Giddy Brew

Chapter 16: Mistletoes and Supernovas

By: Jondy Macmillan

A/N: Dedicated to Fishy, who's constant nagging is the only reason this story has gotten past chapter one. Yup. I hope she nags someone into actually reviewing this thing, because I know people are actually reading it. At least, the people she prods into it.

***

                Christmas morning came too quickly, as it always has. And of course, it brought along the icy cold chill of the North wind and the sparkling, crystalline glitter of snow. The perfect white holiday. Prue awoke to the annoyingly chipper face of Serendipity and a bed full of presents. The gifts were nice enough not to bang on her skull, but the redhead was a different story entirely. As she fell back into dreamland, Serendipity bounced onto her bed, tossing a green wrapped package onto her head. Pain shot through her temple, bringing tears to her eyes as she shot straight up, "Ow, what the hell did you do that for?"

"Well Happy Christmas to you too," Serendipity exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. A large pile of presents sat at the foot of Prue's bed, "I already opened mine. Thanks for the broom polish…er, and the chocolate syrup too, but I really don't think I'll be needing it that way."

                "I didn't give you chocolate syrup," Prue responded quizzically, struggling out of her bedclothes and into some comfortable jeans.

                "You didn't?" Serendipity asked, pulling at her fiery red locks.

                "No. I gave you that makeup kit from Silveryce's. The one with the funny mirror? And another thing, for Quidditch. Doesn't ring a bell, does it?" Prue studied the area around Serendipity's bed, "It's underneath," she pointed at a blue parcel under the girl's bed, "One of the boys must have hidden it. Letsee, who would give you chocolate syrup?"

                "Must have been Frank," Serendipity shrugged, "He's the only one I didn't get a present from. Now why would he think I need chocolate syrup for…er…"

                "For Polaris?" Prue suggested.

                "You perv," Serendipity shoved her friend lightly, blushing, "Open your presents."

"'Kay," Joyfully, Prue dove into the pile.

Quills from Elanore, a new beater's bat from Serendipity, a jeweled perfume bottle from Bobby and a funky hat from Frank. A collection of colored hairsprays from Quant that uniquely patterned your hair for a 'hip and contemporary' look that was only 'temporary'. Tacky charm bracelets from Antoinetta and Seprie, and a single Unbreakable Jawbreaker from Sylvester, the cheapskate. Cerulean had left a funny headset type gizmo that played music (his, naturally) and swirled a changing sky theme in front of her eyes, and her parents had sent a care package that consisted of magazines, candy, and clothes.

                There wasn't a single gift from Casey, although Serendipity made sure to show off the swanky purple dangle earrings he'd given her. As she'd already opened all of her presents, the girl decided to keep a running commentary as Prue opened her own, "Ooh, pretty. Shiny. I always knew Frank was a bit swishy, didn't you? Wow, nice. Eugh, Antoinetta got me one too. They're from that dinky little shop next to Silveryce's."

                After everything was unwrapped, Serendipity was the one who pointed out the missing gift from Casey. She had no problem broaching uncomfortable subjects like those, "Wait. There's nothing here from Casey. There must be something. I heard he got Garnet something truly wicked, so since he obviously has the hots for you, there has to be an even better gift around somewhere."

                The Saints and the Icemen ALWAYS exchanged gifts, even though nobody bought Sylvester anything expensive because he was so stingy. So why hadn't Casey given her anything?

                "Well, maybe he wants to give it to you in person. Go ask. That way, if he really did forget, he'll feel guilty and buy you something uber-nice," Serendipity reasoned.

                "He always buys me something nice. He's rich, it's obligatory. Anyway, that would make me seem needy."

                Sensibly, Serendipity sighed, "You are, aren't you? I mean the guy you fancy has totally snubbed you. It's only natural you cling to traditional gift exchanges and other habits that remind you of him. I think that calls for neediness."

                "You would," Prue replied grumpily, "But then, you're living the dream. The guy you like wants nothing more than to snog your lights out. Downright disgusting, that is."

