Prosapia Gemma-The Family Jewel

Summer holiday had begun and Aislinn was beyond excited. Her parents were going to Scotland for the holiday and she would be staying with the Finnigans the entire summer. Mrs. Finnigan had planned all sorts of fun activities for the girls. A few weeks after break began they would be taking a trip to see the Ballycastle Bats play the Chudley Cannons. The Bats were Ireland's best Quidditch team and Aislinn loved to watch them play. She was leaving the next day to what she thought would be the best holiday of her life.

Aislinn was reading Quidditch Through the Ages when she heard a knock. She put the book down, got up from her bed and opened her door. Walden Macnair stood in his daughter's doorway smiling brightly. Aislinn immediately became nervous. Her opinion of her father had changed dramatically since the beginning of last year, and anything that made him smile that much couldn't be good.

"You look very happy this morning." Aislinn forced a smile as her father entered her room. He walked over to the window and sat down at her desk, still smiling. He gestured for Aislinn to do the same and she sat down on the edge of her bed.

"Aislinn love, there has been a slight change of plans. You will be staying with the Malfoys for the first week of the holiday. After the week is up, Mr. Malfoy will escort you to the Finnigan's if you still wish to go. If not, then the Malfoys have said that you may stay the entire summer with them." Aislinn felt her heart stop as he spoke. She wished that he would stop and tell her it was a joke, but her father continued. "I have a matter of business to discuss with Lucius so we will be leaving this evening. I will have Betsey come up at once to pack your things. Be ready by six to leave." Her father smiled brightly again and got up to leave her room. Aislinn rushed after him.

"But father, what about the Finnigans? They think I am coming to stay with them. Mrs. Finnigan has planned all sorts of things for Quinn and I to do, it would be rude of me not to go," she said in a tone much higher than normal, trying to convince her father that she couldn't go to the Malfoy's. He had obviously thought that she would be pleased to hear the news. Nothing was farther from the truth. From her previous experiences at the Manor, she had decided she never wanted to set foot in there again.

"Darling, I have already spoken to Dermot. He completely understands and they are looking forward to seeing you next week." He grabbed her shoulders and gave her a light squeeze. "I must go and prepare to leave. I will see you in an hour." He turned and left her alone in her room.

Aislinn spun on her heel and went straight to her fireplace. She grabbed a handful of powder and threw it in. "Quinn Finnigan." The two girls had their fireplaces connected when they were 8 years old so they could talk whenever they wanted. She bit her fingernails nervously and waited for her friend to appear.

She wasn't sure how she would tell Quinn. They had been looking forward to the summer ever since Quinn had received permission from her parents allowing Aislinn to stay. Now not only would she not be staying with the Finnigans for the first entire week, she would be staying with the Malfoys; a fact that Aislinn knew would enrage her best friend. Aislinn watched Quinn emerge from the fire and felt her anger and sadness grow stronger. "Quinn, I can't stay with you for the first week of holiday. My father just told me." Without waiting for her friend to reply she turned her back and walked across the room to begin packing. Her shock had quickly turned to anger, and she wasn't really in the mood to have this discussion anyway. Especially since she was expected to leave in an hour.

"Your father told you what?" Quinn demanded. She observed Aislinn, beginning to feel angry. "Aislinn you have to come stay. I had tons of plans for us and you're just not going to come? We've been waiting for this all year! What...do you need to go visit Draco? Can't live without--"

"I never said I wasn't coming!" she spat as she whirled around to face Quinn. "If you would shut up and stop whining, maybe you would understand that all I said was that I would be late! And yes, as a matter of fact I will be going to stay with the Malfoys. Do you think I want to go there? That I want to go to a place that has such horrible memories for me? Do you know how nervous I will be the entire time I'm there? Have you even stopped to think about anything aside from how this will affect your summer? You won't have to be living under the roof of a man who practically tried to rape you over Christmas holiday! You won't be nervously looking around corners and avoiding dark halls for fear of your safety!" Aislinn was fuming. She slammed set after set of folded robes down into her suitcase, willing herself not to cry.

