Chapter 9: Teardrops on my Lettuce

Hey guys! I have a few things I'd like to address before I let you all read what goes on in my crazy mind, and I hope you all enjoy what I have concocted.

First, I've been re-reading the notebook where I pre-write each chapter with B and I've realized that I throw in some pretty crazy titles. (See above.) I just thought I'd explain that B challenged me to use 'flare' with chapter titles and so I have. No one has complained about them, or really commented, but when I used to write under a different alias, people really didn't like it. So, I thought I'd go ahead and explain now!

Second, I have received the question that has been haunting me since June when I began writing: Is Sirius still going to die? Well…I personally don't want to kill him; he's one of my favorite characters. But, as I've been watching interviews with J.K. Rowling, and with the releases of the Deathly Hallows, I've come to realize Sirius had to die, and so he will in my fiction as well. I know many of you won't appreciate it, but I do believe it must happen.

Third, someone asked me if I had a beta. No, I do not, but B is usually my beta; we bounce ideas off of each other and she makes corrections when she reads the notebook. I guess I wouldn't mind having a beta, but if you, the people, think I should have one, please comment with a yes or no, and I'll think of getting one.

So, with that out of the way, I guess you would like to read? Go right ahead!

Addie sat between Seamus and Dean, slowly picking at her salad. She smiled occasionally at what they were saying, but wasn't really paying attention. The only thing she was doing, was fingering the charm bracelet from George.

A few seats down, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Fred, and George were eating silently. George was angrily stabbing at his food before giving up and throwing down his fork. Hermione, ruffled by the clang, glared at George.

"Oh, for goodness sakes! George, she would have done something if she could have." Hermione took a deep breath, which allowed George time to throw in his two cents.

"Well she didn't, now did she?" George muttered, his gaze sending daggers into his plate.

"George, come on, you know you don't mean that." Ron said to his older brother. "Addie's a right mess without you."

George looked down the table and saw a tear fall into Addie's salad. His heart broke a little more. He loved her no matter what, and even though he was angry…which to tell you the truth…he wasn't, he desperately wanted to go and wipe her tears away, he wanted to hold her and kiss her.

Sick of George's childish behavior, Hermione got up and stalked over to Addie. As soon as she reached the tear-streaked girl, Hermione snatched Addie's arm fiercely and wrenched her to her feet. Hermione slammed Addie down next to George and Hermione glared at the redheads.

"Honestly, gingers and tempers! Talk this out the both of you or I'll-" Hermione was cut off by Dumbledore's Start of Term Speech.

"We have some new additions to this year's staff. Rejoining us will be Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be covering for Professor Hagrid."

Harry raised an eyebrow at his friends but remained silent as Dumbledore continued. "And Dolores Umbridge will be taking the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I hope you will all wish the professor good luck."

Dolores Umbridge, a stout, fat, toad faced woman, hem hem-ed and sat a little straighter. Dumbledore opened his mouth to continue the announcements, but Umbridge stood from her seat.

Addie, despite her heartbreak, let her jaw drop. No one interrupted Dumbledore at the start of Term Feast, and the amphibian looking woman had the audacity to try it? Ha, this should be good.

"Thank you Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." Umbridge smirked a little too sweetly.

Addie rolled her eyes as she looked down at the empty plate before her. George's words had really cut her deep, and the worst part was she could feel his eyes roaming her body.

Pushing her bangs to the side, Addie glanced up to meet George's unwavering gaze. His hazel iris's sent shivers up her spine, and she could feel fresh tears forming. As she forced her attention back to the plate, she realized that the new professor was still talking.

"Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be…prohibited." Umbridge finished her speech.

The room clapped sluggishly and Dumbledore said something about the lights that Addie didn't catch, seeing as she was confused by what toady had said.

"I didn't catch a single piece of that waffle." Good ol' Ron to ask the stupid question so Addie can retain her reputation.

Everyone looked at expectantly at Hermione, seeing as they all were lost. Hermione looked up from her plate, a grave expression plastered across her face.

"It means the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts."

