A/N. Sorry about the slight delay…I've been unfortunately busy with exams. So, for fourth year, I decided to do just snapshots of what happens to Alicia and the crew. Enjoy!

Chapter 21- Fourth Year: A Real Muggle

"I cannot believe they did that," Alicia pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head in despair, as she watched the rest of the Gryffindor house marvel and cheer as Harry and Ron entered the Common Room. "A flying car? Really?"

Angelina looked warily at Alicia. "You're not going to get mad, are you?" she asked nervously. She'd had first-hand experience of Alicia's quick temper. But it never lasted long. She'd never seen Alicia get properly angry.

Alicia looked up at Angelina and a ghost of a smile formed on her lips. "No, I'm not going to get mad. It's nothing to do with me, is it? It's their problem, not mine."

She scrutinised Angelina's expression, which was somewhere between nervousness and amusement.

Alicia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Why does everybody look at me as if I'm about to fly off the handle any time anyone does something that breaks the rules? Am I that bad?"

Angelina smirked a little. "Yes."

Alicia made an indignant noise and restrained herself from stamping her foot in irritation. "Alright, alright. So maybe I am a little uptight sometimes."

Angelina snorted. "Yeah just a little."

Alicia sighed again and watched Charlie clapping Harry on the back with admiration, with a displeased frown forming on her face.

Harry glanced over and caught her eye at that moment. Needless to say, he looked away somewhat hastily, a guilty look on his face.

"I still cannot believe they made you Prefect. I mean, of all the people…"

"Better believe it; I've got the badge to prove it. And you, my dear Alicia, are out after hours. I'm afraid that's a detention for you Miss Spinnet. It's not looking good, is it? Two days back at school and already a detention on the cards. Tut tut."

"You wouldn't dare, Charlie Weasley."

"Wouldn't I?" His eyes glinted wickedly.

"You haven't got the guts."

"I have plenty of guts, thank you."

"Would you like me to remove some of them for you?"

"Threats will get you nowhere, young Alicia."

"Oh sometimes, I really just-"

"Temper, temper."

"I'll give you temper-"

Alicia whipped out her wand and pointed it in his face. But quick as a flash, he too had whipped out his wand and held it up to her neck. She slowly backed into the wall.

His face neared hers and his eyes were sparkling with humour. "Any statements you'd like to withdraw?"

"Oh, you're just- you're really enjoying this, aren't you Weasley?"

"Yep."

She fell silent, her lips pressed together in a stubborn line. Charlie tapped his foot impatiently.

"I'm waiting."

She turned her head away petulantly. He turned her head back to face him with the tip of his wand. She glared at him.

"I'm not withdrawing anything."

"Well ok then, detention it is-"

"Oh alright, alright. I apologise for my comments about your guts."

"Well it's a start," he said, removing his wand.

She glowered and pushed him away.

"With me as Prefect this year, you're going to have to learn some respect," Charlie grinned.

Alicia gritted her teeth and suppressed the urge to smack him in the mouth.

"Double Defence against the Dark Arts this morning," Angelina said cheerfully at breakfast over her cereal.

"Double Professor Lockhart," Alicia sighed happily, a dreamy look stealing over her face.

"Double brainless git," came an amused voice at her ear. Charlie Weasley squeezed into the seat beside her.

"The imbecile doesn't even know a Hinkypunk from a Grindylow," he said, reaching over to grab some toast. "The guy's got about the intelligence of a Flobberworm."

Alicia and Angelina gaped at Charlie, clearly scandalised. George snorted from across the table and grinned at his older brother.

"Professor Lockhart is one of the most brilliant, most talented wizards of our generation," Angelina said indignantly.

Charlie gave a loud snort. "If by brilliant and most talented, you mean someone who succeeds at failing every spell he attempts, then yes, I agree."

"I assume you're talking about our wonderful new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher," said Fred, sitting down opposite them, a broad smirk on his face.

"Just the one," said Charlie. "I've been contemplating about how best to get a Fire Crab into his office. My hope is that it'll burn off his ridiculous hair."

"Honestly Charlie, do you ever say anything that doesn't involve some strange and dangerous magical creature?" Alicia huffed, rifling through her copy of the Daily Prophet irritably, clearly still offended by his ridiculing of the "wonderful" Professor Lockhart.

"Never, love," he grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth. "Catch you later," he said, snatching the copy of the Daily Prophet from her hands and standing up. "Wouldn't want to be late for my first day as Prefect, would I?"

Alicia scowled at his retreating back.

"What's happening?" Ron asked, coming over. "Why aren't you playing, Harry? And what's he doing here?"

He and Hermione looked at the rest of the Gryffindor team for an answer. They all stood helplessly in a huddle opposite the group of Slytherins all clutching their gleaming new brooms.

"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley," Malfoy said, his pale pointed face curving into a nasty smirk. Alicia wanted to hex him but she could feel Fred's slightly restraining hand on her arm. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team.

"Good, aren't they? But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives, I expect a museum would bid for them."

The Gryffindor team clenched their fists as the Slytherins howled with laughter.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent," Hermione piped up sharply.

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy Mudblood," Malfoy spat.

