Good evening!
This is a very happy chapter, as you will see. It's Addy's birthday! I hope you like it.
Also, I have finished revising volume 1 now, it is now all ready for publishing and it has a total of 30 chapters, so we still have a lot in front of us.
Thank you for the follows, favorites, and the reviews. zaneri0t, guest & foreverteamedward13, you're the best. Please write more!
Enjoy ! x

wildest dreams
VOLUME I

CHAPTER TWELVE

Life at Hogwarts got a little strange in the weeks following the announcement of the champions. Everyone seemed to be entranced by the new champions – Diggory suddenly became as famous as Krum, and the rivalry between houses was worse than it had ever been. People even started wearing badges that stated 'Potter Stinks' – me and the twins made sure to give those a few of their latest products, like the Canary Creams – or replace their wands with fake ones, which transformed into various useless Muggle objects as soon as you tried to use them. I felt bad for Harry – even Ron didn't talk to him anymore, spending most of his time with Seamus Finnigan instead. I had tried to convince the twins to talk to him, but they didn't want anything to do with their brother's business and 'idiotic behaviour', as they put it.

The First Task wouldn't take place until the end of November, and while everyone was anxious to know what it would be, we were all too focused on trying to make sense of this new lifestyle at Hogwarts. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students came more and more often to the castle – and I had seen Nik a few times, and he always made sure to start a conversation. But I always made sure to avoid him when the twins were around – well, mostly when George was around. I had a feeling the both of them wouldn't get along.

I woke up on November 13h to an empty dormitory. I frowned. This was far from normal – it was Sunday morning, after all, and at whatever time I woke up, there was always at least Alicia that was still asleep. I shrugged – maybe she had a date, or woke up early to do homework, for once. I got dressed, brushed my hair and headed downstairs, eager to get a very big breakfast. There was no sound as I got down the stairs to the Common Room, which was also very odd. I was truly starting to wonder if I had forgotten some important event when –

I let out a scream of surprise as the twins, Angelina, Alicia and Lee jumped from the sides of the staircase, grinning broadly and screaming.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY !"

I stared at them in shock as they all threw confetti in my direction.

"Bloody hell !" I exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Surprise !" said Angelina, smiling.

"Look at her face" said Fred, who was laughing hysterically with George and Lee.

My heart, who had nearly bursted out of my chest, starting beating at a normal pace again. I let out my breath, shaking my head at my friends.

"Bloody hell" I repeated. "Well, I gotta say, I wasn't expecting this."

"Yeah, we could pretty much tell from the look on your face" said Alicia.

"I knew there was something odd about you waking up before me on a Sunday !" I laughed.

I was smiling brightly now – I hadn't even realized until now that today was my birthday.

"We also got you this from the kitchens, Addy" said Angelina.

She pointed to the table. The books, parchment and quills that usually covered it had been tossed away – and replaced by a nice tablecloth, plates, cutlery and enough pancakes to fill the bellies of an entire army. I couldn't help it – I shrieked out of excitement, and ran to the table.

"Bloody hell –"

"You've been saying that a lot" said Fred, who had finally calmed down.

"If Mom could hear you…" added George.

"Don't mind them, Addy. Let it all out" said Lee.

"I'm sorry, but this is just brilliant ! Thank you so much !"

I jumped into their arms, hugging them tightly. They truly knew me best – an ridiculous amount of pancakes and my friends with me – that's all I really needed in life. We all sat down around the table as Alicia started telling me the story of them planning the whole thing – how they went to the kitchens early to get the food, and how they had convinced the Fat Lady not to let anyone through the portrait until we would be done.

After my – well, I'd rather not say – pancake, I put down my fork, and breathed out.

"I don't think I can eat for at least another century" I sighed.

"She'll be hungry in two hours" said George.

Everyone nodded and laughed. I rolled my eyes.

"Well, what's next ?" I asked excitedly.

