The Forgotten Girl

Chapter Fifteen: The Toad Takes Over

Chapter Fifteen: The Toad Takes Over

After spilling her guts to all of her friends Alison didn’t seem to worry so much. She smiled and laughed more easily and felt all around better. Her days were filled with homework, Quidditch, and friends. Angelina kept them out on the pitch till the late hours of the night. When she finally let them go they were usually covered in mud and exhausted to the point that more than once Alison fell asleep in the shower. Between homework and Quidditch Alison spent a number of hours helping Fred and George sell their products. Fred told her on a number of occasions that when they opened the joke shop she would have to work there all the time. Whenever she was the one sitting and taking orders they sold twice as much. Alison told him she was simply more charming than he was. Before she knew it February snow turned to spring rain.

“Alison............Alison?!” Colin called. Alison looked up from her Arithmacy book clearly annoyed, “Yes?” she asked.

“Glad you could join the conversation.” Fred said flashing a smile. They were sitting at the Gryffindor table for dinner and Alison was trying to finish her homework.

“I want to get this done before tonight!” she said, “I don’t want to have to do it later.”

Ginny shook her head, “Don’t upset her,” she turned her voice down to a whisper. “Harry told me we’re doing patronuses tonight. If she’s mad she won’t be able to do it.”

Alison rolled her eyes and turned back to her book, “I’ve got five inches left on this essay, leave me be!”

George slipped onto the bench next to her. He kissed her cheek and began pulling food towards him, “Homework? Really, Lissy?” he whispered into her ear. Alison stuck her tongue out at him and put a period on her last sentence. “There, done. Now you can talk to me.” She flashed a smile and Ginny shook her head at her.

By the time everyone had finished their dinner it was time to head to the D.A. meeting. Not wanting to be suspicious they left three at a time. First Ginny, Colin, and Samantha, then Alison, Fred, and George. They met again on the second floor and together they all went to the stretch of bare wall on the seventh floor.

Colin walked pass the wall three times and a large door appeared, “Here we go!” he said and pushed it open. Besides Harry, Hermione, and Ron they were the first ones there. Colin and Samantha pulled cushions out and sat down on them. Ginny did the same. Alison squeezed George’s hand and went over to talk with Harry.

“So, word has it we’re doing patronuses tonight.” She said leaning against the book shelf. Harry chuckled and pushed her lightly, “Why I though Ginny would keep it quiet I’m not sure.” Alison flashed a smile and went to sit with Ginny as the rest of the D.A. began filing in.

When everyone was seated Harry stood in front of them. He cleared his throat a few times before he started to speak. “Okay, so you’ve probably already heard this from Ginny,” he shot a pointed look at her before continuing, “In case you haven’t, we’re going to start work on patronuses tonight.”

Alison smiled lightly, Harry had become more and more comfortable over the year speaking and teaching. Now it seemed as though he didn’t even notice he was doing it.

“I’ll start by demonstrating.” He said and took out his wand. Alison watched as he waved his wand and spoke, “Expecto Patronum!” A large silvery white stag erupted from the end of his wand. It galloped around the room a few times before vanishing. A number of students applauded Harry. He beamed at them before continuing, “Now, a corporeal Patronus is the hardest to produce, however shield can be just as effective. So let’s get to it. Up you get!”