A/N: I do not own anything Harry Potter. It's finally Saturday and do you know what that means? It's time for Annie and George's date! Happy reading! XO
Chapter 16
Annie woke up on Saturday morning, tipped herself out of her bed and went over to her trunk. She opened it up and took out her jeans and pulled them on. She picked up a Hollyhead Harpies t-shirt, sniffed it, shrugged and pulled it over her head. She dug a pair of shoes out from under her bed and laced them up. It was funny, she'd only been back at Hogwarts a week and already her things were all over the dorm, much to the annoyance of Lavender and Parvati. She grabbed her cloak, wand and the map left the dorm room. She made her way down the stairs and jumped the last half, landing at the bottom in the common room. She climbed out of the portrait hole and ran down the stairs to the Great Hall for some breakfast. Annie spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table and sat down next them. She grabbed everything within reach and piled the food onto her plate.
"A bit hungry, I see," Harry said watching her amusedly.
Annie poured syrup all over her breakfast and took a bite of some scrambled eggs. "Just a bit."
"Well, after breakfast Ron and I were going to go out to the Quidditch pitch and throw around a Quaffle if you want to come which I'm sure you will," said Harry.
Annie swallowed her food and turned a slight shade of pink. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw George leave the table and walk out of the Great Hall. "I, erm, I can't. I've got things to do."
Ron's mouth dropped. "You can't play Quidditch because you have things to do? You're the one who drops things in order to make time for Quidditch! What are you doing that's more important than Quidditch?"
Annie blushed an even deeper shade of pink. "Just things. Look, I'm sorry. Maybe I'll play with you guys later, okay? I gotta go." She got up from the table and guzzled down some Pumpkin Juice. She threw Hermione a look and she nodded. She raced out of the Great Hall leaving Harry and Ron in a bewildered state.
George was sitting at the top of the staircase and he grinned when he saw her coming up the stairs. He stood up and gave her a hug and Annie took out the Marauder's Map.
"I solemnly swear we are up to no good," she recited tapping the map with her wand. Tiny dots appeared on the map and Annie located hers and George's. They stood at the top of the stairs checking the map for their professors and Filch. It turned out that Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore were both in their offices, Professor Snape was in the faculty room and Mr. Filch was busy stalking the dungeons. Annie smiled at George and they raced up the stairs to the third floor. When they reached the statue of the one-eyed witch, George muttered "Dissendium" and the back of the witch's hump opened up. After checking the map one last time, George helped Annie into the hole. She slid down and landed at the bottom in the tunnel. George came sliding down after her and they made their journey through the secret passage into Hogsmeade. After a while they reached the stairs that would lead into the cellar of Honeydukes and quietly made their way up. George stuck his head up out of the tile and looked around. He beckoned for Annie to follow him and they clambered out of the passage. They listened quietly to the business above and took the chance of coming above ground into the shop.
Once out in the open shop, George smiled down at Annie and placed his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and wrapped her arm around his waist and they walked around the store together. They picked up some sweets and paid for them at the register.
The lady behind the counter placed their candy in a bag and handed it to George. "I didn't even hear you kids come in. Are you supposed to be in Hogsmeade this weekend?" she asked giving them a suspicious look.
Annie flashed her a genuine smile. "Of course we are. We're helping out the house-elves with their errands. They're a little busy today."
The woman smiled. "Ah, of course. Well, have a nice day!"
"And you as well," said George winking at her and turning to leave with Annie.
Once outside, Annie slapped George lightly in the stomach. "Save those winks for me, got it?"
George laughed. "Got it. You want to go to Zonko's or are you good on Frog Spawn?" he asked.
"I think I'm good on all of my pranking needs. But I do want to go to Spintwitches. My broom is looking a little dingy and I need some polish," she said taking him by the hand and leading him to the shop.
They walked into the shop and Annie sniffed the air. She loved the smell of brooms and polish and basically anything that reminded her of Quidditch. Annie and George walked around the store together, Annie keeping hold of George's hand with one of hers and the other running along a shelf. They found the polish and Annie reached up took one off the shelf and brought it to the register. After she paid for the broom polish they walked out of the shop hand-in-hand and walked down the cobbled street.
"So, how about a Butterbeer?" asked Annie slipping her arm around George's waist as he put one across her shoulders.
"You read my mind."
They made their way over to The Three Broomsticks and walked up to the bar where Madame Rosmerta was talking to an old warlock. She spotted them and walked over to the register to take their orders.
"Well, well, well," she said leaning on the corner, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I was wondering when I would get an unauthorized visit from you two. Where are your partners in crime?" She looked over their shoulders toward the door expecting Fred and Lee to walk in.
