Rebecca woke up to a ruckus in the room.
"Cathrine, you need to go talk to Greg and Charlie," Sara said in a tone that Rebecca could tell she was getting exasperated.
"Why?" Cathrine asked back.
"We don't know. You just do," Jacquelyn responded sounding as bad Sara.
'Oh, they are trying to get the party planned. I better get some help for them,' Rebecca thought.
She then opened up her curtains quietly and signaled to Sara that she would be back with reinforcements. Rebecca walked down the stairs hoping Charlie wouldn't be down there so she didn't have to explain anything right then.
Unfortunately, Charlie was sitting on the chair by the fire and saw her as soon as she hit the bottom of the stairs. He hopped off up and rushed towards her. Greg had been sitting on the couch looked over to see what got Charlie excited and was relieved to see Rebecca up.
Before Charlie got to her or could say anything, Rebecca addressed the two boys, "Sara and Jacquelyn are having a problem getting Cathrine to leave them alone so that they can plan the party. They said you guys wanted to talk to her, but she wants to know why. Do you think you could come up with something plausible to get her out of the room?"
"I got an idea, I was going to use it for when she talked to us," Greg responded. "We should go up and get her."
Charlie shook his head and the three headed up the stairs. He kept looking at Rebecca to try to talk to her about things or at least get a time for them to talk set up, but she lept yawning so he just decided it would be best to wait.
As the three Gryffindors approached the girls' room they heard Sara and Jacquelyn say in unision, "Cathrine we are not lying to you, the guys want to talk to you."
"Are you sure?" Cathrine questioned wondering why her friends were trying to get rid of her.
"Cathrine," Greg said as he followed Rebecca into the room. "we did want to talk to you." "Oh," Cathrine replied slightly embarrassed.
"Come on," Charlie said grabbing the jokester's arm and leading her out of the room. Greg followed the two out of the room and gave the other girls a wink to tell them that they would keep Cathrine occupied until the three came down the steps.
When the door was completely shut, Rebecca turned back and saw Sara and Jacqelyn looking right at her.
"Thank you," Sara quietly said.
"No problem," was all Rebecca could reply. It was an awkward moment because of what had happened earlier that day between the girls.
They all stood there timidly looking at each other and then suddenly the three friends said together, "I'm sorry."
Sara, Rebecca, and Jacquelyn let out a laugh and did a group hug.
"So, what are we going to do about this party?" Jacquelyn asked the as the three settled down on the floor in the center of the room. "It's got to be big."
"Oh, definitely," Sara stated. "Everyone in this house wants in on it."
"Too bad we can't do it with the other houses, too. I am sure there a lot of people there that would like to celebrate Cathrine being awake," added Rebecca. The other girls looked at their fellow Gryffindor as if she had just struck gold.
"What?" Rebecca asked.
"Getting the other houses in on the party would be the perfect surprise. Everyone in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw love Cathrine," Sara said her face all lit up.
"And Kris would be so excited about it," added Jacquelyn.
Rebecca thought for a moment and then a huge smile appeared on her face as she said, "It is a prefect surprise isn't it?"
The girls started to laugh.
"So how are we going to pull this off?" Sara asked as she got up to get a peace of paper, ink, and a quill to jot down ideas.
"Well, we can't have it down in the common room with the other houses, can we?" Jacquelyn stated.
"Why don't we do it outside?" suggested Rebecca.
"Good idea; then we don't have to worry about space issues," Sara said as she wrote it down. Jacquelyn started to spout out ideas on different things and Rebecca thought of a few things for herself.
"Um, guys we have a problem," Rebecca said after a minute.
"What?" Sara and Jacquelyn asked.
"The Slytherins."
"The Slytherins," Sara and Jacquelyn said disgusted that they knew that they would have to invite that house if they were going to have the party in a more public place.
They all let out sighs, not sure what to do.
"Maybe, we should try anyways to have it outside," Rebecca finally said. "I mean they don't have to come if they don't want to celebrate what we are celebrating, so if we are told we have to invite to have it outside then we will."
Sara and Jacquelyn shock their heads in agreement.
The girls then spent the rest of the afternoon talking over plans for the party and splitting up jobs for getting things set up.
When it was time for dinner, Jacquelyn grabbed James and headed down before anyone else so that they could talk to McGonagall about the party and also find out whom all would need to approve it for it to happen.
Colin pulled Cathrine out of the common room as Sara and Rebecca came down the stairs. He was trying to give the others a chance to find out what was going on with the party.
"So what are our duties for this party?" asked Greg as the girls walked to the couches.
Sara looked at Rebecca and then turned back to Greg and Charlie to say, "Help us get the other houses in on it without Cathrine knowing it."
The two boys looked at the girls curiously causing Sara to explain everything.
"Sound cool," Charlie commented.
"Yeah, Rebecca did come up with a good idea, didn't she?" Sara commented causing Rebecca to look away as she blushed. Sara didn't know the status of Charlie and Rebecca, but figured that it would hurt to make a comment that reminded Charlie that Rebecca was a caring person.
He got the drift, but didn't know how to pull Rebecca off to the side to talk to her alone right now so he said, "Couldn't have said it better myself. Come on, let's go down to dinner and see if James and Jacquelyn got it approved."
Charlie watched Rebecca sweetly smile as she shook her head in agreement.
'I love that smile,' he thought as he followed the two girls and Greg out of the door.
Charlie walked down to the Great Hall at Rebecca's elbow trying to figure out how to pull her off to the side to talk to her without her smile disappearing. He thought he had a way to do it, but they saw James and Jacquelyn standing out in the hall with huge smiles. Rebecca and Sara ran right to them with Greg and Charlie closely behind him.
Before anyone could say anything, Jacqueslyn squealed, "We can do it!"
"Really?!" Sara and Rebecca squealed in unison.
The girls grabbed each others hands and started to jump up and down in excitement squealing some more. The boys all smiled, but couldn't help but roll their eyes at the giddiness the girls were displaying.
"Jacquelyn, you going to tell them what needs to be done so that we can have this party?" James asked stopping the girls.
"Oh, yeah," Jacquelyn blushed slightly from her temporary lack of a level headedness. "We just have to get the other houses to agree to it."
"Oh well that won't be that hard. We'll do that after dinner," Charlie stated.
"Yeah, we can have a meeting in the library to get things set up," Rebecca added.
"I think Jacquelyn and I should get Colin and come up with a reason for us to leave the hall early so you guys can get everyone," James said.
"Good idea," Greg said.
"Um, how about you girls get Ravenclaw and we'll get Hufflepuff." Both girls shook their heads in agreement.
"Good, now lets get in so Cathrine doesn't get suspicious," Charlie added ushering the group into the hall.
After dinner when James, Jacquelyn, and Colin left with Cathrine, Sara and Rebecca went over and talked to Lennon, Jenna and Audrey about the party and see if they wanted in on it. Greg and Charlie headed over to the Hufflepuff table to do the same.
"That sounds awesome," Audrey said. "We're definitely in."
"Good, we are going to have a meeting in the library about it in a half an hour, bring anyone else that can help you quietly spread the word in your house," Sara stated.
"Great! See you then!" Jenna said as the Gryffindors left.
"Well, that was easy," Sara commented as they walked back over to their table. "Now what are we going to do about the Slytherin's?"
"Well Calloway, hates me and same goes for Kirsta. Cassie would have it all out before we walked away. Hans, Dan, and Sam are not trustworthy enough and I don't want to talk to Russel about it. I guess Ryan is our point of contact there isn't he?" Rebecca stated as she saw that Ryan was sitting right smack in the middle of everyone else that she had just black listed.
"How are you going to get him to the meeting?"
Rebecca thought for a moment.
"Hey Percy, can I borrow a piece of paper, ink and a quill?" Rebecca asked Charlie's studious brother who was already taking books and nots to every meal to study for his first exams.
"Sure," Percy responded as he handed over the requested items.
"Thanks! So how is studying going?" Rebecca asked as she scrolled out on the paper, 'Meet me in the library in 30 minutes. Your cousin.'
"Oh, it is going pretty well," Percy started.
As he went more indepth on his study plan and schedule, Rebecca folded the paper into an airplane and after whistling to get Ryan's attention she threw it at him.
She turned back to listen to Percy when the paper plane came back with 'Why?' written under her message.
'Because,' Rebecca wrote, refolded the plane and then sent it back.
'Because why?'
'Because I want to talk to you about something.'
'About what?'
'Listen goober, are you coming or not?'
'Yeah I am coming.'
'Then you will find out when you get there. I am not going to prank you.'
'I knew that.'
'Yeah, right. Why did you keep asking questions then?'
'I was messing with your head.'
'Whatever. I have to talk to Percy. I'll talk to you in the library.'
With that Rebecca threw the paper plane back to the Slytherin table, not realizing that the paper plane throwing had really caught the attention of everyone who was still sitting at that table.
"Sounds like you got yourself all scheduled out," Rebecca commented to Percy as she got up from the table showing him that she had managed to pay attention to what he was saying amidst all the paper plane stuff.
"Yeah, not too many of my fellow class mates have gotten the idea that we really need to be prepared for this."
"Well, don't worry so much about telling them that they need a schedule, just asked them if they want to study with you. I am sure some of them will be more than glad to join you."
"Yeah, I think Lauren was talking about needing a study buddy," added Sara.
Percy nodded his head, and then asked, "Do you think she would study tonight?"
"Don't see why not," Rebecca said outside of the hall. "Why don't you go up stairs and ask her?"
"Okay," and with that Percy was up the steps in a flash.
"What were you talking to Percy about?" Charlie asked as he and Greg joined the girls in the hall.
"Studying," Rebecca quickly responded. "Come on we better head up to the library."
"Yeah, we don't have a lot of time before everyone shows up," Sara stated starting towards the meeting spot.
The four walked into the library to find Lennon, Jenna, and Audrey already there with with Kurt, Kevin, Adam, and Kris.
"Are you guys really going to throw a party for my sis?" Kris excitely asked as the Gryffindors approached.
"Yeah, but don't go telling her," Rebecca teased knowing that the poor little third year was going to have a real problem not sharing with her sister.
"So what are the plans?" Lennon asked.
"Let's wait until everyone is here," Charlie stated sort of coldly.
Bill had talked to him about the row with Lennon and Charlie was ready to get give her a hard time for the hard time she gave Bill. Lennon rolled her eyes and looked at Jenna, who decided that it would be best to get a conversation started instead of having the awkward silence.
"So who all is coming?" she asked.
"Um, some students from Hufflepuff," Sara started and then looked at Greg because she wasn't sure exactly who the guys were talking to.
"Matt Graham, Kristen Lee," Greg started to list who he and Charlie talked to.
Rebecca and Sara looked at each other and mouthed, "The quidditch team."
Both snickered a bit, causing Greg to playfully glare at them.
The Hufflepuffs walked in the door with Bill, Aaron, and A.J. and made their way to the group.
"Hey, I talked to James and Jacquelyn and they sent me down to give out some of the instructions that they forgot to tall you," Bill stated to Rebecca. He was trying hard not to look at Lennon, who was trying not to look at him either.
"Okay," Rebecca slowly said.
"Why don't you tell us, then?" Jenna asked trying to get Bill to look at Lennon, since she was sitting right next to the sixth year Ravenclaw.
"Is everyone here?" Bill asked looking at Rebecca instead of Jenna.
"No," Rebecca simply stated.
"Who's missing?"
"The representative from the Slytherin House, Ryan."
Lennon perked up which bothered Bill slightly.
Just then Ryan came into the library, but he wasn't alone. Russel and Jason had come with him. The boys of the other three houses got up and looked like they were ready for any snide remarks. Rebecca made up her mind to be proactive and stepped in between the two groups.
"Glad to see that you could make it," she said giving Ryan a warm smile, but trying really hard not to look at Russel or Flint.
"See I said she had something up her sleeve, the distraction," Calloway commented not so quietly.
Rebecca stepped in front of Charlie who clenched his fist and look as though he was ready to go after the Slytherin in front of him.
"For once you got something right, Calloway," Rebecca smarted off in this sweet tone that irked Jason. "I did have something up my sleeve."
Ryan looked at his childhood friend dumbfounded.
