Hi everyone! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. I just got caught up with personal issues. To make up for it, you get two chapters in one go:) Hope you enjoy
Chapter 17
Sunday, November 24
The next morning I wake to the sounds of fighting. I groan and roll out of bed, rubbing sleep from my eyes. I discover the fight is happening in the bathroom, where everyone seems to be. I'm surprised to see Anica is the one fighting. She usually doesn't start fights; she barely even participates in them.
"There are literally six showers, six sinks and six toilets!" Anica's saying. "How can I be holding up your 'morning routine'?"
"You're using my sink!" Susie says. "I can't get ready!"
"Since when have we established our own sinks?" Nicole defends Anica.
Ursula tries to stop her, but Nicole ignores her.
"That's the sink that Susie always uses," Penny says.
"Yeah, stay out of this blood traitor," Susie snarls at Nicole.
"Says you with the adopted Squib sister," Nicole fires right back.
"Woah, hey!" I step in, taking a little offence to her words. "Everyone just calm down."
"No one invited you into this, freak," Susie snaps.
"Yeah, well sorry for crashing the party," I retort. "Look, I'm sure Anica didn't mean to use 'your' sink. I doubt she'd want to use anything that you use. So, for future reference, everyone will avoid this sink as you have so kindly told us we should."
Ursula had finally succeeded in pulling Nicole away, so the four of us were left in the bathroom. I watched the other two for a moment before greeting Anica then heading for a shower.
Luckily no other conflict arose after that, and Anica and I made our way down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"You ready for the boys shows today?" I grin at Anica.
"You reckon they'll actually do it?"
"Hopefully. Should be entertaining."
We reached the Ravenclaw table where the three girls were talking quietly. When they noticed us, they closed their books and put them away.
"Why are you guys so happy?" Xinia asks.
"No reason," I grin, stealing a piece of her bacon.
"Let's just say we're in for a little treat," Anica cracked up.
Xinia shrugged as we dug into breakfast. At one point I spotted Susie and Penny glaring daggers at Anica and I. When Susie spotted me looking at her, she leant over to Parkinson and whispered something in his ear. He looked around for a bit before his eyes landed on me and he smirked, whispering something back. Then, he pointed at me, then mimed pulling a knife across his neck.
I rolled my eyes before giving him the finger and turning away. Xinia looked at me questioningly. I gave her a brief recount of the fight, and she glared at Parkinson's group.
Just then, Nick burst through the doors of the Great Hall. Everyone quieted down. He was dressed in a silver skin-tight full-body leotard and wore feminine looking boots. I nudge Anica and Xinia before wolf-whistling. Beside me, Anica whooped while Xinia called out, 'Get it, Nick!' He grinned at us and dropped us a wink before calling out, 'Hit it!' and pointing across the Hall. I followed his finger and found George hit a button on a muggle device. Music started playing.
A flutter of recognition ran through the crowd and a few Muggleborns and Half-bloods cat called. I recognised the song from a time the twins and I were over at Xinia's house and it was playing on their muggle radio.
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
The lyrics started and Nick lip-synced to the song as he strutted between Ravenclaw and Slytherin's tables, stopping in front of our group.
I'm up on him, him
He's up on me, me
Don't pay him any attention
He did a few moves I recognised from the dance video Xinia had shown me, and we cracked up laughing. When he got to the chorus, he ran down the aisle where I saw Dylan in a similar costume.
I got gloss on my lips, lips, a man on my hips, hips
They danced together, both of them lip-syncing. When it got to the 'Woah oh uh's' Dylan held Nicks hand as Nick strutted around him in a circle, blowing him kisses and smirking over at our group.
Don't treat me to these things of the world
As the bridge of the song started, Dylan let go of Nicks's hand and strutted forward, pretending to hold a microphone. He struck a few poses, making everyone crack up, before running back to Nick for the chorus.
As he did, he tripped over his feet in the boots, and everyone laughed. He caught his balance again and quickly ran up to Nick, who was cracking up with the rest of the school. Dylan slapped him before they did a very rough choreography to the chorus which they obviously messed up several times.
