Aria Black and the Prisoner of Azkaban *Re-Write*

The Patience of a Sick Baby

That afternoon, Angelina, Alicia, and Ella are ready to beautify me for Hogsmeade. Even though I am a strong capable woman, able to dress and get myself ready, I let them have their way. Ella starts chattering about how she's gonna put tons of makeup on me and make me wear a fancy dress, but Angelina talks her down.

"Aria's gonna come off as a desperate." Ange tells Ella. She turns to me. "You wanna go with casual or casual cute?"

I shrug. "Casual cute, I guess."

Angelina goes through my drawers and closet. She gets a striped t-shirt dress and some tall boots out. Ella snorts in disbelief.

"Looks good, Ange." I say, stripping quickly and then getting dressed. Then Alicia brushes my hair out and keeps it wavy. Ella does my makeup and nails. She puts dark eyeshadow around my eyes, but there's no purpose, so I wipe it off. I have tan skin and dark eyes. I don't need any more dark. It's like a pale person putting on white eyeliner.

When they're done with me, I look fabulous, not to brag. Cute, but casual. Comfy, but stylish. They quickly do their makeup as well. Ella is going on a date with Jonathan, wearing a cute polka dotted cocktail dress. Angelina was asked out last night by Lee, who almost wet himself when she said yes. She's sporting a nice pair of jeans and a smiley face tank top. They are not dating until she sees how this date goes. Alicia is friend-going with Fred, and I'm going with Oliver.

In the common room, Oliver is waiting in the common room with Fred, George, Lee, and Jonathan. They're all wearing jeans.

"Oi!" Fred calls. "What took you lot so long?"

"Aria wouldn't sit still for her makeup." Ella giggles.

I roll my eyes. "Well you were applying it for the fortieth time!"

Ella smirks. "You have the patience of a sick baby."

Oliver slinks an arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple. "You look great."

I smile up at him, straightening the collar of his plaid red flannel. "So do you."

We meet up with Tamsin and Jeremy in the group of students heading to Hogsmeade. Tamsin gives me an odd look, but Jeremy smiles. At the courtyard, McGonagall is checking everyone's parent permission slips. I've nothing to worry about. Remus signed mine, and his handwriting is recognizable.

Alicia hands McGonagall her slip, and the Transfiguration professor approves it almost instantly. I'm next. "Here you are, professor." I say, unable to break my smile. I'm going out with Oliver!

She sighs and purses her lips. McGonagall's head shifts upward to meet my eyes. "Miss Black, I'm afraid you are not allowed to visit Hogsmeade at the present time."

"What?" I splutter. My lips slowly flatten themselves as I realize she is serious.

McGonagall swallows. "With your father at large-"

"I'll be fine!" I cry. "I've got my friends-"

My gaze shifts to the twins, Ange, Alicia, Oliver, and Oliver's friends. Ange steps forward. "We'll stay as a group, Professor, I promise."

"Please, Professor." Oliver says. "Aria and I had a good day planned."

McGonagall's guilty look is as obvious as ever. Behind us in the line, people are shouting complaints. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wood, but Miss Black must remain here. Hogsmeade is just not safe for her at the present time."