"Yeh, see you," Katie replied, sounding not quite as excited.
It was the afternoon of the special Hogsmeade visit and Katie was waving off her friends as they hopped into the carriages that would take them down to the village. As Katie had not got a date for the Winter Dance she wasn't going on this trip and instead was staying at Hogwarts where a muggle 'Dating Service' would be held that afternoon for all students to find a last minute dance partner. Katie had decided that she would go along to see what was happening, and at the same time she was secretly wishing she would be able to find a date.
As the last carriage pulled out of the Hogwarts drive, Katie turned on her heels and headed back into the school. Not many pupils were around so she would be able to get some quiet time to herself.
"Ooo!" exclaimed Katie as she peered at her watch to see the time, a passing first year turned to look at her. Katie cringed, "I best be off now," she thought to herself and headed towards the Great Hall to attend the afternoon's event.
As she entered the Hall Katie looked around her, scented candles were suspended from the ceiling, pink confetti was scattered across the cold flagstone floor and every so often there would be an outbreak of 'Love is in the air' from the resident suits of armour. Katie cringed again, how cheesy could you get. Anyhow, she wasn't going to let this put her off. She marched straight down the centre of the Hall to the main desk where Lubella was sat handing out leaflets to all the students, passing levitating Cupid's arrows as she went.
"Ahh Katie," said Lubella softly as Katie arrived at the head of the Hall, "How can I help you today? Take a look at this and follow the instructions, you'll be on your way to love if you do!"
Katie forced herself to laugh, taking the leaflet out of Lubella's outstretched hand as she did so. She decided to sit down at her house bench, where she noticed there were several other lonely students also looking for dance partners.
'Looking for love?' Katie read, 'Then this is the place for you! Welcome to Lubella and Sortilege's fantastic muggle dating service, where all lonely hearts want to hang!'
Katie threw the folded paper down onto the table, unimpressed as to what the afternoon had to offer, when something caught her eye. At the end of the Ravenclaw table was Louise!
"But," Katie mused, "I thought, Louise and Sam?" she shook her head in confusion but at the same time was curious as to what Louise was up to.
"Is she going to the dance with Sam or not?" Katie thought, "All this time I thought she was and it looks like she isn't, I hope it's not too late to ask Sam to the dance!" Katie smiled but her thoughts were interrupted as Professor Sortilege began to speak.
"Welcome," he said excitedly, "Hopefully this afternoon will allow all of you to be able to go to the Winter Dance, I know I will be!" he turned and winked at Professor Lubella who flushed pink.
"Anyway," he continued, "Please read the insides of your booklets and let the dating begin!" Sortilege clapped happily and then stepped down from his podium.
Katie sighed and opened her leaflet, " 'What kind of person are you?' " she read, " 'Girly, Sporty, Bookish, Lazy or Cute?' "
Katie giggled, "OK she said, "I'm girly." A large pink heart appeared over her choice then the second question was highlighted,
" 'Choose one word to describe yourself. Happy, Sad, Funny, Pretty or Fantasmagorical' "
Katie laughed so loudly the rest of the Hall turned to look at her, she buried her head in her booklet, "Fantasmagorical," she whispered and once again a pink heart appeared by her choice.
Once Katie had finished the last question ('What is your favourite sock colour?') she placed her answers in a box at the end of the table along with everyone elses. Katie could see that some people were already talking with other students and trying to get partners before the results came out. Katie however remained seated, though her gaze was upon Louise who was currently sat with a long, blonde haired boy who looked as if he was about 4 years younger than she was. After a few moments conference between Lubella and Sortilege, Professor Lubella stepped up to the podium.
"OK," she began, "The results are in and I can tell you that every person here will be able to go to the Winter Dance!"
The Hall erupted into applause, Katie joined in, cheering loudly.
"But before you can go you all need to know who you're going with!" Katie swallowed hard and breathed deeply, wondering who she would be paired with. "As I call out your names please come to the front to meet your partner, then go over to a table somewhere and we'll leave you, erm, to talk!"
Lubella waved her wand in a figure of eight and several two seater tables appeared around the students, laden with tea cups, flowers and mint humbugs.
"Emily Granger-Day and Dan Stimpson." The two students stood up, walked nervously to the front of the hall and faced each other. After a moments awkward silence they shook hands and headed off towards a table near the back of the hall.
