Lessons for Life, By Riley

Lessons for Life, by Riley

Lesson 1

Never Trust Your Dad

Monday, March 31^st, 6:30 PM

The bush behind Dillon's porch

I can't believe him. I just can't believe him. Why would he do this to me?! As if my life was not awful enough without that idiot butting in. He ruined it. He ruined everything. Just because my stupid step-mother was in labor, he had to barge in on me. I was trying to have a nice, romantic conversation that could lead to a date with the hottest person in my school. The door was closed. Doesn't he get it? When the door is closed, you are supposed to knock.

"Riley, Riley," said Dad breathlessly. "Riley, we have to go. Your mother's in labor."

"Dad," I moaned. "Please leave."

"Yes, exactly, we need to leave. You can finish talking to your little- what are you doing with my child?" Dad grabbed my wrist. I snatched it back.

"Dad," I repeated. "I'm not going to leave right now because that stupid woman in going to have a kid, okay? I hate that woman. She is a total-"

"Riley," said Dad. "You are going to come to the hospital."

"No, I am not. Now, leave." I scowled at my dad. He grabbed my wrist again and dragged my out of Dillon's bedroom.

"DAAADD!!! Let go of me!!!!!! I am not going there!!!! Got it??" I pulled my wrist away and stomped into Dillon's room. "Sorry about that, Dillon." I laughed stupidly.

"That's okay. You're pretty. And I wanted to ask you-"

"Yo, Rile, we've gotta go. Dad's gonna blow up if you don't get your ass out here right now." My brother stuck his head into Dillon's room.

"Dillon, I want to continue this conversation when I get back," I said. Dillon nodded, red hair falling into the gorgeous green eyes I look into on a daily basis.

"Riley!!" called Dad in an irritated voice. I strided out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the house because there is no way I was going to the hospital. Absolutely no way.

Early Tuesday, 1:42 A.M.

Albany General Hospital

Okay, I lied. I would leave but I don't have a car. Mr. Weasley is going to have a cow when he finds out that he has to take care of more of his sibling's children. Of course, he doesn't make the DC's (Demon Carrier's) children work for him, though. They live in a lap of luxury. Whether they're at the mansion in Albany, the 5^th avenue apartment in Manhattan, the estate in Phoenix, or the beach house in Miami, they are always happy. The DC has given birth to four of my father's children. Dave and I have asked millions of times to go live with Mom in her artist's loft in the city, but he said no, because, for one, we have work here and for another, he needs help with the DSs. (Demon Seeds) Well. I don't want to. I won't. I will not, however much he begs, however much he pleads, stay and live with him. I am going to live in Manhattan in the artist's loft, if it is the last thing I do.

Tuesday, April 1^st, Noon

Our incredibly small apartment on the first floor of Mr. Weasley's building

Oh. My. Gawd. I cannot believe it. That dude I used to work for- oh yeah, Mr. Weasley- just got fired from his job. Which is, it so happens, Minister of Magic. And Mr. Fudge, the ancient Minister of Magic in Britain, said that since Dad "fits the standards and knows Weasley so well" he's the new one. Minister of Magic, I mean. Ohmigod. I just realized something. We are going to be loaded. New apartment, my own room, a real kitchen. OMG, this is so cool. Oh, Dad says I should start packing my stuff. The minute I'm done, I'm going to go finish that conversation with Dillon.

Friday, April 4^th

Our NEW APARTMENT!!!!!

Mom came over earlier to congratulate Dad.

"Mom!" I yelled when she got here. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm just here to congratulate your Dad and ask if you and Dave wanted to come and stay with me over the weekend."

"Hey, Mom," said Dave, coming out of his new room. "What was that you said about staying at your place for the weekend?"

"Well, if it's all right with your father, you can come and stay at the loft with me this weekend," she said.

"All right!" said Dave.

"Yeah, I know," I said. "Mom, we still have our rooms at your place, right?"

"Well, hello, Hermione," said Dad, walking out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee. "Why are you here?"

"She says that if it's all right with you, we can stay with her over the weekend," Dave told him hurriedly.

