Welcome to the tenth chapter! All Harry Potter characters are owned by J K Rowling. Grace belongs to Grace, one of the authors of this fic, and Katie belongs to Katie, the other author. Tam belongs to herself. The plot belongs to Grace and Katie, and this story is still dedicated to Tam who's moved far far away from us *sniffles* we miss you Tam!
Find it in your hearts to review our story! We see some really lame boring and stupid stories, like, two chapters long and they already have 40 reviews! *sniffles* it makes us sad!
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Chapter Ten – Hogsmeade Visit
The next few days passed with the Hogwarts Quidditch Team trials getting closer and closer. Oliver could be seen drowning his team in practise after practise, driving the team so crazy that Katie (Who watched every practise happily) was the only one who'd talk to him willingly at night in the common room.
Madame Hooch was in content conversation with Dumbledore and in communication with the head of International Sports, as they made sure everything was in order, and Hagrid fixed the Quidditch pitch to the best it could ever be.
Draco was looking defiantly smug as his father sent him a new broom. Not exactly a Firebolt, but just as good, a SilverDagger (It cuts through the air like cheese!) and he strutted around the school, only letting Tam touch it, and no one else. He was very proud of his broom - metal tipped with the words SilverDagger etched into the handle in dark red stone. Draco was seen in the corridors, frequently jeering at Harry Potter who kept trying to shrug him off.
"Not feeling so confident now, are you, Potter?" he'd sneer, making a point of showing off his broom by leaning against it leisurely.
"Rack off, Malfoy." Ron would retort, and Hermione would briskly shove Harry and Ron off in the other direction. "…Thinks he's so hot with that broom of his…" Harry would mutter as they walked away.
"He's just trying to pick a fight with you." Hermione said, highly annoyed.
"Stupid prat couldn't even catch the Snitch if his dad bribed Dumbledore…"
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On the Saturday morning of the Hogsmeade visit, Tam was bouncing excitedly around the Slytherin common room. Draco came out from the boy's dormitories, yawning. Tam tackled him immediately.
"SHOPPING!!!" she cried in his face.
"AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!" Draco yelled, now wide awake.
"Hurry up, Sleepy Head!" Tam said and dragged him up to the Great Hall.
In the Gryffindor common room, Oliver was doubled over in an armchair.
"What's wrong, Oliver?" Katie asked, coming down the stairs.
No reply.
"Oliver?…OLIVER?!……Oliver..?"
She checked that he was breathing and when he suddenly made a snuffling noise, she sighed with relief.
"Don't scare me like that! Now, what's wrong?"
Oliver straightened up then sprawled out sideways over each armrest, pulling Katie into his lap.
"They post the list of players who made the team tomorrow…" he moaned worriedly.
"Don't worry…you'll do fine!" Katie promised. "Stop making yourself sick about it, of course you'll make the team! Now come on, you have to have some food in you, we have a full day of shopping today!"
Oliver groaned again, but didn't protest as Katie lead him to breakfast.
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After breakfast, those who needed to go to Hogsmeade (which was about a quarter of the school) congregated in the Entrance Hall, along with those who just wanted to go to Hogsmeade for the heck of it. That bumped it up to nearly the whole student population.
"The shops are gonna be cashing it in today!" The Gryffindor girl, Ellie said to one of her friends.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick stood in front of the large double doors, which were open, displaying the stone steps that lead to the path to Hogsmeade.
Once the school had walked to the wizarding village, everyone split up in the different directions of shops. Draco pulled Tam into Dervish and Banges to inspect the different types of wizarding equipment, while Katie wanted to get a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks first. Later, Draco took Tam into Zonko's Joke shop. They stepped inside and were nearly bumped back out again. The shop was full of students teeming down the aisles and blocking the counter. A group of fourth years were testing a large amount of laughing powder behind a shelf, and their frequent giggles seemed to be severely irritating the young wizard behind the counter. Tam and Draco found Crabbe and Goyle staring closely at what appeared to be a normal set of teacups. Just then, one leapt up and crunched down hard on Crabbe's nose.
"Tsk, tsk, Crabbe. You'll want to learn how to read soon." Draco smirked, jabbing a thumb at a small sign under the cups that read 'Nose-biting teacups. 3 Sickles each.' "I think I'll buy one…" Draco decided, noticing that Tam was doubled over in laughter from the situation. They struggled through the crowds and went to the counter to pay for the purchase.
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In the Three Broomsticks, Oliver and Katie had secured themselves two stools at the bar. Katie was swirling her drink around in her glass as she watched murderously as Oliver stared at Madam Rosmerta with rapt attention.
Finally, Katie had enough and she poked Oliver.
Hard.
In the ribs.
"Ouch!! Jeez, Katie…what was that for?" Oliver asked, rubbing his ribs in pain.
"Nice to hear you voice directed at me again Oliver! I'm surprised you still remember my name." Katie glared.
"…What?!!?"
