Disclaimer: I won Harry Potter in a poker game with J.K last night. Or maybe not. I can't even play poker!
A/N: Don't die of shock! I know this is unbelievably fast for me. Thanks for the wonderful reviews of course. This is coming along nicely now and things are going to speed up now. PoA is my fave book and I know I won't be able to resist a little appearance from Sirius but we'll see what happens with that.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 26
As Alicia emerged onto Platform nine and three quarters the Hogwarts Express belched a cloud of smoke in greeting and she smiled. She had a good feeling about this year. Deep down she knew it was Oliver's last year but she'd pushed that to the back of her mind. Across the platform she spotted him talking animatedly to Matt. She didn't have to know how to lip read to realise he was talking about Quidditch. Probably some revolutionary play he came up with over the break.
Somewhere near the end of the train Katie stuck her blonde head out a window and beckoned Alicia. Excitedly she dragged her luggage down to the compartment with Angelina and Katie. The three of them hugged and then headed back out to say good bye to their families.
Alicia went to farewell her father and Erica. Her mother hadn't been able to make it because she was called in work. Silently Alicia was glad. The last thing she wanted was for her parents to make a scene in the middle of the platform.
"See you at Christmas if you decide you can bear it," her dad said forlornly. Alicia knew he wanted her to go home for the holidays. Now that Erica had moved out it was only her parents left at home.
"I'll see what happens," she promised and hugged him tightly then moved onto her big sister. "Say hi to Charlie for me."
"Leesh, I've told you a thousand times! I do not have time to accept Charlie's invitation! I have too much work to do at the Ministry," she sighed.
Alicia rolled her eyes. "You do not. You just don't want to see him."
"Either way it's none of your business," she sniffed.
"You don't want to see him because you looove him!" Alicia goaded.
"Don't be stupid, Alicia. Get on the train before I hex you."
"Bye bye!" she sauntered off. Then she stopped and called over her shoulder. "Give Charlie a kiss from me when you see him!"
Erica's cheeks reddened and she turned to her father. "Did you hear what she just said!?"
David just held up his hands. "I'm not going to get in the middle of this. I value my life, thank you very much."
"I don't love Charlie, you know."
"I never say you did."
"Well, I'm just telling you not to even bother thinking it because I don't have any feelings for him. I haven't seen him in ages and-"
Her sister's voice faded away as Alicia jumped back on the train. Katie and Angelina were already sitting in the compartment talking about the latest Sirius Black news. Alicia slipped past them and began to fiddle around in her backpack.
As the train began to pull away she sat down beside Angelina and tried to jump into the conversation without attracting any attention. Unfortunately, Katie happened to glance at her.
"My mum says that it's not-" suddenly she stopped talking and stared at Alicia, blue eyes unbelievably wide. "What is that!?"
"What's what?" Alicia flushed uncomfortably. Angelina turned to her and she gasped. She leant in for a closer look.
"That's a prefect badge!"
Alicia looked down at the shiny badge pinned to her Gryffindor shirt. Both girls gaped at her and she shrugged nonchalantly. "I found out two weeks ago. It's no big deal."
"It is a big deal!" Katie said. "Oooh! Do the boys know yet?"
"No."
Angelina clapped her hands. "Can I tell them? Let me tell them, Leesh! Please!"
"No! I should get to tell them!" Katie insisted.
"Not a chance, Bell! I get to tell them! I can't wait to see their faces when they find out she's a Prefect!"
Both girls howled with laughter and Alicia adjusted the badge awkwardly. "I was kinda hoping they wouldn't notice."
"Hello?!" Angelina waved her hand in front of her friend's face. "The thing's pinned to your chest! They're going to notice whether they mean to or not."
"Do you think they'll be mad?" Alicia asked quietly.
The girls exchanged a glance but before they could answer there was a knock at the door and Oliver poked his head in.
He burst in and rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Ah! Here you three are! My favourite Chasers!"
"We're your only Chasers, Wood," Alicia said mildly.
