Teasing
Emmie's eyes widened slightly as she followed Oliver through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, leading the Hufflepuff team. She had always wondered what it looked like and could scarce believe that she was now seeing it for herself. Even Alex hadn't brought her in while he was here, though he had talked about it enough. It was round, much like the Hufflepuff common room, but the ceilings were much higher, making it seem bigger. Everything was in red and gold and there was a smattering of sofas, chairs and tables all around. Oliver led them over to a section where a sofa, loveseat and several chairs had been gathered together, a handful of Gryffindors already lounging around in front of a wireless. She could hear the pre-game commentary already starting up.
"Just, ehm, have a seat wherever," Oliver said, looking at the group.
"Blimey. Did you invite every house team in the school? When can we expect Ravenclaw?" Ian shouted as he looked over at the group. Oliver just chuckled.
"Figured the more the merrier," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Mac! Good to see you here!" Fred shouted as he and George walked over to Emmie. Ian and Walter noticed her standing there for the first time and gave each other a look, suddenly realizing why Oliver had invited the Hufflepuff team.
"You should come by more often," George added as they started leading her to a loveseat and depositing her there.
"Butterbeer?" Fred asked.
"Or something stronger?" George asked.
"Ehm… I'm good," Emmie said, a bit overwhelmed.
"Just get settled. We'll be back with a drink," Fred said, winking at her.
"They always like that?" Emmie asked, glancing up at Oliver, who had just walked up.
"For the most part," he replied with a chuckle.
"Please don't let them slip something in my drink," Emmie begged. "I'd rather not have a tail or a snort or anything."
"I'll keep an eye on them," he replied before walking off. Emmie turned her attention back to the wireless as the rest of her team settled around, chatting with the others who were there. Cedric sat on the loveseat next to Emmie.
"Who's playing again?" he asked.
"Wasps and the Magpies," Emmie said. "Oliver's brother Ryan is chaser for the Wasps." He nodded as he looked over at the wireless, though kept glancing around the room.
"Feels a bit odd being here," he admitted. "Never been to any of the other common rooms."
"Me neither," Emmie said.
"Figured you'd of been here at least once. Wasn't your brother a Gryffindor?" Cedric asked, glancing over at her.
"Yea, but he never brought me in," she replied.
"Here you are. Poured it myself so nothing strange in it," Oliver said, walking up and handing Emmie a cup of butterbeer.
"They sneak into the kitchens again?" Emmie asked, looking over at him as she accepted it. "I catch them nearly every other week around there, though never with any sort of evidence of where they've been."
"I've learned not to ask too many questions with the twins," he said, glancing over to see Cedric seated next to her. He had hoped to sit there, but it appeared that wasn't to be. He instead waved his wand and pulled up another chair on the other side of the loveseat and settled in.
"Probably for the best," Emmie said.
"Good to see you, Wood," Cedric said.
"Same," Oliver replied.
"And here we come to the kickoff," the announcer said on the wireless, causing all the conversation to stop as everyone leaned closer.
"Should be a good game…"
"What the bloody hell kind of call was that!" Fincher shouted, jumping up from his chair.
"The good kind," Emmie replied, chuckling. Fincher frowned at her as the rest of the Hufflepuffs laughed. "Get off. It was a fair call. You're just pissed that it was against your team." Oliver chuckled as he glanced over at her.
"You're only rooting for the Wasps because of Ryan Wood," Fincher replied as he sat back down, frowning at her.
"So?" she replied. "They're up by 100." Fincher didn't say anything, just glowered at the wireless.
"Still time for a comeback," he muttered softly. Emmie just shook her head as she chuckled.
"Doesn't give up, does he?" Oliver asked. Emmie shook her head.
"Though not sure why he's so devoted to the Magpies at the moment. He's an Arrows fan," she replied.
"Suppose it's like me and the Wasps. I'll root for them because of my brother - except when they play Puddlemere," he replied.
"How could I forget," Emmie said. "You wouldn't shut up about them as a kid."
