Chapter 5
Students left and right put their names in the Goblet of Fire in the Great Hall where it's all displayed. No surprise the Weasley twins were planning on entering. Despite not being of age. What else is to be expected of them? The two troublesome terrors. Nothing can stop them. No one can stop them.
"You're seriously going to enter?" asked Ron dumbfounded.
"We are," replied Fred matter-of-factly.
Ron, Harry and Hermione followed them as the twins were entering their name in the goblet. Slightly concerned for the twins on another one of their schemes.
"And how are you two going to that?" Ron continued to pester.
Fred rolled his eyes. "We brewed an aging potion, so once we drink it or in this case, already drank the potion, we'll be old enough."
"I don't think this is a good idea, you guys," Hermione warned worriedly. "Something can go wrong. There is an age line after all."
George sighed. "Don't be such a fuddy-duddy, Hermione. It's all in good fun." To Fred: "Let's get this over with. Ready, Fred?"
"Ready, George," Fred followed.
Hermione frowned as Fred and George made way to the goblet. Harry remained silent the whole time. Not wanting to get in the middle of the whole debacle. But eventually they'd learn their lesson. Even though they never do. Again, the Weasley twins are unstoppable once they set their minds to something.
Aoife, who just now peeked outside the Great Hall to see who else were submitting their names. Just in time to see Fred and George doing so and looking smug as ever, cheering and giving one another a high-five. So, their plan did work?
The celebration didn't last long when blue fire surrounded the pranksters and thrusted them in the air. One of them landed hard on Aoife, causing her to yelp.
"Argh," groaned the one who landed on her. Only to see they aren't exactly themselves anymore. Instead strings of matted white hair sprouting in various directions and a long beard to match. The one who landed on her gasped. "Dammit! I am so sorry," the voice belonged to George. "I don't know what just happened -" pausing mid sentence when seeing Fred at the same state.
"Georgie?" said Fred hesitantly.
The Weasley twins got and observed one another. It wasn't long when a chorus of laughter filled the Great Hall. Fred and George laughed along. What else to be expected of them? Aoife managed to get up. Unfortunately, can't say her wrist survived the impact of the fall. It didn't seem broken, but still hurt when she moved her fingers.
Dumbledore then came in, laughing as well. "Sadly, we had to take extra precautions in case something of sort would happen." To Fred and George: "You two weren't the only ones to try this stunt, though I must say your beards are quite distinguished."
Harry, Ron and Hermione came tailing after.
"Still think Hermione's a fuddy whatever?" asked Ron his brothers.
"Yes, yes we do," said back Fred.
Lee who happened to laughed the hardest took Fred and George to the hospital. "You to never learn, do you?"
"What's learning?" Fred joked.
Aoife with another observation of her decided to go to the hospital wing as well.
The hospital room filled with other students who had the same idea as the twins. Including a fellow Ravenclaw girl. Poor Madame Pomfrey had to tend to each and every one of them. Fred and George were in the other end having a with Lee Jordan
"Hello, dear," said Madame Pomfrey when she noticed Aoife. "Anything the matter?"
Without uttering a word, she held out her injured wrist for the nurse to see. Immediately, Madame Pomfrey observed the wrist.
"Hmm, try wiggling your fingers," the nurse told her.
Aoife did as told and wiggled her fingers. Only to wince at the pain. "It hurts."
"You're definitely going to need to wear a small cast around the wrist for a few weeks," said Madame Pomfrey. "How did you sprain your wrist anyway?"
Aoife adverted her gaze to the twins and Lee Jordan who were still having a laugh. "It's a long story."
"No matter," Madame Pomfrey began bandaging her wrist leading slightly below the elbow.
She could feel eyes on her, but ignored it. When someone lightly tapped on her shoulder. Aoife turned to see a still aging George Weasley in front her.
"Hi," he greeted politely.
"Mr. Weasley, return back to your station," ordered Madame Pomfrey. "I'll be with you and your brother shortly."
"Sir, yes, sir," George sighed, but obliged. Knowing well whatever he wanted to say to Aoife can wait and returned back to his station as the nurse ordered to.
