Tuesday's chapter will hold the conclusion to the 'Hogwarts drama' with Christina- today's deals with the rest of the scene from last chapter and then we get some time with the kids- Caroline, Katie, Mia, Emma. Hope you all enjoy it and please review!
Alexa stared at him for a moment. "I think your girlfriend is in the shoppe over there," she replied coolly.
R.J. nodded. "I just bought her some fudge, actually. It's her favourite."
Alexa rolled her eyes. "That's really fantastic," she choked out.
"How---how have you been?" he asked tentatively.
"Do you even care?" Alexa asked sharply.
"I do," R.J. said honestly sitting down beside her. "I've been trying not to think about you, Lex. It hasn't worked."
"Well you certainly seem to keep yourself busy," Alexa moved down the bench away from him.
"You're really going to the dance with that bloke?" R.J. asked. "What's his name?"
Alexa stared straight ahead. "Ewan. And yes, I am going with him. It's not as if I had any other options."
R.J. winced as he felt a sharp pain in his head. This had been happening quite a bit lately and he couldn't understand why.
"I have to go," Alexa said standing up.
"Wait," he said touching her arm. "Please..."
"What?" she yanked her arm away, his touch feeling like fire.
"I---I need you," R.J. said standing up as well. As soon as he did, he felt dizzy. "Lex---"
A frown creased her eyebrows. "R.J.?" she asked uncertainly. "Are you all right?"
"It's my head," he said weakly. "Lex, it hurts...."
"R.J.!" she exclaimed as he stumbled a bit.
"I think I need to sit back down," he said quietly.
Despite what had happened between them since they'd gotten back to school, Alexa was worried about him. "Can I help you somehow?" she asked, biting her lip.
"Can you stay with me?" he asked weakly as he sat back down on the bench. "Just until I feel better?"
"I um... I suppose," she agreed quietly.
"Thanks," he said putting his head in his hands.
She sat awkwardly beside him, almost wishing Saffron would come back.
"They usually don't last very long," he said sitting up and looking at her. "I've been getting these headaches for a few days now."
"Maybe you should see Madam Pomfrey," Alexa suggested.
"Maybe," R.J. said thoughtfully. "I remember that time I was holed up with her for four days at the end of last year. You---you snuck me food from the kitchens."
"Yeah," Alexa said with a tiny smile on her face.
"And you called me a big baby when I asked you to feed it to me," R.J. said a smile playing on his lips.
"I remember that," Alexa said in a faraway tone.
"I'm sorry, Lex," R.J. said looking into her eyes. "So sorry."
"Don't say that," she looked the other way.
"Why not?" R.J. asked inching close to her on the bench. "Its how I feel."
"It's quite obvious how you feel these days," Alexa said, wishing she hadn't agreed to sit with him.
"I'm glad you're so sure," R.J. said softly reaching out to touch her cheek.
"R.J. don't," she said, her voice shaking.
"Don't what," he said inching his face closer to hers. He didn't know what exactly he was doing, but this felt right. This felt more right than anything had in weeks.
"You're with her now," Alexa said, trying to back away. "Not me."
He pressed his lips lightly to hers and was relieved when she didn't pull away.
Alexa knew she shouldn't be doing this but she had missed kissing him.
"JUNIOR!"
Alexa pulled away like she'd been shot. R.J. gazed at her for a few more moments before turning to look at Christina, who was storming towards them.
"What's going on here?" Christina demanded.
"Nothing," Alexa stood up fast. "I…I have to go…" with one last look at R.J. she turned and practically ran in the direction of the post office.
"What were you doing with her?" Christina demanded. "And why do you look so pale?"
"My head hurts," R.J. said. "I don't know what's wrong with me Chris..."
Christina felt a small pang of guilt, but quickly dismissed it. She'd known about the side effects of the potion she'd used, but she figured it wouldn't be that big a deal. For the most part, it hadn't. But, he had been complaining about his head for a few days now. Then again, it wasn't working all that well if he was snogging his ex-girlfriend on a bench for everyone to see!
"Let's get you back to the castle," Christina said sitting down beside him. "You just need some rest."
"All right," he said, in no mood to argue. "Oh I bought you some of that fudge you like."
"You're so sweet," she said giving him a quick kiss. "Thank you, Junior."
"Welcome," he mumbled, closing his eyes as another pang made him wince.
