I was currently doing something which I hadn’t thought I would be doing. Well not this side of Christmas anyway. I was making my way downstairs to meet up - insert girly scream here - with Al. Ever since he asked me it was all I could think about. I actually think that my grades are at an all time low – something which displeases Rose – although I think it’s worth it. I’ve never been so nervous in my whole entire life. Not even trying out for the quidditch team was this nerve-wrecking.
I’d been ridiculously annoying all morning, mainly because I was so excited. I know it’s probably wiser to sleep with a guy after the date but still at least I’m going on a date with him. The girls were getting pissed off with my constant blathering about the date. I chose about twelve possible outfits and in the end I didn’t wear any of them and Rose threw me some light pink skinny jeans and told me to wear my grey blazer because I might get told – that girl totally mothers me. She makes me a revision schedule every single year. Last year she actually gave it to me at Christmas as a present. She’s deluded when it comes to studying. I think it’s just because she’s desperate to beat Scorpius.
Anyway, back to the present where I am walking into the great hall. Did I mention that it looks especially lovely today, even if the sky is somewhat grey due to the heavy snow. It was at this point I noticed a rather nervous looking Al waiting for me at the Gryffindor table. Needless to say he looked bloody gorgeous. He was wearing a Weasley jumper – trust me, they’ve got a lot more fashionable in recent years; if you have a Weasley jumper you’re one sexy beast – and black jeans and looked bloody gorgeous. Have I said that already? Oh well, thought I better emphasize the point.
“Hey” Al said as he walked towards me and met me in the middle of the hall.
“Hey” I replied. Well isn’t this nice and awkward.
“Umm, shall we go?” He asked. Hence how our date began. We made our way out of the castle and talked about trivial things like quidditch and Christmas. Until I opened my big mouth. You see I’d been wondering for a while who Olivia was and Al was talking about how he wanted to meet up with the Wotters at the Three Broomsticks for lunch when I asked
“Who’s Olivia?” Al’s face turned ash white and for a second I was worried he might pass out. At first he just ignored the question, it was as if for once in his life the boy couldn’t think of a decent lie. This is shocking because he’s a Slytherin. They have a built in lie-maker machine. Eventually he moved away from me, and began talking.
“My ex-girlfriend” Wow. If there was one thing I wasn’t expecting it was the honesty. I almost felt bad. In all truthfulness he sounded pretty cut up. It was like a whole new side of him.
“Oh, do you want to talk about it?” I asked and then realised how stupid this must have sounded. Al seemed to realise this too as he just raised his eyebrow at me and didn’t bother answering. Unfortunately this led to a rather awkward silence where I was wishing that he’d tell me about Olivia and he was probably regretting ever asking me to go to Hogsmeade with him. Oh why do I always put my foot in it. I bet he’s going to make an excuse and leave now. It’s no more than I deserve for being so noisy.
“Didn’t you date Howard Smith once?” The question shocked me at first. Mainly because I didn’t know he knew anything about my love life and also because what sort of idiot starts talking about this stuff. Oh, I suppose that would make me an idiot for bringing up the subject of exes. Oopsy.
“Err, yes in fifth year.” I suppose you could call Howard Smith my re-bound from Al. We broke up last Christmas actually. I’d love to say it was dramatic or something, but it wasn’t. You see Howard was on the Hufflepuff quidditch team – hence how we met – and with his curly golden brown hair I’d always thought he was rather cute looking. He asked me out on the first day of fifth year and we dated for about four months. It was fun and in a way I did love him but it just became to routine. Every week we’d meet up and discuss irrelevant things, have sex and pretend to be interested in each other’s life’s when really we couldn’t give two hoots. Eventually I broke up with him.
“Do you ever miss him?” I didn’t really know how to reply to Al’s question. I still see him around so I suppose I don’t miss the conversation side.
“Not really, I broke up with him and it just didn’t feel right.” I mumbled and looked away from Al’s gaze.
“The perfect un-complicated high school romance, then?” He chuckled as he asked the question and I saw the faint glimmer of a smile on his face.
“Something like that.” I said as I tried to pull my jacket closer around myself, it really was snowing heavily by this point and I regretted not bringing a scarf.
