Disclaimer: Guess what? I don't own Harry Potter! I know it must be quite a surprise for you.
A/N: Thanks for your lovely reviews. I was a little worried about the reaction I'd get for that chapter. I'm glad you all still love me! Sorry it took so long. I started university and I already have to make a class presentation this month. It's damn ridiculous.
Alicia and Oliver have their 'talk' in this chapter. It won't really be a fluffy snog-fest so it should be safe enough to read. This chapter will also involve the Christmas holidays.
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Chapter 29
Alicia was sitting by the lake, watching the giant squid's tentacles glide over the surface of the shimmering water. The majority of the school was in Hogsmeade drinking Butterbeer and having a wonderful time celebrating the end of term. A savage wind blew and Alicia shivered. She hadn't been able to find her cloak so she was left with her thin Gryffindor jumper. Well, at least it wasn't snowing.
She'd been waiting for Oliver for nearly ten minutes now. He had slipped a note into her Transfiguration homework the night before. Apparently he wanted to 'talk'. The only time he knew they'd be assured privacy was on Hogsmeade weekend.
"Should I be worried?" Alicia asked. "He's hardly looked at me since the…incident. What if I'm a bad kisser?"
"Who're you talking to?" Alicia jumped. Oliver smiled and sat down beside her. "Jumpy aren't you?"
"Do you blame me? You could have been Sirius Black or a Dementor, or worse…Percy," she shuddered.
"It's only me. Sorry, it just took awhile to sneak out. So who were you talking to?"
"Neptune."
Oliver frowned. "As in the Roman god?"
"No. As in the giant squid."
"I didn't know it has a name," Oliver said, looking mildly surprised.
"I took it upon myself to give him one," Alicia said. Oliver smiled and shook his head. "Is there a problem with that?"
"No. It's just odd," Oliver said, trying to hide his amusement, but failing miserably. "You talk to the squid."
"The squid has a name," she said tersely. Then she wrapped her arms around herself to trap some warmth.
"You brought me out here to talk about Neptune?" she snapped.
"No. I want to talk about us."
Alicia's heart skipped. She hadn't even realised they warranted an 'us', yet. That had to be a good sign. "What about us?" she asked as casually as was humanly possible.
Oliver crossed his legs then picked at a tuft of grass by his knee. He looked like he was considering his words carefully. After a second of contemplation, he realised there was no easy way to say it. "We stepped over the line."
Alicia snorted at his choice of words. "Honey, we took a flying leap over the line." She saw the resigned look on his face and continued quickly, "But you have to realise we can't go back."
"I know," he replied. "So what do you do when you can't go back?"
Alicia blinked away tears. He was trying to let her down gently. She opened her mouth to tell him not to bother but he held up his hand. "Let me answer. When you can't go back, Leesh, you either stay where you are or move forward. We both know it's irrational to think we can keep avoiding each other, so we can't stay where we are…" he trailed off.
"Then we have to move forward," Alicia finished slowly, struggling to wrap her frazzled mind around his words.
"Precisely." Oliver shuffled a little closer to her. His heart was thumping and his palms were sweaty. The only other time he felt this nervous was the morning of a game. But Quidditch was something he understood while this whole expression of feelings thing was completely new and confusing.
Alicia asked, "So, what's the next logical step after snogging in the shower?"
"Snogging by the lake," he answered without a hint of hesitation.
"Ah, I like your logic, Wood." Alicia gave her best beguiling smile. It seemed to work because Oliver leant over and kissed her. As she settled into his warm embrace, Alicia's mind was spinning. What would Angelina and Katie say? What would George say?
Furthermore, what would Percy say?
Oliver must have felt her smile because he pulled back slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she assured him. "I was just thinking about Percy."
Oliver's eyebrows disappeared into his hair. "You were thinking about Percy while we were kissing? Alicia, that's…disturbing."
"Not like that! I was just imagining his reaction when he finds out we're together. I'm sure he'll find a reason to disapprove."
At this, Oliver began to look uncomfortable. He withdrew, leaving Alicia feeling oddly alone. He started to pull out random blades of grass and balance them on his knee. Alicia was on the verge of a panic attack. She'd obviously said something wrong. Why hadn't she kept her mouth shut?
"That's also what I wanted to talk about," Oliver said without looking at his companion. He heard her teeth chattering so he promptly shrugged off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
"Thanks," she mumbled half-heartedly. She was still trying to discern what she could have said to make his mood plummet so dramatically.
