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The Gryffindor house was sent back to the Great Hall almost immediately. In about ten minutes, the other Hogwarts houses joined as well.
When Cedric entered the Hall his eyes searched for Gwen and instantly relaxed when he saw her amongst her friends. 'What's going on?' He mouthed to her when he saw that she had his attention. 'Later.' Gwen mouthed back.
The headmaster and teachers entered the Hall, the entire faculty talked in a silent mutter so that no student could hear.
"Oh, yes you'll be needing these," Dumbledore said, this time his voice was loud and clear as he intended for the students to hear. With a simple wave of the hand, the four house tables disappeared and hundreds of purple sleeping bags took their place.
Gwen bent down to grab the sleeping bag from next to her feet and saw that her nightclothes was inside.
"I guess we have to go and change," Angelina stated as she also looked at hers.
"Wait, is it safe to go to the bathroom?" Alicia said as she held her two friends back.
"I'm sure. I mean where do they expect us to change? In the middle of the Great Hall where hundreds of people can see you?" said Gwen.
Angelina pointed her finger at Gwen and nodded her head, indicating that what the brunette was saying was true. "Plus, a bunch of people already went."
Alicia sighed. "Fine, but if I get murdered, I'm blaming it on you." She said as she hoisted the sleeping bag over her shoulder.
Gwen rolled her eyes. "If you die then there would be no one to blame. Now hurry up before the bathroom gets too full." Gwen stated as she pushed the girl out of the hall.
Just like Gwen said, the bathroom was already full of girls from different houses. It took them quite some time to find an empty stall so they decided that all three of them should just enter together.
Luckily, the stall they entered was big enough for all of them to fit in.
"What do you think Sirius Black wanted from the Gryffindor Common room?" Angelina asked as she took off her clothing. Alicia shrugged.
"Okay, I'm going to tell you something which you aren't supposed to know. So please, don't tell anyone." Gwen said after thinking about it for a while.
"We won't," Alicia claimed and Angelina quickly nodded her head.
"As you know Sebastian is helping out on the search and Black is apparently after Harry." Gwen finished.
Alicia let out a gasp while Angelina stood there emotionless.
"Oh, it's all about Harry Potter! We should have guessed that ages ago." Angelina stated as she folded up her clothes.
"Don't be mean. I'm sure he doesn't want the attention." Alicia exclaimed. Gwen was about to side with Alicia until something caught her eye.
"Wait for a second... is that what I think it is?" Gwen asked as her eyes tried to focus.
Angelina also followed Gwen's gaze and gasped as soon as she saw it. "Gasp! Merlin's beard! Is that a love bite?!" Angelina exclaimed in a comically loud voice and both Gwen and Alicia shushed her.
"What? No! I fell." Alicia replied, covering her neck with her hand. "On your neck?" Gwen exclaimed with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, that is actually what happened! Can we go now?" She said. Gwen and Angelina finished changing and Alicia opened the door, more than happy to get away from the pair.
When they entered the hall, Gwen noticed how everyone was whispering curiously while Percy tried to shut them up, but failed hilariously. Gwen tried her best not to smirk.
"Hey, guys. I'll catch up with you, I just need to talk to someone." Gwen said, stopping in her tracks.
Both girls saw how her gaze fell on Cedric and nodded their heads in understanding.
"Hey," Gwen said as she bent down to eye level with Cedric. He stopped arranging his sleeping bag when he heard the sound of her voice. "Hi. Everything alright? What exactly did happen?" He asked as he let the bag down.
"Not sure exactly but Sirius Black apparently slashed the Fat Lady's portrait when she wouldn't let him in." She replied.
Cedric nodded his head as he processed what she said. "At least no one and more importantly, you didn't get hurt," Cedric said as he gave Gwen a small smile which she quickly returned.
"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted, interrupting the two. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"
Gwen stood up and was about to go next to the other Gryffindors when Percy stopped her.
"Gwendolyn. Lights out. Now." He exclaimed as he glared at her.
"What? But I have to-"
"Now."
Gwen sighed and sat on the floor. "I guess you're stuck with me," Cedric said as she unfolded her sleeping bag.
"Yeah, I guess so." She flattened it out on the floor and slipped in it.
"Do you think that he's gone?" Gwen whispered, referring to Sirius Black. The lights in the hall dimmed.
The only source of light came from a few lit candles and the translucent ghosts. Cedric turned on his side to look at the girl whose face was beautifully lit by the moonlight from the enchanted ceiling above.
"I'm sure that he is. If he was here, he would have been found by now." He replied, trying his best to make her believe his words but even he saw that they weren't working.
"Here, come next to me," Cedric said and Gwen quickly looked up. "I'm sorry?" She asked. She wasn't sure what he meant.
