Chapter 12

It wasn't until Friday that Will once again approached me with a face that inevitably meant trouble. For me.

I was just coming out of History of Magic, half-asleep, (that room always did that to me) when I spotted his toffee-colored hair bobbing over the crowd of shorter third years.

Of course, it wasn't as though I hadn't been expecting it. It was really only a matter of time before he found out.

"Allie," he began, planting himself in my path.

"Will," I said pleasantly, trying to sidestep around him to no avail.

"Allie, we need to talk," he said, his voice sickly sweet.

I gave up trying to escape and leaned against the wall with a groan. "Will, can't we do this later?"

He ignored my complaints. "Allie, is it true or is it not true that you're going to Hogsmeade tomorrow with a bloke from Durmstrang?"

"It is true, and his name is Dimitri Ivanov for your information. Can I go now? I'm going to be late for Defense against the Dark Arts."

"Professor Potter likes you. He won't care if you're a little late." I crossed my arms and glared at him. "He won't! Now about that Dimitri… Allison Brooke Lancaster, what were you thinking? He's from bloody Durmstrang!"

"Godric, Will, no need to curse," I muttered. "And so what if he's from Durmstrang? It's not like I don't know him at all. How daft do you think I am, honestly?"

"You're not daft, but you're making a stupid choice!"

"Will, my social life really isn't your business. And I'm thirteen going on fourteen, for goodness sake. It's not at all serious." He opened his mouth to speak again. "Look, Will. Just let me get to class. We can talk more later."

He scowled ferociously, but allowed me to pass.

Predictably, my day only went downhill from there.

First of all, Professor Potter didn't mind that I was a minute or two late, but he did pull a pop quiz, the material of which I had completely neglected to study. I was positive I had received a T. Then, I had to take the long way to Herbology in order to avoid Will, earning myself a seat in the back row when I finally reached the greenhouse, breathless, because everywhere else was full. And to top that all off, Lily and Hugo got into an argument that evolved into a mini-food fight at dinner, and a buttery potato skin got in my hair. Of course, they both apologized profusely, but the damage was done.

All in all, one of my worse days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It wasn't until that night in the dorm that things started to look up. I had just finished washing the potato out of my hair and pulled on my pajamas when Rose, Kailey, and Charlotte, who had been talking quietly on Rose's bed, got up simultaneously and stood in a line in front of me, looking like soldiers in pajamas.

"Uh, guys, I kinda need to get to my bed…"

Rose didn't let me finish. "No, you don't. You need to pick an outfit."

"I can do it tomorrow." I tried to sidestep her (I really needed to work on that skill what with all the recent use), but Charlotte got in my way, grinning uncharacteristically mischievously.

"Oh no, you cannot. We are doing eet tonight."

I groaned, seeing that they weren't going to back down. "Fine. But let's make it quick; I want to get to sleep."

Kailey squealed excitedly. This was definitely her department. "Okay. So you'll probably want to borrow clothes from us. No offense."

"None taken."

"Good then. Let's see… we don't wanna go too fancy, 'cause that'll make him nervous. But not too casual either; he'll think you don't care enough to pick a decent outfit. Let's go with a casual dress, then." She motioned for Rose to get some from her trunk, as she was closest to my size. When she had procured a few, she brought them back for inspection, laying them on my bed.

"We definitely want something dark for you," continued Kailey. "It contrasts nicely with your complexion… Rose. Charlotte. The blue one or the black one?"

They spoke together. "Blue."

Kailey tossed the blue dress into my arms "Try it on," commanded Kailey, "and then come out and show us." She gave me a light shove towards the bathroom. "Hurry up!"

The dress was deep blue with small floral print and ruffles on the shoulders. The girls informed me that it looked fantastic, and they added a thin grey cardigan and a pretty copper necklace of Charlotte's. Looking back, I really ought to have thanked them. Without their interference, I would have gone in my own jeans and a t-shirt.

And so I went to bed, barely even feeling nervous for my first date.

Not so much in the morning.

At seven o' clock sharp, I woke up and sat bolt upright in bed, anxiety eating away at my insides. In need of some advice, I slipped out of bed and gave Rose's bed curtains a little tug, revealing only her head. With her face smooth and peaceful in sleep and her fiery hair spread out across her pillow like a halo, I almost felt bad for waking her up. Almost.

"Rose," I whispered, gently shaking her shoulder.

She showed no sign of waking up.

"Rose," I said a little louder, increasing the shaking.

She groaned a little bit, her brow creasing.

"Rose." I considered conjuring some water to pour on her head.

"ROSE!" I all but screamed her name, giving her shoulders an extra hard shake. Her eyes, intense and blue, popped open.

"I am awake. If you know what's best for you, you will stay away from me for a minimum of five minutes," she said through clenched teeth. Then she closed her eyes again. Sheesh. Definitely not a morning person.

