The next morning, Sunday, Onyx woke Harper up bright and early, which was very unusual, as Harper was the early riser of the two.
"Harper, get up! We need to get there as soon as possible so all the good dresses don't get sold," Onyx said, shaking Harper's shoulder. Harper opened her eyes to see that Onyx was already dressed.
"What are you talking about?" Harper moaned, getting out of bed. "The thing is months away! Why would anyone in their right mind get a dress now?"
"So all the good ones don't get sold!" Onyx cried out.
"Whatever." Harper still didn't see why they were going dress-shopping so soon. What if Onyx changed her mind in February? Then she'd be stuck. She told this to Onyx, who just told her to hurry up and get dressed.
In no time Harper was dressed and ready to go. They left the castle amongst a throng of other students, who were mostly girls.
"Okay, here's the plan," Onyx informed Harper. "We go to the stores at the end of the street first while everyone goes to the ones in the front."
"Good idea. Let's hurry, shall we?" Harper suggested as she started to run. They made it to the small village in record time and hurried off to the smaller stores, discussing the type of dress that Onyx wanted. Harper found herself getting excited about the prospect of finding the perfect dress— for Onyx, of course. Because Harper wasn't going to the dance.
"Oh, I like this one."
"This one is really nice."
"Look at this one!"
"Wow, that one is gorgeous."
"Can you believe how much that one is? I would never pay that." Harper scoffed. She gave a sigh. "Onyx, it's been an hour and you haven't found one yet."
"So? It's only been an hour. Ooh, did you see that one?"
And so it went all day. They went up the street and back down the other side. It was at the last store that they finally found something. Harper was exhausted, not to mention bored out of her mind, by the time Onyx came out of the dressing room for the last time.
"Wow. Onyx, I really, really like that one!" she said, really meaning it this time as she watched her friend admire herself in the mirror. It was a floor length, low backed strapless dark grey dress that hugged in all the right places and what set it apart from all of the others was the fact that it…well, it was just better.
"I really like it, too," Onyx said. "Modest, the right color, just long enough…I think I found it."
"Yay. It took all day, but we finally succeeded. I'm proud. Let's take a moment to savor this moment, shall we?" Harper said, standing up and stretching. She froze as she saw something in the corner of her eye. It was another dress, but it was the perfect dress. For Harper, that is.
She went over to examine it. It was orange (awesome), not strapless (yes!), and long (yay). She hurried to try it on.
"What are you doing, Harper?" Onyx asked. "I thought you wanted to leave. And you aren't going to the dance, remember?"
"I'm not," Harper said from inside the dressing room. "But I might go to the one next year. You never know. Oops. I think I just ripped it. Oh, wait. Nevermind, false alarm." She came out of the dressing room.
Onyx's jaw dropped. "Wow, Harps, it looks really good on you."
Harper inspected the dress in the mirror. "I don't know. I really don't need it."
"Oh yes you do. You are going whether you like it or not, even if I have to drag you there kicking and screaming."
"No, I am not. Although this dress is really nice…" Harper admitted.
"You can just go by yourself, you don't need a date."
"But, Ron always says…"
"I know, for a girl to go to a dance alone, it's just sad. But don't listen to him. He's a bum," Onyx said.
Harper laughed at this. "Well, okay, fine. I'll get it. But for next year. I'm not going to the dance."
"Yes you are!"
"Am not," Harper sang, going back into the dressing room to change back into her regular clothes.
The girls paid for their purchases and left the store. They headed into the Three Broomsticks, as Onyx owed Harper a butterbeer.
But they ran into Malfoy. "So," he said. "Is that the smexy little black dress you said you'd get for when we go to the dance together?" he asked trying to sneak a peek at Onyx's dress through the bag.
"Yes, it is! Would you like to see it, Malfoy?" Harper asked brightly. "I picked it out especially for you."
"Who are you?" Malfoy asked, sounding and looking confused.
"If you don't know who she is, then you just gave up all rights to speak to me," Onyx told him coldly.
"But, love! I know who she is! She's…your friend. Your best friend. Right?"
"Wrong. Later, Malfoy," Harper said, turning her back to him.
"Then you're enemies!" Malfoy decided.
"No, we're best friends! You are such a git. And I am not going to the dance with you. I'm going with Cedric," Onyx informed him.
