Authors' note: Thanks for the reviews you guys! We hope you will enjoy this chapter. It's a continuation of the Andrew/Saffy scene from last chapter and there's also an interesting development with Zander/Ashley. Please let us know what you think!
Andrew thought for a moment and a slow smile spread across his face as he thought of just the place. "How about somewhere that you're guaranteed to have a good time?"
"That sounds good to me," Saffron replied.
Andrew gave her a kiss. "Come on then."
Saffron followed him. "Where are we going?"
He led her down the alley where no one could see them. "I'm not going to spoil the surprise."
"Hint?" she asked.
Andrew shook his head. "Close your eyes. I'll Apparate us both there."
"Okay," Saffron said as he pulled her close. She buried her face in his chest and shut her eyes.
A few moments later they arrived in Hogsmeade. "Keep your eyes closed, Potter," Andrew whispered.
"I am," she said softly.
Andrew took her hand and led her down the sidewalk. "Okay...open them."
Saffron took in the sights around her. "Hogsmeade?"
"Hogsmeade," Andrew said with a grin.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, a smile spreading across her face.
"This is where you and I had some of our best times," Andrew said putting his arm around her.
"Yeah," Saffron said, looking at the buildings. "We sure did..."
"You know, I used to sit in The Three Broomsticks and think of ways to get you to talk to me," Andrew said.
"You did?" she asked. "But we were always friends..."
"I thought you were so cute and sassy," Andrew said grinning at her. "But, you just saw me as RJ's dorky friend."
"I never thought you were dorky," Saffron nudged him.
Andrew nudged her back. "I was brilliant. You just didn't notice it because you were too busy snogging RJ."
"That was only twice," Saffron poked him this time.
"I wanted to punch his face in when he told me," Andrew admitted.
"Really?" Saffron asked.
"Mmmhmm," Andrew said as they began to walk. "Absolutely. I'd fancied you for such a long time, but I was too much of a coward to do anything about it and there he is swooping in..."
"How come you never said anything sooner?" Saffron was curious.
Andrew shrugged. "Don't know, really. Because I was an idiot?"
"You're not an idiot," Saffron leaned against him.
"I was," Andrew said. "But not anymore."
"Never," Saffron gave him a kiss.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Andrew asked when they pulled apart.
"Let's start at the Three Broomsticks," Saffron said. "And work our way down."
"Okay," Andrew said taking her hand. "You know, I haven't been here in quite some time."
"Me either," Saffron replied. "Everything seems so changed to me."
Andrew held the door open for her and they stepped inside the warm pub.
"This still looks the same though," Saffron said, glancing around.
"How about I get us some hot chocolate?" Andrew asked.
"That sounds fantastic," Saffron said. "I'll go wait in our favourite booth."
Andrew kissed her on the cheek before heading to the bar.
Saffron watched him go. Having him in her life again made her realise that she was indeed lucky.
"Saffron Potter is that you?" Madam Rosmerta asked tapping her on the shoulder.
Saffron jumped and turned around.
Rosmerta smiled warmly at her. "Oh, sweetheart. I didn't mean to startle you. It's just so good to see you again!"
"Thanks," Saffron smiled at her. "You look lovely as you always did."
Rosmerta laughed. "I'm trying. You are growing up into such a beautiful young woman. Your father was in here just the other day telling me about how proud he was of you."
"He was?" Saffron asked.
Rosmerta nodded. "He was and I understand you have a big match coming up next weekend!"
Saffron nodded. "My first one."
"You're going to be grand," Rosmerta told her.
"I hope so," Saffron said.
Andrew made his way over to the booth carrying their mugs of hot chocolate.
"Andrew Kirke!" Rosmerta exclaimed. She looked over at Saffron. "Are you two back together?"
"Hi Madam Rosmerta," Andrew said with a grin. "Yes we are."
Rosmerta grinned at him. "Well, it's about time. Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Andrew said, setting the mugs down.
"Don't you two be strangers," Rosmerta said smiling at them before she headed back behind the bar.
Andrew grinned at Saffron. "This brings back memories."