After the prescribed five minutes, which I spent curled up on the window seat, Rose swished back her curtains and stepped out, stretching. "Good morning"

"Yeah. It's fantastic." Note the sarcasm.

She blinked at me sleepily. "How is it not a good morning? It's absolutely gorgeous outside, we're going to Hogsmeade for the first time ever, you have your date with Di- Ohhh, you have your date with Dimitri."

"Rose, I'm so scared. What if I completely embarrass myself?"

She joined me in the window seat, now fully alert.

"You won't. And if you do, it doesn't matter. If he's right for you, he won't care. If he's not, well, at least you'll know."

I gave a small smile. "Thanks, Rose. I don't even know why I'm so nervous. It's not like I even really fancy him that much. He still seems a bit intimidating to me."

Rose rolled her eyes, twisting a strand of hair around her finger. "Godric Al, get over it! Just because he's from Durmstrang doesn't mean he's a bad guy."

"I know that! In fact, that's pretty much what I said to Will yesterday. Oh, bugger, he's going to be so annoyed with me… He's not too keen on the idea of me going with Dimitri."

Rose just grinned and said, "Well that's your problem. I can't do anything about your brother. Hang on…" She broke off, an evil glint coming to her eye. "I know who can, though." She looked meaningfully to the bed in which I knew Charlotte was sleeping.

"Oh no," I said. "You're not thinking of…"

"Oh yes," she said, only a millimeter short of cackling like… well, a witch. "We're going to get your brother and Charlotte together."

Any nerves that Rose had calmed immediately started acting up again as soon as we reached the Great Hall. I sat as far as I possibly could from Will, as I could all but feel the waves of animosity and annoyance rolling off of him like heat. Instead, I sat between Charlotte and Rose and across from Kailey, all of whom proceeded to try to get me to eat something. I managed some toast and pumpkin juice, but refused their offers of bacon and fruit crepes.

"Allie. Earth to Allie!"

For what must have been the millionth time, James's voice that snapped me back into reality.

"Huh? Oh, sorry James. Run that past me again?"

James rolled his eyes. "I asked if it was true that you're going to Hogsmeade with Malfoy's Durmstrang friend."

"Will told you, didn't he?" When he didn't respond, I continued. "Yes, it's true. His name's Dimitri." Seeing the look on his face, I added, "But it's not like it's serious or anything."

"What, don't you like me anymore?"

I blushed more than I would have liked. "Sure I do, James. I just don't think Will would approve of our relationship."

He snickered, glancing at Will and imitating his scowl. "Now, Allie, as your older brother by an entire year, I absolutely forbid you to go with this boy. Now you either find a decent boy, go alone, or run along and join the convent." He frowned comically, but I detected a hint of hurt in his eyes. Deciding to try and ignore it, I laughed.

"Brilliant! You sound exactly like him."

"Why thank you. Your brother, however, doesn't seem to be enjoying it as much as you." Sure enough, when I snuck a glance in his direction, his face was forcedly neutral, but he stabbed his eggs with a vengeance.

I just glared at him and said, "He'll get over it."

"Look, Al, don't you think he kinda has a point, though? I mean, you barely know him, and, let's face it. Durmstrang has had a reputation for producing Dark wizards since long before we were even born."

I groaned. "Now you're really turning into him."

He put his hands up in surrender. "All I'm asking is for you to be careful."

"Am I ever anything but?"

He rolled his eyes and returned to his breakfast.

"Oh sweet Merlin," said Kailey under her breath. If I hadn't been sitting so close to her, I wouldn't have noticed that she was speaking at all; her lips barely moved and she kept her eyes on her glass of milk. "Don't look now, but Malfoy's headed this way."

"Huh?" I said, sounding super intelligent the way I always do. Note sarcasm.

"Yeah, I dunno," she muttered.

"Hey Allie," came his drawling voice from behind my chair. I got major de ja vu of the first time we had met.

"Hey Scorpius," I said, turning around. "Oh, you haven't met my friends yet, have you? Well, not formally anyway. This is Kailey Hoskin, and this is Charlotte DuPont, and, er, you know Rose." Boy, did he ever. "Kails, Charlotte, this is Scorpius Malfoy."

"Hi Scorpius," they said together. He smiled politely.

"Anyway, did you need something?"

"Yeah, actually. I just wanted to tell you that you don't deserve Dimitri, and if you make one wrong move I'll make your life miserable."

"What?"

"Kidding!" he said, chuckling. "Lighten up."

I smiled. "Sorry. Kinda nervous."

"Relax; you'll be fine. He really likes you."

"Thanks."

"Sure," he said. In my peripheral, I could see Rose staring him down, her eyes glinting dangerously, like ripples in the lake on a sunny day.