"Philippa Patil and Davie Flint," continued Lubella. Pip and Davie gave each other a quick hug before seating themselves at a small table with a blue checked tablecloth.
Professor Lubella continued to read out the couples names until there were only a few student left and it was Katie's turn,
"Katie Lovegood-Davill and Freddy Longbottom."
It took a moment for Katie to realise she had to actually go up and meet Freddy, but it eventually sunk in and she followed her new found partner to a table. They sat in silence for a moment, looking around and fidgeting awkwardly.
"Well, erm, hi," said Feddy,
"Yeh hi," Katie replied nervously, fiddling with the buttons on her jacket uncomfortably, she wasn't too great when it came to talking to people of the opposite sex.
"My name's Freddy Longbottom and I'm a first year," Freddy added,
"Erm, I'm Katie Lovegood and I'm a second year," Katie repeated, "Are you Neville's son?" she asked,
"Yeh," replied Freddy.
Katie smiled in amazement, everyone knew that Neville Longbottom was the best Minister for Magic the Ministry had ever seen, and now she was going to the Winter Dance with his offspring!
"Wow," said Katie, "My mum used to be friends with your dad when they were at school, I wonder why I've never met you before." Freddy shrugged but his face brightened as he realised something.
"Actually, come to think of it your mum's Luna Lovegood right? Well I come to your house every year, in the summer holidays with my mum Ginny, my dad's usually busy though so he doesn't come,"
"You do?" enquired Katie, surprised. She'd never seen this person in her life.
"Yep, every 10th August. My mum says you're 'friends of the family'. When I do come round you're usually in your room, well that's what mum says anyway."
"Oh yeh, I remember now," said Katie smiling, "You're one of those families I try to avoid because I don't know them very well and just end up sat downstairs trying to make conversation all day, no offence or anything,"
"None taken," replied Freddy smiling. "Well now we've got that sorted, shall I meet you at 7:00 tomorrow night?"
"Yeh sure, in the entrance hall," added Katie. She smiled to herself, Freddy seemed to be a nice enough person, "Bring on the dance," she muttered under her breath.
The afternoon was drawing to a close and soon the Hogsmeade visitors would be returning from their trip. Katie was wandering along a corridor on the 10th floor, wondering what to do with herself as she admired the paintings hanging on the wall. The school was deadly silent. Katie looked out a window to see the Hogwarts grounds looking empty and lonely, not even the birds were making a noise and the giant squid seemed to be in hibernation.
Katie sighed and continued down the corridor, when she caught her foot on the corner of the fading, red rug lining her pathway. Unable to keep balance, Katie flew through the air and landed in a heap on the floor next to the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. She sat up, but the force of gravity pulled her back down again causing her to fall backwards and at the same time, hit her head hard on the corner of the statue. Katie didn't have time to make a noise as all of a sudden she heard footsteps, getting nearer and nearer accompanied by the occasional giggle.
"I recognise that laugh!" thought Katie, standing up. Her thoughts were confirmed as Kate and Louise came dawdling around the corner, arm in arm. Katie frowned at Kate, "I thought I was her best friend," she whispered.
"Hiya guys," Katie said happily, greeting her friends but she was ignored. "Fine then," said Katie, "Hey Kate, did you get a dress?" she asked, again no reply. "What is going on?" shouted Katie as she watched her two friends march down the corridor.
She decided to follow. Eventually the three girls ended up in the Transfiguration class room where Katie watched Louise and Kate sit down at the back desk, she went to join them.
"Louise what are you doing?" she asked, Louise turned to face her but appeared to be staring right through her as if she were invisible. Katie spun round on the spot towards the direction Louise was looking in, stood at the front of the classroom was Sam.
"Hey Sam, didn't see you come in," laughed Katie, but Sam remained silent. "OK, what the hell is going on here!" she screamed, unable to keep her cool any longer. Katie stomped over to Sam and stood face to face with him. "Sam, why are you ignoring me?" she asked angrily, but Sam just stared straight through her. Katie was furious, but then Sam started to speak.
"Hey Louise, Kate," he said,
"Hi," they both replied,
"I think you know why you're here?"
"Yes, to talk to you of course,"
"Very funny Louise. No the reason you are here is so I can perform a little experiment, oh don't worry Kate, it's for educational purposes." Katie seated herself next to Sam and observed what was going on.
