To say that I had been avoiding Albus like the plague for the past week wouldn't be an exaggeration.
It took an amazing amount of talent and impeccable timing to know exactly when to leave the room when he was walking in. Thankfully he and James were out playing quidditch so I could go down to the pool and swim a little bit. After changing I wrapped a towel around my body and walked down flipping on the stereo system to my favorite radio station. It was way too hot to start out tanning so I just threw the towel on the chair and walked up to the diving board doing a sleek flip into the pool.
I've always loved just sitting at the bottom of the pool and looking up at the sky, it always used to freak Dad, Harry, and Ginny out when I did this but by know they've gotten used to it. I saw a blurry person walk up to the side of the pool and figured it was Lily so I pushed up off the bottom, and wouldn't ya know it. The one time I let down my guard my whole plan to avoid Albus crashed and burned because there he was standing looking down at me through his sunglasses in his shorts and tank, his hair was matted at the sides from sweat and his skin had a slight red tint.
"Good game?" I looked up and he slipped off his shoes sitting down on the side, putting his feet in the pool.
"Yeah, it was good," he looked up.
"You lost didn't you?" I laughed treading water.
"Maybe," he playfully glared and I rolled my eyes diving back down to the bottom of the pool and looking up. Suddenly his feet disappeared and I saw him jump in disrupting the nice calm water and came down to me sitting on the bottom with me. After a couple seconds I pushed up needing air and he followed. "I think you were supposed to be a Merperson."
"Maybe, after all I do love music and always do feel calmer in water." I smiled looking over at him going up to float on my back.
"Mari, Albus Hogwarts letters are here." Ginny called from the house and I quickly swam to the side of the pool.
"What are you so excited about?" Albus questioned jumping out behind me and I handed him my towel after drying off myself.
"James O.W.L. results," I smiled and realization washed over his face was we raced in the kitchen where Lily and James were already reading with Harry and Ginny watching James specifically.
"I got an Outstanding!" He yelled throwing up his arms and dancing around wildly.
"What else did you get," Lily asked snatching the results out of his hands, "one Outstanding, four Exceeds Expectations and One Acceptable and One Poor."
"One poor in what?" I asked looking at his envelop which had a bump in it and took it looking in there.
"Divination," She commented handing the paper to her mom as I opened my mouth shocked.
"James you should finish opening the letter," I knocked him out of the happy dance and smiled handing it to him.
"OH My Merlin!" He yelled pulling out the shining silver badge. "I've been made captain." He quieted and swear he was going to faint.
"Mari you might want to check your letter too," Ginny remarked handing it to me and I felt a similar bump and ripped it open to reveal a similar badge with a big P on it with the red and gold Gryffindor crest behind it.
"I'm prefect?" I stared at it letting it sink in. "I'm prefect!" I smiled joining in on James happy dance and heard the others laughing.
"Alright kids we are going to get all your school items first then you can go and have fun until we go home; no complaining, agreed?" Hermione looked over all of us and we nodded.
"Ok to Flourish and Blotts first then." Ginny commented and we all stood from the fountain in the middle of the street where we usually met up before and after shopping. Linking arms with Rose with Albus beside her we walked into the shop and began searching for our school books which weren't much since we would be using most of the same ones. James, Dom, and Freddy were mostly the ones getting books; which speaking of they had all done really well on their O.W.L.s especially Dom of course. After getting piles on books it was decided that we needed to go to Madam Malkin's.
"Mari you need some new shirts and another skirt so you go first." Ginny pushed me up as I groaned slightly and moved behind the curtain.
"Wonderful to see you again Miss. Longbottom, you know the drill." I looked at the older woman she was probably in her late 50's and worked with Madam Malkin.
I stood there my arms out as she went around me tucking and reshaping the white button up shirt with her wand quietly humming. Next she moved on to the skirt and finally I was allowed to change back to my jeans and ruffled tank top as she made adjustments to the other 3 shirts and handed them to me to go pay. As I headed out of the room I heard mild complaining from James as Ginny pushed him up to the room I was just in. I also noticed Louis gone probably into the other room to get all new robes and clothing since he had quite the growth spurt over the summer.
Walking up to the counter I pulled out the money Dad had given me last week after the small party given for Molly, Scorpius, and I for making prefect and James for getting captain, just like we had last year for Dom for getting prefect. Soon afterwards all had finished and we went to Scribbulus Writing Instruments and stocked up on quills, parchment, and ink then to Potage's Cauldron Shop and Slug & Jiggers Apothecary to stock up on things for potions class.
"Alright you guys can go now, we'll all meet back here at 3:00 understood," Hermione said and we quickly scattered in different directions, Rose, Albus and I heading down the street to fill the next 4 hours.
"I need to go into Madam Primpernelle's to get some more make-up." Rose commented
"Oh come onnnnnn." Albus groaned loudly tipping back his head.
"It won't take that long." I pulled him in behind Rose and I and were greeted by the friendly witch at the counter.
"You know Albus I think this is totally your color," I smiled holding up a light coral color cream blush.
"Oh yeah, ha ha, let's go."
"Alright, just let me get some things then we'll meet you outside. Sound go to you, Rose?"
