Weasley's the Name

Weasley's the Name: Fourth Year

Chapter 6- Fourth Year Grievances

"Good Godric there is no way this is happening!" Jacob Weasley exclaimed, covering his face with his hands.

Other students tried to look over his shoulders, though it was hard because the teen was almost six feet tall and hovered over them by about four inches. Jacob ripped a pink piece of parchment off of the notice board and started down the hallway, feeling as if steam could shoot out of his ears.

He stormed passed many different students, not noticing the glares from the boys and goggling eyes of the girls. Quite possibly the best Keeper since Oliver Wood, Jacob had been on the team since he tried out in his second year, and his talents had earned him a very popular reputation.

The doors of The Great Hall were already open to Jacob's dismay; he wanted to slam them open and make a huge entrance. Instead, he just quickly stomped his way up to his brother, who was sitting alone and stirring his spoon slowly in his soup. Jacob threw himself onto the bench and slammed his head onto the table.

Anthony jumped up in surprise, his soup splashing onto the table. He turned towards his brother with a perplexed glint in his eyes.

"I hope your hard came in handy," he said, trying not to laugh.

Jacob turned his head slightly, and stuck him arm straight at his brother, the piece of pink parchment still in his grip. Anthony glanced at it, and the smiled knowingly.

"Oh, the ball. You just found out?" he laughed, returning to his soup.

The paper that was crumbled in Jacob's hand was an announcement from a trio of sixth year Hufflepuffs. The three girls were all Muggle-born and since their first year, they had been petitioning and planning a ball for Valentine's Day. Professor Vector had promised them that if they each received the top three amounts of O.W.L.S. that they would be able to hold it.

They had. The House of Helga Hufflepuff was still shaking over the triumph.

Jacob stared at his brother with wide, twitching eyes; he was ready to strangle him for being so calm.

"You know about this catastrophe?"

Anthony's ears turned red and Jacob eyes lit up with realization. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his forehead where a red mark was beginning to grow.

"Oh, Taylor already told you?"

Anthony nodded sheepishly and continued to stir his soup.

He and the Taylor (who had happened to walk into the Great Hall at that time) were...really good friends.

The two had not kissed since their first year (though only the two had known they had kissed at all) and even though they remained platonic, everyone in the school knew there was something else between them.

"What are you saying about me?" she asked, sliding onto Anthony's other side.

The young girl was short with her long blonde hair falling far past her shoulders. She was much more mature than others around her age, mentally and physically; Anthony has had to hex a few boys in the hallway a few times, they of course, didn't know why or who did it to them.

She and Anthony had the best chances at being the prefects chosen from Gryffindor next year, and the two had a bit of a rivalry when it came to the highest grades in the year. The 'friendly' competition between them often erupted into loud rows in the common room, in which thirty minutes later each would rush back down from their dorm and apologize profusely.

"Oh, nothing," Anthony answered her. "Jacob's just worried about the ball."

Taylor's eyes narrowed slightly and then she leaned back to look past Anthony and at Jacob (who had his eyes closed and was holding the bridge of his nose).

"Why are you worried? You can get any girl in the school to go with you," she said casually, pulling her bag onto the bench. "It's that you can't dance, right?"

Jacob sighed and banged his head on the table again. Taylor giggled and began buttering her roll of bread.

"Oh, he can dance," Anthony said with a grin, "He's just debating on whether or not to ask Joce--OW!" He bit his bottom lip as he tried to keep his scream inside.

Jacob smiled widely, sitting up--what a perfectly aimed kick, he thought. Anthony was constantly teasing him about his crush on Jocelyn Grief, and he deserved the kick.

She was the prettiest, most popular, and most talkative Gryffindor in Hogwarts. She had long shiny black hair that fell perfectly around her smooth face, and a petite body that didn't lack anything anywhere.

When she walked the hallways it seemed as if that the crowd parted to make way for her, and the way her legs made her skirt swish was often the reason behind the many accidents of the male population.

