-Disclaimer: I own absolutely nada.

-A/N: Hey everyone! Gosh, it feels nice to be back. Yeah, I changed the name because I figured, well, this is sort of a fresh start so to speak, so I need a new name. Anyway, like I said in a rather looong rant on my profile, really has gone down the tube since the "old" days. Anyway, most of my stories got deleted because "the summary is not suitable for a PG audience," and/or "the usage of song lyrics."

However, AIL got deleted because some girl reported me to TOS, saying that I allegedly "stole the title of her story." If you guys remember, in the latter part of this story, Katie and Alicia make up a plan to get Fred and Angie together, calling it "Operation The British Are Coming." By sheer coincidence, the girl and I used this phrase in both our stories, but she somehow thought I was plotting against her and stole it. Eye roll

I even apologized to her and tried to be civil to her but it failed. Anyway, I'm just glad that's over and I can post again!

Sweet-Sarcasm: Haha thanks! It's nice to know that I have an actual fan. You can save the story, I don't mind. Happy reading!

Jagged Epiphany: Yeah, where have you been? It took you long enough to post the new chapter of Old Faces, New Tricks! Haha, no I'm just playing with you. It was an excellent chapter, by the way! Anyway, thank you so much for your support!

Everyone else: Thank you for not forgetting about me after all this time!

Peace Out,

Gene Kelly

September 2

Common Room

So, once again, we were sent to the Great Hall and had to endure the long Sorting Hat Ceremony. Fred sat across from me, George next to him and the twin's best friend, Lee Jordan, next to George. I tried my best to ignore Fred, because as we all know that if I even so much as glance at the git, I turn into complete and utter mush. And not even relatively attractive mush, either. Just a big ball of stumbling, frustrated, idiotic mush. I guess that's the effect some people have on you.

But what am I saying? That's my whole problem! I don't WANT him to have that effect on me! I want to be able to look at him and simply think, "Wow. He's a really good friend," and not "Wow. He looks really attractive in that homemade sweater."

Alicia was consumed with making goo-goo eyes at George, who was scheming up some prank on Snape with Lee and Katie was trying to get Lee's attention by seductively throwing her hair over her shoulders, but only ended up swiping it in the butter dish. I mean, honestly. Do you see what kind of friends I have to deal with? I'm the only sane one. And that's saying a lot, considering the fact I have Weasley-itis.

I spotted Ron, the twin's younger brother, sitting with Harry Potter and that bushy-haired girl, Hermione Granger. And that got me thinking. Why in the world couldn't I have fallen for a nice guy, like Harry Potter? I'm pretty sure Harry wouldn't tackle me into a puddle of mud after Qudditch practice and get all my robes filthy. I'm also positive that when Harry gets a girlfriend, he doesn't treat her like arm candy.

Not to say that Fred is an absolute Neanderthal when it comes to the subject of dating. He can be quite a sweet boyfriend, when he feels like it. He just doesn't favor commitment.

But why am I defending him? I should be trying to get over him. You see how bad I have it? Terrible, I tell you, just terrible.

Pretty soon, the food arrived. Of course, the boys dove into it like wild boars. Alicia and Katie finally snapped out of their trance and started helping themselves to heaping servings of salad and bread.

I just don't understand how girls can eat so much salad and nothing else. It's rabbit food, for Pete's sake. I'm not saying it's healthy and wise to pig out, but it's also not wise, cool or nutritious to have a daily diet of limp lettuce leaves.

"Ah, Angie! Looks like you're the only girl that has some common sense," Fred enthusiastically observed through a mouthful of chicken.

I gazed at him with confusion and slight disgust. Boys really need to learn table manners.

"What are you talking about? The half-mutilated chicken leg hanging out of your mouth distracted me," I crisply informed.

He chuckled and swallowed.

"I was just pointing out that unlike your friends, you're actually eating a meal and not worrying about counting calories," he matter-of-factly stated.

I looked down at my plate of chicken, potatoes, rice and slice of bread. And for some reason, whether it be Fred's comment or the fact I felt like I was giving off the impression that I eat twice more than my body mass, I felt very full.

"I think I'll go for the salad, actually," I replied, my lip curling at the excess amount of food on my plate.

Fred rose an eyebrow, intently staring at my plate.

"You're not gonna eat that?" he demanded, with shock.

I shook my head and started to fill up another plate with salad.

"No. You want it?" I asked, wearily.

"You didn't even have to ask," Fred answered, grinning.

I rolled my eyes as he snatched the dinner plate and shoveled half of it into his wide-open mouth. I cringed.

Boys really are disgusting.

