The astounding reaction I received from everyone in this school made my new plan more than double worthwhile. When I showed up at dinner on his arm last night and again sat with him this morning everyone sounded like they were billywigs trapped in a jar. The palatable hum around me fueled me. It was like I needed controversy to live. It was a much longer venture then I usually pursued but I almost felt as if it was worth it. I got the ultimate reaction and I'll be adding two more to my hate list by tomorrow morning. But in the meantime Paxton wasn't horrid company. He kept relatively quiet—answering my prying questions without hesitation. I've learned loads. Okay—I lied. He was far too open of a book for me to ever be into him in more than a sexual way. I almost can't make it until dawn. But I grin and bear my indiscretions.
How he knows Sage is into him but doesn't want to risk the ultimate friendship by trying anything. How he usually goes for the quieter types in a year lower than him because girls in our year are annoying and shallow. How he writes poetry. Ughck. I'm one for the arts but there's something about a guy who writes poetry that's so pedantic and pretentious. It almost made me jump ship right away. But I swallowed my insults and pretended it was the cutest thing in the whole world.
"So then the Profit wrote me about publishing one of my works but I didn't accept it because it would be a bit too mainstream. I just couldn't believe Sage would go as far as doing that behind my back," Paxton sighed, picking at his bagel. Oh for the love of Merlin. The sexual repression between these two was straight up ridiculous. I don't think Paxton even knew how into her he was because her disgusting display of affection was turning him way off.
"Of course—what in the world was she thinking?" I droned, taking a sip of juice. I almost wanted to pour it over his head and stalk off. He doesn't challenge me and I was bored.
"Her heart was into it but she was so stubborn that she didn't see reason. No worries—I sent her picture into Witch Weekly's Worst Dressed List and it made publication. It shut her up for a bit," he laughed. I almost snorted my juice out of my nose. That was schemey! I didn't think the wimp had it in him. "What? Don't seem like I could be so vindictive? I am in Slytherin, love."
"What is with your culture using the word love so often? Doesn't it ruin the magic of the real thing?" I snapped before I could even stop myself. I wanted to kick myself in face after that. I wasn't thinking of his use of the noun but rather another annoying being.
"It's a term of endearment. Totally different from the verb form of the word," Pax snorted, brushing off my question like it was nothing. Maybe he does has a few redeeming qualities that can hold me over until tomorrow. So with a bat of my eyelashes, I gave him a coy smile and angled myself towards him so I could plant my chin in my palm.
"What other qualities are you hiding from me? I want to know what else a Slytherin hides," I purred, batting my eyelashes. Paxton paused for a moment. I was curious to his reaction. I've kept my advantages simple and coy. Not even allowing him a kiss yet. Keeping things relatively innocent. I was curious to what his reaction would be if I amped it up a notch. He doesn't seem to be the type to react to it in a positive way. He seems like he would be put off by it so this was a test on my part. I wonder if I will scare him away.
"I guess that's something for you to find out tonight, eh?" he grinned, his eyes lidded and heavy as he pushed some of my hair off my forehead. I wanted to cringe away from his initial touch because that's what I do—but I had to remember that I was in 'Prowling Adder' mode and not 'Cold-Shoulder Adder'. So I let him push my hair away and rest his hand on my upper thigh. He was reacting a lot differently then I pegged him for. I thought he would be sort of a pussy when it came to stuff like this but I was pleasantly surprised. He was making this task a lot more fun for me than I anticipated.
Fred
I kept finding my eyes flicking across the Hall in the direction of the Slytherin table. Adder had taken residence there this morning and was getting rather cozy with Joss. The shock around the student body when they started hanging around together yesterday was big—and now as they were speaking together with heads bent close everyone was a buzz. Nothing spreads faster through Hogwarts like a new (and completely random) relationship. If that was it even was.
Part of me wanted to go to Paxton and tell him he was being played but that would mean an admittance of my own fault and my ego wasn't ready to do that to anyone but Dominique. So I settled with glaring at them and furiously eating my Owl O's.