They gave up lip-syncing as they focused on the dance which they both failed at. They were both laughing and hitting each other when the music started fading away. Nick looked like he remembered something and quickly said something to Dylan. He then proceeded to lift Nick in his arms bridal style and stuck his hip out as a pose and Nick wrapped his arms around Dylan's neck and kicked one of his legs up. Somehow, they managed to finish exactly on the last 'oh'.
Both of them were cracking up as the Hall erupted in cheers. I stood up with the other girls, and we clapped wildly, and I whooped as Anica wolf-whistled.
Dylan set Nick down. He stumbled a bit before standing up straight again. They had identical grins on their faces as they bowed to their audience. Then they glanced at each other before starting towards us. When they reached us, Nick held his hand out for Anica and Dylan did the same to Xinia. I noticed George join them, and he offered me his hand.
The three of us exchanged confused glances before shrugging and accepting their hands. They pulled us into the middle of the Hall where the boys gestured to us to the whole Hall. Everyone quieted down as George cleared his throat.
"Thank you for that magnificent performance boys, but we couldn't have done it without these two ladies here," he gestured at Anica and me.
Everyone cheered and I laughed, not realising what the boys were up to. Then Dylan spoke up.
"But I did promise you both an encore," he grinned.
Then their leotards turned fluorescent and frills formed on their arms and across their chests. George was dressed similarly. I saw him gesture to Owen, who quickly ran to the radio and pressed another button. An extremely familiar song came through its speakers.
Xinia let out a cry as she recognised it. Then I realised what was happening.
"No," I warned George as he pushed me into place. "Don't you dare!" I cried in exasperation, not sure whether to be annoyed or amused.
I noticed the other two in similar positions to me as everyone cheered as the lyrics began.
I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
The boys had placed us back to back, and they kneeled in front of us in a small circle/triangle as they lip-synced the song.
So I've made up my mind it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
The boys got to their feet and looked away then looked back again on,
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
They repeated the action.
One more look and I forget everything
Then they took our hands and danced with us. George twirled me under his arm and lowered me into a dip then pulled me up again, and I slapped his chest but let out a small laugh despite myself. As the chorus ended they danced us back into the small circle and knelt again, except this time Dylan was in front of me, George was in front of Anica and Nick was in front of Xinia.
Yes, I've been broken-hearted
Blue since the day we parted
As they continued lip-syncing, I noticed Xinia singing the song and doing broken-hearted actions with Nick. I cracked up as Dylan took my hand, pretending to gaze at me with a hurt look. I pulled my hand away and pushed him away playfully as he stood up for the chorus.
He did the same moves as George, except he almost dropped me on the dip. I shrieked, gripping at his arms and hitting him over the head when he hastily pulled me up. I laughed as he twirled me over to Nick. Dylan took George's spot in front of Anica, meaning George was in front of Xinia.
Yes, I've been broken-hearted
Nick repeated the verse, and we pretended to be a broken-hearted couple, except we cracked up every few seconds.
Mamma mia, here I go again
Nick and I danced together, and he was much more graceful on the dip then Dylan.
As the last part of the song started, the boys lined us up so that we were in front of them.
Yes I've been broken-hearted
The boys started doing a simple movement, so we quickly tried to copy them. We failed miserably as they turned around and did something complicated, but hey, we tried.
Mamma mia, now I really know
We were twirled around into different spots as the last line rung out.
My my, I could never let you go
Somehow the boys had lined us up into our normal order; Anica on the left, Xinia in the middle and me on the right.
Nick stood behind Anica, George behind Xinia and Dylan behind me. The boys put their arms up and did jazz hands while I saw George gently nudge Xinia's calf, and she knelt down, prompting us to do the same. We kneeled in front of boys, mimicking their jazz hands, ridiculous smiles on all our faces.
We got a standing ovation as everyone clapped and cheered once again. Like the gentlemen they were not, the boys helped us up as we struggled not to collapse with laughter. George hyped the crowd up, and they cheered even louder. I couldn't stop the grin on my face as I looked around.
