Chapter Fifteen

The O.W.L. Exams

–

It is sometimes much harder to forgive an enemy
than it is to forgive a friend.

–

Our euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week. Even the weather seemed to be celebrating Gryffindor's success; as June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt like doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake.

But we couldn't. Exams were nearly upon us, and instead of lazing around outside, the students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into concentrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the windows. Even Fred and George could be spotted working; considering we all were about to take their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels). Percy was getting ready to take his N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades. He was becoming increasingly edgy, and gave very severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common room in the evenings. In fact, the only person who seemed more anxious than Percy was Hermione Granger.

I was continuously anxious after my intimate moment with Oliver and my kiss with George. Things between George and I remained the same. We acted as if the kiss never happened though I knew he thought about the night of our birthdays as much as I did. That drove me insane. With the second term drawing to a close I knew my remaining time to tell the twins about Oliver and I was shrinking. I was going to have to tell them soon before I was forced into listening to another ear full from Angelina. Oliver had planned this special end of the year dinner date with me, and I planned on running by my speech I would give to the twins by him before going to speak with them that night. Our date was before our Potions final, so I hoped things didn't go too terribly bad to the point that I couldn't get a decent grade... though the likelihood I would get a decent grade even without countering in my situation with the twins and Oliver was slim to none.

My first exam was Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower; History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which I scribbled everything Florean Fortescue had ever told me about medieval witch-hunts, while wishing I could have had one of Fortescue's choconut sundaes with me in the stifling classroom. Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses under a baking-hot sun; then back to the common room once more, with sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would all be over. Oliver had tutored me so much in Herbology that I actually expected to get an O.W.L. in the previously impossible class.

Our third to last exam, on Thursday morning, was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun, where we had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a Hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new Boggart.

"Excellent, Miss McKinnon," Lupin muttered as I climbed out of the trunk, grinning. "Full marks."

Flushed with his success, I hung around to watch Fred and George. George did very well until he reached the Hinkypunk, which successfully confused him into sinking waist-high into the quagmire. Fred did everything perfectly until he reached the trunk with the Boggart in it. After about a minute inside it, he burst out again, screaming.

"What the bleeding hell did you see?" I laughed at him along side George.

"It was Percy," he breathed heavily, clutching his chest. "H– He'd brought Mum to school a– and they'd found the m– map–"

"Stop!" George objected. "The horror of those first few words strike sheer terror down my spine without any further explanation."

My second to last exam was Divination; Fred and George's, Muggle Studies. We walked up the marble staircase together; where many of our class were sitting on the spiral staircase to Professor Trelawney's classroom, trying to cram in a bit of last-minute studying.

"She's seeing us all separately," Roger Davies informed Angelina, Alicia, and I as we went to sit down next to him. He had his copy of Horrifying Horoscopes open on his lap at the pages devoted to the meanings of different astrological signs. "Have either of you ever seen anything in a crystal ball?" he asked them unhappily.

"Winnie can," Angelina replied to the Ravenclaw Captain, "but Leesh and I tend to just wing our observations."

"Just tell her you see death and destruction, Davies," I shrugged. "She eats that shit up."

"Sounds like a plan," said Roger. "Thanks, Win."

I was used to Divination exams. I never studied, always received top marks, and now I knew why. Professor Trelawney smiled at me from behind her soda bottle like glasses as I entered her room alone. The woman loved me, and I could understand why that was a fact now as well. She sat casually in her enormous armchair as she always did, a crystal ball between us as I took my seat across from her.

"Good evening, Miss McKinnon," she beamed.

"Evening, Professor," I nodded, trying to make myself comfortable.

"All you must do to successfully pass your O.W.L. is simply make a proper prediction using this crystal all," she explained. "You may begin whenever you wish."

