Disclaimer: You caught me. I do own Harry Potter. I also own Microsoft. Note sarcasm
Fluff warning in this chapter. I couldn't help it. Damn Valentine's Day.
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Kitkat001 because she recently gave me the longest review I've ever received. And because she's another great G/A writer. Go read her stuff!
I'm not going to tell you what happens in this chapter, because Dragonmuncher doesn't want me to. ;) Instead I'm going to clear up something. Skip to the chapter if you don't care, but I get a lot of questions about the length of this fic and its relation to my other story 'Yule Ball-take two'. Just to reiterate, 'Old Faces' now bears no relation whatsoever to 'Yule Ball'. At first it was meant to be the prequel to 'YB' but I let it get away from me and it took on a life of its own. It's also a hell of a lot better written than 'YB', which was my first proper attempt at fanfiction. Also, the plan is for 'Old Faces' to be a nice round total of 50 (technically 49 + prologue) chapters. The story will end on graduation day, and then comes the sequels. That's right, there will be alternate sequels. It'll make more sense later. If you're still confused, feel free to ask for clarification in a review or email me.
Chapter 43
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!"
"What's she doing?"
"I think she's talking to her hair."
"Why?"
"Why does Alicia do anything?"
"I guess it's her first proper date with George and she wants to look nice for him."
"I can hear every word you're saying!" Alicia shouted from across the room.
"Great, you can tell us why you're talking to your hair," Katie said.
"Because it won't do what I want it to do!"
"Relax," Angelina said soothingly. "Katie and I are ready so we'll help you."
The two girls exchanged a perplexed look then went to aid their distressed friend. Alicia just sat there biting her fingernails and jiggling her feet as they worked on her hair.
"All right, what the hell's wrong?" Angelina finally asked.
"Is it George?" Katie asked.
"It's not George, it's…"
"What then?"
Alicia hesitated and looked at her friends in the mirror. "It's him and…"
"And what?" Katie demanded.
"And I haven't seen him since…"
"Dammit, Alicia! Finish a sentence!"
Alicia sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. It was time to tell them. "I think you guys had better sit down for this."
"You're pregnant!" Katie screeched immediately.
Angelina rolled her eyes. "Where would you get a stupid idea like that?" She turned to Alicia quickly. "You're not, are you?"
"No! Sit on my bed and listen."
Angelina and Katie sat on her bed as they'd been told. Dozens of horrible scenarios were running through their overactive imaginations.
Alicia was dropping out of school.
Alicia was cheating on George.
Alicia was in love with Fred/Lee.
Alicia was You-Know-Who in disguise.
Alicia was running away to Mexico to start a llama farm with Colin Creevey.
The last one was Katie's.
"Look, I know you're both going to be annoyed at me for lying but you have to hear me out." Alicia took a deep breath. "I-I'm worried about seeing Oliver."
"Oliver? Why?"
"Because I haven't seen him since we broke up at the World Cup."
Alicia watched her friends expectantly. Angelina was wordlessly staring at a spot on the carpet. Katie was the first to speak.
"Um, did you just say that you-"
"Yes."
"With-"
"Yes."
"But you-"
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you at the time."
"And does-"
"Yeah. George knows."
"Oh."
An outsider may have found it difficult to follow the conversation, but the Chasers knew each other well enough to pre-empt the others' thoughts. It all made perfect sense to them.
Angelina finally managed to meet Alicia's worried eyes. "You never told us? We're your best friends!"
"I know, Ang, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you the whole time but Oliver insisted on keeping it a secret for some stupid reason."
"But you had no trouble telling George about it," Katie said, looking as if she'd been betrayed.
"I didn't tell George. He found out purely by accident," Alicia explained hastily. "I'm really sorry."
"Apologising won't fix the past," Angelina snapped. "Since you obviously feel that you can't tell me things, I'm not going to speak to you until further notice."
Angelina got up and stomped across the room. She stood in the corner with her arms folded and her back to the other two. Katie took one look at Alicia then went to join Angelina in her silent protest.
Alicia groaned. Why did those two have to make things so difficult? She turned back to the mirror and began to put finishing touches on her hair.
She gave a loud sigh and said, "Oh well. Since you aren't talking to me I guess you don't want to know all the details about Oliver and me."
Alicia saw Katie half turn in the mirror before Angelina grabbed her arm. "Don't fall for it, Katie," she said loudly. "She's trying to use one of her clever little manipulations on us. I always knew she should have been in Slytherin."
Alicia smiled to herself and went to sit on her bed. She idly flipped through a Quidditch magazine and waited.
"I want to know the details!" Katie said, pouting like a child denied a treat.
"Be strong, Katie! I'm sure it isn't even that interesting. I bet they just sat around and talked about Quidditch."
"Hmm. Speaking of Quidditch…all that extra training Oliver did really paid off. If you know what I mean," she added coyly.
"Stop it," Angelina ordered.
"Have I mentioned that our first kiss was in a shower?"
In the end, it didn't take any more than that. Angelina and Katie broke at exactly the same time. They forgot their anger and ran to Alicia's side.
"Did you say it happened in a shower?"
"Were you naked?" Katie asked incredulously.
"More importantly, was Oliver naked?"
"I thought you weren't talking to me," Alicia said.
"We'll start not talking to you tomorrow," Angelina said, glancing at her watch. "We have to meet the boys for breakfast in five minutes, so get talking now!"
"Yeah," Katie agreed, "you can start with why you were naked in a shower with Oliver."
"Neither of us were naked, you perverts. Sit down and listen so I can get through it all."
xxxxx
Downstairs, Fred, George and Lee were getting impatient.
"What do you think they're doing up there?"
"Obviously they're talking about what wonderful boyfriends we are," Fred answered.
George stared out the window.
"Breakfast started ten minutes ago. Someone should go up there."
"Count me out," Fred said. "I'd probably get yelled at if I went up there. You go do it, George."
George stared out the window.
Lee threw a cushion at his head. "Snap out of it, stupid! Fred just told you to go upstairs and get the girls."
"Oh. Right," George said, finally snapping out of his trance.
He still wasn't quite with it as he began to walk up the girls' staircase. Fred had to yell across the common room to remind him not to stand on the charmed stair. Most of the Gryffindor girls had already left for breakfast, but the few that lingered gave George surprised looks. He hardly noticed them.
At Alicia's door he knocked quickly then entered without waiting. The three girls were giggling together on a bed and stopped as soon as they spotted George. The looks they gave him were slightly guilty.
"George! What's wrong?" Alicia asked, leaping to her feet and looking the guiltiest of all.
"Breakfast has already started and we're still waiting downstairs for you," George replied, giving his girlfriend a suspicious glance.
"Right. You guys go ahead and George and I will catch up," Alicia told her friends.
Angelina nodded and, grabbing Katie's arm along the way, she hurried from the room. Alicia avoided looking at George and pulled a jacket on and grabbed her handbag.
"You look really nice," George commented as she did a last minute check on her appearance.
She smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. So what did you want to talk to me privately about?" George asked, knowing that was why she wanted him to stay behind.
"I thought you should know that I just told the girls all about Oliver and me. They know everything."
George's jaw tightened at the mention of Oliver. He'd been trying to forget about the former Gryffindor captain ever since Alicia had received that letter. "I bet you feel relieved," George said with forced alacrity.
"I do feel a little better," Alicia admitted. She stopped in front of George and watched him closely. "I'd feel even better if I knew you were fine with seeing Oliver today."
George purposely held back on his true feelings about Oliver. It wasn't the time or the place. "I'd rather spend the day alone with you. We haven't been alone since the Yule Ball. It's almost as if you've been avoiding me. I know I've had since the end of third year to get used to the idea, but it seems as if you don't even want to change."
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a serious paranoia problem?"
"I'm sorry, Leesh, but I can't help it."
"Just try to relax. If I didn't want to be your girlfriend I would have told you so in the first place. As it is, I like being your girlfriend. I also like spending time with you and kissing you. I especially like kissing you."
As Alicia smiled up at him in a placating sort of way, George slowly began to relax. Alicia Spinnet liked kissing him. Suddenly Oliver didn't seem so much of an obstacle or competitor. "I've given you two weeks to get used to being my girlfriend so we must be able to spend time alone now."
"I'll tell you what, if you behave yourself at lunch we'll spend the remainder of the day together."
"We'd be completely alone?"
"Completely alone," Alicia confirmed. "We'll do anything you want to do."
"Anything?"
"Yep." Alicia saw George smirk and she quickly added, "Within reason, of course."
