A Little Help From Friends

Lottie fell onto the stool and swiveled around to face Penny in the pub. She was already halfway through her cocktail. Lottie had meant to get there earlier, but the case she was working on had, unsurprisingly, kept her at the office longer than she expected. Rather, the cases she was working on. Her workload seemed to have doubled in size for some reason.

While normally she wouldn't complain about her workload, she was beginning to get a bit frustrated with the quality. She wished the Ministry would give her something a bit more challenging. Something to really sink her teeth into. As it was, she and Potter were close to breaking a new record on solve rate with the tiny cases that had been thrown at them lately.

She wasn't completely sure the reasoning behind it. Perhaps they were testing her in her first few weeks in the department. Perhaps they were trying to push for Potter to finish the hours required in order to be considered a full-fledged auror. Perhaps her brother Bernard was behind it.

"Better be a good reason for you being late," Penny said, looking up at her.

"When is work not a good reason?" Lottie scoffed as she waved down the bartender and ordered a drink. "Though, even Potter was complaining today, and I don't think I've ever heard him complain."

"Case getting complicated?" Penny asked, putting her glass down.

"No. They've given us several more to work on," Lottie replied, smiling happily as the bartender put her drink down in front of her. "It's nothing I can't handle, but Merlin, the Ministry certainly loves its paperwork."

"Tell me about it," Penny said, huffing slightly. "Why can't you just make Potter do all of it for you? Isn't that what he's there for?"

"He's not an intern," Lottie said, looking over at her best friend. "He's there to learn how to solve cases. And you definitely cannot learn that by filling out paperwork. Takes actually going out and doing it. Even if it's not as challenging as I would like. Get the feeling Bernie may have something to do with that."

"The git," Penny replied. "I thought he couldn't pull rank on you."

"Wouldn't be surprised if he figured out a way," Lottie said with a slight roll of her eyes. It was true. If there was a way for Bernard to keep her off dangerous cases, he certainly would find it. Perhaps she should speak to him about it.

Merlin knew it wouldn't be the first argument the two siblings had in the auror office. Even Potter had learned by now to stay out of the way when it came to the two Bells.

"So...," Penny said as she took another drink. "How are things with your lads?" Lottie shushed her as she glanced around them nervously.

You never really knew when one of the nosey reporters from Witch Weekly or The Prophet were around. And the absolute last thing she needed was for either man to find out that she had been out with the other. Not while she was still trying to figure things out herself. While she had decided to be truthful with them, she wasn't sure it was so good for them to know about the other, if their feud from Hogwarts was anything to go by. She was still curious as to how they got on playing for the same team as it was.

"No one knows what I'm talking about, Lottie," Penny chided.

"But they could," Lottie retorted, narrowing her eyes slightly as she lowered her voice.

"You're letting your work get to your head," Penny said. "Not everyone is out to get you."

"I didn't think that," Lottie retorted.

"And I highly doubt that anyone knows that you went on dates with-"

"SHHH!" Lottie nearly shouted as she reached out and smacked her hand over Penny's mouth. The other woman just stared at her, raising an eyebrow in her direction. "You were going to say their names." Penny just blinked. Lottie pulled her hand back.

"As I've said, you're doing absolutely nothing wrong," Penny said, crossing one leg over the other. "It's been one date."

"But I'm going out on second dates with both of them," Lottie said, turning to face the bar.

"And?" Penny asked. "Still don't understand just what the big deal is. You're just exploring your options. And Merlin, you need more excitement in your life." Lottie stared at her drink a bit more, then looked over at Penny, a small smile on her face.

"I suppose that it's a bit exciting," she conceded. "Never had two blokes interested in me at the same time." Penny snorted.

"You're seeing two rather fit men. I'd say it's a bit more than exciting," she replied. "Dare say you haven't had this much excitement in your love life since… well… ever."

"Have so," Lottie shot back. "Ehm… well... guess not. I mean, Aiden certainly was charming and thrilling in the beginning. And Merlin, those eyes of his… but that eventually wore off…"

"Aiden was a jerk and a bastard," Penny said. "And so not in your league." Lottie chuckled as she raised her glass to her lips.

"Still can't believe it. Hogwarts me would be dying about now," she mused. "Dates with Marcus Flint and Oliver Wood…"

"Going to be a rather tough decision when it comes down to it," Penny said. "I don't envy you that… one the former bad boy with brooding, smoldering looks. Then on the other, you've got the boy-next-door with that smile that makes your knees weak and your knickers-"

"Penny!" Lottie shouted, though she was laughing loudly.

"You know it's true," Penny said with a smirk. "Merlin, even I had a bit of a crush on him at Hogwarts, though I was dating his best friend at the time." Lottie just shook her head.

"Merlin, can't I just get through the second date before you start planning my wedding?" Lottie replied.

"Most definitely not planning your wedding. If anything, I'm planning your next shag," Penny scoffed, causing Lottie to laugh again.

"Not to that point either," she said, shaking her head. "Not yet, anyway."

"Should be," Penny replied. Lottie didn't bother responding, only took a drink.

