Bringing Down Addie
Chapter Seven
Poisoned Apples and Kisses
- - --- -
"I don't think we should go." I stated sullenly.
"Why's that?" Harry asked.
"Because – well, it's just that…it could be bad for our health?"
"Really." Harry said. "And how would that be?"
"She could feed us poisoned apples."
Hermione snorted. "Where did you hear that?"
"It was in one of my roommate's books from Muggle Studies back at Hogwart's." I explained defensively.
"Well, that would be a simple problem to avoid." Harry said.
"Do tell."
"We just don't eat the apples." He smiled at me before he moved up to stand next to Ron.
"Well, he is right." Hermione quipped.
"I'm serious, though." I pouted. "I don't think we should go."
After I had regained mobility and come back from the brink of death I had set out on a search for Harry. When I found him I had lectured him in the style of my mother about how he shouldn't feel that my short stint in Mungo's had, had anything to do with him. I may have also added that it was self-centered and egotistical of him to think so as well. Maybe.
Harry had in turn repaid me with a quick hug and an invitation to lunch. But not any lunch. Lunch with Addie and her 'family.'
"Why do I have to go though?" I had asked when he had informed me of my fate.
"Because Coach Lewis wants to see me and Addie together, and he wants to meet my family. And, considering that he doesn't know what's going on and my job may be at stake. Plus, the fact that I don't technically have any real family, I was just thinking." He trailed off.
"Of course I'll go." I patted Harry on the arm.
He smiled at me gratefully. "Good. Ron and Hermione already said they'd go."
"That's good." I nodded.
"Er, Hermione mentioned you might want to bring someone else?" He had asked somewhat apprehensively.
"Well, there's this, uh, girl named Maggie. I think it would be – prudent, if we brought her along."
And then Harry had been revealed to the workings of my master plan, his smile widening by the second. I had set up the time with Maggie, bought a fancy skirt and top, painted my nails and allowed myself to be hauled out of my room at an unnatural hour of the day to head over to Addie's house. But I was starting to have second thoughts.
"What do you think Maggie?" I asked the small girl. She had been terribly shy and guarded at first, but I liked to think she had warmed up to me a bit.
"I think we should just tough it out." She said with the most conviction I had ever heard her use in my presence. When she had been told about the true story behind Harry and Addie's relationship she hadn't been happy. That put her in my good books. "If she's as awful as Ginny says this could be a great opportunity to get information about her that we can't get anywhere else."
"I still don't want to go." I grumbled to myself.
"Then you shouldn't of come." Hermione said.
"But it's for Harry." I argued.
"Then shut your trap and accept your decisions." Hermione said with a sly grin. I just rolled my eyes.
We walked up the very, very long driveway up to Addie's house in silence from then on.
It was a giant pale yellow mansion thing with white trim and a sparkly fountain. I didn't even want to think how much it would cost to maintain that monstrosity. I wasn't paying attention as I kept moving forward, and soon found myself smacking into Ron.
"Watch it." Ron grumbled as he rubbed his neck wincing in pain.
"Sorry." I mumbled. Now that we were here I was starting to feel choked up. Odd.
I stared at the solid oak door in pure and total apprehension as Harry moved forward and rang the doorbell.
"Don't worry." He turned to face our assembled group. "Coach Lewis is really nice."
"Oh, yeah, I'm sure." Ron said sarcastically. Harry merely raised an eyebrow before turning back around.
Addie answered the door.
"Harry." She cooed, leaning forward to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Er, hello." He cleared his throat.
"And you brought – " She looked at each of us in turn with disdain before her eyes settled directly on Maggie. "How come I don't know you?"
"This!" Hermione exclaimed before anyone else could make up an excuse. "This is my favorite cousin Maggie." She put an arm around Maggie's shoulder for effect.
"Maggie, eh?" Addie switched her gaze over to Ron who nodded furiously.
"Yeah, Maggie." Ron agreed. "She's great friends with Harry and the rest of us as well."
"Is that true?" Addie directed the question to Harry.
"Would I lie to you?" He asked impishly.
"Oh, never." She spat. "Come along. Daddy's on the back porch." She moved out of the doorway and pushed us into a richly decorated entryway. "If anyone of you decides to try anything funny I will make you pay." She said coolly before leading us into the sitting room. "I'm going to bring daddy in here. I don't feel like being outside." She made to walk through another door. "Do try not to break anything." She sneered before slipping through the door. As soon as she was gone I lunged at Maggie.
"Give me your bag." I whispered hastily. She removed it quickly and handed it over before turning to Ron.
"Go find all the hallway loos and plug them." Maggie ordered.