"Of course," George said, still smirking.
"Do we have a deal?"
"Absolutely."
"Splendid," Alicia said, wrapping her Gryffindor scarf around her neck. "Let's get going before breakfast ends."
"Hey, not so fast, missy." George grabbed her hand and drew her gently to him. "You still haven't given me a good morning kiss."
Alicia put her hands on his waist and kissed him softly. Although she'd only done it a few times, Alicia greatly enjoyed kissing George. He was a natural at it and there was a familiarity about the action that she had never experienced with Oliver. It was almost as if she and George has kissed before.
"Satisfied?" Alicia enquired as she stepped back.
"No," George answered honestly.
"Well, it will have to do for now because I'm really hungry."
The couple hurried down to the Great Hall and arrived just as the first people were leaving to meet Filch at the front gates. They had just enough time to grab some muffins and toast to eat along the way.
"Nice day, isn't it, Alicia?"
Alicia narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Fred as the group left the school grounds. He was smiling broadly like the cat that got the proverbial cream. Beside him, Lee was wearing a very similar look.
"You told them!" Alicia accused Angelina and Katie.
"We couldn't help it!" Katie exclaimed defensively.
Angelina nodded fervently in agreement. "It's such a sensational story, Leesh."
"So it's all true, then?" Fred asked. "Even the bit about the shower?"
George stopped walking abruptly and turned to Alicia who was a few steps behind him. "What's this about a shower?"
"I thought he knew," Angelina said, looking apprehensively at the unfolding scene.
"I didn't tell him everything," Alicia explained with a sigh. "There were some things he simply didn't need to know."
"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here and tell me about this shower."
"It isn't a big deal, George."
"It is if you felt you needed to keep it from me."
"Right. Get over here and I'll tell you all about it." Alicia grabbed George's arm and waved her friends away.
George pried her fingers from his bicep and tried to get away. "Look, if you're going to tell me that you lost your virginity to Oliver Wood in a shower then I don't want to hear it."
Alicia made a disgusted noise and rolled her eyes. "You're as bad as the girls. I did not lose my virginity to Oliver in a shower, or anywhere else for that matter. Our first kiss just happened to occur when we were both standing – fully-clothed – in the same shower cubicle."
"That's it?"
"That's it! Honestly, I was only fifteen when it happened. Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to do anything else?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you or anything," George said.
"I don't want a jealous boyfriend, all right? If you're going to continue to overreact at every little thing then you might as well not come to lunch."
"I'll try harder," George vowed immediately. "I won't be jealous, paranoid or insecure anymore."
Alicia smiled at him as her stomach filled with butterflies. Something odd was happening to her. All of a sudden she had power over someone else. At that moment she realised she could make George do anything she wanted him to. As the saying goes, she had him wrapped around her little finger.
"Are you angry at me?" George asked worriedly.
Alicia considered her options. If she said yes, George could very well fall to his knees and kiss her feet. As interesting as that prospect was, Alicia realised she couldn't do anything like that to George.
It simply wouldn't be right to use his feelings to her advantage. Alicia had to repeat this mantra in her mind four times before she was able to take George's hand and kiss him on the cheek. "I'm not angry at you. You're too cute."
George looked unbelievably relieved. "I'm glad my cuteness has finally come in handy. Care to accompany me to Zonko's?"
"Sure."
George and Alicia met the other four at Zonko's where there was a post-Christmas sale on. The boys became quite giddy and refused to be dragged from the shop for an hour. While their boyfriends stocked up on supplies the girls visited Gladrags and Honeydukes. The entire time they were alone, Angelina and Katie asked question after question about Oliver, which Alicia answered diligently.
As the morning wore on, Alicia kept glancing at her watch nervously. "We have to meet Oliver outside the Three Broomsticks in fifteen minutes," Alicia informed her friends. "You better go fetch the boys, Angelina."
"We'll meet you in Quality Quidditch Supplies!" Katie called after Angelina as she headed for Zonko's.
Alicia silently followed Katie to the Quidditch store and wandered around listlessly. Quality Quidditch Supplies was Alicia's favourite shop in Hogsmeade but today she couldn't muster much enthusiasm. Katie watched her walk right by a display of brand new Chaser accessories and knew something was definitely wrong.
"You know, we could just tell Oliver you weren't feeling well and you could go back to the castle and not see him," Katie offered.
"No, I think I need to see him," Alicia said, shaking her head jerkily. "I just don't want to see this woman he's bringing with him. What if she's his girlfriend?"
"Does it even matter? You have George now," Katie pointed out.
"I know."
"Bloody hell, what more could you possibly want?"
Alicia didn't answer, turning instead to examine a set of wrist guards. Katie frowned but decided not to pursue the matter. If Alicia was only going to continue to be cryptic and non-responsive the conversation would be pointless.
"Here they come," Alicia announced, pointing out the window.
Angelina was returning with the twins and Lee, who were each carrying shopping bags. Alicia had a feeling that the next few days were going to be particularly unpleasant for the first years that the boys liked to use as guinea pigs.
When George entered the store he immediately joined Alicia by the glove display. He stood beside her in respectful silence as she searched for a new pair of gloves. As soon as she found her size she turned to George and took his hand.
"Time to meet Oliver," she said casually. "I wonder how he's been."
George had been wondering exactly the same thing. Personally, he was hoping Oliver had put on weight, gone prematurely bald and lost his front teeth. That would get rid of any lingering feelings Alicia had for him.
"I'm sure he's fine," George said, banishing the image of fat, bald, toothless Oliver from his mind.
"Well, I hope his team-mate is normal. I met some seriously strange women at the World Cup."
"How strange?" Lee asked, coming up behind Alicia and making her jump.
Alicia peered over her shoulder to find four pairs of eyes waiting for her to elaborate. "Imagine Snape in a tiara and spangly hot pants then times it by five. These women were borderline psychotic. The Puddlemere Seeker's girlfriend was the worst."
"Brandi Fox?" Fred, George and Lee said at the same time.
"How do you know her?" Alicia demanded.
George shrugged a little uncomfortably. "Seen her in magazines and stuff."
"Really? What kind of magazines are we talking about here?" Angelina asked icily. "European Quidditch? Witch Weekly? Perhaps the Quibbler?"
"Not quite," Lee answered, putting his arm around Katie as she dissolved into a fit of giggles.
Angelina narrowed her eyes. "I thought so."
Fred held up his hands defensively. "The magazine belonged to Bill. We only read it for the articles."
"Sure you did," Alicia said dubiously.
"Alicia was going to tell us about crazy Quidditch ladies," George interrupted quickly, wanting to change the subject before he got into trouble.
"Right. I'll have to tell you the whole horrifying story another day, but the award for craziness went to your friend Brandi. She actually asked me to touch her breasts."
There was a loud crash as Fred stepped back into a display of second-hand brooms. One by one, the brooms fell like dominoes until they were all in a pile on top on the prone Weasley twin. The others broke into uproarious laughter as he tried to push the brooms away.
"Did you touch them?" Fred asked, struggling to get up as no one offered to help him.
Alicia rolled her eyes at Angelina and Katie. "Yes I did. Then we had a pillow fight in our underwear."
Fred's eyes widened for a second, then he realised she was joking. "That was unnecessarily vindictive."
"Vindictive: yes. Unnecessary: no," Angelina said, kicking a few broomsticks off her boyfriend.
"Sorry to ruin your fantasy," Alicia apologised insincerely. "You had better clean up your mess. I'll go pay for my gloves then meet Oliver."
George said, "I'll come with you."
Somehow Alicia hadn't doubted that he would. With her escort close beside her, Alicia paid for her new gloves and went back out into the main street of Hogsmeade. George took her gloves from her and put them in his Zonko's bag so she wouldn't have to carry them. The snow had melted into puddles of slushy mud that Alicia and George had to dodge as they headed for the Three Broomsticks.
"There he is," Alicia said quietly as they rounded the corner.
It took George a second longer to spot him in the crowd. Some girls moved aside and there he was. Much to George's dismay, he wasn't fat or bald.
"He looks…healthy," Alicia commented, her voice slightly raspy.
George began to feel slightly uneasy again so he took Alicia's hand and held it tightly. He was planning on making their relationship very clear to Oliver.
"He's alone. Where is she? Do you see her, George? Maybe she couldn't come. Or maybe they broke up. Can you see her yet?" Alicia rattled on, seemingly oblivious to the fact that George had taken her hand.
Oliver turned and caught sight of them. He waved and smiled brightly. Evidently he hadn't lost any of his teeth. In fact, he appeared to have even more sparkling white teeth than before.