Jocelyn was a prize, indeed. And to top it off, she seemed very interested in a certain redhead on the Quidditch team.

"She'll say yes," Taylor said, not looking up from her plate. The twins turned to her, eyes wide.

"Re-really?" Jacob asked excitedly, jumping out of his seat and squeezing in between Taylor and Anthony. "Does she talk about me?" he asked as Anthony nudged him roughly in the ribs.

Taylor batted her eyes, not looking at the anxious redhead. Jacob pulled her plate away from her, causing the girl to send him an angry glare.

"Yes," she snarled as she took her plate back. "You're going to have to talk to her, don't even think about asking me to. Although I don't know why you'd want to..."

"You're just jealous," Jacob snapped back at her, making Taylor flush with fury.

She and Jocelyn didn't get along very well, for reasons the blonde wouldn't divulge into because of Jacob's crush on her. Anthony knew, for certain though, that Taylor enjoys rooming with Jocelyn as much as she would like to spend a week alone in the Forbidden Forest.

"I don't know how to ask her though, I've never done this before..." Jacob sighed.

Anthony stopped stirring and took a deep breath, wanting to help his brother but not knowing how, it's not like he's ever asked a girl to a dance before. His eyes scanned the room, but the figures that stood on the other side were just blurry images. Anthony smirked and rubbed his eyes.

The blurry images had been appearing quite frequently as of late, and the migraines his eyes caused him had noticeably affected his grades, though it had only brought them down from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and thirty.

Constant headaches were very common to the young boy, because of the events of his first year, but he was certain that his eyes were now playing a bigger part in the pounding of his ears.

Shaking his head, he looked at his brother. As Jacob came into focus, barely, an idea popped into Anthony's head.

"Why don't you ask Rigel?" he said quickly, holding back a smile. Jacob turned around and smirked viciously at his twin.

"I don't need advice from him! You should talk to him you stupid git," he exclaimed, crossing his arms with a grunt. Anthony rolled his eyes and picked up some noodles and let them drip slowly back into the bowl.

During their second year, Rigel Lupin had revealed to them that he was quarter Veela, the reason behind the girls' immense attraction to him. Of course, this made all the boys envious and just a little agitated around him.

"I don't need any advice," Anthony huffed, rubbing the space between his eyes. At this, Taylor snorted. He turned quickly to her, staring daggers into the blonde.

"What does that mean?" he asked, almost squeaking.

The girl gave a big roll of her eyes and Jacob noticed the tension. He slowly got up to avoid another one of their fights, and walked towards the end of the table where some Gryffindor boys were sitting.

"Well?" Anthony asked Taylor. The girl blew a strand of her hair out of her face and continued to butter her roll (it was almost breaking apart by now). "What can I learn from Rigel?" He put his spoon down, well, slammed his spoon down.

Taylor jumped slightly at the impact, and she slammed her knife down as well. Her eyes were narrowed and her cheeks were an angry red. Anthony cringed, knowing he had hit a nerve.

"PLENTY!" she shouted, slinging her bag over her shoulder and brushing out of the Great Hall.

