Time had passed at Hogwarts for the Potter twins. The day was October 31 and the twelfth anniversary of their parent's death. It was also Halloween and the first Hogsmeade visit for the Third years. Over the last several weeks Harry had spent more time with Ginny for appearance sake and was taking her to town for the day.
Something also interesting happened because of Harry spending time with Ginny, and whenever he could Willow, Ron and Hermione were forced to spend more time together alone resulting in the redheaded boy asking the bookish girl to Hogsmeade as well. They are only going as friends to hang out with Harry and Ginny, Dawn would also be with them, but it didn't stop Fred and George from picking on their little brother about it.
Willow had been trying to come up with a plan to break her contract with Crabbe, but so far had fallen short. She was spending more time with her Slytherin friends and eating more at the house table, but hadn't broken ties with the other houses and her Muggleborn friends. Zoe had tried to help her study so they could have private girl talks discussing Vincent Crabbe and how to be a better Slytherin Witch, but so far had failed in her efforts. The older girl was both amazed and annoyed at the Wicca's intelligence sense she had racked up a good number of house points, but never needed help with anything. All of her offers for help or tips were politely shot down every time.
Another oddity that was frustrating the Snakes attempting to have words with Willow regarding her behavior was Harry Potter. Somehow the girl's brother and his friends always seemed to know where she was, and if she was going to be alone with someone they didn't trust. Every time one of the Slytherin intervention group, from the empty classroom two months ago, tried to corner her for another private talk, Harry or one of his friends would show up out of nowhere and interrupt the meeting. Not that Willow wasn't grateful, but it was starting to get on her nerves as well, mainly because Dawn wouldn't stop with the smug attitude about finally having something over her talented friend.
At the moment it was approaching the Noon and Willow was getting dressed. She had put on lovely silk green robes and her butterfly hair piece to go out with Vincent. The moron had finally asked her to Hogsmeade two days ago at the insistence of Draco Malfoy. The muscular boy had just taken it for granted that Willow would go with him, and the Wicca had hoped he'd forget to ask so she could spend the day with friends instead.
Pansy looked the girl up and down nodding her approval. "Will there be a chaperone Willow, or will it be just the two of you?"
Willow, glad that the black haired girl had dropped her prudish sounding voice when just with friends, said. "It'll just be me and him. He wants to take me to some place called Madam Puddifoot's and thin a walk around the village."
"Well that sounds nice." Daphne said. She was wearing silver colored robes. "A picnic would be a lovely idea for a date. Maybe he will surprise us all and sweep you off your feet."
The redhead didn't have the heart to tell the blonde that it would never happen. Though the girls were truly Willow's friends they hoped she would come to except Vincent Crabbe. It was just the way they had been raised and the California girl was about to start a Witch's Empowerment Group if it kept up.
The redhead noticed that Pansy was only wearing her school robes. "Pansy, do you want to borrow something from me to wear?"
"Oh no, that's ok Willow. Usually if someone just goes to Hogsmeade with friends they wear school robes, but if there on a date they dress up." Pansy explained.
Not having realized this before Willow turned to Daphne and asked. "So are you going out with someone then. Maybe we can make it a double date." The Wicca finished excitedly. She really didn't want to try and make small talk with the ogre for several hours.
Daphne looked at her friend with a sad smile and said. "Sorry Willow, but that wouldn't work. I'm meeting my parents and a possible match from Russia."
The blond grabbed her wand that was laying on her bed and headed for the door. Pansy wished her luck as she left. There was a tense moment of silence that filled the room before the black haired girl turned to talk to her friend.
"Willow, ... how are Harry and Ginevra Weasley getting along?" Pansy asked awkwardly.
Willow had been in the process of looking threw her jewelry box when she heard the question. She didn't know how to fraise her answer so it didn't crush Pansy's hopes.
The girl turned to her friend and asked seriously. "Are you generally interested in my brother or is this because your father demands it?"
Pansy looked at Willow and quickly schooled her face into her Pureblood mask. "I don't know what you're talking about Willow. I was just..."