Alicia waved back and began to walk faster, dragging a less-eager George along with her. Alicia elbowed her way through people till she reached Oliver. She stopped abruptly in front of him and the unlikely trio shared a horrifically awkward moment.
No one spoke. No one moved. George was staring at Alicia, who was staring at her shoes. Oliver was looking a little confused as he stared at their entwined hands. When Alicia got over her sudden bout of shyness she gave Oliver a cumbersome one-armed hug. George wouldn't let go of her hand, which made it a little difficult to manage.
"It's really good to see you, Alicia," Oliver said as he kissed her on the cheek.
George tugged Alicia back to his side and put his arm around her waist possessively. Once again, Alicia hardly seemed to notice the action. "It's good to see you, too. You look well."
"So do you." Oliver glanced at George then back at Alicia. "Are you two?"
"Yep," George answered quickly and firmly. "She's my girlfriend and I'm her boyfriend. We're together now. Boyfriend and girlfriend."
Oliver smiled and shrugged his broad shoulders. "Well, I knew it was bound to happen sometime. I'm really happy for you. If any two people in the world are meant for each other it's you guys."
"Thanks, that's sweet of you to say."
"I truly meant it." Oliver turned to George and added, "Just make sure you look after her."
George's countenance shifted from smug to defensive. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting that I won't look after her?"
"He didn't mean anything by it," Alicia placated. "Just let it go."
Oliver looked a little taken aback by George's reaction. "Er, all I meant was that you should look after her. She doesn't need another negligent boyfriend who's going to take her for granted."
"So you think you know what Alicia needs now?"
"No. Do you?" Oliver asked, beginning to take a disliking to George's attitude.
"Stop being so utterly ridiculous," Alicia ordered. "I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. And for your information, Oliver, George takes very good care of me. Furthermore, Oliver wasn't attacking you, George."
"If you say so," George mumbled, clearly unconvinced.
"We already talked about this," Alicia reminded him quietly.
Oliver raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Trouble in paradise?"
"Mind your own business," George snapped.
"We're fine. Everything's fine. Never better."
Oliver let the subject drop, but Alicia knew he would question her later in private. "Where are the others hiding?" he asked.
"They're back at Quality Quidditch Supplies cleaning up a display of broomsticks that Fred knocked over."
"Should I bother to ask why he knocked them over?"
"Probably not."
Alicia shared a smile with Oliver while George watched them like a hawk. "Where's your girlfriend, Oliver?" George asked, hoping to throw him off a bit.
"Girlfriend?" Oliver repeated, looking rather mystified. "What girlfriend?"
"The one you were supposed to bring with you," Alicia said, looking up at him from beneath her eyelashes.
"Oh, her. No, you misunderstood. Kathryn is just a Chaser on my team."
George bit back a groan. So much for getting rid of Oliver that way. "But you fancy her, right? That's why you brought her with you?"
Oliver gave George a look that was equal parts confusion and curiosity. "I don't fancy her at all. Kathryn actually wanted to come so she could meet Alicia, Angelina and Katie because I always tell her how great they are. Besides, she's dating our coach's son."
"So you don't have a girlfriend at all?" Alicia asked.
"I've been too busy for that sort of thing," Oliver dismissed.
"Come on, someone must have caught your eye," George pressed.
"Not in the same way that Alicia once did." Oliver gave Alicia a tiny wink and she blushed.
George tightened his grip on her. "Yeah, well my girlfriend's special in that way."
"She certainly is," Oliver said, causing Alicia to blush again.
"Stop sweet-talking my girlfriend, Wood," George replied, trying to keep his voice light and jovial.
"Sorry. Force of habit, I guess."
To hide her embarrassment Alicia looked over her shoulder in search of the others. Her companions were acting strangely. Between Oliver flattering her and George digging his fingers into her hip, she felt like running back to the castle and crawling into her bed. Thankfully, her normal friends were approaching.
"They're finally coming."
George and Oliver shared a relieved sigh at the news. "I better go fetch Kathryn from Honeydukes. Be back in a minute," Oliver promised.
Alicia watched him leave then turned to George. She put her hand on his cheek and said, "If you don't relax your jaw your teeth will crack."
"And I bet you wouldn't even notice. I could walk around toothless for hours without you noticing me."
"Oh, don't sulk, Georgie. Just hold on for a couple of hours then I'm all yours." Alicia gently removed his arm from her waist. "And I promise I won't run away if you let go of me."
"I'd still prefer to keep hold of you," George said.
Alicia took his hand. "Ok, just don't crush my fingers."
"I'll do my best."
"So where's your lover-boy gone?" Fred asked, poking Alicia in the back as he came up behind her.
"He's not my lover-boy."
"Don't say stuff like that around Oliver," George added sternly. "You know what, don't even mention it."
"Don't even mention it?" Fred repeated, looking horrified and betrayed. "I've missed out on a year of ridicule. There's no way I can let it slide anymore."
"If you care about me at all you'll forget about it." George gave his brother a meaningful look that he knew would work.
"Fine," Fred yielded, "but I get to write him a letter as soon as he leaves."
"A letter wouldn't do any harm," George agreed.
Alicia vehemently disagreed, but she didn't a chance to verbally object because Oliver had just exited Honeydukes. "Where's his girlfriend?" Katie asked.
Alicia shrugged. "Must still be in Honeydukes. Anyway, before you came he told us her name's Kathryn and she isn't his girlfriend."
"He doesn't even fancy her," George informed them solemnly.
No one was really sure if this was a good or bad thing. Angelina almost smiled, but hesitated and looked enquiringly at her friend. "Wait, are we meant to be happy or sad about this?"
"You can feel whatever you want to feel," Alicia said. "Personally, I don't care at all."
"You sure about that?" Fred asked, eyeing her with uncharacteristic shrewdness.
"I'm positive, but thank you for asking, Frederick."
Oliver, who had walked within earshot, grinned at his former Beater. "She's using full names. What have you done this time?"
"He's just being his normal, irritating self."
"Well, it's good to see that some things don't change."
"And some things do." Angelina put her arm around Fred's waist and Oliver's eyes widened.
"Don't forget about us," Lee chimed in, taking Katie's hand.
"You guys as well?"
Fred said, "Yeah, we were all really bored without Quidditch and decided we'd go off and have a snog to pass the time."
Oliver frowned in disapproval. "I was hoping you were all keeping up with your training in preparation for next year. Kissing may be fun but it won't help you win the Cup."
It was Angelina who finally let the cat out of the bag. She didn't take too kindly to being scolded by her former captain. "I don't think that's necessarily true. Last year you managed to win the Cup and sneak in a few kisses."
Oliver glanced at Alicia and sighed. "I suppose that means you told them all?"
Alicia was going to answer but was beaten to it by George. "You didn't seriously expect her to keep the whole stupid thing a secret forever, did you?"
Oliver shook his head at George and said, "Of course not, I'm just surprised that Fred hasn't made any comments yet."
Fred, who had been looking rather strained, finally had to let go. "You mean a comment about the private Quidditch lessons you two engaged in? You want a comment about how Alicia showed you how to properly handle Quaffles and you taught her the best way to polish a broomstick?"
"Fred!" Alicia shrieked, turning pink and becoming flustered.
"Don't be vulgar," Angelina scolded as she secretly stifled a giggle.
"Well, is it out of your system now?" Oliver asked.
Fred gave a satisfied nod. "For the moment."
"Good. Kathryn is coming over and I'd prefer it if no one made anymore crude jokes. I spent ages convincing her that you were all normal."
Alicia spun around and craned her neck to get a look at this mystery woman. Amongst the familiar Hogwarts students an unfamiliar figure was approaching. Alicia was suddenly very glad that Kathryn was otherwise spoken for. She was much too pretty not to peak Oliver's interest. And, of course, Oliver was more than good looking enough to attract her attention.
Although Oliver hadn't mentioned how old she was, Alicia figured she had to be at least twenty-one. She looked very fit and was about as tall as Angelina. Her medium length hair was black at the roots and gradually got lighter till the tips were almost blonde.
Oliver waved her over and she smiled and joined the group. Alicia saw that her eyes were as multi-shaded as her hair. They were pale, icy blue with a navy ring around the iris. The whole effect made Alicia hate her own boring brown eyes and her annoying curly hair.
"Everyone, this is my team-mate Kathryn."
Fred elbowed Lee out of the way and held his hand out to her. "Hello, my name's Fred Weasley, but you can call me Fred. Actually, you can call me Fred Weasley if you like. Call me whatever you like. Or just whistle in my general direction."
