Chapter six - A maldición ball
Spending her time outside classes in the library with Jill, Gina's week flew by. She skated through most of her homework easily, having done to much self study and research with Alejandro and Sandro over the years. The library at Promodores had been her sanctuary and she was delighted with having the Hogwarts library at her disposal. Hundreds of bookcases, thousands of new books, she only left the confinement of the library for lessons, food and the occasional walk on the grounds. Only Herbology and Potions were slightly problematic, but Jill helped her with finding the correct names of potion ingredients and preparation methods, and in turns Gina helped Jill with her human Transfiguration, something Jill found difficult. Gina had not heard from her family or Alejandro all week, and she started to finally calm down.
Saturdays dinner was another feast. The long tables in the great Hall were laden with delicious dishes and the mood was excited. Everyone wanted to know what the first task was going to be. Gina sat with her fellow Promodores students at the Ravenclaw table, eating and drinking and trying not to look too often at the high table. She didn't see professor Snape at meals often, but today he was present, talking to a tall, dark haired witch with a velour pointed head. Gina believed she was the Astronomy teacher but wasn't sure, not taking the subject herself. She felt a vague feeling of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. She shook her head and tried to focus on the conversation around her. Her fellow Promodores students were talking animatedly to the Ravenclaw champion, Jonathan Belby, who took potions with Gina.
'I assure you, the first task is going to be fighting dragons!' He kept saying.
Gina and Jonnes eyes met and they both quickly looked at their plates.
When the desserts has vanished of the plates , professor Dumbledore stood up and the great Hall fell silent.
'A very good evening to you again. I hope you all are settling in to life at Hogwarts, and enjoyed the delicious feast. In three weeks the official opening of the Triwizard Tournament will take place.
With us, are the organizers of the Ministry of Magic, mister Griffiths and mister Featherswallow.' He gave the two men who had stood up at the staff table a little bow. 'mister Griffiths will shortly tell us how the tournament will look like throughout the coming school year. But first, I would like to invite the champions to come forward.'
The twelve champions stood up and walked over to the high table, standing in three groups of four, one for each school. Gina took her place next to Jonne, standing behind José and Gabriela.
Dumbledore smiled at them. Each school, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Promodores School of Magic, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has four champions who represent their school. Each champions will be awarded points when they complete a task. Being officially chosen as Triwizard Tournament champions as of today, you are bonded by a magical contract to participate in the Tournament. There is no walking away from your duty as candidates from your school. Dumbledore paused for a moment. I will call the champions of each school forward, and they will receive their official certificate of participation, and a copy of the rules that apply to participation.
'Gabriela Ponciano, Gina Aldaya, Jonne Virtanen and José Aguado Cobo. From Promodores School of Magic.'
The students walked forwards and received two rolls of parchment each from mister Featherswallow, a gentle-looking elderly wizard. He was wearing a worn grey coat with a brand new tie with tiny golden stars. Gina smiled inwardly when she saw señor Gonzalez stare at his attire. Señor Gonzales always looked immaculate.
Than they received a thunderous applause and they sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Dumbledore waited until the hall was silent again.
'Fleur Dellaceur, Jill Dubois, Louis Lambert and Samuel Perreault. From Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.'
After the hall applauded again the Beauxbatons students sat down at the Gryffindor table.
'Bill Weasley, Gwendoline Hedgeflower, Jonathan Belby and Lucian Bole. From Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
When all the champions sat down again, the hall became very quiet.
'And the first task-, Dumbledore said, smiling at the faces of great expectation '-is about battle.'
The atmosphere of excited anticipation rose even higher, becoming almost palpable. 'Responding quickly and adequately to the unknown, as a component can attack you with any spell they can think off. The champions will dual each other, aiming to disarm their opponent as soon as possible. Four champions will not continue to the second task. It will take place on Sunday the 5th of November. On the night before the first task, on Saturday the 4th of November, the official opening of the Triwizard Tournament will take place, with the Triwizard Ball, which will be opened by the champions and their partners.'
Gina groaned softly at these words. Jonne who heard, poked her under the table and smirked. 'Buck up,' he whispered.
'It will be an excellent opportunity to get to know our guests and fellow young witches and wizards,' Dumbledore continued.
Jonne was making his eyebrows go up and down. Gina ignored him.
