Thanks everyone for taking the time to leave reviews. They lift my day. Still a bit concerned about FemmeLoki - she's been with me almost from the beginning of MwtB and now seems to have disappeared. Anyone else in touch with her?

As with Grill, I'm having trouble dividing the scenes. FF is very fussy about what symbols it allows, so I'm going to have to use the solid line. Sorry.

My thanks to JessiokaFroka for Beta reading.

Chapter Twenty-Two

THE CAST OUTING

London - April

Dear Andi,

Let me get this straight - you want to bring a bunch of students to my flat,down my chimney, to
watch a video of Guys and Dolls?

You remember that time when you persuaded me to dress up and
pretend to be your lesbian lover to get rid of that creepy guy who
wouldn't leave you alone - and we ended up having to snog to make it
convincing? I always thought that was the weirdest thing you'd ever
ask...

But seeing how there's very little action around here, bring 'em on!

See you next Saturday.

Love

Liz

"Draco! I didn't expect you here."

Andi was getting the students ready to use the floo to Liz's flat.

"Yeah, well... I got my permission slip."

Andi raised her eyebrows as she took the offered piece of parchment and looked at it. She passed it to Vincent, who studied it.

"It looks genuine to me," he said, handing it back.

"I didn't think you were interested," said Andi, looking at Draco.

"I'm not," he said, looking down and scuffing his shoe on the ground. "I... I just fancied getting out of school for a while, that's all."

Andi looked at Vincent, who grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

"OK, well, I can't argue with the signed form, and I'm delighted you are showing some interest."

"It doesn't mean I'm going to do it - I just want time out from school."

Keeping her smile to herself, she went to the fireplace.

"I shall go first. I don't want Miss Murrone having a heart attack with six strangers falling down her chimney. Sally-Ann if you go next... that's it, line up. Professor Bellchambers will follow at the end."

"I ordered pizza, is that OK?" Liz looked nervously past Andi towards the fireplace and yelped as Sally-Ann appeared in a heap in the grate.

"That's fantastic," said Andi, helping Sally-Ann up just in time to miss Parvati crashing into her. "Liz, thank you SO much for this. I owe you big."

"No you don't. I'm paying for the pizzas out of the money you left here last December."

"Tch, you know what I mean."

"Mmmmm, yes, I think I do," Liz agreed, as Ernie appeared in a cloud of soot.

Once everyone had arrived and settled, Liz tugged Andi into the kitchen to sort out drinks.

"What's he doing?" Liz nodded towards Vincent.

"Vincent? Oh, it's just a warding charm," said Andi as she glanced past Liz and into the living room where Vincent was busy charming each corner of the room. "Albus insisted all precautions were taken before he'd give me permission to come here with the students. It just means we're all safe in your flat while we're off Hogwarts' premises."

"O-kay," said Liz uncertainly, looking away from Vincent and back at Andi. "So. How're things?" she whispered. "You're looking fantastic. Is Severus back?"

"No. I haven't seen him since that night I told you about - you know, when I couldn't tell him about this." She put her hand over her stomach. "I'm nearly nineteen weeks now and..." Andi gave a shy, beaming smile. "I think I felt a sort of fluttery movement the other day."

"Ohh!" said Liz, going gooey and putting her hand on Andi's tummy. "Really?"

"Liz...you will be godmother, won't you?"

Liz gasped and then hugged Andi. "Oh yes Hon, of course! Oh, thank you! Oh, I'm going to be a godmummy!"

"Shhhhh!" laughed Andi, glancing into the living room.

"What's this?" asked Draco suspiciously, as Liz took round a tray of drinks. He looked really uncomfortable in his surroundings. He sat on the sofa as though he'd rather be hovering above it.

"Coke."

"No thanks. I don't drink Muggle stuff."

"Just try it, Malfoy," said Terry. "It's OK."

"I'll skip, thanks," he said, firmly.

The pizzas arrived very soon after, and they settled down to watch the film.

"Oooh, I love that red outfit," cooed Parvati as Sarah Brown came on the screen in her Salvation Army uniform. "Am I having one like that?"

"Hey, that's you, Terry..."