"That's what you think. You may go to the dance with Pretty Boy, but you're leaving with me."
"Ew. You are a gross one, Malfoy," Harper told him.
"And you are…stupid," Malfoy lamely shot back.
"And you are a manky git," Onyx said.
"Wow, George was right, you don't know I even exist," Harper marveled.
"Consider yourself fortunate," Onyx muttered.
Malfoy narrowed his eyes at them. "I get the feeling that you don't like me," he said.
"Just now?" Onyx asked him. "Took you that long?"
"Okay, well, we really must be going. See you, skuzz ball," Harper said, getting up out of her seat and pulling Onyx out of the restaurant with her. "Glad that's over. You sure do attract the right kind of guys, don't you?"
"Shut up," Onyx told her.
"I'm just saying, at least they're all good looking. Sort of. If only Draco were a sweet, thoughtful person…"
"Don't even go there. I might throw up," Onyx gagged.
"Maybe he'll turn back from the dark side," Harper shrugged.
"Don't get your hopes up. Hey, Zonko's!" Onyx ran excitedly into the joke shop and Harper had no choice but to follow her.
It was almost a madhouse inside, what with all of the aspiring jokester's trying to stock up on pranks and tricks. Harper lost Onyx for a minute in the sea of amateurs.
"Oh come on," she muttered to herself.
"Come on what? And is that a dress?" a voice inquired from behind her.
She turned to see George Weasley grinning at her. "Maybe. It's for next year," she explained quickly lest word spread around that she was going to the dance after all.
"I don't believe that for a minute. I know it's your subconscious desire to go to this dance," he teased.
"No, it's not. Anyway, how would you know?"
"Please, I'm a Weasley, we Weasleys know everything. Plus, it's achingly obvious. What are you doing in here, anyway?"
"I followed Onyx in here, and then lost her."
"Lost her? You mean that my Professor is lost inside this sea of madness?" George cried in sudden panic. "We must find her at once!" He grabbed Harper's hand and started running throughout the store, searching for Onyx in desperation. They finally found her, with Fred. The two of them raised their eyebrows when they saw that George was holding Harper's hand.
Which made George quickly drop it. "So, I see that you found our Professor," he said curtly.
"Yes, I feared for her life," Harper said, rolling her eyes. But inside she was wondering what had just happened. Had George really grabbed her hand like that? What was that about?
"I wasn't lost. I came here right away. You were the one who was lost, Harper," Onyx said.
"Me? How so? You left and got lost. Then I had to find you with George," Harper said, indicating towards the twin, who was still standing next to her.
"I came right here! Where else would I be? The fireworks."
Harper noticed that there were quite a few of them in Onyx's hand. "What are they for?" she asked suspiciously.
"Malfoy," Onyx grinned. "It was Fred's idea, actually."
"What can I say? I'm a genius," Fred said modestly.
They made their purchases and then headed back to the castle. On the way, the twins kept teasing Harper about buying a dress.
"I knew she would cave," Fred said.
"It was only a matter of time. You know what this means, don't you Fred?" George asked.
"Yes, she is going to the dance, and is going to make a fool of herself for going alone," Fred stated simply.
"I'm not going!" Harper insisted.
"Yes you are," George told her.
She looked at him. "What makes you so sure?"
"Just a feeling," he said airily.
"So, is it true that you're going with Malfoy?" Fred asked Onyx.
"No! Who told you that?" Onyx asked, horrified at the idea.
"Malfoy," Fred and George said in unison.
"Well, it's poppycock. I'm not going with him. I'm going with—"
"Cedric," the twins finished for her in unison.
"Yes. Wait, George, how did you find out?" Onyx asked, caught off guard.
"Everyone knows, Onyx," he told her.
"The whole school," Fred said.
"The Professors, the students,"
"The ghosts, and even the portraits," Fred added.
"Everyone thinks you make a lovely couple," George said.
"Except for Cho, and all the guys who want you."
"Like who?" Onyx asked, shocked that there were other boys at Hogwarts who liked her.
"Dean, Seamus, Roger, Lee, you, me, her, him, Malfoy, Blaise, Flint, now you two would make a cute couple," George informed her.
"And quite a bit more. The list goes on and on," Fred told her.
"And on and on,"
"And on and on…"
"Okay, I get it," Onyx told them, laughing. "I had no idea."