He just smiled. "How was your summer? Did you see - blimey! You're a Prefect!"
Angelina gave Alicia an 'I told you so' look. She groaned and covered her face with her hands.
"That's brilliant, Leesh, really. You'll be a great prefect," he assured her and touched her shoulder. She looked up and smiled weakly.
"That's my girl" He winked and Alicia almost fell off her seat but she managed to hold it together as he sat down beside Katie and began to explain a new strategy he came up with.
He'd barely started when the door slid open and the twins entered, followed closely by Lee. Fred greeted Angelina with a passionate kiss and as they broke apart she smiled cheekily. "Guess who's a prefect!"
He turned to Katie and she jabbed a thumb at Alicia who was shrinking into the corner. The boys swore in unison and stared openly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" George demanded.
"I didn't want to bother you while you were in Egypt," Alicia lied.
"A Prefect?" Lee put a hand to his forehead and sat down heavily.
"You're like a female Percy!" Fred spat.
"No I'm bloody well not!" Alicia stood up, suddenly angry. "I'm a Prefect and there's nothing you can do about it!"
Fred glared at her then pulled a Dungbomb from his pocket and shoved it under her nose. "Going to take points from me, Spinnet?"
"Term hasn't started yet."
Her answer threw Fred slightly and he frowned. But he quickly recovered like the Weasley twin that he was. "Shouldn't you be in the prefect carriage with your friends?"
"There's no rule that says I can't sit in here." She put her hands on her hips. The others looked on worriedly. "If you have a problem with my being here I suggest you leave because I'm not going anywhere!"
"I think we've had quite enough of that," Angelina said forcefully. The pair retreated to opposite corners of the compartment and silence reigned.
"So.what about this whole Sirius Black mess," Katie said shakily.
Thankfully a conversation started and Alicia was free to think murderous thoughts. Fred was wondering if she really would take points from him while George stared out the window. Alicia was a prefect. He fancied a prefect.
A Weasley twin and a prefect? Highly unlikely.
While the others talked amongst themselves Oliver whispered to Alicia. "Are you all right?"
"Your concern is sweet but I'm perfectly fine. You're forgetting that I've known Fred for most of my life. I know what he's like. He doesn't get to me," she replied.
"Well, if he gives you anymore trouble just let me know."
She chuckled lightly. "And what would you possibly do?"
"To tell you the truth, I haven't thought that far ahead. I'll think of something eventually."
"No need, Olly. I can handle him."
By the time the witch came around with the food trolley, everyone had forgotten about the disagreement and they were having a heated discussion about Quidditch.
"All I'm saying is that they ought to do a review of the fouls before the World Cup next year," Angelina said.
"A review will only cause trouble," Oliver insisted.
"Besides, it would take too long to look at all seven hundred fouls," Lee said, his mouth full of pumpkin pasty.
"They should only take a look at some of the unclear ones then," Angelina replied testily.
George and Fred were sitting in the corner eating Every Flavour Beans and listening to them debate. George suddenly gagged and spat a chewed up bean into his hand.
"I though it would be chocolate," he explained to Alicia who was sitting across from them. "Turns out it was dirt."
Alicia smiled and shook her head as he went to throw it out the window. She'd never been brave enough to eat the beans. Especially since George stumbled upon that bogey flavoured one when they were younger.
"Want it, 'Licia?" Fred held out a pink bean. She bit back a nasty reply and simply shook her head. "It's strawberry. I swear."
Everyone had stopped to watch, dreading another fight. Alicia stuck out her hand and Fred dropped the bean into her palm. She peered at it closely, noticing he'd nibbled at the corner. At least it wasn't poisonous then.
The two of them used to give her the strawberry ones when they were younger but they hadn't done it in ages. She eyed Fred carefully. "It's not brain flavoured or anything?"
He shook his head. She shrugged and popped the bean in her mouth. She chewed tentatively and was relieved to find it actually was strawberry. Alicia realised that was about as close to apologising as Fred would get so she thanked him. Everyone relaxed.