Kathryn looked startled and even a little frightened. Angelina grabbed Fred's jumper and pulled him back to her side. "I'm so sorry. He's not right in the head. He was dropped as a baby…repeatedly."
Kathryn smiled shyly and looked around at everyone. "I'm sorry I kept you all waiting, but it's been so long since I've been to Honeydukes. I had to stock up on chocolate."
"My girlfriend loves Honeydukes chocolate as well," George said brightly.
Kathryn turned to the couple and smiled prettily. "If he's Fred then you must be George and that would make your girlfriend Alicia."
"Yeah, I'm Alicia and he's George. We're all glad you could join us for lunch," Alicia said dutifully.
Kathryn shook her hand and Alicia was finding it harder to dislike her. "Thank you for letting me tag along. I've been looking forward to meeting you all for such a long time. Oliver never stops talking about what a great team he had at Hogwarts. He's already given everyone at the club a play-by-play account of the Cup winning game."
"That sounds like our Oliver," Katie giggled.
"If you've all finished picking on me, I think we should get inside before all the tables are taken."
"Oh, you know we love you, Oliver," Angelina said, slapping him on the back.
"Some of us more than others," Fred muttered, giving Alicia a sly look.
Kathryn turned to him enquiringly but all he did was smile back. Oliver ushered Kathryn into the Three Broomsticks and gave Fred a warning glare over his shoulder. Fred shrugged innocently then yelped when Alicia pinched him under the arm.
"Ow! What was that bloody for?"
"You know what it was bloody for, you bloody idiot. Quit making trouble and keep your mouth shut."
Fred rubbed the tender spot under his arm and scowled. "Keep your girlfriend on her leash, George."
Alicia looked as if she was going to pinch him again so George put his arm around her and drew her into the noisy pub. The group found a large round table in the back corner. George pulled out Alicia's chair then sat down beside her. As everyone was busy arranging themselves around the table, George moved his chair even closer to Alicia's
When Alicia moved slightly their knees clashed and she sighed wearily. "You don't have to be so close."
"Sorry, love." George moved his chair back about half a centimetre. "Would you like a Butterbeer?"
"Actually, I think I'll just have an apple juice." Alicia had not been able to drink Butterbeer since her disastrous experimentation with alcohol.
Madam Rosmerta came over and took their drink orders.
"I'll pay for everything, Alicia," George offered.
"No, I'll pay for myself." Alicia wanted to add that George really shouldn't be throwing money around, especially since buying her the gold bracelet, but she didn't want to embarrass him in front of Oliver.
George refused to take no for an answer. "Please let me take care of it. This is kind of meant to be our first date, after all."
Oliver snorted from across the table. "Doesn't seem like a very romantic date," he commented, looking around the crowded table to illustrate his point.
"That's rather hypocritical considering you once thought it would be nice to take Alicia to a Quidditch match then leave her with a bunch of strangers."
Kathryn, who had been observing quietly, suddenly spoke up. "Wait a second, you dated Alicia?"
Oliver nodded. "Alicia and I had a thing while I was still at school."
"A thing? I thought it was a relationship," Alicia said tartly.
"It wasn't much of one."
"And whose fault do you suppose that was?"
"Mostly mine," Oliver admitted under Alicia's scrutiny.
"So you're the mystery girl!" Kathryn exclaimed.
"Oh, she's not terribly mysterious," Oliver said dryly.
"Are you talking about me?" Alicia asked, looking on with confusion.
"Yes, you're the girl in the interview. Isn't she, Oliver?"
"Drinks are coming," was all he said.
The arrival of drinks and the ordering of lunch provided a momentary distraction, but Alicia still wanted to know what was going on. As soon as Madam Rosmerta left, Alicia took a sip of her juice and said, "All right, what's this about an interview?"
"Didn't Oliver tell you?"
"Be quiet and drink your pumpkin juice, Kathryn," Oliver said tersely.
Kathryn completely ignored him. "Oliver here was interviewed by Teen Witch. He's their 'Next Big Thing' for January."
Fred, George and Lee burst out laughing at the thought of the ex-Quidditch captain being featured in a magazine for young witches. Alicia, Angelina and Katie just looked shocked.
"It wasn't my idea!" Oliver insisted defensively. "The publicity department at Puddlemere set it up and I had no choice."
"I'm going to buy a copy as soon as lunch is over," Katie vowed.
"No need, I brought a spare copy along with me." Kathryn reached into her handbag and drew out a glossy magazine.
"I told you not to bring that," Oliver hissed as he made a grab for it.
Kathryn was too quick for him; the magazine was flying across the table. Angelina deftly plucked it out of the air and began to flip through it.
"Go to page twenty three."
"Kathryn!"
"Relax, it's a perfectly harmless interview."
Oliver buried his face in his hands as Alicia began to read along with Angelina. It was pretty innocuous stuff.
What's your favourite colour? Who's your favourite member of The Weird Sisters? What's your idea of a perfect date? Boxers or briefs?
Angelina raised her eyebrows. "Briefs, huh? I've always wondered that myself."
"I'd always pictured you as the boxers type, Oliver," Katie said thoughtfully.
"Oh, so you've imagined Oliver in his underwear?" Lee asked his girlfriend.
"Who hasn't?" Angelina interjected. Alicia snatched the magazine from her friend's hand and continued to read furiously.
"I can safely say that I've never imagined him in his underwear."
"Shut up, Fred, that was a rhetorical questions. And at least we don't look at pervy magazines."
"We only read the articles!"
Alicia shut her friends out as they engaged in another one of their strange argument. Just after Angelina had stopped reading, the article began to get personal. An uncomfortable weight settled in Alicia's stomach as she read further.
Q: WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST KISS?
A: It was at Hogwarts. I think it was in a corridor. I can't remember exactly, but it was very innocent.
Oliver's first kiss had occurred in the shower cubicle with Alicia. It had hardly been innocent either. Alicia looked up at Oliver, but he still was still covering his face with his hands. Alicia turned her attention back to the interview only to find it got worse.
Q: AND WITH WHOM DID YOU SHARE THIS KISS?
A: Just a girl I knew at school. She wasn't anyone special.
Q: WERE YOU A COUPLE?
A: We were together for a while but it didn't progress very far.
Q: WHY DID YOU BREAK UP WITH HER?
A: She had some issues to work through. She had commitment problems and stuff. I tried to be supportive, but there was only so much I could do
Q: I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT ANY GIRL WOULD HAVE TROUBLE COMMITTING TO YOU. CAN YOU GIVE US HER NAME?
A: To tell you the truth, I can't even remember her name.
Q: ARE YOU SINGLE NOW?
A: Yes, I am.
There you have it, girls. This Quidditch hottie is totally available. You heard it first at Teen Witch!
Alicia blinked a few times before looking back up at Oliver. He had finally lowered his hands and was peering at her over his fingertips. From his eyes alone, Alicia could tell that he was embarrassed, guilty and apologetic. She tried desperately to remain calm and not react badly.
The others were still arguing about whether it was worse to imagine half naked men or look at half naked women. Angelina and Katie had dragged Kathryn into it and they appeared to be winning easily.
At least Alicia assumed they were winning. Her mind wasn't registering anything except the fact that Oliver didn't think she was special or important enough to make an impact on his life. He made a great show of caring about her, but it was obviously a front. She had been nothing more than a momentary distraction from Quidditch.
"What's wrong?"
Alicia turned to her boyfriend. Her boyfriend who actually cared about her. Her boyfriend who maybe even loved her. He looked so concerned.
"Alicia?"
She dropped the magazine on the floor by her feet. It didn't matter that she meant nothing to Oliver. She meant something to George and that was worth a lot more.
As Oliver looked on, Alicia threw herself at George. She all but crawled into his lap in order to give him the fiercest kiss she could muster. George groaned as she half sat on him and twisted her tongue into his mouth.
The spectacle stopped Angelina mid-rant, which isn't an easy thing to do. Conversation ceased and all eyes turned to George and Alicia. Fred began to make gagging noises. "I've completely lost my appetite."
"That'll be the day," Angelina scoffed.
George struggled to gain some control and managed to push Alicia back onto her seat and tear his lips away from her. "What was that all about?" he asked, holding her back in case she tried to jump him again.
"I felt like kissing you. Are you complaining?"
"God no. It just might be better if you waited till we were alone."
Fred threw his hand in the air. "I second that!"
Alicia smirked rather saucily and licked her lips indulgently. She shot a smouldering look across the table at Oliver. He was staring at her with his mouth slightly open.
