Chapter 5
During her comparatively short time on the earth, Alicia Spinnet had picked up on a few certainties in life. For instance, you can always be sure that dropped toast will land butter-side down. You can also be certain that when you're calling the Potions Professor a greasy-haired troll he will be standing directly behind you. And, of course, the telephone will always ring just as you get into the shower.
Alicia now had another certainty to add to her growing list. Over the last week she'd discovered that when you desperately need to talk to someone every possible obstacle will present itself. When you're about to call him the cat will drop a dead mouse on your lap or your houseguest will almost electrocute himself.
On such an occasion, Alicia dropped the phone and dove across the kitchen. "Dammit, Lee!"
"Hey! I'm trying to make some toast for dinner here!" he protested as she shoved him aside.
"Yes, but you're not supposed to stick knives in the toaster!" Alicia shrieked, snatching the offending butter-knife off him.
"Why not? I do it at home."
"ELECTRICITY!"
"Oh."
"Yeah. Oh. You scared the bloody hell out of me!"
"Sorry, love. I've forgotten about all of this Muggle stuff," he said apologetically.
Alicia let out a loud breath as her heartbeat slowly returned to normal. "Ok, new house rule - you're not to touch the toaster ever again. In fact, don't touch anything electrical."
Lee frowned at her. "You want me to stay somewhere else?"
"No. I want you to not electrocute yourself. Is that really too much to ask?" she demanded, retrieving the phone and stomping off.
Lee followed her and watched tentatively as she slammed it back on the receiver. "I'm glad that you care so much, but it's really no trouble. I've even had an offer from one of your lovely Chasers."
Alicia pointed a menacing finger at him. "Absolutely not. Now that we're into the League final I can't afford to let the girls get distracted. You're lucky I'm even letting you date Sophie."
"Hey, I can't help it if she can't get enough of me. It's animal magnetism."
Alicia scowled. It wasn't like she was jealous. Lee could date anyone he wanted. It certainly didn't matter that Sophie had asked him to stay with her. Ok, so maybe she was a little jealous. But that was completely understandable. Lee had screwed up her already pitiful love life, so why should he get to date anyone?
Alicia dropped into an armchair and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. "I'm never going to get to call him!"
"Call who?" Lee asked, taking a seat as well.
"Harry, you prat! I've been trying to talk to him ever since the party but something always seems to come up! I think it might be a sign. Maybe we just aren't meant to be together."
"That's ridiculous!"
Alicia shook her head and looked up at him. Her blue eyes were darker than Lee had ever seen them. "No. I've been thinking about it. He's dated a model, Lee. How am I supposed to compete with that?"
"What has she got that you don't?" Lee asked seriously.
Alicia stood up and put her hands on her hips. Lee immediately knew that he had somehow said the wrong thing. "You mean apart from shinier hair, longer legs and bigger breasts?"
"I don't know about that last one. I've always found your breasts rather nice," Lee replied thoughtfully.
"Really? I always thought they were - oh," Alicia stopped herself quickly. "No way. We aren't going to have that conversation. Anyway, my point is that I should just face up to the fact that I'm out of my league here."
Lee sighed, stood up, and captured her chin in his hand. "Listen here, sugar. I've dated a few models myself and besides being neurotic and self-obsessed, they're quite boring."
"But they live in the spotlight like Harry. In case you haven't noticed, I don't exactly have a rock and roll lifestyle." Lee was about to interrupt so Alicia slapped her hand over his mouth. "No. Think about it. Harry and I aren't on the same page. He's had this amazing life full of danger, adventure and risk taking."
Lee mumbled something that sounded like, "Buh dat dahnt mabber."
"It does matter!" Alicia insisted. "Lee, when I feel adventurous I put extra sugar in my coffee! Furthermore, the only time I'm in danger is when I try to cook! God, the last risk I took was with you and we both know how that turned out!"
Lee gently removed her hand from his mouth and smiled calmly. "Did you ever think that maybe Harry is sick of living that sort of life? Maybe he wants to settle down and not worry about almost being killed every year. I think you would be perfect for him."
Alicia peered up at him hopefully. "You really think so?"
"Have you ever known me to lie?"
"Well…"
"Let me re-phrase, have I ever deliberately lied to you?"
"No," Alicia admitted.
"There's your answer then. Look, why don't you give him a call now and I'll go take a shower so you can have some privacy. Tonight I'll take you out for dinner to apologise for buggering up your life. Feel like Chinese food?"
"Sure. It beats toast," Alicia said, smiling gratefully. At least she could always count on Lee. He walked off whistling cheerfully to himself and Alicia picked up the telephone.
She pulled a small scrap of parchment from her pocket and smoothed it out on her knee. Fred and George had somehow managed to get Harry's phone number for her. She stared down at the scrawled numbers. Slowly, Alicia began to dial.
Her hand was shaking so much that she almost dropped the phone. She had no idea what she was supposed to say. She wasn't good at that sort of thing! Alicia was concentrating so hard that when someone began to pound on her front door she jumped.
"Go away!" she yelled over her shoulder. Lee was already in the shower and there was no way she was going to be interrupted again. She only had two numbers left!
"Alicia! Open the damn door!" a familiar voice screeched. "It's an EMERGENCY!"
Alicia hung the phone back up and ran to the door. She found a very agitated Brianne on her doorstep. She opened the door without further hesitation. The Harpies' Chaser rushed by her. "What is it?" Alicia demanded, immediately fearing the worst.
"I can't find my wrist guard!" the woman sobbed.
Alicia stared at her in amazement. "What? You said it was an emergency! I was in the middle of something!"
Brianne began to wring her hands and jump up and down. "It is an emergency! I lost my lucky wrist guard! I've never played a game without it! If I don't find it I won't be playing next week!"
