Midnight: Hello, everyone! I'm back! I'm sorry for being stuck at hiatus mode for so long. I'm just so busy and I haven't even got the time to go online and update. So for those who are seeing this, I thank you for your patience and I deeply apologize for the long wait. Last night, I was re-reading Always You and I noticed that I've got a lot of grammatical glitches in the past chapters and for me, the characters seemed so OOC. Don't you think? I apologize for that and my bad writing skills. But I do hope that doesn't stop you from reading the latter chapters of AY. Please?
Without further ado, I give you Chapter 9 of Always You!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summary: After her so called 'happily ever after', Ginny Weasley found out that her boyfriend, Dean Thomas was cheating on her. As she was crying she ran into the hero of the wizarding world, The-Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter. You see, Harry has never noticed Ginny...Until now that is. Will their friendship bloom into romance? Will Dean get Ginny back? Will Ginny forgive Dean? Will Harry finally see the missing piece in front of him was always been there, waiting for him to notice it? Would you read and review this fanfic made by XxMidnightStarxX? Rated T for safety.
Chapter 9: Roadtrip to Hogsmeade!
Re-cap: "Goodnight." Hermione, Ginny and Annie said and Sakura headed to the stairs leading to the Girls' dorms. The three girls just chatted there and finally, one by one they went upstairs to sleep. Soon after, the Gryffindor Common Room was now empty as every witch and wizards were asleep.
Normal POV
Thursday, Hogwarts, 13:00; 1:00 pm…
"Big news! Big news!" Katie Bell exclaimed as she stepped inside the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"What is it? What is it?" Her best friend, Angelina Johnson asked.
"Rumors have been spreading that we're going on a trip to Hogsmeade this week!" Katie exclaimed, happily.
"Katie, you've been a student here for years now. You do know that that trip is always held on mid-November or on the 2nd week of October." Angelina countered, setting the book she was reading down.
"But it's true! I heard Professor Flitwick tell it to some Ravenclaw prefects. I, myself heard it when I was in the library with Alicia!" Katie explained.
Somewhere between their conversation, Fred and George appeared.
"What's going on here, ladies?" George asked.
"Having a fight about who's better-looking between George and me?" Fred teased.
"You do know that it's me, right Angie?" He added, winking.
Angelina replied by rolling her eyes at her boyfriend and hitting him playfully on the stomach with her book.
"So, what are you two ninnies quarreling about?" George asked once more, draping an arm around Katie's petite shoulders.
"Kitten here tells me that she heard Flitwick tell some Ravenclaw prefects that we'll be going on a trip to Hogsmeade this week." Angelina explained, rolling her eyes once more.
"Then why do you seem unexcited about this, Angie? Weren't you the one who was having problems about what you were going to wear? You told me when we were at Divination that you still didn't have a dress." Fred asked, looking at his girlfriend weirdly.
"It's not that I'm unexcited. It's just that it's impossible. That trip is always held on mid-November or on the 2nd week of October." She explained once more, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Well, it could be possible, Angie. I mean there are a lot of students who still don't have dresses and dress robes. Of course the school wouldn't allow the students to wear uniforms on a formal event, right?" George said.
Katie was about to agree when she suddenly spotted Alicia along with Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Demelza Robins, Sakura Shirobara and Andrea Klausters going down the Girls' Staircase, discussing about something.
She was about to call her when suddenly their prefect suddenly busted inside the Common Room and told them that there was an announcement to be made and everyone needs to be in the Great Hall.
Curiously, the students began lining-up year by year and they went inside the Great Hall, with their respective prefects leading them.
Inside the Great Hall…
When the Great Hall was already filled with students, Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat in the High Table and went to the podium and said,
"Good afternoon to each and every one of you. I know that you are all wondering why we have summoned you here. Well, it is because of a special announcement to be made. Let us call Professor McGonagall to make that announcement."
McGonagall stood up to the podium as Dumbledore went back to his previous seat.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Now, as you all know, we, the students and staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, could take on certain weekends to visit Hogsmeade Village on mid-November or on the 2nd week of October. But due to the current events, there have been some changes about the schedule. We have decided to visit the Hogsmeade Village this Saturday instead of our usual visiting schedule. We have also sent letters to your Parents and Guardians about the sudden change and reassured them that this is only temporary and the next visit will be on mid-November or on the 2nd week of October." Professor McGonagall said and whispers and murmurs began to fill the entire Great Hall.
