A lot of you guys keep wondering how long this is going to go- answer is we're not even sure. We think of new storylines ALL the time and more characters as well so things will be going on for quite awhile yet.
In this chapter you find out something you've been wondering for quite some time. Also, Heaven has
updated the Sims page so the Drew/Darla Sims work and there's now
an Andrew for you to download in the Misc section. More to come soon! Please review!!!
Later that evening, RJ, Andrew and Jason were sitting in their dorm room. Alexa and Saffron were in the library finishing up their homework and they were supposed to meet the boys in the common room and then go down to dinner.
"How did you manage to get two teams interested in you?" Jason asked Andrew. "I can't even get one."
"That's because you're rubbish," Andrew said dryly.
"Sod off," Jason frowned at him. "It's because you didn't let me on the bloody
team."
"Face it Jas," RJ said. "Imelda cleaned your clock at tryouts."
Jason glared at both of them. "I'm going to visit with Monica," he said, tossing his book aside.
"Does she fly better than you too?" Andrew couldn't resist asking.
Jason answered by sticking up his middle finger before heading out of the common room.
Andrew and RJ both laughed. "You think we went a bit too far?" Andrew asked.
"With him?" RJ asked. "Who cares?"
"So how did your big meeting go?" Andrew asked. "Puddlemere for sure?"
"Yeah," RJ said with a huge grin. "Already have me on contract- I start in July!"
"No way!" Andrew exclaimed. "That's fantastic? How big is your contract?"
RJ wrote a figure on a piece of parchment. "That much," he revealed. "But don't tell anyone other
than Saf okay?
"Shite," Andrew said staring at the paper. "RJ....I didn't even know they could write cheques that large."
"That's what I'll be making a year," RJ grinned even wider. "And if we get to the Quidditch Cup..."
"Don't tell me you get even more," Andrew groaned.
"Okay I won't say it," RJ laughed.
"Don't forget us when you're rich and famous and I'm warming the bench for Wimbourne," Andrew said.
"I won't, unless I'm kicking your arse," RJ joked.
"So you going to get some posh flat too?" Andrew asked. "With your own cook and butler?"
"A place of my own, definitely," RJ said. "I'm going to start looking soon as we leave school."
"With the money Wimbourne's offering me, I'll be lucky if my parents still let me live at home," Andrew joked.
"You should hold out until you get a better offer," RJ encouraged.
"I'm lucky I got two offers," Andrew said. "I wasn't expecting one."
"You're great at Quidditch," RJ replied as he saw Saffron and Alexa climb into the portrait hole.
"Not as good as you superstar," Andrew said waving the girls over.
"How'd it go?" Alexa asked excitedly.
"Great," RJ swung her around before planting a kiss on her.
"They signed the bloody bastard," Andrew said grinning at RJ.
"Already?" Alexa asked.
"You're signed to Puddlemere?" Saffron nearly shrieked.
"I start in July," RJ said a wide smile on his face.
"That's fantastic," Alexa said happily. "Congratulations you!" she kissed him again.
"Puddlemere must be pretty desperate," Saffron teased.
"Only if they signed you," RJ teased back as Andrew pulled his girlfriend onto his lap.
"And what's this I hear about you?" Saffron asked. "Two teams?"
He grinned at her. "Wimbourne is really interested, but they're nowhere near making me quite as good an offer as Puddlemere is giving RJ."
"You should negotiate," Saffron said. "Make them give you a good offer."
"I told him to wait before he signs anything," RJ said.
"Like you did?" Saffron asked. "Were Uncle Ron and Aunt Luna there? Because they should have been, RJ. I think they'd be the best---"
"I don't need them holding my hand, Aunt Hermione," RJ said rolling his eyes. "You sounded just like her then, Saf."
"I consider that a compliment," Saffron smiled sweetly.
"They made me a great offer and I'd have been a fool not to take it," RJ said defensively. "And I'm sure Mum and Dad would be pleased."
"Did you read over the contract though?" Saffron asked. "Did you read the fine print or were you blinded by the money?"
"I read it," RJ said crossing his arms. "I'm not stupid Saf."
"I didn't say you were," Saffron said. "I just remember Ethan telling me about this mate of his who signed this big contract with the Cannons and he ended up losing his fortune over some clause they had in there about him getting injured."
"I was careful, I promise," RJ calmed down as Alexa hugged him.
"What happened to the guy?" Andrew asked Saffron.
