"Mummy! Put this on that branch there, so the fairy lights make it sparkle!"
The hallway was far too dark to be my normal dream.
"Ouch, can't you enchant the needle to string this popcorn? I keep stabbing myself."
This wasn't the usual silence.
"Let's enchant the baubles to change colors slower this year."
It was a silence I couldn't breathe through. I'm not at home anymore. This isn't my usual dream and I could still hear what was going on around me.
"I think since I've been through such a traumatic experience yesterday, I should get star privileges. We were supposed to decorate then, remember?"
I tried a door to my left. It wouldn't open. I began rapidly trying doors. None of them would open. I started to run.
"Really, James? A flowering face isn't completely traumatic."
I was in the Forbidden Forest. The shadows were closing in on me. I looked wildly around. They were choking me.
"It was too! You saw what happened when Mum picked one."
I opened my mouth to scream, but this time no noise came out. I was grabbed from behind with a hand clapped over my mouth. I screamed, but the noise was muffled. I started pulling against my restraint.
"Still, the Healer got rid of it with one potion."
Something was flying out of the shadows and attacking my capturer. My eyes grew wide. It was Luke.
"It was totally traumatic. Right Kaylie? Kaylie?"
My eyes flew open and I was breathing heavily. I looked wildly around. The trees and darkness were replaced by the Potter's living room with the bright tree directly in front of me. We ended up putting off the tree until Christmas Eve since Lily fell asleep into her hot chocolate as were just getting started last night. It was probably the playing in the snow while the house was getting checked out.
"What? Oh, right trauma. I think someone that lost a limb or was turned into a werewolf would be more qualified for the trauma department," I remarked as the room stared at me.
"See, nice try James," Kent laughed.
"Go ahead and levitate the star James," Mr. Potter chuckled. James smiled and reveled in the opportunity to do magic during the holiday and levitated the glass star to the top of the Christmas tree. Mrs. Potter flicked her wand at the tree and all the lights went on, sending sparkles around the room.
I took a deep breath, trying to control it from shaking. My dream, if that's what it even was, wasn't as scary as it was very unsettling. I didn't know what it meant and why was Luke the one saving me?
"What just happened to you? You were in like a trance," Kent whispered, settling into the couch next to me and taking a large sip from the hot chocolate in my hands.
"What do you mean? I was asleep," I whispered.
"Have you learned to sleep with your eyes open? That's creepy, Kay," Kent snorted.
"No, I wasn't asleep really, but I was having a dream…I mean I could hear what was going on, but I saw other things. Like a dream," I hissed.
"When I looked over at you, you were just staring at the tree, zoning out." Kent replied.
I furrowed my brow and thought hard. It was a dream. What else could it have been? There was no such thing as having visions.
"Attic?" James hissed. He was listening to our conversation as he helped Lily set up the little train around the tree's base. Kent and I nodded. We said good night to his parents and made our way upstairs to the attic's narrow staircase. James had created it to his sanctuary when he was little and we always used it whenever we stayed over the Potter's. James looked behind him as he shut the door and flicked his wand, lighting some of the lamps on the walls. It was the same as we left it when we visited this past summer. The cozy rug on the floor, the stack of comics and Quidditch magazines in the corner and the window seat still covered with the books I left.
"So you were daydreaming?" James questioned settling on the ground and grabbing a comic book off the stack.
"No. I wasn't daydreaming. It was like a dream…well more of a nightmare but it wasn't as scary as it was unnerving," I explained, leaning against the cold panes of glass.
"I don't get it. Are you a Seer and I didn't know it? Cause I haven't seen anything, at least I don't think I have…" Kent questioned.
"I'm not a Seer…at least I don't think I am. You two should know, you take Divination."
"Well what'd you see?" James questioned.
"Well a hallway, but I've never seen it before, not even in the hallways that lead to the Department of Mysteries and then inexplicably I was at the Forbidden Forest and someone or something was grabbing me and then I was saved," I stated calmly.
"Saved by what?" Kent questioned. I bit my lip and idly picked up a book and opened it.
"I didn't see," I answered.
"Yes you did," James laughed.
"No, you broke me out of it before I could see," I replied.
"It was LUKE!" Kent exclaimed. I dropped my book.
"How did you know?"
"Um, twin telepathy? I don't know it was just a feeling," Kent replied.
"So it was a daydream! But why would you want to get back with Luke?" James announced.
"It wasn't a daydream! All I saw was the dream and nothing else around me. Last time I had a daydream I was pretty much still seeing what was going on around me," I stated.
"You know what? My Dad had things like this when he was around our age. It was Voldemort putting images into his brain because they had a connection with each other," James put in suddenly.
"James, last time I checked Voldemort was very, very dead." Kent remarked.
"I know that. But do you have a connection with anyone Kaylie?"
"James you would know just as well as I would if I did. The only person I have that type of connection with is Kent. Were you transmitting them into my head?" I sighed, turning to my brother.
"No."
"Then what happened?"
