The Last Horcrux

Hogsmeade

The members of the planning committee for the Valentine's Ball met in the entrance hall after breakfast on Saturday morning. Crystal, Lucy and Phaedra were gathered in a giggling knot. Tori was there alone. There was no sign of the other Slytherin girl who had accompanied her to the first meeting. She walked over to Amanda and Riot.

"Vere is your friend?" Riot asked.

"She's busy,'' said Tori. "Mind if I go with you?"

"Not at all," replied Riot, mock gallantly. He doffed an imaginary hat at her, and bent at the waist in an exaggerated bow. "At your service, my lady." Tori smiled and Riot smiled back and Amanda felt a tinge of jealousy. Perhaps Riot wasn't gay. And Tori was very beautiful. Gorgeous in fact.

The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs arrived in a group. Everyone lined up in front of Filch who stood at the doorway with a long parchment and a feathery black quill. Mrs. Norris twined around his ankles and sniffed at the students suspiciously. They all waited impatiently while Filch checked their names off one by one. Then they headed out the front doors where the pleasures of Hogsmeade beckoned.

Mark sidled up and joined their group. He stole furtive glances at Riot but did not look at him directly. When Riot clapped a welcoming hand on his shoulder he turned such a deep shade of red that Amanda was afraid he might pass out.

Great, she thought. Me, Riot and his adoring entourage. She didn't know why she should even care. She didn't feel that way about Riot, she told herself sternly. She didn't like him. Not really. Not the way she liked Harry. Even, though of course, that was a completely useless crush.

"You are such an idiot," she said to herself.

They arrived in Hogsmeade and went straight to Madame Marilyn's Magical Emporium. There was a whole aisle marked Seasonal filled with Valentine's Day decorations. Roxanne, the Gryffindor girl who held the money bag, took charge. "Remember our color scheme, " she said in her bossy way.

There wasn't much. Everything was red or pink.

"Maybe we can charm these," said Tori, holding a packet of red streamers. She touched them with her wand. "Colorus mutifexus," she said. The streamers in her hand turned from red to gold.

"Cool," said Riot approvingly. "How do you know that spell?"

Tori shrugged. "I use it sometimes to coordinate my wardrobe. Don't you?"

They bought streamers, balloons and confetti. Tori charmed it all gold, silver, bronze and black. Then Riot gave an excited shout from the end of the aisle. He had found centerpieces that sent out showers of pink confetti hearts.

"These are perfect for the tables!" he said with excitement. "A touch of pink, just like we vanted!"

"We should save some money for fireworks from Weaseley's Wizard Wheezes," Amanda said.

"I don't know," objected Roxanne "Someone would have to go into London to get them, and the Ball is next weekend."

"I can owl George," Amanda said. "He can send us some. He'll probably give us a break on the price."

"You know George Weasely?" said Roxanne looking at Amanda suspiciously. "He was a Gryffindor wasn't he?"

Amanda tugged at her blue and bronze Ravenclaw scarf self consciously. "He's.... just a family friend," she said.

They made their purchases. Carrying heavy shopping bags they went to the Three Broomsticks for celebratory butterbeers and sandwiches. Amanda sat next to Riot. She listened to the chatter all around them. She couldn't think of much to say but it was very comforting having Riot beside her. It made her feel almost as if she belonged.