Quinn's mouth gaped open like a fish out of water. She felt both angry at Aislinn's sudden outburst, and completely ashamed of herself. "I ...so when will you be here?" she asked awkwardly.

Aislinn stopped packing and turned to face Quinn again. She knew that Quinn felt bad, but she didn't care. She wanted Quinn to feel bad; she wanted someone else to feel what she was feeling. Aislinn was tired of trying to take everyone's problems on herself. She wanted someone else to take a bit of hers. "I will be there a week and then I will go to your house, if that is alright with you," she said in the most sarcastic tone she owned. She sneered at Quinn and walked over to her wardrobe to gather her socks and nightgown.

Quinn was surprised at the look Aislinn gave her. It reminded her horribly of the Malfoys. "Look, I'm sorry. I just...well you know how it is here. I can't deal with being here with them, by myself." Quinn looked away; she didn't want to sound pathetic, but the idea of a week alone with her family was abominable and depressing.

Aislinn sighed and walked over to where Quinn stood. "I'm sorry too, I just don't want you thinking that I am skipping out on our plans to spend time with Draco. I really don't even know why I am going there. You'll be alright." Aislinn grinned and continued, "I'm sure your boyfriend will be by your house with plenty of ways to amuse you."

Quinn couldn't help smiling at that thought. She also felt sort of awkward, irritated even. Why couldn't Aislinn ever actually stay mad? Quinn just felt like more of a selfish wench when Aislinn apologized so easily. She gritted her teeth, wondering whether she was mad at Aislinn or herself. "Well...it's just a week. No big deal I suppose!" She tried her best to sound light and carefree, meanwhile she was picturing 168 consecutive hours with her parents. Her mother would insist she come to brunch with the 'girls'-- a horrid group of upper class debutantes that she flitted about town with. Her father would... well it wouldn't be fun. Quinn would have to stay out of his way. She smiled at Aislinn, knowing full well that her friend would see through her pathetic attempt at reassurance.

"I'm sure you will be fine without me. Think of all the shopping trips and tea with your mum and her friends. That will be lovely," Aislinn snickered as she gathered her cosmetic potions from her vanity.

"You're sinfully entertaining at times, Macnair," Quinn said, wiping the horrified look from her face. "I just hope you enjoy tea with Mrs. Malfoy. Perhaps she has some lovely stories about Draco in his nappies."

Aislinn laughed, "I'm sure she will. Actually, I am looking forward to spending time with her. She is really nice, not at all like you would expect her to be. Maybe I can get her to show me a few terribly embarrassing pictures of Draco when he was little. I bet I could nick a few and keep them as blackmail material." Aislinn grinned and bit her bottom lip at the thought of getting one up on Draco.

"Ooooh," Quinn said excitedly. "OR, you could give them to Fred and George! Or wait! Luna Lovegood, her father can publish them. Maybe we can give them to Fred and George to alter, and then publish them. One of him learning to use the loo would be perfect! I wonder if he was a chubby kid..." Quinn pondered aloud.

"My, my, Miss Finnigan. I must say that it appears you have a few Slytherin qualities hidden under that Ravenclaw exterior." Aislinn laughed, "I will not give you any pictures I find, I wouldn't want to traumatize the boy. Merlin only knows what the twins would do to him." She put her finger up to her chin and tapped it lightly, so that she appeared to be deep in thought. " I don't think he was chubby, although I really have no idea if he actually was or not. But judging by how he looks now, I would say not."

"Yeah, but I know someone who weighed quite a bit when sh..they were little and now look perfectly normal..." Quinn said, smirking now.

Aislinn looked at her friend through narrowed eyes. "And what, may I ask, is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, um, that you shouldn't call me a Slytherin if you don't expect a veiled insult in return," Quinn said, glad that she no longer felt any anger toward Aislinn, or any anger coming from her.

