I'm back from vacation! With a long chapter, just for you! lol... so, I hope that you like this chapter! I'm happy to be home, and I shall be writing more. I have ideas for other stories as well, but we dont need to talk about that right now, do we?
This chapter is rather... longer than the last one. Isn't that nice? Lots a good stuff... or maybe, I dunno, not good stuff. I just hope you like it. Reviews are nice! Happy reading!
People aren't talking about me as much, Harry thought as he followed Ron and Hermione back to the common room. It was true. The whispers, taunts, suspicious mutters and hard glares had dimmed slightly because of the exorcists.
But now, it was Allen who was getting talked about. Allen and the other exorcists. He's really popular, he thought as he passed a group of 4th year girls. Slowing his pace, he listened to their conversation.
"Oooh, what's his name? I can't believe I forgot his name!"
"Allen Walker?"
"Yeah! That's it… it's no fair that he's staying in Griffindore."
"Yeah, I wish he was in our house!"
"He's so dreamy."
"Think some one likes him!"
One of the girls had spotted him meandering slowly passed, and the whole group hushed. Hoisting his bag higher on his shoulder, he hurried up the corridor and caught up with Ron and Hermione.
Allen had better be careful. Harry had experienced the wrath of girls at the Yule ball. If he wasn't careful, he could find himself cornered. Then there was that rumor that he and Lenalee were going out. He snorted, and then a thought hit him.
Does Cho like Allen?! This thought alarmed Harry. He knew that Allen didn't bring this upon himself, but still, even thinking about it made his stomach turn uneasily. He shook his head. What was he thinking? Allen was his friend. And he knew that Allen wouldn't start going out with Cho, even if she asked him. He liked Lenal—
"Harry?"
He was cut off in mid-thought when someone said his name. Blinking, he realized that both Ron and Hermione were staring at him next to the open portrait hole.
"Come on," Hermione said, entering the common room. Ron looked at Harry puzzled, but entered as well. Harry followed, slightly confused.
- - - - - - - - -
"Still no sign of Hagrid. I wonder what he's doing for the—"
"Ron! Shut up! Not so loud!"
Allen looked up from the book that he had been read in one of the chairs by the fire. Hermione was glaring at Ron; Harry behind them looking slightly confused.
"No one heard me!" Ron said indignantly. Allen blinked slowly, watching them. They hadn't seen him sitting in the chair.
"Serius told us not to worry!" said Hermione in a hiss. Who's that? I don't think they want me to be overhearing this, thought Allen. "Ahm."
The three students whipped around, looking at Allen with surprised looks in their eyes.
"Allen! Uh… hi! How long were you sitting there?" asked Hermione, flustered.
"For at least an hour," he replied. She flushed.
"Oh, well, we were just… gonna go up to the dorm and uh—"
"Talk? Well, I wouldn't go to the dorm… Lavi's snoring, if I recall correctly," said Allen, smiling.
Ron snorted, but Hermione was still looking at Allen. "Are we really that obvious?"
Allen blinked several times. "Uh, not really, but I kind of… notice these things," he said, then ducked quickly and held up the book.
"Uh, Allen… what are you doing?" Harry asked, looking at him, confusion evident on his face. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, also confused.
"Sh… wait… she's… going up to her dorm," he muttered, peering passed his book. In a flourish, he raised it again, but in his haste to hide himself, he dropped the book with a thunk. He slid back in his seat so that the three wizards hid him from view.
"Who? Oh, Lavender? Why exactly are you hiding from Lavender?" Ron asked, watching the girl head for the dorm.
"Uh… she keeps asking me all these questions and if I am going out with Lenalee and… ok, she's gone," Allen sat up straight as the girl disappeared.
"You should have seen her reaction when she overheard me and Lee talking," a voice from near the staircase to the boys dorm said. They all looked over and saw Lavi coming over to them. He sat in the chair opposite Allen.
"This is all your fault!" said Allen, glaring at Lavi as he picked up his book. Lavi laughed as Allen slouched down in the chair and covered his face with the book.
"Hello!" someone had come up behind the group of wizards as they watched Lavi and Allen. Harry turned to see Ginny and Lenalee.
"Hi Ginny, hi Lenalee," he said as Hermione sat down at a table nearby and started pulling out books. Both girls smiled, Ginny dumping her bag at the table where Hermione was sitting.
