Authors' note: Thanks again for the great response to the last chapter! We have a long chapter for you guys again. Tonight, finds the Weasley sisters having a get together in the park and you get a glimpse at the Hogwarts crew and what they are up to.
Thanks again for reading and for reviewing!
Although it was a day by day process, Maddie was doing much better. The pain was still there but she was slowly coming out of her depression. As Ethan liked to remind her, they still have six children that needed and loved her.
there but she was slowly coming out of her depression. As Ethan liked to remind her, they still have six children that needed and loved her.
Her sisters were meeting up to talk about Darla's wedding and had invited her and the kids to join them. It was a nice day and Maddie thought taking them to the park would be nice.
"Maddie, Natasha looks more and more like you every single day," Drew said looking down in the pram. "Doesn't she, Dar?"
"She's got your eyes," Darla agreed.
Maddie smiled. "That's what everyone says."
"She's going to have your look," Drew said. "Even if her hair is black."
Darla giggled. "Poor Ethan."
"All these girls will have it," Maddie said, looking at her daughters. Kiera and Gwyn were playing with Rafe and Chloe a few meters away and Maddie gently rocked the two strollers with her four other children in them.
"Our sweet Maddie," Darla said, putting her arm around Maddie.
"Thanks for inviting me out," Maddie looked at her sisters. "This is really nice. Kiera and Gwyn love seeing their cousins and... I've missed everyone."
"We've missed you too," Darla said. "And I'm just glad you're finally leaning on us, Maddie."
"I didn't really know what to do," Maddie confessed. "All I could think about was Gregory. He still is on my mind, constantly."
"Just remember," Drew told her. "One day at a time."
"I know," Maddie said. "You told me it gets a bit easier every day."
"It does," Drew said squeezing her hand.
Maddie nodded as Gwyn ran over to them. "Look!"
"What's that, love?" Maddie asked.
"A butterfly!" Gwyn said excitedly.
Maddie looked at the butterfly in Gwyn's hands. "It's beautiful, Gwyn."
"It likes me," Gwyn said happily.
"How could it not?" Drew asked, tugging affectionately on Gwyn's ponytail. "You're one of
the sweetest little girls in the whole world."
"Animals love her," Maddie said. "It must be a special gift."
"Just like her Mum," Darla said as Gwyn hurried to show her sister and cousins.
Maddie nodded. "It makes me eager to see what will happen with these four."
"They're going to do wonderful things," Drew said confidently. "They're Weasleys and they are Potters."
Maddie laughed for the first time in ages.
Drew and Darla smiled at each other.
"Ethan's such a good dad," Maddie said fondly. "He never complains about dirty nappies, or feeding, or crying or anything."
"You two were made for each other and you have a great little family," Darla said. "I hope that Liam and I will be just as happy."
"Are you two thinking of expanding your little family?" Drew asked her twin.
Darla smiled. "Maybe..."
"You'll have another when the time is right," Maddie said.
"Right now, we have a wedding to plan," Drew said.
Darla grinned. "I'm so excited."
"Last night at dinner, you should have seen him, Maddie," Drew told her younger sister. "He was looking at Darla as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him."
"She is," Maddie smiled at her sister.
Darla grinned. "Well, I want something simple. I was thinking Drew would be my matron of honour and I want you to be my bridesmaid, Maddie."
"We would love to," Maddie said for both of them.
Darla grinned. "And Rafe's going to be Liam's best man."
"That is SO sweet," Drew gushed.
"And what about the honeymoon?" Maddie asked.
"We're going to have a long weekend at a bed and breakfast," Darla said. "Rafe will stay with Hans."
Maddie looked at Darla. "How--how did he take the news?"
Darla shrugged. "He's been seeing Michelle for awhile. I wouldn't be upset if he proposed to her."
Rafe came running up to his mother. "Mummy, I'm hungry."
Darla reached into her bag for some biscuits. "How about you go share these with your cousins?"