I nodded curtly and wasted no time diving into my assignment. I placed my fingertips lightly upon the crystal ball and allowed the electricity to engulf my entire body, feeling my eyes roll into the back of my head for a moment. Leaning in close to the glass the mist began to clear, illuminating the image within. I gasped briefly as towering flames encompassed the ball, countless faceless people sprinting from an invisible threat. What was most unsettling was the fact that the smoke from the fire allowed for a quick glimpse at the sky, the Dark Mark was as clear as day.

"I see the Dark Mark," I began breathlessly, feeling Professor Trelawney lean in towards the crystal ball. "I see chaos and fire, hundreds– no, thousands of people frantically running for safety."

"Can you see the location of this disaster?" she asked, almost anxiously.

"N– No," I replied uneasily. "It isn't clear."

I hoped, for once, this prediction wouldn't be seen by me.

–

Alicia Spinnet tore her bedding apart, clawing through her things in search of her treasured teddy bear that she had possessed since she was a mere baby. Her grandfather had given it to her as a first birthday present and ever since then it had always held a special piece of her heart. It was more of security blanket than anything, and she was very anxious at the idea of her stuffed animal being out of place.

"Bleeding hell," she sighed heavily so that Angelina (whom was laying down on her own bed with her Potions textbook in her hands) would hear her.

"What's wrong?" asked Angelina, not looking up from her book.

"I can't find Teddy," she frowned.

"That bear of yours or whatever it is?" she replied.

"Yeah," said Alicia. "I can't find him, do you think Winnie is playing a prank or something. You know, hid it from me?"

"Doubtful," said Angelina indifferently. "Freddie enjoys a good prank, but she was never one for thievery to achieve a laugh."

"I wouldn't put it past her," Alicia disagreed. "I'm going to look through her things, and I wager that I'll find it."

Alicia didn't wait another second before striding to Winnie's unoccupied bed and looking under her pillows and blankets. May, who was snoozing on the edge of the bed, hissed viciously at her for invading her territory.

"Alicia, stop that," said Angelina hastily, sitting up straight and looking over at her for the first time. "What you're doing is a complete invasion of privacy."

"Like she's never done the same to me," she said, unconcerned with her inappropriate actions. "She's utterly–"

The strawberry blonde headed girl froze as a torn piece of parchment fell out of Winnie's pillowcase onto the comforter upon her bed. Angelina looked from the parchment to Alicia and back again. She knew that whatever that paper said, it was not for anyone's eyes other than Winnie's. She quickly rose to her feet to attempt to save her best friend's property from being violated any further. However, Alicia was too quick. She snatched up the letter and began reading it before Angelina could stop her. Alicia read the not allowed.

Winnie,

I hope you're ready for one romantic evening,
meet me up in the Clock Tower at 19:00 sharp.

Love,
Oliver

"No way," Alicia breathed shallowly. "Winnie with Oliver Wood? I don't believe it."

"Alicia–"

"Do you wager the twins know?" she asked swiftly. "Oh, of course they don't. She's been lying to them this whole time. They're going to absolutely die once they hear about this."

"Leesh, think about what you're doing," Angelina warned. "This isn't anyone's business besides Winnie's. I don't think you should be sticking your nose in her–"

"Oh, come off it, Angelina," she said, rolling her eyes. "She has no right to keep this from them. I have every right to fill them in. It's the proper thing to do."

"Bullocks," said Angelina fiercely. "Don't you dare try to act so noble and righteous. You're trying to use this as an opportunity to get in George's good graces by sabotaging Winnie's rep–"

"Piss off, Ang," she seethed, turning her back to her friend and darted down the stairs before she could be stopped. Fred and George were carrying on with Lee in the common room, laughing about some prank they had just pulled. Alicia marched right up in front of George, locking her hands behind her back and swaying from side to side with the note folded in her grip. The twins and Lee halted their conversation and stared unpleasantly over at the petite blonde.

"What's up, Leesh?" asked Lee.

"Nothing much," she beamed vindictively. "I was just about to run off to the library for a bit, but I'm struggling with a bit of a predicament. You see, I found this note to Winnie on the floor of our room, but I can't wait around any longer for her so I can give it to her myself. Do you happen to know where she is?"

