Chapter 10 Spiking of the Punch
Brynn yawned. It was early morning. No one else was up yet. She slipped into her clothes, and tiptoed to the Great Hall. Something was up. The caretaker was giving it a good cleaning, a few house elves running about. This usually meant visitors. Who was coming now?
"Miss Black what are you doing up this early?" said a voice from behind. Brynn turned to face Professor Snape. His salt and pepper hair was greasy and very disgusting. She avoided his gaze and replied.
"Couldn't sleep. I was going to see if breakfast was ready yet."
"Without the whole company? Hard to believe... I bet one of them is waiting around the corner... To get me..."
Brynn let out a sigh. "No one is going to get you, Professor. I think I'll go back to sleep though...."
Before Snape could dock points, she took off quickly for the Gryffindor common room. Ethan and Bryce were up, plotting something quietly, as was Felicity, looking sinister. She had been especially unpleasant since the return of Crystal. As Brynn expected, Cate and Bellum didn't punish her, they only scolded.
"Psst! Brynn! C'mere!" Bryce hissed, waving her over.
"There are a few French people coming, from Beauxbatons... Their headmistress is coming and all... Filch is cleaning and the hose elves are busy...."
"And my guess is that you were too..."
"Well, you guessed right." Ethan grinned.
"We have been collecting..." Bryce grinned, waiting for a reaction from Brynn. He pulled a sheet off a box. Brynn stared.
"Scotch? You've been collecting Scotch?" She said.
"Yep. And there's more and all..." Ethan smiled.
"We sneak out to Hogsmeade every so often... get some, save it all and come back..."
"I DON'T wanna know...." Brynn sighed. "What'd you guys do to Mac?"
"Well... He's asleep. Who knows what he's been up to. Does he seem a little weird lately?" Ethan questioned.
"Yeah... Everyone seems so weird lately... Do you think we can go to breakfast yet... I ran into Snape... He seemed to be in a decent mood... As far as Snape moods are concerned."
"That's a first. Lookie who woke up! Maccy!" Bryce said loudly, as Mac trudged down the stairs.
"Top O' the mornin' to yeh all." Mac yawned. He wasn't much of a morning person.
"Good morning." Brynn smiled. Bryce mimicked her expression behind her back and Ethan followed suit. Mac made a face at them, and sat down lazily on a chair.
"What is that you've got there in that case?" Mac yawned. "Is that the Scotch you two were going on about.
"Sure is, mate." Ethan grinned. "We have plans for this..." he added, patting the case.
"Well, I won't ask." Mac said.
Ethan and Bryce grinned devilishly, and Brynn and Mac laughed. A few people were going to be in for a surprise sometime soon... Brynn dragged the boys to breakfast with her, and by this time, the hall was sparkling clean. Filch looked proud, and Lynnsey was keeping a close eye out for those who deliberately spilled something on the floor. She liked getting people into
trouble, and had earned a spot on Filch's good side for being so perfect. Mac avoided her constantly.
What surprised everyone the most though was that there were strange students already there, at their own table, in a far of corner. They were conversing in French, and they all pointed in the direction of Brynn, Bryce, Ethan, and Mac. Perhaps they had heard about them...
"Well... More people to torment." Bryce grinned.
"I dunno Bryce... I see you eyeing up that blonde girl there..." Mac said seriously.
"I see you eyeing up..." Bryce shot back, but Mac clapped his hand over his mouth.
"Who might that be?" Brynn turned around. Mac blushed a bit and looked off in another direction. He still had his hand over Bryce's mouth. Bryce was mumbling, but no one could understand him.
"You are ze ones zat zey talk about?" A French boy said, approaching them, and standing next to Brynn. "Ze trouble makerz?"
"That'd be us." Brynn sighed. "I'm Brynn... This is Bryce, my twin. This is Ethan, and this is Mac."
"Pleazure. I was hoping zere would be people like you here. I must go back to ze table we are at. Goodbye."
"Yeah... You won't wish we were around... You slimy git..." Mac glared.
"What's your problem? He was nice enough..." Brynn questioned suspiciously.
"Erm.. Nothing. Sorry." Mac said shortly.
"We have Defense against the Dark Arts first...." Bryce said, as Mac removed his hand so he could eat breakfast. "Remember that lesson Eath?"
"Don't remind me." Ethan shook his head. "My dad is embarrassing! How would you feel if your parents taught here?"
"Trust me, I'd die if my mum and dad taught here." Brynn laughed. "
Well, maybe I wouldn't mind mum teaching so much. But just not dad. He's the worst."