"Ooh, my appetite just returned," Fred announced.
Madam Rosmerta placed steaming plates of delicious food in front of everyone. Alicia took off her scarf and draped it over the back of George's chair. He was biting his lip and staring at her intently.
"All right, George?" Alicia asked, giving him an encouraging smile.
"Fine, I guess," he replied uncertainly.
As you can imagine, the conversation during lunch was rather laboured. No controversial subjects were breached for fear of an unpleasant argument so the spectrum of topics ended up being rather narrow. It began with Quidditch then progressed to the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
The Tournament led them to the inevitable subject of Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger. This almost created a confrontation because Fred was convinced she liked Ron while Angelina insisted that she liked Harry. It got worse when Katie jumped in and was adamant that Harry was going to live a monk-like existence and have no interaction with women. Lee then accused Katie of fancying Harry.
It was Oliver who finally steered the conversation back to Quidditch. "Hey, have I mentioned that we play the Holyhead Harpies next week?"
"You've only mentioned it four times," George muttered so that only Alicia heard him.
"Did you say something?" Oliver asked politely.
"Just that the Harpies are my girlfriend's favourite team."
Kathryn perked up at this news. "I suppose you'd like to play for them when you graduate, Alicia."
"Um…"
"I know some people there. I could put in a good word for you," Kathryn offered kindly.
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Alicia said, feeling awkward as everyone watched.
"Alicia doesn't want to play Quidditch after school. She wants to be a journalist," Oliver explained.
"Really? Have you heard about John Huntly? Just before Christmas he-"
"I'm sure Angelina would appreciate it if you mentioned her to the Harpies," Alicia interrupted.
"Wow. Would you really do that for me? It would be great if you could give them my stats. Oh, could you get a scout to come out to a game next year?" Angelina gushed.
"My boyfriend actually knows one of the scouts really well. I could get him to talk to her for you."
"That would be excellent! By the way, did I tell you your hair is really pretty?"
"Er, no."
"I meant to. It's really pretty," Angelina said, beaming at her new best friend.
The rest of lunch progressed in much the same fashion. George gave Alicia strange looks, which she returned with smiles. Oliver wouldn't even look Alicia in the eye and Angelina kept telling Kathryn she had pretty hair/eyes/fingernails/clothes. Finally, as things were reaching new heights of oddness, Kathryn said that she had to get back to meet up with her boyfriend.
"It was wonderful to meet you," Angelina said, clasping Kathryn's hand outside the Three Broomsticks.
Kathryn gently rescued her hand and smiled at everyone. "It was nice meeting you all. I hope I get to see you play someday."
"Are you leaving as well?" Alicia asked Oliver.
He glanced at her quickly. "I was going to stick around for about half an hour. I think there's something I need to sort out. Just let me walk Kathryn away from the main street and I'll be right back."
Alicia knew he wanted to talk to her privately so she nodded slightly. Everyone said goodbye to Kathryn (Angelina hugged her) and watched her leave with Oliver.
"What a lovely women. Wasn't she lovely? And so pretty as well," Angelina said as soon as they had disappeared into the crowd.
"Angel, you can stop kissing up now. She isn't even here," Fred pointed out.
"I wasn't kissing up!"
"Really? You hardly even spoke to her before she mentioned she knew a Harpies scout."
"And what about you? You wouldn't stop drooling over her!"
George pulled Alicia aside slightly and whispered excitedly in her ear. "Now that the day is ours I thought we'd go somewhere a little less crowded."
Alicia shifted her gaze around uneasily. "I left my scarf in the pub. I better go get it."
"You wait here, I'll get it."
Alicia smiled gratefully. As soon as he was gone the smile disappeared. She was not looking forward to telling him that he would have to wait a little longer. While George was gone Alicia watched her friends argue about who drooled over Kathryn more. Obviously, it had been Angelina.
"I got it," George said, putting Alicia's scarf in his Zonko's bag as he emerging from the Three Broomstick. He did not tell Alicia about the other item he retrieved. "Are you ready to go?"
"But Oliver's coming back."
"He can hang around with the others," George said. "You promised we'd get to spend time alone after lunch."
"I know I said that, but Oliver wants to talk to me," Alicia said uneasily.
"Then I'll come with you."
Somehow Alicia knew he was going to say that. She sighed and shook her head. "He wants to speak to me privately."
"Is that so? I wonder what he could want to talk about without me around?"
"You're doing it again," Alicia warned.
George's face turned red, beginning with his ears. "I put up with a lot from you, Alicia. I pretended not to notice that you got dressed up for Oliver. I ignored it when the two of you flirted. I didn't even say a word when you used me to make him jealous."
"What are you talking about? I didn't do any of those things!"
"Don't delude yourself," he said bitterly. "You've pushed me right to the edge, Alicia."
By this point they had attracted quite a bit of attention to themselves. Fred especially was watching them with all the subtlety of a hungry vulture. "What's going on with you two?" he demanded.
"Keep out of it, Fred." George turned back to Alicia. "So, do you have anything to say?"
Alicia drew herself up to her full height. "You're damn right I have something to say. Firstly, you're the deluded one. Secondly, you've also pushed me right to edge today. You wouldn't let go of me and you referred to me as 'your girlfriend' eleven times! I have a name and an identity separate from you!"
"Separate? That's how you want it then?"
Alicia shrugged, trying to catch her breath and calm down. "It's obviously what you want."
George's lips twisted into a grimace. "Fine. I'm going back to the castle. Enjoy your time with Wood."
George stormed off, ignoring Fred's attempts to subdue him. Alicia watched him go then turned to meet Fred's accusatory glare. "Don't you dare say a single word," she snarled.
Fred remained undaunted and angry. Just as he was about to speak Angelina slammed her hand over his mouth. "Let it go. They'll sort it out themselves."
"That was quite a show," said a familiar voice from behind Alicia.
She turned around and scowled at Oliver. "Ugh, not you too. You can all bugger off and mind your own business."
Alicia brushed past Oliver and stalked off towards the Shrieking Shack. She sat on a bench that was in front of the old house. She put her head in her hands and mere seconds later she heard footsteps. "What part of bugger off don't you understand, Oliver?"
"Oh, don't be such a drama queen." He sat beside her and rubbed his cold hands together. "If you had really wanted to be alone you would have gone somewhere less obvious. You always come to this bench to watch the Shrieking Shack because you're hoping to find out what haunts it."
"That's just great, Oliver. You never paid attention to my habits when we were together and now you're an expert on me."
"George seems to pay a lot of attention to you."
"I refuse to talk about him with you," Alicia snapped.
"Well it was worth a try. What would you like to talk about?"
Alicia was silent for a moment. Her anger had subsided slightly now that she was away from George. She sat back and stared at the overcast sky. "What do you think Kathryn really thought of us?"
"I'm quite sure she found you all rather crazy."
"That's nice."
"Crazy in a harmless, Professor Trelawney sort of way, of course. Certainly not homicidally crazy like Sirius Black."
"That's comforting."
Oliver sighed. "As much fun as this small talk is, I want to explain about that interview."
"I don't want to talk about that either."
"Well I do, so shut up and listen."
"You'd better make it good then," Alicia humphed, folding her arms and continuing to stare up at the sky.
"I hope you've realised that all of the stuff I said was crap. The Puddlemere publicists told me what to say."
"Sure."
"Come on, Alicia. For an aspiring journalist you're very naïve about how the world works. I had to make myself available in the interview to keep all the girls happy. Do you think they'd care about me at all if I was married and had three children?"
Alicia begrudgingly had to admit he had a point. The media was able to manipulate people with astounding ease. It could begin with as little as a rumour or a misinterpreted quote. By creating a new character for Oliver they were insuring his continued popularity with a particular demographic.
"Fine. I believe you."
Oliver said, "But it's clearly upset you so I'll ask them to re-interview me as soon as I get home."
"Don't be stupid. I don't care what the interview does or doesn't say about me."
"You're upset about George then?"
At the mention of his name, Alicia's anger spiked. "Of course I'm upset about George. He's acting like an idiot. I don't know what's going on with him."
"You don't?" Oliver asked, looking a little surprised.
Alicia sat forward and frowned at Oliver. "No. Am I meant to know?"
"Just how long have you been together for?"
"Two weeks," Alicia answered.
"That's not very long. I suppose you haven't had a lot of time to think it through…"
"Think what through? Tell me what I'm supposed to know!" she ordered, now frustrated beyond belief.
"Has George ever told you when he first started liking you?"