"Stop it Pansy!" Willow interrupted loudly. "There's no one else here for you to put on a show. No one is here to report back to their families and your father. I want an honest answer to whether or not you like Harry romantically, or are you just going along with the Pureblood Program."
Pansy tried to hold her mask a little longer but, in the end, sat down on her bed and cried silently. "I'm scared Willow." She sniffed. "Harry is nice enough I guess, but I'm really not sure what I want. My dad sent me a letter this morning."
The young girl reached into her robe pocket and gave Willow the crumbled letter she had stashed there earlier. The red head opened it and read.
Pansy,
I'm growing tired of your failure to seduce Potter away from that Blood Traitor. My sources tell me that Potter and that girl will be on a date today at Hogsmeade. You will spy on their outing and ruin it if possible. Try and make them thank the other is at fault so you can possibly still the boy away from the girl if there fighting. I had someone analyze the Weasley/Potter contract and there are numerous loopholes that can annul it which possible means the thing is fake.
Simon
After Willow read the letter over she gave it back to Pansy. She sat down beside the crying girl and wrapped her arm around her shoulder in a hug.
"Pansy," Willow began. "My brother is a boy and, there for, doesn't know much about relationships and girls. From what I can tell he thanks of Ginny as a good friend but the potential for more is there. Little Ginevra does want there to be something more though."
The black haired girl smiled at Willow's humor. The redhead quickly turned to the door and stood quickly from the bed as it began to open. Pansy pulled the curtains around the bed closed as Tracey came in.
The short brown-haired girl looked around and asked Willow. "Have you seen Daphne anywhere?"
"Yes, you just missed her. She was going to meet her parents in Hogsmeade." Willow said trying her best to keep Tracey from inquiring about Pansy's closed curtains.
"Oh, that must have been last minute. We were going to explore the village together." Tracey said a little sadly.
"Well, if you want, I'm heading out soon so you can go with me and Pansy. I'm meeting Vincent at Madam Puddifoot's, but you and Pansy can explore together." Willow offered.
Tracey thought it over a little and nodded her head yes. She left to go wait in the Common Room. Willow turned back to Pansy's bed and pulled the curtains open.
"You ready to go?" She asked her sour faced friend.
The Pureblood girl said in a annoyed voice. "I can't believe you're pawning me off on Tracey Davis."
Willow just stuck out her tongue then slumped her shoulders and grumbled. "You can go on my date with Crabbe if you want. I wouldn't mind hanging out with her. She can at least hold an intelligent conversations."
Pansy gave Willow a sympathetic pat on the shoulders as they left the room. After meeting Tracey, the three girls walked down to the castle's main entrance to give their permission slips to Argus Filch. The old Caretaker gave them all suspicious looks but waved them on through.
The walk to the village was quiet. Willow's two companions talk a little about Daily Prophet gossip and current popular music bands. The younger redhead began to think back on the last two months.
So far, her grades were some of the best in school and she was happy to see that despite her years of experience with magic, she wasn't too far ahead of several students. She hadn't wanted to stand out too much and it was nice having friendly rivalries with a few peers. She and Hermione competed for the unofficial title of 3rd year Potion's Queen. Even Snape had been forced on one occasion to give Hermione a small compliment, which was a mighty accomplishment unto itself for any Gryffindor.
She, and a few more gifted Charm students, were working with Professor Flitwick on making one of Willow's Celestial Wandless Charms compatible with wands so others could use it. The Charm called forth the Pure White Flame Of Light which could burn away all darkness. The actual Charm allowed one to hold a large ball of fire in their hand and throw it at an enemy. So far all anyone could manage was a small flame that shoot out roughly one foot before fading away. Willow hoped this could one day be used to destroy Dementors.
Another Charm Flitwick had mentioned for combating Dementors was the Patronus Charm. Several of her friends and Harry had been trying to master the Charm for several weeks, but it was proving difficult. Both Professor Flitwick and Lupin had promised help to anyone that wanted it. The Wicca was forced to admit that the train attack had hurt those around her more than even she had realized. All her friends wanted to make sure that she didn't have to fight the creatures alone again.
