Disclaimer: Do not own Harry Potter, all belongs to JK Rowling. Alice is mine though (no touchy). Hope you enjoy this update version :)
Chapter One
Fast Forward
"How many first year's do you think we'll have this year?" A red-headed girl with kind brown eyes asked her flaxen-haired companion as they wandered around a joke shop. They were searching for a charmed item that would temporarily paint their toe-nails colors that changed based on their moods. It was a newly advertised 'Weasley' novelty item and said so on the flyer.
"In Gryffindor or in general, Lily?" The blonde girl followed her ginger friend to a shelf with bright pink displays.
"In Gryffindor, duh, Alice!" Lily said as she picked up a bottle of the changing polish. Since her Uncle George owned the shop, she basically got everything for free and it just so happened that it was her birthday. Both she and Alice had decided to split off from their parents with Rose and the boys to take a break from school shopping. They were out buying their robes and third-year school books in Diagon Alley practically all day. It was decided that they would celebrate Lily's birthday back at the Burrow, after the shopping was done with.
"Mm, not sure. We had about eleven when we were sorted, right? Last year made 15. I distinctly remember every other house had at least six more than we did."
"That just means us Gryffindor's are exceptionally special because we're rare. Not everyone can make the cut, eh Scorpious?" Said a tall boy with dark brown hair and a large grin plastered on his smug face. Another boy with yellow-blonde hair and a blank expression glared at him unhappily.
"Stuff it, Potter." James draped his arm around his sister, Lily, and another around Alice's shoulders. He stood between the both of them, eyeing Scorpious who stood with Rose beside a display of Skiving Snack-boxes. The store was packed with kids from Hogwarts and so it was hard not to notice two opposing houses holding hands in a public setting. It was mostly because of Rose that the kids had decided to separate from their parents. Her mother and father would not have been too happy to learn that their perky Rose was dating a Malfoy.
"Oh knock it off you two, please." Rose rolled her eyes and frowned at James. He laughed loudly and caught the attention of maybe one or two second year girls. Alice saw how they stared at him in adoration and felt her own heart jump. He had let go of Lily and managed to somehow keep a hold on her shoulders.
"Sorry Rose, he just stands out when he's around us. Good thing Uncle Ron isn't here, huh? He'd have a few good words to share with you." James chuckled lowly and watched as Rose tugged Scorpious away, leading him through the packed crowd towards the second floor. The only people left around them was Lily, who was inspecting the polish and other pretty knick-knacks closely, and a serious Albus.
However, Albus was deep in conversation with a few boys and a girl who clung tightly to his side. Hugo was there, laughing and red-faced. It appeared that one of their friends had set off a firework in his face. The poor boy was missing his eyebrows and wearing an angry expression as his friends continued to tease him.
"So what were you girls shopping for?" James asked as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. He was taller, fifteen, and much more handsome without his glasses. Everyone considered him a stud what with his position on the Quidditch team and all. Apparently his summer training since Alice's travels two years ago paid off immensely. She actually managed to watch him closely this past summer because she had returned to the Burrow to spend time with the Weasley's before school shopping.
It was truly amazing to watch him zoom over the hills beyond the Burrow as he chased after a snitch that she couldn't even see. Alice and Lily would sit outside for awhile to catch some sun when Harry, Albus, James, and Teddy would come out to practice. They were all exceptional players but Alice only watched James. Lily often teased her and asked if she had seen where James had gone, to which Alice pointed out that he had either gone up or to the far left. It always made her blush at how precise she was and quick to answer.
"Just some nail-polish. We saw it in Muggle Magic. It's supposed to be some kind of paint for your nails. Uncle George said that Roxanne wanted some and she came up with the idea of a charm that causes the paint to change color." It appeared that Lily was listening because she dove into a very long explanation. Alice shrugged away from James and joined Lily by the Pigmy Puffs.
James followed and picked a purple fluff-ball, "Sounds fascinating!"
"You asked." Alice narrowed her blue eyes and watched as he grinned back. Ever since her first year at Hogwarts, they had not talked much until the summertime and even then the contact was rare. Yet, he always had a smile or two he could spare and sometimes when their hands brushed, Alice swore she felt electricity shoot up her arms.
"You could have lied to me, ya know." He laughed stupidly. Lily elbowed his arm hard and he uttered an unbecoming curse word.
"Watch your mouth." Lily flipped her red hair over her shoulder. It had grown long and darker since they were eleven. Alice admired the fiery red and envied how straight and perfect it was when compared to her own sad, wavy locks.
"What was that for?" James grumbled as he rubbed his sore elbow.
"Do you want the truth or should I lie?" Alice couldn't help but laugh at Lily's indiscretion. They were two completely different people and yet she thought of the ginger as her best friend, confidant, and sister. This kind of behavior was natural. Where James was confident, Albus was shy, and Lily was-well-stubborn and independent.
"Agh! Why do I even hang around you? It's like trying to tame a dragon."
"I'll ignore that one, James Sirius Potter, because I'm in a forgiving mood. Consider it a gift from me to you, on my birthday no less. Cherish it!"
"Oi! James, c'mere ya bloke and fix yer hair!" Teddy shouted as he waved for his 'brother' above the crowd, his once turquoise hair now pink. He was surrounded by pretty Veela's, one being Victoire, his on-again-off-again flame. She may have only been a fourth but it was evident that she was meant to be one in the way she held herself.
"Coming!" James shouted back, "Don't leave without us, okay?"
"Sure, sure. Just don't let your hormones overwhelm you if one of them decides to hit on you." Lily took Alice by one of her wrists and cast a forlorn glance back at the group of Veela's, now joined by a red-faced James. Deep down, she desperately wished that she was one of the girls he paid attention to. After all, Alice was thirteen now and she was just as pretty as those other girls, right? She was too busy being dragged away that she didn't realize that someone had run into her. Or, vice versa.
"Sorry about that!" The figure on the ground crouched over a box before picking himself back up.
"No worries, should have watched where I was going." He said as she turned to face her. Alice found a dazzling pair of cerulean eyes staring back at her on a face as godly as a statue of Adonis. He had curly caramel locks and a dimpled grin.
"I-My friend w-was…What did you say your name was?" The boy smiled wider and it caused Alice to feel weak at the knees.
"I didn't but it's Zachariah, Zachariah Wood. Yours?"
"Alice Longb-bottom." She stuttered. Zachariah chuckled deeply and began to walk away, waving.
"Nice to meet you Alice." Alice watched him leave and continued to stare even after he was gone. It was a habit she had when boys left her in a flustered position.
When he was long departed and the butterflies in her stomach died down, Alice shook her head furiously. Where had he come from? And what was with that smile? Was he flirting with her after she ran into him? Alice's head was spinning and only stopped when Lily squeezed her shoulder.
"You okay? You look a little red. Let's head outside and get some fresh air."