"Can we dad, please can we?" I pleaded. "C'mon Dad!"

"Yeah, we haven't been there in forever!!" Dave added.

"I need to talk to your mother. You go and start unpacking your things." Dad took Mom into his new "office."

"Why does he have to be so sensible and calm all the time?" I asked, walking away to my new room.

"I don't know. But it's really annoying," Dave agreed.

"Hey, you two," said Mom, sticking her head out of the door to dad's office. "Get your stuff together."

"Yes!" I said, punching the air. "And she scores!"

"Hello, dude, what about me?"

"Eh..." About ten minutes later, we had our stuff together and were waiting in the foyer.

"C'mon, you guys, let's go," said Mom, coming out of Dad's "office."

"Kay," I said.

"Yes. And here she is, Riley Potter, very happy she finally gets to leave the mad house. Have any other feeling, Miss Potter?" Dave held up his video camera.

"Mad house?" said Dad, coming out from his office looking ticked off and puzzled at the same time. "Young lady, this is not a mad-house, so I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay here this weekend."

"Dad!! That's not fair!!!" He looked at me like I was speaking another language. "You can't let Dave go and not me!!"

"Yes I can. I'm your father."

"It's all right hunny-bunny," said the Demon Carrier, AKA my step-mother, Ginny. "You can stay here with your daddy and me this weekend. If we get all our things unpacked, maybe you and I can go shopping in Manhattan."

"Uh, I'll think about it." Or not.

"Good. That would be fun."

"Fun. Right." I took off my backpack before saying goodbye to Dave and Mom. "I'll be in my room."

"Harry, I don't think Riley likes me. I just trying to be a good mother... kind of like the one she never had." Oh my God!!! I cannot believe she said that!!

"Don't worry. She likes you, she just doesn't want anyone to know."

"Yeah... I guess I'm kind of trying to replace Hermione. Maybe..." Oh my God. She is so stupid. I hate her. No one can replace my mom. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some DC ass to kick.

Sunday April 6^th, 7:14 PM

My Room

Okay. I was able to start sobbing on Friday afternoon. Dad got all worrisome.

"Riley, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Dad. I'm fine. It's just- nothing." I was crying a little before that because of what that bi-atch, the DC said, but then I was struck with by lightning with a brilliant beyond brilliant, uber-fabu idea. So, using my amazing acting techniques, I worked up some tears and eventually got to sobbing and came up the most hilarious excuse.

"Riley, you're crying ridiculously hard, there's something wrong."

"It's just, you know, PMS."

"Err... maybe you should got stay with your mother. C'mon, I'll drive you." I was too pleased with myself to point out I could just take the subway. And since Mom's place is so close to school, we're going to stay with her for a while, till Dad and the DC have gotten used to the new place. Dinner's ready. More later.

Lesson 2

Or Your Mom, For That Matter

Later Sunday

Locked in Mom's bathroom

OH MY GOD. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. SHE IS THE WORST MOTHER IN THE WORLD. I know she's been single for a long time and a lot of her old boyfriends stalk her and stuff, so I should cut her some slack. But WHY HIM????? Come on. Who goes into a parent/teacher conference and COMES OUT WITH A DATE?? HUH? WHY??? WHY MUST YOU BE SO CRUEL TO ME, GOD????????

Monday, April 7^th 2:23 PM

Girls' bathroom, 3^rd floor, Manhattan School of the Magical Arts

Okay. I had to tell my teacher I had cramps so she would let me out of class early. Dad will be really pissed but I had to write in here. I CANNOT BELIEVE HIM. HE ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. That idiot of a teacher acted like he wasn't going out with my mom. He was just all, "Good morning Riley. I hope you'll actually come to our tutoring session today." And he said it in front of my friends, too!!!! Jesus!! Jerk.

