The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 87: Washed Away

"You won't believe what the firsties are calling him now," Katie giggled as Angelina sat down.

"Oh what?  Tell me!"

"They're calling him Professor Potter!"

The two girls burst out laughing and on the other side of the room, Harry just knew that he was the target of their merriment.  However, since he was in the middle of helping the first years review for their Potion's test, he was unable to do much more than flush and shoot his laughing friends a glare.  Which of course only made them laugh harder.

"Adorable," Angelina said.  "Simply adorable."

"Lyla told me and of course I told her to call Harry that as much as possible."

"Of course," Angelina agreed.  She and Katie worked for a while, mostly focused on their studies.  "So," she finally said.

"So?" Katie replied.

"Are you going to make me say it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Angelina looked at Katie.

The shorter girl tried to look the other directly in the eye.  A slow flush grew up her neck and onto her cheeks.

Angelina raised an eyebrow.

Katie broke eye-contact, looking down at her notes.  "Okay, maybe I know what you're talking about," she conceded.

Angelina snorted.  "Come on, out with it.  I've been dying to ask and have been mostly patient and respectful."

"You actually have been.  Alicia asks me at least once a day and started the second day after the holidays."

"Yeah, she's a nosy witch that one."

"Of course I am, that's how I get my gossip."  Alicia sat down beside them.

"Aren't you embarrassed that you know I'm talking about you without even mentioning your name?" Angelina asked.

"Not really.  I choose to believe you lot talk about me all the time.  Makes me feel important."  She looked at Katie directly.  "Are you finally going to talk or am I going to have to use drastic measures?"

"Drastic how?" Katie asked with narrowed eyes.

"I can recruit Lyla to help me pester you and you know she won't be subtle about it at all."

Katie blanched.  "Oh dear Merlin no, not that.  She'd get Mum into it!"

"So you better do this the easy way and tell us," Alicia said triumphantly.

"You're terrible."

"I know, now spill or else."

Katie blushed and sighed, putting her quill down.  "I mean, what do you want to know?  There's really not much to tell."

"Something happened after, I know it did," Alicia said.  "Harry refused to tell me, surprisingly, and while you two are acting mostly normal around each other, there's something there.  Now tell me before I explode from the tension!"

"I just might want to see you explode," Katie sniped.  "Well, you're not wrong.  We talked for a like a minute down here alone.  It was really awkward.  I think we both wanted to talk more and not end the night but couldn't since we were leaving later in the morning.  I looked up and noticed some mistletoe and well-"

"Oh my goodness, you did!" Alicia squeaked.

"I didn't!"

"Oh my goodness, he did!" Angelina squealed.