"Ethan said he changed right after he got all that money," Saffron said. "The money and fame went to his head and he turned his back on his friends and family who tried to warn him and then when he was injured, he lost it all."
"That's not going to be me," RJ said confidently.
"I'm sure he said the same thing," Saffron said. "I'm not trying to bring you down, RJ. I just don't want the same thing to happen to you."
"Thanks Saf," RJ said with a broad smile. "I doubt you'd let me get a fat head."
"You already have a fat head," she said laughing.
Andrew tickled her. "You haven't even congratulated me," he said with an injured tone.
Saffron giggled. "I'm sorry. I am very proud of you, Andrew you know that."
"I think he wants a snog," RJ said nudging her.
"He doesn't need to ask for one of those," Saffron said, turning and shamelessly pressing her mouth to Andrew's.
"W-what were we talking about?" Andrew asked a few moments later when they broke apart. He had a dazed, goofy expression on his face which caused Saffron to giggle.
"Nothing," she said, giving him another kiss.
"Did you tell your family?" Alexa asked RJ. "About your contract, I mean?"
"I have to owl them," RJ said. "I was too excited to sit down though."
"Your dad will be so proud," Alexa said smiling at him.
"I'm just glad you're proud of me," he grinned back at her.
"Of course," Alexa said giving him a kiss. "This is what you've always wanted. Your dream is coming true, RJ."
RJ spun her around again. "You get your essay done?"
"Yes," Alexa said laughing. "Two feet of parchment exactly. Saffy has four and a half."
"Saffron's a nerd," RJ called out to his best friend, who was snogging the lights out of his other best friend.
"I don't think she cares," Alexa said.
"We should not care too," RJ said impishly.
"I have some reading I really need to catch up on," Alexa said pulling a serious face. "And there is this extra credit assignment I'm doing for McGonagall and I have----"
RJ pulled her close and gave her a long, passionate kiss.
"Whoa!" a couple of first-years exclaimed gawking at them. "I think he's trying to suck her face off!"
Alexa heard this and began giggling.
"Hi girls," RJ said pulling away from Alexa.
The two girls turned beet red before beating a hasty retreat for the stairs.
"You know, Saffron and Andrew are worse than we are and no one says a word to them," RJ complained.
"You could take it as a compliment," Alexa said. "You draw a crowd, RJ."
RJ looked pleased at her choice of words. "Guess that'll come in handy in a few months." he boasted.
"When he's living in his posh flat," Andrew said. "And eating food that he can't pronounce and having some maid at his beck and call."
"You're going to have your own place?" Alexa asked.
"Hell yeah," RJ said. "Andrew, maybe you want to move in with me."
"I don't imagine I could afford the rent," Andrew said. "But thanks for the offer."
RJ nodded. "Maybe we can work something out. When my brothers moved in together they had a blast."
"Jules said they nearly killed each other," Saffron said staring at him.
"At first," RJ reminded her. "After awhile they were fine and it was really fun."
"Like you remember," Saffron said rolling her eyes. "You were what...three?"
"Allie and Lizzy told me," RJ said defensively. "They were there all the time!"
"I'm sure they were on their best behaviour when their girlfriends were over there," Saffron argued. "And beside, who would want to live with you? You are the messiest human being on the planet and keep in mind I grew up with Ethan."
"I love you too Saf," RJ said sarcastically. "Why don't you go back to snogging your boyfriend?"
"You are messy!" Saffron argued, enjoying their banter. "Come on, RJ. You never make up your bed. You have clothes all over the floor in your room at home. Not to mention those awful posters you have on your wall! Veelas, for Merlin's sake!"
"So what?" RJ asked. "It's better than having posters of Oliver Wood! The bloke is ancient now!"
"He is not ancient!" Saffron exclaimed. "He's aged very well and he has meant a lot to the game! I like him as much for his playing ability as I do for his....for his...."
"Whatever," RJ replied, grinning at her.
"He's a whole lot better than Serena Starr," Saffron huffed. "Talk about your ditzy, air-headed, bleached blonde...."
"She's a smart girl," RJ said.
"SMART?" Saffron nearly shrieked.
"I read an interview with her and she said that she loves to read," RJ said.
"Big deal," Saffron slid onto Andrew's lap.
"She's got a lovely voice," Andrew said. "I listened to her latest song on the Wireless over Christmas and..."
"Of course you'd stick up for him," Saffron snorted.
"I'm not sticking up for anyone," Andrew said with a laugh. "I think she's a great singer."