Allen peered up passed his book to see a 4th year with long red hair, just like Ron's standing next to Lenalee. Smiling, she turned from Harry to look at Allen. "You're Allen right?"
He nodded, still holding the book up to his eyes. "What are you doing Allen?" Lenalee asked, coming over to him. He looked up at her, then sat up straight, closing the book.
"Nothing," he muttered, glaring at Lavi again, who grinned back.
"I've been hearing those silly rumors about you and Lenalee," Ginny said, interrupting the small war that seemed to be going on in between Allen and the red-haired exorcist. "Rubbish. I don't know why anyone believes those two, half the time. Well, I've been trying to stop it and all, but then they ask me about it… they're really annoying."
Allen looked at Lenalee, blinking in confusion.
"I met her while I was helping my brother in the library. And… we became friends," she said, sitting down on the arm of Allen's chair.
"Just by looking at you two, it would seem that you're going out!" piped Lavi, still grinning. He received another glare from Allen.
"Ron, Harry… you should do your homework," said Hermione from where she sat, the potions book open in front of her. They both groaned.
"We'll have time over the weekend!" Ron said. Harry nodded. "Yeah! We'll have plenty of time!" Hermione stared at them with a hard gaze, saying something that Allen didn't get, but apparently Ron and Harry did.
- - - - - - - - -
An hour or so had passed when the portrait hole opened again and Fred and George entered, followed by a group of first years, Lee coming in last holding a box. The crowd of 1st years dispersed, leaving Fred, George and Lee to talk. Allen watched them with curiosity over his book and could've sworn that they were talking about him. Finally, they reached some sort of agreement, because Fred took the box and grabbed a small bag.
He walked over to where the exorcists were sitting, George following. They were both smiling.
"Here ya go mate!" said Fred, tossing the bag to Allen, who caught it in one hand.
"What is it?" he asked, looking at the bag.
"Its for beating us at the Poker and—" said Fred.
"—for Hogsmeade, since you don't have any," said George.
"For…Hogsmeade?" Allen echoed. Ron was staring at his brothers with his mouth slightly open. Lunging forward, he grabbed it rudely out of Allen's hands. Pulling the drawstring, he dumped the entire contents of the bag onto the table.
"No way!" he exclaimed, then rounded on Fred and George. "You never give me money and I'm your brother!"
"Tough, little bro," said George, grinning widely. Lavi lowered his book enough to see what they were all talking about. Round, fat gold coins lay on the table where Ron had dumped them.
"What are they?" Lenalee picking one up and turning it over, looking at it closely.
"They're called 'Galleons'. Its one of the types of wizarding money," Hermione answered, not looking up.
"Oh… why are you giving it to me again?" Allen asked, looking at one as well.
"For beating us at Poker… and for beating everyone else as well! You should get rewarded for that kind of skill!" said George.
"And since you have no money for Hogsmeade tomorrow, we thought that it would be much more fun for you if you actually had some!" said Fred.
For some reason, Allen's cheeks turned slightly red, and his eyes shot to Lavi. But the apprentice Bookman had already hidden himself behind his book once more, only his hair visible.
"Thanks!" he said, taking the bag and scooping up the coins.
"Here," said Lenalee, dropping a couple that had rolled off the table into the bag.
"Well, we're off! Goodnight all!" Fred said and turned, heading toward the dorm. George and Lee followed and soon they all disappeared.
"I think that I'll go to bed too… G'night," Ginny said, yawning. She got up, picking up her bag and her books and headed toward her dorm.
Lenalee and Hermione left soon after, Hermione complaining to the exorcist about something that the boys couldn't hear, but they thought it was about them.
Together, Allen, Lavi, Ron and Harry headed up to the dorm. Tomorrow would be the first Hogsmeade trip of the year.
- - - - - - - -
The next morning, everyone found themselves looking at another cloudy day. They bundled up in scarves and hats and went into the line where Filch the caretaker was checking off names.
The exorcists didn't have to do this, as they weren't students, but they waited for Harry, Ron and Hermione anyway.
"Um, Harry, why was Filch sniffing you?" Ron was asking as they caught up with the exorcists.
"Oh, I forgot!" Harry laughed. "The other day, when I went to send my letter, Filch came bursting in, asking me for my letter. For some reason, he said he'd got a tip off from someone saying that I was ordering Dung Bombs!"