In the Gryffindor table, Katie mouthed an 'I told you so' at Angelina. Angelina responded by chuckling and shaking her head as Katie stuck her tongue out her.
"If you are wondering why we are going to Hogsmeade in this week it is because of the preparations for the up-coming Halloween Ball. I assume that most of you especially the ladies still don't have any dresses to wear aren't I right? So, the staff has decided to hold the trip on Saturday. Everyone must come to the Clock Tower Courtyard at exactly 8:30 in the morning. For those who will be late, I am sorry to say but we will leave with or without you. That is all." She added as she sat back down in her previous seat in the High Table.
Now, it was Professor Dumbledore's turn to stand and say,
"Now that everything has been explained, I sincerely hope that no one will be late and every one of us can visit Hogsmeade and have a great day. And now, you may now go back to your classes or whatever it is you are doing. See you all on Saturday and have a good day."
After that announcement, house by house the students left the Great Hall and proceeded to go to their respective classes, chattering away and obviously excited for the Hogsmeade trip.
Friday, Hogwarts…
Lessons were lessened these days because the staff was now starting to prepare decorations, event plans, music, food and everything for the up-coming Halloween Ball. And that meant more spare time for the students to relax or do whatever they want.
Except for the Head Boys, Head Girls, and prefects and staff though. They needed to work extra hard for these days because of the said event.
And because of that, the mayhem and chaos caused by most of the students were increasing day by day. Especially when the Weasley Twins are involved and are currently selling their new inventions for their pranks.
"Step right up, step right up. We've got loads of new inventions for you lot today!" George chirped happily as a crowd was surrounding them and trying to get a glimpse of the said invention.
The famous pranksters were outside The Fat Lady's Portrait and were standing on a platform. There also was a small round table (about the height of your knees) between them and something was hidden on top of the table, covered with red cloth.
Questions were asked to the twins.
"What is it? What is it?" A Hufflepuff First Year asked.
"Tell us!" Another complained.
"Whoa, easy there tigers! Don't get your knickers in a twist. But you lot are just right on time to see this!" Fred said as he removed the red cloth and there revealed an average-looking wooden case filled with small vials that looked like potions.
The twins each took one vial and showed the crowd. It was an ordinary-looking vial with transparent liquid inside it.
"What are those? They seem very normal." The said First Year asked again.
"Because you don't know-"George started
"What they do yet." Fred finished.
"Ladies and gentlemen, well mostly gentlemen, as you can see this normal-looking potion is our latest invention. It is called-" George started
"Undetected." Fred finished, grinning.
"What does it do?"
"Well, for starters, it makes the drinker invisible." George explained.
"That's it? You know we could always use a Disillusionment Charm or even create an Invisibility potion. It's not very complicated, actually." A Fifth Year Gryffindor countered, frowning.
"True, true, but this is where the trick starts. You see, when you cast a Disillusionment Charm or create an Invisibility potion, you can be still be detected by casting the Human-presence-revealing-spell. But we finally created a potion that can't be detected by the said spell and you can prank the simplest of pranks to anyone your heart desires and you won't get caught!" George said, grinning.
"Even if the one I wanted to prank is Snape?" A Third Year asked as chuckles were heard.
"Yes, even if you wanted to prank Snape." The twins said, chuckling.
"Brilliant! I'd like to buy one! No, three!" The said boy grinned.
"Fair warning though, at first you'll feel very dizzy and you'll have the sudden urge to throw up. And the potion only lasts for an hour so we suggest that you plan your pranks thoroughly just to make sure that won't get caught. Because even the simplest mistakes can ruin the whole prank." Fred winked.
"So how much is Undetected?"
"Well, since we're such generous pranksters, we've decided to sell this for 1 Galleon and 4 Sickles!" George chirped as a lot of complaints and whines were heard.
"Hey, you lot wanted to prank, right? So stop complaining! Business is business." He added.
"So please fall into two lines if you want to buy Undetected." Fred said and in a blink of an eye, the platform they were standing on was gone and they were sitting on two chairs behind a table, waiting for paying customers.
The crowd grumbled but fell in line anyways. One by one the Undetected potion was gone until it was sold out. The twins finally decided to close.
"Alright! That's it for today! Come back tomorrow if you want your Undetected! Goodbye for now!" And with that, they vanished into thin air along with their tables and chairs, leaving a crowd of astonished students.