Oh yeah, I was going to kill the boys later, but for now, I was enjoying the moment. The six of us grabbed hands and did a big bow to the amusement of the 'audience' before they dragged us out of the Hall. Xinia told them to stop, and she quickly dashed back into to grab our stuff before returning.
I tried to fight off my smile as the boys turned to face us once they had lead us outside.
"So what'd you think?" Dylan grinned at Anica and me.
I slapped him, shaking my head as I gave up, trying not to smile.
"You guys are jerks, but I have to admit, that was pretty cool," I grin at them.
Dylan and Nick high-fived then fist-bumped George.
"I can't believe you did it as well," Anica laughed.
George shrugged.
"They weren't going to because Xinia didn't know about the dare, but then they decided to include her anyway, and, as a result, I was dragged in."
"What was the dare?" Xinia asks.
"I had to perform in the Great Hall, then Dylan had to do an encore," Nick explains. "We decided to mix it up a bit."
"Yeah, technically you didn't actually do your dare," I point out, smirking.
"We are not doing that again," Dylan protests.
"Yeah, we took your dare and made it better. Some people would think worse, for us," Nick agrees.
I sigh.
"Fine."
Then I harden my expression.
"But bringing us in was completely unwarranted," I snap, making my hair turn red.
"Told you," George comments.
On either side of me, Anica and Xinia quickly catch on.
"Yeah, we don't appreciate being made spectacles of," Xinia growls. "Especially when we don't even know what's going on."
"Yeah, you made us look like fools," Anica says unhappily, although I spot a flash of amusement in her eyes. It disappears quickly.
"Come on," Nick says nervously. "You're not really mad at us, are you?"
He and Dylan look genuinely worried, and George seems sceptical.
Eventually, it's Anica that ruins it. She cracks up laughing, and eventually Xinia and I join in. The boys look relieved.
"Thank Merlin," Dylan mutters.
He then realises that they are still in their costumes.
"Oi, George, can you get rid of these?" he asks.
George nods and pulls his wand out. They change back into their regular clothes with a flick of his wand.
The six of us sprawl on the ground as we decide to stay there for a bit.
"How'd you guys find those songs?" Xinia asks as a small creature comes up to her.
"I've heard Mum listening to them before," Nick says. "Some of the older Gryffindors helped us with the lyrics and managed to get the music together."
"I think they were very suiting," I laugh.
"How do you guys know them?" George asked Anica and me.
"Xinia," Anica answers. "She knows heaps of muggle music. Every time we go to her place, she's listening to something different, and we get introduced to it."
George nods. He opens his mouth to say something when someone interrupts him.
"Nice performance," Parkinson says sarcastically.
Immediately, the six of us jump up and pull our wands out, just in case. Parkinson, Zabini, Pucey, Susie and Penny stand together with Kylie and two other Ravenclaws.
Off to the side, I notice Ursula, Nicole and their Hufflepuff friends Katherine and Thomas who were near us, looking nervous as Penny points her wand at them.
"Didn't know muggles could get any worse," Parkinson drawls. "But apparently they can."
Xinia growls a little and Nick raises his wand slightly.
"I mean, what kind of music was that?" Parkinson continues. "And performing to it, Merlin," he scoffs. "You must want people to think you're fools."
"Shove off Parkinson," I hear someone say. "No one cares about your opinion."
I see Kimmy, Ciena, Hailey and Owen come stand next to us.
More people have shown up, and I spot Timothy and Kyle standing with Owen's Weasley friend and two other Gryffindors. I also see a few other people I recognise, and I realise with a start everyone in our year is watching the exchange.
There are three other groups of three; two Hufflepuffs and a Gryffindor, three Ravenclaws and three Hufflepuffs.
One of the Ravenclaws calls out.
"Vinuel, Lynn, don't start a fight."
"Stay out of this Marcus," the other Ravenclaw girl in Parkinson's group - Lynn I presume - snaps at the boy.
"Kylie," Dylan tries. "What are you doing with them?"
"Shut it, Dylan," she glares at him.
"You know," Parkinson continues as if no one spoke. "Susie and Penny informed us of the spectacle you pulled this morning," he glares at Anica and me.