"You like her, don't you, Lex?" RJ asked.
"No," Alexa admitted. "She sounds off-key most of the time."
"Thank you!" Saffron said nodding. "She does!"
"You girls are just jealous," Andrew teased.
"Jealous?" Saffron asked standing up. "I am not jealous! And Junior here saying that half-wit likes to read. I imagine any book she reads would have to have pictures and small words!"
"All right, all right," Andrew said hastily, recognising the look in Saffron's eyes. "She's a half wit talent less broad who no one really likes."
"Except for blokes who can't see past her big---" Saffron started to say, but Andrew put his hand over her mouth.
"There are young ones about," he said.
"You're right," Saffron said nodding. "RJ is but a wee child."
"Hey!" RJ protested.
"Yes, Cassandra?" Saffron asked.
"Pepper," RJ retorted.
"Half-wit," Saffron shot back.
"All right you guys," Alexa broke in. "How about we stop this before you two begin fighting yet again?"
"Why don't we get the wireless and play that airhead's new hit "Spell My Love'?" Saffron asked.
"How about we go for a walk instead?" Alexa asked. "Come on, RJ. You can tell me more about your meeting with that scout."
"Sure," RJ grinned at her.
"Wait," Saffron said. "Take my cloak so no one spots you."
"You could give them a detention for sneaking out," Andrew whispered.
"I could," Saffron giggled as Alexa ran upstairs to get the cloak. "But I don't think I'm that mean."
"Too bad Lex can't move in with you," Andrew said to his best friend. "She and Saf'll still have two more years left here."
"I know," RJ sat down on the sofa arm.
"I think that sucks," Saffron announced. "I'm going to miss having you both here."
"Even little old me?" RJ asked dramatically.
"I'll miss Andrew more," Saffron leaned against her boyfriend.
"Who will you argue with when I'm gone?" RJ asked.
"Good question," Saffron replied. "I'm sure I'll find someone."
"During Christmas hols, I'll have to throw some parties," RJ said. "I'll invite some of my new team mates."
"I'm sure your team mates will love having two school girls tagging along," Saffron said giggling.
Andrew squeezed her side. "Two gorgeous girls like you and Lexie? They'll be trying to pry you away from us."
"Right," Saffron said smiling as Alexa came back downstairs.
"Sorry it took so long," Alexa said. "Beth borrowed it and didn't put it back where it belonged."
"Hang on," Saffron said her eyes narrowing. "When did Beth borrow my cloak?"
"I don't know," Alexa said. "She just told me where it was and when I asked her how she knew, she told me she'd used it a few days ago."
"That little sneak!" Saffron said folding her arms.
"Well now you know who to argue with," RJ said cheekily, tossing the cloak over him and Alexa.
"Honestly," Saffron huffed. "My things just aren't up for grabs you know."
"You have some cool stuff," Andrew said. "Come on, Saf. That map and the cloak..."
"But that doesn't mean just anyone can borrow them," Saffron crossed her arms.
"You should put a charm or something on them," Andrew suggested. "That way if someone takes them without permission...."
"Oooh good idea," Saffron beamed at him.
"I do have a couple every now and then," Andrew said leaning back on the sofa and bringing Saffron closer. "I will miss you next year and spending nights like this with you."
"Tell me about it," Saffron put her head on his shoulder.
"Too bad you're not graduating too," Andrew said softly.
"Two bloody years," Saffron groaned. "For once I don't want to be in school."
"I never thought I'd hear you say that," Andrew teased.
"It's all your fault you know," Saffron said, grinning at him.
"I've led you astray," Andrew said laughing.
"You have," Saffron kissed him. "Made me fall all head over heels for you..."
"You couldn't resist my charm," Andrew said squeezing her.
"And you can't resist mine either," Saffron laughed.
"I just wish I'd made a move sooner," Andrew said. "We wasted a great deal of the year."
"Yeah," Saffron rolled her eyes. "Me with Peter..."
"Seems like a lifetime ago," Andrew said. "And at least he redeemed himself a little when he came forward about his part in Christina's plan."
"Yeah," Saffron said. "Maybe there's hope for him after all. But not with me. I'm completely hooked on you."
Andrew gave her a kiss. "Love you, Saf."
"Love you," she whispered, pressing her lips to his again.
"It's freezing up here," RJ said as Alexa slipped out from under the cloak. They'd gone up to the Astronomy Tower after nearly getting caught by Filch.