"You're not much better with the Wanderers," Cedric replied. "You should hear her when there's a match going. Not sure why she's being so civilized today." Emmie blushed slightly as she glanced at Cedric.
"I'm not that bad," she said. Fincher snorted from across the room.
"Yes, you are. Why else do you think I told you to show up at trials that first year? Heard you shoutin' up something fierce in the common room and knew instantly you'd be a decent player," Fincher replied with a smile. "Never met a second year with that much knowledge about quidditch."
"Aye, but that was all Da and Alex's doing," Emmie said, her eyes trained on the wireless as she started paying attention to the match again. "From Day 1, those two were going to make certain I understood quidditch whether or not I played."
She could feel Oliver glancing at her, an amused smile on his face. Surely he of all people knew this. His brother and hers had been nearly inseparable their whole lives. Whenever they had allowed young Emmie to hang out with them, they both were rather insistent on teaching her all they knew about the game. Even taking her up flying once they were both old enough to get their own brooms.
"I think I remember a few spirited matches when we were younger," he finally said, fully looking at her. Emmie glanced down at the cup in her hands and she couldn't help but smile a bit. Fincher snorted.
"Mac's usually not one for curse words, but she gets a bit colorful whenever we catch a match," the seventh year responded. Emmie frowned slightly as she looked over at him across the room.
"Beg your pardon?" she replied, causing the rest of her team to roar in laughter.
"Do not go acting all prim and proper, Mac. We all know what you're like when you get into a match," Parks said. "I do sit next to you at every game we're not playing." Emmie just rolled her eyes.
"Thought we were here for this game - not harpin' on me," she said, pointing at the wireless. The lads just continued laughing at her. The Gryffindors seemed to regard her in a new light. Perhaps there was something more to the normally quiet Hufflepuff.
Oliver especially couldn't help but notice the difference in her. While she was stuttering less and less with him, he picked up that there was an easiness with her quidditch team - she spoke comfortably and openly with them. Likely because she saw them all as brothers, though she still blushed and stuttered a bit with Diggory. Oliver looked away from her, not wanting her or anyone else to see the wince that came over his face whenever he caught her interacting with Diggory.
Get a grip of yourself, he silently chided. It's not like you have any sort of claim on her.
He then turned his thoughts back to the game, trying to focus on the commentary rather than his odd thoughts and feelings regarding Emmie MacKenzie.
"Any reason in particular you invited the Hufflepuffs?" Ian asked when they were back in their dorm later that night. The match had gone all the way through the afternoon and through dinner, ending when the Wasps caught the snitch while 80 points ahead. The Hufflepuffs hung around to discuss the match a bit, but soon it was nearing curfew and they had to head out. Oliver had then retired to his dorm with his friends as Ian and Walter pulled out their flasks they kept hidden in their trunks. While normally Percy disapproved, if they kept it away from younger years, he would look the other way.
Though he had a habit of staying out of the common room anytime there was a party. Oliver suspected it was so he wouldn't end up handing out detention or taking away loads of points.
"Ehm… just thought they might like to catch the match," he said, keeping his face turned away from them as he dug out his pajamas. The three boys just shared a look.
"Sure it had nothing to do with MacKenzie?" Walter asked casually.
"Of course not," Oliver said quickly, looking up at them. Ian and Walter were grinning while Percy was rolling his eyes. "Really! I know how much they all enjoy a good match. And it's been awhile since she's caught one of my brother's… At least I think so…" The two started chuckling while Percy returned to reading his book.
"Seriously, mate. It's obvious that you're feeling some sort of way about her. Nothing wrong in admitting it," Ian said. "Not like you're the only one."
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked, pausing in pulling his shirt off.
"Diggory's obviously interested in her. Couldn't stop looking at her the whole time. Or talking to her," Walter said.
"Hadn't noticed," Oliver lied, returning to getting into his pyjamas. Ian snorted.
"Right," he retorted. "I saw you watching them."
"So? Told you lot. Her brother asked me to look out for her," he said.
"Still don't understand why he won't just admit he fancies her," Walter said to Ian.
"I know. 'Specially since it's so bloody obvious," Ian replied.