And I have made a decision. I'm going to start following 'The Fat Girl Code of Conduct.' Because, really, I look like a guy, with my short hair and such. Truthfully, the only way people can tell I'm a girl is because of how fat I am. I even have a boy's name. I think Mom and Dad were expecting two boys. Really, they were expecting one kid and a boy at that. Dad probably went AWOL when he found out he got my mom pregnant with two kids. My parents never got married, they were dating for a half a year after school and then they got pregnant. They are my biological parents, but when Dave and I were five he married the DC and had all the little Demon Seeds. Yet, I really do not have a right to say that... and I am getting off the subject. So... Dad has been suggesting for ages I join the school Quidditch team as Seeker... I would be a better Beater. Soo... oh, great, Mia just came in to make sure I'm all right. More later.

Tuesday, April 8^th, 11:11 PM

My room, back at Dad's place

Okay. That's unfair. Why is that idiot I am sadly the spawn of so cruel?? I'm fine. He thinks I'm sick but I'm not. Hell no. I've been in bed since five this afternoon.

"Dad?" I called around eight.

"Yeah?" he said. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I'm not sick. You have to let me go to school tomorrow. If you don't, my life will be over. And if my life is over, I'll make yours be over too. As well as those demonic step siblings of mine."

"They're half siblings. And why is your life on the line?"

"Because. Tomorrow is my chance to become skinny and beautiful like Mom. And I might attract the attention of the foreign exchange student, who's coming in the school in about two weeks."

"Er..."

"It's a chick thing. Just don't make me stay home tomorrow."

"Okay. I won't. Unless-"

"DAD!!"

"Fine. Night." So he's not so bad all the time.

Wednesday, April 9^th, 3:36 PM

Hallway outside the gym

I'm waiting for them to post the roster for nearly fifty minutes. FIFTY MINUTES. If I didn't get on the friggin' team, I'll die. I need to live, because I need to lose about fifty pounds before the exchange student comes so he loves me and makes out with and... oh yeah. I wrote this stuff about Dillon in eighth grade, huh? Poo. Well if he's not uber-hot and sexy, I'll always have the body that will soon be b-e-a-utiful for Dillon Weasley, hottie extrordanaire. Cause he sure is one. Oh, yes! They just put up the list.

Later

YES!! I GOT ON!!! THE NEW AND IMPROVED SKINNY RILEY MAXWELL POTTER IS ON THE WAY!!!

Wednesday, April 16^th, 9:51 PM

My comfy bed in my brilliant room at Dad's

I'm well on my way to looking like a hottie. I have lost eight pounds in the past week. That's probably cause I practice day and night. Frenchie Boy is coming on Friday. Mia and I have decided the exchange boy will be French.

"He has to be French," she told me today at lunch. "French boys are cute and have that sexy accent and luckily we're fluent in French, so, it's perfect."

"Yes, okay," I agreed forlornly, staring across the cafeteria.

"Who're you looking at?" Mia asked me quietly, looking about ten yards away from who I was looking at.

"Dillon," I sighed happily. "He's sooooooo hot!"

"Yeah, right. Who's he living with?"

"Ron. Dad says I should call him 'Uncle Ron.' Isn't that idiotic?"

"Not really. Weren't he and your Dad really good friends as kids?"

"Yeah. I've gotta go. We have practice next period, so I better go." I stood up and made a point to pass by Dillon's table when I left. When I got to the practice arena, everyone was gathered around someone on the field.

"Huh?" I said, walking over. "What happened?"

"We don't know," said Dillon's sister, Lana. "We just found him here." I stared at her, dumb-struck, then pushed through everyone.

"Oh my God."

"Yeah."

"I'm going to be sick." I ran into the locker rooms and straight to one of the bathroom stalls, throwing up. I can't stand the sight of blood.

"Riley? Are you okay?" Lana came into the locker rooms. "Riley? Coach said I should take you to the nurse if you're sick or anything."

"I'm-" I began but then I got sick again.

"Would you like me to take you to the nurse?" I mumbled a reply and flushed the toilet. "I didn't know you got sick when you see blood, I'm sorry. I should have warned you."

"It's okay. Like you said, you didn't," I paused. "Know. How's Jason?" Jason's the kid who had the bloody leg on the Quiddith field.

"He's fine. A couple other people took him to see the nurse too."

"Oh." When we got to the nurse, she was in a side room with Jason. I started feeling nauseous again. "I need to sit down."

Hang on. Dad needs me for something.

