My reviewers are the best! I love you all!
And Goodybad, I know I have bad grammar, English isn't one of my strong points, but I think Katie should too because 1: it's easier on me and 2: because then she's one less step closer to being a mary sue.
December 21, Thursday, after breakfast
I would just like to say, that in the very very VERY unfortunate event that my parents die, I would like to stay with the Weasleys who I know will cook delicious food every meal.
"Want to go to Hogsmeade?" Fred asked as I shoveled pancakes in my mouth.
"Sube," George said.
"George," Alicia said, "Swallow."
George swallowed, "I said sure."
"How we going to get there?" Angelina asked, I was still shoveling pancakes into my mouth. I'm gonna gain like 5 pounds every meal, I should probably ration myself, "We can't apparate."
"I can," Oliver said from next to me.
I finally swallowed, "Don't rub it in."
"We could do a slide along," he offered, ignoring me.
"Genius, we'll just use Floo powder," I said, a little light bulb went off in everybody's head.
He scoffed at me, I think he was still a little mad that we beat him yesterday.
8 pm
"For the record," Alicia said coughing as she came out of Rosmeata's fireplace around noon, "I hate using Floo powder," she coughed some more as Oliver apparated next to me.
"Not a word," I said as I brushed the soot of my jeans.
"Here," he said, scourgifying everyone.
We went outside where it was snowing. I love the snow.
"Where to first?" George asked as we wrapped our coats around us tighter.
"Zonko's?" Fred offered gleefully, and we all made our way over there.
My god, that place is like heaven for Fred and George. There are shelves upon shelves of all sorts of pranks. There's sugar quills that turn your mouth different colors, and all sorts of stuff. There were even muggle pranks and magic tricks.
Eventually Fred and George bought a bunch of the prank Sugar Quills and some sort of pastry that made you make all sorts of animal sounds.
"Ok, this is what we do," George said once we were outside. "We take the fake sugar quills, and dissolve them in a cup of tea-"
"George," Alicia said, "What cup of tea?"
"Over at that tea shop at the end of the street," Fred said, smiling devilishly.
"And we hand a couple an unsuspecting pastry," George finished.
"What on earth," Oliver said, "makes you think, anyone, and I mean anyone, would take food from you?"
"That's where Katie comes in."
"WHAT?" I was watching the snow fall when I heard my name in their devilish plan.
"You'll see."
---
"This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!" I whispered loudly outside the tea shop.
"C'mon Katie," George urged, whispering too.
"It'll be easy!" Fred added.
I looked around. Every stuck up snob from our school went on a date at this stupid tea shop during Christmas break. Everyone else had agreed.
"Oh, alright!" I gave in, "Give me the stuff."
---
If this worked, I would never doubt Fred and George again. Not that I really ever had. I looked around. If this thing was going to work, we all had to look like couples. I looked at Oliver, my 'date'. we were sitting at the table near the front window. He was chuckling.
"What's so funny," I paused, "Darling?"
My god, that was painful.
"Nothing, Sweetie."
I groaned and he chuckled some more.
"What is so funny?" he threw me a look, "I mean darling," I rolled the 'r' and he laughed some more.
I didn't know how much longer I could take this. Did some one put Oliver on laughing gas?
I looked at the table in the back where George and Alicia where. George's hand was cupped over Alicia's and she was as red as my sweater. What is this? I cocked an eyebrow, smiling slightly. Oliver followed my gaze, except he landed on the couple at the table in front of them, kissing.
"Kat, it's rude to stare," he said.
I kicked him under the table, he didn't even wince.
"That was the leg of the table."
Oh, that was why the table shook violently…
God damn it!
"And I wasn't staring at them," them who turned out to be Roger Davies who was glued lip to lip with his date, "I was looking at George and Alicia."
"Oh," he said as he looked over, "Oh!"
Finally, Oliver made the connection.
"Isn't Roger going out with Leanne?" Oliver asked, looking back at me.
"Yeah," I sighed looking into my tea, poor Leanne, "she talked so good of him too."