"Wonder why that is?" Walter asked.
"You two both know that I'm standing right here," Oliver said, the annoyance clear in his voice. "And I don't fancy her."
"You might find it easier to just admit it," Ian said again, looking over at him.
"Admit what?" Oliver said with a sigh as he pulled his trousers down and then stepped out of them. Ian and Walter just rolled their eyes.
"He'll never admit it, though I don't understand why," Percy said, his eyes still trained on his book. "Bugger if I know."
"Probably because there's nothing to admit," Oliver said, glancing over at him before walking to Walter, who was sprawled out on his bed and snatched the flask from his hand before taking a large drink.
"Right, so… everything in order for the pre-Hallowe'en party?" Ian asked as he looked over at Walter, sensing they were approaching Wood's limit for teasing.
"Far as I'm aware," Walter said. "Got the rest of the prefects to help with getting the younger ones upstairs at the right time." Percy sent the two a look. "Don't worry, Perce. Only sixth and seventh years, I promise." He then returned to his book. "Though I'm fairly sure your brothers will be there."
"Let me take care of them," he replied dryly.
"Planning to lock them in their dorm?" Walter asked. "They'll just figure a way out."
"If they show up, they show up. I have no plans to get in the way of one of their pranks," he replied without looking up. "That is how I intend to deal with them."
"Other houses set to come?" Ian asked. Walter nodded, glancing over at Oliver, who had handed the flask back and was now crawling into his bed.
"Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Left Slytherin off the list," he replied.
"Should be a good party," Ian said, smiling.
"Hope so. Twins are already at work getting the food and drinks," Walter said. Percy glanced at him. "Non-alcoholic drinks. The sixth and seventh years are taking care of… other beverages." Percy continued reading, though the slight twitch of his eyebrow made it clear that he was hearing every word and wished he wasn't.
"Why's this such a good idea?" Oliver asked, looking over at his two roommates. "Sounds like a good way to get in trouble with McGonagall."
"Sounding an awfully lot like Percy, mate," Ian said. "No offense, Perce."
"None taken," Percy replied. "It's a sensible observation."
"Just… sneaking in other years and such. Especially after curfew. If there's drinking involved, someone's sure to get caught going back to their own common room," Oliver replied. "Then we'll all be in trouble."
"Just… go with it," Walter nearly whined. "It'll be fun! Besides it's not like others haven't been sneaking into our parties for years."
"And I'm sure the Hufflepuffs will come," Ian said. Oliver just rolled his eyes and then started to pull his curtains shut. "Okay, okay! I'll stop!" Oliver stopped and left them open. "Really, you need to lighten up about the whole MacKenzie thing."
"Doesn't bother me," Oliver shot back, even though it clearly did.
"Sure…"
"How was the match?" Kara asked, looking over at Emmie, who was settled in her bed, reading.
"It was a good match. The Wasps won," Emmie said, not looking up from her book. "Planning to send Ryan and owl tomorrow about it." Kara glanced over, meeting Melanie and Toni's eyes. The two grinned at her.
"And how's Mr. Wood?" Melanie then asked.
"Good, I suppose," Emmie said with a sigh. "Not like we talked much with the match going on."
"You're sure?" Toni asked. Emmie looked up at her, noting the grin on her face.
"Blimey, not this again," she said with a huff. "We were only there for the match."
"Did he sit next to you?" Melanie asked.
"Yes, but I don't see how that matters," Emmie replied, turning back to her book. "Cedric sat next to me too." The three girls exchanged looks.
"Cedric, is it now?" Melanie asked cautiously.
"Yea, he asked me to," Emmie said without looking up. "Not sure why…"
"Emmie… he asked you to Hogsmeade. It's obvious that he fancies you," Toni said. Emmie felt her cheeks heat up slightly, though she continued to stare down at her book. She had figured as much, but was surprised that he had continued in his efforts after her rejection. At least he wasn't being overt about it.
"So? Thought we were passed that," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "We're just friends and nothing more."