"I think we should keep this a secret for a while," Oliver finally blurted unceremoniously.
Alicia stopped biting her nails to gape at him. "A secret, as in we don't tell anyone?"
"That's usually what a secret entails," he replied dryly.
"Why keep it a secret?" she demanded. "Are you ashamed of me or something?"
"Of course not! That's ridiculous!" He suddenly turned and grasped her forearm. "Think about it clearly for a moment. I'm the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain and you're my Chaser."
"So? There isn't a rule against us dating. Trust me, I know, Percy has forced me to read the school rules seven times already."
"I know that it's perfectly within the rules! But imagine the sensation we'd cause. I'd be accused of favouritism and everyone will think you're only on the team because I fancy you."
Alicia had a sudden, alarming thought. "Is that why I'm on the team?"
"Come on, Licia, you know me better than that. You're on the team because you're an excellent Chaser,"
Oliver said firmly, leaving no room for arguments. "But others won't see it that way. With the Slytherins fanning the fire, things will get out of hand quickly. You have to believe I only want to protect you from rumours and slander."
Alicia almost threw her arms around him. Instead, she settled herself with grabbing his hand. So, he wanted to protect her. Well, that changed everything. Alicia quite liked the idea of having a knight in shining armour. "All right, we keep it a secret."
"Brilliant." he smiled and placed a small kiss on her temple. "It's freezing out here. How about we head inside?"
"The library should be deserted. Want to go there?" Alicia asked, hoping to spend some more time with him. If they were serious about keeping their relationship a secret then any moment spent alone would be precious.
"Sure," he said, pulling his hand from her icy grip and sweeping the grass off his knee. "I want to check out some Quidditch books anyway."
Alicia chuckled as he helped her to her feet. "Why am I not surprised?"
The two of them wandered the empty corridors of the library for a few hours. Oliver left with his arms full of books. The castle was beginning to fill up as they headed back up to Gryffindor Tower. Oliver's pile of books wavered as the crowd jostled around them. Alicia managed to grab hold of one particularly fat book just before he dropped it.
He blew a strand of hair from his face. "Thanks."
"No problem. You know, I always figured you would have read every single Quidditch book in the library," Alicia admitted.
Oliver turned to her and grinned. "I have. Three times each."
She giggled. "You need a life."
"I have a life," he replied indignantly. "It just happens to be a very boring and pointless life."
"Just wait till you leave Hogwarts. You'll be living the high life of a pro Quidditch player in no time."
"High life?"
"Don't you ever read tabloids?" she said. "There's more to Quidditch than meets the eye. Behind the scenes it's a hotbed of love affairs, drugs scandals, illegitimate children…"
"You're scaring me," Oliver said seriously.
"Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, baby. You can't escape it," Alicia teased.
"All I want to do is play Quidditch. Is that too much to ask for?"
"These days it is. It's all about money now. Endorsements, advertisements, interviews, partnerships…"
"Shut up. You're doing that deliberately to frighten me," Oliver said as he nudged her with his elbow.
Alicia just laughed as they followed a wind blown huddle of fourth years into the common room. With a tiny wink Alicia added the book to Oliver's pile and skipped upstairs. Angelina and Katie were sitting together on Alicia's bed when she entered.
"You feeling better, dear?"
Alicia smiled at Katie and nodded. She'd told them she was feeling under the weather so they wouldn't question her reasons for staying behind. At first Alicia had felt bad about lying to them but it was only really a small white lie. Nothing major.
"Where were you?" Angelina asked, not looking up from her Quidditch magazine.
"In the library by myself. I was just doing a bit of reading. Nothing exciting."
Angelina finally managed to tear her eyes away from the magazine. Alicia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear innocently as Angelina frowned at her curiously.
"Whose cloak is that you're wearing?" she asked.
Oh, hell.
"It's mine, silly," Alicia said with a nervous giggle.
"No it isn't," Angelina said simply. "I borrowed yours today because mine's dirty. It's hanging by the door."
Alicia turned around and sure enough her cloak was hanging in its familiar spot. She pretended to look surprised. "Ah, so it is."
"Whose cloak is it then?" Katie joined in.
Double hell.
"George's."
"Really? I could have sworn George was wearing his cloak today in Hogsmeade," Angelina said thoughtfully. The faint smile on her lips made Alicia squirm. Something was going on.
"He has two. Now if you're finished with the questions I'd like to take the cloak back to George before dinner," Alicia said briskly.