"Maybe you should tell Mr. Potter," Kent suggested.
"It didn't have anything to do with what happened to Dad, why would I bother him with it," I sighed. Kent and James exchanged looks.
"It was just lack of sleep. I'm sure…I'm just going to go to bed," I remarked, sliding off the window seat and going to the door. Kent and James were looking at me with worried expressions on their faces.
"I'm fine. Really. See you in the morning," I smiled, lighting down the stairs and feeling it slip off my face. It was just a new development. When I get back to school I'll do research on it. I'm sure plenty of wizards have strange dream-like visions. Right?
ӿӿJamesӿӿ
"JAMES GET UP! CHRISTMAS! PRESENTS!"
I blearily opened my eyes to Lily bouncing on my bed. Kent groaned and burrowed under the covers. I sat up and blinked. Albus and Kaylie were both yawning in the doorway.
"Mum said they won't get out of bed for presents until everyone is out of bed. SO GET UP BEFORE I MAKE YOU BLOOM AGAIN!" Lily shouted, jumping from my bed to Kent's travel mattress next to me. He grunted as Lily began to bounce from bed to bed.
"Lily, you couldn't do that again if you tried. Now go away and let us sleep some more. It's only-" I checked my watched and blinked. "Five in the morning Lily."
"She won't go away! TRUST ME!" Albus announced, coming in and curling up on the end of my bed. Kaylie shivered and yanked one of my Gryffindor zip-ups from a chair and pulled it over her tank top before kneeing Albus to roll over a bit. He rolled on top of my legs and Kaylie flopped backwards on the end of my bed. Lily, having no place to launch to, remained jumping on Kent's cot. He groaned as she bounced him up and down.
"Squirt! It's too early for anything, let alone functioning," Kent groaned. Lily let out a whine and landed on her bum.
"But it's Christmas!" She whined.
"But it's too early!" Albus mocked, grabbing the blankets on top of me and pulling them so he was cocooned inside them. I shivered attempted to grab them back but Al had wrapped it entirely around his body.
"Albus, stop wiggling, I'm trying to go back to sleep," Kaylie sighed.
"You guys are no fun! I'm just going to go throw all your presents out in the snow," Lily declared, jumping off Kent's bed and stalking out of the room. Kaylie got up and made Kent move over before crawling in next to him. We all sighed and attempted to go back to sleep when we heard the backdoor slam a few minutes later. The four of us bolted upright.
"She didn't…" Albus announced, his green eyes wide as he looked back at me.
"She wouldn't…" I replied.
"She's related to you James, of course she would," Kent added. Albus and I looked at each other for a fraction of a second before scrambling over each other and bolting down the stairs, followed by Kaylie and Kent. Albus slipped in his socks as we rounded the corner into the kitchen and landed on the floor. Lily was sitting patiently with a cocky smile on her face and her hands folded.
"I'll go get Mum and Dad," she stated skipping back out of the kitchen.
"She's a clever little imp," Kaylie groaned, plopping down on the breakfast bench and burying her face in her arms.
"What monster have they raised?" Albus cried, he remained on the floor after his spill and was curled into a ball again.
"We've raise a monster? Are you sure it's not brotherly influence?" Mum yawned, flicking her wand at the kettle which whistled instantly.
"Who wants tea as your father gets his bearings?" she questioned with a small eye-roll. Dad was as much of a morning person as Albus was. Kaylie and I silently raised our hands. Kent was slumped against my side, snoring slightly. I elbowed him and he woke with a slight snort.
"Whattime'sclass?" he mumbled. Kaylie's shoulders shook as she laughed into her arms.
"What's Albus doing on the floor?" Dad questioned as he trudged into the kitchen with Lily hanging off his arm.
"He fell and decided to sleep there," I replied, sipping the tea Mum set in front of me.
"Albus, get up and come have some tea. You'll catch a draft down there," Mum laughed, passing around the mugs. Albus grumbled and sat up, blinking against the sun now streaming through the windows.
"If Lily woke me up this early, I should be able to sleep some more," he mumbled, stifling a yawn.
"You don't need to sleep on the floor. Come, sit down," Dad announced, leaning over and patting the spot next to me. Albus sat down and leaned on me, attempting to go back to sleep.
"I am not a pillow you two," I groaned, shoving the two of them off.
"Can we open presents now?" Lily questioned, bouncing in her seat.
"No sweetie. Always breakfast first. Why don't you go put on your coats and play outside while I make breakfast?" Mum laughed. I looked out the window. It snowed again last night and the fresh snow of yesterday positively glittered.
"Does that mean we can go back to sleep while you make breakfast?" Albus questioned.
"I suppose," Dad sighed, getting up and taking out some bowls to help Mum.
"Sweet. I call the couch," Kent announced. Albus looked at him and took off at a run with Kent following after. There was a small crash and a triumphant cheer from Kent. Kaylie and I looked at each other and took our mugs into the living room. Kent was on top of Albus, who was groaning and smacking him.
"Take the chair Al! I was here first!" Kent exclaimed.
