Angelina Johnson, Quidditch Superstar

Chapter 3 - The Party

Katie knocked on the door to Alicia's apartment. No one answered, so she knocked again.

The door abruptly swung open. Alicia smiled brightly at Katie, but Katie noticed that her eyes were suspiciously red.

"Katie, hello!" Alicia said energetically. "Come in!" Katie obliged, staring at her friend in confusion. "I wasn't expecting to see you until tonight," Alicia continued as they sat down on the couch.

"Are you all right?" Katie asked concernedly.

"Of course!" Alicia paused. "What did you want, anyway?"

"I just--I thought you might want to talk about Lee before you have to see him tonight. I know things aren't great between you two lately."

Alicia laughed hollowly. "And you think we should grow up, stop our on and off relationship."

"Well, it really isn't healthy, you know--"

"Who are you to say what's healthy or not?" Alicia interrupted. "You haven't been in a relationship in ages."

"All I'm saying is--"

"He's so arrogant!" Alicia spat out suddenly. "Asked me for help with his party yesterday, not even bothering to apologize. Asshole."

"No one's forcing you to go to the party tonight, you know." Katie placed her hand on Alicia's shoulder. "If you'd rather--"

Alicia shrugged off Katie's hand. "What?! Of course I want to go. I want to see what a miserable failure Lee's party is without my help."

Katie just shook her head, defeated. "I'll see you tonight then," she said quietly. "Good-bye, Alicia."

Katie slowly got up and walked to the door, gently closing it behind her as she exited. Alicia dropped her head into her hands for a moment, groaning, before resolutely getting up to prepare herself for the day.

**

Lee surveyed his apartment. It was decorated and all set up to host a party. Lee mentally patted himself on the back - he had managed to plan his party successfully without Alicia's help. He had found his own caterer, his own decorator, his own everything. What did he need Alicia for? She had only been a crutch all this time.

Lee confidently walked into the kitchen, where the food was being prepared. He picked up one of the hors d'oeuvres that were sitting on the kitchen counter, surveyed it, and placed it in his mouth. He coughed and spit it right back out onto his hand.

Just then, his caterer came into the kitchen. "Oh, don't eat that yet, Mr. Jordan!" she exclaimed. "It doesn't have any seasoning yet, it won't taste right. Don't you worry about a thing!"

Lee allowed himself to be escorted out of the kitchen, barely allowing himself to hope that any amount of seasoning could ameliorate the taste of those hors d'oeuvres. Perhaps he had needed Alicia after all.

**

Angelina surveyed herself in the mirror. She hated getting dressed up and would much rather spend the evening in sweats, but there was nothing for it. Looking at herself, however, Angelina reflected that she didn't look half bad. Her robes were flattering and she had even used a few makeup charms on her face, here and there.

"I am leaving now, Angelina." Simone stood in the doorway of Angelina's room. "I will see you at the soiree, I suppose."

"All right. See you then."

Angelina sighed. Since she didn't waste countless hours primping and perfecting herself before her date, she usually had time to spare. She glanced at her wristwatch and saw that she had half an hour to kill before Kenny arrived.

Looking at her watch, Angelina reflected that it didn't really match the rest of her outfit. The poor old thing had been through some tough times, both on Angelina's wrist as well as those who had come before her. It seemed that adventurousness was a family trait. However, loath to remove the watch even for an instant, Angelina opted to wear it anyway, and dared anyone to controvert her decision.

Angelina carried her shoes in her hand as she walked from her room to the kitchen. She hated the darned things and wouldn't put them on until the last possible second. She surveyed her "dress-up" shoes with disgust - although they were flats, unlike the pumps most of Angelina's friends wore, Angelina still found them incredibly uncomfortable, even with additional cushioning charms. Because of this, no matter how many times Alicia and Katie tried to get Angelina into a "proper" pair of shoes, Angelina always resisted.

Settling herself in a chair, Angelina took out a package of chocolate frogs, taking a rather large bite out of a frog and tossing the card that came with it aside, not particularly caring where it went. Merlin knows they served the worst food at these things, so she might as well fill up now, since she wouldn't be getting anything decent for the rest of the night.

By the time Kenny knocked on her door, Angelina had packed away more than ten frogs. Angelina quickly gathered up her wrappers and the cards that she could find from where she had thrown them before answering the door.

Angelina smiled brightly when she saw Kenny standing on the other side of the door. He smiled back warmly.

"Ready to go then?" he asked.