Christina put an arm around him and together they both slowly made their way back to the castle.
Saffron was walking out of the post office when Alexa practically tackled her. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were puffy. "Lex? What's wrong?"
"Saffy I hate this!" she said, hugging her friend. "I'm so bloody confused!"
"What?" Saffron asked. "Lex, you're scaring me. What's happened?"
In between shudders, she spilled out what R.J. had said. "And then we kissed..."
"You kissed?" Saffron asked taken aback. "Lex...you know what this means, don't you?"
"I don't know what any of this means," Alexa wiped her red eyes.
A smile broke across Saffron's face. "He still loves you. Whatever Christina's doing isn't very strong because deep down, he knows that he still has feelings for you!"
Alexa shook her head. "Soon as she came over he pulled away."
"That doesn't matter," Saffron said. "Come on. We're going to buy you a new set of robes and then we're going back to the castle to find out everything we can about love potions and love spells...."
Alexa didn't have the will to tell her friend no.
"We'll get Andrew and Jason to help us too," Saffron said determinedly. "That Ravenclaw is going down."
"I'm sorry I threw myself on you like that," Alexa told her friend. "You've been really good to me since all this started Saffy."
"You are my best friend," Saffron said squeezing her hand. "You've been there for me when I needed you and I'm going to do the same for you."
"Thanks," Alexa hugged her impetuously. "I'm so glad you're my best friend."
"Me too," Saffron said hugging her back. "Let's go and get your robes so we can get back to the castle, okay?"
"We'll pick out some really pretty ones," Alexa said, feeling encouraged.
"You bet we will," Saffron said smiling at her friend.
Within an hour, she and Alexa had picked out a set of pretty light green dress robes for Alexa and some accessories.
"We should probably see what we can figure out from her friend Monica, too," Saffron told Alexa. "She seems nice and I don't think she's faking."
"She's pretty stoked on Jason," Alexa said as they found an empty carriage to go back to the castle in. "I don't' think she wants to risk it with him."
"She should be willing to talk to us," Saffron said settling back in her seat. "And R.J. told you he'd been having these headaches for some time now?"
"Yeah," Alexa nodded. "He said for a few days."
Saffron pulled a small notebook and pencil from her bag and began making notes. "And he told you he felt dizzy?"
"He couldn't stand up," Alexa said, biting her lower lip. "He looked really pale too."
Saffron wrote all this down. "Okay, all this started pretty much when we got back to school. That's nearly four weeks now."
"Something like that," Alexa said softly.
"I remember reading about love potions," Saffron said thoughtfully. "It doesn't cause the person who drinks it to fall in love with you because it's impossible to manufacture or imitate love. It just makes the drinker become infatuated with that person and it can turn into an obsession."
"R.J. has been acting sort of obsessed," Alexa said hopefully.
"Exactly," Saffron said nodding. "He's talking about her all the time and he's letting her come to our practices which is not something the Ronnie Junior you know and love would allow anyone else to do."
"What do we do if we can prove she's got him under a love potion?" Alexa asked.
"We'll need to catch her in the act," Saffron said. "Because if R.J.'s obsessed with her, he won't believe us if we just come right out and tell him. We'll need to watch her like a hawk. Especially in the Great Hall."
"Okay," Alexa nodded. "I wonder if Monica knows about this."
"We can certainly find out," Saffron said. "Or at least try."
"Maybe she can help us," Alexa suggested.
"I think she's our best shot," Saffron said. "She's the closest to Christina. And maybe...maybe I can talk to Peter, too. She did break things off with him."
"Do you think he would help?" Alexa asked. "I mean... the two of you really don't talk or anything..."
"I imagine he's not one of Christina's biggest fans right about now," Saffron said. "We can use that to our advantage. And he said he wanted us to try and remain friends. I can at least try to talk to him, Lex."
"You'd really do that?" Alexa asked. "You don't think Andrew will mind?"
"I'll ask him if he's okay with it first," Saffron said. "And maybe you can come with me when I try and talk to him."
Alexa nodded. "Thanks again Saffy."
"I just hope we won't be too late," Saffron said. She didn't like hearing about R.J. having headaches and dizzy spells. That couldn't be good. And there was the chance that Christina might up the dosages if she suspected they weren't strong enough.
"I hope not too," Alexa stared out the window.