Aislinn smirked and raised an eyebrow, noting with satisfaction the scowl on Quinn's face. Quinn always scowled when Aislinn did this, because Quinn herself had never been able to. "So, telling someone they belong in Slytherin is a 'veiled insult' is it? I would think that anyone would be proud to have Slytherin qualities. Resourcefulness and determination aren't anything to be ashamed of. Just because we don't spend our lives with our noses glued inside of books..."

Quinn snorted incredulously. "Just because my house is smart, don't blame me. I wouldn't be so boastful of a house, which includes a man who has been a student here for what, 10 years now? Not to mention Crabbe and Goyle who will probably break that record. Oh and let's not forget Pansy."

Aislinn rolled her eyes and laughed. "First, don't insult Marcus. Second, you are picking the WORST examples humanly possible. If you want to talk idiots, lets talk Terry Boot, shall we? Would you say that he accurately represents the average Ravenclaw?"

"Well I suppose we agree on one thing then," Quinn said thoughtfully. "Most of the people in our school are idiots. Good thing we're not even going to bother discussing the Hufflepuffs."

"Agreed. Although, Zacharias Smith is quite nice to look at," Aislinn said with a grin as she shoved one last pair of robes into her bag. "Well, I suppose I should go now. Dad's waiting for me, and he hates being late. I'll owl you, if you want."

Quinn smiled slightly as she looked at her friend. "Okay, have fun. See you in a week," she offered, feeling odd saying fun while referring to the Malfoy family. She waved and jumped back into the fire to her own room.

Aislinn sighed to herself as Quinn vanished and the feelings of dread came flooding back to her.

***

Quinn turned away as she exited the fireplace, a bittersweet smile on her face. She tried not to think of Aislinn, surrounded by the awful Malfoy family. It irritated her to no end that she couldn't do anything to get Aislinn out of this situation.

Quinn sat down on the floor next to the fire, thinking. A solid week, alone with her parents; Quinn shuddered at the thought. Her mother, of course, had greeted her happily upon returning from school. It took about eight minutes before the subject of shopping was breached. Quinn's father, on the other hand, had patted her on the head at breakfast before leaving for a meeting. That was the most she had seen of him.

Quinn stood up, anxious and nervous, unable to sit still. She paced back and forth, thinking, for what must have been the hundredth time that summer, how nice it would be when she was old enough to leave home. She heard a laugh and whirled back to face the fireplace. Quinn blushed at Fred's smiling face in the flames. His grin was so contagious, Quinn felt enveloped by it. She grinned too.

"How long have you been staring at my arse?" she asked. Fred smirked.

"Awhile," he said unapologetically. "How are you?" Quinn looked down a bit, trying to hide her reaction. Fred knew about her family, but Quinn was sure he didn't really understand. Anyone with his parents would probably never really understand her own family life.

"I'm good. A little disappointed; just found out Aislinn won't be coming until next week," Quinn admitted.

"So you have the whole week free?" Quinn nodded. "Brilliant," Fred exclaimed. "You've got to come stay!"

"Oh, I..." Quinn stuttered - the idea had never occurred to her. It was a fabulous notion of course, but Fred's ideas were never anything less. She wondered what her parents would say. It had been fine during Christmas when Ginny had asked, but now Quinn was dating Fred. Her father wasn't happy about it either; she hesitated to even think of asking.

Quinn looked into Fred's eyes and felt her resistance melting away. "I'll have to ask. Are you sure it's alright with your parents?" Quinn would never want to inconvenience the Weasleys after they had treated her so amazingly. She also knew that it would never occur to Fred to ask first.

"It's fine! Mum loves a full house. She's been bugging me, asking why you weren't coming to visit ever since I got home," Fred said with a small laugh. Quinn felt her stomach flutter at the adorable laugh and her smile widen hearing that Mrs. Weasley had asked about her. "Go ask your parents now," Fred said excitedly.

"Oh, they went out. Some fundraiser for..." Quinn tired to remember. Her mother had worn very fancy dress robes; it must have been one of the more high society causes. St. Mungo's perhaps. Quinn stood lost in thought. She was startled by a loud crack. She turned around to see Fred standing beside her with a huge grin.

