Turning around on the crate I saw Travis standing near the door, Charlie behind him, and Bennett behind him.
I was confused, and I'm sure it was evident by the expression on my face.
I also didn't understand Travis' seemingly growing obsession with me. The only thing I knew about him was that he was Yvette's brother and a seventh year.
"Uh, hi," I said sounding obviously confused.
"And what might our little first year here be doing here in Hogsmeade?" He asked, taking a step closer towards me.
Instead of paying attention to Travis, I looked over and watched Charlie and his friend standing there leaning against a post near the door.
I knew Charlie was a Prefect, and although he was Fred and George's brother, I was sure he'd have no problem reporting me to professor McGonnagal.
"I was just fiddling around the castle and found a passageway. I didn't know where it led to…." I lied.
He laughed mockingly.
"You think I'm that naïve, Bell? Truly, Fred and George told us they knew a path… to Hogsmeade. Were you coming to spy on us?" he asked.
"Spy on you?!" I asked appalled.
"Who would want to spy on you?"
I could see him gearing up to speak again, but before he had a chance, Charlie leaned up from the post and walked over pushing him back. I was kind of mad he hadn't stepped in sooner.
"There are a lot of girls who spy on us. We're on the quidditch team and we're seventh years. It's not a big deal really, its kind of a thing we're all used to by now…." He trailed off.
"No… I assure you. I wasn't spying, I have no reason to spy." By then I was completely flustered.
"Are you waiting on Fred and George? If so we better take you to them… they'll be in Zonko's no doubt."
I didn't speak but shook my head yes.
It annoys me when people assume things, and Charlie assumed exactly what Travis had said, that I was spying on them.
I watched as Travis and Bennett walked out of the cellar door, and followed behind Charlie from Honeydukes and towards Zonko's.
When Fred, George, Alicia, and Angelina came into view it was a slight shock. They couldn't believe that I had made it down so fast.
"It usually takes a good forty-five minutes to get down that passage. We weren't expecting you for another twenty minutes," Fred said.
"Yeah, you must have been a little excited to get here," George added with a smirk.
"No matter, lets go… I saw Oliver enter the Three Broom Sticks with Calvin when we went into Zonko's," Fred insisted grabbing a hold of my arm and dragging me towards the pub.
As we walked I couldn't help but see a handful of Gryffindor's eye me, wondering curiously why I was in Hogsmeade. I entered behind Fred and looked over the crowd of Hogwarts students; eventually my eyes fell on Oliver sitting with the brown haired boy, who must be Calvin and another blonde-haired girl.
Shyly I walked over towards where he was sitting. Oliver's friend was the first to see me since Oliver was sitting in the direction I was walking towards. As I was upon his table I put my hands over his eyes.
"Guess who," I whispered into his ear.
Turning around Oliver's smile was bigger than I'd ever seen. He engulfed me in such a hug; I thought I was going to be suffocated.
Afterwards he sat down and scooted over giving me enough room to sit down.
"Calvin this is my girlfriend Katie, Katie this is my best friend Calvin and this is his girlfriend Kira," He said gesturing to the girl next to Calvin. Smiling politely I greeted them both.
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"My pleasure, Oliver has been speaking about you since we left the grounds earlier; you seem like a great catch," he winked at me.
I could only smile, as I felt a light pink on my cheeks. After getting over the introduction, I mostly listened to the boys talk as my eyes wandered at the people in the pub.
Two tables over Angelina, Alicia, and the twins were sipping on butterbeers; I waved and Alicia waved back as Fred winked.
I was super excited at how well my surprise went over with Oliver.
It was one of the best days I'd had since arriving at Hogwarts. Just being with Oliver felt comforting, something I wouldn't have believed to be possible only the month before.
I came out of my trance as Calvin got up and left with his girlfriend. I waved goodbye, looked over at Oliver, and smiled.
He generously returned my smile. Bending down towards my ear I felt shivers go down my spine.
"Do you want to go check out the rest of Hogsmeade?" he whispered.
I shook my head yes and a warm wanted feeling came through me. I had to be the luckiest girl in the world.
I shook my head again. "Yeah, sound likes a plan."
As we got up and began our way out the door I saw professor Snape entering the pub. We were almost to the door and I looked around for a place to hide, but there was nowhere to go. I tried not to make eye contact, but my attempts were flawed when I looked up and right into Snape's black eyes.
"Ah, Ms. Bell, I was unaware that first years were aloud into Hogsmeade," he said as he came to stand in front of me.
Oliver held onto my arms, holding me up, so that I wouldn't fall down. I had the worst feeling that the day of my life was going to turn into a day from hell.
"Professor Snape, I…. I…" I had nothing.
"Yes, Ms. Bell, I think that we should leave Mr. Wood alone as I accompany you up to the Castle where we can discuss a proper punishment. I also believe that 200 points should be taken away from Gryffindor as well… for your irresponsibility, and your defiance of school rules."
I glanced up at Oliver and tried my hardest not to cry in front of him.
Turning around I looked back towards the table where the twins and girls were sitting, but they didn't seem to notice what was going on, which was surprising. It seemed as if everyone in the pub had turned to watch the scene unfold.
As I walked out of the Three Broom Sticks towards the school I walked past Charlie, Travis, and Bennett and couldn't help but notice the sly smile on Travis' lips. I could just tell he was up to something…
As we reached the castle I was escorted up to Professor Mcgonagall's office. Knocking on the door, we waited only a second for it to open and Mcgonagall to pop out.
"Wait here," Snape said walking into the room and closing the door so the two professors could have speaks between each other.
A few minutes passed as I became more nervous; could they expel me from Hogwarts for something like this?
I hope that my mother doesn't get word of what I'd done; she'd have my head! The door opened again and Snape walked out and down the corridor.
"In Ms. Bell," Mcgonagall said.
I put my head down and walked in the door, taking a seat on the other side of her desk.
"Is it true?" she asked me.
Of course I knew what she was referring to. I just couldn't bring myself to speak; instead I shook my head yes, looking down at the ground.
"Professor Snape has proposed a punishment, which I feel is too lenient for you. I would rather you serve detention for the remainder of the month."
I looked up at her in astonishment, scared as to what punishment Professor Snape might have come up with.
I waited in an uncomfortable silence for what felt like a millennia waiting for Professor Mcgonagall to reveal what my punishment would be.
"Professor Snape informed me that you are failing dismally in potions, and rather than having you in detention, he believes your time would be better served practicing potions three nights a week until otherwise noted."
When Mcgonagall was finished I breathed a sigh of relief. I couldn't believe Snape, SNAPE of all people would let me off that easily. It felt like there must be some type of catch.
"Does it start tonight?"
Mcgonagall shook her head no. "You will have those tuesday, Wednesday, and friday nights."
I shook my head, acknowledging that I heard what she had said.
In the back of my mind I wondered whether or not that would interfere with quidditch practice, if Charlie still allowed me to participate.
The only thing I could think of doing was finding Oliver and letting him know that my punishment wasn't as bad as I'm sure he feared.
I waited for a few minutes, watching Mcgonagall flip through paperwork.
"May I be excused professor?" I asked.
Mcgonagall looked up at me, her spectacles sliding down her nose.
"Yes you may, but Ms. Bell, I do not want to hear about any more mischief with you. I am sure your mother will be upset when she hears about what you have done today." She said.
That was more than enough for me to worry about, as I headed out of her office and up towards the Gryffindor common room.
I had no clue when Oliver would get back from Hogsmeade, but I wanted to see him the minute he returned.