December 22nd
GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM, 9:02 A.M.
"About time we've gone into Hogsmede, don't you think?" said Harry, pulling a knit cap over his untamed hair. "I can't wait to see your Uncle's new joke shop. Dad told me it was pretty awesome.."
Will merely agreed to everything Harry said. He was far too busy trying to figure out what he was going to do about his sister and her infatuation with Fredrick.
Caitlin Longbottom came down from the girls dorm, looking like she was on cloud 9. "Goodmorning, boys.." she said airly.
"Morning!" replied Harry in his most cheery tone. "Ready for Hogsmede?"
Caitlin smiled, pulling a piece of parchment from her pocket. "Mmhm! I've got a list of people to go shopping for.. maybe you guys can help me out? See, I wanted to get my father a Snort-Nosed Piegel. I don't suppose you know where I can find one of those?"
Harry stared at her blankly.
"..Will, do you know?" asked Caitlin, turning to face him.
Will glanced up at her. "Er..no. ..Is Germione up yet? We should start heading downstairs.."
"Yes, she should be down in a mome-.."
The slam of a door inturrupted Caitlin mid-word, followed by a series of footfalls stomping down the staircase. Germione appeared in the commonroom doorway, fuming.
"Morning Germione!" chirped Harry and Caitlin in unison.
"SHUT THE HELL UP! I CAN'T GO! SO SHUT UP!" was their reply as Germione threw on a scarf and hurled herself through the portrait exit, but not before throwing Caitlin the most evil look she could muster up.
Caitlin sniffed a bit before following after her reluctantly, leaving Harry and Will alone.
Harry grinned, draping an arm around Will's shoulders. "This is gunna be fun.."
Will merely agreed, for he was far to busy trying to figure out what he would do to keep Germione from brutally murdering Caitlin.
HOGSMEDE VILLAGE, 10:43 A.M.
The students scattered into the streets once the teachers gave the word.
"We're to meet at this very spot by three!" shouted Hermione at retreating backs.
Harry and Will scurried up the snow-covered road, keen on reaching their destination. They aproached a large brick building with a glowing sign at the window, which they stopped to read.
Harry laughed. "U-NO-POO! That's a good one.." He stepped forward, pushing the door open. The store was packed with students surveying the merchindise--so packed, Harry and Will found it difficult to even get inside. Something wizzed over Harry's head.
"Weasley's whizzing wheezies.. I know that sound anywhere.." mumbled Harry.
Will glanced over towards the front counter. "..Odd. Uncle Fred and Uncle George aren't here.."
Harry started pushing his way towards the counter. "They're probably in the back room.." His eyes caught someone with a freckled nose standing on the counter.
"Peorge? What the hel-..eck..are you doing here?" coughed Harry, looking up at the young Weasley.
"Unc'a Fred and George told me to watch the store, so I'mma watchin'!" replied Peorge. "They're in the back!"
A 3rd year Hufflepuff girl aproached the counter, waving some odd candy at Peorge.
"Yes, that'll be 2 knuts please!"
"Here's 4, that's all I have." replied the girl, passing Peorge the money.
Peorge pocketed the money, smiling at the girl. "Gee, thanks! Bye!"
Will coughed. "I think she'd like some change, Peorge."
Peorge blinked at Will.
"..Nevermind. You take care of this, Harry. I have to find Caitlin.." said Will. He turned and pushed his way back to the door, leaving Harry and Peorge at the counter.
"You give her two back, Peorge.." said Harry, demonstrating with two fingers.
"But why? She gave it to me!" Peorge retorted.
"AGH, NEVERMIND, KEEP IT!" snapped the girl, before stomping off.
Outside, Will walked along the road, peering into windows as he passed by them. Across the way, he spotted a small cafe, and looking through the window he saw Caitlin sitting at a table. Across from her sat Ali Zabini, who snapped her fingers at a passing waiter before pointing down at her cup. He shook his head, before turning away and walking back towards his Uncle's shop.