"I was wanting Ryan to join our merry little party planning committee as a representative of Slytherin."
"What is the party for?" Calloway asked trying not to let it show that Rebecca had caught him off guard with her response.
"To celebrate a friend being out of the infirmary."
"Tyson," Russel stated.
"Bingo," Rebecca replied accidentally looking over at Russel who was wearing a goof 'you kissed me' grin on his face that was quite upsetting to her.
Luckily she was able to keep her composure and say, "Now that all the houses are accounted for, Bill why don't you tell us about what James and Jacquelyn told you."
Everyone took a seat around the table that they were standing by. "Okay," Bill started once everyone was settled. He had to be careful as he looked around the table not to linger to long on Lennon who was sitting next to Ryan and kind of flirting with him. "They were told by Professor McGonagall that if all the houses were in consensus with the party then we could have it. There is a slight catch though, if we want to have this party we are going to have to give up a Hogsmeade weekend."
"Oh," Rebecca said what everyone was thinking. "Well, it looks like we are going to have to go back to our houses and see if everyone is okay with that. But if the party is going to take place with all the houses participating, I just want you to know there were some executive decisions made this after noon." "Like what?" asked Adam intrigued with the whole party idea. "First and second years will be invited to the party and it will be outside."
"What about entertainment?" Kevin asked.
"We wanted to talk to you all about that before we said anything about it, but I think there is more than enough talent in this school for us to have something awesome at the party."
"Are we going to get food from the kitchen?" questioned Matt getting a laugh from everyone because he was known for thinking with his stomach and Chelsea often complained about it.
"Unless there is some place else we can get food."
Rebecca looked around table and after exchanging a couple words with Sara, she said, "I think that we had better find out whether our respective houses are for the party since it will be taking away a Hogsmeade visit."
"Please, make sure that you keep this quiet everyone," Sara added. "If you don't, I am going to hex you."
Rebecca and everyone else turned towards Sara gobsmacked at her threat. No one doubted that if Sara got really mad she would make whoever upset pay for it and it was obvious that if Cathrine found out about this party she would be mad enough to do the worst hexes that she knew.
"Okay, then," Rebecca said turning back to the group still a little in disbelief that Sara was the one to threaten everyone. Greg, Charlie, James, and Colin would have been her top choices if she had to bet on who was going to throw out the first threat on keeping the party a secret, but she had to admit Sara saying it first made the a bit more valid of a then.
"I guess I better tell you that I am not going to be happy either if Cathrine finds out from anyone." Rebecca pointedly stared at Calloway. "And you won't know when I am going to get you, but it will be horrific."
"Are you threatening me with death, Carter?" Jason hissed.
"No, that would be too kind. Plus, it is way to easy so what would be the fun in that for me. I think I can come up with a better prank than that."
All of the sudden Adam snickered thinking of the Rebecca's ink prank. Rebecca looked at him for a second and then started to laugh with him. Slowly Audrey, Jenna, Lennon, Kurt, and Kevin started to laugh too.
Charlie chuckled a little, but then in order to regain the composure of the group without being asked what was so funny, he said, "Sara's and Rebecca's threats aren't alone everyone. I think I can vouch that if someone from Gryffindor finds out that someone told Cathrine on purpose there is going to be a price to pay."
The other Gryffindors nodded their heads in agreement.
Bill then added, "Why don't we set up another meeting so that we know whether or not all the houses are going to be in on it? And just so everyone knows they were going to announce that this weekend was going to be another visit to Hogsmeade, but I talked to McGonagall on my way here and she said that they were going to hold off announcing it until we told her whether everyone was for giving up the visit."
"So we need to get this decided pretty fast, then?" Lennon commented.
"Yeah," Bill simply responded looking at Lennon who had been sitting fair close to Ryan, but moved away when she realized she was being watched by Bill.
"So why don't we have another meeting tomorrow?" Jenna asked trying to keep the tension between the two to a minimum.
"Will that give everyone enough time?" asked Greg.
"Yep," Matt responded for the Hufflepuffs. "We probably won't get any resistant."
"Same here," Kurt commented for his house. Everyone then turned to the Slytherin contingent.
Ryan took a deep breathe and after looking at his fellow housemates, he stated, "I don't know, but if Cassie wants it to happen then we'll be there."
Russel and Jason nodded. They both knew that Ryan was right, if Cassie wanted to go to the party and wasn't allowed because someone wanted to go to Hogsmeade that person was never going to hear the end of it.
Rebecca tried hard to contain herself, but ended up snickering causing all three Slytherins to look at her funny.
"Sorry, it's just so funny to think what Cassie is going to do when someone rejects this."
Everyone around the table started to laugh including Calloway, who was the last to join in.
"Okay," Rebecca finally said once she got her giggles under control. "Let's plan on meeting here after dinner tomorrow. Sound good?"
Mumbles of approval went around the group. Slowly, everyone started to get up and say goodnight to the other houses.
As the groups started to slowly dispense, Bill took a deep breathe and slowly let it out.
"Len, I need to talk," he forced out in such a manner that let Lennon know there was no room for postponing this discussion.
Rebecca watched as the two walked off and started to feel sick to her stomach.
'I don't agree with her flirting with Ryan in front of Bill like that, but at least he didn't kiss him,' she thought. 'I hope he doesn't give her too hard of a time, after all when Cassie finds out Lennon will be in enough trouble.'
"You okay?" Russel having noticed the sick look on her face asked disturbing Rebecca's train of thought.
She turned to respond and fell back startled on the close proximity he was to her. He was a foot away from her which wouldn't have been that bad except she feared that he might try to kiss her in front of Charlie.
"Hey, are you okay?" Russel asked again as he tried to help Rebecca up.
"I'm fine," she responded as she wrangled her arm out of his grip and got herself up off of the floor.
"So, are you going to be at the next meeting?"
Rebecca tried hard not to roll her eyes at the blatant attempt to keep a conversation going. Under normal circumstances she would have just left and gone along her merry way, but she really wanted this party to happen so she civilly responded, "I don't know, someone has to be sure that Cathrine doesn't get suspicious of what is going on, so if I am the one with the plausible excuse to keep her from everyone else, then I won't be here."
"Oh, that makes sense. Well if you need any help with that let me know."
Russel did this little tilt of his head towards her something similar to what Wadsworth would do to remind her that he was not only her guardian, but her servant as well.
Rebecca jumped back again and found herself in Chalie's arms. Rebecca turned beet red, partly because Russel had freaked her out enough to have her so excitable and partly because Ryan was staring at her and looked as though he was ready to question her on her behavior.
Just when she thought there was no hope to get away from being grilled, Calloway ordered the boys back to the common room. Rebecca let out a sigh, but knew that she wouldn't be that lucky all the time.
"A little jumpy, aren't we?" Charlie joked trying to lighten the mood as the Slytherins left. He didn't like Russel feeling that comfortable to get that close to Rebecca while he was watching, but figured she didn't like it either so there was no point in getting her upset about it.
Rebecca flashed her sweet little smile at him stating the obvious, but all the sudden had this guilty look on her face when she thought of what was making her jumpy, which told Charlie she had did something.
"We need to talk," Rebecca said soberly as she walked out of his arms. Charlie followed Rebecca into a vacant aisle.
"Listen if this has to do with you slapping me, "Charlie started, but Rebecca shook her head no so he stopped that sentence."What's the matter?" Charlie asked looking at his girlfriend seeing how she was really fighting to get the courage to say something.
"Well, you know how I ran out of the tower after Sara, Jacquelyn, and Cathrine came up into the room?" Rebecca nervously began.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I ran to the owlery to write Stacy back," Rebecca stated and then continued to tell Charlie about the contents of Stacy's letter and that it had made her think that she really hadn't acted to fair to him, but there was so much that was still confusing her that she needed to write it down and get it straight in her head. "Well I wrote my letter up in the owlery and someone was up there when I did it."
"Who?" Charlie interjected as Rebecca drew breathe.
"Russel."
"Flint?" Charlie had to keep himself from going off until Rebecca had a chance to tell him the whole story.
"Yeah, he was in there before I got up there and I was too distracted to realize it was him when I came in or realize that he didn't leave."
"Okay," Charlie slowly said wondering where Rebecca's story was going to go.
"Anyways, I was still pretty confused and I had had a headache."
"You didn't faint, did you?" Charlie asked really concerned.
"Yeah, and he caught me."
"Is that it?" Charlie interrupted with a scoffing tone. "Were you worried about telling me that he finally caught you when you fainted?"
"Not exactly," Rebecca started to run her finger long the spine of a book on the shelf closest to her, as she said, "He got me talking about what was upsetting me and I got things straight in my head and was ready to come and find you to talk about it. I... I... I..." Rebecca let out a sigh and took a deep breathe as Charlie watched her finally muster up the courage to quickly tell him, "I looked up to thank him and I ended up kissing him."
Rebecca let out another sigh as she waited for the repercussion the blow she just dealt to Charlie.
But Charlie just stood there and playfully asked, "You're joking?"
Rebecca quit staring at the book spine and turned to him and plainly stated, "No, I am not."
"Was it a dream?"
"No."
"So it was a real kiss."
"Unfortunately," Rebecca was starting to get frustrated that Charlie didn't believe what she said.
Charlie looked around to see if Russel was some place close to get answers from.
"He didn't do it!" Rebecca hissed at him knowing exactly what was going through Charlie's head. "I kissed him. That is the end of the story. He didn't do anything. I looked up and it happened."
Charlie looked at Rebecca almost in disbelief that she was sticking up for Russel.
'But then again, maybe she is sticking up for her integrity. She won't lie if you ask her something directly,' Charlie thought as he continued watching Rebecca.
He was about to say something, when Rebecca closed her eyes and raised her hand to her temple.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asked noticing Rebecca was getting a bit paler.
"It's just a headache. ... It's," Rebecca said as she opened her eyes to see Charlie looking around for Russel. This annoyed her and therefore she finished her sentence through gritted teeth, "nothing."
Charlie turned back to her with a very surprised look on his face.
Before he could say anything Rebecca continued, "He is not in here anymore. You saw him leave, with Jason and Ryan. ... Why can't you believe that things happen to me without anyone's intervention? I have a headache because I been through a lot this weekend; not because Flint is somewhere around here lurking and hexing me hoping that he can catch me again like he did in the owlery."
Charlie couldn't stand it anymore, so finally he let out, "Becca, the prat has done it before. I am sorry that I suspect him about giving you headaches still, but he can't be trusted. You know that from how he broke the truce you two had."
"I know, but it doesn't change the fact that I kissed him!"
"I say it was a trick."
"A trick?"
"Yeah."
"So you're saying that Russel knew that I would be going to the owlery, because Hans, Dan, and Sam planted the idea in your head that Ryan was going to get me with a bludger so that we would have a row so that I would run upstairs to find sanctuary in my room only to get hit with questions by my roommates hence leading me to the owlery where he could be making it so that I was running to him. Now why didn't I think of that?" Rebecca sarcastically said.
"Don't," Charlie started.
"Don't what? You know if that is what you are thinking happened that's fine. It is a bloody brilliant plan, but I have one thing to say about it. You look like the biggest fool in it, because everything plays off of Russel playing with your mind and knowing exactly how you would react. And the last time I checked I wasn't dating one, so I don't think it happened that way. I kissed him and therefore cheated on you. ... Please, don't go looking for excuses for me, it just makes me sound like I'm lying to you and you know I am not a liar."
Charlie let out a deep breathe and looked at her. He didn't know what to say or do. Finally after a moment he turned and left Rebecca standing alone in the library.
Eventually, Rebecca walked out of the aisle. Relieved that she didn't get yelled at, but wishing she would have kept her temper.
"It's bad enough I broke his heart with that news," she muttered to herself.
"Hey, Becca, can I talk to you?" a voice said from behind her.
Rebecca turned around to see Bill standing there. She looked at him for a moment and couldn't help but notice a there was a strange look in his eye. It had a glint of sadness, some anger, and a hint of concern mixed with this overall protective glare. Rebecca had only one guess on why he was projecting that protective.
"Yeah," Rebecca finally answered wondering how much she was going to get yelled at. Bill gently took her arm and led her out into the hall.