"Yes it does," Saffron said softly.
"Good memories," Andrew said, squeezing her hand.
"And now we're making new ones," Saffron said looking into his eyes.
"We sure are," Andrew gave her a gentle kiss.
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, just enjoying being together. Saffron took a sip of her hot chocolate. "That's as good as I remember it being."
"Without a doubt," he agreed.
"I feel so grown up being here," Saffron laughed. "Does that make sense?"
"You mean it doesn't make you feel like a student again?" he teased.
Saffron shook her head. "No, because I doubt Smelly Old Snape will catch us snogging outside of Honeyduke's. And even if he did, there's nothing he could do about it."
Andrew snorted back his laughter. "Too bad it's not a Hogsmeade day for Hogwarts when we could test that out."
Saffron giggled and pulled a severe face. "Potter! Kirke! Twenty points from Gryffindor!"
"Yet we always did manage to win the House Cup," Andrew pointed out.
"And wipe the floor with Slytherin," Saffron said raising her mug in triumph.
Andrew laughed. "That's my girl."
"This was a really good idea you had," Saffron said smiling at him. "I needed this."
"I'll do anything I can to make you happy," Andrew told her.
"For the longest time I felt like a part of me was missing," Saffron said. "And now, I feel like I'm getting that back with you."
Andrew put his arm around her.
"You know," Saffron said softly. "Valentine's Day is coming up soon..."
"Yes it is," Andrew nodded.
"Not that I was hinting or reminding you or anything," Saffron grinned.
"Of course not," Andrew said. "Because you know... it's just another day. Nothing special."
"Complete greeting card holiday," Saffron said.
"Right," Andrew replied. "And roses? Completely overrated."
"Absolutely," Saffron said tracing a pattern on the wooden table with her finger. "And don't even get me started on chocolates..."
"We can get those any day of the week," Andrew said, the corner of his mouth turning up.
"It's really kind of hokey when you think about it," Saffron said thoughtfully.
"So in other words, on February 14th, I'd better surprise you with roses, chocolates, and some ridiculous card?" Andrew asked devilishly.
"I was thinking more along the lines of rubies and emeralds," Saffron said cheekily.
He laughed loudly. "I see how it is."
"I was thinking that I could make dinner for us at your place," Saffron said. "And we could enjoy a nice night in..."
"Nice and quiet?" Andrew asked. "Sounds good to me."
"And then you can give me the emeralds and rubies," Saffron said grinning at him.
Andrew shook his head. "The pressure is on."
"And don't you forget it," Saffron said giving him a kiss.
"Never," Andrew kept her lips against his for a moment.
"So where do you want to go next?" Saffron asked. "Honeyduke's? Weasley's?"
"Honeyduke's sounds good," Andrew said.
"I'm going to pick up some fudge for my mum even though she's going to say she doesn't need it," Saffron said.
"Mine is the same way," Andrew said.
"Let's go and load up then," Saffron grinned.
"After you," Andrew said, pushing his empty mug away.
Saffron slid out of the booth and put on her cloak and gloves.
Andrew slid his arm around her as they left The Three Broomsticks and headed for Honeyduke's.
"I also want to pick up something for Chloe, the triplets, and Emma, Caroline and Adam," Saffron said.
"Emma will love that," Andrew chuckled.
"You should have seen her at Christmas when we were at the Burrow," Saffron said smiling at the memory. "She was playing teacher and she told the kids if they didn't get everything right, she would get to eat their dinner."
"What did they say to that?" Andrew asked.
"Adam said she was mean," Saffron laughed. "It was the cutest thing especially hearing the triplets trying to say the alphabet. They're getting so big, Andrew."
"Too big," Andrew agreed.
"And they were so sweet to me when I had my little meltdown," Saffron said quietly. She'd told him about "hearing" Gordon's voice that night.
"They all love you," Andrew said, pulling her closer.
"I love them too," Saffron said. "So much."
"And Chloe has you pinned to a T, Sassy," Andrew grinned.
Saffron grinned back at him. "Mum says I was just like her when I was a kid."