"Guys have a thing for hot Quidditch players." George stated simply.
"Hot Quidditch players?" Harper repeated. "How shallow."
"It's not shallow!" George said defensively. "It is very important!"
"How so?" she asked.
"It just is. Don't bother to get how a man's mind works. It's too complicated for you," George said, grinning at her.
"Oh yes, way more complicated than the complex infrastructure known as the female mind," Harper said seriously.
"So we do learn, after all," Fred said, sounding surprised. "I'm impressed."
They finally made it to Hogwarts and the twins ran off to meet with Lee Jordan, leaving the girls alone.
But they weren't alone for long, since Oliver came up to them, looking upset.
"Where have you been?!" he shouted at Onyx. "I've been trying to find you for hours, we're having an emergency Quidditch practice right now!"
"What? Why? Oliver, relax, the game is on Wednesday, we have time."
"Time? That's what we don't have. We only have until Wednesday! I heard Flint talking to Malfoy about their plan and we need a plan!"
"So, you were eavesdropping. Isn't that stooping to their level, Ollie?"
"I wasn't eavesdropping, I was listening," he defended himself. "Either way, we're going to the pitch, hurry up and change," he ordered, and then turned to try and find the twins.
"Well, I guess the rest of your day is shot. Have fun!" Harper told her friend.
"Where are you going?" Onyx asked.
"No idea," Harper announced. She looked at Onyx, who was pretending to pout. "Well, fine, I'll go to the common room with you."
So they quickly made their way to the common room and found Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team already ready. Except for the twins, who were lounging around on the couch.
Onyx ran up to her dormitory, gently hung her dress up and then changed into her Quidditch robes and grabbed her broomstick. She hurried back downstairs to see that Fred and George were still on the couch. Harry was trying to get them up.
"Come on, guys, Wood'll kill you if you aren't ready."
"I don't care. He needs to lighten up a bit, anyway," Fred said, acting as though he was about to go to sleep.
Just then, Wood came into the common room. He stopped when he saw the twins on the couch. "What do you think you're doing?" he cried.
"Resting," George stated simply.
"Get up!" Wood instructed. "Get up, you bums, we have to get to the pitch before Slytherin does!"
"Fine, Mommy, we'll go get ready. Relax. You're like an old man," Fred said, getting up and heading up the stairs.
George followed suit. "I don't even know where my robes are."
"Fine. Onyx, you wait for them. The rest of you come with me," Wood said, heading for the portrait. The rest of the team followed him out while Harper and Onyx sat on the couches, waiting for the twins.
"Why do I have to wait for them?" Onyx complained.
Harper shrugged. "At least things aren't awkward from the kiss," she said brightly.
Onyx shot her a dirty look. "I was trying to forget that."
"Sorry." Harper looked around the room. "But really, I thought things would be all weird today."
"Can we please not talk about this?"
"Fine, fine," Harper sighed. "Are you saving a dance for Fred?" she asked suddenly.
"No, why?" Onyx asked, confused.
"Nothing, nevermind. I wish they wouldn't make such a big deal over my dress. I'm not even going."
"Please come!" Onyx begged.
"No, I'm not going! What's it to you, anyway, you're going to be with Cedric," Harper reminded Onyx.
"Well, true," Onyx admitted. "But I'll feel bad that you're missing out."
"Don't, I'll be fine." Harper assured her. "Maybe I'll hang out with Malfoy," she laughed.
"If that's what it comes to, I am dragging you down there to save you from such a terrible fate."
The twins came down the stairs. "Where did everybody go? Did old Wood have a change of heart?" Fred asked.
"No, he left for the pitch. And now we have to go," Onyx said, getting up and heading for the portrait.
"Why, Onyx, did you offer to stay behind and escort us to the pitch?" George asked, looking surprised.
"I am flattered," Fred told her.
"No, Wood volunteered me," she told them. "Now let's go."
The twins followed her all the way down to the pitch, talking about how flattered they were the entire trip. Harper stayed behind in the common room to finish up some homework.
When Onyx and the twins got to the pitch, they were met by a very upset Wood. "What took you so long?" he cried.
"Them," Onyx said, pointing at the twins.
"That's not fair. You were the one who was all upset about how you had no makeup on!" Fred told her.
"I did no such thing!" Onyx cried.