                "I-Orpheus?" Serendipity started hopefully, knowing full well that the blonde wasn't talking about him.

                "Orpheus Vaughn had his chance with you," Prue said snootily, "And god knows Polaris Morgan is much lower maintenance."

                Serendipity paused, then said, "Polaris does not want to snog the living daylights out of me," then with a vicious smile she continued, "I don't think he's a daytime kind of bloke."

                "Gross!" Prue commented, wrinkling her nose.

                "Oh, so you'd mind if Casey Hargrove went for you that way?" Serendipity raised an eyebrow suggestively.

                "Yes," crossing her arms, Prue frowned, "I have a boyfriend."

                "But if you didn't?" Serendipity asked.

                "But if I didn't," Prue echoed hestitantly, "Then n-no. I wouldn't mind."

                "That's my girl. Six years is a little slow on the uptake, but overall, good time…for you."

                "Hey!" Prue swatted at her friend, who dodged easily. Choosing to change the subject, she asked, "Where's Elanore?"

                "Oh, that," Serendipity grinned, "Joshua Kenth came a visiting this morning."

                "Oh," Prue mirrored the redhead's smile, "Where'd they go?"

                "I don't know, disappeared this morning, reportedly with Joshua Kenth."

                "Joshua? Who told you that?" Prue demanded.

                "Sylvester. He was in tears," Serendipity nodded unsympathetically, "Serves him right for the rotten jawbreakers he got us. I bet he doesn't plan on ever buying us presents again."

                "Agreed," Prue replied, "I can't believe Ellie went MIA with Joshua. What do you think is up?"

                "Nothing. Knowing them it's probably 'oh you nasty Slytherin', 'oh you naughty Gryffindor' and then XXX and XXX happens, and-"

                "Serendipity!" Prue admonished, scandalized.

                "Just telling it like it is. Are you going to go find Casey?"

Shaking her head, Prue asked instead, "So then, what are we going to do today?"

                "You, girly, are going to hunt down your man and admit the burning passion you have deep in your heart, all for him," Serendipity cheered, "And I'm going to…sit all alone in front of the fire and count down the ways love sucks."

                "Well, that hardly seems fair. You get to do the fun things," Prue complained, eyes wide, "I'm not confessing a damned thing to that egotistical prat. First of all, it would hurt Cerulean."

                Dismissively, Serendipity responded, "He's resilient. I'm sure there will be hoards of girls waiting to sweep up his broken heart."

                "Hmph, well, there's still Garnet," Prue pointed out.
                "Yeah," Serendipity scoffed, "Like that cow holds any appeal to Casey. I'd stake money on the fact that he's using her to get to you."

                "Right, and that's not egotistical of me to think," Prue agreed sarcastically, "Garnet is not a cow."

                "Okay, a pork loin," Serendipity scowled, "What the hell does it matter what she is? You fancy Casey, right?"

                "Yes," Prue nodded tentatively, glancing around to make sure no one was around to overhear.

                "Good," Serendipity smiled, "And he likes you, right?"

                "I doubt that," Prue saw Serendipity's lips twist into a frown again, and quickly finished, "That he likes me anymore than anything else with two legs, anyways."

                "Ugh. Get your sorry arse out of this room and find that moronic guitarist in the next five seconds or I'll…I'll jinx you!"

                "You wouldn't," Prue exclaimed, scandalized, "I'm not even dressed."

                Turns out, Serendipity had no compulsions against Prue walking around in her nightclothes. Which was how Prue Gelliston ended up wandering the halls of Hogwarts, searching for Casey Hargrove or a good place to hide from the angry witch, whichever came first.

                Prue's parting words to her friend had been, "Yeah," she laughed weakly, hoping Serendipity would stop her, "I'll see Casey. I just hope he isn't with Garnet."

                "Doubtful. Actually, I heard she got called home. Grandfather's sick or something," Serendipity waved a dismissive hand in the air.

                "Oh. Good," Prue scratched her ear, "Not about her gramps, but you know, that she's gone. It would be awkward if I walked in on her and Casey…"

                "Snogging?" Serendipity suggested.

