Disclaimer: I own nothing but my character, plotline and a few other characters strewn out about the story. If I owned Harry Potter then I'd be currently having a relationship with James Phelps – who plays Fred – or even Oliver Phelps – George. But of course, I don't own Harry Potter, so I'm not dating an extremely attractive red head. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. ROWLING -- zee rather amazing author. However, I did use a number of pieces of dialogue in this chapter and I probably will steal a phrase or two during the story.

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Chapter Four

"Uncalled For"

For me to say that brewing up a vile of Laughing Liquid was hard, I would be lying. This prank would be a piece of cake…if it weren't for getting past Moody.

Katie and I had just finished making the potion in the girls' lavatory, seeing as Granger was in the common room. We just couldn't risk it.

"So how are you guys going to pull this off?" she asked me as we were walking back to Gryffindor tower where the boys were.

"I don't know", I admitted. "If we get caught, we'll be in a load of trouble though".

"Nothing you haven't been in before", she pointed out.

I smirked. "Yes, but Mad-Eye's well…"

"Mad?"

"Exactly".

We laughed as Alicia and Angelina joined us before reaching the Fat Lady.

"Password?" she asked.

"Godric".

The portrait hole swung open and we climbed through, immediately ambushed with voices.

"Is it ready?!" Fred demanded, excitedly.

I held up the small vile of thick, yellow liquid and it was snatched out of my hand.

"Brilliant", George muttered, examining it. "Just the right colour".

"Now, who's got the cloak?"

"Cloak?" George asked, snapping out of his daze.

"I told you to get the cloak!" I exclaimed.

"Now, did you…?" Fred said as if he was hearing this for the first time.

"I don't recall this conversation, do you Fred?"

"Not at all, George".

I sighed. "You guys are unbelievable".

"You mean unbelievably handsome? I know", George grinned as he pushed back his hair.

I ignored his comment as I walked over to the Golden Trio. "Harry, dearest?"

"You need the cloak?" he chuckled, clearly already knowing this.

"Yes", I smiled.

"Harry, why does she need your cloak?" Hermione asked, her eyes narrowed.

"Well, it's a bit chilly outside, don't you think?" Ron replied, not looking up from the cake he was eating.

"Not that kind of cloak!"

I held out my hand expectantly and Harry pulled the Invisibility Cloak out from behind him, handing it to me.

"Thankyou", I grinned.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What?"

"You can't just lend her your cloak! You know her and the twins are always up to something".

"I don't know what you're talking about", Harry said.

I chuckled at the pair as I walked away, not caring anymore about the conversation.

"I'm the only person capable of thinking, clearly", I told them as I reached them.

"Ready?" Fred asked.

"Well, that depends. Do we know where Moody's room is?"

"Obviously", George grinned. "We did do something while you were gone.

I grinned back. "Perhaps".

We creeped down to the second floor, where the room we were looking for was located.

"It's so cool being invisible", Fred whispered and I realized how close we all were underneath the cloak.

"Personal space", I whispered back.

"Sorry", he replied and I shivered at his hot breath on my neck.

We suddenly stopped in front of a large wooden door.

"This is the one", George said.

I hesitated. "Now you're sure Moody's talking to Dumbledore about something?"

"Positive".

I turned the doorknob and was surprised it was unlocked. After pushing the door open, I stared around the room.

Flask, oh flask. Where art thou flask? I thought, searching with my eyes.

I looked back at the twins and I saw Fred looking pointedly at the brass flask on the nightstand.

"In plain sight", I whispered and picked it up, unscrewing the top. George passed me the vile of Laughing Liquid and I tipped it slightly, waiting for it to pour.

"You this eye can see through cloaks, don't you?" a gruff voice from behind demanded.

I prayed to Merlin that it wasn't who I thought it was, but as the cloak was pulled off, I knew we were caught.

"Weasley! Lovette! Weasley! What do you think you're doing?!"

I dropped the items I was holding and flinched as the fell to the ground, clinking against the floor.

Moody's eyes – or eye – narrowed at us. "Are you barking mad?" he spat harshly.

"Run?" Fred suggested to his twin and I.

"He'd just hex us into next week", I replied.