"So," Saffron said. "How was it? Kissing him again?"
"Like it always was," Alexa said. "Sweet... and familiar..."
"He still loves you, Lex," Saffron said smiling at her.
"I miss him Saffy," Alexa replied.
"I know you do," Saffron said sympathetically. "I miss him, too. Believe it or not."
"Maybe if you started talking to him again you could find out more," Alexa said.
"I'll give it a try, but he's not even really talking to Andrew," Saffron said with a frown. "Except for that one night after the house meeting. Andrew said R.J. was acting really strange. He kept telling him he didn't know what he was doing or why he was doing the things he was."
"Maybe she's got him under a Confundus Charm as well," Alexa replied.
"I wouldn't put it past her," Saffron said with a hollow laugh. "We'd better figure this out before she ruins his life completely. I know his marks have gone down."
Alexa nodded. "I'll help any way I can."
"The first thing we need to do is talk to Monica," Saffron said. "I don't remember seeing her in Hogsmeade. Do you?"
Alexa shook her head. "But we really didn't go around anywhere except the dress shop."
"I think I remember hearing Jason say something about the two of them staying in," Saffron said.
"I'm sure they'll be in the library then, or the Astronomy Tower." Alexa said.
"Okay," Saffron said looking out the window and seeing the castle. "How about you go and check out any book you can in the library about love potions. I'll try and find Monica and then we'll meet back in our room?"
Alexa smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "Sounds like a plan to me."
"Try looking in the Restricted Section," Saffron suggested.
"I'll see if I can get in there," Alexa promised.
Saffron suggested some other books that might be of help before getting out of the carriage and practically running into the castle. She didn't find Jason or Monica in the library, but did catch up with them in the Astronomy Tower.
"Hi Saf," Jason said warmly. "I thought you were in Hogsmeade."
"We were," Saffron said. "I wonder if I could have a word with you both."
"Sure," Jason said. "What's on your mind?"
"It's about R.J. and that... Christina." Saffron looked at Monica. "I know she's your best friend and all... but I was hoping you could help us."
Monica paled. "Help...help you with what exactly?"
Saffron bit her lower lip. "Does Christina know anything about love potions?"
Monica shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of, but potions is her best subject."
"Well," Saffron began. "Just hear me out..." she explained to them what her thoughts were and what Alexa had told her. "She's down there in the library right now researching love potions."
"He has been getting these bad headaches," Jason said. "He was a wreck last night."
Monica hadn't known about this. "Saffy, I---"
"I don't blame you Monica," Saffron interrupted.
"I don't know what's going on with her lately," Monica said truthfully. "She's not talking to me like she used to. Everything's about R.J. these days where she's concerned. It all started a few weeks ago when she and I were coming out of the dorm and R.J. came over to us. He just grabbed her and kept saying how he didn't want her to ever go away from him again or some rubbish like that. And Chris didn't seem surprised. It was almost like she expected it."
Saffron's eyes narrowed. "If she's using a love potion she must have slipped it into his drink that day she was sitting with the Gryffindors. Everything started after that."
"I can't believe Chris would go that far, Saffy," Monica said. "I know she's done some things in the past, but---"
"This is the lowest," Saffron finished. Jason nodded his agreement.
"What do you want us to do?" Monica asked. "I'd like to help."
"Just let us know what she's up to in the dormitory," Saffron said. "And let us know if she slips anything into R.J.'s drink."
Monica nodded. She wasn't thrilled about betraying her best friend, but if Christina was doing this, she had no other choice. "I will," she promised.
Jason reached for her hand. "That's good of you Mon," he said. "I'll help too."
"Thank you both," Saffron said. "I'll be in touch, okay?"
She descended the staircase eager to share this news with Alexa. As luck would have it, she heard voices in the corridor and she ducked behind a pillar.
"You don't think I should go see Pomfrey?" she could hear R.J. asking Christina.
"Of course not Junior," Christina replied. "You said your headache was gone didn't you?"
"I said it felt better," R.J. answered. "But it still hurts. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to check it out; put my mind at ease."
"I'm sure you'll be just fine," Christina said quickly. "Maybe I can take care of you," she wound her arms around him. Saffron positively wanted to gag when she saw this.
"Come on, Lex," R.J. said shrugging out of her embrace. "Go with me to the hospital wing and then we'll go and relax in the common room."