Alicia put her head in her hands in utter defeat. Of all the stupid…
"All right! I'll help you find your wrist guard, just take it easy. The last thing we need is for you to have a nervous breakdown," Alicia said with one last look at the phone. "Where did you have it last?"
Brianne's brow wrinkled in deep thought. "I was wearing it at the big party we had after the win. I remember having a few glasses of champagne, but that's it. When I looked through my bag this morning I couldn't find it. Everything else is in it, but the wrist guard has disappeared. We're going to lose!"
So, a drunk Chaser at a party of nearly one hundred people had misplaced her wrist guard. To make things worse the party had been a week ago and the cleaners would have immediately come through and disposed of everything left behind.
It was going to be a long night.
***************
"Stop it!" Alicia screamed as her head pounded. She wasn't a morning person at the best of times and Lee was making it much worse. They were sitting in the kitchen and he was going through his voice exercises to prepare for his commentary that day.
Much to Alicia's despair, Lee's so-called voice exercises consisted of him yelling a lot and singing Rule Britannia at the top of his lungs. At seven in the morning this was most unwelcome.
"At least sing something different!" she pleaded as a last resort.
He was silent for a moment as he thought of another song. He grinned and began to sing again. "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens."
Alicia groaned and put her hands over her ears. She began to regret making Lee watch all of her favourite musicals. "Anything but that!"
He mercifully stopped. The silence lasted less than five seconds. "Let's go fly a kite! Up to the highest height!"
"I'll rip out your vocal cords!" Alicia threatened.
Lee took no heed and stood up, flourishing his hand in the air. "Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow!"
Alicia growled and bared her teeth. "That's it! You've had your last warning!" She leapt up and lunged at her friend, but he danced out of reach.
Lee twirled and skipped into the living room with Alicia close behind. "The hills are alive with the sound of music!"
Alicia crash tackled him and he fell backwards onto the sofa. She landed on top of him and immediately tried to cover his mouth. "Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee, lousy with virginity!"
Alicia stopped and stared down at him. In the same position a month ago she would have kissed him. Now, she just laughed and slapped her hand over his mouth. "I have another new house rule. Lee Jordan, you are hereafter banned from watching any musicals. Also, the singing of show tunes is strictly forbidden."
He pushed her hand away and said petulantly, "Even 'The Lonely Goatheard'?"
"Especially 'The Lonely Goatheard'!"
Lee grinned up at her. "That's all right. I can't yodel very well."
"That's not surprising," she replied tartly.
Lee slipped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "Despite your dislike of my singing, I've had fun staying here."
"Well, you should consider moving back to England."
"I might just do that if things work out with Sophie."
Alicia gave him a sly wink. "I have a feeling they will."
"Speaking of Sophie…I've decided to go stay with her."
Alicia pushed herself off him and tried not to look hurt. "Sick of me already?"
"Of course not! I just figured you'd need your space. Especially if you ever want to see Harry again. He's definitely not going to be comfortable if I'm hanging about the place."
"I guess not," Alicia agreed. "So when will you be leaving?"
Lee shrugged. "Tomorrow or Tuesday."
"There's no hurry," she replied quietly.
"I know," Lee said and gave her a shove towards her bedroom. "You better go get dressed if we want to make it to the stadium on time. Make sure you wear something pretty, you never know when you'll run into Mr Potter."
Lee's advice caused Alicia to take twice as long to get ready. Everything she tried on seemed wrong. Finally, Lee burst into her room, causing her to squeal and wrap a sheet around herself. "Get out!"
Lee ignored her and began to rummage through her wardrobe. He threw clothes over his shoulder and she struggled to catch them without dropping her sheet. "Jeans. Blouse. Dress."
Lee stomped back out and Alicia sighed. When your ex-boyfriend is choosing your clothes you know you're really late.
Three hours later…
Alicia tugged at her pale blue blouse. She'd been sitting in the Top Box all morning and she was cramped and uncomfortable. She told Lee so and he waved his hand in her general direction.
"Go for a walk then," he said without looking up from his player profiles. He looked up at a tall bald man and jabbed his finger at the parchment. "How the hell am I supposed to pronounce that?"
"Mary Smith."
"Not her! The name below, you idiot!"
Alicia rolled her eyes and slipped out of the bustling box. The stadium had filled up quickly and the game was due to start in fifteen minutes. The crowd was a mix of fans wearing scarlet and black and fans wearing blue and gold.
A small boy wearing a blue and gold scarf was sitting not too far away from where Alicia was standing. He was waving a Puddlemere flag exuberantly. The wizard sitting beside him smiled at him proudly.
"Daddy, I want to be just like Harry Potter when I grow up!" the boy exclaimed.
His father raised his eyebrows sceptically. "I don't think you really want to be just like Harry. He wasn't always a professional Quidditch player."
"I do want to be like Harry! I do!" the boy insisted. "He's the best!"
Alicia smiled to herself. She glanced at her watch. If she hurried she'd be able to wish Harry luck before the game started. Now with a mission, Alicia began to elbow her way through the fans who were hurrying to their seats.
When she made it down to the pitch she found a large group of girls congregating around the door that lead to the players' area. They were all screaming Harry's name. A harassed looking security wizard was trying to hold them back.
The scene reminded Alicia of some old footage she'd seen of fans at a Beatles performance. Apparently Harry was the next Paul McCartney. Alicia was sure he'd find that rather amusing. She began to work her way through the hysterical girls. She may have 'accidentally' kicked a few of them in the ankle.
When she finally reached the security wizard he was having an argument with a curly haired girl. The girl was yelling up at the burly man. "But you don't understand! Harry and I are in love! He'll want to see me!"