Cedric was thankful for the dark as he felt himself blush. "Don't make me say it again. Just, come closer." He replied and to which Gwen snorted but still did just that.
The two didn't say anything else after that. It didn't take too long for her to start drifting off to sleep.
Cedric stared at Gwen noting how peaceful she looked. He smiled softly at her and he too fell asleep shortly after.
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"Betaine groggery senator monkey trotting."
"Wait, maybe it's 'Managing briefs pair daub incrust.'"
Lee stepped in front of the group of Gryffindors and cracked his knuckles. "Let me try. 'Awesome unicorn murther capote hindgut'"
"My comrades-in-arms! If ever you have need of noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir Cadogan! Farewell, till we meet again!"
The portrait finally opened and the group entered the Gryffindor Common Room after their Quidditch practice for the upcoming game. "What is a hindgut anyway?" Fred exclaimed as he tossed his Cleansweep carelessly to the side.
Gwen flopped onto the couch. "Who knows? That guy is crazy, I'm telling you." She exclaimed as she took off her gloves which were wet from the rain
Their first Quidditch game was that Saturday and Oliver Wood was trying to kill his team from exhaustion.
"Is there any way to change him with any other portrait? Cause frankly I've been spending more time studying the passwords than for the exams." Alicia stated as she looked at the two prefects for an answer.
"Trust us, we already asked," Lee said. "But none of the other portraits want the job after the whole Black thing."
Angelina was laid headfirst into the couch and let out a desperate groan. "I can't believe this! I am so tired! I wish that I could die!"
Gwen caressed her hair. "Oh, come on the pumpkin, don't be so melodramatic."
Angelina rose up. "Don't pumpkin me! I am serious! I barely even have a social life anymore."
Gwen sighed. "Yeah because I do?" Gwen said with a roll of her eyes. Alicia cleared her throat. "Actually, you do! Already forgot about Pretty Boy Diggory?"
It was Gwen's turn to let out a long groan.
"Okay first of all the guy has a name. Pretty Boy Diggory just makes him seem like someone who is all beauty and no brains- which I can assure you that he isn't," Gwen added when she saw the look that Fred gave her. "And second, just don't mention him to me right now."
Fred perked up at Gwen's comment. "And why exactly is that?"
"I don't know where I stand with him. Ever since our failed kiss in the Three Broomsticks he hasn't, even once, tried to kiss me again. Maybe... I should just you know... do it?"
Alicia shook her head violently. "No, you should wait for him to take the next step. You were the one who asked him on a date. He has to do it eventually if he wants something to do with you. That way you would know for certain that he truly likes you."
Gwen nodded her head. "I understand you- I think."
Angelina scoffed. "No, don't listen to her. You should just go for it! Kiss the living hell out of him. Kiss him so hard that he would be so breathless that he won't be able to talk for a week. That way he'd be wanting more of you and wouldn't even stand to be away from you for more than a minute."
"Yeah... there's no way I'm going to do that," Gwen stated and the other four all murmured in agreement.
"Or maybe you should do nothing at all..." Fred stated which made the group of fifth-year Gryffindors turn and look at him.
"Come again?" Gwen asked in confusion. Lee tried his best not to be seen as he glared at the twin next to him.
"Yeah, come again?" said Lee. Fred didn't pay attention to the looks Lee was giving him, he didn't even know that he said his thoughts out loud.
"You should lay low from him. That way he would miss you and see how truly great you are and figure out that he desperately needs a person as amazing as you in his life." Fred quickly covered up while he refused to meet anyone's gaze.
Gwen bit her lip in thought. "That's a good idea. Thanks, Fred." She exclaimed with a smile as she went up to hug him.
"No problem Gwen." He replied as he patted her back. Gwen felt ten times better now that she a 'game plan'. "Well, I'm going to shower because frankly, I smell everything but nice. Night guys."
"Night, Gwen." The rest of the group said as the girl climbed up the staircase.
"You are so whipped," Angelina said to Fred as she picked up her broom and followed Gwen.
Fred grabbed a cushion and sunk his face into it to let out a muffled scream. Alicia pouted her lips in pity and went next to the twin and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, you poor thing." Fred raised his head from his pillow. "I know." He stated and buried his face back into the cushion.
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Gwen was using her wand to try and dry herself and Angelina and Alicia from the wet rain. They all were soaked to the bone and despite the impending risk of catching a cold, Oliver kept pushing them hard.
The weather was getting worse and worse by the day and Gwen knew, without a doubt, that it would still be pouring during the Quidditch game.
Oliver Wood entered the Locker Room and slammed the door behind him so hard that Alicia had to hold onto Gwen for support.
"We're not playing Slytherin!" he told them, looking very angry. "Flint's just been to see me. We're playing Hufflepuff instead."
