Hey guys! I'm back with a new tan and a new haircut! So I'm very sorry for being AWOL but I told you guys last chapter that I'd be going away and wouldn't be able to update ) :
But now, I'm back and with a cute chapter that isn't very long of which I'm very sorry.
I promise that next chapter will be long and juicy and filled of Hogwarts Drama! And Jaddie.
TO:
norrissa910: yes, hehe James! Keep reading and reviewing, I love the support!
Cap92A: dw, James will not be forgiven easily after what he did to poor Maddie! Love hearing from you so please keep reading and reviewing!
Kattttiiieee: trust me, James suffers a whole lot in this chapter : ) keep up the support, I really love hearing from you!
taniiacooki (Guest): this is the fastest I could update and I made sure it was super quick just for you! welcome to the world of Jaddie and I hope you enjoy! Please keeping reviewing and reading!
FanFicLover32: so sorry for being a little dull, I was having a serious case of writers block ) : but now I have them juices flowing and Hogwarts will be next chapter FOR SURE I PROMISE! Please please please keeping reading and reviewing, you're so awesome and I love hearing what you have to say (I love Jaddie so much too!)
I LOVE ALL OF MY FANS AND I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THIS LITTLE CHAPTER!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW EVEN IF IT'S JUST A QUICK SENTENCE BECAUSE IT REALLY MAKES MY DAY!
Chapter 22: New Year' Eve
Ok, look. I had a reason for slamming the door in his face. He was an utter jerk who was ruining my fun holiday with Al.
No, he was more than a jerk. He was a complete asshole who never took anyone else's feelings into account but his own. I was starting to hate him more and more and those feelings of resentment I felt when I first met him were coming back.
Grumbling and groaning, I fell back into bed and tried to go to sleep.
Yet, I couldn't sleep. A burning anger in the pit of my tummy kept me awake. Of course, the bubbling rage was only growing for James the more I stayed awake. So, I was basically up the whole night, cursing and killing him mentally in my mind.
It sounds a little gruesome, but we've all done it at some stage in our lives.
Finally, I fell asleep, the cold still creeping through the blankets and into my dreams (where I dreamt I was skiing and I pushed James done the slope – pretty awesome dream)
"GET UP!" Al yelled, banging and knocking on my door.
"Murahma," I mumbled, jerking awake. The blankets fell away and the cold pierced me like a bullet. Hissing, I pulled them up around my body like a cocoon, shivering.
"Get up!" Al yelled a bit quieter this time, banging on my door relentlessly.
Groaning, I stood up and pulled open the door. "What?" I asked, glaring at a very excited-looking Al who was already dressed, his hair combed perfectly and shoes shining. "And why are you so… chipper?" I hate chipper people in the morning. Ruins my morning vibe.
Al's smile brightened. "Scorp's coming to visit!" Al said, jumping up and down, his eyes practically glowing.
Suddenly, I felt very awake. "He is? Omg, when?" I asked excitedly. Scorp was coming! Scorp is such a little cutie. And he and Albus together are just the cutest. And they're always hugging and joking together – they're my couple goals.
Al shook his head, still smiling. "I don't know! But who cares? I'm just so excited to see him! Apparently, his parents wanted to meet up with mine again for dinner or something. How mortifying," Al said, blushing, looking at the floor.
I hit him on the shoulder, laughing. "Well, you're lucky you have someone, at least. All I have is Roy, who walked away from me," I said, joking.
Al looked at me, his eyes worried. "Oh, how is Roy?"
I shrugged. "He's been writing very platonic letters. I don't think he still… you know… likes me or anything," I said lightly, shrugging.
Al looked sympathetic. "No need to pretend to not be annoyed by his very platonic approach. I won't judge," Al reassured, his eyebrows raised.
I looked at him, confused. "I don't really mind. I mean, I miss him but it's not like… like a burning thing that keeps me up all night," I said, telling the truth. I did miss him but I missed Scorp and Jo and Xavier and Eva much more. Not really Rachel. I'm hoping she's coming around on me, though.
Al didn't look convinced. "Ok, then. Well, breakfast was ages ago so let's go make something for you," Al said, still excited from the good news. He turned and ran down the stairs, me chasing after him. When we got the bottom floor, we stopped in our tracks.
James and Adam were there, sitting on the couches and eating some weird lollies from Honeydukes or something.
They turned around. Adam smiled and waved whilst James physically paled.
Good. I smiled smugly in my head.
"Morning!" Adam greeted us cheerfully.