"So, are you going with anyone?" I spoke quickly, trying to distract her.

"No, not this time." He smiled briefly, and oddly enough I saw his gaze flicker to Rose. Then I saw Rose's glare steadily grow more intense and figured he was probably getting a little bit intimidated. Her fists were clenched, knuckles white, but there was a strange blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Hey, Scorp! C'mere!" a boy's voice hollered from the Slytherin table.

"Well, I'll see you all later," he said, starting towards his friend.

"See ya," said Charlotte, Kailey and I simultaneously. Rose just continued glaring.

"You know, you could give it a rest," I said, nudging her gently.

She turned her glower on me. "No, I couldn't. He's an arrogant prejudiced moron, and I don't see why you're even friends with him. Are you blind or something?"

"Hey, relax," said Kailey, placing a hand on Rose's shoulder. "Remember, he was the one who came over here. Anyway, we can't have you all worked up before our first Hogsmeade visit!"

Rose took a deep breath and let it out with a whoosh. "Fine. Sorry I snapped at you, Allie."

"'S'okay."

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again she smiled. "Looks like people are starting to leave. Everybody got their forms?" We all nodded. "C'mon, then. Filch's checking us off at the door."

We all got through with only minor threats from the irritable caretaker. Charlotte actually skipped across the grass, basking in the sunlight. I couldn't help but grin. The corners of Rose's mouth began to turn up despite her attempts to remain cross.

"Hey, Al," said Kailey, poking me. "Dimitri's up ahead. See, with those Durmstrang kids? Come on, let's go catch up."

"Uh, don't you think we should give him some time with his friends? He seems kinda- HEY!" Rose and Kailey had taken hold of my arms and started dragging me down the hill.

We must have made a lot of noise as we approached, because Dimitri turned around just as we reached him.

"Hey," I said breathlessly. I shook my arms out of the grasp of Rose and Kailey. Charlotte stood behind them, clearly amused by the situation.

"Hello," he said, smiling in a way that I figured was enthusiastic for him. "You look very nice."

"Thanks," I said, fiddling with my jacket zipper. "Um, so do you." He wore very dark jeans, a white t-shirt that had words in some foreign language, and a tan leather jacket. In other words, HOT.

He turned to his friends, two boys and one girl. "Stefan, Cristian, Nadia, you can go on vithout me." They nodded and continued towards Hogsmeade. The guy he called Cristian looked back and smiled at me. I smiled back.

"Vait. This is Rose, and these are…"

"Charlotte DuPont and Kailey Hoskin," I finished for him, pointing at each one in turn.

"Pleasure to meet you," he said.

"Same," they both replied.

"C'mon," said Rose, grabbing Charlotte and Kailey. "Let's go on down as well." Taking the hint, the others followed Rose, leaving me alone with Dimitri.

"Vy don't ve head down too?" he said.

"Sure."

"So," he said as we walked. "Tell me about yourself. I know almost nothing about you."

"Um, my full name is Allison Brooke Lancaster, I'm thirteen years old, fourteen in two weeks, I'm a Gryffindor, I have a fourteen year old brother named Will who's in the same house as me, and I live just outside of London."

"Favorite color?"

"Green."

"Pets?"

"A dog at home; her name's Trixie. And I have an owl here, Quicksilver."

"Hobbies?"

I smiled. His interrogation was cute. "I like to read. I used to take ballet before I came to Hogwarts. I'm learning to fly."

"You play Quidditch?"

"Nah, I'm not that good yet. I almost fell off my broom when… well, you know, when James got hurt…"

He didn't ask any more questions, and the silence grew slightly awkward.

"Um, what about you?"

"Quidditch or about myself?"

"Both, I guess."

"Alright, then. My name is Dimitri Ivanov. My family is in Romania, and I used to live there before Durmstrang. But I can't tell you vere that is; it's against our rules." Here he looked apologetic. "To answer your question, I enjoy to play Quidditch, but I do not play on our school team. For pets, I have an owl, Vijelie. My favorite color is navy blue. And I have two sisters; Ana is what you vould call a first year, and Helena is only seven."

At this point we had reached the edge of Hogsmeade. "Vere vould you like to go first?"

I shrugged. "This is my first time too, so I don't really know much about the shops and all."

He smiled. "Okay. Let's just valk. If you see a place you vant to go to, ve can go."

"Okay." Godric, this guy was actually pretty sweet!

We strolled along the sidewalk in a comfortable silence. Comfortable, that is, until I spotted a flash of red hair across the street. Upon closer examination, I saw that it was accompanied by a golden head and a brown one. I mentally groaned.

"Don't look now," I whispered, "but my friends are following us from across the street."

Dimitri seemed to be stifling a laugh. "Do you vant them to be?"

"Not really."

"Okay. Ve can slip into a shop or something." And without further warning, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the nearest doorway.