Author's Note: Then and again, acknowledgments of gratitude to my wonderful reviewers. You rock! You have absolutely no idea how you make my day…

Disclaimer: Not mine…never mine…will never be mine…

Special Thanks to:

endlessromance, pheonixgurl, Kathy, Spexy, Ice and Fire Vanessa, Quidditch-Gal, softballgeek291, peachgirl1608 and xxGREEN BAYxx. You guys absolutely rock!

peachgirl1608 Haha thanks for reviewing. Your stories are great too!

Quidditch-Gal You like Oliver/you stories? Ok…maybe I'll write one if I have the time =)

Chapter 4: Let Nature Take Its Course

Setting: Saturday afternoon, no classes…in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Hey, Ange, want a sweet to refresh yourself?"

"No thanks, Fred. None of your tricks. I want to remain normal for a while."

Fred pouted.

"But Ange, I've turned over a new leaf. Don't you trust me?"

Angelina swiftly flipped the sweet over. On the wrapper there were words printing "Canary Creams".

"No."

She ignored Fred's whines and glanced across the room. She noticed that George was stricken by something. Following his gaze, she realized he was staring transfixed at Alicia. Suddenly, Alicia turned to look at George, pretending to flip her hair. Both flushed and looked away hurriedly. Angelina grinned mischievously to herself. This was going to be fun. Standing up, she walked towards the portrait door, hoping to catch Katie's attention as she did so.

Katie felt somebody staring at her. Looking meticulously around the room, she spotted Angelina mouthing something to her, beckoning her to come to the portrait door. Quietly, she crept to her best friend who was waiting for her, tapping her feet impatiently on the floor.

"What is it?"

Angelina glanced around the room to see if anyone was eavesdropping or looking at them, then turned back and whispered,

"My dear Katie, you mean you don't know why you are here for?"

"Oh…hang on, is it something to do with a certain red-haired Weasley and a Miss Spinnet?"

"Bingo, Miss Bell. Now, isn't it obvious that those two are all over each other? The problem is, both of them need motivation." Angelina said, a sly glint beginning to sparkle in her eyes.

"So, we are supposed to…" Katie trailed off, still unsure of what Angelina was trying to say.

"Set them up. We need a plan, with the help of the devious prankster Mister Fred Weasley and Wood." Angelina finished the sentence for her.

Katie's surprised gape was short-lived, as it quickly transformed into an evil mischievous grin analogous to the one on Angelina's face.

"I'm game." was all Katie said to ensure that Operation Matchmaker was about to begin, as the two girls high-fived in the air.


"So what's the plan?" Katie questioned softly, afraid that anyone might get suspicious at the prospect of four of them huddling in a corner of the Common Room.

Fred cleared his throat.

"Okay, listen up, folks. Katie and Ange, you two go find Alicia and tell her that there's a note for her. Act excited and make sure she turns up punctually. Wood, George and I will be in the boy's dorm doing our stuff. At fifteen to four, you walk in and announce that there's a Quidditch play you can't wait to tell the team; say it'll be held in the Astronomy Tower."

He paused for breath.

"Then we'll push them in the tower, lock the door, and voila, let nature take its course."

Angelina frowned and smacked Fred on the arm.

"Fred! Please use more appropriate language!"

"Ow! All right, let them get together."

"That's better."


Alicia had just gone to the Owlery to mail a letter to her family. She was standing in front of the Fat Lady when Katie came running out, face tinged pink with excitement.

"Hey, Kates! What's up?"

"Hi, Lish! I was looking all over for you! Come to your dormitory now! You'll never believe it!" Katie practically yelled, half-dragging Alicia into the dormitory they shared.

"Whoa…ok not so fast!"

Katie pushed her into the dormitory and closed the door. She was pointing breathlessly at Alicia's pillow. There was a piece of paper on it. Alicia picked it up in puzzlement, and read:

Dearest Alicia,

I've always liked you, more than a friend. But I need to speak to you in private, in case of some eavesdroppers. Please meet me at the Astronomy Tower at 4pm. We need to talk and apparently, settle some matters.

Love,

George

Alicia was stunned. She too had fallen in love with George at first sight, ever since their first year in Hogwarts, but never had the courage to tell him so, for she was afraid that he would laugh at her, because he did not return her feelings. But now…

She whirled around to find an ecstatic Katie and Angelina jumping around.

"Congrats, Lish! This is great! You've got to go! After all, you've liked him since both of you met, isn't it?"

"But…but…I won't know what to say!"

"It's all right, Lish. Kates and I will accompany you to meet him, just for moral support! We'll be there if you need us."

"Really? Thanks guys, you're the best!" Alicia said, hugging her best friends tightly, so delirious with joy. Her dream boy returned her feelings! What more could a girl ask for?

"What are best friends for, besides stuffed toys?" Alicia laughed.

"Let's go. It's ten to 4."


The Weasley twins were in their dormitory, brewing up a new kind of potion, which could turn the drinker's hair into a shocking purple. Suddenly, Wood barged in and boomed,

"Quidditch meeting. It's urgent. Astronomy Tower. Now."

"But Captain, we're in the midst of making a to-be-world-famous concoction!"

"No excuses. Do you want the cup this year or not?!"

"Wood, this is NOT the right time!"

Oliver glared at him.

"But, why the Astronomy Tower, of all places?"

"Ah well, it's high up, and there will be less chance of spies overhearing us."