Grabbing her coat and hastily slipping on her shoes, Angelina nodded. Accepting Kenny's proffered arm, she closed the door behind her.

"You know," Kenny said, "most girls keep me waiting a good amount of time before we leave."

Angelina raised her eyebrows. "Oh? Do you mind my...speed?"

"No, I actually find it rather refreshing." Kenny smiled at Angelina, showing off a mouth of perfect white teeth. "And I do hate being late."

"Well, you never have to worry about that with me." Angelina smiled to herself.

**

Lee breathed heavily. After having run around taking care of various things for the last two hours, he was finally able to concentrate on his guests. Funny, but his parties had never been this demanding before, when Alicia had planned them for him...

Lee surveyed the room. Lounging on the couches were the "Quidditch contingent" engaged in a friendly yet heated argument over the strengths (and weaknesses) of the players' respective teams. Lee saw Simone Lambert strewn across the loveseat, lazily waving her hand while Oliver Wood pointed his finger at her, his forehead creased with exertion. He recognized the red head of who he assumed to be Fred Weasley, for none other than Leslie Robertson was on his arm. Lee smiled. Leslie; she was quite a woman.

The tinkle of laughter drew Lee's attention to the balcony. There she stood, right in the middle of it. Looking at her sparkling red robes and shimmery gold hair, Lee was impressed. Was it his imagination, or had Alicia never looked so good before? Of course, it was probably all precisely calculated on her part...the way her hair fell across her shoulders, the way her eye shadow seemed to make her eyes sparkle...

As if she'd sensed his glance, Alicia looked up and met his eyes. She raised a golden eyebrow before turning back to her conversation with Angelina Johnson and her tool of a date Kenneth Towler.

Lee sighed. He didn't have time to think about Alicia's dramatics right now. He had a party to take care of. His party, he reminded himself.

A hand clasped Lee's shoulder and he looked up into the twinkling eyes of George Weasley, the other redheaded devil of his acquaintance.

"I've been looking all over for you, Lee!" he exclaimed. "Where've you been?"

"Sorry, mate," Lee replied. "No rest for the host, it seems."

George smirked, and Lee followed his eyes to the balcony. George seemed to falter when he saw Angelina and Towler, confounding Lee.

Crinkling an eyebrow, Lee asked, "Anything going on that I should know about, George?"

George gave a perfunctory laugh and said, "Yes, but I've already messed things up once by spilling the beans to someone I shouldn't have." He grinned. "So you'll just have to wait and see."

Lee was going to force the secret out of George when he was accosted by a server. When he turned back to George, he was gone. Lee hmphed. Just let him try to keep a secret.

**

"A drink, Mademoiselle?" a highly cultured and refined voice asked from behind. Too cultured and too refined, in Katie's opinion. When she turned around, she was not surprised to find George bowing before her, holding out a drink, a twinkle in his eye.

Raising her eyebrows, Katie replied archly, "Why thank you, good sir." She flashed him a haughty smile before dissipating into giggles. George grinned and lounged against the wall by the potted plant where she had been standing, alone.

"And what, may I ask, is a beautiful girl like yourself doing standing off to the side at such a posh affair?"

The last of her giggles having escaped her, Katie became serious. "I'm breathing in the calm before the storm." George's smile fell. "I'm sorry, don't let me ruin your good spirits," Katie said dismally.

George squeezed her arm. "Well, there's no point in moping about, waiting for Angelina to explode. Might as well enjoy the, er, 'calm before the storm.'" George motioned towards the cleared space that several couples were using as a dance floor as the band Lee had hired played passably good dance tunes. Tugging Katie's arm, George said, "Come on, Bell; let's dance."

Katie grinned. "All right Weasley." Walking ahead of him, she turned suddenly, startling George. "And for future reference, I am a woman, not a girl."

Katie turned quickly, turning red out of shock, though she was not sure whether she was shocked more by her own audacity, or by the pleasure she got out of seeing the surprised but appreciative look cross George's features at her words.

**

Angelina was engrossed in conversation with Kenny when Lee approached them, toting a beautiful brunette in violet robes that seemed to accentuate every perfect aspect of her figure.

"Angelina," he said, "I have here someone who very much wants to meet you. Allow me to present Leslie Robertson."

Angelina's eyes widened as she dazedly shook Leslie's hand. She barely noticed Lee leave. So this was the woman Fred wanted to marry. Well, she could see why Fred was attracted to her. She certainly was beautiful.

"I've been wanting to meet you for so long, Angelina," Leslie said.