"How?" Ron asked as the mousy girl pushed him into the hallway we had just left.
"Just stuff them with whatever you can find. Then flush them."
"Right." Ron nodded and left.
"Here." I slipped the camera into Hermione's hands. "Put that in one of the fake books and stick it onto that bookshelf over there." He did as he was told.
"Where should we put the audio feed?" Maggie asked nobody in particular.
"Picture frames." Harry whispered over his shoulder.
Maggie nodded and pulled me over to the mantle of a large fireplace. She pushed a jumble of wires into my hands and instructed me into how to place them while she went to put some more near the doorframe.
I frowned as I fumbled around with the multi-colored wires and the heinous pictures of Addie and company throughout different stages of life. Each one was more horrifying than the one before it. There were pictures of Addie in diapers. Addie with friends. Addie with family. Addie at the beach with some blonde haired kid. Addie at Quidditch games. Addie on shopping sprees. You get my drift.
"The amount of attention they spend on her cannot be healthy." I muttered quietly.
"Oh, I'm sure it's not." Harry said from next to me. I jumped slightly. "You might want to put that yellow wire here," He reached his arm over my shoulder, "And the red one over there." He pulled it back.
"Thanks." I smiled weakly.
"No problem." He smiled at me before turning to look at Maggie. "Did it work?"
She fiddled with a little black box with a bunch of knobs before smiling and nodding.
"Where's Ron?" She asked.
"Here." He answered from behind her.
"Good." Maggie muttered in distraction as she packed away all of the evidence that we had been meddling. She handed us each a magically modified tape recorder. My idea, thank you very much. "Now, remember. If you find something useful you excuse yourself and record it." I smiled in excitement. I was glad I had come now.
It had been no more than half a minute after we had all tucked away the recorders when Addie walked back in, her father in tow.
I had seen Coach Lewis before at Harry's Quidditch matches but I had never seen him up close. He was a tall, thin man with graying hair and bushy eyebrows.
"There's my favorite seeker!" He greeted Harry happily.
"Hey Coach." Harry blushed.
We proceeded on with the introductions and then settled down with tea. However, I was feeling quite frustrated. I really wanted to hate Coach, as he had asked us to call him, but it was hard. I was finding it baffling that such a sweet guy could have created someone like Addie.
"Ginny." He directed his attention onto me. I smiled at him. "Tell me now, what do you do?"
"I, uh – " I didn't want to exactly admit in such a beautiful house next to such an influential man that I had no job. So I improvised. "I'm a writer." It was partly the truth. I wrote things. Lists, Christmas cards…stuff on paper.
"Wonderful." Coach clapped his hands together. "Do you read much?"
"I try." He just nodded along. Maybe I was pretty convincing. Like, if my writing career didn't suit me I could always be an actress. Yes.
"Really, I didn't know that." Addie said with sugary sweetness. She looked me firm in the eye as she placed her hand on Harry's knee. Coach had insisted that the happy couple sit next to each other.
"What's that, dear?" Coach asked Addie.
"Well, daddy, it's just I've known Ginny here," She gestured to me, "for quite awhile now, and she's never mentioned it to me."
"Because I have a fear of rejection." I said quickly.
"Nothing wrong there." Coach said sagely. "I know a fair few things about writers and their work through association. I understand how these things can be." I watched with a genuine interest as Addie's eyes narrowed in the direction of her father and a small hissing noise came from between her lips. I was beginning to put some of the clues together and decided to test my luck.
"My boyfriend is a writer as well." I could hear Hermione suck in her breath to my left and Maggie fidget nervously to my right. I just ignored them and pushed forward. "You may know him. You probably run in the same circles. Actually, if I recall, he mentioned knowing you once."
"Oh?" Coach chuckled. "What's the boys name?"
"His name is Aid – " I was cut off when Addie propelled herself off her seat and into the middle of the room.
"Addie, what are you doing?" Her father demanded.
"I hear Claudia calling us for lunch." She said anxiously.
"I didn't hear anything." Hermione protested with an odd glint in her eyes.
"Well, you wouldn't. Claudia's very quiet. You'd only recognize her if you knew her as well as I do." Addie protested right back as she practically carried people out of their seats and into the dining room. We were the last two left in the room.
"You watch your mouth." She advanced on me.
"I was simply making friendly conversation." I pretended to act innocent.
"You're prying. I warned you." She huffed.
"Are you sweating?" I asked with a small giggle. "Why, I thought you were too good to sweat. Don't you think it's a little plebian of you?"
"Stop it." She was practically growling.
"Are you gaining weight?" I gasped. "I believe you are." I smiled cheekily.