"Get him back for her," he said softly.
My eyes shot up from my tea to him. I smiled slyly.
"Be right back," I said standing up. "Thank you darling," I rolled my 'r' again before giving him a peck on his temple before walking over to the counter.
"Excuse me," I said over the counter, then I realized there was a little bell. I 'binged' it and the next second I knew a middle aged witched, around 45, popped out of now where.
Her brown hair was graying, she was pleasantly plump, more so than Mrs. Weasley, and was wearing a bright pink robe with long pink earrings.
"Yes?" she asked, trying to imitate a teenage voice.
"Er…" I was a little thrown off by her appearance, "You see the boy with brown hair, kissing his date, she's that red head?"
"Yes! They come here every so often. They do make a lovely couple, don't they?"
Personally I wanted to slap all three of them.
"They really do," I lied, she bought it though, "you see," I took out the sugar quills and pastries, "they're good friends of mine, and they had a fight and I was wondering, to celebrate them getting back together, if you could give them each a cup of tea, on me of course, and mix the sugar quills in?"
She looked at me skeptically, "It's how they make their tea back at school," I explained, lying.
She smiled, "of course."
"Oh, and could you give them these?" I took out the pastries, "They're their favorites."
"Certainly, I'll get right on it," she took the prank food, "I'll tell them it's from you."
"Oh no, don't, don't, they'll know it's from me," I smiled.
She nodded, "It'll be out in a minute."
"Thank you, you do run a fine place here," I said handing her the money, she beamed as I walked back to Oliver. "How's the tea, pumpkin?" I asked sitting down. All enthusiasm gone.
Oliver was looking out the window, "Hu? Oh, wonderful," he snapped back from his daydream. "How'd it go?"
"Good," I took a sip of tea, "I think."
A few minutes later the witch came over to our table, "Miss," she said quietly to me, "I gave your friends your present, they said to tell who ever it was thank you."
"Thanks for relaying the message," I smiled.
She was about to walk away when she put a hand on Oliver's shoulder, "You've got quite a catch, don't lose it."
I though all the tea in my mouth was going to come flying out. Oliver just stared at me.
"Oliver, it's rude to stare," mocking his voice.
Why was he starring at me?
Oliver shook his head quickly like there was a bug on it, "Sorry, honey-kinns"
I groaned and a loud squawk! came out of nowhere.
My head snapped around to Davies's table. His red head date had a hand clamped over her mouth while her date was roaring like a lion. His teeth were blue. Oliver was laughing hysterically, Fred and Angelina were making their way out, saying something like 'how rude the people in this shop are', George and Alicia were following suite.
Oliver took my hand and handed me my coat, "Let's go, beautiful," he said in a fake sophisticated voice as he helped put my coat on, like I needed it. "I'd rather not bring you around such ruffians, let's go." he was still holding my hand, guiding me out the door while animal sounds were still emitting from Davies's mouth.
"Yes," I agreed in the same stuck up voice, "let's."
"That, was bloody brilliant," Fred said once Oliver and I had made our way out of the shop.
"So how did you do it?" George asked through laughs.
"I told the crazy witch that they were friends of mine that had just gotten back together after a fight. So I asked her to make the tea and give them the pastries as a present." I explained, "she bought it."
Angelina starred at me, "You lied? And got away with it?"
Alicia caught on to what she meant, "Oh my God, Katie Ann Bell…"
"We taught her so well," Fred said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye and George sniffed.
"Come one," Oliver said smiling, putting an arm around my shoulders and leading me down the street, "butter beers on me."
When we were at The Three Broomsticks, I finally caught Alicia alone when the boys went to go get the butter beers.
"So," I said, slyly, "did you have fun during that?"
Alicia once again went as red as my sweater, "what do you mean, of course I had fun. We did prank Davies, didn't we?"
I sighed, and Angelina followed suite, "we saw what happened, 'Lic."
"So did I," she said as she got even redder, "Davies's date squawked like a bird while he roared like a lion with blue teeth."
