Sarah was irate. She was screaming bloody murder against the Weasley twins and Oliver Wood. Ayla was not. Ayla was cowering on the sofa with a few pillows over her head. She knew she was safe while Sarah was venting her anger. She'd be able to lie there for at least an hour before Sarah turned on her. That was enough time to sober up and regain the use of her legs before Sarah would turn to turn, with her falsely sweet barely controlled voice. Then it would be time to run. Preferably very fast and very far away if Ayla could manage it. If not, locking herself in the bedroom was just as effective.
"Ayla darling, I need you to tell me exactly what happened last night. Every. Tiny. Detail."
Dear Merlin that hour had gone quick. She risked a glance on the clock on the mantle. It hadn't been an hour. It had barely been ten minutes. Either Sarah wasn't all that angry or this was going to be a very bad afternoon. She felt the pillows get pulled off her head and the cold air rush around her. Hello bad afternoon meet hung over person about to be killed by her best friend.
She braved a small smile. Sarah was looking at her expectantly. Maybe small smiles wouldn't cut it. Two hours later when Sarah was sufficiently satisfied that she had heard every tiny detail Ayla deemed herself free to go. Sarah pulled her back down again. Now this really wasn't fair, Ayla was sure even murderers in Azkaban got five minute toilet breaks.
"So he defiantly didn't force himself on you? He didn't take advantage?"
Ayla sighed she was at her wits end, she was sure she'd already told Sarah this. At least twice.
"No I told you. He kissed me, I let him and then Jynx bit him and well he left. It was really embarrassing."
Sarah grinned evilly and picked up the kneazle and cooed in its ear. "Who's a good boy taking care of his owner? I knew I could rely on you."
Ayla scowled. "So what if he kissed me? I'm nice. I'm kissable. Obviously so. And he's a nice enough guy. What's wrong with kissing?"
It was Sarah's turn to scowl. "You know exactly what's wrong with kissing. Kissing leads to this." she pointed dramatically at her stomach. "Besides I've seen the type of witches those Quidditch idiots go for. Stupid monosyllabic nitwits, who wouldn't know a brain if it waved a banner in front of them which said 'I am a brain'. You're not one of those witches Ayla, you're better than them. You have a brain."
Ayla looked her friend in the eye, it was time for the big confession.
"But I like him. I like him like him. Plus he could be different. He could be kind and sweet and caring. And he's a really good kisser. I felt all dizzy and woozy when he pulled away." Ayla was blushing and had a dazed grin plastered on her face. Had she really just said that?
"You were drunk! Of course you felt dizzy the amount you drank last night, I wouldn't be surprised if you still were."
Sarah stared at Ayla, not quite believing what she was hearing. She knew this girl. Knew that she was sometimes stupid and said things she didn't mean. She also knew when she was serious and meant every single word she said. It looked like now was one of those times. She didn't like what might happen, but she had to stick by her friend, no one else would.
"You really like him?" every word she spoke dripped with dread. "Promise me you won't let him hurt you?"
Ayla couldn't help herself, she burst out laughing even thought it made her head throb. Sarah was sweet to worry, but he was just a guy. What could happen?
"I promise. You crazy hormonal woman you. It's not like I'm in love with him you know. But he is a good kisser. A very, very good kisser."
Sarah wrinkled her nose this was Oliver Wood they were talking about. Hey, this was Oliver Wood they were talking about? It wasn't like he was the master of seduction. Unless the phrase 'I block the Quaffles's' was intended to make a girl go weak at the knees? It hadn't worked on Sarah anyway. Well that was ok then wasn't it? Not like he could lure Ayla into bed by whispering Quidditch plays in her ear. Nothing to worry about. Well not much anyway. Maybe she could let him live after all?
Whilst Ayla had been relating the previous night's events, Sarah had been plotting several painful and undetectable ways to kill Wood and the Weasley twins. She wasn't so sure she could let the twins live too. This was all their fault. All they had to do was get Ayla home safe and sound. Wasn't exactly difficult now was it? So why ask Wood?
Sarah didn't know why she didn't like Wood. Aside from the fact that he was far too pretty, no man should be that pretty. He just wasn't good enough for her friend, few wizards were. She knew he could never love Ayla as much as that stupid bloody game, her friend would always come second. And that wasn't good enough.
Maybe she should bump him off? Or at least make sure he got lost for a while. Long enough for Ayla to find someone else at least. She'd have to look into it. She was sure she had an uncle who was a bit strange and who no one talked to. He was bound to know someone who could help. Yes that plan of action definitely had it's possibilities.
"Sarah you ok? You've got a strange look on you're face. You look a bit demented."
Sarah quickly rearranged her features to look blank and innocent. Mustn't let Ayla catch on.
"Yes. Yes fine. Well I must be off. Lots to organize, Christmas Day tomorrow and all the family are coming round. Shouldn't you be getting ready to go to your parents? They'll be expecting you by now."
Ayla had almost forgotten about Christmas. She'd be spending it with her family. Her parents, two brothers, two sisters, and their partners and children. Just a nice quiet family Christmas. Yeah right and You know who just wanted to give everyone puppies and kittens!
"Yeah I guess you're right. Well I'll see you at New Years right?"
It was the girls tradition to spend Christmas with their families, not that they had much choice there, and New Year together. The two girls hugged and Sarah left with a twirl of her cloak and a small 'pop'.
Within half an hour Ayla was standing outside her parent's once sprawling manor. The Jenson Manor had been grand and splendid, it was now falling into disrepair due to her father's slight indiscretions. Still it was home and there was no place like it. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, it was now or never, she went into the dragons den. She probably shouldn't compare her family to a dragon. It would give dragons a bad name. She dropped her bag onto the floor and headed in the direction of the voices she could hear echoing down the hall.
She stood in the doorway of the kitchen and watched her family, all gathered together again. Her mother was throwing spells every which way, preparing the evening meal. She had this come far, she thought, might as well join the madness.