“So … are Hufflepuff’s really as shit in bed as everyone makes out?” At this I laughed. It was actually a school rumour that was spread Teddy Lupin after he dated a Hufflepuff called Poppy Moon. Apparently she cheated on him, but then he said he didn’t mind that much because and I quote “she needed the practise”. Poor girl … apparently she’s still single.
“Well I don’t have much experience but I can tell you one thing.” I giggled as I waited for his reply.
“What’s that then?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. I love it when he does that.
“Slytherin’s are better” I whispered into his ear as he snaked an arm around my waist and laughed out loud at my comment. I couldn’t help but think how nice it was being on a date with Al at this point.
“I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.” He replied with a stupid smirk on his ridiculously handsome face and for once I decided to let him tease me, he was worth it.
Eventually after some more inappropriate conversations we arrived at Hogsmeade village and made our way to Honeydukes and then Quality Quidditch Supplies before eventually deciding to arrive slightly early at the Three Broomsticks in order to get seats. After our arrival and that of most of the other Wotter’s James had a suggestion.
“Who’s up for going back to the castle, I’m thinking a Wotter snowball fight is in order?” I’d heard about the Wotter snowball fights but never actually been invited to one before. They are quite literally one of the wildest and funniest things you will ever see. Fred and James are team captains and then whichever team gets the most hits loses (hits are counted by magic of course). Fred won last year and James was miserable for about the next two weeks. He takes it almost as seriously as he takes Quidditch.
*****
“Right, I want Lily” Stated James with a determined look in his eye. I can see why he’d want Lily, she’s pretty good at this stuff.
“Dominique” replied Fred and Dom went to stand beside him.
“Al and Anya” Said James as Al and I walked over to Lily and James.
“They still count as two, so I’m having Louis and Roxy”
“Lucy and Molly” said James, mainly because the two sisters made an awesome team.
“Rose and Hugo then” Fred said and I watched my best mate walk over to the other team.
“Let the battle commence” James winked and then all hell broke loose. James immediately started throwing snowballs at all of the other team but was so keen he didn’t even notice when Fred threw one at him. Lily and Dominique seemed to be having their own personal battle as Dom kept screaming at the poor girl, it went something like this “This is for eating the last Chocolate Cauldron last year you greedy little bugger, I wish your parents had stopped having sex after Al was born”. Lily was just as vicious though.
Lucy and Molly seemed to be putting all their effort into attacking Roxy and Louis which in my opinion seemed a little unfair because Roxy and Louis where in seventh and fifth year where as Lucy was only a fourth year and Molly a third. Mind you, they seemed to be doing quite well actually and I could see why James chose to have them on the team. Unfortunately I had quite a few of my own problems, which included Hugo and Rose. They may appear very different but when it comes to snowball fights they’re surprisingly in sync.
I felt as a snowball from Hugo hit my leg and threw one immediately back, luckily all that extra quidditch practise had payed off as it rocketed towards his face. I would have felt sorry for him but he can be an annoying little twerp sometimes so I figured he deserved it. This caused me too stick out my tongue at exactly the wrong moment and I found myself with a mouthful of snow and could hear the laughter of one Rose Weasley coming from across the field. I was somewhat surprised when it stopped rather suddenly but looked up and realised that Al had got the little bitch back. Well, I can guarantee you one thing. If she wants a battle, she’s got one. With this thought I grabbed some snow and chucked it at her with all my might. We kept doing this for ages until eventually we all ended up on the floor rolling about with laughter and trying to get each other with anything we could find. I have a distinct memory of Al hitting Hugo over the head with a stick earlier. In my opinion it was justified, Hugo deserved it!
Eventually we got up and shook the snow of ourselves and made our way back to the team captains where the scores where revealed. Needless to say James was very happy to find out that he had won this year. One by one The Wotter’s left to go back to their respective common rooms and warm up, until it was just Al and I remaining.
“Hot Chocolate?” Al asked me as he noticed me shivering next to him.
“d-definitely.” I stuttered as I let him lead me back into the castle and towards the kitchens.
“You look like you need it, here take this I don’t want you to die from hyperthermia on the way.” Al shrugged of his coat and handed it to me and I took it and wrapped it around my shoulders. I was starting to regret only wearing a thin jacket although wearing Al’s coat sort of made up for it.
