Chapter 7 – The Suspicions
Look over there! It's an update! Hehe! Well...in this chapter, George enters the plot, causing plenty of problems. Hope you like and REVIEW!
"I'm hungry."
"I don't care."
"I'm hungry."
"Lee, will you shut up," Katie said, glaring at him. "We'll go in for lunch in a minute." They were currently standing on the steps of Hogwarts, while the rest of the castle was settling down for lunch.
"Why can't we go now?" Lee whined.
"We have to arrive late so all the attention is on us! Remember, we're on a mission here!" Katie answered with as much enthusiasm as she could manage. Truth be told, she was hungry too.
"A mission? Is that what we're calling it now?" Lee grumbled. Katie glared at him.
"Come on. I think we can go in now." She started up the steps.
"Wait, Katie, hold my hand," Lee called. Katie groaned, but still placed her hand in Lee's. "How much longer do I have to do this? What are we trying to accomplish anyway?"
"Until Fred admits everything he did," Katie answered as they walked up the stairs. They paused before walking through the door. "Believe me, I hate this just as much as you do," she assured him, pushing on the heavy wood doors. They walked into the Great Hall, where everyone was settled down, chattering and eating. Katie and Lee spotted their friends and headed over to sit near them, across from each other.
"Hey Katie," Angelina greeted. Alicia's eyes were glued on Lee for some reason. Katie spotted Harry, Hermione and Ron sitting at the other end of the table. Ron had a turkey leg in one hand and a chicken leg in the other. Hermione was glaring at him, and it looked as though she was about to start lecturing him about his table manners. Harry was watching her cautiously, knowing that she would blow any moment.
"Where's Fred?" Lee asked all of a sudden. Katie looked at him in confusion, and then, after a quick glance around the table, she saw that Lee was right. Fred was nowhere to be found.
"He's in his room," George answered, stabbing his potatoes. He looked agitated.
"What's he doing in there?" Katie asked.
"Beats me. He refused to come down to lunch. Said he wasn't in the mood," George said. "It's not like him to miss a meal." It certainly wasn't like him. Katie had seen this first hand. It seemed like a big appetite was a running trait in the Weasley family.
"It's fine," Alicia said, waving it off. "I think he can handle skipping one meal."
"That's not the problem, Alicia," George snapped. "He's holed up in his room for some reason, that's the problem. What's up with him? Any ideas?"
Katie, Alicia, Angelina and Lee all exchanged glances before saying a quick, "No idea."
"I hope he's alright though," Angelina added, to show her concern. Katie was worried too. Lunch seemed oddly quiet with just the five of them. Fred wasn't there to crack jokes, and without him, George didn't seem in the mood either. Lee – who could normally tell a decent story – was also oddly quiet. Eventually, it got to be too much for Katie. She noticed that George was looking at her strangely.
"What?" she asked, after his eyes stayed fixed on her. He just shrugged and turned to look at Lee, who was gazing distractedly at his broccoli. Then, George's eyes flickered back to her, and back to Lee, until he was looking back and forth. "George Weasley, why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like that," Katie said unhelpfully. George just shook his head. "God George, I really don't know what's gotten into you Weasley boys." With that, she stood up and stomped out of the Great Hall.
What had gotten into George? Why had he been staring at her like that? Well, it wasn't only her; he had been staring at Lee too for some reason. But why would he be staring at both of them like that? Something stuck in Katie's head.
Lee… both… Lee and Katie…
She froze in her tracks. It was so obvious, she kicked herself for not figuring it out sooner. George didn't know about the plan, and Lee and her hadn't been acting in love at the slightest. Not a single word said to each other, not a single glance passed. No wonder he was looking so suspicious. Katie groaned. Now they'd done it. She would have to avoid George until this whole thing blew over. Sadly, George had other plans.
As she was walking down one of the narrower corridors (it was a shortcut) she felt something grab her wrist, and she was spun around roughly. She found herself staring into brown eyes that were glittering with suspicion.
"Katie Bell. Tell me what is going on right now," he said dangerously. Katie stood her ground.
"Nothing is going on George. Now if you'll kindly remove your hand." She tried to wrench her hand free, but he had an iron grip on her. It was starting to hurt, but headstrong as she was, she refused to complain about it.