"Morning," I said in a monotone voice.
"Hey guys," James said, waving slightly at us.
I cocked my head to the side. "Do you hear something, Al?" I asked Al, acting confused.
James scowled. "Real mature, Maddie."
Al sighed and shook his head, frowning. "Nothing. I guess it was the wind."
And so, Al and I proceeded to walk into the kitchen and made pancakes (with some failed cooking spells and lots of food fights). We chatted about Scorp and many other things.
In fact, we spent the next few days ignoring James and Adam the whole time. We spent the time playing Quidditch, cooking, doing some holiday homework and study (gag) and helping Ginny and Harry with the household chores (gag).
But, I'll admit, the chores wasn't even that bad.
We had fun. Lots of fun. But it got even better when we realised that Scorp was coming for New Years Eve.
"Ok, does this sweater look ok?" Al asked nervously, showing me his outfit.
"Looks the same as the last one," I drawled, lounging on his bed, flipping the page to the Quibbler. It was a cool article about Thestrals or something like that.
Al scowled at me. "But… is the colour better?" he asked, biting his lip and surveying himself in his mirror. I'd never seen Al act so nervous before about his appearance. It was cute.
"Al, you look very cute. And that tan really makes the outfit," I commented, smiling.
Al beamed. "Really? Thanks!"
I sighed. "You know, you're making me feel bad for not getting dressed up. Should I change?" I asked, standing up and standing next to Al in the mirror.
(My tan looked killer, I'll admit.)
Al shook his head. "Nah. Jeans and a top is cool. I just want to impress Scorp and his family," Al said, smiling at me in the mirror. I saw his grimace and turned to face him.
"You'll be fine. They'll all love you because you're the sweetest and cutest and most amazing Potter I know. And that will never change, yeah?" I reassured Al.
Al let out a deep breath. "Thanks, Mads. You always seem to know what I'm thinking and it really-"
"Really? Al's the best Potter you know and that'll never change? You wound me, Mads. Right here," James moaned, clutching his chest as if he were in agony.
I rolled my eyes.
James jumped up and down, smiling wildly. "YOU ACTUALLY AKNOWLEDGED ME WHOO HOO!" James screamed happily.
Al frowned. "She didn't say a thing, bloody berk."
James pointed at Al. "An eye roll counts!" and he immediately went back to jumping and dancing.
What a jerk. I was still so angry about what happened. I mean… he couldn't just do that to someone he'd called a friend and if he could… then he wasn't worth my time.
I spun around and sank back onto Al's bed and started reading the Quibbler again.
James, being James, carried on whooping and cheering about me until Ginny rushed in.
"Lily is going over to the Weasley's and our guests will be here any minute! And…" she faltered and glanced at a still dancing James. She turned to Al and me. "Why is there an idiot dancing in your doorway?"
I snorted. "I eye rolled at him and he seems to think of that as a victory."
Ginny stared at me, puzzled. "Why'd you acknowledge him? He was a grade-A jerk to you!"
James stopped dancing to frown. "Why is my own mother against me?"
"Coz you're an arrogant dweeb of which no one likes in this house besides Adam," Al explained, as if it were obvious.
"Lily likes me," James protested.
"Correction: Lily thinks Adam is hot and is using you so she can talk to him. There's a difference, Potter. Don't get confused," I drawled, still flipping through my magazine.
James looked at me, expression blank. "Back to calling me Potter, then?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know."
"Well, make up your goddamned mind so people don't get confused!" James nearly shouted in a serious outburst. What was that supposed to mean?
"I'm gonna go…" I heard Ginny mutter as she slinked out of the room.
Still not looking up, I smiled down at the Quibbler, still flipping the pages. "Sounds like you have some serious emotions to sort out. Need to write a love letter? I have Willow Vain's address if you need it…" I trailed off, smirking.
I felt no remorse from saying all of these things. Only a quiet, satisfaction.
I heard James sigh from across the room. "Guess I deserved that one."
"You don't deserve much else at the moment," I fired back, my tone bored. Man, I was on a roll!
"And that one, too."
I frowned, confused as to why he was letting me go at him.
I looked up and realised both Al and Ginny were gone and James was standing at the door, facing me. "Where…?"
James shrugged and walked a little closer. "Look, I know I messed up. I know I said some awful things but… I'm impulsive and seeing Adam… it made want to shove it right in his face that some of our best girl friends… like me and not him, I guess. He's super competitive with everything and I'll admit, I'm not the best guy when I'm around him but… why are you looking at me like that?" he asked suddenly, squinting his eyes at me.