As they finally reached the village, Tracey turned to Willow and said. "Me and Pansy are going to the Three Broomsticks to meet some of the Slytherin third years. Where are you meeting Vincent?"
"I guess at the Three Broomsticks sense he didn't tell me anything." An annoyed Willow said just realizing the problem. Then the Witch brightened up a little as she hoped that the date could be canceled outright if the idiot couldn't be found.
Willow's hopes were crushed as they walk into the establishment and saw several Slytherin third year boys, including Crabbe, setting around a table in the corner. She saw that Theodore Nott was absent and wandered if he was still refusing to leave his room. The Pureblood bigot had been the victim of several funny and embarrassing incidences that had occurred over the last two months.
Not long after he sabotage Willow's potion, Theodore had been hounded all day by flying balloons filled with various colors of paint. They would chase him down just to attempt to splatter on his face. At one time an older student had saw one coming and tried to cast a shield, only for the balloon to pass right threw and hit it's mark.
On another occasion his clothes decided that they didn't want to be worn by him in the middle of the hallway. Nott has been close to tears as his clothes fought to get off him and everyone around him laughed. If McGonagall hadn't stepped in right as his underwear, the last article of clothing he still had on, tried to leave him he would have been stark naked in the middle of Hogwarts.
After several more unexplained occurrences, Nott had locked himself in the Slytherin dorms and refused to come out except for class. Willow had been brought to Dumbledore for questioning because everyone knew she and Nott had issues with one another. The Wicca could have, in theory, pulled off the advanced magic that at times seemed to be beyond normal students. The redhead was at a loss herself in figuring out who was responsible. She figured Harry had something to do with it, and possibly the Weasley Twins and Ron, but didn't figure any of them could pull of some of the advanced stuff.
The Slytherin Witches approached the Slytherin Wizards and sat down at the table. Draco passed each girl a Butterbeer. Willow looked at it funny as her friends both took big gulps out of there mugs. The Wicca looked at Draco and asked if this was the non-alcoholic version.
"It's fine Willow, the alcohol content is extremely light. They do have a stronger version though." The pale heir said.
Willow took a small drink and figured it was fine. Turning to the troll she was saddled with, the Wicca asked. "So, what do you want to do first Vincent?"
The Crabbe family heir seemed to think about his response, judging by the painful expression on his face, and said. " I thought sense it's close to lunchtime, we could go have tea and sandwiches." He paused to look at Blaise who mouthed something Willow couldn't make out. After the apparent reminder Crabbe looked back at his future bride and said. "Then I thought we could walk around the village and look at the private gardens. There is supposed to be a rather large one out by the far side of town."
"Oh, that sounds nice." An over enthusiastic Tracey said. "Some of the displays are said to be breathtaking, and I know how much you love gardening Willow."
The redhead could only smile as she felt annoyed by Crabbe. Getting help from friends in planning a date wasn't entirely wrong, but at least try and remember the plan without help. It probably wouldn't be bad ether if it wasn't doomed to fail no matter what.
The Beauty and the Beast said goodbye to the Slytherins and headed out on their first date. Vincent had locked his left arm with Willow's right and lead her down the street to the small tea shop. The large boy boldly walked up to the front door and held it open for Willow to walk inside.
If the Wicca could describe the shop in one word it would be horrifying. The entire decor was pink and frilly with small couples' tables stuffed where ever they would fit. Several couples already occupied a few tables already and they weren't shy about public displays of affection.
A middle aged stout woman with her hair in a tight black bun walked up to the couple and said. "Welcome to my tea shop, I'm Madam Puddifoot. You may set wherever you like dears."
"Thank you Ma'am." Willow said politely. "You have a very lovely tea shop."
The couple decided to set at a table by the front window. Willow ordered a small Earl Gray with honey and Vincent ordered the same. Madam Puddifoot soon delivered the drinks and some small lemon cakes. Looking out the front window, Willow saw her cousin and a few other Hufflepuffs walking into Zonko's Joke Shop down the street.