"Why is Fred up in his room?" George growled.
"Just how do you expect me to know?" Katie shot back.
"You were out with him this morning. What happened?" George asked.
"Nothing happened!"
"What happened?" George repeated with more force, shaking Katie's wrist.
"Ouch, George, ouch, stop it!" Katie cried, her refusal to complain dissolving as she felt as though her wrist would snap any moment. "We got into a fight, that's all!" George stopped shaking her, but he maintained a grip on her wrist.
"A fight over what?" he asked, eyes narrowing. Katie looked at the floor. "Answer me," George smiled.
"He got mad at me for liking Lee," Katie said, glaring at him. If looks could kill, he would be a goner. "And he had no right to get mad like that. That's all. That's hardly a good reason for him to shut himself up like that. He was wrong."
"He got mad at you for liking Lee?" George said, looking a little dazed. "Why would he get mad at that?"
"How do you expect me to know?" Katie snapped, still trying to tug herself free. "Let me go now George, or I swear I will–oomph." Without warning, George had let go of Katie's hand, sending her sprawling on the floor.
"Sorry," George said, offering her a hand. She took it, but as soon as she was standing again, she gave him a good kick in the shin and stalked off to the library.
The Proper Use of Blood. No. Guide for Basic Charms. No. Hogwarts: A History. No. The Polyjuice Problems. Hmm, that was supposed to be good.
Katie slid the book off the shelf. It was fairly thick, meaning it would keep her occupied for a while. She flipped through the pages absent-mindedly, enjoying the small breeze that came with it.
"That's a good book," a voice behind her said. She turned and saw Hermione watching her, four books in hand.
"You've read it?" Katie asked, surprised. She hadn't ever thought of Hermione as a fiction type of person. She seemed to prefer books filled with facts.
Hermione nodded. "I like to read fiction sometimes. It's a nice break from all the numbers and facts."
"Don't you like numbers and facts?"
"I don't read books because I like the numbers and facts. I read them because I like learning about new things, and I'm curious about the contents of the books. I don't read them so I can sprout facts at random moments, I read them to satisfy my hunger for knowledge," she said seriously. "But I still love a good story, though our lives would already be considered a story in the Muggle world." Katie laughed.
"They would, wouldn't they?"
"Any new developments on the Fred dilemma?" Hermione asked kindly. Katie remembered that she still hadn't told her about the plan, so she began explaining it. Hermione listened carefully. "Not bad, but don't hurt his feelings too much," Hermione said once she was finished.
"I don't know. I'm starting to get worried," Katie confessed. "Fred didn't turn up for lunch today, and George said he's holed up in his room."
"Do you have any idea why?"
"Well, we did get into a bit of an argument earlier," Katie admitted, "but it was all his fault." She explained what had happened.
"I think I know what's going on," Hermione said with a sneaky smile once Katie was done.
"What?" Katie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"The plan is working. You're starting to get to Fred," she said cheerfully. Katie considered this. Hermione was probably right…as always.
Katie sighed. "I guess I'll head up to the Common Room now, are you coming?" Hermione looked like she was about to say yes, but then her eyes caught on the shelf of books that Katie had been browsing through.
"Those books are all out of order," she exclaimed. "You go ahead Katie, I'll just organize these and see you later."
"Hermione, you really don't have to-"
"I know," Hermione cut her off. "But I want to. This is my sanctuary, and I can't stand it being messed up like this." She placed her books on a desk and began pulling books off of the shelves. Katie smiled to herself as she left the library.
Katie walked into the Common Room thinking about curling up on a nice, warm armchair and reading her book. That never happened. As soon as she was through the portrait hole, George rushed over and began tugging on her arm.
"George, what do you think you're doing," Katie demanded.
"You've got to get up there Katie! Fred put locking charms on the door and he won't even let me in. How am I supposed to sleep?" George said frantically.
"Well, how do you expect me to help?" Katie said, struggling to resist George's pushes towards the boy's stairs.
"Talk to him. Settle the fight or whatever!"
"But, George-" He didn't listen, he just pushed Katie up the stairs, and blocked the entrance back to the Common Room.
