Chapter Text
The term was off to a pleasant start for Kit, much more than her first had been. Although not necessarily her close friends, the other girls in her dorm had become more accustomed to including her in their conversations and occasionally their study groups as well. With enough practice she had even become quite good at deciphering Sonya's words when she became animated and her accent became especially pungent.
The three Slytherin girls were sitting at a table in the library, mulling over their coursework. Sonya and Ava were attempting a particularly difficult potion's essay that Kit was grateful she had opted out of. Although she wasn't bad at Potion theory she was notoriously bad at the brewing portion and had decided to cut it from her course load, leaving it rather thin. Instead she was focusing on advanced Divination readings on Xylomancy.
As the light outside began to dim so did their spirits towards their studies. Ava was curling her thick hair around her fingers while absentmindedly twisting her quill as small splatters of ink fell onto the table. Sonya pulled her things a bit closer to herself. It was all a bit dull.
"Mr.Weasley!" Madame Pince's whisper-shout cut the air from behind a bookshelf, followed by the sound of shuffling feet, causing a cold rush up Kit's spine. The girls across from her smirked at each other before going back to pretending to do their work. The air had shifted with interest as they waited for Fred's inevitable arrival upon them.
"Look who's here!" Ava teased as she nudged Kit's leg under the table. As if Kit wasn't already uncomfortably aware of what was going to transpire.
"Hearter," Fred slid into the empty chair beside Kit as he casually slung his arm behind her chair. He looked as he always did; effortlessly charming and just slightly annoying, like a warm sunray you didn't want to be standing in. "Ladies."
"Surprised to see you here." Kit's face was a mask of vague indifference as she turned to look at him. Their relationship had yet to flourish in the public eye, leaving Kit anxiously waiting for whatever ridiculous plan Fred had concocted. He had promised her a week ago that he would manage it all and decide what to do next. She hadn't expected him to break up her study party though. It wasn't a particularly public spot after all.
"I would go anywhere to find you pet." Sonya snorted at Fred's line, rolling her eyes as she closed her books. Kit agreed with the sentiment; it was a cheesy line that nearly made her gag in response but that would send the wrong message to their two witnesses. Instead, she exchanged a look with her mates that said 'can you believe him' but tried to imply that she enjoyed it at least a little bit.
Kit flushed despite herself, flicking his arm with her index finger. "You're an embarrassment."
Fred returned her gesture, flicking her shoulder. "You wound me when all I did was come to ask you a very important question."
"Oh Sonya, a very important question," Ava smiled deviously at her friend, "Maybe we shouldn't hear this."
Sonya slid back in her chair with her arms crossed. "I think we should."
"You're right." Ava leant forward, resting her chin on her interlocked fingers as her dark eyes threaten to pierce through Kit and Fred. It felt as though Kit was attempting to perform a play she hadn't rehearsed.
Fred was never one to be bothered by anything and especially not an audience. His warm eyes turned to Kit as if no one else existed in the moment. "Hogsmeade is this weekend. Would you like to go with me?"
Kit had imagined quite a few different scenarios that she had thought Fred would do to convince people that they were dating but nothing as tame as a Hogsmeade date had even crossed her mind. A fireworks display maybe or embarrassing her in their one shared class of the week sure, but nothing boring. Maybe managing to sneak into the Slytherin common room, which hadn't been open to any non Slytherin for decades. This was... unexpected. Dare she say.. disappointing.
"Sure." As soon as the words left Kit's mouth Fred's face crinkled ever so slightly, as if he were slightly insulted by the response.
Fred sighed dramatically. "Not exactly the response I wanted but it works." Fred stood up, ruffling her hair slightly which only earned him an irritated glare. "I'll meet you at 10 on Saturday, alright?"
"Alright."
As soon as Fred had disappeared from their sights Ava and Sonya were staring at her as if Kit had suddenly grown two heads. Instead of addressing the elephant in her room the girl tried to focus on the reading before her. Unfortunately it seemed impossible to focus on telling the future with twigs while two sets of intense eyes bore into the top of one's skull.
"You have a date!" Ava's voice rose above the gentle sounds of shifting pages and suddenly Madam Pince's face appeared around the corner in warning. Kit prayed she wouldn't spend the rest of her time at Hogwarts once again banned from the library. "Sorry."