"You weren't here first! You're on top of me!" Al replied. Kent put pressure on him and he groaned, "Fine!"
Kent sat up so Albus could slip out and curl into the arm chair by the fire. Kaylie and I stifled laughter as the fell asleep and sat down with our backs against the sofa.
"Muggle Christmas specials?" Kaylie whispered, nodding to the telly that my Dad got for novelty sakes. We hardly ever use it except for when we watch movies as a family or holiday specials. It kinda freaks my Mum out, but she's amazed by it enough to allow into the house. I grabbed the remote from the table and flipped it on to a muggle children's special: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Lily ran into the room, en route to the stairs to change, when she noticed what we were watching.
"Ooh! Rudolph is on?" She exclaimed, forgetting the fresh snow and wiggling herself in between Kaylie and I on the floor. Kaylie grabbed her wand from her pajama pant pockets and looked hesitantly to the kitchen before quietly summoning a blanket to us. She covered the three of us and sat back with a small smile. I raised my eyebrow and shot her a look over Lily's head.
"Such a rule-breaker Kaylie. That's illegal you know," I whispered. She rolled her eyes and blushed slightly.
"Well you know, I learn from the best," she remarked, giving me a look of her own.
"That hurts Kaylie. I would never do magic illegally," I stated innocently.
"Right and I'll fail every class," she snorted.
"That's mean," I pouted. Kaylie patted me on the cheek over Lily's head.
"But truthful," she stated. I grabbed her hand and scowled at her.
"Will you two go in a different room and flirt so I can watch the movie?" Lily sighed. I dropped Kaylie's hand and stared incredulously at my little sister.
"Kaylie, we're not flirting. You've met Rory," I sighed as Kaylie blushed and concentrated on the television.
"What does Rory have to do with anything?" Lily snorted.
"Well Rory is my girlfriend Lily, so Kaylie and I wouldn't be flirting," I explained.
"What does having a girlfriend got to do with it?"
"Do you even know what flirting means, Lily?" Kaylie giggled.
"No. But that's why Fred said Victorie and Teddy were doing when I asked why they were having a row. So I just assumed it was another word for fighting," Lily remarked. Kaylie let out a small laugh and shook her head.
"Flirting is something a bloke and a girl do when they like each other," I explained hesitantly.
"But you like Kaylie…"
"Not like that. I mean boyfriend and girlfriend like."
"Ohhh…okay," Lily shrugged. I caught Kaylie's eye. She looked away and blushed, laughing slightly and giving a small jump when Kent gave a snore. The fireplace flared up and turned green as Teddy emerged from the flames. I beamed and jumped up.
"Teddy! I didn't know you were coming for presents!" I exclaimed. Lily squealed and launched herself at Teddy, who caught her and hung her upside down.
"Careful, or she'll turn your face into a garden," Kaylie snorted.
"Yeah, I heard! But you're not angry at me, aren't you munchkin?" he questioned as Lily laughed.
"I'd never do anything mean to you!" She exclaimed.
"Teddy! What're you doing here? Don't you have breakfast with your Grandmum?" Dad questioned, wiping his hands down with a dishtowel.
"She wasn't feeling well, so she said she'd meet up with me at lunch," Teddy explained, grabbing Lily's legs and cradling her. "Hope it's alright."
"Do you even have to say that Ted? Of course it's alright. Breakfast is just about ready, so you guys better wake up Al and Kent," Dad exclaimed, motioning to the two of them.
"I wanna wake Al again!" Lily exclaimed, wiggling out of Teddy's arms. She ran over and launched herself on Albus who awoke with a snort.
"Albus, wake up…it's time for breakfast," Lily whispered into his face. He glared at her and gave her a shove onto the floor.
"Did you have to jump on me?" he groaned.
"Yes, yes I did," Lily stated, sniffing the air. "Sticky buns!" She exclaimed, bolting into the kitchen. Kaylie gently shook Kent who rolled over with a snort.
"He sleeps like he's petrified," she grumbled.
"Let me handle it," Teddy declared, taking out his wand. He gave it a small flick and Kent was hoisted in the air by his ankle. Kent shrieked as he dangled in the air.
"You! You're the one who taught him that awful spell?" Kent exclaimed, glaring at Teddy the best he could while dangling upside down.
"Can you teach me that spell?" Albus questioned in a breathless voice.
"Can you put me down?" Kent gasped, his face bright red.
"Teddy, put him down," Dad sighed from the door way. Teddy shrugged and flicked his wand again, but swished it and lowered Kent to the couch.
"Honestly, how old are you, man?" Kent exclaimed, rubbing his forehead.
"No, seriously, can you teach me that spell," Albus shouted.
"After presents mate, how does that sound?" he laughed, slinging an arm around Albus and leading him into the kitchen. Kent punched me in the shoulder as I continued laughing and followed Kaylie to breakfast. The babble of my family was already creeping into the living room. I smiled and walked in to join them for the holiday.
"Jamsey! You've grown darling!"