Angelina crinkled her eyebrow in consternation. "Why's that?" she asked.

"Why's that? Angelina Johnson, you're a legend. The best chaser in the League, everyone says you'll play for England this year." Leslie paused, looking abashed. "I look forward to competing with you someday soon."

"Oh, yes. Me--me too," Angelina managed to stammer.

Taking this as an invitation to friendship, Leslie gushed, "Oh, I do hope we'll be friends, Angelina. I've heard so much about your, well, extraordinary talents from everyone--Fred, George, Alicia, Katie, Lee...I must say I'm a bit daunted."

"Fred talked to you about my playing Quidditch?" Angelina noticed that Kenny was looking at her funnily, and realized what she must seem like. Remembering her promise to Katie, Angelina said, "No, no, never mind. You must excuse me, Leslie, it's just that I'm so glad to finally meet the woman who's been making Fred so happy." Leslie beamed. "We should get together sometime, exchange pointers--chaser to chaser," Angelina proposed, not quite sure why she wanted to spend more time with Fred's...Fred's...well, Fred's.

**

George was talking to Lee when he noticed Leslie Robertson standing with Kenneth Towler and Angelina on the balcony. He was mid-swallow, and choked at seeing the little group. He coughed hard while Lee patted his back.

"What is it, George," Lee asked when George had stopped wheezing.

"What ever is Angelina doing talking to Leslie?" George rasped.

"Oh, that. I introduced the two of them just now. It's about the time the two of them met, both of them being chasers and all. Why?"

George grasped Lee's shoulders and shook him. "Are you crazy? You introduced Leslie and Angelina?"

"Yes, I introduced them," Lee mimicked George's inflection, peeved. "But how does that make me crazy?"

"I--Angelina--Fred--feelings--" George spluttered.

"Huh?" Lee looked lost for a moment, then comprehension dawned. "Is that what you've been worrying about? It's been over between Angelina and Fred for years. Why shouldn't Angelina meet Leslie? They have a lot in common, after all. Stop staring at me like that mate, seriously. Everything will work out, you'll see."

"Maybe," George said cautiously, but he couldn't help feeling that by introducing Angelina and Leslie, Lee had paved the way for disaster.

Then again, Angelina and Fred hadn't been dating for a long time, so maybe a friendship between Angelina and Leslie would seal the rift between the two.

Maybe.

**

Alicia briskly crossed the "dance floor" (honestly, what did Lee think he was doing, bringing in a band when there was such a small space for dancing), heading towards the bar. She smirked when she saw George twirling Katie in the center of the room before turning towards the bartender and ordering herself a drink.

After receiving her drink, Alicia leaned against the bar, surveying her surroundings. What others might have perceived as a casual glance was in reality a fastidious evaluation. Alicia had to admit that Lee had done a good job of pulling off the party, but her practiced eye found some chinks in his armor, the least of which was the dance floor.

"Surprised to find that you're not the only one who can plan a hot party?" a low voice drawled in her ear.

Alicia snorted, and looked into Lee's dark eyes. "Hardly." But her scornful tone said more than one word could express. Alicia bemusedly watched Lee's features turn from good-natured to angry.

"Well, we can't all be perfect like Ice Queen Alicia Spinnet, business sovereign, now can we?" Lee returned icily.

Happy that she had excited such a reaction, Alicia replied in an irritatingly flippant tone, "No, I suppose not." She left the bar and began to make her way across the room.

She had not taken five steps before Lee blocked her path, as Alicia had known he would. "Well maybe she needs to get off her pedestal and realize that everyone else in this world is human," he sneered. "As beautiful as your throne may be, my love," Alicia flinched at his sarcastic use of the words, "it must be cold and lonely--just like your heart."

Several people had stopped their conversations and were openly staring at Lee's vicious words. Alicia knew that she should stop before she embarrassed herself, but her pride wouldn't allow her let Lee's remark pass.

"Better cold than so hot it knows no self control."

"Of course, Saint Alicia, as always. You're hardly perfect, sweet."

"I never claimed to be," Alicia replied airily, having regained some of her composure.

"Oh no, I must have confused you with that other prudish workaholic I know."

"Why don't you go screw yourself, as I doubt there are any girls left for you to screw who aren't completely lacking in scruples." Alicia became acutely aware that everyone was staring at them fighting, and that several people looked mildly amused. And wait--was that Vinny Appleman openly snorting with laughter? Well, she'd take care of him later, but in the meantime...