"You're not coming out of there until Fred unlocks that door," he said firmly. "No one gets in, no one gets out." Katie frowned. What did they expect her to do?
Grumbling to herself, she climbed the stairs and stopped outside the door that she knew to be Fred's. Taking a deep breath, she knocked. No answer. She knocked again. Still no answer.
"Fred," she called. "It's me. Katie." Yeah, like that would get him to open the door. If anything, it would make him more determined to keep it shut. "Can we talk?" No answer.
Katie thought. George said he put locking charms on the door, so the door can't be unlocked, but it can be destroyed, Katie thought, well, it's a start.
She pulled her wand out, pointed it to the door, and yelled, "Bombarda." There was a large flash of yellow light, and when it cleared the door was still completely intact. He must have put a spell on it to protect it from spells like that. Katie tapped her foot impatiently, trying to think of another way in, when she had an idea. She raced up the stairs to the next dorm up and threw open the door. Thankfully, it was empty. She walked to the center of the room and, deciding to kick things up a notch yelled "Bombarda Maxima!"
The room shook and the floor looked like it was about to cave in. Unfortunately, the spell was a tad too strong, and Katie saw that instead of just a section of the floor, the entire floor was about to fall. She braced herself and felt the floor giving way under her. I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die.
Katie hit something soft and then heard a cry of pain. Her eyes were still squeezed shut. She buried her head into something soft, trying not to breathe in the dust that was now floating around. Finally, she opened her eyes slowly and lifted her head. She was met with Fred's brown eyes, which were currently looking very startled.
"Hello," she said weakly. It came out dry and raspy, probably from the dust that had lodged itself in her throat. She coughed.
"What the hell Katie," Fred said angrily, throwing her off of him and standing up. He was covered in a fine layer of rock powder.
"You wouldn't open the door." There was the sound of pounding footsteps and then banging on the door. Fred sighed and pointed his wand at the door, muttering a spell. The door burst open to reveal George. He glanced at the two of them, the pile of rubble on the floor, and the lack of ceiling.
"This is going to take a really strong Mending Charm," he commented. "Get out now Katie."
"But I thought you wanted me to-"
"I think you've done enough," George cut her off, looking at the ceiling sadly. There was the sound of more footsteps, until almost all of Gryffindor was piled outside the room, staring in awe at the broken ceiling.
"Now you've gone and done it," Fred whispered indignantly. Katie glared at him.
"I've gone and done it? Me? This is all your fault," she hissed. "You're the one who wouldn't open the bloody door."
"Ha, sure, blame it all on me, like you always do. What is your problem?"
"My problem is you and your lack of humanness," Katie answered haughtily. Their eyes met and they glared at each other. Then, without warning, the both burst into laughter.
"We sound like an old married couple," Fred said, wiping his eyes. Katie was laughing so hard, she was having trouble breathing. George, along with the rest of Gryffindor, was looking at them like they were crazy…which they probably were.
"We're going to need a really powerful spell," George said with a frown. Hermione pushed through the crowd.
"I've got it," she announced, pointing her wand into the room. "Reparo Maxima."
Katie watched in awe as the furniture flew up to the dorm above and the ceiling repaired itself. One of the beds that had splintered while the debris had been falling righted itself, and the broken leg fixed itself. Once it was done, the room was back to normal. Except for the dust that still coated everything.
"Scourgify," Hermione said clearly. The room began to clean itself until even the dust was gone and it was shinier than before.
"Thanks Hermione," George said gratefully. "I don't know what we'd do without you. We only know Destruction Charms. We leave the Mending Charms to people like you."
"I've noticed," Hermione said dryly. "Now, maybe we should all leave so Fred and Katie can sort things out." She herded everyone out of the room, and with a wink to Katie she was gone. Katie glanced over at Fred and saw him playing with his hands nervously.
"I'm sorry Katie," he said quietly. "It was my fault. I was being a prat. I shouldn't have reacted like that. You were right. It's none of my bloody business."
"Fred Weasley giving a formal apology? I think might have hit my head on the drop," Katie teased. Then she assumed a serious expression. "Why did you react that way?"