Over the next few days, Gina was amazed that, although the students were excited about the first dualling task, everyone was mostly discussing the upcoming ball. Gina wasn't looking forward to it. Though she loved dancing, her relationship with Alejandro and him cheating had left her with no desire for another relationship any time soon, and she was not pleased that she was expected to show up with a partner, even if it was just a dance partner. When she discussed this with Jill during one of their study sessions, Jill looked confused.
'But you are going with your boyfriend right?' she asked, amazed.
'I don't have a boyfriend, Jill.'
'But,' persisted Jill. 'What about your blond friend, Jonne? You're always together. He hugs and kisses you all the time!'
'He is my best friend.' Gina said. Jonne was indeed very touchy, often giving her a squeeze, peck on the cheek (or neck) and even a stroke between the thighs in public when he was feeling particularly squeamish.
'He is like that with everyone, he is just very comfortable touching,' said Gina. This was stretching the truth a bit, and she conveniently left out that they did have sex regularly. They had started doing this when Gina, having had sex for the first time over the summer before her sixth year with a muggle boy, had complaint to Jonne about the horrible dates she had been on back at school. She had just wanted a uncomplicated physical relationship with someone, not being ready for commitment, but the bunch of idiots with fumbling hands who had asked her out made her want to run, which was exactly what she did. She did not sleep with any of them, and had been greatly frustrated, when Jonne had suggested they'd sleep together. Having been best friends since the forth year, in which he had started as a new student because of his parents moving from Finland to Spain, he confessed that he found her very attractive. He did not want a relationship, and nor did she. They had laid out ground rules and agreed on trying it once. They had not left the dorm all weekend, physically wearing each other out. Jonne was great in bed, aiding to her needs and wants and not too proud or arrogant to ask what she wanted. The arrangement had continued for eight months, during which Jonne also slept with the occasional other girl. They had stopped when Gina started going out with Alejandro, and had started again over the summer.
Jill still looked doubtful. 'So do you know who you want to go with?'
'No one,' said Gina, sighing. She looked up from her book. 'But I guess that is going to be difficult. What about you?'
Jill started blushing profusely. 'Well, she said, clearly embarrassed. I fancy Louis. You know, the boy with the curly hair from my school. He has always been nice to me. But I don't think he will ask me.'
'You should ask him', said Gina.
Jill looked shocked. 'I couldn't do that!
'You should! said Gina. 'Take matters into your own hands instead of waiting to be asked. You are a catch Jill. He'd be lucky to go with you.'
Jill blushed even redder, obviously not used to compliments. She bend over her book on Advanced Switching spells.
Gina smiled and got back to her Arithmancy homework.
The following day, Gina and her fellow students from Promodores were whisked away after lunch by señor Gonzalez for a photo shoot of the champions. It took place in a chamber of the great Hall, which was already crowded when they entered. The students from Hogwarts and Beauxbatons were present, as were professor Dumbledore, madame Maxime, the two men from the ministry, mister Griffiths and mister Featherswallow, a paunchy photographer with a unshaven chin and a blond witch wearing magenta coloured robes. She had rigid blond curls, pencilled-on eyebrows and wore jewelled spectacles studded with rhinestones. Gina couldn't help stare at her two-inch nails, painted crimson. She looked at her own short nails, with black edges from repotting in Herbology. Gina walked over to a spot in the back, next to a boy with a red ponytail.
'Hi Gryffindor champion,' she said, smiling at him. 'Bill, isn't it?'
He grinned. 'Yes, that's right. Gina, right? How do you like life at Hogwarts?'
They chatted for a bit, while the blond witch and the photographer had a bit of a discussion over who was supposed to stand in front for the picture. The photographer, who Gina had seen eyeing her, kept pointing at Gina and the very beautiful girl with silvery blond hair from Beauxbatons, who was chatting to Louis. Jill stood next to them, looking kind of lost. When the pretty girl was called to the front by a irritated looking Rita, Gina shot a significant look at Jill, giving a subtle nod in the direction of Louis.
'Talk to him,' Gina mouthed at her.
Jill blushed.
They sat through a dull hour of taking pictures. Gina used a lot of the techniques she learned at the Royal House to ward of unwanted company. After they had seen her talking to Bill, the male champions from Hogwarts and Beauxbatons seemed to have decided Gina wasn't as scary and intimidating as they had thought thus far. They came over one by one between the group pictures and the individual portraits, chatting her up and in one case, asking her out to the ball. Gina thought the pretty Beauxbatons girl, who she learned was called Fleur Dellaceur, did a far better job of keeping them at bay without trodding on anyone's toes. Gina had seen the boy who had asked her to the ball glance rather menacingly at her while he talked to his friend a while later. That was one person who didn't like her anymore...
