Star Girl | Cedric Diggory

|*| Fourteen |*|

|*| life got me like AAAHHHHHGAHHH |*|

Aquila got along well with Ethan, Cedric, and the Weasley twins. The five of them finished the assignment earlier than they anticipated (Ethan did most of the work since he was best at Potions), they sat and talked for a few hours.

"Our brother is starting his first year next year," Fred said.

"He's boring as hell and his only friend is a hand-me-down rat from Percy," George told them."

"My brother Jonas won't start for two years," Ethan said. "He's dead set on getting in to Ravenclaw like my dad."

"Do you think he will?" Aquila asked.

"I suppose," Ethan said. "After all, all the boy does is learn. He's always reading and writing, and if you thought I'm a nerd, he's Merlin compared to me."

"Sounds like a future Head Boy," Cedric said.

"If he turns out like Percy," Fred said, "you should beat him with a broomstick."

"I'll make sure to," Ethan said.

"My brother's graduating this year," Aquila said. "He's Head Boy in Slytherin."

"I think it's crazy you're in Slytherin," Ethan said. "You'd be way better off in Gryffindor."

Cedric slapped him lightly on the arm. He knew how Aquila felt when people didn't accept her house-especially her housemates-but she ignored it. She knew Ethan was just speaking his mind, and she was in no mood to get defensive.

"I think it's wicked," George said. "I never would've thought I'd have a friend in Slytherin!"

"Me neither," Fred agreed.

"Same," Cedric nodded.

"Me too," Ethan chimed in.

"Well, I never thought I'd have friends in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff," Aquila said. "Slytherins typically talk to other Slytherins and sometimes Ravenclaws."

"Yeah, but typical isn't a word I'd use to describe you," Cedric said. "You're Star Girl: the most different, unique, best person I've ever met."

"And you're Seeker Boy: the nicest, sweetest, most quidditch obsessed person I've ever met."

"Aww, that's sweet," Fred cooed.

"When are you planning the wedding?" George asked.

"After I plan your murders," Aquila told them.

"So, you're planning it then?" George asked.

"Please, George," Aquila said. "I'm far too young to get married. My mother almost punched my teeth in when she saw my hair; Merlin knows what she'll do when she finds out I'm getting married!"

"So, you're getting married?" the twins asked.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," she said. "Plus, I haven't asked him yet."

"Isn't it his job to ask you?" Ethan asked.

"You might not know this about me, Ethan," Aquila said. "But I don't play by the rules. When I'm ready to get married, I'm doing the asking."

"What if I asked you?" Cedric asked.

"I'll transfigure you into a chocolate frog and eat you."

"Noted."

|*|*|*|

Aquila thought she wouldn't run into any complications that day, but it seemed she couldn't catch a break. She returned to the Slytherin Tower only a couple minutes before curfew. She collapsed onto a cushy armchair and sat by the giant window looking into the Black Lake.

"Expelliarmous!"

Aquila felt her wand fly from her hand, and she looked behind her to her attacker. Carlos glared at her, his wand raised.

"Hello, Blake," she said. "Pleasant night, isn't it?"

"I didn't come here to make small talk, Whitman."

"Then get to the point."

"Vengeance," Carlos growled as if it were obvious.

Aquila snorted.

"I have you defenseless!" he stated loudly. "You can't hex me!"

"True," Aquila said, taking a step towards him. "But I didn't need a wand to slap you."

Carlos raised his wand higher. "I'll curse you!" he threatened.

Aquila took another step forward. "Please, the only spell you know is the disarming spell."

"Don't take one step closer!"

Aquila stopped moving, "Scared, Blake?"

His wand shook in his hands, "In your dreams, Whitman!"

Suddenly, Aquila dived at him and pushed him into the wall. She snatched his wand from him and positioned it under his throat. "You're literally shaking, Blake, I know you're scared."

"Am not!"

"Shut up, or I'll hex you."

Carlos opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly closed it. Aquila was the only person who really ever intimidated him, and he knew she wasn't bluffing about hexing him. She'd done it plenty of times before.

"Listen here, Blake," Aquila said. Her voice was a hushed whisper, but her words were strong and frightening. "If you even think about messing with me again this year, you'll be taking a lot of trips to the Hospital Wing, and your belongings will start to disappear. Is that what you want?"

He quickly shook his head.

"I thought so," Aquila said. She handed him his wand, and he scurried away without another word.

Messing with me, Aquila thought. As if! I've got a dictionary of spells learned, supportive friends, and the most infamous pranksters at Hogwarts on my side now. Messing with me is basically suicide.

|*| geez Quil, don't get too comfortable |*|