"Ava you're an idiot." Sonya seemed done with everything as she packed up her rolls of parchments and book into her rucksack. Ava was soon doing the same and Kit took the hint to follow suit.
"I'm just excited. I can't remember the last time a Slytherin went on an actual date with a Gryffindor. No offense."
"None taken." Kit waved it away as the three of them exited the library to head back to the dorm where they could drill her for information without being reprimanded for their excitement by Madan Pince.
"It is weird though. It's not something that Slytherins do." Sonya stated matter-of-factly. The girl had a way of speaking that always sounded aggressive, almost as if she wanted to start a fight, but Kit had learned that it was simply how she spoke. She didn't feel the need to mince words or sugarcoat things.
Kit shrugged, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear absently. "My school isn't like this. We don't have houses like yours and there's not really any competition between us so I don't really get it."
Ava bumped Kit's shoulder with hers, their way of checking in with one another. If Kit looked up and smiled then it meant she was fine. If she continued to avoid contact then it was time to quickly change the subjects. Kit smiled.
"What're your houses like then?" Kit rarely spoke of her school. She was worried that it would only alienate her further or make her classmates think she favored one place over the other. She did; she would always like Salem more because it had always been her home. Even mentioning it had set a familiar ache in the center of her chest.
"Well," Kit turned to look at them, mostly to see whether they were honestly interested or simply being polite. When she was sure they wanted to genuinely know the answer she continued. "Simply put, your first three years are spent in a common house. During the third year you take aptitude tests to determine what path you want to study for the rest of your time at the Institute. There're 14 different paths you can be placed in and once you are you move into their dorms and are with students who follow the same area of study."
The three of them were back in their dorms then, getting ready for sleep. Ava sat on her bed cross-legged watching Kit with interest as the blonde girl tried to ignore her. "So how do you know who's who? Between the paths I mean."
"Every path has it's own color. We wore either ties or ascots. Some people did ribbons and lined their clothes with it too if you were really committed." Kit counted each time that she brought the brush through her hair, trying to keep the color from her cheeks. She wasn't used to being the center of attention for this long.
From behind her closed bed curtains Sonya's voice spoke up. "What were you in?"
"I'm studying Mental Magics, focusing on memory obliteration and healing. We wear dark blue."
The three of them talked for a while longer, mostly about the kinds of classes one would have to take to do mental magic. After being told it required at least 1 or 2 years of extra schooling Sonya and Ava were quick to announce that it wasn't for them. Kit had thought that once, before she had been placed on the path. But after meeting her mentor she'd realized it wasn't as long as it sounded. Not to mention she had already lived all of her life on the school's campus anyway.
When the lights were extinguished and all the girls were safely behind the thick velvet canopies of their beds the sudden realization that she was going on a date in 2 days crashed down on Kit like a bucket of ice water.
Saturday morning Kit was up before the sun but not out of choice. After spending an hour staring at the dark fabric surrounding her like a warm casket she had come to the unfortunate realization that sleep was no longer coming for her. Instead she chose to slink to the bathroom and take an obscenely long time showering away her worries under the steaming water. Like the Common Room, the dormitory bathroom had large, heavily paned windows around the perimeter of the room. The water on the other side was dark green in the early morning but nothing was stirring within it's depths. Did mermaids and giant squids sleep too?
By the time Kit was done wasting her time in the bathroom it was already half past seven and Ava had stirred out of bed already. Sonya was still snoring softly; she always slept in on the weekends and had an awful time waking up come Monday morning. Ava tiptoed across the stone floor, landing with a soft puff of air onto Kit's freshly made bed.
"What're you going to wear?" Ava twisted her thick curly hair into a knot on the top of her head as if preparing to take on a troublesome task. Which wasn't far off the mark.
"Jeans and a shirt probably." Kit replied in a whisper as she tried to smooth her comforter back into place. It was best to avoid Ava's eyes when she was trying to interfere or else she would get her way.
Ava repressed an exaggerated sigh. "Don't you like this guy? Why are you trying to scare him away?"
A blush rushed up Kit's face but she busied herself with looking through the wardrobe now to avoid her friend's intense eyes. "I do, I think. I don't want to seem too eager."
"So you're going for not eager at all. Yeah, that'll work."