"Spectacle?" I scoff. "Your girlfriend was complaining about a sink. Sorry for trying to diffuse an idiotic argument," I say, not in the least sorry.
Susie blushes at the girlfriend comment, but Parkinson ignores it.
"You and these other two," he gestures to Ursula and Nicole. "Are getting to be a pain."
"They haven't done anything," Anica defends them. "Leave them out of this."
"I beg to differ," Pucey speaks for the first time. "Jyre here," he nods at Nicole. "Thought it would be funny to cause...problems."
"Only because you started it first," Ursula defends her friend.
Pucey sneers at her as Parkinson gives him a look.
"I've had enough of your lot," Parkinson sighs dramatically, lifting his wand.
All ten of us in our group raise our wands, and his group do the same. Then, unexpectedly, everyone else around us moves to face Parkinson. He realises he's outnumbered almost thirty to eight.
"Come on guys lets not bother with these mudbloods and the blood traitor friends," Parkison smirks, albeit a little nervous.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Xinia raise her wand.
"Xin, no!" I protest, but it's too late.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Parkison suddenly becomes still and straight before falling to the floor.
"You evil mudblood!" Pucey yells.
Some people start to get out of the way, not wanting to be a part of the fight anymore, but our group and a few others don't move.
"What's your problem, Pucey?" Anica exclaims.
"Your friend who clearly doesn't know her place in this world," he scowls at Xinia.
Xinia starts to walk up to Pucey before I grab her arm.
"Don't. You'll get in serious trouble."
"Not if I don't use this," Xinia hands me her wand. "You think you're so strong, Pucey?"
She storms up to him, her face as red as her hair and punches him.
I hear gasps as Penny tries to pull Pucey away.
"Come on Nunica," Susie tries to get Pucey to follow Penny.
"I think I'll stay thanks," he shrugs the girls off and glares down at Xinia.
"You're going to regret that," George smirks, handing his wand off to me as well.
My mouth drops as now Dylan and Nick follow; with me holding all their wands.
"What made you think I would stay out of this?" I hand their wands and mine to Hailey, knowing she won't join the fight.
Anica and I walk up, standing just behind Xinia.
More people seem to join Pucey, and it's now six to six.
Pucey and his gang raise their wands.
"Too scared to get hands-on Pucey?" Xinia challenges.
"You wish, mudblood," Pucey scoffs.
He swings at Xinia, and everyone begins punching and pushing.
"Missed me," Xinia laughs after dodging his punch and throwing her own; hitting him in the nose.
I face Zabini, and we start to shove each other.
"Afraid to hit a girl?" I taunt.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the boys taking on the others, and Anica stops Penny and Susie from leaving.
"What the hell is going on?" I hear someone yell.
Everyone stops and turns to see Xander, Xandler, Bailey and a few others from their year.
"These dickheads called Xinia a mudblood is what's going on," George growls.
"What's the matter with that?" a Slytherin who I recognise as Mick Hogsworth speaks up.
"Excuse me?" Xander turns on the boy in his year.
Hogsworth walks over to Pucey in support with three more Slytherins following behind him.
"You heard me. I don't get why mudbloods and blood traitors are welcome here."
Xander, Xandler and Bailey walk up so that they are opposite him.
"You're so pathetic you need your big brother to come defend you," Pucey smirks at Xinia.
Xinia steps closer to Pucey so that they are practically nose to nose, although blood runs from the latter.
"It's funny how you think I need him," she retorts, spitting in his face.
Pucey wipes his face and steps back slightly before punching Xinia. Xander goes to make a move on him, but Bailey holds him back.
"Nice one Nunica," Zabini laughs from in front of me.
"Good idea Zabini, now I have a reason to punch you," I smirk, hitting him straight in the middle of his nose.
The fight starts again; Xander and Xandler fighting Hogsworth and his group while ours continues with Pucey's. I manage to hit Zabini a few more times, but he also manages to hit my cheek and stomach.
We're all too wrapped up in the fight to notice the professors walking towards us.
"Stop this right now!" Longbottom yells.