Later

My Bathroom

OH MY GOD. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. WHAT ARE THEY???? SEX MANIACS?? SHE'S PREGNANT. THE DC IS PREGNANT AGAIN!!!! I'll finish telling you about my day later, once I have cooled off. And bitten my father's head off.

Even later

Under my covers, writing by the light of my flashlight

Okay. I'm still pissed but I can write properly now. So, the nurse woman was done tending to Jason and I was feeling queasy so I sat down with my back to the doorway.

"What happened?"

"She got sick, out on the field." Lana stood next to me.

"Oh, well, are you all right?" I shrugged. "I'll take your temperature." She did and I just sat there, feeling like a stupid little first grader. I ended up going home early. The DC had to come pick me up and I got sick on the way home. She said that unless my temperature stayed where it was, (103 degrees) I would have to go to school tomorrow. She's pure evil. PURE EVIL I TELL YOU!!!!

Thursday, April 17^th, noon

The couch, wrapped up in blankets

My temperature was 100 this morning and the DC was going to force me to go to school and didn't even change her mind when I did the Technicolor Yawn all over her silk slippers and kimono Ron got her when he went to Japan. Then Dad, the great Dad that he is, said that there was no way and hell I was going to school in my condition. He even stayed home and took care of me and stuff. Now he's in the kitchen making me some soup. Mia called during her lunch period to ask how I was doing. I'm still feeling really icky-poo and Daddy-o told me that if I was still feeling rotten tomorrow, I can stay home. But, even if I am on my death-bed on Friday, I will have to attend school, because that is the day Henri, French Boy and snogging extrordanaire will arrive. Mia says I have a chance with him, possibly. Dad just came in with my soup and if I don't eat it, he'll go nuclear.

Friday, April 18^8h, 11:45 AM

6^th Floor Girls' Lavs, my school

I told Dad I was better today, even though I was still icky-poo. Jason won't be practicing for awhile, so they'll have to get a new Chaser to take his place. Mia was so happy when I appeared in Dad's car this morning, I can't even explain it. She said everyone tortured her yesterday since her bodyguard (AKA, me) was absent.

"Thank God!!!!" she cried flinging herself at me. "It was AWFUL!!!" She was fake sobbing, which is very entertaining.

"Right," I said, pushing her off me and loosening up her tie a bit. "You know, if you really tried you could be pretty."

"You think so?" she said. "You could teach me!! I mean, you're the prettiest person I know."

"Yeah right, with how fat I am?? Jesus. Don't lie or I'll disown you as a friend."

"DON'T!!" she cried. "I'm sorry. But you are the prettiest person I know and you look skinnier, you really do."

"Pht. I not skinny. You are, you're a stick. Yes, I've lost ten pounds in the past week and a half but it doesn't make a difference." Why do I pick such insane people for my friends?? Why? They burden me. I would be better off with no friends, just my own mind and the little creativity I have in my brain.

"Well, Mystery Exchange Boy is coming tomorrow, I can't wait to meet him."

"Yeah, he's gonna be a coolio, uber-hot French guy who won't give me a second glance. What do you have for lunch?"

"Buying."

"Blech. Well, I'm trashing mine. I'm not hungry at all. Just thinking about Quidditch makes me queasy."

"Poor thing. Did the Demon Carrier say you had to come to school today?" Mia asked me. She sat down to find something in her backpack and I joined.

"No. Dad was so cool, he stayed home all day yesterday, just to take care of me in my time of need. I didn't want him to miss work again today, so I said I was better, but I feel icky-poo." She took out the book we're reading right now in Muggle Studies.

"Gawd," she moaned. "I didn't have any time to do the required reading for this last night. I'm eight chapters behind."

"So am I, amigo. So we can suffer together. Were you a pal by drawing me something while I was sick?" Mia is a great artist but she's all cutesy and bunnies and stuff, so whenever she draws me pictures they're of princesses or me in ball gowns and that kind of crap. But I love her anyway.

"Yup. Here." She handed me a card. It had a picture of me on it and I was in bed, with a handsome stud by my side. An arrow pointing to him said, 'The Mystery Exchange Boi' and one pointing to me said, 'His fair maiden, Lady Riley.'