"Didn't think you'd notice anything, I'll leave you here to drool and go shopping myself. Ta-ta." Katie stood up and stalked out of the pub.
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Tam lead Draco to Gladrag's Wizard Wear and found it nearly as crowded as Zonko's. They queued up in a line as two middle-aged witches busily measured and served as many students at a time as was humanly possible. When Tam and Draco got to the head of the line, they were jerkily grabbed by the witches and placed upon two stands. Magical tape measures zoomed around and wound themselves in such a flurry that Tam could barely see the witch who was assisting her.
"What colour would you like, dear?" the witch asked, and Tam barely needed any time to think of an answer.
"Purple, please!" she said as Draco was choosing between a selection of black robes beside her. The measuring tapes fell to the floor as the witch disappeared to look for purple dress robes in Tam's size. She came back, struggling under a pile of dress robes and Tam stepped down from the stand to help her sort through them. She eventually picked some dark Indigo coloured robes, and she and Draco went to pay for it and Draco's black velvet dress robes, which had a weird collar thing. The line of students surged forward with another two people getting served, and Tam and Draco were thankful to be able to finally leave the shop.
They bumped into Katie as they walked out the door, who was still alone and looking half upset, half irritated. She didn't even look at who she bumped into, just joined the line, pulling a book out of her bag and she stood reading.
"What's with your friend?" Draco asked.
"…I really don't know…" Tam answered worriedly. "I won't be able to get a real answer from her yet…she still looks fresh in her anger…I'll talk to her about it next time we see her…"
Draco nodded. "Want an ice-cream?" he asked.
"Sure!" Tam agreed and they walked off with their precious dress robes wrapped in their packages.
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Grace was one of the first students to be served at Gladrag's Wizard Wear, since she didn't have to wait for any guys to get ready. After she got her robes a beautiful set of robes, different shades of blue and silver woven together with silver stitching, she set off to have a look at the products in Honeyduke's.
There, she bought several fragile sugar quills and three or four acid pops. She was inspecting a display of butterscotch squares when somebody said, "Excuse me," and tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around, Grace saw Oliver Wood lowering his hand and looking around nervously.
"Um, you're one of Katie's friends, aren't you?" he asked
"Yes…" Grace said, not being able to help feeling a little suspicious. "What can I do for you, Oliver?"
"I need some advice-"
"What have you done?" Grace cut in.
"What-? Who said I did anything!" Oliver cried defensively. Grace raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed and looked at the ground. 'Well…I think it was…Madam Rosmerta was behind the bar and…"
"Katie's pissed, huh?"
"Yeah."
"So let's think…" Grace continued. "What can you do to make it up to her?"
"Lend her Quidditch robes?" Oliver asked hopefully.
Grace gave him a look. "Um…maybe later. How's that broom polish working, by the way?"
"Oh yeah, it's doing wonders to the wood, but it still doesn't look as good as a Firebolt's handle."
"Do you like the Twigger 90 models?"
"Um… Great luxury brooms, but I wouldn't rely on one in a Quidditch match." Oliver replied.
"Yeah, but maybe the Ministry of Magic should look into supplying them as a slow mode of transport for the next Quidditch World Cup." Grace suggested. "But anyway, back to work- how else can you think of making it up to your girlfriend?"
Oliver thought for a moment. He looked around at the fully stocked shelves in the store and then suddenly looked as though a light bulb had clicked on over his head. "How about I buy her candy?"
"Good idea," Grace laughed. "And then maybe you can go up past the Shrieking Shack and frolic in the meadow before picking some wildflowers! Or…you could just say sorry, huh?"
"I tried that already!" Oliver protested.
"You were picking wildflowers?" Grace asked sceptically.
"Nooooo, I tried saying sorry."
"She must have been really ticked off then though. If you tried again, you might get through"
"Like a Fellytone? We learnt about them yesterday you know."
"You mean a telephone? Sure…like a telephone…"
"Oh yeah, telephone. Well, I'm going to get Katie some candy anyway." Oliver decided, looking at the butterscotch with more interest.
"Okay, try some blood lollipops." Grace suggested. "Katie likes vampire things, so even if she didn't actually eat them, which would be a smart move, she could still keep them as a souvenir."
Oliver's face fell. "…Oh. I didn't even think about it. You girls are going to have to go back sooner or later, aren't you?"
Grace nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so. Dumbledore's been really nice to let us stay here like this, but there's no doubt he wants to get us back home where we belong…To our world." She sighed.
"The Muggle world." Oliver clarified.
"Oh. Yes, of course." Grace said, pretending to correct herself. "The Muggle world."
"But…" Oliver began, "If you're witches… wouldn't here in the magical world be your home?"
Grace gave a sad smile and shook her head. "It's a little more complicated than that… Anyway, go on then, Wood! Get your candy and get your butt out of here to find your girlfriend! Mush!" Grace ordered, and herded him over to the counter where there sat cardboard boxes full of assorted candy, including one box of the special vampire sweets.