"Kay," Rafe said. "But none for the babies..."
"They're too small," Maddie assured him. "So you, Chloe, Kiera and Gwyn can eat them all."
"Do you want one?" Rafe asked smiling at her.
"You're so sweet to share," Maddie ruffled his hair. "But no thank you."
Rafe laughed before running back to his cousins.
"I can't believe you turned down biscuits," Darla said to her sister.
Maddie laughed. "Very funny..."
"I think it might be the first time ever," Darla said. "Someone mark this momentous occasion..."
"I've turned food down before," Maddie said defensively.
"Once..." Drew teased.
"I think there were two times," Darla added.
Maddie nudged her. "Okay, okay..."
"Here Mummy," Kiera came with half a biscuit in her hand. "It's your favourite."
Maddie smiled. "Thanks, Kiera. That's really sweet of you."
Kiera grinned at her. "They're yummy."
Maddie gave her oldest a hug. "Thank you, sweetheart. Not just for the biscuit but for all the help you've given to me.
"Love you, Mummy." Kiera kissed her cheek.
"She is pretty awesome," Drew said affectionately. "Our ickle Kiera."
Kiera grinned at all of them and ran back to her cousins.
"Okay," Maddie said looking at the list in Drew's lap. "Where are you going to getting married, Darla?"
"Maybe the Burrow..." Darla said. "I don't know. We don't want a big wedding. Just family
and close friends."
"Nana would love that," Maddie said. "We could decorate the garden..."
"It would be really lovely and low key," Drew said to her twin.
"That's exactly what we want," Darla said.
"I'll owl Nana tonight," Drew said. "I'm sure she and Grandpa will let us use the Burrow."
"She would love it," Maddie said confidently. "She adores Liam."
"He is fantastic," Darla agreed, laughing.
"Did you hear that, Maddie?" Drew teased. "He's fantastic."
"Perfect in every way?" Maddie asked.
Darla's cheeks reddened. "Yes..."
"She's blushing," Drew sang.
"She's in lurve," Maddie teased.
"Things have been great with him," Darla said. "He's really opened up in the past few years.
When bad things happen with his brother and parents, he doesn't shut me out anymore."
"Speaking of his parents," Drew said. "Will his dad be at the wedding?"
"Liam doesn't want to invite him," Darla said.
"And his mother?" Maddie asked.
"I'm not sure," she said. "We haven't really talked about it yet."
"Well, there's time for that," Maddie said thoughtfully. "And you two want people who love
and care about you there."
"That's very true," Darla said. "He'll just have a few people there. It's our side with the
monster guest list. And I say we leave our lovely Great Aunt Muriel at home."
Drew laughed. "I agree."
Darla shook her head. "I can't believe what she did when she was leaving Saffy's wedding."
Maddie had not heard about this. "What?"
"Nana caught her carrying out a ton of food," Drew said. "Not like a plate, but she was taking pans of food."
Maddie gaped at her. "You've got to be kidding!"
"And she was pissed," Drew said, laughing. "Completely pissed."
Maddie shook her head. "Oh my..."
"I couldn't believe it," Darla said. "Nana was really upset with her."
"As she should be," Drew said. "Miserable, old, Muriel."
Maddie shook her head. "I think she's the one person I could never charm."
"The only one immune to them," Darla said.
Maddie laughed. "This is fun." she said. "I'm having a really good time."
"The Weasley sisters," Drew said grinning at her. "Together again."
"Thanks you two," Maddie hugged them. "I love that I can always talk to you both."
"Always," Drew told her. "You know that."
"And look at our kids," Darla said. "They're having so much fun."
"Even these four," Maddie said peering into the prams.
Christian saw his mother and let out a cry.
Maddie gingerly lifted him into her arms. "What is it, little man?" she asked. "Hmm?"
His little face was screwed up and Maddie patted his back. "Are you hungry?"
"Maybe he just wanted some mummy time," Darla said thoughtfully.