I notice Lupin, Weasley and Patil next to Longbottom. Everyone takes a step back, stopping. Xinia doesn't move; glaring at Pucey.
"Miss Ren," Lupin warns, walking up to her.
"Yes, Professor?" Xinia queries, not taking her eyes off Pucey.
"You've got a little blood on your lip."
I see Weasley nudge him.
"What's going on here?" she steps in.
"Pucey called my sister, Xinia, a mudblood," Xander says immediately, taking the lead.
"I see. And you thought it necessary to fight?" she questions our group.
I try to cover my smile as Zabini and the rest of his group back down.
"They're the ones who started it," Zabini says, pointing at me and nodding his head in the direction of the boys and Xinia.
"I thought you were the one who used a derogatory word on a fellow student?" Patil raises an eyebrow at him.
"Xinia Body-Bound Scott!" Penny yells from behind Anica, pointing at Parkinson's limp form.
Weasley looks down at him and flicks her wand at his body. Parkinson immediately jumps to his feet.
"Professor, I just wanted to get my friends to leave, so a fight didn't start," he attempted a charming voice.
"And in doing so, you called Xinia a mudblood and the rest of us blood traitors!" I cry.
Weasley studies me with an unreadable expression before turning to Patil.
"Parvati, would you handle Miss Ren and any of the other Ravenclaws who participated? Neville, you take the Gryffindor's and Teddy, take Mr Dinnick and please find Scorpius so he can handle his students."
They nod, and Patil beckons for Xinia, Kylie and the others to follow her and Longbottom does the same with George, Nick, Dylan, Xander and Xandler and any others.
Just before they leave, Kimmy hands everyone their wands back. All the Professors notice that, and I thank her, understanding her actions. At least they knew no other magic was used on our side.
The three Professors head off, leaving just the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs. Weasley asks the people who didn't fight to go, and it's just me, Anica, Zabini, Pucey, Parkinson, Susie, Penny, Hogsworth and his group.
Weasley looks over our injuries and says they're not too serious, telling us to head to Madame Cheri after Malfoy deals with us.
We wait in awkward silence before Malfoy finally shows up, a stern look in his face. He leads us to his office, where we have to squish up against each other to fit. I make sure to stay away from the others, and Anica does the same.
Malfoy turns to us and eyes us for a moment.
"Miss Wore, please recount the events of the fight."
Anica looks surprised he asked her, but she does anyway.
"Parkinson and his lot came up to while we were just talking and started making fun of us for the performance we did in the Great Hall. There was a bit of verbal fighting before Parkinson called us mudbloods and blood traitors. Xinia cast Petrificus Totalus on Parkinson and then a fight broke out. The older students asked us what was going on, we told them, then they joined the fight."
Malfoy pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment.
"Did she leave anything out?" he asks the others.
"Ren broke my nose," Pucey exclaims.
"And Dinnick broke mine," Zabini says.
I scoff.
I see Malfoy smirk a little, but he hides it well before turning to me.
"Miss Dinnick was that necessary?"
"Yes," I announce. "Parkinson called my best friend a mudblood and several of my other friend's blood traitors. Then when Pucey punched Xinia, Zabini said that was a good hit, so I punched him," I say matter of factly. "I'll also add he then proceeded to almost break my jaw and definitely bruised my stomach."
"Well, it's still not acceptable to attack another student."
"I agree."
He looks surprised but shakes it off.
"Very well. Miss Wore, did you do anything to harm another student?"
"I kept Susie and Penny from leaving so they would also get in trouble. But apart from that, neither of us did anything."
"You three have a warning. If anything like this happens again, even if you don't physically participate, you will be in trouble."
They nod, and Anica looks a little relieved.
"You may leave."
They do, leaving me with everyone else.
"Mr's Parkinson, Pucey and Zabini, what do you have to say for yourselves?"
"All I did was call Ren a mudblood," Parkinson throws the other two under the bus.
"And that is not acceptable."
"Plus, if you had the chance, you would've fought," I point out.
Parkinson glares at me, and Malfoy sends me a warning look.
"While that may be true, he did not do anything else. Parkinson, you have a detention with me tomorrow night, and ten points from Slytherin will be taken. Now leave."