"That's cute. I'll put on my bulletin board at the loft. If my mom hasn't made it into a room for our horrid teacher."

"Come on, Rile. You have to admit, he's not too bad. You wouldn't even care if he didn't teach you Potions."

"His dad taught my mom and dad potions. And from what I've heard he was pretty nasty. But then, he's actually willing to help me out.. With those friggin tutoring sessions."

"You're getting better."

"You think I didn't know?"

"You were acting like it."

"Well, poo on you. I have to get to homeroom or I'll get detention."

"Okay, see you at lunch." Of course, though, she didn't see me at lunch. Well, she saw me but she didn't talk to me or anything, since I just trashed my lunch and bolted. I'll get in mondo trouble if I'm late for practice, so I will tell more later.

Lesson 3

Dillon is good; Cedric is better... I guess

Monday, April 21^st, 4:59 PM

Dad's car, on the way back to our uber-coolio apartment

I weighed myself again this morning. So far, my regimen is working well. Twenty pounds lost. But that's not the good news. Well, it is good news but it's not THE good news. So, I was sitting in the stupid advanced potions, (why the hell I am not just in normal potions as I am so stupid, I don't know) and Mia and I were working together on some potion that'd name escapes me. It's near the end of class and we're just finishing up. A few people, like us, are taking our stuff up to Snape when he tells us to sit down. I was all, Great. He's gonna do something rotten, I just know it. Hey, I got it. He's going to ruin my life and tell everyone he and my mom are an item. Yep, that's it, I thought. This is the end. He cleared his throat.

"As quite a few of you know," he said, giving Mia and me the evil eye. "We are going to have an exchange student come to stay with us. I have picked someone to host him already and that is-" Brie, some popular freak who thinks much to highly of herself, squealed with delight.

"Oh, I'd be honored, Professor!!" Honestly, you'd of thought she'd won an Oscar. But, fortunately, she doesn't have that much talent.

"Not you, Miss Kelley. Riley, I was thinking that, if you would, that could you please host our exchange student."

"I be glad to, Professor!" I tried to hide my joy.

"Then, I'd like to see you please. Everyone else, you're dismissed."

"Wait for me all right?" I whispered to Mia.

"Duh!!" she replied. I walked up to Snape's desk.

"Okay, sooo... When do I get to meet him?"

"Now. He's in my office. I'll be right back." He went to his office. What he was saying was unclear but everything in my head was perfectly clear when he came out. Total hottie spotting.

"Riley, this is Cedric Malfoy. This is Riley Potter." It was all I could freaking do not to drool all over him.

"It's nice to meet you, Riley," he said, holding out his hand. I shook it stupidly.

"You too."

"Cedric, you will be joining Riley in all of her classes. She is in all AP classes, so they should be a bit of a challenge."

"I guess," he said, in this hot British guy way that only hot British guys can do. "As long as I'm not with that freaky girl who's so full of herself."

"You mean Brie?" I said, smirking a little.

"Is she the one with the blonde poof?"

"Yup."

"Then, yes." He laughed. At my joke I hadn't really meant to make. It took all the strength I could muster not to giggle in a stupid, girlie way. "I'll see you Monday."

"You too." He left, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and leaving through the door in Snape's office.

"You like him?" he asked.

"What?!" I exclaimed shocked but not so appalled.

"Well. You seemed a little lusty just now. Do you like him?"

"He's good looking. So yeah. I guess."

"Cedric doesn't usually talk that much. Go on, Mia is probably waiting for you. Go on. " So, Snape's not all bad, though he found my secret. When I went out, Mia was waiting for me.

"Soo?" she asked. "What's he like?"

"He's not French," I said. Her face fell. "Okay, imagine this: tall, British, spiky black hair with the top bleached, school uniform, but he makes it look about ten million times better. His backpack is awesome. He's so cute!!!" I practically squealed the last part.

"Sounds like it. Lets go to lunch." So, that is my account of the Encounter with Godliness, AKA the Very Hot British Boy. I'm going to tell Dad about him over dinner. We just pulled in, so I'll have to stop. Full account later.

