Antares

Chapter Ten ~ Defiance

Charms class was an easy one for the Ravenclaws that day. With the upcoming OWL exams, Professor Flitwick decided to ease things up for his students. He only had one spell to demonstrate today, then he let the class lounge around before handing back some tests. There was a murmuring chatter throughout the room as Flitwick organized the mountain of papers on his desk.

Aki sat, drumming her fingers on the desk, searching around for something to pass the time. On her left, Daphne was staring into her mirror and adjusting her hair with a kind of focus that she had never displayed before. On the right, Victoria was seated with her hands folded on the table and appearing to be in deep thought. Aki didn't feel comfortable about bothering either of them, so she glanced up to the very tall window behind Professor Flitwick, and observed the weather that was happening outside. A whole sheet of rippling grey clouds had been pulled over the entire sky, and a brisk gale was making the tree branches twitch.

"Tell me Aki," Victoria said suddenly. "What was that bit with Oliver Wood yesterday?"

Aki looked to Victoria, whose eyes were focused straight ahead. Aki had a bad feeling about where this was going.

"Wuh... what are you talking about?" she said, faking innocence.

"Yesterday, in the hall," Victoria repeated sternly. "Just what happened?"

"N-nothing," Aki said after a pause.

"Where did you disappear to after you walked off?"

"Err... the dormitory."

"The Ravenclaw dormitory?"

"Yes," Aki blatantly lied.

"I did not see you in there," Victoria countered.

"I mean, no."

Victoria exhaled ponderously, lowered her head, and put her interlaced hands to her lips.

"We just talked!" Aki reassured. "Honest!"

"Aki, I do think you should be careful about this Oliver," Victoria warned, brushing off Aki's claim.

"What?"

"Be careful, I say," she stated, swerving her unblinking eyes to Aki's tense face.

"Why?" Aki said, her voice shaking from the effect of Victoria's intimidating expression.

"I have this feeling about him."

Aki sat, wordless, waiting for her friend to go on.

"He is not good for you, Aki."

"How?"

"Big, popular Quidditch captain..." Victoria imitated, flashing her hands, "loves to get all the attention..."

"Oliver's not like th--"

"Oh Aki, read between the lines!"

Aki noticeably flinched at Victoria's unexpected outburst. Victoria closed her eyes and put both hands flat onto her lap.

"His girlfriends," Victoria said, softening her tone. "Rosemary... Madeline... Catherine... they were all pretty little things, were they not?"

"They were?"

"Yes," Victoria stressed acridly. "Just look at Rosemary: tall, skinny, has that long red hair, and quite popular with her fourth year peers."

Aki stared dumbly into Victoria's face.

"This Oliver..." Victoria continued after taking a deep breath. "He spent his time on these girls, did he not?"

"So?"

"I just think that... these girls were all about one thing for him."

"What thing?"

"What I am trying to say is that I think he gets involved with girls for the wrong reasons," she said more impatiently. "Just likes to show off his latest girl, and does not really care for them, do you understand now?"

Aki frowned; she really couldn't see that sort of behavior coming from Oliver. All she could keep thinking about was yesterday, when he seemed genuinely friendly and wanted to help. She shrunk in her seat and timidly peeked at Victoria, who was as stiff as a board.

"Aki, just tell me that you will keep your distance from him," Victoria ordered.

"But Victoria," Aki persisted, "he seems like such a nice boy--"

"Aki please just promise me."

The look on Victoria's face was like ice. It was her most intimidating face, at least to Aki. It was the one that always made her uncomfortable.

"Err... al-alright..." Aki reluctantly agreed.

Victoria sighed heavily with relief and put a hand over her heart. She patted Aki on the leg approvingly before resuming her diligent wait for the professor. Aki sat on her own trembling hands to calm them. Flitwick stood up on his desk with a heap of papers in his arms.

