"Ayyeeeeeee" said Fred, stopping Missy in her storming, and holding out a box. "Care for a chocolate?" He opened a small red box with the initials "WWW" on the top. Smiling, she picked up the label and read aloud. "Weasley's wizard wheezes; brings to you a new range of sickly sweets! Works up to an hour with each helping. If there are any problems, you're on your own. Still in work."
Fred and George Weasley had been working on items for their joke shop for a year now, ever since Harry Potter had handed his wizard winnings over to them; of course it was a secret, and the secret had been spilt when Missy came into the mix. They'd come up with toys, magical potions, sweets to get you out of class, telescopes that punch, you name it; they've made it.
At the end of the year the twins would be off and out of Hogwarts into Hogsmead to buy a space for the shop, stocking it and getting it going; and Missy would be left at school to gather supplies, and test and create some more sweets; before sending them off to the shop. Of course, Missy would be able to work during the holidays, and as soon as she left school, she'd be able to join them, doing what she enjoyed most; making people happy.
Looking up from the paper, she peered into the small box; about ten different sized sweets were wrapped in bright colours. Missy picked one up, and turned it in her fingers.
"Blowing bonbon?" she asked, and he grinned, nodding.
"Yup! We've just managed to work out the kinks in it, it's gonna go on the market soon"
"What's it do?" she asked, putting it back, and he closed the box.
"It explodes in your stomach and makes you bloat, giving you hives and a temperature. Of 'course, you can't feel it" he leant forward, excited. "How's yours going?" he asked, and they began walking, dodging glances, he put the box away.
"The Petrifying Pear drops are a blast, the blue colour is just slightly off; I've still got to get it lighter so the professors will believe the kids stopped breathing"
"I've made one I haven't told George about" Fred put in, running a hand through his messy red hair, the sun shining through the windows and dancing on it.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, 'shocker chocolate'; gives you a mild heart attack… or it's meant too…"
"what does it really do?" she asked curiously, stopping outside her classroom, she'd have to visit her sister during transfiguration. He rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, it err… nearly kills you"
"Damn"
"Yeah, but you can't kill someone who's already dead"
Draco poked the little robin with his wand, the transfiguration teachers' voice drowning into the background. He sat alone at the back of the classroom, just at the right angle that he could have occasional glances out the window to the grounds were students shrieked and laughed.
He grimaced as a couple of second year walked past the window and spotted him staring out of it, both being in slytherin, they hid behind their hair and covered their mouths as the giggled, thinking he was looking at them. Bored and slightly uncomfortable, he tilted his head up, watching the other few little birds fly around the classroom.
They'd each been given a bird to transfigure, and most people hadn't been able to control the animal; and were now piling chairs on top of one another to catch the flighty pest. Draco's bird had grown attached to him, and had hopped towards him instantly; but he'd not paid all that much attention to it.
Things hadn't been the same for him since Hogwarts had the exchange program. That idiot Dumbledore had become unhappy with Draco's bodyguards, and had decided to send them and a few other students that had been falling behind to a different wizarding school that Draco had not bothered to remember, in the hopes of helping them.
Of course, that left Draco alone, and in the company of Pansy Parkinson, a girl in his year that had a freaky fixation with him. Draco shuddered in not so fake horror. Pansy was always too clingy, too eager to please; and what Draco wanted was the complete opposite.
He wanted a girl who didn't care what she said around him, that could do whatever without worrying about what other people thought.
His thoughts continued to wander, and he poked his robin yet again, of which twisted and turned in on itself; forming a crystal version of a bird. He prodded it again, and it became once again its happy chirping self. Maybe that's what he needed, a girl who would adore him, which would stand up for him the way Missy had done for her sister. He remembered when they were young, and flinched.
She was so kind to everybody she met, never a bad word, unless the person deserved it. She always gave people second chances, and Draco admired that. Not only was she kind, but she was pretty and smart, with the best personality, better than anyone he'd ever met.
Draco didn't exactly like the fact she spoke to the other houses, he didn't like the fact she spoke often to the Weasleys, and Potter or Granger; but he tried not to think too much about it.
Treason was the word. At least she wasn't thinking about dating one of them, he hoped. If she was, he'd have to step in a kill the bugger.
But the one thing he hated about her was the fact that she'd never laughed in front of him anymore. Never touched him, not even lightly on the shoulder. How he yearned to touch her cheek, be the cause of the blush in her cheeks, and hear her silver bell laugh rumble against his chest.
He wanted it so bad that he could almost feel something snap inside his chest, sadness rocketed through his as he saw her angry face behind his closed lids. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright in his chair.
Missy…
"Oh crap" he breathed, his fingers going numb. He hated when he was horrible to her, he hated the fact she hated him back, but he did try to keep on her good side and never hurt her.
Professor McGonagall raised her head and looked over at Draco, who quickly composed himself, fitting his face into the hard mask he'd worn since he'd come to the school, although his colour was green. "Is there a problem Mr. Malfoy?" she asked in her stern voice. Draco pulled a face, and slipped his wand away. "Professor, I don't feel well, might I be excused?"