"I don't know. I think it was because…" he took a deep breath, "because I think of you as a sister. And, I'm obviously protective of my sister." Katie felt a pang in her heart – corny as it sounds. So, Fred didn't like her? He thought of her as a sister? Was this all in vain?
But part of Katie refused to believe it. See his expression? He looks like it hurts him to say it! There's still hope Katie, there's still hope!
Katie forced a smile. "That's sweet Fred."
He shrugged. "Being sweet is what I do."
"Will I see you at dinner?" Katie asked. "Or will you be locked in your room again?"
"Which do you want?" Fred replied.
"I'd like to see you at dinner," Katie said firmly. "It just isn't the same without you." Fred smiled – that charming smile that only he could manage that made Katie's heart tingle every single time.
"Oh, how you flatter me." Katie pushed him lightly. Fred stuck his tongue out at her, causing her to burst out laughing again, though there was something off this time. She got up.
"I'll see you later Fred."
"Angelina, Alicia, I need to talk to you guys," Katie said the minute she spotted them in the Common Room. "It's about Fred."
"Should I get Lee?" Alicia asked immediately.
"Yes," Katie said, grateful that Alicia was so quick on the uptake. "Meet us in the abandoned classroom."
"The one on the third floor?"
"No, fourth floor." Alicia nodded and headed to the portrait hole.
Ten minutes later, they were all seated at a clump of desks facing each other. When they arrived, they found everything coated in a thick layer of dust, but after Katie put the Scouring Charm to good use, it was good as new. Lee had his feet up on his desk and had a sulky look on his face.
"What's up Katie?" Angelina asked, once they were all settled down.
"Well… I was talking to Fred and he said… well he said he thinks of me as a sister," Katie said in a small voice.
"So?" Lee asked, looking at her incredulously. "You're not honestly telling me that you called us here to announce that Fred called you his sister equivalent?"
"I am, actually," Katie said coldly. "It means Fred doesn't fancy me so… I guess this is over…"
"Hurrah!" Lee said unenthusiastically. He looked from Angelina to Alicia. "Are you girls going to tell her she's being ridiculous, or shall I?" Angelina rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you go ahead?"
"Why not," Lee said with a shrug. "Katie, love, you're being ridiculous. You're going to call off everything, admit defeat, because of something Fred told you? I hope you realize that it doesn't have to be true. He clearly feels something for you; anyone with eyes can see that."
"Well what he feels is brotherly love," Katie answered waspishly.
"He doesn't look at Ginny that way," Lee argued, shaking his head. "Katie, he just said that to put a name on what he's been feeling for you. So you wouldn't suspect his true feelings. Besides, if he doesn't like you, why did he kiss you? Isn't this whole thing trying to get him to admit that?"
"Well, yeah, but…" Katie stopped, out of things to argue about.
"You didn't expect him to admit it immediately, did you? Fred is stubborn, it'll take a while. I'm willing to do that for you, but are you?"
"Yes," Katie answered. "You can end your lecture now."
Lee smiled. "It's not a lecture. You just need to stop doubting yourself so much. You're more capable than you give yourself credit for."
"I don't doubt myself," Katie said defensively.
"Katie, you're a strong, funny, beautiful girl. Fred would be an idiot to not eventually admit his feelings for you. Don't doubt yourself, you could bat your eyelashes and have any guy following you around," Lee said earnestly.
"Shut up Lee," said Katie, though she blushed.
"I'm just saying. Keep it up, and we'll have Fred taken care of in no time at all."
"Um… guys?" Katie turned her head and saw Alicia staring at the door looking shocked. Katie looked and saw what had Alicia looking so frightened.
For a moment, she felt her heart stop when she thought it was Fred, but when she looked more closely she saw that it was, in fact, George. Not that it made things much better. There was a heavy silence, consisting of many looks passed between the four schemers, while George just stared at them all. Finally, Angelina spoke.
"Hi George," she said sweetly. "What are you doing here?"
George didn't answer, he just took long steps to the cupboard near the back of the room and began searching around, producing a large blue and purple box. "Getting this," he answered, holding the box up. "Supplies for… well, you know."
"Oh."
"What are you lot doing here?" It was now his turn to be suspicious.