When they were finally allowed to leave, Gina decided to go to the remaining half our of her double block of Potions. Entering the cold dungeon a few minutes later, she felt the wave of electricity run through her when professor Snape looked up from his desk. If she was honest with herself she had been looking forward to it all morning. She worked silently at her desk on her list of translations while the rest of the class finished their Everlasting Elixirs.
She glanced at Jonathan, who was sweating profusely. He had been dismissed earlier than Gina and he had tried to brew his potion in a shorter time than was wise. His potion was very dense and she saw the Ginger root floating on top, being sliced way to thick. She returned to her ingredients list. When Snape came round at the end of class and said Jonathan's potion was only applicable to unclog sinks, and only after he sifted it first, Gina had trouble not to smile. She closed her books when the bell rang and walked over to Snape's desk.
'I was wondering what mistletoe sprigs are. Sir,' she said, handing him her homework. He glanced at the two crossed out Spanish ingredients in her essay. His lips curled very slightly. She was getting better at the English terminology. Her last three pieces of homework had a lot more crossed out content.
'Viscum album,' he said, looking up at her. 'And a sprig is-' he locked eyes with her '-a small stem bearing leaves or flowers.'
'Right.' Gina said slowly. 'So if you would take two Valerian berries and added sprigs of the Viscum album you wóuldn't get an Forgetfulness Potion.'
'You would not.' He sounded amused.
'Glad I asked then,' Gina said, smiling a little. 'Also, I wondered what you meant by your comment on Achillea millefolium in my last essay on Restorative potions. Yarrow, I mean. You wrote three leaves would be enough if you stirred shorter, but shouldn't that be longer if you added less?'
'It would,' Snape said slowly. 'If you added ingredients that enhance the characteristic of the potion at that stage. In this case however, the yarrow decreases the ability to absorb.'
Gina nodded. 'Thus you stir shorter.'
'Yes.'
She thought for a second. 'Can I get that to you next lesson?' she asked, indicating the essay on his desk.
He handed it to her silently, the corners of his mouth curling. She smiled and left.
Severus was very pleased miss Aldaya showed up to class. With only half an hour left, she could have skipped it. Belby had told him Gina probably was not going to make it to class when he had entered half an hour before her. Idiot boy. Severus wondered who he had been trying to impress by speed brewing his Everlasting Elixir, miss Aldaya or him. He had always been a bit of a slime ball. It had given Severus more satisfaction than it should have to see miss Aldaya having trouble not to smirk at his snide remarks about the boys potion. Moreover, Severus had glanced at her Spanish Potions book, which she had next to her copy of Advanced Potion-Making, working on her translations. To his surprize, he had seen instructions to a curse to remove fingertips in the margins oh her Spanish book, with parts crossed out and new parts added. Most of it had been in Spanish, but there had been enough in Latin for him to understand what it was about. And to realise she was not just experimental in regards to potion making. So the pretty princess was interested in Dark Magic. Removing ones fingertip couldn't exactly be seen as defensive magic...
He wondered if she would still leave her book open on her desk if she knew he didn't just know the names of plants in Latin. He refused any answering in Latin in class, hoping to help her mastering the English terminology quicker. And he did rather enjoy having an excuse to pierce her with his gaze while she tried to come up with the correct translation for an ingredient or other.
She had even made a joke to him after class... He could count the times a student had made a joke to him since his appointment as a teacher on one hand. And he hàd given the other two who had been foolish enough to do so over the years detention... He had to think about his reputation after all. He also had no patience for frivolity. But her joke had been funny. A clever wordplay. When he realised what he was thinking he shook his head a little. What was happening to him?
Gina got asked to the Triwizard Ball six times over the following two days, and by the end of the day, she realised she had to do something. Jonne had told her at dinner he had heard a few people say she was arrogant, turning people down without having a date yet. She had already noticed a lot of girls in her classes were acting rather coldly towards her. They didn't engage her in conversation anymore and whispered behind her back. It suited Gina fine that they left her alone, but Gina did not want her reputation to go downhill this quickly if she could help it. She had enjoyed the relative anonymity she had had the last few weeks very much. She cursed the ball for the umpteenth time.
After dinner, she found a sad looking Jill in the library.
'Louis has a date,' Jill said gloomily when Gina asked her what was going on.
'Oh.' Gina didn't tell her Louis had asked hèr too this morning. 'Who?'
