Chapter 47: The Christmas Party (PT 2)

For the first hours of the night, everyone seemed to be merry, drinking and conversing between one another, the atmosphere was great, perfectly suited for the last party of the Christmas holidays.

Hugo, Fred, Albus and James were discussing urgent matters.

By that I mean girls.

" So, James my boy, how's it going with you and Ash, huh, huh? " questioned Fred, a flicker of curiosity in his chocolate brown eyes.

James shot daggers at him, and in return, Hugo snickered at the sight of the idiots, even though he wasn't exactly the brightest of the bunch.

" You know, if you two don't get together soon, I'm going to force you to kiss, like this! " Albus proclaimed, taking hold of two wine glasses, pushing them together, resulting in a 'clink' sound, he quickly placed them down as Harry peered his way, motioning for him to stop.

" Busteeeeed! " Fred chuckled, " you gotta be sly if you wanna get around, like me! " he exclaimed, pointing to himself with his thumb.

James shook his head, " There's nothing going on between me and Ash, although I wish there was.."

Blatantly staring off into the distance, his eyes trailed across the room, he came across Sid and Rhea, talking among themselves, he then came across Bill, Fleur and Rachel, who were cheerfully conversing with Harry and Ginny, rose and Victorie were giggling amongst themselves, too. That's when he saw her, Ash.

He wanted to tell her how beautiful she was, how amazing she looked in that outfit, a smiled curled on his lips as he seemed to go off into dreamland.

" Ooooooh~ " Fred, Hugo and Albus said in unison, forming heart shapes with their hands, signaling that James was in 'lurve' as they'd call it.

James snapped out of his daydream as he swerved back in his seat, facing the other three, he simply stated;

" So what if I do? You obviously like Rachel, Fred, I can tell. " he said, raising his eyebrows instinctively.

The other's turned their heads towards the red-headed senior, who had just spat out his drink.

"What? I've only just met her, she does seem really sweet though, and pretty..." This time it was Fred who started to drift off into dreamland.

" You know, I'll admit, she seems like a really cool person, I think it'd be nice to get to know her better. " James admitted, receiving a nod from Hugo and Albus, who obviously agreed with him.

" Let's not forget Sherlock! " Hugo piped up.

" Who? " the other three questioned;

Hugo motioned towards the cat, whom which sat elegantly at one of the tables, sipping out of a wine glass, " Her talking cat, of course! "

Ash sat down, twirling the water in her glass with her index finger humming a little as she gazed into the distance.

" What's up, Ash? " a familiar voice ringed through her ears, somewhat disturbing her resolve, tilting her head upwards, she found Rachel looming over her, Sherlock placed firmly on her right shoulder, a warm smile bestowed upon her cherry red lips.

Ash felt as if she'd just witnessed the sun coming through the clouds on a dull day, there was something about Rachel that made everything feel so heartwarming and content, as if she had somewhat of an aura around her.

" Oh, it's nothing, really.. " she was lying, and quite clearly too, she navigated her way around the table and placed herself in one of the seats, Sherlock hopping off of her shoulder and onto the arm of the seat beside her.

" I can see right through you, dude! " Rachel chuckled, " I've been trained in the arts of ultimate pranking, so I've picked up a think or two about telling lies, in order to get away with my successful attempts, of course! " she stated, in a rather cheery voice, Sherlock proceeded onwards.

" Not to mention you've been staring at Mr. Potter, James potter, that is, for the past ten minutes. " he chimed, swaying his tail from side to side, a motion he usually gave when he was rather content and happy.

Ash though about it for a second, should she trust Rachel to let out her true feelings? Heck, she hadn't even told Rhea about how much she liked James, not yet, anyway. She though about shaking it off, but Rachel's eyes seemed to have a glimmer of hope in them, like she was just trying to get along with everyone, not to mention they were so evidently bright and, well...green!

" Alright alright, I admit defeat. " Ash admitted, sighing a little as she took a sip of her drink.

" Go ooooon~ " Rachel insisted, edging in closer towards Ash.

She seems just like Fred... Ash thought.

" Well, I like James, a lot, but i just don't know whether he likes me back.. " Ash proclaimed, looking back at the boy who sat conversing with his brother and the Weasley boys.