There were collective gasps from people on down the Gryffindor table who'd been eavesdropping, but as soon as the group turned to look at them, they quickly changed their gaze direction.

"But, let's forget about that for now," Hermione waved the subject away with her hand, "there's a more pressing matter at our doorstep."

George dropped his head to his hands. "Oh yeah, what's that?"

Hermione's anger grew in intensity. "That fact where you and Addie make up pronto or I rip your anatomy from your body."

George feared for his life, never seeing Hermione this scary in all his life knowing her. His eyes wide, and his head nodding vigorously, George turned to Addie.

Addie gulped at the fact that an apology was coming. She'd never been good at the whole 'talk things out' idea, even as a kid. That fact that scared her the most, was apologizing for something that wasn't her fault. What was she planning on apologizing for? She knew George would expect, if not demand, an apology from her one way or the other.

Soon enough, Addie's racing thoughts were interrupted by faint clapping and the dishes being cleared away.

After Dumbledore dismissed them, Addie practically ran from the others, and didn't cease until she reached her destination…Gryffindor Tower. She'd gotten there in record time, and lucky for Addie she had overheard the prefects discussing the password and discovered the secret word that would allow her to escape to a safe haven.

"Password?" The fat lady asked politely.

"Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean." Addie huffed before rushing into the all too familiar common room.

Not wanting to be caught in a shouting match or between the crosshairs of sympathetic looks, the redhead jumped the steps two at a time and flung herself on her bed, desperately trying to fight back the tears…and the haunting voices…

"I would scream now…"
"Oh, so you love the ferret now? What have we had for nine months, a joke?"
"I heard you crying last night…and a few nights ago I heard you say something about a boy named Cedric…"
"Well, you're dating my son."
"Adeline, life isn't simple for a reason."

Adeline Potter broke. She hadn't even had one class and she was overwhelmed by life. She screamed a pitiful, heartbroken scream into the soft defenseless pillow, hoping that the scream would help her clear out her mind. But things were still as mixed up as ever. Addie hugged her pillow and sniffled, wishing her mom and dad could hug her and whisper to her that everything would be alright…

Meanwhile…

In the common room, Hermione paced in front of George like a caged basilisk ready for some mudbloods. She didn't say a word, building tension to the point where Fred thought the common room would burst.

George merely glared at Hermione though. He was stubborn, especially when he was right. Over the last month or so, George began to see the strains in his relationship. He didn't know if it was over: he was just so confused! However, before his thoughts could continue, Hermione began lashing out at him.

"Honestly, George…you're angry over something like this?" Hermione shook her bushing head. "If I were Addie, I'd think you were jealous."

Ron, Harry, and George stiffened. "Whoa Hermione, that's way over the line." Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well none of you seem to be trying to fix this. Cedric died for her, a boggart stabbed her, and now the one person that can take all that pain away, is angry at her over another thing that's hurt her. To me, that's crossing the line."

Fred, Ginny, Ron, and Harry stared at George who processed this information, gently taking breaths while his eyes closed. Unfortunately, it only made him angrier.

"I. Don't. Care." Five jaws dropped. If Addie heard that…oh man, would there be many different outcomes. But again, Hermione was there as the stand-in Addie.

"Fine. Tell it to her face, at least give her that!" At George's wide eyed look, Hermione stormed up the stairs to the dorm room and grabbed Addie roughly by the arm and led her back down to the common room.

Addie was ruffled…severely. Her hair was sticking up, her clothes were scrunched together while her face was pale and tear-streaked and red with puffiness. Her brilliant green eyes were dim with sorrow. It wasn't right, not one bit.

"What," Addie tried to bite out, but it came out a hoarse croak.

"George has something to say." Hermione glared over Addie's shoulder.

George gaped like a fish, continuously opening and closing his mouth trying to find the right words. Addie shook her head. "George, I'm sorry. But since I know you're still mad at me, just don't say anything."