By mid-afternoon it had begun to rain heavily and the group had fallen into a weary silence. Katie had actually fallen asleep with her head on Lee's shoulder. Needless to say, Lee was very pleased with himself. The train continued north and Alicia found herself nodding off with her head against the window. Rain always made her feel sleepy.
She was about to surrender when the train began to slow down. Everyone groaned and stretched their cramped muscles. Alicia looked at her watch then peered out the window. The bright lights of Hogsmeade station couldn't be seen anywhere in the distance.
"We can't possibly be there yet," she frowned.
"Why are we stopping then?"
The Hogwarts Express jolted to a stop and Alicia's backpack flew out of the luggage rack and hit Angelina in the head.
"Whoops" She smiled apologetically as Angelina rubbed her head and Fred laughed. She went and grabbed her bag from Angelina and threw it back on the rack. Before she could return to her seat the lamps all went out.
Alicia reeled backward in surprise and stepped on Lee's outstretched foot. He yelped which jolted Katie awake and she began to scream hysterically. Alicia stumbled and tripped on someone else's foot. Thankfully she landed on someone's lap. By the sound of it, that someone happened to Oliver.
"Nice catch," she whispered shakily.
"Alicia? Are you all right?" George asked urgently.
"I'm fine! I landed on Oliver!" she called over Katie's shrieks.
"Katie! Relax! The lamps went out for some reason and - hey! Watch where you're elbowing!" Lee gasped.
As her eyes slowly adjusted, Alicia could just make out her friend's silhouettes. They were all beginning to stand up and make for the door. But it was one confused muddle.
"All right!" Angelina yelled. "Whose damn hand was that?"
"That might have been me," George said meekly.
"Someone's stepping on my robes!" There was a loud rip and Fred swore.
Alicia pulled her wand from her pocket and lit it. Everyone froze. Only then did Alicia realise she was still sitting on Oliver. "Uh, everyone stay here. I'll go find out what's wrong. I'll have more luck finding out what happened." She tapped her badge importantly.
She slid off Oliver's lap and cautiously opened the door. She was about to step into the corridor when there was a high pitched scream and someone came hurtling into the compartment. Alicia and the intruder fell in a tangled heap. Angelina picked up Alicia's wand as it skittered across the floor and directed the light on them.
"MALFOY!"
Alicia wrenched her arm out from under the Slytherin boy and struggled to her feet. Malfoy grabbed her robes and pulled himself up. Even in the low light nobody could miss the terror on his face.
"What? What is it?" Alicia demanded.
He tugged at her robes. "It was going to get me!"
Resisting the urge to slap him Alicia spoke a little more gently this time. "What was going to get you? Tell me, Malfoy!"
He didn't get to answer. Right there in the doorway a tall, hooded figure turned it's hidden face from side to side as it surveyed the occupants of the compartment. The students all gasped and took a step back from the door. The figure drew a shuddering breath and Malfoy began to splutter incoherently.
A fierce cold swept over Alicia and she barely noticed when Malfoy pushed her and she lurched forward, stopping a mere foot from the figure. It was as if a cold hand had reached into her chest and squeezed her heart. Her head swam and she fell to her knees.
Then she became vaguely aware of a pair of strong arms dragging her back. She struggled for breath and warm arms were wrapped around her protectively. When she looked up at the door the mysterious figure had gone and Malfoy slipped out quickly.
The lights flickered back on and the train began to move again.
"That stupid, filthy rat!" someone yelled. Alicia thought it might have been Angelina.
"Did you see how he just pushed her!?" George exclaimed angrily.
"Lucky you grabbed her, Oliver," Fred added.
Alicia swiveled to find herself lying back in Oliver's arms. She was too comfortable to move so she just leant back against his chest.
"Are you all right?" Katie asked anxiously.
"I think so."
"What was it anyway?" Angelina wondered.
"A Dementor," Lee said softly.
Everyone stared at him. "Are you sure?"
"Of course. What else would it be? I bet it was looking for Black."
