Backfire • Cedric Diggory [✓]

• TWO •

    Holland sat comfortably on the bench in the Great Hall, excited and happy to see her friends. Holland had ditched her untamed, civilian clothes and unbrushed hair for a more tidy look. Hair up in a ponytail, and in her clean and newly-adorned Slytherin robes. Even then, she still had the guts to sit next to her friends in the Gryffindor table. Holland greedily stared at the food in front of her, looking as if she were ready to circle it like a lion and the turkey and mashed potatoes before her were her prey.

    "Calm down, over there. It's not going to run away." Hermione scolds the impatient girl, Ginny snickering beside them. Though some were already nibbling on a few chips and bread, Holland knew it was nothing but rude to start her meal before the headmaster spoke. Holland felt her stomach growl, she was ready to devour the entire table, if she were allowed to. She prayed for Dumbledore to begin talking and she prayed for his speech to last strictly a minute, not knowing how well she could stay behaved if it were to go over so.

    "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you could give Ron a run for his money," Ginny giggled as the three eye the boy who was scarfing down the already empty bowl of chicken in front of him.

    "Forgive me for being nothing but patient this summer! My parents only let me eat meat for about once a week." Holland whined, Ron lifting his head up at her in horror, dropping the bread he was about to take a bite out of.

    "That's mortifying." Ron says, mouth still occupied as he was in the middle of mastication. Holland could do nothing but nod in return, feeling mortified herself. Harry laughed at the scene, like he always did, and Hermione brought a palm towards her face as she began to ponder how she could have managed to befriend such people.

    "Now we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement," Dumbledore's strong voice beams through the entire hall. Fred, George, and Holland lean in in anticipation, ready to hear about what the carriage they saw outside was about. "This castle will not only be your home this year, but home to some very special guests as well." The three eye each other in anticipation, eager for the headmaster to continue. Holland tried to use the apprehension and anticipation distract her, working for a few seconds before her stomach began to churn once more.

    "Bugger." She swore ironically, knowing the first years next to her might be alarmed that there was a cussing Slytherin in their table and then run off to Professor McGonagall. Holland held onto her stomach. As dramatic as it sounded, her stomach felt like it was being twisted, pulled, and kneaded like bread. The twins watch her in amusement, George bringing his palm towards her, cradling what seemed to be an inconspicuous piece of gum.

    "If this makes me piss myself, I'm never speaking to either of you again." She threatens darkly. The twins shake their head, bemused. But George throws his hands up in defense. She had all the right reason to be paranoid, knowing very well that the twins had spent their entire summer holidays writing, planning, and even sketching out chews and lozenges that could make the consumer ill in twisted, varied ways.

    "We wouldn't possibly dare lay a hand on you," He says sweetly, earning an eye roll from Holland. She knew the pair too well, she couldn't take any chances. She examines the candy in her hand, it was a cinnamon chew. Cinnamon was one of Holland's many favorite scents and flavors, finding it difficult not to give the two the satisfaction of actually eating the chew. She throws it back at them, determined that she wasn't about to take any chances of making a fool of herself in the Great Hall once more.

    "Mental, this one. Let me tell you." Fred says, feigning disappointment in the girl. "One summer not seeing each other, and she acts as if she doesn't know us." He pouts to his brother.

    "Now's not the time. I'm hungry and can end you both in a snap." Holland seethes, the two backing away in fear, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet giggling at the scene a few seats away from them.