"Well, do girls look at Sirius? One of those 4th year girls asked me if I knew Professor Pugnare, and I asked which one. They said, 'Oh! The cute one!' I think I nearly died. Then I explained that he was my father... and my mom is Cate... They left quite quickly, giggling away..."
"Lisa and Lexa?" Brynn giggled. "I bet it was them. They look over every male figure in this school. I've been asked about you guys before."
"Really?" All 3 boys said at once, forgetting breakfast.
"Yeah... Don't think you're special or anything, Lexa asked me about Jeff once. And Lexa asked which one of you I was dating."
"You didn't erm... Tell her you that you were dating anyone did you?" Bryce asked skeptically.
"Oh... I told her I was dating you..." Brynn said with a very sarcastic tone of voice. The look of shock on Bryce's face caused her to spray pumpkin juice all over Mac. "Sorry bout that Mac. I was kidding... I told her I was related to two of you, and Mac's only my friend."
"Loser." Bryce said, throwing his toast at her.
"We're almost late for class..." Brynn said checking her watch. "We'll be late for sure if we don't set the Slytherin Curtains on fire now... We ARE still getting them back for the deal in the dungeons, right?"
"Forgot about that... Let us go!" Ethan said, grinning.
~*~
They had time to set fire to the Slytherin curtains, in the Slytherin common room (they had access to every room in the school, including the teachers' lounge.... But they had stopped going there because of some of the nasty things teachers did.) and make it to class on time.
"Brynn, Bryce, Mac, Eath, will you be good this time?" Bellum pleaded with the quartet desperately.
"Maaaaaaybe." Ethan answered.
"Or Ethan will be grounded forever and you'll spend the rest of your class time chained to the wall." he added.
They all nodded. Quietly (no one could believe it) they took their seats, and took out their books. Bellum was proud of himself. For one whole hour, he controlled the twins, his son, and Mac. He figured he should threaten them more often.
"For being sooooo good. You have no homework." he smiled, particularity at Ethan. "You just have to think about why you'll be a good witch or wizard when you grow up. Good day!"
"Your dad was in a good mood today..." Mac said to Ethan.
"He was probably... Oh never mind..."
"Too much information..."
~~~*~~~
"There is a party in a one week." McGonagall added at the end of Transfiguration. "You..."
"Why is there a party, my dear professor?" Bryce cut in.
"To welcome our French guests. Now..."
"But they're already here."
"That's not the point."
"Why are they here anyways?"
"Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Black. Now… You may bring a date. Or go alone. Do what you please." McGonagall finished, as the bell rang. Mac walked a few feet behind Brynn and the rest of the group. Should he ask Brynn? Or shouldn't he? He noticed that people were eyeing up other people a lot closer now. Brynn was eyeing up Austin Wood, who was also eyeing up Brynn. Mac closed his eyes, and turned in the other direction. What if he asked her to the party? He gave himself a mental kick and shook himself back to reality. No, no, no... If he liked Brynn, HE would ask her...
"C'mon Mac.. You can do it..." his mind said. He took a deep breath and thought it over... It sounded a little dumb. How was he supposed to ask her? He had never gone about asking Brynn to a party before.
He was alone in the bathroom, studying his reflection in the mirror. He was pretty good looking, if he did say so himself. His hair was sandy blondish color, and his eyes were blue-green. He smiled, and they brightened. He took a deep breath and strolled out of the bathroom... His hair perfect and all...
~*~
"Brynn?" said a deep voice off to the side. Brynn turned, and smiled.
"Hi Austin. What's up with you?"
"Oh, nothing. Quidditch and all. We have the same schedule and all you know so erm… yeah."
"Yes."
"Well, anyways, I was wondering if you have a date to that party yet..."
"No, I don't... yet."
"Well, how would you like to go with me?" Austin said, flashing his straight, white teeth with a smile. "If you want to and all..."
"Well... I don't know really. I've never been and all."
"Do you want some time to think?"
"Yeah, hey, thanks for asking me though!" Brynn said. She was waiting around for Mac to make his move. She didn't want to turn him down. He was her best friend....
"No problem, hey, don't worry about it." Austin smiled. She did like Austin a lot. He was sweet, and handsome, but she did like Mac too... a little bit. This was going to be a situation where she would have to visit her sister.
She got up out of her chair, and started off, when none other than Mac entered the room. She smiled, and waved to him. She was fully prepared. She had been naughty, and gone against what Cate had told her and read his mind a few times. "Hi Mac." she said cheerfully.
"Hullo Brynn." Mac said a little shakily.
"What have you been up to?"
"Nothing at all." he said. " How about you?"
"Oh… same thing."
"You goin' to that party?"
