Authors' note: Long chapter with the Hogwarts Crew! Enjoy! And please review!
The few days between Katie's discovery of Jemima stealing her ring and the Quidditch match passed by quickly. Katie had brewed her potion and stowed it away to pour in Jemima's drink at exactly the right moment. Every time she thought of finding her ring in Jemima's bag, Katie grew angrier.
After today, Jemima would know that you could not mess with a Malfoy and hope to get away with it.
She also knew her sister and Zander were still not speaking. He must be completely thick headed, Katie thought scornfully. It was obvious that Celia and Sebastian were meeting on the side.
But, Katie could not worry about that right now. She had to worry about her plan to get back at Jemima and her little minion, Piper. Everyone seemed to think Ashley was the smart one, but Katie knew her sister could never have planned something as complex as this.
She looked at the little bottle once more before stuffing it into the pocket of her jeans. "What was that?" a voice startled her.
Katie turned to see Lindsey. "Nothing," she replied curtly.
"Why won't you talk to me?" Lindsey asked.
Katie shrugged. "We're not friends anymore, are we?"
"Erin said you've been talking to her lately," Lindsey said. "Are you in a strop with Jemima?"
Katie looked at her. She did not know if she could trust Lindsey anymore. "Are you going to the match then?" Katie asked instead.
"Of course," Lindsey said.
"Linds," Katie said. "I'm---I'm sorry for the way I behaved you know. When we first got here and I threw you overboard for Jemima and Piper."
Lindsey stared at her. "What?"
"You heard," Katie said. "I don't apologise very often, you know."
"Is this a trick?" Lindsey asked suspiciously.
Katie shook her head. "No."
"You are mad at Jemima, then," Lindsey deduced. "Otherwise you wouldn't be talking to me."
Katie rolled her eyes. "I don't really have time for this, Lindsey."
"Well you can't blame me for not trusting you," Lindsey pointed out.
"True," Katie admitted, grabbing her cloak and scarf.
Lindsey looked at her for a long moment. "You really want us to be friends again?"
Katie nodded. "Yes, of course. You're a lot more loyal than some of my other 'friends'."
"I am?" Lindsey asked, confused. "I mean... of course I am."
Katie laughed. "We'll talk more at the party tonight. Okay?"
"Sure..." Lindsey looked at her gratefully. "It'll be fun to hang out again."
Katie checked her reflection in the mirror. "How are Tristan and Erin doing?" she asked.
"They're so cute together," Lindsey replied.
"Absolutely," Katie agreed. "A much better pair than he and Jemima."
"Why do you hate her now?" Lindsey asked.
"Hate her?" Katie laughed. "Oh, Lindsey...you'll find out soon enough. I promise you that."
A slow smile spread across Lindsey's face. "What did she do to you? You can tell me."
Katie was dying to tell someone about this and she figured Lindsey was as good as anyone. She checked to make sure that they were the only ones in the room. She sat Lindsey down on the edge of her bed and related the whole story to her.
"She actually STOLE your ring?" Lindsey asked in disbelief. "But why would she want YOUR family heirloom?"
"Because she is a small, pitiful girl who thinks she can take anything she wants," Katie replied. "But, I'm going to get her back for this."
"I can't wait to see it," Lindsey said gleefully.
"Just make sure you're at the party," Katie told her.
"I wouldn't miss our victory party," Lindsey replied.
Katie smiled. If everything went according to plan, it would also be HER victory party.
"Oh, Linds?" Katie said as Lindsey opened the door.
"Yes?" Lindsey asked.
"Don't ever cross me again," Katie said sweetly.
The smile on Lindsey's face faltered a bit. "Um--right."
"See you in a bit," Katie said angelically.
Lindsey hurried out of the room, leaving Katie alone.
Katie finished getting ready and headed downstairs to the common room. Jemima and Piper were sitting by the fire and Jemima appeared upset about something.
"Hi, Jem," Katie said. "What's wrong?"
Jemima looked as if she were about to say something but shook her head. "Nothing, Katherine. What took you so long? The game is going to start in a few minutes."
Katie tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I wanted to look my best. I'm sorry, Jem."
"Let's go," Jemima muttered.
Katie nodded and together, the three of them set off for the Quidditch pitch. Piper complained about having to sit out in the cold to watch a boring match.
"It's not boring," Katie contradicted. "It's going to be fun when we cream Gryffindor."
"Whatever," Piper said dismissively. "I just wish they played indoors or at least during the summer."
Katie rolled her eyes. She was glad after today; she probably wouldn't have to put up with Piper's whining anymore.
"Piper, we don't have school in the summer," Jemima pointed out. "Why would they play school matches during the summer?"
"Because it's WARMER," Piper said.
"Bubblehead," Katie muttered under her breath.
"What?" Piper turned and glared at her. "What did you call me?"
"Nothing," Katie said innocently.
"Come ON," Jemima said impatiently. "We're going to miss the start of the game. And I want to be sure my two blokesnotice me."
"They definitely will," Piper said loyally.
"I think Brendan's a bit cuter," she said. "More my style..."
"And richer," Piper pointed out.
"And just all around better," Jemima said. She looked over at Katie, who seemed deep in thought. "Katherine!"
"Yes?" Katie replied.
"You aren't paying attention," she said snappishly.
Katie quickened her step to catch up to the older girls. She didn't really have to pay attention, she thought bitterly. Everything Jemima said was about Jemima herself. "Sorry, Jem. I think Brendan's a great choice too."
"I'll talk to him today then," Jemima tossed her long hair back.