"Why, of course Mr. Malfoy, do you need assistance to get to the hospital wing?" Draco shook his head whilst trying not to sneer, and evacuated the classroom, and out into the empty corridor, vaguely aware that the robin was following him. He glanced at it, "I'll talk to her tomorrow" he decided, the bird chirped angrily, dive-bombing his head.
He ducked and flapped his hands about, glaring up at it.
"Okay, okay; tonight! I'll see her tonight" the bird ceased chirping, and settled on his shoulder, digging its way into the fold of the fabric and burying into his shirt. "Stupid bird, you're lucky I like robins" he hissed to it, but it said nothing, and remained invisible to everybody but Draco.
With the warm weight of the bird against his heart, he set off down the corridor towards the hospital wing.
Missy hurried along the corridor, her bag banging against her hip, the small box Fred had given her after her lesson hidden within the folds. She smiled as she met Jessica, and gave her a hug. "Jess!" she cried excited, and Jess laughed. "I was just wanting to talk to you…"
"Nope, I'm not testing anything out for you"
"Why not?" she asked outraged, glaring. Jess shuffled uncomfortably, and looked at her.
"I'm being paid for testing…"
"What are you being paid in?"
"Err… Dates" Missy stood there, and watched her; thinking she was joking. Pushing her hair from her eyes, she shook her head. "And you can stop right there" she laughed, hugging her goodbye. "I've gotta get to Vee anyway; cya later!"
"Get out"
"Veronica, seriously, calm down"
"Get out!" she cried again, flinging something at Draco's head, he dodged it easily.
"Vee, I'm only here too…" he couldn't finish his sentence, because Veronica had grabbed the pitcher of water besides the bed, and hurled it at him.
Soaking wet and seeing red, he threw a few curses in her direction, and stormed from the wing, his blonde hair sticking to his forehead; and the robin looking more like a drowned rat that a bird. Missy quickly dodged round him, so fast that he didn't notice it was her at first, and slid through the closing door, walking towards her sister's bed.
"Vee, you ready to go yet, we gotta get to try outs" she asked, perching on the side of the bed, her hands in her lap and blue green eyes intent on Veronica's face. "Sort of" she replied, flexing her hand and pulling a face. "It still hurts a little, but I can get madam Pomfrey to look at it for me…" just then the matron came bustling around the corner, and she smiled at Missy. "Hello Miss. Night, here to pick up your sister?" she asked in a sweet voice. Missy smiled at the woman, glad that they got along.
"Yeah" she replied, "I hope she hasn't been too much trouble"
"Oh, complaining like nothing I've ever heard before, demanding to see you and get back to class." The youngest sister threw a glance and a grin to her sister, who smiled back and threw her legs over the side; standing up.
"If we're done making jokes about me," she said, holding out her bandaged hand to the matron "Could you give me a blast of pain killer? It aches a little"
The two girls walked back through the corridor, laughing and giggling on their way to the grounds for the study period. Suddenly, Missy spotted something, and made an excited motion to Veronica, who peered towards the entry.
Stood by the door, were the two red headed weasley twins. "Looky who it is!" cried George, pointing to Missy with a finger; Missy laughed a waved. "C'mon Vee, let's go and join them" she said, reaching behind her to grab her sister, but found she'd moved.
Confused, she held up her hand to the twins, and quickly searched for her sister. "Vee, let's not do this again!" she cried in irritation; and veronica edged her way from behind a pillar, looking embarrassed. "What's wrong with you? I swear they don't bite, really!"
"I can't go over there" she muttered, Missy placed her hands on her hips, her black hair falling from behind her ears yet again.
"Why not?" she almost growled "You like Fred, and he'd be daft if he didn't like you back, so c'mon!" she yanked on Vee, and dragged her stubborn body over to the twins, who raised an identical eyebrow at her.
"Well, well, well… if it isn't the slytherin girls" said Fred
"You know what mum said Fred."
"What was that George?"
"Never talk with bad girls" they both finished, Missy grinned and Vee spared them a weak smile. "You've met my sister, right guys?" Said the youngest, waving to her sister who said a strong hello. "I was just talking to her about broomsticks, I'm pretty sure I could beat everyone on your team Weasleys" Missy gloated her lie, and they pulled mock hurt faces.
"How dare you!"
"This means war little girl" challenged Fred, and Missy waved her hand, brushing away their words. "Yeah, yeah. Save it for someone who loses to you." Missy joked. George waved his hand in the air, and box materialized in his hand. "You're gonna pay for that crack Missy," he grinned, "Can I interest you ladies in a sweet?" he offered, Missy looked at him, and raised an eyebrow.
"None for me thanks, I just ate" Veronica looked at her, and reached for the box, plucking out a small pink one. "I'll have one, I'm starved!" Missy watched as she popped one into her mouth and chewed; suddenly, she gagged. "Which one did she take?" Missy asked, looking at her sister in interest.