"Sounds fine to me," she smiled looking at a shelf of potions and I grabbed one of the blushes in a light pink, my favorite purple eyeliner, some red lip gloss that I had been running low on, and my signature scent that smelled of amber and passionfruit then walked up to the counter paying.
"Finally," Albus breathed when we stepped outside sitting on a bench.
"Oh don't be ridiculous it was only five minutes, if that." I replied rolling my eyes and sitting down next to him but made sure to leave space between us not wanting a repeat of Dom's birthday.
"You wouldn't understand. You like everything that I like," He laughed then stopped thinking about what he said for a second, "apart from the obvious things of course."
Trying to hold back a smile I turned to him, "and what would those be?"
"Ya know like…well…"
"Albus, Mari." We both turned our heads to see Scorpius there with his father Draco Malfoy.
"Oh thank Merlin," Albus muttered as we stood and Scorpius came up hugging me.
"Is Rose here?"
"Yeah she's in there," Albus mumbled, motioning over his shoulder and a look of distaste went over Scorp's face.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy," I smiled over at him he always kind of intimidated me, ok scratch that really intimidated me; I much preferred Astoria.
"Hello Mari, Albus, is everyone here?" He questioned.
"Ginny and Hermione only," Albus said more comfortable around Draco.
"Can I stay?" Scorpius asked.
"We have a dinner party tonight the only reason we're here is to pick up new robes for you." Draco said giving his son a stern look.
"You're really going to make me sit through that whole dinner with the Nott's especially Martha she's horrid." He groaned and I saw the ghost of a smile on Draco's lips.
"We should ask Ginny or Hermione first."
"They're probably at the robe shop actually they said they needed to look for something." I offered.
"Come on we'll go ask and see."
Ten minutes later Rose had joined us and we saw Scorp walking down the street alone. Rose threw her arms around him as he spun her around in a hug. "They said I could come but I have to go home at 4 o'clock for the dinner which is bad but I at least get some time away."
"Good now I won't be the only guy." Albus remarked as we continued to the quidditch store.
"Oh yeah speaking of guy's what are those obvious things." I smirked coming up beside him.
"Oh look a new broom compass," He pointed and walked off towards the display as I stood there laughing.
"Hi, Albus," A voice came from behind me interrupting the story that Scorpius was telling while we were sitting in the ice cream parlor.
"Umm hi Marcy," He gave a stressed smile.
"Did you get my letter Albus, I never got a reply." She turned and he looked up from his dish.
"Oh yeah sorry, I was busy," He replied.
"All summer?" She pouted but it looked more like a fish.
"Yup all summer, no free time Mum's keeping us really busy isn't she Mar." He looked at me pleading silently.
"Yup really busy, no free time what so ever," I smiled and turned around to face her as she gave somewhat surprised look. I kind of think she didn't know it was me.
"I don't think you need that you're already a little pudgy."
"Lovely to see you too," I smiled before turning back to my strawberry ice cream even though it was true my hips had gotten a bit wider and my stomach had a little extra on there from last year but it wasn't noticeable to the average person especially since I could still fit in the same size clothing easily.
"I'll see you tonight right Scorpius." Martha smiled and Daisy gave her a shocked look evidentially not knowing of the dinner party.
"Unfortunately," he smiled back up at her and she just giggled.
"Good," well either she's really dumb didn't understand, or didn't hear him.
"We should be going it's 2:50," Rose commented and we all stood up and we tried to move back but was stopped when Marcy still stood there.
"Excuse me," I smiled sweetly at her which was difficult and she just stood there ignoring me. "You're just gonna hold us hostage here?" I looked at her confused, what was she gonna do? "Ooook umm," I took a step to the side and she moved to that side.
"Oh my Merlin, move," Rose groaned and just pushed past her Scorpius going behind.
"Come on Mar," Albus grabbed my hand and a little electric shock ran through my system then turned to warmness in my chest. Looking down at his hand I hadn't even noticed the dirty looks Marcy was giving me until she made a slight sound and I looked up at her and saw her glaring as Albus pulled me out of the store.
As we walked to the fountain my hand dropped to my side again and I looked down at the ground frowning slightly. "She pisses me off," He mumbled as Rose and Scorp walked ahead of us.
"All three piss me off," I said and he turned to me.
"It's just she doesn't get the hint, I don't like her why doesn't she just back off."
"I don't know Al, maybe if you get a girlfriend she will," I joked and he just smiled and shook his head. "There has to be someone that you like, Merlin knows you've gone on enough dates."
"Over half of them just want to know about my family, and the others well it's just not there. As for a specific person well…" He stalled and turned to me smiling. "I'm not quite sure if I like her or not."
"Who's her?"
"I'll tell you when I figure it out." He smiled as we met up with the group. Walking up to Ginny I took the package she held out to me and thanked her.
"What's that?" Lily asked.
"You'll see at schooool."
"Secrets aren't nice Mari," Freddy smirked and I was glad we were mostly back to normal.
"You'll see at schooool," I laughed
Sitting at on my bed reading a book I noticed the parchment on my nightstand start to glow. Dog earring the page I closed my book in my lap and picked it up.