"At least we know she'll turn out well," Andrew gave her a quick kiss.
"And maybe she'll be a great Quidditch player in her own right," Saffron said happily.
"You can train her," Andrew said. "And then I'll have my team come in and sign her."
Saffron nudged him. "No way. She's a Puddlemere girl through and through."
"If you say so," Andrew replied.
"I do," Saffron said walking into Honeyduke's. Andrew watched his girlfriend and couldn't help smiling at the look on her face. It was good to see her happy.
"It smells SO good in here," Saffron closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.
"Remember how we used to have to physically drag RJ out of here every Hogsmeade weekend?" Andrew asked her.
"Yes," Saffron said. "Only too well."
Saffron loaded up on fudge for her mother, chocolate frogs for her father and picked out sweets for the children. "My dad still collects the cards," Saffron said rolling her eyes. "Boys never grow up, do they?"
Andrew dropped a package of them that he was going to buy. "Uh... not really..." he said sheepishly.
Saffron laughed. "Andrew!"
"They're cool cards!" Andrew said defensively.
"You sound like my dad," Saffron said. "Its okay, Andrew."
"Thanks Mum," Andrew said.
Saffron poked him in the side. "Very funny."
"Have you got enough?" he asked.
"I think so," Saffron said. "I feel like I've gained a stone just being in here."
"In a good way," Andrew patted his stomach.
Saffron laughed. "Very good."
Despite Saffron's protests, Andrew paid for the whole lot.
"You didn't have to do that, you know," Saffron said as they left the sweets shop.
"I wanted to," Andrew replied. "You can owe me later."
Saffron smiled. "Thank you, Andrew. And not just for that. For today..."
"Anytime, Saf." Andrew took her hand.
"I love you," Saffron said squeezing his hand.
"Love you too," he said with a grin.
"Let's go back to yours and snuggle up on the sofa and watch a movie," Saffron said grinning back at him.
"I like that idea," Andrew said. "Told you I'd make this a good day."
"Yes, you did," Saffron said leaning in for a kiss. "And it has been."
"Good," Andrew told her.
Saffron couldn't help but wonder if perhaps things were too good to be true; too perfect. She shook off that feeling though. She and Andrew were at a good place now and she didn't doubt his love for her or her love for him.
"You okay?" he asked her.
Saffron nodded. "I'm fine. Better than fine, actually."
"That's what I like hearing," Andrew said. "Want me to Apparate us both?"
"That'd be nice," Saffron replied with a grin.
"Anything you want," Andrew wrapped his arms around her.
Saffron closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest.
They found themselves in RJ and Andrew's flat moments later. "That sure beats the train," she said.
"And seeing Snape," Andrew said setting their bags down by the door.
"Well that one goes without saying," Saffron said dryly.
"What movie do you want to watch?" Andrew asked her taking her cloak and setting it on the rack by the door.
"You pick something," Saffron said. "I'll make us some popcorn."
"Deal," Andrew said heading for the sitting room.
Saffron still knew where everything in the kitchen was and was reaching into the cupboard for the popcorn when Audrey walked in.
"Oh," Audrey said. "I didn't know you guys were here."
"We just got in," Saffron said. "Um... did you both want to watch a movie and have popcorn with us?"
Audrey shook her head. "That's really nice of you, but we're watching the telly in RJ's room. I just came in here to get us a drink."
"Oh," Saffron nodded.
"Did you have a good day?" Audrey asked conversationally.
"We went to Hogsmeade," Saffron said. "It's the wizarding town near where we went to school," she added at the look on Audrey's face.
Audrey nodded. "I believe I remember RJ mentioning that once or twice."
"It's a really cool place," Saffron replied. "I haven't been there since I graduated."
"That's nice," Audrey said grabbing two glasses from the cupboard.
"Maybe we can find a way to bring you sometime," Saffron replied.
"Maybe," Audrey said getting a pitcher of juice out of the icebox. "I'm sorry about earlier, you know...at the pub. Natalia and I became really close when she was dating Andrew. She really cared about him and I hate to see her so sad."
