Five minutes after we'd arrived Lucy announced that Snape was requesting – demanding - entrance. He walked in and looked pissed. "What on Earth were you thinking?" he demanded as soon as the portrait door opened.
"It's not my fault, its Ron's fault," I said instantly. I'd figured out that Iced called Huo because I was mad and I was mad at Ron and Lavender and Ron brought Lavender, therefore everything was his fault. "I'll explain once everyone else gets here so you'll just have to wait. No pacing though, it gives Sam a headache," I warned. I could tell Snape was going to say something derogatory about my only normal pet until he actually looked at her. Sam and Ice were under the coffee table lying beside each other. So Snape just sighed and sat very stiffly in one of the chairs.
Less than two minutes later Lucy announced that Charlie, the Headmistress and, believe it or not, Kingsley Shacklebolt were waiting outside my door. I frowned as I looked around the common room before turning to Hermione, "I don't think we have enough chairs for everyone Hermione." My deadly serious tone caused Hermione to break out in a fit of giggles that escalated to full blown laughter. Just to annoy my friend I let our guests in before she had a chance to calm her almost hysterical laughter.
As soon as they stepped in everyone's gaze went immediately to Hermione who was trying to calm her laughter but had ended up giving herself the hiccups instead. I smiled and said brightly, "Good afternoon, Minister, Headmistress, Professor. I'm sorry but we don't seem to have enough chairs for everyone, if I'd known we were going to have so many guests I would've transfigured some extra," of course I'd said that only to increase Hermione's squeals.
"I'm sure we'll survive, Miss Ashburn. Now, would you mind telling us why there was a dragon in Hogsmeade this morning?" McGonagall said.
"Actually, Minerva, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear about how said dragon bowed to you, Miss Ashburn." Kinsley said politely.
"I guess I'll start there then. Is anyone else coming or can I start now?" I asked, ever the polite little school girl. Actually, I'm pretty sure I head Snape snort and Charlie trying to cover his laughter at my tone.
"I do believe everyone is here, Miss Ashburn," McGonagall said with an indulging smile.
"Well, I was outside walking, trying to calm down after a rather upsetting confrontation when Huo arrived with his school. Ice flew up and they introduced themselves. When they came down he bowed," it really wasn't a very exciting story.
"Now, by your professors' reaction I've been given the impression that you're usually quite calm, is that correct?" Kingsley asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Would you mind telling me why this occasion was different?" the minister asked carefully.
"Actually, sir, I was going to start from the beginning and go from there," I answered because I didn't want to repeat myself over and over. At Kingsley's nod I started at the beginning, giving only the bare facts. With each word I could see Snape getting madder and McGonagall becoming more confused, or disgusted, I couldn't really tell.
When I finished Kingsley stood up from his chair and said, "I do believe I shall talk to Mr. Weasley when I get back to the Ministry."
"With all due respect, sir, I don't really think that's necessary, he was about ready to wet himself when I left."
Kingsley shook his head. "I believe you can take care of yourself, Miss Ashburn. I need to talk to Weasley because he heard the screams and stood there with his fiancée. He is an Auror, Miss Ashburn; he's supposed to act like one, on or off duty."
I just nodded in understanding as the Minister of Magic walked out the portrait door. Next I turned to the Headmistress who seemed to be trying to ask a question, Snape on the other hand had started pacing. Hermione surprised us all by saying, "For the sake of Merlin, Snape! Let it out already before you kill yourself."
He didn't waste a second, "Weasley was always a dunderhead but I honestly didn't think he was that stupid! He did make it through Auror training after all. And to insult his soon-to-be-sister-in-law like that in front of his brother, with a freaking dragon staring at him with bloodlust; I don't know if I'm more in awe of his stupidity or his bravado."
"Now, Severus, I know you never particularly liked Mr. Weasley but-" McGonagall tried to say.
"If Granger hadn't let him copy her homework half the time and helped him in class he would've blown up twice the cauldrons as Longbottom did," Snape interrupted.
