Always There For You (Harry Potter OC X OC)

18. Exploding Snaps-

The announcement baffled the other houses during this leaving feast, yet they clapped along. The Gryffindor students cheered so loudly, deafening everyone's ears. Harry's name repeatedly sung. Because for one, Dumbledore had gifted the Gryffindor a big fat 100 house points.

Dumbledore said Harry Potter defeated a death eater -- Professor Quirell. No one knew how and when it happened. Dumbledore didn't elaborate the detail, but that Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was never to be seen again.

Joel sat in a compartment train, between Terry and Michael. Padma, Sue, and Lisa sat across. The boys' sulked.

'We are 125 points short from Gryffindor now, great,' said Terry, sarcastically.

'Yeah,' Joel replied.

'But... well, Harry Potter's quite heroic, isn't he?' said Sue, in a high tone. 'Him, a first year like us! He defeats a death eater!'

'He's so brave!' said Lisa, the girl with dark hair and green eyes.

The boys looked at the three girls in disbelief.

'Harry is cute,' said Padma, daydreaming of Harry.

'Harry looks like anybody else to me,' said Michael, bitterly. Joel and Terry backed him up.

'Oh let us dream, will you,' said Padma. 'How dashing he is...'

'Take me away from this train,' moped Terry, sticking his cheek on a window.

***

Standing by the station's platform, Lizzy saw the train was coming. The train looked handsome with that red accent. But despite the wondorous view, she couldn't make herself feel happy. It only reminded her that Bobby and Cole had stopped talking to her. For this. For Hogwarts.

Was it worth it to hurt them for this school? To go to a magical school by a magical train? To learn magic? She asked herself whether this decision was for herself or for Joel.

The train stopped. People at the platform anticipated the kids. Everyone were waiting for someone.

Lizzy and Joel's mum stood by the first year coach. Everyone were fussy. Lots of kiss and cry. When Joel came out of it, carrying his luggage, he was beaming. His eyes sparkled and his mouth quirked up by the cheeks.

Lizzy stood, plastering forcely with a smile as Joel walked over. It was weird to suddenly feel as if he was someone else. Joel seemed happier than he had ever been, never noticing her quieter demeanor. He greeted, giving her some sweets he got from the trolley lady. A chocolate frog. Lizzy opened it herself to scream when the chocolate frog jumped out.

'Oh no! It escaped...' Joel said sadly, watching the chocolate frog leap away to the train's rail. 'Ah well, better luck next time, Lizzy. What card did you get?'

'Card?' Lizzy asked.

Joel went to pick something out of the package. It was a shiny card with a live picture of someone. 'Cool!' Joel freaked out over it. 'You got Bertie Bott!'

'Who's that?' Lizzy asked.

'Ah well, he's an inventor of flavourful beans, I'll buy some another time.'

Once they were at the Lisbon's home, Joel left his luggage in the entryway. He and Lizzy went to the backyard and settled in Lizzy's tree house.

'Look! Terry let me borrow his exploding snap cards. I'll teach you how wizards play this game,' Joel said, presenting a packet of cards. Joel shuffled the cards and Lizzy took half of the deck. The other half was Joel's.