"You big baby," Alexa teased. "Come on. We can look at the stars."
"I don't want to look at the stars," RJ said. "I want to snog you."
"You're not being very romantic," she teased.
"What's more romantic than wanting to snog you under the stars?" RJ asked, putting his arms around her.
"You said you didn't want to look at the stars," she said softly looking up at him.
"I want to snog under the stars," he grinned.
"Sounds much better than sucking my face off," Alexa teased.
"I'm much more romantic than that," RJ smirked.
Alexa laid her head on his on his chest. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked, stroking her hair. "Lexie you're crying..."
"I just---I'm glad you're okay," she said quietly. "I was so afraid."
"I'm fine," he said, kissing the top of her head. "I'm fine and more in love with you than ever Lex. Even her stupid potion didn't really stop me from loving you."
"I know," Alexa said sobbing into his shoulder. "I'm sorry. The last thing you want is me acting like a human hosepipe."
RJ smiled. "It's all right Lexie. I put you through an awful lot. I'm lucky you still want to stick around."
Alexa pulled away and rubbed at her eyes. "And it's hard to think of being here without you next year."
"I hate thinking of that too," he said.
"Come on," she said. "You'll be practising with your new team mates and you'll be starting this new, exciting life."
"That you'll still be a part of," he said, looking down at her.
"You'll write to me and I'll write to you and we'll have holidays," Alexa said smiling shyly up at him. "And maybe you could come up for Hogsmeade weekends."
"Every Hogsmeade weekend," RJ said. "And you'll come to my matches while you're on holiday."
"Right," Alexa said. "We'll make the distance work."
"Without a doubt," RJ kissed her softly.
"I love you," she said looping her arms around his neck.
"I love you," he said before kissing her again, deeper this time.
Alexa shivered as RJ's hand slid under her jumper.
"This okay?" he asked huskily.
She nodded. "Your hands are a little cold is all."
"Sorry," he whispered, kissing under her ear. "I'll warm them up a bit..."
"It's...its okay," she whispered back.
"Okay," RJ kissed her again, pulling her as close as he could.
She gasped as RJ's hand again slid under her jumper. His hand wasn't as cold as before and the way he was kissing her, she felt quite warm.
"This all right Lexie?" he asked, barely pulling his lips from hers.
"It's fine," she breathed.
"Okay," he said, pressing his mouth to hers. His hand crept up until his fingers found her bra.
She giggled as he tried to unclasp it.
"In the back," she whispered. "It's in the back."
"Okay," he said, suddenly nervous. RJ wasn't sure exactly why he was nervous, but he supposed it was due to the fact that he truly cared about this girl and didn't want to make her uncomfortable in any way.
"I-I'm scared," she said looking up at him. "But, I trust you."
"I won't push you," he said, looking at her earnestly. "I promise Lexie."
She smiled. "I'm scared that I don't know what to do."
He almost laughed. "It's okay," he said. "And I'll put a warming charm on the cloak."
"Okay," she said watching as he took out his wand.
"There that's better," RJ said as they huddled underneath the cloak.
"Nice and warm," she said softly. "Just like you."
RJ kissed her neck as he fumbled again for her bra. "Just let me know," he breathed, kissing her ear. "When you want to stop..."
"Okay," she whispered.
He pushed her down, knowing that their legs were probably sticking out from the cloak but he didn't care. Gently and slowly, he pushed up on her jumper.
The stone floor was a little uncomfortable, but Alexa quickly forgot that as one of RJ's hands cupped her breast.
He grunted into her mouth, kissing her even harder than before.
Alexa arched against him and felt something hard on her belly. She wasn't very experienced, but she definitely knew what that was. If she was capable of a coherent thought at the moment, she would revel in the fact that she was the cause of that.
"You are incredible you know," RJ's lips skimmed over her neck as he ran his hands over her warm skin.
"Me?" she couldn't stop herself from asking.
"You," he answered, pushing up on her jumper some more and kissing between her breasts.
Alexa bit her lip and ran her hands through RJ's hair.
"Yeah," he said, his eyes closed. "Keep doing that Lexie..."
"This?" she asked, her hands massaging his scalp.
"Yes," he hissed.
She did as he requested, but it wasn't nearly enough. She wanted more and emboldened by the darkness, she brought her hands down to his trousers.
RJ let out a strangled moan as she did that.
She hesitated just a moment unsure of exactly what she was doing. A part of her wondered if now might be a good place to stop, but RJ as if sensing her doubts, kissed her.