"Is that so? And I suppose you must count yourself among those lacking in scruples? Well, it certainly would explain your success, now wouldn't it?"

Infuriated, Alicia threw her dignity to the wind and screeched, "How dare you, you--"

Lee, thinking he had won the upper hand, interrupted. "Touched a sore spot, did I? Perhaps Miss Spinnet is not as completely free from her father's arm as she would wish."

"Don't change the subject. I believe we were discussing your infidelity, not my business tactics!"

"Hey, I'm sure no one here cares if some...dirty business goes on inside the boardroom. There's no need to be ashamed, Al."

"The only thing dirty here is your fighting technique, you slimy, filthy--"

"Don't get on your high horse with me, you little--"

Lee found himself unable to continue, for Alicia screamed in frustration and launched herself at him. Lee stumbled backward from the weight. Before Alicia could do any damage, she felt hand on her shoulders and arms, prying her away from Lee. Alicia found herself being physically restrained by Angelina and Katie. She saw that Lee, irate at having been physically assaulted, was being similarly confined by Fred and George.

Enraged, with embarrassment only increasing her ire, Alicia shrugged off Katie and Angelina and stalked from the room.

**

After the emotional display wherein everyone had heard more than they wanted to, Alicia had left the party red with anger and Lee had bounded into the kitchen where he had preceded to scream at the kitchen staff until Fred and George ushered him into the bedroom, where they remained still. Meanwhile, Simone was lounging on the couch ignoring Oliver Wood as he prattled on and on and on about the prospects of their respective teams and how Puddlemere was going to snatch the lead from behind the Magpie's backs.

Ha. As if Puddlemere could keep it together long enough to score forty points between three games.

To her right, Simone heard an obnoxious cackle of laughter. She turned and saw Leslie Robertson talking with Vinny Appleman, whose "hot date" was glaring at them from a nearby couch. Like a cat calculating its prey, Simone abruptly put her hand on Oliver's mouth, effectively cutting him off, and sauntered over to where the two stood talking.

Placing her arm on Vinny's shoulder, Simone asked, "Well, you got your fight, Vinny." She paused to smile condescendingly at Leslie before asking, "Is this your hot date?"

Vinny turned red from a mix of embarrassment and anger, as Leslie raised her eyebrows and laughed derisively. "Simone, you can pretend that you don't remember me to embarrass Vinny if you like, but we both know it's not true."

Simone gasped in false surprise. "Oh no, have we met?" She elbowed Vinny. "Vinny, how rude can you be not to introduce your date?"

Vinny snarled, "You know full well that Leslie is not my date, Simone."

Simone laughed. "Yes, I know that and you know that, but does that pretty girl glaring at us know that?"

It was Leslie who responded. "Oh, no. I hope I haven't caused any problems for you, Vinny." She turned to Simone. "Vinny was just keeping me company since Fred ran off to deal with Lee."

Simone sighed, already bored with the conversation. Intended as a final quip, she said "Better be careful or you might not get laid tonight, Vinny."

Vinny snorted. "I could spend the whole night flirting with every woman at the party except my date, and I'd still end up with her in my bed tonight."

"You know, Appleman, one night you are going to get your ass handed to you by some girl and we'll all just laugh and laugh."

"That may be true, Simone, but that night is not tonight. If you'll excuse me, Leslie." Vinny winked and walked over to his date. He whispered something in her ear and she grudgingly allowed him to lead her from the room.

Simone groaned, suddenly realizing that she was now alone with Leslie, the dull drone. She began to excuse herself, then from the corner of her eye saw Angelina shove Fred by the door of Lee's bedroom. She smirked. Perhaps talking with Leslie wouldn't be so boring after all...

**

Fred closed the door to Lee's room with a sigh. He and George had finally managed to subdue Lee, but he was still pretty incensed. George was still in there with him, but Fred was on a quest for some booze to loosen Lee up. Unfortunately, before he had a chance to make it to the bar, two hands thrust into his chest and he looked up into angry brown eyes.

"What the hell was that for?!"

Angelina's eyes were blazing. "You make me sick. You and George in there, coaching Lee as to how much more he can hurt and embarrass Alicia before she comes running back to him. God, why do men have to be such jackasses?"

Fred's eyebrows knitted together in consternation. "Excuse me, but what gives you the right to make those kinds of assumptions about me? You don't know what I was saying to Lee in there, and furthermore he's my friend and I have every right to be there for him after his ex-girlfriend embarrassed him in his own home." (Except that he had, in fact, been admonishing Lee for his many indiscretions.) "Furthermore, don't you go implying anything about my character--if you have a problem with Lee don't take it out on me! And certainly don't you dare lay your hands on me in any context whatsoever!"