I have a huge problem.
Gigantic
Monstrous
I have no clue what to do.
To Scorpius Malfoy
What?
She kissed me she trapped me in cloak closet when I went in to get their things to finally leave and just jumped me. What am I going to tell Rose, I should tell her right it's better to right?
To Scorpius Malfoy
Yes it's better to tell her how I'm not quite sure if it's better to in person or in a note. If it's in person she has the chance to hex you or something, but in a note she can ignore the rest and not get the point. I'd actually go with in person.
Really? I don't know if that's a good idea.
To Scorpius Malfoy
Yup
You're not saying this for your own entertainment are you?
To Scorpius Malfoy
Only partically.
Mari this isn't a joke it's horrible.
To Scorpius Malfoy
It's not that bad she'll not even be mad at you she trusts you. Though she will be pissed at Martha and will probably curse her when she sees her next.
When?
To Scorpius Malfoy
Tomorrow when you guys come over to spend the night before the Weasley Bash.
Ok, night
To Scorpius Malfoy
Night Scorp
"Ok Rose you just have to remember to hear him out."
"Why?" She question very skeptically.
"Just because," I ushered her into the room to a very scared looking Scorpius.
Albus and I had waited outside the door listening for any signs of a struggle for about 10 minutes before "What!" came through and we went in.
"She did what!" She looked furious and Scorpius most looked relieved that she wasn't mad at him. "I'm going to jinx her so bad next time I see her she won't be able to do anything for a week."
"Rosieeee," I smiled coming up to her, "calm yourself we don't want you getting detention the first week of school, or worse have to have me give you detention."
"That would be tough on you wouldn't it." She rolled her eyes.
"Very much so," I nodded and she shook her head, "told you she wouldn't be mad at you for it."
"Why would I be mad at you for what she did?" She walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I do not know," He smiled and leaned down to kiss her but she pulled back.
"You drank like ten bottles or mouthwash right?"
"And four tubes of toothpaste," He laughed leaning down again to kiss her lips.
"Oooook, well that wasn't nearly as entertaining as I thought it would be." Albus said and I picked up a pillow smacking him in the chest.
"Neither are you," I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Speak for yourself Mari Alice Longbottom." He retorted poking my side.
"Oh I think I'm terribly entertaining, you would be bored all the time if I wasn't here."
"Probably true," He smiled, "especially with these two snogging all the time."
"Very true," I smirked then felt a pillow hit my head and turned to see Rose smirking.
That Morning I got dressed in a white and orange sundress with white flats that had tiny cut outs in them. As for my makeup and hair I kept it pretty simple with brown liner and eye shadow with mascara and a just some slicked some chap stick over my lips while my hair was straightened and left down to show off the new style and added a jean jacket.
"Ready to go?" Albus stuck his head in the door and I nodded grabbing the picture frame off the table and the parchment along with my book for the ride to school.
The ride to the train station was filled with a bit of bickering between siblings but that was pretty normal. By the time we entered the platform Rose, Hugo, Dom, Louis, Freddy, and Roxie were there and we went to stand by them talking. Soon afterwards Teddy and Vic showed up with Molly and Lucy not far behind.
"Try to be good this year," Teddy said to me.
"I have to, I'm a prefect now." I smirked but knew I'd probably still get in a bit of trouble.
"Yeah ok," He smiled and picked me up in a huge bear hug. After that I said my goodbyes to Ginny and Harry getting and giving hugs then got on the train following Rose and Albus. As soon as we got settled in it was time for Scorpius and I to head off to the prefect's cabin to not only meet the other 20 prefects and the Head Boy and Girl for that year. After arriving we took a seat next to Dom, Xander, and Lorcan looking around I noticed that most were there already including Lexi and who had been chosen for the Hufflepuff house.
"Hey Lex," I smiled.
"Hi Mari," she seemed far too happy, "this is Ryan Fitz."
"Yello Ryan," I gave a slight wave.
"Hey," He returned a wide smile.
Over the next 5 minutes people filed in and we moved around to sit next to who would be our partners on patrols and luckily mine was Dean; Scorpius' was Elodie. The Head Boy and Girl, Jacob Anderson a Ravenclaw and Abby Nelson a Hufflepuff stood looking over all of us.
"Alright we've made a schedule of when you'll all be patrolling along with the rules," Abby said.
"We know that most of you know these rules and what's expected of you but we'll still go over them just listen or be quiet while we go over them for the 5th years," Jacob came in it appeared to annoy Abby a bit.
Over the next like 10 minutes they ran through the rules and answered questions that anyone had. "Ok so now for the train schedule, 5th years you'll be taking the first round and the also the 3rd and each will take a portion of the train. If you have any questions or problems at least one of us will be here at all times." Abby smiled and ok's were heard all around
"Alright well then you're all excused." Jacob finished
Patrolling was kind of boring Dean and I talked about the summer and such how things had gone and about the surprise for all of my friends.
"So we're meeting right after we get off the train in the trophy room and wait until we're told to come up. It's going to be a total surprise to the rest of the school." Dean commented and I have to admit I was super excited about it.