"I mean, was the outing with Oliver even-"

"Good gods, shut it! If I have to hear you overanalyze either date - yes, they were both dates - again, I'm going to hex myself," Penny said. Lottie just sighed and stared down at her drink. "The important thing is, how do you feel?"

"Well… I suppose I just want to get to know them a bit more. Both of them," Lottie said, looking over at her. "A lot of time has passed and none of us are really who we were back then. A lot of lost time to catch up on…"

"And the fact that you didn't really know Flint all that well to begin with, considering you ran in the opposite direction every time you saw him," Penny pointed out.

"True," Lottie admitted. "He doesn't seem nearly as smarmy as he did back then. Though most definitely still likes to put on the charm. But… he seems more genuine now."

"He did fight against You Know Who," Penny offered. Lottie frowned slightly as she looked at her best friend. "Some of the others from Slytherin, they joined up with them, but for some reason he didn't."

"Figured he hadn't since he's out and about, but… never thought he'd actually fight against them," Lottie said, surprised. She figured most of the Slytherins who didn't want to join likely hid somewhere until it was all over, not really wanting to pick a side. It seemed a lot really had changed.

"Well, he was there. Fighting with the rest of us," Penny said with a bit of forced cheerfulness, speaking the way she usually did when she desperately wanted to talk about something else. Lottie reached over and patted her hand.

Penny had stayed with her for a couple months after that last battle. At first, she didn't say much about it - preferring to throw herself into going to all her favorite museums and sights. Eventually she had broken down. But Lottie knew just how much she - like many, likely - didn't like to bring it up.

"So, you set dates?" Penny asked, her face smoothing out into a smile. Lottie chuckled.

"Working on it…"

Katie froze, then ducked behind another person quickly. She had seen Penny and Lottie from across the way and had hurried over to say hi, not knowing that the two were going out for drinks that night. She had heard from Oliver that the date went well and the two were owling back and forth about meeting up that next weekend. Truthfully, she remembered Lottie's crush on him in Hogwarts and had hoped they would hit it off.

She had always been of the mind that they would make a good couple. Even back in school. If only Lottie would have gotten over her near crippling insecurities. Katie never really understood just why her older cousin had been that way. She always thought her pretty and smart. And decent at quidditch. She had been utterly thrilled to see the progress she made coming out of her shell in New York over the years.

But what she wasn't expecting that night was to hear that her cousin was also seeing Marcus Flint. Katie glanced through the crowd again, seeing Lottie chuckling as Penny smirked at her.

When had she even run into Flint? As far as Katie was aware, Lottie had been rather tied up in work outside of the few times they had met up and her date with Oliver. And didn't she remember how Flint had treated her in school? Surely that alone would be enough to turn her off from him.

What's more, Wood and Flint were teammates. That could get fairly dirty, fairly quickly. Just how was Lottie planning to play this one off? Perhaps Katie should sneak closer and listen in a bit more.

"What's gotten into you?" Alicia asked, stepping up to her and taking in Katie's odd look. Katie jumped slightly, not hearing her or Angelina walk up, she was so focused on watching Lottie.

"Oh, it's Lottie and Penny! Let's go say hello," Angelina then said, starting towards the two.

"No!" Katie cried out, reaching out to grab Angelina's arm. The chaser stopped walking and turned to look at Katie, her brow furrowed.

"Something wrong?" she asked as Alicia looked over at Lottie and Penny then back at Katie, her eyebrows raised. Katie sighed.

"I just overheard them… apparently Lottie's been on dates with both Marcus Flint and Wood," she said, sounding as though it were the worst thing in the world.

"While I question her choice of Flint, I'm not sure just what the issue is," Alicia said. "Has she mentioned being exclusive with either of them?"

"She didn't even tell me about Flint," Katie replied. "And I was really hoping that she and Wood would work out. They really are perfect for each other…"

"Still could," Angelina said. "You said yourself that she was going to meet up with him again."

"Yes, but… he's got competition now," Katie said, still frowning. "You know how things have always gone down between him and Flint… Not to mention, Flint's always played dirty." Alicia studied her a moment before she started grinning.

"And that's precisely why we're going to help Wood," she stated. Both Angelina and Katie looked at her in confusion. "Oh, come on. We all know how hopeless he can be when it comes to women. Just… think of it as giving him a fair advantage. Evening the playing field. You know Lottie fairly well. We all know Wood. We'll just… help push them in the right direction. Towards each other."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea… Lottie hates meddling. Gets a fair bit of it from her brothers," Katie murmured, looking back over at Lottie and Penny.

"Come on, Kates. Do you or do you not want those two to end up together? Or would you rather Flint as a cousin-in-law?" Alicia snapped. Katie looked back at her with wide eyes.

"But shouldn't we-"

"We are going to help Wood. But we're not going to tell him about Flint," Angelina interjected. Alicia shot her a look. "You remember what they used to be like. The last thing either of them needs is to be at each other's throats. Again." Alicia huffed.

"Fine. But we're still helping. It's the right thing to do," she said, crossing her arms in front of her. They both looked over at Katie, who still seemed to be hesitating.