"Of course! You mean to think that I, Brynn Black, would turn down a party?"
"No... Just starting conversation... You know. Same old, some old. Wannagowithme?"
"Pardon me?"
"Do you have a... date?"
"Well... Not yet anyways."
"Do you think you could go with me?"
"Well.. maybe. Can I have some time to think about it?"
"Sure... Who else asked you so far?"
"How do you know I was asked by anyone else?"
"Well... I jus do."
"Alright then... Austin Wood, and the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain."
"Oh." Mac said, his heart sinking. The Ravenclaw Quidditch captain was very popular among girls, and so was Austin. "Well, I'll leave you to think about it. Good luck."
"Thanks Mac. I appreciate it."
"Anytime."
Brynn waved him goodbye, and hurried towards Cate and Bellum's little apartment type rooms, which occupied a good amount of space. She could hear giggling inside. She made a disgusted face. Well, if she was disturbing them, they'd play silent and not answer the door. But if they weren't too busy someone would answer. She made a fist and knocked. Someone sighed, and Cate answered the door.
"Hello Brynn. Problems?"
"Yes... I can't decide... It's all so hard!" Brynn exploded. Cate sighed and sat down on the couch. "Stupid party... Why can't we be like... 12 again?"
"Because you're 15. Who asked you Brynn?" Care grinned.
"Mac. Oh and Austin Wood, and the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain, Mark Reems."
"Well… Who do you want to go with?"
"What kind of question is that? I come here asking for advice and you ask ME questions..."
"Well, just trust me. Who do you like best?"
"I'd say Mac, because he's been my best friend for so long... I guess he has Brownie points for that... But he's my friend... It's kinda weird...is it safe to eliminate Mark, I don't know him too well."
"Okay... Well... It's down to Mac and Austin."
"Go for the friend." Bellum suddenly bounced in. "See, you know him best. It must mean the most for Mac. If he just wanted to be your friend, he'd just.... Well, he wouldn't have asked you. And if you tell him no, you could scar him for life. But Austin, he seems to have quite a few lady friends."
"I shoulda asked you first." Brynn smiled. "Thanks Bellum. I suppose it's good to have a brother-in-law."
"When all the boys you have as friends can't help..." Cate added.
"Funny. Ha, ha."
"What are you wearing anyways? Do you even own dress robes? " Cate changed the subject.
"Erm.. I didn't think about that. Don't make me into a doll... I'm not trying on loads of your clothes, just to find the so-called 'perfect outfit' or whatever it's called."
"Yes you are." Cate said defiantly. "Come to the closet..."
Several hours later, Cate had gotten Brynn to put on a dress. According to Cate, dress robes were not as fashionable as dresses were. Brynn was staring a her reflection in the mirror in shock. She had on a red dress. A very showy red dress. She shifted a little uncomfortably in it, and swayed from side to side.
"Well... It's erm.. Tight. And it shows... a lot." Brynn said in reference to the dress.
"Perfect. You're wearing it. That's final. Now your hair... Awful rats' nest...."
~*~
So Brynn was going with Mac, who finally relaxed. Bryce and Ethan had dates, which surprised Brynn and Mac. The French boy also asked a rather giggly Brynn to the party, but she put on a straight face, looked to Mac and told him she was going with him.
Bryce and Ethan had a main concern too: They were going to spike the punch. And nothing was going to stop them. A few good hours before the party, they gathered Mac and Brynn, and their case of liquor.
"Brynn! We're gonna spike the punch! You're both coming with!" Bryce commanded.
"Yes master." Brynn saluted her twin.
There was no one in the Great Hall at all, but they took the precaution of the Invisibility cloak still. Just in case... There were several large punch bowls. Ethan pried open the case, and grinned.
"Just empty them... Into the bowls of course...."
It was enjoyable. The punch was colored a little differently, and smelled differently. But that was easily fixed with a few simple charms. Then the doors open, and everyone dropped under a table, glad the tablecloths were long. Lucky Mac had the cloak, and was sitting comfortably (and invisibility) on the Headmaster's chair.
Lynnsey entered the Hall, Filch right behind her. "I KNOW my brother isn't in his common room... Because I haven't seen any Gryffindors yet. Or they'd all be trying to get away. No one ever stays in the common room if they're there." she said to Filch.
"Thank you, M'Dear." Filch said, limping around to take a look around. Mac hurried over towards Brynn and pulled the cloak over her as well. Then he saved Ethan and Bryce, and slipped out the door. "That was close." he mouthed to them all, all squished together under the cloak.
"Yes..." everyone hissed back.
