Chapter 15

Ashley sat in her room – or Percy's old room – practically glued to her seat whilst staring out of the window, it was currently pitch black outside other than the odd star that had appeared over the last few hours. George had not spoken to Ashley since she had admitted everything to him. Causing her to begin having thoughts about leaving the Burrow completely and going back home to her parents, or even leaving the country for a while. She knew Charlie Weasley had gone to Romania to study with Dragons and then begin to work with them, so perhaps she could go to a different country in order to study whatever she wanted to do. It couldn't hurt to have open options … right? She quickly stood up from the chair and walked out the door, slowly making her way down the stairs and towards the room where she knew Mrs Weasley would probably be.
'Erm … Mrs Weasley?' she said, whilst entering into the kitchen
'Yes, dear?' she asked, glancing towards her
'I've been thinking' she began, sitting down at the table 'I mean, me and George aren't exactly on speaking terms right now, and I pretty much doubt that we will be again, so I've been thinking that maybe I should just move out of here, I think if I did it would make the situation far less awkward for everyone and I think George would be much better off with me gone'
'Well, where were you thinking that you could go?' Mrs Weasley asked, looking at her in concern
'I've been thinking about going to Australia for a while, maybe Italy or somewhere … I guess I just want to get away from everything … at least for a little while'
'You're moving to a different country?!' she asked in disbelief
'Well, yes, I suppose at some point … hopefully'
'I know you're probably fed up of hearing this, but that Death Eater is still after you, you can't leave!'
'I think I'll be able to look after myself, Mrs Weasley' Ashley insisted 'But thank you for the offer to stay living her for a while longer, it really means a lot to me. However, I will have to gratefully decline. I'll be out of here by the next week, possibly two … I will miss you all though' she added with a slight smile, before turning and walking out of the room. As she was leaving Mrs Weasley craned her neck around the door and saw Ashley's retreating figure towards the stairs, 'Charlie!' Mrs Weasley yelled once she was sure that Ashley would not be able to hear, which was confirmed by the closing of a bedroom door.
'Mum?' he asked, poking his head around the door frame
'Will you get the others, dear. I have to tell you all something'
'Okay' Charlie said, frowning slightly before disappearing from the door. A few minutes later everyone other than George and Bill (Who had now gone back to Shell cottage to see Fleur) walked into the kitchen
'What's wrong mum?' Ginny asked
'I'm afraid it's Ashley … again' she said, sitting down
'What's happened now?' Ron asked, sighing slightly
'She's decided that she's moving out, she seems to think it will help to make it less awkward for everyone and that George will feel better once she's gone'
'Well that's rather stupid of her' Hermione said 'The only reason George started getting better in the first place was because of her … even though she can't see it herself'
'I agree' Mrs Weasley said 'But for some reason they've stopped talking again, Merlin knows why this time'
'So, George's messed up again?' Charlie said
'Most probably' Ginny said 'It was him last time … right? So it's more than likely to be him this time as well'
'Well, what do we do?' Harry asked
'There's not much we can do really, mate' Ron said 'If we don't know what's happened-'
'Then there's nothing we're actually able to do' Hermione ended
'We have to at least try to stop her moving out!' Ginny exclaimed 'We can't let her go somewhere by herself while Rookwoods still going to get her! He'll kill her!'
'Letting her move out would be like leaving Hermione locked in a minuscule room with Bellatrix Lestrange' Charlie said 'Completely and utterly stupid'
'I agree with you two' Harry said towards Ginny and Charlie 'We have to stop her moving out'
'And how exactly do you suppose we do that?' Hermione asked 'Technically she's an adult, even if she doesn't act like one' she muttered, before continuing 'we can't do anything to stop her doing what she wants … Like I said, she's an adult, and even if she wasn't she's too stubborn to listen to anyone anyway'
'We can still try' Ron said
'Well in that case first things first' Ginny began 'We need to get George to speak to Ashley, or Ashley to speak to George … either will suffice'
'That could be potentially problematic' Hermione said
'Potentially problematic?' Ron said, 'It's going to be bloody impossible!'
'Well then I suppose we had better start trying then' Ginny ended