Fred studied me for a moment, with a look I can't and won't bother to explain, then started to chat with Lee and George once more.

I sighed and turned my attention to Alicia and Katie, who eagerly whispered something, then paused for a moment to giggle madly.

I had that deep, dark feeling that the secret was about me, so I narrowed my eyes and put down my fork.

"What are you two laughing about like a bunch of loons? I know it's about me!" I snapped.

Alicia hastily shook her head, a smirk still lingering on her face.

"Angie, I'm appalled to think that you'd believe the worst about us. I thought we're all friends, here?" she teased.

Katie laughed.

"I think you've got an over active imagination," she added, a twinkle in her eye.

I rolled my eyes and went back to my food, though commencing to eavesdrop on Katie and Alicia. As I chomped down on my meal, I was pretty sure I heard the distinct words of, "Fred, Angelina and getting them together."

I knew I was in for trouble, because Alicia is one of the most stubborn people I've ever met. She's so stubborn, that if she puts on an appalling outfit and she KNOWS it's appalling, but you insist on telling her this, she won't bother to change just because you voiced your opinion and because she picked the outfit out.

I also happen to know that Katie can be very determined and ambitious, when she puts her mind to it. Combine these assets together and you have complete chaos. Especially when it's your two best friends attempting to play matchmaker.

Could it get any worse? Oh wait, this is my life we're talking about so of course it can!

To make matters worse, Dumbledore announced there wasn't going to be a House Cup match this year, because of some Tri-Wizard Tournament. At this, the boys seemed to go stark raving mad. They kept muttering obscenities to themselves and even Alicia had uttered a few quick but fierce curses under her breath.

Fred even roared out, "You're JOKING!" Most people laughed, with the exception of the entire Slytherin table.

Dumbledore explained how it worked and that contenders from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang would be arriving in October, along with their supervisors. I faintly heard Katie squeal about "hot, new guy exchange students." Though it was typical, smirk-worthy Katie, I had to admit, she had a good idea. Maybe I could meet some hot French guy and forget all about Fred!

Dumbledore also mentioned that there would be prize money of a thousand Galleons and at this, Fred's face lit up and I knew he would try to get a spot as a contestant.

But of course, there was a catch. An age limit. You have to be at least 17 or older to even be considered. I knew both George and Fred had to be red with rage at that rule. Knowing them, I wouldn't doubt it if they were scheming at some way to get around it.

We also were informed of our new DADA teacher, Professor Moody. I heard a few people call him 'Mad-Eye Moody' to be exact. He's kind of intimidating if you ask me. Like one of those old war Veterans that will bite your head off if you don't discuss politics with them and favor their side.

After the feast, Fred convinced all of us, meaning Lee, George, Katie, Alicia and myself to sneak out onto the Qudditch pitch. It had kind of become a tradition, if you will. None of us can really remember who got the bright idea. It was probably one of the twins. Anyway, we waited until the castle was relatively asleep and then met down in the common room. It was a little past midnight and the only animate object was the roaring fire.

The boys were already down there when I arrived, along with Alicia.

"Where's Katie?" I hissed to Alicia.

Alicia and I shared a dorm, but since Katie was a year younger than we were, she had different roommates. Alicia shrugged, then grinned.

"Probably putting on makeup to impress Lee," she quietly snickered.

I snorted at that one. Katie was absolutely horrible at flirting with Lee, mainly because Lee was so bloody clueless whenever she attempted to flirt with him. Honestly, he was almost as bad as Ron! Believe me, it's not secret that behind all that quarreling, Ron and Hermione have the hots for each other.

"Why does it always take girls an hour to get ready, when it takes guys five?" George mused aloud, shooting a smirk at Alicia.

Alicia stuck her tongue out at George and the other two guys laughed.

"Because, dear Georgie, girls actually care about how they look. Guys just throw on whatever doesn't smell rancid and walk out the door," she explained.

"Amen to that!" I softly cheered, giving Alicia a high-five.

Fred rolled his eyes.

"Girls," he scoffed.

Just then, Katie thundered down the stairs and to my side.

"Quiet woman! Do you want all of England to hear you?" Lee teased, though to a degree, serious.

Katie blushed a bright pink. Or maybe it was because she'd piled on too much rouge.

"Sorry. I couldn't see that well in the dark," she apologized, sheepishly.

"All right, all right. Are we going to go? If we stay here any longer, we're going to get caught. And I don't think Mum will appreciate an OWL about disorderly conduct the first day back," George impatiently guessed.

"George's right, for once. Let's get a move on," I ordered.