"Oh, please. The three of you have been this way ever since school." Angelina was practically snarling. "Everything's a joke, no matter who you hurt, no matter how badly you treat the ones you love."

Fred took a step forward. "This is not about you, Angelina."

"No, it's not." Angelina returned indignantly. "I had the strength to walk away because I won't tolerate being treated like dirt."

Fred snorted. "Really? Well, we aren't all so perfect as you that we can be completely intolerant of the actions of others as you are. Sometimes people screw up, sometimes they do things you might not agree with, and you know what, sometimes you might be the wrong one!"

"I can't believe you're defending him! The man openly cheats on his girlfriend repeatedly--I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you're his advocate."

Fred grimaced. He had backed himself into quite the corner here, but jeez, Angelina certainly knew how to rile him up. Warily glancing around, he saw that he and Angelina were starting to attract curious glances. Hoping to end this before they received any more attention, Fred said, "Listen, Angelina, let's not do this. I'm Lee's friend, and you're Alicia's, and obviously we have different motives in this, so you'll just worry about your friend and I'll worry about mine. In the meantime, there's no reason for us to fight with each other."

Angelina blanched, and Fred groaned inwardly. He recognized the reaction - Angelina realizing that she was reacting irrationally, but also that she was in far too deep to back down. He knew that she would stubbornly stick it out to the very end. In the old days he had had his ways of placating her, but none of those ways were appropriate any more...Yes indeed, this was quite a pickle. Fred frantically scanned the room for help, but his only two hopes - Alicia and Katie - were nowhere to be found. Well, there was Simone but the chances of any help coming from her end were slim. Damn!

Angelina continued, "You know, you can tell a lot about someone's character by the friends they keep. That would make you--

"A charming irresistible gentleman and you a hateful snarling lunatic!"

"Oh yeah? Try pathological liar and avaricious hypocrite!"

Fred raised his arms, giving up all hopes of avoiding a scene - even Lee and George had come out of the bedroom, attracted by their yells. Well, if that was the case, then he was taking his gloves off, metaphorically thinking. "Look Angelina, I'm sorry if you're leading a lonely and pathetic life, but I always warned you that if you devoted everything to Quidditch then you'd end up bitter and alone."

"Oh oh oh! If anyone should talk about ambition it's you! Who knows what you did to save your business--a deal with the devil maybe?"

"For your information I am leading a happy and fulfilled life. How do I know this? Well I don't feel the need to assault my exes who are innocently minding their own business at their friend's parties."

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Hah! You? You can't walk past a puddle without sticking your nose in it and seeing if it has anything interesting to say. But you know what, fine--have it your way! Go on--lead a life of lies, marry your simpering sweetheart and feign ignorance of how empty you really are!"

With that, Angelina stomped out, eerily reminiscent of Alicia's dramatic exit. Fred breathed heavily, seething and confused, as George came up next to him and sighed. "Sorry, bro. This was, well, at least partially my fault. I might have," George coughed, "let it slip to Katie about your engagement...and she sort of let it slip to Angelina, and well..."

Fred worriedly surveyed the room, but Leslie's face was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Leslie?"

**

Katie squirmed, uncomfortable in the wizarding bar Alicia had dragged her to after Katie had caught up with her in the street outside Lee's apartment. Alicia had ignored all of Katie's attempts to get her to talk, and instead was downing glass after glass of firewhiskey.

"Alicia, come on, you need to stop this," Katie said, wrenching the glass out of Alicia's hand as she raised it to her mouth.

Alicia batted Katie away and took a sip defiantly. "Go 'way, Katie. I didn't ask you to come with me."

"No, I'm just trying to keep you from killing yourself," Katie muttered to herself, frustrated.

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself," Alicia said acidly.

"I am not leaving you alone half-drunk in this creepy bar," Katie said. She groaned. "Where's Angelina when I need her?"

Alicia snorted. "Probably shacking it up with Towler. Or better yet, Fred. Did you see the way she glared at him all night?"

"Right now I'm more concerned about you than Angelina, Alicia."

"Yeah, right. Just go home Katie, I know you don't like it here."

"I said no!" Katie said, although in truth she would much rather be anywhere but there.