I furrowed my eyes. "Like what? I'm not doing anything," I said in surrender.
"Well… anyway… look, I'm sorry, ok? And I know that what I did to Ellie was a complete arse move and I am going to fix it, I swear! And… and I'm gonna explain everything to Alexia and-"
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked loudly. I didn't want to know about Ellie and I most certainly did not want to hear about Alexia.
James looked at me in surprise. "Thought you'd want to know. I wanted to keep you in the loop. And also I'm trying to show you that… that the guy that danced with you and talked for hours with you at the Yule Ball… that's me."
I shook my head. "Ok, now I'm confused. You aren't making any sense!"
James made a frustrated noise and shook his head, muttering curses. "Ok! Here's the simple version. I'm sorry. I didn't 'waste time' with Ellie or Alexia or sure as hell not you! I was trying to sound cool in front of one of my best guy friends who was getting on my back for 'changing into a softie'. I know I was a jackass and I've made… a complete mess of things but I'm trying to work it out. Please… just, try and understand," James asked desperately.
Ok, so I'll admit I was still a whole lot confused about everything but I was certain of one thing – Adam Lester was officially an ass. Not an arse, an ass.
I raised my eyebrows at James. "You know, you shouldn't have to prove yourself that you're 'manly' to your best friends. I mean, Adam might be nicer when he's on his own-"
"He's not." James said bluntly.
I couldn't help it. I giggled. Shaking my head, smiling, I walked past him and started for the door.
"Where you going? We're not done here!" James asked, his voice loud.
"I'm leaving before I laugh at one of your ridiculous comments," I teased, smiling.
James laughed. "Does this mean I'm forgiven?"
I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Nope!" I said with a smile.
"So… you said 'nope'?" Al asked, an eyebrow raised.
"What?" I said indignantly.
Al shrugged. "Well… it's just… he implied some serious things."
"And I am still seriously offended!" I said loudly.
Al shook his head. "But he obviously likes you so you should-"
"WHAT?" I practically screamed, making the small bathroom shake.
"Well… maybe not obviously but he definitely likes you. I mean, he did make out with you," Al pointed out as he scrubbed the sink.
"Yes, but he also made out with another girl that night. Plus, he really likes Alexia," I argued, sitting cross legged on top of the basin Al was scrubbing.
Al flipped his hair out of his face and looked at me, annoyed. "Are you gonna help me clean the bathroom or are you gonna sit there?" he asked, scowling a bit.
"I'm fine right where I am. I cleaned the whole kitchen and dining room today!" I argued, laughing at Al's expression.
"But my boyfriend is coming over and I don't want to look like a soapy mess!" Al said, exasperated.
I giggled. "Fine. If you didn't want to clean, why'd you volunteer to scrub the bathroom? Scorp and his family will be here soon," I said while sliding off the basin and grabbing cleaning supplies. I started scrubbing as Al sighed.
"Cleaning helps me relax. I don't want to be edgy when they arrive," Al said, sighing. "I feel much better after all that scrubbing!"
I looked up and stared at him. "Um, hello! I'm the one scrubbing here!"
Al closed his eyes and held a soapy finger to my lips. "Hush…" Al whispered.
I stared at him like he was crazy. Sighing, I went back to cleaning. Cursing, I looked at Al who was smiling at me. "Why on Earth would you volunteer to clean the bathroom?" I asked again, sighing as I finished off.
Suddenly, the doorbell went off and Al, who was startled, yelped and fell off the basin and right onto me.
Grunting, I fell to the floor with an excited Al scrambling all over me. "He's here! He's here! He's here!" he gushed as he flailed around and stood up, his hair sticking out everywhere.
Groaning, I stood up slowly. "Al!" I called out as he rushed off. "Hair!"
I laughed when I heard curses and running footsteps as Al sprinted to his room.
I walked out of the bathroom as Lily rushed out of her room wearing a slinky, silver dress and her hair curled all prettily. She didn't stumble once in her heels and her eyes were a smoaky silver.
"Lily! I thought you were going to the Weasley's?" I asked as she halted and looked at me.
"I… I am. I just… I'm… well it's only a little make up!" she gushed as she ran like an expert in those heels over to me. "Look, we're going to this party, ok? And Rose is taking us and she said it's for upperclassmen only. She also said that we had to look like we were at least sixteen and not our real age. Please don't tell mum or Al or dad or James. They'd all kill me if they knew I was leaving the house looking like this!" Lily pleaded. I looked at her desperate eyes and realised she looked a lot older than sixteen.