"That's it," he said between kisses. "Lexie you are amazing..."
"I love you," she whispered. "And I---"
"You what?" he paused when she hesitated.
"I want to be with you----really be with you someday," she said turning red as she said this.
"You do?" he smiled down at her, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Maybe when you're out of school and have your own place," she said biting her lip. "And we could make it really special."
"I meant it when I told you whenever you're ready," he told her. "I'll wait for you Lexie."
"Things might change," she said quietly. "Once your on your own and I'm still here."
"We can make it work," RJ insisted.
"We will make it work," she said looking up at him.
"Right," RJ kissed her again. "We've already made it through a lot."
"And if we can make it past what Christina did, I think we have a good chance," she said softly.
"Damn straight," he agreed.
"I love you, you know?" she asked as he lay down beside her and she cuddled up against him, resting her head on his chest.
"I love you;" he kissed the top of her head, closing his eyes as the scent of her shampoo overtook him. "Very, very much."
Alexa grinned. "I wish we could stay up here all night."
"Tell me about it," he laughed. "But I think we'd wake up as icicles."
"Not a good thing," Alexa giggled.
"No," he groaned. "And we should probably get back soon, unfortunately."
"Before Filch finds us," Alexa said.
"Or Saffron," he said, helping her clasp her bra again.
"Admit it," Alexa said pulling her jumper back down. "You are scared of Saffy."
"She's scary when she's in a strop," RJ said defensively. "Even Ethan is scared of her."
"I give thanks every day that I'm on her good side," Alexa said. "Mimi and Beth walk on egg shells around her most of the time."
RJ laughed. "And Beth borrowing her cloak will bring up some drama later I'm sure."
"If you strain your ears, I'm sure you can hear the yelling," Alexa said giggling.
"Maybe Andrew's diffused her anger," RJ snorted as they got up. "They snog more than we do."
"Competitive, aren't we?" Alexa asked teasingly.
"A little," RJ replied. "Nothing wrong with that."
"I think we caught up with them tonight," Alexa said blushing.
"Might have," RJ kissed her. "Should we head back?"
"Probably," Alexa replied. "I still have some reading to do."
"I've got an essay to finish too," RJ groaned. "I don't know why I bother. I've already got my career planned out."
"You don't want to feel like your seven years here were a waste though," Alexa said encouragingly. "I remember being at your Nana's for Christmas. She's still talking about how disappointed she was that your uncles didn't finish."
"I guess I can't disappoint her," RJ said as they left the tower.
"And you know," Alexa said. "If something happens, you'll have your education to fall back on. Not that it will, mind you. I'm just saying...."
"Right," he smiled at her. "Good thing I got myself a smart girlfriend."
"I don't know about all that," Alexa said. "I still don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. We did have a career talk with McGonagall though. And I was thinking I might like to....it's not important."
"Like to what?" he asked. "Tell me Lexie."
"I've never told anyone this," Alexa said. "Not even Saffy."
"You don't have to say it if you don't want to," RJ squeezed her hand.
"No, it's okay," she said looking up at him. "Ever since I was little, I've liked to write. I have so many journals back at home with these little stories. No one's ever read them. And I'm probably being stupid because there's no way I could make a living at it. Most of it's rubbish."
"You want to be a writer?" he grinned. "I think you'd be a perfect writer Lexie."
"You've never read it," Alexa said. "How would you know that?"
"Because I know you're talented, smart and headstrong," RJ said. "And you're like Saffy, where you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it."
Alexa smiled. "Really?"
"Without a doubt," RJ said as they arrived back in front of the portrait hole.
"Home again," Alexa said whispering the password and watching as the portrait swung open.
RJ pulled the cloak off them as they went into the common room. "I hope no one touched my books," he said.
There were only a couple of students in the common room now and Alexa looked over to one of the tables and saw Ewan staring back at her.
"Hi," he said giving her a little wave.
"Hi Ewan," she said softly. "How... how are you?"
"Okay," he said closing his books. "Been kind of busy."
"I never thanked you for going to get help that night," RJ said. "Thanks."
Ewan shrugged. "I didn't really do anything."
"Yes you did," Alexa argued. "You got Madam Pomfrey so fast I thought you flew to the infirmary."
"He looked kind of bad," Ewan said. "Anyone would have done the same, Lexie."
"It was just really nice of you," Alexa insisted.
"I wish things could have been different," Ewan said giving Alexa a meaningful look. "I-I'll see you later. I'm glad you're both okay."