"Detention!"

We shrugged. Nothing big, we were expecting this.

"In the Forbidden Forest", he added.

I tensed slightly, but we've gone in there before. We had Fang, and Hagrid; there was nothing to be afraid of.

"By yourselves".

My eyes widened and I felt the twins step back in shock on either side of me.

"Is that allowed?" George asked skeptically.

"Hagrid will be waiting at the edge of the forest. If you get hurt, just send up red sparks. If you don't come back, I'm sure your funeral will be nice".

I swallowed hard. "When?"

"When will you die? Oh, five minutes in I'm sure".

I blinked, "I meant when is our detention?"

Moody grunted, "Tonight"

Me and the twins sighed, and then nodded.

"I want you three at Hagrid's hut by nine sharp!" he barked. "If you decide to skip or come late…I will come find you".

We left the room after that comment, not daring to talk before we made it onto the next floor.

"The man's bloody mad", George exclaimed once we were a safe distance away.

"Did you see that eye of his? It scares the hell out of me!" I responded.

"Well", Fred said, "That prank failed".

I rolled my eyes. "Just a bit".

"We can't just not prank today. We have to do something – before our detention of course – but nothing too risky to get us another one", George sighed. "I'm tired of shining the trophies".

"And sorting Snape's potions", I added. "How many does that man really need?"

"I hope he has one that makes a good shampoo, or we're all in trouble", Fred shrugged.

We laughed at this as we entered the common room, looking around for worthy targets.

"First years?" the boys asked in unison.

I grinned and nodded. "First years".

I'm not gonna lie. As I walked into that forest, bidding goodbye to Hagrid, I was scared.

"So", George said as we were walking in. "This is creepy".

"Just a bit", Fred replied. "Scared yet, Ryleigh?"

I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing I was scared.

"No. But if you need to hold my hand, Freddy-dear, it's okay", I told him in a baby voice.

He glared playfully and pushed me lightly.

A twig snapped somewhere in front of me and I froze. "What was that?"

George sighed. "You see, Ry, when my foot contacts with a flimsy stick on the ground, it makes a sound", he said and I could practically hear the grin in his voice.

"It might help if your wand was lit, mate", Fred added.

I turned to see both of them with their wands lit and I blushed slightly, glad that it was dark. "Right", I muttered, "Lumos".

"Atta' girl", Fred grinned, slapping me on the back.

I stuck my tongue out at him as we walked deeper into the forest.

"So what exactly are we looking for?" George asked.

"Uh", Fred looked down at the parchment in his hand. "Eye of Newt?"

"And where would we find Eye of Newt?"

I rolled my eyes. "Doesn't anybody else listen in class? Eye of Newt is found in Thickett bushes".

Fred blinked. "Yeah, what do those look like again?"

"Like…" I looked around and then pointed at a bush. "Like those".

George grinned. "Brilliant! Now we can get out of here!"

"Aw, scared Georgie-Porgie?" I asked and pouted my lip.

He scoffed. "No. I'm just worried for the sake of your health".

I shot him a skeptical look. "Alright, sure", I responded and then grabbed a couple of the items needed.

"Here", Fred muttered, holding out the bucket we were told to bring along. As I emptied the stuff, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Okay. Now, which way did we come from?" I asked.

"Um", George stopped to think, "That way?"

"No, I'm sure it was that way", Fred said, pointing in another direction.

We heard snarling in the distance where Fred was pointing and my breath got caught in my throat.

"I like my way better. Come on!" George exclaimed and we ran.

The trees rustled behind us as we were making our way out of the forest, and unfortunately I stumbled.

"Ry, come on!" Fred said urgently and grabbed my hand, pulling me up.

"Almost there", I heard George mutter as we saw the light from Hagrid's lantern up ahead.

"Blimey!" Hagrid exclaimed once we were out. "What's the matter with you three?"

"There was something in there!" I told him.

"Well, o' course there's things in there. It's a bloody forest, ain't it?" Hagrid demanded and I couldn't help but glare at him.

"Here", I said and thrust the bucket into his hands.

"Aw, now come on, Ryleigh", Hagrid said, his large eyes looking sad. "I'm sorry it gave you such a fright".