"Before I give these back," Flitwick began, "let me just say that most of you did incredibly well on these! This test was to prepare you for your impending OWL exam, and judging by the marks on most of these, they should be of no difficulty to you!"

Flitwick thumbed through the stack of quizzes in his hand.

"For example... ooh! Miss Bryden! Top marks in the class with a score of one hundred and fifty! Excellent Miss Bryden, just excellent!"

"Thank you Professor," said Victoria, bowing her head respectfully. She was sitting incredibly straight in her chair at this point; nose pointed to the ceiling and leering.

"And not far behind," Flitwick continued, "Ah! Here we are! Miss Atherton! A single point behind! Not far indeed!"

Charlotte clicked her tongue and leaned back in her seat. Victoria brought her nose down and frowned at this declaration.

"Oh! Look at this one as well!" Flitwick squeaked with even more excitement. "Miss Stilesmore! One hundred and forty one! A score as impressive as you, Miss Stilesmore!"

Daphne perked up from her mirror when her name was announced. When she realized what was going on, Daphne smiled fetchingly to Professor Flitwick and the entire class. Victoria seemed to be getting more agitated by the second.

"All very well done!" Flitwick congratulated. "I cannot wait to see all of your performance on the OWL exam!"

A few groaned at the mention of "OWL exam." Professor Flitwick made a sharp flick of his wand, and all of the papers flew out to their owners. Aki caught her paper as it slid across the table and checked it over. Staring her in the face was a great big "NO" written in red ink beside one of her answers. She stuffed the sheet deep into her book bag, and darted her glance around to see if anyone had noticed. No one did; Daphne was accepting the words of congratulations from the boy beside her, and Victoria was admiring the answers she had written on her test, holding it up so that the people behind her could see.

Somewhere out in the hall, the sound was given to signal that classes were over. Students around the room got up and gathered their books.

"Class dismissed!" the professor announced cheerfully. "Well done, everyone! Well done on your tests!"

Daphne was up, about to leave with the boy who congratulated her, but made a wave of her hand for Aki to hurry up. Aki scraped her chair back, wanting to get out of the classroom as quickly as possible so that she could forget about her rubbish test. She tapped on the table to signify to Victoria that she was ready to go. Victoria was disinclined to put her test away, and gave one last wistful look to her paper. She got up from her seat and held her test to her chest, written side facing out.

The three made their way across the classroom in a line formation, with Daphne at the front and Victoria at the back. Mildred just happened to pass by Aki when she headed for the exit, and Aki couldn't contain her curiosity.

"Mildred!" Aki barked, eyeing Mildred's moving frame. "What'd you get on the test?"

Mildred only made a hateful sneer over her shoulder and walked faster to the door.

"Excuse me!" Professor Flitwick called over the end-of-class chatter. "Miss Sakubara, Mister Rowley, Mister Jeavons..."

Aki stopped in her place, sending Victoria to collide into her from behind. Trevor was still at his desk, searching for something in his robe pockets, but had this worried look swarm his face when he heard the professor call him. Jeavons froze when his name was called, one foot out the door.

"May I see you all for a moment?"

Professor Flitwick didn't look like his usual jolly self at the moment. His hands were holding each other in front of him, and he looked very serious.

"What is that about?" Aki heard Victoria whisper right next to her ear.

"I'm not sure, Victoria," Aki answered, not being able to take her eyes off of the professor's grim face. "Go on without me, then. I don't know how long this will take."

Victoria sighed loudly into Aki's ear and trotted off. Aki dragged herself back to the professor's desk, her feet scraping the granite beneath her. Trevor came jogging up beside her, his lumpy bag swinging and hitting him in the leg.

"Yer'av any idea waat dis is aboyt?" he asked.

Aki shrugged morosely. Trevor regarded the professor, anxiety ridden.

"Oi 'av a brutal feelin' aboyt dis."