Apparently, Dudley had told everyone that he was the cousin of the Potter Twins when he first came to Hogwarts. However, because of a misunderstanding some people believed that Lily Potter was adopted by Muggles and there for had no siblings. After Harry and Willow cleared up this misunderstanding, Dudley's life in Hufflepuff became easier as several apologized for calling him a liar. Willow honestly believed Dudley could become a better person if he had more positive influences other than his bully of a father. She was glad to see him hanging out with Justin Flinch-Fletchley and another boy she didn't recognize but thought might be named Wayne.
The tea was nice, and the cakes were delicious. Vincent had more cakes than Willow, not that the redhead minded, she just thought he could try and use better manners. She tried to question him about his childhood out of curiosity, and to see if he'd admit to something incriminating, but nothing panned out. He did talk about some of the places he'd been on family vacations, and where some of his relatives lived. The fool was trying to impress her with money it seemed.
After tea, the young couple went to Gladrags Wizard Wear to look at clothes. Willow was a little board looking at the latest Witch fashions and robes, but Vincent was determined to get her something nice. Willow chose a pair of diamond pumpkin shaped earrings to commemorate the holiday, and the two left for Honeydukes were Crabbe bought about sixty pounds worth of chocolate. Willow was kind enough to shrink it down for him so it would fit in his pocket.
After the candy store the couple went for a walk around the village to look at various gardens. There was a rumor that one house on the outskirts of town had a garden dedicated to Devil's Snare and Willow wanted to see it.
After a little bit Willow began to feel board. What really bothered her was looking at gardens would really be fun if she was with someone who in joyed it like she did. She had about as much luck striking a conversation with Crabbe about gardens as she did Giles about computers. Her mind began to wonder on various things as they walked until she remembered seeing Dudley in town.
Thinking about her cousin reminded her about the misunderstanding people had regarding her mom's blood ties. Willow looked at Vincent, who seemed to be just as board as she was, and asked curiously. "Vincent, some people are confused about my mom's heritage and I was wondering if you knew anything?"
"Heritage?" He asked stupidly as he looked at the redhead walking next to him.
"Yes, the fact my mom was a Halfblood and not a Pureblood. Some people seem to think she was adopted by Muggles instead of being born to a Muggle mother." She clarified.
"I don't see what's wrong with letting people believe what they want to. It's better they think your mom was pure." He said as if it was a simple matter.
Willow was confused by the response. It was like Vincent was saying that it was bad to talk about and hopefully everyone would forget. Then it clicked that everyone forgetting was exactly what the fool wanted. The redhead also had another sneaky suspicion.
"Vincent," She said in a dangerously sweet voice. "Have you been telling people that my mom was a Pureblood?"
Crabbe stopped in the road and said. "It's for the best Pet. Over time these things can be forgotten, and people will think better of you, me, and our future children."
The young Witch became angry as she said. "There is nothing wrong with my mother being a Halfblood and I won't lie to cover it up. People honestly thought Dudley and I weren't related, and I had to correct them. I won't fake being a Pureblood just to make your family look..."
What Willow was going to say was interrupted by Vincent Crabbe. The little idiot had become angry when Willow mentioned correcting people about her family relations to a Mudblood and he slapped her across the face. The redhead was so surprised by the action her mind shut down as she processed what had happened.
Crabbe began to say something threatening, but never got the chance as the mighty right fist of one Dudley Dursley clobbered him square in the jaw. The Pureblood bigot crumbled like a sack of potatoes and fell to the ground. Willow looked from Vincent to Dudley as she fought to catch her mind up with what she was seeing.
Justin and the boy Willow believed was named Wayne ran up from behind Dudley. The Potter's large cousin was still standing over Crabbe with his knuckles white from his fists being clinched so hard. He was breathing heavily as if he had sprinted a few feet quickly.
In truth, that is what happened. Dudley had saw Willow and Vincent in Honeydukes and made to fallow them. He had hoped his cousin would hang out with him and his new friends because he knew Willow had lots of cool magic tricks. As the Hufflepuffs walked a few feet behind the board couple, waiting for a good point to let them know they were there, they saw Crabbe do something incredible stupid.