'The Hufflepuff champion, Gwendoline Hedgeflower.'
'I'm sorry Jill. I know you like him.'
Jill sighed. 'Maybe I can make him jealous at the dance, you know. She gave Gina a look. Wear a low cut dress. Ask José.'
Gina grinned. 'Now thàt's a plan.'
Jill smiled. 'Let's get to work,' she said, sighing.
Severus could not help walking to the library that evening. He knew miss Aldaya was there most evenings, mostly accompanied by one or two other students from Promodores or Beauxbatons. He might have borrowed a book or two just to have an excuse to walk between the bookcases, casting a glance at her. She was a hard worker, never looking up or just staring in front of her, like so many other students often did. He wondered what she was studying. It could not all be homework. His mind wondered to the scribbled notes in the margins of her text books...
Unrelated to his happy mood, he had heard that her blond boyfriend had a date. To the ball. With another girl. Which had to mean he wasn't her boyfriend. Which was... well. He didn't exactly care. It was just that he hàd thought she was way too good for him. She was talented, and quick witted and eloquent, and funny. And he was just a pretty boy... She would be bored out of her mind with him in no time, no doubt about that. He had even wondered if they might be distantly related or anything. Some family members were very close and touchy. Look at his own sister. She could not help hugging him and taking his hand even from time to time, no matter how deadly the looks he gave her.
To his annoyance he had not overheard who miss Aldaya was going to the ball with yet. He sighed. He felt a little uneasy with his thoughts lately. Thinking about dates his students might or might not have.. honestly, he was getting pathetic. Maybe the stress was getting to him more than he thought. He hesitated, than made a left turn on the first floor, away from the library. He wasn't going to lend another blasphemous book just to catch a glimpse of her. He needed to pull himself together.
When Gina entered her room late that night she found Jonne laying on her bed.
'You look stressed,' he said, yawning and stretching. He tapped next to him on the bedspread. 'You study too much. Come here. You know I can make you relax.'
Gina rolled her eyes at him and put her heavy bag on the small desk in the corner. Jonne got up and kissed her neck from behind, pushing her ponytail to the side.
'You know thirty minutes with me will calm you down,' he said hoarsely.
'Can't you fuck an English girl?' Gina ducked from under him.
'No, you turn me on,' he groaned. 'I want you, now.'
Gina let herself fall on the cushions on her bed. She took her panties off from under her skirt.
'On one condition.'
'Anything,' said Jonne, kneeling before her, lust in his eyes.
'Go to the opening dance with me. I don't care what you do afterwards. I just need a dance partner.' Gina spread her legs and threw her head back when he bowed his blond head.
'Absolutely not,' he said, when he resurfaced.
'What? she moaned. 'You said-'
He rolled her on her belly, pressing his hard lid against her. She pressed against him, just as aroused as him.
'I want you to go with someone, he said. It'd be good for you.' He stroked her nipples and ignored her moaning. Than he leaned over to the night stand to get a condom. 'I'm going with Claire, and I have plans with her after the ball that aren't happening when I dance with you first. She's a classy girl you know.'
He penetrated her.
'Besides,' Jonne whispered. 'I love it when you flirt and dance with others.' He groaned and started to move. 'It's a real turn on.'
'You are un coño', Gina said sleepily, twenty minutes later. She was under the blankets and fighting to stay awake.
'Yes, I am a terrible person,' Jonne said, grinning.
He gave her a peck on the forehead and left.
The following morning held an unpleasant surprize for Gina. Students turned around when she entered the Great Hall for breakfast, whispering and in some cases, pointing. She walked past them towards the Hufflepuff table where Jill and her fellow Beauxbatons champions were sitting.
'Hello princess,' Louis, the curly boy Jill fancied, said grinning.
Gina ignored him.
'Can I borrow your paper Jill?'
'Yes,' she said, looking at Gina with empathy. 'Here, you can keep it.'
'Thanks.' She glanced at it. The front page of the Daily Prophet was covered with a tiny group picture of the twelve champions and their Headmasters, and a very large picture of Gina. She quickly scanned the article. Most of her family drama was mentioned, including the health problems of her uncle and her retarded cousin, her estrangement from her parents and even her running away over the summer. She felt a pang when she saw Alejandro's name. She stopped reading, turned around and walked straight to Jonne, ignoring the stares. Jonne was flirting with a giggling blond girl at the Ravenclaw table, but looked up when Gina walked over to him.
'I need you Jonne,' she said quietly.
