Dear Readers,
I'm sorry it's been so long, I know I originally said I'd try and post this chapter almost a month and a half ago now, but finals were rough. I finished up on the 9th of December, but I've been so busy since I got home that I haven't had much time to myself, and when I did, I was usually sleeping or catching up on my shows. So I apologize for the lateness on this. When I finished this chapter, I focused on the little Christmas special one-shot. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to go check it out. It's just meant to be a cute little fic, being a HarryxOC one. The female, Kiera, is a character you might possibly see in the future. Let me know what you think about her if/when you read Holly and Mistletoe. Anyways, do enjoy this latest chapter.
Chapter 6: Courtship?
"And what about Fred and George?"
"What about them?" I asked, sighing softly.
Hermione shook her head, looking at me. "You don't see it, do you?"
"Hermione, you're being cryptic again." I frowned, looking at her.
"Well I shouldn't have to point it out, but it's so obvious they have feelings for you!" She sighed, running a hand through those crazy locks. "And Fred has been so depressed this year, it's obvious he's hiding something."
"Wait, you've noticed it too?" I asked, sitting up a bit straighter.
"I don't see why anyone else hasn't! It's like the laughter has died inside of him or something." She shook her head, frowning slightly as her eyes quickly scanned the common room, but everyone around them was too busy with their own things to notice our discussion, and she looked back at me. "I've started thinking Fred has given up so you and George can give it a go and be happy."
The blush already on my cheeks darkened as I shook my head. "Why does everyone think they're so madly in love with me or something?"
"Because they are, I think part of you is just not ready to accept that fact because you don't know your own feelings yet." Hermione stated with yet another sigh. "The way I see it, you shouldn't go around breaking their hearts, especially with some French blonde who will be gone by the end of school year. And it's common knowledge most long distance relationships don't last so what's the point?"
It seemed as though sighs were going to come frequently in this conversation as another left my lips. "Yeah, and what about you and Viktor Krum?"
The blush that appeared on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed, but she still waved it off with a stern look. "No changing the subject."
"Alright alright, jeez. Just don't get hypocritical on me Hermione." I told her as I rubbed my temples. "The twins have been my best friends since my first year, despite the fact that we're in different houses and years. But I've never really thought of them as my brothers, even when I openly admit I love them. I'm just having troubles separating the love for a friend and love love. I think that's part of the reason I'm so willing to try it with Clovis, even if there is only like a small chance it could last. I don't want to use him, and I won't admit to using Duncan like that, but I think part of me just wants to … take more studies to try to understand exactly how I feel for Fred and George." I drew in a long breath and sighed once more.
Hermione watched me for a moment, the slightest hint of a smile on her face. "You want to be in love with one of them romantically, don't you?"
I blushed more and looked away. "Like I said, they're my best friends. After everything that happened with my father, I look at my parents and see that their relationship isn't just romantic. They laugh and joke and tease and there have been times where they just sat and talked the night away. And it wasn't big things, like what my dad missed over the years, it's the simplest little things. I'd like something like that, and when I think about it…I could have that with Fred or George, because we already do most of that when it's just me and one of them."
She smiled more. "So you're just having troubles deciding who you're more in love love with?"
"Exactly." I said, knowing my cheeks were still red. "And don't you dare speak a word of this to Harry or Ron. Harry alone has enough on his mind lately." My eyes darted over to the two in question to see Ron grinning as one of his pawns took down Harry's queen. I smiled softly, shaking my head. I really needed to teach Harry how to play wizard's chest properly. "I don't want him to worry about my conflicting feelings."
"You are like a sister to him. He seems happier, after he spent that week with you and his parents." Hermione said, looking down at her book again. "Though he hasn't really told Ron or I anything much about it."
"Hermione, you don't have to know everything. You may be Gryffindor's little know-it-all, but no one can really know it all." I laughed when she pouted and huffed.
"We're straying off topic again." She said flatly, obviously not amused with my teasing.
I smiled softly. "Okay fine, what else are we meant to talk about?"
"What are you going to do if Clovis asks you out?"
"Tell him sorry, but I've already got enough going on in my love life to have to deal with someone I'll likely not be with come summer." I said, closing my eyes and leaned my head back. "…if I were to say yes, speaking hypocritically, which twin do you think will be hurt most?" I asked suddenly.
When she spoke, a blush rose to my cheeks.
"Fred."
There wasn't even a pause.
"Why?"
"I shouldn't be the one to explain that to you, Alexis. It should be him."
My frowned deepened as I shifted in my seat, eyes opening to look at her again. I opened my mouth, ready to say as my friend she should try to help me at least a little bit. But before the words could leave my mouth, the portrait hole burst open and laughter and grumbling suddenly filled the common room. Without turning around I knew the twins had finished their detention early, but I did turn to smile at them as they came over.
"Hey Lex, wasn't expecting you here since we were off in detention." Fred smiled widely, sitting on the floor in front of me as George took the arm chair that sat just to my right.