They both approached the desk, and was soon joined by Jeavons, who gave them a nervously inquiring look. All three looked up to the professor; he was standing on his desk and staring over their heads, waiting until the last student had left the room. When the class was devoid of everybody but the four, he cleared his throat.

"Miss Sakubara... Mister Rowley... Mister Jeavons..."

Flitwick tediously dragged out every letter of their names. Aki took notice of his languidness and so did Trevor, as he was shifting on his feet.

"I hate to tell you this... but... you three were the ones who did the worst on the test," Flitwick professed sadly.

Aki's heart sank; this was not at all what she was expecting. She looked over to Trevor and Jeavons. Jeavons was gaping at the professor with his mouth open; Trevor had a troubled expression. The professor didn't inform them of just how badly they had done, but Aki would not have wanted to hear it anyway.

"This covered what we've learned this year," the professor went on, flapping around a test sheet. "This is the kind of material that you can expect on the OWL exam!"

Aki closed her eyes and rubbed both of her temples. This was not helping her mood one bit.

"Now, I'm worried," Flitwick said, holding up his index finger. "If you show the same effort on the upcoming exam as you have on this one, I'm afraid that there is a chance you may fail your OWL."

It was as if someone has walloped all three students in the gut with a club. There was a stillness in the air that was remarkably unyielding; one could actually hear the rustling in their ears. The professor said nothing to ease the silence, only dolefully stared down at his stunned students. Aki almost choked because she forgot to breathe. To her right, she heard Jeavons make a whimpering noise.

"It would pain me to see such a thing," Flitwick murmured. "I'm sure that you would not like to see that as well?"

None of the three said anything in response. The professor took their wordlessness and wide eyes for concurrence.

"Please... do much studying and reviewing," he beseeched dearly. "This is one of the most important examinations you will take."

The professor's lamentation was getting more and more indistinct to Aki. Her mind wasn't processing the words; all it could do was think about the test at the bottom of her bag with all the red ink on it. She sunk her stubby nails into the bag's strap over her shoulder.

"Can you three please promise me that you will try your hardest for your OWL's?"

The three students were speechless. Aki and Trevor had their heads lowered, scrutinizing their feet, while Jeavons was frozen like a deer in the headlights.

"Will you promise me?"

The professor's voice drilled its way into Aki's brain and she was thrust back into reality. She raised her head to look at the tiny professor. Those concerned eyes boring into her were depressing.

"Y-yes, Professor..."

Aki's agreement prompted Trevor to do the same, and he gave a single, solemn nod.

"Aye, professor."

Jeavons just did a series of affirmative grunts. Flitwick nodded once and clapped his hands together.

"You are free to go, then."

There was a shuffle as Aki, Trevor, and Jeavons turned around to hastily exit the room. Aki and Trevor snuck a peek at each other, and Trevor raised both brows. When they were out in the hall, out of earshot from the professor, discussion burst out from the three students.

"Might fail my OWL's he said!" Jeavons cried, almost hysterical. "What will I do?!?"

"Hell..." Aki muttered, kneading her forehead, "I wasn't expecting this."

"S'brutal!" Trevor moaned. "Dis is worse than oi thaw't it wud be."

"How will I study?" Aki whined "We don't have enough time!"

"Y-you two won't--I mean--how do you think you'll do on the exam?" Jeavons asked tremulously.

"I'm not sure I'll pass," Aki remarked gloomily.

"Same," Trevor concurred right after.

Jeavons nodded, pinching the skin on his chin. The assurance of his two peers, although questionable, seemed to calm Jeavons somewhat. He most certainly did not want be the only one in the year to fail the OWL exam.

"Why'd it have to be us?" Aki said, smacking Trevor on the arm. "Just tell me."

"Yes!" Jeavons agreed loudly. "I'd like to know as well!"

"Oi dunny know why," Trevor answered to soothe the demanding queries being hurdled from either side of him. "Jist unlucky ones, we are."

"Out of all the students," Aki griped. "It had to be us."