Now, like I've said before, I don't mind a bit of mischief now and then. You kind of half to expect it, when you run around with the twins and Lee. But getting busted by McGonagall or even worse, Snape, was something I did not want to stick around to endure.

Fred and George led the way, since they've memorized practically every secret passageway into or out of the school. We didn't want to attract too much attention to ourselves, so only George, who was the leader, had his wand as a flashlight.

By chance, I was shuffling behind Fred. That newfound tension between us started to arise again, because quite a few times, George stopped short without warning us and I unwillingly bumped into Fred.

He didn't seem to mind, but after the seventh time, got so annoyed that he just grabbed my hand, in order for a better guide. I heard Alicia and Katie commence their suspicious whispering once more and I could only sigh. I really shouldn't have been holding Fred's hand…but on the other hand, I couldn't force myself to let go.

His hand was so much bigger than mind that I felt somewhat protected. Secure. And it was all strange thinking this about the one guy that I first and for most saw as "just one of the guys", than of romantic interest but everything had changed.

I knew that once I'd admitted to myself that I was crushing on Fred, I could never go back.

We finally made it to the pitch and luckily, the stars and moon were so bright, we didn't need our wand light. By then, Fred had let go of my hand, much to my relief and regret.

We all sat near each other, silent at first. Though I came to notice later, that Fred and I were kind of a separate group from everyone else. I found a spot next to Fred, who seemed to be in deep thought. George was sitting relatively close to Alicia, who had Katie on her other side, who in turn, was next to Lee.

"You boys bring the provisions? Katie wondered, glancing at the three.

"As always," Fred confirmed.

Lee grinned and produced two bottles of Butterbeer from underneath his shirt. George tossed out three and Fred handed out another pair. We girls never knew where the boys managed to sneak the stuff in, but I'm guessing Lee brought it from home and the twins had raided the school kitchen.

I opened the bottle and took a small sip, in contrast to Fred's large gulp.

We all sat there, occasionally chatting and joking around while drinking our beverages.

"Angie?" Fred asked.

I turned to him and set my bottle down.

"Yeah?" I wondered, gazing into his eyes.

They really were quite nice. More than nice, in fact. More like amazingly startling. They were startling in the sense that from far away, they looked ordinary. But looks can be deceiving. When viewed up close, they were large and the color of the ocean set behind light and long lashes and contained an everlasting sly and boyish grin. They were the kind of eyes that let the owner get away with anything.

"We're pretty close friends, right?" he questioned, peering at me intently.

I nodded, unsure of what he was getting at.

"Right."

He took another sip of his Butterbeer before continuing.

"And since we're such good friends, you'd tell me if I was ever acting like a total prat, right?"

I laughed at this, still confused as to his point.

"Don't I tell you that about six times a day?" I teased.

He chuckled, grinning.

"Yeah, must have escaped my mind. Anyway, seriously, if there was something I was acting a complete idiot about, you'd let me know, right?" he persisted, his tone once again genuine with seriousness.

"Of course," I anxiously replied.

I was getting nervous because I knew we were having another one of those weird moments that we could never talk about again, like the time he said he'd consider going out with me.

His eyes seemed to be even bluer in the moonlight. My stomach twisted into knots. Was this whole twenty-question routine connected to me?

"Brilliant. So here's the problem. Autumn Fitzgerald asked me out the same day as Kaci Emerson. Would I be a total prat if I went out with them on the same day, but different times? I'd feel bad rejecting one of them," Fred eagerly informed, all the sobriety of his tone vanished.

Disappointment filled me. And then I scolded myself. Because why was I getting my hopes up in the first place? This was Fred Weasley, not Mr. Right.

Mr. Right wouldn't break my heart or talk about other girls in front of me. But Fred Weasley would. I had to stop thinking that Fred would undergo some miraculous change of character and face the harsh reality of it all.

Once a player, always a player.

I felt stupid for thinking Fred had been talking about me. I mean, what was I thinking? I immediately stood up and in result, accidentally kicked over my bottle of butterbeer.

"Hey, where are you going?" Fred curiously demanded.

Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed Katie, Lee, George and Alicia all cease conversation and slowly turn to observe the unfolding scene. I ignored them and focused my attention at Fred.

God, did he look cute when he was confused. With this thought, I grew even more upset.

I glared at him, livid with rage at his question and myself. He was completely surprised at my sudden outburst and frowned at my change in disposition.

"You asked me to tell you when you were acting like a total prat. Well, now's a good time as any!"

And before he could protest, I stormed back to the castle and back to my dorm. Without changing back into my pajamas, I buried myself under the covers and cursed myself for acting so lame.

If Fred didn't figure it out now, there was no use in trying.