"Hey, Katerina –"
"I said I don't mind!" I yelled interrupting Daphne. She joined me on the stairs and we headed up
"Oh no that's not what I was going to say" she replied not paying any attention to my scowl. "But, while we're on the subject… are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure" I sighed. She had been pestering me ever since she found out who Draco was going to Hogsmeade with.
"Fine" she grumbled not believing me. "But are you sure you want to go with the Gryffindors? I'm sure Draco would choose you if you asked"
"Daphne, I'm going with Fred and George today. If I'm okay with that you should be too"
She rolled her eyes at me before we stepped onto the third floor. I had agreed to meet the twins by the Clock Tower Entrance before we left and apparently Daphne was meeting people there too. She was going with Theodore and some fourth years. The two of them had been spending more time together lately and he spoke to her more than anyone else in our group
"Kitty!" someone called from down the corridor. I looked and found Fred and George were walking towards me. They looked at Daphne giving her a friendly smile. She returned it but it wasn't as friendly. When they reached us I introduced them to one another.
"Nice to meet you" they both said at the same time while she just nodded. I noticed Daphne's suspicions towards their friendliness and smiled. Slytherins usually weren't nice to one another unless they wanted something. Gryffindors on the other hand…
"Are you going to join us?" George asked
"No, I have to go meet some people" she answered a little stiffly. "I'll see you in the dungeon."
"Alright" I said and waved at her as she headed to the bridge. The twins gave each other a look and shrugged. "She's friendlier once you get to know her"
"If you say so" Fred said and I giggled.
We three walked past Filch and towards the bridge. He had been in a fouler mood than usual after Fred and George's little prank. Everyone knew they were the ones who did it but seeing as Filch had no proof he couldn't get them into trouble. The twins gave him a goofy grin and rushed me away when Filch started yelling. Once at Hogsmeade Fred announced he had told some people he'd meet them at Honeydukes. Without further explanation he ran into the little shop leaving me and George alone.
"Did you want to go too?" I asked George a little afraid that he was only staying with me to be nice. I didn't want to keep them from their friends and could've easily joined Daphne and her group if I wanted
"Nah, I'm okay" George grinned down at me. "Did you want to go?"
"Nah" replied and his smile widened.
"Guess it's just the two of us then." I nodded but made a face when I saw Pansy's stupid smirk being sent my way from behind him. Draco was standing right next to her
Draco was spending the day with Pansy today. She had annoyed him into agreeing to go after she found out we were spending Christmas together. Once we left school Draco and I were both going home and while our parents spend some time together we would be spending some time together too. Mr. Malfoy had been talking to my father more than usual and as always I worried about his motives. But either way it gave me some extra time with Draco
Draco had asked if I was okay with him going with Pansy and of course I said yes. Just because I didn't like her didn't mean I would stop him from spending time with her. Like I had said to Daphne, what they did was their business. She liked him and while I liked messing with her I wasn't mean enough to keep her away from the boy she cherished… Okay that wasn't entirely true. Truth is that if I let her spend time with him she'd get smug and it would just be that much more insulting when he chose me over her. He would and we both knew it.
"What are you thinking?" George chuckled next to me. I looked up at him and away from the two Slytherins tilting my head. He laughed again. "You have a sort of evil smile going on. Don't get me wrong I like it but –"
"Just thinking" I interrupted. Draco had noticed us and frowned. I hadn't told him I'd be spending time with the twins. Well it was only one twin now but still. He had seen me leave with Daphne and probably assumed I'd be going with her. Either way he wasn't happy. Pansy wasn't either and she started dragging him away from me. I waved to them then turned back to George. "Let's go, 'kay?"
George nodded and pulled me to the nearest shop to spend the day together. Today was mostly about buying some Christmas presents. First we went to Spintwitches Quidditch Supplies where I made George close his eyes while I bought him and Fred their gifts. He peeked of course. Next was Tomes and Scrolls were I bought Hermione a big and somewhat heavy book making me thankful George was around to carry my things. I felt a little bad making him do that but since he didn't whine I forgot about it. And after a visit to Zonko's Joke Shop I spotted something strange.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Crabbe and Goyle standing a little ways away looking over at us. In the next shop the same thing happened. They stood by the entrance looking not at the supplies but at us. It was a bit odd… I pretended to be interested in something in the back and pulled George over with me. Once I did they came completely inside and not so slyly glanced in our direction a few times while pretending to look over something else. This only assured me they were following us; they were looking at a thick book on runes.
They hid behind a shelf as we started leaving. Crabbe and Goyle leaned over and watched us as we headed to the door. How long had they been doing that? Why would they care where I was going? Draco must have sent them... He asked them to spy on us, but why? Was he still worried that I would get myself into trouble with the Dementors, or maybe Sirius Black? I couldn't think of another reason why he would ask them to do that. Especially since he saw I was with George. Even if we were alone he was older and knew far more than Crabbe and Goyle.
"I can't believe him" I whispered to myself and shook my head.
"What?" George asked completely oblivious to the amount of questions in my mind
"What?" I replied
"You can't believe what?" he pressed on
"I don't know" I answered not being able to think of anything better to say. I knew he didn't like Draco and I didn't want to give him a reason to get upset. He gave me a look. "Hey what's that" I said and pulled him away from our not so little spies
"What?" he asked being fooled by my distraction
"Let's stop here" I said when reached a cute little tea shop
"Here?" George asked looking at wide eyed at the building. Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was decorated with frills and other girly things. That would explain his tone I suppose, but I ignored it.
