The day of the promisingly eventful trip finally arrived. During the past
few days, Angelina had had serious doubts about their plan and thought
twice about going through with it. Alicia had been swept up in the moment
and did her best to shove away the misgivings creeping up in her best
friend's mind. Right before they were due to board the train to Hogsmeade
(Do they even go by train?), the two of them were standing in front of a
large mirror and sizing themselves up critically.
"Wouldn't it be a waste if we dished all those galleons on dresses that don't complement well?" Alicia frowned.
"You look fine Licia. Let's go."
Fred and George were stirring up a last minute havoc in the common room but stopped when they saw Angelina and Alicia descending from the stairs. Two identical faces scowled disapprovingly, having regained their composure and realizing that they weren't dressing up for the sake of the twins. Their eyes followed them to the portrait door as they swept out of the room.
"Wish it was anyone but that insufferable Joey Tenors." Fred muttered.
"You call him insufferable? Try having that dorky Eric Sanders doing better than you."
They exited the room, carefully keeping a reasonable distance from the two girls.
All the way to Hogsmeade, Fred and George incessantly listed all the negative points of their rivals while unwelcome thoughts about what they could possibly be doing right then kept sneaking into their train of thoughts. Lee Jordan and Katie Bell didn't notice their predicament although Katie did avoid any eye contact with George, and kept up a light persiflage all through the journey.
Hogsmeade was as bustling and cheerful as ever. The only difference was that two particular twins weren't walking alongside them; instead a brunette and a blond replaced the two redheads. Alicia cast a nervous glance towards Angelina. She was feeling extremely uncomfortable with her current companion and scowled when she saw the bounce in her accomplice's step. 'No surprises there. He IS her cousin." Nevertheless, she still wished fervently that George was the one walking beside her. The two couples separated at Zonko's Joke Shop and promised to meet up at The Three Broomsticks before it was time to leave. Angelina gave Alicia a discreet thumbs up sign and happily linked her arms with Joey's. She almost gagged in horror when she caught a glimpse of a familiar redhead talking to Maria.
Fury increased within her and she gripped Joey's arm so tightly he let out a cry. "Angelina! Calm down, they are just talking."
He shook his arm loose and was about to massage it when she snatched it back again.
"Well, we're just talking too!" she said determinedly with a glare towards Fred.
Joey shook his head at her insane behavior, silently wondering how he got himself caught up in this whole mess. Fred shifted his head slightly, but peripheral vision helped him see the couple a short way away. His face hardened visibly and his fingernails dug into his flesh painfully. Maria walked off and Fred made his way slowly to them. Joey wasn't afraid of him but he certainly did not want to cause that innocent boy (regardless of Angie's protests to that remark) any more misery than he already has.
"Angelina, it is obvious you love him." he started, ignoring the quiet 'do not' from her, "Just give him a chance to explain.I don't think he completely understands what you meant that day." With that, he snatched his arm back from her and walked away into the milling crowd.
"Joey!!!" cried a flustered Angelina.but he was nowhere to be seen. She nervously turned back to the approaching Fred, who raised an inquisitive eyebrow when he saw Joey leave abruptly. She stomped her foot childishly but didn't try to run. What use could it be? He already saw Joey abandon her. Useless cousin.
"Hey Angelina." She sighed, his deep voice still made those butterflies fly erratically in her stomach. She managed a weak 'hi' and forced herself to train her eyes to the ground, not wanting to meet his penetrating eyes and succumbing to his 'truly inherited' Weasley Charm.
"So what are you doing alone?"
Fred wanted to take back his inconsiderate question when he saw her wince. "Umm.Angie? Can we talk?" She looked up. "I mean really talk.a proper discussion.no fights?"
Angelina nodded, inwardly wondering why he was being so nice. Gently, he took her by the arm and led her into The Three Broomsticks. Sitting her down onto a chair, he ordered two butterbeers before joining her. The two foaming mugs were set down on the table with a thud. Angelina didn't make any move to take it. Her self-confidence seemed to have left with Joey's departure. Fred set a mug down right in front of her. "It's for you."