Maddie smiled as she kissed his forehead. "I feel closer to them now." she said softly. "I blamed myself and I was scared for a little while."
"But you're getting better each day," Drew said. "That's all that matters and you have to
keep telling yourself that it was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done."
"I told Drew that every day." Darla said.
"She did," Drew said. "And we'll do whatever we can to help you, Maddie. All you have to
do is ask."
"I know," Maddie nodded. "Thank you. It's been a lot better ever since Ethan and I opened up."
Drew smiled. "You need to lean on each other."
"And you have those two," Darla nodded to Maddie's daughters. "They're good girls."
Maddie followed Darla's gaze and saw Kiera pushing Gwyn on a swing.
"I won't go high," Kiera promised Gwyn.
"Kay," Gwyn said happily.
"Just hold on," Kiera told her.
Kiera gently pushed her sister and Gwyn laughed. "Look, Mummy!" Gwyn called out.
"I see," Maddie waved to them.
"Were we ever that young?" Darla asked.
"It seems a long time ago," Maddie said.
Darla smiled. "Once upon a time, that was me pushing you on that swing, Mad Dog."
Maddie laughed again. "I haven't heard that name in a long time."
"Jon's nickname for you," Darla said. "Merlin, we had some great times when we were
younger, didn't we?"
"We had great childhoods," Drew agreed.
"We did," Maddie said kissing the top of Christian's head.
"Someone else wants a little attention," Darla lifted Arielle from the pram.
"I'm glad to have the extra hands," Maddie said to her sisters.
"I don't know how you and Ethan do it when you're home by yourselves and all four want something," Drew said.
"It can get a little crazy," Maddie admitted.
"No wonder Mum goes over there all the time," Darla joked.
Maddie laughed. "We'll take all the help we can get."
"Mummy I have to use the loo," Chloe said.
Drew stood up and took her hand. "Come on, then."
"We will be right back," Chloe said to her aunts. "Tell the babies not to do anything funny!"
Maddie laughed. "I promise."
Chloe grinned and hurried away with Drew.
Darla held Arielle and her thoughts wandered to Liam. She wondered what he was doing.
Today was a day off for him and she hoped he was getting some much needed rest.
He had moved in with her and Rafe. Darla had realised how much she missed having someone else around once he had proposed.
"You okay?" Maddie asked her sister.
"Never been better," Darla replied. "I think Rafe and I are going to get going soon. I want to
see what Liam's up to."
"Uh huh," Maddie teased.
"I told him to take it easy today," Darla said. "He works so hard."
Maddie nodded. "I know."
"Rafe!" Darla called her son. "We're going home."
Rafe protested at first, but he said a quick goodbye to his cousins.
"I bet Liam's home," Darla said, taking his hand.
Rafe grinned up at her.
"You love him, don't you?" Darla asked her son.
Rafe nodded.
"He'll be a good step dad for you," Darla said softly. "And Hans is still a good father."
"I love Daddy," Rafe said.
"You have a lot of people who love you," Darla said to her son.
"I know," Rafe said happily.
Darla picked him up and hugged him to her. "And you're my best guy."
Rafe laughed. "Mummy!"
Darla kissed his cheek. "I love you."
The two of them walked into the house and Rafe grinned. "Something smells yummy!"
"Yes it does," Darla agreed as they went into the kitchen to see Liam at the stove
"Hiya," Liam said grinning at them. "You're just in time for lunch."
Rafe reached for him. "What is it?"
Liam lifted him. "Irish stew. My great-grandmother's recipe."
Darla gave her fiancé a kiss. "We had a few bites at the park, but this makes me hungry all over again.
"Me too," Rafe said.
"Well pull up a seat," Liam said. "It's all ready."
"Fantastic," Darla said setting her things down. "So, did you enjoy your lie in this morning?"
He looked slightly embarrassed. "I was up right after you two left."
Darla shook her head. "Liam..."
"I know," he said. "But I did take a nice long shower."