George could almost hear his heart break. It wasn't the way Addie spoke, or the words that she said, it was her eyes. Pain, sorrow, longing, forgiveness though it wasn't deserved, and-and even love. Even after almost nine months of dating, George was positive he wanted to marry Addie and that he loved her more than life itself. But at that moment, the shortness of their time didn't matter. He needed her back; nobody was going to drive them apart, especially not Malfoy.

"Addie, will you come with me, please?" George offered the saddened girl before him his hand.

Addie stared in disbelief at the hand bestowed upon her, but latched onto it anyway. George then led Addie out of the common room, and down a deserted spiral staircase. He turned Addie towards himself and looked at her intently.

"Addie." No response. "Adds." George put his finger under Addie's chin and tilted her head so their eyes met. "Adeline, I'm so sorry. It doesn't make up for the pain, but I was acting like a right, foul git. You had no reason to be sorry. It was my own damn fault. I love you, Addie. And I hurt you so much because of what I did."

Addie stared at George before whispering, "You love me?"

"Every day, and twice on Sunday," He whispered back, cupping her face with his hands.

Addie finally cracked a slight smile. "I love you too, George. I really love you."

George smiled and leaned into kiss Addie but was met with the palm of her hand. Upset, George opened his eyes and glowered at Addie. "What, why the hand?"

"Don't think you're getting kisses from me just yet, George Weasley. You thought I loved Malfoy!" Addie giggled. "But I will give you hugs."

Addie and George pulled each other into a tight hug, feeling the tension and strain drain away. Addie buried her face in her boyfriend's chest, feeling his muscles from years of Quidditch and smelling his cologne. George, meanwhile, had his nosed buried in her hair. Her hair smelled like coconuts, her skin of honey, and her breath tasted like cinnamon. She was amazing to him, and oh how he wanted to kiss her.

"Georgie." Addie laughed. "George, you're tickling me!"

George smirked: payback for no kissing. "Am I? Maybe I should make you laugh harder!"

Addie's eyes widened as George assaulted Addie's sides, making her squeal. George laughed with her, finally pulling her to him again. "Come on squeaky, let's go tell the others we've made up."

"Carry me!" Addie held her arms like a small child.

"You've got to be joking." George rolled his eyes before allowing Addie to clamor onto his back.

The two entered the common room and plopped down with the rest of their friends. Addie, unfortunately, was still on George's back when he sat down.

"Whoa guys, the couch is a bit lumpy and boney."

"George!" Addie whined. "You're killing me, get up!" Addie tried shoving George, but he stayed glued to the couch.

"Sorry, legs are broken. Please wait two to four months for them to heal properly."

"Yeah, and your neck's gonna be broken too if you don't move." Addie tried to threaten, but it had no effect on the ginger.

Everybody laughed and tiny Addie was squished under the big, tall George. It was actually quite the sight, but soon people began to trickle upstairs to bed. Addie and George stayed though, talking mindlessly to each other.

"You know, your Georgia accent is cute." George twirled a bit of Addie's short hair.

Addie laughed. "I think British accents are hot. But I think Aussie accents are hotter!"

George looked offended. "What, no they're not! They're the same!"

"Aussies are more adventurous. I mean, look at Steve Irwin! He's a beast!"

"I'm-Brits-are more chivalrous." George smiled politely.

"Aussies swim with sharks and wrestle alligators and crocs."

"That's Steve Irwin*."

Addie cocked her head to the side and stared at George. When she spoke, she spoke in a bad British accent. "Doth do seem jealous."

"Am not!" George crossed his arms. "Damn Aussies…and their effing kangaroos."

Addie hugged George. "Don't worry, I won't leave you for Steve."

"Really?" George hugged Addie back.

"Of course! Steve's married!"

George sighed. "You'll never let me win, will you?"

"All because of teardrops on my lettuce." Addie responded wisely before kissing a confused George on the cheek. "Night," she said getting up and going to bed.

*RIP Steve Irwin, you were my hero as a kid. And I thought you were the coolest guy ever.

Lemme know what you all think! Also, updates have been slow...but my upcoming semester should be better and I should be able to knock stuff out faster. Bear with my guys and gals, y'all keep B and I writing! ~A