Leaving Oliver on his mission, she left the shop. Strangely, the door opened on its own accord before she could grasp to the handle to put it open. And just as strangely, her shoulder knocked into something solid just outside the door, even though there was nothing visible in her way. The thin air beside her let out an irritated "Ouch!" A pair of round glasses fell out of nowhere, scattering to a stop on the shop's floor, then a hand followed suit, picked them up and they both disappeared back into nowhere again.
"You'd better hope no one saw that." The bossy voice of Hermione Granger said to no one Grace could see. Ron Weasley followed behind, carefully counting the small pile of silver and bronze in his palm. With her bag of sweets and a grin, Grace made her way to Dervish and Banges.
"It's not my fault, people keep walking into me!"
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Tam and Draco had finished their ice cream, and, after a few rounds around Hogsmeade, were walking hand in hand back to Hogwarts. Draco had planned a short Quidditch session, followed by a Homework session, (Even though they had finished their homework straight after classes, so they'd have free time for their study sessions, if you get what I mean *wink wink*) followed by joining everyone else for dinner.
Simple, but gratifying.
Tam rested her head on Draco's shoulder as they walked, and sighed happily.
Draco smiled and kissed her forehead, swapping his hands around, so his left was free to stroke her hair, and his right hold her hand. They continued walking in comfortable silence, both thinking their own similar thoughts.
'This was the life…'
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Katie got her robes of green velvet with black thread stitched into the fabric, creating intricate designs. They were tight fitting with long sleeves, lined with black velvet underneath, and had a flowing skirt. Katie had strayed away from the glittery, silk, satin and jewelled robes, unlike the other girls, and stayed with what she felt comfortable with. Robes with a Wiccan feel to them.
Katie walked out onto the streets again with her dress robes wrapped and safely stowed away in her school bag, and she walked into The Three Broomsticks, casting a quick glance around, making sure Oliver wasn't still there, before ordering a bottle of Butterbeer from a man, not Madam Rosmerta.
She walked down the path that lead to Hogwarts, and, not wanting to return just yet, sat by a tree and pulled out the same book she had been reading before, Death of Despair by Christopher Pike.
She wrapped her black school robe around her tighter, and fell into the depths of her favourite book, while sipping her Butterbeer.
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Oliver had looked everywhere, and Katie wasn't anywhere to be seen at all. He'd tried everywhere, even the Hogs Head quickly, even though that place gave him the creeps. The less then friendly types snuck around there, and unless you wanted to do a deal to buy something from there, there wasn't much else reason to stray anywhere nearby that place.
He continued searching, and finally decided she must've gone back to the castle.
He sighed. He hadn't meant to hurt Katie's feelings, but he'd nearly forgotten the affect Rosmerta always had on males…maybe she had a bit of Veela in her…
Oliver started his track up to the castle, holding the bag with the blood lollipops along with a few sugar quills. He hadn't bothered to buy new dress robes, since he'd had to get some before school started again, due to the fact his mother had a special birthday party, and therefore, he had to get dressed up.
He was just wondering what he could say to Katie to make her listen to him and not yell or get upset, when he heard a soft cough and sniffle, coming from the side of the road. He looked, and there she was, curled up with an empty bottle of Butterbeer and a book, and looking dead cold.
"Katie…? You okay?" he asked carefully, walking closer to her.
"Go away…"
"You look really cold, come back to Hogwarts and yell at me there." He smiled, trying to make her smile.
"Sod off…go make sure Rosmerta's warm and happy and leave me to freeze happily."
Oliver sat next to her and rearranged her cloak over her shoulders.
"Katie, she's a Veela or something, it's not my fault! I don't like her or anything, I only like Quidditch…and you…" Oliver said gently, pulling the book out of her hands, and putting it back in her schoolbag, before picking it up.
"Look, I got you a vampire thing…blood lollipops. A souvenir for your stay with us…I'm really going to miss you when you go…and I mean that Katie. Forget Madam Rosmerta and come back to Hogwarts with me, and get warm, and show me your dress robes. I bet you'll look as good as a brand new snitch." Oliver promised, pulling her to stand up, which she didn't fight against.
She stayed silent for a minute before looking at him, and the vampire blood lolly.
"I hope you know I haven't forgiven you yet." She finally hugged him, fondly and with affection. "I'll remember this for a while…"
"I'll make it up to you somehow." Oliver promised, hugging her back tightly. "I'll get you something really special before you go…you like snakes don't you?" he asked, as they walked back to the castle closely for warmth, he holding her bag for her, and her contemplating tasting the bloody goodness of the lollipop.
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At the far end of Hogsmeade, Tamara and Draco were trudging up the path to the Shrieking Shack, carefully avoiding any muddy puddles that lay in their way. Tam turned her back to Draco as she pawed through her bag looking for something.
"What are you trying to find, Tam?" Draco asked, giving her worried sidewards glances.