"Thanks Grandmum," I smiled as she grabbed my face in both hands and kissed my cheeks. She looked over and gave a big smile when she saw Kaylie emerge from the fireplace.
"Oh hullo Kaylie! I'm so glad you and your brother could join us again. You get prettier and prettier every time I see you, dear," she exclaimed, doing the same to Kaylie, who hugged her graciously.
"Thanks so much for having us."
"You are always welcome dear! All your cousins are upstairs somewhere, James honey," she stated, motioning to the stairs. We usually all hang up there. Kent came through the fireplace and received the same greeting from grandmum before we went upstairs. Albus, Rose and Lucy were in Mum's old room. They pointed to the ceiling above. We continued climbing up the stairs in the direction of the babble.
"Oh thank Merlin you're finally here. Kaylie, we need a word with you," Dominique exclaimed as we entered the room. Louis and Fred were lying on the bed playing a game of exploding snap as Molly and Roxy compared notes for an essay due after break. Dominique and Victorie were clustered on the other bed. Dominique had a stern look on her face.
"Hullo to you, as well. Yes, I've been having a lovely holiday, thank you," Kaylie chirped.
"We're all staying out of this, Dom, no need to use the word we," Louis groaned. The cards exploded then and Fred gave a small cheer.
"But you have just as much to do with this as I do!" Dominique exclaimed.
"I don't want anything to do with this. Kaylie's opinion of Luke is just that. Her own," Louis replied giving a stern look to his sister and re-dealing the cards between him and Fred. Kaylie stiffened.
"What about Luke?" She clipped.
"He won't leave Louis and me alone. For the past two months he's been barraging us to talk to you and frankly I'm getting annoyed. He's sending us owls now."
Kaylie fiercely rubbed the bridge of her nose and groaned.
"I'm sorry that he's bothering you. If he would take a hint, this wouldn't have happened," Kaylie answered finally.
"Here, here. What self respecting bloke grovels like that," Fred snorted, placing down a card.
"That's what I told him when he cornered me before the holiday started. I told him to just let it go! Kaylie may be hot, but he was being pathetic," Louis announced, looking up when he realized what he said and blushing slightly. "I mean…you're one of the more attractive ones in our year." He coughed.
"Nice cover Lou and thank you for the compliment," Kaylie laughed, rustling his strawberry blonde hair. He blushed and buried his face in his cards making Kent snort.
"Did you see Teddy yet?" Victorie questioned, tactfully changing the subject as Dom smoldered.
'Yeah, he came over for breakfast," I smiled. Victorie brightened and made her way across the room.
"She's pathetic," Louis sighed.
"I think it's rather romantic," Molly piped up. Fred and Louis stared at her.
"You would Mols. You live in a fantasy land half the time," Roxy giggled. Molly stuck her tongue out at her and buried her face into a book from beside her. It was a muggle fairy tale. She always had her nose buried in princess and frogs. I rolled my eyes and threw myself on the bed with Fred and Louis, making the cards explode. Louis groaned and threw his hand of cards in my face.
"I was actually winning that time. Thanks Pansy," he groaned. I looked at him.
"What'd you just call me?" I questioned slowly.
"Nothing. I said James, didn't I Fred?"
"Actually, I heard Petunia," Fred quipped.
"Did you two just call me Pansy and then Petunia?" I exclaimed.
"No, I heard Daisy," Roxy piped up from across the room. Kaylie and Kent were starting to laugh.
"Really? It sounded like Lilac to me," Molly snorted. I got up off the bed.
"Yes! Yes! It's so hilarious, laugh it all up you guys, just get it out of your system. Lily turned my face into a garden," I announced, holding out my arms. Everyone burst into laughter and I felt my face go red.
"It really is rather funny," Fred gasped. I opened my mouth to retort but gasped and turned on my heel. I ran down the stairs and into the bedroom that Granddad turned into his office, now that he was working from home. Kent and Kaylie followed me in a couple seconds later with confused expressions on their faces.
"James, they were just joking, mate," Kent stated as I rummaged through the desk.
"I don't care about that…well I do, they're all bleeders…every last one of them, but that's not why I left the room. I came up with a brilliant idea," I exclaimed, finally finding a spare piece of parchment and a quill.
"What?" Kaylie questioned, looking over my shoulder and beaming.
"James, that really is brilliant," she exclaimed taking the parchment from me and looking closely. "But how are you going to do it?"
"I don't know, I think it would be under the sweets category like canary creams, but we don't really know what spell Lily used," I sighed. Kent lit up then and clapped a hand on his forehead.
"Why didn't we think of this before? We can do research, it wouldn't be that difficult. It's got to be some sort of charm," he declared, going over and looking at the diagram I quickly sketched out. Kent and I were having a dry spell but now we were back in business in the prank category. I sat down in Granddad's chair and began to list out the possibilities. I looked over at Kaylie who was perusing the shelves of books, looking if my grandparents had any for charms. She ran a hand through her long hair and was biting her lip. She froze suddenly and dropped the book she was holding. I looked at Kent, he was staring at Kaylie with a confused expression on his face.