"I hafta get ready!" Brynn said suddenly, and pulled off her part of the cloak, and headed off in another direction, leaving the 3 boys alone. She was going to get Cate to help her, since she was bad with hair and makeup.
~*~
"She's late... She's late... she's LATE!" Mac said, giving Bryce a hard hake. Bryce had an attractive blonde date, who had no spoke no English at all and smiled at everything he said. One of the French recruits....
"She's probably making an attempt to brush her hair..." Bryce shot back. Ethan's date spoke a little English, and was trying to ask where the girls' bathroom was...
"Why do you want to get to the BOYS' bathroom?"
"Mademoiselle, monsieur. Girls bathroom please?"
"Oh.. that way.. Sorry..." Ethan pointed to the left.
"I see her! I see her! OoOOoOoOOOoooo, she's beautiful." Mac said, hopping up and down.
Brynn had her hair done up, for once. The red dress was stunning, and was attracting a lot of looks. Behind her, Cate stepped out, escorted by her husband... Ethan ducked low, not wanting to be seen in public with his parents. His mother still looked teenaged, and wore clothes like she was. His father looked as if he were in his early twenties.
"Hello Mac." Brynn said softly, letting Mac take her arm. Her eyes sparkled, and she was giving off a glow. She was starting to look like Cate did when she was her age...
"Lo' Brynn. You look lovely. Sorry I can't think of a better word to describe you..."
"Perfectly fine with me. Not half bad yourself." Brynn smiled. It wasn't the usual grin, but it was an actual smile.
"To the hall?"
"Surely.... Oooh... Look, one of those first years has a date with a second year... How spiffing! Cute!"
"Sure. They're so little!"
"Sure are. I can't believe we were that young once."
"We're more mature now. Much more adult-like."
"Mature isn't the word...Maybe we look like it...."
"Okay, well, let's pretend for tonight... Punch Brynn?" Mac grinned.
"Ahh... Hell with it! Why not?"
"Well, it was partially our prank. Why shouldn't we enjoy it too?"
Brynn giggled as she took a sip of the spiked punch, and almost sprayed it all over, as she saw Lynnsey pouring some for herself. She nudged Mac, who sprayed punch all over too.
"Lynns is gonna get it... She won't remember a thing... Hard Liquor and little first years don't mix..."
"Oh... Look at all the little things. I hope they aren't too sick in the morning..."
There was music. Bryce was learning French. But he had a strong feeling that his date was only using cuss words... So what if he wasn't a great dancer?
Mac and Brynn were having a good time. A very good time. People were beginning to wonder just how close they were dancing. Anyways, they had a whole spot on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, the entire bunch of first years was getting a little tipsy... Felicity even was swaying on the spot. Ariana Malfoy was hiccupping violently, and leaning on Brian, who was smiling, and looking rather flushed. Crystal... Well, that was interesting. She was sitting on a table. Yes, sitting on a table, hiccupping as well and swaying. Blick looked just fine, and helped himself to another cup of punch....
The teachers had drank the punch as well... Snape was looking a little tipsy, but the effect on him wasn't as strong as it was on the first years. But he was out dancing... With Professor McGonagall. No one was within 5 feet of them...
Perhaps even Brynn, Bryce, Ethan, and Mac had a few too many cups. Mac and Brynn we not aware other people were around them, and were dancing still. There was still an empty spot near them..."
"Hey... Professor!" Bryce said, catching Snape's attention. "Nice hair! It's greasy and going gray! Wash it sometime, who don't ya!?"
"Huh? What house are you in?" Snape said, looking around, his vision slightly blurred.
"Slytherin." Bryce answered.
"Oh... 50 points from HIC Slytherin..."
"That's all?"
"Isn't it enough? Oh... 100 points then..."
"Okay, have some more punch sir!"
~*~
Brynn and Mac had disappeared out to the gardens... Mac leaned in and kissed Brynn hard on the lips. Brynn grinned, and pulled him closer. Cate had told her just what to do in this situation... It was useful sometimes when your sister was a....
She bit his lip, and Mac jumped a little bit, he let his hands wander, one was moving up, and the other was moving down... Brynn sighed, and let him kiss her neck. They took a seat on the bench. Well, actually, they fell and landed on the bench, but same difference... Finally, reality struck Brynn...
"Mac? What ARE we doing?" She said, pulling his hands back up to her waist again, and pulling the strap on her dress back up.
"Well. That depends. What do you think."
"Well... We're kinda young dear.... Save it for later... Let's go back in...."
"One more kiss..."
Brynn kissed him once, and pulled him off her, and they walked back inside. There were unconscious first years all over, and several drunken people greeting them. They grabbed Bryce and Ethan and went back to the common room...