"Onyx doesn't bother with that stuff," Wood said, looking confused. He gave his head a quick shake. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Get on your brooms and warm up," he instructed.
They obliged and the twins continued to follow Onyx around and kept shooting the Bludgers her way.
"Would you stop it?" she asked exasperatedly after one nearly took off her head.
"Why? It's so much fun. Plus, it's not like you're too slow to get out of the way. We're helping you warm up," Fred said, flying close to her.
"Thanks but no thanks."
"Testy, are we?" George asked, flying up to her other side.
"A little bit, thanks to you."
"Aww, now we can't have that," Fred told her.
"No indeed," George agreed.
They left her alone after Wood yelled at them.
It was a good practice. They weren't quite sure what Wood's big plan was, but they worked on a lot of team maneuvers.
"Okay, team, I think that's enough," Wood finally announced after three hours of practice.
"Finally," Harry said, landing on the ground next to Wood. "I can barely feel my legs."
"That is a weakness that we can't have, Harry," Wood reprimanded.
"Oliver, take it easy." Onyx told him. "Relax. It's only Sunday, we have three more days."
"Two, we only have two more days!" he shrieked.
"Relax!" she yelled back. "Oliver, go take a nap or something. Quit freaking out."
"I might go for a run…" he said.
"Good idea."
"We'll come!" the twins said brightly.
"No! I need to relax." Wood told them.
They looked hurt. "Fine, but when you get bored, don't come crying to us," George said.
The team went back to the castle. When Onyx reached the common room, she saw that Harper was having a whispered conversation with Hermione and Ginny.
"What are you guys talking about?" she asked curiously.
"Harry asked Hermione to the dance!" Harper practically shouted.
"Hush!" Hermione hissed. Onyx could see that she was blushing.
"About time, isn't it?" Harper asked Onyx.
Onyx nodded. "When did he ask you?"
"Early this morning. We were out by the lake," Hermione gushed uncharacteristically.
"Ooh," Harper and Onyx sang.
"And then he asked me—" Hermione got interrupted by a knock on the portrait.
"I'll get it," Onyx sighed. She didn't even think about how she was still in her Quidditch clothes and all sweaty.
She opened the portrait and there stood,
"Cedric? Um, hi. What, uh, are you doing here?" she stammered.
"Well, I figured that since you came to visit me, I should return the favor." He looked at her. "Did you just get back from practice?"
"Um…" she looked down at herself. "Yes. Oliver, you know him, he's freaking out about the game on Wednesday."
"Invite him in!" she heard Harper call out.
"What? No! He's not allowed!" Fred cried.
"Kick him out to the curb!" George added.
Onyx sighed and stepped out of the common room so she could be with Cedric in the hall.
"What's up, Ced?"
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to say hi. So, hi."
"Is that all?" Onyx pried.
"Basically," Cedric answered. "I thought you might want a break from your tutoring."
"Well, thank you. It's nice talking to civilized people after spending the entire day with those two loonies." She pointed to the twins who were peeking out of the portrait. "Do you mind?" she asked them.
"Yes," they answered in unison.
She gave a sigh and Cedric smiled at her sympathetically.
"Are you doing anything tonight?" he asked her.
"No. I have nothing planned."
"Really—hmmmmm. I might have something. You up for it?"
"Sure," she grinned.
He looked her over. "You might want to change though," he advised.
She looked down at her outfit. "What's wrong with this?"
"Well, if you want to wear it I have no objections but it doesn't look that comfortable."
She grinned. "You're right, the shin guards are a downer. You can come in and wait for me," she said, ushering him into the common room.
His eyes widened. "Are you sure it's allowed?" he asked skeptically.
"Pssh, why wouldn't it be?" she asked as he cautiously stepped in. Right away, the twins had a field day.
"Onyx!" Fred yelled. "What are you doing? He's in Hufflepuff! He's not allowed in here!"
Onyx rolled her eyes. "There's no rule against it," she informed him. "He's allowed in here if I say so."
"Is not!" George hissed. "Nobody is allowed in the common room of another house! Not ever in the history of Hogwarts has it been allowed."
"Says who?" Harper asked, coming to Onyx's defense.
"Yeah, if it's not written down on paper then it's a bendable rule," Onyx announced. "Harps, protect Cedric while I go change, will you?"
"Sure thing."
"Wait, Onyx, I can handle myself," Cedric assured her.
