Astray

Chapter 14

"Well, we were thinking... enchanted water balloons!" Alice unrolled a piece of parchment paper and laid it flat on the ground.

"Oh..." Coralie's mischievous smirk slowly faded as she looked over their plan.

"What's wrong? If you don't like our plans you're free to change them if you'd like," Mary compromised and the smirk came right back to her face.

"Oh, good, because, no offense, but those plans were kind of lame. I'll tell the boys about it and they can help set up a new one. I already have one in mind," she rubbed her hands together deviously.

"What is it?" Alice excited dropped to her knees in front of the young mastermind.

"Oh, you'll see. Be patient and good things will come to you," she finished her last flower crown and studied it for a few seconds before putting it on her head. She collected the others she had made and shoved them into her extended bag before standing up from underneath the big beech tree by the lake.

"I must be going girls, but I'll see at flying lessons," She saluted them as she walked back towards the castle, her robes billowing in the cool autumn breeze.

"Okay boys, we need to plant a nice little gift for Theo over there," she nodded towards the Hufflepuff table across the hall where Theodora Zambini sat snuggled into the side of a very uncomfortable looking Amos Diggory, a forth year Hufflepuff.

"I could've swore just yesterday she was with Johnson," Sirius' mumble went unnoticed by the others as they continued to discuss ideas about what they should do.

"I made these flower crowns if it helps," Coralie pulled out a hand full of crowns from her book bag and sat a yellow one on Remus' head.

"We could enchant one to make you bald when you put it on," Remus put down his book on the table and inspected the yellow flowers woven together by the girl beside him.

"Yes! Thanks Remmy, and we could also give her temporary acne all over her face! Her reputation would be utterly ruined," she hugged him from behind and his face tinted a faint pink.

"No problem," he choked out before hiding behind his book once again.

"Hexed flower crown it is! Now, how are going to give it to her without raising suspicion?" She pondered.

"We could give them out tomorrow," James suggested but they continued to ignore him.

"How about we hand them out in the hallway tomorrow? Then she won't be suspicious because other people will be wearing them," Sirius' smirk grew wider as he stared James, who was glaring at him, in the eye.

"That's great, Sirius!" She high fives him across the table and checked her watch.

"Since we have all of that figured out I'm gonna head to class, see you guys later," she grabbed a muffin and waved as she stalked towards the doors of the Great Hall.

"See ya!" Sirius waved.

"Yeah," Remus replied.

"Mh," Peter had his mouth stuffed with food.

"Wait, Coralie!" James ran after her. She rolled her eyes but stopped nonetheless and tapped her foot, waiting for him to catch up to him.

"Yes?" She cocked an eyebrow, her previously cheerful mood replaced with a stony exterior.

"I know you're really mad at me right now, but I just want you to know that I really am sorry. I still don't approve of your friend ship with Snape but wether you two are friends or not isn't my decision to make. You don't have to forgive me but I would really appreciate it if you did," James lowered his gaze to the floor as he waited for her reply. Her eyes softened slightly but hardened back just as quickly.