"Fred—you're going to break the bowl," a voice sighed from my right, capturing my wrist. I looked over at a smirking Kelly, blinking lightly at me behind her thin glasses. "What's got your knickers in a twist? A prank fail?"
"No—my pranks never fail," I replied, allowing a small smirk. "I'm just frustrated."
"That the new girl is not bugging you anymore?" she snorted. I felt my jaw drop slightly. Kelly rolled her eyes and tapped it closed with two fingers. "I'd rather not see half-chewed breakie, Fred. And no, you're not obvious. I'm just perceptive."
"I don't care. Let Joss have her. Get's her out of my hair," I retorted, busying myself with my pumpkin juice. It wasn't that she wasn't bugging me anymore. That I was in stitches about. I was bugged that she was just going to play another guy after Paxton. It had to end somewhere—right? "I'm just annoyed with her in general. She's annoying, okay?"
"Oh so very," Kelly nodded—still smirking slightly.
"What's got his wand in a knot?" Dominique questioned, slipping in on my other side and grabbing a stem of grapes off my plate.
"Who else? The Yank," Kelly replied. Dominique continued chewing as she rolled her eyes and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"You've got to get over that, Freddy. First you complain that she won't leave you alone and now that she's left you alone you freak out some more," she announced in between popping a few more grapes into her mouth. "A stranger might think there's something going on there."
"But we're no strangers. So don't worry, we don't think that remotely," Kelly put in.
"At all," Dominique concluded with a small smirk.
I couldn't even remotely hide my facial revulsion. The only way I would ever be interested in Adder in any ways other than looks would be if hell froze over. I'd rather copulate with the Giant Squid. I'd rather let Devil's Snare at me.
"Don't look so disgusted Fred, we were only yanking your wand," Kelly sighed, placing her hand on my upper arm as the rush of wings filled the hall. "Look, what a fantastic diversion from this awkward topic. Post is here."
The owls dropped around us as they located their owner. Dominique's tawny scop owl careened into my cereal bowl—covering us in milk and soggy bits of grain.
"Chouette! You poor thing," she cooed, scooping him from the bowl as my own barn owl landed gracefully on my shoulder.
"Hey Zonko—what have you got there?" I questioned, releasing the small package from his leg and pushing the forgotten bowl towards him. He swooped down and began to dip his beak in the milk. "Oi! Roxy! Zonko brought me your package!" I declared, reaching for the binding as I shouted down the table.
"No! Fredrick! Open your own post!" she shrieked, falling off of the bench in her haste to get to me. I paused for a moment, contemplating laughing at her, but my curiosity got the better of me. She obviously didn't want me to open her package.
"What'd you send for? It isn't from home," I grinned, as she managed to crawl over and launch herself over Dom's shoulders to get at me. I quickly evaded her, jumping off the bench and holding the package out of her reach.
"It's mine and it's none of your bloody business," she snapped, jumping up and grabbing at the raised arm.
"But I'm you're big brother. Of course it's my business," I laughed. Roxy doesn't hide things often. Most things that would make a girl squirm admitting they bought, Roxy wouldn't blink an eye. I've gone through many of times like this where it ended up being feminine products. She isn't afraid to tell me such. So this had to be good.
"Bugger off, Fredrick and give it here!" she snapped, launching herself at my torso, her magical abilities obviously forgotten. She could've just summoned it after all.
"Don't think I will," I laughed, pushing down on her head so she fell back on her bum.
"I'll shout for a professor if you open that," she threatened, starting to get back up, which I cut off with lightly pushing her down with a foot. I looked quickly at the Head Table. Since it was Saturday—most of the teachers hadn't ventured down for breakfast. Only Professor Jangle and Professor Marxx of Ancient Ruins were lazily munching their food, paying no heed to us students.
"You wouldn't dare—you're not like that," I ventured with a small smile. So to prevent further stepping on my little sister, I plopped down across her stomach. It was less painful on her part and very effective on mine.