"She said she was going to the library too," said George.

"I thought she told me she was running down Ravenclaw's corridor to ask Maddy for help with Potions," said Fred suspiciously, looking over at George.

"Er, well–" George started. "Just hand it over to us, and we'll pass it on to her when she gets back from wherever she ran off to."

"Oh, George, you're so considerate," Alicia flirted. "Here you are, I really hope it isn't urgent."

Alicia handed George the letter and slyly exited out the portrait hole, but hid around the corner to eavesdrop on the web of deception she had just woven. George unfolded the parchment and scanned the message. He seemed indifferent to the note initially but once he had read the short sentence written upon the parchment his eyes widened in shock. Fred noticed his odd expression and snatched the letter from his twin's hand. George's position didn't falter once the paper was removed from his hand. He kept his eyes glued on the same spot the note had been before it was plucked from his grasp. Fred had a similar reaction, slightly less dramatic but still blown away.

"Wood?" asked Fred as if he had no idea who Oliver was.

George didn't reply. He merely gave his watch a quick glance and dashed towards the portrait hole with Fred following after him. Alicia plastered herself flat against the wall and she was simply looked over by the determined twins.

"Oi, where are you going?" called Lee after them.

Alicia smiled wickedly to herself, giggling lightly and biting her thumbnail with glee. She was going to have George Weasley all to herself yet.

–

Oliver had prepared a rather romantic scene in the clock tower. He'd brought me flowers that decorated the usually desolate atmosphere within the clock tower. He'd brought in a couple floor pillows he'd nicked from Trelawney's classroom to sit on and managed to take advantage of his knowledge of the entrance to the kitchens by bringing several delicacies. I bit into a pumpkin pasty and smiled affectionately across at Oliver whom appeared as if he really needed to ask me something.

"What?" I smirked, "Do I have something on my face?"

"N– No, you're perfect," he said dreamily, causing me to blush. I hated how he could do that so easily. I was usually not one for frivolous compliments but from Oliver the simple words made me go weak in the knees.

"Well, something is obviously on your mind," I replied. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong. I just need to ask you something," he said. "I'm just a bit nervous that the answer won't be what I hope it to be."

"Oh, Merlin, Oliver," I sighed heavily, "you're not proposing are you?"

"Of course I'm not," he said hastily. "I just wanted to see if you had plans for the summer yet."

"Just the usual monkey business," I shrugged, swallowing a sip from my goblet of wine Oliver had sneaked in. "The twins and I will probably just work on perfecting some inventions along with creating a few new ones, nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you ask?"

"Well, my parents have been anxious to meet you," he explained so quickly that I could barely understand a word he was saying. He stood up abruptly, holding his arms tightly behind his back as he gazed out the large window to avoid my gaze. "My Mum suggested you spend the summer with us up at our holiday cottage by the sea in Whitby, and I thought it was a brilliant idea. Feel free to decline–"

"Oliver," I said calmly, halting his rambles. "I'd need some time to think about it. I mean, that sounds absolutely amazing, but I've spent every summer at the Burrow since I was a toddler and–"

"I understand you don't–"

"Give me a day to think about it," I interrupted kindly, taking to my feet and standing before him. I took his hands in mine and looked up at him with doe eyes. "I've been planning on telling the twins about us tomorrow, and I'll figure things out then."

"Alright," he smiled hopefully, peering down at me.

I forced a grin up at my handsome boyfriend, knowing that I would refuse his offer. I loved every second of my summers spent at home, and I didn't want anything to interfere with that. He leaned down to kiss me, but a loud THUD interrupted our lip lock. Oliver was abruptly jerked from my grasp, plummeting suddenly onto the stone ground, a steady stream of blood visible from his nose. He pushed himself up off the ground, gently feeling his nose with his fingertips and pulling his hand back to observe the blood. I looked towards the source of the hit, and I should have already known who it was courtesy of: George.