Alicia had to think about that for a second. "Well, just this morning he mentioned something about the end of third year…but it can't have been that long."
"I think you'll find it has been that long. Now, what year were you in when we went out?"
"You know I was in fifth year. This isn't answering my question, Oliver," Alicia groaned.
"I'll repeat it for you. Listen carefully," Oliver instructed, speaking clearly and slowly. "George started liking you in third year and we went out in fifth year. What does that tell you?"
Alicia still had no idea what he was on about. "It tells me you're a huge stupid prat and I hate you. I don't know what the hell's going on and it's starting to hurt my brain!"
Oliver swore and grabbed her head roughly. He forced her to look him square in the eye. "If George started liking you in third year then he must have still liked you in fifth year. Nod if you understand."
Alicia nodded meekly. Oliver nodded back. "Ok. That's progress. Now tell me who walked in on us kissing in your room."
"George," she squeaked.
"And who was the only one who knew about us and could therefore ruin everything?"
"George."
"But he didn't tell anyone. Who did you go to when you wanted to talk about me?"
"Oh God."
"I think you're getting it. Lastly, who accompanied us on our secret snog sessions?"
"Oh God."
"Has it finally clicked?" Oliver asked, dropping his hands.
"Oh God."
"You've already said that."
Alicia struggled to keep her voice steady. "It's worse than you think. He says he was in love with me while I was with you. I feel like I'm going to pass out. Oh God."
"Stop saying that."
"I can't. This is catastrophic."
"There's more," Oliver informed her regrettably.
"More? I don't think I can handle anymore. Oh-"
"Don't say it. Don't say anything while I explain. The absolute truth is that I knew George liked you while we were dating. I don't know about any of this love stuff but I realised that he wanted you that day he found out about us."
Alicia punched Oliver in the arm. "Bastard! You knew what he was going through and you didn't stop it? I ought to break your nose!"
"Hey, I need that arm for Quidditch and I like my nose as it is. For the record, I did try to sort things out when I went to George's room after he caught us. I was going to step aside but George got angry and wouldn't let me do it. He didn't care about himself at all; he just wanted to know that you were happy."
"He did that for me?"
"That's not all he did, Licia. Do you remember your sixteenth birthday?" Oliver asked, still rubbing his arm where she had hit him.
"Yes," Alicia answered. "You got me that beautiful crystal Quaffle. I always keep it beside my bed."
"What did George get you?"
Alicia scrunched up her nose in thought. "Um, some peppermint toads. Why?"
Looking very uncomfortable, Oliver said, "I actually forgot your birthday and didn't have a present for you."
"Idiot." Alicia punched his other arm.
"Ow! I was totally prepared to apologise and grovel but George wouldn't let me. He said you would be upset that I forgot so he gave me his present. He was the one who bought you the engraved Quaffle."
Alicia almost burst into tears at this revelation. She'd gone on and on to him about how sweet Oliver was. George hadn't even batted an eye.
"You all right?"
Alicia shook her head and bit her lower lip so it would stop trembling. Every ounce of anger had drained away to be replaced with stinging regret and pain. How could she have been so insensitive, ungrateful and blind?
"There were probably other incidences that I don't know about, but for as long as I've known you I've seen George bend over backwards to make you happy."
"I don't want to hear anymore," she croaked as a single tear trickled down her cheek.
Oliver began to wring his hands nervously. "Oh no. I didn't mean to make you cry. Please don't cry."
Alicia leant forward and put her forehead on her knees and let a few more tears fall. Oliver put his arm around her awkwardly, but Alicia elbowed him in the ribs and jumped to her feet. "You should have told me what was going on regardless of what George said!"
Oliver clutched his side and glared at her. "It was none of my business. George could have told you his true feelings at any time so I figured he had good reason to wait. I didn't want to interfere."
"But you're interfering now! What's the difference?"
"Now I'm stepping in because I don't want to see you make a huge mistake. George needs you and I have a feeling you need him as well. This morning I was trying to test him."
"George doesn't need to be tested, you condescending arse. He's ten times the boyfriend you ever were!"
"Hey, calm down, all right?" Oliver stood up and held his hands out to her as if she were a skittish horse rather than an angry teenager. "George once told me that you deserved a boyfriend who would fight for you and do anything for you. I tried to flirt with you to see what he would do."
"He didn't get very aggressive at all," Alicia said slowly. "He didn't fight for me."
"Exactly. He knew you'd be upset if he fought with me. He reacted exactly as I expected him to. George would do anything for you."
Alicia put a hand to her throat and closed her eyes. "I feel ill."
"I think you should sort this all out before it gets any worse. Go talk to George," Oliver urged.
"George's never stayed angry at me for very long. He's probably on his way back here now. He'll be here any minute."
"Will he?"
Alicia's stomach dropped. "You don't think he'll come to me?"
"I don't know. He's been running after you for a long time. Maybe you should do the chasing for a change."
"Ok. Yeah. Sure. I can do that."
"You're a Chaser, after all," Oliver said with a wry smile.
"I'm going to find him and fix this right now!"
Alicia turned and ran five steps then stopped abruptly. She ran back, sliding to a stop in front of Oliver. "Sorry I yelled at you, insulted you and hit you and stuff."
Oliver shrugged nonchalantly. "S'ok. I probably deserved it."
"You did, but you've made up for it now." Alicia hugged him quickly, squeezing his ribs. "I'll let you know what happens. Bye, Oliver!"
Alicia ran like she had never run before. Not that she'd ever done a lot of running anyway. She sprinted straight down the main street, passed her stunned friends and splashed through numerous muddy puddles. The cold air stung her face and turned her ears red, making her wish she had her scarf.
Alicia ran across the grounds and into the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. She paused, gulping air into her protesting lungs and looking around. George could literally be anywhere in the castle. Alicia had to think carefully. If he were still angry he wouldn't want anyone to disturb him. That meant he would go to a place where no one would expect to find him.
Of course, knowing George he'd do the exact opposite and go somewhere really obvious. Alicia decided she would go to the least obvious place first and if he wasn't there she'd go to the most obvious place. If he wasn't there she would keep looking until she found him…even if that took all day.
The library seemed like the least likely place to find George so she headed there first. The castle was almost empty so she ran through the silent corridors without heed till she reached the doors of the library. Inside it was all but deserted and Alicia tiptoed by Madam Pince and along a row of dusty books.
There were about a dozen students scattered around the main study area, but George wasn't one of them. Alicia groaned in disappointment and was shushed by a small Ravenclaw boy. She smiled apologetically and went to check the private study area where particularly conscientious students could study alone in small rooms.
Checking as she went along, Alicia hurried down the row of rooms. They were all empty except for two. In about the fifth room, there was a Ravenclaw girl asleep on the table with a copy of the Quibbler on her stomach. Alicia moved on quickly.
She had all but given up when she reached the last room. She peered through the small window in the door to find that her chase was over. Alicia had managed to find George in the first place she looked.
Alicia gripped the door handle, not knowing what she was going to say when she entered. She paused to gather her wits, and after failing to do so, she threw the door open. "George? It's me."
There was no reaction or acknowledgment on his part. He remained unmoved, hunched over the table with his back to her.
"George? It's Alicia."
"I know who you are."
Well, that was something at least. "Can you please turn around? I don't like talking to the back of your head."
"Teal's in season."
Alicia blinked. Had she missed something? "What are you talking about?"
"Apparently magenta's out and teal's in. What exactly is teal?"
"It's a dark greenish-blue colour," Alicia said, suddenly feeling as if she were in Wonderland trying to reason with the Mad Hatter.
"Oh. I don't own anything that's teal…or magenta for that matter."
"Where is this stuff coming from?"
Without turning around, George held up an issue of Teen Witch. It was the very same issue that featured Oliver's interview.
"You got it from the Three Broomsticks when you went back in to get my scarf."
"I did," he replied unabashedly. "It really makes for interesting reading. Particularly page twenty-three."
Alicia stomped her foot and tried not to start crying again. "I didn't come here to talk about that rubbish."
"I didn't think you did." George dipped his hand into his Zonko's bag and pulled out her scarf and new Quidditch gloves. He threw them haphazardly over his shoulder. "Here you go. Now you can leave and get back to Oliver."
Alicia didn't even bother to catch her belongings. "I've already spoken to Oliver, now I need to talk to you."
"You don't need to give me the 'it's not you it's me' talk. You want Oliver more than me."
Alicia dropped to her knees beside George's chair and grabbed his arm desperately. "I couldn't care less about Oliver. I want to make sure you're all right."
