Nic had found her waiting at the top of the stair. He brushed his hair away from his eyes. Whitney had already bobbed off with one of her little friends, and was going to meet him and Alice later on. He grinned as he saw her. He was wearing a brown leather jacket, over an orange t-shirt, and a gray scarf, and normal jeans. He didnt dress up. Well, unless it was an absolutely amazingly special occasion, like meeting Alices parents, then he might dress up. Might. He had a splitting headache when hed gotten up. In some remote attempt to help it, Nic had worn his square-ish glasses today. He kissed her the second he was within reaching distance of her. He was almost alright with not going to Hogsmead and finding some place with Alice to go back to snogging.

But going to Hogsmead was pretty much required, because he and Alice were having a date, and they had to meet Whitney. He walked hand in hand with Alice, stopping as often as possible to kiss her. Nic was physically not capable of keeping his lips off of her when they were this close. He wasnt noticing the trees, or the scenery around them. He was to busy looking at Alice. Watching her kick at the leaves. For a moment she looked about the age of her size. He couldnt help but grin, Whit and Alice were going to get along amazingly. They were his girls. And he was spending a day with Alice Mason. How odd. Hed been waiting to spend a Hogsmead weekend with Whit since her first year, and now that he got to he had Alice Mason in his arms; not that he was protesting.

The Hufflepuff boy was not fond of Madam Puddifoot's. He would have much preferred the Three Broomsticks, or just about anywhere else. But this was Alices day. He would do what ever the hell she wanted. And this was her request, because well, he had no idea why. Girls were just attracted to this place. He loathed it. And Whitney didnt like tea so honestly a tea shop wasnt the grandest of ideas, but Nic wasnt about to correct Alice, and had instructed Whitney to hold her tongue as well. Or as best as the third year could.

There, Beloved, that is for luck. Mine, you see; you need have none. Tell me, am I pretty enough? Do you think she will like me? What should I know? What topics avoid?


Pretty? he asked. What did that have to do with anything he didnt know. Darling she will like you, youll get along great. He couldnt begin to explain anything his sister did. Whitney was an experience that had to be lived first hand. And Alice had readily volunteered for the experience. Lord knows she deserved it for dating Nic. People who dated Nic ended up with bad things happening to them, including Whitney. It was a package deal.

How silly; I am as nervous as can be. I want her to like me, Nic. Is that so wrong? You will give me a kick, if I start rambling on too much, or if I say something truly gauche?


He laughed lightly. Dont worry, darling, your perfect. Of course she wanted Whit to like her Whit was his younger sister. He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her. She and Whitney were going to love each other, despite what each of the girls thought. Whitney was positive that Alice was one of those uptight girls who would loathe her and her theories, but Nic just knew that they would quickly become good friends. They had too. For the sake of Nic. He held the door open for Alice, and led her toward a table for three. Itll be fine, promise. He kissed her lightly, giving her a quick kiss on the nose, while pulling out a chair for her, and sitting next to her, one arm slid around her waist.

Whitney spotted her brother, and the woman sitting at a table together in the corner. She bounced lightly toward him, and the woman. Her dark ponytail bobbed up and down behind her. She was wearing a lovely yellow jumper, and a green pair of pants, and orange boots, swinging a large blue umbrella over one arm. Nic wasnt even sure where his sister had gotten orange boots, or why she was carrying an umbrella, but he tended not to ask Whitney about her style choices anymore. Though he was impressed that despite the wild colors, it looked like it was suppose to go together.

Hello! she said plopping down in to the seat across from her brother. You must be Ecila. She bobbed her head lightly at Alice. Nics told me all about you. Of course he talks about all girls he snoggs, or shags, and he tells me everything, so be careful what you say to him. Of course no one believes what I say. Im a habitual liar. She gave a firm nod, a lose curl fell in to her face, and she brushed it away, very Nic like. Anyway. Mums going to like her I think.

For a brief second the third year slid underneath the table. Nic gave Alice a reassuring squeeze. Whit was a handful and a half. He only hoped that Alice didnt take anything she said seriously. Nic kissed Alices cheek lightly; he could only hope that his sister didnt frighten Alice permanently, and wondered what Whitney was doing under the table.

The girl jumped back up in to her seat. So shes not a mermaid. I checked. But Nic, but shes a might bit Whit put her hand a few inches above the table. Nic could see the question burning in her eyes. He could hear her sweet little voice asking about leprechauns or pixies or fairies or something like that. He shook his head at her and she didnt say anything, but she was looking over Alice as if sizing her up. So does she know she has to not be magic around the spawns, and Him. Nic turned to explain to Alice who Whitney was talking about. In the little while he and Alice had been together he hadnt really talked about his family.

But before he could get anything out Whitney had started questioning Alice. So, is Nic your first boyfriend? Have you ever been kissed before he kissed you? Do you like Nic or are you just using him to gain social status, because honestly Ravenclaw girls are like down on the social latter, and well Nic, hes worked his way up by sha With a very easy lunge across the table Nic clamped a hand over his sisters mouth. They were absolute total opposites. Nic felt no compulsion to discuss his previous relationships with Alice, while his sister believed that everyone needed to know everything, or at least her version of everything, which was often times very, very, far from the truth.