Vernon Dursley was a bully and an all-around mean man. One of the better things he had done in life was teach his son a particularly important rule. You never hit a girl. The moment Vincent struck Willow, Dudley had run as fast as his anger could carry him to deliver a blow that would have made a Goblin proud. He turned to his cousin and grabbed her hand and began to lead her back to the shops.
The group of students didn't say anything as they walked to the Three Broomsticks and sat down in the same corner the Slytherins had met in earlier. Madam Rosmerta walked up to take their order and Justin bought a round of Butterbeer. When she walked off to get there drinks, Dudley turned to Willow to see if she was ok.
"Are you hurt Willow? Do you need some ice or something?" He asked not really knowing what to do.
The young girl just sat in silence and said nothing. Dudley was about to repeat his question until Justin grabbed his shoulder and shook his head no. The other boy with them looked lost and said. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Wayne Hopkins." He said while extending his hand to the girl.
Willow looked at the outstretched appendage still lost in thought. Finally, she grabbed the boy's hand and shook it. "Willow Potter." She stated. The Butterbeers finally arrived and the group returned to silence.
Wayne noticed the Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle come in and look around. Draco spotted them first and dragged Vincent and Gregory over to them. Dudley saw the Slytherins coming and made to stand up but Willow placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Willow, I heard what happened and I'm terribly sorry that it did." Draco began. He looked at Vincent and nudged him in the side. The larger boy stood a little straighter and said. "I apologize for my actions Willow, and promise that it will never happen again."
The young girl's blood began to boil as she looked at the little fool. She had half a mind to blast him with fire until Madam Rosmerta walked over. "Is everything alright dears?" She asked concerned.
The response to her question came from a surprising source. "Everything's fine Ma'am. Little Vincent just tripped over his own two feet and busted his face on the pavement." Anthony DiNozzo said walking up to the group.
Everyone turned to look at the American Auror as he approached. Rosmerta blushed as he gave her an award winning smile. Seeing as everything was under control the hostess left to attend the other customers.
Auror DiNozzo looked the Slytherins up and down before addressing Crabbe. "I think you should go on up to the school and have the nurse look at your face."
Draco quickly interjected before the other boy could talk. "He was sir, he just wanted to make sure Willow was ok."
The American Auror's eyes were cold even as his facial expression was falsely cheerful. Malfoy felt his mouth go dry as Anthony said. "With Sirius Black on the lose me and my colleagues have to keep a close eye on the Potters, as well any other person that could potentially be harmed or attacked. This means we see quite a lot of what goes on. Right know, Auror David is tailing Harry Potter on his date with Ginevra Weasley. Guess who I was tailing today."
Draco wisely kept his mouth shut as the Auror continued. "I think it would be a good idea for you and Gregory Goyle to escort Vincent Crabbe to the Hospital Wing right now, don't you agree."
All the Slytherin boy could do was nod and leave. After watching them exit the front door DiNozzo turned back to Willow and asked. "You ok kid."
The Wicca cracked her knuckles as she said. "I've been hit by stronger. It was more humiliating than anything else."
"If you need anything Willow just ask. You can come to me and my colleagues with more than just security concerns." The man said. He then looked at Dudley and said before walking off. "Nice right hook big guy."
The Hufflepuffs and Willow watched him walk away. The redhead then sighed and said. "Thanks for everything guys but I'm just going to go back to my dorm."
"Do you want us to walk you Willow?" Justin asked.
"No thanks. I appreciate the offer but I'm fine by myself." She said. She smiled at Dudley and his friends then left.
Halfway back to the school the Wicca began to feel something wrong. Off in the distance back in town, she felt Dawn's magical power rise as if preparing for a fight. Since she knew Harry would be out with Ginny and she didn't want to disrupt his date, Willow had cast a barrier between their shared link. Whatever was causing Dawn to panic had also terrified Harry so much Willow's barrier was ripped away by her brother's absolute fear.
Not wasting anymore time the Sunnydale Witch turned into a storm cloud of pure magical energy and took off to join the fight. She just hoped that it wasn't to late, she could already feel that someone had died.