Brynn yawned. It was early morning. No one else was up yet. She slipped into her clothes, and tiptoed to the Great Hall. Something was up. The caretaker was giving it a good cleaning, a few house elves running about. This usually meant visitors. Who was coming now?
"Miss Black what are you doing up this early?" said a voice from behind. Brynn turned to face Professor Snape. His salt and pepper hair was greasy and very disgusting. She avoided his gaze and replied.
"Couldn't sleep. I was going to see if breakfast was ready yet."
"Without the whole company? Hard to believe... I bet one of them is waiting around the corner... To get me..."
Brynn let out a sigh. "No one is going to get you, Professor. I think I'll go back to sleep though...."
Before Snape could dock points, she took off quickly for the Gryffindor common room. Ethan and Bryce were up, plotting something quietly, as was Felicity, looking sinister. She had been especially unpleasant since the return of Crystal. As Brynn expected, Cate and Bellum didn't punish her, they only scolded.
"Psst! Brynn! C'mere!" Bryce hissed, waving her over.
"There are a few French people coming, from Beauxbatons... Their headmistress is coming and all... Filch is cleaning and the hose elves are busy...."
"And my guess is that you were too..."
"Well, you guessed right." Ethan grinned.
"We have been collecting..." Bryce grinned, waiting for a reaction from Brynn. He pulled a sheet off a box. Brynn stared.
"Scotch? You've been collecting Scotch?" She said.
"Yep. And there's more and all..." Ethan smiled.
"We sneak out to Hogsmeade every so often... get some, save it all and come back..."
"I DON'T wanna know...." Brynn sighed. "What'd you guys do to Mac?"
"Well... He's asleep. Who knows what he's been up to. Does he seem a little weird lately?" Ethan questioned.
"Yeah... Everyone seems so weird lately... Do you think we can go to breakfast yet... I ran into Snape... He seemed to be in a decent mood... As far as Snape moods are concerned."
"That's a first. Lookie who woke up! Maccy!" Bryce said loudly, as Mac trudged down the stairs.
"Top O' the mornin' to yeh all." Mac yawned. He wasn't much of a morning person.
"Good morning." Brynn smiled. Bryce mimicked her expression behind her back and Ethan followed suit. Mac made a face at them, and sat down lazily on a chair.
"What is that you've got there in that case?" Mac yawned. "Is that the Scotch you two were going on about.
"Sure is, mate." Ethan grinned. "We have plans for this..." he added, patting the case.
"Well, I won't ask." Mac said.
Ethan and Bryce grinned devilishly, and Brynn and Mac laughed. A few people were going to be in for a surprise sometime soon... Brynn dragged the boys to breakfast with her, and by this time, the hall was sparkling clean. Filch looked proud, and Lynnsey was keeping a close eye out for those who deliberately spilled something on the floor. She liked getting people into
trouble, and had earned a spot on Filch's good side for being so perfect. Mac avoided her constantly.
What surprised everyone the most though was that there were strange students already there, at their own table, in a far of corner. They were conversing in French, and they all pointed in the direction of Brynn, Bryce, Ethan, and Mac. Perhaps they had heard about them...
"Well... More people to torment." Bryce grinned.
"I dunno Bryce... I see you eyeing up that blonde girl there..." Mac said seriously.
"I see you eyeing up..." Bryce shot back, but Mac clapped his hand over his mouth.
"Who might that be?" Brynn turned around. Mac blushed a bit and looked off in another direction. He still had his hand over Bryce's mouth. Bryce was mumbling, but no one could understand him.
"You are ze ones zat zey talk about?" A French boy said, approaching them, and standing next to Brynn. "Ze trouble makerz?"
"That'd be us." Brynn sighed. "I'm Brynn... This is Bryce, my twin. This is Ethan, and this is Mac."
"Pleazure. I was hoping zere would be people like you here. I must go back to ze table we are at. Goodbye."
"Yeah... You won't wish we were around... You slimy git..." Mac glared.
"What's your problem? He was nice enough..." Brynn questioned suspiciously.
"Erm.. Nothing. Sorry." Mac said shortly.
"We have Defense against the Dark Arts first...." Bryce said, as Mac removed his hand so he could eat breakfast. "Remember that lesson Eath?"
"Don't remind me." Ethan shook his head. "My dad is embarrassing! How would you feel if your parents taught here?"
"Trust me, I'd die if my mum and dad taught here." Brynn laughed. "
Well, maybe I wouldn't mind mum teaching so much. But just not dad. He's the worst."