"Listen, Charlie told me about the kiss," Bill softly started.
"Figured as much," Rebecca glumly said as she took a seat on the steps waiting for Bill to start yelling at her.
Much to Rebecca's surprise Bill sat down next to her and said, "You know everyone is allowed to make a mistake."
"What?" Rebecca looked at him strangely.
Bill put his arms around her and explained, "I have my own idea of what caused the kiss, but I have a feeling that you being the straightforward fly right type person that you are, you aren't going to let yourself off as easy. For right now, I think if you realize that it was a mistake you'll be better off. You can't get yourself down about it."
"But Bill, Charlie..."
"Charlie is shocked, so give him some time and all will be fine, I promise."
Rebecca couldn't help but give him a doubting look.
"Trust me, your reactions to Russel walking into the meeting and even daring to talk to you that close, show that your attitude hasn't changed towards him. I mean, you weren't flirting with him to get Charlie back for the row you two had."
"Like Lennon?"
Bill let out a sigh.
"Sorry, Bill, I didn't..."
"It's okay, Becca. Len and I are... are... just going through a rough patch. We have never fought before even when we were just friends. We are going to see whether we can make it through, but I know that no matter what we will always care for each other."
"How do you know that?"
Bill smirked as he said, "Because tonight when I asked to talk to her the first thing out of my mouth when we were alone was 'You need to be careful not to get Cassie mad at you.'"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I would have thought that I would have been so mad the way she was flirt with Malfoy, but all I could see was a pissed off Cassie sending Len to the infirmary."
"What did Lennon say?"
"She was shocked, to say the least. I think she was ready for another row, but when I said, 'I don't care who you are dating. I will always have your back when you need it.' I think I showed her that I was more concerned for her happiness than who was right in our row."
"Are you two still dating?"
"Well, I guess for now. She didn't say that she wanted to break up even though she had a opportunity. I am going to leave it up to her, but I am hoping that she waits until after all this party stuff."
"Why?"
"I want to try and surprise her at the party, if that is okay with you and the other head planners?"
Rebecca sweetly smiled and quietly responded, "It will be fine, whatever you have planned. ... Bill, uh, what all did Charlie say to you when he was leaving?"
"He said that you were upset about the kiss and then other than the details that he knew of all he said was that he had to leave you alone because he was going to explode from frustration." Rebecca gave him a confused look. "You know trying to get you from not feeling guilty when you were so insistent on that it was your fault."
"But it was..."
Bill put his fingers to her lips to stop her from saying anything more. Rebecca looked into his brown eyes and he said, "This is what Charlie was talking about. You a bit irascible right now so please go up to bed and then tomorrow try to talk to Charlie without getting upset when he tries to give you an out, okay?"
Rebecca nodded her head and the two got up and headed up to an empty common room.
The next morning Rebecca got up and headed down to breakfast hoping that Charlie might come down early so that they could talk alone. But, Charlie never showed. Rebecca asked Greg where he was at as the owl flew in to deliver the mail.
"He wasn't out of bed yet when I was leaving the room. Don't worry; if he doesn't come down here, he'll make it to potions in time without fail."
Just then Charlie dashed into the hall and grabbed a couple pieces of toast and informing the others that it was time to get to class. Rebecca jumped up and followed Charlie to the potions room. She had to admit that she was relieved to see him have enough time to grab something for breakfast, but she couldn't help to feel that it was a bit calculated.
Rebecca took her seat in potions and was about to ask if Charlie would be her partner for the potion just to break the ice when Snape entered the room announcing, "Today, I am going to be assigning you partners. It appears some of you need to put in a great deal more effort in getting ready for OWLS, so I am going to pair a strong potions student with a weak one."
Rebecca slouched some on her stool upset that she wouldn't get to talk to Charlie while they did the potion. As Snape proceed to group the student up Rebecca stole a few glances at Charlie who seemed very placid towards her.
Snape paired Charie with Cassie, but skipped over Rebecca. Soon there it was obvious that Dan was going to be her partner since he was the worst student of the ones that hadn't been paired up yet. Rebecca could feel a headache coming on. The idea that she was going to be paired with Dan who was hopeless when it came to potions wasn't that bad until your factored in that he was the one that helped Ryan bewitch the bludger that got Cathrine and started the rumor that started her and Charlie's row which lead to everything else. Of course what happened the last time Snape decided to pair the class up himself didn't help matters. As she thought of everything, her head felt worse and worse. Trying to lessen it she closed her eyes and put her hand up to her temple.
"Shoot me now," Rebecca muttered a slight bit more audible than she had intended.
"What was that Miss Carter?" Snape asked walking towards her.
"Sorry, Professor. It is just that I have a headache and it really hurts," Rebecca said straightening herself up slightly.
"Bad enough that you want someone to kill you?"
Rebecca just nodded her head with a strange look on her face that she thought it was a weird request, too. Of course, she knew it sounded bad, but with all the emotions that were tied with giving her the headache made it feel worst than any she had ever had. Under normal conditions a headache of this magnitude would have caused her to mercifully pass out, but she didn't feel that light headedness that usually accompanied the headache shortly before she would faint.
"Miss Carter, why don't you go see Madame Pompfrey," Snape said going up to his desk to write a quick note. "I am sure you are more than capable of prepare any potion thrown at you on the OWLs so please stay up there the rest of the period."
"Yes, sir," Rebecca responded as she jumped off her stool to gather up her things.
"Sir, can someone go with her in case she faints?" Charlie asked causing Rebecca to look at him. He looked truly concerned, even though he wasn't looking at her when he said it.
"Someone or you, Mr. Weasley?"
"Someone."
Charlie's response puzzled Snape causing him to look at the Gryffindor strangely. With the two dating, Snape would have naturally assumed that Charlie would want to take her there.
"Sir, she does faint," Russel added just to give a little push to Charlie's request. Under normal circumstance he, of course, wouldn't want to vocally agree with Charlie, but in this case he decided it would be better if he did.
"Are you volunteering, Mr. Flint?" Snape asked turning his attention away from Charlie and Rebecca.
Russel thought for a moment about saying yes, after all he would get to spend some time with Rebecca without the threat of Charlie showing up, but he saw the death look Charlie was giving him and noticed Rebecca seemed to be frantically thinking of something.
'Probably trying to get herself to pass out now so that Weasel catches her and Professor says the usual, 'Mr. Weasley take her to the infirmary.' Maybe if I say no I can prove something to her,' Russel thought as he replied, "No, I need to stay here and practice my potions."
Ryan, Dan, Hans, and Sam turned towards their friend trying to figure why he would answer that way. Russel wasn't too bad in potions. Sure he wasn't top student, but still he wasn't that bad to worry about practicing instead of taking the girl he had been after all year to the infirmary.
"Every well," Snape commented turning back to Charlie. "Mr. Weasley since you suggested it, will you escort her?"
"No, I need to practice for OWLs, sir," Charlie simply responded not even looking at Rebecca.
Snape nodded though the expression on his face said that he was taken aback by the reply. Greg did a double take and stared at his best friend while James, Jacquelyn, Colin, and Cathrine looked at him wondering what was wrong. Sara gasped and looked to see how Rebecca reacted to Charlie's comment, but Rebecca didn't even look shocked and was refusing to look at Charlie, because she didn't think she deserved to now.
'I broke his heart, what should I expect. At least now I know how he really feels.'
"James, since you're closer to the head of the class, why don't you escort Miss Carter to the infirmary?" Snap finally said.
"Yes, sir," James responded as he got up from the stool and walked over to take Rebecca out of the room.
"Okay, what's going on?" James questioned as soon as they were out the door and he was sure no one would hear their conversation.
Rebecca took a deep breath slowly letting it out as they started towards the infirmary. Within a few steps she found herself telling James everything about the kiss and then the row after meeting in the library.
"So it was an accident that you kissed him," James reiterated when Rebecca finished.
"Yeah," Rebecca sighed as she walked into the hospital wing.
"Then why did you and Charlie fight if he wasn't blaming you for the accident?"
"He was trying to say it was a trick so to blame Russel and let me off. I was the one who moved and caused it. ... I don't think the word accident came out of either of our mouthes."
"Oh, okay," James whispered and appeared to be enlightened. "Becca don't worry. Charlie will see where you are coming from and you two will get this straightened out. I have no doubt."
Rebecca smiled a little and nodded. James had made her feel better about the situation because she knew that he would only tell her what he thought would truly happen.
"Miss Carter, what is it this time?" Madame Pompfrey asked as she came over to the girl. The healer had to admit that she was surprised to see the girl not being carried in.
"I have a pretty bad headache and Professor Snape sent me up here for the period," Rebecca responded as James waved his good-byes and went back class.
"Have a seat, on the cot, Miss Carter."
"Yes, ma'am."
Rebecca settled herself down and waited as the healer performed her magic.
"Whoa! It worked!" Rebecca excitedly muttered. She couldn't believe it. For once when a healer tried a remedy spell for her headache, it did what it was supposed to.
"It worked?" question Madame Pompfrey who was just as surprised as her patient.
"Yeah, it did!"
Rebecca's smile got bigger.
"Well, how about you stay here until your next class anyways so that we are sure it works?"
Rebecca shook her head in agreement and grabbed her defense book out of her bag to look at while she waited.
"Charlie, we have to talk," James whispered to his friend as he walked back into the potion's room. Charlie looked at him a moment and then turned to see Cassie going to put the wrong ingredient in the potion.
"NO, don't," he exasperatedly said as he took the vile out of Cassie's hand. Charlie then turned to James again and whispered back, "After class, okay? I got my hands a little full here."
James shook his head in agreement as he tried hard not to laugh at Cassie. He got caught up with Sam on what was going on with the potion and found that he was going to have his hands full with correcting it.
"What's the matter with Becca?" Charlie said as soon as he and James were out of the door and headed to Herbology, followed closely by Sara who was ready to give Charlie a piece of her mind.
"You know you could have shown her that much that much concern when she needed to go. She really needed help and you said no," Sara stated giving him a dark look.
"What and get into another row with her?" Charlie defensively asked keeping her from continuing. "After the quidditch match, we have done nothing this past weekend other than eat, sleep, and fight. I would like a little time to figure out our last row that's all."
"Sara, calm down," James evenly said noticing that Sara was about to explode and tell him that was no excuse. "Charlie and Becca are just not using the right word."
"What?" Charlie asked his friend.
"Neither of you said it was an accident."
"What was an accident?" Cathrine asked as she, Colin, Jacquelyn, and Greg caught up with the three.
James looked at Charlie who just nodded for him to go ahead. He figured that they would know soon enough anyways and if he didn't have to say it all the better.
James quickly told everyone what had happened on Saturday finishing by saying, "Becca went to thank Russel and accidentally kissed him for a second."
Sara gasped. Her gumption to fight with Charlie abated. She looked at him and was about to say sorry about her attiude when he said, "I know it was an accident. But she kept blaming herself."
"Yeah, I know, she still is, but the thing that I noticed is that she had no problem when I said it was an accident. I think that she got upset with you, because you didn't believe that she caused it."
Charlie looked at him a moment and then had the same enlightened expression that James had just an hour or so prior.
"Oh, that makes sense," Charlie whispered as he walked into the classroom. "Guys, don't mention the kiss to Becca until I get a chance to talk to her, okay?"
"Fine," James answered.
"Do we have to talk to her at all about this?" Sara questioned. She really never wanted to have a conversation with Rebecca about this, because she knew that it would only bring up bad feelings for her friend.
"No, I think we have enough to do with the," Charlie was about to say the party, but quickly changed when he saw Cathrine looking directly at him, "preparation for OWLs, that I think that you all will be able to avoid the topic."
Everyone shook their heads in agreement.
Charlie looked at his watch and then around the room finally saying, "Where is she? ... Becca was okay wasn't she, James?"
Charlie could have kicked himself for not taking her to the infirmary himself and James response of "I believe she was," was of no consolation to him.
Rebecca ran out of the infirmary to try to get to Herbology on time. As she rounded the corner she ran smack into Bill.
"Hey, Becca! Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Bill asked as he helped her up.