-oOo-

Hey Cedric, it's Ashley. Feel like meeting up at Hogsmeade at some point in the next few days? It was great seeing you at the Burrow the other week, it felt like we hadn't spoken in ages … although I guess we haven't really, have we? Considering you never wrote me back after we left Hogwarts! Planning on forgetting me, were we? Anyway, write back, Ashley. :)
After she had finished she attached the note to her owl, Misty, and sent it off, in hope of receiving a reply as soon as possible, although she was very doubtful considering it was Cedric. She decided that she did not want to stay awake and lose herself in her thoughts, so tried to sleep. However difficult it would prove to be.
She was later awoken by Misty pecking at the skin on her hand
'Ow' she winced, before sitting up on the bed and taking the letter, she ripped it open to find a reply from Cedric
That sounds great! Do you want to meet at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow at say 2? I need your advice on something, actually, so your letter was amazing timing. It was good to see you too, reminds me of how much I miss Hogwarts really, it feels weird actually having a job. And of course I wasn't planning on forgetting you, Ash, it's just difficult remembering to write letters at least once a week when every day after work I practically collapse on the sofa and fall asleep, although you're probably going to think that's a lame excuse, right? I thought so. Cedric.
Ashley looked outside the window and saw that it had begun getting light outside, she knew that she would probably need to get up soon, but to her that seemed to be a a rather difficult task to perform. Especially this early. So instead she rolled over and fell back asleep.