"Gerroff me Fred and give me back that package!" she declared, hitting my sides with her fists. The fact that no one was coming to her aide or even reacting to what was going on was amusing enough. It made me think how often occurrences like this happened between us to be considered fairly normal. So with painstaking slowness I pulled at the twine binding the package until it came unraveled.
"Honestly Fred! If you open that I'll hex you until next year!"
"Like to see you try, midget," I snorted, going for the wrapping.
"Leave her be, Fred," Dominique sighed, finally intervening.
"Nope—I've got it open. There's no turning back," I laughed, looking back in the package and removing the bits of fabric only to immediately drop it back in my lap. It was small—shouldn't even begin to be considered clothing. Pink and white striped with wire and padding.
"Did you order fancy knickers?" I gasped, looking down with alarm and disgust at Roxy's disgruntled face.
"Don't be daft. It's a bikini!" she snapped, pushing at my side with both hands. "Gerroff me!"
"A bikini? What would you need a biki—OH HELL NO! THERE IS NO WAY IN THE ENTIRE MAGICAL UNIVERSE THAT YOU'RE GOING!" I bellowed jumping off of her and glaring the best I could while on all fours. Roxy sat up and locked her jaw.
"I'd like to see you try to stop me, Fredrick. I'm in fifth year. The notice says fifth through seventh, yeah?" she stated, standing up and brushing herself down. She snatched the offending piece of clothing off the floor and started back towards her friends.
"ROXANNE ALICIA WEASLEY! Get back here! No way in hell are you going toni—"
In which Fred Weasley is smacked very hard across the back of the head.
"Oi! What the bloody hell was that for? Can't you see I'm in a rage?" I snapped, whirling around to catch the offender. Callen was standing very broad and very tall and very angry.
"Will you watch your mouth? Do you want to blow it?" he hissed, grabbing my arm and toting my out of the Hall. "What's the big deal?"
"The big deal is that that's my little sister who thinks she's going to a party tonight. And I'm not going to let it happen! There will be booze there!"
"Dude—you were at these parties when you were her age. Don't be a douche bag and let the kid have some fun," he declared, grinning genially.
"He's right, Fred. I'll watch out for her if you're that concerned. I have no reason to not be sober. Someone responsible has to be," Dominique sighed from behind me. I jumped slightly and whirled on her.
"It's Roxy!" I whined—putting both hands on my cousin's shoulders.
"Exactly. It's not like its Molly—she, of all people, can handle herself," Dominique laughed, patting my cheek with her hand.
"She's right, I can handle myself," Roxy snapped, slipping out of the Hall.
"You don't know what you're getting into!" I groaned, wanting to smack her upside the head.
"You're my brother. I think I'm prepared as I'll ever be," she snorted. "You're not stopping me so you might as well accept it."
"That's the attitude! See you there, love!" Callen declared, grinning slowly at her as she walked towards the Grand Staircase. I watched the way his eyes lingers and the small smirk on his lips and ice slid into my stomach. Dominique groaned slightly as I turned slowly towards my 'best mate'.
"You stay the hell away from my sister," I warned before gathering what dignity I had left and following the path Roxy departed in.
Adder
"He was livid—who knew 'Mr. Everything rolls of me like water' would be the protective older sibling type?"
"It was kinda hot."
"That's…euhck!—just do not say that ever again."
"C'mon Parker! Admit it! Seeing him all worked up and angry made something stir inside of you, yeah? It was like—feral. Maybe I'll see if he's interested tonight?"
"Oh for the love of Godric—how many times have you tried this and how many times has it blown up in your face? He always falls back on Kelly or someone a year lower and you get upset and we spend the rest of the evening consoling you in the loos while Kelly frets about your ruined friendship."