"Sirius Black.on the Hogwarts Express?" Katie shivered.
"It's cold," Alicia mumbled.
Oliver put his arms tightly around her. "It's all right now."
George turned his back on them quickly and addressed Lee. "Isn't there some remedy or something?"
"Chocolate."
"Does anyone have chocolate?"
They all began to search their bags and pockets. There was not a single piece of chocolate in the compartment.
"I have half a squashed peanut butter sandwich," Fred offered kindly.
"Uh, no thanks. I'm feeling better anyway."
George helped her to her feet and she shyly thanked Oliver. "I wasn't going to let a Dementor get one of my star Chasers," he said casually.
Alicia rolled her eyes at his modesty. "You're as bad as Harry."
George frowned to himself and took his seat again. The comparison to Harry was totally inappropriate. Harry had faced You-Know-Who three times now and he'd survived. All Oliver did was pull Alicia away from the Dementor. Nothing particularly daring or heroic about it. In fact, George would have done the same thing in a heartbeat. It was just dumb luck that Oliver was in the best position to grab her.
Just dumb luck.
***************
After the feast, Alicia and a sixth year prefect named Jamie took the first years up to Gryffindor Tower and gave them the usual run down. Then the two of them headed back out to attend a prefect meeting.
"I've seen a lot of first years come through but I don't think I've ever seen a bunch look so frightened," Jamie said as they walked towards the library.
"Well, having a Dementor burst into your compartment doesn't sound like a real friendly welcome."
"I heard Harry fainted when one came to his compartment."
Alicia nodded. She'd heard that, too. She didn't doubt it for a second. "Poor kid. I was hoping he'd have an easier time this year."
"I wouldn't be worried about him. You should be more concerned with how you're going to survive this year," he said mysteriously.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see."
And she did see.
"I want to make sure that students don't even think about breaking rules! Those that do break them will be punished accordingly!"
Alicia just stared at Percy. He'd been talking for half an hour. He had only stopped when Professor Dumbledore came to address them about the Dementors and other general stuff. As soon as the Headmaster left he began to rant again.
"I want everyone to understand what will happen to them if they break the rules. If we have to make examples of some students we will!"
Alicia rested her chin in her hand. If she squinted in just the right way Percy almost looked like Hitler. Interesting. She was tempted to raise her arm in salute but decided against it.
"In preparation for the next meeting I want you all to memorise this list of forbidden items." He and the Head Girl began to pass out thick piles of parchment.
"He's got to be kidding!" Meenal, one of the Hufflepuff Prefects in her year, whispered. "There's over four hundred items!"
Alicia flicked through the pages and felt like stabbing herself with her badge. Between homework and Quidditch she wasn't going to have any life whatsoever.
"Check your house notice boards regularly for information, otherwise we'll meet every Thursday evening after dinner."
Alicia cleared her throat timidly. "Uh, Perce- I mean, Percy. Umm.sir?" What the bloody hell was she supposed to call him? Your Excellency?
He ignored her stammering and shuffled his stack of meaningless parchment loudly. "What is it, Spinnet?"
"Uh, it's just that I have Quidditch practice on Thursday evening."
"Well, you'll just have to make a decision. What's more important to you?"
Alicia pretended to think for a moment then she smiled brightly and batted her lashes at him. "The meeting of course."
"Good to see you've got your priorities in the right place." Percy stood up, looking very pleased with himself. Like he was responsible for Alicia's choice or something. "The rest of you would do well to take a leaf out of her book."
Alicia wrapped a curl around her finger and bit her lower lip. She was the epitome of innocence and Percy smiled at her like a professor might smile at a star student. She gave a large, sugary sigh and gazed at the shiny tabletop. "I guess I'll just have to tell Oliver I'll be coming to the meetings instead. I'm sure he'll understand."
The smile gone, Percy dropped his armload of parchment everywhere. He knew very well Oliver would flip his lid if he found out Alicia wouldn't be attending training because of his meeting. One thing he didn't want to face, Head Boy or not, was Oliver Wood's wrath. "On second thought, we wouldn't want you to miss Quidditch. Let's just change the meeting time to Tuesday evening."