Darla smiled. "Maybe when Rafe goes down for his kip after lunch, you and I can have one, too."
He grinned at her. "That sounds like a plan."
Rafe looked at his mother. "I don't want to kip, Mummy."
"You will after you eat," Darla said.
Rafe shook his head. "No."
"Yes," Darla said firmly as Liam put bowls of stew in front of all of them.
Rafe told Liam about playing with his cousins and the fun he had at the park. "I wish Noah and Aidan had been there. Too many girls."
Liam laughed. "Or maybe Christian and Erik need to grow up faster?"
Darla looked at her son. "You loved being the only boy with all those girls."
"No I didn't," Rafe denied.
Darla grinned. "I know why you're so upset. Your little girlfriend, Ellie, wasn't there..."
Rafe cast her an angry look.
Darla held up her hands. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. No more teasing."
"Don't really like her," Rafe said, eating his stew.
The last time Rafe and Ellie had a play date, she had made him play dress up and had come up with a scenario that they were going on a real date.
Liam laughed. "One of these days you'll change your mind about girls."
"Liam's right," Darla said.
"No," Rafe shook his head.
"Never say never," Darla told him.
Liam grinned at his soon to be stepson. "You'll like girls when you're good and ready, right?"
Rafe looked up at him and grinned back. "Right."
"My compliments to the chef," Darla said. "I'm glad I'm marrying a man who can cook."
"The truth comes out," Liam said.
"Can't deny it," Darla teased.
"He cooks good," Rafe agreed.
"This is why you had me move in," Liam said. "Slave labour..."
"That and free medical care," Darla said grinning at him.
"And all along I thought it was my good looks," Liam replied.
"That's a perk," Darla said.
Liam grinned at her.
After lunch, Darla took Rafe into his room for his kip. Liam cleaned up the mess in the kitchen before joining her in their bedroom.
"All of that protesting and he was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow," Darla told
him.
"He's at that age where he wants to be independent," Liam said. "At the time, he didn't want
to kip, so he wasn't going to."
"I know," Darla said snuggling up to him.
He wrapped his arms around her. "My brother owled me."
"Oh?" Darla asked.
"He's coming to the wedding." Liam said.
Darla smiled. "That's great!"
"I'm going to ask him to stand up with Rafe," Liam said.
Darla looked at him. "I think that's a fantastic idea."
Liam tightened his arms around her. "Did you get any planning done this morning?"
"A little," Darla replied. "We were thinking of having the wedding at the Burrow...in the garden."
"Whatever you want," he said, kissing her.
"Well, this is your wedding too," Darla said softly.
"Yes but I'm happy with whatever you want," Liam told her. "At the end of the day, all I care about is being married to you."
Darla grinned. "That's all that matters to me, too."
He laughed and rolled her up on top of him. "Why do I have the feeling that kipping is the
last thing on your mind?"
"Well," Darla said huskily. "We can sleep...after."
"Yes," he agreed, running his hands up under her shirt. "We can sleep after..."
"You have to take your moments where you can," Darla said before kissing him.
Liam ran his hands up through her long hair. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," Darla said softly.
"Sometimes I still can't believe we're together," he said. "After everything that happened a few years ago."
"Me either, but here we are," Darla said. "Together and happy and about to be married. You saw me through one of the toughest parts of my life."
"And you've seen me through several tough parts of mine," Liam said. "I know my father
has never made any effort to meet you..."
Darla put her finger to his lips. "That doesn't matter to me."
"It bothers me," he replied.
"He's never made an effort with you," Darla said quietly. "And that's what bothers me."
"I really want my mother to come to our wedding," Liam confessed. "But not him. I don't ever want to see him again."
Darla nodded. "Whatever you want, Liam."
"I'll talk to Conor about getting her to come," Liam said thoughtfully.
"You're going to be a great stepfather to Rafe," Darla said. "And if we have children, you'll be a great father. You're the most caring person I know."
"I'd like to have kids," Liam said. "Eventually."