Angelina remained focus on the table. He sighed and folded his arms. Suddenly she got up and rounded the table to where he was standing. 'Oh no, she's going to slap me isn't she?' he thought, panicked. Instead, he almost lost his balance when she flung herself on to him and buried her face in his broad shoulders. Fred hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. At the feel of physical contact, Angelina started to sob. Fred was alarmed. Like most guys, he didn't know what to do around crying girls. Angelina mumbled something into his slightly damp robes.
"What?"
She lifted a tear-stained face to greet his question. "I said I was sorry!" she cried, tears still falling. Fred was aware of the attention they were drawing and gently guided her out of the shop into a quiet lane. She was still overwhelmed with sobs and sniffles.
"Angelina.Angie.what's wrong?" She hugged him again, this time more ferociously and clung to him. "I'm so sorry, Fred. So s-sorry." And the tears flowed again. She wiped them off with her sleeve. "It was all a stupid scheme. It was useless. And I probably just messed everything up for Alicia. I made it worse, Fred. Now George is angry and he'll be angry with me once he finds out the truth."
She was practically rambling and Fred didn't have a clue to what she was saying. He let her continue however, still too stunned to do anything appropriate like offer her a hanky or something, if he had one. Minutes flew by and Fred continued patting the distressed girl. Soon her sobs ceased and she dried her eyes embarrassedly. Fred gave her an encouraging smile, silently urging her to explain. She took a deep breath before confessing everything; how she persuaded Alicia into going along with her plan, how she got Joey into this whole mess, etcetera. Fred was surprised to learn that Joey was her cousin but kept it to himself. Angelina broke into tears again once she finished.
Fred looked at her thoughtfully, unconsciously stroking her silky black hair, wondering why she seemed so helpless and vulnerable in contrary to her usually self-assured state.
As if reading his mind, Angelina spoke, "I was just worried. I mean, George and Alicia have such a wonderful thing going on.I don't want to jeopardize it! And everything I made her do.George will definitely not forgive me once he knows I'm behind all this."
"Angelina.George won't be mad at you, he is already beside himself with guilt. The only person he is angry with right now is Eric, the nerve of him to ask her out right in front of him.I would be too!"
She stayed quiet. Fred took this opportunity to mull over his newfound information. "So you're saying that although Joey was roped into this, Eric was serious about Alicia?"
Angelina nodded, her tears increasing when Fred used the word 'roped'.
"Oh Angel, I didn't mean it like that. Let's go back to Three Broomsticks, alright?"
They entered the place hand in hand and reseated themselves at their table. Their butterbeers were still left untouched and Fred was grateful for that. Angelina really needed it right now. She clutched the mug in her hand, and so did Fred. The both of them remained silent, just happy to be in each other's presence without the hostility feeling they felt during their split. Angelina slowly recuperated. Her confidence reclaimed, she finally dared to voice the question on her lips, "What were you doing.that day?"
Fred set the mug down again. "Angelina.I don't really understand what day you mean. I do not remember cuddling anyone, except a hug I gave Maria the day her grandmother passed away. Was that when you saw us? In the classroom?"
"What about just now.you were talking to her."
"And talking is a crime Angel?" Fred asked softly, "If you really have to know, she was just asking about us. She realized that you weren't talking to me. She also mentioned that you have been shooting her deadly glares. She was confused and was worried our fight could have had something to do with her. She wanted to help."
Angelina sulked, if there was one thing she hated, it was being wrong. "It was a desolate place, Fred! You were alone with her. It did seem as if you and her had something going on!"
He sighed and took hold of her hands in his, "I know Angelina, and I'm not blaming you."
She smiled at him and intense relief graced his features. "So we're okay then?"
"We're better than okay," she replied, kissing him lightly on the nose, "Now that I have you."