In the Gryffindor stands, Ashley reluctantly sat down. Brittany rubbed her hands together for warmth. "Let's put a heating charm on our seats," Brittany suggested.
Ashley nodded. "Good thing we just learned those."
"I hope Evan can see my sign from the sky," Brittany said while Ashley did the warming charm.
Ashley shook her head. "I think a Muggle plane could see your sign."
Brittany laughed. "I worked really hard on it and I want him to know I support him. It's just too bad I couldn't put on there what a big jerk my cousin is."
Ashley didn't want to talk about Zander. "I just wish it wasn't so cold."
"The heating charm will help," Brittany said. She pulled her Omnioculars from her bag and scanned the crowd. Sure enough, she caught sight of Celia.
Brittany's eyes narrowed as she saw Celia lean over and point to Zander, and laugh with the person next to her.
"Evil cow," Brittany muttered.
"What?" Ashley asked.
"Conniving Celia." Brittany said handing the Omnioculars to her friend.
Ashley shook her head. "I don't care about her. Whatever she does now... it's up to Zander."
Brittany nodded. "He's going to feel like such an idiot when he sees how right we were about her."
"I don't care," Ashley said.
Brittany did not believe that for a moment, but she also knew how hurt Ashley was that Zander hadn't believed her. Zander was going to have to grovel to get back into their good graces. Brittany looked over at the faculty stands and saw a sixth year Gryffindor preparing to announce the match. "I bet I could do that."
Ashley followed Brittany's gaze and laughed. "Announce? Brittany you know nothing about Quidditch."
"I could learn," Brittany said. "I think it would be a fun job."
"You would certainly be colourful," Ashley commented.
"So you think I'd be good at it?" Brittany asked.
Ashley nodded. "Go for it."
Brittany beamed at her.
"You can talk to my mum about it," Ashley said. "She's in charge of setting all that up."
"I will," Brittany nodded. "After we WIN!"
Just outside the pitch, Zander was pacing. He was beyond nervous and he wanted nothing more than to run to the loo and throw up.
"Are you all right?" Jack Sloper peered at him.
Zander jumped. "Um, what?"
"You better get yourself together," Jack told him.
Zander nodded and reassured the Gryffindor captain that he would be ready to go when the match started.
"Now," Jack said. "We go out there, and play like we've been playing. We're a good team."
"Better than the Slytherins," Evan chimed in.
"That goes without saying," Jack replied.
The team sat down after Jack motioned for them all to gather around. He told them to take out their playbooks and Zander reached into his pocket for his, but was dismayed to find it was empty. "Murray?" Jack called out. "Is there a problem?"
"I uh... no..." Zander said, reaching for his bag.
Jack folded his arms and watched as Zander searched his bag. He had the playbook just that morning at breakfast with Celia.
"What is it, Murray?" Jack asked impatiently.
"I-I can't find mine," Zander replied helplessly. "Um---can I just look on with Evan?"
"What did you do with it?" Jack asked.
Zander wracked his brain trying to retrace his steps. He was in the Great Hall this morning, eating breakfast and going over the playbook when Celia had come up to surprise him. She had given him a kiss hello and then asked if he would go and grab her a bottle of syrup for her pancakes. He had left her for only a minute.
"Well?" Jack asked impatiently. "That has ALL our plays in it, Murray. If you've lost it or it was stolen--"
"I think I know where it is," Zander said standing up. "I'll---I'll be right back."
"You better RUN," Jack snapped at him.
Zander barely heard him as he hurried out of the tent and toward the stands. He just hoped his instincts were wrong here. Celia could not have betrayed him like this.
He felt a bit odd heading into the Hufflepuff stands in his Gryffindor Quidditch robes, but he spotted Celia quickly.
"Zander!" Celia exclaimed in surprise. "What on earth are you doing up here?"
"Do you have my playbook?" he asked her directly.
"Your what?" Celia asked innocently.
"My playbook," he said. "I had it at breakfast when you came over..."
Celia went to put her arms around him. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Just tell me if you took it," Zander said.
Celia frowned. "Youthink I would do something like that?"
"I don't know," Zander said. "Would you?"
Celia sighed. She was so sick and tired of having to pretend that she liked this loser. Besides, Sebastian had the playbook. The match was going to start in minutes and there's nothing Zander could do. Celia smiled slyly at him. "You had better get down to the pitch. You're about to get your arse handed to you on a silver plate."
Zander gaped at her. "What?"
Celia laughed. "You heard."
Zander shook his head. "So you've been playing around with me?"
Celia touched his cheek. "Yes, but you really did make it way too easy."
Zander pushed her hand away. "So Ashley was right about you."
Celia giggled again. "Malfoy."
"I don't' believe this," Zander muttered.
Celia pecked him on the cheek. "I should say good luck, but I really don't think you have any chance at all."
Zander shook his head. "You're disgusting."
"If you'll excuse me," Celia said. "I have to go and give Sebastian a good luck kiss."
Zander gaped at her as she turned and sauntered away. How the hell was he going back to face Jack Sloper?
He could not believe that he had been so stupid in regards to Celia. He thought she had actually fancied him. But, it had all been a joke to her.
He felt awful- especially when Ashley popped into his thoughts. He'd treated her so badly in favour of Celia.
She and Brittany had every right to hate him for what he had done and how he had treated them. Ashley, the sweetest and most honest person he knew. She had tried to tell him the truth, but he did not want to listen.
She had even gotten Harry Potter's broom for him to ride! And he had thrown that all away for a girl who was laughing at him probably right at that moment.
"Zander Murray," a loud voice boomed throughout the pitch. "Please report to the Gryffindor tent immediately."