Suddenly, the Gryffindor prefect emerged and told the students from the other houses to go back to their respective houses or else they'll be seeing Professor McGonagall in Detention and ushered the remaining Gryffindor students to go back inside the Common Room since curfew was almost time.
In the Common Room…
When the students were inside, they saw Fred and George sitting in one of the chairs with Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet and Oliver Wood. When they spotted the twins, they began pestering them about the Undetected until Hermione showed-up along with Ginny, Sakura and Annie and Hermione shooed the crowd away.
"Thanks, Hermione. I know I'm handsome but bloody hell! They needn't to pester me to get my attention." Fred sighed, grinning afterwards.
"As a matter of fact, I didn't do you a favor. I wanted you to stop making your Undetected potions." Hermione said.
"And why not? Ah, wait. I'll guess this. You came here to lecture us again with the school rules and what we're doing is wrong. Am I right, Granger?" George teased, smirking.
"Since you two twits already know, why don't you stop?" Hermione asked.
"Maybe we will stop if you ask us nicely?" Fred grinned.
"And say 'Please'?" George added, smirking.
"Oh forget it, you two are hopeless." Hermione huffed as they began laughing at her.
She rolled her eyes at them and began to head for the couch in front of the fireplace, being followed by Ginny, Sakura and Annie.
"Honestly, Ginny! How do you handle your brothers every day?" Hermione exclaimed, obviously irritated and sitting on the couch.
"You'll just get used to it, I guess? Besides, this is Fred and George we're talking about. You know they do whatever they want when and where they want to. And rule-breaking isn't an exception." Ginny said with a shrug, sitting beside her.
"How do they get away with everything?" Sakura asked, sitting down across Hermione and Ginny as Annie sat beside her.
"They're the famous tricksters here in Hogwarts, Sakura. Getting away with everything isn't something Fred and George can't handle. You should see them at home. Sometimes, they can even get away with every prank they do with no trace of being caught. Not unless Mum saw them or anything." Ginny said.
"Enough of this Fred and George talk. Let's talk about the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow! God, I'm so excited I can hardly wait at all!" Annie said, obviously excited.
"Hogs...meade? What's that?" Sakura asked as confusion was shown in her sapphire orbs.
Hermione, Ginny and Annie laughed at her.
"Oh dear, sweet Sakura. You are so cute when you don't know anything about the Wizarding World." Annie said in between giggles.
Sakura frowned at the three laughing girls.
"Well, tell me now!" She complained.
"Hogsmeade is the only all-Wizarding village in Britain. We students may sometimes come on weekend trips, but only Third Year students and above with Guardian permission are allowed to visit. But since the announcement made by Professor McGonagall a while ago was made, our parents and guardians have already been informed." Hermione explained when she calmed down.
"You're going to enjoy going there Sakura. We'll take you to Zonko's Joke Shop and Honeydukes." Ginny suggested.
"But I guess you like frilly and lacey shops like Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, eh?" She added.
"Oh, dear no. It's my mother who wants me to have very frilly and lacey things. She wanted me to be like her when I was in her age. If it was me, I'd rather have simple clothes that are very comfortable to wear." Sakura said with a sigh.
"Your Mum must sure be very strict, neat and want you to be lady-like, eh?" Annie asked.
"You have no idea." Sakura smirked.
"So, other than the shops that you've mentioned, what else is there?" She added.
"Well, there's this creepy building called Shrieking Shack." Ginny said.
"Like a haunted house or something?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, something like that. But every month, the villagers say that they hear yells and shouts there. Rumor has it, after the screaming stops, you can hear things shattering, falling and breaking inside that creepy old building." Annie said in a voice like she was telling a ghost tale, as the three girls moved closer to hear her.
"Boo." Deep voices were heard as the three girls squeaked in horror and surprise as they looked back and saw Harry, Ron and Seamus laughing at them.
They looked over at Annie, who was laughing at them too.
"Very mature, Annie." Ginny crossed her arms as she watched as her best friend laugh at her.
"Honestly, you boys scared us to death!" Hermione glared at the three boys.
"That wasn't very nice!" Sakura frowned at them.
The three blokes apologized but were still chuckling. They sat beside the girls; Harry and Ron beside Ginny and Hermione as Seamus sat between Sakura and Annie.
"Hello there." Seamus greeted Sakura with a charming smile.