" Ahh~ I see! " Rachel exclaimed, peering behind her at James, " It's pretty obvious that he likes you, I mean, he's constantly glancing over at you, just like you keep glancing over at him. " She stated raising a finger and tapping her nose, " I know these things, thanks to this little dude right here. " she stated, stroking Sherlock and ruffling his fur.

" You think so?! " Ash squeaked, instantly covering her mouth with her hand, she was bewildered to say the least.

"Of course! I bet he can barely resist the urge to just come here and tell you how beautiful you look! " Rachel replied, giving a slight nod, and a dazzling smile as she laughed at the sight of a flustered Ash.

Ash was happy, her mood had instantly been lightened by probable one of the most kindest people she had ever met, they'd barely been introduce, but Ash knew that Rachel was someone to keep by her side, and someone she'd love to spend the rest of her days with at Hogwarts.

She had no time to respond to Rachel's last remark though, due to a certain unimpressed vampire looming over her, one of them was stood cowering in the back.

" Ash. Can you come with me please? " Rhea stated thoroughly. Ash had no time to reject, as Rhea had a firm grasp on her arm and pulled her away from the table, tugging her along as she marched through the pavilion towards a more secluded area by the end of the confections table, Sid trudged gloomily behind.

Rachel was rather dumbfounded, as she found herself sat alone, as her cat had found himself a new home amongst Rose and Victorie, who were lovingly petting him as such.

She decided to follow the three of them, even though she could tell she wasn't wanted there, she had a plan though, she'd pretend she was getting snacks, whilst secretly listening in.

What harm can a little spy work do? She thought.

" What were you hanging out with HER for? " questioned Rhea, she seemed rather agitated with Ash.

" W-we were just talking, besides, i think it was rather rude, pulling me away like that. " Ash replied, trying to hold her ground.

Rhea smirked, " Sid, you agree with me don't you? You don't like that Rachel chick either, do you? "

Sid fumbled around with his hands, in all honesty, he didn't mind her, sure, what she'd said earlier about the emo stuff was rather unnecessary, but it was just a harmful joke, he was actual quite neutral about the whole thing.

" Well? Are you just gonna stand there or back me up? " Rhea asked, he snapped back into reality for a moment.

"Oh, yeah, sorry, of course I agree with you! " he stated, with a quick nod of his face.

" Good, I knew you would. " Rhea smiled, turning back to Ash, who felt rather uncomfortable about the whole thing.

Meanwhile, Rachel was listening in, pretending to pick up some food and putting it onto her plate as she wandered up and down the table, at the same time she pondered the thought as to why Rhea didn't like her.

I was only joking around before, when I mentioned my abilities as a metamorhpmagus. She said to herself.

" She isn't that bad, seriously, besides, this is supposed to be a party, it's supposed to be happy! " Ash chimed, attempting to lighten the mood.

Rhea huffed, " I suppose your right, Ash, sorry, let's enjoy this party, you too, Sid. " she smiled, Ash and Sid returning it.

Rhea looked off into the distance for a moment and squinted her eyes, " It's just, she's nothing more than a stray dog who's lost it's way, just like her father. "

Ash couldn't believe what she was hearing, neither could Sid. Ash couldn't decide whether she was disgusted, or whether she had misheard what Rhea had just said, either way, she didn't expect that Rachel would've been listening in.

Rachel's hands trembled at tears started forming in her eyes, she couldn't withstand the pain of what she'd just heard;

she's nothing more than a stray dog who's lost it's way, just like her father.

She was filled with rage, but she just didn't want to cause a commotion by lashing out, instead, she dropped the plate she was holding, it's form smashing into many pieces as she ran across the pavilion, tears streaming down her face as she tried to make her way outside.

Fred was making his way to the confection stand when he heard the plate smash, startled he looked to see what had happened, only to find Rachel running towards him, he noticed her face, Had she been crying? He thought, as worry suddenly flooded his mind.

He caught hold of her arm, and tried his best to get a word out of her;

" Are you alright, Rach? " he said, concern flowing throughout his voice, and worry shone in his eyes as they scanned her face, which was stained with unnecessary tears.

She pushed her way out of his grasp and ran out of the pavilion.

"I'm so-sorry Fred, I-I just can't talk right now! " she choked, and within moments, she was gone.

He had to go after her.