"What do you feel like doing ?" said Angelina.

"Er – I dunno…"

"The day is yours, associate" said Fred.

"Indeed" nodded George. "Whatever you feel like doing – prank some Slytherins, Quidditch…"

"… go to Hogsmeade, ruin Filch's day…"

"Your wish is our command" they finished together.

I didn't have to think about it for very long.

"Well, I'd love some Quidditch, but I don't think it's possible."

"Why not ?" shrugged Lee.

"There is no House Cup, right ? Isn't the pitch closed"

"We can still try and ask McGonagall" suggested Alicia.

"I'm sure she'd say yes, it's your birthday !" nodded Angelina.

I bit my lip.

"You think so ?"

"Well, there is only one way to find out" said George, standing up.

"Let's go and see our mate Minerva."

We all stood up to leave, and after quickly cleaning up the table – those House Elves had done enough already – we set for McGonagall's office. I knocked on her door, fingers crossed.

"Come in" we heard her say.

Lee opened the door – McGonagall seemed quite surprised to see all of us enter in her office. Even if it was Sunday, she was still wearing her usual emerald robes – but no hat, I noticed.

"Good morning, Professor" started Angelina.

We had decided it was probably best if she did all the talking – she was the best at it, after all.

"Good morning… all of you" said McGonagall, lips pecked. "How may I help you ?"

We all exchanged glances. Angelina smiled kindly.

"Well, we have a little request."

"Go ahead" she said, looking a little suspicious – I couldn't blame her, with the twins, Lee and me there.

"You see, Professor, it's Addy's birthday today, and…"

"Oh, happy birthday, miss Harlowe."

I raised my eyebrows, a little surprised, but smiled.

"Thank you, Professor !"

"And you are turning seventeen today, am I right ? Which means you will be able to use magic outside of Hogwarts – I'm hoping you will use that new privilege wisely."

She was looking at me from behind her glasses, in the way only McGonagall could – I slightly blushed.

"I'll try my best" I nodded.

"I have no doubt you will. Well, is that the only reason all of you are in my office ?"

"No, Professor" quickly said Angelina, chuckling. "You see, we were wondering if we could go and play Quidditch this afternoon."

"You are aware that everyone is locked down for this year, Miss Johnson, because of the Tournament."

"Yes, but we thought – it would be good practice for next year, you know."

"Angelina's right, Professor" suddenly said Fred.

We all turned sharply to him. Angelina's glare seemed to say 'do not mess this up or I will cut you'. I almost laughed out loud.

"We lack practice so much. And, I mean, we don't want anything like last year's match with Hufflepuff to happen again, do we ?"

McGonagall's neck seemed to go red at the thought. I always suspected her to be as much of a Quidditch fan as I was – she was just better at hiding it. I couldn't even contain myself.

"Fair point, Mr. Weasley."

She seemed to think for a moment.

"Very well. I will let you use the Quidditch pitch this afternoon – but I expect all the equipment to be back at its place, in order, by sundown. Is that clear ?"

It was really hard for me not to jump out of excitement at that moment. I glanced at the others – they were all smiling, clearly holding back their excitement too.

"Crystal clear, Professor. Thank you" said Angelina.

McGonagall only nodded, and we took that as our signal to leave. I turned around, following the others outside. Once we had closed the door, we all jumped and shouted in enthusiasm.

"TO THE PITCH !" shouted Lee, leading the way.

It truly was a beautiful day – the sun was shining, and the wind, even though cold, wasn't too strong. I left the others to change in the locker room as I took out the necessary gear. I was looking for the bats for Fred and George when my eyes landed on the microphone that was used for the commentary during the official matches. I smirked. Being the enthusiastic fan that I was, when the twins had joined the team in second year, McGonagall had asked me if I was willing to do the commentary. I had accepted, of course, but after only one match, she had decided that my language was a bit too colorful for the job. Quidditch did have a weird effect on me sometimes.