"I thought I told you all not to bring that up again! It's a drunk only th—"
"Will you all just shut the hell up about Fred Weasley!?" I snapped, ripping back my bed curtains and glaring at the party piled on Carrie's bed. It was all my dorm mates, Dansey Patil and Clarissa Jones from Ravenclaw, and a few girls from Hufflepuff whose names I don't remember. I honestly don't understand why our Houses have passwords if all the girls all hang out together. They know our password so what's the point of keeping it all a huge secret? I could tell none of them took my comment with a good eye because almost every one of them was wearing expressions of slight shock and definite annoyance.
"What do you care?" Carrie questioned bluntly.
"Because I'm trying to nap and all I hear are you guys yammering pathetically about Weasley," I replied coolly. "If you didn't realize, this is my dorm as well."
"This is a ritual we've had since third year. Saturday afternoon Gossip Sessions," Kelly shrugged as one of the Hufflepuff girls nodded fervently.
"It's how we know not to take each other's guys. Not that you'd know about that prospect, of course," she sniffed. I wanted to laugh. In fact I did, laugh, that is. I just don't know why girls thought that their words could wound me. I'm queen of 'wounding words' myself and they don't break through my barrier.
"Oh that's a good jab there. I wish I knew your name so I could send you a 'Thank You' card. So then you could just pull it out to remind you of that perfect zinger you actually got in there. I thought you Badger things were supposed to be welcoming of everyone? I've only been here two weeks and I know that," I shot back, smiling slightly when her face turned slightly red.
"My name's Bridget," she mumbled under her breath.
"Well Bridget next time you make an accusation—check your facts. I don't purposefully chase after the taken ones, they often come to me. It's not my fault girls can't hold on to their guys and if he's cheating on you that obviously says something. When a guy's with me cheating doesn't even cross his mind," I laughed, flicking my hair over my shoulder and leaning closer to their bed like I was sharing a big secret.
"That's a disgusting philosophy. And not all guys think your tacky way of seduction is thrilling. Corey hasn't even looked your way once," Parker declared hotly.
"That's because Corey's head is too far up your ass to notice anyone else," I snorted. There was a small giggle from one or two of the girls but it stopped as soon as Parker glared their way. "Like I said, the boy will always be a cheater unless the girl keeps their interest. What I just said was very much a compliment. Or as much as a compliment you'll ever get from me."
"You're a horrid human being," Parker sniffed, grabbing her issue of Witch Weekly and burying her face in it.
"Darling, tell me something I don't already know, why don't you?" I sighed, grabbing my covers and yanking them back around my bed. Settling down into my pillow I strained my ears to the conversation that five inches of velvet was blocking me from. I was positive they would start whispering incessantly about me and what a frigid, slutty, bitch I was. It wasn't the first time I've heard such. The soft caresses of voices only confirmed my suspicions.
"How do you live with her? Aren't you afraid she's going to kill you in your sleep or something?"
"Every single night," Parker hissed back.
"Oh please, stop being so dramatic Parker. She honestly keeps to herself. We only have to endure outbursts like that every so often. I feel kinda sorry for her, honestly," Carrie sighed.
Sorry for me?! Who does she think she is feeling sorry for me? I didn't ask her to care. I don't need her sympathy. I'd honestly rather Parker's impression of me then Carrie's. It was easier to be hated then felt sorry for. With an angry jab of my wand their voices fell away and I was finally able to drift into a fretful and dream filled sleep.
Fred
"If you used your powers for good rather than evil imagine what you could accomplish, Callen," I sighed, looking around the area he had set up around the lake. Tables were set up off under the trees and lanterns floating in the dark water as well as the air. The best part was the mega disillusionment charm that took several Ravenclaws to perfect. It spanned in a perfect bubble around the party area with several other charms used to muffle all sound and such. It was, surprisingly, Dominique's doing. She learned it from Aunt Hermione who used it when she was in hiding in the height of the war. I've stepped on the outside of the barrier and it's perfect. I didn't think it was possible to get it this big.
"But it's so much more fun being evil, mate," Callen replied, grinning cockily at his setup. I checked my watch with a frown before looking around at the people hanging about from the set up. James and Kent were in a corner talking to Kaylie in low voices. Leaving Cal to bask in his own ego I strutted over and plopped down in the grass with Kaylie.