"Emily Aileen MacKenzie, do not think for one minute that I haven't noticed you go pink in the face and start stuttering around him," Kara said, sitting up on her bed as she crossed her arms in front of her. Emmie looked over at her.
"I've done no such thing," she declared. Kara only met her gaze evenly. Emmie sighed and put her book aside. "Okay… so maybe I have… once or twice…" Kara smiled, pleased that she had gotten her to admit that much.
"How do you feel about him exactly?" Melanie asked, flopping down on her stomach on her bed and kicking her feet up, fully invested in this conversation.
"I thought you fancied him," Emmie said. Melanie waved her hand in the air.
"I enjoy looking at him. But if you like him, then I'll step aside," she said, smiling at her. "Besides he's obviously into you - not me."
Emmie sighed.
"I don't really know what I feel about him," she admitted. "I mean… yea, he's fit. And kind. And… I am flattered that he asked me. Just… suppose I never really thought about him like that…"
"Until now. You do fancy him," Toni said. Emmie groaned and threw herself back into her pillows.
"I don't know!" came the muffled shout. Kara just looked over at the other two. "I mean… I just… this is so confusing…"
"I see your point. Two incredibly fit blokes fancy you… hard to choose," Toni said lightly.
"We don't know that," Emmie replied. Kara just shot her a look. "Well, we don't know about Oliver at least."
"You don't have to make a decision right this second," Kara said softly, sensing Emmie was getting frustrated. "Just… dunno… go with your gut."
"My gut is telling me to stay away from blokes," Emmie replied, causing all three to laugh.
"Well, I suppose the upcoming Hallowe'en party at Gryffindor is a good chance to work things out," Melanie said. Emmie frowned as she looked over at her.
"What party?" she asked. She hadn't heard anything about this.
"The sixth and seventh years in Gryffindor are hosting a party in their common room the night before Hallowe'en," Toni said, her face lighting up. "And we're going."
"No, we're not. I'm a prefect! The absolute last thing I need is to be caught sneaking out after curfew," Emmie said. Toni and Melanie rolled their eyes.
"Please, Em. No one will get caught. They've only invited sixth and seventh years anyway," Melanie said. "And you need to get out and have a bit of fun."
"It's a bad idea. Especially if there's alcohol," Emmie stated. "A load of drunk teens running amok in the castle. After curfew, at that. Drinking in our common room and dorm is one thing. That is another entirely."
"Then perhaps we'll just stay in Gryffindor for the night," Toni said, her eyes lighting up. Emmie just rolled her eyes.
"Come on, Em. It'll be fine. I promise," Kara said. "And… you'll get to spend more time with Wood, maybe help you out with your whole dilemma…" Emmie just stared at her. "Seriously! Live a little! I thought that was your whole thing about this year anyway. Having more fun? Getting out more? Coming out of your shell and all..."
Sighing, Emmie leaned back on her pillows. She glanced around at the three girls watching her.
"Fine. I'll go," she said. "But I'm not dressing up in a costume."
"Not sure if anyone is. Don't think there's enough time to get them ready," Melanie said. "Though you will not be going in your normal clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Emmie declared.
"Just… a bit boring, is all," Melanie said. Emmie frowned at her.
"She's got a point, Em. I'm not sure you've got a decent party dress in any of your things," Kara said.
"Not you too!" Emmie shouted.
"Please, it'll be fun. We'll get you all gussied up for Wood," Kara said, a conspiratol grin on her face. Emmie just rolled her eyes.
"You lot are impossible," she said.
"Please, let us! It'll be fun!" Melanie declared. "I've been wanting to do your hair and makeup for ages." Emmie just looked around the room, taking in their hopeful expressions. She knew there was no way that she was going to get out of this. Not now.
"I suppose," she said, relenting. Melanie and Toni squealed in delight as they both hopped up and started tearing through their trunks. Even though the party wasn't for a couple weeks, they seemed eager to get started on finding the perfect outfit for Emmie.
She only hoped that she wouldn't regret this.
Gotta love Emmie's friends trying to "help." More shenanigans in store. I finished more chapters today, so should be able to continue posting regularly for the time being. ^_^
Thanks for reading!
