DISCLAIMER : Do not own anything! (except for Strophe)

CHAPTER 5: Hogsmeade

Professor McGonagall was collecting the permission slips for the Hogsmeade trip. I lined up and handed it to her as I made my way towards the gate.

"Hey there, you," Fred Weasley greeted. "Hey." I said smiling at him. I felt loads better today. "Where's your twin?" I asked. "He asked Angelina out, you see. Lee, Katie and Alicia are out shopping for Quidditch stuff and I don't have that much money on me, so now I'm stuck with you." He groaned. "So that's a bad thing?" I asked. "Hell yeah." He smiled.

When we arrived at Hogsmeade, I looked around; it seemed like such a cozy village selling all sorts of things.

"The Three Broomsticks?" I asked Fred. "Never heard of it?" he asked. "Yeah, bet they have these posh French restaurants where you live, eh?" he asked. "I live here in Britain." I told him. "Really? Oh, I assumed you lived in France."

"Grandmother's part French. Wanted me to go to Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts." I said. "What a waste. I would've known you for years!" he told me as I smiled.

"So where we going first?" I asked looking around: Madam Puddifoot's, Hog's Head (didn't want to try and step a foot in there), Zonko's and more.

"Do you need anything? School items or whatever?" He asked nicely as I just shook my head. "Let's go to Honeydukes first." He said as he grabbed my fingers loosely and led the way. My hands were cold but his hands were comfortably warm. I held on tighter to his hands not wanting to accidentally let go and get lost in the small crowd.

"Here we are." Fred announced to a big looking store which looked like it had been raining candies in there. I let go of his hand. He frowned a little. "They sell candies here?" I asked him. "Yeah. All sorts. Even the disgusting types." He said as he urged me to get inside.

I stepped into the shop. It was crowded with Hogwarts students and all of them knowing exactly what to buy; as they had been shopping here for years.

"Would you like anything?" he asked me nicely. "I'm not a candy person." I told him. "So what type of person are you, then?" he asked as he took a packet of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, five packets of Chocolate Frogs and a few Licorice Wands.

"I don't know. Food wise, I just eat anything if I'm hungry." I told him as he paid at the counter. "You really eating all of that?" I asked amazed. "Yeah, I keep a stockpile at these in my trunk till the next Hogsmeade trip." He said. "Disgusting!" I joked. "Hey, men need fuel, alright?" He joked as he took a bean and popped it in his mouth; his reaction however was horrid. "Try one?" he asked.

"What's it like?" I asked not wanting to. "Oh, they mean every flavor. Spaghetti, chicken, bogey, but they have the nice ones too, if you're lucky." He told me as I put my hand in to test my luck. "They're all the same color, so it'd be a surprise." He told me. I popped it in my mouth and it tasted like orange. Thank god.

"Orange." I told him grinning widely.

"Damn! My luck wasn't so great the first time." He told me as we headed to Zonko's next. He grabbed on to my hand again. "What's this place?" I asked curiously. "A joke shop. It's pretty cool." Fred said as we walked in: I released his hands again, not wanting to, but I did so.

I saw him take a packet of quills. "What's a quill doing in a joke shop?" I asked. "Oh, they're Sugar Quills. You can write on 'em and still suck it in class, but it just makes you look like you're thinking." He said amused as he handed me some, knowing that I was interested. He then, turned around and took some Dungbombs: apparently they're like stink bombs.

We got out from the shop and started eating a few of the candies that we bought earlier. "So. You had any boyfriends?" he asked as my mood started to flare.

"Yeah." I said coldly. "Oh, what happened?" he asked freely. "All of them left me. In a way." I started, as Fred looked confused. "One left me for another girl. Another left the school without saying goodbye." I said angrily. "So you don't like guys who leave you?" he said as I just nodded. "Don't worry. I wont make anyone leave you," he said as he smiled at me.

Once we were all done with our shopping (including mine: went quill and ink shopping), we went into the Three Broomsticks. It looked rather cozy and it was very warm.

We saw hands waving at us and I recognized they belonged to George, Lee, Angelina, Katie and Alicia. "Over here!" they said as we walked towards them and sat at the two saved spots.

"So. What did you guys do?" George asked. "Normal shopping you know." Fred said as a woman came to take our order.

"Would you like anything?" Fred asked me. "Firewhisky, please." I said as Fred still looked at me. "You're supposed to be older to drink that." He whispered as I just shrugged and told Madam Rosmerta that I was indeed, of age.

"I bet they let you drink at France?" Katie asked me bewildered. "Not even Fred and George have done that!" Alicia asked amazed. "They're too immature to pull of the age anyway," Angelina said as everyone laughed but the twins. "Very funny, Ange." George said bitterly.