"What's up buttercup? You look psyched."
She looked over, her brow furrowed and lower lip caught deftly between her teeth, before giving her head a quick shake and busying herself with yanking chunks of grass from the ground.
"She's fretting over getting caught," James sighed, tugging lightly on a tendril of her hair. "Pet, I promise you I'll make sure you're not implemented."
"It's not like the other parties we've gone to. This is out of the castle. James, I'm a prefect!"
"Kaylie-Kat," Kent sighed, sitting next to his twin and resting his head on her shoulder. "Don't ruin our fun. We have the map and at first glance you can get the cloak all to yourself."
"And I'll take the heat for you," I added, giving her a small smile. She looked at the three of us and threw up her hands, smacking Kent in the process.
"Fine! Fine! I'll relax! Merlin, I'm insane but I'll relax," she exclaimed before giggling nervously.
"These are the memories you'll look back on," I concluded, throwing my arm in a grand gesture. "Now—can I see that map?"
"Should I trust you with it?" James sighed.
"I'll give it to Dominique as soon as she gets here," I replied, rolling my eyes. James gave me a small smirk but handed over the worn piece of parchment regardless. I scanned it and smiled slightly at the groups of two or three flitting out of the castle and to the farthest side of the lake. It actually looked like most people were taking the great risk and coming to this bash. I guess any party promised by Callen Parks is worth it. Pocketing the map I made my way over to the refreshment table, laden with everything you could ask for (muggle, wizard, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike), and picked my way through the different bottles.
"Starting already? I thought we learned to pace our self mate?"
I nearly dropped the handle of amber liquid that Callen somehow smuggled on campus. There, looking sufficiently cocky, was my real best mate. Screw whatever Callen's title was.
"Ryan bloody Wood, what the hell are you doing here?" I exclaimed, practically jumping on him and repeatedly punching his arm.
"Oi! I need those for my job!" Ryan exclaimed, pulling me into a headlock.
"Well wasn't this a…poufy greeting?" Dominique snorted, placing her hand on each of our shoulders.
"I appreciate you editing yourself," I managed to choke out. Dominique smacked Ryan hard on the shoulder and he begrudgingly released me.
"Do you honestly think I'd miss the last Welcome Rager of what was supposed to be my seventh year?" he questioned with a small smirk.
"Dominique write you?" I laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Aren't you the best cousin ever?"
"How've you been? I've heard…erm…things," Ryan shrugged.
"Tell me about Quidditch first. I haven't seen you since the start of summer holidays and I'll need a few drinks before we get into my shit." I groaned, scuffing up my hair.
"That bad?" Ryan grimaced.
"That—"
"That different," Dominique finished for me.
"Different is a good word for it," I agreed, eyeing the crowds of people that suddenly showed up in the party space. Within the last half hour it went from dead to booming and I could hardly believe it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of red hair. My eye immediately followed it and I felt my mouth pull down at the corners slightly. She looked over her shoulder and instantly our gazes met. She smirked in my direction before biting slightly on her lower lip and giving me a wink. She winked at me! Fucking winked at me. Who the hell does she think she is? Ryan immediately followed my gaze and a chuckle ripped through his chest.
"Did someone finally tame you?" he questioned light heartedly.
"Ryan," I growled, turning back to the drink table and cracking open the bottle of amber liquid. Taking a quick pull from the bottle, I slammed it back down on the table before turning back to them.
"I didn't realize my name elicited such a reaction," Ryan remarked, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"Not you Ryan, her Ryan. Adder Ryan—the biggest bloody pain in my arse since Roxanne herself," I groaned.
"To avoid what will probably be another long winded complaint about her, I'm going to take this map and go someplace far away," Dominique deadpanned, grabbing the map from my back pocket and sauntering away. Ryan looked at me with raised eyebrows before grabbing a shot glass, pouring a liberal dose, and holding it in my direction.