Later Monday night

In my room, in a state of complete shock

OMG. DAD IS SO WEIRD. AND MEAN!! Okay, so we were sitting down to dinner. It was Dave's first night in the new apartment and the Demon Seeds were flinging food at each other.

"Stop it, you little cretins!!" I shouted when some mashed potatoes landed in my hair. "Stop it and shut the hell up!!!"

"Riley!!' said Ginny, going all mother.

"Riley, be quiet," sighed Dad. There were heavy bags under his eyes.

"Sorry, Dad," I said through gritted teeth, pulling the mash potato out of my dark hair and patting one of the Demon Seeds on the head. "Did I tell you what happened at school today?"

"No. What?"

"Is this about-" Dave began.

"This is MY story, David!!"

"Sorry," he grunted, slouching again, black hairs falling into his face.

"You should be. So, anyway, today near the end of AP Potions, which you are not in Dave, by the way, the teacher told everyone about the exchange student. And he asked me to escort him around and stuff. He'll come with me to all my classes for awhile and then probably be moved to his age group. He looks older than me."

"Where's this boy from?" asked Ginny. I was tempted to tell her she shouldn't breast feed the baby at the table since it's disgusting but didn't, since it would be rude and Dad looks like if I said one more thing to her that wasn't positive, he could kill me.

"Britain. His name is Cedric, he used to go to Hogwarts, like you and Mom." Ginny must have thought I was talking about her because she smiled sweetly and put her hand on mine.

"Cedric who?" Dad asked. He wasn't in total rapture like some of the little demons, but was pretty interested, as it was a boy and I say he was older than me and stuff.

"Malfoy," I said casually. Dad dropped his fork and Ginny nearly dropped the baby. "What?" I shrugged, a bit of the chicken coming out the corner of my mouth.

"Did you say 'Malfoy?'" said Dad tensely.

"Erm, yes."

"I don't want you to have anything to do with him."

"What?!"

"You heard me. You're not going to be aquainted with the son of Draco Malfoy." I choked on the food in my mouth. I know Malfoy isn't a common name but it can't be that uncommon. I mean, I've seen pictures of this guy in my dad's yearbooks, and Cedric doesn't look a thing like him.

"Dad, that's not fair!! Why not??"

"He'll screw you up."

"DAD!!" I shouted.

"I don't care what you want to do, Riley. You're not hanging out with him and that's that."

"Fine!!" I shouted. "And Ginny, don't breast-feed at the table. It's vulgar. Not to mention disgusting." So, that's our lovely evening. I wonder if they have a Hogwarts Alumni thing... And I don't care what he says. I'm going to show Cedric around if it's the last thing I do.

Lesson 4

Don't go out with Dillon to a place that doesn't ask for ID

Thursday April 24^th, 6:14 PM

The living that for once is quiet

GAH!!!! Ohmigod, this is SO COOL!!! DILLON WEASLEY ASKED ME OUT!!!!!! He asked me to go with him tomorrow night!!! We're going to this club, I've never been there but he says is awesome and uber-coolio and to wear something nice. And Dad'll actually let me go with Dillon, which is great. Cedric is living up to what Professor Snape told me, because he's awfully quiet. But apparently he and Dillon are good pals, so he's coming as well tomorrow. A couple of Dillon's other friends are coming too. Which is cool. Mia is taking me shopping, so must run.

Friday, April 25^th, 8:46 PM

Waiting in the living room

I'm waiting for Dillon to get here and I'm practically too nervous to write. As I'm going out with the hottest guy EVER and his hottie pals. Heehee. Oh, great, Dillon just got here and I need to make sure Dad doesn't do anything stupid.

Saturday, April 26^th, 6:24 AM

The living room

Okay. That was... weird. By far one of the worst things that could ever happen. And Dave is a pohead. Yup. Okay. Now, I'll right about the marvelous date I had last night with Dillon. Who's a total hottie. So, let write here that, even if he'll never see this, I forgive him for the awful judgment on his part. So, the doorbell rang. I ran to get it before Dad, but since his legs are longer than mine, he answered it.