                "They wouldn't do that," Prue protested.

                Giving her a sympathetic look, Serendipity said, "Prue, darling. Let me tell you about the birds and the bees-"

                "I know all that," Prue cast her friend a nasty look.

                "Yes, but you do know that's what girlfriends and boyfriends do, right? Snog and er…for lack of a better word, fuck?"

                "Thank you for the visual. Now I have images of Garnet and Casey…fucking in my head."

                "Wow. That sucks," Serendipity sighed.

                "You're really annoying, you know that?"

                "I try," Serendipity grinned happily.

***

                It would have been nice to say that Prue spent hours looking for Casey, but finally found him in one of the most romantic and little known spots on campus only because she was tipped off by another student. Then, they made awkward small talk for a couple of minutes before proceeding to stumble over apologies (which they constantly seemed to be doing) and finally admitting their deep, burning desire for one another, as Serendipity put it. Unfortunately, this is not the way things played out. First off, Casey was not the unpredictable type when it came to hangouts. The first place she looked, the horseshoe balcony overlooking campus and the quidditch fields, where the other icemen and Elanore watched all the games, was where Casey was sitting cross-legged, an acoustic guitar perched on his lap. He was plucking at the stings listlessly, not really playing any particular tune.

                "Casey?" Prue asked timidly, not sure whether the red headed boy was mad at her or just plain through with her. She held a small, silver-wrapped box in one hand, the other toying with her skirt. It was too cold to be wearing the darned thing, but as Prue rarely wore skirts, except for special occasions, she had decided that Christmas was a special enough one. Anyway, the skirt had been a gift from her mother last year, a cute little green and red plaid design with an assortment of zippers and oddly placed pockets. Ironically, the black sweater she had coupled with the skirt had been a gift from her father's latest girlfriend at her last birthday.

                "Hunh? Oh, Prue. Happy Christmas then," he muttered, not looking up. Casey realized that Prue couldn't see the tiny smirk playing on his lips. It worked every time; ignore a girl and they fall all over you like…well, like trees or rain or other things that fall. He felt a tiny, minute bit of guilt, so miniscule that a grain of sand was huge in comparison, at treating Prue like he might treat any other girl he wanted. On one hand, he knew, KNEW that Prue was the person he wanted to be with, forever, if such a thing existed. On the other, she was damned stubborn, and wasn't quite seeing that they were obviously meant to be. So, technically, Casey felt he was justified.

                "Happy Christmas," she replied brightly, trying not to display her every thought on her face. It was true, then. Casey hated her. He wouldn't even look at her. Still, her mind commanded resolutely, it was better to try and try again than just give up altogether. Even if he had no interest in her whatsoever, even if he didn't want to be her friend anymore, it wasn't worth it to lose six years of knowing him over whatever the dense ass was pissed about now. Honestly, she thought, the boy has PMS more often than Antoinetta.

                Hesitantly, Prue started, "I, um, got you a gift."

                "Really?" Casey asked disinterestedly. So what, Prue always got him gifts for Christmas. All the Saints and the Icemen exchanged them. Except the cheap ones, like Sylvester. He had a gift for her too, but he wasn't going to give it up just yet. He had to make her fall madly in love with him first. Raking a hand through his hair, Casey finally glanced up to gauge Prue's expression. Gulping, his first thought was, wow, she looks cute. Really cute.

                "Yeah," Prue said softly, tears welling up in her eyes. She had no idea what she'd done to make Casey hate her. So she'd been a bitch. She was always a bitch. It ran in her genes. Fondly, she recalled the way her mother controlled her father, like a dominatrix leading Nazis down to the catacombs on a suicide mission. Whatever that meant, "Here," she thrust the gift towards him, wanting to run as far, far away as her fumbling hands and clumsy feet could carry her, before her mouth or eyes betrayed her thoughts.

