hall where everyone was eating breakfast.
"Famous Quidditch player, Champion, who does he think he is taking all our women," said Ron glaring in Krum's direction.
"It's the last day of the Tournament," stated Hermione. "Try to be cordial."
Ron rolled his eye and lumbered past Fred and George whom began singing a song loud enough for the room to hear about Ron's undying love for Viktor.
"Such jerks," stated Hermione shaking her head.
"Yeah," mumbled Tessa as she glanced at the Hufflepuff table.
Cedric was alone, for once. He stared at his bowl sloshing his oatmeal in circles.
Tessa walked away from Hermione, whom continued to talk about Krum unaware that she was gone. She weaved between standing first years muttering something about Harry and sat in the open bench, across from Cedric.
"Didn't anyone tell you not to play with your food," said Tessa with a smirk on her face. Cedric looked up at her and sputtered with a dribble of milk running down his chin, and quickly wiped it away with the sleeve of his robe.
"I wanted to say Good Luck," continued Tessa.
"Even though you hope Harry will beat me to it," said Cedric jokingly.
"Of course what kind friend would I be," responded Tessa. They both laughed in unison and the silence settled once more.
"So you're Seventeen now," said Cedric awkwardly. "Not like that I- I mean."
"I know what you mean," laughed Tessa. "And now we can actually play Quidditch outside if you want."
"What do you mean?" Asked Cedric chuckling.
"The Weasley's have an Orchard and a swamp surrounding their home," said Tessa with a smile. "And I'm really hoping we could play Quidditch during the times I visit. I can't play against the Fred and George on my own."
"What about Ron," said Cedric winking at her.
Tessa scoffed and Cedric laughed heartily causing some students to look in their direction.
"You would be a better teammate," said Tessa quietly as eyes still lingered on the two.
"I suppose you're right," sighed Cedric stretching his arms over his head. "I am pretty good."
"Oh whatever," said Tessa sarcastically. "You're the worst."
"Absolutely," laughed Cedric.
"Give'em hell," said Tessa quietly.
"I will see you on the-." Cedric paused for a moment squinting lightly. "Swamp?"
They both laughed as Tessa stood and began walking away.
"Goodbye, Cedric," said Tessa over shoulder.
"Bye, Tess," shouted Cedric smiling at the back of her head.
"So what were you on about with Cedric, Tess," interrogated Ron as the stands were now filled with jovial spectators.
"She doesn't have to tell you a thing Ron," spat Hermione.
"It does when he's the enemy," responded Ron annoyed.
"Ron stop," groaned Tessa. "I was wishing him good luck, Bloody hell."
"More than luck, probably," grumbled Ron.
"What's the with him," stated Tessa to Fred.
"He gets one kiss from a girl and thinks he's a big shot," stated Fred rolling his eyes.
"Got a mouth to prove it," said George. "But he'll never get a chance like that again."
"Not when we're here," said The twins in unison.
"How long do you think it'll take for one of them to give up?" Asked Fred. Tessa felt his breath at the nap of her neck giving her chills.
"Don't know," said Tessa eying the Professors staring at the entrance of the Maze.
"I reckon-," said Ron with a smirk.
"-No on cares Ron," said George interrupting him.
"Sod off," spat Ron glaring at George and turned back to the center of the ring.
"Stop," said Tessa quickly.
Fred and George looked at her as though she killed her cat. Tessa rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Dumbledore whom was raising his wand to his neck.
"THIRTY MINUTES HAVE PASSED," shouted Dumbledore.
Tessa, Fred and George sighed as Fred pulled out a notepad and scratched A name off at the thirty minute mark. Tessa smiled lightly as she watched a Ravenclaw boy put his head in his hands a few benches below them.
"Why is it that everyone thinks Fleur will be first out?" Asked Tessa looking at Fred's notepad.
"Because she's a girl," interrupted Hermione before Fred could even speak.
Tessa nodded staring at the hedges that enclosed the champions in the maze moments beforehand. Above the hedge, red sparks littered the air as people began to cheer and talk amongst themselves. Within minutes Fleur and Professor McGonagall appeared before them.
"Knew it," said Ron as he watch Fleur shakily sit on a bench with Madame Maxime glaring at Dumbledore as if she had been cheated the win.
"You didn't know anything," spat Hermione. "She's been an excellent Champion. She obviously had something happen to her that she set off a flare."