If Christina was put off by R.J. calling her by another girl's name, she certainly didn't say anything to correct him.
Saffron smirked as she watched them go. It was growing more obvious by the minute. R.J. was still in love with Alexa, but completely infatuated by Christina due to a potion. And Saffron intended to prove this.
*** *** ***
Ashley sighed and gave her father an exasperated look. They were meeting Frankie, Will and Caroline in the park for ice skating. Emma was supposed to come too, but the little girl had caught a cold and wouldn't be able to make it.
"We're just going to the park," Ashley grumbled to her father. "Why does she have to spend all morning getting ready?"
Nick didn't want to tell his oldest that Katie was getting a stern talking to from Julie about being on her best behaviour since Mia would be joining them.
"Don't worry about it Ash," Nick said. "Why don't you go help Greta with the hot chocolate we're taking with us."
"Okay, Daddy," Ashley said getting up to go into the kitchen.
Upstairs, Julie sighed and wonder if Katie had heard one word she'd said.
"Mummy?" Katie asked her mother. "Do you think I should wear the purple jumper or the pink one? The purple is warmer, but the pink one is prettier."
"I would wear the purple," she said. "Katherine Rose, you did hear what I told you right?"
"Yes," Katie said turning her back to roll her eyes. "I'll be nice to Mia."
"Katie," Julie said warningly.
"I don't even see why she has to go, Mummy," Katie argued. "She's Will's niece. She doesn't even know Ashley and me all that well. And she's always rubbing my face in the fact that she and Caroline are friends."
"She does nothing of the sort," Julie said firmly. "Mia and Caroline are cousins and they have fun together. And Caroline has other friends, just as you do."
"Caroline's my bestest friend," Katie said pulling on her purple jumper. "And none of my friends treat her bad."
"Which is why you shouldn't treat her friends badly," Julie replied. "Be my sweet girl today Katie."
"Okay," Katie said giving her mother a hug. "I'm glad you're here, Mummy. I miss you when you're at Hogwarts."
"I miss you too," Julie kissed the top of her daughter's brown head. "I think about you and Ashley all the time while I'm there."
"Auntie Saffy says you're the best teacher," Katie said smiling at her mother.
"I hope they think that," Julie laughed. "Maybe I'll stay on for more than one term."
"I hope so too," Katie said. "I want you to be there when I go."
"Come ON!" Ashley's voice floated up the stairs. "I want to skate!"
"Put your trainers on sweetheart," Julie said to Katie. "And don't forget your gloves."
"Okay," Katie said as her mother left the room.
"How'd it go?" Nick whispered to his wife as she joined him downstairs.
"I think she got the point," Julie said. "At least I hope..."
Greta came out of the kitchen carrying a basket. "I've packed some hot chocolate, biscuits and muffins in here for you."
"Thanks Greta," Nick said smiling at her. "Have I told you lately how fabulous you are?"
"Of course you have," Greta smiled back at him.
"Thanks, Greta," Ashley said giving her a hug. "I wish you could come with us."
Greta laughed. "I'll stay here and have a nice relaxing afternoon. Otherwise I'd be laid up with a twisted ankle."
"This will be like a day off for her," Nick said. "A well-deserved one at that."
Julie smiled at Greta. "Enjoy it while it lasts," she teased.
"I intend to," Greta said.
"Finally," Ashley said as Katie came downstairs. "It took you long enough!"
"I had to get ready," Katie glared at her sister. "And I look better than you! You have paint on your face!"
Ashley wiped at her face. "Did I get it, Mum?"
"I don't see any paint sweetheart," Julie replied.
"Good," Ashley said choosing to ignore Katie. "Are we ready to go?"
"I'm ready," Nick held up the basket, a biscuit in his hand.
Julie laughed. "I knew you'd have your hands in that basket before we walked out the door!"
"Can you blame me?" Nick asked.
Julie shook her head. "Let's go."
They reached the park quickly and the girls were lacing up ice skates when Will, Frankie, Caroline and Mia arrived.
"Sorry we're late," Frankie apologised. "Emma didn't want us to go. She was trying to get Allie to change her mind."
"Poor kid," Julie said. "She's at that age where she doesn't want to get kept out of anything."
"We had to promise her that next time she's definitely going," Frankie said. "She's running a fever, too. It was the most pitiful sight."