"If you're worried about her welfare, I'll make sure she gets home," a smooth, amused voice said from behind. Katie was about to tell the speaker to go work on some other vulnerable drunk girl when she turned and saw that it was none other than Lee.

"Lee, no offense, but I don't think you're the best person to handle this right now."

"Yeah, Lee, go home," rejoined Alicia.

But Lee was having none of it. He took Katie's hand firmly and lifted her from the bar stool she was so awkwardly perched on. "I'll handle it from here, Katie," he said firmly. Katie protested as she was reluctantly led to the door.

**

Alicia didn't acknowledge Lee as he took Katie's vacated seat. The two sat in silence until Lee finally said, "I would think that firewhiskey would be too plebian for your tastes."

Alicia raised her glass in salute to Lee. "Just one of the many bad habits I owe to you."

Lee sighed. "I'm tired of this Alicia. I don't want to fight anymore."

As if she hadn't heard this last comment, Alicia said, "Don't you have some big fabulous party you need to be tending to?"

"Any party without you at the helm is a disaster, Alicia, and you know it."

Alicia snorted, not looking at Lee. "How sweet. So you want me back for my party-planning skills?"

Lee grabbed Alicia's shoulder, turning her to face him. "No, dammit! I want you back because I love you!"

"You have a real nice way of showing it."

Lee looked pained. "I'm sorry, Alicia. I'm so incredibly sorry, I ..."

Alicia raised her eyebrows. "Sincerity doesn't suit you, Lee."

"Come on, Alicia," Lee said, flashing her his most seductive smile. "I know you miss me too." He leaned in close, and she could feel his breath on her neck.

Alicia laughed, but she was disconcerted and she knew that Lee could tell. "You couldn't be farther from the truth," she said haughtily.

"Oh, yeah?" Lee said softly. "You're saying you don't miss me--at all?" Lee raised his eyebrows as he slowly leaned forward."

"Lee, don't," Alicia whispered weakly. But she was helpless to stop him as Lee pressed his lips on hers.

**

Fred finally found Leslie on the roof of Lee's apartment building, surveying London's skyline.

"Leslie?" he put forth carefully. No response. He slowly approached her, grasping her arm from behind when he was close enough. "Leslie?" he repeated softly.

Slowly she turned, and Fred's heart wrenched to see her tear-stained eyes. "Leslie..." Fred started, but trailed off.

"You still love her, don't you?" Leslie said sadly.

"Wha--what?" Fred sputtered.

"You know what I'm talking about, Fred." Leslie paused, tears flowing freely down her face. "What have we been doing?"

"I thought that was obvious, Leslie. We're falling in love."

"You say that, but then how do you explain what just happened?"

Fred sighed. "Leslie, Angelina and I are over--done. We don't even get along anymore--every time I see her we fight about one thing or another. Believe me, she's the last person I see myself with anymore." Fred paused, gathering up his courage, fiddling with the box in his pocket. "I had meant to save this for a special moment, but there's no time like the present..." Fred trailed off, and Leslie gasped as he bent down on one knee, pulling a small black box out of his pocket. Fred grinned and said, "Leslie, you're the one I love." He paused. "Marry me?"

Leslie blinked, wiping the tears from her eyes. Uncertainly, Fred said, "Well, love, what do you say? It's awfully cold down here on the ground."

Leslie's body shook with a final sob before she threw her arms around Fred, laughing a chorus of "Yes!" and "Oh, Fred!" into his ear.

**

Angelina strode furiously through the streets of London. She was boiling mad, and to make matters worse, she wasn't sure who to be mad at: Lee, for treating Alicia like dirt; Fred, for well, being Fred; her stupid dress shoes, for making her feet hurt...

What had Fred meant, saying her life was lonely and pathetic? Her life was anything but lonely and pathetic! She was a famous Quidditch star, had an array of supportive friends, and, well, there was Kenny.

Kenny! He must be wondering about her fight with Fred, and her subsequent departure. Oh well, she would explain it all to him tomorrow. She was sure he would understand.

Angelina stopped suddenly, realizing she had no idea where she was. Darn! She always did this when she was angry - wandered around until she got lost. Well, it was better than when she used to kick things...and throw things. She had been trying to curb her violent tendencies lately...

And now here she was, lost on some deserted street. Angelina wasn't too worried. She always seemed to find her way back home. The dark and the shadows were just a little too creepy for Angelina's tastes. But there was nothing to be scared of. She was a witch, after all.

Suddenly there was a chorus of pops, and Angelina found herself surrounded by five wizards in dark cloaks.