unforeseen [h.p.]

TEA LEAF OMENS

After bringing Achilles to the Owlery the next morning, Alex and Gemma set off for breakfast in the Great Hall.

"We should be getting our new schedules this morning," said Gemma.

"I'm excited! Hopefully my subjects are--"

Alex was cut off by loud, rambunctious laughter as they entered the Great Hall together. It was coming from the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy was entertaining everybody with what seemed to be a very funny story. Alex stared in curiosity.

"Ignore them," Gemma told her, before she could even ask what was going on. Gemma led them to the Gryffindor table, where they greeted everyone and sat next to Blake, who was reading a piece of parchment.

"New third-year course schedules," said George, who passed them across the table.

"What's wrong, Blake?" Gemma asked, staring over her brothers shoulder at his schedule, giggling. "Did they give you Remedial Potions this year?"

"No," he said, pushing her cheek away. "Just hoping we get lessons with the Ravenclaws."

Gemma smirked, giving him a knowing glance. "Ooh."

"Why would you want classes with Ravenclaw?" Cat asked from beside George, her plate full of sausages and eggs. Alex helped herself to some French toast and pumpkin juice.

Blake's cheeks started to turn pink. "Well, they're better than lessons with Slytherin, innit?"

Cat shrugged. "You've got me there."

"Speaking of Slytherin," said Alex, bothered by how much fun Draco and the rest of the Slytherins were having, "what are they laughing about?"

"You," replied Cat.

Alex choked on her toast. "What?"

"They're making fun of you and Harry because you passed out on the train last night."

Alex looked across the table at Harry, who looked pretty upset.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Rude."

George watched as Malfoy pretended to faint with terror.

"That little git," he said calmly. "He wasn't so cocky last night when the dementors were down at our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"

"Nearly wet himself," said Fred.

"I've never seen Daddy's Boy act more like a daddy's boy," added Cat loudly, making everyone snigger. Noticing she'd caught the attention of the Slytherin table for a brief second, she went on, even louder this time, "And I don't understand why nobody has fainted at the sight of the Slytherins yet. I mean, even the dementors are more attractive than they are."

Egging her on, Blake looked over his shoulder at the Slytherin table and gasped, pretending to fall out of his seat with terror. Everyone at the Gryffindor table roared with laughter.

The Slytherins glared at them.

"Careful, new girl," sneered one of them, a girl with the face of a pug, "there's a dementor behind you!"

"Oh no," said Alex, sarcastically. "Whatever shall I do?"

"Oh, shut up, Pissy Parking-Garage," Cat told the girl.

"Alright, calm down, you lot," said Gemma, helping Blake off the floor. "We haven't even started lessons and you're already going at it."

"We'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first Quidditch match," said Fred to Harry. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?"