"Well, do girls look at Sirius? One of those 4th year girls asked me if I knew Professor Pugnare, and I asked which one. They said, 'Oh! The cute one!' I think I nearly died. Then I explained that he was my father... and my mom is Cate... They left quite quickly, giggling away..."
"Lisa and Lexa?" Brynn giggled. "I bet it was them. They look over every male figure in this school. I've been asked about you guys before."
"Really?" All 3 boys said at once, forgetting breakfast.
"Yeah... Don't think you're special or anything, Lexa asked me about Jeff once. And Lexa asked which one of you I was dating."
"You didn't erm... Tell her you that you were dating anyone did you?" Bryce asked skeptically.
"Oh... I told her I was dating you..." Brynn said with a very sarcastic tone of voice. The look of shock on Bryce's face caused her to spray pumpkin juice all over Mac. "Sorry bout that Mac. I was kidding... I told her I was related to two of you, and Mac's only my friend."
"Loser." Bryce said, throwing his toast at her.
"We're almost late for class..." Brynn said checking her watch. "We'll be late for sure if we don't set the Slytherin Curtains on fire now... We ARE still getting them back for the deal in the dungeons, right?"
"Forgot about that... Let us go!" Ethan said, grinning.
~*~
They had time to set fire to the Slytherin curtains, in the Slytherin common room (they had access to every room in the school, including the teachers' lounge.... But they had stopped going there because of some of the nasty things teachers did.) and make it to class on time.
"Brynn, Bryce, Mac, Eath, will you be good this time?" Bellum pleaded with the quartet desperately.
"Maaaaaaybe." Ethan answered.
"Or Ethan will be grounded forever and you'll spend the rest of your class time chained to the wall." he added.
They all nodded. Quietly (no one could believe it) they took their seats, and took out their books. Bellum was proud of himself. For one whole hour, he controlled the twins, his son, and Mac. He figured he should threaten them more often.
"For being sooooo good. You have no homework." he smiled, particularity at Ethan. "You just have to think about why you'll be a good witch or wizard when you grow up. Good day!"
"Your dad was in a good mood today..." Mac said to Ethan.
"He was probably... Oh never mind..."
"Too much information..."
~~~*~~~
"There is a party in a one week." McGonagall added at the end of Transfiguration. "You..."
"Why is there a party, my dear professor?" Bryce cut in.
"To welcome our French guests. Now..."
"But they're already here."
"That's not the point."
"Why are they here anyways?"
"Five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Black. Now… You may bring a date. Or go alone. Do what you please." McGonagall finished, as the bell rang. Mac walked a few feet behind Brynn and the rest of the group. Should he ask Brynn? Or shouldn't he? He noticed that people were eyeing up other people a lot closer now. Brynn was eyeing up Austin Wood, who was also eyeing up Brynn. Mac closed his eyes, and turned in the other direction. What if he asked her to the party? He gave himself a mental kick and shook himself back to reality. No, no, no... If he liked Brynn, HE would ask her...
"C'mon Mac.. You can do it..." his mind said. He took a deep breath and thought it over... It sounded a little dumb. How was he supposed to ask her? He had never gone about asking Brynn to a party before.
He was alone in the bathroom, studying his reflection in the mirror. He was pretty good looking, if he did say so himself. His hair was sandy blondish color, and his eyes were blue-green. He smiled, and they brightened. He took a deep breath and strolled out of the bathroom... His hair perfect and all...
~*~
"Brynn?" said a deep voice off to the side. Brynn turned, and smiled.
"Hi Austin. What's up with you?"
"Oh, nothing. Quidditch and all. We have the same schedule and all you know so erm… yeah."
"Yes."
"Well, anyways, I was wondering if you have a date to that party yet..."
"No, I don't... yet."
"Well, how would you like to go with me?" Austin said, flashing his straight, white teeth with a smile. "If you want to and all..."
"Well... I don't know really. I've never been and all."
"Do you want some time to think?"
"Yeah, hey, thanks for asking me though!" Brynn said. She was waiting around for Mac to make his move. She didn't want to turn him down. He was her best friend....
"No problem, hey, don't worry about it." Austin smiled. She did like Austin a lot. He was sweet, and handsome, but she did like Mac too... a little bit. This was going to be a situation where she would have to visit her sister.
She got up out of her chair, and started off, when none other than Mac entered the room. She smiled, and waved to him. She was fully prepared. She had been naughty, and gone against what Cate had told her and read his mind a few times. "Hi Mac." she said cheerfully.
"Hullo Brynn." Mac said a little shakily.
"What have you been up to?"
"Nothing at all." he said. " How about you?"
"Oh… same thing."
"You goin' to that party?"