"Ravenclaw's daft trio," Trevor said, pointing back and forth from himself, Aki, and Jeavons. "Roi'ere, ay?"

Jeavons did a high-strung, Quirrell-sounding laugh, but Aki only cracked a restrained smirk. Despite Trevor's good-hearted attempts to make light of this situation, it wasn't working.

'Dumb Ravenclaw.'

At one time, that would've been such an oxymoron that it would've been unbelievable.

Not anymore.

*****

Thursday was the day that the persistent layer of clouds hovering all week had seen a slight crack in their arrangement, letting a very thin shaft of light poke through. It was meager sunlight, but at least it meant that the rest of the clouds would be breaking up soon, and clear skies would be back.

Aki walked with her books clutched firmly to her chest and her head down as she went to Muggle Studies class with Daphne. Victoria did not take Muggle Studies, feeling the simplicity of the course insulted her intelligence.

Daphne was ranting away with a very happy expression. Aki tried not to listen, but some of it still got through:

"...He told me that he wants to meet with me this weekend! Isn't that exciting??? I think he wants me to watch his Quidditch practice for a bit, but afterwards there's no telling what we'll do! Terrence is so perfect. He's got some really fantastic hair too, you know. So soft and blonde... and it smells like a dream! Oh Aki, you have no idea! I just wish that Terrence and I could have a real date at night. It's just so much more romantic, wouldn't you say? Well, no matter, as long as it's me and Terr--"

Aki's shoulder was knocked hard by a bulky body coming from the opposite direction, and she grunted at the sharp pain. Rubbing her shoulder, she glared at the person who had just bumped into her. That person turned, and Aki felt her stomach twist in to a knot.

Marcus Flint was piercing her with his deep, angry eyes. Those same eyes that had once shown such desire. Being on the receiving end of this part of Marcus' personality was definitely not enjoyable. Aki stood in shock, not knowing how to react. This was the first time she had seen him since 'the night.' With every passing moment, she expected him to lunge forward and strike her down.

The only thing that was clearly different about Marcus today was his face. His chiseled face that presented such dangerous charm had cuts and scrapes on it. The thing that caught her eye first was the maroon scab on his bottom lip. There was also a prominent purple mark above his eyebrow that was no doubt a healing gash.

Aki did not say a thing, as did Marcus. He looked her up and down, sneering, like she was a complete stranger. It was as if the six months he had spent being amicable towards her did not exist.

Marcus scoffed derisively, whirled back around, and stomped down the corridor in his original path. Aki's breathing was erratic as she stared at Flint disappearing down the hall.

"Bugger me!" Daphne gasped, slithering up beside her. "Did you see his face?"

Aki was speechless, and simply nodded.

"Quidditch incident, I'll bet," Daphne concluded.

Daphne yanked on her arm. Aki followed, tentatively looking away from Flint. They entered the Muggle Studies classroom, which smelled like burning paper today. The torches reflected off of the walls and gave them an ochre glow, making things seem a lot cozier.

Daphne inhaled deeply, taking in the room's smell and sighing with exhilaration. She led Aki down the aisle to their usual spot in the third row, shaking her hair as she did so. Aki noticed that quite a number of boys were staring at Daphne when she passed them.

Aki caught a glimpse of Oliver seated at a desk on her right. At the back, naturally. He was sitting idly, thumbs tapping each other and eyes wandering around the room.

"Could you wait a moment, Daphne?" Aki said, tugging on Daphne's robes. "I just need to talk to Oliver for a bit."

"Oliver Wood!" Daphne exclaimed softly, looking like a child on Christmas morning. "He's cute."

"Shush!"

Aki stepped over to Oliver's desk with Daphne sauntering closely behind. Aki tapped softly on the table to get his attention, and he looked her way.

"Hey."

"Hullo, there," Oliver said.

"Hi, Oliver," Daphne groaned in a sultry way.

