Are you ready?

Alicia narrowed her eyes and glared at Lucius. Everyone else’s thoughts were fuming but his were downright murderous. She was used to the name calling from Draco before they became friends, so that didn't bother her. She gripped Jamie’s arm tighter as Remus started talking with Lucius. Once the Deatheater had backed off and vanished into the crowd, Remus and Emily walked off to talk. Draco led the way into the pub.

“I’m sorry about that” She jumped as Draco’s voice sounded beside her. “About him calling you that…” She smiled slightly.

“It doesn’t matter that much- you get used to it after three and a half years” She said, nudging him in the ribs. “Five butter beers please”

“Yeah- I guess I owe you an apology that too” He said as they stood at the bar. Alicia frowned at him as she passed over the money.

“No you don’t- at the time I was calling you an ar-” Alicia started but someone coughed loudly.

“Language…” Remus said as he and Emily stopped just behind them. Alicia grinned innocently at him.

“How’re you getting your stuff round Emily’s then?” She said, changing the subject as Madam Rosmerta put five cups in front of them.

“Eavesdropping?” Emily said, raising an eyebrow as they headed off for a table.

“You know Alicia- she couldn’t help herself” Jamie said, rolling his eyes. Alicia hit his arm.

“Well, I’m glad that you warned me about Lucius, Alicia- that could have been much worse” Remus said and Alicia glared at him.

“Alicia?” Emily and Jamie said together, turning to stare at her. She ducked under the table. “Ali- get back up here” Jamie said, pulling on her arm.

“Well… I wasn’t sure if he would listen to Draco so I decided to warn Remus about it- I didn’t know he was coming up here about it though!” She said, appearing back above the table, her face and hair a bright pink. Draco was laughing silently.

***

“I’m going to miss you, you know…” Alicia said as they headed down to meet Draco for the Leaving feast.

“Same here, Ems” Jamie said, reaching over and tousling her hair.

“I’ll miss you too, guys” Emily said as Alicia helped her fix her hair. “Apart from the hair messing thing- that’s going to get old soon” She said and Jamie laughed.

“It’s not my fault I’m so much taller than you- even Alicia’s taller that you, be ashamed” he laughed and Emily hit him on the arm.

“Hey- what’s the joke?” Draco said as he met then at the door. Jamie told him and he started laughing until Emily glared at him. “I mean- you’re not that short, love” He said quickly, making Jamie laugh again. Draco joined them at the Gryffindor table again, earning glares from other people around them.

“Oh!” Alicia dropped her fork as her eyes flashed pink. She blinked and then grinned. “You’re both coming round next week!” She said happily, looking across the table at Emily and Draco, who shrugged. “Everyone’s coming round mine! I’ll go tell the others!” She said, jumping to her feet and hurrying up the table towards the others.

“I was right- I am never going to get used to that” Draco muttered and Jamie laughed.

“Trust me, it’s worse over the summer- she finds out all sorts of things about the school year, then” He said, rolling his eyes.

“She’s unique in every way- that's why we love her” Emily said as she watched Alicia’s scarlet hair bob around half way up the table.

“She’s one of a kind alright- the world wouldn’t be able to cope with two of her, it'd explode” Jamie said, a smile on her face.

“And we’ve got forever to get used to her…” Draco sighed. “I bet that won’t be long enough” Emily laughed.

“I can hear you even when I’m all the way up there you know” Alicia said, dropping into her seat and tapping her head. Draco pulled a face, which she returned.

Once the feast was over and the sun had risen over the grounds for them to see one last time, the four friends made their way down to the station to get the train back home. The whole way they laughed and joked about what had happened throughout the year. Alicia sighed deeply and her hair darkened slightly just as the compartment door opened.

“What is it with you Slytherins? Can’t you understand English?” She said, not looking up from her book. “Go. Away. And. Leave. Us. Alone…”

“Why don’t you just shut up for once?” Pansy said as Blaise laughed. She seemed to be hiding behind him.

“If I were you, Zambini, I’d keep your dog on a lead- It's barking at me again” Alicia said calmly, turning a page.

“Maybe you should have a muzzle on-” Pansy spat, leaning round him.

“If I have to put this book down, you’ll be sorry” Alicia said, her eyes not leaving the page. They wasn't flashing across the page anymore.

“Enough, Alicia” Jamie muttered as Emily glared at Pansy.

“What do you want, Blaise?” Draco said, standing up.

“Nothing much, just wanted to see how blood- traitors travel on the train” Alicia snapped her book shut and grabbed Jamie as he stepped forwards. Blaise laughed.

“I suggest you leave. Now” Emily spat and Pansy shot her a hate filled look.

“Now” Alicia repeated as her hair turned pitch black. Blaise shot another look at Draco, smirked at Jamie and then led Pansy away. Jamie walked forwards and shut the door. Alicia returned to her book, her hair slowly turning scarlet again. “Don’t forget- Wednesday next week, my house”


I couldn't help myself! I just HAD to post...
Maybe it's the fact this I'm posting again that's got me so excited?

Hope you like it!