"You don't know what you're dealing with, I'll – "
"Yes, yes, I know you'll slander Harry's name across the press, ruing his career, and all other claim to fame and happiness he may have." I said uninterestedly. "But," My voice became much crueler. "I know what you're playing at. I know that you're not alone in this. I know that there's something you're trying to hide. And I won't stop until I find it."
"There's nothing." She seemed oddly flustered.
"We'd better go into the dining room now. I'd hate to keep your father waiting. After all, he's been such a gracious host." I walked away from Addie and into a very long room, with an equally long table. One end was set for our number. I settled myself into a seat in between Hermione and Maggie. It was also located directly across from the only other seat left. Addie's seat.
Addie joined us a few minutes later and the meal began.
Harry seemed oddly calm, and I kept catching him smiling knowingly to himself. Hermione and Maggie were making mindless chatter over me. Ron was concentrated solely on Coach who was talking to him about Quidditch. My dear brother looked like he was in heaven.
And I stared at Addie. It was actually rather fun. I'd raise my eyebrows, or glare, or shake my head and sometimes, just for good measure, I'd do a combination of the three. She seemed very worried. She kept shifting around and trying to change her gaze, but she always ended up looking back right at me.
"How do you like the fish?" I whispered to her.
"Fine." She whispered back.
After about half an hour I set my napkin down on the table and carefully interrupted Ron's conversation with Coach.
"I hate to interrupt. But, could you point me in the direction of the nearest loo?"
"Certainly." He smiled. "Just down the hall and to your right."
"Thank you." I left the room, careful not to look at anyone's face for fear that I would just burst out into hysterics.
I never actually went down the hall and to my right, but rather stayed in the sitting room for a little while before going back into the dining room.
"Excuse me." I interrupted again. "Something seems to be wrong with the loo."
"Oh?" Coach asked. I didn't answer. He looked around pensively for a few moments before looking at me. "You can go upstairs and use Addie's. First door on your left when you reach the landing."
"Thanks." I smiled and walked calmly out of the room. Once I was clear I sprinted up the stairs and tore into the room I had been directed into.
I pulled a new set of wires out of my pocket and assembled on the back of a poster board as quickly as I could manage before moving into the bathroom. I quickly opened the door to the medicine cabinet looking for any types of medication. I had strict orders to replace them with sugar tablets if I found any. I found none.
I moved back into the bedroom and worked on the desk first. I ruffled through papers. I found a few that could be considered worthwhile and I stuffed them into my bag. I looked under her bed. It was clean. Checked her closet. It only held designer clothes. I examined the bedside cabinets. There was nothing of value.
Then I came upon the jewelry box. I felt my heart beat start to quicken as I pushed beautiful pieces of silver and gold around. I felt my hope deflate as soon as I realized that the one piece of chain I was looking for wasn't there. Feeling I should probably return to the dining room sooner than later to avoid suspicion I rearranged a few pillows that had been knocked over in haste and walked back over to the door.
But then I stopped.
On a whim I moved towards the wicker waste paper basket that was pushed in the corner. There was only one thing in it. But it was something important. Very important.
I pulled my tape recorder out and began speaking.
- - - - - -
"Anyone want tea?" Ron called from the kitchen.
"Yes." Hermione called back.
After an extremely long lunch at Addie's house, our group retired back to mine and Hermione's flat to plan our next step.
"Well, for one thing we know the bugs don't even matter now." Maggie commented as she went over a few pages of our notes.
"But don't you think we might be able to pull out a few other nasty facts about her?" Hermione asked with a small pleading tone.
"No." Maggie answered. "I think we should just settle with what we have. We could start with a few rumors, and then come out with reports of a big scandal." She suggested.
"No." Harry commented absentmindedly from his place on the couch. "If we do that I'll just get hounded, and I don't want to deal with it."
"Alright." Hermione sighed as Maggie went back to examining our notes. Ron came back in with the tea.
"I can't believe that this happened." Ron let out a low whistle.
"There's just one thing we have to clarify then." I said, turning to look at Harry. He quirked his head at me. "Harry, did you ever sleep with Addie?"
"This is important information." Maggie added. "Be honest."
Harry's face was coloring at a rapid speed and I could tell his mind was whirling.
"No." He finally answered.
"Honestly?" Ron asked.
"Honestly." Harry confirmed.
"Well, that is definitely a relief." Hermione sighed as everyone turned back to what they were working on. That is, everyone but Harry and me.
He just kept looking at me.
"Gin and I are going to go for a walk." He blurted out suddenly. He didn't give me a chance to reply but simply grabbed hold of my hand and tugged me outside.