It wasn't as though Kit could admit that her outfit didn't matter since this was a formulation between herself and Fred. Technically she could wear a snowsuit or a face mask and he would still continue to see her. Not that she could say that. So she sighed in resignation, motioning her dormmate over to the wardrobe opened before them.
"Fine. What do you think I should wear?"
Ava's face lit up immediately until she fully surveyed the options. It was rather limited if not a bit boring. Kit favored darker colors and neutrals, a lot of greens, blues, and greenish-blues. Many of her shirts were plain or had romantic cuts in uninteresting colors. She had too many bishop sleeved tops for someone of the 20th century and her skirts faired on the longer side. The shorter pieces of the closet were unreasonable for the frosty weather outside.
"Well," Ava rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully as she tried to piece something together. "I think I have an idea." Ava searched through the tops until she found the perfect option, a square-necked pale green blouse with long puffed sleeves. She handed it to Kit with a pair of dark straight legged jeans. "It's semi-casual but the top is kind of romantic. The neckline is low but not scandalous so I think it'll catch his eye."
"Wear a choker or short necklace." Sonya's voice cut through her bed hangings, causing her two roommates to nearly scream in surprise. "It'll draw attention to your collarbone."
"How long has she been awake?" Kit whisper-laughed to Ava as they tried not to laugh hysterically.
"What, did you two think you were being quiet?" The three girls burst into a round of the giggles and Kit's anxieties melted away.
The flash of the camera's bulb nearly blinded Kit and she tried to blink away the stray tears from her eyes without ruining the coat of mascara she had put on. Although she knew it wasn't a real date, Kit also knew that her friends at Salem would want to see this ludicrous occurrence for posterity. She hadn't decided whether to inform Ivy about the fake relationship as it happened or if it were best to wait until she was safely on Salem soil before spilling it all. Her friends would laugh along with her for sure and ask all the worst kinds of questions until none of them could breathe.
"You look great." Sonya complimented with a smile that turned Kit's insides to jelly instantly. Her icy blue eyes were warm with friendly pride. If Sonya had seemed like the hugging type Kit would have gladly hugged her.
"Hurry up and go before you're late though." Ava nearly pushed Kit out the door while she simultaneously smoothed an independent blonde curl into place. "Don't get pregnant."
"Don't do anything Ava would do."
"Do everything Sonya won't do!"
On the way to the courtyard, as Kit buzzed with unneeded anxiety, Saxa caught her by the arm. She was with another seventh year Slytherin, a tall boy with long dark locks, that Kit didn't recognize immediately but who introduced himself as Isiah Jalani. "Hello Kit! Are you going to Hogsmeade as well?"
"Oh, uh, yeah. I actually have a... well a date." Kit's face flushed deeply as soon as the words left her mouth. She was half mortified because she knew what people must think of her particular choice of date and half mortified by her own knowledge that it was all a ruse to begin with.
"Is it the Weasley boy?" Saxa's face was warm and knowing, as if she were much older than Kit instead of by just a couple of years. Sometimes the younger girl wondered if she could read minds. Saxa had an unnerving ability to see everything but was never cold or cruel with her knowledge. She reminded Kit of a knowing guardian, one who knew whatever was going on and genuinely wanted only the best outcome for you.
"A Weasley." Isiah shook his head in utter disbelief and suddenly the heat was back in Kit's face. "That is an interesting choice."
Saxa took his hand in hers, looking up at him with her adoring eyes. "Oh hush." She returned her eyes to Kit's. "We have a date as well. Yours will be good too I'm sure, don't worry so much." She gave the younger girl a smile before the pair headed out into the growing throng of student's in the courtyard. Kit wanted to ask if her she really knew that-if many she had premonitions- but thought it would be rude. It wouldn't surprise her though, not really.
The sun was shining despite the slight chill of the air and all the students were buzzing with their own excitement as they gathered in groups or started the journey towards the village. Checking her watch Kit wondered where exactly she was meant to be meeting Fred. He had been so vague but she'd expected to see him immediately. Usually he drew a crowd wherever he went, either with the promise of more illegal betting or simply by being himself.