"Where'd you get that dress?" I asked suspiciously.
"My allowance. Bought it at a muggle shop with a half-blood friend a couple days ago."
"And… you will not drink one drop of alcohol at this party?"
"None."
"And Rose will be there?"
"Yes." A blush crept up her face, making her look fourteen again. "And Adam said he might go later on tonight with James if they can convince my parents."
I smiled. Finally, I'd found the real reason she was sneaking off dressed like an eighteen-year-old.
"Well… have fun! And I promise my lips are sealed! What is the party anyway?" I asked, wondering what kind of New Years' Eve parties England has.
"Hogwarts, Bauxbatons and Durmstrang students organised it. It's gonna be a blast!" Lily squealed quietly as she snuck off, wrapping herself in a silvery cape. She disappeared from sight and realised she had the invisibility cloak to help her sneak out.
She would be trouble, Lily Potter, when she got older. I could already tell.
Sighing, I walked downstairs and out into the living room.
In the very corner of the room, I saw him. His white-blond hair and emerald green eyes. I squealed and raced over to him. I threw my arms around him and he grunted.
"Whoa, Mads!" Scorp said while laughing.
Grinning, I stepped back and punched him lightly on the arm. "It's good to see you too!" I teased to a smiling Scorp.
"I missed your little blonde head so much! And… wow, you look tanner. And blonder. Australia looks pretty good on you," Scorp said, fingering my hair.
A light tap tapped me on the shoulder and I turned to find a taller and older version of Scorp looking at me.
"Good to meet you! I'm Draco Malfoy, Scorpius's father," Draco introduced himself and shook my hand.
I smiled. "Likewise! I'm Maddie, the exchange student."
"And aren't you a pretty little thing!" a tall, slim and beautiful woman commented as she shook my hand. "Astoria Malfoy, Scorpius's mother," she said in a smooth, velvety voice.
"Lovely to meet both of you."
"AL!" Scorp yelled in my ear and I winced at the volume. I saw Scorp rush over to Al and crush him in a bear hug even though Al was so much taller than Scorp. They had a little moment of murmured hellos and sweet kisses and I almost 'aw'ed out loud.
They're so adorable.
Everyone introduced themselves and even James slunk down from upstairs to say hi.
We had a great feast for dinner and the conversation was riveting at the table. Draco and Harry retold stories from when they were children and we all laughed at the rivalry.
It was great fun. We watched the wizard fireworks over the ministry that were donated from George Weasley. It was a fun and late night that came to an end all too soon (the end being me, James, Al and Scorp crashed out on the couches).
"Wake up! Come on, Scorp's leaving," Al whispered. I groaned and rolled over, stretching and wincing at the light. I always hate being woken up.
"Yeah. I'm up," I mumbled as I stood and stumbled over to a tired looking Scorp. I gave him a crushing hug goodbye and promised to write, even though there were only two more days left of holidays until we had to go back to school.
After the Malfoy's left, I started to retreat back to my room when someone grabbed my wrist and twisted me around.
"Wanna go to that New Years' Eve party everyone's at?" James asked in a low voice.
I shrugged. "Not really. Sounds fun but it's like 3am and I can barely keep my eyes open," I mumbled, my voice scratchy.
James shrugged. "Alright. We'll stay here."
I frowned. "Aren't you gonna go?"
James looked at me like I was crazy. "Why? If you're not there, it wouldn't be much fun."
I smiled wanly. "Ha ha, very funny."
"I'm serious."
I looked at his serious face and frowned. "Can you be straight with me for a sec?"
"Well, I'm not Al or Scorp, so sure," James said as he started cracking up at his own joke.
I frowned. "Anyway. Can you please tell me why you kissed me at your family's ball?"
I knew asking this was a very bad question but I was tired and that was the only question that was ever on my mind these days.
James stopped laughing, caught off guard. He looked up and smiled. "Coz I wanted to."
I frowned. "Yeah… but why? Why can't you just tell me?"
James shook his head. "Now this is the part where I leave you with a very cryptic 'nope'."
Sooooo… what did you think? Loved it? hated it?
Please give a review and tell me!
I KNOW IT WAS PRETTY CRAPPY BUT I ONLY GOT BACK A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND SCHOOL STARTED TODAY SO I'VE BEEN PRETTY BUSY! NOT MAKING EXCUSES BUT I PROMISE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE LONG AND JUICY AND DRAMA-FILLED!
Until next time,
Kat xx