Onyx raised her eyebrows. "If you're sure you'll be fine alone in a house full of Gryffindors who hate your guts…"
Cedric quickly glanced about the common room. "Um, Harper, how do you plan on protecting me?"
Laughing, Onyx made her way up the staircase as Harper explained to Cedric that everyone was afraid of her knitting needles. Thankfully for them all, Onyx was a very fast changer of clothes and was back downstairs in a flash. She was relieved to find that Cedric was still alive and sitting near the fire, talking to Harper and Harry.
"Still alive?" she asked him teasingly.
He glanced at her and did a double take. "Whoa."
"What? Did I forget to put something on?" Onyx asked worriedly, giving herself a quick once over.
"No, you just look… amazing," Cedric gawked. It was rather true. She had on jeans and a grey turtleneck, a scarf and shiny moonboots.
Onyx blushed, making Fred and George gag.
"Can he leave now before I have to throw up?" Fred asked, sounding panicked.
"Fine then," Cedric said. He offered Onyx his arm. "Shall we?"
"Oh, that's smooth," Harper said approvingly.
"We shall," Onyx grinned. And with that they marched out the portrait and into the hall. "So where are you taking me?" Onyx asked.
"It's a surprise. Just follow me," he told her, heading down the stairs.
"We aren't going to the kitchens again, are we? Because Draco tends to ruin that for us," she reminded him.
Laughing, he continued down the stairs and soon they were racing. He won, of course, and they burst onto the front lawn just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon.
"Aw we missed it," Onyx said, shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Missed what?" Cedric asked.
"The sunset!"
Much to her surprise, he grinned.
"What's so funny?" she asked him.
"That wasn't my plan," he told her.
"It wasn't?"
He shook his head and continued walking down towards the lake.
"We aren't going swimming, are we?" Onyx asked in sudden concern. "Because I'm wearing jeans and I don't feel like drowning tonight."
"No, we're not going drowning tonight," he assured her. "I've got an even better idea than that."
"You always have better ideas, don't you?" she observed.
"Some even call me romantic."
Onyx made a face. "I wouldn't call you romantic at all."
"Then what would you call me?" he challenged.
"Suave. Debonair. Charming, perhaps? Dazzling, intoxicating, terribly distracting… do you want me to go on?" she offered.
He stared at her. "That has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Onyx was taken aback. "Really?"
"Yes really."
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Well then I'm glad I said it. So, what have you been planning?"
They had made their way to the beach and much to Onyx's surprise, Cedric lay down in the sand. "Get down here," he told her.
Onyx complied, lying down next to him.
"That's not what I meant."
She looked at him. "Then what did you mean?"
Next thing she knew, he was cradling her in his arms. "This is what I meant."
Not one to complain, she snuggled up against his chest. "This was your plan?" she teased him.
"Partially."
"What was the rest of it?"
"Look up," he instructed.
She did so and gasped because they were laying under a blanket of stars.
"I knew you'd like it," he said, sounding immensely pleased with himself.
"How did you know I loved stargazing so much?" she asked in total and complete shock.
"I have my sources," he said tantalizingly. "So was this a good plan?"
"It is an amazing plan," she gushed. She looked at him. "Thank you."
He answered by giving her a passionate kiss. "You are quite certainly welcome."
They lay there in silence for awhile, watching the sky in their own separate worlds. Onyx felt warm and comfortable being held in Cedric's arms. Cedric, on the other hand, was just thankful that she was there with him. He, like many other people, often thought that Onyx was an unobtainable girl. He had liked her since practically the moment they first met but was too gentlemanly to try and pursue her because he knew that she did not like being pressured into things. Caught by a sudden wave of emotion, he leaned in to kiss her neck but stopped short when he saw her turtleneck.
"Remind me to remind you to never wear turtlenecks again," he told her.
"What? Why?" she asked him in confusion. "What's wrong with them?"
"I can't kiss your neck," he said simply.
She blinked and then started to giggle uncontrollably.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just that… nobody's ever said that to me before!" she laughed.
"Well, you have a beautiful neck and you shouldn't hide it," he told her, pulling the neck of her turtleneck down so he could kiss her neck.
Onyx smiled. "Ced."