                Casey stared dumbly at the box in front of him. It was no bigger than Prue's palm, which wasn't very large at all. Wrapped in shiny silver paper with a large red bow, he almost suspected it was jewelry, like he gave all the girls. Yes, that's right, Casey gave a gift to every single girl in his year, and several beneath him and above him. Had to keep up reputations, didn't he? His gift for Prue, of course, was special. But…he really hoped she hadn't gotten him jewelry. Distantly, he recalled the friendship bracelets and spiky earrings Cerulean and he were constantly getting from fans, the gaudy necklaces and pendants reading initials or depicting woodland creatures or all sorts of odd things.

                Tenderly, he began unwrapping the box, aware that Prue was hovering over him, seemingly frozen solid in anticipation or fear. The bow fell abandoned to the soft, snowy ground, and the wrappings shredded as easily as tissue. He sucked in his breath as he removed the top of the box, prepared to dully accept some tacky piece of metal Prue had picked up at Silveryce's. Really, he'd thought she'd have known better. Not that it affected the way he felt.

                If the situation had gone the way he had wanted, Casey would have revealed a large, spiky necklace with things like fangs, pixy bells, and metallic beads hanging off it's chain. He would have looked mildly surprised and thanked her, only moving when she broke down at the threshold to tears. That's how it had always worked.

Instead, he was immediately moved. It was jewelry all right, but not the kind he had always seen for boys. Or even for wizards and witches. The choker was a simple black cord, the pendant; a thin, metal circle. A planet, he thought dimly. Titanium and leather, he noted, reading the simple white card beneath it, telling the long story of the craftsman who had made it. One of a kind. Also…muggle.

"Do you, uh, like it?" Prue asked quietly, "I know it's muggle, but I saw it this summer, and immediately thought of you. It's Saturn, but look, turn it over," she urged.

He did so, startled. Engraved on the back were the tiniest words reading in slanted cursive, which he said aloud, "'Remember Now'"

What in the world did that mean? As he continued to scrutinize the miniscule lettering, the words began to dance in front of him, finally fading to black. For a moment, he thought he was about to pass out, he felt like he was falling into an abyss. However, on the small piece of blackened metal, pinpoints of light appeared, like stars in the sky.

"I charmed it. Of course I did. After I engraved the words, I figured, why not make it really wicked, rather than just cool? So I had Elanore do a map of the constellations. Whenever you say the words, you can remember, I suppose, how you were constantly helping me with astronomy. If you want to, I mean."

He wanted to say that it was quaint, or cute, or droll, or some other word that wouldn't reveal how truly wicked he thought it. Or how much he wanted to remember, always. Casey couldn't do any of it. He clambered to his feet, grabbing her wrist in the process, "Follow me."

"What? Casey, where are we going?" Prue demanded in protest, dragging her feet as he pulled. She felt anything but touched now, just sort of insulted.

Casey lead her to the astronomy tower, the place where absolutely everything important and nothing at all had happened in their relationship. Choosing to take this as a good sign, Prue settled back against a wall, curling her knees into her chest. He plopped unceremoniously next to her, "I like…I like the necklace…a lot," he choked out, losing his cool the way he always did around her.

"Oh?" She observed him coolly before breaking into a grin, "You didn't have to drag me all the way up here to tell me that."

"Yes I did. I have a lot more than that to say," he bit his lip, hoping he wouldn't lose his nerve. If he'd been confessing that he liked her, this probably would have been a lot easier. But no, he had to go through with this.

"So do I," Prue started eagerly, but he held up a hand to pause her words.

"Wait. Open your present first," he gestured to a gift wrapped box near the edge of the balcony, precariously balanced on a potted plant.

"Nice place to hide things," Prue laughed dryly, gathering herself up to grab the gift. She set it gently in her lap, and undid the simple post office paper with care, as though something more precious than life lay inside.

He had placed more tape on the box's edges than necessary, so she had a time of it trying to lift the lid. However, finally, when the entirety of the garnish had been swept away, she was left breathless at the sight of the tiny prize inside. It was a key, platinum and skeletal, with a single large fire opal set into the handle, surrounded by a mixture of tiny crystals.