"We'll try and save a few of these biscuits Greta made," Julie pulled the basket away from her husband. "And you can take them to her."
"She'll love that," Frankie said. "Thanks, Jules."
"Need some help getting into your skates, Princess?" Will asked Caroline.
"Okay," Caroline grinned and blushed as Will kneeled in front of her.
"The Royal Skates," Will said dramatically holding them up. "Fit for a princess."
"Uncle Will," Caroline giggled.
"What cute little cloaks you two have on," Julie said looking at Mia and Caroline. "And matching hats!"
"Aunt Frankie bought them for us," Mia said.
"They're so cute!" Ashley gushed.
"I couldn't resist," Frankie said grinning at her nieces. "And those gloves come with a heating charm."
"How perfect on a day like this," Julie said, helping Katie with her skates.
"My gloves are hand-me-downs from Ashley," Katie said softly.
"They're good gloves sweetheart," Julie said. "You've always liked them."
"I know," Katie said nodding.
"You begged me to let you have them," Ashley reminded her.
"I know," Katie said sharply.
"How about we get on the ice?" Julie suggested. "Do you need me to help you, Katie?"
Katie shook her head. "I'll be fine."
"I should be okay too," Ashley stood up and wobbled only a little. "Watch me Daddy!"
"I will," Nick promised. "Steady, Ash."
"I know," Ashley said, holding her arms out to balance herself.
"Good girl," Nick said grinning at her.
Mia finished lacing up her skates with Frankie's help. "Thanks, Aunt Frankie."
"You're welcome love," Frankie smiled at her. "Now get on out there!"
"Come on Caroline," Mia said wobbling a little as she stood up.
"Coming," Caroline said. "Thank you Uncle Will. You do the best job at this."
"Nothing but the best for the princess," Will said bowing at her.
Caroline blushed again. "Let's go Mia," she said, giving Will a shy smile.
"You're going to have to hold my hand," Mia said giggling. "I'm not very good at this."
"I'm okay at it," Caroline said. "Come on Katie!" she called. "Let's go out all at once!"
Katie could feel her mother watching her as she took Caroline's hand. "Okay."
"We can't let go!" Caroline giggled. "Or we'll fall under the ice!"
"And the handsome prince would have to rescue us!" Mia said squealing as they dodged some other skaters.
"What handsome prince?" Katie asked, rolling her eyes.
"Um," Mia said trying to think. "Someone talk, dark, and handsome!"
"Like Uncle Will," Caroline giggled.
Mia laughed and they all three watched as Ashley skated past them.
"Your sister is really great at this," Mia said admiringly. "I wish I was that good!"
"She's okay," Katie shrugged. "I bet she falls."
"Katie's really good too," Caroline said loyally. "Way better than me."
"She is," Mia said. "Maybe you can give us a lesson Katie."
Katie smiled at this. "Well you need to look straight ahead. You shouldn't look at your feet."
"Okay," Mia said. "What else?"
"And then you just glide around the ice," Katie said letting go of Caroline's hand to demonstrate. "I just imagine I'm floating."
"Don't let go!" Caroline squealed.
"If you let go, we won't know what to do!" Mia said laughing. "Come back, Katie!"
Katie smiled to herself and skated further away. Let them figure out what to do next, she thought.
"Ashley!" Caroline called out to the older girl. "Help us!"
Ashley turned and glided back over to them. "Where did Katie go?"
"She skated away," Caroline said pointing with her free hand.
Ashley shook her head. "Come on, take my hands." she held them out to both Mia and Caroline. "I'll show you both a trick or two all right?"
"Thanks, Ash," Caroline said gratefully. "We want to be as good as this as you."
Ashley smiled. "I'm not that great," she said.
"You're the best I've ever seen," Mia said. "Honestly!"
"Thanks Mia," Ashley said to the younger girl. "You're not bad either. It's just a matter of keeping your balance."
"Would you two like a cup of hot chocolate?" Nick asked Frankie and Will. "Before we head on out there to make fools of ourselves?"
"That sounds great," Will said. "Thanks."
"How's married life treating you?" Julie asked Frankie.
"Fantastic," Frankie said with a grin. "Will's the best."
"And I didn't have to pay her to say that either," Will said grinning at her.
Frankie gave her husband a kiss. "You can owe me later." she teased.
