Just Add Love

☆ chapter two ☆

The train pulls into Hogsmeade station, just as the sun began to set, becoming dusk. The three grab their trunks and stumble off the bus, being bombarded by first years not watching where they're going, mesmerized by the beauty of the place they get to call school. They all tread towards the school, discussing their vacations.

"My mum and I went to London and went sightseeing, muggles can build impressive things, you know!" Ezra tells. Ezra was a pure-blood, but he rarely lets it affect his daily life, although he was practically hypnotized by muggles.

"My summer was pretty pleasant, I just read a couple of books at sleep away camp," Iris says, her mellow voice telling them that she was at her father's for the summer. Iris' father was a muggle and divorced, meaning swapping between the two parents became a tedious task for her, but necessary. "How about you, Soleil?"

Soleil looks up, aware of their attention on her. "Just same old, same old, you know... Just me and mum.." She briefly thinks about the reoccurring dream she's been having but doesn't let her friends know, for they would worry. That's the last thing Soleil wants, more attention and pity.

The two think not much of it, as they all walk into the castle and set their trunks in the corridor. They all go to the great hall and sit down at their designated tables. Iris and Soleil give Ezra a small wave as he goes and sits at his Slytherin table with a couple of other friends. Iris and Soleil go and sit at the Ravenclaw table, smiling at some mutual friends.

Their attention goes up to Dumbledore, beginning his first term speech, but this year it seems different...

"Now we're all settled in and sorted," he boomed, "I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well." He pauses for dramatic effect. "So Hogwarts has been choosen to host a legendary event. The Tri-Wizard tournament. Now for those of you who do not know, the tri-wizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single contestant is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint hearted, but more of that later. For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."

A group of girls dressed in blue dance up the aisle and release butterflies into the air. They bow and everyone applauds. Iris and Soleil look at each other in wonderment, smiling.

"And now our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and the high master Igor Karkaroff," Dumbledor cheers. A series of older boys walk up the aisle brandishing bo staffs, twirling them around and periodically stabbing them into the ground with a spark effect.

"Merlin! That's Viktor Krum!" Iris whispers. Soeil looks at her with a confused face. Iris rolls her eyes and says, "I'm muggle-born and even I know who that is! He was in the Quidditch World cup! Blimey, just look at him, Soleil!" Iris says dreamily, but Soleil's focus is somewhere else. It's on all of the other boys at nearby tables; they all seem...self-conscious? Her eyes fall on Neville, who is peering up at Viktor, looking helpless. Soleil cocks her head slightly. How come all these boys were acting like this from the looks of one boy? He wasn't even all that good looking, Soleil thought.

Neville noticed someone looking at him, locking eyes with Soleil. She turns pink as her eyes get slightly wider from embarrassment from being caught staring. Neville just smiles and gestures his head towards Krum and mouthes, "Some guy, huh?" He smirks softly. Soleil just rolls her eyes, a smile on her lips that she couldn't control.

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Iris and Soleil leave the hall, pushed into the body of students, talking on their way to their common rooms. Soleil is chatting with Iris when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She turns around and looks up and sees Viktor Krum, his hand still on her shoulder. "Uh.. I'll meet you in the dorm, Soleil.." Iris says, trying to contain her excitement as she walks off, her eyes still on the two. The hallways thins out of students, small clusters here and there, Soleil and Viktor standing in the middle of the corridor.

He takes his hand off her shoulder and reaches it out for her to shake. "Hello, I'm Viktor, Viktor Krum, but my friends call me Vik. And, you are?" Soleil hesitates, but meekly reaches for his hand. "Soleil Sprout.. nice to meet you." Helmets go of her hand and says, "It is, indeed. I just wanted to make sure we got acquainted.." He smirks confidently, enjoying his small portion of fame he receives at this school. Soleil jokingly scoffs, but notices Neville over Viktor's shoulder, glancing over at the two. Soleil and Neville make eye contact, causing him to break it and quickly scurry away to his common room.

She cocks her head slightly at his strange actions, but looks back towards Viktor. "Well, it's almost past curfew, but I'll see you around, Viktor." She flashes a friendly smile. "Vik." He corrects her. "Right, Vik." She chuckles and walks past him and tries to follow Neville to wherever he went.

As she climbs up another set of moving stairs, about to give up, she sees Neville, sitting on the top step, muttering to himself. She mumbles, "Are you okay?" Neville's head quickly shoots up, locking eyes with Soleil. He stands up, scrambling for his books next to him. "Oh, erm, yes, fine.." He murmurs, as he drops his books and supplies in a rush. "Here, let me help you." Soleil says as she climbs up the stairs helping him organize his books. She notices the titles; Herbolgy 101, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Defensive Magical Theories, amung others.

Suddenly, the staircase begins to move, forcing Soleil to jump onto the ledge Neville was sitting on, to avoid falling. She accidently plunges into Neville, pushing them closer to the door on the other side. She gasps at the experience, subtly shaking out of fear. She almost fell down at least 3 stories, she thought. What a way to start her year. She realizes she's not listening to anything Neville was saying. She begins listening, hearing him say, "Soleil?? Hello?? I asked if you're okay? Are you hurt?" His arms were wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her away from the edge.

"Oh! Uh, yes, I'm fine..." She says, avoiding eye contact with him, too embarrassed. "Hey...are you sure?" He asks again, softly. This time she looks up at him and nods, her reddened cheeks practically on fire. She slowly pulls herself way from him as she hears the door behind them begin to open...

Word Count: 1170

A cliffhanger, hehe. Any thoughts so far?