EXCITEMENT TWISTED IN MALLIE'S stomach as she frantically dragged the twins by their wrists towards the balconies, where all the students were waiting in anticipation for the other schools to arrive.
"Woah, Mal. What's the rush?" Fred chuckled from behind Mallie as he struggled to keep up with the brunette.
"If we don't get a good spot," Mallie said distracted, "We won't be able to see anything."
"Sure we will." George huffed, Mallie was faster than she looked.
She paused momentarily to look back at him with irritation,
"You seem to forget that not all of us are as tall as tree trunks."
The twins laughed,
"You can sit on my shoulders if you'd like."
Mallie disregarded George's suggestion with an eye roll (and a blush) as she continued to weave through the crowd, Fred and George following close behind her.
She spotted the dirty blonde head of hair and pulled the two brothers in Scarlette's direction.
"Miss anything?" Mallie asked Scarlette who took a moment and looked up from cooing Seamus to reply,
"Oh no nothing yet." she said nonchalantly and then leaned over Mallie to get a good look at the twins.
"Hello boys.." she winked flirtatiously.
The two boys looked noticeably uncomfortable and Seamus most of all.
"Hello." they replied politely.
Mallie managed to stiffle a laugh but George noticed and gave her a light shove to the side.
There was a noticeable change in the students, and Dumbledore's voice soon rippled over the students in excitement:
"Aha! Unless I am mistaken, the Beauxbatons delegation approaches!"
×××
There was a tangible buzz in the Great Hall that evening. Hogwarts students were seated first, Mallie sat at the Hufflepuff table where the twins as well as West, Scarlette and Charlie joined her and Cedric.
Even Lee Jordan, who Mallie had grown to like very much, sat amongst them.
The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students were asked to find space at any of the tables and a couple Durmstrang boys came to sit nearby Mallie and her friends.
Although with Scarlettes heavily flirtatious looks and first three buttons of her collared undone, Mallie had a strong feeling she knew why they did.
West had a look on his face that said he knew aswell.
Nevertheless, as food started to be dished, the conversation began swiftly amongst students of the three schools.
Mallie and Lee Jordan were in deep conversation over the last years Quidditch season when a Durmstrang boy slid in between her and Cedric on Mallie's right side.
He took Mallies hand and lifted it to place a gentle kiss on the top of her hand, practically dripping in excessive charm.
"My name eez Edgar Vlark, and you my darleeng muzt be an angel." The boy was burly and muscular and undeniably handsome.
Mallie turned a heavy shade of red and it stayed that shade as Edgar didn't take a breath until Dumbledore rose to speak, showering her with compliment after compliment.
Mallie had never been so flattered.
"When I am shampion, you weell be zere to cheer me?" Edgars accent sat heavy on his voice and Mallie, not wanting to be rude- or call him out on his arrogance- nodded politely.
George, who sat opposite Mallie, rolled his eyes as Edgar continued to talk, biting angrily into a piece of meat and glaring in his direction.
Scarlette could practically smell the jealousy coming off of George and leaned over to him,
"Don't worry, she isn't into him." She said in a voice nobody else could hear and smiled reassuringly.
George was momentarily shocked at what Scarlette was implying.
He didn't care, so what if she liked him.
But his mouth was moving faster than his brain.
"How do you know?" He said pathetically.
George mentally face palmed.
Scarlette chuckled,
"Mal just looks uncomfortable." she said.
George looked at Mallie who was trying to hold a conversation with Cedric while Edgar was persistent in his flattery.
George looked back at Scarlette, who started talking again,
"Plus, she'd never date a guy with an ego as big as this one's."
George nodded.
"Not that I like her, I'm just watching out for her.." He quickly managed to let out, "As her friend."
Scarlette then offered a wink and a curt nod, "Alright."
She then leaned back, and as if nothing had ever changed, Scarlette fell back into ditzy mode and began leaning suggestively against one of the Beauxbatons boys while Seamus sat on the her other side stiffly.
George had never seen anyone eat mashed potatoes so angrily.
Mallie was fortunately spared a few moments grace from Edgar when Dumbledore began to speak, and everyone peeked up at mention of the tournament.
He explained the simple layout of the Tournament, that the following evening, Halloween, the three champions were going to be announced and a reiteration of the rules.
"Remember, only students of 17 years or older are eligible to enter the competition."
It was also made known, that Dumbledore had placed an Age Ring around the Goblet of Fire incase anyone under the age limits attempted to enter their names.
Upon this statement, Fred and George exchanged mischievous glances and Lee sighed as if he knew what the two were thinking.
The rest of the night moved faster than Mallie would have liked, and she did eventually manage to shake Edgar Vlark, who didn't leave to bed without leaving a wet and sloppy kiss on the back of Mallie's hand.
With a full stomach, Mallie bid everyone goodnight and walked alongside Cedric towards the Hufflepuff common room.
"Still up to it?" She asked, hoping he might have had a change in heart.
"Definitely!" Ced replied, smiling.
Mallie nodded, but couldn't help but let all the terrible possibilities rush into the forefront of her mind.
Cedric frowned when he noticed her silence.
"What's wrong?" He leaned down to peer into his best friends face.
"Nothing," Mallie tried to play it off nonchalantly, "I'll be there for you all the way."
Cedric sensed her worry and swung his arm over her shoulder to pulled her into his side.
"It'll be okay Mal. Plus, the chances of me actually getting in are minuscule!" He chuckled.
Mallie managed a small smile when she realized he was right.
"You're right. I'm sorry for worrying, it'll be fine."
Cedric shook his head, "Don't be sorry, Mal. I know you'll be there for me whatever happens."
They continued to walk, holding each other by the waists when another thought struck her.
"Hey, Ced?"
"Mhm?"
"How's that thing with setting up Maya and Wood up going?" Mallie glanced at him curiously.
Cedric gave a heavy belly laugh,
"Well I tried to go up to him yesterday but he totally disregarded me."
Mallie shrugged, she didn't expect anything else from the tightly wound Oliver Wood.
"I think he thinks I'm a spy or something, to 'scope out the enemy' or something. Tried to tell him there's no Quidditch this year and there's no reason we couldn't be friends... but that seem to make him more angry." Cedric explained as the door to the common room came into view.
"Don't worry, he'll warm up to me." He added nonchalantly.
Fat chance, Mallie thought.
Soon the two parted ways and Mallie sunk into her bed, quietly listening to the girls in the dorm chat over a Beauxbatons girl they met at the dinner table before falling into a restless sleep.
××××
hey y'all,
Had a bit more planned for this chapter but decided not to squeeze it in and lead it into the next chapter...
Double update on the way!
Anywho, much love;)
-mel