I was enraged, stepping towards the tall redhead and shoving him harshly backwards against his chest. My push didn't faze him, he simply looked over my shoulder down at the stunned Oliver.

"Get up, pretty boy," George urged him, motioning his hands to welcome a fight. Fred stood behind him with a furious look upon his face.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I yelled, kneeling down to carefully help Ollie to his feet.

"Me?" George spat, jerking his attention towards me. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Not causing bodily harm for starters," I replied snidely.

"How could you not tell us about this?" said George viciously, nodding towards Oliver and I. "I mean Christ, Winnie, how long has this been going on? A whole bloody month, since Alicia caught you two snogging?"

"Er– a bit longer," I said sheepishly.

"How much longer exactly?" said Fred fiercely, speaking up for the first time. "Two? THREE?"

"Um, it's closer to nine really," I said quietly, looking down at my feet.

Fred and George's faces turned as red as tomatoes, and I was instantly frightened. George stepped forward and took Oliver by the collar.

"You bloody piece of–" George started.

Oliver shoved the tall redhead off of him, wiping his bloody nose with his sleeve sloppily. I stepped between the two boys to prevent some sort of moronic brawl. I looked up at George, my hand upon his chest as he glared at Ollie.

"He didn't do anything," I argued. "It was my decision to keep this a secret, and I'm so sorry–"

"How could you keep this from us, Win?" asked Fred sadly, his tone stabbing my chest. "We don't keep secrets form each other, we never have–"

"I– I don't know," I said, giving the best answer I could muster. "I'm an idiot."

"That's an understatement," said George crudely, his anger still at its peak. "What is the matter with you? How can you get involved with the likes of him, Winnie? I thought better of you than that."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Oliver spat.

"He's an arrogant, Quidditch-obsessed, pretty boy git is what's the matter with him," said George.

"Just because he's better looking than the likes of you -sorry, Fred-" I shouted.

"Er– none taken," Fred said quickly, seeming a bit awkward as if he was watching a lovers quarrel.

"But that doesn't mean he's a bad person!" I objected. "You've always gotten along with Oliver before! You've always liked him!"

"No, I haven't," George objected. "Neither of us ever have. Right, Fred?"

"Sorry, mate," said Fred. "You're on your own on this one."

George looked somewhat taken aback by Fred's unwillingness to lie for him. George knew that Fred didn't hate Oliver, and he really didn't either, but he expected Fred to lie on his behalf to prove his point. After realizing he was out of arguments, he started making up stupid reasons to why I shouldn't be involving myself with Oliver.

"Well, you definitely can't keep seeing him," said George bluntly. "He's too old for you."

"I'm only two bleeding years older than her!" Oliver shouted. "And what makes you think you can tell her who she can and cannot date!"

"I'm her best friend is why," George objected. "You should just trust that I know what's best for you, Winnie!"

"What's best for me?" I snapped. "You mean what's best for you! You're just scared that if I get a boyfriend you would have to take a backseat to him!"

"Tell me I'm wrong, then," said George. "You know that is exactly what will end up happening, it won't be long now!"

"You're wrong, you had no idea we were together until just now and never noticed a change," I spat, "and I can't believe you think that little of me, George! You and Fred are second to none, you bloody plonker! So you're just going to have to pull your head out of your arse and learn to accept that I happen to care a lot about Oliver, and I am going to keep on seeing him whether you like it or not!"

George swallowed hard, choosing his next statement wisely.

"If you keep seeing each other then you can consider me a stranger," said George, emphasizing every syllable of his insult.

"Oi, mate, that's a bit of an overreaction," Fred defended, beginning to understand the undertones of this fight. "Let's all just cool off and–"

"Piss off, the lot of you," George hissed. He pivoted fiercely and left the clock tower without another word. Fred didn't follow after him straight away. He watched his twin storm off, staring at the now empty doorway for a minute or so before turning back to me and Oliver.

"Well, that was a tad melodramatic, don't you think?" said Fred. "I mean, don't misunderstand, I'm right furious that you've been keeping something like this from us for so long, but I wager you waited this long because you were scared of a reaction like that."