Parkinson smirks at me as he walks out. Malfoy turns to Pucey and Zabini.
"Both of you fought, did you not?"
They nod, both looking angry.
"Pucey also called Xinia a mudblood. After her, he was the first one to throw a punch," I say.
"And you, Mr Zabini?" Malfoy asks.
"I didn't say anything!"
"But you fought?"
Reluctantly, he nods.
"You will join Mr Parkinson in detention tomorrow. Another ten points from Slytherin," he nods at Zabini to leave.
"Now, Mr's Hogsworth, Joseph, Ford and Hugh, please explain your participation in this fight."
"We saw the fight, heard what was going on, and defended ourselves when Dinnick, Ren and Muply started on us," Hosgworth says.
"After you said that mudbloods and blood traitors aren't welcome," I speak up, not bothering to point out Bailey hadn't actually really fought.
"I didn't say that," Hogsworth feigns innocence.
"Right sorry," I say sarcastically. "You asked what was wrong with calling Xinia a mudblood then said you don't get why mudbloods and traitors are welcome. Sorry, I forgot that that's much better," I glare at him.
"Miss Dinnick, that's enough," Malfoy says. "Ten points from Slytherin for each of you. Detentions on Tuesday night."
They leave. Now it's just me and Pucey left. Malfoy sighs.
"Mr Pucey, as I will tell the others tomorrow, using disrespectful words on students will not be tolerated. Fighting another student is also against school rules. Twenty points from Slytherin for not only your behaviour but Mr Hogsworths and Parkinson's as well. You will join both parties in detention tomorrow night and Tuesday."
"What about the others who called them mudbloods and fought?" he protests.
"I will deal with that during their detentions. You may leave."
Malfoy now turns to me.
"Miss Dinnick, I understand that you were trying to defend Miss Ren, but you will still participate in the detention tomorrow night, and ten points will be taken again from Slytherin."
I nod, not wanting to spend any more time in detention with Parkison and Pucey.
"Thank you. You may leave and enjoy the rest of your day."
I walk out, sighing with relief.
Anica is leaning against the wall opposite me, and she joins me as we walk towards the Community Hall.
"You good?" she asks.
"Yeah, I got detention tomorrow and ten points taken. Could have been worse."
"I guess. I wonder what's happening with Xinia."
"Let's see where she is," I say, pulling the map out of my pocket.
We scan it for a few moments before I spot her with George, Dylan and Nick, sitting outside where the fight was.
We make our way to them. I spot them straight away as we exit the castle.
"Hey," I greet them.
As they turn to look at me, I notice Xinia's cheeks are red and her eyes watery; she'd been crying.
"What's up?" Anica asks, rushing over.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Xinia says.
"Sure you are. What happened?" I ask the boys.
"We found her crying in the hallway and saw Zabini and Parkinson walking away," George explains.
"It also might have something to do with the fact that she got four detentions," Dylan adds.
"What?" I stare at her in shock. "Pucey only got two!"
"How did you get four?" Anica asks.
I hug Xinia, and Anica does the same.
"One for binding Parkinson, one for fighting, another for hitting Kylie and one for talking back to Patil," she admits. "I'll be fine," Xinia reassures us.
"We can always beat them up again," George jokes.
"You hit Kylie?" I ask.
"Good job," Dylan grins.
Just then I notice the bruises on everyone's faces and the slight hunch in some of them; most likely from pain.
"Have you guys been to the Hospital Wing yet?" I ask.
They shake their heads.
"Right well, we should probably get checked out," I say, standing up.
They follow suit, and we make our way to the Hospital Wing. As we walk, I notice Xinia wipe her eyes and cast a spell on herself. Immediately, the redness in her eyes and face disappears, and all remnants of her crying disappear.
I glance over everyone and take note of their injuries. Xinia's cheek is bruised, and blood runs from her split lip. She's holding her ribs and limping slightly, so I assume there are a few more injuries there.
George has a black eye, a cut on his temple and a split lip and I see his knuckles are bruised and slightly bloody.