Just then, Alicia and Eric appeared by their table. Angelina saw Alicia's questioning glance at Fred but didn't offer any explanation. She was uncomfortable around Eric since she knew that Alicia was just using him. Eric smiled politely at Fred, thinking that he was George. Alicia cleared her throat, "Eric, this is Fred. Fred, Eric." They both nodded and the tension on Eric's part melted away. Fred pasted a fake smile on his face as Eric and Alicia sat down.
"So.Angelina.where is Joey?"
"Oh Joey, he left." her answer was vague and left Alicia still struggling to figure out the sudden turn in events. Alicia saw Fred holding her hands and hid a smile. She was glad everything worked out for them. But her, on the other hand, still had a lot of things to sort out. She sneaked a glance at Eric and saw him gesturing wildly to a couple of Hufflepuff guys a few tables away. 'Probably his friends,' she thought, dismissing it lightheartedly. She absently let her eyes wander across the busy place, searching for George. He was nowhere to be found, although she did see Katie and Oliver sitting cosily in a corner. 'Another happy couple,' she caught herself thinking, with a twinge of loneliness. Eric just wasn't George. She missed his humorous jokes and cheeky remarks, and most of all, his protectiveness of her and apparent care. Eric was.distant.no matter how much she talked to him, he still felt like a stranger. The four of them awkwardly made civil conversation. The discomfort hanging over their table increased when none other than George Weasley walked in, in search of his twin. Seeing Fred's red hair among the mob, he made his way over to him, not seeing the others at the same table. When he did, his countenance took on an unreadable expression and Alicia squirmed in her seat. "Hey, Fred." George didn't seem at all surprised to see Angelina sitting next to him. The newly reunited couple quickly arose and dragged George out of the place, not wanting him to cause a scene. Alicia watched him leave regretfully.
"Alicia." Eric nudged her gently.
"Hmmm?"
"I really enjoyed myself today.you're great company."
Alicia tore her gaze away from the entrance and looked at him, a pleased smile playing at the edge of her lips.
"I did too."
To her surprise, Eric just grimaced weakly and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I know...and that's just it." He fidgeted with the mug for a few seconds.
"Alicia, I agreed to the dare even before I knew you and-" he stopped midway through the sentence when he saw her large brown eyes fill with hurt and anger.
"DARE???!" she shrieked, loud enough for the whole shop to hear.
Everyone looked on in amusement; the second drama show was just starting.
Eric grasped her arm, "Please, Alicia, just hear me out."
She sat there seething in silent anger.
"Yes, it was a dare. But I regret it all now." He relaxed a little when he saw her expression soften, not much, but at least she stopped burning imaginary holes of fire into him.
"Once I got to know you.you were nice, Alicia. I can't do this. I just can't hurt you. I was actually hoping you would turn me down.but you didn't."
Eric sighed and glanced at the table where his friends were sitting.
"Look, I was supposed to kiss you without letting you know about all this and then dump you in front of the whole school the next day."
Alicia gasped. "How could you?"
Eric shook his head, "Just pretend, Licia. At least you know the truth!"
"So you're still going to do it tomorrow?" she asked, half disbelievingly.
Eric nodded, "It is a dare! I can't back out of it! And I'm not a coward."
Alicia stood up in rage and slapped him right across his face.
"You are a jerk, Eric Sanders! And a coward for not daring to stand up to your friends!"
With that, she whirled around and broke into a run towards the doors. She passed his snickering friends on her way out but she didn't stop to chat. She felt the immense need to get away from the watching crowd and just a long distance away from Eric. Alicia stepped into the streets of Hogsmeade. The pushing and bustling going on there made her feel as if she was suffocating. From within the billowing robes and tall hats of wizards and witches, she managed to catch a glimpse of a rather desolate store selling ancient charms. She pushed past the noisy shoppers, not caring about manners or etiquette and made her way across the street to the store.
