Bludger Babe, Quaffle Quarrels, and Snitch Snogs

Chapter Four

Disclaimer: In no way do I own any of these characters, except Elyse Woodthrop, and I claim no rights to them.

"Fred, stop it!" I was giggling. Giggling so hard my sides hurt. I tried to stop, but I couldn't. It was an uncontrollable force and it burned… it burned badly. He tickled me in my rib area again and I collapsed to the floor, dying with laughter. "C'mon, Fred! Please… I-can't-breathe." I struggled to get out between gasps for extra oxygen.

"Okay, I'll stop." He stopped and his face turned serious. I sat there, crumpled into a ball (an exhausted ball, I might add) while my attacker was now genuinely annoyed… or something. I'd never seen him look so serious before. To be completely honest, it scared me.

I sat there for a minute, him standing above me until that stupid Fred grin spread across his face and he came at me again. This time, I grabbed him and pulled him down, too. He happened to land on top of me. Of course, we were both still doubled over with laughter, until we realized exactly what situation we were in and our faces both turned a little pink.

I was going to kiss him. I was so going to do it, until we heard a familiar voice break the silence and ruin the moment.

"Fred… and Elyse!" Angelina's voice rang through the empty hallway.

On the inside, I wanted to die. I felt like I had imploded and had absolutely no internal organs left. So much for the alone time with Fred.

"Hullo, Gine," I started, kindly pushing Fred off of me. After he regained composure, he held out his strong right hand to help me up. I couldn't decide whether to be annoyed and stand up quickly, on my own… acting a little flustered or to flirt with him like all get out. I decided on the second one and my soft, gentle, small, French-manicured right hand reached out to his. His hand embraced mine and he made sure I caught my balance before letting go. I don't think he knew that I noticed he held my hand a little bit longer than necessary and that he was looking at my face the entire time, but I wasn't going to say anything.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," Gina said in her usual sweet voice.

"Nope, not a thing," I said in response without hesitation. I let out a small girlish laugh, dusted my robes off, and headed for the Potions door only a few feet away.

I expected the two of them to be right behind me, but, as usual, I was wrong. I entered the cold, damp dungeon silently and looked around to finally spot Professor Snape at his desk in the far corner of the room, behind a huge stack of paperwork.

"Ah, Miss Woodthrap," Snape began. He was giving me his routine menacing smirk that seemed to be plastered on his face. "Where, may I ask, is your cohort?" He was almost smiling at me with that stupid face of his. I wanted to slap him.

"How should I know?" I was about to snap, but I restrained and replied calmly. "He's coming, Professor."

Just then the door opened exposing Fred and Angelina. She seemed happy enough, but he looked… mad. Of course, from previous experience, I wasn't sure whether to believe it or not.

"Mr. Weasley and Miss Johnson. Nice of you two to join us," Snape's face wasn't as smirking as before. Now he just looked pissed, but I guess if I wore all black every day I'd be pretty pissed and depressed, too. I can't blame the guy.

Wait… did I just say that? Ew, Elise.

"Sorry, Professor," Angelina stuttered with a pause before she elbowed Fred in the ribs.

"Yes, s-s-sorry, Professor Snape." Fred rubbed where her elbow had struck and I wasn't sure if I could read him right, but from what I was seeing, Fred wanted to almost kill Angelina. If only looks could kill. I laughed aloud without realizing it.

"Is something funny, Miss Woodthrop?"

I gulped. I could feel blood rushing to my head, turning my face a beautiful shade of crimson that I hated.

"Er… no, sir. I was just…" I paused as those cold, dark eyes glared at me. I couldn't make myself make eye contact with him, so I stared at his black combat boots. "Thinking aloud."

"Yes, whatever," he began. His eyes departed from my helpless body and looked to Fred and Gina who were still standing close to the closed door. "Now, this is difficult… I wasn't expecting three, just two, so I must split one of you from the rest… and from what I see, it be best if Miss Johnson worked with me at my desk, filing, whilst Mr. Weasley and Miss Woodthrop work on cleaning out the inventory room. The cabinets are filthy and the ceaseless cobwebs are becoming worse and worse."

A flood of relief swept through my body. I wasn't going to have to work with Snape after all. It would be just me and Fred. I didn't know whether this would be good or bad, but what I didn't know was I was definitely in for a surprise.

A big one.

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[Author's Notes ~ Okay, short chapter. Sorry bout that… but hey, you want a chapter so here's one. Next one coming soon! What's the surprise??? Hmmm… what do you think? Let me know in your reviews! 3 – Hannah]