-1Disclaimer - I will not go through it again!
Some Sodding Bad Fairy
Chloe stood stock still, marvelling at her bad luck, until Angelina gently took hold of her arm and guided her back to their table.
"Don't worry about it, she's just being Rachel." she whispered.
When they reached the table, Fred took one look at Chloe's face and jumped up.
"Well, I think I'll go and get more drinks. Same again everyone?" When they nodded their assent, he grabbed George's arm and pulled him up, causing Rachel to slip abruptly off his lap.
"Sorry Rach, come on George, I'm gonna need some help with the drinks mate." Fred pulled George over to the bar, ignoring Rachel's shout of,
"Champagne please George darling!"
"What is going on? I thought she finished with you?" Fred asked as soon as they were out of earshot. George shook his head.
"She did, I have absolutely no idea what she's doing. I didn't even think she'd be invited tonight, she only works in Gladrags for Merlin's sake!"
"Her parents are quite influential in the Ministry," Fred said slowly, "I s'pose that got her an invite. But I thought you and Chloe were bound to sort yourselves out tonight."
"We don't even know if she likes me." George said in exasperation.
"Yes we do." Fred interrupted. "Six champagnes and five firewhiskeys please mate."
"But I was going to say something, I don't know what, but I was. And now, I don't know what she's gonna think, I mean, she just found out we broke up, and here Rachel is, back like some sodding bad fairy out of a crap muggle fairytale…"
"Calm down George. Hold these." Fred said, handing George tray carrying the firewhiskeys and one glass of champagne. "Make sure you give the champagne to Chloe, not Rachel. I'm sure that'll make some sort of point." George gave his brother a sceptical look. "It will, girls always read into things like that."
When they returned to the table, George handed Chloe the glass of champagne and was rewarded with a small smile from her, and a dark look from Rachel.
"Maybe Fred was right about this," he thought to himself, "I just need to give Rachel a couple of hints and she might bugger off."
"So, Chloe. How are you?" Rachel asked, in a suspiciously bright tone. "Still single?" Chloe took a large slug of champagne before replying.
"Yeah, I am. I heard about you and George though, I am so sorry about that." she added, sounding as un-sorry as possible. Rachel gave her a fake smile.
"Well, relationships always have their ups and downs. But I suppose you wouldn't know about that? You've never had a real relationship, have you Chloe?" The table gave a collective gasp, shocked that Rachel would be so openly cruel to Chloe, who merely smiled coldly.
"I was with Ben Bones for a year, before he was killed." Rachel looked uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise."
"I know." Chloe replied frostily. "You never do."
"And what's that supposed to mean exactly?" Rachel asked, mirroring Chloe's tone.
"Oh nothing, but you often miss out on things that are right under your nose, don't you?"
"I suppose you would be talking about…"
"I'm not talking about anything in particular Rachel." Chloe cut her off. "But maybe you're not as dense as you appear to be and know what I'm referring to." Rachel's mouth fell open in shock.
"You think you're wonderful now you've got you Order of Merlin, and got a bit famous don't you?" she sneered, "but I'll always remember that stupid teenager who was too scared to go after what she really wanted."
"Okay!" Angelina broke in. "I think we should go over, um, well just over there Clo, before either of you say something you regret." Without waiting for an answer, she pulled Chloe out of her seat, and over to the bar, followed closely by Hermione, Ginny and Tonks. Fred watched them go, shocked by the recent slanging match.
"I never thought Chloe was like that." Remus said, sounding shocked.
"She's got every right to be though," Ron replied, "You were a bit of a cow to her Rachel." Rachel opened her mouth to retaliate, but was cut off by George saying tersely,
"Just don't, alright?" He looked over to the girls, who were huddled around Chloe, who was gesturing wildly while talking, and looked livid. Rachel settled for sneering at him, and muttered,
"Get over it George. It's never going to happen. You'd be much better off with me." She smiled slyly, and added, "I think I need a drink." She got up and stalked over to the bar, but before she reached it, a Ministry official took Chloe to the stage as they were about to give out the awards. The other girls made their way back to the table, as Ron and Harry left it, and Ginny deliberately smacked her shoulder into Rachel's chest as they passed her.
"Childish, but I feel better now." she said with a small smile.
Rachel stood by the bar with a glass of champagne as they gave out the awards, and George noticed she was the only person in the room who didn't clap as Chloe received her Order of Merlin.
"Don't worry about her George," Tonks said comfortingly, "she's just a brat."