He felt himself go pale but stood up straight and headed to where his team mates were gathering. He had gotten himself into this mess and now he had to face up to it.
Zander hurried back to the tent; the dread increasing in him with each step.
"Well?" Jack demanded.
Zander looked down at the ground. "Someone stole my playbook," he said quietly.
"WHAT?" Jack shouted. "How could you let this happen, Murray?"
Zander knew he had to come clean to his team-mates. He owed them that much. He told them about what had happened at breakfast.
"Bloody hell, Murray!" Jack exploded. "That girl was at our practices!"
"I know," Zander kicked at the ground with his foot. "If you don't want me in the game, I understand."
Jack thought about this for a few moments. "Okay---okay. This isn't the end of the world. We --we'll just have to do something different."
"Like what?" Evan asked.
Jack shook his head. "I've no idea."
Zander had never felt more miserable. This was his entire fault.
Jack told them all to gather around and they worked on a quick game plan. Unfortunately, the announcer called the teams to the pitch. Evan looked sympathetically at Zander. "Shake it off, mate."
"I'll try," Zander sighed. "I think I just cost us the match."
"It's not over yet," Evan reassured him.
Zander just nodded glumly.
"Just forget about everything and play," Evan told his friend. "Celia's not worth this, mate."
"She's a snake," Zander said angrily.
Evan nodded. "And now you have to listen to Brit telling you that she was right all along."
Zander rolled his eyes. "You'll have to distract her."
Evan smiled. "I know just what to do."
"Thanks," Zander said but he couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
The student announcer called the names of the Slytherin team and each player took to the sky while the Gryffindor team watched.
"Zander looks worried," Brittany reported to Ashley, who was doodling in her sketchbook.
"I don't care," Ashley said quietly.
"Sorry," Brittany replied. "You know... you really don't have to stay out here if you don't want to. If Evan wasn't playing, I certainly wouldn't be here."
Ashley looked up from her sketchbook. "You'd be out here for Zander. He's your cousin, Brit."
"Lately he's been a real prat," Brittany replied.
"Let Celia deal with it," Ashley said looking up at the sky as the match began.
Brittany used her Omnioculars to look for the other girl. "She's sitting with the Slytherins!"
"What?" Ashley asked in surprise.
"She's sitting right in with them," Brittany said, her voice filled with contempt.
Ashley took the Omnioculars from her friend and saw Celia sitting with Jemima, Piper, and---Katie.
Ashley studied her sister through the eyewear- she knew that look all too well. "Katie's plotting something."
"How can you tell?" Brittany asked.
"She's my sister," Ashley replied. "I've grown up seeing her give that look."
Brittany laughed. "I see."
"I wonder who she's plotting against," Ashley handed the Omnioculars back to Brittany. "I haven't spoken to her all week."
"Maybe we should be glad that we don't know," Brittany said thoughtfully. "We could be accessories after the fact."
Ashley had to smile.
Her smile faltered when the Slytherin crowd started cheering enthusiastically. The announcer called out the news that the Slytherins had scored.
"No," Brittany groaned. "Come on EVAN!"
In the Slytherin stands, Katie turned and glared at Celia. The Hufflepuff girl had flitted into the stands not ten minutes ago and had announced for all to hear how she had single-handedly helped the Slytherin team.
And now she kept talking about how Sebastian was so into her, and what a fool she was making of Zander and the entire Gryffindor team. Katie wanted her team to win as badly as the rest of her housemates, but it would be a better victory if they'd won it for themselves.
Jemima glared at the Hufflepuff who kept squealing every time Sebastian flew near them. "Do you mind?"
Despite her feelings about Jemima now, Katie had to agree. "You are really shrill."
Celia sighed. "I'll have you know Sebastian wants me here."
"He didn't tell me that," Jemima replied.
"Go sit with the other losers in your house," Piper said waving a hand at Celia.
Celia glared at the three of them. "I should have been here in Slytherin!"
"The Sorting Hat is never wrong," Katie said smiling sweetly at her. "You heard the Headmaster."
Celia gave her a nasty look. "Your sister is pathetic, you know."
Katie stood up and rounded on the older girl. She glowered at her. "What did you just say?"
"Your sister," Celia said. "Pathetic. Boring... and mousy."
Katie grabbed the girl's scarf and pulled tightly on it. "You listen to me and you listen well. You. Will. Never. Talk. About. My. Family. Period."
Celia's eyes grew wide as she tried to pull away.
"You understand me?" Katie asked.
"Fine..." Celia choked out.
"Good," Katie smiled in satisfaction. She could say what she wanted to about her sister, but she'd be damned if anyone else would say anything derogatory about her or any member of her family.
Celia pulled away from Katie and nearly fell over a group of second years in her haste to get away.
"Nice work, Katherine," Jemima said.
Katie snorted and sat back down;
"My head hurts from having to listen to that loser," Piper said putting her palm to her forehead.
"Mine too," Jemima said. "Go get us a headache cure."
Katie could not believe Piper and Jemima thought of her as a servant they could order around. But, this could work to her advantage. "Will you just watch my bag?" Katie asked. "I have the last of my face cream in there and I don't want ANYTHING to happen to it before my Aunt Lavender sends me a new supply."
Jemima turned and glared at her. "You were supposed to get me some of that."
Katie reached into her bag. "Well, since tonight is going to be so big for you, why don't you use the last of it? We want you to look your best, Jem."
The scowl on Jemima's face melted away. "That's very lovely of you, Katherine."
Katie handed the small bottle to her. "You deserve it, Jemima. You really, really do."