A/N: Hi all! I liked this chapter.at least Fred and Angelina made up. Seriously, what is it with me and slaps and crying girls???? Anyway, next chapter should be the last...thankfully, get it done with! Sorry for the wait!
"Wouldn't it be a waste if we dished all those galleons on dresses that don't complement well?" Alicia frowned.
"You look fine Licia. Let's go."
Fred and George were stirring up a last minute havoc in the common room but stopped when they saw Angelina and Alicia descending from the stairs. Two identical faces scowled disapprovingly, having regained their composure and realizing that they weren't dressing up for the sake of the twins. Their eyes followed them to the portrait door as they swept out of the room.
"Wish it was anyone but that insufferable Joey Tenors." Fred muttered.
"You call him insufferable? Try having that dorky Eric Sanders doing better than you."
They exited the room, carefully keeping a reasonable distance from the two girls.
All the way to Hogsmeade, Fred and George incessantly listed all the negative points of their rivals while unwelcome thoughts about what they could possibly be doing right then kept sneaking into their train of thoughts. Lee Jordan and Katie Bell didn't notice their predicament although Katie did avoid any eye contact with George, and kept up a light persiflage all through the journey.
Hogsmeade was as bustling and cheerful as ever. The only difference was that two particular twins weren't walking alongside them; instead a brunette and a blond replaced the two redheads. Alicia cast a nervous glance towards Angelina. She was feeling extremely uncomfortable with her current companion and scowled when she saw the bounce in her accomplice's step. 'No surprises there. He IS her cousin." Nevertheless, she still wished fervently that George was the one walking beside her. The two couples separated at Zonko's Joke Shop and promised to meet up at The Three Broomsticks before it was time to leave. Angelina gave Alicia a discreet thumbs up sign and happily linked her arms with Joey's. She almost gagged in horror when she caught a glimpse of a familiar redhead talking to Maria.
Fury increased within her and she gripped Joey's arm so tightly he let out a cry. "Angelina! Calm down, they are just talking."
He shook his arm loose and was about to massage it when she snatched it back again.
"Well, we're just talking too!" she said determinedly with a glare towards Fred.
Joey shook his head at her insane behavior, silently wondering how he got himself caught up in this whole mess. Fred shifted his head slightly, but peripheral vision helped him see the couple a short way away. His face hardened visibly and his fingernails dug into his flesh painfully. Maria walked off and Fred made his way slowly to them. Joey wasn't afraid of him but he certainly did not want to cause that innocent boy (regardless of Angie's protests to that remark) any more misery than he already has.
"Angelina, it is obvious you love him." he started, ignoring the quiet 'do not' from her, "Just give him a chance to explain.I don't think he completely understands what you meant that day." With that, he snatched his arm back from her and walked away into the milling crowd.
"Joey!!!" cried a flustered Angelina.but he was nowhere to be seen. She nervously turned back to the approaching Fred, who raised an inquisitive eyebrow when he saw Joey leave abruptly. She stomped her foot childishly but didn't try to run. What use could it be? He already saw Joey abandon her. Useless cousin.
"Hey Angelina." She sighed, his deep voice still made those butterflies fly erratically in her stomach. She managed a weak 'hi' and forced herself to train her eyes to the ground, not wanting to meet his penetrating eyes and succumbing to his 'truly inherited' Weasley Charm.
"So what are you doing alone?"
Fred wanted to take back his inconsiderate question when he saw her wince. "Umm.Angie? Can we talk?" She looked up. "I mean really talk.a proper discussion.no fights?"
Angelina nodded, inwardly wondering why he was being so nice. Gently, he took her by the arm and led her into The Three Broomsticks. Sitting her down onto a chair, he ordered two butterbeers before joining her. The two foaming mugs were set down on the table with a thud. Angelina didn't make any move to take it. Her self-confidence seemed to have left with Joey's departure. Fred set a mug down right in front of her. "It's for you."