"Kaylie?" He questioned, going over and shaking her shoulder. She gasped and looked around the room for a second.
"What the heck is wrong with me, guys?" she whimpered, looking between us. I bit my lip. As much as she denied it yesterday, there was a part of me, deep in the gut that thought it might have to do with what went down three years ago. The direness of the situation was getting higher. I knew the margin I had before they had nervous break downs were getting smaller and smaller. I was going to have to do something sooner than I anticipated.
ӿӿKaylieӿӿ
I turned slowly in front of the mirror on the back of Lizzie's door. My dress fit flawlessly, thanks to some minor adjustments, but to be frank I wasn't in much of a party mood. For the past week I've been having at least one of those vision things a day. The same one over and over again, Luke coming to my rescue from some strange being that I could never see. It hurt my head thinking about what they were and what they meant and most importantly where they were coming from. But I was sick of seeing Luke's face and even sicker of the relieved feeling when he would save me, because no matter how many times I had one, I still felt the gripping fear up until the very end. James and Kent are trying to convince me to talk to someone about them, but I'm determined to not be a bother to anyone else and just figure it out on my own.
"You truly look fab, Kay," Lizzie announced, struggling into her own dress. It was fabulous. A midnight blue number that was completely fitted throughout with a crew neck and adorable three quarter length sleeves. She had her yellowed hair in a topknot and Victorie had already perfectly applied her makeup.
"Honestly, I don't want to go. I'd rather sit here and read some more of that book that I got from the Potter's collection yesterday," I sighed. Lizzie and Victorie exchanged looks. I'd just filled them in, on what was going on with my brain. Victorie wasn't as worried as I was. She said there must be some sort of medical explanation for it and it was most likely my subconscious was fighting to get out.
"Kaylie, those walking dream things are honestly nothing to be worried about. They're the same thing every time. I was looking up in some muggle medical books and it's probably your psyche trying to work problems out. Maybe you feel a little bit guilty that you're ignoring his constant pleas for your attention?" Victorie sighed, coming over and putting her hands on my shoulders.
"I just feel like I can't control anything anymore. It's driving me insane," I replied.
"That's why you need to get out tonight and have some fun. Do you even know what that means anymore?" Lizzie sighed, slipping on her peeped toe heels.
"No, I guess I don't," I remarked, rubbing the bridge of my nose fiercely.
"That's because for the past two months you've been worrying yourself sick," Victorie explained gently.
"Can you blame me?"
"No, of course you have reason to. We just think you should have a little bit of fun. Put down the books and check the problems at the door. Can you try to do that for at least one night? We're worried about you Kaylie. Every time we see you, you have a tense worried expression. I've afraid you're going to have a nervous breakdown before you even begin the major studying for O.W.L.S, which trust me is more stressful then you think," Victorie stated, sitting me on the bed. I looked between Lizzie and Victorie. They both had pleading expressions on their face. I flopped backwards on the bed.
"I'm just so exhausted of everything," I announced.
"Which is why, my dear, need to let loose a little," Lizzie remarked.
"Let loose? Lizzie, I'm in your father's office more then you've seen it," I snorted.
"That is not letting lose. That is making sure your brother and my idiotic cousin don't get expelled before they have a chance to graduate," Victorie snorted.
"We're talking about unadulterated fun. Fun that doesn't include books or trying to deduce this mystery. I'm talking about just not worrying or over-thinking anything." Lizzie scolded.
"So I'm going whether I like it or not?" I questioned darkly.
"Pretty much. And you have fun if it kills you!" Victorie declared triumphantly. She pulled me up by my elbow and eyed me critically.
"Shall we pull your hair up?" She questioned, looking at Lizzie who lifted a curl. She grabbed the tin of pins from her wardrobe and held it out to Vic.
"I think just piled in the back," she remarked. Victorie nodded and pulled out her wand. I eyed it wearily as she began to twirl it over my head, making my curls float and pin themselves to the back of my head in a messy bundle.
"Now get up, before your bodice wrinkles," Victorie commanded. I stood up and sighed, fluffing out the skirt of my frock. It really was rather pretty. It had a tight scoop-neck bodice with black lace sleeves that lead to a deep-v in the back and a frilly skirt.
"There, just a touch of eyeliner and you're ready," Victorie commented, attacking my eyes with the no-smear, no-tear, Wonder Witch eyeliner. I looked in the mirror when she leaned back. My turquoise eyes shone brightly under the dark liner.
"Perfect!" Lizzie squealed. Victorie jumped up and slid on her gold sequined slip dress with flowey sleeves that had a cut out from the shoulder to elbow. She whipped her hair up into a sleek and long pony tail and put the shimmering product in just the right places to make her face glow. She turned to us and struck a pose.
"Isn't it fabulous?" She questioned, before slipping on her gold heels.
"Yes, Vic it is, we told you that when you bought it," Lizzie laughed as a knock sounded on the door. Lizzie opened it to Teddy, James and Kent.
