Chapter 29

Mischief Managed

January went by quickly. Soon, it was Valentine's Day. The problem was, was that I'm a first year and we're not allowed to go into Hogsmeade. You can't do that until you're in 3rd year. And that meant that George and I couldn't spend Valentine's Day with each other. It sucks I did give him more baking (this time it was some of the stuff Mum sent for me to have actually, but I gave it to him for V-Day instead. More Mars bars. Yay) He was really happy about that. He also gave me a whole bunch of chocolate. Still, it was sad because we couldn't go on a proper date for Valentine's Day.

I was heading to the library to work on my research essay for Herbology when all of the sudden I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around and there was no one there. Creepy, I thought. Then it touched me again.

"What the hell?" Then, out of no where, George's head popped out of thin air. Just his head. No body. It was scary. I nearly screamed.

"Shh!" he hissed.

"What the hell, George?" All of the sudden, his body appeared.

"This is an invisibility cloak," he said, "its Harry's,"

"And?"

"Sneak into Hogsmeade with me,"
"Are you crazy?"

"Come on! You want to go on a proper date or not?"

"What?"

"Follow this map," he said, thrusting a map into my hands, "follow this passage. It'll take you to the cellar in Honeydukes. When you're done, tap it with your wand and say "mischief managed' Otherwise anyone can read it,"

"But, I'm not allowed," I protested.

"You gonna let that stand in your way?" he asked. I thought for a moment. I deserved to go on a date with my boyfriend. It was Valentine's Day. I needed to take a break off homework for once too.

"I'll go," I said, taking the cloak.

"Excellent. Go up the stairs to your right in Honeydukes and meet me by the cash register. Keep the cloak on. Just tap me 3 times on the back; I'll know it's you. Got it?"

"Yes,"

"Se you on the other side," he said, hurrying to the front doors. I bolted back to the dormitory to grab my jacket and with that, I threw on the cloak and then left.

The passage really did work. I did end up in a cellar. I climbed up the stairs.

Honeydukes was so cool. It had sweets everywhere. Chocolate lined the walls everywhere. There was a aisle full of candy.

"Wow," I muttered. Then I saw George over by the cash register. I tapped him 3 times on the back.

"Rina, is that you?" he asked in barely a whisper.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Come on," he said, beckoning me towards the door, "follow me," We left Honeydukes and walked to this Pub called the 'Hog's Head' It was completely deserted.

"Take off the cloak," George muttered. I did.

"This is probably the most drastic thing I've ever done," I said to him.

"Yeah?" he asked, "I've done it loads of times,"

"With Fred?"

"Yes. Lee a few times too in 1st year. When we found that map, it was the greatest thing ever. It's Harry's now. Fred and I though he needed it more then us so we gave it to him when we were in 5th year,"

"So, he let you use it again?"

"Yeah,"

"Does he know I'm here?" I asked.

"Yeah. I had to tell him everything so he would give it to me,"

"Oh," We were silent.

"Want a drink?" he asked.

"Sure," He got up and came back with 2 Butterbeers.

"You sure they're not contaminated?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," he said. I tasted it. No alcohol.

"How's Occlumency?" he asked.

"Horrible," I said, "no progress,"

"What is it really?" he asked.

"You know that dream I had, where your dad was getting attacked by a giant snake?"

"Yeah,"

"Well, what I was seeing wasn't just a dream. It was actually happening,"

"And so-?"

"So," I started, "that means I can see into Voldemort's mind,"

"I know that much," George said, "but what is Occlumency?"
"Since I can see into Voldemort's mind that means there is a connection between us. The opposite could happen,"

"By opposite, you mean, Voldemort can see into your mind?"

"Exactly. See it, read it, control it, torture me through it. It's even worse then the Crusiatus curse. What Occlumency does is helps you push him out of your mind. It's to block him out of our thoughts,"

"Now I get it," George said, "but how does Snape do it? He would have to penetrate your mind for you to practice, wouldn't he?"

"Yes. And that's exactly what he does. He mutters a spell and then all of the sudden, my memories are flashing right before my very eyes. And it turns out he can see them all," George's eyes widened.

"What did he see?" he finally asked.

"Things," I shrugged. I did not want to tell him what Snape did see.

"Us?" George asked.

"No!" I exclaimed, but I felt my face turning red.

"He did, didn't he?"

'Yeah,"

"That's just great," he said slumping back in his chair.

"I'm sorry,"

"No, it's not your fault," George said. He leaned across the table and took my hands and started playing with my fingers.

"Thanks," I replied, looking up at him.

"What?" he asked. I walked around to the other end of the table.

"Thank you George," I smiled, "I've never had a better Valentine's Day. Thanks for convincing me to come out today,"
"You're welcome, Rina," I smiled at him and say down next to him on the bench.

"Love you," I said. George wrapped his arm around me.

"Thanks Rina," he said, "for making my life so much better then it has been lately,"

"Yeah,"

"What made you like me?" he suddenly asked, "I've been meaning to ask, but never got around to it,"
"The moment I saw you, I thought,

"What?"

"I thought you were hot," I admitted.

"Oh," he laughed.

"Then I met you and you were so nice and funny. I just fell in love with you like that,"

"Thanks," he muttered. Then he kissed me. And that was my best Valentine's Day ever.