"It's all right, Georgey. Let the potion simmer. We'll be back soon, anyway."

"Now, that's rather surprising coming from you, Weasley." Oliver said approvingly.

George was bewildered. Why was his twin suddenly so cooperative? Etching his eyebrows, he followed Fred and Oliver, for he did not want to end up cleaning the broom shed alone for being uncooperative.

Both parties reached the Astronomy Tower at the same time. Fred spied the girls coming their way. He hurriedly nudged Wood in the ribs.

"We've got to do something! Alicia will know what we planned if she sees us!"

Turning back to George, Fred said, "Hey, nature calls! Gotta go!" and sped off, hiding behind a nearby wall.

The gears in Oliver's brain whirled at top speed.

"Sorry, Weasley, but I left my papers back in the Common Room. I have to get them now. You go first. Don't bother waiting."

Both boys melted back into the shadows behind the wall, fervently hoping that Alicia would not realize what was really going on.

Meanwhile, Katie and Angelina had seen the boys hiding, and put two and two together.

Katie wrecked her brain for an excuse to get out of George's sight. She prodded Angelina and stammered to Alicia, "Lish, George won't like it if he sees us. He'll think we are trying to interfere. So, just hang in there, ok? We'll be here waiting. Good luck!" With that she grabbed Angelina's arm and pulled her behind herself.

"Katie, you'll make a good wrestler."

"Shhh…Ange! It's Showtime."


"Hey…" Alicia approached George bashfully as he appeared in the distance.

"Where are Katie and Angelina? Didn't they come too?" George asked, perplexed. What was going on? Where was everyone?

Alicia stood there, confused. He knew Katie and Angelina were here to support her? What was happening?

"Oh…they are coming." She said slowly, suddenly aghast at the thought of only her and her long-time crush alone.

"Hmm…so let's not wait for those slow pokes. Shall we enter the tower first?" George asked, smiling charmingly at her. Alicia nearly buckled on her knees when he flashed his pearly whites. Nodding weakly, she followed him through the door.

Katie peered out and saw Fred doing the same. Signaling to him, she whispered to Angelina to follow her. All four of them ran out at the same time to the entrance of the Astronomy Tower. Fred took his wand out, shut the door, and said coolly, "Alohomora!"

Squatting beside the door, the four of them waited.


Hearing the distinct click of a door being shut, Alicia and George whirled around to face each other.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yea. We'd better get out of here."

Dashing towards the door, they tugged at the knob, but to no avail.

Realization dawned upon Alicia.

"They set us up!"

"Who?"

"Katie and the rest! They locked us in! How could they?!"

A muffled voice came from the other side of the door. It was Fred's.

"Well, it's time the both of you got together. We're tired of seeing two lovebirds pining for each other." He drawled, sounding bored.

Alicia was on the verge of breaking down. She never dreamt that her best friends would ever do such a thing to her. She had been so happy, so elated when she read the note, thinking it was reality. But it wasn't. Kneeling down, she put her face in her hands and sobbed.

"Katie, Ange! You two sent the note on purpose! How could you do that, when you know George would never return my feelings for him?"

A pang of guilt stabbed Katie. Tears also started to well up in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Alicia. We thought it was for the best."

"Lish, it wasn't Kate or Oliver's idea. It was Fred's and mine. Don't blame them. It was our fault." With that, Angelina sniffed in remorse.

Fred shook his head. "Sheesh…girls…" he muttered under his breath.

George grimaced grimly as he thought of how to get back at his twin. He shook Alicia gently.

"We need to have a long talk, Lish. First, what note were you talking about?"

Alicia stood up. Hands still shaking, she searched in her pockets and took out the note.

"Here."

George looked at it, frowning thoughtfully.

"It does look like my handwriting." He pondered, grinning slightly.

"I thought so." Alicia smiled at him, relieved the tension between them was broken.

Meanwhile, the four matchmakers were pressing their ears against the door, listening hard.

"I really like you, Alicia, ever since we met. It's just that I was afraid you didn't like me back."

"Really? Same here. So I guess all these years, both of us were dimwits huh?"

"Yea…well, Alicia, will you go out with me?"

"I'd love to, George."

Fred then heard a funny, yet comforting noise.

"They're kissing!" he whispered to the rest. They whooped with joy. Fred then unlocked the door, catcalling as the two walked out, beaming like Cheshire cats.

"You two are now an item, huh?"

"Yup." George hugged Alicia tightly.

Katie looked away. Sure, she was happy for Alicia and George. But now all her friends were paired off. Except her…and Oliver. Oliver could have his fair pick of girls though. She couldn't. And wouldn't. Katie wanted a boyfriend that would remain true to her, and never break her heart. She felt that it was impossible to find that sort of guy. Yet a tiny voice in her head told her,

The man you've always been searching for is not far away.

Angelina whispered beside Katie's ear, jolting her out of her daydreams.

"Hey, Kates. How about you and Oliver next?"

Katie fumed.

"Angelina Johnson! Do not ever try such a thing or I'll hex you oblivion!"

Angelina grinned cheekily.

"No, of course not, my dear Katie. But it was a pleasant notion though."


So, how was it? It's now the June Holidays, and after my concert, I'm quite free. I felt bored at home, so I just wrote another chapter. Lol. Anyway people, review please! I apologise for the lack of Oliver/Katie stuff in this chapter, but such relationships take time, don't they?