"It was so nice of you to invite me to have a drink with you, Ali.." said Caitlin, blinking down at her lap. "I always thought you didn't like me.."
Ali snickered. "Really? How silly! What made you think that?"
"That one time in Professor Doboi's class. We were doing a group assignment and you turned to McCormack and told him you didn't like me.."
"Who told you THAT?" asked Ali, laughing a bit.
"..I was sitting right next to him. I heard you." Caitlin replied airly. "He was my partner, remember?"
"Hm. ..No. But that's in the past. This is now! We're friends now!" said Ali with a smile bright enough to blind the blind. A young man aproached their table, placing a cup infront of Ali.
"Your cocoa Miss Zabini.. sorry for the mixup.." the man said, twitching slightly.
"Nonsence! All is forgotten!" she replied, winking at the man.
He blinked, nodded at the two of them, and rushed off to tend to another customer.
"Hn..Wait til Daddy hears about this one. That man will be fired for sure.." Ali mumbled into her cocoa.
Caitlin blinked. "He apologized for what he did. I mean, you did ask for cocoa. He didn't know you wanted it cold.."
"What fool serves cocoa hot! I mean, honestly!" retorted Ali, shaking her head slightly.
Caitlin smiled, shaking her head as well. "You really are something, Ali Zabini.."
Ali's head shot up immediately. "Is that bad?"
"Oh, no! It's a good thing! I promise!" said Caitlin, holding a hand up. "It means you're..different. I like that."
"Hm. ...Well, then you're REALLY something Caitlin."
Both girls laughed for a second, then stopped suddenly. The table sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes, until Ali spoke up again.
"..Ew.."
"What? What's wrong?" asked Caitlin.
"..We like..had a moment.." Ali finished, leaning back in her seat.
Caitlin frowned. "So? I thought you said we were friends.."
"Oh, yeah, of course! ..I just don't have moments like that with people, so like..don't tell anyone.."
"Oh. ..Okay."
The awkward silence returned, this time lasting only a short moment.
"Sooo.." started Ali, leaning forward. She propped her chin up with both hands, grinning. "How was dancing with Fredrick yesterday?"
Caitlin looked up from her own cup of cocoa, blinking at Ali. "Er..it was alright, I suppose. I felt kind've foolish dancing with him.. I kept stepping on his toes, but he didn't seem to mind it. I didn't really pay attention to the dancing though, we mostly talked.."
"About..?"
"I don't know..life? He told me he wanted to work with his grandfather at the Ministry after he graduated.." said Caitlin, smiling as she swirled her finger in her cup.
"Ew.."
Caitlin looked up.
"I,uh..mean..how enlightening.." Ali said quickly, leaning back. "What else did you talk about?"
"We talked about Will a bit. He asked me why I wasn't dancing with him.."
"Oh, you didn't hear? Will can't dance." blurted Ali.
"Really? Why didn't he tell me..?" Caitlin frowned.
"Well, like..Germione told the whole world.. I'm surprised you didn't hear her, cause that girl has a biiiiig mouth.."
Caitlin looked down at her hands.
Ali sighed. "..You know. I value our conversation, my dear friend. It's a pity the semester ends tomorrow. Will you be going home?"
"No, I'm staying behind.." replied Caitlin quietly.
"Lovely.. I'm returning home, but I would just DIE if you could come along with me! C'mon, it'd be great! We can talk about whatever you want. Like..Will, or something. Yeah, that sounds like a good topic! What do you say?" blurted Ali in a rush.
Caitlin shrugged slightly. "I suppose that would be alright. ...Er, you sure you want to spend Winter Break with me?"
"I'd love to!" said Ali sweetly, clapping her hands together.
A smile returned to Caitlin's face. "Really? Oh! This is great! I'm going to send an owl to my father immediately!" She rose to her feet and skipped merrily from the cafe.
Ali waved to her as she passed infront of the window then, once Caitlin was out of sight, leaned back in her chair, smirking.
"..Piece of cake.."
TBC..