Ignoring Hermione, Ron turned to Fred and George his hand out. "Pay up," stated Ron with a devilish smirk.
"You didn't make the bet at the thirty minute mark," said Fred and George in unison. Fred held up his notepad showing Ron's bet scribbled out at fifteen minutes.
"That's Bollocks," shouted Ron.
"We told you beforehand you can't, only, make a bet on who comes out first," stated Fred nonchalantly. "But when."
"Stupid. fricking," grumbled Ron as he turned around and stared at the Maze.
Tessa stared at Fleur for quit sometime until the Durmstrang section began shouting and groaning. Tessa looked up to see Krum disoriented and Mad-Eye holding his neck interrogating him as Karkaroff was shouting and raising his fist in Mad-eye's direction.
"Looks like we'll win", whispered Angelina in Tessa's ear.
Tessa smirk and turned to Angelina winking at her.
"Hey, you cant make a bet," stated a student next to Angelina.
"Are you trying to be just or mad because you're name was scribbled out before the Task even began," said Tessa nonchalantly staring up at Lavender Brown.
"No, but you're obviously dating the person who is," spat Lavender. "It's not fair. And anyone could've tripped over their robes in front of us!"
Angelina laughed along with other students overhearing the conversation.
"Lavender, because they're friends doesn't mean Tessa can't makes bets," laughed Angelina patting Lavender on the shoulder whom quickly shoved it off. Angelina winked at Tessa whom blushed lightly.
"Besides," stated George as he turned to her. "We are also making bets."
"That's the whole point of gambling, love," stated Fred tapping the notebook and shaking his head. "Anyone can make bets at anytime."
"Hell even McGonagall could've made a bet, and it would be fair," laughed Ron. Fred slapped Ron with the notepad and stared at him, until he turned around and began talking to Shamus and Dean on who'll win.
"Not that McGonagall would, of course," sighed Fred. "But why would we spoil the fun."
"I could tell her what you're doing," responded Lavender hastily.
"And lose your social integrity?" Asked Fred. George sighed and shook his head.
"If you tell anyone we all lose our money," laughed Fred.
"Even could be expelled," quipped George. "All of us with our names on this notepad."
"Wanna be the one whom ruins people lives?" Asked Fred. "Lavender the rat?"
She stared wide eyed at Fred as if she was slapped in the face.
"I put a charm on the pad anyway," smirked Tessa staring at Lavender who's mouth tightened at the edges. "Even if you did rat us out. All traces would be gone. There'd be nothing but notes on Potions class."
"We've trained you well," said George smiling at Tessa happily.
Lavender puffed up her chest and stomped on the bench causing their seats to vibrate as she turned her attention back towards the maze.
Fred laughed as he wrapped his arms around Tessa's shoulders and turned her back around to face the Quidditch Pitch.
The last day of school was a grim one. Gray, almost black, clouds loomed over the Castle, and the wind was harsh enough that Tessa had her back turned staring at the castle rather than at the lake. Her gaze loomed over the shadowed towers and down to the archway as a red-haired boy walked in her direction.
"Thought you were going for a run," said Fred looming over Tessa whom hadn't looked up at him yet.
"Too windy," replied Tessa playing with her finger nails.
"Yet you're still outside," sighed Fred as he sat next to her on the bench. "We have to leave soon."
"I know," said Tessa. "Packed up my bags last night. Nox is with Hermione."
"Harry gave us money to start the joke shop," said Fred excitedly.
Tessa sniffled lightly as her nose began to run. She wiper her face, with her hoodie, quickly and turned her head away from Fred.
"Tess," said Fred concerned he wrapped his arms around her letting Tessa sob into his woolly sweater.
"I love your mum," sputtered Tessa. "But this sweater fucking hurts."
Fred laughed as he hugged her tighter.
"I didn't think I'd still be crying," groaned Tessa. Her voice muffled by Fred's sweater.
"It's only been a month," said Fred soothingly. "It'll get better I promise."
Tessa's sniffling began to slow and she hugged Fred tighter. He held her for quite sometime until a light roll of thunder loomed above the skies.
"Let's go eat breakfast," said Fred as he lifted her head away from his chest and wiping away her tears with his thumbs. "Treats on the train are a rubbish meal."
Tessa laughed rubbing her nose once more.
"At least, I got to say Goodbye," whimpered Tessa trying to smile as Fred helped her up from the bench and escorted her into the Castle.