"That's not what we meant," Angelina said, looking at George's back then back to her.
Here, Alicia played stupid and cocked an eyebrow, "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh come on!" I said grinning, "Don't play stupid 'Lic! You're cheeks are so red you look sunburned!"
"Oh, alright!" she said, "but don't tell anyone! And I mean anyone! I don't need rumors flying around if I don't know how he feels too."
I smiled victoriously, "done."
Perfect timing too, Oliver and the twins came back with the butter beer in like 30 seconds. Then in started noticing things, like Alicia would blush slightly when George spoke to her. But the more they spoke, the less red she got. They do make a cute couple though.
"How about the Shrieking Shack?" Fred asked once we were done.
In two minutes we were standing in front of the fence that blocked it off.
"Bummer," Angelina said looking at the 'no trespassing' sign, "looks like we'll have to leave."
Ever since our first visit to Hogsmeade two years ago, she's hated the place. I'm not exactly sure though. I mean, it was dead silent when we went.
She started to walk away but Fred and I caught her arm.
"Come on," George said as he climbed over the 8 foot chain link fence.
"But-but it says 'no trespassing'," Angelina pointed to the sign, her heels digging into the snow as we dragged her over.
"It'll be ok," Fred said reassuringly, holding her left arm.
"But-"
"You guys dragged me to the hospital wing," I said, "now we're dragging you here."
We managed to get her to the fence.
"But you weren't afraid," Angelina said.
"Yes I was!" I protested, "that woman hates me! I'd be crazy not to be scared!"
"She has a point," Oliver said after he jumped the fence, George was helping Alicia. How sweet…
"Oh, oh alright" Angelina said, ripping herself from our grasp and hopping over the fence.
Fred and I shrugged our shoulders, and started over. I was climbing down the other side when my foot slipped on some ice and I fell backwards. I'm an idiot, but someone caught me. I looked up and it was Oliver.
"Thanks," I smiled.
"Anytime," as he as he helped me stand up.
So we continued to walk towards the Shrieking Shack, and I swear, Angelina was shaking like crazy every step of the way. Once we were standing outside I was kind of feeling guilty about dragging Angelina there.
"Well, we're here," I said, turning on my heel, "let's go back now!"
"You're not chickening out on us are you?" Fred asked teasingly.
Oh he didn't just call me a chicken.
I stopped in my tracks and glared back at him. And he just smiled devilishly. God damn him.
"Oh, oh alright," I said returning.
"Come on," George said, walking around the back.
I looked at Angelina who looked more frightened than ever. Boy, the guilt was settling in. but then Fred put an arm around her shoulder and walked her around. Would some one like to tell me when all these unsuspected couples came around? Am I that blind?
I was pondering that thought when Oliver called me, then I realized it was standing in the snow with probably the weirdest look on my face.
"Hm?" I realized everyone else was already half way around the house, "Oh, right."
"This," Alicia said, once we made our way in from the back door the twins and Oliver pried open, "is the creepiest place ever."
We were all shaking now. Well, at least Angelina, Alicia and I were. Angelina was hugging herself, her excuse was that she was cold, hell, we all were. Alicia was shaking just as much as Angelina now. And I had my hand wrapped so tight around my wand in my pocket I thought it was going to snap in half.
"Let's split up," George said.
Us girls just starred at him. No way in hell, were any of us going anywhere alone in that place.
"Fine," George said, looking at our pale faces, "you girls can stay together," then the three boys went into separate rooms.
"They're trying to give us heart attacks," Angelina said.
I buttoned up my petticoat even tighter, and tied my hair in a loose bun "Don't I know it."
Next thing we know, we're roaming around, with our arms interlaced, scared like little kids afraid of the boogey man. I thought we looked like Dorothy and everyone else with that dog in that muggle movie, skipping through the woods merrily, except we were scared out of minds, cold, and walking as quietly as possible in a haunted house.
