Chapter Text
Buck did not like the commotion that was going on at the quidditch field. Students were cheering and a tiny crowd had gathered at someone that was... Well, not him.
Buck pushed through the giggling second and third years and noted annoyingly that they were surrounding the same face he had seen a few days ago during the Sorting Hat.
That new kid.
Just a few days ago, during the Sorting Ceremony, Buck did not need to stretch his neck to get a good view of the entire procession. He had grown quite a lot during the holiday and was towering an incredible 6"0. After the first years were sorted into their houses and then it's the newly transferred students' turn. The newly sorted kids were buzzing like excited bees at their houses. Buck ignored their excitement, by the fourth year, all the charms of that traditions have wained and he looked forward more to the feast than anything else.
The air in the Great Hall was full of whispers as the new kid sat at the stool. Then a loud and bellowing 'Gryffindor' bounced against the walls. Buck half-heartedly clapped and did not even bother to look at the lad who was sorted into his house. From the corner of his eyes, Buck noted dark brown hair and a tan complexion.
"He's so hot," said a fellow third year.
"He's the hottest wizard I have ever seen in my life!"
"What race you reckon is he? He looks kinda American."
Buck was about to take a further look, but the headmaster had already materialized the feast. Once Buck saw the stunning and mouthwatering food in front of him, that was all it took for him to forget the new kid sitting at the end of the table.
"That was amazing Eddie," said the captain.
"Thanks, could do better on the last one though," replied Eddie.
"What are you talking about? That last one was exquisite!"
Buck raised an eyebrow at the word 'exquisite', he had only heard Harry compliment another player with the word exquisite and that was at Buck four years ago when he saved a charmed quaffle that blazed through the field during practice.
Buck finally came to the center of the hoopla and was met by the most stunning man he had ever seen. All of Buck's anger suddenly dissipated and a wave of the green monster flood in him. There is no way someone can be that attractive. His face was carved by the gods. He must have some Veela at him!
"Ah! Right on time. Here is our keeper, Buck," said Harry giddily, pulling Buck into their circle. "Buck this is Eddie. Eddie, Buck is our keeper."
Eddie flashed him a wide smile.
Buck remained fuming. Is it possible for someone to be more attractive just by smiling?
Yup, definitely Veela blood.
"They call me Buck," he introduced himself, tightening the handshake.
Eddie nodded politely but he definitely noted the gripping handshake.
"Eddie here was exquisite! You should've seen him. Flying like a bird on a broomstick. I can sense the Hogwarts trophy in our grasp now that Eddie's in our team-"
"-What? Are you sure?"
Eddie sounded surprised.
Buck made a low grunt.
"Are you kidding me? After that shot just now there's no one I rather have to be a chaser."
"Wow. That's truly an honor, Harry. Thank you," replied Eddie.
Buck huffed and walked back to the crowd. He doesn't want to hear Harry talk about how good the new kid is. Big whoop. Harry should've known better as team captain. He should not make such premature judgments. Watch him play on the team first, then talk.
As the night drew in, they had a special class that night in the Astronomy Tower. Professor Trelawney had gathered her fourth year students for a viewing of the night sky, mentioning something along with the likes of Saturn and Jupiter meeting and some nonsense.
Buck wanted nothing more than to go for an early sleep that night. Divination was never his subject. Loads of bull at every page. Plus he thinks, Professor Trelawney needs to have a few appointments in St. Mungos.
"Sorry, professor. I could not find the tower," said a voice entering through the trap door.
"Ah, Mister Diaz. No matter, the cards had predicted your tardiness. Take a seat at Mister Han's table."
Buck watched in annoyance as the girls and some of the guys straightened their backs and were suddenly focused on the guy that had just entered the room. Buck huffed. Yeah, he gets it, Eddie's gorgeous. But so what. Buck's pretty too.
"Hey man, why are you in this class? You're in your sixth year aren't you," asked Chimney in a hushed tone.
"Yeah. Where I'm from we didn't have this class. We studied its history, but never the practice of it. So I have to take the fourth and fifth year's classes."
Buck can't help but eavesdrop their conversation. The new guy spoke in an accent that was like a mixture of American and British. Weird.
"Mister Buckley, what do you see in your telescope? Have you spotted the great planets and seen its magnificent design?"
Buck let out a tiny yelp and returned to his telescope. All he sees are blinking stars in the black inky sky. Non-different from the other. He had learned that the only way to pass divinations is to make up everything. The worst it is, the more points you get. That's the game.
"Yup, I do spot Saturn and Mercury. Looks like I see a dog."
The class chuckled. The professor's face frowned so deeply, Buck had thought she had transformed herself.
"Not the grim-"
"Oh! No, professor. Nothing like that."
Professor Trelawney's relaxed her contorted face.
"I saw a happy golden retriever dog."
The class laughed. Even the new kid.
"Are you sure you weren't looking at yourself Buck?" asked Chimney.
"Ha ha, funny."
At that moment, Buck accidentally locked eyes with Eddie and he suddenly felt red appearing on his cheeks.
"Now, Mister Weasley, what do you see?"
-.-.-.-.-
After the lackluster lesson at the Astronomy tower, Eddie returned to the dormitory wanting to rest and hang out with his other sixth year. Today has been an eye-opening experience for him. Going to tryouts, being official friends with the Boy-Who-Lives, getting into Gryffindor's team, and meeting the cutest boy he'd ever laid eyes on.
"Do you guys know who's Buck?" asked Eddie abruptly.
"Buck? The fourth-year?"
"He's brawny," said Dean. "Yup, that's all I can say."
Ron laughed.
"They call him the living embodiment of a golden retriever. And he kinda looks like one too."
"He's really helpful. Professor Sprout told me he helped her plant all the aconite," said Neville flatly. "He planted them in the wrong soil though. And had to replant them trice!"
"Yeah. All that brawn but nothing up there, ain't that right Harry," said Seamus.
Harry laughed.
"Oh, what happened?" asked Eddie, looking at the Harry Potter again.
"Last year, the school made a special program where fifth years sort of tutor third years who are in trouble academically. I was assigned to tutor him, cause being in the team and all... He asked me how to spell orange."
Eddie and the rest of the Gryffindor fifth years laughed.
That's adorable, thought Eddie.
"Hermione, taught him and she said he either fell asleep, laughed at the pronunciations of the spells, or was not focused at all. She requested a change after three days remember?"
Ron nodded.
"But he's strong. Crazily strong. And brave. In his third year, he punched a boggart!"
The room erupted into laughter again.
Eddie was already besotted.