SPARKS FLY | fred weasley x oc |

chapter 21 - you said

"Open your third eye. Let the energy fill you from your toes to the heavens." Professor Trelawney waved her arms dramatically in front of Olivia's face.
"I can't believe you talked me into this class." She whispered to me, clearly annoyed. Her nostrils flared as she huffed and pulled her textbook closer.
"Relax, it's only the first day. You'll get used to her." Trelawney could definitely be put in the lunatic category, but she really wasn't that bad after a while. I'd always had a knack for Divination and my old teacher at Ilvermorny praised me highly for it. While the subject was interesting, I feared that if I truly let the energy fill me like she was instructing I'd end up like her. In a bad way. My eyes drifted to the large stained glass window behind her. It was one of the only ones in the castle and it quickly became the backdrop to my daydreaming in the hazy loft. I smiled to myself as raindrops began pattering against the colors. The constant rain had bothered me at first. The castle was already so drafty and cold, but now it felt odd when we'd get a randomly sunny day. It added an ambiance that couldn't be topped.
She quickly concluded her lecture and let us out early, one of her shining qualities, and Olivia practically sprinted to the loft's door and down the ladder.
"Where's the fire?" Jess asked as Liv skidded to a halt at the bottom of the stairs.
"Above us, apparently." I huff, finally catching up.
"I hate that class." Liv whined.
"It's only the first day." Jess nudged her as we walked to the Great Hall for lunch.
"That's what I told her. She really isn't bad. There's hardly ever homework and she forgot about the final exam last year. It's even better if you can get on her good side. I didn't do homework for two months last term because I complained to her about Snape." We sat along the wall and eagerly made our plates. The hall had been cleared for the Goblet. It stood in the center, its blue flame the main source of light, with a few tables and benches pushed to the side. It made meal times crowded, but thankfully we only had to deal with the arrangement a few more days while students were submitting their names. There had been quite a few from Durmstrang. Apparently, the swarthy boys really had something to prove. Only a couple girls from the french school had bothered, but based on the ones I'd talked to there were only a handful even old enough to enter.
"Have you heard of anyone thinking of entering?" Liv asked as she finished her sandwich. Jess shook her head. I stayed quiet. Technically I had, but I didn't know if Cedric would want that rumor started.
"No, but I'm sure there will be a few people who try to enter regardless of the age rules." Jess wiped her hands on a napkin.
"Don't remind me that I have to talk the twins out of whatever nonsense their cooking up. I have enough to do this week." I groaned. I looked around the hall and saw Hermione sitting on a bench with a book in her lap. Typical. She looked up just long enough for our eyes to meet and she smiled. I smiled back and tried to wave her over, but she just held up her book.
"Why does Snape insist on giving homework on the first day?" Ginny huffed as she sat beside me.
"Because he's a soulless monster who likes to watch us suffer." Liv sneered while waving a roll in front of Ginny, her mouth full of bread.
"I quickly discovered that if you get it done fast and turn it in before it's due he's slightly more tolerable." Jess offered, but Ginny and Liv both glared at her. My head followed the loud creaking as the main castle doors were propped open and the pattering rain sound filled the hall. There were a few yelps from the group of third years as they ran in, drenched, most likely coming from the greenhouse. I tried to return my focus to the textbook in front of me, but it was no use as a loud Durmstrang crowd marched into the hall, followed by a few familiar Hogwarts faces. The hall was filling quickly, the rain pushing people inside, and the benches were almost all taken. I collected my things and crossed to Hermione.
"How was the first day, Melanie?" She asked and she closed her book and set it beside her.
"Not bad. Only one class with Trewlany so far." She rolled her eyes. "Liv's not a fan of hers either, but I don't mind her. At least she doesn't give homework."
"I suppose. I've just never understood the point of studying Divination."
"It has been a controversial topic in the past, especially when my parents were younger. My mom always tells stories about how they tried to get rid of the classes at Ilvermorny, but students petitioned to keep them."