"I just wish it wasn't so cold," Jemima grumbled.
"I'll get some hot chocolate while I'm getting your headache cure," Katie said.
"It's the least you could do," Piper muttered as Katie walked away.
Jemima looked at the bottle. "This is just what I need for tonight."
Piper watched as Jemima rubbed it into her face. "Are you sure you should use that stuff?
"You saw how beautiful Katherine's skin looked after she put this on," Jemima said. "Besides, it's from Lavender Brown. For a Mudblood, she's actually a good designer."
"Don't let Katie hear you say that," Piper cautioned. "Hey... did you ever find that ring?"
"No," Jemima said frowning. "But it will turn up."
"You think she knows?" Piper asked.
Jemima turned thoughtful for a moment. She had wondered that as well. "Katherine's still asking about it, remember? I don't think she knows that I have it."
"I hope not," Piper replied.
"I don't really care about Katherine," Jemima said. "She's a means to an end. We'll use her to get what we want. Besides, she's makes a good errand girl."
Piper laughed. "Totally."
Meanwhile, Zander was doing everything he could do to concentrate on the match. But, it was hard to do, what with Sebastian flying near him and making snide comments.
"I knew you were going for this play," Sebastian gloated. "And the one before that, too."
Zander pointed his broom in the opposite direction. He could hear Ashley's voice in his head telling him to ignore the Slytherin.
He still couldn't get past how badly he had treated her.
"Hey, Murray?" Sebastian cut into his thoughts. "Watch this. I'm going to fly by your girlfriend and show her how a real bloke flies."
Zander could care less what Sebastian did to impress Celia. But, Sebastian was not flying toward Celia. He was flying toward the Gryffindor stands---Ashley.
"Hey!" Zander shouted angrily. "Leave her alone!"
Sebastian turned and grinned at him.
"Watch this, Murray!" he said, nearly flying into the stands.
Ashley looked up from her sketchbook just in time to see Sebastian heading straight for her.
"ASH!" Brittany screamed. "DUCK!"
Ashley's breath caught in her throat just as Sebastian flew right over her head. Her heart felt like it was beating as fast a drum.
"JERK!" Brittany shouted after him as Sebastian flew back into the arena.
"Ash, are you okay?" Zander asked hovering in front of her.
"Fine..." Ashley replied, taking a deep breath to slow her racing heart.
Zander took off after Sebastian.
"Don't bother!" Ashley shouted after him. "Just PLAY!"
If Zander had needed motivation to get out of his funk and concentrate on the match, Sebastian had just given it to him.
"Jerk," he muttered flying back into the pitch.
Despite the Slytherins knowing most of their plays, the Gryffindors managed to score and keep the match close. Zander kept his eye out for the Snitch.
"Come on," he said, his eyes scanning the field for the tiny golden ball.
Katie carried the cups of hot chocolate back to Piper and Jemima, who of course complained about how long she'd taken.
"I think my hands froze off," Jemima said crossly. "Is that lotion working yet?"
Katie hid her smirk. "Of course. You're skin is absolutely luminous."
"It does look a bit better," Piper said, examining Jemima's face.
Jemima grinned. "Really?"
"Oh absolutely," Katie said, pulling her cloak more tightly around her.
"Oh, you missed it," Piper told her. "Sebastian nearly took your sister's head off."
"What?" Katie asked. "Is she all right?"
Piper rolled her eyes. "Yes, she's fine. He just did it to get a rise out of that loser Zander Murray."
"Well it didn't do any good," Jemima said snappishly. "Gryffindor's winning now."
"Really?" Katie asked.
"Yes," Jemima said crossly.
Katie wished they would hurry up and finish this match. She was ready for her revenge to play out and she was bored with Quidditch.
The next hour seemed to drag by for everyone. Slytherin scored again, several times, and Gryffindor seemed to be falling apart up in the field.
"I don't have a good feeling about this," Brittany whispered to Ashley.
"Slytherin is all over them," Ashley said, shaking her head.
Evan managed to score another 10 points and Brittany clapped enthusiastically. "If he can do that about six more times, we could be back in this."
"It's as if Slytherin knows all their plays and what they're going to do," Ashley replied with a sigh. She had to admit she was quite bored.
Brittany focused her Omnioculars on the Slytherin keeper--Sebastian. "He sees the Snitch! Oh no!"
Ashley crossed her arms as Sebastian flattened himself against his broom. Zander was on the other side of the pitch. "It's over."
The Gryffindors watched in silence and the Slytherins cheered when Sebastian caught the Snitch.
"So lame," Brittany said in disappointment.
"Come on," Ashley said gathering her sketchbook. "Let's go inside."
"I'll meet Evan in there," Brittany huddled against her. "I'm so cold I can hardly feel my feet."
Ashley nodded. "We can get some hot chocolate, too."
"Good idea," Brittany said. "Are... are you going to say anything to Zander?"
Ashley shook her head. "There's nothing left to say."
"Are you still mad at him?" Brittany asked.
"I'm not mad," Ashley said truthfully. "I'm disappointed in him. He didn't believe me."
Brittany nodded as they entered the castle.
"What about you?" Ashley asked her friend.
Brittany shrugged. "I don't know. I think he's a dork all the time."
Ashley started to laugh, but felt a tapping on her shoulder. She turned to see the boy in question. "Zander?"
"Hi," Zander said, his face red. Whether it was from shame or embarrassment, Ashley didn't know.
"Shouldn't you be commiserating with the team?" Brittany asked.
"It's my fault we lost," Zander said. "Celia stole my playbook this morning."