“Thanks” I replied whilst giving him a cheeky smile.
*****
“I can’t wait. Just imagine it … No girls for an entire day. It’s going to be immense.” As I floated into the common room – I’d just got back from my visits to the kitchens with Al – I just caught onto what Freddie was saying. I couldn’t help but wonder what they were planning now.
“What are you boys planning now? Please tell me you’re not going to abduct every girl at Hogwarts and send them to the moon or something.” It might sound a bit far-fetched but trust me when I say everything James and Fred do is far-fetched. This one time in my third year they attempted to turn all of the Slytherins into actual snakes, unfortunately they temporarily forgot about Al being a Slytherin and his knowledge of the plan ended up being their downfall. It also resulted in them being chased round the quidditch pitch by a lion – the Slytherins idea of a comeback prank.
“The annual family, all male bonding trip.” James said excitedly. I’d heard of this trip before, every year the Wotter males plus a few select male friends go on a day out just before Christmas. In other words, it would most likely occur next week. Every year they’re super secretive about what happens on the trip and it always leaves us girls wondering what the fuck happens? Of course I also have to wonder what Al gets up too on these trips…
“Bondage? Really? I didn’t think you had the balls for it James.” Lily Potter swept into the common room and walked up to her brother with a rather cheeky look on her face. I love that girl, she can totally give as good as she gets … if not better. I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side.
“Haha, very funny Lily, you really crack me up.” Said James through gritted teeth. Poor guy, even his little sister can recognise what a douche he is. Jokes, we all love him really.
“So none of you guys will be around next Saturday then?” I asked, although it was just an excuse to check that I’d got the supposed date right.
“Yep, you’ll have a whole day where you don’t have to worry about pining after Al, think about all the free time you’ll have.” I scowled at this. I love James but sometimes he’s a real jerk.
“Oh, how wonderful, I can’t wait.” As I walked away to my dorm I couldn’t help but think about how this year I was going to find out what happened on that bonding trip even if it killed me. I was determined!
*****
The next time I saw Al it was Monday lunchtime and I decided I was going to ask him about this “All Male Bonding Trip” and hope he’d cave. Unfortunately I’m doubtful that even my wonderful flirting abilities will work this time… Plus he’s a Slytherin and they’re notorious for not being stubborn gits. What? It’s true! What are their qualities again … cunning and determined … well in my language that translates to stubborn gits!
“Hey, I’ve been trying to catch you long enough to have a conversation for ages now.” I said as I slipped into the seat next to him on the Slytherin table. It felt quite unnatural to be there as I never normally leave the Gryffindor table. Talk about how the other half lives!
“Really? What’s up?” He asked and he looked temporarily worried, although I couldn’t fathom why.
“Oh nothing, just I wanted to quiz you on something…” Now he looked really worried… Oh Merlin … I’m going to give the poor boy a heart attack.
“Um, okay shoot…” He replied looking a little nervous. What does he think I’m going to do, start hitting him or something?
“I was just wondering where you guys go too on your all male bonding thingy?” I asked and realised that he looked a little relieved after being asked this.
“We go to this place in Wales, it’s like a festival with lots of err manly stuff. Why do you ask?” He raised his eyebrow and for a second I thought he might have twigged as to what I have planned.
“Just wondering, James and Fred don’t shut up about it.” I replied a little too quickly. He raised his eyebrow again at this point and I knew that he knew that I was lying. Damn me and my shit lying skills!
“Right…” He said and I found myself not really knowing what to say. I realised if I stayed here much longer then I would be sure to spill and then the whole plan would be ruined. Unfortunately I was facing the difficult choice, leave Al or ruin the plan… I decided that for now the plan was more important.
“Gotta dash, Rosie’s probably looking for me, Laters.” I said as I got up rather disgracefully from the Slytherin table.
“Right… Laters” I threw one last glance at Al who still had his eyebrow raised before heading off to my own house table. If I can get this plan to work, my life will be complete! Well sort of… Okay it’ll just be hilarious and the girls and I will be super-duper happy!
A/N - Sorry for the late update, it was my birthday so I've been mega busy :) I'm not that impressed with this chapter, it feels a bit fillerish too me but hopefully you liked it :) Alice xxx
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