George laughed. "It's just us today," he said looking down at Annie who smiled up at him.
Madame Rosmerta broke out into a wide grin. "I knew it! You two are finally together! I always knew you would end up together!" she exclaimed making the two kids blush. "Michael!" she called over her shoulder to the man behind the counter sweeping the floor. "Annie and Georgie are finally together!" Annie and George blushed even deeper shades of red.
"I thought they already were together!" the man yelled back.
Madame Rosmerta waved her hand. "Ignore him. So, what can I get you two lovebirds?"
"Two Butterbeers, please," said Annie.
Madame Rosmerta filled up two mugs with Butterbeer and handed them to George. Annie fished out four sickles and handed them over to Madame Rosmerta. "Thanks, Rosie!" she said, winking.
"Hey, save those winks for me!" said George. Annie laughed and steered him over to a table.
They sat in The Three Broomsticks all afternoon, ordering Butterbeers and talking and making each other laugh. They were having such a good time that they didn't even notice the three men walking into the pub. Annie was taking a gulp of her Butterbeer when she heard the all too familiar voice from over at the bar.
"Andromeda Marissa Black! What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Sirius was sitting on a barstool next to James and Remus who were grinning over their best friend's shoulder. He got up and walked over to the table and looked down at the two teenagers.
"Hey, dad! Long time no see, eh? What are you doing here?" asked Annie giving a shaky laugh.
"I asked you first. How are you, George?" he said taking a seat next to him. James and Remus got off their barstools and walked over to sit next to Annie. James sat in the chair next to her and put his arm around her shoulders.
"We're waiting for an answer from either one of you," said Remus looking between them.
"Er, well," Annie started, this time blushing beat red. She could not believe she just got caught on her first date with George by her dad and uncles. She was so embarrassed. She looked over at George who looked just as horrified as she felt.
"Oh I get it," said James. "These two are on a date! How sweet! Only took you long enough." Remus laughed as Sirius choked on his Firewhiskey.
"A date? You two snuck out of Hogwarts for a date?" he sputtered.
James laughed and shook Annie. "Look how red their faces are!"
"You guys suck so much," she said giving George an apologetic look. He smiled back and turned to Sirius.
"Yes, we did sneak out of Hogwarts, and yes, it was for a date," he said his voice shaking slightly. "I asked Annie out on Thursday on the off-shot that she would say yes and we decided to come here." When he finished, he looked at Sirius who gave him a curious look.
After a short silence that seemed to last forever to Annie, Sirius's face broke into a grin. "If you hurt her," he said poking him in the chest. "You have us to answer to." Sirius nodded toward Remus and James who cracked their knuckles in a threating manner. "Now, we'll let you two finish your Butterbeers but you guys better head back up to the castle."
Annie looked between her uncles and her dad. "Are you serious? You three snuck out of the castle all the time and you're telling us to leave? What are you guys supposed to be doing right now?"
"We're all on breaks," answered Remus taking a sip of Gillywater. "We don't need an excuse. Our bosses know where we are. I am curious to know what yours is, though."
"Well, we told the lady over at Honeydukes that we were helping the house-elves with their errands," said George.
"And she believed you?" asked James as Annie nodded. "Wow." James took a sip of his Firewhiskey and placed it back on the counter. "But Sirius is right. You two need to get back to the castle before people start asking questions."
"You know, I thought you would be proud of me for sneaking out," said Annie turning to Sirius who gave his bark-like laugh.
"Oh I am proud," he said. "But people will start to wonder where you are. Now finish your Butterbeer and get out of here and go straight back to the castle."
Sirius, Remus and James got up from the table leaving Annie and George alone. They looked at each other and finished their Butterbeers, talking quietly to each other. When they finished, they got up from the table and waved goodbye to the Marauders and Madame Rosmerta. They walked into Honeydukes and silently made their way behind the counter and into the basement. They walked through the tunnel together, holding one another's hand. Just as they reached the witch's hump, Annie took out the map and searched it for any teachers in the area. As she looked down at the map, George cupped her chin in his hand and tilted it upward. He leaned down and kissed her and she dropped the map on the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck. They broke apart several minutes later and climbed up the witch's hump. Annie and George walked the corridors hand-in-hand, pausing every few feet steal a kiss. They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and gave her the password. They looked at each other smiling, and climbed through the hole into the common room.
A/N: I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks to those who added me to their Story Alerts/Favorites. Be sure to check out my two Annie one-shots, Boggarts and So Close. Both take place in Annie's third year and are about how Annie deals with Sirius's escape from Azkaban.