Alicia was completely thrown by the adamant declaration. It was a second before she realised the girl was either lying or thoroughly delusional. The security wizard was a lot sharper, thankfully. He grabbed the girl as she tried to sneak through the door.
"I'm sure you and Mr Potter are very well acquainted," he said doubtfully. "Unfortunately, I can't let you through without a pass. Please step back, miss."
The girl huffed in the same way Alicia's younger sister did when something didn't go her way. The security wizard turned to Alicia and she flashed her all access pass. The wizard sighed in relief and held the door open for her.
"Hey! Tell Harry I love him!" someone yelled.
Not likely, Alicia thought as she disappeared through the door and down a flight of stairs.
When she reached the bottom she found herself under the Quidditch pitch. In the spirit of the Roman Coliseum, the teams prepared beneath the floor of the stadium. Alicia hurried along a well-lit corridor towards the away team's change room. She didn't know if Puddlemere were in that room or the home team's change room since it was a semifinal at a neutral ground.
Officials were running about the place trying to locate missing players or perform emergency repairs on brooms. Alicia weaved her way through them and reached the change room with only minutes to spare. The door was ajar so she peered inside. Two players wearing black and red robes were swinging bats.
Alicia cursed under her breath and turned to leave. She froze when she caught a snatch of conversation.
"-is going on with that. What does he think is going to happen after we take out Potter?"
Alicia had the distinct feeling the Ballycastle Beaters were not planning to take Harry out to dinner and a movie. She pressed herself against the wall and listened.
"Do you remember what we have to do?" a deep grumbling voice asked.
"Of course I do. We've been over it a hundred times! We pound him with Bludgers early on in hopes of wearing him out then we hit him with a Bludger Backbeat."
Alicia stifled a gasp. They were going to take Harry out of the game. The Bludger Backbeat was a hard move to perfect and even harder to anticipate. If Harry wasn't alert he could be seriously injured.
"There's no way we'll win with Potter around. We'll have to get rid of him before he can catch sight of the Snitch."
Alicia bit her lip. She could tell Harry what the Beaters were planning but they weren't proposing anything strictly against the rules. Would it be fair to give away their strategy?
"Just make sure you aim for his head," one of the Beaters said with a laugh.
"I wouldn't pass up a chance to ruin that pretty face of his," the other sneered.
Alicia scowled. There was no way she was going to let that slide. So, she had exactly one minute and thirty-six seconds to make it to the other end of the stadium and warn Harry before the game started. Talk about mission impossible.
Nobody was able to Apparate whilst in the stadium so she was forced to run. At this juncture it would probably be prudent to point out that Alicia Spinnet was not much of a runner. After all, Quidditch didn't entail a lot of running.
She'd barely gone fifty metres before she was puffing. Lee began his introduction and welcomed everyone to the game. Alicia sped up a little. The stadium began to rumble as Lee worked the crowd expertly. Alicia just hoped he kept the anticipation going a little longer.
Now, running through the winding corridors, Alicia began to appreciate just how long the Quidditch pitch really was. She could fly from end to the other in less than ten seconds but it took her over a minute to run. Ok, so it was really closer to two minutes. She made it to the tunnel just as Harry was about to take off.
Unfortunately, just as she called his name the crowd let out an enormous cheer that easily drowned her out. He mounted his broom and pushed off. The spectators began to chant his name as Alicia swore and hopped around in a circle.
Lee finished introducing the players and referee and the game was about to begin. Alicia ran to the end of the tunnel and looked up at the players. The sun was nearing its zenith now so she couldn't see a whole lot. She thought she could see Harry hovering above the other players, but she couldn't be certain.
"Hey!"
Alicia almost had a heart attack. She slapped her hand over her mouth to stop herself squealing in surprise. She'd been concentrating on the players so hard that she hadn't heard anyone approach. She didn't move or say anything and prayed whoever it was would leave her alone.
"Hey, I'm talking to you! You're not allowed in here!"
No such luck.
Alicia knew that even her all access pass wouldn't let her hang around the player's tunnel. She carefully tucked her pass under her blouse and turned around. A grizzly looking security guard was pointing his wand at her.
"No inglese," Alicia said quickly and put her hands in the air.
The guard frowned. "You a foreigner?"
Alicia just stared at him and repeated, "No inglese."
"What are you doing down here?" the guard demanded, clearly thrown by her lack of English.
Alicia began to regret her clever ruse. The only Italian she knew was what she had picked up on during a family holiday six years ago. She had to stick with it, however, so she looked around with wide eyes. "Io ho un gatto. Dov' è il formaggio?"
All she said was 'I have a cat. Where is the cheese?' but she said it so quickly and fervently that the man began to look worried. "Are you lost?"
Alicia tried to look politely confused. "Che?"
"Are - you - lost?" he repeated slowly.
"Che?"
The security guard looked very frazzled all of a sudden. Alicia began to feel sorry for him. She started pointing up to let him know she wanted to go back to the stadium. The guard smiled, finally he understood.
The guard led Alicia back to the stairs that would take her up. He followed her up and insisted on escorting her all the way back to her seat. He probably just wanted to make sure she didn't get lost again. For fifteen minutes they maneuvered their way through the enthralled crowd and back to the Top Box.
The official at the door recognised her and stood aside. Alicia took her seat beside Lee and smiled up the guard. Lee momentarily forgot he was supposed to be commenting and stared at Alicia. His look clearly said 'What have you done this time?'
"Grazie, Signore!"
Lee's eyes almost popped out of his head. The guard smiled then left the Box. Lee shook his head in amusement as Alicia settled in to watch the match as if nothing had happened. He was forced to turn his attention back to the game when the spectators gasped as one. Lee snatched up his Omnioculars and focused on Harry as he clutched at his arm and struggled to control his broom.