He looked at her, and at the paper in her hand. He stood up and took her hand, taking her to a quit place a little further up the table. The blond girl looked very offended, but Jonne didn't notice, as he had taken the paper out of Gina's hand, scanning it.
'Troubled Spanish princess comes to Hogwarts,' he mumbled.
'Don't read it to me, will you?
He was quiet for a while.
'Is she mentioned?
'Yes,' Jonne said matter of factly. 'There's not much. Just that she is pregnant.'
'And that they cheated on me.'
Yes. He put an arm around her. 'It says she-'
He hesitated.
'What?'
'That she stopped school and is living with him now. That's what it says.'
She looked at him incredulously. 'He always said he found her bloody annoying! She irritated the cràp out of him when we would hang out together, I wouldn't hear the maldición end off it! ¿Y me estás diciendo que ahora vive con él? Me estás tomando el pelo...' And you're telling me she lìves with him now? Are you kìdding me... She had switched to Spanish, not wanting others listening in, as a lot of students were looking curiously at her silent shouting.
Jonne let Gina quiet herself down and than gave her a another hug. She leaned against him.
'I can not believe they printed all that stuff about my family,' she said in a flat voice.
'Its nothing new querida.'
'Its new for everyone here,' Gina sighed.
Severus had been reasonably successful in banning thoughts about miss Aldaya from his mind. Until he read the Daily Prophet that morning that was. Staring at the huge picture of Gina for a moment, he started reading the underlining article on the front page, and the successive pages 4, 5 en 7 en 8. So she was in a clinch with her family. The article didn't mention why, but he supposed people her age were often rebelling against their parents and their beliefs. Growing up in a family with strict protocols, high expectations and a lot of press attention would not help matters. He was more surprised by the mention of her ex boyfriend cheating on her, impregnating her best friend, if he had to believe the article. It was Rita Skeeter who had wrote it after all...
How could any sane guy cheat on hèr?
He noticed miss Aldaya looking quite upset when she came in for breakfast. She was having an intense conversation with the blond boy with lots of agitated waving of her hands. Her friend, who was also mentioned, as Jonne Virtanen, 'a handsome Finnish wizard who Gina trusted more than any of her friends, especially since the Alejandro/Lucía incident' tried to calm her down and hugged her, whispering something in her ear. Gina had stopped her silent shouting and her shoulders seemed to droop. Severus took a swig of coffee and thought he might make the seventh years brew Elixir to Induce Euphoria today.
Her friend Sirius from London send Gina a letter the following day, telling her he was sorry her family laundry had been aired in the British papers, but to hold her head up up high. Gina longed to write back a snappy retort, saying that people already called her an arrogant princess behind her back, but appreciated it non the less. His letter did also added to her worries however. Sirius wrote that he and his friends were hearing more and more strange things by the day, and more confirmation about the strange occurrences being linked to the Death Eaters. Sirius and a friend had seen a known Death Eater behaving suspicious in London the other day, and the next day they had heard a Muggle-born wizard was attacked and left obliviated in a alley in East London, and was now in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Gina felt a little sick when she read this.
She also wondered what Sirius and his friends where up to, following wizards who were obviously not to be messed with. If they were indeed known Death Eaters Gina would give them in a wide berth. And she contemplated with an uneasy feeling if her parents had been right in saying that Britain was way more dangerous for Gina than Spain, even though there had been five serious attempts to attack members of the royal family in the last two years alone.
Still with her head consumed with Sirius his letter, Gina ran into Bill Weasley in the library.
'Hi Gina,' he said smiling. 'How are you?'
To her surprize, Gina saw a big group of students sitting around a few tables pushed together behind him, heads bent together and talking rather loudly with each other.
'I'm good. What's going on?' Gina asked.
'Well, we were studying, very well behaved, when madame Pinch was hit by an accidental spell by a first year, making her cough up slugs.'
'That is disgusting,' Gina said revolted.
'Yep. But- she has to stay in the Hospital Wing tonight. The library is kind of going rough,' Bill grinned. 'We are discussing the possibility of ordering take out in Hogsmeade. If only we can pick it up unseen by the teachers. We hope they will forget to come by the library tonight, it being madame Pinch's sanctuary and all. Would you like to join us? We already persuaded Jill and Louis.'
Gina indeed saw Jill sitting next to Louis, blushing profusely, while Louis was talking to a tall boy with rather big ears.
Gina grinned back. 'I'd like that. My mind wasn't on studying anyway...'