"Hello to you too." Sakura smiled sweetly at him.
"I'm Seamus. Seamus Finnigan." Seamus said.
"I'm-" Sakura was cut-off when Seamus said,
"I know who you are. You're Sakura Shirobara. The student from what's your school again?" He asked.
"Maho no Gakuen." Sakura suggested.
"Yes, that! I like the way you say it. It's very refreshing to hear another accent other than mine. If you don't mind, can you speak in Japanese for me?" Seamus asked.
"Okay, Seamus, that's enough flirting." Harry said.
"Watch it, Potter. All I'm asking is for her to speak in her native tongue. It's not like I'm asking her to go out with me- though that wouldn't be a bad idea." Seamus smirked.
"Seamus, stop. Don't even go there. No. Just, no." Annie chuckled, shaking her head.
"Why, Klausters? Afraid that I'll be taken and you won't get to express you undying love for me?" Seamus teased.
"Oh, God no! I'd rather hang-out with Peeves than be with you." Annie countered.
"Stop it you two." Hermione scolded.
"Yes, Mum." Seamus and Annie said.
"It's alright, guys. I kind of miss speaking in my own language. What do you want me to say, Seamus?" Sakura smiled.
"Anything, I don't mind. Just don't tell a dirty joke." He smirked.
"Seamus!" Hermione warned.
"Blimey, 'Mione. Will you calm your knickers? The lad's just joking around." Ron said.
Hermione just glared at Ron and ushered Sakura to continue.
"Kokyo ga natsukashii." Sakura said with a sad smile.
"What does that mean?" Ginny asked.
"It means, 'I miss home'" Sakura explained.
"Oh, I know the feeling." Seamus agreed.
"So, where are we going to shop first tomorrow?" Annie asked.
"I say we go to-" Ginny was interrupted when Ron said,
"Girls and their dress talk again. Yawn. Well, I'm off to bed now. Goodnight."
He stood up, stretched and walked to the Boys' Staircase.
"Yeah, me too. It's nice to meet you, Sakura." Seamus said, winking at her and followed Ron upstairs.
"Let me guess, it's Harry's turn to go upstairs since he's so bored with girl-talk. Am I right?" Annie asked.
"Actually, I'm really interested where you girls will go tomorrow." Harry said.
"Really?" Annie asked.
"No." He said and laughed.
"Git." Annie muttered and Harry bided good night to them but that didn't stop Annie notice the way Harry would looked at Ginny. She smirked to herself and said nothing.
"Boys are such prats." Hermione huffed.
"Are you still upset that Ron hasn't asked you yet?" Ginny asked.
"Of course I am!" Hermione complained.
"Don't lose hope, Hermione. Maybe he's planning to do that tomorrow." Annie encouraged her.
"What if he doesn't?" Hermione asked.
"You are the brightest witch of your age. Figure it out. Well, I'm going to bed. Wouldn't want to be late for tomorrow now, wouldn't we?" Annie chuckled as she went upstairs.
The three girls bided her goodnight and watch her go up the Girls' Staircase.
"So, who have been asking you to the Halloween Ball?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"I told you I'm already going with a Puff." Ginny said.
"Oh yeah. Well, what about you, Sakura?" Hermione asked her.
"Not much, really. Just two boys from Ravenclaw and there was this boy from Slytherin too. Yours?" She said.
"Well, Neville asked me but I politely declined him. And there was this Seventh Year from Ravenclaw who asked me and someone from Hufflepuff." Hermione said.
"Why not go with one of them?" Sakura asked.
"Because, she's completely, utterly and desperately inlove with my Git-of-a-brother, Ron." Ginny answered.
Hermione smirked.
"First, I am not inlove with him and second, he's not just a git. He's a big, fat git."
Midnight: So that's all for Chapter 9 today. I really hope you guys enjoy this as much as I enjoyed typing it. Gosh, I missed this site. Anyways, as usual, please read and review?
In the part where Sakura speaks in Nihongo, I'm not really sure if I typed it in Romaji correctly. Oh well, whatever.
Oh just so you know, classes just resumed and I'm currently a Senior right now! And I've seen my schedule and saw that I've got loads of free time for writing fanfics! Isn't that great?
So, I'm challenging myself to update chapter by chapter every Saturday or Sunday, Philippine Time of course. That's GMT +8 hours.
Once again, I apologize for the long wait and see you in my next update!
Paalam for now! xx