Madame Pomfrey finished bandaging Aoife's wrist along with a plaster supporter. "There you go, dear," she said. "We'll see if there's any progress duration of the given weeks."
"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," said Aoife before taking off. Not without a glance first at the twins and Lee who are now tended by the nurse.
Aoife did not want to have to show off her cast. Good thing for the flared sleeves of her robe to conceal it. And another fortunate circumstance of it being her dominant hand that survived the impact. So, that's at least one good thing.
"Aoife!" Hermione shouted. Harry and Ron right behind her. "We saw you rushing into the hospital. Is everything okay?"
"I'm fine," Aoife assured. "Just a broken wrist that's all."
"How that happened?" Harry observed the bandaged arm.
Ron scoffed. "My pigheaded brothers, that's how. I saw one of them land on her when they got launched in the air."
Harry and Hermione exchanged knowing looks with one another before turning their attention back to the other two. Ron isn't exactly happy with this older brothers at the moment.
"I'm sure it was an accident," Aoife once again tried to assure. More or so to Ron.
"Indeed it was," came in a new voice. George, who was now back to his normal sixteen year old appearance. To Aoife: "About back there -" George halted when his younger brother and Harry and Hermione were still standing there.
"Do you nosy parkers mind?" he said.
Aoife turned back to the trio nodding her head. Indicating they can leave her be. Hermione led Harry and Ron away. Leaving Aoife alone with George.
"As I was saying," George scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry about the back there. Didn't mean for you to break your wrist. I mean it'll be hard for you to use your wand."
Aoife shook her head. " It's fine, really," lowering her eyes then back up at him. "My working arm is scratch free." She held out her wand with her left hand.
George opened his mouth then closed it back again. "Well! That's good."
Once more Aoife shyly adverted her gaze and then back at him. He's so nice to her. Maybe it all comes naturally to him. Because he is indeed a nice person.
If only she what else to say to him. How else to carry on the conversation. But the shyness gets in the way for her to say a single sentence.
"Anyway," George continued. "I should head back to my brother. The potion is slowly making progress on him. Right now he looks like a middle-aged goblin."
He headed back to the hospital wing before Aoife had a chance to say anything else. Which could be a good thing. She let out a huge exhale of relief. Would this be progress then? Little by little steps on talking to her crush.
~~~
The Halloween feast was as usual a hit amongst the students of Hogwarts and now as well as the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. This night's the final verdict as to who will participate in the Triwizard Tournament. Aoife filled her plate with pumpkin pasties, roasted vegetables and steamed rice. While Luna, Fleur and the other students helped themselves with some "coq au vin" as it was called; a hardy stew that consisted of chicken, lardons and mushrooms.
"Sure you don't want any?" Fleur offered Aoife politely.
Aoife shook her head. "No thank you. I'm fine with what I have."
"Hogwarts isn't exactly versatile with food," explained Luna idly. "I never had this before. It's quite good."
"I've noticed," Fleur commented.
Luna not making any further conversation helped herself to some pudding. One in particular being her favorite. Chocolate flavored adorned with slices of strawberries and blueberries. But Luna is right about that one thing. Hogwarts can use some branching out on the different dishes. With that much thought into food, Dumbledore called everyone to attention as the participants of the Triwizard tournament is soon to be called.
Fleur looked confident as ever. As if knowing she'll be called.
"The first contestant for the Triwizard Tournament is Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons."
Her schoolmates cheered as she stood up with the air of confidence and haughty expression that she usually displays and went up from to join Dumbledore.
Viktor Krum was called next to join the stand to represent Durmstrang. His schoolmates cheered as well for him. Wonder who will represent Hogwarts?
"Cedric Diggiry."
Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff is chosen to represent Hogwarts. This time the entirety of Hogwarts students cheered on. A lot of people liked Cedric. Aoife included. He's not just popular, but kind as well.
The three representatives have been chosen to participate this year. So that's a wrap. The three participants have been chosen. However, the mini celebration is cut short seconds later when the flames turned a different color. Indicating another student to complete. Dumbledore picked up the folded piece of paper to read out the name. And everyone's shock and to one person's horror, the name Dumbledore read out was ... Harry Potter.