"Oh, just a bottle of butterbeer I bought for the trip." A hint of mischief was hidden in Tam's voice, but unfortunately for Draco, he didn't notice it. They reached the dilapidated building and Tam took out the amber coloured, liquid filled bottle.
"Would you like some, Draco?" she said sweetly. Too sweetly.
"Sure," Draco shrugged.
Tam pulled a small cup out of her bag and began to pour some butterbeer into it.
"Gosh, Tamara, did you bring the kitchen sink with you, too?" Draco laughed. Tam didn't respond as she was being careful not to spill any butterbeer, and she handed it to Draco. "Cheers." She grinned as lifted the cup to his mouth. CRUNCH!
"What the-?! OW!! TAAAM!!!" Draco yelped as he gingerly rubbed his sore nose. Tam exploded into a fit of laughter. "Got ya!" she cried. She took the nose-biting teacup that Draco had bought for her just an hour earlier and held it up in front of his eyes. "You fell right into that one." She smirked, wiggling the cup in front of him.
"That'll teach me to buy you prank objects." Draco grumbled, but grinned anyway.
A sudden breeze swept behind them, causing the two Slytherins to turn and look at the old house.
"The most haunted dwelling in all of Britain…" Draco commented.
Tam looked at it with apprehension. "Are there really ghosts in there?" she asked timidly.
"Apparently they used howl and scream and the villagers couldn't get to sleep at night. They said it was always especially bad every full moon." He paused to smirk. "What a bunch of fraidy-cats. I've never heard a peep from this run down place. Look at it," Tam did. "A slanted roof, broken windows, clogged up chimney…" As if on cue, a roof tile dropped off and fell down into one of the old flower boxes, causing a large cloud of dust to rise where it had landed. "Probably like the Weasley's house, I expect." Draco remarked loudly as the legendary trio walked up behind himself and Tamara.
"Ignore it!" Hermione said sharply to her two friends as soon as the words were uttered from Draco's mouth.
"He can't keep ignoring me all the time, Granger." Draco sneered. "I do exist."
"Unfortunately." Harry finally retorted.
"You know, Harry," Tam interrupted, "If you keep ignoring Draco he won't go away. If that's how you think you'll get rid of your Quidditch opponent, then to put it bluntly, your mind is quite frankly stuffed."
"He's just knows that he won't be picked to play Seeker for Hogwarts." Draco chimed in.
"He has skills you could never buy." Ron spat. "And you know it, Malfoy."
"Oh does he now?" Draco said, turning his attention to the youngest Weasley brother. "Dear me, I nearly forgot you were here, Weasel. Oops! I mean, Weasley. But of course… you live here don't you? No wait, I remember now. Your house only looks like the Shrieking Shack. Are there wails and moans at your house too? I suspect it would be your tubby mother shrieking about how bad her life is now that's she married your father."
Ron's hand was trembling with fury as he gripped his wand, which was warningly being pointed at Draco's pale face. Hermione put a hand on his arm in an attempt to lower it, but Ron wouldn't budge. A corner of Draco's mouth tipped upwards into a smile, and it must have been what pushed Ron over the edge because he called Draco an extremely rude word before raising his wand violently and yelling "Alfidextra!" A terrific blue spark launched itself out the end of Ron's wand and sparkled over Draco's head. When it had disappeared, Draco let out a horrified gasp. Harry, Hermione and Ron burst into laughter and Tamara nearly fainted. Draco's hair had disappeared along with the spell.
"Oh my God, what have you done to him?!" Tam cried.
"Well, it's obvious isn't it!" Hermione said between fits of giggles. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out."
Draco's mouth was silently opening and closing as he tried to take the feeling of being bald in. Tam was fussing over him, close to panicking. "It's okay, it'll grow back! The spell will wear off soon, it will! I'm sure it will! Your hair will grow back, just the way it was before, yes it will, I know it will, it will, it'll grow back!"
Draco meanwhile, had suddenly found his anger. "Run, Potter…" he growled, taking out his wand.
"What?" Harry asked, laughing.
"Reciprocus!" Draco yelled, attacking Harry with a pinky-red jet of light. Harry's legs were automatically switched back to front, giving him the weirdest feeling. He tried walking forwards, but his legs carried him in the opposite direction, and when he agreed with them to go that way, they walked back in the other direction again.
"Good lord, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she finally stopped laughing, and watched him as he tried to move properly.
"What is going on here?!" a stern voice cried.
The five of them whirled around (except for Harry who whirled the other way, then managed to correct himself). Standing behind them was Professor McGonagall, hands on hips and not looking at all happy. "Just because magic isn't allowed between corridors at the castle, it does not give you the excuse to go running around Hogsmeade cursing each other! What would the villagers have thought of the school if they had seen you?!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Tam mumbled ashamedly. "I want all of you to go back to school now." Professor McGonagall ordered. "Potter, try not to draw attention to yourself as you walk past the shops, and Malfoy, get out your hat and put in on your head because God forbid, you look an awful sight. Hurry up now, get going."
