Chapter 7
It was bound to happen any day now when Mrs. Bradbury decided to set up an interview day for Aoife. That day just happened to be today. If there was any nerve wracking feeling to the pit of her stomach, it'd be this. Good thing Hazel and Magaly helped getting ready. Not having anything that would be considered professional attire for an interview, Aoife decided to make do with whatever she had.
"This will do," she sighed to herself as observing her outfit. Black flared leggings and a long ivory satin tunic with a tied ribbon in front, paired up with a navy button down sweater. Her blonde hair still down, not knowing what to do with it. Yet.
"Let me help you with your hair," Magaly volunteered.
Aoife snapped out from her trance. "Oh um, thank you."
Magaly began brushing her hair. "Your hair is so long and so pretty. Don't you ever cut it?"
The infamous question for anyone with long hair would ever get. So many times to count. Trying to hide any trace of annoyance of the question, Aoife replied, "Only a little." And by little, she meant by a couple of centimeters or four. Her answer alone earned snicker from Isaac, who stood by the door frame.
"Need any help, Isaac?" Hazel said to him.
"I got nothing else or better to do," Isaac shrugged.
Hazel rolled her eyes, but decided to not engage further with her brother like Magaly is and shifted her attention back to Aoife. Wrapping her hair to an elegant bun.
"I found this hair pin in your jewelry box," Hazel showed Aoife.
A hair pin embellished with flowers and stones in multiple colors. Mum and Dad gave it to her for Christmas during her 5th year. Aoife wore it all the time. Then it slowly came to a halt which felt like a lifetime since.
"Is anything the matter?" Hazel asked.
Aoife shook off any melancholic thoughts away. "No," adding a smile in hopes of any deep hidden emotions doesn't show.
Hazel placed the hairpin into Aoife's hair. The only strands of hair remained were her fringe that framed her face like curtains.
"We should probably place some bobby pins on your bangs to get out of the way," Magaly suggested.
"Bangs?" Aoife asked confused.
"She means fringe," said another voice with a faded Cockney lilt.
The three witches turned to see Andrew right beside Isaac. That's the most he's spoken to her so far since their first meeting. Aoife faced back to the mirror without a returned exchange as Hazel placed the bobby pins on her bangs as they call it here.
"Andy! Nice of you to join us," Magaly beamed as Isaac patted his shoulder. Andrew swatted Isaacs's hand away.
"There we go," said Hazel.
Aoife took another observation of herself in the mirror. Thinking she appeared too stuffy for her liking. "Do you think it looks a little mumsy?"
"No," the two sisters replied in unison.
"Not at all," Magaly then added.
Isaac laughed to himself. A possible indication he has a differing opinion from his sisters. Andrew gave him a wary stare.
"If you have something to say, just say it, Iz," Hazel told her brother.
"No, I have nothing to say," Isaac faked a yawn. Then he adverted his attention to Andrew. "Andy, why don't you take Aoife to the Sanctuary?"
Andrew without the others noticing except for Aoife went stiff as a board; eyes widened and jaws clenched.
"That's a great idea," Hazel followed. "Maybe you can use this as a chance to properly get to know each other."
Isaac carried on with a smirk that resembled a child conspiring a way to get out of trouble. "And if you dare refuse and storm off, I have no problem turning you into dragon dung."
The tall auburn haired wizard heaved an exaggerated sigh. Knowing very well the Goodwind siblings are dead set by the decision and there's no changing that. Further into buying Isaac's little threat, because he definitely would.
Mumbling incoherent words to himself, Andrew bellowed, "Fine! If it'll get all of you to stop crying about it."
Magaly gave Aoife a gentle shove forward. Isaac patted her in the back. "Break a leg," he winked at her. She nodded in return.
~~~
It was finally the first time ever it was just the two of them. Alone. Neither said anything. Instead staring ahead or in Aoife's case at the ground. Though she did sneak in a few glances at Andrew. When he took notice, she quickly moved her gaze back up front. Hoping the pink color of her cheeks don't show. And it's not the fact that he happened to be handsome. Close in proximity especially. Aoife mentally slapped herself in the forehead for thinking that.
Wonder if anyone back home knows him or at least knows of him. Obviously, he must've attended Hogwarts. Then again, not everyone has to know everyone. It's a big school for the most part. So, the chances are slim.
With each step, they were getting close to the Sanctuary. Aoife could see a woman past middle age standing in front of the door.
"You must be Miss Branson," said the woman. Tall and straight posture. her brunette hair up into an elegant bun.
"Mrs. Bradbury," replied Andrew.
"Thank you, Mr. Mazur," Mrs. Bradbury pushed up the bridge of her red rimmed glasses. "You may carry on." To Aoife: "and you may follow me inside."