"So you're all alone?" he asked in a deep voice, pulling her close to him. She had forgotten that he could apparate. Fred put his hands on her hips; his thumbs lightly stroking the skin through her thin pajamas. Apparently, she had also forgotten how sexy he was. She barely had a moment to register his familiar smell and touch before his lips crushed her own in a firm, longing kiss. His hands traveled up her back, working their way inside her pajama top.

Quinn flung her arms around Fred's neck as he deepened the kiss. They had only been apart a few days, but as Fred's big hands traveled like fire over her skin, Quinn felt sick with longing. His lips found her neck and he left a trail of steamy kisses all the way to her collarbone. He had one hand on her back, the other tentatively gripping her arse. Quinn, who had been running her fingers through his hair, pulled away with a grin. She took Fred's hand.

"Come on," she said, tugging on his hand. She led him toward her bed: a high, four-poster with sea-green curtains.

Fred was looking curiously around at her room but Quinn pulled his attention back to her with a kiss. He got a mischievous and maniacal smirk as he leaned toward her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her, passionately and with a level of longing that Quinn hadn't noticed before.

His hands grabbed and caressed her skin in a manner that was both carnal and gentle. His hands quickly made their way into Quinn's shirt, lightly tracing the outline of her body. Quinn marveled once again at the strangeness of his touch. His hands were rough from Quidditch, almost harsh against her sensitive skin. The feeling he gave her, however, was so soft and sensual that it seemed an enigma. Quinn stopped thinking about it as Fred tickled her sides a bit before moving his hands up still further.

Quinn backed slowly away to sit on the bed, and a moment later, Fred fell on top of her. She giggled, but fell silent at the serious look in his eyes. This time, Quinn's hands wound deftly inside his robes to feel his soft skin and lightly grip his waist as he began to work on her shirt buttons.

Quinn looked up into his face and saw the most provocative smirk tugging at his mouth as he slowly undid each button- never breaking their eye contact.

One button remained intact when a sound downstairs made them both jump. Quinn sat bolt upright, caught in panic, as she heard her father approaching from the stairwell.

"I'll ask them and get back to you," she said hurriedly, buttoning her shirt as she did. Fred merely nodded, a slightly red tinge appearing on his freckled cheeks. With a pop, he was gone. Quinn sighed.

Quinn stood up just as her father knocked and opened her door. She hugged her arms to herself and bit her lip slightly.

Her father's looks were slightly deceiving. He was wearing black robes with light blue silk trim. His auburn hair was slightly disheveled and his blue eyes were twinkling. His face was a bit pink in the cheeks and Quinn guessed this was from too many glasses of Elderflower Wine.

Dermot Finnigan had a jovial and pleasant appearance, not threatening, nor overly confident. It was in this appearance of harmlessness that he was so successful. Everyone liked him; more importantly, everyone trusted him. It was his greatest asset as a businessman.

"Quinn, have ya heard from Aislinn then?" he asked, looking slightly sympathetic. Quinn nodded. "Well, we had hoped she would be here to keep you occupied this week. Your mother has decided to remodel the front lounge again." Quinn rolled her eyes. This was the third time in four years. Her parents did most of their entertaining in the lounge, and her mother was never satisfied with it.

"So we don't want you interfering with that," her father continued, looking genuinely disappointed that Quinn would be around for the summer at all. Quinn took this opportunity to jump in.

"The Weasleys have invited me to stay this week," she said hopefully. Quinn decided not to mention that Fred had been the one to invite her. Quinn's mother perhaps would have figured that out, but her father was oblivious.

He didn't approve of the Weasley family. Quinn had heard him say so a few times before. Of course she had heard it many more times since announcing her relationship with Fred. Quinn was just glad that her parents had not requested to meet Fred, yet. Quinn watched her father's expression as he considered the options. He was swaying just a bit, his face still red from liquor.