"I think it might be best if you go first, mate."
Adder
"So—even I have to admit. This is quite impressive," I grinned, swirling my drink around in my glass before taking a small swig. Paxton threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his side. I had to stop myself from frowning. He was a tad too scrawny for my liking. I didn't fit right. There were too many angles and bones and not enough ease.
"It is a quite good bit of magic. Covering this much space," he nodded, taking my drink from my hand and sipping it. I had to fully prevent myself from smacking him. Nobody takes my drink unless specifically invited. I needed to get this job over with and done before I actually resort to magic. I was going to have to drag this to a more drastic level. Just to get things over with. I just needed to locate—ah there she was. Stalking away.
"It's a bit warm out tonight. Why don't we take a dip?"
"It doesn't look like you brought a swimsuit," Paxton replied dumbly. Merlin, boys were so slow.
"It's okay—my underclothes are quite okay with getting wet," I grinned, taking his hand and lacing my fingers through his. He grinned down at our intertwined hands and looped his arm over my shoulder. I could feel eyes following me as we walked towards the edge of the lake. There was a pounding mix of music but somehow once you got to the edge of the water—the sound of the party fell away leaving only those shrieking and laughing in the dark mass.
I passed Sage on the way. She was clutching her drink with a claw and daggers in her eyes. She yanked the hand of the nearest boy to her. He looked like our year and by the sullen look to his face, one that I've come to find often belongs to those in their house. He looked surprised but rather happy by the new development and followed willingly. She, on the other hand, looked positively livid. I looked over my shoulder and raised my free hand to give her a genial wiggle of fingers. She didn't take to that well—scowling further and practically yanking her dudes arm out of his socket.
"You guys going in?" she shouted, her voice rising above the noise. I paused for a moment to look at her 'thoughtfully' before looking coyly back at Pax. He looked torn between inviting her along and knowing if he did it would ruin any chance of him getting anything. So I did what I did best and what I was going for this whole time.
"Yeah—but I don't think we'll need much company. What do you think, Paxton?" I sighed, looking over my shoulder at him as I walked a few inches away and tugged off my loose black tank top. I felt the male eyes in the general area glance over at me. The small niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach was back but I brushed it away and stretched my arms over my head, popping my shoulders comfortably and aiding the black satin push-up bra further.
"I think I'll catch up with you later, Sage? Does that work for you?" Paxton questioned, not even glancing in her way as I kicked off my boots. His eyes were only on me. Perfect.
"C'mon Sage, I'll—erm…get you another drink," Sage's date stuttered. I fluttered my eyelashes at him and waggled my fingers in their direction. Sage's face was a mixture. She looked mostly furious but there was a small spark in her eyes that led me to believe tears were close by. And with an almighty 'humph' she whirled on her heel and hurried away. Basking in a flawless step of my plan (minus the other guy—I have no idea why anyone would go out with her knowing how strung up she was on Paxton. It honestly threw me for a loop) I gave Paxton one more flirtatious look over my shoulder before diving in the murky depths.
Fred
"Sounds like you needed that reality check. What girl has ever turned you down, Fred?" Ryan sighed, pouring us each another shot. I lofted it in his direction before tipping it back down my throat. It burned a bit as it went down, but warmed my toes and fingers.
"I know—that's mostly it. The ego thing, yeah? But now, it's just like she lives to bug me! She says things that dig deep," I groaned, banging my head on the table.
"If I didn't know you, I'd think that you might have a thing for her," Ryan replied. I looked up at him so fast I felt my neck crick.
"Why would I ever like a girl that is so rude and abrasive?" I questioned flatly.
"Because—I don't know. It's just that when people complain about someone, they usually can't get them out of their head." Ryan shrugged. "But if you say you can't stand her I'm not going to be the one to fight it."