Saffron nodded. "I understand. I... I really never wanted to hurt her. She was so nice to me on New Year's Eve and I just..."
Audrey held her hand up. "I know. I don't think you're the type of person who would deliberately set out to hurt someone."
Saffron shook her head. "I really do hope that we can be friends despite all this."
Audrey smiled. "I'd like that."
"I'm glad," Saffron smiled back.
Audrey winked conspiratorially at her. "RJ and I are actually watching Sense and Sensibility. Every time he starts to nod off, I poke him in the ribs."
Saffron laughed. "Try right under his arm. Give it a gentle pinch."
"Thank you for that tip," Audrey said picking up their glasses. "I'll see you later, Saffy."
"Later," Saffron replied.
"Everything okay?" Andrew asked a few minutes later when she came into the sitting room with a tray of popcorn and sodas.
"Fine," Saffron said, snuggling next to him. "Couldn't be better."
Andrew grinned. "That's what I like to hear."
*** *** ***
There was a big Potions exam coming up tomorrow and Zander Murray was worried.It was the one class that he wasn't doing well in and he knew he had to get good marks on this exam. Snape seemed to know this and he'd delighted in making Zander look like a complete idiot when it came to potions.
Ashley was supposed to meet with him and Brittany for an emergency study session. The plan was for the three of them to study before dinner. When he walked into the library, he was dismayed to see that he was apparently the first of the three to arrive. He'd thought he'd been late.
Zander set his books down at their usual table and decided to go over his notes while he waited.
He was surprised that he had gotten there before Ashley. Usually she was buried in books by the time he showed up.
Brittany breezed in a few minutes later. "I know. I know. I'm late, but I wanted to freshen up before I came in here."
"You're here before Ash is?" he blurted out.
Brittany stared at him in surprise. "I am?"
"Do you see her here?" Zander gestured.
Brittany rolled her eyes. "No. I just find it hard to believe that we both are here before she is. No need to be so tetchy."
"Sorry," he apologised.
Brittany sat down. "I don't have a good feeling about this exam. Not at all."
"We'll do fine with Ash's help," Zander said.
"You know Snape could really do with some sun and a good scalp treatment," Brittany said thoughtfully. "His hair looks like it hasn't been washed. And he's deathly pale. I mean really, really pale."
"And he smells," Zander added.
Brittany nodded. "He does. I think it's formaldehyde."
Zander laughed. "Nice."
Zander looked up to see Ashley finally walking into the library. He held up his hand to wave, but he noticed she wasn't alone. A third-year Ravenclaw that he knew by face, but not by name, was with her and they were laughing about something.
"You really didn't know the answer to that one?" Ashley was saying as they came into earshot.
"No," he shook his head. "But I covered pretty well, didn't I?"
"Completely," Ashley giggled.
"Who is that?" Zander whispered to Brittany.
"Charlie something or other," Brittany replied.
Ashley caught sight of her friends and smiled. "Hi! I'm sorry I'm late!"
"That's okay," Brittany said. "We just got here too."
"I'll see you later, Ashley," the older boy said. "Thanks again for your help."
"Anytime," Ashley waved.
He gave her a charming smile before sauntering off. Zander glared at his retreating back.
"He's cute," Brittany said. "How do you know him?"
Ashley set her bag down on the table and started taking out her books. "Charlie?"
"Yeah! And he's a THIRD year!" Brittany widened her eyes. "Are you two going out?"
"Miss Murray, would you please keep it down?" Madam Pince hissed at her. "This is a library!"
"Sorry," Brittany said, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"It's scary how she comes out of nowhere like that, isn't it?" Ashley whispered.
"Totally," Brittany agreed.
"So where did we want to start?" Ashley asked.
"I want to start with how you know hot third years," Brittany whispered.
"She means with studying," Zander said sharply.
"Honestly, it's nothing," Ashley told her friends. "I was helping Professor Sprout and she was holding detention for some of her students. She asked him a question and I might have whispered the answer to him."
"But still," Brittany said. "He's soooooo cute."