Katie smothered a giggle. Alicia just glared. "What's so funny?"
"He shares his clothes with you," she answered cheerfully. "I just think it's sweet. Don't you, Angelina?"
"Positively adorable," she replied. "That's a sign of true devotion."
"'True devotion'?" Alicia echoed in confusion. "I think you girls had too much Butterbeer today. I'll see you at dinner."
She turned sharply and stalked from the room. Katie turned to her friend, a look of concern on her face. "I think she's pissed off at us."
Angelina smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Katie nodded vaguely. "Do you think what Fred told us today is true? About George and Alicia, I mean."
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "I'd like to think that I - being one of her best friends and all - would have picked up on it."
"But Fred knows George better than anybody and he noticed it. I just thought Alicia would have told us if anything was going on."
"That's what I thought as well, but she has been acting odd lately…"
Meanwhile, Alicia was stomping up the boys' staircase. She had to sneak across the crowded common room but Fred and George's celebratory fireworks had provided an ample distraction. She stopped in front of Oliver's room with his cloak tucked under her arm. Alicia knocked crisply and the door flew open almost immediately.
It was Percy. "What's wrong? Is there an emergency? Is it time to implement Plan Evac?"
Alicia gave him a weary look. "Nothing's wrong. There's no need to evacuate the school."
"Oh," Percy said, relaxing a millimetre or so. "What did you want to see me about?"
"I didn't actually come to see you."
Matt laughed in the background as Percy turned red. "Perce thinks everybody who comes to the door wants to talk to him."
"I certainly do not think that!" the Head Boy spluttered.
"It's all right. I just want to speak to Oliver for a moment."
There was a sudden scuffling noise in the room and Oliver appeared behind Percy looking slightly disheveled. He peered around her suspiciously. "This is a pleasant surprise, Alicia. Why don't you come in?"
"Technically that's not permitted," Percy interrupted in his authoritative voice. "Need I remind you of rule seven, sub-clause thirteen?"
Alicia rolled her eyes dramatically and slipped past him. Oliver slammed the door shut quickly as he heard footsteps. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked shakily.
Alicia just scowled and threw the cloak at him. "Why didn't you tell me I still had it on?! I just had to lie through my teeth and I don't like lying to my best friends."
Oliver groaned as his roommates looked on in unabashed fascination. Even Percy ceased his preaching to gape. The four boys Oliver shared with knew something was up.
"What's going on here?" Matt demanded after an extended silence.
"Nothing," Oliver said quickly. "Alicia, we'll talk about this later."
"I want to talk about it now!"
"Keep your voice down," he hissed.
"What is it?" Percy asked.
Oliver ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Alicia, feeling oddly rebellious and vindictive, said, "Oliver and I snogged in the shower."
Percy made an odd gurgling noise. Matt laughed and slapped Oliver on the back. The other two just stared in utter amazement. Pink blotches appearing on his cheeks, Percy struggled for words. "But…you can't…not in the shower…I'm sure there's a rule against it…perhaps I'll have to add one…"
Oliver looked indescribably embarrassed and Alicia began to feel guilty. "I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking-"
"Don't worry," he said distractedly. "You better go."
She thought of kissing him goodbye but realised Percy's head would probably explode at the sight. She settled with an apologetic smile.
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Alicia didn't get a chance to talk to Oliver on the train ride home the next day. He did pop his head into the compartment she was sharing with the others. The smile he gave her assured Alicia that he wasn't angry.
At Platform nine and three quarters Alicia was surprised to see Jasmine waiting with her parents. She stood a few feet away from them looking sulky. Her pretty face broke into a smile when she spotted Alicia.
"Jas! I thought you would be staying at Beauxbatons over Christmas!" Alicia exclaimed as she hugged her little sister.
"I was going to but mum and David insisted I come home."
Alicia winced inwardly at the emphasis she put on David's name. Jasmine had always called him dad. She sighed. "It's Christmas, can't you call him dad?"
"I've already told mum that I'll only call him dad if she lets me go to Hogwarts."
"That's blackmail."
"I know."
Alicia decided it was best to leave well enough alone. The two girls returned to their parents and Alicia hugged them both, noticing her father was looking very strained.
"Having a good year?" her mother asked.
"Yep."
"I'm glad." She smiled genuinely. "Let's get home, shall we?"
"Why did they make you come home?" Alicia asked her sister quietly as they wound their way across the busy platform.
"Apparently for some sort of family announcement. Though I still don't see what that has to do with me."