I huffed. "It didn't give me a fright".

"Uh huh", George rolled his eyes. "Sure".

I gaped at him. "You ran out there like a mouse running from a cat!"

"Well, there was something in there!" he protested.

"Now, now", Hagrid interrupted. "It's time you lot go off to bed. G'night".

And with that, he turned and headed back into his hut.

"Scaredy-cat", Fred whispered in my ear as we walked back up to the castle.

I frowned but remembered how he had stopped to help me get up in the forest, so my eyes softened a bit.

"Thanks", I said with a small smile.

He grinned back. "Anytime".

"Ryleigh", a heavily accented voice said from behind me and I blushed automatically, knowing who it was.

I turned around to smile at Calvin, "Hi". I always sounded so nervous around him but mainly because I was.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked.

I looked at the seat next to me and then I heard Angelina clear her throat from across the table. I heard Katie kick her under the table and smile eagerly at me. That was usually Fred's seat at dinner, but he and George were late for some reason. I shook my head out of my thoughts and smiled.

"No, of course not. Sit down", I replied reassuringly.

"I did not see you last night after dinner. Not avoiding me, are you?" Calvin said with an irresistible smirk.

I bit my lip and shook my head. "No, I had a detention with – "

"Fred! George!" Alicia snapped. "Where's my book?"

I spun around in my seat and sure enough, there was the twins entering the hall.

"Oi! Who's that bloke sitting in my seat? Finnigan, if it's you trying to lay some lines on Ryleigh again I swear, I'll – ", Fred was saying as he walking towards the table before stopping dead in his tracks, seeing who was in his seat.

I cringed at the look that he gave Calvin, his usual bright brown eyes dark and the twinkle that was always ever so present, gone.

He glanced over at George who seemed to be holding his breath.

"Who's this?" Fred asked, nodding at Calvin.

"Ah, Calvin Beaumont. Pleased to meet you", he said, getting up to shake Fred's hand.

He looked at Calvin's hand, blankly before blinking and saying, "Fred Weasley. Also known as the owner to the seat that you're currently occupying".

Katie glared harshly. "Fred! Calvin is a guest at our table. Surely you can sit somewhere else for one meal?" she snapped.

George shifted uncomfortably and placed his hand on his twin's shoulder. "Erm, listen, mate. You can have my seat tonight. Sound good?" he offered hopefully. He usually sat on the other side of me, and we all knew how hot red heads can get when angry.

"Fine", he grumbled, taking a seat on the other side of me.

I pulled at my sleeves, looking at him apologetically. Gryffindor boys were really – uhm – territorial.

"Uh, what were you saying, Ryleigh?" Calvin asked, his voice managing to sound both smooth and nervous at the same time.

"Oh, I had a detention last night", I told him with a small smile.

An outburst of giggles came from Katie as I noticed that the blonde Jean-Luc was sitting next to her. She was blushing furiously as he was smirking widely. I turned back to Calvin, feeling the tension in the air lighten up a bit.

"Je vois – I see", he said with a stunning grin. "It's quite alright, mon cherie".

Fred slammed down his fork loudly and mumbled, "I'm not hungry anymore.

Angelina rolled her eyes, "What? When are you not hungry?"

"I'm just not hungry, alright?"

I looked at Fred, shocked. "Erm, are you sick? Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing or something?"

His eyes lightened up and he nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes, Ryleigh, you should definitely take me to the Hospital Wing."

I got up from my seat slowly and said, "Alright then".

Calvin got up also and Fred looked at him suddenly. "No, just Ryleigh", he said.

Our part of the table was silent, along with the Golden Trio who had heard Fred's fork slam against the ancient wood. Calvin swallowed nervously, "Excusez moi?"

"Nothing against you, Cristopher, but I don't want you to come down with something. You see, Ry's immune system is really strong and I know she won't catch whatever I have", Fred stated, the twinkle in his eye still not returned yet.

Katie cleared her throat and laughed nervously. "Fred, you're being silly. His name is Calvin first of all and second, I'm sure you're fine. You had a big breakfast after all. Sit down, all of you."

"Katie, hush up", he replied and she made a small 'hmph' sound.

