Chapter 8: The Party And Mistake

To Maggie's woe, she spotted Jaques once more before he turned with his friends, heading to the Great Hall like she had seen him last week. He smiled once more to her, making the boy beside her sigh.

Maggie whipped her head around to see Fred staring at her with a sympathetic smile. "What?" She snapped, folding her arms across her chest. She played nervously with the side of her shirt, awaiting Fred's reply.

"I heard him asking who you were."

"Really?! You aren't just saying that to make me feel better? Really?" Since when did she act like a girly-girl? Mentally, she kicked herself for acting like the second and first years that fawned over the Boy-who-lived.

She was NOT a fawner.

"I'm serious. He asked if you were availabell." Fred batted his eyelashes and spoke in a faux French accent.

Maggie felt as if she could dive off the stairs, fly to the ground, and fly back up. Jaques Sinclair liked her! He wanted to know if she was available! OF COURSE SHE WAS!

As the two of them headed into the common room to help prepare the decorations and food, Maggie suddenly felt much like a fawner.

"Watch this." Fred said, leaning over to whisper in Maggie's ear. She felt a tingle of excitment spread down her spine and torso. Whoa, she thought suddenly, too much butterbeer.

She watched with sparkling eyes as George and Fred offered a few younger kids some experimental candy. She watched in wide eyes as the boy burped loudly, over and over again.

As he hicupped more burps, a fowl, putrid stench filled the air, coming from the boys mouth. Maggie waved her hand over her nose, trying to make the smell waft somewhere else. "Oi, Fred, that is disgusting!"

Someone said from the couches. Most people were laughing at the joke, and the boy who had burped was looking embarassed. His cheeks had turned red, much like Maggie's had when she had fallen in Hogsmeade.

Fred returned to his seat beside Maggie and smiled at her. "Listen, I'm sorry for-"

"Don't apologize. It makes you look pathetic."

"Oh, I am pathetic. So pathetic." Maggie narrowed her eyes, trying to be angry, but she just couldn't be. As Fred gave a pitiful whine, Maggie broke out into a grin. "It's ok. I'll help you through your pathetic-ness. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem." She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed in his ear.

"Along with my pitiful nature, I'm happy that you're not sore at me."

"Oh, I was just embarassed that you laughed at me in front of Jaques. I guess I was too busy staring at him to watch where I was going." Maggie pulled away, but kept her hands on Fred's shoulder, smiling at his face. "No, you're just dumb." Maggie laughed at his joke but, he did not.

Fred found the ability to move and reached up to take her glasses off. As her laughter died down, Maggie stared at him in confusion. "I never see your eyes." He spoke softly, and despite the music and laughter that swarmed around them, his voice rang loudly in her ears.

Her black framed glasses still sat in his hands, and though she could see him perfectly clear, she wanted them back.

"Fred, can I please have...have them back?" Her voice sounded so strained, as if it hurt to speak. Maggie let her hands slide from his shoulders. She reached for her glasses but, they were dropped on the table beside her. Fred reached over and took her face in his hands, cupping her jaw gently.

Oh my God. Was all Maggie could think. The three words filled her mind, echoing in her ears, and drowning the sounds of the party behind them. And then it happened.

She widened her eyes as Fred leaned closer to her, his lips contacting with hers. She drew in a sharp intake of breath and stared at the boy inches away from her. Her best friend was kissing her. And, to her dismay, she was kissing him back.

Maggie let herself relax enough so she could press her mouth against his, savoring the warmth and taste of his lips. She could taste a faint sample of butterbeer lingering on his mouth. Fred opened her lips with his and grazed her bottom lip with his tongue. Maggie felt herself jump at the sudden action, making her lean closer on him.

As Fred continued letting his tongue explore her mouth, Maggie suddenly snapped her eyes open. WHAT WAS SHE DOING?! She didn't like Fred! She liked Jaques! If that was true, why was she still letting Fred kiss her?

Maggie gasped again, making Fred look at her and detatch himself from her mouth. Snatching her glasses from the table, she stood abruptly, looking anywhere but at the boy who had just kissed her. "I-uh-have to...er...shavemylegs!" And with that blockheaded excuse, Maggie fled from the common room, panting as she slammed the door behind her.

'Holy moly...' Her eyes roved over the entire dormitory without landing on anything in particular.

Maggie felt as if she could die of satisfaction, confusion, and pleasure. There shouldn't be a problem with her feelings. She should blame it on the butterbeer, and leave it at that, hoping he would do the same. Of course, there wouldn't be a problem if she could do that. Did he have to kiss so good?!

My fav chapter! I wonder why....Please REVIEW!