"Six Butterbeers, one Firewhisky." Madam Rosmerta announced and put down all seven mugs down and I took the one with the red liquid in it. We paid Madam Rosmerta, mine was more expensive.

"You'd get detention if McGonagall finds out." Fred told me. "My taste buds are a bit bland. Needs some Firewhisky." I told him as I took a sip and closed my eyes, enjoying the liquid burning in my throat (somehow, I enjoyed it). "You guys want some?" I offered the table. "Yes!" as George grabbed my mug and took a swig. "Whooh! That's some nasty Firewhisky. You guys should try!" he said as the girls took nervous sips and enjoyed it, Lee tried too but didn't enjoy it. Fred took a swig like George and his eyes nearly popped out.

"Yeah, imagine having that every week." I told them as they looked at me weirdly.

We arrived back at the Gryffindor Common Room: everyone showered and changed into nightclothes. Fred, George and I were acting a little bit off, thanks to the huge amount of consumed Firewhisky.

"Hello, princess!" Fred said giddily and took a plop down on the sofa next to me. He hugged me tight and I just closed my eyes. "Can they get anymore gay?" Katie said as she giggled. "If you haven't noticed Kat, I'm a guy and she's a girl!" Fred said letting go of me.

"You guys are drunk, that's all. Strong stuffs these Firewhiskys." Angelina said as Fred stuck his tongue out: I giggled. "I think its time for bed, Strophe." Katie urged me.

"Nooooo. Don't take her away from meee!" Fred whined as he held my arms. "Fred, you can see her tomorrow, yeah?" Angelina said as she rolled her eyes at us. "NO!" Fred shouted as he starting snickering. "Fine, lets go upstairs, Kat." Angelina said to Katie and headed to the tower.

"Geez, what's wrong with you guys?" Ronald Weasley asked. "Had some Firewhisky." I told him laughing. "Blimey, how was it, Fred?" he asked. "They actually kind of burns in your throat.. But it felt great anyway." Fred said as he tittered. "You guys should be off to bed, it's midnight already." He told us and headed upstairs with Harry.

I woke up next morning finding myself in the arms of someone tall and muscular with me on the sofa. I opened my eyes and saw people giggling and chuckling. Oh no, no, no, no, no. I told myself.

"Told you we should've checked on them." George told Lee. I tried to get up from Fred's arms but he wouldn't let go. "Stay here.." he mumbled.

"FRED!" I hit him. "What?" he asked as he opened his eyes and looked around; just as shocked as I was.

"What happened?!" he asked. "We fell asleep last night. I dunno, I don't remember." I told him. We could see first-years looking at us in disbelief as the older students were whispering. I got off the sofa and took the blanket off of Fred and wrapped it around myself. I was wearing revealing clothes. Fred wore his PJ pants and a grey T-Shirt.

"You guys look great in bed." Lee said as I smacked him with a pillow. "Mum would be hearing about this, Fred." Ron told him as he laughed. "Shut up, Ron!" he told him and I looked at Fred. He looked as sorry as I was.

"I'm.. Taking a shower." I told them and fled the scene and went for a nice hot shower.

I went for dinner and sat next to Fred who kept on giving me weird looks. "Everyone's talking about you two." Katie told me. "Especially Cho. She said she'd tell Cedric." Katie told me as she buttered her toast.

"Speaking of the devil." Katie said and pointed behind me. Fred and I looked back and saw Cedric standing there, waiting for my presence.

I got up and smiled at him. "I heard." He told me. "You shouldn't be sleeping with a guy, you know." He told me as I looked down. "We had Firewhisky. I didn't mean to.. you know?" I said apologizing. "It's alright, I knew you couldn't have done it consciously." He said brighter and gave me a peck on the cheek as he left. It burned there, I was blushing so hard. I sat back down at the table with Fred and Katie.

"Did he just kiss you?!" Katie started freaking out. "On the cheek." I reassured her. "He's never done that! I think he really likes you, Strophe. Not like some other fling, you know?" she said bewildered. "What do you think Fred?" she asked Fred who was concentrating on his breakfast.

"I think that Cedric is a no-use gold-digger." He said coldly. "I'm sorry. I didn't quite catch that." Katie said as she had her worried face on. "Please Fred, can't you be more supportive on who she dates?"

"Not if she's dating a git like Cedric!" he told us. I just kept quiet, not wanting any opinions asked about this. "Do you like him?" Fred asked. I started breathing heavily. "I don't know." I lied. So maybe I liked him.. a little. "It's either a yes or a no," Fred forced me. "Maybe. But I'm not sure. It's too early to tell, alright?" I told him sternly and went back to my breakfast.