And with that, she marched them back through the village and all the way up to Hogwarts castle.
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So really, what do you think about it? Should we continue? Review/Flame us!
Find it in your hearts to review our story! We see some really lame boring and stupid stories, like, two chapters long and they already have 40 reviews! *sniffles* it makes us sad!
Chapter Ten – Hogsmeade Visit
The next few days passed with the Hogwarts Quidditch Team trials getting closer and closer. Oliver could be seen drowning his team in practise after practise, driving the team so crazy that Katie (Who watched every practise happily) was the only one who'd talk to him willingly at night in the common room.
Madame Hooch was in content conversation with Dumbledore and in communication with the head of International Sports, as they made sure everything was in order, and Hagrid fixed the Quidditch pitch to the best it could ever be.
Draco was looking defiantly smug as his father sent him a new broom. Not exactly a Firebolt, but just as good, a SilverDagger (It cuts through the air like cheese!) and he strutted around the school, only letting Tam touch it, and no one else. He was very proud of his broom - metal tipped with the words SilverDagger etched into the handle in dark red stone. Draco was seen in the corridors, frequently jeering at Harry Potter who kept trying to shrug him off.
"Not feeling so confident now, are you, Potter?" he'd sneer, making a point of showing off his broom by leaning against it leisurely.
"Rack off, Malfoy." Ron would retort, and Hermione would briskly shove Harry and Ron off in the other direction. "…Thinks he's so hot with that broom of his…" Harry would mutter as they walked away.
"He's just trying to pick a fight with you." Hermione said, highly annoyed.
"Stupid prat couldn't even catch the Snitch if his dad bribed Dumbledore…"
On the Saturday morning of the Hogsmeade visit, Tam was bouncing excitedly around the Slytherin common room. Draco came out from the boy's dormitories, yawning. Tam tackled him immediately.
"SHOPPING!!!" she cried in his face.
"AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!" Draco yelled, now wide awake.
"Hurry up, Sleepy Head!" Tam said and dragged him up to the Great Hall.
In the Gryffindor common room, Oliver was doubled over in an armchair.
"What's wrong, Oliver?" Katie asked, coming down the stairs.
No reply.
"Oliver?…OLIVER?!……Oliver..?"
She checked that he was breathing and when he suddenly made a snuffling noise, she sighed with relief.
"Don't scare me like that! Now, what's wrong?"
Oliver straightened up then sprawled out sideways over each armrest, pulling Katie into his lap.
"They post the list of players who made the team tomorrow…" he moaned worriedly.
"Don't worry…you'll do fine!" Katie promised. "Stop making yourself sick about it, of course you'll make the team! Now come on, you have to have some food in you, we have a full day of shopping today!"
Oliver groaned again, but didn't protest as Katie lead him to breakfast.
After breakfast, those who needed to go to Hogsmeade (which was about a quarter of the school) congregated in the Entrance Hall, along with those who just wanted to go to Hogsmeade for the heck of it. That bumped it up to nearly the whole student population.
"The shops are gonna be cashing it in today!" The Gryffindor girl, Ellie said to one of her friends.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick stood in front of the large double doors, which were open, displaying the stone steps that lead to the path to Hogsmeade.
Once the school had walked to the wizarding village, everyone split up in the different directions of shops. Draco pulled Tam into Dervish and Banges to inspect the different types of wizarding equipment, while Katie wanted to get a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks first. Later, Draco took Tam into Zonko's Joke shop. They stepped inside and were nearly bumped back out again. The shop was full of students teeming down the aisles and blocking the counter. A group of fourth years were testing a large amount of laughing powder behind a shelf, and their frequent giggles seemed to be severely irritating the young wizard behind the counter. Tam and Draco found Crabbe and Goyle staring closely at what appeared to be a normal set of teacups. Just then, one leapt up and crunched down hard on Crabbe's nose.
"Tsk, tsk, Crabbe. You'll want to learn how to read soon." Draco smirked, jabbing a thumb at a small sign under the cups that read 'Nose-biting teacups. 3 Sickles each.' "I think I'll buy one…" Draco decided, noticing that Tam was doubled over in laughter from the situation. They struggled through the crowds and went to the counter to pay for the purchase.
In the Three Broomsticks, Oliver and Katie had secured themselves two stools at the bar. Katie was swirling her drink around in her glass as she watched murderously as Oliver stared at Madam Rosmerta with rapt attention.
Finally, Katie had enough and she poked Oliver.
Hard.
In the ribs.
"Ouch!! Jeez, Katie…what was that for?" Oliver asked, rubbing his ribs in pain.
"Nice to hear you voice directed at me again Oliver! I'm surprised you still remember my name." Katie glared.
"…What?!!?"
"Didn't think you'd notice anything, I'll leave you here to drool and go shopping myself. Ta-ta." Katie stood up and stalked out of the pub.