"Oh," said Sally-Ann as Adelaide made her entrance. "That's what I'm supposed to sound like! I can do that."

Andi took a surreptitious look at Draco as Sky appeared. He was watching with interest.

There was an awkward moment when Sky kissed Sarah for the first time and the others turned to Parvati, who was looking extremely uncomfortable.

"I'm not doing it if I have to kiss him," she said, quickly.

"Yeah, well, it's not exactly persuaded me to play the part, so you're safe," Draco sneered.

"Sky is hot," said Sally-Ann, looking lustfully at Marlon Brando. "He's so not you, Malfoy."

"Fuck off, Perks."

"Draco!"

"Sorry, Professor."

"He is pretty cool, though," said Terry, nodding at the TV.

The rest of the film was watched with interest. Andi caught Draco taking a cautious sip of Coke, and then another. The pizzas had been demolished.

The film was nearing its end. They had just reached halfway through Ernie's solo -Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat, when there came a heart-stopping screech of brakes from outside, followed by a thunderous BANG!

The lights in the flat flashed off and on, then off again and stayed off. The TV died.

Everyone either screamed or cried out in shock and ran to the window.

A four-wheel-drive had hit the lamp post on the opposite side of the street. The bonnet was completely buckled, the lamp post was across the pavement and sparking with a short-circuit, and the driver of the
car was lying against the windscreen.

"Stay here!" Andi commanded the students, as she, Liz and Vincent rushed out of the flat and down the stairs, Liz all ready dialing for an ambulance on her mobile.

They were the first on the scene.

Vincent went to the driver while Liz, speaking urgently into her mobile, ran around the other side where a passenger was lying crumpled on the dashboard.

Andi had just reached the car when she became aware that the students had followed her. She turned.

"I told you all to stay in the flat, now go back up immediately."

Reluctantly, they turned and began filing back in the door; all except Draco, who sauntered into the road, his hands in his pockets.

"Draco, did you hear me?" she shouted, walking towards him.

"PROFESSOR CARVER! "

Andi stopped in the middle of the road. She and Draco turned in the direction of the harsh female voice that had commanded her name.

Standing in the centre of the road, about fifty yards away, was a tall, thin woman with long black hair, her black gown flapping in the breeze.

Andi was aware of many things happening at once.

The woman lifted her wand and pointed it at her.

Draco gasped, "Aunt Bella!"

Vincent screamed, "ANDREA!"

An explosion of blinding light from both ends of the street...

Andi knew no more.

Mark Darcy - Can you imagine Fred or George on stage? Mayhem! We may just as well have Peeves in the cast. Ruby Wax (good friend of AR) says 'he has this kind of sex-thing he turns on when on stage', and I agree with her. I seriously believe I could walk past him in the street and not notice (please God, test me!).

Intelligent Witch - I'm pleased you agree. We've got to know the trio so well in the books but Draco remains a bit 2D, so it's tempting to fill him in a bit.

Thouandl - I have heard some women crave coal, so it could have been worse; and do you know, the power of suggestion is great. Ever since reading your review I've wanted chocolate milk with ice. And I don't even drink milk!

Kerichi - AR in Guys and Dolls? Nope, I didn't know that. Please don't tell me he played Sky, or I shall freak (for missing it, more than anything). That eight ball can be erratic, but may I remind you of my last review for your story. Shiver.

Aries1 - You think? Yuk! It did cross my mind to try Andi's craving for research purposes, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

josie - The lesser known characters give much more scope; although did you notice that Ron turned up for the auditions?

Queen of the Faeries1 - Never seen Guys and Dolls? You're missing a treat. I'm glad you liked the apology. Wish my man would apologise like that.

Keiju - Thanks for your review. Really? I've f-kd-up again? Someone told me Liechtenstein was in eastern Europe. That's the second time in this story I've relied on other people's knowledge and got it wrong, instead of getting off my fat arse and doing my own research. Will I never learn?

Helena Oe - Dumbledore's great, isn't he? The very first time I read Philosopher's Stone, I felt I all ready knew Albus. He seemed very familiar and comfortable. I hope the crying yourself to sleep is because you miss Sev for yourself, not Andi. Hehehe. Good luck with the lenses.