"Of course! You mean to think that I, Brynn Black, would turn down a party?"
"No... Just starting conversation... You know. Same old, some old. Wannagowithme?"
"Pardon me?"
"Do you have a... date?"
"Well... Not yet anyways."
"Do you think you could go with me?"
"Well.. maybe. Can I have some time to think about it?"
"Sure... Who else asked you so far?"
"How do you know I was asked by anyone else?"
"Well... I jus do."
"Alright then... Austin Wood, and the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain."
"Oh." Mac said, his heart sinking. The Ravenclaw Quidditch captain was very popular among girls, and so was Austin. "Well, I'll leave you to think about it. Good luck."
"Thanks Mac. I appreciate it."
"Anytime."
Brynn waved him goodbye, and hurried towards Cate and Bellum's little apartment type rooms, which occupied a good amount of space. She could hear giggling inside. She made a disgusted face. Well, if she was disturbing them, they'd play silent and not answer the door. But if they weren't too busy someone would answer. She made a fist and knocked. Someone sighed, and Cate answered the door.
"Hello Brynn. Problems?"
"Yes... I can't decide... It's all so hard!" Brynn exploded. Cate sighed and sat down on the couch. "Stupid party... Why can't we be like... 12 again?"
"Because you're 15. Who asked you Brynn?" Care grinned.
"Mac. Oh and Austin Wood, and the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain, Mark Reems."
"Well… Who do you want to go with?"
"What kind of question is that? I come here asking for advice and you ask ME questions..."
"Well, just trust me. Who do you like best?"
"I'd say Mac, because he's been my best friend for so long... I guess he has Brownie points for that... But he's my friend... It's kinda weird...is it safe to eliminate Mark, I don't know him too well."
"Okay... Well... It's down to Mac and Austin."
"Go for the friend." Bellum suddenly bounced in. "See, you know him best. It must mean the most for Mac. If he just wanted to be your friend, he'd just.... Well, he wouldn't have asked you. And if you tell him no, you could scar him for life. But Austin, he seems to have quite a few lady friends."
"I shoulda asked you first." Brynn smiled. "Thanks Bellum. I suppose it's good to have a brother-in-law."
"When all the boys you have as friends can't help..." Cate added.
"Funny. Ha, ha."
"What are you wearing anyways? Do you even own dress robes? " Cate changed the subject.
"Erm.. I didn't think about that. Don't make me into a doll... I'm not trying on loads of your clothes, just to find the so-called 'perfect outfit' or whatever it's called."
"Yes you are." Cate said defiantly. "Come to the closet..."
Several hours later, Cate had gotten Brynn to put on a dress. According to Cate, dress robes were not as fashionable as dresses were. Brynn was staring a her reflection in the mirror in shock. She had on a red dress. A very showy red dress. She shifted a little uncomfortably in it, and swayed from side to side.
"Well... It's erm.. Tight. And it shows... a lot." Brynn said in reference to the dress.
"Perfect. You're wearing it. That's final. Now your hair... Awful rats' nest...."
~*~
So Brynn was going with Mac, who finally relaxed. Bryce and Ethan had dates, which surprised Brynn and Mac. The French boy also asked a rather giggly Brynn to the party, but she put on a straight face, looked to Mac and told him she was going with him.
Bryce and Ethan had a main concern too: They were going to spike the punch. And nothing was going to stop them. A few good hours before the party, they gathered Mac and Brynn, and their case of liquor.
"Brynn! We're gonna spike the punch! You're both coming with!" Bryce commanded.
"Yes master." Brynn saluted her twin.
There was no one in the Great Hall at all, but they took the precaution of the Invisibility cloak still. Just in case... There were several large punch bowls. Ethan pried open the case, and grinned.
"Just empty them... Into the bowls of course...."
It was enjoyable. The punch was colored a little differently, and smelled differently. But that was easily fixed with a few simple charms. Then the doors open, and everyone dropped under a table, glad the tablecloths were long. Lucky Mac had the cloak, and was sitting comfortably (and invisibility) on the Headmaster's chair.
Lynnsey entered the Hall, Filch right behind her. "I KNOW my brother isn't in his common room... Because I haven't seen any Gryffindors yet. Or they'd all be trying to get away. No one ever stays in the common room if they're there." she said to Filch.
"Thank you, M'Dear." Filch said, limping around to take a look around. Mac hurried over towards Brynn and pulled the cloak over her as well. Then he saved Ethan and Bryce, and slipped out the door. "That was close." he mouthed to them all, all squished together under the cloak.
"Yes..." everyone hissed back.