"Oh, hey guys! Is everyone down there yet?" Lizzie questioned as Kent and James stared with open mouths. Lizzie blushed and smoothed down her hair. "Guys?"
"Oh," Kent coughed, "yeah, it's pretty packed. We were wondering what was keeping you three."
"Had to give Kaylie a pep talk," Victorie remarked, running her fingers through her hair and giving Teddy a huge smile. Teddy had a goofy look on his face as he looked at Victorie.
"You look amazing, Vic," he breathed coming into his room. Victorie smoothed out the bottom of her dress and shrugged. Teddy gave her a lingering kiss on her forehead and looked in her eyes, the tips of his turquoise hair turning pink as he started to blush.
"I hate to interrupt your little moment…or whatever…but shall we go downstairs?" James coughed. Teddy waved a hand in James' direction, making him scoff. His eyes flitted to me and the tips of his ears turned pink. He gave a small cough and stepped aside so Lizzie and I could leave the room.
"So you needed a pep talk?" James asked suddenly. I gave him a quizzical look and he cleared his throat.
"I didn't want to come tonight," I admitted. Kent gave me a small smile.
"You need to get out more often," he stated.
"That's what we've been telling her," Lizzie laughed. As we lighted down the stairs to the floor with the private rooms, you could already hear the babble of voices. The party was open to all of James' cousins fifth year and up so there were a lot of Hogwarts students in attendance as well as a bunch of Teddy's friends that were out of Hogwarts and training for jobs in the Ministry and such. So there would be new faces amongst the familiar. Everyone was really excited about the prospect of new blood in the mix.
"That's what everyone says. Maybe I'd rather be this anti-social person," I remarked cheekily.
"I'm sorry Kaylie, but no one is going to be leaving you alone when you're dressed like that," James sighed, looking me up and down and pulling open the door for us. I gave him a quizzical look and slipped into the party, threading my elbow through Lizzie's. The room was packed to the brim of young witches and wizards. There was glitter and confetti suspended magically over our heads, making the room glitter under the lights. Lizzie gave me an excited smile.
"I've listened to these parties going on for years, and always wanted to be a fabulous girl all dressed up and glamorous. And now, I am. It's rather surreal," she sighed. I giggled and nudged her with my hip.
"Don't look now, Liz, but not even a minute into the party and you're being scoped out," I whispered, nodding my head in the direction of a tall, chiseled blonde guy in the corner and was definitely looking in our direction.
"Oh, nonsense. He's probably looking at you. There's a reason James gave you that compliment," Lizzie replied, giving me a raised eyebrow.
"That wasn't a complement," I snorted.
"Kaylie, the boy couldn't keep his eyes off you as soon as I opened the door," Lizzie replied. I stopped walking, jerking Lizzie to a stop. She stared at me as I worked this new development out in my head.
"He was probably making sure the dress wasn't too short or revealing or something," I decided finally.
"Yeah, that's what he was doing," Lizzie sing-songed, picking up two bottles of pumpkin juice from the table and handing one to me.
"What are you implying?"
"I'm implying nothing. Oh look! There's Becca!" she exclaimed, grabbing my hands and yanking me towards Becca. She was looking through the crowd in a swingy heather gray dress that was completely made of lace with a red slip on underneath. She also had theses awesome knee-high black boots on and red lipstick that accentuated her full lips. She looked like that muggle fairy tale princess, Snow White with her severe jet black hair and ruby red lips. She noticed us and gave a cheery wave.
"Hullo Becca! Have a good holiday in France?" I questioned gaily.
"Yes, but it was freezing. Not even snow, just sleet," she replied with a slight eye roll.
"Have you seen your brother? I haven't seen him or Sarah since I got back and they're both supposed to be here," she sighed, standing on her tip-toes. Lizzie shrugged and looked around.
"He was with James last time we saw him," I replied. Becca's face scrunched up and she sighed.
"I guess we'll find him a bit. How was your holiday? Kent said you were spending it with the Potter's again, Kaylie?" Becca questioned, tiling her head to the side. Lizzie cringed as I nodded stiffly.
"Yeah, we did. It was nice," I remarked. Becca nodded and continued to search over my shoulder.
"Just go look for him Becca," Lizzie sighed. Becca gave us a huge smile and disappeared into the crowd. Lizzie gave me a wry smirk and took a sip of her butterbeer.
"Excuse me?" the blonde guy questioned, tapping on her shoulder. Lizzie turned around mid-sip and choked on her butterbeer. I cringed and pat her gently on the back.
"Sorry, yeah?" Lizzie choked out when she got a hold of herself.
"I just saw you across the room and I wanted to introduce myself," he smiled. Lizzie's eyes grew wide and she looked around the room briefly. I sighed and poked her in the lower back.
"Oh, well, hi…" she mumbled, starting to blush.
"Hi. My name's Dylan," he remarked, holding out his hand. Hesitantly Liz took it and gave it a small shake.