"Potter's been hit by a Bludger!"
Alicia snatched up her own Omnioculars and zeroed in on Harry. He grimaced in pain but managed to keep his broom steady. The Bludger hit hadn't been all that hard, just shocking. The Puddlemere Beaters received a chastising from their captain and they stuck close to Harry for the next few minutes.
"Redman scores another goal for Ballycastle! It's 20-0!" Lee announced. "It looks like the Puddlemere Chasers are going to have a hard time getting by Wood today!"
Alicia wasn't very surprised by that. Oliver had to be the best Keeper in the world. It was going to take a lot to get past him. If Harry really was taken out of play then Ballycastle were almost guaranteed the win. She could understand the plan to get him out of the way, but that didn't mean she had to like it. God help her if the Harpies ended up playing Puddlemere in the final.
Suddenly feeling guilty, Alicia turned her attention back to the game. She was supposed to be watching the Chasers and Keepers, not worrying about Harry. She pulled a notepad from her handbag and began to jot down her observations. She did not, however, write down how gorgeous Harry looked when he flew. That probably wouldn't be helpful for her team to know.
She was busy writing away when Lee suddenly jumped out of his seat. "Potter's been hit by another Bludger! This one looks bad!"
Alicia dropped her notepad and jumped up as well. She replayed the moment on her Omnioculars. The Bludger hit him on his right side. It had been some twenty minutes since the first Bludger hit him and the Puddlemere Beaters had turned their attention back to the Ballycastle Chasers. This Bludger had been perfectly aimed and hit harder than the last.
"It looks like Potter has broken a rib or two," Lee said.
Alicia watched anxiously as Harry screwed up his face and clutched at his side. He raised his other hand and his captain signaled to the referee. "Kendall has called a time-out, folks. Potter will have to decide whether he wants to keep playing or not."
The crowd jeered or cheered at this news. Alicia knew that there was no chance he'd stop playing, even with a broken rib. Harry knew better than anyone that the team needed him to win. Besides, he wasn't a quitter. Alicia crossed her fingers, anyway. Perhaps he would finally realise that his health was more important than a Quidditch game.
"Yeah, and pigs will fly," Alicia muttered to herself. Lee turned to her and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, never bloody mind."
While the players were on the ground, Lee snatched up Alicia's notepad and pen. He scribbled a note and held it up to her. Be a sweet and fetch me a Butterbeer.
Alicia just glared at him. "You want me to go and get you a drink, now? While Harry could have broken ribs?"
He nodded and grinned. Thanks. You're a doll.
"Fine. I'll get your damn Butterbeer," she snapped. "Just make sure you let me know what Harry does."
Lee blew her a kiss and turned his attention back to the pitch where the Puddlemere players were huddled around Harry. Alicia had one last look at them then snatched up her purse and left the Top Box. Grumbling to herself about bossy Quidditch commentators, she made her way to the nearest food and drink outlet.
"Bloody hell," she said under her breath as she saw the long lines. It appeared everyone had used the break in play as a chance to get something to eat and drink. Alicia sighed and joined the shortest line.
Five minutes later, she was still standing in the same spot, staring at the bald patch of the gentleman in front of her. When Lee's magically magnified voice rang out throughout the stadium, all conversation ceased and everyone listened anxiously.
"It looks like - yes, the players are taking to the air. Harry Potter has chosen to continue playing!"
Alicia let out the breath she'd been holding. The Puddlemere fans around her cheered. An elderly woman in the next line over sniffed haughtily and swung her Ballycastle flag so that it almost decapitated half a dozen people. "If you ask me, Potter only does it to get attention."
"Well, no one is asking you, old lady!" someone unseen returned.
"If Potter does have broken ribs he'll never be quick enough to catch the Snitch," a young man in Alicia's line said.
"Even with broken ribs Harry could fly rings around the Ballycastle Seeker," Alicia couldn't resist saying quietly. Evidently she didn't quietly enough.
The old woman poked her in the upper arm with her flag. "Speak up, lassie. Tell the people what you said about Potter and our Elliot Lawson."
Alicia blushed as everyone turned to her. She looked at her feet and pretended she'd never said anything at all. The last thing she needed to do was to get into a brawl with someone's grandmother. Everyone around her continued to argue but she kept her mouth closed and shuffled along as the line moved forward.
It took Alicia a further ten minutes to get one Butterbeer and in that time Ballycastle scored three goals and Harry nearly fell off his broom at least twice. She was making her way back to the Box when her day got even worse. Walking straight towards her was her ex-boyfriend, Kieran Kingly.
She wouldn't have spotted him in the crowd if he hadn't been wearing his bright orange Chudley Canons shirt and talking loudly to the pretty brunette on his arm. Alicia began to panic. She wasn't ready to see him, at least not without Lee there for support. She quickly made her way to the stands, spilling half of Lee's Butterbeer in the process.
Kieran and his friend were still heading for Alicia and she was right out in the open. She hurried along a row of seats and the spectators hissed and swiped at her. Alicia dropped to her and knees, hoping that the commotion hadn't attracted Kieran's attention.
"All right there, sweetness?"
Alicia looked up and realised she was kneeling in front of a burly man who was currently leering down at her. She smiled up at him and tried to not look like a crazy person. "Er, I was just looking for something I dropped earlier."
"By all means, take your time, honey."
"Oh, Lord," she muttered.
By the time Alicia made it back to the Top Box she was thoroughly pissed off. She shoved the Butterbeer into Lee's hand and took her seat with a loud humph. Lee was wondering why half of his Butterbeer appeared to have spilled over the side but when he saw Alicia's face he decided it would be prudent not to bother her again.
