Protégée (George Weasley)

Chapter Sixteen

Christmas day and New Year's rolled by agonizingly slow, much to Lisa's annoyance. The twins did not feel better at all, even as Lisa took them down to the Hogsmeade village to watch the fireworks display with the other students. And the fact that they haven't received any sort of letter from their parents didn't help the case at all, despite the fact that she knew this was because they were probably still ashamed of the stunt they pulled.

Lisa awoke to a happy sort of feeling, given the knowledge that everyone was coming back to school that day. She couldn't wait to see Noel, and more importantly, the pecan pie that he's going to be bringing her from his mother. In order to pass the time, she decided to finish of the remainder of the school work she had due when classes started.

She also took it upon herself to drag the twins into doing their school work, the almost curious looks that the two held as they walked into the library made Lisa infer that they probably have never been inside.

They did their homework, without putting up too much of a fight.

"I can't wait to see Asher."

"He probably had better luck in his holidays compared to us."

Lis shifted uncomfortably in her seat, before averting her attention back onto her work.

Soon enough, the sun began disappearing into the horizon, and from her dormitory window, she could see the carriages pulling up towards the courtyards, Lisa immediately scrambling out of bed, throwing on decent clothes before she raced down to the dining table to await the arrival of her friend.

"Look, there they are!" Katie called out, waving Noel and Angelina over to where they were seated on the Gryffindor table. A puzzled look dawned upon their faces at the sight of Lisa, "Why weren't you at the train? Did your parents floo you directly to the Hogsmeade village?"

She shook her head, "Our trip was cut short... I didn't have time to get you a keychain, by the way. It was kind of a rush..." Lisa eyed the box in his arms, "Though I hope that still means that I get the pecan pie I was promised?"

"Ofcourse," he chuckled, handing her the parcel, "I'm not some sort of monster. Besides, you and I know that wouldn't be your last time seeing Australia. You can get me one next time." settling down into his seat, his brows drew together, "Why was your trip cut short, though? Did something happen?"

"Quidditch." she said with a blatantly frustrated expression, "Quidditch happened."

"Ah..." he murmured, as it was all he needed to know, really. "I'm sorry your holidays went so bad, Lis."

"It was bad even before we got sent home early. On the contrary, getting sent home was more of a blessing. Though I can't say the same for the twins. It got them really down. They haven't been speaking much."

Noel leaned over slightly to sneak a glance at Callan, who was now cracking up jokes and laughing with Asher, "He seems fine to me."

"Well, he's with Asher. That boy may be mischievous, but he's the living embodiment of a ray of sunshine, atleast for Cal and Maisie. He somehow manages to cheer them up all the time."

"True." he shrugged, before everyone's attention was called to the front, Dumbledore giving his usual speech of warm welcome.

                                                ———

"I'm stuffed." she groaned, flopping down onto the common room sofa almost as soon as she strode in. "It's the pie. You literally ate the whole thing yourself." Katie made a beeline towards the loveseat, sprawling herself all over it so Noel didn't have anywhere else to sit. He frowned, "So where am I supposed to go?"