I merely nodded in reply. Fred nodded back silently, processing the situation fully. A quiet CLICK sound could be heard from his mouth as he flicked his tongue against the inside of his cheek.

"Just give me a day or two to cool off, Winnie," said Fred calmly. "I don't want to have an outburst like that, so just keep away from me for a bit. Alright?"

"I understand," I said despondently. "Thanks, Fred."

"Hm, I don't think I've ever been thanked for being mad at someone," said Fred indifferently.

Fred started to walk away silently, rubbing the back of his neck to lead me to believe he was deep in thought. He stopped dead in his tracks for a moment and looked back over his shoulder.

"Make sure you start ripping up your little love notes from now on," said Fred eerily. "I don't want to find out any more secrets about your life via the dreadful messenger: Alicia Spinnet."

–

Alicia bloody Spinnet, that dodgy bint. I'd had enough. I was done with trying to turn the other cheek. Our friendship was officially over. I'd put too much effort into our relationship already. She was dead to me, choosing to boost her reputation to a boy she liked over her longtime friendship with me. I needed to talk to George and sort all of this nonsense out, apologize and explain myself along with explaining Alicia's part in it all. He had to understand, he was my best friend after all. I don't know what I'd do if he didn't.

I left Oliver to be tended to by Madam Pomphrey and darted off in search of George. He wasn't in the common room, his bedroom, the kitchens, the library, the clock tower... he was no where to be found. It had been nearly an hour before I finally caught sight of him skipping stones roughly into the lake. He was by himself, thank Merlin. The sun was setting, so I didn't have a lot of time before he departed to return inside the castle. I knew he heard me approaching, but his motions and stature remained unfazed by my presence.

"George?" I breathed quietly.

No response.

"George?" I tried again with no avail. "George, look at me."

"Just leave me be, Winnie," he said viciously.

"Listen, I'm sorry–"

"You're sorry?" he scoffed, releasing a wickedly twisted laugh. "You're sorry?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," I said slowly, emphasizing each syllable as if he didn't understand the meaning of the word. "I should have told you a long time ago. I was selfish and–"

"How could do this to me, Winnie?" he interrupted severely, hurt in his voice. He had ceased his rock throwing and opted to stare straight ahead at the water.

"I didn't mean to hurt you and Fred," I replied genuinely. "I didn't want to ever–"

"I'm not talking about the three of us, I'm talking about just you and me," he said, turning to meet my eyes for the first time. His face appeared pained beyond repair.

"What do you mean, me and you?" I asked.

"You know damn well what I mean," he spat ferociously."Don't play dumb with me, Winifred McKinnon, you are perfectly aware–"

"No, George, please enlighten me," I said sardonically, "because I think we have our wires crossed here. You see, I recall a kiss we shared and when I went to confront you about it I believe it was you who insisted it meant nothing and I should forget it."

"We're Winnie and George," he said. "You know we're always–"

"No!" I objected fiercely. "We are nothing. I'm sick of your games, leading me on and–"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said sarcastically, slapping his open palm against his chest in this faux aghast manner. "I guess I was the one snogging other blokes when I had a significant other–"

"Sod off, George," I snapped. "I regret kissing you, it should have never happened. You've made that perfectly clear."

It was a lie.

"No, you did when you hooked up with your little boyfriend," he said wickedly. "Tell me, does he know I had my tongue down your throat–"

I cut him off with a swift SMACK across the cheek, instantly leaving a red mark for impact. I'd never slapped George before. Sure, I'd punched him, I'd kicked him, pinched him and a million other offsets but never have I slapped him. To me, a slap is an action of disgust and disrespect to the receiver. That was what I wanted to invoke and I'd accomplished it. His mouth hung open slightly, his head turned to the side from the sheer force of my smack. He blinked a couple times in disbelief before slowly adjusting his face back to me by holding his chin in between his thumb and index finger. He popped moved his jaw from side to side before meeting my furious gaze. Our eyes were on fire, neither willing to stand down.