"Hmm" said Fred, "By the looks of this,"
"Twas tongue tying toffee"
"Yum" said Missy, laughing. Her sister glared accusingly at her, her cheeks going pink. "Don't worry Vee," she told her, patting her shoulder, and quickly pulling her hand away before Vee bit it. "It'll wear off in a few minutes." she glared at her, and the twins looked at each other.
"Care for another one?" she tried to speak, but couldn't.
"Wait" said Fred, turning his grinning face to Veronica, who looked into his eyes. "You fly?" She nodded, trying to get her voice box working. Finally, after the laughter at her had died down, she regained the ability to talk.
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm as good as Missy- "
"Nobody ever is" she muttered, and George elbowed her.
"But I am a fair flyer" Missy met George's eyes, and gave a sharp nod; and he winked back. "Well, I've got to go Sis, I err… gotta talk to Professor McGonagall about my homework." She quickly ran outside, followed by George after he'd given a lame excuse. Laughing, they leaned against each other, then came Vee's booming voice "YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE HOMEWORK YOU COW!"
Veronica was glaring after the doorway of which her sister had disappeared behind, and Fred was glancing at her with a scared expression. Feeling his gaze, Vee snapped up into position and tried hard not to blush. "Err… hi" she said, her voice lowered, the corridors had become deserted, so nobody could see the treason she was about to commit.
"I can't believe it, they've run off. Gone off, left us!" Fed said in surprise, looking at Vee, who was blushing and looking at her feet. "That's my sister for you" she muttered, and Fred grinned. "Sods." He muttered, suddenly, he perked up, and smiled.
"You know what? We should go off and do our own thing, I mean; I bet I could out fly you!" Veronica glanced up at him, a confused look on her face.
"I… errm…" Fred leaned into her, and smiled, his face close to hers, his brown eyes bright.
"This is the part where you say yeah, and I sweep you off your feet" he breathed too her, and she smiled slightly.
"Oh okay, yeah" she said, then screamed as Fred lifted her into a fireman's lift,
"LET THE SWEEPING BEGIN!" he cried as he carried her through another door.
"They're gonna kill us ya know" Missy panted, running down the hill towards the black lake, her arms flailing. George laughed; "I know, but oh well!" she tripped and fell forward, skidding down in the grass and bashing into George. "Whoa!" he cried, tumbling down the hill and bashing into a Gryffindor.
She shrieked, and tumbled over; both of them yelling within the flood of legs. "Ouch, get your foot outta my ear!" yelled George, wriggling, the girl laughed, and tried to stand up. Missy watched from a distance, her legs crossed on the grass and her hair billowing around her face. She kept her expression smooth, and felt her heart warm as George helped the girl up; his hand lingering on hers.
"Hi Jessica, sorry 'bout that, my eyesight's not been so good since your friend Amy stuck her wand into It." said George, grinning at her, she smiled and said a bubbly,
"Don't worry about it! Hey, are you coming to the common room for study period?" George could hear the hope in her voice, and he beamed wider. "Maybe later Jess, I'm just taking Little miss Slytherin up there," he pointed to Missy, who was sat further up the hill, "To the black lake, ya know? Teach her to tame the giant squid. Very difficult, could well lose a limb in the process!" Jessica laughed, and smiled kindly at him.
"Don't feed her to it" George pulled an offended face,
"Would I ever?" he asked in hurt, Jess nodded, and he grinned. "You know me more than I thought, anyway, I'll be there; don't worry" he patted her shoulder, and she blushed.
"Well, when you're done, me and Amy will be in the common room, bring your brother, cus she sorta likes him" George pulled a face,
"Whaaat?" he rocked back on his heels, staring at her, she grinned, her hair behind her ears. "I know, it's weird" she said, Gorge couldn't believe it.
"What are these lies? Somebody like little Ronnikins? Not possible." But he agreed, giving her a hug goodbye.
George studied her, and smiled. She was very pretty, and funny; and seemed to like him enough. Kind, caring, sweet and understanding, she was and average height, with bright blue eyes and light chocolate brown hair, layered to just below her shoulders. She was thin, and had her tie done up, with little black shoes on her feet. She was smiling at him, and Missy waited until she left, before walking back to him.
"Jessica?" she asked, standing next to him. She looked up and watching her retreat to the castle, she turned and waved at them, but only George waved back. "No, you've lost your marbles." he joked, "I'm George, remember?" She raised an eyebrow, and George noted to himself that they were slightly lopsided. He was glad to know everyone had a fault.
Finally, he said,
"Yeah, Jessica" he breathed airily, confused, Missy snapped her fingers in front of his face; he shook his head. "Right! Back on track, aye Night?" Missy smiled, and followed him down to the lake, glancing up to the castle, raising her hand as a hello to Jessica, who stood hidden in the shadows watching them. She hesitated, before waving back and smiling.