Angelina remained focus on the table. He sighed and folded his arms. Suddenly she got up and rounded the table to where he was standing. 'Oh no, she's going to slap me isn't she?' he thought, panicked. Instead, he almost lost his balance when she flung herself on to him and buried her face in his broad shoulders. Fred hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. At the feel of physical contact, Angelina started to sob. Fred was alarmed. Like most guys, he didn't know what to do around crying girls. Angelina mumbled something into his slightly damp robes.
"What?"
She lifted a tear-stained face to greet his question. "I said I was sorry!" she cried, tears still falling. Fred was aware of the attention they were drawing and gently guided her out of the shop into a quiet lane. She was still overwhelmed with sobs and sniffles.
"Angelina.Angie.what's wrong?" She hugged him again, this time more ferociously and clung to him. "I'm so sorry, Fred. So s-sorry." And the tears flowed again. She wiped them off with her sleeve. "It was all a stupid scheme. It was useless. And I probably just messed everything up for Alicia. I made it worse, Fred. Now George is angry and he'll be angry with me once he finds out the truth."
She was practically rambling and Fred didn't have a clue to what she was saying. He let her continue however, still too stunned to do anything appropriate like offer her a hanky or something, if he had one. Minutes flew by and Fred continued patting the distressed girl. Soon her sobs ceased and she dried her eyes embarrassedly. Fred gave her an encouraging smile, silently urging her to explain. She took a deep breath before confessing everything; how she persuaded Alicia into going along with her plan, how she got Joey into this whole mess, etcetera. Fred was surprised to learn that Joey was her cousin but kept it to himself. Angelina broke into tears again once she finished.
Fred looked at her thoughtfully, unconsciously stroking her silky black hair, wondering why she seemed so helpless and vulnerable in contrary to her usually self-assured state.
As if reading his mind, Angelina spoke, "I was just worried. I mean, George and Alicia have such a wonderful thing going on.I don't want to jeopardize it! And everything I made her do.George will definitely not forgive me once he knows I'm behind all this."
"Angelina.George won't be mad at you, he is already beside himself with guilt. The only person he is angry with right now is Eric, the nerve of him to ask her out right in front of him.I would be too!"
She stayed quiet. Fred took this opportunity to mull over his newfound information. "So you're saying that although Joey was roped into this, Eric was serious about Alicia?"
Angelina nodded, her tears increasing when Fred used the word 'roped'.
"Oh Angel, I didn't mean it like that. Let's go back to Three Broomsticks, alright?"
They entered the place hand in hand and reseated themselves at their table. Their butterbeers were still left untouched and Fred was grateful for that. Angelina really needed it right now. She clutched the mug in her hand, and so did Fred. The both of them remained silent, just happy to be in each other's presence without the hostility feeling they felt during their split. Angelina slowly recuperated. Her confidence reclaimed, she finally dared to voice the question on her lips, "What were you doing.that day?"
Fred set the mug down again. "Angelina.I don't really understand what day you mean. I do not remember cuddling anyone, except a hug I gave Maria the day her grandmother passed away. Was that when you saw us? In the classroom?"
"What about just now.you were talking to her."
"And talking is a crime Angel?" Fred asked softly, "If you really have to know, she was just asking about us. She realized that you weren't talking to me. She also mentioned that you have been shooting her deadly glares. She was confused and was worried our fight could have had something to do with her. She wanted to help."
Angelina sulked, if there was one thing she hated, it was being wrong. "It was a desolate place, Fred! You were alone with her. It did seem as if you and her had something going on!"
He sighed and took hold of her hands in his, "I know Angelina, and I'm not blaming you."
She smiled at him and intense relief graced his features. "So we're okay then?"
"We're better than okay," she replied, kissing him lightly on the nose, "Now that I have you."