Darla tugged at his t-shirt. "But for now..."
"We can practise," Liam said huskily.
Darla grinned. "You read my mind."
*** *** ***
It had been a week since their Hogsmeade visit and Brittany still refused to speak to any of them. It was upsetting to Ashley that they were about to end their school career on such a bad note. And she still didn't want her best friend to be scammed into a career she wanted badly.
They were sitting down for breakfast and Brittany had glared at them before taking her seat. "Caroline," she said. "Would you ask Zander to pass me the juice?"
Caroline sighed. "Zander--"
"I heard," Zander said rolling his eyes and handing the younger girl the juice. "Here."
"Thanks..." Caroline passed the jug to Brittany.
"Caroline, could you ask Ashley, my ex-best friend, to pass me the fruit?" Brittany asked.
"No," Caroline said. "You have to ask her yourself."
"Look at that," Zander commented. "A third-year is acting more mature than a seventeen year old girl."
"Shut it," Brittany glared at him.
A silence fell over the table, save for Mia and Carolina chatting about an assignment for class. Evan came into the Great Hall and took his seat beside Zander. "Morning, mate."
"Hey," Zander nodded to him.
"Brit," Evan said looking at his ex.
"Hello, Evan," Brittany said sweetly.
Ashley and Zander shared a look. They had clued Evan in on what was going on with the
photographer. He had been reluctant to get involved to say the least.
"What's new?" Evan asked Brittany.
"I'm going to model," she announced, telling him the news about her upcoming meeting with the agent.
Evan took a deep breath. "You really think that's wise?" he asked carefully. "I mean, you're not supposed to pay for head shots."
The smile from Brittany's face fell. "Well, what would you know about it?"
"James told me his cousin went through something similar," Evan said. "Said she paid all
kinds of money and the bloke took off."
Brittany glared at Ashley. "Did you put him up to this?"
"I haven't talked to James in ages," Ashley said quietly. "So no. But I am concerned."
Brittany just shook her head.
Ashley sighed and turned back to her sketchbook.
"Brit, come on," Evan said. "You're too smart to fall for something like this."
Brittany rolled her eyes. "That's rich coming from you, Evan."
He raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?
"You weren't so flattering last time you spoke to me," Brittany said acidly.
"We were breaking up at the time," Evan pointed out. "But, that doesn't mean I don't still
care."
"Sure you don't," Brittany shoved back from the table. "I've lost my appetite."
Her fellow Gryffindors watched her go. Ashley sighed. "There's no getting through to her.
We've tried everything."
"Maybe she's just got to make the mistake," Evan said. "I hate to say it..."
"Maybe he's right, Ash," Zander said.
Ashley shook her head. "I won't let her do it. I'll talk to my dad or something. He's in the industry, maybe she'll listen to him."
"What about Lavender?" Caroline asked. "She's a designer."
Ashley brightened. "That's a GREAT idea, Caroline! And I'll talk to Beth, too, since she works for Lavender."
Caroline smiled. "Anything to help."
"I'm going to owl her right now," Ashley stuffed her things in her bag.
"Good luck," Evan told her.
"I'll need it," Ashley said as she hurried off
Evan looked at Zander. "I should have known better. She's not going to listen to me, mate. She hates me."
"And us too it seems," Zander said glumly.
"She's just scared," Evan said. "She acts like that when she's scared."
"You know her better than the rest of us," Zander looked at his friend.
"She's stubborn as a mule," Evan said, shaking his head. "And she can drive you bloody crazy."
"I've known that for years," Zander said dryly.
"She knows deep down you and Ash are only trying to help," Evan said.
Meanwhile, Ashley was hurrying back to the dormitory to write her letter when she bumped into Brittany.
Brittany rolled her eyes. "Let me by."
"Brit why won't you let us help you?" Ashley asked. "We don't want to see you get hurt."
"I'm not going to get hurt," Brittany said. "I'm going to be famous."