"Why?" The team chorused together in confusion. "Flint's excuse is that their Seeker's arm's still injured," said Wood, grinding his teeth furiously.
"But it's obvious why they're doing it. Don't want to play in this weather. Think it'll damage their chances..." He was practically seething in anger and no one could blame him. Flint was and will always be a coward, of course, he would take the easy way out rather than face things head first.
There had been strong winds and heavy rain that day, and as the Captain spoke, they heard a distant rumble of thunder.
"There's nothing wrong with Malfoy's arm!" Harry said furiously. "He's faking it!"
"Yeah, we all know that. I mean that ferret will do anything to get attention." Gwen grumbled from her position.
"I know, but we can't prove it," said Wood bitterly. "And we've been practising all those moves assuming we're playing Slytherin, and instead it's Hufflepuff, and their style's quite different. They've got a new Captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory-"
Angelina and Alicia suddenly giggled as they looked at Gwen. Gwen paid no attention and tried to ignore them.
"What?" said Wood, frowning at the lighthearted behaviour. "He's that tall, good-looking one, isn't he?" Angelina said teasingly as she fluttered her eyelashes at Gwen.
Gwen groaned. "Oh please, like you don't know who he is?"
"Strong and silent," Alicia added dramatically, and they started to giggle again. Gwen exhaled. "Would you two just stop?" She asked them desperately.
Gwen knew that Oliver was about to explode any second. The vein on his forehead was just about to burst. It was pulsating quite troublingly and Gwen thought that he should get it checked out just in case.
"He's only silent because he's too thick to string two words together," Fred said impatiently. Fred couldn't stand the fact that Cedric Diggory was brought up in every conversation. Even when he's walking through the corridor, he would just pop out of nowhere, like a very handsome 'Jack in the box'.
Gwen turned to look at her friend and Fred pretended to not notice the dirty look he was given.
"I don't know why you're worried, Oliver, Hufflepuff is a pushover. The last time we played them, Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?" George added, going along with his twin brother.
"We were playing in completely different conditions!" Wood shouted, his eyes bulging slightly.
"Diggory's put a very strong side together! He's an excellent Seeker! I was afraid you'd take it like this! We mustn't relax! We must keep our focus! Slytherin is trying to wrong-foot us! We must win!"
Gwen stood up and went next to the panicking Captain. "Okay... why don't you calm down a little? And by a little, I mean a lot." Gwen explained as she patted Oliver's shoulder.
Oliver looked at her, his eyes somehow bulged out further, giving him the look of a madman. Gwen removed her hand and took two steps away from him.
"We're taking Hufflepuff very seriously. Seriously." Fred reassured. He noticed the madness that Oliver was in and thought it better to let him cool down. For everyone's sake.
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"He's gone cuckoo!" George stated while they were all seated in the Great Hall for dinner.
The chasers' and beaters' eyes involuntarily landed on Oliver.
The Captain still had his crazy eyes. He was furiously jotting down Quidditch plays on a piece of parchment while occasionally glaring at Cedric.
"Maybe we should ask Madam Pomfrey for a Calming Draught?" Alicia thought out loud.
Fred shook his head. "Nah, I don't think he needs a Calming Draught. I think we should take him straight to St. Mungos." The others rolled their eyes at him except for George who nodded his head.
"He'll be fine," Gwen stated as she played absentmindedly with the food on her plate. "He's always like this. And I don't think we should bother him unless we want to risk getting stabbed by a fork." Gwen said as she looked at Oliver who was using his free hand to stab his food.
Oliver looked up and Gwen quickly shifted her gaze away from him.
"Let's just hope that he doesn't kill anyone. And by anyone I mean Cedric." Angelina stated as she looked at Cedric who was seated at the Hufflepuff house table.
Cedric looked uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat. Gwen could tell that he was noticing the dirty looks that Oliver was sending his way and was visibly feeling uneasy.
"Yeah, it would be a shame if something happened to him," Fred muttered with his face stuffed with food.
"What?" Gwen asked. She couldn't make out what he said since all his words came out muffled. "Nothing." He replied.
Gwen gave her friend a questioning look but quickly turned back to her plate, shrugging it off as nothing. It wasn't the first time that Fred acted weird. In fact, she didn't think he ever wasn't.
"This is horrible! The weather is only getting worse!" George exclaimed as he looked up at the Enchanted Ceiling.
"And it's not going to get better anytime soon, you can count on that," Gwen predicted as she tore her gaze away from the gloomy skies. Multiple groans were heard from the group.
"Well, come on let's go!" Fred said as he stood up from his seat. Gwen looked at him and pouted her lips.
"What? Why? I'm still eating!" Gwen said as she gestured desperately at all the food on the table.
"Because you, my dear friend, are going to help me with my Potions homework," Fred explained as he grabbed Gwen by the arm and pulled her up.