She followed Bill and sat down with them. Gina saw almost her whole Potions class, with Andre Fawcett and Tarjei Boot, the Ravenclaw boys from her table, and Lorene Abbott and Helen Blainey, the two blond Hufflepuff girls. There were five others she did not know by name. Non of them, she thought, were Slytherins. She smiled at the people looking up and waved at Jill.
Andre and Tarjei were having a discussion about the pro's and cons of Chinese food.
'The elves don't make it Andre,' Tarjei said. 'It's the best. We hàve to get Chinese.'
'It's not pizza, Andre said doubtfully. 'I mean, is there even a Chinese dish with dough?'
'Spring rolls are tasty and kind of doughy,' Gina pitched in. 'And... you know, dumplings...'
Gina faltered, being distracted by Lorene who was eating a chocolate bar. She had taken a bite and and laid it down on a brand new edition of Numerology and Grammatica. Gina shifted a little in her chair. Chocolate in the library... She was not a saint herself when it came to smearing books, but this was almost sacrilege. Maybe she had a napkin in her bag and she could put the chocolate bar on it when Lorene wasn't looking... Gina was just about to check her bag when she saw Jonne come around the corner with a paper in his hand. She waved a little unenthusiastic at him and he walked over to he group.
'Hello everyone,' he said. 'Hi querida. Now I know who you come to this place all the time, this looks more like a party than studying. Is that take out? He leaned over the flyer Tarjei was holding. 'Chinese. This is great. You should have told me I was missing out,' Jonne said, poking Gina. 'I got a wonderful Riesling that fits with Chinese very well. Have you ordered already?'
'Not yet. I want to pick it up but we need a plan first,' Tarjei said. 'The Hogsmeade shop owners will rat out Hogwarts students. It is a weekday. They know we are not allowed to leave the castle.'
'Do you think they will recognise Promodores robes?' Jonne asked, his eyes gleaming. 'I could go with you and you could wear my reserve cloak.'
'That's bloody brilliant.' Tarjei clapped Jonne on the back.
Jonne sat down and put the paper, the evening edition of the Daily Prophet, the Evening Prophet, on the table. Gina felt a little calmer. When she had seen Jonne with the paper she had thought he was looking for her about something in it. She glanced at the front page. She saw it was an piece about the muggle born wizard who was attacked in London. Apparently he had had three bone fractures when he was found in a dark, deserted alley by his family, who had searched the area for hours. Gina read the article in horror while Jonne and Tarjei discussed the dishes they wanted to order.
'Horrible isn't it,' Bill said quietly, when Gina put the newspaper down. He had sat behind her and noticed the article she had been reading. 'I read it just before I came here. And it isn't the first thing like this happened. Aggression towards Muggle-borns and Muggles is in an uptrend. My father says people are getting worried. He works at the Ministry of Magic,' Bill explained, seeing Gina's questioning look.
The group around them had fallen silent, listening. Apparently almost everyone had already heard about the attack. Gina saw a lot of tense, worried faces.
'My father says it is unbelievable the Ministry doesn't catch the Death Eaters still at large. And I agree,' Andre Fawcett said fiercely. 'They have the Dark Mark on their arms, don't they? Why don't they make it mandatory that you have to show that you don't have it? And throw everyone who does in Azkaban?'
'What is a Dark Mark?' Gina asked, not following.
'It is the symbol of You-Know-Who, a skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue. The inner circle of his followers have it branded on their arm. I think it was meant as a sign of loyalty, and a way to identify each other,' Bill explained. 'They also used to conjure it above buildings whenever they had killed someone. And it's not that easy Andre. Not every follower of You-Know-Who has been branded by the Dark Mark, only his inner circle of most trusted followers, my dad says. And maybe they are able to hide it with a spell or a potion.. We don't know that. And they could set people up if that is the known regime, force a tattoo on them en hand them over to the Ministry.'
'Well, they should throw everyone who ever sympathised with them in Azkaban right away,' Lorene Abbott said fiercely. 'The Death Eaters killed half my family,' she said, seeing Gina look. 'My uncle Teon, my ant Josie, and my cousin Ransford.'
Jill clapped her hand to her mouth.
'You could throw half the wizarding population in prison Lorene,' said Tarjei. 'Don't forget, a lot of witches and wizards agreed with his ideas, especially at the beginning of his rise to power. Coming out of hiding. Overthrowing the International Statute of Secrecy. Being in charge of the Muggles instead of pretending to be Muggles in public. And keeping the magical education for wizards only. Not my views,' he added quickly. 'But a lot of people do agree with that, and think it is justifiable to use magic, and even Dark Magic, to achieve that means.'