The young blonde witch did so. Nervousness inside built up stronger, but that's the last thing she needed to feel right now. As this may be her first if not only "proper" job she may as well have for a while. Not to say what she's done before wasn't proper. When to a great extent she did for him. Even when she didn't need to, she did it all for him.
"Wait!" Andrew called suddenly.
Aoife halted and faced him. Thinking of what he may want. Without asking, Andrew carefully took out the bobby pins from her fringe. He fixed them with his fingers.
"There," he said, shoving the bobby pins in the pocket of his trousers. "Looks better."
"Umm... thank you," Aoife managed a reply.
Andrew nodded in response without meeting her hazel eyes with his green ones. "Good luck, Miss Branson."
"Thank you, Mr. Mazur," Aoife returned back the formality. For some reason, feeling hurt by the recite of her apparent surname by him. However, something felt off by the way he said it.
Putting that thought aside, Aoife went inside the Sanctuary without a glance back at Andrew. At least now the feeling of hurt completely vanished once the door closed shut from behind.
***
With the First Task seconds away, Ron was what one can say apprehensive to speak to Harry again. Fearing his friend doesn't want to have anything to do with him anymore after the way he acted towards him. Admittedly, Ron was a major arse, and Ginny made damn sure to let her brother know that.
"I'm positive Harry will forgive you right here and now," Aoife assured him. "He's is going to take you back first thing."
"I hope you're right," sighed Ron.
"Unfortunately, she is," joked Ginny. "Because if it were me, I wouldn't take it so kindly."
Aoife elbowed Ginny, to which she just shrugged. Indicating, she said what she said.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Ron scowled at his sister.
Ginny grinned at Aoife then back at Ron. "Groveling always works or write him a song."
"You're a cruel beast," Ron told her.
"Glad to be of service," Ginny bowed at Ron in a mocking manner. Then she linked her arm with Aoife's. "Come, let's find our seats. Fred and George are already doing bets."
The two witches left Ron alone. Aoife snuck back to see him going inside the tent and reconcile with Harry. Hopefully, things will work out well for them. It always does after all.
Finding any remaining seats wasn't as difficult. Luckily, there were just enough empty spaces to spare next to Luna. The entire audience were divided. Not just schools, but by which contender they supported as well. As nice and kind Cedric or even Fleur is to Aoife, Harry has her full support.
"I hope they don't harm the dragons," said Luna as Aoife and Ginny took their seats.
"Same here," agreed Aoife. "Seems unfit for them."
Both Luna and Aoife loved animals, so this wasn't exactly an ideal watch for them. Whatever to get an audience excited supposedly.
"It's the contestants I'm worried about," Ginny responded.
A scoff came in after. "Sure it's not a certain someone you're worried about?"
Aoife with Ginny and Luna following looked to see Fred and George scooting by with boxes in hand.
"Sod off," Ginny glared at Fred while red in the face.
Fred pretended to make a pensive face. "Mmm... I would, but someone else already ordered that to me, so here I am."
Ginny groaned as she turned her back away from her brothers. Avoiding any further engagement. If it were about anything else, she would've been able to put them in their place with ease.
"Just go," was all she said to them as Luna tried to calm her down.
"Actually, the seats here aren't so bad," Fred declared. "And the view is magnificent."
Fred sat right next to Ginny much to her dismay, while George sat next to Aoife as the space next to Fred was filled up by other students. And the space next to her had enough room.
"Hi," George greeted with a toothy grin.
"Hi," Aoife replied back shyly as her cheeks showcased shades of pink. She scooted closer to Luna and wrapped her arms around her. Luna picked up on what's going on wrapped a comforting arm around Aoife. Assuring the girl, she'll be fine.
"He isn't mean to you, is he?" Luna whispered.
"No," Aoife whispered back.
Luna with much discretion wrote something down on ripped piece of parchment. Making sure George pays no attention.
'do you like-like him'
Aoife read the message and nodded to Luna.
"It'll be okay," Luna assured; her voice still low. "We can always go back into the Common Room if you start to feel unwell."
"Thanks, Luna," Aoife said gratefully. "Though I'm sure I'll be fine."
"That's good," said Luna in relief. "Would't want those wrackspurts getting to you."
"I'm pretty sure they won't," Aoife smiled. "They aren't getting a centimeters worth on this hair." And pointing at her blonde threads.
"But just in case..." Luna pulled out two earmuffs.
Both Aoife and Luna put on the earmuffs. Without care of their surroundings. However, little did she know, George took notice. Lucky for her, he found it both amusing and cute. Trying not to surpass a laugh at the mere sight of those ridiculous earmuffs resting comfortably on her ears. She is pretty cute after all.