Ron snorted. "Why would he do that?" Harry laughed, shaking his head. Hermione didn't find it so funny, but stayed silent as they headed toward the small village.
"There's Honeydukes," Harry said, pointing at a busy shop. "They've got really good chocolate and stuff."
"Let's go in!" said Allen, wanting to get out of the wind and get some sugar in some form or another. The wizards shrugged, and all together, they headed into the crowded store.
Once inside, they split up. Lavi's eye was caught by a bright sign and headed over to it. Miranda wandered over to the large selection of fudge, while Krory headed toward a sign labeled 'Unusual tastes'.
"Are these real frogs?" Allen asked Ron, who was standing beside him, holding a box of bubble gum.
"Chocolate frogs? No. They're chocolate!" said Ron. Allen picked one up, looking at it closely.
"Look!" Allen showed the candy to Lenalee, who laughed. "That's funny… you should get some just because!"
Ten minutes later, Allen moved toward the counter, laden with candy. "Allen! Allen! This too!" Allen turned to see Krory walking toward him through the crowd. He handed the white-haired exorcist a lollipop.
"Uh… ok."
Outside, the exorcists waited for Allen to return with the candy. He came out, followed by Krory.
"Here," he said, handing out the candy. Miranda had got some fudge, Lenalee some gum, Lavi jelly beans (every flavored) and Krory the lollipop.
"Ew! That's gross!" Ron exclaimed as he saw what Krory was holding. Krory blinked.
"What?"
"It's… a blood flavored lollipop," Ron said. Krory was still looking at him with a questioning look on his face.
"So?"
"It's… for… vampires," said Ron, loosing some of his steam.
"Yeah?" Krory unwrapped the candy and put it in his mouth.
"How is it Krory?" Lenalee asked.
"Not bad… I'd have to say that real blo—" a loud gagging sound cut him off.
Lavi was having some sort of fit, coughing. Finally he swallowed something, looking sick.
Harry had been watching him, and now he was laughing. "What flavor did you get, liver?"
"Liver?!" Lenalee and Miranda echoed in disgust.
"No… worse… vomit…" Lavi mumbled, sticking his tongue out.
"Here," Miranda said, handing him a piece of fudge. Lavi took it, trying to wash the flavor out of his mouth.
"Thanks… that's much better!" he sighed. "That was gross… heh."
Allen looked at him. "Uh, Lavi… what are you planing?"
"Nothing, nothing… these things are great!" said Lavi.
"I want to have a look around, 'kay? I'll meet you up at the castle later for dinner," Miranda said.
"Wait… here ya go!" Allen said, handing her some money. She smiled and left the group, heading down the street. Krory bounded after her.
"Um, Lenalee, Lavi, Allen, I'm sorry, but we have to be somewhere. See you later?" Hermione said apologetically, looking at her watch.
"Ok," Lenalee said and Allen mumbled yes through a mouthful of chocolate frog. Lavi had already disappeared. Lenalee looked around, and saw the exorcist heading toward Fred, George and Lee farther down the street.
"Birds of a feather flock together," Lenalee muttered under her breath, watching him go.
"Huh?" Allen had finally swallowed the chocolate. "Nothing," she murmured.
"So, now what?" Allen asked, noticing that they were the only ones left.
"Lets just look around," replied Lenalee, heading down the street. Allen followed.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Miranda and Krory had split up. After making him promise not to spend money just because the owner asked him to, Miranda gave him some coins and headed farther down the street. She looked into shop windows, going into shops that caught her eye.
One shop, selling quills, ink and parchment had many cool items that she longed to get. But she restrained herself. She didn't really need this kind of stuff, but maybe, a souvenir… something magic that she could bring the order and show everyone.
A bottle of ink caught her eye. Going over to it, she picked it up and read its label. 'Color changing ink; changes color while writing.' I'll get this! I'm sure someone back at HQ would like to use it… just for fun, if that!
She took it and went to the counter.
"I'll take this," she said to the clerk. The clerk smiled and asked for the money. Miranda handed the money over and the clerk placed the bottle of ink in a bag. "Thanks."
Heading out again into the wind, she looked around. She hadn't really got much… just the ink, the fudge and a book, but she thought that maybe, she would head back to the castle, get warmed up. Turning, she walked down the street.