"What are you doing?" I asked him once we were on the front porch.
"I wanted to talk to you about a few things." He answered evasively. "Here." He put the cloak he had been wearing around my bare shoulders and sat down on the pavement of my walkway. I looked at him oddly for a few moments before settling down next to him.
I snuggled into the warm fabric, savoring the warm smell of Harry and staring up at the clear night sky.
"Why are you doing what you're doing?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you helping me so much?" He asked again.
"Well, we're all helping." I answered quietly, leaning back to get a clearer view of my surroundings.
"It's different with you." He too leaned back.
"How do you mean?"
"You've just been there on an extreme no one else has touched."
"You mean I screwed stuff up, got in way over my head, got drunk, got used…"
"I don't mean it like that." He interrupted me.
"Then, how?"
"I don't know how to explain it." He mumbled.
"Neither do I." I agreed.
"Sometimes I think you do it because you were the first one I told."
"I still don't know exactly it is what you think I'm doing." He made to interrupt me again but I silenced him. "Most of the stuff that we've come up with that actually worked was a joint effort." I admitted calmly. "No matter how much I'd like to think I'm manning the operation I know I'm not."
He didn't say anything.
"But if you want to know why I'm doing it, you don't have to look too far."
"Why?" He turned to look at me straight on.
"Because it's you." I answered simply.
"Oh." He said quietly.
"Yeah, oh." I laughed a little bit.
"I still have a hard time wrapping my head around it, you know." We were lying down on the pavement completely now, watching the stars. All of our ideas of a walk having clearly been abandoned by now.
"Around what?" I asked.
"Just the whole situation. The fact that I was used by someone I had grown to trust. The fact that we have this whole plan. The fact that my problems spread out to trap you with a lousy guy like Aidan."
"That wasn't your fault." I reminded him.
"I feel like it is." He admitted.
"Hey Harry." I made sure he was looking at me with those eyes of his that were as green as a fresh pickled toad. "It's not."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Do you think it would be alright if I kissed you?" He looked dead serious.
And I was pretty sure I was hyperventilating. This was it. This was what I had been waiting for since I discovered that a person named Harry Potter existed.
"Me?" I squeaked. Oh that would add to the moment.
"Yeah." He smiled at me softly. "You."
"I – I, uh, I think I could allow you to do that."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Really, really?"
"Just kiss me." I whispered impatiently.
And he did. It was soft, gentle, caring. And, much to my dismay only lasted a few seconds.
"Thank you." He whispered. His face was so close I could count his eyelashes. He leaned forward once again and kissed me gently on the cheek before drawing away completely. "They'll be wondering where we are."
"Yes." I was trying to keep my voice even. I really was. But, I have a sinking suspicion that it came out a tad wobbly.
And we went back inside. Back to a room where no one knew what had just happened. Where my brother didn't know that his best mate had just snogged his little sister. Where my best friend didn't know that I had finally gotten my wish. Where a reporter didn't know that she may soon have a new story to cover.
But it had happened. I had pinched myself plenty of times to make sure it had all been real. And it had. It had all been wonderfully real.
- -- -- - - -
Sorry about the length and the wait on this chapter. I've had a bunch of stuff to do, including a regatta in Canada. It's just been hectic. But, my boat got first place! Now I do my happy dance...
Here are a few review responses. I only answered the ones with questions. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, even if I didn't respond below I very much appreciate them.
DancerForLife3320: Well, yes, you are correct. The locket never was fully explained. But, this story isn't over yet. I think I still have plenty of time to clarify my jambled plot points. As to your other point, just remember, Aidan isn't the cleanest guy in the world.
Minnie-mae: Of course.
Michelle: I'm glad you enjoyed that part.
SaSush33: Your kind words left me glowing. Thanks!
Esperanza46: Ah, thank you! Nope, no Psych degrees here. I'm still reeling from my first year of high school. But to be honest I hadn't even stopped to really consider Finny's self image in comparison to her actions. Now I do. I'm glad you're enjoying.
SnowflakeGinny: My, you are perceptive.
forgetyourwatch: I found chapter six to be the weakest as well. But to be honest I'm starting to think that this chapter, chapter seven, was really the worst. Yes, fanfiction can do weird things to ya…
ShortyFaillace: Thanks for pointing that out. Maybe soon I'll be able to drag my lazy self over there and fix it! Doubtful though…
Silver warrior: I'm glad you enjoyed the different Maggie's. It was a fun part to write.
AnnmarieAspasia: I would do the exact same thing.
Ray: Your review made me squeal in delight. Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for the amazing compliment.