Strife
Next Murphy found himself in the forest with Iris and Barnaby, and he had some feelings about that. Barnaby was tall, built like a brick wall, and stupidly good looking. He also had a way of getting the girls at school to just swoon. He also looked at Iris the same way Murphy did, and there was unspoken competition there. Weather or not Barnaby was aware, more then likely not, he sure didn't act like it. Murphy though always felt like there was a competition there to gain Iris's affection.
“The magical creature reserve? This training session is sure to be a thrill.” Murphy commented, looking up at Iris.
“It'll be fun, but remember to stay focused, Murphy, because it will also be challenging.” Iris smiled in a way that he knew it was going to be interesting.
“Of course, coach Rosewood.”
“And that's why I've asked Barnaby to help us.” Murphy felt the muscles in his shoulder's tighten. “He's a good friend of mine and he has a knack for magical creatures.” Iris placed her hand on Barnaby's shoulder and Murphy felt his eye twitch.
“Magical creatures is one of my areas of expertise. Which is why I jumped like a puffskin at the chance to help a friend in need.” Barnaby said in a dreamy way as he looked at Iris.
Yeah I bet you did. “Well I certainly appreciate the help, Barnaby, and I'd love to know your other areas of expertise.” He wanted to gauge what exactly he was up against.
“I think we can save that for another-” Iris tried to interject.
“Duelling, for one! I'm the best at Hogwarts.” Barnaby announced happily.
“If we could focus-”
“Right! Focus is also one of my areas of exper- was that a centaur?!”
“A centaur? No, I don't think so.” Murphy shook his head, looking between Iris and Barnaby.
“How sure are you?” Barnaby questioned.
“Oh no...” Iris placed her hand on her forehead. Perhaps getting the two of them together wasn't as great an idea as she originally thought.
“I'd say 76.7%, no 83.2%!”
“But how unsure are you?”
“Uh.... 16.8?”
“Murphy! You'd be 100% sure if your visual acuity was finely tuned, which is exactly what we're here for.” Iris tried getting the boys back on track.
“Fair point, now whats the plan?”
“We're going Pixie spotting! Barnaby is going to release a swarm of pixies and you'll track their chaotic flight patterns and mischievous behavior with your best color commentary!” She explained excitedly.
“Blimey Iris, that does sound challenging! I suppose it's the closest thing to tracking Quidditch players zipping around a pitch.”
“Precisely. Remember to keep your eyes sharp and stay focused.”
Barnaby bent down towards a little buzzing cage and opened the door, letting out about fifty blue and purple pixies. “Watch out for your ears.” Barnaby warned.
“I didn't realize there would be so many, you did a good job rounding them up, Barnaby.” Iris congratulated him. Murphy had to use his best skill to try and impress Iris now.
“Thats the pixie pile formation being pulled off with perfect precision!” He exclaimed grabbing a stick, using it as a microphone. “There's a 98.3% chance of edge of the forest excitement!” Iris giggled at that, and that little sound fueled the fire.
“Hey! A pixie! And another pixie!” Barnaby pointed, and Murphy wondered if he was trying his hand at commentary.
“The blue one zips by the blue one with zero room to spare!” He said and then saw Iris out of the corner of his eye grab a branch from a nearby bush, with green fluffy leaves, and heard the crack of her snapping it off. The blonde walked over behind him and started tickling his neck, ears, shoulders, and the top of his head with the stick, cackling as she did so.
“Don't let the chaos distract you!” She joked.
“This looks like a sneaky one ready to make its move,” he turned, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her over the handles of his chair. His hand though felt a jolt when he touched bare skin, where her cardigan rose up, and he realized there was no undershirt under her sweater. Iris had a rather shocked look on her face, looking directly at him and muttered,
“you are secretly extremely strong.” Murphy felt his ears go hot, and swallowed a lump that had suddenly clogged his throat. Iris while short, was not built like a typical teenage girl, she already had the curves of a young woman, and she was athletic in that curvy build. Because of that, she was not lightweight in her weight, but Murphy had strong armed her with one arm, sweeping her off her feet.
“Thank you,” was all he could get out before, “now give me that stick.” He yanked it from her and she smiled as he yanked the stick from her grasp and flung it over his shoulder. Iris got back on her feet and smoothed out her cardigan, but Murphy caught glimpses of her skin still.
“Well done, Murphy. You followed the action, sounded clear, and made some great quips about those Pixies.”
“Thanks coach, I think I could commentate pixie flying all day!” He joked.
“Good thing you had me there to make sure they didn't fly away. It's harder than it looks. Unless you think it looks hard... In which case you'd be correct.” Barnaby nodded, more to himself then either of them.
“We couldn't have done it without you Barnaby.” Iris assured him kindly.
“Now that I've finished the Pixie spotting, is my training complete?” Murphy asked Iris, hoping for more time with her.
“Yes it is Murphy, you're ready for the real thing!”
“Brilliant! This really had been a great day of training, coach.” He said as enthusiastically as he could, somewhat regretting that his day with Iris was over.
“Yes it has. The amplifying charm, babbling beverage, and Pixie spotting were all no match for you.” She placed her arm on his shoulder and smiled at him. He almost melted like butter at her sweet expression and opal eyes.
“Don't forget our review of Quidditch History.”
“That goes without saying.”
“Well then besides Quidditch History which do you think I was best at?” He asked, wanting her to stroke his ego.
“The way you amplified your voice was the most impressive to me., they could hear you in Hogsmead.”
“Thanks coach, it felt good to really let my voice go.”
“It's great to see that you're responding so well to the training, Murphy. Now it's time to put your newly honed skills to the test and commentate!” She winked. “Thank you Barnaby, we are gonna head to the Quidditch pitch in a bit, want to come?”
Please say no, please say no, please say-
“Sure!” Barnaby said happily.
Fuck.
“I'm playing in the friendly against Ravenclaw, so I have to go that way anyway.” Barnaby told them and Murphy let out a breath, remembering that Barnaby was new to the Quidditch team, playing a chaser.
“Great! I'll be cheering you on!” Iris told him, and Murphy groaned. “You ok?”
“Hm? Oh yeah, just a tickle in my throat.” He covered quickly.
“Well, I have to go check on my botany projects, then I'll meet you there.” Iris told him and Murphy nodded.