"So that's why they seemed to know every move you lot were going to make," Brittany said nodding.
"Yeah," Zander ran his hand through his windblown hair. "Ash... I can I talk to you for a minute?"
Brittany took Ashley's sketchbook. "I'll see you upstairs."
"No," Ashley shook her head. "I don't have anything to say right now, Zander."
"Please?" Zander asked. "Just for a minute."
"No," Ashley said again. "I don't want to talk to you."
Zander sighed. He knew that he deserved this, but he just wanted to apologise. "You were right about her. I should have believed you from the start."
"Yes you should have," Ashley said. "I wouldn't have said anything just to hurt you."
Zander nodded. "I know that. I was an idiot, Ash. I am so sorry."
Ashley just shook her head. "I have to go."
Zander felt horrible as he saw the look on Ashley's face. He had known she wasn't just going to forgive him like that. "What can I do to make up for this?" he asked.
"I don't know," Ashley said. "Right now... I just don't know."
Zander nodded. "Okay."
"I'll see you later, Brit." Ashley said, before taking off for the Gryffindor Common room.
Zander looked at his cousin. "Go ahead and say it."
"Do I have to?" Brittany asked pointedly.
Zander shook his head. "No."
Brittany shrugged. "You'll have to make it up to her."
Zander sat down on the bottom step. "I just---I was so messed up over what happened between us this past summer and how it ended. Then, we get here, and there's a girl that actually wants to be with me."
Brittany felt bad for her cousin. "We didn't know she was like that... she never let on until recently."
"She was playing me this whole time," Zander said putting his head in his hands.
Brittany patted him on the shoulder. "Its okay, Zander."
"Ashley's right to hate me," Zander said.
"She doesn't hate you," Brittany replied.
"Did you see the look on her face just then?" Zander asked. "She hates me."
"No, she doesn't," Brittany said firmly. "She's just hurt right now."
Zander looked at his cousin. "So what should I do? "
"Give her a little space," Brittany said thoughtfully. "And a little time."
"I suppose I can do that," Zander said.
"What's Jack going to say to you?" Brittany asked ruefully.
Zander shuddered. "I don't even want to think about it, Brit. But, I'll take it. I mean, I was the idiot who invited Celia to our practises and left her alone with the playbook."
"Yeah," Brittany nodded. "You were."
"I'm sorry for how I treated you too," Zander said honestly.
"I'm used to it," Brittany bumped his shoulder. "And you know what? I'm freezing. I've got to go inside."
Zander nodded. "I should get back to the pitch. I have to go and face Jack."
"Good luck," Brittany told him. "And tell Evan I'm waiting for him in the common room."
"I will," Zander promised.
He headed back with dragging feet for the pitch. He knew he was in for the arse reaming of his life.
He also knew he deserved it after what he had done. He had let his teammates and friends down.
"MURRAY!" Jack shouted. "Get in here!"
Zander took a deep breath before he entered the Gryffindor tent.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" Jack asked angrily.
Zander stood in front of his teammates and told them the whole story.
"I should have known better," Zander said looking at each of them. "I'm sorry."
Jack was still pissed but he seemed to have calmed down. "You have to be more careful, Murray. Don't ever, EVER leave your playbook out."
Zander nodded. "I'm going to guard it with my life."
"Good," Jack said tersely. "They're going to start scouting soon, and I can't afford another loss like this if I am going to play professionally."
"He should be glad that Saffron Potter's graduated and is no longer captain," Jack Sloper's fellow seventh year, Holly Dylan commented.
Jack glared at her. "She'd have had my head on a platter, and she'd be right to do it. Next practise, tomorrow. Everyone be there."
While the Gryffindors were dealing with the loss, the Slytherins were just starting their victory party.
"Brendan's over there," Piper told Jemima. "You should go talk to him."
"I'm just going to freshen up first," Jemima said quickly, handing Piper her glass. "Keep an eye on him for me."
Katie pushed her fringe out of her eyes. "Your skin is starting to glow, Jem."
Jemima smiled. "Of course it is."
"It looks great," Katie replied. "Go talk to him now, while it's looking like that."
Jemima looked in Brendan's direction. "Okay. I think I will."
Katie hid her smile from Piper as Jemima tossed her hair back and headed towards Brendan.
Jemima tapped the boy on the shoulder. "Brendan..."
The older boy turned around. "Hi... uh... Jennifer, right?"
Jemima laughed. "No, silly boy. Jemima."
"Yeah... you're friends with Katie, right?" Brendan asked. "Katie Malfoy?"
Jemima could not believe this. What did this older boy care about a pitiful first-year like Katherine?
"I'm taken her under my wing," Jemima said trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
"She's pretty cool," Brendan replied.
"She's eleven," Jemima said tersely.
Brendan shrugged. "She's just cool."
Jemima forced a smile. "Yes---she's fantastic."
Brendan smiled at her, and then his expression suddenly changed. "Whoa...."
Jemima thought he was reacting to her luminescent skin. She smiled flirtatiously at him.
"What IS that?" he asked, his eyes widening.
"What?" Jemima asked stepping closer.
"That..." Brendan backed away. "Gross!"
A few of the other Slytherins turned to see what the commotion was about. Jemima watched in horror as the older boys recoiled in horror. "What?" she demanded.
Katie fought back her laughter as Piper gasped loudly. "Jem!"
Jemima turned. "What---what is it? Is there something wrong? Do I have something in my teeth? My hair?"
"Your face!" Piper screeched.
"What?" Jemima demanded. She touched her face and it felt scaly and bumpy. "W-what's wrong with my face?"