'It's everywhere really,' Andre said sadly. 'Even at Hogwarts. Slytherins have a bad reputation regarding the Dark Arts for a reason.'
'As does professor Snape,' Tarjei chipped in. 'They say he was involved with the Dark Arts during the war. Don't know what's true though.'
Gina stared at him. She had heard rumours about professor Snape being knowledgeable in subjects regarding Dark Arts and people wondering about that. She personally thought he was simply very clever and a human sponge for information. He probably knew a lot about a lot of subjects.
'I don't believe he would be allowed to teach here if that was true,' said Helen Blainey.
Andre made a disbelieving sound. 'Everyone knows Dumbledore is a softy. Gives people second chances. It was in the paper he votes against Ignotus Rowle last year. That man is a war criminal and Dumbledore voted against imprisoning him.'
'Then there probably wasn't enough evidence,' Bill said with conviction. 'Dumbledore is a genius, he fought tooth and nail against You-Know-Who during the war and he isn't a fool. That Snape is teaching here is saying something. I do not believe Dumbledore would ever allow an ex Death Eater to teach at Hogwarts.'
'Maybe Snape hoodwinked him,' Andre mumbled. 'He is evil enough for it.'
A few people nodded in agreement. Gina thought this was rather undue. Granted, Snape was a rather strict and sometimes unfair teacher, making snide, sarcastic remarks and taking points from students a lot, but to call him evil...
'Maybe he did. The fact remains Death Eaters out there are regrouping,' Tarjei cut in. 'And the Ministry does nothing, as usual.'
The group fell silent.
'We don't know that for sure Tarjei,' said Helen quietly, looking shaken by this statement.
'Who else would attack Muggle-borns?' shot back Tarjei, looking agitated. 'A month ago it was a Muggle-born witch in Wrexham. They never found the culprit. The magical community should do something. Make a statement we don't take this anymore. Show them.'
'The Ministry has Aurors for that,' Andre said. 'Dark wizard catchers, he explained when he saw Gina looking confused. They are highly trained law enforcement officials.'
She smiled gratefully at him. 'Some English terms are a mystery to me,' she explained.
'I understand,' he smiled back.
'And I am not showing anyone,' Tarjei chipped in. 'The defence lessons are a joke. It's all nice and well to say we should take a stand and tell anyone who is out of line to say we don't take that shit, but these wizards can duel. My cousin had seen the Death Eaters apprehend a very skilled warlock and his son in Butterwick, and they crushed that man in battle. It was horrible to watch, my cousin Sebastian told me. He was hiding behind a covered wagon. They know how to use Dark Magic, the most gruesome spells... I won't repeat what they did to that poor man. What are people like you and me suppose to so, cast Jelly-Legs at them and run? They are really not going to abide by the duelling rules we learn at school, bowing to each other and counting to three before you may begin...'
Gina looked at him in surprise. She would have thought a guy like him knew how to hold up in a street duel.
'Than why don't you practise?' Gina couldn't stop herself blurting out.
Tarjei looked at her in surprise.
'Everybody should practise duelling and self-defence,' Gina said with conviction. 'You should be able to defend yourself. That should be a basic skill.'
'Easy for you to say,' said a boy with mousy brown hair. 'I read all about your royal upbringing. We didn't all have personal duelling coaches growing up you know. We aren't allowed to practise dualling at Hogwarts. Just the absolute basics. Disarming and stuff like that. And seventh years are allowed to practise stunning...'
Gina counted to three in her head before answering. How she'd longed to asked if he had read èverything about her upbringing in that piece of filth they called a newspaper...
'I'd be glad to pass on the knowledge my... fortunate upbringing, if you'd like, she said a little stiffly.'
'Would you? That would be really interesting Gina,' Andre said, looking at her. Gina saw a few people exchange looks with each other, nodding and looking interested.
'Yes of course,' Gina said. 'And I would like to hear more about the Dark Arts from you Bill,' she said. 'You have collected a lot of knowledge from your father.'
She did not add that she would love to hear as much as possible about the Dark Arts in Britain as she wanted to move here after school. The papers would have a field day if they heard that. And her parents would murder her.
'I would really like some lessons in self defence,' a girl with blond pigtails said, speaking for the first time.
'Me too,' Helen said.
'We could meet up and practise, Bill said slowly. You are right Gina, people should be able to defend themselves. Especially these days.'