"I just need to stop talking about it. The more I rehash it the more Dominique and Kelly and you say stupid shit like that," I grumbled, pushing back on the chair and standing up. The party was in full swing and I noticed our friends clustered at the edge of the dance floor. Giving Ryan a raised eyebrow, I grabbed my drink and headed that way. Kelly was laughing at something Darren was saying, holding on to her stomach and doubling over.
"Ryan!" Carrie shrieked, breaking away from the group and flinging herself on him. "Is Fred done commandeering you for the night? Have you two fully caught up in a truly bird-like fashion?"
"That hurts Carrie. We aren't bird-like, we just miss each other," Ryan joked, circling her waist and spinning slightly.
"And that's much better?" Kelly questioned, finally over her giggle fit. I slipped an arm around her waist and stooped down to rest my cheek on her head.
"You're much too short for me to do this, Pixie," I grumbled. She looked up at me—her brown eyes wide.
"Nice change of subject, Freddy," she giggled, patting my cheek before grabbing my drink and taking a swig. "Euck—this is strong! Who poured it? I think they're trying to do you in."
"That would be my best mate. He can't stand being away from me so he decides to off me," I laughed, straightening up and taking the drink from her hand. I quickly downed it before hefting Kelly up and over my shoulder. She immediately shrieked and began smacking my back. "We're going swimming Pixie!"
"Fred! I don't want to go swimming!" Kelly laughed, as I attempted to heel off my trainers without dropping her.
"Since when do I do what you want?" I questioned, using my free hand to attempt to yank apart my belt.
"Godric, at least put me down before you strip. I don't want to fall while you're all naked," she snorted, smacking me once again. I laughed but lowered her to the floor.
"I bet that's exactly what you want, Pix," I grinned, leaning in to look at her.
"Fred, you're drunk," she stated blatantly—gently removing her glasses from her face and placing them in my shoe.
"You said this only happens when we're drunk," I pointed out. Kelly eyed me for a moment before sighing.
"But I'm not drunk. Plus—I don't know if I want to be that for you," she shrugged.
I frowned—attempting to wrap her words around my slightly foggy brain.
"But, you're the only person I trust besides Ryan that's not my family. You'll never be just that for me," I declared, kicking my jeans off from around my ankles and putting my hands on her cheeks. She pet my hand fondly for a moment before casting her eyes downward.
"I don't know, Fred. Shall we take this seriously?" she questioned finally looking up at me.
"When do I ever take anything seriously? But you're you and I'm me and what's it going to hurt if we give it a try?" I questioned with a small smile. She rolled her eyes slightly but gave a small lift of her shoulders. Taking that as an affirmative, I yanked off my shirt and grabbed her around the waist—dragging her in front of me into the water.
"Fred!" she shrieked, splashing me with a wave of water. "I didn't even take off my cover-up!"
"That is unfortunate," I giggled, wading closer and pressing a firm kiss on her lips. "You should've acted faster."
Kelly grinned against my lips and wrapped her legs around my waist so she wouldn't have to tread water. With a small laugh she responded to the kiss, running her fingers through my hair and tilting her head just so. I clutched her just so, cupping the back of her head and pressing her closer to me. It went on as such. The playing of lips and other things of that nature. The water had slowly sucked the moisture from our skin leaving it wrinkly when the first big thing happened. The noise of the spell was so great that I was fairly certain it would break through the barrier and alert the castle beyond.
Kelly and I broke apart with a jerk, her slipping momentarily under the water before coming up spluttering. We looked wildly around for the cause of the noise—knowing it could never be good. There was one party my fifth year where two blokes went at it over a bird and one somehow ended up with an extra arm on their chest while the other was missing their right one. Jury is still out whether the arm belonged to the other—but it was bad. Ever since then we try to keep the dueling to a minimum.
"Sage! Let her up! Have you gone barking mad!?"
I whirled to my right and zero'd in on the shallows about ten feet away. Paxton was furiously trying to rip someone from the sucking of a mud pit while shouting at Sage, who had her wand pointed straight at the person she was trying to suffocate. At Paxton's scolding she lifted her wand allowing her victim up for breath. Adder came up spluttering and spitting, pushing her mud smeared hair out of her face. Her whole torso was covered thick with mud and even I could see her eyes glinting in absolute malice.