"Ewan," Alexa went after him. "I'm really sorry... I know you were sort of hoping... well that you kind of wanted..."
"We can't always get what we want," Ewan said with a wry smile. "It's okay. I want you to be happy and if...if RJ Weasley does that...."
"He does," Alexa said quietly. "I love him very much. And I hope you're happy someday too. You're a really great guy Ewan."
"Great guy," Ewan said smiling at her. "At least you didn't say you thought of me as a brother."
She laughed. "I don't think of you as a brother."
"I'll see you around," he said grinning at her. "Good night, Lexie."
RJ stood off to the side trying not to listen. It was obvious that Ewan still fancied his girlfriend.
"Night Ewan," Alexa said before returning to the table where RJ had just sat. "Wonder where Saffy and Andrew got off to..."
"It's late," RJ said. "They probably went upstairs. That bloke still fancies you, you know that, right?"
"It shouldn't make a difference," Alexa said. "I love you."
"I know," RJ said pulling her in his lap. "I was just making an observation."
Alexa kissed him. "Don't get all jealous on me now," she said teasingly.
"I'm not jealous," RJ scoffed.
"Good," she kissed him again. "Come on, let's get our homework finished."
"Okay, okay," RJ said. "Don't distract me then."
"Look who's talking," Alexa took a seat on the other side of the table.
"O'Leary, be quiet," RJ said pulling a serious face. "I have to finish this essay."
Alexa rolled her eyes and flipped open her Charms text.
"Goblin Revolutions," RJ said reading from his text. "Has this ever been interesting? Ever?"
"Be quiet," Alexa imitated his tone. "I have to finish this reading."
"You started it," RJ said turning the page.
"I didn't say a bloody word," Alexa protested.
"You just did," RJ said trying not to look at her and trying not to laugh.
She gave him her best Saffron glare in response.
"You can't pull that off," he teased finally looking up at her.
"Maybe I'll just tell her to come down here then," Alexa replied.
"Okay," RJ said quickly. "We'll both be quiet so we can get our work done. No need to bring Pepper down here."
Alexa smiled in triumph as she got back to her reading.
*** *** ***
Maddie and her wedding party, minus Saffron, had finally found a Saturday when all of them were free to shop for bridesmaid dresses. "What colours were you lot interested in?" Drew asked. "That will help narrow things down quite a bit."
"Maddie's colours are blue and silver, right?" Frankie asked.
"Yes," Darla replied.
"Is it a dark blue, Mads?" Chiaki asked. "Or light blue?"
"Light blue would be nicer," Maddie replied. "I like that shade better."
"I think blue would look lovely on all of us," Frankie said.
"Better than silver," Allison said. "Although perhaps we could have silver accents on the gowns."
"I think I have something just like that," the shopgirl said. "I'll be right back."
Maddie smiled at her wedding party. "I'm so glad all of you are here," she said.
"Of course," Allison said smiling at her sister-in-law.
"This is just so exciting," Maddie grinned. "I'm finally marrying Ethan!"
"After how many years of wishing, waiting and hoping?" Frankie teased her best friend. "Hmmmm?"
"And telling him that he was going to marry me and having him deny it?" Maddie joked.
Julie laughed. "I'm still trying to get over that list Saffron sent to you about things you need to know before you marry my big prat of a brother."
"That was hilarious!" Chiaki laughed.
"And most of them I already knew," Maddie giggled. "She's something else."
"She is that," Julie said.
"I'm going to need a copy of that," Frankie said. "Needling Ethan is one of my most favourite things in the world."
"He loves to give it right back," Julie grinned. "Ethan and you are so much like Dad and Aunt Lav."
"Deep down we care about each other," Frankie said giggling. Everyone was silent as the shop girl wheeled out a rack of dresses just as Allison had described.
"Some of these are strapless," the shopgirl explained. "And some have spaghetti straps...."
"We don't want strapless," Maddie said. "But spaghetti straps would be lovely, especially since it's outdoor in August."
"You could do variations on the bodice," Drew suggested. "And on the beading...each of you could be unique."
"That was a hit at a wedding we did last year," Darla added.
"I love that idea," Maddie said looking at her bridesmaids. "If you guys do, too."
Julie and Frankie nodded. "We do," they said.
Drew smiled. "How about we each pick out the design we like best and try it on?"
"Sounds good to me," Chiaki said. "I'm finally back to my old size."