"Just… um… chatting," said Alicia, trying hard to smile, though it was a weak attempt.
"What are you planning to do to Fred?" George asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nothing," Alicia said weakly.
"Alicia darling, I'm not an idiot."
"You had us convinced," Katie muttered. George turned to look at her.
"Well than, perhaps you'd like to explain this."
"Perhaps you should keep your nose out of things that have nothing to do with you," Katie answered heatedly.
"It has to do with Fred, therefore it has to do with me," George answered, voice steady.
"Too bad then," Angelina said, standing up. The other three followed suit. "You can gather up the rest of your supplies, but we're out of here." She stalked out of the room, followed by Alicia, Lee and then Katie.
As Katie was stepping past George, he grabbed her wrist, spun her around and pushed her against a wall, placing his arms on either side of her so she was trapped.
"George, let me go," Katie said threateningly.
"Katie Bell. Tell me what's going on right now."
"Nothing – is – going – on," Katie said through gritted teeth. "Let – me – GO!"
"No."
"God George, you're such a bloody git," Katie said angrily, starting to kick out.
"God Katie, you'd be better off telling me what's going on. Other wise I may be forced to use… other methods." The last part was a whisper. Katie's eyes widened, causing George to chuckle rather coldly. "Shall I give you a taste of these other methods?"
"George Weasley, I swear if you touch me," Katie began, but he cut her off with another laugh.
"Relax Bell. I have no interest in you that way. Not now anyway," he added with a sly smirk. "I was talking, about this."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial filled with a clear liquid. He grinned maniacally.
"Veritaserum."
"George, don't you dare," Katie said. "Besides there's no way I'm drinking that."
"You don't have to drink it by choice, dearest Katie. I know ways to force you to drink it as well. Or, you could just tell me." Katie sighed, knowing full well that she had no other choice.
So she told her story, which she was getting tired of telling, knowing that the game was up. George would go tell Fred, who would be furious, and he would forget any feelings he might have held towards her. Even their friendship would be in jeopardy. When she had ended her story, she looked at George and saw his brown eyes looking calculating. They still don't have the same spark that Fred's eyes do, she thought.
"Fred kissed you?" Katie didn't know if she should be insulted by his surprise. Was it that hard to believe?
"Yes. Why is that so shocking to you?"
"Not shocking," George said, his mischievous grin returning. "Just wondering how it feels." Katie kicked his foot, glaring.
"George," she scolded while he burst into a strange mixture of laughter and cries of pain.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm just joking," he managed, wiping his eyes where tears had formed. "I would never dream of kissing you."
"Is that supposed to be an insult?" Katie demanded.
"Guess it depends on how you look at it," George said with a wink.
"I like you better when you're the quiet one," Katie announced, giving him her best death stare. But it ended up with her laughing just as hard as he had been.
"Alright," George said, finally regaining himself. "Katie, I'll help you. I won't tell Fred, and I'll help with the drama. Should be fun."
Katie had to make sure she was hearing right. "Really? You'll help? Why?"
"For one thing, you're actually right in this battle. And then there's also the small fact that Fred… um, never mind that. Point is, I'll help you. If you do something for me."
"What?" Katie asked suspiciously.
George lowered his voice, "Well, if you would put in a word about me with Angelina." He turned red when Katie smirked knowingly.
"I'll see what I can do," she said, feeling very devious all of a sudden.
Hanging out with the twins tended to do that to a person.
I have a question to ask you guys. Ready? Alright. So, I'm not sure if I should do a chapter in Fred's POV or not. Would you guys rather know what's going on in Fred's mind or would you rather the entire story be told in Katie's POV so you're left guessing? This depends on YOU GUYS, so let me know in a REVIEW (or a PM if that makes you more comfortable.)
If you want some Fred POV, simply say 'Fred' (and if desired add some comments about the story. PLEASE!)
If you want to stick to Katie, simply say 'Katie' (and if desired add some comments about the story. PLEASE!)
It really depends on you guys and what you decide! Also, if you don't care or even if you do, please leave some feedback as well! I love you guys, you're awesome (just saying) and you're reviews make me SOOOOOOOO happy, like DANCE-LEVEL happy. And I don't dance. -_-
So yeah...