"Well, all right then, if they'll have you for the week. I certainly don't want you in anyone's way around here." Quinn nodded, trying to conceal her excitement. She thought happily of a week at the Burrow with Fred and Ginny.

"Can I go tomorrow morning then?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes, that's good. I've got an early meeting so I won't be here to send you off." There was an awkward moment of silence and Quinn wondered if her father had forgotten his thoughts.

"Well, goodnight then," he said suddenly, and turned to the door. Quinn exhaled and relaxed instantly. She had managed to catch her father in a good mood- a rare thing indeed.

Quinn smiled happily, flopping onto her bed. A week all alone with Fred- and nine other people. She couldn't think of anything better. She rolled onto her stomach and took out some parchment. She wasn't sure what inspired her to write the letter, but she felt almost compelled to do it.

Dear Seamus,

At first Quinn wasn't sure exactly what to say. Gradually, however, small talk turned to deep thoughts as she began to pour herself into the letter. By the time it was finished it was getting very late, and she had run out of parchment. She was about to seal the envelope when there was a pop in the fireplace and Fred's grinning face appeared. He was covered in a thin layer of dust, from what Quinn could tell, but looked very pleased with himself.

"Quinntuplet, how are you?" he asked with a smirk. Quinn rolled her eyes at the repulsive new pet name. "George and I just came up with a brilliant new product."

"Looks like it took you a few tries," Quinn said dryly, noticing that Fred's eyebrows were slightly singed.

"That's the most fun part!" Fred said, bouncing a bit in his excitement. Quinn tried to hide her grin. He was so adorable when he was happy. "So did you ask them?" Fred asked.

"Yes, my father said its fine," Quinn said, but looked up as she heard a noise outside her door. "You better go, I'll be along in the morning," she said, rushing back to her bed as Fred's face disappeared from the fire.

Quinn jumped under the covers just as the door opened slightly. She pretended to be asleep. Quinn realized too late that her letter to Seamus still stood on her bedside table. She prayed her father wouldn't see it.

A moment later, apparently satisfied that Quinn was in fact asleep, her father shut the door. Quinn quickly hid the letter under her pillows; she would send it in the morning. She lay down and tried to think about being with Fred for the week, lost in the chaos of the Burrow.

* * *

Betsey came in a few moments after Quinn had gone and quietly began to pack the remainder of Aislinn's things. Aislinn went over and sat down at her vanity. She looked at her reflection for a moment before her mind drifted back to the previous Christmas holiday. She had been around Mr. Malfoy since then, but she knew she would never forget what he did to her. Surely being back in his house would only make the feeling worse. Aislinn hoped she wouldn't have to go through anything like she did upon her last visit.

She quickly ran a brush through her hair and dressed in a set of green robes. Aislinn looked longingly into her wardrobe and withdrew an old pair of faded gray Muggle sweats. Her mother had gotten them one dreadfully cold winter a few years back. It was then that Aislinn decided that Muggles couldn't be completely horrible if they had created something as wonderful as sweats. She hoped that the Malfoys wouldn't object horribly to her wearing them. She stuffed them in the trunk as Betsey was closing the lid and set off for the living room.

Betsey and Oscar brought Aislinn's things down to the living room and Mr. Macnair sent them by Floo Powder to the Manor. Her father stepped in after the luggage and disappeared into the green flames. Aislinn hated Floo travel and turned to her mother with a pleading look. Her mother smiled and placed the usual repelling charm on Aislinn. The main reason Aislinn hated the Floo was all the soot and dirt that usually covered her when she emerged, but her mother had always taken care of that.

"Thanks mum, have a great time at Dunvegan. Tell everyone hello for me." Aislinn hugged her mother and stood in the fireplace.

"Goodbye darling, I hope you have a wonderful time as well. Owl us if you need anything, and expect several letters from your father and I. We will miss you," her mother said and gave her a sad smile. Aislinn took in her mother's expression warily, but was too horrified at the two words she was about to say to give it much thought.