'Lets,' Tarjei agreed. 'But first, let's éat shall we? Having the library to ourselves is not happening every bloody day you know. Jonne, you want to come? I think the Promodores cloak plan is brilliant.'
Jonne grinned and stood up. 'I'm good to go. He put a hand on Gina her shoulder. Tjap tjoy and spring rolls for you, querida?'
'Yes please.'
Tarjei got out a piece of parchment out of his bag. Alright, one tjap tjoy and spring rolls for Gina. Bill, what do you want?'
'Oh I'd like a boyfriend who would do everything for me,' Gina heard Lorene say in a soft, dreamy voice while Tarjei took everyone's order. 'Who would hold my hand and risked detention for getting take out for my friends...'
Gina couldn't help laugh.
'Jonne is not doing this for me-' she began.
'You tell yourself that,' said Lorene a little superciliously. 'It's easy for you, with your boyfriend and thirty proposals a week.'
'Yes, it's wonderful', Gina said sarcastically, feeling irritated.
'We may need someone innocent, to put teachers we may see out in the grounds on the wrong track,' Tarjei cut in. 'Like Gina.'
Before Gina could respond, Jonne made a spluttering sound and he burst out laughing quite hysterically. The group stared at him in surprise. Lorene looked a little taken aback by this very unromantic behaviour.
'Haaha, haa...' Jonne said, actually wiping his eyes. 'Innocent. That was hilarious. We'll be fine, come on man.' He clapped Tarjei on the back and they were off.
'That was rather rude of you,' Gina said, turning back to the Hufflepuff girls. She was determined not to look at Jill, who looked as though she wanted to ask why Jonne had laughed so hard.
'What?' Lorene said surprised.
'You saying it is easy for me,' Gina said, looking Lorene full in the face. 'You haven't exchanged more than three words with me since I got to Hogwarts. Reading rubbish about me in the paper isn't the same as knowing me as a person you know.'
Lorene and Helen both looked a little ashamed.
'You are right Gina,' Lorene said after a moment. 'I haven't looked at it that way. I am sorry.'
Gina gave a stiff nod. 'Thank you for saying that. I appreciate it.'
'I heard Lucian Bole really bugs you at Ancient Runes. That must be really crappy. And, well... getting these prejudices from people like I just did must suck too,' Lorene added smiling a little faintly.
Gina smiled at her. 'It does sometimes. And yes, Bole is a giant douche.'
To everyone's delight Jonne and Tarjei managed to sneak into Hogsmeade and pick up their order at Phoenix Palace without being busted by a teacher. Unfortunately, they were half way through enjoying their special meal, the tables littered with trays of food and chatting merrily, when professor McGonagall suddenly barged in their secluded corner of the library, obviously thinking the students would be unable to behave themselves without the presence of a librarian. Which Gina supposed wàs strictly speaking true... She still found it rather exaggerated to give Tarjei and Jonne detention because she had seen them walk back from the road to Hogsmeade from her office window. And taking ten house points each from every person present for eating illegally obtained food in the library, smearing three library books in the process. Gina did secretly agree a little with the points taken from Gregory Munts, a chubby Hufflepuff boy who was also in her potions class. How on earth he got Foe Yong Hei on Winogrand's Wondrous Water Plants by Selina Sapworthy was beyond her.
Walking back to the carriage with Jonne, Gina felt very happy, despite Sirius' letter and the less than fun talk about the worries the students had about the threat of the Dark Arts rising again. Lorene and Helen had asked her and Jill to go to Hogsmeade with them when the students were allowed to go to the village, and Jonne had gotten a lot of laughs for eating with eight chopsticks. It had been a really fun evening.
The Triwizard Ball approached, and Gina still didn't have a partner. She even got a reprimand from señor Gonzalez, which she found very unfair. She had signed up for the Triwizard Tournament, not a maldición ball... Jill didn't have a date yet either. When Jill got desperate and told Gina she was actually plànning on asking José, Gina intervened, convincing her that she and Jill should dance at the opening dance together.
'Won't people think we are a couple than?' Jill asked. She was obviously thinking about Louis.
'They won't if you just dance with others the rest of the evening,' Gina assured her. 'Some guys find a hint of bisexuality very attractive in a woman you know.' Gina thought of Jonne.
'Really?' Jill looked interested. 'Alright. I wasn't looking forward to dancing with José anyway... But no kissing,' she added, thoughtfully.
Gina laughed. 'That's a deal Jill.'