Tam lead Draco to Gladrag's Wizard Wear and found it nearly as crowded as Zonko's. They queued up in a line as two middle-aged witches busily measured and served as many students at a time as was humanly possible. When Tam and Draco got to the head of the line, they were jerkily grabbed by the witches and placed upon two stands. Magical tape measures zoomed around and wound themselves in such a flurry that Tam could barely see the witch who was assisting her.
"What colour would you like, dear?" the witch asked, and Tam barely needed any time to think of an answer.
"Purple, please!" she said as Draco was choosing between a selection of black robes beside her. The measuring tapes fell to the floor as the witch disappeared to look for purple dress robes in Tam's size. She came back, struggling under a pile of dress robes and Tam stepped down from the stand to help her sort through them. She eventually picked some dark Indigo coloured robes, and she and Draco went to pay for it and Draco's black velvet dress robes, which had a weird collar thing. The line of students surged forward with another two people getting served, and Tam and Draco were thankful to be able to finally leave the shop.
They bumped into Katie as they walked out the door, who was still alone and looking half upset, half irritated. She didn't even look at who she bumped into, just joined the line, pulling a book out of her bag and she stood reading.
"What's with your friend?" Draco asked.
"…I really don't know…" Tam answered worriedly. "I won't be able to get a real answer from her yet…she still looks fresh in her anger…I'll talk to her about it next time we see her…"
Draco nodded. "Want an ice-cream?" he asked.
"Sure!" Tam agreed and they walked off with their precious dress robes wrapped in their packages.
Grace was one of the first students to be served at Gladrag's Wizard Wear, since she didn't have to wait for any guys to get ready. After she got her robes a beautiful set of robes, different shades of blue and silver woven together with silver stitching, she set off to have a look at the products in Honeyduke's.
There, she bought several fragile sugar quills and three or four acid pops. She was inspecting a display of butterscotch squares when somebody said, "Excuse me," and tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around, Grace saw Oliver Wood lowering his hand and looking around nervously.
"Um, you're one of Katie's friends, aren't you?" he asked
"Yes…" Grace said, not being able to help feeling a little suspicious. "What can I do for you, Oliver?"
"I need some advice-"
"What have you done?" Grace cut in.
"What-? Who said I did anything!" Oliver cried defensively. Grace raised an eyebrow at him and he sighed and looked at the ground. 'Well…I think it was…Madam Rosmerta was behind the bar and…"
"Katie's pissed, huh?"
"Yeah."
"So let's think…" Grace continued. "What can you do to make it up to her?"
"Lend her Quidditch robes?" Oliver asked hopefully.
Grace gave him a look. "Um…maybe later. How's that broom polish working, by the way?"
"Oh yeah, it's doing wonders to the wood, but it still doesn't look as good as a Firebolt's handle."
"Do you like the Twigger 90 models?"
"Um… Great luxury brooms, but I wouldn't rely on one in a Quidditch match." Oliver replied.
"Yeah, but maybe the Ministry of Magic should look into supplying them as a slow mode of transport for the next Quidditch World Cup." Grace suggested. "But anyway, back to work- how else can you think of making it up to your girlfriend?"
Oliver thought for a moment. He looked around at the fully stocked shelves in the store and then suddenly looked as though a light bulb had clicked on over his head. "How about I buy her candy?"
"Good idea," Grace laughed. "And then maybe you can go up past the Shrieking Shack and frolic in the meadow before picking some wildflowers! Or…you could just say sorry, huh?"
"I tried that already!" Oliver protested.
"You were picking wildflowers?" Grace asked sceptically.
"Nooooo, I tried saying sorry."
"She must have been really ticked off then though. If you tried again, you might get through"
"Like a Fellytone? We learnt about them yesterday you know."
"You mean a telephone? Sure…like a telephone…"
"Oh yeah, telephone. Well, I'm going to get Katie some candy anyway." Oliver decided, looking at the butterscotch with more interest.
"Okay, try some blood lollipops." Grace suggested. "Katie likes vampire things, so even if she didn't actually eat them, which would be a smart move, she could still keep them as a souvenir."
Oliver's face fell. "…Oh. I didn't even think about it. You girls are going to have to go back sooner or later, aren't you?"
Grace nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so. Dumbledore's been really nice to let us stay here like this, but there's no doubt he wants to get us back home where we belong…To our world." She sighed.
"The Muggle world." Oliver clarified.
"Oh. Yes, of course." Grace said, pretending to correct herself. "The Muggle world."
"But…" Oliver began, "If you're witches… wouldn't here in the magical world be your home?"
Grace gave a sad smile and shook her head. "It's a little more complicated than that… Anyway, go on then, Wood! Get your candy and get your butt out of here to find your girlfriend! Mush!" Grace ordered, and herded him over to the counter where there sat cardboard boxes full of assorted candy, including one box of the special vampire sweets.