"Malfoy Manor." Aislinn closed her eyes tightly and threw down the powder. If she could have her way, she wouldn't open her eyes for the entire week. Aislinn still had her eyes closed as she stumbled out of the fireplace and into a pair of arms. She opened them warily and was not two inches from Draco's smirking face.

Aislinn righted herself, immediately pulling away from him. "Er, thanks Draco." He nodded and grinned a little before walking over to where his parents were standing, taking his customary position next to his father. Aislinn walked over to where her own father was standing and talking with Mr. Malfoy. Her father smiled as she neared him and Mrs. Malfoy moved forward and gave her a light hug.

"It is so nice to have you back Aislinn. I hope that we can get to know one another during your stay." Aislinn smiled at Mrs. Malfoy and stared at her a bit longer than was polite. She was so beautiful that she practically shimmered.

"I would like that Mrs. Malfoy," she replied. She really liked Narcissa; she was the most graceful woman Aislinn had ever met. She also felt sorry for her in a way; the mere thought of being married to Lucius Malfoy made Aislinn cringe.

Mr. Malfoy came forward to greet her next. He held out his bare hand and she stared at it for a moment. She had never seen him without his gloves. He had very lovely hands; strong, smooth, the color of porcelain with impeccably manicured nails. She cautiously put her hand in his and as soon as their palms touched, she understood why he had removed his glove. Aislinn's entire body burst with desire as he gently kissed her hand. When Mr. Malfoy had released her hand, Aislinn looked at him in astonishment. She despised Lucius Malfoy more than anyone else on the planet; yet by merely touching his hand, she had been ready to ravish him right there in front of her father and everyone. Aislinn looked away from him, she would not let him do this again. If she had to stay locked in her room for the next week, she would do it to avoid being alone with him.

Lucius flashed her a charming smile. "Miss Macnair, you will be staying in the same room as you did over the Christmas holiday." He turned around and gestured to two shaking house elves that looked extremely frightened as Lucius looked their way. "Sadie and Matty have already taken your things up to your room. Please don't hesitate to make yourself at home during your stay. We shall provide anything you desire, all you must do is ask." He gave the elves a threatening glare; the one called Sadie gave a tiny squeak and Matty nodded profusely.

Lucius nodded once and turned back to Aislinn with a brilliant smile. "If you would like to freshen up beforehand, dinner will be in one hour in the Dining Hall. Draco can show you to your room until then if you like." Aislinn didn't really want Draco anywhere near her either. She was extremely resentful that she had to be here in the first place, she didn't want to socialize with anyone. She fully intended on pouting as much as humanly possible.

"No sir, that won't be necessary. I remember the way." Aislinn shot Draco a contemptuous look.

"Aislinn darling, Mr. Malfoy and I have business to discuss. Why don't you go and freshen up and we will all meet for dinner." He kissed Aislinn gently on the cheek. Aislinn heard Mrs. Malfoy tell Draco something about a tailor and the two of them left the room. Aislinn walked slowly down the hall until Draco and his mother were out of sight. Aislinn turned and quietly made her way back to the living room where her father and Mr. Malfoy were talking. Aislinn had decided that this was too good an opportunity to miss, in case they were talking about Voldemort. Aislinn placed herself behind a statue outside of the doorway. She heard her father's voice first.

"My father has told me that he talked to you about the children. What do you think of it?"

"Narcissa and I think it is a marvelous idea. Aislinn is such a lovely girl. They would make such an appealing match," Lucius said. "What do you think?"

"Cairine and I are thrilled about it. He made his decision after seeing the two of them together at Dunvegan. He has learned some very interesting things throughout his lifetime, evaluating magical signatures being just one of them. He told me that the day we arrived at Dunvegan, he could feel their signatures playing off one another. He said their children would be just the sort of people our cause is working to protect.

"Apparently it is very difficult to find another person whose signature compliments your own perfectly. He believes that theirs is nearly a perfect match." Aislinn's mind was racing. She sincerely hoped that her father and Mr. Malfoy weren't talking about what she thought they were. Aislinn quickly moved away from the statue and headed for her room. She had heard enough.