"Help you or do it for you? Because if that's the case then sorry but you of all people know that I'm not good in Potions." Gwen explained. She started grabbing random desserts to take with her to the Common Room.
"But you're still better than me. Come on munchy, let's go." Fred exclaimed as he started walking out of the Great Hall.
Gwen tried her best to keep up with his very long strides.
"Lyn!" Gwen turned around knowing exactly who it was. So did Fred, which was the reason why he rolled his eyes in disgust. "Go up, I'll arrive in a few," Gwen said to Fred.
Despite how much he wanted to just take Gwen and get her away from the guy, he still did what he was told.
"Hey, Cedric," Gwen said with a smile. She had listened to what Fred had suggested and tried to stay away from the boy as long as she could. "Yeah, hi, listen are we alright? You haven't been talking to me as much lately." Cedric asked hesitantly.
"Oh, about that. I'm sorry but I've got to lay low on you for a while. You know the Quidditch game is in less than two days. I've got to keep my head in the game." Gwen explained, trying to bend the truth as much as possible.
Cedric nodded his head and felt a rush of relief travel through him. Her words finally managed to reassure him and made him feel less anxious. He gave Gwen a little smirk. "What, afraid that I'll be caught up in your mind and throw you off your game?"
Gwen raised an eyebrow at that. "Actually yes, I am afraid. Afraid that I'll throw you off your game."
"Oh, really?" Cedric replied. Gwen nodded her head. They both took a step closer to each other and Gwen felt her skin burn up and stomach flutter at their close proximity. "Uhm. So get ready, 'cause you're about to get your arse kicked." Gwen finished and gave him a playful wink before gently pushing him away.
She was about to head for the stairs but turned back to Cedric of a sudden. "I'm sorry, do you want one?" Gwen said as she showed him the two deserts left in her hands.
Cedric eyed them and shrugged. "I'll take the pudding if you don't mind."
Gwen quickly handed him the cup of chocolate pudding. "There you go. Something sweet to relieve you from your sour loose." Gwen said snarkily and turned towards the stairs.
As she climbed the stairs, she twisted her ankle and stumbled, but she quickly regained her balance.
"I'm fine!" Gwen stated without even sparing a look at Cedric. Cedric let out a snort but decided that it would be best to not add anything else.
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"What on Earth is this supposed to be?" Was the first thing Gwen Hamilton heard when she entered the Common Room.
"What is?" Gwen asked. Fred was staring at his potions book as if it personally offended him. "The Invivormation or whatever draught."
Gwen dropped next to him on the couch and spared a glance at the book. "Ah! You mean the Invigoration Draught!" She grabbed the book from his hands and scanned through the method.
Fred nodded his head. "Yeah, that. As I was saying, what the hell is it?" Gwen looked at him incredulously.
"We did it two weeks ago! How could you have forgotten it already?"
Fred scoffed and gave the book a little slap much to Gwen's amusement. "Pfft. I'm Fred Weasley. Is this such a surprise for you? I probably ditched the lesson or was daydreaming about something."
"You do know that the O.W.L.s are this year, right?" Gwen asked.
"In May! The only reason I'm doing all of THIS because if I don't get it done by tomorrow, Snape will throw me into detention for the game." He clapped back.
Gwen sighed and decided to just let it go. "I'm not even going to try to argue. The potion presumably boosts the drinker's energy. It is made of Alihotsy leaves, Dried billowing leaves, the Infusion of Wormwood, Peppermint and Stewed Mandrake." Fred was quick has written everything down and made sure not to miss anything.
After he took his notes, he dropped his quill and looked at his friend. "Hey, Gwen?" He asked, watching as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
Gwen turned to look at him. "Yeah?"
"Do you think that our idea of the joke shop will work?"
"Of course it will work. You and George have so many amazing and innovative ideas." Fred nodded his head slowly.
"I know, but there are some, that I just have no idea how to make them work. And I was thinking that if it's not successful then I would have no idea what else to do. I don't think I have a solid backup plan."
Gwen stopped him before he could continue further and grabbed his hand.
"First of all, your ideas will work, you just have to work harder on them. And you could do whatever else you want, you're smart even though you don't show it. Don't cut yourself short, Fred. You're quite a phenomenal person after all."
Fred's worries got pushed to the back of his head as he gazed into Gwen's warm, forest green eyes. "You know that I love you, right?"
Gwen smiled so wide that her entire face lit up. "Aw, I love you too." She admitted as she kissed him on the cheek.
Fred turned to look at his Potions book, desperately hoping to hide his reddening face.
He knew that she didn't love him in the way that he loved her, but he'd take whatever he could get. Fred would rather she felt like that towards him than feel nothing at all. That may not be enough in the long run, but at that moment it was. And he'll latch onto that for as long as he can.
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