Alicia helped him retrieve his parchment. "I really don't want to be any trouble."
He smiled weakly. "No trouble."
"Thanks!" she said cheerfully and handed him his crumpled papers.
Percy shakily called the meeting to a close and Alicia strode from the room with Meenal at her heels.
"How the hell did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Get him to change the meeting time like that!"
"Oh, that. It's just an old trick." Alicia shrugged nonchalantly. "I haven't had to do it for a while though. I'm glad it still works."
"It's wicked! You gotta teach me how to do it sometime!" Meenal pleaded.
"Oh no, darling. Such natural talent cannot be taught," she drawled haughtily.
Meenal just laughed. "I really should take points from you for manipulating the Head Boy. Perhaps make an example of you?"
Alicia opened her mouth to reply but someone cut her off.
"Spinnet!" Percy was walking quickly towards them, waving his arm about. "I'm glad I caught up with you. I was hoping I could have a word with you."
"Good luck." Meenal smirked and turned off to head for the Hufflepuff common room.
"Of course." Alicia smiled hesitantly as Percy joined her.
They walked in silence for a moment before Percy finally spoke up. "You're an ambitious girl?"
"I don't know."
"Yes, you are ambitious," he answered for her.
"Um. Ok. I guess I am then."
"You're friendly with Fred and George Weasley?"
"Of course I am. You know that, Percy." She eyed him in confusion. He was talking as if they didn't know each other at all.
"You understand that you can't give them any special treatment."
"I realise that. Percy, what's this about?"
He readjusted his glasses so they sat even higher on his nose but didn't answer. Alicia could remember the time Fred and George charmed his glasses so they stuck to his face. She even remembered when they were only ten and they covered all his clothes in itching powder. Poor Percy had rolled around the back garden in his underwear, scratching like crazy.
The memory made her giggle and Percy gave her a startled look. "Is something funny?"
"No, no. Go on."
"This may be a little hard for you to hear, but I think Fred and George are in possession of forbidden items."
Alicia gasped in mock surprise and slapped her hand over her mouth.
"I'm afraid so," he said with a grave nod. "That's why I want you to help me. You're close to them so I thought you could just make note of any items you see them with."
Alicia really did gasp this time. "You want me to spy on the twins?!"
"Not spy exactly, just keep an eye on them and report back to me."
"That's spying!" Alicia folded her arms. "I won't do it."
"Be reasonable-"
"No."
"It'll only be for a while-"
"No."
"At least think it over-"
"No way. Not a chance in hell." She quickened her pace and quickly pulled away from him. By the time she stopped in front of the Fat Lady she was more than a little peeved. "Fortuna Major."
She swung forward lazily to admit her. She stomped into the common room, having worked herself into quite a state. A fourth year boy and girl were snogging in front of the fire and Alicia went into psycho-prefect mode. The two of them couldn't get out of the room fast enough.
The portrait opened again and Alicia dashed upstairs to avoid Percy. Angelina and Katie were still up reading a Quidditch magazine. They both peered at Alicia curiously as she slammed the door and swore.
Angelina giggled. "Bad day, honey?"
Alicia ignored her and threw the list of forbidden items across the room. She dug her pajamas out of her bag then stormed into the bathroom.
"Wonder what's got her in a tizz," Katie said idly.
***************
The next morning Alicia was still in a 'tizz'. She ended up sleeping right through breakfast and she had only just dressed when Angelina and Katie returned.
"Why didn't you guys wake me up?" she demanded.
"We thought you could do with the rest."
"I'll decide if I need rest!"
"Relax," Katie soothed. "Here, have a timetable."
Alicia snatched it rather abruptly from her hand and studied it. "Oh, that's bloody fantastic! Double Potions first up!"
Angelina exchanged a glance with Katie. "Leesh, are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine," she snapped. "Let's go already."