"Yes, here, now come on." I said and pulled him inside. The bell on the door chimed as we stepped into the pretty little shop with several round tables covering the floor. In them were people, in groups of two, enjoying their drinks from some very cute tea cups. A plucky looking witch, who I assumed was Madam Puddifoot, was making her way around the tea shop serving people. We found an empty table and sat down as she came over for our order. I asked for some tea while George chose coffee.
When our drinks came I grabbed the sugar bowl before George could beat me to it. But to my surprise he didn't even reach for it; he seemed like he'd be into a sweeter drink though. I stirred the sugar into my tea careful not to spill any or hit the edges of the cup. Being in a higher class I had been raised to always do things in their "proper" manner. While I knew George could care less if I made a little noise habit made me cautious. In front of me George took a sip of his bitter drink, making a loud slurping sound. Many of the other customers nearby turned around
"Sorry" he mumbled to me putting his drink down. His face looked a little flushed from the warm drink. I giggled and took a sip from my own drink. "So how's your tea?"
"Sweet" I smiled and took another drink. I liked this place, it was endearing. The tea cups reminded me of some my mother had at home. They were white with little pink flowers printed on the side that matched the centerpiece. I giggled again realizing what I had dragged George into
"Good" he nodded and looked down at his drink. My eyes drifted over to the two people sitting behind him. They looked like students but I didn't recognize them. I didn't pay much attention to other people so it wasn't that strange. They were holding hands on the table. The girl giggled and covered her face. I wondered if I would act that strange when I got a boyfriend… First I'd need a boyfriend though…
"Hmm" I sighed a little and drank the rest of my tea. It's not like I wanted one or anything, it would just be nice to have someone around to do things for me. Well at least I had Draco, and I guess George too
"So any special plans for Christmas?" George asked catching my attention. He was looking over to Madam Puddifoot who was stepping in between two tables trying to serve people
"I'm spending it with Draco actually." This made his eyes snap back to me
"Malfoy?" he asked in a tone that was very unlike him. "Shouldn't you be with family?"
"Yes but my parents got invited to some celebration and Draco's parents are going with them so it's just the two of us" I shrugged
"Weren't you invited too?" he asked looking more interested in it than I was
"I was but I hate those kinds of events. I usually just stay home. And this year Draco said he'd join me so I wouldn't be alone"
"Why don't you spend it with Alla?" he frowned
"She should be with her family. And I don't want to intervene" I added. Why was he asking so many questions?
"You should be with your family too" he persisted. "Go to the party"
"No" I frowned. "We already planned it anyway"
"I just don't think you should spend it with Malfoy" he grumbled leaning back on his chair.
"I know you don't like each other but he is my friend"
"You deserve better than him" he mumbled and I sighed
"Want to go?" I asked ignoring his comment; both of us were done with our drinks. George nodded stiffly and stood up. I still didn't understand why boys behaved this way. Girls weren't much better but at least they only acted this way when it was over someone they liked, like Pansy over Draco. George paid, after much insistence, and we left. Outside we spotted Fred who looked quite shocked to see us stepping out of the little tea shop.
"Hey" Fred greeted meeting us halfway. The smile was plain on his face even from a distance. Next to me George looked away shifting my things around in his arms
"Hi" I smiled thinking it was strange that he was alone. Where were the people he'd gone to meet?
"So you two have a good time without me?" Fred smirked at his brother
"Yeah" George mumbled still not looking at either of us. He squinted suddenly and frowned. "But it looks like that's over." Fred and I turned and saw Draco marching over with Crabbe and Goyle behind him. Pansy was nowhere in sight
"Hey" I said to him. Instead of answering, Draco pulled me aside and away from the rest of the boys. I followed quietly noticing his face and gestured to the twins I'd be right back. Crabbe and Goyle stayed with them as Draco continued to put space between us. Once we were out of earshot he stopped. He looked upset. "What?"
"Why did you go in there?" he growled slightly jabbing his finger at the tea shop
"We were having tea. Well I was; George had coffee. Why, what's the matter?"
"You were having tea" he repeated still upset
"That's what I just said, yes. What's with you?" I didn't get why he was so upset. It's not like he hadn't seen me with George earlier
"I don't want you spending time with them" he stated. I blinked then laughed. And then laughed harder when I saw he was serious. He still thought he could tell me what to do. It was adorable
"You are so cute" I giggled.
"Shut up, I'm serious" he grumbled looking away
"And that's why it's funny" I answered with a smile. His frown deepened. "Now what's really bothering you?"
"It's time to go" he said stiffly, ignoring my question. I sighed and nodded. He was hardheaded and I didn't want to argue right now.
"Let me just get my things from George" I said turning around
"Crabbe, Goyle" Draco called to them over my shoulder pointing at George. Not even needing to finish his sentence they took my things from him. I walked back over to twins anyway to goodbye, and apologize for Draco's behavior. Fred nodded and George rolled his eyes
"I'll see you guys later" I called and walked back to where Draco stood impatiently tapping his foot. We walked back to Hogwarts and made our way to our own rooms to get ready for the trip home tomorrow. He better work on his attitude or he can kiss his Christmas presents goodbye