"Hello, Dillon," he said.

"Hey, Mr. Potter. Where's Riley?" I popped up behind Dad.

"Right here!! Don't worry, I 'm right here!" Oh, ye gods, I was rambling!! NOOOO!! Shut-up, Riley, SHUT-UP!!!!!!

"Oh," said Dillon. "Okay. Let's go."

"Wait a minute." I groaned. Dad. If you embarrass me more than absolutely necessary, I'll kill you. "Where are you going?"

"A club, sir." OMG, how cute!!! He called my dad sir!!! Well, that's actually a bit disturbing but cute all the same!! Geez.

"Where is it?"

"Dad!"

"Fine. You don't have to tell me where it is. But you better have her home by ten."

"DAD!!!!!" I shouted.

"Midnight."

"Yessir."

"And don't drive my daughter home drunk."

"I won't, Mr. Potter. I promise."

"Get out of here." Dillon and I left with my head in my hands. He put his arm around my shoulder and put my head on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," I said, blushing furiously. This is an awful gene from my mother's side of the family and probably the only reason I hate her. Aside from the fact she is going out with my teacher.

"It's okay. I get that a lot," he said, laughing a bit. I giggled a little too. I really think it's the accent, because British boys just always sound so sexy.

"Really?" He nodded. When we got down to the parking garage and to his car, I gasped. He has a great car. Red, convertible, leather interior. Whoa. Dad's car isn't even this nice.

So, we talked about our insane school and homework load for a while and I made a few jokes about Brie. He laughed.

"We're here."

"Wow. I've never heard of this before."

"I wouldn't expect you to," he said, smirking. "Considering." I couldn't believe it. What he meant was, "Considering that you worked for me and my family and that you are so poor that you never went anywhere except school."

"Yeah. Considering." He laughed like it was a joke and I tried to also, but it was hard. I mean, it would be for you too if there were hot tears forming behind your eyes.

"Yup," he said, laughing pretty hard now. "C'mon, duck." Duck? What the hell...

We walked down a dark, cold hallway and down some stairs. There was a lot of cigarette smoke and it was cold down here too, but aside from that it was pretty cool. Dillon and I walked through the thick crowd to where Cedric and Madison were sitting. A couple of Dillon's female friends were dancing with their boyfriends.

"Hey," said Madison. He had a pint in one hand with both arms around two leggy blondes. "Riley Potter, right? Your dad works for Weasley's father?" Oh great. So Dillon told all his friends that I was that stupid little kid who worked for his dad.

"Used to. He's the Minister of Magic now." I smirked at Dillon, whose ears went bright red.

"I'm crashing with Ron right now," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I'll go get us something to drink." I smiled sweetly at him, then sat down.

"Holy shit!!" I shouted, jumping up and shivering.

"You okay?" asked Cedric.

"Yeah," I said. "It's just r-really cold in here."

"You think so?"

"Yes, d-don't you?!"

"No. Maybe you're getting sick. Dillon might lend you his coat or something." I was about to ask him why he wouldn't lend me his jacket but it didn't look like he'd brought one.

Dillon was back by then and he was holding two glasses similar to Madison's.

"Here you are, duck," he said What was it with him?

"T-thanks," I said, sitting down slowly into the metal chair. Dillon sat down next to me and draped his arm around my shoulder. Ah. Warmth. It felt so nice.

I took a taste of what was in the pint and it was all I could do not to barf on the spot. I set it down and moved closer to Dillon. Cedric got up and walked off somewhere.

That was when he did it. Dillon took my hand and put it... oh God... I really don't want to write this... he put my hand on his thingie!! This was definitely not what I thought my first date with the love of my heart would be like. I was really startled so I moved my hand over onto his thigh. He seemed a bit irked at me. I wanted to shout, "Oh, I'm sorry Dillon Nathaniel Ronald Weasley!! I'm sorry, I really am and I love you!!" But I didn't.

Then, in front of everyone, (although no one was really paying attention) he kissed me!!! I was glad Cedric wasn't there. But here's the... well I don't know what to call it. Romantic? Uhh... Fireworks worthy? Not exactly. Wacky? Possibly. Okay. Here's the... weird part. He stuck his in my mouth. Yup. Full-frontal snogging. This startled me too.