I woke up dreading to get out of bed. "Hey Strophe. We got Defense soon. Better get up." Angelina said as I got up and took a shower.

I took my bag and went to the Great Hall. Grabbed an apple and left as I went, since not many people were there (maybe the ones finishing last minute homework). We had a great ten minutes and I walked towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts class upstairs with Professor Lupin. I've always enjoyed his classes since he's such a great teacher. Fair to all, but I've heard he's biased to Harry Potter.

I got in class and took a seat next to Lee Jordan. "What are we doing?" I asked him. "I dunno. Lupin's not in class yet." Lee said and the door opened. Professor Snape walked in and opened all of our books with a flick of his wand.

"Due to health problems of Professor Lupin, I am here to take over the class today. We're learning about the Shielding Charm." He told us and we all moaned and for the first time ever, read from our text books in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"That was bullocks!" Fred yelled after class. Apparently Fred and George got detention. I was already tired, due to Hagrid's decision to make us take care of the Blast-Ended Skrewts.

I was having lunch at the Great Hall, having something light to eat so I could eat a lot during dinner. I was finishing my Herbology drawing of some plant while I was eating fruits.

"You never stop working do you?" Fred asked. "Leave me alone, Weasley." I told off, not wanting to be bothered. "You wanna go somewhere?" he told me as I stopped and looked at him: he was wearing his Quidditch robes. "You wanna leave me alone?" I told him as I continued my work. "Nasty little thing, aren't you? Anyway, we're having Quidditch practice soon and I want you to watch me play." He told me. "So that what? I could see you being hit by a Bludger?" I said as I laughed.

"No. So you could see my skills." He told me as he smirked. "What position do you play?" I asked. "Beater. George's the other Beater. Harry's seeker, Katie, Angelina and Alicia are Chasers and Wood is Keeper and Captain." He told me.

"Why does the name Wood sound familiar?" I asked. Heard him somewhere. Usually by the tongues of the women population, of course. "Oliver Wood. Oh, girls love him." Fred rolled his eyes. "And whys' that?" I asked half-amused. "He's 'good-looking' as all the women say." He said as he kept on looking at me. "I'd like to see him." I joked. "Why?" he asked seriously. "It's not like you need anymore guys fancying you!" he told me.

"Chill, Fred. I'd like to see how he looks like, that's all. No harm done." I told him. "Then lets get to Quidditch practice." He told me as I grabbed my stuff and went with him.

We arrived at the Quidditch pitch and there were already seven people mounting their brooms. "Who've you got now, Fred?" Oliver said irritated. "Astrophel." Fred said as I just followed behind him. "Who's Astro—oh, hey, Astrophel." Oliver smiled at me. I just smiled back, still clutching my books. "You can take a seat here." Fred told me as I sat down on the bench. "Now let me amaze you." He told me as he walked towards his broom and mounted it.

He was up in the air with the rest and Oliver was saying something I could not here from down there. The girls started getting the hold of the Quaffle and I saw Fred and George throwing around the Bludger with their clubs, laughing it off. Harry, however, was up high in the field looking around for the Snitch.

After practice, they all went for showers except for Oliver and Fred. Oliver was scribbling over a piece of parchment (the game play) and Fred was there to keep me company till the girls were done showering.

"So, Astrophel, you play Quidditch?" Oliver asked.

"She doesn't." Fred said instead.

"Oh. That's a shame. We would've loved you on the team." He told as he smiled and left for a shower.

"Geez. Have you seen the way he looks at you?!" Fred howled. "No." I told him. "That's by far the most tame practice we've ever had. And that's cause you were there. Thinking he could swoon you. Please. You're smarter than that." Fred said angrily as I looked at him.

"You're funny when you're jealous." I laughed. "Who says I'm jealous?!" Fred said hotly. "I assumed so." I told him. "I'm just trying to have your back." He said and played with my fingers absent-mindedly. "I don't need anyone taking care of me. I can take care of myself." I told him severely. "Not here you cant,"

"Hogwarts is filled with too many blokes." He said. "Says the bloke," I joked as he gave me a look. "Let's drop it, alright?" I asked as I just looked at him. "By the way, you smell." I told him as I smiled innocently. Fred just rolled his eyes and waved goodbye, heading towards the showers.

So it's true, men are blokes.

A/N: Enjoyed? Then reviews please! :) and btw, i'm open to accept a few suggestions for future chapters in the story. Feel free to share them with me. Plus, I'm not so happy with my story tittle, so if you have any suggestions. Please suggest! :D