"Surprise," Katie said, coming forward and pulling her Malfoy ring out from under her robes.
Jemima gaped at her. "K-Katherine?"
"You stole my ring," Katie narrowed her eyes at her former friend. "How DARE you!"
Jemima tried to cover her face to avoid the snickers from her fellow Slytherins. "I didn't steal your ring!"
"Yes you did," Katie said. "I found it in your bag. I'm not stupid, Jemima."
Erin stepped forward with Tristan. "Oh, Jemima. You're looking a little...red...in the face..."
"You!" Jemima screamed. "Evil, evil BITCH!"
Erin shook her head. "That would be you, Jemima."
"You're sick," Katie said. "I trusted you, and thought you were my friend. Instead, you stole from me."
"I. Did. Not. Take. Your. Bloody. Ring," Jemima seethed.
"Sure you didn't," Katie said sarcastically. "You lying snake."
"What did you do to me?" Jemima demanded. "Fix this!"
Katie shook her head. "You're getting what you deserve, Jemima."
Jemima glared at her. "You'll pay for this, Katherine. Mark my words."
"I'm really scared," Katie smirked at her. "All you do is gossip and spread rumours. What are you going to do?"
Jemima let out a yell before she hurried upstairs.
Piper shook her head. "Jem has been so good to you, Katie. How could you do this to her?"
"Good to me?" Katie asked in disbelief. "She used me and she stole MY ring. A ring that she knew meant a lot to me, yet she took it anyway."
"You left it on the table," Piper said.
"That doesn't mean Jemima should have taken it!" Erin retorted. "Piper, can't you think for yourself?"
"Shut it, you clone," Piper retorted.
Erin laughed. "Clone? That's a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it? You've never had an original thought that Jemima didn't tell you first."
"Well..." Piper seemed at a loss for words. "You're stupid. And poor."
Erin rolled her eyes. "Nice."
"Well you're lame," Katie retorted. "And completely unimaginative. And you better leave before the same thing that happened to Jemima happens to you."
Piper opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it and turned on her heel. She stalked upstairs to check on Jemima.
Katie looked at Erin. "Well, that went well."
"As well as you expected," Erin said with a grin.
Katie grinned. "I love it when that happens."
"What did you do to her?" Lindsey asked.
Katie shrugged. "I might have----put a few special things into some lotion that I'd said came from my aunt Lavender's boutique."
"Evil," Lindsey said. "No wonder you're such a great Slytherin."
Katie beamed at her. "Thanks, Linds."
"She deserved that," Brendan said.
Tristan put his arm around Erin. "And more. Way to go, Katie."
Katie beamed. "Thanks."
"Great day to be a Slytherin," Erin said.
Sebastian was sitting on the other side of the common room watching the whole situation go down. "She's not bad," he said to Celia.
"Who?" Celia asked, still excited to be here.
"Malfoy," Sebastian said. "That was pretty funny."
"I suppose," Celia said shrugging.
"What's wrong with you?" Sebastian frowned at her.
"Nothing," Celia said moving closer to him.
"You don't have to put up with Murray anymore so you can stop sulking about that," Sebastian told her.
"I'm not sulking," Celia argued. "I just thought we'd have some time alone."
"I'm celebrating my win," Sebastian said. "In fact, I should be over there."
"Oh," Celia said trying to hide her disappointment.
"You coming?" he asked.
Celia nodded and reacher for his hand.
"There's the champ," Tristan said with a grin. "Way to go."
"Thanks," Sebastian said grinning at his friends. He put his arm around Celia. "And we have to thank my secret weapon here."
"What did she do?" Erin asked.
Celia grinned proudly. "I spied on the Gryffindor team for Seb."
"Oh," Erin said, unimpressed.
"You cheated," Katie said looking at the girl disdainfully.
"Shut it, Malfoy," Celia replied hotly.
"Why are you even here?" Katie asked. "You're a Hufflepuff and this is the Slytherin common room."
"I was invited," Celia informed her coldly. "You're just a first year, why do you care?"
"Cool it, Celia," Sebastian said to his girlfriend.
Katie snorted and turned away from the older girl.
"She's about as annoying as her sister," Celia mumbled.
"What?" Katie asked dangerously, spinning back around.
Celia was not going to back down from this snot-nosed first-year in front of Sebastian. "And your grandmother, too. Mousy, annoying, goody-two shoes..."
Katie's eyes flared angrily. "You take that back!"
"No," Celia countered.
"Take it back," Katie growled. "You're such a Slytherin wannabe. You could never handle yourself here."
"At least I'm a pure-blood," Celia said. "You and your family of mongrels..."
Katie nearly slapped the girl. As it was Lindsey had to hold her back.
"I think your girlfriend should go," Erin said to Sebastian.
Sebastian was glaring at Celia. "Come on," he said angrily.
Katie took a deep breath and tried to keep her anger in check.
"She's a jerk," Lindsey said. "Don't worry about her."
"And I happen to think your family's pretty great,' Erin said. "Your grandmother helped my dad find a new job."
"She did?" Katie asked. "I didn't know that."
Erin nodded. "So don't you pay any mind to what a wannabe like Celia says."
"Weren't we having a party?" Tristan asked, putting an arm around Erin.
"Yes!" Erin exclaimed. "Someone turn on the music!"
Katie watched Tristan and Erin retreat to a corner and she went and got herself something to drink. She was still angry at Celia, and as she approached the fireplace one of the torches on the wall sparked and fizzled out.
She hated when people said something bad about her family. She loved them with all of her heart and she would be damned if anyone was going to say something disparaging about them.