They grabbed their bags and headed down to the common room. Halfway to class, Alicia realised she'd forgotten her Prefect badge so she had to go back while the others headed for the dungeons. As a result, Alicia was late for class.
"I'd expect better from a prefect," Snape sneered.
Of course, he took points from Gryffindor and Alicia glared at him. As he led them through the ingredients for a new potion she couldn't keep images of Jasmine out of her head. Maybe that explained why Snape hated her so much. Then again, he hated all Gryffindors. Maybe that was her mother's fault.
"Are you all right?" George whispered to her as Snape's back was turned.
"Have Angelina and Katie been blabbing?" she hissed.
George looked confused then shook his head slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. But you've been staring at Snape all lesson and you haven't written anything."
She looked down at her blank parchment. "Oh," was all she could manage.
Things only got worse when they had to make the potion. Snape deliberately paired Alicia with a particularly foul Slytherin boy who kept 'accidentally' touching her arse.
The fourth time is happened she looked up from the rat kidney she was cutting up and pointed the knife at him. "Do that again and I'll make sure you never reproduce."
"That's no way for a prefect to talk," he said with an unsettling leer.
She narrowed her eyes and he retreated to the other side of the cauldron so he was out of her reach.
The only thing that cheered her up was Defence Against the Dark Arts that afternoon. At their request, Professor Lupin had given them a special lesson about Dementors. On the way out they all thanked him earnestly.
"It's about time we got a decent Dark Arts teacher," Angelina commented as they returned to Gryffindor Tower. She still had nightmares about Lockhart.
"Hopefully Lupin won't leave like the rest of them," Katie added.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: This chapter was so easy to write! It just flowed. Aaah. I'm in the zone! I don't why this chapter was so quick to write. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my brother and sister have gone back to school and I have the computer to myself. But I tend to think it's the weather down here in beautiful Australia. Where I live it was like 44 degrees Celsius today. That's around 111 degrees Fahrenheit in case you're wondering. Mental, I know.
Enough about the crazy weather! Next chapter should be out soon if I stay on a roll and it will concern the drama of Halloween night! And possibly the match against Hufflepuff. Now to my reviewers cause I'm in such a terrific mood!
The Pink Togue: Hiya! I haven't emailed in awhile but I promise I will soon. I enrolled for university yesterday! It's really cool. I'm doing a combination of English and communications units for my first semester. In second semester I'm actually doing a philosophy unit! That should be interesting. Lol.
Ashlee: I'm not going to confirm whether it is or isn't Snape. I don't think I'll be able to add anymore clues without making it blatantly obvious though. I already thought it was too obvious!
Mystical: Same as above! Hehe. Yeah, you don't have to worry about that really till the sequel. I'm glad it's interesting. I was worried it would be boring because it's really only what happened in the books. It's hard to be suspenseful when everyone knows what's going to happen!
Laverne de Montmorency: A Draco Malfoy club? I don't know if Jasmine would be eager to join but I wouldn't mind. I never really liked Draco all that much but I've been reading lots of stories about him recently. I think I'm turning into one of those pervy fan girls! Yay! #5! Since I only got into HP after GoF was out I've never had to wait for a book but now I know how excruciating it is!
Twilight's Mysteries: Thanks. I agree. Too many George/Hermione fics around. Sorry if anyone reading this likes them but they aren't my thing.
Eriador: I should probably be insulted! Yes, there is an Australia Day but of course we only celebrate it here and the rest of the world couldn't give a stuff. That's the way we like it though! Hehe. Yep. It's good just to take the spotlight off Harry for a moment. I like to think I'm doing J.K a favour.
Oliverwoodschic: Here you go! I got it out nice and fast for you this time! A divorce is unlikely at this point. But who knows what will happen when my mind is in charge?
VanessatheMagnificent: Hi! It's good to be back! I'm not really one of those people who demands that everyone reviews. I'm always reading and not reviewing. Mainly because I'm stupid and lazy. But I'm just pleased people are actually reading my stuff. Reviews are helpful though! Ah, I'm such a damn hypocrite.