"Thanks. Um I have to get to Herbology and I am going to be late, because Madame Pompfrey wouldn't release me," Rebecca quickly answered as she started to walk away.
"Why were you in the infirmary?" Bill said following her.
"I just had a headache. I'm better now. You don't have to follow me."
"Oh, sorry, I was following you to get you into class without any trouble."
"Oh, thanks," Rebecca said as she slowed down slightly and gave out a sigh of relief.
Bill and Rebecca made their way along the corridor to the door that was closest to the greenhouses talking about this that and the other, but mostly on the situation between Charlie and Rebecca. Bill looked as though he could have choked his brother for not taking Rebecca to see Madame Pompfrey.
"I can't believe Charlie let a little row between you stop him, from taking care of you," Bill disgustedly stated as he opened the door and let Rebecca walk out before following her.
"Well, I guess he was more confused than me on why we were fighting in the first place," Rebecca said as Bill closed the door behind him.
"Besides, would you really want to be around the person who it doesn't matter what is going on you are going to get into a fight with?"
"If she needed to go to the infirmary, I hope I would be able to get past it."
"But, Bill, I have told Charlie that I didn't want to date him one time when he took me there. Why would he want to take me there now? He might think that I would say something about breaking up."
"Would you have?"
"I hope not, but you never know. I really want to keep dating him and I wouldn't have did it on purpose. I just hope we make it thorough this rough patch."
"I am sure you will, Becca. You both just need to talk." Bill opened the door to the Green house and let Rebecca go inside.
"Professor Sprout," Bill stated as he walked into the classroom.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" the teacher said looking up from her book.
"I just came into tell you that Miss Carter was in the infirmary last hour and was just released that is why she is late."
"Very well, have a seat Miss Carter."
Before he left, Bill patted Rebecca on the shoulder as she walked to her usual seat happy to see that her friends were smiling at her, but ecstatic that Charlie was genuinely smiling at her.
"Headache gone?" he whispered to her.
"Yeah," was the only thing that Rebecca could respond before Madame Pompfrey resumed her lecture on OWL materials and the students were frantically writing notes to study from.
At the end of the class, Rebecca walked up to Professor Sprout to see what she had missed. As she turned to leave when she was finished, she saw that Charlie was waiting for her by the door.
"Hey," she sweetly whispered as she walked out the door he opened for her.
Charlie was about to respond when they heard, "Miss Carter, might I have a word with you?"
The two looked up to see Professor Snape heading towards them.
"Yes, Professor," Rebecca answered after giving Charlie a concerned look.
As she headed off to talk with Snape, Charlie headed in to the Great Hall for lunch.
"Did you talk to her?" Sara eagerly asked as Charlie sat down at the table.
"Uh, no. Professor Snape wanted to talk to her. But don't worry, she didn't act perturbed when she saw that I was waiting for her, so I'll talk to her after lunch," Charlie responded optimistically as he filled his plate watching the door for Rebecca to come in hoping he might get to talk to her before that.
Unfortunately, Rebecca didn't show up until there was fifteen minutes left in lunch and could even get to where her friends were sitting. As she made her way down the table, Lennon and Jenna caught her to tell her about the Ravenclaw's excitement for Cathrine's party.
The three girls stood there and talked until it was time for them all to head to Defense. Rebecca let out a sigh trying to figure out what she was going to get something to eat. Just then Adam walked up and handed her a sandwich as he started a conversation with her about dance lessons.
Thankful that Adam was so thoughtful that she turned and left without even thinking that Charlie was waiting for her at the table. Charlie followed slightly hurt, but knew it was best not to take it personal and to try and talk to her at class.
When Charlie walked into the classroom with the rest of his friends to see Rebecca sitting at her desk finishing her sandwich as Adam finished telling her something. Charlie took his sit and tried to start up a conversation with Rebecca only to have Professor Quirrell come in starting his lecture on what they needed to know for OWLs.
After another period of note taking, Charlie got up looking for a reason to pull Rebecca aside. Unfortunately, Adam and Kevin walked up to whisk Rebecca away. It wasn't until later that Charlie found out from Sara who was found out from Audrey that Adam had talked Rebecca into starting to give the Ravenclaws dance lesson during their free period before dinner.
Rebecca showed up for dinner and got caught by Cassie, who talked her ear of for about a half an hour. Russel finally gave her a break by coming up and making a "crisis" for her to go and see to at the Slytherin table.
"Thank you," Rebecca muttered as she tried to past Russel.
"It was nothing," Russel responded sort of staying in her way hoping she might talk to him a little longer.
Rebecca pushed past him and plopped down at her seat to quickly eat. "I have to do that potion again," Rebecca explained slightly annoyed. As she shoveled more food in her mouth, the talk of the table went around about her tasks to say at the school and then went on to OWLs.
Rebecca got up and left about fifteen minutes later only to get caught by Matt and a couple of his fellow Hufflepuffs just before she walked out the door. Luckily Charlie had gotten up with her to once again try and talk with Rebecca so he took the helm and talked to the Hufflepuffs while Rebecca slipped off to go work on her potion.
"Man, everyone wants to talk to Becca. Wonder why?" Cathrine pondered as she watched her friend walk out of the room.
Everyone looked at each other not sure what to say.
"Well, you know how everyone loves her and how she is willing to help anyone," Bill answered for the group.
Everyone shook their heads in agreement. It was the truth and they were all hoping that it would keep Cathrine from asking anymore questions. Charlie came back and sat down sort of disappointed that he couldn't talk to Rebecca, but after the conversation he had just had with Matt he got the hint that the other houses thought Rebecca was the main coordinator for the party.
Cathrine was about to set forth and ask Charlie a bunch of question, but Aaron started to talk about getting her back in to quidditch form which Cathrine started to roll her eyes at since he wouldn't be part of the team next year anyways, but eventually thought her captain had a point. After all she hadn't been on her broom for a very long time.
Woods winked at everyone all as he and Cathrine left to get her training set up to let them know that he would keep her preoccupied while the others were working on party plans.
Charlie looked at Colin and said, "It looks like you can make it to the meeting tonight."
Colin nodded and got up from the table with the others to go to the library to meet up with the other houses.
"Is Rebeecca coming?" Lennon asked when the Ravenclaws came into the library and saw the Gryffindors were already there.
"She might be later. Becca had to work on her potion," Charlie commented off hand as the Ravenclaws took seats.
The Hufflepuffs came in and had the same question as did the Slytherin contingent which now consisted of not only Ryan, Jason, and Russel, but also Cassie. Sara tried to start the meeting, but there was a bit of a problem of getting everyone on the same page.
Rebecca showed up an hour and a half later to find that nothing actually settle other than the party was going to be happening that Saturday and in the late afternoon. There wasn't a seat so Rebecca slid onto the floor next to Bill's chair and started to make notes.
"Why doesn't each house take something and organize it?" Rebecca asked from her spot.
Everyone looked around the table and nodded in agreement.
"Well?" Rebecca called not seeing how everyone reacted.
"Becca," Bill chuckled as he picked her up and set her on his lap so that she could see everyone.
"Bill," Rebecca sighed rolling her eyes at the fact that he was treating her like a little kid as she set her paper on the table. "Okay, the way that I figure it is that we need food, entertainment, decorations, and something else..."
Rebecca let out an exasperated breath trying to figure out what the other thing was.
"Becca don't worry about it. We'll figure it out later," Bill whispered.
"Okay. ... Matt, I was thinking since you always seem to bring up food that Hufflepuff would be in charge of that. Okay?"
"So I get to plan the menu?" Matt eagerly asked causing everyone to laugh.
"Yes," Rebecca slowly responded. "Jacquelyn will give you a few of items that are Cathrine's favorite which would be nice to have on the menu."
"What should Ravenclaw be in charge of?" Jenna questioned almost as enthusiastic as Matt was.
"Entertainment, if that is okay?"
"That will be great," Lennon enthusiastically stated.
"Good, work with the other houses to find out all the different talents so everyone can be involved. When it comes to Gryffindor... talk to... oh, James would you go around and see who all wants to perform?"
James shook his head.
"Cathrine will want Lauren to sing," Colin seriously stated.
"Lauren will do it without a problem. I am sure Aaron will accompany her too."
Rebecca let out a germane sigh so everyone knew that she was tired and wanted to get the meeting moving on.
"What should Slytherin be in charge of?" Cassie giddily asked.
"Decorations."
"Any guidelines?" Ryan asked noticing Rebecca was getting more and more tired as the minutes passed.
"Um, no. ... Other than no snakes."
Ryan let out a laugh as Rebecca cringed. "Will do," he responded.
"I'll help you get that set up," Sara volunteered.
"Wonderful," Rebecca yawned. "Okay, let's get going."
Rebecca got up to start everyone to leaving.
Charlie got up and was ready to walk with Rebecca up to the common room so that they could maybe finally talk, but she was surrounded by different people from the group. As he waited to get Rebecca alone, Charlie couldn't help but notice her yawning every five seconds. Finally, Rebecca got everyone scooted off to there own common rooms and stared out the library with Charlie, Bill and the other Gryffindors.
Just out side of the portrait the group stopped and split up to go in less conspicuously. Charlie and Rebecca were the last ones to go and Charlie was ready to start the conversation with her when he saw his girl who had been leaning up against the wall start to slide down it with her eyes closed.
"Poor thing," Charlie muttered as he rushed to keep her from hitting the ground.
As he walked into the common room and up to Rebecca's room he couldn't help, but think, 'I hope things settle down so that I can get a better chance at talking to Becca.'
Unfortunately Charlie was wrong. For the next week, everytime he turned around and tried to talk to Rebecca she was surrounded by students from other houses. Her free time was dwindled to practically nothing because each house wanted dance lessons and there were some more meeting with the party committee. Bill seemed to have managed to square off some time with Rebecca that he and she wouldn't say what was going on to anyone. How Rebecca was doing everything and working on the wolfsbane potion was a mystery to Charlie. He had an inkling that she wasn't sleeping to well at night. There was a bit of frustration on Charlie's part, because he couldn't find a moment to get everything straightened out with Rebecca from their last row. But he knew there was no point and bringing it up with her, since she was stress out by other things.
He decided that it was better to find a way to let her forget her stress and have some fun. It took til Friday night, but he did manage to think of the perfect thing for them to do and for him to have the perfect chance to ask her if she wanted to do it
"Hey," Charlie said as he walked to Rebecca who was trying to get some studying in down in the common room. "Can you believe that tomorrow is the big day?"
"Thanks goodness," Rebecca sighed looking truly grateful. "I am so glad."
"Well, you did a good job of getting everyone set up."
"Thanks, I am just glad that Cathrine hasn't figured out what was going on, even though she was getting really suspicious of things," Rebecca whispered as she gave Charlie a sweet smile.
Charlie smiled back at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and responded, "Yeah, I have to admit I am impressed on how many students kept her distracted while we were all running around getting things done. I think she thought it was funny that everyone was always around with you, but it was so easy to get her off your back."
"I glad of that. I was sure she would have been asking me a million questions if I had more time to be around her. Good thing for Colin taking her out tonight to set up a prank and I guess the wolfsbane potion keeping me busy the last couple nights. ... Did I tell you that I managed complete another round of the potion that was expectable to Professor Snape?"
"No, congratulations! How about we celebrate to more with a broom ride tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, that would be great, but I can't."
"Why not? I'll borrow Greg's broom and we can just have a great relaxing ride. Maybe even share a broom for a while."
"Charlie, I can't. I wish I could but I can't."
"Why not? Does it have to do with the party? You know that the others can handle setting everything up for the morning, right?" Charlie couldn't help but get a bit stern with her. She needed to let the others take care of the rest of the party and let herself relax.
"It has nothing to do with the party and everything to do with me staying here next year!" Rebecca almost screamed.
She gasped bringing her hand to her mouth. She didn't mean to get upset with him it just happened. Before Charlie could say anything she got up and walked to her room.
Rebecca crawled into bed about ready to cry. She didn't understand why she couldn't keep her temper with him.
All she could think was that she probably just threw the straw that broke the camel's back at Charlie, since she didn't know what was going on between them since they never got to talk about the incident in the owlery since Sunday. Rebecca fell asleep trying to think of what to say to make up for what she had just did.