Nick and Dylan are relatively unscathed except for a few bruises and cuts between them.
Anica didn't fight at all, so she's alright.
Luckily, when we reach the Hospital Wing, no one else is there, and Madame Cheri fixes us up quickly. When we leave, the only reminder of the fight is the noticeable less House points in the Hourglass's we walk past.
We spend a while talking in a silent corridor, and before we know it, it's lunchtime. We make our way to the Great Hall and sit at the Gryffindor table because we know Parkinson and his crew won't come over.
We take our time eating, and not many people are left when we're finished.
"What do you guys want to do?" Nick asks.
"I don't mind," I say. "Xin? Anica?"
Xinia shrugs dejectedly, and Anica rolls her eyes.
"Let's just go to the Community Hall."
We get up and make our way to the Community Hall.
When we enter, I notice only a few people there, and our usual spot is free, so we go and sit there.
"Hmm, what's a game we can play?" Anica asks.
"How about put a finger down?" I suggest. "Whoever gets all ten fingers down first gets asked a truth or a dare by the winner."
We all agree, and I start the game.
"Put a finger down if you have liked someone."
I look around, and no one puts a finger down, but I notice Xinia flinch slightly.
"Okay then," I say, studying each of their faces. "Let's go clockwise, so Anica, you next."
"Put a finger down if you have ever fallen off your broom for no reason after being at least ten meters high," Anica grins.
Xinia stares at her, putting a finger down followed by Dylan and George.
"How do you get so high up and then fall?" I ask.
"Whatever," Xinia shrugs it off. "Nick, your turn."
When it comes back to me, all of us still have nine fingers up except Dylan and Anica.
"My go," I start "Put a finger down if you have ever wanted to be a metamorphmagus."
Slowly I watch each of them put a finger down.
"Wow, okay," I laugh.
On Xinia's next go, she grins at me.
"Put your finger down if you've ever gotten so mad at someone that your hair turned black and your eyes went red."
I glare at her, putting my finger down.
"You've got to tell us that story sometime," George comments.
As we go through a couple more rounds, Xinia is left with one finger, Nick and Dylan three, Anica four and George and me on five.
"Better start thinking of truth or dare for Xin," Anica laughs. "My turn!"
Xinia's head falls into her hands while I laugh.
"Put a finger down if you have ever stood up in front of your common room and told them that you aren't going to put up with them calling you a weirdo," Anica smirks.
"Wow, I wonder who that could have been?" I laugh.
Xinia death stares Anica before putting down her finger.
"Get it over with," Xinia complains.
"Well seeing as there are two winners," George says, indicating himself and me. "I think you should get a truth and a dare," he suggests.
"Seems fair," I smirk.
"Whatever," Xinia rolls her eyes.
I turn to the boys.
"You guys take the dare, we'll handle the truth," I grin at Anica.
They grin as Anica and I stand up and move a little away.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Anica asks.
"Think so," I smile. "Xinia's reactions to being asked if she likes someone?"
"Yup. Should we make her say it to everyone?"
"Didn't go well last time. Makes me think she doesn't want them knowing."
"I agree. We'll keep it between us."
"Agreed."
We walk back to Xinia while the boys are still planning something. Xinia eyes us, not looking happy.
"Please don't make me do it," she guesses our question.
"Do what?" I smirk.
Just then the boys come back with grins of their faces.
"You sorted?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Yep," Dylan answers.
"Ladies first," George beckons to Anica and me.
"Well, sorry boys, this is going to be a private question," I announce.
Relief flashes on Xinia's face and she stands up with Anica and I. We walk away, and Xinia casts Muffliato to make sure the boys don't hear us.
"So, Xin, our best friend," I start.
"Mind telling us what all this business about crushes is?" Anica finishes.
Xinia sighs.
"I don't have a crush," she begins to explain. "I just think they're maybe, kinda cute."
"Who?" I ask.
She mumbles something unintelligible. Anica looks at me in confusion, but I shrug.
"You're gonna have to speak louder than that," I say.
She opens her mouth, but just then, the doors to the Community Hall open. I look over and see Kylie in the entrance. As soon as she sees us, she goes to turn back around. But Dylan calls out to her.