He smirked into the kiss. He moved his lips from her neck to her jaw, following her jaw line to her lips and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
She was caught very off guard; Cedric surprised her with his passion. Not like she was complaining. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I think I am beginning to fall for you," Cedric told her as he pulled away.
She smiled at him and tousled his hair. "The feeling is mutual."
He tightened his arms around her. "You excited for Friday?"
"Very."
"You know, I am very excited too," he admitted, cocking an eyebrow at her.
"And why would that be?" she wanted to know, pressing her forehead against his.
"To be perfectly honest, I am really looking forward to seeing you in a dress."
Onyx beamed because she knew her dress would knock Cedric off his feet.
"What color is your dress?" Cedric asked.
"Hmmmm. I think that you will have to be pleasantly surprised at the dance."
"You are such a tease," he sighed, kissing her lips.
"Think of it this way," she began, "since you are always surprising me, consider this my surprise for you."
Cedric pouted. "You can't just tell me?" he simpered batting his eyelashes at her.
Onyx placed her hands on the sides of his face. "Nope. You are just going to have to wait it out."
He groaned.
She kissed him lightly on the lips. "I promise it will be worth it."
"All lies," he answered. "I will not believe that until I see it for myself."
"Well you won't be able to see it until Friday," she pointed out. "So you'll just have to take my word for it."
Cedric let out a long, dramatic sigh. "You are very mean to me, did you know that? It's really rather unattractive."
Onyx had to laugh. "Just wait until you see my dress," she enticed him. "And then say that I'm unattractive."
Cedric held her closer and kissed the top of her head. "I would never say that."
They spent the rest of the evening cuddled up together, especially as a chilly wind began to show its face. Only when Cedric realized that Onyx was shivering did he suggest that they go back upstairs.
"That might be a good idea," Onyx said gratefully as Cedric helped her to her feet. Holding hands, they made their way back up to the castle. It was dark and quiet inside, since it was once again near curfew. Hurrying as not to get caught, they raced up the stairwells all the way up to Gryffindor tower. Onyx made Cedric stay in the hall as she whispered the password to the portrait and she dutifully swung open.
As usual, Onyx's gang was sitting near the fireplace. They all looked over as Onyx lead Cedric into the common room.
"Hold up!" Fred said sternly, standing up and pointing at Cedric. "He's not allowed in here."
"Oh come on, Fred," Onyx rolled her eyes. "We've already been over this, there is no rule that states that students from other houses aren't allowed in other common rooms. He can come in here if I say so."
Fred sat back down, arms folded across his chest. "Fine then," he allowed. "He can stay. But he's only allowed where I can see him at all times. So no sneaking off to go snog in some closet."
Cedric blushed slightly but quickly retorted, "Come now, Fred, you know that all the good closets are in Hufflepuff anyway."
Ginny, Harper, and Hermione all laughed at that while Fred slumped back in defeat.
"Fine," he grumbled. "But you're still not allowed out of my sight."
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then. Away from prying eyes." Cedric gave Onyx a quick kiss on the cheek and then headed towards the portrait. Onyx looked highly disappointed.
"Night!" she called out weakly.
"Oh, I really dislike that boy. I forbid you from seeing him ever again," Fred told her.
"Okay, Dad," she said, turning to face Fred. "Now, I am going to pummel you." She ran towards him and he quickly fled his chair. She chased him around the common room and then George joined in the fun, amidst Harper yelling at them all to stop.
"Come on, you guys, stop it. Onyx, quit chasing them. Fred, don't trip her!"
Everybody ignored her. In fact, all of the other Gryffindors seemed to enjoy the chase. They even started rooting for either Onyx or the twins. Onyx had more fans. Harper sighed and got back to her Potions essay.
Finally, Onyx gave up, after Fred tripped her twice, and the twins gave up after she froze them with a spell.
"Finally. Now you two quit prying into my business. Otherwise I am going to hurt you. Understand?" she asked.
"Mmm mm mmm!" George tried to talk, but the spell wouldn't allow him to move his mouth.
"I like this. We'd have way less distractions if we kept them like this," Onyx stated, turning to Harper, Hermione and Ginny.
"I think it should be permanent," Ginny decided.
Hermione agreed. "Just as long as you keep them away from their Weasley's Wizard Wheezes stuff."
The twins started making more 'mmmm' noises in protest. The girls all laughed except for Harper.