"Doesn't sound like he's too smart," Zander muttered. "And he's in Ravenclaw. I guess the Sorting Hat got THAT one wrong..."
"Zander it was just one answer," Ashley opened her book.
"He's coming back over," Brittany whispered grinning at her friend.
"What?" Ashley straightened up.
Charlie came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. "A token of my gratitude..."
Ashley turned around and looked up at him and grinned when she saw he was holding a package of chocolates. "Charlie..."
"Just a little thank you," he said, grinning at her.
"Thank you," Ashley blushed. "I really didn't do anything."
"You got me out of Sprout's detention with that answer," Charlie said gratefully.
"I was happy to help," Ashley said grinning back at him. "Um, Charlie. These are my best friends, Zander Murray and his cousin, Brittany."
"Hey guys," Charlie nodded to them.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Brittany smiled at him.
"Hi mate," Charlie said when Zander didn't say anything.
"Charlie was telling me that he's on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team," Ashley told Zander, who just grunted in response. "Zander's going to try out next year for our house team, Charlie."
"Good luck," Charlie said, sitting down next to Ashley. "Quidditch is tough, but it's a lot of fun."
"Maybe you could give Zander some pointers," Ashley suggested.
"I don't need pointers," Zander muttered. "Thanks anyway."
Charlie shrugged. "No problem, mate."
"I love Quidditch," Brittany said.
Zander looked at his cousin. "You hate Quidditch."
"Shut up Zander," Brittany hissed.
"You talk all the time about how boring and barbaric it is and you complained all winter when we'd make you watch the matches with us because it was too cold," Zander reminded her.
"I hate you," Brittany glared at him.
Charlie and Ashley laughed.
"We should really get started," Zander mumbled looking pointedly at Charlie. "If you'll excuse us..."
"We really have to study for our potions exam," Ashley said. "But I'm sure I'll talk to you later."
"You can count on it," Charlie said offering her another charming smile before he stood up. "Nice meeting you both."
"You too," Brittany said with a grin.
"I can't believe he gave me chocolates," Ashley said blushing.
"That's so sweet," Brittany gushed.
"That's so lame," Zander muttered.
"Why is it lame?" Ashley asked.
Zander hadn't realised he'd actually said that out loud. "Um, we should really get started."
Brittany snorted. She knew why her cousin was upset.
"Right," Ashley said. "This one is going to be a killer."
"For us, anyway," Brittany said. "Snape loves you. You'll probably pass without even taking it."
Ashley shook her head. "Brit, I have to study, too."
"We're just glad we have you to help us out," Zander said.
"We'd both be failing without you," Brittany agreed.
Ashley shook her head. "You two would be fine."
"I don't think so," Zander said. "I probably would have mixed the wrong ingredients a long time ago and blew up the potions lab..."
Ashley giggled. "That would be a sight."
"He very nearly did our first year," Brittany giggled. "I've never seen Snape move so fast!"
"He moves fast only when it comes to giving detention," Zander grumbled.
Ashley nodded. "I know he's been hard on you, Zander. But, just imagine the look on his face when you ace this exam."
Zander had to smile at that. "Good point."
Brittany looked at her potions notes. "It says here that we should read and go over Chapter Three of Organic Potions. Do you have that book?"
Ashley shook her head. "I was going to check a copy out today."
"I'll go and see if I can find three copies," Brittany offered. "I'll be right back."
"Thanks Brit," Ashley said.
"No problem," Brittany said. "Don't start without me!"
"Never," Zander deadpanned.
Ashley was looking over her notes and she could feel Zander looking at her. She looked up and smiled at him. "You okay?"
"Fine," he shrugged. "Why?"
"You just looked a little preoccupied," Ashley said.
"Studying, you know?" Zander replied.
"You're going to do great," Ashley reassured him. "I know you will."
He shrugged again. Zander couldn't help but stare at how pretty she was, especially tonight. Her cheeks were flushed just a bit and he couldn't help but remember New Year's Eve.
They'd agreed to act like it hadn't happened, but the truth was, he'd thought about it nearly every single day from the moment it had happened.