"No need to frown pet, I'm right here." Fred's voice came from beside her and it took every ounce of self control to keep Kit was whirling towards him. Kit had cultivated certain talents for herself, mostly her ability to seem unbothered by nearly anything. It served her well in her studies and when she faced the mortification of being alone and unwanted. Her mask was usually unshakeable but he kept testing her limits.
"I'm not frowning Weasley. This is just my face." Kit looked at him nonchalantly while her insides buzzed as soon as her eyes met his. Could he tell that she was lying? Did he see through her like Saxa could?
Fred's lip twitched upwards as he looped an arm through hers. "I've noticed. Hopefully a little time with me will loosen you up." The redhead threw in a wink with his innuendo and Kit controlled the urge to shove him. It wouldn't look good for their intended audience to see such a display. So the two of them simply started the journey to Hogsmeade arm in arm, Kit careful to seem interested but not too much.
"Where's George? I half expected him to come along."
Fred let out a laugh but it sounded wrong, slightly dry, as if he didn't really want to laugh. "People always ask me that. Believe it or not, my brother and I don't share everything. Especially dates."
"Sorry. I was just curious what he was doing when you aren't dragging him into trouble." Kit was careful to lighten her tone so that he would understand that she was simply teasing.
"I think he's product testing actually. I'm sure we will see him eventually, probably running away from someone." The lightness was back in his voice and Kit was relieved.
"You two must be in very good shape."
"Is that an observation or a compliment?" Fred's eyes were lit with mischief and immediately Kit wished she could take the words back.
"I just meant..." Kit coughed as she tried to think of why she had said it in the first place. "...you both seem to run so much. Away from your own trouble."
"You could have just said it was a compliment Hearter." Fred squeezed her arm playfully.
"I don't think I could've. And your ego really shouldn't get any bigger. It might rupture something."
"I'll have you know my ego is perfectly in proportion to the rest of me." Kit knew he was trying to get a rise out of her now and chose to ignore the comment as they travelled closer and closer to High Street. Hogsmeade looked especially picturesque covered in a blanket of fluffy white snow and Kit regretted not bringing the camera.
"Where do you want to go first?" At first Kit didn't hear Fred's question as she stared into Gladrag's Wizardwear shop. A pair of brightly colored socks embroidered with tiny imps had caught her eye, well, it mostly the sign next to them that advertised the fact that the socks would shriek if they became too dirty.
"Didn't take you for a gaudy sock kind of girl," Fred teased as he leaned down next to her.
"Oh I'm not. Well I do like them actually but I was interested in the fact that they shriek."
Fred turned to look at Kit as she surveyed some of the other novelty items in the shop's window, overlooking the fancy robe on the mannequin to inspect a tie that changed colors and patterns with the wearer's mood. "Haven't you seen these before? They've sold them for a while."
"This is my first time at Hogsmeade. I've never seen them actually. I wonder if it's patented."
As Kit started to wonder to the next shop Fred followed quickly beside her. "You've never been? We've had 3 weekends down here already?"
"I didn't want to go alone. I'm glad to be here now though." For the first time in their short acquaintance Kit genuinely smiled up at him before turning to look at Honeyduke's newest offerings. Fred was determined to make sure that wasn't the last genuine smile he earned.
Some of the offerings made her wince, specifically ice mice and jelly slugs. Wizarding candy here seemed to differ from her hometown, which was rather disappointing only because she had wanted a Mood Ring Pop. The flavor of the candy jewelry changed depending on how you felt while eating them so it was always good fun to tease a friend and hope it changed to cayenne pepper.
"Hearter, Hearter, Hearter. You are the luckiest girl in Hogwarts because I make an excellent guide." Taking her by the shoulder, Fred pushed them into the shop that was already filled with giggling students. The air was warm and sweetly inviting. Rows and rows of beautifully wrapped sweets surrounded them and Kit wasn't sure where to begin. Whole barrels of brightly colored Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans were lined against one wall and Kit looked through the contents eagerly. These were available in America as well but the flavors were slightly different. She had never seen Tripe, Curry, or Toffee Pudding before, although only one of those sounded appealing.
"This is amazing." Kit grabbed a box of the Jellybeans before turning towards the section of novelty candies. "Have you had these before?" She held up a clear wrapped Pepper Imp, examining the package's description eagerly.
"Oh yeah. They're spicy. And you'll breathe fire too."