"It's Paterson with the Quaffle! He dodges a Bludger and takes aim…it's good! The Bats lead 90-10! Potter had better find that Snitch soon!"
Alicia clapped politely. Puddlemere were in real trouble if Harry didn't get that Snitch in the next few minutes. Using her Omnioculars, Alicia followed Harry for a while. He was looking around frantically as he clutched his side and flew with one hand on his broom handle. That was definitely going to slow him down if it came to a race between him and the Bats' Seeker, Lawson.
The good news was that he now had a permanent guard. One of his Beaters hovered near him at all times. He managed to fend off many Bludgers that were aimed at Harry. Unfortunately, there was one he couldn't stop.
Alicia did not need to see it replayed; she saw it happen in slow motion. Harry was preoccupied with his search for the Snitch, one Beater was floating off to his right but he was busy hitting another Bludger away. Neither of them was paying much attention to the Ballycastle Beater who was casually flying nearby.
No one was expecting a Bludger Backbeat, not even Lee and he could read the game better than most players. He was paying attention to Oliver as he made a spectacular save. Alicia knew something wasn't right and she grabbed Lee's arm, digging her nails into his skin. It was too late.
The Bludger was hit very hard but the aim wasn't perfect. It hit Harry in his right shoulder, meaning he was no longer able to hold on to his broom. He was struggling to hang on when the second Bludger hit his left hip. Everyone finally caught on and the Puddlemere Beaters formed up on him. The damage was already done and Harry was slowly beginning to fall.
The Puddlemere captain, Sarah Kendall, called an immediate time-out. The Chasers helped Harry descend. Alicia focussed on his face, he was gritting his teeth in pain and his eyes were beginning to roll back in his head. As soon as he was helped onto a stretcher by some medics, he passed out.
The crowd was in an uproar. The Ballycastle fans were already celebrating the sure win and the Puddlemere fans were outraged at the callous attack. The Backbeat was a perfectly legal move but the second Bludger that hit Harry in the hip had been totally unnecessary.
"Puddlemere have been awarded a penalty shot at goal but that hardly makes up for the loss of their Seeker!" Lee shouted, clearly outraged as well. Over the years he'd learnt not to be biased but every now and then he slipped back into his old habits.
A whirlwind of emotions were swirling through Alicia as she watched the scene before her. Harry was taken from the field as the players argued and almost came to blows. Guilt wrapped itself around Alicia's heart. She hadn't warned Harry even though she knew what was going to happen.
"I'm going to see if Harry is all right," she said suddenly. Somehow she knew that was what she had to do. Harry might not want to see her, but she had to try.
Lee nodded distractedly. She snatched up her handbag and pulled her all access pass from beneath her blouse. "Meet me beneath the stadium in the infirmary if I'm not back in time." He gave her the thumbs up and she kissed him on the cheek then hurried out of the Top Box.
Alicia dodged the fights that were breaking out between rival supporters and did not envy the security guards who had to step in. By the time she made it back down to the door that would take her beneath the pitch, she was looking thoroughly harassed. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were crumpled and smattered with dirt, Butterbeer, and Merlin only knew what else.
A huge crowd of concerned Puddlemere fans was milling around, demanding to know how Harry was. It took her another few minutes to negotiate her way through them and get by the stern security guards. They double and triple checked her identification before they finally allowed her to squeeze by them.
It was quieter beneath the pitch. Relatively quieter, at least. There were still several frazzled looking officials running about, most of them wearing Puddlemere colours. Every now and then a smug looking Ballycastle official brushed past her and she had to resist the urge to stick out her foot and trip them. She could still hear Lee's commentary, though it was slightly muffled. The score was now 110-20. Puddlemere had managed to score but it was useless at this point. All they could hope was that the Snitch was caught soon.
Alicia was wondering what the hell she was going to say to Harry when she saw him. By the time she reached the infirmary the best she had come up with was: "Hello. Sorry about the game. By the way, I'm not shagging Lee. Wanna go out?'
It wasn't very poetic but it was to the point. She was so preoccupied with her little speech that when two people came out of the infirmary she paid them no attention. Nor did they pay her much attention. They were arguing and it was then that Alicia finally recognised who they were. Ron and Hermione.
Alicia's heart froze. They'd obviously just been visiting Harry. The two of them continued towards her. She dropped to her knee and pretended to tie her shoelace, keeping her head down as they passed.
"Why do we have to do it?" Ron was complaining.
"Well, someone has to make a statement to the press. They can't go on thinking Harry is horribly injured. Think about his fans," Hermione said, with all the aplomb Alicia had come to identify her with.
Ron sighed and said, "But I don't see why we have to do it!"
Alicia never heard Hermione's reply because the pair disappeared around a corner. Alicia got back to her feet feeling extremely sheepish. Why should she hide from Ron and Hermione? Maybe Harry hadn't even mentioned her. It was a silly thing to do. They weren't necessarily bad people.
"I'll never know how I managed to get into Gryffindor," Alicia muttered to herself as she straightened her blouse. She made sure her pass was in full view, she didn't want anyone asking questions.
Alicia pushed open the door to the infirmary and was immediately enveloped in silence. All sorts of silencing charms surrounded the place, which no doubt agitated injured players who couldn't hear Lee's commentary. Alicia looked right and left. To the right a nurse was rummaging through a supply cabinet. Alicia decided not to go that way.
She headed left, wincing as her shoes squeaked in the quiescent corridor. She began to hear muffled voices coming from the room at the end of the corridor. Alicia thought she recognised Harry's voice, but she couldn't be sure. Tentatively she peered into the room.