"I think that it will be boring without them," she said. "Although it is nice not hearing them go on about my dress."
Hermione and Ginny looked at her. "You got a dress?" they both cried.
"Why is that such big news?" Harper asked in exasperation, now regretting that she had brought the subject up again.
George made a noise that sounded like it was supposed to be 'ha ha'. Harper made a face at him.
"What does it look like?" Ginny wanted to know.
"I'll show you later. Maybe, if you're good." Harper started her homework again.
"Okay, I'm going to go to the library," Onyx announced. "I need a book for Charms. Does anybody want to come with me? No? Okay, I'll see you guys later." Onyx went to the portrait while the twins started making a ruckus.
"Mm! Mmm mm mmm mm!" they went urgently. But Onyx continued walking and stepped through the portrait.
"You know, I think I'll join her. Madam Pince said something about getting some new books." Hermione got up and ran after Onyx.
Ginny looked at Harper. "Should we let them go or what?" she asked, nodding towards the twins.
Harper smiled. "Well, it is kind of nice having them contained…"
The twins sounded mad.
"Oh relax," she told them. She whipped out her wand and uttered the counter curse. The twins then fell on the floor in a heap.
"Oh well, it was fun while it lasted." Ginny got up. "I'm going to get something to eat. See you guys later." She left the common room, and then it was quiet. Everyone else had gone off to do something else, leaving Harper alone with the twins.
"I can't feel my jaw," Fred said, rubbing his mandible.
"My legs feel funny," George complained. He stood up and took a few tentative steps forward.
"You were only frozen for a few minutes," Harper informed them.
"Yes, and what a terrible few minutes those were," George said. "Curse that Onyx. Why on earth are you such good friends with her? How does that even work?"
"That is something you will never understand. Your heart is too small," she said, not looking up from her work.
"Yes, George, your heart is too small. I've been telling you that for years. That's why the girls always like me better," Fred said sadly.
"That's what I've been telling you!" George cried.
"Would you two please stop it? I need to get this done before Snape kills me," Harper pleaded.
"Oh, he'll never kill you, he loves you. Just like he hates me," Fred told her.
"Get over it, Fred. He'll never love you back," George told him.
Fred sniffed. "I'll try, George, I'll try."
"Let's go bother Onyx!" George suddenly suggested.
"Splendid idea, old chum! Let's go!"
"Go let's." George skipped over to the portrait when Harper called to them.
"Guys, do not go bother her. Haven't you done that enough today?"
The twins looked at each other and then turned to Harper. "No." And with that they ran out the door.
Harper sighed and went back to work. No sooner did she finish it then Ron and Harry came in, looking mildly amused.
"What's so funny?" she asked them.
"Fred and George are down in the library making a big scene. They're imitating Onyx and Cedric," Harry told her.
"Ew. Are they really? I should get down there and try and stop them before she snaps." Harper headed for the door, but Harry stopped her.
"What do you care? It's hilarious! Even she was laughing at them!"
"Really?" Harper looked skeptical. "Well, then I'm missing out. See you."
"Why do they always get the girls?" Ron wondered aloud as Harper left the common room. Harry shrugged.
When Harper got to the library, she found the show instantly. There was a gaggle of students in the corner and they were laughing. Actually, there weren't that many people there, but it looked crowded in the small nooks of the library. In the middle were Fred and George, apparently dancing together. George was Cedric, since he kept stepping on Fred's feet and Fred would say, "Ouch! Cedric, you clodhopper!"
"Sorry," George said in a dull voice. "I can't help being a clodhopper."
Then Lee Jordan joined in, going, "Hi, Onyx. Ah! It's Ugly McFugly! My eyes!"
Then the twins started up their Ugly McFugly dance amid the laughter of everyone who was present. Harper made her way over to Onyx and saw, much to her surprise, that Cedric was there. They were both laughing hysterically at the twins' antics.
"How long has this been going on?" Harper asked, sitting down next to Onyx.
"Ever since I got down here," Cedric answered.
"Did you finish your homework for Snape?" Onyx asked.
Harper rolled her eyes. "That man is pure evil. How on earth are we supposed to know how quickly poisonous potions kill, it's not like we know from experience!"
"Ced and I already finished our paper. What took you so long with it?" Onyx inquired.
"I had to help the twins with theirs because you were gone or something. I don't know, something came up and I couldn't finish it. I forget," Harper said, glancing about the library.