George finally met her eyes. Alicia had never seen him look so unhappy. "Why do you care about me all of a sudden? You paid more attention to him today," he said sullenly.
"If I did then I didn't mean to and I'm sorry. You should be my first priority."
George turned back to the magazine in front of him and ignored her. Alicia snatched the magazine off the desk and threw it towards the door. "I need you to listen to me George. Oliver helped me realise a lot of important things today."
"And what things would they be?"
"He helped me fully appreciate the sacrifices you've made for me," she said, pausing briefly to kiss his hand. "I don't claim to know how bad it really was but it couldn't have been pleasant for you to see me with Oliver."
George stared at her hands as they grasped his forearm tightly. "It was excruciating, but it didn't seem like much at the time. I thought I was doing the best thing for both of us."
Alicia shook her head vigorously. "You thought it was the best thing for me. I'm willing to bet that you did what you did without really considering your own needs. I wish you had done it for yourself, then I wouldn't feel so horrible about putting you through that."
"I survived."
"Just barely by the sound of it," she replied shakily. "Oliver told me about how you wouldn't let him break up with me or not give me a birthday present. I cried and punched Oliver a few times when I found out."
The tension had been slowly dissipating as they talked. George put his hand over Alicia's and she finally felt that things would be all right. "I don't ask for much from you, Alicia, but a little recognition every once in a while would be nice."
"You'll get your recognition every single day," she vowed quickly. "Everyday I'll say 'George Weasley, you are thoroughly too beautiful, sweet and perfect for me and I don't deserve you.' How does that sound?"
"That sounds about right."
Alicia grinned and kissed his hand again. "I'll also never mention Oliver in front of you. In fact, I won't mention any other guys at all. As far as I'm now concerned you're the only male on the whole planet."
"That scenario sounds promising," George said, finally acting more like himself.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Alicia asked anxiously.
"I'm just sorry I got angry at you like that. I'm also sorry I kept calling you my girlfriend instead of by your name."
Alicia giggled at this. "I think it's more pathetic that I counted how many times you referred to me as your girlfriend."
"It seems we're both obsessive losers," George said, putting his hand on her cheek.
"I guess we're made for each other then."
"Get up, Leesh, I can't kiss you while you're kneeling on the floor like that."
Alicia frowned. She hadn't even realised that she'd been on her knees the whole time. How had she ended up being the one on her knees grovelling, pleading and clutching desperately at George? Just that morning she had been certain she was in control and could get George to drop to his knees and beg her for forgiveness. It was as if someone had flipped a switch.
Dazed and confused, Alicia struggled to her feet and was pulled into an urgent hug by George. "I was going to return to Hogsmeade to apologise to you anyway. After I read Oliver's interview I understood why you wanted to talk to him."
Alicia was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to reply. What exactly was happening to her? Could she actually be falling for George? That wasn't part of the plan! In fact, that would completely ruin the whole plan.
George cupped her chin gently. "You feeling ok? You look a little pale."
Alicia snapped out of her dazed stupor. "Oh, it's – I ran all the way here from the Shrieking Shack. I'll be fine in a minute."
George pushed her back towards the table and made her sit on the edge of it. "Did you happen to jump in every puddle as you ran here?" George asked, gesturing to the bottom of her jeans, which were soaked with muddy water.
"I was in too much of a hurry to bother dodging puddles," she sighed wearily.
George nodded sympathetically and nudged her knees apart so he could stand between her legs and hug her. "Well, you can relax now because I'm not angry at you anymore."
Alicia rested her head contentedly on his chest. "And you don't have to worry about Oliver. He and I are history."
"History? Just how historical are we talking here?"
Alicia pulled back just enough so she could look at him. "Hmm. How about the Battle of Waterloo?"
"I've never heard of it."
"I'll sing you the song one day. What about the Magna Carta?"
"No idea. You're going to have to do better than that."
"Right." Alicia thought hard for a moment then smiled naughtily. "The last time Snape had sex. Is that historical enough for you?"
George's mouth fell open then he laughed. "I can't believe you just insulted a professor."
Alicia wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I can't believe I said the words sex and Snape in the same sentence."
"I think I'm finally starting to be a bad influence on you."
"You're definitely a bad influence. I know that kissing in the library is strictly forbidden."
"We aren't kissing," George pointed out the obvious.
"I was just getting around to that."
Alicia wrapped one of her legs around him to pull him closer and he dipped his head to kiss her intensely. As a Prefect, Alicia knew that she and George could both get detentions and lose points if they were caught breaking rule fifteen of the Indecent Conduct section. But George slid his hand inside Alicia's jacket and a detention and some lost house points seemed inconsequential.
Alicia stroked the back of his neck, which she had quickly discovered he liked, and gently relinquished his lips. "That was perfect," she whispered in his ear.
"Yeah, it's much better when you aren't doing it just to make Oliver jealous, isn't it?"
"Look, I didn't kiss you at lunch to make him jealous. I wanted to show him that I had found someone better who deserved kisses like that."
George broke away from her and sat down on the chair in front of her. "You really did it only for that reason?"
"I promise. You also thought I got dressed up for Oliver, which isn't true at all. I wanted to look nice for you. Yes, I was nervous about seeing him again, but only because I was worried he either hated me or wanted to get back together with me."
"Looks like I overreacted again," George sighed. He put his head on her lap and said, "I'm sorry."
Alicia ran her fingers through his hair comfortingly. "It's not an issue, sweetheart. There's been far too much apologising going on today. Can we call it even and forget it ever happened?"
"Excellent idea. What would you like to do for the rest of the day?"
"Well, I've got to paint my finger nails, wash my hair and do some homework. Then I'm going to meet Roger Davies in a second floor broom closet."
"Ha bloody freaking ha, Alicia. Keep up with that teasing and I might just let Oliver have you."
"It was just too tempting," she giggled, rubbing his back and shoulders. "We can do whatever you want to do."
"Well, I'm too exhausted to go all the way back to Hogsmeade. Fighting with you is tiring." George lifted his head and rubbed his temple. "Something hard in your pocket is hurting my head. Can you move it?"
Alicia smiled obligingly. "Certainly." She dug around in her pocket and pulled out something that made George gasp.
"Hey, that's the bracelet I gave you!"
Alicia feigned surprise. "So it is!"
"I hope you weren't planning to try giving it back again."
"No, I'm well aware that you won't take it back. The truth is that I've carried it in around in my pocket ever since you gave it to me. It's too special for me to wear on my wrist and I know people will ask questions about where I got it. You might not agree with me, but I think this bracelet should be about us."
"Do you really keep it in your pocket everyday?" George asked incredulously.
"Everyday," she confirmed. "I like the idea that only I know it's there. It's our secret," she added in a whisper.
"Can it be our saucy little secret?"
Alicia grinned, remembering how he used to call her Oliver's saucy little secret. "Absolutely. Whenever you have one of your ridiculous panic attacks about how I really feel you can slip your hand into my pocket."
"I like that idea."
Eventually, George decided he wanted to stay where they were for another hour or so. During this time they talked, joked and teased each other just like they did when they were only friends. The only difference was that this time they occasionally stopped to kiss.
Everyone was going to start coming back from Hogsmeade soon. Alicia wanted to change out of her dirty jeans and shoes before dinner so George offered to escort her to Gryffindor Tower. Unfortunately, the couple ran into a little trouble along the way.
It started when George decided to take Alicia up on her earlier offer. "I'm feeling a little insecure," he said, sliding his hand into the back pocket of her jeans.
"That's not where I keep the bracelet, George."
"I know."
"You're just lucky I'm in a good mood."
"Is that so?" George mused. "What would have happened if you had been in a bad mood?"
"Something along these lines."
Alicia pulled George's hand out of her pocket and twisted his arm behind his back. He swore and she shoved him up against the wall. "This is what would have happened if you'd have been presumptuous enough to grope me when I was in a bad mood."
"Right," George muttered, his cheek pressed up against the wall. "Er – where'd you learn to do that?"
"Saw it in a movie," she answered casually, letting him go gently. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"Only my pride, dignity and manhood."
"Oh, is that all."
Alicia smiled and kissed him, still keeping him against the wall as she did so. It was at that moment that she heard a sound that almost made her swallow her tongue. Or was that George's tongue?
"Ahem."
Alicia jumped back as if she'd been scalded. She turned her head slowly to see Professor McGonagall glaring at them.
"What exactly do you think you're doing, Miss Spinnet?"
"It was my fault," George said quickly.
