The next morning
Cross was eating breakfast at the table, Daphne and Draco were sitting next to him talking excitedly about the Quidditch game. More like they were proud their friend was playing as a first year. Cross was reading a new book he got yesterday, it was titled 'Elements for Beginners'.
Cross had an idea yesterday. Since the strings came out separately and not clumped together, if he had more than one elements couldn't he just use them all at once? He didn't know if it was possible, but he was going to try. Plus, it relieved his boredom during the day.
Hermione walked over and dropped her books on the table, looking at Cross. Daphne and Draco looked at her in confusion, Cross looked up and said "Later." Hermione nodded and sat down, reading her books silently. Cross looked at her with interest, he wasn't bothered last night so he assumed she must have said something else.
This improved his opinion of her by a lot.
Cross smiled a bit at the thought, thinking it wasn't a waste to go save this girl. Though well he kept thinking, it was her fault he even had to make a move in the first place. It was also his fault for making her cry, he didn't really know what to think. He decided to stop fooling around with people, it creates too many variables, just like what happened with Hermione.
If Daphne knew his thoughts, she would sigh and say "1 step forward, 2 steps back.."
As a result, Cross didn't really speak with anyone during breakfast. Reading his book like usual.
After a while
The captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team came over and said "Cross, let's go." Cross stood up and left with him, leaving the school towards the Quidditch field. Cross found out the captain's name was Marcus Flint, he was in his sixth year and he explained the rules to Cross.
Cross interrupted him and said "Just tell me what I have to do." Marcus smirked and said "Get the golden ball." Cross nodded and said "Ok." and they got changed in the dressing room after meeting the rest of the team.
A few dozen minutes later
Cross held his brook nd read from his book, uninterested with the Quidditch game. Marcus was helpless with Cross, it was like the book was glued to his body. Cross looked up and saw the doors, he put the book away and the doors opened.
He got on his broom and shakily followed the rest of the team, they all sighed at the shakiness of his broom, but he was already here they couldn't just tell him to leave. Next time they would have their seeker back so it was fine.
Cross couldn't care less what they thought and continued his act, getting into position and shaking every so often. Looking to be off balance.
Daphne's face turned black and she cursed "What the fuck is he doing?!" Draco said "What?" Daphne explained "He's probably better at flying than anyone on the field right now." Draco was stunned and Daphne added "My stupid brother likes to stay low-key.... But this is too much! People are going to make fun of him!"
Sure enough.
A girl from the Gryffindor team laughed and mocked Marcus "Couldn't find someone who could even use a broom?!" Marcus was silent and the girl looked at Cross, adding "Hey Greengrass! Maybe you should go back to your sister and study while she comes to play? Wouldn't want you to get hurt after all. Oh wait! She probably can't handle a broom either! It must run in the family."
Cross' face turned dark and he said coldly "I think you should apologize." the girl sneered "To you? A nerd, who can't even handle a broom?" another guy chimed in "Maybe if you let your sister say with us, we might apologize." they started to laugh.
Marcus looked at Cross, who was glaring at the whole Gryffindor team and he said to Marcus "If I get the snitch or whatever, we win?" Marcus nodded and Cross looked at the teacher, saying coldly "Start the game."
Daphne gulped and said "Oh no.." Draco was confused and the teacher started the match, letting all the balls loose.
Cross let go of his broom and spread his hands, invisible threads shooting out from his fingertips and grabbing the Gryffindor brooms. He secretly made a fist and all their brooms flew out from under them as he shot forward towards the snitch extremely fast, not shaky at all.
The Slytherin team couldn't react, they were just too shocked.
Cross dispelled the strings and ignored everyone else as he chased after the snitch, he secretly flicked his finger and the snitch stopped in mid-air. Cross flew over and grabbed the snitch before flying back and stopping in front of the ref, holding out the snitch with his fingers.
Not even a minute passed.
The entire arena was silent.
Cross flicked the snitch at the ref and walked away saying "Maybe you should go back to flight training. A pesky thing those brooms." the Gryffindor team was stunned and the announcer finally came to his senses as he said "S-Slytherin wins!"
The Slytherin section started cheering wildly and the rest of the team was shocked. They didn't even move the entire time.
The Gryffindor girl shouted angrily "He cheated! He used magic!" pointing at Cross. The ref looked over, feeling he was a bit suspicious. Cross turned around and said "Did you see me chant? Did I use a wand? Did I even make a hand gesture?" the girl was stumped and Cross added "Ask the teachers if they saw anything, or better yet, ask Professor Dumbledore."
Cross looked up at the teacher's booth and said "Well?" the teachers were also stumped, Snape stood up and said "No magic was used. I can confirm." Dumbledore added "I also didn't feel any magic." Snape nodded and looked at the Gryffindor team saying "Perhaps you really should go back to flight training..."
The girl refused and got on her broom again, she flew into the air, but then her broom shot out from under her. The same thing happened to the rest and they were all confused, the ref looked at Cross the whole time, seeing he didn't make any movements she directly called the game "Slytherin wins, there was no use of magic!"
The entirety of Slytherin cheered madly and the Gryffindor team and fan section was dumbfounded.
Cross left directly, he made a big movement because of anger. This was not a good thing, the conspiracy going around here might just drag him in now because of his performance. He cursed himself and decided to not play anymore, it was too suspicious. Plus he would much rather just sit in his room and read, advancing his magic.
He left the arena by himself, not wanting to be bothered by all these crazy Slytherin kids.
He changed out of the game gear and read his book as he walked back to the castle. He stopped and looked in front of him to see Nymphadora. He smiled and said "Haven't seen you in a long time."