Kit immediately added it to her package of Jelly Beans before going along the other aisles of candies. She gravitated towards the novelty items, many of which she had never seen before. Her arms quickly became full as she added Exploding Bonbons, Fizzing Whizzbees, and Sound Sweets to her collection.
"Are you trying to get cavities?" Fred joked as he waited for her to pay.
"I hope not." Kit counted out 3 galleons and 9 sickles, handing them over quickly to the till worker. As soon as she and Fred exited the candy store, Kit ripped open the box of Fizzing Whizzbees and popped one of them in her mouth. It was fruity and after letting it dissolve slightly on her tongue a powdery inside began to coat her tongue. A moment later she found herself floating a foot or so off the ground.
Fred grabbed a hold of her arm, continuing to walk as though he was dragging a balloon behind him. "Did you read it before you ate it?"
"Not really," Kit admitted with a snort. "It tastes good though. I've never seen them before." Once the candy was completely dissolved the levitation wore off and Kit was happily on two feet again. The two of them continued down the street, Kit looking into each shop's window, excited to see what wares they offered.
"We should go in there." Fred pointed to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shoppe, smirked as Kit pulled a disgusted face upon seeing it. The windows were foggy and decorated with a slightly ridiculous amount of lace and frills.
"Why would we do that?" Kit eyed him skeptically. This seemed like the last place Fred Weasley would willingly step foot in.
"All lovey-dovey couples go there. She serves tea." Fred eyed her out of the corner of his eyes, obviously trying to contain a laugh.
"We aren't a lovey-dovey couple Weasley. That should be the third date at least." He let out his laugh at that, purposefully misinterpreting her words.
"Already planning so far ahead? I didn't expect you to be so eager."
Instead of answering his ludicrous words, Kit turned on the heal of her boot and headed in the opposite direction. The sound of crunching snow told her that Fred was following closely behind but she chose to ignore it. The Three Broomsticks was just up ahead, its sign post waving in the chilly wind.
"This is probably a better choice for a first date." Fred fell into step beside her, ignoring that fact that she was pointedly ignoring him. He followed closely behind as she walked through the doors of the all too familiar pub. Madam Rosmerta greeted him with a friendly wave.
Kit took an unoccupied table towards the back silently, eyeing the menu nonchalantly until Madam Rosmerta appeared.
"A date Fred?" Rosmerta gave a sparkling smile to the both of them as if they had been friends for years. Even Kit had to admit that she was wonderfully pretty to look at and pleasant to listen to.
"No." Kit retorted shortly.
"Yes. But you know my heart will always belong to you Madam." The smile on his face was sickeningly saccharine as he practically batted his eyes at a woman who could have been his mother.
"A few years older and you would undoubtedly break my heart. What can I get you sweetheart?" She turned her warm eyes to the table's other occupant with an equally favorable smile.
" Can I get the leek and potato soup and a pumpkin juice please?"
Madam Rosmerta's eyes lit up brightly, making her face even more pleasant to look at. "Ooo an American. Haven't met many of you here. What a cute accent. I'll bring it all over soon." It wasn't long before the drinks arrived at the table closely followed by the food. It seemed that Fred's overly friendly display with the patroness was not simply show because she brought him exactly what he wanted without him having to utter the order.
"You know," Fred interrupted the long silence as he finished his warm Butterbeer. "Most people talk on dates. How would this look to others?"
Kit had nearly finished the soup, glad to feel the comforting warmth of the food spread throughout her body. "It probably looks like I'm irritated with you. Which fits quite perfectly. Can't make it too obvious." She finally shrugged off her jacket and scarf, feeling too warm from the food and the reminder that this date was supposed to be a public spectacle.
"Wow. I like the shirt." Fred's eyes lingered a bit low for a moment before meeting Kit's again.
"I will hex you if you look at my chest again." Kit glared pointedly at her companion. Fred knew that she would even though it would either fail or get her some kind of punishment from the professors.
"I was actually looking at the necklace but noted." Fred held up his hands in defeat, his eyes now intently focused on her face. Which, she realized, was actually not much better than his glances.
"So," Kit leaned forward slightly to give the appearance that she was interested in whatever he was going to say, "how's the betting going?"