"Interesting." She mused. We watched as a boy in Slytherin robes flicked a piece of parchment into the goblet, cheers sounding from his group of friends as the blue flame grew. Scattered applause from those watching echoed. Another Durmstrang student broke away from his group and did the same. Cheers from the corridor grew louder as a group entered the hall, Cedric in the center. They eagerly pushed him forward and held their breath as he paused before flicking his scrap of paper into the shining goblet, surrounding students clapping as he rejoined his friends. I couldn't believe what I was seeing- he actually did it. I didn't think he would. He looked around, stopping when our eyes met. Part of me thought he would come over and say something to us, but he just smiled and walked out with his friends.
"Did that really just happen?" Jess asked with a blank stare, all of us stunned.
"I think it did." Liv answered flatly. "Did you know he was going to?" She asked Jess, who only shrugged, and then turned to me. And I couldn't keep a straight face. "You knew?"
"Not exactly." I half lied.
"I can't believe you didn't say anything!" Jess screeched. "I just asked you a minute ago if you knew anyone entering."
"I didn't know for sure. He mentioned it last night when we were talking in the common room."
"You were talking last night? Where were we?" Liv asked.
"I don't know, probably stressing about your hair for today." I was trying desperately to change the subject. I hadn't told anybody that I possibly had a small crush on him. I had noticed immediately how cute he was last year when I got sorted into Hufflepuff, but I was so distracted with school, quidditch, and all the Fred drama with the girls I had forgotten about the fleeting moment. Seeing him at the World Cup was a jarring reminder. Even though it had only been a few weeks he seemed to change, in a good way, and it was hard to ignore.
"Exactly." Jess sighed. "You asked me probably five times if I thought wearing it up would make you seem more smart."
"And you never did give me a straight answer. I was in a desperate rush this morning and ended up like this." She pouted as she pointed to her messy bun resting at the bottom of her head.
"I think it looks fine." Ginny tried to boost her spirits, but was interrupted by her brothers like always. The twins entered the only way they knew how to- loudly, with everyone cheering along with them.
"Oh no, I'm too late." I grunted.
"What have they done?" Hermione sighed along with me.
"Well lads, we've done it!" Fred announced as he and George triumphantly held two small vials up for the group to see. "Cooked it up just this morning.
"It's not going to work." I sang as I rolled my eyes. They suddenly were crouched on either side of me.
"Really?" Asked George.
"And why's that, Mel?" Fred this time.
"You see that? It's an age line." I pointed to the small ring of hovering smoke that surrounded the goblet.
"Dumbledore drew it himself." Hermione added.
"So?" Fred asked, clearly not seeing the point.Hermione dramatically shut her book.
"So, a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by a plan as pathetically dimwitted as an aging potion."
"But that's why it's so brilliant." Fred continued to argue.
"Because it's so pathetically dimwitted." George finished with a smirk. They both laughed as they stood on the bench and shook the vials.
"Ready Fred?"
"Ready George!"
"Bottoms up!" They chanted at the same time before chugging the slimy liquid and jumped over the age line. I think we all expected something to happen, but nothing, only more cheers. They laughed mischievously as they paraded around the circle, stopping to place their own names. As the parchment touched the flame it shot out, all of us ducking, and sent the twins flying across the hall. Landing with a thud, they sat up to see each other with shaggy white beards and long hair.
"You said-" George started.
"No, you said-" Fred cut him off, but George launched himself on top of his brother. The circle of people moved to surround them once more, cheering them on in their meaningless fight. Hermione and I looked at each other, holding back a laugh, and returned to our seats. The yells quieted as heavy footsteps entered the room. We all looked to see Victor Krum and his headmaster stalking into the hall, determined looks on their faces. Students silently parted to let them through as Krum stepped through the age line and placed his parchment. He glanced towards me and Hermione, smiling softly. I felt my face contort, almost cringing at the brutish grin, but I turned to see Hermione's cheeks go pink.