"You see, I have this potions essay that needs handing in tomorrow and I have to write about an experiment I've done, so I thought I'd get you two lovely ladies to take part. I'd like to thank Louise for letting me do this on you."
Katie watched as Kate gave Louise a sarcastic smile before turning back to face Sam.
"What do you want us to do?" Louise asked nervously, as if she was having second thoughts about volunteering.
"Well," continued Sam, "It's only a small experiment, shouldn't take long. Kate, Louise could you come up here for a moment?"
The two girls stood up from their seats and slowly edged towards the front of the classroom, Katie noticed Kate looked incredibly scared, something she had never seen before. Louise on the other hand looked slightly calmer. Katie noticed that the table she had been leaning on was now covered with several different coloured potion bottles, some hissing and steaming and others making ominous bubbling noises.
"I don't like the look of this," Katie muttered, she would have told her friends to get out of here, but she realised that was a waste of time as they obviously weren't listening to her. Katie sat up and glanced over towards Sam, her stomach did a back flip and she ended up curling into a ball for a moment to rid her self of this sensation.
"Woah," she thought, "I wish I was doing this experiment." Then realising what she'd just said, Katie hit herself on the head and told herself 'not to be so stupid, looks aren't everything'.
"OK," said Sam, rubbing his hands together eagerly, "I'd like you both to choose a potion bottle off the table and drink it, I will then examine and analyse the results to use in my potions essay,"
"Is that all you want us to do?" queried Kate, sounding slightly relieved,
"Yep, that's all," replied Sam. Louise and Kate stepped forward and cast their gaze over each bottle, Louise soon decided upon a fluorescent pink potion that emitted glitter every so often. Kate gingerly picked up a green bottle that was hissing violently.
"KATE STOP!" Katie screamed, the potion she was about to drink was a deceasing potion, the liquid equivalent of the Avada Kedavra curse!
"KATE!" Katie shouted again, but Kate ignored her as if she didn't have a care in the world.
Katie grabbed hold of Kate's arm to pull her away from the table, except her hand went straight through Kate's school robes. Thinking she'd missed, Katie tried again but each time her hand went straight through Kate, it was as if she had turned into a hologram! Katie screamed as loud as she could but there wasn't even a flicker from either of her friends. Helpless, she watched as Kate downed the potion in one before staggering around the room, unable to regain control of her body. Katie ran over to help her friend but it was too late. Kate had fallen to the floor, a lifeless impression upon her face.
"Oh my God!" Katie exclaimed, "Kate! Sam! Oh my God!" There was a scuffle and a groan, then Kate sat up and looked up towards Katie.
"Katie!" she whispered, "How are you? We've been by your bed like all night!"
"What happened?" Katie asked confused, "Kate? Why are you here? Are you a ghost?" She picked up her glasses so she could focus better. Kate laughed and sat herself down on Katie's bed.
"A ghost?" she asked, "Why would I be a ghost? I think you must have had a bit of a nasty fall yesterday to be thinking things like that!"
"But yesterday, you, you, you-" Katie couldn't finish her sentence, "Kate what happened yesterday?"
"Me and Louise had just come back from Hogsmeade and we were going to the Ravenclaw Tower to find you but as we were walking along the corridor we found you lying on the floor. So we brought you straight here." Katie squinted her eyes at the sun that was starting to peep through the stain glass window,
"But what about Sam and his potions essay?"
"What?" replied Kate, "Sam and his potions essay? What's that got to do with yesterday?"
"I'm really confused," said Katie, "Yesterday I saw you and Louise go and meet Sam and he was doing a potions experiment and he made you drink some potions. I didn't see what happened to Louise but when you drank yours, you err, you died." Katie fell silent, as did Kate.
"I died?" she asked,
"Yeh," replied Katie, "It was awful." Slowly, tears began to prickle her eyes and she embraced Kate in a hug,
"Kate, I want you to know that I don't want anything to happen to you, ever."
Her tears seemed to be contagious as soon the two second years were both crying, upset as to what just happened and anxious as to what the future would hold...
A/N Hope you liked it! Yes, I knwo the speed dating is a bit weird and a bit random, but wht the hec! I also apologise that this chapter ends on a bit of a sad note, but it has to be done somewhere! Please review, I appreciate it!