Leaving Oliver on his mission, she left the shop. Strangely, the door opened on its own accord before she could grasp to the handle to put it open. And just as strangely, her shoulder knocked into something solid just outside the door, even though there was nothing visible in her way. The thin air beside her let out an irritated "Ouch!" A pair of round glasses fell out of nowhere, scattering to a stop on the shop's floor, then a hand followed suit, picked them up and they both disappeared back into nowhere again.
"You'd better hope no one saw that." The bossy voice of Hermione Granger said to no one Grace could see. Ron Weasley followed behind, carefully counting the small pile of silver and bronze in his palm. With her bag of sweets and a grin, Grace made her way to Dervish and Banges.
"It's not my fault, people keep walking into me!"
Tam and Draco had finished their ice cream, and, after a few rounds around Hogsmeade, were walking hand in hand back to Hogwarts. Draco had planned a short Quidditch session, followed by a Homework session, (Even though they had finished their homework straight after classes, so they'd have free time for their study sessions, if you get what I mean *wink wink*) followed by joining everyone else for dinner.
Simple, but gratifying.
Tam rested her head on Draco's shoulder as they walked, and sighed happily.
Draco smiled and kissed her forehead, swapping his hands around, so his left was free to stroke her hair, and his right hold her hand. They continued walking in comfortable silence, both thinking their own similar thoughts.
'This was the life…'
Katie got her robes of green velvet with black thread stitched into the fabric, creating intricate designs. They were tight fitting with long sleeves, lined with black velvet underneath, and had a flowing skirt. Katie had strayed away from the glittery, silk, satin and jewelled robes, unlike the other girls, and stayed with what she felt comfortable with. Robes with a Wiccan feel to them.
Katie walked out onto the streets again with her dress robes wrapped and safely stowed away in her school bag, and she walked into The Three Broomsticks, casting a quick glance around, making sure Oliver wasn't still there, before ordering a bottle of Butterbeer from a man, not Madam Rosmerta.
She walked down the path that lead to Hogwarts, and, not wanting to return just yet, sat by a tree and pulled out the same book she had been reading before, Death of Despair by Christopher Pike.
She wrapped her black school robe around her tighter, and fell into the depths of her favourite book, while sipping her Butterbeer.
Oliver had looked everywhere, and Katie wasn't anywhere to be seen at all. He'd tried everywhere, even the Hogs Head quickly, even though that place gave him the creeps. The less then friendly types snuck around there, and unless you wanted to do a deal to buy something from there, there wasn't much else reason to stray anywhere nearby that place.
He continued searching, and finally decided she must've gone back to the castle.
He sighed. He hadn't meant to hurt Katie's feelings, but he'd nearly forgotten the affect Rosmerta always had on males…maybe she had a bit of Veela in her…
Oliver started his track up to the castle, holding the bag with the blood lollipops along with a few sugar quills. He hadn't bothered to buy new dress robes, since he'd had to get some before school started again, due to the fact his mother had a special birthday party, and therefore, he had to get dressed up.
He was just wondering what he could say to Katie to make her listen to him and not yell or get upset, when he heard a soft cough and sniffle, coming from the side of the road. He looked, and there she was, curled up with an empty bottle of Butterbeer and a book, and looking dead cold.
"Katie…? You okay?" he asked carefully, walking closer to her.
"Go away…"
"You look really cold, come back to Hogwarts and yell at me there." He smiled, trying to make her smile.
"Sod off…go make sure Rosmerta's warm and happy and leave me to freeze happily."
Oliver sat next to her and rearranged her cloak over her shoulders.
"Katie, she's a Veela or something, it's not my fault! I don't like her or anything, I only like Quidditch…and you…" Oliver said gently, pulling the book out of her hands, and putting it back in her schoolbag, before picking it up.
"Look, I got you a vampire thing…blood lollipops. A souvenir for your stay with us…I'm really going to miss you when you go…and I mean that Katie. Forget Madam Rosmerta and come back to Hogwarts with me, and get warm, and show me your dress robes. I bet you'll look as good as a brand new snitch." Oliver promised, pulling her to stand up, which she didn't fight against.
She stayed silent for a minute before looking at him, and the vampire blood lolly.
"I hope you know I haven't forgiven you yet." She finally hugged him, fondly and with affection. "I'll remember this for a while…"
"I'll make it up to you somehow." Oliver promised, hugging her back tightly. "I'll get you something really special before you go…you like snakes don't you?" he asked, as they walked back to the castle closely for warmth, he holding her bag for her, and her contemplating tasting the bloody goodness of the lollipop.
At the far end of Hogsmeade, Tamara and Draco were trudging up the path to the Shrieking Shack, carefully avoiding any muddy puddles that lay in their way. Tam turned her back to Draco as she pawed through her bag looking for something.
"What are you trying to find, Tam?" Draco asked, giving her worried sidewards glances.
"Oh, just a bottle of butterbeer I bought for the trip." A hint of mischief was hidden in Tam's voice, but unfortunately for Draco, he didn't notice it. They reached the dilapidated building and Tam took out the amber coloured, liquid filled bottle.