"Why were you helping the twins? I'm the one tutoring them." Onyx looked confused.
"Because she's bloody brilliant and not dating a Pretty Boy," George said, sitting down next to Cedric.
"Well, Onyx is bloody brilliant, but she's dating old Pretty Boy, so that definitely docks points from her intelligence. No offense," Fred looked to Cedric.
"None taken. At least I don't look like greasy Malface," Cedric replied.
"Oh! I like it!" George declared. "I do say, Pretty Boy made a funny!"
"It was one decent joke," Fred said. "He's still young yet."
"That still doesn't answer my question," Onyx told them.
"It was the night you had your big date with Pretty Boy. I bet we fail it, though," George smirked at Harper.
"I almost hope you do now," she shot back.
"Then we blame it on you," Fred replied.
"I'll say you cheated off me."
"You cheated on me?" George cried. "I thought that we had something special!" He pretended to cry.
"What? I thought that you were dating me!" Fred stated. "My heart, it's been flouted."
"It's been what?" Onyx asked as George continued to sob.
"Flouted. It means 'broken'," George explained, and then began sobbing again.
"Where did you learn that?" Onyx asked in surprise.
"Harper." Fred stated simply.
"What can I say? I'm bloody brilliant," Harper said modestly.
"But not as much as our Professor," Fred told her. He started the 'Dead Dead Witch' song and George joined right in. They both got up and started the dance that they made up for it.
Cedric, having never seen the dance before, was rather intrigued, but Onyx dragged him away. Harper stayed for the performance and gave the twins a small round of applause before getting up and leaving.
"Wait just one minute," George said. "Where do you think you're going off to alone?"
"To the common room. Why? Worried for my safety?" she asked, remembering Zonko's.
"No. Quite the contrary. We want to get ahead in case you…you…" he looked to Fred. "Help me here."
"In case you decide to do something and blame it on us. This way, we have an alibi."
"I like it. Very clever," George declared.
"I do say, it was clever, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. I believe a congratulations is in order." George bowed to Fred. "Congratulations."
Neither of them noticed that Harper had left. She started off towards the common room and ran up the stairs, every other step as usual. When the twins realized that she had escaped, they tried to go after her.
"Which way did she go?" Fred asked, looking down the hall.
"No idea. But, seeing as she said that she is going to the common room, I'll say that she went this way." George pointed to his right and they ran off.
"Why are we running after her, again?" Fred asked.
"I have no idea. I think it's because I'm trying to make Onyx jealous. I don't understand how my mind works," George replied. He had no idea how this idea came to him; it just did. So for the past week or so he had been spending more and more time getting to know Harper. He was picking on her more and generally spending more time with her than ever before. Unfortunately, the more he got to know her, the more he realized that neither she nor Onyx were really the jealous types. This was a serious kink in his flawless plan and yet he was still hanging out with her…
"Isn't that a bit cruel, leading one on to get the other?" Fred had stopped running and looked at George.
"You know, it's that exact mentality that gets you all the girls. You sicken me," George said. "You're too sweet."
Fred shrugged. "Hey, it works."
"That it does. How on earth did she disappear so quickly?" George wondered, craning his neck to see further down the hall.
"Is it possible that she knows some of our passage ways?" Fred asked. "Maybe Onyx told her some of them."
"Maybe. Oh well. I'm hungry. Let's raid the kitchens."
"Let's. Maybe that Dobby has more cream puffs!" Fred said hopefully.
Harper was back in the common room by the time the twins got into the kitchens. She was fast. That was all there was to it. Onyx didn't come back until much later.
"Where did you two run off to?" Harper asked curiously, knitting of course.
"The courtyard, actually. We just sat and talked. Except it started raining."
"Fun. Sitting in the rain. I can imagine how that went."
"So, what did you and the twins do?" Onyx asked, plopping in the chair next to Harper's.
"Nothing. I left them while they were congratulating each other about something."
"Clever." Onyx yawned. "I can't wait until Friday," she said.
"What about Wednesday?" Harper wanted to know.
"Wednesday? Oh, yeah, the big game. I'm excited about that too. I can finally kick Malfoy's butt once and for all."
"Haven't you already?" Harper asked, grinning.
"Oh, yeah. Well, I get to do it again. This will be a very long week."