"I was waiting for that! I hope you realize it!" she snapped, standing up and slopping over so she was inches away from Sage. Even though she was a head shorter than her, Adder looked up in her eyes with pure confidence. "I've been waiting for one of you to strike first and now you'll wish you never did. I actually have an excuse to fight back."
"You deserved it! Walking around like you own the place! Rubbing him in my face!" Sage spat. Adder cocked an eyebrow and turned around and hooked her thumbs under the waistband of her jean shorts. With one quick motion she yanked them down, baring her knickers to Sage. The fluorescent pink script almost glowed in the dark. 'Your boyfriend says hello'.
"This hit too close to home?" she questioned her voice calm and level, straightening back up and crossing her arms over her chest. "But it's not accurate is it? He's not your boyfriend. He doesn't want to be."
This honestly was the most bizarre thing I've ever encountered and it made me instantly sober. I've never seen anyone actually fight over Paxton Joss for one. I didn't know what Adder thought she was gaining from this, for second. And third, I didn't know how she knew that rubbing this in Sage's face would get the reaction she did. Sage was normally a docile person—sure she had spunk but she never resorted to total violence. It seemed as childish of a move it was, Adder's display of her knickers cracked the last fissure in Sage's resolve. Both wands and the first set of spells were whipped out at such speeds if you'd blink you'd miss it.
I've never seen Adder actually use spell work. She's threatened it enough, of course. A lot of times it was actually at me, but she never actually went through with it. But she wasn't joking when she placed the threat. She was quite a master, deflecting spells and counteracting them almost automatically with her own. I shot Kelly a small look before taking off in broad strokes in their direction. Paxton was staring dumbly at the girls, his hands twitching towards his pants where I'm sure his wand was.
"Are you mad?" I snapped, finally reaching shallow enough water to fully stand. I whipped my wand out and cast a shield charm between the girls. Their last spells hit the barrier and shot off in wicked directions. "Why didn't you stop them?"
Adder was impressively rather unscathed. The only sign of damage was the gnarly looking cut on her forearm while Sage was sporting several colored boils and her ears kept twitching uncomfortably. I turned to look at Adder. While Sage was firing spells to actually maim her opponent, Adder was obviously dueling for a point. It took a combination of spells to get what Sage looked like now—skilled but relatively harmless. I was shocked. I was almost certain those blows were equally shot with the intention to hurt the other.
"Because he's too caught up in his own mind," Adder laughed, looking over in his direction. "He didn't have the guts to get in the middle of it, really."
"Take down the shield, Weasley. She's still standing." Sage declared, banging on the wall.
"Shut it Sage. You're drunk and acting like a loon," I sighed, looking impatiently in her direction.
"You didn't need to do that for me, Adder. I could've handled Sage on my own," Paxton put in lamely. Adder turned towards him while wringing out her cherry hair.
"I didn't do it for you," she smirked. "I did it because she was annoying. You, I did, because I was bored. Now that this night has reached its climactic point—I'm going to bed."
Paxton's jaw dropped and I'm almost positive I could hear a collective gasp from the crowd that had gathered.
"Do you not have a soul?" Sage questioned, clamping her hands over her ears. "Why don't you just go back where you came from? Don't you get that not one person here likes you?"
Adder stopped mid-way from going to pick up her things. She turned back to Sage, an almost weary look on her face.
"Don't you get that not only do I not want to be here but I don't care what anybody thinks. Don't you get that I'm doing everything I can to be hated. It's a hell of a lot easier in the end."
And with that she turned on her heel and stalked off—leaving a wake of shocked silence behind her.
A/A: Not only do you get two chapters in two days but you get an effing long one. An action packed effing long one. You're welcome. Repay me by telling me what you think?
Forever Yours Magically,
Emily