"You sure you're okay?" Ashley asked.
"Fine," Zander replied. "So---um, you and that Charlie bloke..."
It was Ashley's turn to shrug. "I don't think he even knew who I was until tonight."
"You think the two of you will be ...you know, friends now?" Zander asked.
"I don't know," Ashley said thoughtfully. "Maybe."
"He's older than we are," Zander pointed out. "And you know he's in another house..."
"Only by a year," Ashley said. "And Ravenclaw..."
"And he's obviously a troublemaker," Zander said. "I mean, he was in detention."
"Zander," Ashley gave him a look. "He was working in a group that was playing around in class. Sprout gave them all detention. He wasn't really doing anything wrong."
"Oh," Zander said frowning. "Right."
"He's really nice," Ashley told him. "You'd like him."
"Yeah, maybe," Zander mumbled.
Brittany came back over with three copies of the book. "We're lucky these were the last three left on the shelf!"
"Great," Ashley said. "Thanks Brit."
They each read the chapter and then went over what they'd read. Ashley started making flash cards to help them out.
"I don't' get why you can't just add the ragweed at the beginning," Zander said in frustration.
"If you do, it will cause a chemical reaction that could burn the skin," Ashley told him.
"But wouldn't it do the same thing if you add it later?" he asked.
Ashley shook her head. "Potion-making is a precise science, Zander. You have to follow the instructions to the letter. By waiting, you allow the liquid to settle."
"I just hope I can remember that," Zander said.
"You will," Ashley said, reaching across the table and giving his arm a squeeze.
Zander turned red at her touch.
"I'm not going to let you fail," Ashley said.
"Thanks," Zander mumbled.
Brittany stifled a yawn. "How much longer do we have to go over this?"
"Until you both get it," Ashley told her.
"Right," Brittany said resting her chin on her palm. "This is soooooo boring."
"But you've got to know it," Ashley insisted.
"I know," Brittany grumbled. "So what's next?"
"One more chapter," Ashley said. "And we can use these flashcards."
"Right," Zander said looking at his notes. "Forgetfulness potions...."
Ashley grinned. "Just what we need tonight."
Zander laughed. "I've got news for Snape; I don't need a potion to make me forget things. I do fine all on my own."
"Prove otherwise," Ashley told him.
"I will," Zander vowed.
"You too," Ashley said to Brittany.
"I am always fabulous," Brittany said dramatically.
"Of course you are," Ashley teased as Charlie stood up from across the room and waved to her.
Ashley waved back and Zander and Brittany turned to see the person she was waving to. Zander rolled his eyes.
"He is SO, so cute," Brittany said. "If I didn't have Evan..."
Ashley blushed. "Brit..."
"You're so lucky," Brittany said. "An older guy..."
"By one year," Zander snapped at his cousin. "And it's not as if they're dating, Brit! For Merlin's sake, they just met each other today!"
Both girls stared at him in shock.
"Sorry," Zander said hastily.
"What on earth is your problem?" Brittany asked. "You've been in a mood all night."
"I'm just really worried about this test," Zander replied. "And I wish you'd stop interrupting our studying to gush over some bloke, Brit. If our exam was on Charlie the Ravenclaw, I'm sure you'd get top marks."
"Whatever," Brittany huffed.
"So, flash cards," Ashley said holding them up, eager to change the subject.
Brittany took them. "I'll probably benefit more from these than that stupid book."
They took turns going through the flash cards, with Brittany testing first Ashley and then Zander.
"You got it!" Ashley said delightedly. "Both of you!"
"Both of them, rather...
Zander was a little surprised at that given how he kept thinking of Charlie the Ravenclaw and what cliff he'd like to push him and his perfect face off of.
"I'll test you now, Brit," Ashley said, taking the cards.
"Bring it on," Brittany said confidently.
Ashley giggled. "Right."
Brittany missed a few of the questions, but did well for the most part.
"We'll go over it again at breakfast," Ashley promised. "Just the ones you missed, Brit."