"Elizabeth, but most people call me Lizzie, or Liz…sometimes my Granddad calls me Bethy…" Lizzie rambled.
"She usually goes by Lizzie," I cut in. Dylan nodded, giving her a warm smile.
"Can I get you a new drink or something?" he questioned, jerking his head back towards the drink table. Lizzie smiled and nodded hesitantly before giving me a hopeful look.
"Go, I'll find you later. I'm sleeping over remember?" I smiled. She beamed at me and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before letting him lead her away. I sat down on a chair and began to pick at my cuticles. It was going to be a long night.
"Hey! There you are! Where'd Liz go?" James shouted, pushing past some people. He pulled out a chair and flipped it around so he could sit on it backwards and face me.
"A guy came and swept her away," I laughed, making a sweeping motion with my arm and offering James a sip of my butterbeer. He accepted it and took a swig of the drink.
"Who stole her away? I'm not surprised, she looks great. Who would've known that Lizzie Longbottom could turn around like that," he remarked, searching through the crowd.
"Lizzie has always been lovely."
"Yeah, I guess. I just didn't really notice it until she let her hair down," James laughed, turning to scrutinize me. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
"You look good tonight as well," he stated finally.
"Is that a compliment James?" I laughed.
"I'm not allowed to compliment you?" he questioned.
"Well lately every time I put effort into an outfit you and Kent freak out," I replied.
"We don't necessarily, 'freak out' as you put it," he laughed, scuffing up the back of his hair.
"Well what would you describe telling me to 'constantly cover up' as?" I giggled.
"I just don't want you be taken advantage of." James replied with a slight nod. I smiled at him and smoothed out my skirt.
"I think I can handle myself," I stated finally.
"I know you can, which makes it really difficult protecting you."
"James, you don't have to protect me."
"But I want to, Kaylie…'cause I care," he stated as a song blasted through. "You wanna dance? It's got to be better than sitting here."
"Aren't you meeting Rory here?" I questioned.
"No…her family extended their Scotland trip until term starts," he shrugged. Standing up and offering me his hand. I reluctantly stood up and let him hoist me to my feet. We walked out to the packed dance floor and James gave me a spin before snapping me to him and grabbing my waist. I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Where in the world did you learn to dance James Sirius Potter?" I questioned.
"My mum," he shrugged, twirling me easily again. I laughed and let him lead. I looked at his face and felt myself blush and trip slightly.
"Tsk, tsk Kaylie. It looks like you have just as much skills on the dance floor as you do in the air," James sighed, steadying me. I smacked him on the shoulder and made a face at him. He mimicked me and broke out into a huge smile again, twirling me to the music.
"You know, I've been thinking of your vision things," he stated, slowing down a bit. I acutely noticed his grip on my waist and swallowed.
"What about them?"
"Maybe it's a spell from a different culture? You know how people create different spells. Well wouldn't your culture determine the type of spells you make up?" he whispered.
"That's actually quite brilliant, James," I gasped.
"That tone of surprise is like a stab through the heart, KayKay," he groaned. "I do have very clever genes you know."
"I didn't mean that, I just mean that it's completely genius. Now we have a jumping off point when we get back to school," I exclaimed, throwing my arms around his neck and giving him a squeeze.
"Well, they're driving you crazy. How about tomorrow we go check your Mum's library to see if Unspeakables keep any information like that? You have to pack anyways," he suggested, "I just see how bothered you are by this. It's almost worse than finding out you were the target. I think it's because it has to do with this-" he continued, releasing my hand and tapping my forehead.
"You just rely on that brilliant brain of yours for so much and this is all going on in your head. It's even worse than losing control, huh? Because it threatens everything you use to make things make sense and work in the world, your brain."
I stopped moving in the middle of the dance floor and blinked at him.
"James, you just took everything I've been feeling and put it into the words that I've been trying to say for days."
James shrugged and gave me an impish smile.
"I know you Kaylie. Just like you know me. I mean, sometimes I think you know me better then I know myself," he stated as a blur launched himself at him, breaking us apart. I looked over and blushed, retreating farther away.
"Rory! What are you doing here?" James exclaimed, giving her a long kiss. She broke apart and beamed at him.
"I convinced my parents to come home early! Are you surprised?"
James wound his arms around her waist and lifted her slightly. "Pleasantly surprised, hen." He looked over her shoulder at me and grimaced.
"Sorry, Kaylie. Shall we finish that dance?" he questioned, looking between me and Rory. He didn't want to finish the dance; he just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be mad at him or I wasn't offended. He's right, I do know him better then he knows himself.
"No, we shall not. I will see you tomorrow. We'll just meet at my place? I'm staying at Liz's here tonight," I remarked, giving Rory a slight wave. She smiled and slid her arm through James'.
"Are you sure Kaylie? I can sacrifice him for a couple dances," Rory stated, looking up at James with big eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure. Enjoy your night you two," I remarked as James gave me a thankful smile and led Rory over to the drinks table, his head tilted down towards her ear. She let out a small laugh and playfully swatted him as his hand inched down her back. I took a shuddering breath and pushed my way through the crowd to the other side of the room. Victorie and Teddy were chatting with their heads close together in a corner. She looked up and brightened when she saw me.