Not paying attention to where she was walking, she tripped clumsily over a stone, her bags falling to the ground, along with her. "Ow…" she muttered, pushing herself up. Thankfully, she had held onto the inkbottle, because it would have shattered if it had hit the ground. She went to grab her book when she heard a drawling voice.
"Oh look… one of those people from that freak school. I wonder why she's still in school… maybe she got held back!" a group of Slitherins had come up to where Miranda was sitting on the ground. She looked up at them, blinking.
"I mean, why would someone that old would still be in school? And she's clumsy… I bet she's useless," it was a boy with blonde-white hair, sneering down at her. Her lip quivered. The boy smirked, seeing how she had reacted to the word 'useless'.
"Yes, really useless. I wonder, is that school like a freak show, or do they take only rejects and hopeless people?" the boy jeered. Two lumbering boys on either side gaffed and a girl shrieked.
Miranda looked down, clutching her bags.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Allen and Lenalee rounded a corner to come upon an odd scene. They both paused, taking it in. Malfoy and a group of other Slitherins had made a small circle around someone sitting on the ground. They were jeering and laughing.
"Who is that?" asked Lenalee, trying to see who was in the center. Allen had moved slightly, getting a better view.
"It's… oh no… Miranda!" said Allen, rushing forward. Lenalee followed quickly as well.
"Hey, stop!" Allen ordered when he had got close enough to the group.
Malfoy turned slowly to face Allen, sneering. "Hey, look, it's that white-haired freak!"
The group parted slightly as Allen pushed his way through, Lenalee following closely behind and kneeling down beside Miranda.
"Leave her alone," said Allen, talking to Malfoy. Malfoy raised a pale eyebrow.
"Why should I?" he said lazily. "I can do whatever I like."
"Leave her alone," Allen repeated. Lenalee glanced up at him, holding a book.
"C'mon Miranda," she said, standing up and helping Miranda to her feet.
"Hmm… I think I should teach you a lesson, for what your pal almost did to me, don't you think?" Malfoy asked Crabbe and Goyle. They both nodded stupidly. He drew his wand just as a group of Griffindores, Lavi in their midst came around the corner.
The chatter died down immediately, several wands drawing at once. Malfoy looked wearily at the wands, one held by Hermione.
"I'll get you back, you'll see," he said menacingly, backing up and turning sharply, fleeing from the large group, the Slitherins following.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, putting her wand away and walking up to them. Allen turned to look at Miranda, who was looking down, holding several bags.
"I don't… really know," he answered, his eyes flickering back to Hermione.
"I-I tripped… a-and… he said… I-I w-was… u-useless!" Miranda stuttered, still looking down.
"What? But you're not! You know that!" Lenalee said, placing a hand on Miranda's arm. Miranda nodded, looking slightly happier.
"By the way Lavi, what were you doing?" asked Allen, looking at the exorcist.
"I was with Fred and George and then I got involved in this—"
"Not now! We'll tell them back in the common room," Hermione interrupted, looking around hastily.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Do we really have to wait?" asked Silk, annoyed yet again that they had to wait even more.
"Yes… we need to find out more information before we can—"
"Very good, you know? Your plan is very good… I like it. But I have some help for you," a voice echoed through the clearing, cutting off the leader. The Akuma turned to see someone walk out from the far edge.
"Who are y—oh very sorry, very sorry. I didn't recognize you," the Leader said as the man came closer.
"Of course… but for the help. The Earl thought that you could do with a little more help," he said, sweeping his hand around. From behind him, two level two Akuma walked out, followed by a large number of level one's.
"We have everything under control… I don't think we need any more!" stuttered the Leader, eyeing one of the level two Akuma wearily. It leered at her.
"They will be helping you… so please, fill them in. I shall return if need be." And with that, he tipped his hat and walked back into the forest.
The leader stared after him, then turned her gaze to the two Akuma who were grinning at them.
"So you're the leader?" the first asked, regarding the feathered serpent Akuma with distaste. She nodded.
"Yes, and you had better follow my orders," she hissed dangerously. The second Akuma cackled evilly.
"We might… we might…" it said in a shrill voice, grinning at its companion.
How was it? I hope you liked it... and yet again, I end with the Akuma. . Why do I do that? why not in the middle? But I must give you an insight into de bad guys, don't I? And this time, I threw in something that even I didnt plan! A noah, with more akuma! Oh no, what shall our Exorcists do!? lol... sorry, had to rant alittle.