"Would you like some, Draco?" she said sweetly. Too sweetly.
"Sure," Draco shrugged.
Tam pulled a small cup out of her bag and began to pour some butterbeer into it.
"Gosh, Tamara, did you bring the kitchen sink with you, too?" Draco laughed. Tam didn't respond as she was being careful not to spill any butterbeer, and she handed it to Draco. "Cheers." She grinned as lifted the cup to his mouth. CRUNCH!
"What the-?! OW!! TAAAM!!!" Draco yelped as he gingerly rubbed his sore nose. Tam exploded into a fit of laughter. "Got ya!" she cried. She took the nose-biting teacup that Draco had bought for her just an hour earlier and held it up in front of his eyes. "You fell right into that one." She smirked, wiggling the cup in front of him.
"That'll teach me to buy you prank objects." Draco grumbled, but grinned anyway.
A sudden breeze swept behind them, causing the two Slytherins to turn and look at the old house.
"The most haunted dwelling in all of Britain…" Draco commented.
Tam looked at it with apprehension. "Are there really ghosts in there?" she asked timidly.
"Apparently they used howl and scream and the villagers couldn't get to sleep at night. They said it was always especially bad every full moon." He paused to smirk. "What a bunch of fraidy-cats. I've never heard a peep from this run down place. Look at it," Tam did. "A slanted roof, broken windows, clogged up chimney…" As if on cue, a roof tile dropped off and fell down into one of the old flower boxes, causing a large cloud of dust to rise where it had landed. "Probably like the Weasley's house, I expect." Draco remarked loudly as the legendary trio walked up behind himself and Tamara.
"Ignore it!" Hermione said sharply to her two friends as soon as the words were uttered from Draco's mouth.
"He can't keep ignoring me all the time, Granger." Draco sneered. "I do exist."
"Unfortunately." Harry finally retorted.
"You know, Harry," Tam interrupted, "If you keep ignoring Draco he won't go away. If that's how you think you'll get rid of your Quidditch opponent, then to put it bluntly, your mind is quite frankly stuffed."
"He's just knows that he won't be picked to play Seeker for Hogwarts." Draco chimed in.
"He has skills you could never buy." Ron spat. "And you know it, Malfoy."
"Oh does he now?" Draco said, turning his attention to the youngest Weasley brother. "Dear me, I nearly forgot you were here, Weasel. Oops! I mean, Weasley. But of course… you live here don't you? No wait, I remember now. Your house only looks like the Shrieking Shack. Are there wails and moans at your house too? I suspect it would be your tubby mother shrieking about how bad her life is now that's she married your father."
Ron's hand was trembling with fury as he gripped his wand, which was warningly being pointed at Draco's pale face. Hermione put a hand on his arm in an attempt to lower it, but Ron wouldn't budge. A corner of Draco's mouth tipped upwards into a smile, and it must have been what pushed Ron over the edge because he called Draco an extremely rude word before raising his wand violently and yelling "Alfidextra!" A terrific blue spark launched itself out the end of Ron's wand and sparkled over Draco's head. When it had disappeared, Draco let out a horrified gasp. Harry, Hermione and Ron burst into laughter and Tamara nearly fainted. Draco's hair had disappeared along with the spell.
"Oh my God, what have you done to him?!" Tam cried.
"Well, it's obvious isn't it!" Hermione said between fits of giggles. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out."
Draco's mouth was silently opening and closing as he tried to take the feeling of being bald in. Tam was fussing over him, close to panicking. "It's okay, it'll grow back! The spell will wear off soon, it will! I'm sure it will! Your hair will grow back, just the way it was before, yes it will, I know it will, it will, it'll grow back!"
Draco meanwhile, had suddenly found his anger. "Run, Potter…" he growled, taking out his wand.
"What?" Harry asked, laughing.
"Reciprocus!" Draco yelled, attacking Harry with a pinky-red jet of light. Harry's legs were automatically switched back to front, giving him the weirdest feeling. He tried walking forwards, but his legs carried him in the opposite direction, and when he agreed with them to go that way, they walked back in the other direction again.
"Good lord, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she finally stopped laughing, and watched him as he tried to move properly.
"What is going on here?!" a stern voice cried.
The five of them whirled around (except for Harry who whirled the other way, then managed to correct himself). Standing behind them was Professor McGonagall, hands on hips and not looking at all happy. "Just because magic isn't allowed between corridors at the castle, it does not give you the excuse to go running around Hogsmeade cursing each other! What would the villagers have thought of the school if they had seen you?!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Tam mumbled ashamedly. "I want all of you to go back to school now." Professor McGonagall ordered. "Potter, try not to draw attention to yourself as you walk past the shops, and Malfoy, get out your hat and put in on your head because God forbid, you look an awful sight. Hurry up now, get going."
And with that, she marched them back through the village and all the way up to Hogwarts castle.
So really, what do you think about it? Should we continue? Review/Flame us!