"Jasmine, you know very well that you're a Spinnet," Alicia reminded her as they followed her parents back into the Muggle world.
"I changed my name," Jasmine said abstractly, flicking a strand of brown hair over her shoulder.
"You what?!"
"It's Jasmine Miller now."
Alicia gasped and nearly ran into a pole. Miller was her mother's maiden name. An unfamiliar anger welled up in Alicia. If Jasmine really had changed her surname then it would break her father's heart.
"You can't do that to dad!" Alicia said vehemently. Luckily the crowd of bustling Muggles ensured her parents didn't hear.
"David isn't my real father. Why should I have his name?"
"Because he raised you as his own! Or doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"You don't understand!" Jasmine shrieked. "You know who your father is! You don't know what it's like not knowing who you are."
Alicia spotted tears in the corners of Jasmine's pale eyes and her anger ebbed away. "I know who you are. You're Jasmine Spinnet. My little sister."
"I just wish I knew who my real father was," the younger girl sighed.
Alicia couldn't reply as they had already reached the car and her parents were watching her curiously. Only then did Alicia realise the implications of a 'family announcement'.
They were getting a divorce.
It had to be. Though Alicia didn't want to admit it yet. She climbed into the back seat with Jasmine.
"Mum, what's this I hear about an announcement?"
"You'll find out soon enough. We're going to Erica's flat," Natalie answered. She and David exchanged an unreadable glance and Alicia's stomach dropped.
The ride to the flat was silent. Alicia was deep in thought. By the time they arrived she'd made a decision that it wasn't going to happen if she could help it. She would kick, scream and cry of she had to but her parents were not going to split up again.
Jasmine must have thought along the same lines because she followed her sister upstairs while blinking back tears. If they did separate it would be her fault no matter what they said. She'd been born the first time they were apart so who knew what would happen this time.
"Licia! How's Hogwarts?" Erica threw the door open eagerly.
Alicia jumped in surprise. How could she be so cheerful when her parents were getting a divorce? Alicia swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled. "School is fine. Apart from the whole Black thing of course."
"The Ministry has that under control," Erica assured them. She ushered her family inside and they sat around her kitchen table in a tense silence.
"So," Alicia said to her parents, "what's the announcement?"
They both shook their heads at the same time and Alicia was very confused.
Erica was first to speak. "Alicia, Jasmine…I'm engaged."
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A/N: Ooh. Revelations! I bet you thought they were getting divorced. Actually, you probably saw through me.
Reviewers! Yay!
Eriador- I don't have a boyfriend and it was rather depressing. But I bounce back quickly so I'm over it! Thanks. I can't resist writing romance.
Mystical- Yeah, I don't think I can really do full on fluff. I think George is going to walk in on them in the chapter after next. The next chapter will reveal more about Erica's engagement. So you prefer Scottish!Olly? Well, in that case I'll make him Scottish again. Just for you! Ah, don't you love poetic licence?
Ashlee- My new friend at FA! Hehe. I'm glad you thought it was all right anyway. I don't know if you'll be looking forward to the next few chapters. George is going to have his heart broken. It's going to be difficult to write!
Paradise_or_poison- Who doesn't love a juicy love triangle? The trouble with them is that someone always ends up hurt. Unfortunately it's George in this case. It is too bad Oliver is obsessed with Quidditch. That's his only flaw as far as I'm concerned.
VanessatheMagnificent- Thanks! It was my first time writing a full on kissing scene. There was one scene in Yule Ball but of course that didn't take place in a shower! I hope this one was good even it was boring.
Oliverwoodschic- I sometimes get a little torn as well. The important thing is that I always end up preferring George at the end of the day.
Star2717- I'm really glad you loved it. Your chapter was brilliant as well. This update probably wasn't as soon as you'd hoped but better late than never!
Violante- I looooved your review! There's nothing I adore more than long reviews! I hate it when they aren't together as well. But I'm really just pleased if Alicia's even mentioned in a story! You got the part about the cloak right. As too the identity of her father…well I don't want to say anything because I have a habit of giving things away. I will admit that Jasmine's appearance is pretty important. I really glad you want to see more of Erica and Charlie because I really like them as well. Look out for them in the next chapter!
Daize- You feel sorry for George now? You're going to hate me soon! Poor George is going to have a rough time in coming chapters. I'll probably end up hating myself for making him miserable.
Thanks for reading! I hope I can get the next chapter soon but university is a lot more full on then I thought!