New Romantics | Hermione Granger Book IV

|10| Chapter Ten

T E N

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Saffron heard Noah yelp awake from the room next to the girls one. It didn't bother her as much as it bothered Rachel who let out a moan next to her, as Saffron had been woken up minutes beforehand by a very romanticized dream, one that she had never had before. The only problem was when she woke up, she had no recollection of what else the dream entailed or who was there with her. She figured it was probably Oliver Wood, as Lavender's influence had certainly rubbed off on the girl in regard to how she perceived the former Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. But she thought she'd remember it more clearly if it had of been him. She didn't have much more time to think about it, as Noah's excitement for their departure to the World Cup infected most of the occupants of the house. To the point where Sage made Noah, Rowan and a suddenly energetic Rachel, who had recovered after her abrupt awakening, outside so she could think.

"You can keep him on a leash today," Sage sighed exhaustedly to Sirius, as Noah, Rachel and Rowan all giggled gleefully on their way outside. Saffron wasn't in on the joke but apparently, it was very funny. It was a nice sight to see, as they would all be in school together next year and meant that Noah would be in good standing. It truly was a relief that he was decent but wasn't a surprise in the slightest.  "I'm already spent,"

"Gladly," grinned Sirius, appearing to be truly glad to be given that responsibility of sort, even if it was just Sage expressing her impatience.

After a while, everybody was getting back to their normality as they awaited further instruction. The plan was to take a portkey to the event, as it was the most seamless in terms of efficiency of getting there and as a protective act, in order to abide by the Statute of Secrecy.

"What's the portkey going to look like anyway?" Maya asked Sage, as she followed the two adults who were leading the herd of children to the spot where their portkey was waiting for them out in the garden.

"It'll be a particularly prickled hairbrush," Sage informed her, as she narrowed her eyes scanning the vicinity for the object that was going to take them to the World Cup. "Not my idea, some tosspot at the ministry came up with the bright idea of having it be everyday items. That way, Muggles would stay away, but they could at least try and make it something easy to hold onto, how a hairbrush is suitable for eight, I'll never know,"

"There it is!" exclaimed Noah excitedly, pointing his arm out at the object that lay several feet away from the edge of the lake.

Saffron sniffled at the thought of having to lie down on the ground, clutching onto a hairbrush in such a weather. She was cold to the extent that her hands were beginning to feel quite numb.

"We still have another four minutes to go," said Sirius calmly, bending down to examine the portkey. "I reckon if we squeeze in nice and tight, we'll be okay. Though we might end up getting too close to each other for comfort,"

Saffron saw Sage roll her eyes as Sirius had a somewhat amused glint in his eye due to her reaction. Saffron hadn't the faintest as to why that was but Sage persisted in lining them up on the ground, not wanting to waste any time and end up not being prepared on time.

Finding herself between Noah and Rowan. Saffron sensed that Sirius' words held true as the boys were a little too close for her liking. She felt cramped and wanted nothing more than for the sensation she was all too familiar with, of being transported somewhere, to come, so she didn't have to feel so cold on the ground.

"Why couldn't we just apparate?" Noah asked his mum confusedly, as Harry positioned himself beside him. "It's not that difficult and much more pleasant than this,"

"We're not allowed, not to such a big event," Sage explained, as she too got on her knees, readying herself to lie on the ground and touch the portkey. "The Ministry is up to their eyes trying to ensure none of our kind are spotted by any Muggles. I know it'd be easier to just apparate, but portkeys are what they requested for minors and we're not sticking our necks out if we don't have to,"

The time allocated to the portkey came in a flash and none of the Mitchell siblings experienced any difficulties when they were spent spiralling down what Saffron could only describe to be a tunnel of wind. It was that visual that differed from the Grey, time-turning or apparating, as they felt like wind was being blown inside of you internally in addition to the external toll that was felt. 

Saffron and the others landed with a thud on the ground, though, Sirius and Sage were to be found floating above them, seemingly having let go of the portkey earlier and being able to land gracefully. 

"Ah, the pleasures of not being able to do any magic outside of school," Sirius remarked down at the groaning teenagers, who were still struggling to get to their feet. Or, in Saffron's case, not even bothering to try to get back on her feet. "Can't say I miss it,"

"Not that you paid much attention to the rules anyway," Sage arched an eyebrow at him, offering Harry, who was the most windswept from the journey, a helping hand. Harry gratefully accepted the help. Unlike the Mitchells, he wasn't used to being transported places very often and Noah had spoken about how he had been brought along whenever his mother apparated places before, so he too was used to magical transportation. Harry was at a distinct disadvantage and it was showing.

"True, very true," Sirius agreed with her fairly. He looked over his shoulder with a wide grin on his face. He spoke dramatically, his voice laced with sarcasm that did have genuine excitement in it:  "Alas, here we are, the four hundredth and twenty-second Quidditch World Cup!"