"What is this for? It's beautiful," she whispered.

There was nothing romantic he could say, only, "I'll show you, when the time comes."

"And when would that be?" She asked mildly, unsure of whether to be scared or not.

"You'll see," Casey grinned, "So what did you want to say?"

"Er- well, see, that's the hard part. And, Serendipity's been prodding me into this all day, and- oh, but don't think it was her idea. It's mine…I- Casey- I really like you. I guess you could say I love you- I mean, you've always been there for me, like a brother, I thought, but then, lately…"

Casey froze. This was not the way it was supposed to go. He was supposed to rant and rave and show her all the reasons she should want him, not have her admit in the first five seconds of things.

"Casey?" She questioned, worried. Prue really hadn't meant to make him go catatonic.

"Don't even try that," he seethed, stoking the anger he'd prepared for his speech, "Don't even try that now!"

"What? Casey, I-" Prue swallowed. This was just not good.

"You know that I wear glasses?" He inquired, out of the blue.

"No," she replied curiously, "You're not wearing them now."

"I wouldn't be. Madame Pomfrey does a correction spell every month. Seems there's no permanent remedy for bubotuber pus to the eyeball, hmm?" Casey asked with a tight-lipped smile.

Prue gasped, "You mean in second year?"

"Yup," he nodded in a cavalier fashion, flinching inside at the skewed way Prue's lips were twisting, "Remember when you squirted that stuff in my face? My eyes have been screwed up ever since."

Why was he telling her this now, of all times? After she told him that she LOVED him?

Ruthlessly, Casey continued, "I didn't hate you then."

Then, meaning he hated her now, she thought dismally.

"I actually was sort of infatuated with you. I know, my logic is twisted. But how could I not be? You were the closest thing I had to a best friend. Oh, there was Bobby, but he would never do all the things you would with me. Like that time we froze all the food in the great hall, that was classic."

She smiled uncertainly, with no clue where he was taking this.

"When we got older, I started to like you. A lot," he imitated her voice, "I guess you could say I loved you," he smiled nastily, grimacing inside. This tirade was a lot harder when she already told him what he wanted to hear.

"But then, you know, when I thought we were getting closer, Reese came in and scared you away," he frowned.

"She didn't scare me away," Prue protested, "I never knew-"

"So you went for Bobby. Bobby, of all people. My best friend? How could you do that?"

"I had no idea, Casey-" Prue crossed her arms defensively, but he cut her off again.

"Right. My time to talk, Prudence," before she could say 'don't call me that', he continued, "And then you dropped him like a- excuse the pun here- stone, and went right on to play kissy face in the hall with my brother?"

"I-"

"Nuh unh, my turn," he stomped his foot impetuously as she cowered, "Dating my brother…ha, I never thought life could be that hellish. But you know, I still liked you, until recently."

Never one to be yelled at, Prue interjected, "So what the hell happened? Why would you treat me like this if all that's true?"

Casey glanced at Prue quietly, his facial expression cryptic, "I gave up."

                "You what?" She demanded incredulously, unsatisfied by his answer, "How could you give up on us? There never was an us to begin with."

                "No. For you, there was never even a chance of an 'us'. I admit it, Prue," Casey nonchalantly hopped to his feet, "You're above me."

                "Funny," Prue teased in reply, searching for something, any recognition of emotion in his face, "Why does it seem that you're above me?"

                Seriously, Casey said, "Maybe I am. Maybe I just think you should be put up on a pedestal and worshipped like a goddess," his breath was forming light mists against the dark night background, "What do you think?"

                "I think," she nervously scooted away from the boy, feeling pretty damned rotten and slightly scared, "That you should- erm- do what you feel like."

                With a scathing laugh, Casey replied, "Do what I want? You see, that's the problem. What I want, naturally, is something I've been constantly told for the last six years that I cannot have. And it may have driven me stark raving bonkers."

                "You've always been like that," Prue joked feebly, scrunching up further. She wanted to curl into the fetal position and die. 

