The Reckoning of Emmie MacKenzie

Teasing

Emmie's eyes widened slightly as she followed Oliver through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room, leading the Hufflepuff team. She had always wondered what it looked like and could scarce believe that she was now seeing it for herself. Even Alex hadn't brought her in while he was here, though he had talked about it enough. It was round, much like the Hufflepuff common room, but the ceilings were much higher, making it seem bigger. Everything was in red and gold and there was a smattering of sofas, chairs and tables all around.

Oliver led them over to a corner where a sofa, loveseat and several chairs had been gathered together, a handful of Gryffindors already lounging around in front of a wireless. She could hear the pre-game commentary already starting up.

"Just, ehm, have a seat wherever," Oliver said, looking at the group.

"Blimey. Did you invite every house team in the school? When can we expect Ravenclaw?" Ian shouted as he looked over at the group. Oliver just chuckled.

"Figured the more the merrier," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Mac! Good to see you here!" Fred shouted as he and George walked over to Emmie.

Ian and Walter noticed her standing there for the first time and gave each other a look, suddenly realizing why Oliver had invited the Hufflepuff team.

"You should come by more often," George added as they started leading her to a loveseat and depositing her there.

"Butterbeer?" Fred asked.

"Or something stronger?" George asked.

"Ehm... I'm good," Emmie said, a bit overwhelmed.

"Just get settled. We'll be back with a drink," Fred said, winking at her.

"They always like that?" Emmie asked, glancing up at Oliver, who had just walked up.

"For the most part," he replied with a chuckle.

"Please dinnae let them slip somethin' in my drink," Emmie begged. "I'd rather no have a tail or a snout or anythin'."

"I'll keep an eye on them," he replied before walking off.

Emmie turned her attention back to the wireless as the rest of her team settled around, chatting with the others who were there. Cedric sat on the loveseat next to Emmie.

"Who's playing again?" he asked.

"Wasps and Magpies," Emmie said. "Oliver's brother Ryan is chaser for the Wasps."

He nodded as he looked over at the wireless, though kept glancing around the room.

"Feels a bit odd being here," he admitted. "Never been to any of the other common rooms."

"Me neither," Emmie said.

"Figured you'd of been here at least once. Wasn't your brother a Gryffindor?" Cedric asked, glancing over at her.

"Aye, but he never brought me in," she replied.

"Here ye are. Poured it myself so nothin' strange in it," Oliver said, walking up and handing Emmie a cup of butterbeer.

"They sneak into the kitchens again?" Emmie asked, looking over at him as she accepted it. "I catch them nearly every other week around there, though never with any sort of evidence of where they've been."

"I've learned not to ask too many questions with the twins," he said, glancing over to see Cedric seated next to her. He had hoped to sit there, but it appeared that wasn't to be. He instead waved his wand and pulled up another chair on the other side of the loveseat and settled in.