"Oh..." Oliver shifted his glance to Daphne. "Hello."

Oliver had this strange, awkward twitch on his upper lip; an effect from whatever Daphne was doing. Aki didn't have to look; she knew with certainty that Daphne had her dazzling smile out and was twirling her hair. Aki tapped on the table again, and Oliver's focus darted back to Aki.

"Hey, err... have you seen Marcus today?" Aki asked.

"Not today, no."

"Take a seat, please," the professor grumbled, obviously perturbed.

Oliver contemplated the free chair on his left before motioning his hand to it.

"Would you like to sit here?"

"Yes we would!" Daphne answered before Aki could even comprehend his question.

Daphne dropped her books onto the desk and plopped down into the seat. Oliver looked at her, puzzled, as she began to make herself comfortable. Oliver cleared his throat coarsely, and turned his attention to the other seat on his right.

"There's a seat here for you."

When Aki saw the chair that Oliver was offering, she was overwhelmed by an echoing voice in her head. It was her voice; continually repeating "alright." All she could think about was when Victoria begged her to "keep away from Oliver," and her promise to do just that. Victoria was her best friend, and Aki wondered if it was right to disregard her goodwill. She could only imagine Victoria's disappointment, but Aki did not want to think about that right now. The thought made her uncomfortable, since the thought came with the image of Victoria's rigid face.

Oliver, noticing that she was hesitating, pushed the chair back with his foot. He looked at the chair, then to Aki. She gaped at the empty chair that was beckoning her. Oh Merlin, how she wanted to sit down. Aki frantically scanned the room, especially the exits.

Victoria wasn't actually here; she'd never have to know.

"Err... okay."

Aki timidly waddled to the seat and meekly sat down. She pushed her bag onto the table, but kept twisting the strap of it and looking over her shoulder to the door. Oliver nudged her on the arm, breaking her out of her tense state.

"Oy, something the matter?"

Aki whirled her head around so quickly that it startled him. She let go of her bag straps and shook her head rapidly.

"Err... n-no, 'course not."

The professor made an "ahrum!" to get the students' attention, as he wanted to begin his lecture.

"Please open your textbooks to chapter twenty-seven, 'Bicycles: Locomotion made hard.'"

Oliver cracked open his book while Aki delved deep into her bag to retrieve hers. Over on the other side, Daphne was slyly looking Oliver up and down, considering the body under his robes.

"So why are you asking about Flint?" Oliver inquired, flipping through his textbook.

"It's the strangest thing," Aki replied. "I just saw him, and he looked like he'd been pounded."

"Oh really?" he said, sounding a little too delighted.

"Mm-hmm. Had a cut on his lip and everything."

"Was he limping?" he said interestedly.

"Hmm... no, I don't think so."

"Humph! Damn," he grumbled under his breath.

"Do you know why Flint's like that? Was it a Quidditch accident?"

Oliver shrugged and shook his head casually.

"No idea."

There was an odd smirk on Oliver's face that was very suspicious, as if he did know something more. Aki considered asking him about it before he introduced a new topic.

"So I hear that the career-advising sessions begin soon."

"Oh those," she said with some disrelish. "Yes, when's yours?"

"I think I'm one of the last ones to be counseled. Mine's on Friday. Yours?"

"Wednesday, during History of Magic. It's making me nervy, though."

"How come?"

"I just don't know what to expect..." she revealed, tapping her finger on the table. "Do you know what they're going to ask?"

"Err... I can't say for sure..." he apprised doubtfully. "I think they ask you what you want to do after you graduate, and take a look at your grades."

"After I graduate!" she sputtered. "Isn't that a bit premature? We still have two whole years to go!"

"It's still good to have an idea. Most of the other students know what they want to do."

"Are you serious? Most of them?"

"I know what I'd like to do after I graduate!" Daphne piped in.

Both Oliver and Aki turned to look at her, wholly not expecting her to voice up.

