Fell in Love Without You

Chapter 24: But I DIDN'T

One of the good things about Roger and I breaking up was Fred and I could curl up on the couch, or take a walk around the lake without people thinking twice about it. Of course people guessed that we were friends again – I mean we were Fred and A.V... best friends since forever. They were used to seeing me hugging him, or curled up with him on the couch. As long as we didn't snog in front of anyone we were ok.

It also gave us the perfect set up to actually being in a relationship.

Annabelle however, wasn't the nicest person about it. "Don't think that now you're single Fred's going to fall for you" Annabelle slid into the seat next to me during transfiguration.

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow and looked around to see if anyone else could hear this. They couldn't, obviously, Annabelle was smarter than that.

"You heard me. Stay away from Fred" She said evenly.

"Well I'm sorry, but I think that's up to Fred to decide" I narrowed my eyes at her. She rolled hers.

"Silly... boys don't know what they want. We have to tell them... Why do you think Fred was so mad at you? I told him you didn't want him, you wanted Roger instead" She smirked.

"Well he's not mad at me now is he?" I raised an eyebrow. "And I'm no longer with Roger"

"No... but people get back with their ex's all the time" She smiled and laughed. "I saw the way he looked at you before Avery and it's the same now. Back off or I can guarantee I will make your life hell" She threatened through gritted teeth. Her face was going a slight pink colour with frustration.

"Oh? Fred looks at me a certain way?" I tipped my head to the side. "Really? I've never noticed?" I glanced across the room at Fred deep in conversation with George, planning that secret thing that they could tell no one about. As if I'd called his name he looked up and over at me. He smiled and winked. "Oh you mean like that?" I smirked and turned back to Annabelle.

"I mean it Avery... I will ruin your life if you don't give it up now" She threatened.

"Whatever Annabelle" I rolled my eyes. "What are you going to do?" I sighed and turned back to my work. I felt a sharp tug on my hair and then a stinging as some was ripped out. "OW What the hell!" I exclaimed, glaring at the girl who now held a few strands of my hair in her fingertips.

"Oh there was a big icky bug in your hair!" She exclaimed. "But I got it" She turned back to the front. I stared at her. I still questioned that girls mental health. Really, I did.

"Excellent! That's really excellent!" Harry grinned around the room at the 40 or so patronuses that were currently scampering around our feet. I glanced around at everyone and smiled as well. We'd all come such a long way since the first DA meeting. Even Neville had been able to produce a perfect Patronus.

I watched as my Weasel rolled around on the floor with a silvery otter.

"Do you mind?" I shot a playful glare at Fred. He just grinned and nudged me. I nudged him back and laughed as my Weasel dived on his Otter.

"Your patronuses need to get a room" Roe grinned from behind us. Her Ferret was running around her shoulders and neck.

I stuck my tongue out at her. "I didn't know patronuses ran in the family" I nodded between my weasel and her ferret.

"They don't... Riley got a deer" she nodded to our little sister petting the silver doe in front of her.

"George and I got the same thing" Fred nodded to the identical otter roaming around the room.

"That's because you and George are the same person" I rolled my eyes.

"Double the fun, Darling" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I laughed.

"More like double the trouble" I smirked. He pretended to look shocked and opened his mouth to say something, but an echoing rumble cut him off.

Everyone froze where they were, glancing at each other.

"Did you – "

"I did but did – "

Another rumble cut us all off again and we all made a mad scramble to stand in a defensive position. Not one person spoke, we just stood and waited.

The door burst open, making us all jump. Annabelle came running in.

"They're coming! I can't believe they're coming!" She screamed.

"What Annabelle?" Riley frowned and stepped forward.

"Umbridge!" She screamed as the wall closest to us collapsed. Fred grabbed me around the waist as the wall crumbled around us and pulled me away from the falling stone.

"Ah there you all are. You're a hard bunch of students to find" Umbridge's simpering voice made me shiver. "Right, go get them" She nodded to the inquisitorial squad behind her.

The Slytherins piled in and started taking people hostage, as if we were being arrested.

"Touch me Malfoy and I will make sure you lose your most precious asset" Roe snarled at the blonde. He smirked at her and plucked her wand out of her fingers.

"In front of the Headmistress love? I think not" He smiled and took her hands in his.

"I must thank you Miss Vanderbilt... I was most surprised when you came to find me earlier to inform me of this" Umbridge smiled at me. I think it was meant to be kind, but it scared the pants off me.

"Wait what?" I stammered as her words sunk in. "I didn't come and see you earlier?" I frowned.

"Why, yes you did. You had tea with me and told me everything" She smiled. "Say goodbye to your friends as they go to detention"

I glanced at the people around me. They were all staring, eyes narrowed and glaring. Even Roe had stopped struggling.

"But I didn't do it!" I exclaimed. "I... I was with you Fred!" I exclaimed.

"You were... but then I had to go and see George about something... you... how could you Avery?" He sounded shocked as he said this. I didn't want to believe it either but it wasn't true.

"Headmistress, I swear it wasn't me who came to you" I stammered, tears forming in my eyes.

"Miss Vanderbilt stop being so modest. I don't know why you didn't join the Inquisitorial Squad. We could have used you" She smiled again and exited the room.

There was only one person who could have done this.

"YOU!" I yelled, lunging for Annabelle. Marcus Flint pulled her out of the way just in time. "How did you do it Annabelle? Hmm? How did you convince her it was me?" I followed them as they walked.

Annabelle just smirked. "Told you not to mess with me Avery. Didn't I? I said I would ruin your life and here I am... doing just that" She smiled meanly and then stared straight ahead.

She didn't say anything else and she was lead away with my other friends into the Great Hall for their detention.

I planted myself on the staircase as I waited for them to exit. They did, four hours later, all bleeding and groaning under their breaths.

"I didn't do it" I said to Harry as he passed.

"Oh don't bother Avery" He dodged around me. "Umbridge said so herself"

People murmured in agreement as they passed by. Fred stopped dead in front of me.

"Avery, why?" Was all he said. I let out a frustrated growl and placed my hands on his shoulder.

"But I didn't. You have to believe me!" I exclaimed. "I was with you ALL afternoon... when did I –"

"Why the fuck would Umbridge address you PERSONALLY Avery? She just wouldn't unless it was YOU" He shot me one more pained glare before he walked away. I stood and let the others walk around me.

I had to hand it to her, Annabelle really did know how to ruin lives.

Plea's Note:

Ahh I'm sorry about the Cliffhangers! I love them ;) I JUST finished completely editing the final chapter and the epilogue. I was actually sad to write the final word! Ahh so excited. I'm just letting you know NOW that there may be a short delay between AV's story and Roe's due to how much time I was putting into AV's I havent had time to reall yget on top of Roe's just yet but NEVER FEAR... I will post the link to Roe's story on the end of this story so you all get the Email Notification :)

Anyway, until next time 3

Plea