"Mum tells me Ethan and Maddie finally set a date," Julie said.
"They did," Frankie nodded. "August 28th. Maddie's so excited- she came over with Ethan that same night and she couldn't stop jumping up and down."
"He was just as excited," Will said. "He couldn't stop talking about that big case."
"I'm so happy he finally got a break like that," Julie said. "He's been working so hard with Justin and Bree on that case."
"He deserves it," Frankie agreed. "And I'm sure your mum and dad were over the moon about it."
"Oh they are, definitely." Julie said. "I think Dad was especially proud though- since Ethan's sort of following in his footsteps and all."
"I've always wanted to ask him about that," Will said. "Has he always wanted to do that? Your dad didn't try and push him into it?"
"Ever since he was a kid," Julie said. "He's idolised Dad. And he's always wanted to do everything our father did."
"Maybe you and Frankie will have a future textbook writer," Nick teased. "Someday."
"Not for awhile yet," Frankie replied.
"I did say someday," Nick reminded her.
"I heard you Malfoy," Frankie said.
"Just making sure," Nick said mussing her hair. "Do you know Chi told me you used to have a poster of me in your bedroom when you were younger. Is that true?"
"It wasn't a poster," Frankie said defensively. "It was just a picture from Witch Weekly."
"Do you still have it?" Nick asked trying to keep a straight face. "I could autograph it for you..."
"Sod off," Frankie said. "I was about twelve when I thought you were cute."
"You don't think I'm cute anymore?" Nick asked pouting at her. "Come on, Barron. I'm still dead sexy."
"I like dark haired guys better," Frankie leaned against her husband.
"Good answer sweetheart!" Will said tickling her side.
Frankie laughed. "Come on William."
"We going to give this a go?" Will asked.
"We're certainly going to try," Frankie said.
"Come on Jules," Nick said. "Let's give it a try too."
"I'm not so sure," Julie said. "My feet don't exactly go the way I want them to on ice."
"If we fall, we'll fall together," Nick said taking her hand.
"All right," Julie said. "Only you could get me to do this you know."
"You say that about loads of things," Nick teased.
"This being one of them," Julie replied.
Nick led her onto the ice and had to grab onto her as she nearly stumbled. "Come on, twinkle toes. We're barely on the ice."
"I told you I'm no good at this," Julie said to her husband.
"You're doing fine," Nick said. "Just imagine you're dancing."
"That I can do," Julie gripped his hand.
"There you go, Jules," Nick said leading her. "You're better than you thought."
"I guess this isn't so bad," Julie still held onto him closely.
"Gives you an excuse to hold onto me," Nick said in her ear.
"That definitely isn't so bad," she smiled at him.
Nick felt someone tugging on his coat and he looked down to see Katie.
"Can I skate with you?" she asked.
"Sure sweetheart," he said. "But why aren't you with Caroline?"
"Just because," Katie said taking her father's hand. Julie looked to see where Caroline and Mia were skating with Ashley.
"I thought you wanted to skate with her," Julie said to her daughter.
"I did," Katie said. "But now I want to skate with you and Daddy."
"We're happy to have you skate with us," Nick said, taking Katie's little hand in his.
"Can you twirl me around, Daddy?" Katie asked. "I love it when you do that!"
"Why don't you let me get my grip on something first," Julie said, laughing. "Katie your mum's a bit hopeless out here."
"Okay, Mummy," Katie said. "But you're not that bad."
"Thanks sweetheart." Julie replied.
"You're not getting out of this that easily," Nick said as he led Julie back to where they'd started. "I'll be back for you."
"Maybe I'll run and hide," she joked.
"Be brave, Jules," Nick said giving her a kiss.
"Go have fun," Julie said. "I want to watch for awhile."
"Come on, Katherine Rose," Nick said picking her up. "Let's impress your mum."
Katie giggled. "Okay," she said. "Twirl me Daddy!"
Nick did as she asked and smiled as Katie giggled even harder. "Want to go faster?" he asked.
"Yes!" she said, laughing. "Please Daddy!"
Julie watched her husband and daughter as they skated. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Katie so happy.
"Ariana!" a younger girl squealed beside Julie. "Look! I told you that was Nick Malfoy!"
"It is!" the other girl breathed. "What's he doing here?"