"Are you okay?" Lindsey asked, eyeing the torch. "Did you do that?"
Katie looked at her friend. "What? Oh--yeah, I suppose."
"Wandless magic?" Lindsey was impressed.
Katie smiled. She'd have to tell her mother about this.
"Cool," Lindsey also took something to drink. "So um... what do you think Sebastian's saying to Celia?"
"I don't know," Katie said thoughtfully. "I'm just glad he got her out of here when he did. I wanted to smack her."
"I thought you were," Lindsey said. "That's why I held you back. I didn't want you getting detention for the likes of her. She's a Hufflepuff."
"Thanks, Linds," Katie said. "What a night."
Lindsey grinned at her. "It was brilliant, what you did to Jemima."
"It was pretty great, wasn't it?" Katie asked grinning back at her.
"Brilliant," Lindsey said again.
"I think I really established myself tonight," Katie said proudly. "I feel like this is just the beginning."
Lindsey nodded. "Erin's really nice, you know. I'm glad you're friends with her now."
"Me too," Katie agreed.
Across the castle, in Gryffindor, the house was lamenting its loss that day. "We'll get them next time," Evan said, trying to cheer Zander up.
At the moment, Zander did not care about the match. He wanted to talk to someone about everything that had happened. But, the person he wanted to tell these things to, didn't want to talk to him.
Ashley was in the corner, writing to James. His last letter to her had been about a week ago and she was overdue in sending him one back.
With everything that had gone on with Celia, she had been caught up in her anger toward Zander. It was nice to think about something else. Something that didn't hurt or cause her pain.
"He feels terrible," Brittany said coming to sit beside her friend.
"What?" Ashley asked distractedly.
"Zander," Brittany said motioning to her where Zander was sitting.
"I don't want to talk about Zander right now," Ashley said. "I'm writing to James."
Brittany smiled. "You are?"
Ashley blushed a bit. "He's been really sweet lately."
"He has?" Brittany asked eagerly.
"Yeah," Ashley nodded. "Here, you can read his last letter."
Brittany squealed and took the letter from her friend.
Zander glanced over at his cousin and sighed. Apparently Brittany had forgotten the reason she'd gone over to Ashley in the first place.
Brittany finished reading the letter and handed it back to Ashley. "That's so sweet, Ash."
"He is awfully nice," Ashley replied. "I really like him."
"I'm glad," Brittany said. "I think the feeling is mutual after reading that letter."
Ashley blushed again. "I don't think I can really do anything with him... not date wise. Not for another couple of years. But it'd be nice to see him over summer hols."
Brittany sobered as she looked across the room at Zander. "Um, Ashley...I know you don't want to talk about Zander, but I was wondering...look, I know he was wrong and he knows he was wrong, but can't you just give him five minutes? Just hear him out..."
Ashley sighed.
"For me?" Brittany asked. "Come on..."
"Fine," Ashley replied.
Brittany clapped her hands together. "Thank you. I'll just go and get him then."
Ashley set her letter aside as Zander approached.
"Hey," Zander said quietly.
"Hi," Ashley said coolly.
Zander took Brittany's vacant seat. "I explained things to the team."
"Good," Ashley replied.
"They're disappointed," Zander said. "But not as disappointed as I am in myself."
Ashley just shrugged.
"You don't understand," Zander tried to explain. "This last summer---it was as if I had everything I always wanted. And things got messed up with Lucy and your parents."
"This has nothing to do with last summer," Ashley pointed out.
"I'm not saying it does," Zander said hastily. "I just want you to see where I was coming from. You---you said you weren't ready to date and I didn't like your decision, but I went along. Then, you meet that bloke, James, and it's like everything you told me seemed like a lie. Maybe you were ready to date and it just wasn't with me."
"I'm not dating James," Ashley replied. "I like him, but that's as far as it goes for now."
Zander nodded. "And when we came back here, there was Celia. And she seemed to fancy me."
"Zander--" Ashley sighed. "I don't want to talk about all this."
Zander held up his hand. "I just wanted to tell you where it came from. That's all. And why---why I believed Celia over you. It was a stupid mistake and I wish I could change it. I know that you would never lie to me. I just hope that one day, we can be friends again."
Ashley knew that was likely but didn't want to say so at the moment. "Right..."
"And if it makes you feel any better," Zander said. "I have to clean up the locker rooms after every practice from now until the end of the season...without magic."
"Who decided that?" Ashley asked curiously.
"Jack," Zander replied. "You can come and watch if you want. You can tell me if I miss a spot."
Ashley shook her head. "That's okay."
"You sure?" Zander asked. "You'll get to see me at my worst. Jack even mentioned cleaning the floor with a toothbrush."
Ashley fiddled with her quill. "Really... that's okay."
"Brit finds out and she'll probably sell tickets," Zander mused.
Ashley looked up at him. Despite his explanation, she was still hurt and upset by what he had done. "I better get back to my letter."
Zander nodded. "I'll make this up to you, Ash. I promise."
"Fine," Ashley replied.
Zander stood up. "I'll see you."
"Sure," Ashley replied, turning away from him.
Zander walked back over to Evan and Brittany. "Hey," Brittany said. "How'd it go?"
"Not that great," he admitted.
Brittany sighed. "You two had better sort this out. I don't want to feel like the kid of divorced parents. I'm with you on weekends and with her during the week."
Zander rolled his eyes.
"They'll sort it out," Evan reassured her.
"I know," Brittany replied. "But in the meantime it's going to be rough for me."
"Poor baby," Evan teased.