Allison rolled her eyes. "Because you were just so enormous Chi."
"I gained too much with the twins," Chiaki protested. "I was huge."
Frankie shared a look with her sister. "You looked gorgeous every day of your pregnancy." she told her sister.
"You are sweet," Chiaki said. "Deluded, but sweet."
"Whatever," Frankie said, picking out an elaborately beaded top. "I think I've found mine," she said.
"We'll all get the same skirt," Drew told them. "Julie and Maddie, it'd be good if you both picked out a few tops for Saffron to choose from."
Julie nodded. "I borrowed RJ's camera to take some pictures for her."
"Good thinking," Maddie said, looking through the pretty dresses.
Allison stood up to go through the rack and immediately sat back down. She felt a little dizzy.
"You okay, Al?" Frankie asked.
"I think so," Allison said. "Just a little headache is all..."
"Would you like some water, Mrs. Weasley?" one of the assistants asked. "Or perhaps some juice?"
"No thank you," Allison said. "I'll just sit down for a few minutes." she wanted her best friend to get there so she could ask her about coming in for a check up.
Darla went over some of the specifics with a shop assistant. "One of the bridesmaids is away at school and the other one is due any minute. I was hoping you could also bring out some of the accessories?"
"Sure," the salesgirl nodded.
"You two have to pick out a dress too," Maddie said to her sisters.
"We know," Drew smiled. "We're just used to having everything out first."
"I can't tell you how much it means to have you guys do this for me," Maddie said giving Drew a hug.
"Mad Dog you're our baby sister," Drew hugged her back. "We're happy to do this for you."
"The way Drew's going," Darla said with a look at her twin. "She just might be next."
"We just started dating," Drew protested. "Don't try pushing me down the aisle just yet Dar."
"I see good things ahead for you," Maddie said causing Drew to gape at her. "I haven't had any visions per se....but I have a good feeling about him, Drew."
"Thanks Mad Dog," Drew said. "What about Mr. Big German for Dar?"
"Hans and I are just having fun," Darla said defensively.
"Loads of fun," Drew whispered to Maddie. "Especially at night."
"Drew!" Darla hissed.
"It's not like you're quiet," Drew returned.
"I wouldn't have pegged you for a loud one," Frankie teased.
"Great now everyone knows," Darla rolled her eyes.
"Don't listen to Frankie," Allison said. "She used to spy on boys at Hogwarts."
"In the loo," Chiaki added.
"I never did that!" Frankie exclaimed.
"That was you?" Darla asked.
"No it was not it was Caroline Davies," Frankie replied.
"You both did it," Allison said with a laugh. "You little perv."
"She was the one who got caught," Frankie said slyly.
"It was your idea," Chiaki said. "I overheard the two of you giggling about it that summer she stayed with us."
"You're just jealous you didn't come up with it first," Frankie said, picking out another top.
"I didn't need to," Chiaki said smugly. "Tosh and I went swimming a few times and let's just say I saw all I needed to."
"Gross," Frankie replied.
"Not any grosser than you peeking at boys," Chiaki shot back with a sweet smile.
"The Longbottom girls are all depraved," Julie teased.
"Don't throw me into all that," Allison said. "I never did anything like that."
"You were the GOOD daughter," Frankie smirked. "Running off the day you turned seventeen to get married."
"We would have gotten married eventually," Allison said. "We just had to speed things up."
"And shagging the night of my wedding," Chiaki continued.
"Ewww," Drew said her face contorting in disgust. "Can we not talk about my brother and shagging, please?"
"I second that," Maddie replied from where she was looking through some of the tops.
"Sorry, I'm late," Lizzy said rushing in to the shop. She was still in her work clothes. "I had an emergency."
"Is everything all right?" Maddie asked.
Lizzy nodded. "I delivered a healthy baby girl. The poor woman was in labour for over 26 hours."
Frankie grimaced. "Thanks for reminding me why I don't want kids yet."
Everyone laughed. Drew pulled Lizzy aside to fill her in on what everyone was doing.
"Real nice Frankie," Maddie laughed at her.
"I have a low threshold for pain," Frankie said. "Mads, I could never do it."
"But I'm sure Will wants kids someday," Maddie replied. "Right?"
"He'd like to have them today," Frankie said. "But he's really understanding about waiting until I'm ready too."
"That's lucky for you," Maddie said. "He's such a great guy Frankie."
"And he's mine," Frankie said happily.
"Like Ethan's my great guy," Maddie said with a dreamy expression.