"Kaylie! Where have you been?" She exclaimed, patting the bench next to her. I gave Teddy a raise eyebrow and he shrugged so I slid down next to her.
"Having fun?" she questioned.
"Yeah, I guess…"
"Where is everyone?" Teddy remarked.
"Kent and Becca are together. Rory surprised James and Lizzie got swept away by this guy named Dylan. And I'm the pathetic, single, berk."
"You're not a berk, Kaylie. You're top of your class. And I know Dylan. He's a friend of mine. On reserve for Welsh Warbecks," Teddy smiled. I nodded and smoothed out my skirt.
"Why don't you go introduce yourself to someone?" Victorie suggested, adjusting a stray curl that came unraveled when James twirled me.
"Or she can talk to someone she knows," Teddy hissed in a low voice. Victorie and I looked up to see Luke, of all people, push his way through the crowd in a determined path towards us.
"Oh for the love of Merlin's saggy y-fronts," I gasped, "who the bloody hell invited him?"
"Probably Dominique. Don't worry, I'll murder her in her sleep later," Victorie replied darkly.
"Want me to get rid of him Kay?" Teddy questioned, puffing out his chest. I raised an eyebrow at him and pursed my lips. He gave me a cheeky smile, but the question still stood.
"No, I should get rid of him, once and for all, myself." I sighed, standing up and crossing my arms across my chest. Luke stopped in front of me, looking hopeful.
"Will you please just talk to me? Please Kaylie? I'll get on my knees if you ask me to," he begged. I stiffened as Victorie sighed behind me. She stood up.
"Just talk to him…" she whispered hesitantly in my ear. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Please, Kay. I've sent you countless owls and tried to talk to James' cousins, and I know you've been ignoring them for a reason, but just hear me out. Let me talk to you now and if you don't like what I have to say, I'll never speak to you again."
"Fine. You have five minutes," I concluded. Luke gave me a huge smile and motioned to the door that led to the balcony. He opened the door and let me out first, closing it behind us. The noise inside stopped abruptly. It was quiet here. You could look down over the balcony to the streets of London, but it was enchanted to be completely silent. I shivered slightly as the cold air brushed my arms through the lace.
"Oh, here," Luke commented quickly, slipping out of his sport coat and sliding it around my shoulders. I wanted to shrug it off and onto the floor, but I was really cold.
"It's a shame to cover you. You look amazing, Kaylie. Breathtaking," he stated.
"Cut the compliments and get to the point Luke."
He sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets before looking up at me through his eyelashes.
"Kaylie…I'm so sorry. I never meant to say I didn't trust you. That wasn't what I was even going to say. I was going to say that I wished that you could trust me as much as you trusted James or your brother. I had an awful day. I didn't get to see you before the game and then I hear those stupid rumors and then our Chasers bombed the game. But I know that's probably a ridiculous excuse," he explained in a rush.
"That conversation has been haunting me Kaylie. I've been playing it over and over again, trying to make myself say things differently. I was awful to you Kaylie and when I saw how much it hurt you I wanted to just start the day over completely, where I wasn't such an arse to you. Kaylie, you're just so amazingly wonderful it's hard to believe I deserve you at all. I know what I'm saying will probably mean no difference to you, but I really am sorry and I'll regret that conversation for a really long time," he finished. I stared at him. He looked so drawn and pale and had dark smudges under his eyes.
"Luke, you look ill…" I whispered, reaching up and placing a hand on his cheek. He leaned into it, closing his eyes briefly.
"I haven't been sleeping well," he admitted.
"I know the feeling," I snorted. Luke reached up and grabbed my hand.
"Please forgive me Kaylie? Please."
I looked into his eyes and felt the anger melt a bit. He was full of regret and sorrow that I couldn't deny if I tried my hardest.
"I forgive you Luke, but I can't trust you completely. It hurt…even if you didn't mean it like that. You jumped to conclusions so quickly that I couldn't even blink. You'll have to give me time to trust you again," I sighed. Luke beamed and grabbed me so I was cradled into his chest.
"Thank you Kaylie. I understand that, I understand completely," he remarked into my hair before planting a kiss on the top of my head. I tilted my face up and looked at Luke. He looked so happy to just be holding me and I felt a weight I was carrying on my shoulders lift into the air. I didn't realize how upset I was about this whole situation, until now, when it was completely over. Luke leaned down and softly brushed his lips against my own. I smiled and kissed him a little harder, letting myself actually have fun. I felt better, less worried. Who knew that Lizzie and Victorie would be so right, all of the time, when I was supposed to be the top of the class and extremely clever? Luke held me as soft snow began to fall upon our faces only to be melted by our kisses.
A/A: I know, that last line makes you want to throw up sugar and go into diabetic shock. But I couldn't help myself. SO SUE ME!