It was Harry all right. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. Mr and Mrs Weasley stood by his bed chatting casually to him. Alicia turned to flee but her evil squeaky shoes gave her away. She was going to burn them when she got home.
"Alicia? Is that you?"
There was no point trying to pretend she didn't speak English this time. She slowly turned back to the occupants of the room. Harry was the one who had spoken. He was now sitting up, grimacing in pain.
"Harry!" Mrs Weasley reprimanded immediately. "Lie back down! It'll take longer for your bones to heal if you don't keep still!"
"I know," Harry groaned. "I've been through this enough." He lay back but did not appear to relax.
Alicia began to squirm as all three of them eyed her curiously. "Er, I was just - um, it's not-"
Oh, Lord. She'd lost the ability to form a coherent sentence. Mrs Weasley noticed her discomfort and smiled kindly. "Come in, dear! There's no need to feel awkward!"
"Oh. Well, I should-"
Mrs Weasley cut her off again. "Nonsense!" She came over and pulled Alicia into the room and shut the door so she was without escape.
"What's the score?" Harry asked quietly, looking at the bedspread.
Alicia focussed on a spot on the far wall. "Last I heard it was 110-20."
Harry didn't make any verbal reply. Mr Weasley began to hum and his wife nudged him sharply. The silence in the room was so thick that Alicia found it almost suffocating. She was about to leave when Mrs Weasley leant over Harry and kissed him on the cheek.
"Sorry to cut this short but Arthur and I have to leave."
Mr Weasley frowned. "We do?"
"Yes, dear. You remember," she coaxed.
"No, I don't."
Mrs Weasley sighed and grabbed her husband's arm. "You know, we have that thing at the place."
Alicia almost smiled as Mr Weasley shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Molly!"
"We have that thing at the place," she insisted as she looked from Harry to Alicia pointedly.
Mr Weasley finally caught on. "Oh! You want to leave the two of them alone. Why didn't you just say that in the first place?"
"Because I was trying to be subtle. Honestly, Arthur," she said in exasperation.
"It's all right, Mrs Weasley. I was about to leave, anyway," Alicia said, still not looking at Harry.
"No! Don't let my tactless husband frighten you off. By all means, stay a while, Alicia. We can see Harry anytime."
Alicia hesitated. "Well…"
"Splendid. I haven't seen you in so long, dear. You must drop by the Burrow for a chat one day."
Alicia had no doubts as to the subject of their chat but she smiled and said, "Thanks, Mrs Weasley."
"Make sure you take care of yourself, Harry!" Mrs Weasley told him. She turned to Alicia and winked. "Alicia shall be my spy. If you don't keep still and do as the nurse says Alicia will tell me!"
Alicia felt her face grow warm. "Oh, I don't know about that, Mrs Weasley."
"Someone has to keep an eye on him!" Mrs Weasley declared. "Now, we'll leave you to it."
Mr Weasley barely had time to say goodbye before he was being dragged from the room. Alicia mumbled an automatic farewell and wondered how on earth she kept getting herself into such ridiculous situations.
"They're nice people," Harry said tentatively.
"Yes," Alicia agreed.
"Congratulations about making the final."
"Thanks."
"I guess you'll be playing the Bats."
"Yeah."
Harry must have thought Alicia's monosyllabic answers were a sign. He didn't say anything for a while then finally sighed. "Look, I don't know why you came here but you don't have to feel obligated to stay because of what Mrs Weasley said. I promise I'll lie here and let my bones re-knit."
Alicia suddenly realised how unsociable she had sounded. She actually looked at Harry; he was studying the pattern on the bedspread again. "Oh, I didn't mean to be like that. I came here to tell you something, I just don't quite know how to say it."
"Is it about Lee?" he asked quietly.
"Yes."
"I already know. I saw him at your house. You don't need to explain."
"Yes, I do!" Alicia said vehemently. "It's not what you think. Lee is my friend and nothing more."
Harry finally met her eyes. She'd forgotten how lovely his eyes were. He tried to sit up again but hissed in pain and fell back. "Harry, you're not supposed to move!" Alicia chided as she rushed over to his bedside.
He gritted his teeth and smartly decided to remain still. "I think I re-broke my collar bone when I sat up before. There should be a bottle of Skele-mend on that table behind. Would you mind getting it for me?"
"All right, just don't move anymore or Mrs Weasley will kill me!" Alicia turned around to find a small table that was covered in different potions, obviously for quick access in case something went wrong.
She found the Skele-mend easily, having broken bones playing Quidditch in the past. She poured some into a flask, painfully aware that her hand was shaking. "Why didn't you just let them perform a quick spell instead of going through this?" Alicia asked curiously.
"I usually let them do that. My bones will be stronger this way," he explained. "I'd leave them to heal naturally if the World Cup wasn't coming up. There's only so many times you can magically heal a bone before it becomes so weak it breaks easily. The potion takes longer and is more painful, but it's better."
"I never let Madam Pomfrey use a spell either," she told him as she carried the flask back. "It always seemed like cheating to me. Here, let me help you."
Alicia put her hand behind his head and gently lifted the flask to his lips. He closed his eyes as he slowly drank the horrible tasting potion. She watched him closely to make sure he drank all of it. "Thanks," he said once he had finished.
"No problem." She reluctantly removed her hand from his sweaty hair and went to return the flask to the table. When she returned she sat on the chair that was by the bed. "This time don't move till your bones have fully healed."
"Yes, ma'am," he said, with a slight smile.
Alicia smiled back. "Anyway, I just wanted to set the record straight."
"You're really just friends with Lee?" he asked. Alicia thought he might he looked a little hopeful, though she was probably imagining it.
"Really. He's actually dating one of the Harpies' Chasers."
"But," Harry ventured cautiously, "you were more than friends once, right?"