"Cathrine, you need to go talk to Greg and Charlie," Sara said in a tone that Rebecca could tell she was getting exasperated.
"Why?" Cathrine asked back.
"We don't know. You just do," Jacquelyn responded sounding as bad Sara.
'Oh, they are trying to get the party planned. I better get some help for them,' Rebecca thought.
She then opened up her curtains quietly and signaled to Sara that she would be back with reinforcements. Rebecca walked down the stairs hoping Charlie wouldn't be down there so she didn't have to explain anything right then.
Unfortunately, Charlie was sitting on the chair by the fire and saw her as soon as she hit the bottom of the stairs. He hopped off up and rushed towards her. Greg had been sitting on the couch looked over to see what got Charlie excited and was relieved to see Rebecca up.
Before Charlie got to her or could say anything, Rebecca addressed the two boys, "Sara and Jacquelyn are having a problem getting Cathrine to leave them alone so that they can plan the party. They said you guys wanted to talk to her, but she wants to know why. Do you think you could come up with something plausible to get her out of the room?"
"I got an idea, I was going to use it for when she talked to us," Greg responded. "We should go up and get her."
Charlie shook his head and the three headed up the stairs. He kept looking at Rebecca to try to talk to her about things or at least get a time for them to talk set up, but she lept yawning so he just decided it would be best to wait.
As the three Gryffindors approached the girls' room they heard Sara and Jacquelyn say in unision, "Cathrine we are not lying to you, the guys want to talk to you."
"Are you sure?" Cathrine questioned wondering why her friends were trying to get rid of her.
"Cathrine," Greg said as he followed Rebecca into the room. "we did want to talk to you." "Oh," Cathrine replied slightly embarrassed.
"Come on," Charlie said grabbing the jokester's arm and leading her out of the room. Greg followed the two out of the room and gave the other girls a wink to tell them that they would keep Cathrine occupied until the three came down the steps.
When the door was completely shut, Rebecca turned back and saw Sara and Jacqelyn looking right at her.
"Thank you," Sara quietly said.
"No problem," was all Rebecca could reply. It was an awkward moment because of what had happened earlier that day between the girls.
They all stood there timidly looking at each other and then suddenly the three friends said together, "I'm sorry."
Sara, Rebecca, and Jacquelyn let out a laugh and did a group hug.
"So, what are we going to do about this party?" Jacquelyn asked the as the three settled down on the floor in the center of the room. "It's got to be big."
"Oh, definitely," Sara stated. "Everyone in this house wants in on it."
"Too bad we can't do it with the other houses, too. I am sure there a lot of people there that would like to celebrate Cathrine being awake," added Rebecca. The other girls looked at their fellow Gryffindor as if she had just struck gold.
"What?" Rebecca asked.
"Getting the other houses in on the party would be the perfect surprise. Everyone in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw love Cathrine," Sara said her face all lit up.
"And Kris would be so excited about it," added Jacquelyn.
Rebecca thought for a moment and then a huge smile appeared on her face as she said, "It is a prefect surprise isn't it?"
The girls started to laugh.
"So how are we going to pull this off?" Sara asked as she got up to get a peace of paper, ink, and a quill to jot down ideas.
"Well, we can't have it down in the common room with the other houses, can we?" Jacquelyn stated.
"Why don't we do it outside?" suggested Rebecca.
"Good idea; then we don't have to worry about space issues," Sara said as she wrote it down. Jacquelyn started to spout out ideas on different things and Rebecca thought of a few things for herself.
"Um, guys we have a problem," Rebecca said after a minute.
"What?" Sara and Jacquelyn asked.
"The Slytherins."
"The Slytherins," Sara and Jacquelyn said disgusted that they knew that they would have to invite that house if they were going to have the party in a more public place.
They all let out sighs, not sure what to do.
"Maybe, we should try anyways to have it outside," Rebecca finally said. "I mean they don't have to come if they don't want to celebrate what we are celebrating, so if we are told we have to invite to have it outside then we will."
Sara and Jacquelyn shock their heads in agreement.
The girls then spent the rest of the afternoon talking over plans for the party and splitting up jobs for getting things set up.
When it was time for dinner, Jacquelyn grabbed James and headed down before anyone else so that they could talk to McGonagall about the party and also find out whom all would need to approve it for it to happen.
Colin pulled Cathrine out of the common room as Sara and Rebecca came down the stairs. He was trying to give the others a chance to find out what was going on with the party.
"So what are our duties for this party?" asked Greg as the girls walked to the couches.
Sara looked at Rebecca and then turned back to Greg and Charlie to say, "Help us get the other houses in on it without Cathrine knowing it."
The two boys looked at the girls curiously causing Sara to explain everything.
"Sound cool," Charlie commented.
"Yeah, Rebecca did come up with a good idea, didn't she?" Sara commented causing Rebecca to look away as she blushed. Sara didn't know the status of Charlie and Rebecca, but figured that it would hurt to make a comment that reminded Charlie that Rebecca was a caring person.
He got the drift, but didn't know how to pull Rebecca off to the side to talk to her alone right now so he said, "Couldn't have said it better myself. Come on, let's go down to dinner and see if James and Jacquelyn got it approved."
Charlie watched Rebecca sweetly smile as she shook her head in agreement.
'I love that smile,' he thought as he followed the two girls and Greg out of the door.
Charlie walked down to the Great Hall at Rebecca's elbow trying to figure out how to pull her off to the side to talk to her without her smile disappearing. He thought he had a way to do it, but they saw James and Jacquelyn standing out in the hall with huge smiles. Rebecca and Sara ran right to them with Greg and Charlie closely behind him.
Before anyone could say anything, Jacqueslyn squealed, "We can do it!"
"Really?!" Sara and Rebecca squealed in unison.
The girls grabbed each others hands and started to jump up and down in excitement squealing some more. The boys all smiled, but couldn't help but roll their eyes at the giddiness the girls were displaying.
"Jacquelyn, you going to tell them what needs to be done so that we can have this party?" James asked stopping the girls.
"Oh, yeah," Jacquelyn blushed slightly from her temporary lack of a level headedness. "We just have to get the other houses to agree to it."
"Oh well that won't be that hard. We'll do that after dinner," Charlie stated.
"Yeah, we can have a meeting in the library to get things set up," Rebecca added.
"I think Jacquelyn and I should get Colin and come up with a reason for us to leave the hall early so you guys can get everyone," James said.
"Good idea," Greg said.
"Um, how about you girls get Ravenclaw and we'll get Hufflepuff." Both girls shook their heads in agreement.
"Good, now lets get in so Cathrine doesn't get suspicious," Charlie added ushering the group into the hall.
After dinner when James, Jacquelyn, and Colin left with Cathrine, Sara and Rebecca went over and talked to Lennon, Jenna and Audrey about the party and see if they wanted in on it. Greg and Charlie headed over to the Hufflepuff table to do the same.
"That sounds awesome," Audrey said. "We're definitely in."
"Good, we are going to have a meeting in the library about it in a half an hour, bring anyone else that can help you quietly spread the word in your house," Sara stated.
"Great! See you then!" Jenna said as the Gryffindors left.
"Well, that was easy," Sara commented as they walked back over to their table. "Now what are we going to do about the Slytherin's?"
"Well Calloway, hates me and same goes for Kirsta. Cassie would have it all out before we walked away. Hans, Dan, and Sam are not trustworthy enough and I don't want to talk to Russel about it. I guess Ryan is our point of contact there isn't he?" Rebecca stated as she saw that Ryan was sitting right smack in the middle of everyone else that she had just black listed.
"How are you going to get him to the meeting?"
Rebecca thought for a moment.
"Hey Percy, can I borrow a piece of paper, ink and a quill?" Rebecca asked Charlie's studious brother who was already taking books and nots to every meal to study for his first exams.
"Sure," Percy responded as he handed over the requested items.
"Thanks! So how is studying going?" Rebecca asked as she scrolled out on the paper, 'Meet me in the library in 30 minutes. Your cousin.'
"Oh, it is going pretty well," Percy started.
As he went more indepth on his study plan and schedule, Rebecca folded the paper into an airplane and after whistling to get Ryan's attention she threw it at him.
She turned back to listen to Percy when the paper plane came back with 'Why?' written under her message.
'Because,' Rebecca wrote, refolded the plane and then sent it back.
'Because why?'
'Because I want to talk to you about something.'
'About what?'
'Listen goober, are you coming or not?'
'Yeah I am coming.'
'Then you will find out when you get there. I am not going to prank you.'
'I knew that.'
'Yeah, right. Why did you keep asking questions then?'
'I was messing with your head.'
'Whatever. I have to talk to Percy. I'll talk to you in the library.'
With that Rebecca threw the paper plane back to the Slytherin table, not realizing that the paper plane throwing had really caught the attention of everyone who was still sitting at that table.
"Sounds like you got yourself all scheduled out," Rebecca commented to Percy as she got up from the table showing him that she had managed to pay attention to what he was saying amidst all the paper plane stuff.
"Yeah, not too many of my fellow class mates have gotten the idea that we really need to be prepared for this."
"Well, don't worry so much about telling them that they need a schedule, just asked them if they want to study with you. I am sure some of them will be more than glad to join you."
"Yeah, I think Lauren was talking about needing a study buddy," added Sara.
Percy nodded his head, and then asked, "Do you think she would study tonight?"
"Don't see why not," Rebecca said outside of the hall. "Why don't you go up stairs and ask her?"
"Okay," and with that Percy was up the steps in a flash.
"What were you talking to Percy about?" Charlie asked as he and Greg joined the girls in the hall.
"Studying," Rebecca quickly responded. "Come on we better head up to the library."
"Yeah, we don't have a lot of time before everyone shows up," Sara stated starting towards the meeting spot.
The four walked into the library to find Lennon, Jenna, and Audrey already there with with Kurt, Kevin, Adam, and Kris.
"Are you guys really going to throw a party for my sis?" Kris excitely asked as the Gryffindors approached.
"Yeah, but don't go telling her," Rebecca teased knowing that the poor little third year was going to have a real problem not sharing with her sister.
"So what are the plans?" Lennon asked.
"Let's wait until everyone is here," Charlie stated sort of coldly.
Bill had talked to him about the row with Lennon and Charlie was ready to get give her a hard time for the hard time she gave Bill. Lennon rolled her eyes and looked at Jenna, who decided that it would be best to get a conversation started instead of having the awkward silence.
"So who all is coming?" she asked.
"Um, some students from Hufflepuff," Sara started and then looked at Greg because she wasn't sure exactly who the guys were talking to.
"Matt Graham, Kristen Lee," Greg started to list who he and Charlie talked to.
Rebecca and Sara looked at each other and mouthed, "The quidditch team."
Both snickered a bit, causing Greg to playfully glare at them.
The Hufflepuffs walked in the door with Bill, Aaron, and A.J. and made their way to the group.
"Hey, I talked to James and Jacquelyn and they sent me down to give out some of the instructions that they forgot to tall you," Bill stated to Rebecca. He was trying hard not to look at Lennon, who was trying not to look at him either.
"Okay," Rebecca slowly said.
"Why don't you tell us, then?" Jenna asked trying to get Bill to look at Lennon, since she was sitting right next to the sixth year Ravenclaw.
"Is everyone here?" Bill asked looking at Rebecca instead of Jenna.
"No," Rebecca simply stated.
"Who's missing?"
"The representative from the Slytherin House, Ryan."
Lennon perked up which bothered Bill slightly.
Just then Ryan came into the library, but he wasn't alone. Russel and Jason had come with him. The boys of the other three houses got up and looked like they were ready for any snide remarks. Rebecca made up her mind to be proactive and stepped in between the two groups.
"Glad to see that you could make it," she said giving Ryan a warm smile, but trying really hard not to look at Russel or Flint.
"See I said she had something up her sleeve, the distraction," Calloway commented not so quietly.
Rebecca stepped in front of Charlie who clenched his fist and look as though he was ready to go after the Slytherin in front of him.
"For once you got something right, Calloway," Rebecca smarted off in this sweet tone that irked Jason. "I did have something up my sleeve."
Ryan looked at his childhood friend dumbfounded.