Eventually, after many frights and jumps, we got used to the creaky boards, howling wind and dim lighting. Soon after that, we were roaming around in rooms by ourselves. I came to this one room upstairs, Angelina was in the room next door and Alicia was in the one down the hall. It looked like it could've been a bed room. Except the mattress was old and several springs were sitting out, not to mention the leg bite off a chair.
I was about to turn around when someone put a firm hand at the base of my neck. I swear, I jumped two feet in the air and turned around at the same time and I also had my wand pointed at-
"Oliver!" I slapped him across the face so hard he was seeing stars.
"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing the red hand that was forming on his cheek.
"What do you think?" I asked in a hushed whisper. I was still hyperventilating and shaking. I couldn't even tuck a lock of hair behind my ear my hands were shaking so much.
"Cold?" he was looking at my hands.
More like scared to my wit's end! But I was stupid enough not to wear gloves, curse my forgetfulness..
He took off his gloves and stuffed them in his pocket, "Give me your hand."
I just cocked an eyebrow. He scared me half to death, now he wants my hand?
He rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand anyway. Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. He just chuckled and rubbed my hand in-between his. Then he did the same to my other hand, they instantly became warm. Then he shoved his gloves on my hands, much to my protest.
"Thanks," I said, barley a whisper.
"Next time remember gloves," he chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
I rolled my eyes smiling. He just had to ruin it and bring up my stupidity.
Then I heard Alicia scream "RUN!" and saw her sprinting down the hall with Angelina right behind her. Terrified, Oliver and I stuck our heads out the doorway. And there at the end of the hall, was a huge, black dog. And it didn't look happy. This was no ordinary dog. I mean, it was just as big as a wolf, and just as mad. It's hackles were up and snarling and growling and drooling, the whole nine yards! We immediately put our heads back in the room If I was scared before, there's not a word in the universe to explained how absolutely terrified I was then.
I was behind Oliver and I put a hand on his shoulder. I was gripping it so hard he turned around and raised his eyebrows. I let go and looked at the ground.
"Look," he whispered, putting a hand under my chin and forcing me to look up, "when I give the word, run and make sure everyone else is out. I'm sure one of the twins is downstairs waiting."
"But-"
"Kat."
I sighed and nodded. I didn't mean to nod though. I, whole heartedly, would've rather us both jump off the window. But before I could say another word, Oliver walked out into the hall, facing that-that thing.
I was going to say something, I knew it would be stupid and I would've said it anyway, except my voice completely failed me. Oliver looked over to me, moving my lips, but not uttering a word. Any other time we would've laughed. Then I saw him nod, barely a movement at all, towards the stairs.
So I ran, I felt terrible leaving him there, but I ran. I practically flew down the stairs and practically sprinted right into Fred.
"What's going on?" he asked, holding me at arms length.
Then I heard something bounding upstairs and I almost threw up as I realized it was that dog. Instead, I pulled him by the collar out the door as I heard Oliver scream some spell, or at least that's what I hoped he screamed.
We ran through the back door to where George was waiting with Alicia and Angelina. I was just getting bombarded with questions.
"Where's Oliver?"
"Is that thing a dog?"
"What happened?"
Then I saw the most beautiful thing, Oliver almost flying out the back door, running past us and yelling at us to hurry up.
I swear, we have never run faster. We sprinted the whole way back towards the fence, like five pitches, and practically jumped over it in one bound. We all landed panting on the other side, sitting in the snow that was still forming, our backs leaning against the fence.
I realized I was sitting in the snow next to Oliver and I threw my arms around him, resting on his panting body for a moment. Then I slapped him.
He looked completely shocked.
"What?"
I pointed a finger at him, "Don't ever, EVER, do that again!"
Oliver chuckled before putting his arms around me, "Alright Kat, alright."
"Well," Fred said, standing up and then helping Angelina up, "as much as I hate to ruin things, I'm freezing, I can't feel my nose or ears, and I'm dying of hunger. So this time I'm treating."
I think the beginning was a little shaky...
Did ya' like? Guess who the dog is! C'mon! you know you want to!