"I hope you are famous someday," Ashley said. "I really do. But I just think bloke is shady."
Brittany shook her head. "You're wrong."
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Well what makes you the expert? Just because he told you that you're pretty?"
"Well," Brittany scoffed. "I obviously know more about fashion that you. You think jeans and a jumper are haute couture."
"So what?" Ashley asked hotly. "I don't care about fashion and I'm not ashamed of that."
"So, how would you know anything about this?" Brittany asked. "Your father is a musician and you've dated a couple of musicians. You know absolutely nothing, Ashley. Nothing."
"Again, what makes you the expert?" Ashley asked, growing even more angry. "The hundreds of fashion magazines you waste your money on?"
"Oh, go put your nose in some book!" Brittany retorted.
"Go get scammed for hundreds of pounds," Ashley snapped.
"Fine!" Brittany said pushing past her.
Ashley couldn't remember the last time she was so angry. She and Brittany had never
fought before.
Ashley could not understand why Brittany would not listen to reason. Did she seriously think everyone wanted to prevent her dream from coming true? Ashley wanted nothing but the best for her friend, but not when everything about this screamed that it was a scam.
She decided to forget the letter to Lavender. If Brittany wanted to fall for something so ridiculous, she deserved to.
Ashley made her way to her classroom, still seething over her argument with Brittany. To her relief, Brittany was sitting with Corinne in Herbology. Ashley took her seat beside Zander.
"Did you write the letter?" Zander asked her.
Ashley shook her head and then told him what had happened. "She just---she won't listen to anyone, Zander."
"This is mad," Zander whispered. "I've never seen her like this."
"I've never fought with her like this," Ashley said.
"We have our arguments but never this bad," Zander agreed. "I guess we'll just have to let
her do it."
"I don't want her to do this, but I don't think we have any other option," Ashley whispered.
Zander squeezed her hand under the desk.
"Let her do it and come crawling back to us," he said.
Ashley nodded. "You think?"
"Who wouldn't want to be friends with us?" Zander joked.
"Me, maybe," Ashley said looking at him. "But, you...not so much."
"Ash!" Zander's jaw dropped.
Ashley nudged him. "Only joking. You're a great friend, Zander."
"I know," Zander smirked.
Ashley was going to say something else when their professor entered the greenhouse and started the lesson. It was basically review for their upcoming exam.
"I can't wait until this is all finished," Zander muttered under his breath.
"I know, but I'll miss it," Ashley whispered.
"I'll miss it a little," he admitted.
"You'll miss Snape," Ashley teased.
"Like a bloody unforgivable curse," Zander said dryly.
"And Sam," Ashley whispered.
Zander turned and made a face at her.
Ashley stifled a giggle. "Your bestest friend in the whole wide world."
"That would be you,Malfoy." Zander told her.
Ashley poked him in the side.
Brittany glowered at the two of them. "Seems like they're just fine without me."
Corinne looked up from her notes. "Who?"
"Those two," Brittany nodded her head.
Corinne followed her gaze. "Brit..."
"I should be mad at you too since you don't believe me," Brittany answered, shoving her
book away.
"I said that it sounded a bit strange, but you do more about this stuff than me," Corinne
corrected her.
"Whatever," Brittany said. "When I'm famous they'll come crawling back to me."
"Could I be your personal assistant?" Corinne asked.
"Maybe," Brittany said.
Corinne smiled. "What do you think you'll wear?"
"Only the newest and best fashions," Brittany tossed her head back.
Brittany saw Evan walking to the front of the class. He would be one of the ones crawling back to her when she became famous, she thought.
She did have to wonder why he'd tried to discourage her. Their breakup hadn't exactly been
amicable but it also hadn't been downright awful.
If she was being entirely honest, she had never cared for someone as much as she cared
for him. He had been her first love and he had put up with quite a bit.
Evan turned and caught her looking over at him.
They all took their places at different stations in the greenhouse and Evan managed to stand beside Brittany. "You know I miss you complaining about getting soil under your nails."