                "Have I been wrong?" He demanded, more to himself and the stars than her, "Have I? I must have been. Because Prue, from what you've been telling me…you're beneath me."

                Unbidden tears rushed to her eyes, threatening to spill over the brim. She refused to cry in front of anyone, much less Casey. Damned if the git would see her cry. But he was right, it was true, Prue was beneath him. She'd never once acknowledged the attention he gave her, never once thanked him for being there for her, whether it came to astronomy or just plain life. All she'd ever done for Casey was give him pain. Whether it came to his eyes or his brother or his best friend, she'd made everything harder for him.

                "Y-yes," she choked out, "I-I am."

                The tears fell against her will, staining her cheeks with saline. Her mind demanded irately, who gave him the power to make me cry? No one should have had that power. Or if they did, surely they shouldn't abuse it like he was.

                Then again, tears have always been the weapons of woman against the quote stronger sex unquote, and hers were doing quite a number on Casey. He had rehearsed the plan over and over again. Getting a girlfriend had gone without a hitch, and he had seen Prue's jealousy clearly at the party. He'd been unavailable whenever she looked for him, and when she'd found him he'd been perfectly icy. As hard as it had been, he revealed every horrid behavior trait she'd ever displayed toward him, never letting up. All typical male tactics. However, her words had hurt more than he thought they might. Sure, it was peachy for her to confess that she loved him now, when any normal human being would have done it ages ago. Casey wouldn't have had to revert to showy chauvinist maneuvers if the girl hadn't been so intellectually subnormal in the romance department.

                Unfortunately, she was the one he wanted. No way had he worked six years to get her, only to give her up to Cerulean or Bobby or Dirk or any other bastard that might think they have a thing for his girl. Prue was his, whether or not she admitted it. Although now she seemed rather keen to, considering the way he'd verbally worked down her resolve not to realize the density of her skull. He hoped she wasn't just saying that she felt for him because of all things he'd said. Prue never was the type of girl to surrender when backed into a corner.

                Look, now she's crying, his mind chided. Wait a second. Prue was crying?

                Heart catching in his throat, Casey managed, "H-hey now, stop that."

                "Why should I? Casey, I told you I loved you, and you told me I'm not good enough. I thought maybe-"

                "Nuh-unh," he held up a hand, "Listen to yourself. You, you, you. I've been telling you I loved you, possibly not in so many words, for six years. Every single time you told me I basically sucked."

                "I never said that," she cried hysterically, aghast at the idea.

                "No?" Casey crossed his arms, face softening, "It felt like it."

                Prue said nothing, just continued sobbing into her hands. Kneeling next to her, Casey drew her from the wall, folding his arms around her. He'd never realized how small she was, compared to him.

Softly, he whispered, "And now, you know what it feels like too."

Startled, Prue looked up, "T-this was just to teach me a lesson?" She sounded half-hopeful and half-angry.

"I never said that. Every single thing I've said has been true. You've behaved like a major bitch," he wagged a finger in her face, "But then, I never said I didn't love you for it. Hey," he joked, "I may not like you, but love…now that's a different story."

"But-" Prue protested, mouth forming a perfect 'o' of shocked indignation. It was too tempting for Casey's overactive hormones. He leaned forward, touching his lips lightly to hers and slipping his tongue between them. Minutes passed by, in which the only noises made were several light hiccups from Prue, who was recovering nicely from her crying fit, and the sparking, crackling magic filling the cool night air.

Eventually pulling away, Casey looked sincerely into Prue's wide green eyes, whispering, "I like you much better when you're quiet."

"I-" Prue started, but was immediately stopped by Casey.

"Didn't I say I like you quiet?"

"Perv," she managed, before he leaned forward again, pressing every inch of his body against hers, making her heart race and the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.

"You know you love me," he whispered softly.

End Chapter 16. Woo hoo. That was mush-major. And don't ever make me write that crap again. I get writer's block. *sniffs* But, yes, next up is to work on the special Sere/Polaris chapter and Elanore/Joshua chapter. So I guess I'll HAVE to write that junk again. Oh well.