'Cedric and Ashley sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G' Ginny Weasley chanted, whilst Ashley was standing in the doorway of the Great Hall talking to Cedric about the Charms homework … or at least that's the way the conversation started
'Oh shut up' Ashley yelled back, laughing 'Where was I?' she said to Cedric
'I actually have no clue, you lost me about 5 minutes ago … although luckily you actually told me what the homework was before you just went off on a tangent' he laughed,
'Sorry about that, I do seem to have a tendency to just ramble on about anything and everything' Ashley said,
'It's fine.' he smiled, before continuing 'However, as much as I love talking to you about all your 'ramblings', I do have to go, I have potions in about -' he began, then glanced at a watch on his wrist '- … 5 minutes ago. Damn.' He sighed 'Professor Snape is going to kill me' he laughed,
'Just make up some excuse about Professor Sprout needing to speak to you, it's believable … I'm sure that she'd vouch for you anyway … considering she's the head of Hufflepuff and everything' she smiled
'Good plan … do you have Herbology any time today?'
'Erm, now, yeah' she smirked
'Could you tell her I need a note of her for something? Then I can just give him that'
'Sure, no problem' she smiled 'I'm sure I'll come up with something that you could possibly need to have a note for'
'Thanks, Ash, you're awesome' Cedric smiled, then pulled her in and hugged her
'Yeah – yeah, no need to suck up' she smiled into his shirt
'Hufflepuff trait – honest, so I'm not sucking up' he smiled, before waving at her slightly and running off towards the dungeons.
'Soooooo' Ginny said, sliding up next to Ashley a few seconds after Cedric had disappeared from the Great Hall.
'So?' she smiled, turning to face her
'So, what was all that about with him!?' she grinned
'It was nothing! He asked me about the homework Flitwick set last lesson'
'And that's all? I'm doubtful that you laughed over Charms homework'
'Oh just shut up' Ashley smiled, 'I've got to go anyway, luckily for me I've got Herbology now, should be great fun' she added with sarcasm
'Oh, alright' Ginny said, 'Tell my brothers that I need to speak to them if they show up, okay?'
'Okay!' Ashley yelled, whilst walking out of the Great Hall and towards the grounds.
'Why hello there' Fred greeted, linking one of her arms
'Yes, we have a few questions to ask you' George added, linking the other one
'Before you two start drilling into me about something I've done wrong, Ginny needs to speak to you about something'
'About what?' Fred asked
'If I knew that I would have said it to you, wouldn't I? Idiot' she said, which made George scoff slightly, gaining him a glare from Fred
'Well we'll speak to her later – anyway, we have a question to ask you' Fred said
'And what might that question be, dearest Frederick?' Ashley laughed
'What on earth is going on between you and Diggory?' Fred asked,
'There is nothing going on between me and Cedric.' Ashley said, sighing, causing the twins to look at her 'He asked me about the Charms homework' she conceded
'Ah, that seems about right-' Fred said
'He's not that bright really, is he?' George ended, grinning slightly
'Well do you two know what the Charms homework is?' Ashley asked, looking between the twins
'Well-' Fred began
'Not necessarily,' George said
'However' Fred added
'We don't need to do it, Professor Flitwick has already noticed our amazing talents in Charms-' George said
'-Therefore, he does not need any form of proof that we are able to do a certain spell-' Fred said,
'-Unlike you, apparently, obviously he thinks you need to do your homework because you're just not as talented as we are' George added with a smile
'No, I am good at Charms. But I would rather study for the exams, considering some of it's written, not a practical exam' she said, awaiting the twins answer, that never seemed to arrive 'And, once again, Ashley is right' She said
'Ashley needs to stop referring to herself in the third person, and Fred thinks you have a Herbology lesson to be getting to' Fred said
'George agrees with Fred and thinks that Ashley does in fact have a lesson to be getting to … even if that lesson is not of the upmost importance in his opinion' George said
'Well, Ashley believes that Fred and George also have a Herbology lesson to get to, do they not?'
'Yes, and Fred and George were heading there before they were distracted by Ashley' Fred said
'Ashley is nothing but a bad influence to Fred and George's innocent selves' George said
'Innocent?!' Ashley asked incredulously 'If Fred and George are innocent then she dreads to think of what isn't'
'Oi!' Fred exclaimed, faking offence
'You know it's the truth' Ashley said, grinning
'She may have a fair point' George said, looking at Fred 'At least in your case, I'm far more innocent than you are'
'That's a lie, George' Fred smirked
'Well then we'll let Ashley decide,' George said 'Ashley, who is the more innocent of the two of us? Taking into account everything you've heard about us in the last few years'
'Well, considering some of the stories I've heard about Fred I suppose I'll have to go with Georgie for this' she smiled
'Ah, just to let you know, all the stories you heard were true' Fred winked 'I'm sure that's gonna change your mind about me being your favourite, right?'
'In your dreams, Fred' she smirked
'That's exactly where it takes place' he joked, causing Ashley to burst out laughing 'Nahh, think it's more in George's dreams than mine, sorry to disappoint you but you'll just have to accept that the best looking twin isn't the one that fancies you'
'I think I'd rather make an appearance in George's dreams than yours, Fred' she smirked
'Always knew you preferred me' George winked,
'Course I do, just convince yourself of that' she smirked, before continuing 'Now, I do in fact wish to arrive on time to Herbology, so if you don't mind' Ashley said, before shaking her arms to get the twins off and then walking quickly to the greenhouse, she was about to enter the glass door before someone's hand grabbed her arm, she turned around and came to see the face of George Weasley
'Where's Fred?' she frowned, standing on her tiptoes and looking over his shoulder
'No idea, he walked off as soon as you went'
'So you figured you'd follow me?' she smirked
'Well … yeah, I suppose so' he said, giving her a slight smile
'Your brain works in weird ways' she said, 'if you have one that is' she added, before smirking and turning back to the glass door, she entered into the Green house to see that there was no one in there, meaning that herself and George were late. She turned back around and walked out of the Greenhouse and towards the outside Garden, walking quickly over to it, to which George sped up and walked by her side
'So, there's really nothing going on between you and Huffle- Cedric?'
'Definitely not' Ashley began 'He's not my type. At all.'
'So what is your type, then?' George asked
'Well … it depends really'
'On?'
'On if you mean personality or looks, obviously it depends on who the person is as well'
'Both … and what do you mean?'
'Well, if it was someone I'd known for a while, I don't really stick to the 'type' thing, if I like them I like them. Simple'
'Right … so, how longs a while?'
'I don't really know … a few years I guess? I mean, with you and Fred I'd completely forget the 'type' thing, because I know you're both lovely … deep down, of course'
'So you'd consider going out with me or Fred?...'
'Maybe' she said, looking up at him
'Good to know' he said quickly, before continuing 'Anyway, so what's your type? Personality and looks'
'Personality – funny, sweet, kind of a geek in some aspects, quite smart – but not completely big headed, maybe the whole 'fuck everything' personality type, carefree? I think that's the proper word for it' she smirked
'And looks?'
'Looks … hmm … well, erm to start of with he'd have to be tall, quite cute, blue eyes, long-ish red hair' she said, although saying the hair colour quietly
'Wait, what colour hair?' George asked, frowning slightly
'Never mind, doesn't matter' Ashley said, blushing furiously. She then walked even quicker
'Yeah, sure it doesn't matter' George said, smiling to himself before catching up with her.

I'm running out of things to say in this whole 'end part', so I guess I'll just stick to review please! :3
Oh yeah, apparently this chapter is dedicated to someone I know, although I'm almost positive he won't even read this. So, Logan, if you're reading this, here. You now have a chapter of something dedicated to you, feeling special? ;)

Anyway, again, please review, I'll love you forever :3