"You do remember the massive crush she had on him at school," Alicia pushed. Katie continued to waver. "And you saw how happy he was after their date… Imagine how brokenhearted he'll be if she dumps him for Flint." Finally, Katie sighed and shook her head.

"Fine, we'll help. But nothing underhanded," she said. Alicia just grinned and started pulling the two women over to an open table in the corner.

"Let's get started, shall we?"

Adrian Pucey could not believe his luck.

He had sat at the bar, waiting for his mates to show up. And then a beautiful woman had sat next to him. Penelope Clearwater. He was just about to turn to her when another joined her. But it wasn't the prospect of flirting with two beautiful women that had him excited.

No, it was overhearing their conversation.

Apparently the one who came late was none other than Smelly Bells. Er, well, Lottie Bell, he should call her now. And she was talking about Marcus. And then she had mentioned she also went on a date with Wood.

This was interesting news. News that he planned to put to good use.

He sat and listened a bit longer before standing and picking up his glass, walking over to an open table on the other side of the bar. He checked his watch and then looked up, seeing Warrington and Higgs finally walk into the pub. They walked over and dropped into the other chairs at the table, both of them looking rather exhausted. He wasn't sure why Higgs was so tired - as far as Pucey knew, he had a posh job working at his father's broom company. Nothing as tiring as a full day of practice on the pitch, in his mind. Though he was lucky in that his coach let them off early. Warrington looked as though he'd much rather be home right now than out. Coach probably made them do extra drills after losing to Puddlemere.

It was a shame that Flint wasn't there. But he supposed this was better. Adrian didn't want him aware of the plan that was already forming in his mind. Though eventually he'd tell him - when the time was right.

"Took you long enough," Adrian remarked.

"Some of us had work," Higgs replied, frowning.

"I worked today as well," Pucey shot back. "We just finished up practice a bit earlier than usual." Higgs rolled his eyes. "But, good thing you're here. I've got news."

"I don't want to hear about another bird that you've picked up," Warrington complained.

"You always like my stories, but that's not it," Pucey said. He looked over towards the bar and then pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

"Why you pointing at Clearwater?" Higgs asked, squinting towards the bar.

"I'm pointing at Clearwater… and Smelly Bells sitting next to her," Adrian said, now grinning. Both Warrington and Higg's mouths dropped open as they gawked at the other woman. That was the reaction he was expecting. He had nearly done the same when he took in just how much she had changed over the years.

"Now I see why Flint's so keen on her," Warrington said. "She got fit."

"Get this… she also went on a date with Oliver Wood last weekend," Adrian continued. Both men looked over at him, frowning.

"She mention this to Flint?" Higgs asked.

"You honestly think we wouldn't know if she had?" Adrian asked, still smiling.

"Fail to see how this is good news," Warrington said, studying Pucey's demeanor. "She's already two-timing him. We should tell him."

"No, we shouldn't," Adrian said quickly. "And it's been one date. They aren't even together… yet."

"But still," Higgs added. "He's got competition."

"No, we're going to help," Adrian said.

"You sure Flint needs help?" Warrington asked. "Never needed it before and I'm not so sure he'd appreciate it…"

"And you're telling me that you wouldn't love the chance to wipe that smug grin off Wood's face?" Pucey asked. "Always enjoyed it in school."

"Thought the feud was over," Warrington said. "Why should we care to get involved? This isn't Hogwarts, mate."

"Because," Adrian stated. "It'll be fun." The two other men just stared at him. "And we all know that she had a thing for Wood in school. Seriously, Flint needs our help." Higgs and Warrington glanced at each other and then back at Pucey, still not completely convinced.

"Flint's already got to make up for the fact that he made fun of her in school," Pucey continued. "Add in that she's always had a thing for Wood, well then, I don't see why we shouldn't step in."

"And how do you propose we help?" Higgs asked with a heavy sigh. Adrian grinned again, already seeing that he was starting to wear him down.

"Just… give him advice on how to woo her. I can look into her, find the best ways to win her over. Share this with Flint," Adrian said. "Trust me, if anyone knows the best way to find things out about a woman, it's me." Both men gave him a dubious look.

"No sabotage?" Warrington asked, seeming a bit surprised that wasn't the first thing Adrian suggested. While Pucey didn't seem to agree with dirty tactics on the pitch, he certainly enjoyed them off.

"Perhaps… but only if necessary," Adrian said. "We're doing this to help Flint. Not chance that it'll backfire."

"You sure it's not for your own sick enjoyment?" Higgs asked, smiling slightly. "Because it sounds exactly like something you'd do for your own sick enjoyment." Pucey sighed.

"Help me, don't help me. That's your choice. I'm doing it regardless," he said. Both men studied him and then each other.

"Fine, we're in," Warrington said. "But only to make sure you don't do something stupid that mucks things up with Flint and Bell."

"Excellent. Now… here's what I have in mind first…"

Told you that if I finished another chapter, I'd post again! And well… the plot thickens…

Thanks for reading and following!