"Have you talked to him?" I asked her.
"Not really. One of the other boys asked me to borrow a book in the library and he was right there. He said hello." She shrugged.
"And you didn't freak out?" I was genuinely asking. He wasn't my type, but I definitely understood why everyone was so in love with him.
"No." She scoffed, like it was obvious. "I'm not going to faint over a simple greeting from a fellow student." She stood and left briskly.
"What's her problem?" Ron asked from behind me.
"I don't really know. I asked a question and she got all defensive."
"Just leave her for a while." Harry waved her off. "How was the first day?"
"Fine, though Liv might kill me over Divination. She grumbled through the entire class and all the way here."
"Can't blame her." Ron snorted. "Trelawny's a mad, old bat. Nobody really cares about Divination outside of school anyway."
"You really don't believe in any of it?" I asked as we started into the main corridor.
"It is a bit far-fetched." Harry offered. "I mean, seriously, the position of the moon and stars in the sky is going to have some grand influence over my life?"
"Lupin would argue that it has the greatest influence." I muttered under my breath, but he still heard me.
"Really, Melanie?" Harry glared at me.
"What? I bet he liked Divination because of his...condition." I struggled to find the word. Nobody in our group hardly ever acknowledged that our old professor was a werewolf. Ron was still sour about the scar on his leg from Sirius dragging him under the Whomping Willow, and the whole situation was a sore spot for Harry. "I'm just saying that of all the things we're taught here it seems to be the most normal. And lots of No-Mags really believe in their zodiac horoscopes. We might as well have some common ground.
"No-Mag." Ron turned his nose up at my American terminology.
"Seriously?" I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "I can't do anything around you guys." We turned inside as the sun sank below the distant hills and a chill set in. "I'd like to see you all try to get through a week, even a day, without making fun of me for being American."
"I could do it." Harry boasted.
"Easy." Ron said. "How much did you want to wager?"
"We don't have to bet on everything." I argued. I really didn't want to lose any more of my money to the Weasley's. The twins had started to really dig into my savings at the end of last term.
"But it's so much more fun when we do." A voice called from behind us. We all turned with confusion to see Cedric jogging to catch up with us. "Mind if I steal her for a second? Official Hufflepuff business." Ron and Harry shared a skeptical look.
"Sure." Harry answered.
"We were getting tired of her anyway." Ron added.
"Gee, thanks. What great friends you lot are." I rolled my eyes and crossed to Cedric. "Which way?"
"Just back here." He shoved his thumb over his shoulder as he turned. I followed as we started back down the corridor and crossed the courtyard. I expected him to start talking once we were out of earshot from the others, but he just kept walking. And he kept walking until we reached the south bridge.
"Why did we have to come all the way out here?" I panted as we stopped. His long legs and brisk speed meant I'd had to almost run to keep up with him.
"I wanted it to be quiet." He shrugged.
"I can name about ten places that were quiet back there." I was so confused. "Is everything okay, Ced?"
"Um, sure. I just...wanted to say thanks."
"Thanks for what?"
"For not telling people that I was thinking of entering the tournament."
"Oh, right. I wasn't sure what you'd want. I mean, I didn't know if you told anyone else and I didn't want to put any weird pressure on you if you changed your mind."
"Well I appreciate it."
"What are friends for?" I smiled up at him. I was suddenly aware of how close we were standing, face to face. What would this look like to someone walking by? Normally I wouldn't think twice about it, this was how we always stood. But I'd been self-conscious about it the past few days, ever since I made them stop talking about Fred. The silence had allowed my mind to wander. I still was unsure how I felt about Fred. I liked him, of course, but was having trouble deciding if it was in a friendly way or if it was something more.
"You really are one of my best mates." He said sheepishly.
"Thank you? That's a little sad considering you've only known me for a year."
"You've been a better friend to me this past year than some people have my whole life."
"It's the American in me. We're stubbornly nice."