"Kylie!"
She stops but doesn't turn around.
"Can we talk?" he asks.
Xinia drops the spell around us so that they can hear us.
"Do you want us to leave?" she asks Dylan, all but ignoring Kylie.
Dylan shakes his head.
"I'm not talking around any of them," Kylie gestures at all of us.
"Fine, we can talk away from them, but they don't have to leave," Dylan says,
I see him glance at me for a moment and see hesitation in his look. I realise what he's worried about. I shake my head discreetly, and he gives me a grateful smile. He then gets up and leads Kylie away from us.
"Right, we're going to need to talk, so I don't accidentally listen to them," I say as the three of us join the boys again.
"Okay, I can do that," George laughs. "Also Xinia we have the perfect dare for you."
"I swear if I have to perform in front of the school..." she complains.
"Don't worry, we're not having a repeat of this morning," Nick jokes.
"Your dare is for all of tomorrow you have to talk and act like a cowgirl."
"Is that it?" Xinia visibly relaxes.
"Are you serious?" Nick looks at her in amazement. "Are you phased by anything?"
"Of course she is," I laugh. "You should hear the things she's afraid of. First, there's failing school, then the dark, then -"
"Alright yes, yes, they get it," Xinia interrupts.
Anica and I laugh.
"Accents and acting and stuff are second nature to her," Anica explains. "Plus, she lives on a farm, so…"
Nick and George groan.
"One day we will get it," George announces. "We're going to give you the worst dare possible, and you will beg us for mercy. And we will not give it."
We all burst out laughing. Just then, shouting from the other side of the room interrupts us. Our laughter abruptly stops, and we curiously look over at the fighting twins.
"I just want the best for you, Kylie!" Dylan shouts. "You think I like having to hate your friends, and to an extent, you? I don't! But you don't give me another choice. Parkinson and Pucey and Zabini and all the others are stuck-up pureblood narcissists! They don't care about anyone else. How can you be friends with people like that?"
"You and I are not the same, Dylan!" Kylie fires back. "We never have been. Do you think that I'm only friends with people like that? Well, news flash, I am one of them. I'm pureblood and proud. Yet you go around befriending muggle-borns and blood traitors. How do you think that makes me look? Every day I have to reassure them that I am nothing like you! That I hate you!"
Dylan takes a step back, looking wounded at her words. Beside me, Nick stands up and walks over.
"I think it's time you leave," he says quietly, but I can hear the rage in his voice.
"Don't speak to me you blood traitor," she recoils from him.
"Don't talk to my friends like that," Dylan defends Nick.
"So it's okay for you to bad-mouth my friends, but I say something back, and suddenly it's a crime?"
"I'm just stating the truth. You're being outright rude."
By now, the rest of us have stood up and stand a little away from the trio, ready to step in if need be.
"It's not our fault that our parents decided to abandon rivalries between families and houses," Dylan continues. "We're not going to apologise for letting go of prejudices against blood status. We're moving on, Kylie. People like you, and Parkinson, are stopping us from doing that. You're creating unnecessary feuds that people are sick of. No one cares whether you're pureblood or not anymore. No one cares if the first time you see magic is when you step onto the platform at King's Cross."
He takes a breath, watching Kylie's reaction. She looks mad and annoyed, but stubborn as ever.
"I want to move past this," Dylan says softly. "But it's not going to work if you don't let go."
Kylie glares at him and the rest of us.
"Well then I guess we're not moving," she states, before turning around and marching out of the Common Room.
Dylan watches her leave before letting out a sigh and rubbing his hand over his face.
"You okay?" Nick asks.
Dylan nods.
"Yeah," he sighs. "I just wish we could get along. But she's too stubborn."
It's quiet for a moment before Dylan speaks again.
"Anyway, what were you guys talking about?"
We sit back down on the couches and talk and mess around until dinner. Afterwards, we split off into our own groups, and Anica, Xinia and I do a bit more exploring and mapping of the castle before deciding to call it a night and heading to bed.
Again, hope you enjoyed, and don't forget to check out my Instagram page.