count on me // hogwarts au

two...smack dab in the middle of the blue

Running tryouts was even more tiring than I had expected. Everyone had warned me, saying I'd want to sleep for hours afterwards, but I don't think any of them were introverts.

I was just so done with talking to people. And so as soon as I got to the common room, I tried to work on some work for History of Magic, but ended up falling asleep in one of the huge puffy arm chairs.

And was awoken by something pouncing on top of me with all of it's weight. My first thought was a dog, like there would be back home, but there aren't any dogs at Hogwarts... Ben.

"Bebjamin! What the bloody hell are you doing?" I mumble-yelled, trying to push him off of me in my half awake-half in dreamland state.

"I have someone for you to meeeeet! Come on, Gabs, get up!" He said, getting off of me and bouncing up and down while he stands by my chair, leaning onto the armrest.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to not be a complete zombie. I sighed, "Ben, I'm exhuasted..." I warned, standing up and putting the blanket someone had put on top of me back on the chair.

"I don't care! I met someone at tryouts and we've been hanging out ever since and her name is Anela and I think she's pretty cool and-"

Anela appeared out of seamingly nowhere, "Stop it, I won't live up to what you're saying and she'll be disappointed." I frowned, the girl was an amazing chaser and she kept saying sorry during tryouts. I felt bad because I saw something she obviously didn't... It was awful to watch.

"Hey, Anela! I remember you from tryouts, congrats on an amazing job by the way." I said, smiling and sticking my hand out for her to shake. She went in for a quick hug instead, which was fine but a little odd.

"Thank you so much. I was super nervous because you're like the best chaser Gryffindor has had since Ginny Weasley, and I mean wow trying out for you was a big deal and-"

I smiled, cutting her off, "Well, don't be so nervous, I think you did amazing and Ben seems to love you as well. You have great chances of being one of our chasers this year." Ben nods wildly in agreement with me, giving Anela an "I told you so" look. Just then, ruining my whole inspiring coach thing- my stomach gurgles. Like, loudly. Like so loudly that if this were one of those cheesy teen movies I'd be blushing, the scene would cut and cute, quirky drawings would appear on the screen.

"Ben, food. Must eat dinner now. Anela, join us." I said, sort of monotone. "Must eat before I pass out."

Ben sighed, "She does this sometimes. She gets so absorbed in something that she forgets to eat and her hypoglycemic ass faints on me." he shook his head, "It's not enjoyable for any of the parties involved and yet it keeps happening. Come on, let's go get some grub, kids."

"Grub?" Anela asks, raising a brow.

"It's an American thing, I think."

As soon as we're in the halls, Lizzy is up next to me smiling, "So, I've heard that you quote in quote 'owe Brandon something' huh," she smirked at me, though I was known as a 'mom friend' Lizzy was my mom friend. And the Lorelai to my Rory Gilmore. "Spill, please. I have homework I should be doing but this is much more interesting and it gives me an excuse to not do aforementioned work."

I shook my head, "I don't even know what I owe him yet, and how did you even hear that? I was gonna tell you at dinner," I frowned, and Lizzy smirked.

"Oh a little birdy told me..." She sighed, "Meaning B asked me what your schedule was because he couldn't find Ben anywhere."

I blushed, "My schedule? Why in the God's name would he- nope, I don't wanna think about it. If I think about it then I'll just freak myself out or get my hopes up."

We reached the hell that was the Great Hall during dinner time on a weekday- everyone has homework in their hands and it's louder than anything I've ever experienced outside of Hogwarts, and I went to the World Cup with Lizzy's family last year... We chose a relatively empty table, and Lizzy sits with us (if it's not a holiday they rarely care where you sit anymore).

I sighed, drifting off into a daydream about nothing in particular as I slowly sip some potato soup (my abuela used to make it when I was little). I suddenly looked up when I hear a noise- Ben and Anela rapping at the top of their lungs some song I don't recognize.

Two other fourth years, like Anela, decided to sit at our table and one of them joins in their singing- if it can be called that, it's a rap song.... "Okay, before we get in trouble or I get a migraine let's stop doing this..."

One of the girls chuckled softly, "She's not- wait, yes she is never mind. I'm Carolyn, this is Stefani. I'm sorry if we give you a migraine." She sounded genuine, it was nice.

I smiled, "No it's okay, I was kidding with Ben he's my best friend you know-" I sighed, "I'm Gabi, that's Lizzy. And the two rapping heathens are Ben and Anela Rei."

"You can call me Anela."

Stefani smiled, finally actually sitting down and pushing up her glasses, her wild curls not matching her neat appearance, "You can call me Dad. Or Stef, whichever you prefer."

I raised a brow, "I haven't heard a pun yet, so I don't think it'd be fair to call you dad."

Lizzy finished her food and smiled at me, "Okay, my arithmecy will wait no longer. See you later, kiddo."

"See you later mum." I smiled, going back to my plate expecting the seat next to me to stay empty- but B quickly takes the seat. And that's when it starts pouring rain in the Great Hall.

———

When the rain doesn't stop for several hours, the Black lake starts to flood. Everyone flips out and runs to Ravenclaw tower- But a few of us decide to head over to the Room of Requirements instead so that we don't end up l smooshed in a corner.

As we all walk past, we think I need a place to hide out during a storm.

And a door appears. I run towards the door but someone else gets there first, pushing the door open as the few of us pile in. It's so cozy in here, but we all know what's going on outside is abnormal.

I shook my head, then put it on the shoulder of the person next to me, knowing it would be a friend (it ended up being Brandon. Of course it did, because it's one of those cheesy teen movies again).

He responded well, wrapping an arm around me. "Don't worry, Gabs. We can't even hear the storm in here..." He said, trying to reassure me. I nodded, snuggling into his shoulder out of anxiety and the need for comfort more than anything else. I look around at everyone here, and know that we're all just as confused and scared.

Carolyn, the 14 year old Hufflepuff, desperately trying to drown her feelings in piano with her friend Nicole who's in Ravenclaw. Stef, sitting in the corner, trying to get netflix to load up on her phone. Emma, Alyssa, and Lizzy were all sitting and talking in an effort to distract themselves. Emma was helping, having one Hufflepuff in the mix with the Slytherins.

Ben was desperately trying to calm Anela down, who just wasn't doing the best. I'd try and help if I wasn't doing so... Iffy myself. And Maddie and Tess, the two seventh year Ravenclaws, were trying to calm a small group of four or five younger kids. People always say that Maddie and I are the mom duo after all...

And everyone jolts as we see a bolt of lightning, but hear nothing, not even a drop of rain. Somehow it's even more ominous this way.