"I don't know," the girl said to her friend. "Isn't he dreamy?"
Julie hid her smile as Nick continued to twirl Katie around.
"I wish I'd brought my camera," Ariana said frowning.
"We should ask him for an autograph at least," her friend said.
"I couldn't!" Ariana said. "I'd die!"
"He's quite nice," Julie finally turned and smiled at the girls. "I'm sure he'd sign something for you."
"You think so?" Ariana asked hopefully. "How do you know him?"
"Oh my God!" her friend said grinning at Julie. "You're Julie Malfoy. You're his wife!"
"It's nice to meet you," Julie laughed.
"Can we have your autograph too?" Ariana asked.
"You want mine too?" Julie asked in surprise.
"Yes," Ariana said scrabbling in her bag for a piece of paper. "This is soooo cool."
"Sure," Julie said. "Let me have Nick come over here and meet you girls."
Julie waved at her husband and daughter motioning for them to come and join her.
"What's up Jules?" Nick asked, Katie's hand in his as they skated closer.
"I'd like you to meet Ariana and---" Julie said turning to the other girl.
"Michaela," she choked out.
"Ariana and Michaela," Julie said smiling at them. "Two of your biggest fans."
"Hello girls," Nick grinned at them. "It's very nice to meet you."
"It's meet to nice you," Michaela said blushing.
"You ladies live around here?" Nick asked after shaking their hands.
"A couple of streets over," Ariana said. "We've got all your CDs."
"Even some of your earlier stuff," Michaela chimed in.
"Well thank you," Nick grinned at them again after scrawling his name on Ariana's notepad.
"You've just made my life," Ariana said. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."
"Call me Nick," he said winking at her.
Ariana grabbed hold of Michaela's arm and the two girls skated off chattering excitedly to each other.
"Daddy girls act so silly around you," Katie said.
"They even wanted my autograph," Julie said with a laugh.
Nick laughed. "You want to go out there again Katie?" he asked. "Or did you want to try and find Caroline?"
"Here they come," Julie said just as Ashley, Katie and Mia skated toward them.
"Katie!" Caroline said breathlessly. "We missed you!"
"You did?" Katie asked.
Caroline nodded. "Do you want to skate with me?"
Mia sat down beside Julie. "I'm going to take a break."
"Same here," Nick sat down. "You go have fun with Caroline sweetheart."
"Okay," Katie said eagerly taking Caroline's hand. "I'm going to show you this really cool trick!"
"Yay," Caroline said happily. "I was waiting to skate with you all day!"
Katie took Caroline's hand and couldn't resist shooting a triumphant look at Mia.
Mia scuffed her foot along the ice, pretending not to notice Katie's glare.
"Do you want a biscuit or a muffin, sweetheart?" Julie asked the little girl.
"Yes please," Mia said politely. "Do you have chocolate?"
"We do," Julie said reaching into the basket and handing Mia a chocolate biscuit. "Those are my favourite, too."
"These are yummy," Mia said. "Did you make them Mrs. Malfoy?"
"You can call me Julie," Julie told her. "And no, I didn't. Katie and Ashley's nanny Greta made them."
"Okay, Julie," Mia said shyly. "Thank you- these are really good."
"You're welcome," Julie said smiling at Mia. "And you did quite well skating. Much better than me, I might add."
Mia giggled. "My mummy told me just to pretend I'm dancing with different shoes on."
"That's a good way to look at it," Julie said laughing. "Maybe that might help me out."
"I think you're beyond help," Nick teased her.
"Well you didn't marry me for my skating ability, I hope," Julie said nudging him.
"No there were a few other things," Nick grinned. "Mia- would you like some hot chocolate to go with those biscuits?"
"That would be great, Mr. Malfoy," Mia said politely. "Thank you."
"Should warm you up," Nick smiled at her.
"And I heard you have a big night coming up," Julie said. "My Aunt Cho told me you have a recital, right?"
Mia nodded. "Me and Caroline are dancing with Katie's class."
"Katie's really excited about it," Julie said.
"She's a really good dancer," Mia said.
"She gets that from her mother," Nick said. "Not from me."
"Have you got any more of that hot chocolate?" Will skated up by them. "I'm bloody freezing!"
"Your trousers are all wet," Julie said. "Did you fall?"
"Did he fall?" Frankie asked joining them. "He did and it was not pretty."