"Hmm..." Brittany managed to make herself sound bored.
"Remember when you stuck your hands in that bucket and an earthworm crawled up your
arm," Evan recalled. "I think they heard you squealing in Iceland."
Brittany bit down on her lower lip to keep from laughing. "That wasn't THAT funny..."
"You were kind of adorable," Evan admitted.
"Adorable..." Brittany said.
"And let's not forget how you tried to put lip gloss on your mandrakes," Evan remembered.
"They had chapped lips," Brittany replied.
Evan chuckled. "And that time during sixth year when I had detention and had to clean up the greenhouses. You snuck in here to keep me company."
"Feels like a long time ago," Brittany said.
Evan was silent as he planted some seeds in the soil. He looked over at her. "I'm sorry about this morning. It wasn't my place to say anything," he finally said.
"I don't want to talk about it," Brittany replied.
"Fair enough," Evan said. "So when is it? Your photo shoot?"
"Soon," Brittany said vaguely.
"Is anyone going with you?" Evan asked.
"I don't know yet," Brittany replied.
"What if I came with you?" Evan asked looking properly at her. "We could make a day of it."
"I don't think Miranda would like that," Brittany stuffed some seeds into the dirt
"Well since she and I are no longer seeing each other, it doesn't really matter what she thinks," Evan commented.
"You go through girls sort of fast," Brittany said quickly.
"She's the only girl I've dated this year other than you," Evan pointed out.
Brittany cast him a doubtful look.
"Well, what about you and what's his name?" Evan countered.
"That's no one's business but mine," Brittany said.
"My offer still stands," Evan said. "I'd like to go with you. If you'd let me."
"This is my thing," Brittany said. "All you would do is second guess and question everything
that goes on."
"No, I wouldn't," Evan promised. "I'd keep my mouth shut the entire time. If I open my mouth you can hex me."
Brittany shook her head.
"I know, I know," Evan said with a grin. "You're afraid that you'd hurt me, but your hexes aren't that good."
"Hardly," Brittany replied.
"Just think about it," Evan told her.
"Maybe," she relented
Evan finished planting his seeds. "You know, that agent did have one thing right. You are beautiful, Brit."
She blushed a little. "You always were a flatterer."
Evan smiled. "It's the truth."
"Thanks," Brittany said as she finished her seeds.
"And we can celebrate afterward," Evan said to her.
"I never said I wanted anyone to go," Brittany replied.
"You want to go alone then?" Evan asked her.
"I can take care of myself," Brittany replied. "You all seem to think I'm incapable of doing anything other than read a magazine."
"I never said you couldn't," Evan said. "You can do anything you want, Brit."
"And I will," Brittany said.
"Whatever you do, you'll be great at it," Evan told her.
"Thanks," Brittany said.
"So what do you say?" Evan asked.
"I don't know," Brittany said. "Why are you suddenly so interested in me again?"
"We're still friends, right?" Evan asked. "And we've been through a lot together."
"Yeah," Brittany shrugged.
"And if I was trying out for a Quidditch team, I'd want you there for support," Evan said.
Brittany looked over at him. "You would?"
Evan nodded. "Of course. You were my good luck charm, remember? You were there when I tried out the first time."
Brittany smiled. "I forgot about that."
"Just think about it and let me know if you change your mind," Evan said before heading to
the front of the greenhouse.
Brittany watched him go and wondered what his motive was. They hadn't had much to say to one another in the past few months and here he was acting interested in her again. Still, other than Corinne, he was the only other person, who seemed to want to support her.
She turned and glared again at Ashley and Zander who weren't paying her one bit of attention.
Her best friends, she thought bitterly. Brittany had always supported Ashley with her art and though she could care less about Quidditch, she had endured many days in the cold watching Zander's matches.
"Creeps," she muttered under her breath.
They would all be eating their words in just a few days, she thought happily. In just a few days, Brittany would begin her dream and she knew she would never look back.