What was her father thinking? This wasn't 1890, things like this didn't happen anymore, did they? And it had been all that man's idea. Aislinn refused to think of him as her grandfather, the thought alone made her want to tear out her hair and run screaming into the night. They couldn't force her to do this, could they? Surely she had a right to choose her own future.

Aislinn walked into her room and sat on the bed. She reluctantly pulled back the cover and was glad to see that the sheets were white silk instead of black like last time. She sighed as she noticed that she only had ten minutes to get ready for dinner. She performed a quick refreshing charm and changed into a nice set of navy robes before heading down to the dining room.

Mrs. Malfoy and Draco had arrived before Aislinn and were already seated. Aislinn found that her name-card was thankfully next to Mrs. Malfoy and far away from the others. Aislinn sat silently, thinking throughout dinner. Mrs. Malfoy had told her that they would be going shopping in London the next day, and Aislinn's spirits raised. She wouldn't have to be in the house with Draco and Mr. Malfoy.

When dinner was over, Aislinn said goodbye to her father and excused herself. She went up to her room and fell into the bed, willing her mind to clear itself. Aislinn closed her eyes, hoping that sleep and the next day would come quickly.

* * *

The next morning Quinn woke very early. She roused a sleepy Archimedes from his cage and sent off her letter to Seamus. As she packed a few belongings, Quinn looked around her room. It was her favorite place in the world, save for the Hogwarts Library perhaps. There were sea-green accents all over the room, and the furniture was antique cherry wood. Quinn's mother was always insisting they remodel, but Quinn flat out refused to change the room.

Quinn packed her summer robes and some books. With a furtive glance around, she stuck both her Wenches and Werewolves book and her -newly rescued- Hogwarts Hunks calendar into the bottom of her bag. The calendar, which Quinn had entirely forgotten about, had been hidden inside a trunk on the first floor. Quinn wasn't sure if it was her mother or the house elf that had swiped it. She didn't much care. Now that she had it back, Quinn spent at least 5 minutes each day glancing at the month of November.

She took it out now and gave it one last look. She remembered Sirius pulling her to him in a crushing hug, his muscular arms nearly lifting Quinn off her feet. She thought about the look of joy on his face, as he was proven innocent and set free. Quinn had even saved some of the clippings from the Daily Prophet. In them, he looked so much like this young boy from the calendar. Quinn sighed dreamily just thinking of it.

"Quinn?" A tentative voice called from the door, breaking Quinn from her thoughts. It was her mother, whose voice was charming - according to everyone she'd ever met. It was a deeply feminine voice and, no matter how loudly she was talking, it came across as a whisper. Quinn had once heard someone describe her mother's voice as dripping with money.

"Yes mum," Quinn called, stuffing the calendar deep inside her bag as the door opened. Her mother walked in, surveying the room around her. Quinn wished she had cleaned up a bit. Her mother hated dirt.

"Quinn, dear, when are you going to learn to make yourself presentable?" her mother asked, rushing over to smooth Quinn's hair and robes. Quinn flushed. "Are you sure you want to spend this week at the Weasleys?" Quinn looked at her mother, feeling slightly annoyed already. She knew what was coming.

"Well, it's just that..." Quinn's mother paused, her hands smoothing the ends of Quinn's hair. "Witch Weekly is throwing their summer fashion soiree on Thursday and I was hoping you would want to come." Quinn's eyes widened in terror. At that event the previous year, her mother had forced Quinn into a truly revolting corset-inspired robe set that she had found in London.

Not only had Quinn been unable to breathe, her mother had been convinced that wearing the ridiculous outfit was sure to snare the attention of several of the modeling agents at the party. Quinn knew of course that she would win Britain the World Cup before anyone would think of her as model material, but her mother had been very confident in Quinn's 'future career' as a model. Quinn had spent the entire event running both from her mother, the modeling agents, and worst of all--

"And of course the Boot family will be there. Their son is a very handsome boy, don't you think?" Quinn cringed.