"I was wanting Ryan to join our merry little party planning committee as a representative of Slytherin."
"What is the party for?" Calloway asked trying not to let it show that Rebecca had caught him off guard with her response.
"To celebrate a friend being out of the infirmary."
"Tyson," Russel stated.
"Bingo," Rebecca replied accidentally looking over at Russel who was wearing a goof 'you kissed me' grin on his face that was quite upsetting to her.
Luckily she was able to keep her composure and say, "Now that all the houses are accounted for, Bill why don't you tell us about what James and Jacquelyn told you."
Everyone took a seat around the table that they were standing by. "Okay," Bill started once everyone was settled. He had to be careful as he looked around the table not to linger to long on Lennon who was sitting next to Ryan and kind of flirting with him. "They were told by Professor McGonagall that if all the houses were in consensus with the party then we could have it. There is a slight catch though, if we want to have this party we are going to have to give up a Hogsmeade weekend."
"Oh," Rebecca said what everyone was thinking. "Well, it looks like we are going to have to go back to our houses and see if everyone is okay with that. But if the party is going to take place with all the houses participating, I just want you to know there were some executive decisions made this after noon." "Like what?" asked Adam intrigued with the whole party idea. "First and second years will be invited to the party and it will be outside."
"What about entertainment?" Kevin asked.
"We wanted to talk to you all about that before we said anything about it, but I think there is more than enough talent in this school for us to have something awesome at the party."
"Are we going to get food from the kitchen?" questioned Matt getting a laugh from everyone because he was known for thinking with his stomach and Chelsea often complained about it.
"Unless there is some place else we can get food."
Rebecca looked around table and after exchanging a couple words with Sara, she said, "I think that we had better find out whether our respective houses are for the party since it will be taking away a Hogsmeade visit."
"Please, make sure that you keep this quiet everyone," Sara added. "If you don't, I am going to hex you."
Rebecca and everyone else turned towards Sara gobsmacked at her threat. No one doubted that if Sara got really mad she would make whoever upset pay for it and it was obvious that if Cathrine found out about this party she would be mad enough to do the worst hexes that she knew.
"Okay, then," Rebecca said turning back to the group still a little in disbelief that Sara was the one to threaten everyone. Greg, Charlie, James, and Colin would have been her top choices if she had to bet on who was going to throw out the first threat on keeping the party a secret, but she had to admit Sara saying it first made the a bit more valid of a then.
"I guess I better tell you that I am not going to be happy either if Cathrine finds out from anyone." Rebecca pointedly stared at Calloway. "And you won't know when I am going to get you, but it will be horrific."
"Are you threatening me with death, Carter?" Jason hissed.
"No, that would be too kind. Plus, it is way to easy so what would be the fun in that for me. I think I can come up with a better prank than that."
All of the sudden Adam snickered thinking of the Rebecca's ink prank. Rebecca looked at him for a second and then started to laugh with him. Slowly Audrey, Jenna, Lennon, Kurt, and Kevin started to laugh too.
Charlie chuckled a little, but then in order to regain the composure of the group without being asked what was so funny, he said, "Sara's and Rebecca's threats aren't alone everyone. I think I can vouch that if someone from Gryffindor finds out that someone told Cathrine on purpose there is going to be a price to pay."
The other Gryffindors nodded their heads in agreement.
Bill then added, "Why don't we set up another meeting so that we know whether or not all the houses are going to be in on it? And just so everyone knows they were going to announce that this weekend was going to be another visit to Hogsmeade, but I talked to McGonagall on my way here and she said that they were going to hold off announcing it until we told her whether everyone was for giving up the visit."
"So we need to get this decided pretty fast, then?" Lennon commented.
"Yeah," Bill simply responded looking at Lennon who had been sitting fair close to Ryan, but moved away when she realized she was being watched by Bill.
"So why don't we have another meeting tomorrow?" Jenna asked trying to keep the tension between the two to a minimum.
"Will that give everyone enough time?" asked Greg.
"Yep," Matt responded for the Hufflepuffs. "We probably won't get any resistant."
"Same here," Kurt commented for his house. Everyone then turned to the Slytherin contingent.
Ryan took a deep breathe and after looking at his fellow housemates, he stated, "I don't know, but if Cassie wants it to happen then we'll be there."
Russel and Jason nodded. They both knew that Ryan was right, if Cassie wanted to go to the party and wasn't allowed because someone wanted to go to Hogsmeade that person was never going to hear the end of it.
Rebecca tried hard to contain herself, but ended up snickering causing all three Slytherins to look at her funny.
"Sorry, it's just so funny to think what Cassie is going to do when someone rejects this."
Everyone around the table started to laugh including Calloway, who was the last to join in.
"Okay," Rebecca finally said once she got her giggles under control. "Let's plan on meeting here after dinner tomorrow. Sound good?"
Mumbles of approval went around the group. Slowly, everyone started to get up and say goodnight to the other houses.
As the groups started to slowly dispense, Bill took a deep breathe and slowly let it out.
"Len, I need to talk," he forced out in such a manner that let Lennon know there was no room for postponing this discussion.
Rebecca watched as the two walked off and started to feel sick to her stomach.
'I don't agree with her flirting with Ryan in front of Bill like that, but at least he didn't kiss him,' she thought. 'I hope he doesn't give her too hard of a time, after all when Cassie finds out Lennon will be in enough trouble.'
"You okay?" Russel having noticed the sick look on her face asked disturbing Rebecca's train of thought.
She turned to respond and fell back startled on the close proximity he was to her. He was a foot away from her which wouldn't have been that bad except she feared that he might try to kiss her in front of Charlie.
"Hey, are you okay?" Russel asked again as he tried to help Rebecca up.
"I'm fine," she responded as she wrangled her arm out of his grip and got herself up off of the floor.
"So, are you going to be at the next meeting?"
Rebecca tried hard not to roll her eyes at the blatant attempt to keep a conversation going. Under normal circumstances she would have just left and gone along her merry way, but she really wanted this party to happen so she civilly responded, "I don't know, someone has to be sure that Cathrine doesn't get suspicious of what is going on, so if I am the one with the plausible excuse to keep her from everyone else, then I won't be here."
"Oh, that makes sense. Well if you need any help with that let me know."
Russel did this little tilt of his head towards her something similar to what Wadsworth would do to remind her that he was not only her guardian, but her servant as well.
Rebecca jumped back again and found herself in Chalie's arms. Rebecca turned beet red, partly because Russel had freaked her out enough to have her so excitable and partly because Ryan was staring at her and looked as though he was ready to question her on her behavior.
Just when she thought there was no hope to get away from being grilled, Calloway ordered the boys back to the common room. Rebecca let out a sigh, but knew that she wouldn't be that lucky all the time.
"A little jumpy, aren't we?" Charlie joked trying to lighten the mood as the Slytherins left. He didn't like Russel feeling that comfortable to get that close to Rebecca while he was watching, but figured she didn't like it either so there was no point in getting her upset about it.
Rebecca flashed her sweet little smile at him stating the obvious, but all the sudden had this guilty look on her face when she thought of what was making her jumpy, which told Charlie she had did something.
"We need to talk," Rebecca said soberly as she walked out of his arms. Charlie followed Rebecca into a vacant aisle.
"Listen if this has to do with you slapping me, "Charlie started, but Rebecca shook her head no so he stopped that sentence."What's the matter?" Charlie asked looking at his girlfriend seeing how she was really fighting to get the courage to say something.
"Well, you know how I ran out of the tower after Sara, Jacquelyn, and Cathrine came up into the room?" Rebecca nervously began.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I ran to the owlery to write Stacy back," Rebecca stated and then continued to tell Charlie about the contents of Stacy's letter and that it had made her think that she really hadn't acted to fair to him, but there was so much that was still confusing her that she needed to write it down and get it straight in her head. "Well I wrote my letter up in the owlery and someone was up there when I did it."
"Who?" Charlie interjected as Rebecca drew breathe.
"Russel."
"Flint?" Charlie had to keep himself from going off until Rebecca had a chance to tell him the whole story.
"Yeah, he was in there before I got up there and I was too distracted to realize it was him when I came in or realize that he didn't leave."
"Okay," Charlie slowly said wondering where Rebecca's story was going to go.
"Anyways, I was still pretty confused and I had had a headache."
"You didn't faint, did you?" Charlie asked really concerned.
"Yeah, and he caught me."
"Is that it?" Charlie interrupted with a scoffing tone. "Were you worried about telling me that he finally caught you when you fainted?"
"Not exactly," Rebecca started to run her finger long the spine of a book on the shelf closest to her, as she said, "He got me talking about what was upsetting me and I got things straight in my head and was ready to come and find you to talk about it. I... I... I..." Rebecca let out a sigh and took a deep breathe as Charlie watched her finally muster up the courage to quickly tell him, "I looked up to thank him and I ended up kissing him."
Rebecca let out another sigh as she waited for the repercussion the blow she just dealt to Charlie.
But Charlie just stood there and playfully asked, "You're joking?"
Rebecca quit staring at the book spine and turned to him and plainly stated, "No, I am not."
"Was it a dream?"
"No."
"So it was a real kiss."
"Unfortunately," Rebecca was starting to get frustrated that Charlie didn't believe what she said.
Charlie looked around to see if Russel was some place close to get answers from.
"He didn't do it!" Rebecca hissed at him knowing exactly what was going through Charlie's head. "I kissed him. That is the end of the story. He didn't do anything. I looked up and it happened."
Charlie looked at Rebecca almost in disbelief that she was sticking up for Russel.
'But then again, maybe she is sticking up for her integrity. She won't lie if you ask her something directly,' Charlie thought as he continued watching Rebecca.
He was about to say something, when Rebecca closed her eyes and raised her hand to her temple.
"Are you okay?" Charlie asked noticing Rebecca was getting a bit paler.
"It's just a headache. ... It's," Rebecca said as she opened her eyes to see Charlie looking around for Russel. This annoyed her and therefore she finished her sentence through gritted teeth, "nothing."
Charlie turned back to her with a very surprised look on his face.
Before he could say anything Rebecca continued, "He is not in here anymore. You saw him leave, with Jason and Ryan. ... Why can't you believe that things happen to me without anyone's intervention? I have a headache because I been through a lot this weekend; not because Flint is somewhere around here lurking and hexing me hoping that he can catch me again like he did in the owlery."
Charlie couldn't stand it anymore, so finally he let out, "Becca, the prat has done it before. I am sorry that I suspect him about giving you headaches still, but he can't be trusted. You know that from how he broke the truce you two had."
"I know, but it doesn't change the fact that I kissed him!"
"I say it was a trick."
"A trick?"
"Yeah."
"So you're saying that Russel knew that I would be going to the owlery, because Hans, Dan, and Sam planted the idea in your head that Ryan was going to get me with a bludger so that we would have a row so that I would run upstairs to find sanctuary in my room only to get hit with questions by my roommates hence leading me to the owlery where he could be making it so that I was running to him. Now why didn't I think of that?" Rebecca sarcastically said.
"Don't," Charlie started.
"Don't what? You know if that is what you are thinking happened that's fine. It is a bloody brilliant plan, but I have one thing to say about it. You look like the biggest fool in it, because everything plays off of Russel playing with your mind and knowing exactly how you would react. And the last time I checked I wasn't dating one, so I don't think it happened that way. I kissed him and therefore cheated on you. ... Please, don't go looking for excuses for me, it just makes me sound like I'm lying to you and you know I am not a liar."
Charlie let out a deep breathe and looked at her. He didn't know what to say or do. Finally after a moment he turned and left Rebecca standing alone in the library.
Eventually, Rebecca walked out of the aisle. Relieved that she didn't get yelled at, but wishing she would have kept her temper.
"It's bad enough I broke his heart with that news," she muttered to herself.
"Hey, Becca, can I talk to you?" a voice said from behind her.
Rebecca turned around to see Bill standing there. She looked at him for a moment and couldn't help but notice a there was a strange look in his eye. It had a glint of sadness, some anger, and a hint of concern mixed with this overall protective glare. Rebecca had only one guess on why he was projecting that protective.
"Yeah," Rebecca finally answered wondering how much she was going to get yelled at. Bill gently took her arm and led her out into the hall.