"Brilliant actually. Potter is the underdog but that'll make it more interesting depending on how the second event goes. It's pretty fairly split between people suspecting Krum or Cedric to win it all. Someone bet 20 galleons on Krum winning the next two events no contest since he technically only tied for the first one. They must really be a fan."
"Are you betting on everything too or just profiting from it all?"
"I am betting on us," Fred admitted with a smirk as he lowered his voice. They leaned in towards each other in order to avoid any eavesdroppers which gave the appearance of being deeply engrossed with one another. "I'm actually the only person at the moment that thinks you'll eventually agree to be my girlfriend."
Although Kit knew that this guaranteed their eventual and total win, she was still surprised to hear that no one else had even a little faith in his ability to woe someone into a relationship. "What's everyone else betting then?"
"Well George think you'll eventually kill me for bothering you-"
"He's probably right."
" Most people think we'll go on two dates and you'll move on. Some think it'll last only this one date. And a few people think you might genuinely like me but won't agree to date me because you leave in a few months."
"They'd be right if this wasn't a fixed bet." Kit sipped her drink and nearly spat it out when she realized what she had really said. As the look of realization and utter horror crossed her beet red face Fred couldn't contain a booming laugh at her expense. The noise drew some students to look their way in interest which only added to Kit's desire to melt away into the floors.
"Not that I like you! I meant I wouldn't agree to date anyone here knowing I'll be halfway across the world from them soon!" Despite her protests Fred continued to laugh and remind her of her mistake even as the two of them exited the establishment not 20 minutes later. George's bet was growing increasingly likely the more his twin paraded and danced around her in a teasing manner simply for his own enjoyment. They were nearly back to Hogwarts when Kit whirled around to face him.
"Weasley I will hex you and leave you to freeze in the snow if you keep prattling on! You know I didn't mean it."
Fred stopped the little dance he had choreographed for himself, deciding that it was best not to test her any further. He had already seen that she was wily when she wanted to be and more than willing to point her wand to his neck. "Oh come off it Hearter. You know I'm just joking. Although I recommend you don't fall in love with me. I wouldn't want you to go through that obvious heartbreak." He slung his arm lazily over her shoulders, although she knew it was only for the sake of the audience.
"Not going to happen. I don't even think I like you." Kit tightened her scarf absentmindedly, running a hand over the dark green fabric repeatedly.
"Oh we both know that's not true. At least not entirely. You'd be bored without me."
"Bored? Maybe. But I'd feel more sane." The castle was looming closer, a welcome beacon for the Slytherin girl. She was eager to escape into the safety of her Common Room to warm up by the fire and complain about her date with her dormmates. 5 months of practical solitude had left her unable to socialize for very long and it was especially true when having to deal with Fred in a very public area. She needed a moment of solitude with her schoolwork, a refuge from everyone's overly interested eyes and Fred's irritating teasing.
"Well I think that date went smashingly. We'll be the talk of the school I'm sure." They stood before the doors of the Great Hall, each of them destined to travel in opposite directions. Fred was nonchalantly balancing on his heels, his warm eyes trained on Kit's face as if he were expecting something.
"I'm sure we will be," she sounded tired when she said it as if the thought was wearing on her. Really she was just tired from the total lack of sleep the night before.
"Don't sound so pleased." Fred took a step closer to her and Kit was uncomfortably made aware that he was almost a foot taller than her. "I'll see you soon, yeah?"
"Yeah, of course." Kit nodded, trying to act casual while her insides were buzzing. They hadn't really discussed how they would go about this fake relationship and it was suddenly dawning on her that relationships usually consisted of more than going on dates to Hogsmeade. This was the fault in under planning things; there were always forgotten variables.
Fred bent down just enough to plant a kiss on her cold cheek. That was the second time he had kissed her and it didn't appear to be any less startling to the girl as she nearly threw herself away from him. Fred seemed unbothered as he patted the top of her hair before turning to the staircases. "Enjoy the rest of your candy!"
That was also the second time that Fred had kissed her and walked off as if he had simply said hello. Kit wrestled with the realization that she was going to have to learn to do the same if she wanted this relationship to seem even minutely real. She would have to put in more effort to not only show affection towards him but also be shown affection herself. But that was a matter for a different time, undoubtedly late at night when she wanted to sleep. At the moment Kit could only focus on making it back to the dungeons without spontaneously combusting.