"Let's get you girls in these dresses," Drew said ushering Frankie, Chiaki, and Julie into the dressing rooms. "You can gush about your great blokes afterwards."
Lizzy sat down beside ber best friend. "How's it going?"
"I'm not feeling so great," Allison told her. "Kind of dizzy actually..."
"There's been an outbreak of the wizarding flu," Lizzy said thoughtfully. "Have you been achy, too? Have the sniffles? Sore throat?"
"Not really," Allison said. "Just a bit of a headache... but Liz, I don't want you to feel like you have to examine me- you just got done with a long shift."
"Nonsense," Lizzy said smiling at her. "You are my best friend and the godmother of my triplets. I would be more than happy to fit you in, Allie."
"You're fantastic," Allison gave her a hug. "I just want to ward off anything before it starts."
"Of course," Lizzy said. "Once we're finished here, we can head back to the hospital and I'll examine you."
"Are you sure?" Allison asked. "You really don't mind?"
"I really don't mind," Lizzy said leaning back in her chair. "So, how are the girls?"
"Great," Allison said. "Jon's spending the morning with them, and then he's dropping them off at my parents' house later when he goes to work."
"At the pub, right?" Lizzy asked.
"Right," Allison said. "I still can't believe he didn't tell me about that at first."
"Jon's always been proud," Lizzy said thoughtfully.
"I'm still going to plan on taking the job at my mum's school," Allison said, attempting to stand up again. She was relieved that the dizziness didn't return.
"Your mum would love that," Lizzy said following Allison over to the rack of dresses.
"She told me she could use someone," Allison replied. "And I'm good with keeping books."
"You always were great at numbers," Lizzy said. "I always hated it that you had better marks than me in Arithmancy."
Allison laughed. "That was the only class I had better marks in."
Allison and Lizzy's talk was interrupted by squeals coming from the dressing room.
"I love this dress!" they could hear Frankie call out.
"I think Frankie's decided," Allison laughed, picking a few out at random.
Drew laughed. "Allie, if you're feeling okay, why don't you and Lizzy try those dresses on?"
"Sounds good," Lizzy picked out a few as well and the two women disappeared into the dressing rooms.
A couple of hours later, the women had picked out their dresses. Julie had managed to take a few snapshots to bring to Saffron.
"Just owl me her choice," Darla said giving Julie a hug. "And give her our best."
"I will," Julie said. "I've got to get back home- it's Malfoy pizza night."
"Good luck," Chiaki said. "Hopefully, your girls haven't destroyed the kitchen."
"That's what I'm hoping too," Julie said before leaving.
"We better get going too," Frankie said to Maddie. "Ethan and Will are probably wondering where we are."
"They are probably playing billards and drinking beer," Maddie said pulling on her cloak. "And have no idea what time it is."
"You're right," Frankie said. "It's up to us girls to drag them out for some real food."
"I hope you feel better, Allie," Maddie said giving her a hug. "And tell Caroline and Emma that Ethan and I will stop by really soon."
"I will," Allison replied. "Have fun tonight you two."
"We will," Frankie said giving her sister and then Lizzy a hug.
"Ready to go?" Lizzy asked her friend.
"Sure," Allison replied. "Thanks again Lizzy."
They quickly made their way to St. Mungo's and took the lift up to Lizzy's office. Lizzy went to check her messages while one of the nurses took Allison's vital signs.
"If it's not the Wizarding Flu what do you think it could be?" Allison asked her best friend.
"Could be a Muggle thing," Lizzy said. "When did you start feeling this way?"
"I've been feeling sick on and off for the past few weeks," Allison said. "Thought it might be allergies too, since it's getting warmer."
"Could be," Lizzy said instructing her friend to lie down on the examining table. "When was your last cycle?"
Allison thought for a moment. "Early February," she said. "I should be starting again in a couple more weeks."
Lizzy looked at her. "Allie? It's the middle of March now."
Allison sat straight up. "Oh shite..."
Lizzy nodded. "Don't worry. I forget what day it is myself these days with the boys and Casey around."
"With all that went on with Jon... I completely didn't keep track." Allison said. "Oh Liz... do you think I could be... could be--"
"It's certainly possible," Lizzy said. She took out her wand and performed a few tests. Allison sat stock still, biting her bottom lip nervously. When she was through, she made a few notes on Allison's chart. "Well," Lizzy began. "I think that you'll need to let the dress shop know that they'll have to alter your dress."