"I came here to apologize, beg for your forgiveness," I said, feeling my throat experience the sharp pain that resembled razorblades. "I came here to tell you I was wrong, tell you how much I care about you and Fred. Now I think my efforts are futile. You obviously don't want to hear anything I have to say."

"You said it yourself," he said in a voice so cold that I scarcely recognized it. "I'm nothing to you and you're nothing to me. We are nothing. What else could there possibly be to say?"

My lips opened slightly, my throat now dry as the Sahara. He stabbed me with an invisible blade straight into my heart, repaying my own slash at him.

"Nothing," I repeated unsteadily in an eerily emotionless tone. "You're absolutely right, George."

Without another word I pivoted swiftly on my heel and not walked, but ran towards the castle. I couldn't be in his presence a moment longer, it hurt too much. I had no idea what had happened, what was happening between George and I anymore. He'd never been so angry at me, never even close and it scared me. He didn't look at me in the way, he looked at me like he didn't know me and maybe he didn't. Maybe I didn't know myself. We had spoken to one another like we were lovers in a row and maybe we were.

I didn't know where we stood anymore, what would become of us. We obviously had not made up, we were still fighting but in a manner I was unaccustomed to. It felt uncomfortable, and I didn't like it at all. I'd try and talk to him before our Potions final the following morning, hopefully he had cooled down by then. I prayed he would at least be less angry the next day. I doubted it but a girl can dream.

–

Alicia had returned to the dorm long after I fell into a restless sleep and woke before I had come to for obvious reasons. I had no idea where the codger had gone to hide from me, and I really didn't care. She was smart because I was so enraged that night that she would have pulled her hair out. I told Angelina about what had happened though Fred had already enlightened her on the whole situation. She didn't tell me that she "told me so" because, well she was one of my best friends. I appreciated it quite a lot because I certainly deserved it.

The only benefit from achieved from my relationship with Oliver becoming public was that it was public now. I sat by him and his friends at breakfast because I clearly wasn't welcomed at my regular table. However, neither George nor Alicia were present for breakfast in the morning. George was most likely still sulking and Alicia was probably still hiding from me. I could hardly blame her, she had pissed off Murderin' McKinnon after all. Ollie promised to meet me outside the dungeons after my final O.W.L. Exam, and I hoped I would be in a more agreeable mood after my efforts to persuade George to forgive me. I needed a pick-me-up after receiving all the curious stares and whispers from my fellow Hogwarts peers at the sight of Oliver and I together as well.

I arrived early to Potions, one of the first students to arrive. I took my usual seat that would be beside George and awaited his presence. The chairs began to fill up without George anywhere in sight. I could tell Fred and Lee noticed judging by their anxious looks, worrying George had overslept or something. Maybe he was so mad at me that he opted out of his Potions exam just so he wouldn't have to look at me, too revolted to be anywhere near me. I heaved a heavy sigh and propped my chin up on my fists, closing my eyelids for a moment to think. I could leave Potions without taking the exam to go find him, knowing I most likely wouldn't pass the test to begin with–

"Pardon me, but you're in my seat," said a particularly annoying familiar female voice.

I reopened my eyes and my heart instantly fell into my gut, immediately being eaten away by my stomach acid. George and Alicia stood before me, hand-in-hand. George's face appeared blank and emotionless whilst Alicia seemed to beam with sheer joy.

"Excuse me?" I replied.

"You're in my seat," she repeated as if it was nothing.

"No, I've sat in this seat every single class since the beginning of the year," I said in a tone that degraded her intelligence. "You sit back by Angelina, I'm sure it's a simple mistake. I know how hard it is for your pea-sized brain to retain such challenging information."

"The seats aren't assigned," said Alicia crudely. "You need to move."

"Make me," I said, taking to my feet. I planted my hands on the tabletop, leaning over so my face was only a foot or so from hers.

"Georgie," she whined, yanking on his arm and looking up at him with pouty lips.