I decided to take the microphone out too, just for the laugh, and ran upstairs in the stands where I waited for the others. They came out a few minutes later, and immediately started playing, under my commentary. They had split into two teams – Fred and Angelina against George and Alicia with Lee as Keeper – whatever team scored the most goals won the match.

It was the most fun I had had since watching the World Cup – and it took my mind off things. I was so focused on what I was doing that I hadn't even noticed that a few students had gathered at the entrance of the pitch, watching them play, until Lee blocked one of Alicia's throw in quite a graceful manner and the students started clapping.

"Well, it seems like you have admirers, Mr. Jordan. Maybe I'll start a fanclub, hand out badges..."

I saw him giving me a thumbs up from the goals. The distraction was enough to give Angelina time to score.

"Ten points for Angelina Johnson ! Sorry, George, sorry, Alicia…"

I chuckled as they glared at me. Then, I saw George flying towards me, his hair ruffled on his head, his cheeks red from the cold wind.

"Am I in trouble, Mr. Weasley ?"

He nodded.

"Yes, I'm going to need you to come with me."

"What – now ? Where ?"

"Over there" he said, pointing the distance.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean –"

And then I understood – and the first word that popped into my head was 'no'.

"No. George, no."

"Come on !" he insisted, grinning.

"George, you know what happens whenever I'm on a broom ! Very, very bad things happen !"

I was not at all referring, of course, to the time I had broke my leg in Flying Lesson in first year, or the time I had nearly broken my neck falling off my broom at the Burrow, trying to play Quidditch, a few summers ago. Thankfully, I had ended up in the pond instead, soaked from head to toe but alive.

"But you're not flying it, I am ! Come on, it will be fun."

"No."

"I'm not giving you a choice."

"It's my birthday, you can't force me to anything !"

"I don't care, come on !"

I stared at him, shaking my head. But his smile was so inviting, and it was my birthday, and I felt a little mad, so I rolled my eyes and put down the microphone.

"You better not drop me" I muttered as he flew closer, looking very pleased. "Or I swear, you won't have any more hands to fly a bloody broom with."

"Not planning on it. But maybe it would wise for you not to threaten me beforehand…"

"Oh, bugger off."

But I was smiling – and so was he. He offered me his hand, and I shakily took it, clumsily sitting down on the broom behind him. I breathed out.

"You can trust me, Addy" I heard him say quietly.

I slid my arms around his waist, grabbing him tightly. I was very grateful that he could not see my face at that moment – because I was blushing so much I felt like my face was on fire.

"I know" I whispered back.

"You ready ?"

"No" I answered.

"Hold tight."

And like that, we took flight, and I screamed out of terror and joy, holding on tight.

George flew through the pitch, and headed for the Black Lake. We couldn't really talk because of the wind – but we also really didn't have to. Everything around us was so beautiful. I had never seen Hogwarts and its surroundings from the sky – and it was breathtaking. I only held onto George, and admired the view. The wind was blowing through my hair, and I could feel him breathing next to me, and even though I was slightly terrified of falling off, I found myself settling my head on his back and smiling.

I don't really know for how long we flew around the Hogwarts grounds, but soon the sun was setting on the horizon and it was time to go back. When we reached the Quidditch pitch again, everyone was sitting down on the grass, waiting for us. I noticed that Angelina and Fred were holding hands – but before I could say anything, Angelina shook it off to stand up and walk towards us.

"We better put everything back, now, or McGonagall will murder us all" she said, looking a little flushed.

I nodded slowly, looking over at George to see if he had noticed too. He was smirking, which made me think he had. He started following the others to the locker room but I put a hand on his arm.

"George, wait" I said.

He stopped and turned to me. I smiled softly.

"Thank you for that. It really was great."

"You're welcome, Harlowe. Told you I wouldn't drop you."

I shook my head, and he put his arm around my shoulders, and we walked to the locker room, laughing.