"What's that, Daphne?" Aki sighed.

Daphne giggled, and raked her fingers through her long waves of hair.

"I think I'd make a really good spokesperson for 'Unicorn's Radiance' hair products!"

Aki had the first instinct to laugh, but then hastily reconsidered when it seemed like Daphne wasn't joking. Aki pressed her lips in to a tight line and kept them that way.

"Err... that's nice, Daphne," said Aki, holding back any sudden, boisterous chortles.

Daphne had a big smile as she daydreamed about it. Oliver rolled his eyes while turning back to Aki.

"So... you see... most fifth years have a rough idea..." he continued.

"Bloody me," Aki whispered fervently, "so you both know what you want to do?"

Oliver nodded quickly. Daphne did the same while coiling her hair.

"What do you want to do?" Aki said, jerking her head to Oliver.

"Something in Quidditch," he answered immediately after.

"Oh, right... of course."

Aki breathed out generously and shoved her fingers into her hair, massaging the roots.

"Hell... I don't have any idea what I want to do," she confessed. " I haven't given it much thought really. I mean, I still feel too young to be making that decision right now."

"Well, let's think about it," he suggested, "what are your strengths?"

"Err... I don't really know..."

"Surely, you have something. No? Something you enjoy?"

Aki had to think too long for this one. The more she had to ponder simple questions like these, the more she realized how much nothingness her life consisted of.

"I enjoy a good bender..."

"Something you're good at, then?"

Aki tutted candidly and threw her fists down on to her lap.

"This is depressing! It shouldn't be this hard! Everybody else has some sort of skill while I'm here, sitting on my arse, having to think about it!"

"You have a skill somewhere," Oliver proclaimed. "Everybody does."

"What happens if they ask me the same questions in my session and I can't answer them? Oh let's just get it out of the way now; I'm going to end up living off of my parents for the rest of my life, aren't I?"

"Look, maybe in your case, it is a little too soon to know exactly what kind of career you'd like."

"I'll say!"

"Just because you can't figure out what you want to do now, doesn't mean you will later. Live your life by the day, it'll come soon enough."

"It'd better come soon is all I'm hoping."

"And remember not to take your consultation too much to heart," he added. "It is just advice, after all. Only you know what you want to do."

"Dammit," she muttered. "This career counseling is going to be absolutely dreadful."

"Don't worry. Things won't be as bad as you think."

Aki ignored his words of good intention. She lowered her head onto the desk, resting it on her arms and pouting.

"You'll do okay," he stated positively. "I'm sure you will."

Oliver thought he saw a slight twitch in her cheek. A twitch that might have been the catalyst to bring back some cheer to her face. Aki shifted her head to rest on its side and looked straight at him.

"You think so?"

Not blinking or moving his gaze one bit, Oliver also brought out a genial smile to accompany his next earnest statement

"I'm sure of it."

She was frozen for a good couple of seconds before the words sunk in. She then returned the cordiality; her spirits heightened just a bit. It felt good for him to be able to do that for a person.

Aki felt much better to get out of that dismal reflection on her life. What Oliver had just said was very much the picker-upper she needed.

Still grinning, Oliver looked down to his textbook and turned the page to keep up with the lecture. When he did, Aki noticed that there were a lot of circles and arrows drawn in the margins of the pages. Then she saw the word, "chaser" next to one of the circles, and resolved that they could've only been Quidditch plays. She turned her head to the other side and placed a hand over her mouth to cover her telltale smile. She couldn't help it; it was just so odd to be coming up with plays in a textbook.

Aki peeked over her shoulder at him, and saw that Oliver had his quill in hand, zealously adding more circles and squiggles to the margins. She bit down on her bottom lip, but still couldn't contain her giggle.

He really wasn't that bad.

He may have had a fascination with Quidditch that could irk you out of your wits.

But underneath it all, he really wasn't that bad at all.