"The seats aren't assigned," he said in an indifferent voice.

"George?" I said quietly in sheer shock.

"We want to sit by each other, Winnie," he said in the same emotionless tone whilst Alicia sent me a sickeningly pompous grin. "Please, switch seats with Angelina."

My mouth open and closed several times before I finally collected my books to sit by Angelina. I didn't speak a single syllable for the remainder of the class no matter how hard Angie tried to get me to talk about what had happened in between the adding of ingredients. I was frightened that if I opened my mouth to speak that vomit would come out instead. The sight of Alicia shoving shaggy bits of hair behind George's ear and wiping dark soot smudges off his cheek were nauseating. I caught George glance at me once towards the end of class and I lost my urge to plead for his forgiveness and gained an urge to win the game he was playing at. As soon as class was dismissed I darted out the door before Alicia and George to find Oliver just outside waiting for me. I abruptly grabbed his tie without any hesitation and pulled him down into a deep kiss at the exact moment the two barmpots exited Snape's classroom. I peaked open one eye to look at George and felt a mixture of disgust in myself and a sick level of accomplishment at the sight of his face turning red. I then took Oliver swiftly by the hand and drug him forcefully towards the opposing direction of Gryffindor tower.

"Uh, where are we going?" he asked, bending over as I yanked his arm.

"The Owlry," I replied curtly.

"Why?"

"Because I need to write to Molly," I said, out of breath. "I need to make sure she doesn't mind that I'm staying with you this summer."

–

The exam results came out on the last day of term. I had miraculously gotten five O.W.L.s. Percy had got his top-grade N.E.W.T.s; Fred and George had scraped a handful of O.W.L.s each from what Fred had told me once he started talking to me again a day or two later though he was still a bit awkward towards me. I could hardly blame him. Gryffindor House, meanwhile, largely thanks to our spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House championship for the third year running. This meant that the end of term feast took place amid decorations of scarlet and gold, and that the Gryffindor table was the noisiest of the lot, as everybody celebrated. Even I managed to forget about the George situation as I ate, drank, talked, and laughed with the rest. George and Alicia sat further down the table by themselves so Alicia could swoon over him and avoid making everyone vomit up their dinner. He had not said one word to me since our row by the lake, and I had abandoned any attempt of swaying him in my favor.

He was too busy with Alicia. They spent every second together for the last few days. It was revolting. They weren't a couple... yet because I knew what George was playing at even if Alicia was too stupid to catch on. He was trying to make me jealous and epically failing whenever I saw how unhappy he looked beside her. He's a complete git in my opinion. When time came for the Hogwarts Express to take us back to London I couldn't wait to get away from the pair of them.

–

"My parents couldn't pick us up, so they called a car for us," said Oliver leading me off the train as he carried my bag for me, much to my displeasure.

"Okay," I said quietly. "I'm going to find Fred before we leave, meet you there. Take May for me, will you?"

"Yeah no problem, I'll meet you outside King's Cross," said Oliver, accepting the friendly feline from my arms.

As pleased that I was to get away from the gruesome twosome, I was sad to be away from the Burrow and from Fred. I'd said my goodbyes to everyone already, but Fred deserved a more intimate departure. He was my best mate after all. I caught him retrieving Ginny's bag from her overhead for her, apparently it was too heavy for her and she had already ran off to say goodbye to her mates.

"Hey Fred," I said, slipping into the compartment and closing the door behind me.

"Hey Freddie," he smiled, grunting as he tossed Ginny's bag onto the ground. "Where's Wood?"

"He's fetching the car," I replied. "I just wanted to give you a proper goodbye since I won't see you for a long while."

"Aw, aren't you precious," he teased, conceding and swooping me up in a bearlike hug.

"I'll miss you, Fred," I said softly in his ear, and meaning it more than he could ever know.

"I'll miss you too," he replied, sloppily kissing my forehead. "I wish you didn't have leave."

"I don't have to," I said, pulling away. "I want to."