At this, there was uproar. Fred and George lunged towards Malfoy in fury, Wood went purple with rage, Angelina slapped Flint who was guffawing loudly hard across the cheek and Alicia shrieked; "How dare you!"

Suddenly there was a bang and a jet of green light from Ron's wand seemed to fire backwards and hit him in the stomach. There was a moment's silence.

Then Ron belched loudly and half a dozen slugs dribbled out of his mouth. Alicia clapped a hand to her mouth in horror. Fred and George gave simultaneous exclamations of revulsion.

The Slytherins burst into hysterical laughter as Harry and Hermione hastily ushered Ron towards Hagrid's.

Alicia looked at Angelina who was clearly trying very hard not to laugh. Alicia's lips twitched. But she held it back.

"Come on," she said and jerked her head towards Hagrid's. "We'd better see if he's ok."

Angelina nodded and they hurried off. But as they did so, a peculiar fit of hysterical giggles seemed to overcome them.

"I can't believe McGonagall! A foot of parchment on animating objects! It's going to take me-" George broke off in his irritable rant and his face went pale.

Alicia frowned. "George, what is i…" she trailed off as she caught sight of what he was staring at over the heads of the people in the crowd.

Angelina gave a gasp of horror and put a hand over her mouth in fright.

For upon the wall, hanging from the torch bracket, was the stiff form of Mrs. Norris. And above it, in great shimmering letters, were the words:

THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

Alicia felt a mixture of revulsion and fear. Who would do this?

Suddenly a voice piped up in the silent crowd. "Enemies of the heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

It was Malfoy.

Alicia suddenly felt a tight grip on her forearm and turned in surprise to see Charlie, his eyes, normally twinkling with amusement, wide with fear.

"Charlie?"

Alicia sat down beside him in the library, pushing the dozen scrolls off her seat.

"Mm?" he said, not looking up from his scribbling.

"Charlie, I have something important to talk to you about," Alicia said.

Charlie looked up briefly. But she could tell he was distracted.

"It's Ginny, I'm worried about her."

Charlie looked surprised and went back to scratching out an essay with his quill. "Really? What's wrong with her?"

Alicia's eyes widened. "Haven't you noticed?"

"No, can't say I have," he murmured, flipping through one of his textbooks.

Alicia sighed in annoyance. "Well, she's been acting very strangely and I'm worried about her."

"Mm, yeah."

Now he really wasn't listening to her.

"Charlie!"

His head whipped up at the sound of his name said with such irritation and force. "What?"

"Don't you care about your sister?"

"Yes, of course I do. But I'm sure she's fine. Don't worry about it Ali." And he promptly turned back to his books.

Alicia stood up, seething with infuriation. That boy really got on her nerves sometimes.

"Alicia, where are you going?" Charlie called after her, as she left dinner early.

"I don't know. Somewhere you're not," she snapped back, not turning her head.

He hurried to catch up with her. "Alicia, what exactly have I done wrong? You've been avoiding me all day."

"Sometimes Charlie, I just can't bear the sight of you, ok? Is that what you wanted to hear?" she said in exasperation.

He looked confused. "What?"

"Why wouldn't you take me seriously when I tried to speak to you about Ginny?"

"I don't know- I was busy. NEWT work is really hard, Al, and Prefect duties have really been taking a toll on me."

"That's your excuse? I get that you're busy, but you should always have time for your sister."

"Alright," Charlie resigned. "I'm sorry, ok? You're right. I'll keep a better eye on Ginny, make sure she's ok."

Alicia's icy expression softened. "Thank you."

"These attacks are getting worse and worse," Charlie muttered to Fred one blustery evening in the Common Room. "I'm really worried."

"About Alicia?" Fred voiced the unspoken words.

"Yes."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I'm just going to make sure she doesn't go anywhere alone."

"I can help with that. And I'm sure George will too."

"Thank you."

"Good morning, Alicia," Charlie said, darting out of the Common Room behind her as she left to head towards Charms.

"Good morning Charlie," she replied, somewhat wary of his falsely cheerful tone. "What are you doing here?"

"Just walking with my best pal," he replied unconvincingly.

"But you have Care of Magical Creatures," she pointed out. "I have Charms."

"Well, I thought I'd make a little detour to escort you there." He gave her a dazzling smile in an attempt to look innocent.

But Alicia wasn't fooled for one second. "Is this about the attacks?"

Charlie sighed.

"Because I'm fine. I don't need you to protect me. I'm not worried and I'm not going to get attacked."

"How can you know that?"

"Oh stop fretting, you sound like a girl," she said, knowing that it would annoy him enough to get rid of him, and walked off in the direction of Charms.

"I can't bear this infernal protection I have everywhere I go," Alicia sighed to Angelina. "They're sticking to me like bloody Limpets. I can't have a moments' peace."

Angelina grinned at her friend's exasperation. "Alright, want me to distract them while you sneak out somewhere?"

"I will be forever grateful."

Angelina grinned again and strolled over to where Charlie, Fred and George were sitting playing Wizard's Chess.

Alicia waited for them to be distracted and then she quietly slipped out of the Common Room.