"Listen, Charlie told me about the kiss," Bill softly started.
"Figured as much," Rebecca glumly said as she took a seat on the steps waiting for Bill to start yelling at her.
Much to Rebecca's surprise Bill sat down next to her and said, "You know everyone is allowed to make a mistake."
"What?" Rebecca looked at him strangely.
Bill put his arms around her and explained, "I have my own idea of what caused the kiss, but I have a feeling that you being the straightforward fly right type person that you are, you aren't going to let yourself off as easy. For right now, I think if you realize that it was a mistake you'll be better off. You can't get yourself down about it."
"But Bill, Charlie..."
"Charlie is shocked, so give him some time and all will be fine, I promise."
Rebecca couldn't help but give him a doubting look.
"Trust me, your reactions to Russel walking into the meeting and even daring to talk to you that close, show that your attitude hasn't changed towards him. I mean, you weren't flirting with him to get Charlie back for the row you two had."
"Like Lennon?"
Bill let out a sigh.
"Sorry, Bill, I didn't..."
"It's okay, Becca. Len and I are... are... just going through a rough patch. We have never fought before even when we were just friends. We are going to see whether we can make it through, but I know that no matter what we will always care for each other."
"How do you know that?"
Bill smirked as he said, "Because tonight when I asked to talk to her the first thing out of my mouth when we were alone was 'You need to be careful not to get Cassie mad at you.'"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I would have thought that I would have been so mad the way she was flirt with Malfoy, but all I could see was a pissed off Cassie sending Len to the infirmary."
"What did Lennon say?"
"She was shocked, to say the least. I think she was ready for another row, but when I said, 'I don't care who you are dating. I will always have your back when you need it.' I think I showed her that I was more concerned for her happiness than who was right in our row."
"Are you two still dating?"
"Well, I guess for now. She didn't say that she wanted to break up even though she had a opportunity. I am going to leave it up to her, but I am hoping that she waits until after all this party stuff."
"Why?"
"I want to try and surprise her at the party, if that is okay with you and the other head planners?"
Rebecca sweetly smiled and quietly responded, "It will be fine, whatever you have planned. ... Bill, uh, what all did Charlie say to you when he was leaving?"
"He said that you were upset about the kiss and then other than the details that he knew of all he said was that he had to leave you alone because he was going to explode from frustration." Rebecca gave him a confused look. "You know trying to get you from not feeling guilty when you were so insistent on that it was your fault."
"But it was..."
Bill put his fingers to her lips to stop her from saying anything more. Rebecca looked into his brown eyes and he said, "This is what Charlie was talking about. You a bit irascible right now so please go up to bed and then tomorrow try to talk to Charlie without getting upset when he tries to give you an out, okay?"
Rebecca nodded her head and the two got up and headed up to an empty common room.
The next morning Rebecca got up and headed down to breakfast hoping that Charlie might come down early so that they could talk alone. But, Charlie never showed. Rebecca asked Greg where he was at as the owl flew in to deliver the mail.
"He wasn't out of bed yet when I was leaving the room. Don't worry; if he doesn't come down here, he'll make it to potions in time without fail."
Just then Charlie dashed into the hall and grabbed a couple pieces of toast and informing the others that it was time to get to class. Rebecca jumped up and followed Charlie to the potions room. She had to admit that she was relieved to see him have enough time to grab something for breakfast, but she couldn't help to feel that it was a bit calculated.
Rebecca took her seat in potions and was about to ask if Charlie would be her partner for the potion just to break the ice when Snape entered the room announcing, "Today, I am going to be assigning you partners. It appears some of you need to put in a great deal more effort in getting ready for OWLS, so I am going to pair a strong potions student with a weak one."
Rebecca slouched some on her stool upset that she wouldn't get to talk to Charlie while they did the potion. As Snape proceed to group the student up Rebecca stole a few glances at Charlie who seemed very placid towards her.
Snape paired Charie with Cassie, but skipped over Rebecca. Soon there it was obvious that Dan was going to be her partner since he was the worst student of the ones that hadn't been paired up yet. Rebecca could feel a headache coming on. The idea that she was going to be paired with Dan who was hopeless when it came to potions wasn't that bad until your factored in that he was the one that helped Ryan bewitch the bludger that got Cathrine and started the rumor that started her and Charlie's row which lead to everything else. Of course what happened the last time Snape decided to pair the class up himself didn't help matters. As she thought of everything, her head felt worse and worse. Trying to lessen it she closed her eyes and put her hand up to her temple.
"Shoot me now," Rebecca muttered a slight bit more audible than she had intended.
"What was that Miss Carter?" Snape asked walking towards her.
"Sorry, Professor. It is just that I have a headache and it really hurts," Rebecca said straightening herself up slightly.
"Bad enough that you want someone to kill you?"
Rebecca just nodded her head with a strange look on her face that she thought it was a weird request, too. Of course, she knew it sounded bad, but with all the emotions that were tied with giving her the headache made it feel worst than any she had ever had. Under normal conditions a headache of this magnitude would have caused her to mercifully pass out, but she didn't feel that light headedness that usually accompanied the headache shortly before she would faint.
"Miss Carter, why don't you go see Madame Pompfrey," Snape said going up to his desk to write a quick note. "I am sure you are more than capable of prepare any potion thrown at you on the OWLs so please stay up there the rest of the period."
"Yes, sir," Rebecca responded as she jumped off her stool to gather up her things.
"Sir, can someone go with her in case she faints?" Charlie asked causing Rebecca to look at him. He looked truly concerned, even though he wasn't looking at her when he said it.
"Someone or you, Mr. Weasley?"
"Someone."
Charlie's response puzzled Snape causing him to look at the Gryffindor strangely. With the two dating, Snape would have naturally assumed that Charlie would want to take her there.
"Sir, she does faint," Russel added just to give a little push to Charlie's request. Under normal circumstance he, of course, wouldn't want to vocally agree with Charlie, but in this case he decided it would be better if he did.
"Are you volunteering, Mr. Flint?" Snape asked turning his attention away from Charlie and Rebecca.
Russel thought for a moment about saying yes, after all he would get to spend some time with Rebecca without the threat of Charlie showing up, but he saw the death look Charlie was giving him and noticed Rebecca seemed to be frantically thinking of something.
'Probably trying to get herself to pass out now so that Weasel catches her and Professor says the usual, 'Mr. Weasley take her to the infirmary.' Maybe if I say no I can prove something to her,' Russel thought as he replied, "No, I need to stay here and practice my potions."
Ryan, Dan, Hans, and Sam turned towards their friend trying to figure why he would answer that way. Russel wasn't too bad in potions. Sure he wasn't top student, but still he wasn't that bad to worry about practicing instead of taking the girl he had been after all year to the infirmary.
"Every well," Snape commented turning back to Charlie. "Mr. Weasley since you suggested it, will you escort her?"
"No, I need to practice for OWLs, sir," Charlie simply responded not even looking at Rebecca.
Snape nodded though the expression on his face said that he was taken aback by the reply. Greg did a double take and stared at his best friend while James, Jacquelyn, Colin, and Cathrine looked at him wondering what was wrong. Sara gasped and looked to see how Rebecca reacted to Charlie's comment, but Rebecca didn't even look shocked and was refusing to look at Charlie, because she didn't think she deserved to now.
'I broke his heart, what should I expect. At least now I know how he really feels.'
"James, since you're closer to the head of the class, why don't you escort Miss Carter to the infirmary?" Snap finally said.
"Yes, sir," James responded as he got up from the stool and walked over to take Rebecca out of the room.
"Okay, what's going on?" James questioned as soon as they were out the door and he was sure no one would hear their conversation.
Rebecca took a deep breath slowly letting it out as they started towards the infirmary. Within a few steps she found herself telling James everything about the kiss and then the row after meeting in the library.
"So it was an accident that you kissed him," James reiterated when Rebecca finished.
"Yeah," Rebecca sighed as she walked into the hospital wing.
"Then why did you and Charlie fight if he wasn't blaming you for the accident?"
"He was trying to say it was a trick so to blame Russel and let me off. I was the one who moved and caused it. ... I don't think the word accident came out of either of our mouthes."
"Oh, okay," James whispered and appeared to be enlightened. "Becca don't worry. Charlie will see where you are coming from and you two will get this straightened out. I have no doubt."
Rebecca smiled a little and nodded. James had made her feel better about the situation because she knew that he would only tell her what he thought would truly happen.
"Miss Carter, what is it this time?" Madame Pompfrey asked as she came over to the girl. The healer had to admit that she was surprised to see the girl not being carried in.
"I have a pretty bad headache and Professor Snape sent me up here for the period," Rebecca responded as James waved his good-byes and went back class.
"Have a seat, on the cot, Miss Carter."
"Yes, ma'am."
Rebecca settled herself down and waited as the healer performed her magic.
"Whoa! It worked!" Rebecca excitedly muttered. She couldn't believe it. For once when a healer tried a remedy spell for her headache, it did what it was supposed to.
"It worked?" question Madame Pompfrey who was just as surprised as her patient.
"Yeah, it did!"
Rebecca's smile got bigger.
"Well, how about you stay here until your next class anyways so that we are sure it works?"
Rebecca shook her head in agreement and grabbed her defense book out of her bag to look at while she waited.
"Charlie, we have to talk," James whispered to his friend as he walked back into the potion's room. Charlie looked at him a moment and then turned to see Cassie going to put the wrong ingredient in the potion.
"NO, don't," he exasperatedly said as he took the vile out of Cassie's hand. Charlie then turned to James again and whispered back, "After class, okay? I got my hands a little full here."
James shook his head in agreement as he tried hard not to laugh at Cassie. He got caught up with Sam on what was going on with the potion and found that he was going to have his hands full with correcting it.
"What's the matter with Becca?" Charlie said as soon as he and James were out of the door and headed to Herbology, followed closely by Sara who was ready to give Charlie a piece of her mind.
"You know you could have shown her that much that much concern when she needed to go. She really needed help and you said no," Sara stated giving him a dark look.
"What and get into another row with her?" Charlie defensively asked keeping her from continuing. "After the quidditch match, we have done nothing this past weekend other than eat, sleep, and fight. I would like a little time to figure out our last row that's all."
"Sara, calm down," James evenly said noticing that Sara was about to explode and tell him that was no excuse. "Charlie and Becca are just not using the right word."
"What?" Charlie asked his friend.
"Neither of you said it was an accident."
"What was an accident?" Cathrine asked as she, Colin, Jacquelyn, and Greg caught up with the three.
James looked at Charlie who just nodded for him to go ahead. He figured that they would know soon enough anyways and if he didn't have to say it all the better.
James quickly told everyone what had happened on Saturday finishing by saying, "Becca went to thank Russel and accidentally kissed him for a second."
Sara gasped. Her gumption to fight with Charlie abated. She looked at him and was about to say sorry about her attiude when he said, "I know it was an accident. But she kept blaming herself."
"Yeah, I know, she still is, but the thing that I noticed is that she had no problem when I said it was an accident. I think that she got upset with you, because you didn't believe that she caused it."
Charlie looked at him a moment and then had the same enlightened expression that James had just an hour or so prior.
"Oh, that makes sense," Charlie whispered as he walked into the classroom. "Guys, don't mention the kiss to Becca until I get a chance to talk to her, okay?"
"Fine," James answered.
"Do we have to talk to her at all about this?" Sara questioned. She really never wanted to have a conversation with Rebecca about this, because she knew that it would only bring up bad feelings for her friend.
"No, I think we have enough to do with the," Charlie was about to say the party, but quickly changed when he saw Cathrine looking directly at him, "preparation for OWLs, that I think that you all will be able to avoid the topic."
Everyone shook their heads in agreement.
Charlie looked at his watch and then around the room finally saying, "Where is she? ... Becca was okay wasn't she, James?"
Charlie could have kicked himself for not taking her to the infirmary himself and James response of "I believe she was," was of no consolation to him.
Rebecca ran out of the infirmary to try to get to Herbology on time. As she rounded the corner she ran smack into Bill.
"Hey, Becca! Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Bill asked as he helped her up.