"Why don't you just take George with you?" she retorted before looking at me encouragingly, "Ryleigh, sit down."

I opened my mouth to say something, but felt it close quickly.

"Because if both twins are sick, who's going to be devishly handsome, charming and funny at this table?" Fred smirked, some of his usual self coming back.

I began to lower myself into my seat, unsure of what was happening before Fred's hand brushed against mine and I felt a sharp intake of breath come through my lips.

"Ry, please. I don't feel well", Fred murmured, his brown eyes boring into mine.

I swallowed hard and nodded before looking at Calvin once more. "I'm really sorry. I'll talk to you after, alright? Promise".

Calvin sighed but nodded, the charming smile returning to his face. "Of course, ma belle", he said as he lifted my hand up to his lips. "Jusqu'a ce que nous rencontrons encore".

I bit my lip before taking a deep breath. "What does that mean?" I asked quickly.

He smirked and kept my hand in his. "Until we meet again".

I opened my mouth to respond, but once again I felt my lips going numb. "Uhm, right. Fred? Let's go", I said awkwardly before looking back to the lot I usually eat with. "I'll see you guys in the common room".

George and Lee responded with a goodbye, Angelina and Alicia both waved but I could pratically feel Katie glaring at Fred's back as we walked away. Once we were out of the hall I looked at him seriously and sighed.

"You're not sick".

"Yes, I am!" Fred protested, looking hurt.

I returned the expression and rolled my eyes. "I'm your best friend, Fred. You think I don't know when something's up?"

"I…" he began but then looked away, "I don't know what you're talking about.

"Rubbish", I muttered before walking down the hallway, leaving him behind me.

"Ryleigh!" I heard him call, but I didn't stop. The sound of footsteps running after me soon floated into my ears. "Ry!"

Fred made his way ahead of me quickly – curse his long legs – and held me by my shoulders.

I pouted slightly and sighed. "Can't you just tell me what's wrong?"

He looked away once more. "Nothing", he insisted.

My hands met his and our fingers entwined. I looked at him seriously, "You never act like that unless it's something. Tell me".

He shrugged, his eyes softening and mumbled, "I don't like Calvin".

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, thanks. I realized that", I told him.

"Well…"

"Well what?"

"There's something odd about him!"

"Fred".

"I'm serious!" he insisted. "I just have a feeling. And you know my feelings are always right".

I bit my lip as I realized he had a point there. I always trusted his feelings but maybe this time it was just territorial issues. I didn't know, to be honest.

"Well", I sighed, "You're going to have to be civil to him because he may just end up being my date to the Yule Ball".

Fred's jaw dropped and I quickened my pace, down the hallway.

"Ry", he started cautiously. "What do you mean by that?"

I avoided his eyes and smiled sheepishly, "I mean he's going to ask me, and seeing as nobody else I would actually consider asked me to the ball…"

Fred swallowed nervously. "Nobody?"

I shook my head and shrugged. "Nobody I would actually want to go with".

"I don't have a date yet", he pointed out.

I smiled and said, "I know but don't worry, I'll help you find somebody!"

He stopped walking and said, "No, Ryleigh. You don't understand me".

I looked at him oddly. "Uh, alright? Well then help me understand." I honestly had no idea what he was getting at.

He took a deep breath, looked down at his feet and mumbled something quickly. I blinked. "Huh? Say it again, louder and slower".

Fred looked up at me and smiled nervously. "You're my best friend, Ry", he started.

I laughed and ruffled his hair. "I know that, silly! Go on".

He grinned and rubbed the back of his head before saying, "Will you –".

"Ryleigh!"

I froze in my spot, my eyes trained on Fred as I held my breath. I knew who it was.

He looked behind me before looking back into my eyes once more. "Forget it".

I shook my head frantically, "No, Fred. Go on".

Fred scuffed the floor with his shoe and sighed. "Just forget it, mon cherie. It looks like your croissant is calling".

And with that, he turned away to walk down the hallway as I heard Calvin walking up behind me.

"Is Fred feeling better?" he asked, cheerily.

I was still watching the red mess of hair walk down the hallway as I muttered, "Doubt it".