It was nice to be without one of those irritating red heads for once. She decided to take a stroll down to the kitchens where she now visited regularly since Charlie had told her about them.

"Protection," she scoffed to herself. "Who do they think I am? A helpless Muggle or something?"

Fred and George stepped into the Common Room, their faces solemn. Angelina and Katie looked up at them, questioning them with their eyes.

"It's Alicia," Fred said, his voice hollow and dead. "She's been attacked."

There was a strangled noise from behind them and a figure stumbled out of the portrait hole.

Two hours later, he returned, soaked from the rain and shivering.

"Charlie, where have you been?" his best friend Sam asked, taking in his soaked appearance.

"Flying," Charlie grunted, flinging himself down beside the fire.

Angelina and George came over to sit beside him, putting a blanket around his shivering body.

"Have you been to visit her?" Angelina asked tentatively.

Charlie turned his head away. "I couldn't," he whispered. "I couldn't bear to see it."

"I think you should," Angelina said softly. "She'd want you to."

"But she won't know I'm there."

"Yes, but I know she'd want to you be there."

Charlie sighed and got up slowly.

"Alicia?" Charlie whispered tentatively, as he stepped into the room. The Hospital Wing was dark and silent. It was almost eerie in the darkness.

A shaft of moonlight shone through one of the windows, illuminating the beds below.

Charlie's breath caught as he saw Alicia, lying still, pale and stiff on the bed. The moonlight made her look even paler and deathlike.

He stepped towards the bed and sat down beside it, taking one of her cold, still hands in his.

"It's all my fault," he whispered, half to himself, half to her, though he knew she couldn't hear him. "I'm sorry."

Suddenly as he said it, her lips seemed to move. He knew it must have been a trick of the light but he could have sworn he had glimpsed a smile on her face.

George burst into the Library. "Dumbledore's gone!"

A dozen faces looked up in shock and fear. "He's what?" gasped Katie from where she was sitting working on her Potions essay.

"He's gone. The governors suspended him."

"How dare they? Not after all these attacks! There's going to be attacks every day with Dumbledore gone!" Angelina shrieked, her face red with fury. "How could they do this?"

"Calm down, Ange," said George soothingly, putting an arm round her.

"I'm sorry; it's just…ever since Alicia-"

"I know," said George. "We all miss her. But Professor Sprout says the Mandrakes are nearly ready."

"Fred, George, Charlie, could you please come with me?" A voice sounded from the other end of the library. It was McGonagall. Her face was ghostly pale and her normally brisk voice shook.

Charlie stood up, his eyes fearful. "What is it?"

"I'll…I'll explain in my office," McGonagall said, her voice trembling. She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

It was the worst day of Charlie's life. Never before had he felt so awful. He was torn with fear; his only sister. He could not bear it. And the memory of Alicia, lying still and pale in the Hospital Wing did nothing to ease his dread.

"She was right," he whispered to himself, over and over, as he sat with Harry and his brothers in the silent Common Room. "I should have kept a closer eye on Ginny."

This thought went round and round his mind and every time he thought it, it was like a fresh stab of a knife, twisting his insides. A terrible feeling of guilt haunted him the whole day.

He was so wrapped up in his guilt and agony that he barely noticed Ron and Harry leaving. He simply sat with his head in his hands.

"Ginny!" He flung his arms around her, a feeling of immense and overwhelming relief and joy flooding through him.

Charlie looked at her carefully, at her pale thin face and her trembling body. He hugged her again. "You're safe," he whispered.

"Miss Weasley should go up to the Hospital Wing straight away," Dumbledore said. "This has been a terrible ordeal for her. There will be no punishment. Older and wiser wizards than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort."

Mrs Weasley got up to take Ginny out but Dumbledore held up a hand to stop her. "I think you should stay and hear the boys' story, Molly," he said gently. She sat down again, nodding her head but looking anxiously at Ginny.

As if answering her worries, Dumbledore said: "Perhaps Mr Weasley can take Miss Weasley up to the hospital wing," he gestured to Charlie, whose arms were still tightly around Ginny, protectively. "Madam Pomfrey is still awake. She's just giving out Mandrake juice-"

Charlie's eyes lit up. "Mandrake juice?" he interrupted.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "Yes Mr Weasley- I dare say your lovely friend Miss Spinnet will be waking up any moment now."

Charlie barely heard these words; he was already half way out the door, pulling Ginny by the hand after him.

"Happy to see me?" said Alicia, grinning up at Charlie.

"Do I look happy to see you?" Charlie glowered.

Alicia just smirked. "I know, I know, you're furious that I disobeyed you and managed to avoid your ridiculous protection scheme!"

"And just look where it got you!" Charlie exclaimed. "I think this is the perfect occasion to say…I told you so!"

"I had a nasty feeling you might say something like that," Alicia winced. "But I can say it too- I told you to keep a good eye on Ginny."

"Damn, I was hoping that wouldn't come up. Ok, so we both did stupid things. Let's call it even."

Alicia grinned, giving him a hug. "Even."

A/N. Hope you enjoyed these little extracts from fourth year! I'm working on sixth year as best as I can and I will do my best to post again very soon! Thank you all for reading. You are amazing.