Brittany pushed him aside. "It's not funny!"
"It's going to be this way for awhile," Zander said thoughtfully.
"Just let her figure it out," Evan said. "You know Ash will forgive you."
Brittany nodded. "Evan's right."
Evan put his arm around her. "How about we slip into the kitchens and nick a little food?"
"Okay," Brittany replied. "I am hungry."
"I need some comfort food," Evan joked.
"Absolutely," Brittany agreed. "I hate when Mummy and Daddy fight."
"I'm thinking more of our loss today," Evan said ruefully.
"Must everything always revolve around Quidditch?" Brittany asked morosely.
Evan kissed her cheek. "Not everything."
Brittany smiled. "Come on with you. Let's go."
Ashley finished up her letter and decided to head up to the Owlery to have Ophelia take it to James that day instead of waiting.
The Owlery was quiet and Ashley was glad for the solitude, or so she thought. She heard the sound of sniffling coming from somewhere. "Hello?" she called out uncertainly.
"Go away!" Celia called back.
"Celia?" Ashley asked in surprise.
Celia came out from behind the pillar and glared at Ashley as she wiped at her eyes.
"What are you doing up here?" Ashley asked.
"I wanted to be alone!" Celia retorted.
"Well the Owlery probably isn't the best place for that," Ashley rolled her eyes. "I'm just here to post a letter."
"Sebastian dumped me," Celia said, her lower lip trembling. "H-he was using me. That was all."
Despite what Celia had done to Zander, Ashley felt bad for her. "That's why you should never trust Slytherins."
"Your sister's in Slytherin," Celia pointed out.
"I know," Ashley replied. "And I love my sister but I don't always trust her."
Celia nodded. "That's how I felt---feel---about Sebastian."
Ashley looked at the other girl properly. "You know, Zander really fancied you."
Celia shook her head. "Not really. He's still hung up on you."
"We're just friends," Ashley replied. "Good friends- and I know he really liked you. He's really hurt by what you did."
"You are completely clueless," Celia said laughing bitterly.
Ashley rolled her eyes. "I'd rather be considered clueless than do what you did today."
"I'm going to get Sebastian back," Celia said determinedly. "I think he really loves me."
"If that's what makes you happy," Ashley attached her letter to Ophelia's leg.
"It will," Celia said. Ashley could practically see the wheels turning in the other girl's head.
"Good luck then," Ashley replied, watching Ophelia fly away with James's letter.
"I won't need it," Celia said determinedly.
"Good," Ashley said. "Then you won't bother Zander, ever again."
"I don't know what he sees in you," Celia said giving Ashley the once-over.
Ashley just rolled her eyes. "Just stay away from all of us."
Celia laughed before heading out of the Owlery.
Ashley headed back towards the Gryffindor common room. She thought she would do a bit of sketching before starting on her essay that was due in Charms that next week.
"Ashley!" Katie called after her. "Ashley! Wait!"
Ashley turned around and saw her sister. "Hey, Katie."
Katie was positively beaming and Ashley could not remember the last time she had seen her sister this happy. She doubted it was because of the Quidditch match. "I had the absolute best day!"
Ashley smiled at her sister's exuberance. "What happened?"
"First off," Katie said pulling the chain out from under her jumper. "I found my ring!"
"Where was it?" Ashley asked curiously.
"Jemima took it from me and paraded around with it behind my back," Katie said looking admiringly at the ring.
Ashley shook her head. "I told you..."
"It's okay," Katie said grinning at her sister. "Because I got her back. Oh, Merlin...did I ever get her back..."
"That doesn't sound good for Jemima," Ashley said wryly.
Katie told her sister the entire story and about what had happened at the party.
"Wow," Ashley replied. "She's really something else. Are you worried about what she'll try to do to you?"
Katie shrugged. "Let her try."
Despite what her sister had said and done over the last few months, Ashley had to admire her. Katie stood up for herself and didn't let anyone intimidate her. And Ashley also liked the fact that they hardly ever fought anymore.
Katie smiled. "I just wanted to tell you."
"I'm glad things worked out for you." Ashley told her.
"How's Zander holding up?" Katie asked.
Ashley shrugged. "All right, I suppose."
"Uh oh," Katie said. "What---you're still not speaking ?"
"Not exactly," Ashley replied.
"Want to talk about it?" Katie asked.
"I'm okay," Ashley replied. "I just sent a letter off to James, and I'm going to do some sketching before I start some homework."
Katie looked at her sister. "Um, you're not going to tell Mum or Dad about the ring, are you?"
"I won't say anything," Ashley promised. "But you do know they're probably going to find out sooner or later."
Katie grinned. "No way. I'm very sneaky."
"Which is why you're in Slytherin," Ashley teased.
Katie laughed. "Absolutely."
"I'll see you at dinner," Ashley said.
Katie gave her sister a hug.
"Good luck with Jemima," Ashley said.
Katie giggled. "She's going to need good luck with me."
Ashley was about to turn when she remembered something. "Mum told me you were having a bit of trouble with some of your reading."
Katie's smile faltered. "Oh---well, with History of Magic. The textbook is really hard for me."
"I already had those lessons," Ashley said. "I'd be happy to help you if you'd like to study in the library."
"Really?" Katie asked.
"Of course," Ashley said. "You're my sister and I want to help you get good marks."
Katie smiled. "I'd like that."
"How about tomorrow after lunch?" Ashley suggested.
"It's a date," Katie said.
"I'll see you later, then." Ashley gave her sister a hug. "I'm glad everything's working out for you."
"Me too," Katie said happily.
*** *** ***