"Yes, Professor, he's an idiotic dunderhead with no common sense, a pig of a wife and a reputation that precedes him, we get it. What I have to figure out is how I'm going to live with my secret out in the open and my engagement just waiting to hit the rumor mill, any ideas?" Honestly I was flipping out over this. We could find a thousand different ways to say Ron's an idiot but it still wouldn't change the fact that he is an idiot.
Of course everyone went absolutely silent and looked at me sympathetically, except for Snape because he still appeared to be fuming. Suddenly, I felt Charlie's hands come around my waist and pull me towards him. I tensed thinking, "Hello, there's other people in the room, a.k.a. this is public, I'm not a big fan of public displays of affection! They're very sweet in private but a little creepy in public because you're my professor and have been for the past five years." Out loud Charlie was saying, "I'm sorry my brother is such an arse and I promise I'll do everything I can to make things easier for you."
I sighed. "I don't need easy I just need possible and I have a feeling that by tomorrow morning normal like won't be."
"I'll make a speech tomorrow morning explaining the dragons, maybe tonight at dinner if it's too bad," McGonagall promised.
"Thank you, Headmistress," I replied with genuine gratitude.
"We should all leave before the students get back from Hogsmeade," Snape suggested, probably hoping to give detentions and deduct points.
"I vish you luck, Allyssa. I vill do vhat I can to help," Victor promised after murmuring his good-bye to Hermione.
"Thank you Victor," I said quietly.
"We will all do what we can to help, Miss Ashburn," McGonagall promised as she left with Victor.
"Allyssa, I promised your mother I'd take care of you and I don't like breaking promises to my friends," Snape said solemnly as he followed Victor and the Headmistress out the door.
"Allyssa, we said we'd kick Charlie's arse if he hurt you so-" Fred started.
"Now we get to go kick Ron's arse because he turned you life upside down," George finished.
"Just don't kill him; I might want to do that myself by tomorrow. Check on Lavender and make sure she's okay," I said as they walked toward the door. I saw their identical expressions of confusion as they left.
Seconds after Lucy's portrait closed behind them Hermione said slowly, "Allyssa, you hate Lavender Brown with a passion, remember? Why do you want the twins to check on her?"
I shrugged. "I hate Lavender because she's a bitch, I don't hate her baby though; even though it'll probably turn into a snob in the near future right now it's innocent, no matter whom its parents are," I paused before saying, "I'm sorry for interrupting your date with Victor, Hermione."
She just waved it off. "We'll have more chances to go on dates. Right now I'm more worried about what's going on with you." Hermione looked behind me and said, "I'll give you two a minute."
I grimaced. I've always hated that sentence; it was such a cliché and in cheesy movies and books it was always followed by an argument or a proclamation of love and kissing, "Charlie, do you think you could let go of me now?"
"What? Oh, sorry," Charlie said but didn't release me. "Actually, I don't want to let go yet."
"Great," I said with heavy sarcasm. "Why not?"
"Just don't. I'm sorry all this happened because of Ron, he paused. "You know that if our engagement comes out you're moving into my rooms, right?"
My eyes widened in shock. Move in with him? Is he insane? "Why would that happen?" I asked carefully, slowly.
"Because the fact that our engagement is a secret is the only reason it hasn't already happened," Charlie answered, sounding annoyed.
"How about we talk about it when –if – it happens, okay?" I asked cautiously.
Charlie sighed. "Fine," he said before releasing me. I slowly took a step forward and turned to face him. When I looked at his expression I felt like I'd been punched.
He stood up and took a step towards the door before I grabbed his arm. "Charlie look at me. I'm sixteen; I've never even had a boyfriend before. Suddenly, I'm engaged to be married. Charlie, if you haven't noticed I'm not a social butterfly, I have a pet dragon but you know what, I'm scared. Scared that I've completely alienated your mom, that I'll never get along with Ron or Lavender, of what my peers will do when they find out about Ice and our engagement, of moving in with you, of getting married; okay Charlie? I'm terrified of what has, might and will happen."
As soon as the words left my mouth Charlie pulled me into his arms and buried his face in my hair. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around his waist. "God, I'm sorry Allyssa," Charlie said harshly.