Horrified expressions plastered on everyone's faces. Including the boy himself who doesn't know what to do. This can't be good. By the look on his face, someone must've set him up.
***
Since the whole ordeal with Andrew, Aoife hasn't seen much of him. If not then at all. He usually keeps a sharp polite distance from not just when she's alone, but also when in company of the others. Though whenever they happen to cross paths when it's just the two of them, his eyes turns the other way. Aoife wonders if she's done anything wrong to offend him in any sort of way. Retracing each and every step of that moment to figure out the issue.
As the tall wizard stood up straight on the count of Isaac's demand. Aoife smiled warm and kindly as Andrew did the same. However, his smile faltered as soon as their exchange met. Just the very way he looked at her.
Like a muggle who's just seen a ghost
Magaly and Hazel have assured her that she's done nothing wrong. Not without Isaac adding that Andrew's always been weird. Not caring about the warning eye from his sisters.
"Well, it's true," Isaac shrugged. "Kind of makes me miss the days we'd prank him like crazy."
"That was mostly your doing," Hazel commented. "The poor guy mind you, who was just a teenager at the time thought we hated him."
"You and Magaly followed," Isaac shot back with a smirk. "Being an enabler is just as bad. Then again, you did use to have a little crush on him."
"I did not!" Hazel went red. "If memories serves correctly, you're the one who had the crush. Why else would you constantly bother him?"
Unlike his sister, Isaac earned himself a satisfied laugh. Much to her annoyance.
Magaly cleared her throat to stir away the subject. "Anyway, there's more important things to discuss." To Aoife: "Like Aoife, what are your plans now that you're here?"
Aoife had a good time thinking about what she should do. "Job-wise I thought about putting out an advertisement of some sort."
"Well, actually, there is no need for that," Hazel continued. "We've been thinking. We'd like for you to work alongside us."
The Sanctuary as it's called, was actually a wizarding equivalent to a daycare. Also a place for student witches and wizards who don't have a place to stay over the summer holidays. Aoife was pleasantly surprised when she was first told about the place. Diagon Alley doesn't even have a place such. Harry would've loved it. Especially when he was still attending Hogwarts.
"I couldn't," Aoife shook her head. "You all have done more than enough for me already."
"Please, Aoife?" Magaly took her hands. "We'd really like for you to work with us. The owner Mrs. Bradbury is willing to take a new employee in."
"And just like that?" asked Aoife. Still incredulous about the offer. It's a lot to take in. However, now that she's in a whole new place, a job is what she really needs right now.
"All right," Aoife finally said with a smile. "I'll do it."
Both Hazel and Magaly cheered with joy as they engulfed Aoife with a hug. The young witch taken aback, but held onto to them in return as her tense body relaxed little by little. It felt a while since for Aoife to know what hug felt like.
Isaac snorted. "You two are a handful."
"Shut up, Isaac," Magaly responded.
Isaac taking a step back held up his hands in mock defense, but went over to the three witches and ruffled Aoife's hair.
The mini joke fest was cut abruptly when someone entered the room. "Isaac, I thought I told you to -"
Everyone turned to see none other than the tall auburn haired man standing right before their very eyes. That's when he paused mid sentence. That moment when her own eyes met his. She relaxed her bright smile to be more calm and gentle. However, the expression upon his face read something Aoife couldn't point her finger on. All she wanted to figure out was why. Why is he being avoidant towards her? How he looks at her leaves Aoife the most confused and to ponder on the scene.
"Need anything, Andy?" Isaac spoke up. "If so, then Aoife can help you out. You can show her around even."
Andrew opened his mouth for a response. Then formed his lips into a tight line. Not meeting anyone's stare this time. "Umm actually ... n-n-no, it's fine. I got it." From what Aoife can hear of him, the Cockney accent isn't as strong, if not at all. Though she can make out a tiny bit of what's there.
And just like their first encounter, he hightailed away. At least this time around, Andrew didn't slam any doors behind him.