My eyes popped open. His were closed. Since I am at least half a foot (probably more) shorter than him, when I jerked away, my head hit his nose.

"Shit," he said, standing up and holding his nose.

"Oh my God!! I'm so sorry!! I... oh my God!! I'm really sorry!!" I clasped my hand to my mouth.

"What'd you do?" asked Cedric. As loud as it was in the frigging club, I still jumped.

"I... Jesus, I feel awful. I think I broke his nose."

"Doing what?"

"I... rather not say."

"Ah. I get you. Say no more."

"I won't. Ever. I'll be right back." I went to the bathroom and locked myself in a stall. I was going to write in this but as I was in so much a freaking hurry last night. I didn't bring it. After about forty-five minutes, I went back outside. Dillon's nose was bruised but he was laughing a lot. Apparently, he had drunk my pint for me, as well as his. And had a few more. I sat down next to him slowly.

"Hello, duck," he said happily. I smiled a little. More like grimaced. "Feeling better?" I don't know how I would write it how it sounds, but I'll tell you this: he sounded drunk. He did that thing with my hand again. I moved it away again. I checked his watch. It said 11:39.

Apparently, Dillon thought I was trying to be all romantic, boyfriend-girlfriend-like. He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

"Um, Dillon, I-"

"Yes, duck?" he asked, kissing my neck.

"I think we should get going, it's almost midnight," I nearly shouted. It was so LOUD in there.

"Okay, duck," he said, pulling us up and swaying a little. "Les go." That's exactly how he sounded. He didn't pronounce the 't' at all, it was all slurred together. We walked up to the cold hallway and he pushed me up against the freezing wall.

"Meep," I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear me. Dillon wrapped his arms around me and tried to kiss me. "Dillon! Dillon... I, um, don't think we can do this here... and I don't think you can drive me home..."

"Why not?"

"You're... maybe my dad should come and... pick me up... I need to call him, though..." My breath was heavy and I took deep breaths between words. He kissed me and wouldn't stop.

"Dillon... can I, maybe... like... use your phone?"

"Okay," he said. And he left. Just like that. I couldn't believe it. I looked for a pay phone, but it was way down the hall and it was too dark. I bit my lip and a tear went down my cheek, smearing the make-up job Mia's sister had done for me.

"Hey," Cedric said, coming up next to me. I was glad it was so dark, so that way he couldn't see the black lines running down my face because I was crying.

"What do you want?" I snapped. It wasn't as impressive as I would have hoped, since my voice was all wobbly. "Go have fun with your stupid friends. I'm going to get grounded and..." I stopped, because my throat was closing up.

"You want me to take you home? I didn't drink anything, I promise."

"Just like that idiot promised my dad he wouldn't drink anything."

"I'll drive you home. Come on." He took me out to his car, which was an old station wagon. I sniffled as buckled my seat belt and turned my back to him.

"What's wrong?" he asked. I wiped some of the smeared mascara and eyeliner from my cheek.

"What do you think?"

"I'm sorry about Dillon. He's an idiot. And, if it's any consolation, he's gotten drunk before. Once he tossed his cookies on me."

"Poor thing," I snarled sarcastically. I kept my back to him. He stopped at the light. He turned me around. "Don't touch me!"

"I'm trying to apologize for my friend. Because I know he won't."

"Fine. Tell him he's forgiven." He looked a little surprised, like it was odd I was forgiving my soul mate.

We got back to the apartment building and he came with me up to the apartment. The door was wide open, as I had just unlocked it.

"Wait," he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. They he gave me a kiss Short, just kind of a peck on the lips. A pity kiss. A PITY KISS. "Bye."

"Bye."

So that was my fantabulous evening. YAH, riiiight. Dave says he'll force feed me if I don't eat, and I quote, "THIS INSTANT!!" So. I will call Mia and tell her what happened... actually, I'll go to Mom's place and have her over to tell her. I DON'T CARE WHAT DAD SAYS!!