"That sounds good," Brittany said gathering up her books. "Thanks, Ash."
"Finally," Zander grumbled.
"It wasn't too bad, see?" Ashley asked them.
"Just took forever," Zander said.
"And a day," Brittany giggled.
The library was closing so Ashley stacked the books she wanted to check out. "I'll be right back," she told her friends.
Brittany promised they'd wait for her and she nudged her cousin once they were alone. "You are so transparent, Zander Murray. You are jealous."
"Shut up," Zander said.
"I was only teasing her," Brittany said. "If you fancy her, though. You should say something. Because if you don't, someone like Charlie might just get there before you do."
"She doesn't think of me that way," Zander muttered.
"She thinks you're great," Brittany told him. "She's always telling me about how fantastic you are and how talented you are."
"I guess," Zander said.
"Just think about it," Brittany said seriously. "The best relationships start from friendships, right?"
"How would I know?" Zander asked.
Brittany rolled her eyes. "Boys..."
"Are you both ready?" Ashley asked.
"I can carry those for you, Ashley," Zander offered.
"Thanks Zander," Ashley smiled as she let him take the stack of books. She packed up the rest of her things, including the box of chocolate Charlie had given her.
"Zander, that jumper really looks good on you," Brittany said. "Doesn't it, Ash?"
"It's just my uniform jumper, Brit," Zander said, wondering what his cousin was doing.
"It looks very nice," Ashley replied.
Zander blushed. "Really?"
"Sure," Ashley nodded.
"Thanks," Zander said suddenly feeling much better.
"We should get back before curfew," Ashley said. "We don't want to get caught by Peeves or Snape."
"Right," Zander said leading the way out of the library.
The three of them headed up to their dormitory when Charlie stopped them.
"You lot heading up to bed?" Charlie asked warmly.
Ashley nodded. "Yeah. We've been studying hard for the past few hours."
"Someone as smart as you shouldn't have to study for hours," Charlie said smoothly.
Ashley blushed. "Well... a refresher never hurts."
"Good luck on your exam, Miss Malfoy," Charlie said grinning at her.
"Thanks," Ashley smiled back. "I guess I'll... see you tomorrow..."
"Count on it," Charlie said winking at her. "Night."
"Bye," Ashley blushed even harder.
"'Count on it'," Zander mimicked Charlie. "Who is he? He sounded like he was picking you up in a pub or something!"
"He was just being nice," Ashley defended him.
"Whatever," Zander said leading the way up the staircase to Gryffindor Tower.
"Why is he so upset?" Ashley asked once she and Brittany were getting ready for bed.
"Ashley," Brittany said in exasperation. "You know why he's upset!"
"No I don't," Ashley shook her head.
"Well, let's see," Brittany said. "He thinks the sun rose and set where you stand. So, I imagine he doesn't like it when someone else comes along and seems to feel the same way."
"Zander doesn't think of me that way," Ashley denied. "And Charlie's just being nice."
"Mmmhmm," Brittany said shaking her head.
"What are you saying, Brit?" Ashley asked.
"I'm saying that you and Zander are driving me crazy," Brittany said reaching for her hairbrush.
Ashley's eyebrows knit together. "I don't mean to drive you crazy..."
"I know you don't," Brittany reassured her.
"But how are we making you crazy?" Ashley asked.
"I can't say," Brittany said remembering that she'd promised her cousin she wouldn't tell Ashley.
"I don't get it," Ashley was confused.
"It's not my place to tell you this," Brittany said. "Just...you and Zander are my two best friends. I would do anything for either one of you."
"Thanks..." Ashley pulled the covers back on her bed.
"I know I give him a hard time," Brittany said slipping into her own bed. "But he's like a brother to me and I want him to be happy."
"I do too," Ashley replied.
"Good night, Ash," Brittany said.
"Night," Ashley said, turning onto her side.
She thought about New Year's Eve and that kiss they'd shared.
It hadn't been a bad kiss, but Ashley hadn't liked how awkward she felt afterwards.
Zander was her best friend and she didn't want anything to get in the way of that.
*** *** ***