"Thanks Frankie," Will said, sitting next to his niece. "Could it be due to the fact you wouldn't let go of my arm while you were sliding down into the splits?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Frankie said sitting down beside Julie.
Will snorted. "How come you're sitting around here?" he asked his young niece.
Mia shrugged. "I knew Katie wanted to skate with Caroline and I was a little cold..."
"That was nice of you," Frankie smiled at her. "Maybe you'll come out with Will and me once you're rested up a bit."
Mia nodded. "I'd like that."
On the ice, Caroline clapped as Katie spun around. "That was brilliant, Katie!"
"You can do it too Caroline," Katie replied. "Just like this."
Caroline giggled as she tried to imitate Katie's spin. "How was that?"
"Pretty good," Katie replied. "Try it again but keep your feet apart a little more."
Caroline again attempted the spin and this time did it nearly as perfect as Katie. "How was that?"
"Much better," Katie grinned at her.
"Thanks," Caroline said taking Katie's hand and they skated past Frankie, Will, Nick, Julie and Mia. Caroline waved at Mia, but Katie just smirked at the other girl.
"Caroline," Katie said once they were going back around. "Am I your bestest friend in the world?"
Caroline nodded. "My bestest friend in the whole wide world."
"And I'm your only bestest friend?" Katie asked.
Caroline looked sideways at Katie. "Well, Mia's my best friend, too."
"But what if you could only have one best friend?" Katie asked craftily.
"And no one else?" Caroline asked frowning.
"Only one," Katie said, coming to a stop against a railing.
"Well," Caroline said biting her lip. "If I had to choose, I'd pick you."
Katie beamed. "Okay," she said happily.
"Because I've known you longest," Caroline said as they started to skate again.
That made the self satisfied grin fall from Katie's face. "Oh..." she said, her tone going flat.
"And you're like a sister to me," Caroline said truthfully not wanting her friend to be angry or hurt.
Katie only nodded, her eyes narrowing as she saw Mia come back onto the ice with Will and Frankie.
"I suppose you want to go and skate with her now," Katie couldn't stop herself from saying to Caroline.
"What?" Caroline asked, following her gaze. "I didn't even know she was back out here Katie."
"Right," Katie said letting go of Caroline's hand. "I'm going to get some hot chocolate."
"Wait!" Caroline flailed, trying to keep her balance. "Katie I can't skate by myself!" she pitched forward.
Katie ignored her and skated off.
Will saw his niece fall and skated quickly over to her.
"Ow!" Caroline said tears falling down her cheeks. "It hurts!"
"Come here princess," Will easily lifted her up. "Let's see where you got hurt all right?"
Caroline nodded and sobbed into his shoulder.
"Shhhh..." Will kissed the side of her head. "You'll be all right." he sat her down on the bench.
"What happened?" Julie asked.
"We were skating and I fell," Caroline bawled.
Will lifted up the leg of Caroline's jeans. "I think you just have a nasty bruise, Princess."
Caroline's lower lip trembled. "It still hurts a lot."
"You might want to stay off it the rest of the afternoon," Julie said. "You can keep me company."
Caroline nodded in disappointment.
Katie stood back watching it all and feeling guilty. It was her fault that Caroline fell.
"I think you'll be all right though Princess," Will grinned at her and kissed her kneecap before rolling her jeans back down.
"Thanks Uncle Will," Caroline said giving him a hug.
"Anytime," Will told her. "You're a tough one you know that?"
"I am?" Caroline asked smiling up at him.
"Absolutely," Will chucked under her chin. "That's my favourite type of princess."
Caroline beamed at him.
"Why don't you bring Caroline a mug of a hot chocolate?" Julie asked holding one out to Katie.
"Okay," Katie replied, shuffling over to her best friend.
Caroline's smile faded. "You left me..."
"I'm sorry," Katie said. "I didn't know you'd fall Caroline."
"I'm going to let Frankie and Mia know you're okay," Will said kissing the top of Caroline's head before leaving.
"It was an accident," Caroline said giving Katie a slight smile. "I know you didn't mean it."
Katie smiled back at her. "I'm going to sit with you the rest of the afternoon," she said.
"You'd do that?" Caroline asked smiling at her.
"You are my bestest friend," Katie handed her the cup.
"Thanks," Caroline said. "And you're mine."