Alicia looked a little startled. "How did you know about that?"
"Oliver told me after we left your place. When I saw Lee at your house the next morning I assumed you were back together."
"You shouldn't make assumptions like that," Alicia said lightly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "That's exactly what Hermione told me."
"You told Hermione?" Alicia asked a little anxiously. Now she was glad she had avoided Ron and Hermione.
"Well, not voluntarily," Harry admitted. "She figured out something was wrong and wouldn't leave me alone till I told her. Hermione is tenacious, if anything. But even she agreed that it seemed as if you were back with Lee. It wasn't really hard to make that assumption."
"Yes," Alicia replied with a reluctant grin. "Lee told me everything that he'd said to you. I can certainly see how you thought we were together. It's not Lee's fault, though," she added quickly.
Harry didn't appear to agree and Alicia continued, feeling the need to defend her friend. "I should have told Lee we were…" She paused. What the hell were they exactly? "Anyhow, he had no idea. If he'd known he never would have said all of that stuff. He certainly wouldn't have walked in on me while I was in the shower."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Well, no," she answered honestly. "He's Lee after all. I know he doesn't mean any harm."
Harry didn't look particularly convinced. "Why is he staying at your house?"
"I have George to thank for that. When Lee and I were still together he invited him to stay at his place during the World Cup. It was supposed to be some male-bonding thing. Of course, George forgot all about it when Lee left the country again.
"So," Alicia went on, "he showed up and George and Katie had converted the spare room into a nursery for the baby. Fred and Angelina couldn't take him either. I was the only choice really. We were friends before anything ever happened and I still feel a little guilty about what I did to him," she explained quickly, desperation creeping into her voice. For some reason she just had to make Harry believe her.
"What exactly happened between you, if you don't mind me asking?"
Alicia had been dreading that question. She fiddled with her hands and avoided his eye. "I don't know what Oliver told you about us but what Lee and I had was purely physical…at least as far as I was concerned. I had just broken up with Kieran and I was all over the place," she rushed on. "I probably should have told you about it in the first place."
"Why didn't you?" Harry wondered aloud.
"I was a little embarrassed." She blushed horribly and Harry frowned at her. "I didn't want you to think I had meaningless flings all the time. I'm not a nymphomaniac or anything."
"Well, that's er…good to know?"
Alicia stared at him. He only grinned. She put her hands over her eyes and groaned. "I can't believe I just said nymphomaniac in front of Harry Potter."
The two of them laughed till Harry clutched at his side and sighed heavily. "I'm going to have a nasty bruise if I don't put some cream on."
Alicia bit her lip and shook her head dejectedly. "I'm so sorry, Harry. It's all my fault."
"What do you mean? How can this possibly be your fault?" he demanded incredulously.
"I - well, I knew what the Beaters were planning to do. I heard them discussing it and I tried to get to you. I ran and everything!" she said fervently. "I could have tried harder, I guess. I'm sorry."
"I still don't see how it can possibly be your fault. I should have been more alert. Just because the Ballycastle Beaters had never performed a Backbeat didn't mean I could relax. It was nobody's fault but my own. I exonerate you of all guilt."
Alicia sighed in relief. She still felt guilty but at least Harry didn't blame her. She fell back into her surprisingly comfortable chair and closed her eyes.
"Jeez, you look like you need this bed more than I do," Harry commented.
"I probably do," she said wryly, opening one eye. "The last twenty-four hours have been a little hectic."
"What's been so hectic about them?"
"Oh, I doubt you want to hear all the gory details."
Harry said, "I do. Besides, it'll help take my mind off our horrible defeat. Please," he added softly.
Alicia decided then and there that Harry's eyes at full capacity were more dangerous than any of Lee's smiles. "All right. If you insist. I guess it started yesterday evening when Lee almost electrocuted himself by sticking a knife in the toaster."
"Why on earth did he do that?"
Alicia could only shrug. "Because he's Lee. I stopped trying to comprehend him years ago. Anyway, I had been trying to call you and I was annoyed at being interrupted. I started to worry that I wasn't pretty or exciting enough to go out with you and-"
"That's ridiculous," Harry interrupted firmly.
"So Lee told me. I was about to try to call you again when one of the Harpies' Chasers showed up. She was totally hysterical because she lost her lucky wrist guard and claimed she wouldn't play without it."
"Well, I hope you found it then."
Alicia giggled as she remembered what they went through to get it back. "Well, we spoke to a cleaner who cleared up after our celebration party and he said it had almost certainly been thrown out. Lee, Brianne and I ended up crawling through dumpsters full of rubbish for two hours. We had just given up hope when a team official told us that she'd seen a cleaner named Max take the wrist guard as a souvenir.
"So it took us another three hours to actually locate this Max bloke and when we found him he refused to hand over the wrist guard. I told him I'd do anything to get it back and he made a lewd suggestion. Lee punched him and we grabbed the wrist guard and ran for our lives."
Harry had been smiling through the whole story. "Sounds like quite the adventure."
"I had to take five showers before I no longer smelt like rotten food. I didn't get to sleep till around two this morning and Lee woke me at seven. He then proceeded to sing show tunes and I'm never going to be able to look at Julie Andrews and Olivia Newton John the same way."
"Well, it seems you have had a rough time of it," Harry understated.
"Oh, that's not even the last of it! When I got here to the stadium things just got worse. I decided to wish you luck but I ended up at the change room and I heard Beaters planning to ruin your face. I quite like your face as it is so I ran to the other end of the stadium to warn you. I didn't make it and I had to pretend to speak a foreign language so I wouldn't be arrested."
"You speak a foreign language?" Harry asked, looking impressed.