Nymphadora smiled and said "Good job on the match." Cross kept walking and said "Too much attention. I don't like it." Nymphadora walked next to him and smiled "Breaking the record for the fastest game and you don't want to play anymore? You think this is a one off?"
Cross smiled wryly and said "It isn't?" Nymphadora laughed and shook her head. Cross sighed and muttered "Maybe I should lose on purpose next time..." Nymphadora burst out laughing and slapped his back saying "After that performance? Good luck! Hahahahahaha"
Cross grumbled and they walked back to the castle while talking.
Cross turned the corner and spread out his strings before touching Nymphdora's head and feeling her barrier. He took his hand back and said "Your first use is waning... Have you been eating the food?" Nymphadora said "You actually put a barrier on me?"
Cross felt his mouth twitch and said "Do I look so unreliable?" Nymphadora nodded with a smirk and Cross coughed as he said "Anyway, don't eat the food in the castle. It's filled with potions." Nymphadora nodded and asked "What do you know?"
Cross scratched his neck and said "Something strange is going on here. As for who or what, I don't know." Nymphadora smiled and said "You don't trust me?" Cross smiled in return and said "Should you be trusted?" Nymphadora chuckled and said "Fair enough. Take care of yourself, Cross."
Cross watched her walk away and said "You too, Dora." before going in his own direction. Of course he wouldn't tell her what he found out, who knew if he was a person to be trusted? Cross didn't know, so he kept his distance. If they became more distant from each other because she was offended he couldn't trust a stranger, then he probably shouldn't be anything other than that, a stranger.
Cross went back to his room and sat in his bed, reading his elemental book by himself. Occasionally looking at the egg and Carl's blood cocoon.
The next day
Cross was eating breakfast, while his clone was studying in the Room of Requirement. Daphne and Draco came over and said "That was amazing! Hahaha! Those Gryffindor punks got what they deserved!"
Daphne and Cross looked at Draco, who was laughing by himself, and just shook their heads. Daphne smiled and said "It was amazing though. I'm proud!" Cross smiled and said "En. Never again." Daphne and Draco froze and Daphne said "Why not! You're so good!" Draco added "We'll never win again!"
Cross shook his head and said "I don't like attention. Too much, if that girl didn't make me angry. I wouldn't have done anything." Daphne complained "You have to! Please!" Cross just shook his head and Draco sighed "We're finished..."
Marcus walked into the cafeteria and saw Cross, his eyes lit up and he walked over. He stopped in front of the table and said "Good job yesterday! You missed the celebration." Cross asked "You celebrate after every win?" Marcus smirked and looked towards the Gryffindor table as he said "Nah, just when we win against Gryffindor."
He looked back and said "So you're on the team permanently now." Cross said "I don't want to play." Marcus was apparently deaf and added "Great! We have no more games until the break ends, glad to have you on the squad! See ya!" before leaving.
Cross was stunned and said "I said no!" Marcus waved his hand over his shoulder and said "Don't worry, we don't practice much! Plus you have no choice, House head's orders." before disappearing.
Cross grinded his teeth in anger and looked at Daphne, who put him into this mess. She giggled and gave hi a thumbs up for encouragement, while Draco directly laughed and cheered as if he was the one to win the game.
Cross really wanted to smash his head into the table but decided not to since it would hurt his beautiful face. He didn't know when, but he started caring about his looks. He assumed it had something to do with his bloodline and forgot about it.
The day passed
Cross was going back to his room, when Hermione stopped him and said "Can we talk now?" Cross led her to a spot and searched the area with his strings before saying "What do you want to know?" Hermione started "How did you do that to the Troll! That was crazy! Plus you didn't even chant or use a wand! I-"
Cross covered her mouth and said "Honestly, can you speak any louder? I don't think the teacher's heard you clearly enough." Hermione looked at Cross, who took his hand back and said "These are my secrets, you think I would just tell them to a little girl like you?"
Hermione's expression dimmed and she said "It's because I'm a Mugblood, isn't it?" Cross was confused and Hermione almost cried. He smacked her head and said "You could be a literal dog and I still wouldn't care. Muggles, Mugbloods, Wizards, they're all the same to me. I couldn't care less. Even my family doesn't know, why would I tell you?"
Hermione's expression brightened up and she said with a smile "You don't hate me because I'm a Mugblood?" Cross rolled his eyes and said "Honestly, tell me the truth. Are you deaf? I just said I don't care."
Hermione teared up and hugged him, Cross was stunned and pushed her away, pressing on her forehead with his hand. Hermione had a cute look on her face with her arms stretched out. Cross coughed and held her back as he said "No hugs." Hermione pouted and dropped her arms, Cross added "Just don't tell anyone what you saw, okay?"
Hermione said "You have to be my friend though." Cross looked to be struggling internally before he finally sighed and said "Fine... But no hugs!" Hermione smiled happily and Cross added "En. No kisses or handholding either." Hermione felt her eyes twitch and Cross continued "No love letters, amorous glances, dubious sentences, or admiration from afar either."
Hermione's face was black and Cross thought for a moment before finishing "Just stay a meter radius away from my body." Hermione shouted "Then what's the difference between friends and acquaintances?!" Cross rubbed his chin and said "You're right."
Hermione smiled, but her smiling face froze when she heard him speak again "Then just a half meter will do."
Time came and went and the time to go home for Christmas break came.
Cross left Hogwarts with Daphne and returned back home to the Greengrass family, excited to see Astoria again. He quite missed that little fox girl.