"I hafta get ready!" Brynn said suddenly, and pulled off her part of the cloak, and headed off in another direction, leaving the 3 boys alone. She was going to get Cate to help her, since she was bad with hair and makeup.
~*~
"She's late... She's late... she's LATE!" Mac said, giving Bryce a hard hake. Bryce had an attractive blonde date, who had no spoke no English at all and smiled at everything he said. One of the French recruits....
"She's probably making an attempt to brush her hair..." Bryce shot back. Ethan's date spoke a little English, and was trying to ask where the girls' bathroom was...
"Why do you want to get to the BOYS' bathroom?"
"Mademoiselle, monsieur. Girls bathroom please?"
"Oh.. that way.. Sorry..." Ethan pointed to the left.
"I see her! I see her! OoOOoOoOOOoooo, she's beautiful." Mac said, hopping up and down.
Brynn had her hair done up, for once. The red dress was stunning, and was attracting a lot of looks. Behind her, Cate stepped out, escorted by her husband... Ethan ducked low, not wanting to be seen in public with his parents. His mother still looked teenaged, and wore clothes like she was. His father looked as if he were in his early twenties.
"Hello Mac." Brynn said softly, letting Mac take her arm. Her eyes sparkled, and she was giving off a glow. She was starting to look like Cate did when she was her age...
"Lo' Brynn. You look lovely. Sorry I can't think of a better word to describe you..."
"Perfectly fine with me. Not half bad yourself." Brynn smiled. It wasn't the usual grin, but it was an actual smile.
"To the hall?"
"Surely.... Oooh... Look, one of those first years has a date with a second year... How spiffing! Cute!"
"Sure. They're so little!"
"Sure are. I can't believe we were that young once."
"We're more mature now. Much more adult-like."
"Mature isn't the word...Maybe we look like it...."
"Okay, well, let's pretend for tonight... Punch Brynn?" Mac grinned.
"Ahh... Hell with it! Why not?"
"Well, it was partially our prank. Why shouldn't we enjoy it too?"
Brynn giggled as she took a sip of the spiked punch, and almost sprayed it all over, as she saw Lynnsey pouring some for herself. She nudged Mac, who sprayed punch all over too.
"Lynns is gonna get it... She won't remember a thing... Hard Liquor and little first years don't mix..."
"Oh... Look at all the little things. I hope they aren't too sick in the morning..."
There was music. Bryce was learning French. But he had a strong feeling that his date was only using cuss words... So what if he wasn't a great dancer?
Mac and Brynn were having a good time. A very good time. People were beginning to wonder just how close they were dancing. Anyways, they had a whole spot on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, the entire bunch of first years was getting a little tipsy... Felicity even was swaying on the spot. Ariana Malfoy was hiccupping violently, and leaning on Brian, who was smiling, and looking rather flushed. Crystal... Well, that was interesting. She was sitting on a table. Yes, sitting on a table, hiccupping as well and swaying. Blick looked just fine, and helped himself to another cup of punch....
The teachers had drank the punch as well... Snape was looking a little tipsy, but the effect on him wasn't as strong as it was on the first years. But he was out dancing... With Professor McGonagall. No one was within 5 feet of them...
Perhaps even Brynn, Bryce, Ethan, and Mac had a few too many cups. Mac and Brynn we not aware other people were around them, and were dancing still. There was still an empty spot near them..."
"Hey... Professor!" Bryce said, catching Snape's attention. "Nice hair! It's greasy and going gray! Wash it sometime, who don't ya!?"
"Huh? What house are you in?" Snape said, looking around, his vision slightly blurred.
"Slytherin." Bryce answered.
"Oh... 50 points from HIC Slytherin..."
"That's all?"
"Isn't it enough? Oh... 100 points then..."
"Okay, have some more punch sir!"
~*~
Brynn and Mac had disappeared out to the gardens... Mac leaned in and kissed Brynn hard on the lips. Brynn grinned, and pulled him closer. Cate had told her just what to do in this situation... It was useful sometimes when your sister was a....
She bit his lip, and Mac jumped a little bit, he let his hands wander, one was moving up, and the other was moving down... Brynn sighed, and let him kiss her neck. They took a seat on the bench. Well, actually, they fell and landed on the bench, but same difference... Finally, reality struck Brynn...
"Mac? What ARE we doing?" She said, pulling his hands back up to her waist again, and pulling the strap on her dress back up.
"Well. That depends. What do you think."
"Well... We're kinda young dear.... Save it for later... Let's go back in...."
"One more kiss..."
Brynn kissed him once, and pulled him off her, and they walked back inside. There were unconscious first years all over, and several drunken people greeting them. They grabbed Bryce and Ethan and went back to the common room...