"Well everyone does keep saying I should be in Gryffindor anyways, why not spend my time here?" I asked, causing the twins to laugh as my eyes looked down at Fred. The laughter barely reached his eyes and as I remembered what Hermione had said only a few minutes before; I reached down to run my fingers through that flame colored hair.
His chuckling died down as he looked up at me, a questioning look in his eyes. I merely smiled softly at him, not wanting to say anything that might hint to what Hermione and I were just talking about, and continued to pet his ginger locks. After a few moments, Fred just smiled back at me and rested his head against the couch cushion, closing his eyes to enjoy the touch.
As I watched him, I never noticed the smiles shot at us. The 'I just knew it' smile from a bushy-haired fourth year and the 'I don't stand a chance anymore' smile from another red-head.
The next morning I sat between Harry and George at the Gryffindor table eating breakfast. Fred and Ron sat across from Harry and me while Hermione sat on Harry's other side. I was talking with Harry and the twins about getting mock quidditch teams together when the Owl Post came.
A small stack of letters landed next to my plate, and I smiled when I saw my father's hand writing on the front of the top letter.
"How many letters do you have there?" Hermione asked, leaning back to talk behind Harry as she opened up a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Looks like four." I answered. "I know two are from my parents…wonder who gave me the other ones." I bit my lip, thinking for a bit before I grabbed the letters. I set the two aside that were from my parents and looked at the other two. I frowned, not recognizing the handwriting on one as the other looked very official.
A soft sigh escaped my lips as I set down the hand written one, opening the official looking letter. I blinked a few times after I unfolded the parchment and started to read.
Dear Ms. Alexis Cooper
Your skills as a seeker has recently come to our attention and we would like to offer you a place in the try-outs for the Holyhead Harpies this next June, after you have completed your sixth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I attended most of your games this previous year and saw your skills on the broom and would love to have you consider joining our ranks as professional quidditch players. I know this letter seems to have come a year early, but since there will sadly be no quidditch at Hogwarts this year, I thought I should take the chance to catch your attention now, before other teams discover what I have seen in you. Please owl me back in the next few days with any thoughts, questions, or possible decisions you may have.
Sincerely,
Gwenog Jones
Captain of the Holyhead Harpies
I gasped, eyes widening. I didn't even blink when the letter was taken from my hands.
"They Holyhead Harpies? Aren't they a bit early." George laughed after he quickly read the letter, he passed it across the table to Fred before he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Knew you had it in you Alexis."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, ginger brows knitting together.
"Lex is being recruited by the Holyhead Harpies!" Fred answered, grinning like a fool. "Through a letter from Gwenog Jones herself. My oh my, who knew you'd get this in your fifth year!"
"That's great Alexis." Harry grinned. "Going pro, I think your parents would be really proud."
"Oh hush Harry, you're bound to get letters like this too." I told him, laughing. "You're as good a seeker as I am."
"And yet he still catches the snitch before you every time." Fred teased, earning a halfhearted kick in the shins.
"Hush you." I said, grinning widely as I took the letter from Fred. I looked at it once more, smiling widely. 'The Holyhead Harpies want me. Wow.' I carefully folded the parchment back up and put it in my bag.
"Now I wonder what this one is about." George said, snatching up the other unidentified letter.
I rolled my eyes and plucked it out of his fingers. "Only one way to find out." I said, breaking the wax seal with all eyes of our group on me. My eyes widened a second time when a rose popped out in front of me. The sudden frowns on Fred and George's face went unnoticed as I pulled the letter out of the envelope and I started to read.
Dearest Alexis,
Only days have passed and still I feel as though there is something great between us, something that I hope you feel as well and understand why I choose to act on it. You have been a light to me in this foreign place, and, since there is no father to ask, I ask you of this personal. What I ask for, is your permission to court you officially.
Sincerely,
Clovis
"Oh my." I said, blushing faintly as I set the letter down on the table.
"What is it?" Harry asked, watching as George grabbed the letter from my fingers and read it as well. By the end his eyes were wide and darkened.
"That little-"
"George no!" I grabbed his arm, pulling him back down when he made to stand and go over to where the Beauxbatons students were sitting at Ravenclaw table. "It doesn't matter, I wouldn't have accepted it anyways."
"What is it?" Hermione asked, though her question went ignored as George growled.
"Of course it matters Lex, that French idiot asked to court you!" He said, looking at me.
"WHAT?" Fred stood, only to be pulled back down onto the bench by Ron.
"Can he do that?" Harry asked.
"Since no one really knows who my father is, yeah, he can." I said, sighing. "It's really only common among pure bloods that people still do courting and all that crap. Personally, it's just way too old fashion. And again, I'm not going to say yes." I looked at the twins, who I knew were plotting some prank for Clovis as they fumed. "He's only a friend, nothing more…and there might be someone else I like…"
"WHAT?" Both twins looked at me with wide eyes, their anger at Clovis momentarily replaced.
"That's not the point, just don't kill anyone, okay?" I stood, putting the letters in my bag and grabbing a piece of toast before I walked away.
'I can't believe I hinted to it…' I thought as I left the Great Hall, a soft blush appearing on my cheeks as I thought of his reaction to Clovis' letter. 'This is going to be an interesting year.'