"Thanks. Um I have to get to Herbology and I am going to be late, because Madame Pompfrey wouldn't release me," Rebecca quickly answered as she started to walk away.
"Why were you in the infirmary?" Bill said following her.
"I just had a headache. I'm better now. You don't have to follow me."
"Oh, sorry, I was following you to get you into class without any trouble."
"Oh, thanks," Rebecca said as she slowed down slightly and gave out a sigh of relief.
Bill and Rebecca made their way along the corridor to the door that was closest to the greenhouses talking about this that and the other, but mostly on the situation between Charlie and Rebecca. Bill looked as though he could have choked his brother for not taking Rebecca to see Madame Pompfrey.
"I can't believe Charlie let a little row between you stop him, from taking care of you," Bill disgustedly stated as he opened the door and let Rebecca walk out before following her.
"Well, I guess he was more confused than me on why we were fighting in the first place," Rebecca said as Bill closed the door behind him.
"Besides, would you really want to be around the person who it doesn't matter what is going on you are going to get into a fight with?"
"If she needed to go to the infirmary, I hope I would be able to get past it."
"But, Bill, I have told Charlie that I didn't want to date him one time when he took me there. Why would he want to take me there now? He might think that I would say something about breaking up."
"Would you have?"
"I hope not, but you never know. I really want to keep dating him and I wouldn't have did it on purpose. I just hope we make it thorough this rough patch."
"I am sure you will, Becca. You both just need to talk." Bill opened the door to the Green house and let Rebecca go inside.
"Professor Sprout," Bill stated as he walked into the classroom.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" the teacher said looking up from her book.
"I just came into tell you that Miss Carter was in the infirmary last hour and was just released that is why she is late."
"Very well, have a seat Miss Carter."
Before he left, Bill patted Rebecca on the shoulder as she walked to her usual seat happy to see that her friends were smiling at her, but ecstatic that Charlie was genuinely smiling at her.
"Headache gone?" he whispered to her.
"Yeah," was the only thing that Rebecca could respond before Madame Pompfrey resumed her lecture on OWL materials and the students were frantically writing notes to study from.
At the end of the class, Rebecca walked up to Professor Sprout to see what she had missed. As she turned to leave when she was finished, she saw that Charlie was waiting for her by the door.
"Hey," she sweetly whispered as she walked out the door he opened for her.
Charlie was about to respond when they heard, "Miss Carter, might I have a word with you?"
The two looked up to see Professor Snape heading towards them.
"Yes, Professor," Rebecca answered after giving Charlie a concerned look.
As she headed off to talk with Snape, Charlie headed in to the Great Hall for lunch.
"Did you talk to her?" Sara eagerly asked as Charlie sat down at the table.
"Uh, no. Professor Snape wanted to talk to her. But don't worry, she didn't act perturbed when she saw that I was waiting for her, so I'll talk to her after lunch," Charlie responded optimistically as he filled his plate watching the door for Rebecca to come in hoping he might get to talk to her before that.
Unfortunately, Rebecca didn't show up until there was fifteen minutes left in lunch and could even get to where her friends were sitting. As she made her way down the table, Lennon and Jenna caught her to tell her about the Ravenclaw's excitement for Cathrine's party.
The three girls stood there and talked until it was time for them all to head to Defense. Rebecca let out a sigh trying to figure out what she was going to get something to eat. Just then Adam walked up and handed her a sandwich as he started a conversation with her about dance lessons.
Thankful that Adam was so thoughtful that she turned and left without even thinking that Charlie was waiting for her at the table. Charlie followed slightly hurt, but knew it was best not to take it personal and to try and talk to her at class.
When Charlie walked into the classroom with the rest of his friends to see Rebecca sitting at her desk finishing her sandwich as Adam finished telling her something. Charlie took his sit and tried to start up a conversation with Rebecca only to have Professor Quirrell come in starting his lecture on what they needed to know for OWLs.
After another period of note taking, Charlie got up looking for a reason to pull Rebecca aside. Unfortunately, Adam and Kevin walked up to whisk Rebecca away. It wasn't until later that Charlie found out from Sara who was found out from Audrey that Adam had talked Rebecca into starting to give the Ravenclaws dance lesson during their free period before dinner.
Rebecca showed up for dinner and got caught by Cassie, who talked her ear of for about a half an hour. Russel finally gave her a break by coming up and making a "crisis" for her to go and see to at the Slytherin table.
"Thank you," Rebecca muttered as she tried to past Russel.
"It was nothing," Russel responded sort of staying in her way hoping she might talk to him a little longer.
Rebecca pushed past him and plopped down at her seat to quickly eat. "I have to do that potion again," Rebecca explained slightly annoyed. As she shoveled more food in her mouth, the talk of the table went around about her tasks to say at the school and then went on to OWLs.
Rebecca got up and left about fifteen minutes later only to get caught by Matt and a couple of his fellow Hufflepuffs just before she walked out the door. Luckily Charlie had gotten up with her to once again try and talk with Rebecca so he took the helm and talked to the Hufflepuffs while Rebecca slipped off to go work on her potion.
"Man, everyone wants to talk to Becca. Wonder why?" Cathrine pondered as she watched her friend walk out of the room.
Everyone looked at each other not sure what to say.
"Well, you know how everyone loves her and how she is willing to help anyone," Bill answered for the group.
Everyone shook their heads in agreement. It was the truth and they were all hoping that it would keep Cathrine from asking anymore questions. Charlie came back and sat down sort of disappointed that he couldn't talk to Rebecca, but after the conversation he had just had with Matt he got the hint that the other houses thought Rebecca was the main coordinator for the party.
Cathrine was about to set forth and ask Charlie a bunch of question, but Aaron started to talk about getting her back in to quidditch form which Cathrine started to roll her eyes at since he wouldn't be part of the team next year anyways, but eventually thought her captain had a point. After all she hadn't been on her broom for a very long time.
Woods winked at everyone all as he and Cathrine left to get her training set up to let them know that he would keep her preoccupied while the others were working on party plans.
Charlie looked at Colin and said, "It looks like you can make it to the meeting tonight."
Colin nodded and got up from the table with the others to go to the library to meet up with the other houses.
"Is Rebeecca coming?" Lennon asked when the Ravenclaws came into the library and saw the Gryffindors were already there.
"She might be later. Becca had to work on her potion," Charlie commented off hand as the Ravenclaws took seats.
The Hufflepuffs came in and had the same question as did the Slytherin contingent which now consisted of not only Ryan, Jason, and Russel, but also Cassie. Sara tried to start the meeting, but there was a bit of a problem of getting everyone on the same page.
Rebecca showed up an hour and a half later to find that nothing actually settle other than the party was going to be happening that Saturday and in the late afternoon. There wasn't a seat so Rebecca slid onto the floor next to Bill's chair and started to make notes.
"Why doesn't each house take something and organize it?" Rebecca asked from her spot.
Everyone looked around the table and nodded in agreement.
"Well?" Rebecca called not seeing how everyone reacted.
"Becca," Bill chuckled as he picked her up and set her on his lap so that she could see everyone.
"Bill," Rebecca sighed rolling her eyes at the fact that he was treating her like a little kid as she set her paper on the table. "Okay, the way that I figure it is that we need food, entertainment, decorations, and something else..."
Rebecca let out an exasperated breath trying to figure out what the other thing was.
"Becca don't worry about it. We'll figure it out later," Bill whispered.
"Okay. ... Matt, I was thinking since you always seem to bring up food that Hufflepuff would be in charge of that. Okay?"
"So I get to plan the menu?" Matt eagerly asked causing everyone to laugh.
"Yes," Rebecca slowly responded. "Jacquelyn will give you a few of items that are Cathrine's favorite which would be nice to have on the menu."
"What should Ravenclaw be in charge of?" Jenna questioned almost as enthusiastic as Matt was.
"Entertainment, if that is okay?"
"That will be great," Lennon enthusiastically stated.
"Good, work with the other houses to find out all the different talents so everyone can be involved. When it comes to Gryffindor... talk to... oh, James would you go around and see who all wants to perform?"
James shook his head.
"Cathrine will want Lauren to sing," Colin seriously stated.
"Lauren will do it without a problem. I am sure Aaron will accompany her too."
Rebecca let out a germane sigh so everyone knew that she was tired and wanted to get the meeting moving on.
"What should Slytherin be in charge of?" Cassie giddily asked.
"Decorations."
"Any guidelines?" Ryan asked noticing Rebecca was getting more and more tired as the minutes passed.
"Um, no. ... Other than no snakes."
Ryan let out a laugh as Rebecca cringed. "Will do," he responded.
"I'll help you get that set up," Sara volunteered.
"Wonderful," Rebecca yawned. "Okay, let's get going."
Rebecca got up to start everyone to leaving.
Charlie got up and was ready to walk with Rebecca up to the common room so that they could maybe finally talk, but she was surrounded by different people from the group. As he waited to get Rebecca alone, Charlie couldn't help but notice her yawning every five seconds. Finally, Rebecca got everyone scooted off to there own common rooms and stared out the library with Charlie, Bill and the other Gryffindors.
Just out side of the portrait the group stopped and split up to go in less conspicuously. Charlie and Rebecca were the last ones to go and Charlie was ready to start the conversation with her when he saw his girl who had been leaning up against the wall start to slide down it with her eyes closed.
"Poor thing," Charlie muttered as he rushed to keep her from hitting the ground.
As he walked into the common room and up to Rebecca's room he couldn't help, but think, 'I hope things settle down so that I can get a better chance at talking to Becca.'
Unfortunately Charlie was wrong. For the next week, everytime he turned around and tried to talk to Rebecca she was surrounded by students from other houses. Her free time was dwindled to practically nothing because each house wanted dance lessons and there were some more meeting with the party committee. Bill seemed to have managed to square off some time with Rebecca that he and she wouldn't say what was going on to anyone. How Rebecca was doing everything and working on the wolfsbane potion was a mystery to Charlie. He had an inkling that she wasn't sleeping to well at night. There was a bit of frustration on Charlie's part, because he couldn't find a moment to get everything straightened out with Rebecca from their last row. But he knew there was no point and bringing it up with her, since she was stress out by other things.
He decided that it was better to find a way to let her forget her stress and have some fun. It took til Friday night, but he did manage to think of the perfect thing for them to do and for him to have the perfect chance to ask her if she wanted to do it
"Hey," Charlie said as he walked to Rebecca who was trying to get some studying in down in the common room. "Can you believe that tomorrow is the big day?"
"Thanks goodness," Rebecca sighed looking truly grateful. "I am so glad."
"Well, you did a good job of getting everyone set up."
"Thanks, I am just glad that Cathrine hasn't figured out what was going on, even though she was getting really suspicious of things," Rebecca whispered as she gave Charlie a sweet smile.
Charlie smiled back at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and responded, "Yeah, I have to admit I am impressed on how many students kept her distracted while we were all running around getting things done. I think she thought it was funny that everyone was always around with you, but it was so easy to get her off your back."
"I glad of that. I was sure she would have been asking me a million questions if I had more time to be around her. Good thing for Colin taking her out tonight to set up a prank and I guess the wolfsbane potion keeping me busy the last couple nights. ... Did I tell you that I managed complete another round of the potion that was expectable to Professor Snape?"
"No, congratulations! How about we celebrate to more with a broom ride tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, that would be great, but I can't."
"Why not? I'll borrow Greg's broom and we can just have a great relaxing ride. Maybe even share a broom for a while."
"Charlie, I can't. I wish I could but I can't."
"Why not? Does it have to do with the party? You know that the others can handle setting everything up for the morning, right?" Charlie couldn't help but get a bit stern with her. She needed to let the others take care of the rest of the party and let herself relax.
"It has nothing to do with the party and everything to do with me staying here next year!" Rebecca almost screamed.
She gasped bringing her hand to her mouth. She didn't mean to get upset with him it just happened. Before Charlie could say anything she got up and walked to her room.
Rebecca crawled into bed about ready to cry. She didn't understand why she couldn't keep her temper with him.
All she could think was that she probably just threw the straw that broke the camel's back at Charlie, since she didn't know what was going on between them since they never got to talk about the incident in the owlery since Sunday. Rebecca fell asleep trying to think of what to say to make up for what she had just did.