Just then, Alicia and Eric appeared by their table. Angelina saw Alicia's questioning glance at Fred but didn't offer any explanation. She was uncomfortable around Eric since she knew that Alicia was just using him. Eric smiled politely at Fred, thinking that he was George. Alicia cleared her throat, "Eric, this is Fred. Fred, Eric." They both nodded and the tension on Eric's part melted away. Fred pasted a fake smile on his face as Eric and Alicia sat down.
"So.Angelina.where is Joey?"
"Oh Joey, he left." her answer was vague and left Alicia still struggling to figure out the sudden turn in events. Alicia saw Fred holding her hands and hid a smile. She was glad everything worked out for them. But her, on the other hand, still had a lot of things to sort out. She sneaked a glance at Eric and saw him gesturing wildly to a couple of Hufflepuff guys a few tables away. 'Probably his friends,' she thought, dismissing it lightheartedly. She absently let her eyes wander across the busy place, searching for George. He was nowhere to be found, although she did see Katie and Oliver sitting cosily in a corner. 'Another happy couple,' she caught herself thinking, with a twinge of loneliness. Eric just wasn't George. She missed his humorous jokes and cheeky remarks, and most of all, his protectiveness of her and apparent care. Eric was.distant.no matter how much she talked to him, he still felt like a stranger. The four of them awkwardly made civil conversation. The discomfort hanging over their table increased when none other than George Weasley walked in, in search of his twin. Seeing Fred's red hair among the mob, he made his way over to him, not seeing the others at the same table. When he did, his countenance took on an unreadable expression and Alicia squirmed in her seat. "Hey, Fred." George didn't seem at all surprised to see Angelina sitting next to him. The newly reunited couple quickly arose and dragged George out of the place, not wanting him to cause a scene. Alicia watched him leave regretfully.
"Alicia." Eric nudged her gently.
"Hmmm?"
"I really enjoyed myself today.you're great company."
Alicia tore her gaze away from the entrance and looked at him, a pleased smile playing at the edge of her lips.
"I did too."
To her surprise, Eric just grimaced weakly and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I know...and that's just it." He fidgeted with the mug for a few seconds.
"Alicia, I agreed to the dare even before I knew you and-" he stopped midway through the sentence when he saw her large brown eyes fill with hurt and anger.
"DARE???!" she shrieked, loud enough for the whole shop to hear.
Everyone looked on in amusement; the second drama show was just starting.
Eric grasped her arm, "Please, Alicia, just hear me out."
She sat there seething in silent anger.
"Yes, it was a dare. But I regret it all now." He relaxed a little when he saw her expression soften, not much, but at least she stopped burning imaginary holes of fire into him.
"Once I got to know you.you were nice, Alicia. I can't do this. I just can't hurt you. I was actually hoping you would turn me down.but you didn't."
Eric sighed and glanced at the table where his friends were sitting.
"Look, I was supposed to kiss you without letting you know about all this and then dump you in front of the whole school the next day."
Alicia gasped. "How could you?"
Eric shook his head, "Just pretend, Licia. At least you know the truth!"
"So you're still going to do it tomorrow?" she asked, half disbelievingly.
Eric nodded, "It is a dare! I can't back out of it! And I'm not a coward."
Alicia stood up in rage and slapped him right across his face.
"You are a jerk, Eric Sanders! And a coward for not daring to stand up to your friends!"
With that, she whirled around and broke into a run towards the doors. She passed his snickering friends on her way out but she didn't stop to chat. She felt the immense need to get away from the watching crowd and just a long distance away from Eric. Alicia stepped into the streets of Hogsmeade. The pushing and bustling going on there made her feel as if she was suffocating. From within the billowing robes and tall hats of wizards and witches, she managed to catch a glimpse of a rather desolate store selling ancient charms. She pushed past the noisy shoppers, not caring about manners or etiquette and made her way across the street to the store.
A/N: Hi all! I liked this chapter.at least Fred and Angelina made up. Seriously, what is it with me and slaps and crying girls???? Anyway, next chapter should be the last...thankfully, get it done with! Sorry for the wait!