"Gallant attempt, Mr Weasley, but I saw quite clearly who had who pressed up against the wall. I'd like the two of you to follow me to my office."
Alicia blushed and looked at her feet. George stepped up beside her and said, "It was my fault, Professor. I started it when I put my hand in her jeans."
McGonagall pursed her lips. "You put your hand in her jeans?"
Alicia groaned as George tried to backtrack. "Her pocket! I meant to say that I put my hand in her pocket. The pocket of her jeans. I obviously didn't put my hand inside her jeans because that would be very wrong. Very, very wrong. I would never put my hand in her jeans unless she asked me to."
McGonagall raised her eyebrows and George began to stammer his way through another retraction. Alicia could see the hole they were in getting deeper and deeper. She calmly put her hand over George's mouth and said, "We'll come with you, Professor McGonagall."
"I'm glad to see that at least one of you has the sense to know when it's time to stop talking. Come along."
Alicia and George walked silently behind the displeased professor. Alicia felt like turning and making a run for it. That course of action, obviously, would not help their situation at all.
"In you go," Professor McGonagall said, ushering Alicia into her office. George moved to follow her in, but McGonagall held up her arm to halt his progress. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait outside, Weasley. I wish to speak to Alicia in private."
George hesitated. McGonagall had called her Alicia so it must be important. He had to make sure she didn't get into trouble because of him. "Alicia won't mind if I come in."
"He's right, I won't mind," Alicia said, looking desperately at George.
"I will mind." McGongall's statement effectively ended the conversation. She stepped into her office and closed the door in George's face.
George immediately pressed his ear to the door and struggled to hear anything. He almost fell over when McGonagall opened her door again. "Do not bother trying to eavesdrop as my office has been thoroughly sound proofed. Sit down and wait patiently or return to your common room."
She disappeared back into her office. George, having been decisively thwarted, slid down the wall and sat beside the door. He put his elbows on his knees and kept his mind occupied by trying to invent some sort of small listening device that could be slipped under the door and through the soundproof barrier.
Inside the office, Alicia nervously took a seat across from the Transfiguration professor. Professor McGonagall sighed and shook her head. "I'm very disappointed in you, Alicia."
"I'm terribly sorry, Professor. I lost myself for a minute. Please don't give George a detention because of something I did. Despite what he says it was all my fault."
"As a Prefect I expected you to know that fraternising in the corridor in such a manner is against the rules."
"I do know it's against the rules. It's rule twelve in the Indecent Conduct section," Alicia said. "Take points or give me a detention, just don't bring George into it."
"All this chivalrous self-sacrificing is making me feel ill," McGonagall said wearily. "You shall be pleased to know that I am going to let both you and Mr Weasley off with only a warning. Do not expect me to be so lenient next time."
"There won't be a next time," Alicia assured her quickly. She gave a relieved smile and moved to stand up. "Thank you, Professor."
"Stay where you are, Miss Spinnet," McGonagall ordered. "There is a matter of much importance that I wish to discuss with you."
"Much importance?" Alicia echoed shakily.
"Yes," she replied tersely. "As is customary, my fellow colleagues and I have begun to discuss the prospects for the next Head Boy and Girl. As you know, all staff members are required to submit their selections by the end of June. I have been asking around and the early indications are that the only contenders for the Head Girl position are yourself and Meenal Romano from Hufflepuff."
Alicia didn't even bother to hide her surprise. "Me? They think I should be Head Girl?"
"I believe the majority would prefer to give you the job, but a small problem has arisen. One of my colleagues has astutely pointed out that you have a close relationship with Fred and George Weasley."
Alicia couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Let me guess, this colleague just happens to be Professor Snape?"
"It does not help to make accusations…but you are correct. My esteemed colleague – as we will henceforth refer to him – has been making a strong case against you. I'm afraid he'd beginning to gather followers. I am firmly in your corner, Alicia, but I need your help to turn the tide."
"What do I need to do?" she asked cautiously.
"You must no longer be close friends with Fred and George Weasley."
"Excuse me?"
"My esteemed colleague thinks you let them get away with mischief because of your close friendship. It sounds cruel but I'm afraid my esteemed colleague has raised a valid point. Given your closeness to the twins it would be assumed that you would see much of their trouble-making first hand."
Alicia shrugged uncomfortably. "I might see bits and pieces occasionally."
"Yet you don't report it. Why is that?"
"I – it's…"
"Being Head Girl at a school that is as prestigious as Hogwarts is no small feat. It impresses employers and gives you an immediate advantage." McGonagall leant forward slightly and tapped her fingers on her desk to accentuate her words. "The bottom line is that you must make a sacrifice if you want to be Head Girl."
"I have to give up George?" Alicia asked, her voice tiny and vulnerable.
McGonagall nodded severely. "And Fred. You need to separate yourself from both of them immediately. If you do so you will be guaranteed the position."
Alicia gulped in air and looked around the room for something that might get her out of the horrible situation. "I don't know what to say, Professor."
"The only other alternative is that you remain friends with the Weasleys but report their wrong doings and punish them accordingly."
Alicia hated that idea right away. George would feel hurt and Fred…she didn't even want to consider what Fred would do to her. It was a hopeless choice. On one hand, never speaking to Fred again didn't seem like such a bad prospect considering he'd been acting like an idiot lately. On the other hand, she could never give up what she had with George.
"I won't do it, Professor," Alicia said firmly. "I won't give up an important friendship just to become Head Girl."
"I suspected you'd decline," McGonagall admitted. "Then I knew there was no chance when I saw you a moment ago with Weasley."
"Thank you for giving me the option anyway. I'm sure Meenal will make be a brilliant Head Girl."
"Let's hope so. Can I trust you not to repeat this conversation to anyone?"
"Of course."
"Good. There's one more thing I need to mention before you go."
"Yes?"
"Did you hear about John Huntly?"
"Yes I did."
"I assume you've already sent your letter?"
"Yes, miss, but I won't hear back for a few months."
"When you need to go into Hogsmeade to meet them just come to me for permission."
"You think I'll get that far?" Alicia asked anxiously.
Professor McGongall nodded and gave a small smile. "I sincerely believe you will, Alicia. You may leave now."
Alicia stood up to find her legs were a little shaky. "Thank you for everything, Professor McGonagall."
"You are most welcome." Alicia smiled and went to the door. Just as she grabbed the handle, the elderly teacher spoke again. "If it makes any difference, I believe you made the right decision."
Alicia nodded gratefully and opened the door. She was immediately engulfed in a hug from George. "What happened? Did you get in trouble?" he asked frantically.
"No. Everything's fine, George. She let us off with a warning."
"A warning? But you were in there for ages."
Alicia shrugged nonchalantly and began to walk towards Gryffindor Tower. "She just wanted to talk to me about NEWTs. She says I have to start preparing already."
George groaned. "I don't even want to think about NEWTs yet."
Alicia smiled to herself and took his hand as they headed for their common room. There was no point in telling him what she'd done. If he was allowed to make sacrifices then so was she. It just so happened that she'd made the mother of all sacrifices for him.
Alicia almost tripped on the stair as she realised this. She'd given up a golden opportunity just so George wouldn't get upset. Then again, she'd also done it for the sake of her own happiness. If George was happy, she was happy.
There was no denying that something had shifted between her and George. She hadn't even seen it coming. If she had seen it she would have stopped it before it jeopardised her plan. Everything was going to fall apart if she didn't work out what was going on quickly.
Alicia daydreamed all the way to the portrait of the Fat Lady. George said the password and pushed her inside. Almost falling flat on her face served to bring her back to reality. Everyone appeared to have returned from Hogsmeade to fill the common room in preparation for dinner
Alicia slipped through the crowd easily and paused at the base of the girls' staircase. George, not surprisingly, was right behind her.
"Go and find the others while I change. I'll be back in a minute or so." Alicia turned to ascend the stairs but George grabbed her arm.
"Wait a second. I have to say something. " He pulled her back to him. "I know I said it once before, but you need to know it. Alicia, I love you."
Alicia didn't say anything for a moment. Although she'd now heard him say it twice, it was much more profound this time. She knew why it was different.
"I believe you, George." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then turned and ran up the stairs.
A/N: Oh my. What a saga of a chapter. I am completely drained. I hope the length (35 pages. New record for me!) made up for the wait. The rest of the chapters will be pretty long as well. You're going to have to wait a little longer to find out what Alicia's up to. Just who is John Huntly? Hmm. As always, please review. I hope you enjoyed your cameo, Kathryn! Nothing else to say except:
THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN…
…SIX CHAPTERS TO GO.