~Pottertalia~ (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 11

---Present Time---

Feliciano bounced on his heels joyfully. "Wow, a mission, Ludwig! This is exciting!" he chirped, his yellow scarf giving the telltale signs of his personality at the moment.

"Hush," Ludwig whispered, Kiku nodding.

"Can you three hear me?" Alfred asked them through their ears using a magical incantation.

"Yes. Alfred, where are the whereabouts of our target?" Ludwig asked; thankfully, yet another magical spell allowed him to not make any actual noise.

"The Grand Hall," Alfred replied.

Kiku nodded, pulling out his wand from the inside of his shoes quickly.

"The coast is clear," Cho Chang said shyly, obviously not used to this whole 'spy' concept they were having going for them. However...

"Target heading towards your direction! Retreat!" Yao suddenly cried, and the trio froze; there was the target right around the corner!

---4 years ago---

Ginny smiled, reminiscing about how young and scared she was a year ago.

"Hey, what are you smiling for?" Alfred asked her, staring at her strangely. She shook her head, laughing.

"Nothing."

Ron, meanwhile, glared at the two. "I don't like their friendship," he declared. His friends exchanged smirks before turning back to him.

"You say this about every guy she talks to," Hermione sighed.

"Why not?" Harry asked innocently, interrupting Hermione.

"Well...he's older than her, and she will be lonely when all of her older friends leave her in seventh year!" Ron replied.

"She has Luna," Hermione reminded him.

"And...and he's stupid!" Ron stuttered.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You two are no better!" she sighed.

"He's a bloke! What if they start dating and then get married and then I'll have nieces and nephews with a stupid American accent?!" Ron was now thinking hysterically, and the others of the Golden Trio exchanged looks again, except of exasperation.

"So that's what this is about. Geez, don't worry so much! Besides, I don't think Alfred's interested in dating her," Hermione said.

"Really? Why?" Harry asked, confused. Hermione just inclined her head towards the Slytherin table vaguely. She glanced at Arthur knowingly before looking at her book to finish her homework.

---

Lukas adjusted his tie, staring at the Dane wearing a fluffy red sweater. "Mathias, wear your uniform already."

The taller guy wrinkled his nose. "We're still hours away, Luke! Besides, we haven't even left the station yet!"

"Ah, you're right. I wonder if it was alright for me to have indecently changed when there are people outside?" Lukas asked worriedly, still monotone.

Mathias grinned. Lukas was really an insecure teen, despite his looks. "You've already drawn the curtains. Besides," he gestured at Lukas' robes, "even if they could see, it'd be too late, wouldn't it?"

Lukas settled down into his seat, looking much brighter. "You're right." The two Scandinavians sat in their own comfortable world on the vast train taking them to their third year. Nothing would go wrong this year.

---

The Great Hall was just as full as always. It was always fascinating to watch the Sorting, but Feliciano couldn't watch. There was something more intriguing going on.

That was, the hushed game of "Truth or Dare" going on at his table. Feliciano loved these games, but rarely partook in them, himself. He preferred watching others play.

Filch looked at the Hufflepuffs with disdain. It was clear to Feliciano he rarely liked any of the students, after three years of careful examination on the Italian's part.

Indeed, he was brighter than he seemed. He could be intelligent when the time came, but he was usually of no use. Maybe that's why Ludwig had not responded to his owls. That would explain why he didn't sit with him on the express, either.

Now, Feliciano was worried. Did he do anything to make Ludwig feel this way? They hadn't talked since before summer, when they left. Feliciano couldn't see anything he had done wrong.

Perhaps he was ill! The thought hasn't struck the Hufflepuff until now. Or maybe-and his heart sank at the thought-Ludwig just plain hated him.

---

"Hey, that's Professor Lupin, right?" Alfred asked, slinging himself over Arthur the next morning. He pointed at the teacher walking into the class.

"Yes," Arthur replied, trying to ignore the whispers around him. He was used to it, being Alfred's friend for so long.

"He's the man wearing horrific rags," Draco said unnecessarily loud as he passed by. The two goons that always followed him around snickered.

The professor walked by. "I am, Mr. Malfoy. Wonderful that you remember me. Now, let's begin the lesson, shall we?"

As the DADA lesson went on, even Alfred started to appreciate the way Lupin taught. "You know, this may be a cool school year!" he whispered to Arthur.

---

"Did you hear? Draco Malfoy was bitten by a hippogriff brought in by that Hagrid. I'm not surprised if the hippogriff is to be executed now; Malfoy has a lot of power in the Ministry," Arthur overheard some Slytherins gossiping.

He brushed past them, glancing a bit at the hourglasses with the House points in. The hippogriff was beyond saving.

---

"Our Boggarts?" Alfred asked, looking at Arthur. "What are Boggarts, again?"

Arthur wrapped his arms easily around the taller third year, shivering a bit.

"Horrifying creatures that shows you your fears."

Alfred grinned a little, looking down at the older of the two.

"What are you afraid of?" He asked quietly, smug smile not leaving his lips.

Arthur smiled back a little.

"It's a secret. Good luck," he said, drawing away. He waved a bit, laughing.

---

"What was your Boggart?" Arthur asked him.

"I'll tell if you do."

Arthur frowned before smiling again. He stood a bit on his toes.

"Fire."

Alfred stared at him.

"That's too vague."

"Well, it's what I'm scared of. Now, Alfred."

He drew a bit closer, meeting Arthur's eyes with a serious expression. "Don't laugh."

Arthur looked up, challenging him subtly. "Depends."

"Ghosts."

Arthur fought the urge to laugh.

"Is that why you don't get along with your House Ghost well?"

Alfred shrugged, looking a bit out of sorts.