"You can cut the shit now, Winnie," he retorted, no sass in voice. "It's me you're talking to. We both know that you are running away, avoiding the inevitability of dealing with this row you're in with George."

"Fred, I care about Ollie and–"

"Oh, I'm not doubting that," he insisted. "I'm not implying that you're using him or anything because I know you legitimately care about the bloke or you wouldn't have risked all these consequences to be with him but..."

"But what?" I inquired.

"But I think you care about George the slightest bit more," he said wisely, "and I think that you don't know exactly what you want yet. I think you're avoiding Option B, that would be George if you didn't know, of your little scenario because you're scared being with Option A, being Oliver, isn't right for you. I also think you can't bare to see George with Alicia just like he can't stand to see you with Wood. But let me just say that we both know this Alicia thing will be over the second we step foot off this train because he can't bloody stand her. But anyway, all of that is why I wager you're not coming home this summer."

"Whatever you want to believe," I said, rolling my eyes. "Though I agree about the Alicia bit."

Suddenly, the sliding compartment door flew open revealing Fred's more idiotic twin.

"What's taking you so bloody long–" he began before he noticed me. "Oh."

"Just saying goodbye to Freddie," said Fred, nodding towards me.

"I see," he nodded slowly, refusing to look at me. "Well, just get a move on and meet us at the car."

"Aye, aye," said Fred, saluting his brother in a mocking manner before George slammed the door closed after him as he dashed off.

"You better go," I frowned.

"Yeah, I suppose so," said Fred, lifting Ginny's bag over his shoulder and striding towards the exit. He turned back to me one last time. "Hey Win?"

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Promise me that you won't let this fight come between us all forever," said Fred. "I'm not used to this trio being separated, and I don't want to be."

I had to lie.

"Cross my heart," I nodded slowly an uneasily, crisscrossing my chest before Fred departed after George, leaving me all alone.

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Part II

The prologue of "Star-Crossed" has been posted. Please check for it on my profile page. I really hope you all review. I would mean a whole lot to me. Some highlights from Part II which I think will be the most epic parts are: Winnie and George rebuild their friendship whilst trying to manage their romantic relationships with Oliver, Alicia, and each other, Karkaroff comes into the picture and turns Winnie's life upside down, "Mad-Eye" Moody (or rather Barty Crouch, Jr.) brings back a memory Winnie believed to have been lost forever, Winnie's visions begin to effect her daydreams, Cassandra tries to persuade her granddaughter into pursuing the art of Divination, Alicia continues her bitchiness, chaos and hilarity undoubtedly ensue...

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Author's Note

First off, I'M BACK! I just got home from England, and I am beyond jet lagged. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I loved every second of it even though the Brits aren't particularly fond of Americans for obvious reasons. Oh, well I'm back home and raring to start Part II and finish it by Christmas, so I can start and finish Part III by next summer. I was bored on the 8 hour plane ride, so I started story plotting (I had to sit by these 2 smelly people and it sucked). But anyways...

Second off, thank you so much to every last one of you for reading and reviewing "Crossed Hearts." This has been my favorite story I've ever written by a landslide. I've truly enjoyed creating Winnie, and I've really liked using this story as a stress-reliever and escape from everyday life. I'm so pleased that this has had a decent amount of success and that is all thanks to the lot of you. I love you all :)

Third off, I'm sorry of this came off a bit stilted. It was just so hard to write. I know things happened really fast, but they had to be short and sweet because everything in Part II is going to be picked apart. You'll understand later on, no worries. Please just don't hate on it too much.

So Winnie and Ollie are spending the summer together whilst George blows off steam. I wonder how this is going to go... not well most likely. We'll gain a keener understanding of where Oliver comes from and how well Winnie fits in with his lifestyle. It'll be funsies.

PS: I'll be bringing back my shout-outs for Chapter One of "Star-Crossed" (not to be confused with the Prologue). Sorry, I didn't have the time at the moment.

Love Always,

Milena Chernikova

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Review.