~Pottertalia~ (DISCONTINUED)

41

---3 years ago---

"No Quidditch, huh," Alfred murmured dejectedly after the Sorting. The rain outside was pouring oh so heavily.

He changed into his sleepwear quickly before falling back onto his bed. Alfred looked out of the window. Professor Moody brings moody weather (he personally found that hilarious. Arthur just shook his head in pity).

Alfred fell back, staring at his drawn curtains. His other dorm mates were going out to find the Bad Touch Trio, and even though Alfred wanted to do the same, he promised Arthur he'd be responsible this year.

He was alone. He heard a clap of thunder, and even if that was supposed to get him down in the dumps, he was excited. Even without Quidditch, the Triwizard Tournament was coming back. He read about it in his dad's study room when he was a kid, and he always wanted to witness one, if not participate in it.

A letter suddenly landed next to him. Alfred jumped a bit in surprise. He picked it up gingerly, peeling back the envelope.

Alfred, I'm using Flying Mint Bunny to check up on you. If you respond immediately, I'll know you're not sneaking out and about.

Who would that be besides Arthur? He Accioed a quill and quickly scrawled, Yes, I'm not sneaking around, so lay off me!!!!

He placed it in the envelope again and then threw his quill somewhere to the side of the room.

He wanted to participate so bad.

---

"Please!"

Gilbert stared down at Alfred in surprise.

"Huh? That's totally crazy, coming from you. Not that you're not usually crazy, of course. But I can't believe you'd have the balls to want me to something like that. I love it, but why should I help you?"

"Mattie."

"Huh? What about Matthew?"

"I'll stop hating you for being his favorite person in the whole wide world."

Gilbert smirked, tracing the simple designs on his wand. "You act like I won't say yes after you say something like that. Sure, I'll do it. But you better keep your word."

He grabbed a slip of paper and wrote, "Alfred Franklin Jones" on it before walking up with a smirk to the Goblet.

"Ooh, Gilbert, you're entering?"

The albino snorted at a Gryffindor, and gave him a condescending grin. "Of course. Only uncool, cowardly people wouldn't enter."

He winked at Alfred, getting even closer to the Goblet. Alfred grinned happily as the crowd of people around the Goblet became so big, he couldn't see Gilbert any longer. The now-third-time-flunkee Seventh Year was definitely eligible to toss his name into the Goblet.

The paper burnt in the flames, and everyone cheered as they dispersed.
Alfred was proud of himself.

---

"Why would you bloody do that?!"

Alfred winced. Arthur seemed furious.

"I thought you promised to keep out of trouble!"

Alfred fell silent. Then:

"And why would I keep that promise?"

That stung. Arthur backed away slightly, trying to keep his anger in check.

"Because you're a hero, aren't you? You'd never lie, even to a horrible villain, like me." Arthur whirled around, clutching his fists. "Forget it. Go ahead and get yourself killed. See if I care."

Alfred felt like such a jerk.

---

"Not going to go to the Library today, Arthur?" Francis smirked, leaning his head against his seat.

"Sod off."

"What? I'm just asking. Alfred's usually there, too, because you're there. How would he ever study, now?"

Arthur tossed his textbook at Francis with all his might. Francis dodged it, a chuckle deep in his throat.

"I get it, I get it. If you're gonna be in this common room for a while, how about we chat?"

---

The hallways were silent. Alfred walked aimlessly, even trying to impale Peeves when the poltergeist decided to mess with him.

"You aren't in a good mood, Alfred," a painting pointed out when he walked by it.

"Of course I'm not, Catty."

The little girl in the painting frowned.

"Is it Arthur?"

Alfred looked away. Catty sighed.

"Knew it. Hey, Alfred, whatever it is, be the better person, okay?"

"Why? I didn't do anything wrong," Alfred sneered, glaring at anybody who met his eyes.

"Because Arthur will never apologize until the day he dies unless you do it first."

Catty was right, and Alfred hated that.