"No," she admitted sheepishly. "That was the problem actually. I managed to get back to the Top Box only to find you being hit by Bludgers left and right! When your captain called a timeout after the hit on your ribs Lee made me go get him a Butterbeer. Waiting in line wasn't much fun either."
"What happened?"
Alicia wrinkled her nose. "An old lady poked me with her flag. It hurt."
"Now my injuries just seem insignificant in comparison," Harry said airily.
"That's right. It was a really hard poke, too. Anyhow, I was taking the Butterbeer back to Lee when I spotted my ex-boyfriend coming towards me. I had to hide in the crowd. Some guy I was kneeling in front of called me sweetness. I didn't like that much.
"So. That's it really. You got hurt and here I am," she finished.
Harry just raised his eyebrows at her. "You really think you're not exciting enough for me? That's more excitement than I normally have in a week! I really think I should be the one worrying about not being exciting enough."
"Maybe so," Alicia replied sceptically. She didn't want to get into a conversation about the differences in their lives. That would just be depressing. "Do you think the game has finished yet? I could go out and check."
"No. Please stay. We'll find out soon enough."
Harry wanted her to stay! Alicia smiled to herself and stayed put. There was no way she was leaving now. As it turned out the pair didn't have to wait long to find out about the game. They had just started to compare their worst Quidditch injuries when the door burst open and Oliver came in looking very pleased with himself.
"I suppose there's no need to ask who won," Harry said disconsolately.
Oliver's huge grin was enough of an answer. "Bad luck, mate. How are you feeling? That Bludger attack looked brutal."
"I'll live. Congratulations, anyway."
Oliver was peering at Alicia as if she'd sprouted a third eye. "Leesh? What are you doing in here?"
Alicia stood up and folded her arms across her chest. "Well, I was just about to give Harry a sponge bath before you interrupted us."
Harry sniggered and Oliver's eyes widened considerably. "You were going to give him a what? Come on, what's the deal?"
"You haven't figured it out yet?"
He looked from Alicia to Harry. Slowly his countenance changed. Alicia could almost hear it click into place. "What? You two? Since when?"
"Not very long," Harry answered. "We'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anyone yet."
"Not that there's much to tell," Alicia added quickly.
"But what about Lee?"
"We're just friends. I suppose I should congratulate you as well." Alicia went to hug him but backed off quickly. "Oliver! You smell like you've been showered with champagne."
He rubbed a hand through his damp hair. "I was actually."
Harry put on a brave smile. "Well you should get back to the celebrations then. Thanks for dropping by, you really didn't have to."
Oliver still appeared a little stunned. He couldn't stop staring at Alicia. "No problem. Uh, I guess I'll see you later, Alicia. We're sure to run into each other sometime this week."
"I'm going to make sure of it." She gave him a sly look and he began to appear a little worried. "You better train hard, Wood. I know all your secrets."
"As well as I know yours, Spinnet," Oliver countered simply. "I guess we'll see how much we really know each other next Sunday."
Alicia smiled serenely, as if she wasn't fussed. In reality she was terrified about the final, but Oliver really didn't need to know that. She and Harry said goodbye to their former captain and he left, shaking his head in apparent amazement.
"I just hope you beat the Bats next week," Harry said earnestly.
"I'd say we have a slight advantage since no one really expects a bunch of witches to win the Irish and British League. The fact that everyone underestimates us is our biggest weapon."
Harry stared up at the ceiling as Alicia paced around anxiously. She didn't particularly feel like leaving but she said, "I better get going. Lee will be looking for me."
"Say, if you have time during the week you should come to dinner at my house."
Alicia stopped pacing. "Dinner with you?"
"And Ron and Hermione, of course."
"Oh. I guess I could do that. What night were you thinking?"
"Wednesday? Around seven?"
Dinner with Ron and Hermione? That was almost a double date! Alicia gave a satisfied smile. "That sounds fine."
"Licia? You in here, sugar?"
Lee poked his head around the door and Alicia made an urgent slashing motion across her throat. Lee caught on quickly and didn't call Alicia sugar again. "All right, Potter?"
"Been better," Harry replied ruefully.
Tension crackled in the air between Harry and Lee. Alicia moved quickly to diffuse it. "We should get going Lee. Now that I know we're playing the Bats I can get started on some plays."
"Sure, love - I mean, Leesh. Oh, dammit!" Lee swore in frustration.
Alicia sighed and walked back to Harry's bed to pick up her handbag. "I'll see you on Wednesday night, Harry. I hope you start to feel better soon."
"Me, too," Lee said, the tone of his voice sincere. "I'm also sorry about the whole thing with Alicia. I really didn't know that you fancied her. Anyway, I'm glad you're not shagging Oliver anymore. Not that there's anything wrong with that sort of thing. It just conjured up lots of disturbing images."
Lee turned and left and Harry stared after him. He looked up at Alicia as she tried to hide a smile. "Shagging Oliver? What the bloody hell was he talking about?"
"I've no idea." Alicia leant over and kissed him gently on the mouth. She pulled back much too quickly for Harry's liking.
"That's not fair!" he protested as she walked towards the door. "I can't even move! Hey, come back!"
"Goodbye, Harry," Alicia called over her shoulder.
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A/N: I hope the long chapter made up for the long wait! Thanks for sticking with me anyway. I appreciate the lovely reviews. Please keep them coming! In case you're wondering, Lee was singing songs from The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Annie and Grease.
The next chapter will probably be a while. University is starting again. I think the chapter will be worth the wait though. It'll be dinner with Ron and Hermione! What will Harry cook? What will Alicia wear? Will Hermione interrogate Alicia? What will Ron say to make an absolute arse of himself? You'll have to wait and see! Keep up-to-date on my profile page.