"Mum, no! I told you before that I don't like Terry. He's rude, and pompous, and--"

"Quinn, dear..." Quinn felt her eye twitch with anger. Her mother was chuckling under her breath, a condescending jingle in the singsong voice. "Perhaps he's just trying to impress you. Such a wonderful family they have- pureblood all down the line, you know." Quinn had had enough.

"I have to go mother. I told Fred - my boyfriend, you remember? - that I would be along first thing in the morning." Quinn picked up her bag and turned to leave the room. Her mother gave her hair one last comb with her small hands and stepped out of Quinn's way.

Quinn angrily stomped down to the front lounge. Several wizards in paint splattered robes were gathered around a table covered in samples and plans. Quinn huffed past them and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder from an ornate old pot on the fireplace. She quickly threw it in and jumped after it, anxious to get away from her house.

Quinn landed, coughing and sneezing, in the kitchen of the Burrow. Fred was sitting at the table and looked up anxiously as soon as she arrived. He smiled happily.

Quinn was still grumbling with annoyance as she tried to brush the ashes from her robes. Fred walked over and reached out his big hands to her. At first she thought he was going to hug her, but he ruffled her hair ferociously, leaving it a tangled mess.

Quinn looked up at him with absolute awe. Her mother had just spent ten minutes making her hair impeccably 'presentable'. Fred looked very proud of himself for messing it up. Quinn felt a surge of bliss at being back with him.

Quinn flung her arms around Fred's neck and pulled him close to her. She found his lips and cherished the smell and taste of him. Fred seemed surprised, but quickly pulled her close to him. Quinn was lifted a few inches off the ground as Fred's arms supported her, his hands roaming over her back and hips. His touch felt as it had the day before; desperate and carnal. He had definitely missed her.

Quinn broke away momentarily, sighing happily. Fred smirked at her, then began to playfully nibble on her ear. "Where is everyone?" she asked through a giggle. She backed further away from Fred, hoping to pry his attention away from her earlobe.

"George, Ron, and Harry are asleep. Mum's taken the girls to Diagon Alley, and Dad and Perce are at work," Fred said with a low growl in his voice. He moved toward Quinn, smirking as he approached. Quinn backed up until she was leaning against the kitchen table.

Fred reached the table and put one hand on either side of Quinn's hips. Quinn bit her lip, looking into his eyes with uncertainty. Since the Beltane ritual, Quinn had been much more forward with Fred than she ever would have thought possible. He had never pressured her of course, but Quinn could see in his eyes what he wanted. When he held her close she could feel what he wanted.

None of this was terribly surprising; Fred was a normal 18-year-old boy. What surprised Quinn was how much she wanted the same thing. Quinn pulled Fred by the collar, enveloping him in a kiss. She scooted backward so that she was sitting on the table. Fred was standing halfway between her legs. Quinn felt his tongue trace her lips as he leaned closer. Quinn started to feel dizzy.

Fred's hands, so big and powerful, with long fingers, were on her thighs. Quinn reached her hands inside Fred's robes. She grabbed his hips and pulled him closer to her. His hand's moved up her thighs at a painfully slow rate. Quinn's heartbeat was raging as Fred's hands nearly reached her hips.

Fred kissed her and Quinn could feel the smile upon his mouth as he sucked lightly on her bottom lip. Quinn's hands traveled across Fred's flat, muscular stomach and down to his waistband. She pulled at the button on his pants.

Fred broke the kiss and looked at her with surprise. It was Quinn's turn to smirk. She watched his reaction as he realized what she was thinking. Fred grinned, his eyes twinkling.

Without warning, he leaned over and picked up Quinn, flinging her over his shoulder. Quinn cried out in surprise but Fred merely turned and headed for the staircase. Quinn assumed they were headed for Ginny's vacant room and blushed in anticipation.

Halfway up the staircase, Fred stopped. Quinn awkwardly worked her way free of his grip and turned around. Harry Potter stood a few steps up, looking awkwardly down at them.