Anthony's face burned as he noticed some Slytherins snickering at him. He too gathered up his things and raced out the door after Taylor.

~~~

Jacob slid in next to his two cousins, Brian and George Weasley.

The brothers were very involved in a conversation about something, but they immediately stopped once Jacob took his seat. He worried that they were plotting something against he and Anthony (the four had a bit of a running joke going on).

On the other side of the table sat Rigel Lupin, who was reading quietly and taking notes from his History of Magic textbook.

"Who's going to the ball?" Jacob asked loudly, not bothering to say hello to the boys.

Rigel looked up with curious eyes, Brian choked on his own breath, and George rolled moaned, looking calm.

"Why, scared?" the sixth asked, looking at his younger cousin with a single raised eyebrow. Jacob smirked at him, and huffed.

"I just want to know how you're asking your date, or, er...yeah, how are you asking your dates?"

"Merlin you're a pain in the ass," Brian sighed, his ears burning. "Well...just go up to her and ask her, it's not that hard...not that I've asked anyone," he finished, his face completely red.

George, however, did not buy Brian's statement.

"Who're you going with?" he asked immediately, shoving his little brother in the shoulder. Brian just shut his eyes, trying not to notice his brother's constant shoving.

"What about you?" Jacob asked Rigel, already trying to figure out which one of his many admirers' invitations he accepted.

Rigel bit his lip and looked at his friend, a blush on his face. He had indeed grown very handsome, but he still remained shy and quiet like he was in their first year.

"Me? Well...I don't have a date yet, if that's what you're asking," he said, much to Jacob's surprise.

"Really? Well, who are you planning on asking?" the redhead pried, very interested. The blush on Rigel's face deepened as he avoided Jacob's eyes.

"Er...I don't know, not important though, right?" he stuttered, sending a weak smile towards him.

It was then that a very pretty third year Gryffindor girl joined the boys, smiling brightly. All eyes except Rigel's fell onto the girl, and a goofy grin slid onto all of their faces.

Rebecca Lupin had long brown hair that reached the small of her back, and hazel eyes that sparkled. Her teeth seemed to glisten and the way she batted her eyelashes made all the boys (except Rigel of course) feel a little queasy in that good way.

"Oh Rigel!" she exclaimed happily, patting her brother on the shoulder. Rigel rolled his eyes as he turned around to look at his sister.

"What do you want?" he sighed, knowing that Rebecca wouldn't stop talking once she started.

"You do know that only fourth year students and up are allowed to go to the ball, right?" Rebecca said, smiling slyly.

Jacob's eyes widened as he saw Rose Potter, Abigail Wood, and Caitlyn Finnegan sitting at the table behind theirs, giggling like mad.

"Yes..." Rigel said, clearly annoyed. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Would you like to go with Abigail?" Rebecca asked quickly, biting her lip. Jacob watched as Rigel's face turned a deep shade of red.

"It wouldn't be anything serious," she said with a wave of her hands. "It's just that all of us really want to go and Caitlyn, Rose, and I all have dates..."

"Becca!" Rigel exclaimed, cutting his sister off. "I'm not some toy you can pass around to your friends!" he hissed, pulling his sister's arm and making her sit next to him. Rebecca blew some hair out of her face and rolled her pretty eyes again.

"Fine! You're so touchy!" she groaned, putting her elbow on the table and her head in that hand. Rigel's face continued to burn bright, until he turned to look at his sister.

"Wait a minute...you have a date?" Rigel asked, his over protective brother side coming into play. Rebecca's cheeks reddened and she avoided eye contact with her brother.

Jacob began to laugh, out of pure enjoyment and relief. He was happy that Emily was only in her first year and that no boy in his right mind would ask her to go (She was in first year, after all!).

Rigel sent Jacob a glare and then turned back to his sister.

"Who are you going with?" he asked, clearly annoyed. Rebecca now covered her face with both of her hands.

"I'll tell you if you find Abby a date." She looked up at her brother, a mischievous smile on her face. Rigel's expression changed dramatically, and he pushed his sister away.

"Just...just go away," he groaned, pushing her again. Rebecca took this as a 'yes' and giggled happily. She kissed her brother on the cheek before she skipped away towards her friends, who were also giggling crazily.

Rigel turned to Jacob; his face was beat red.

"Can you believe that?" he asked, his voice squeaking. Jacob just smiled, loving the look of exasperation on his friend's face. All the Gryffindor boys knew that Rigel fancied the famous Oliver Woods' only daughter, though he denied it every time it was brought up (he also turned bright red and stuttered).

"So, are you going to go with her? Don't want to get her father all riled up at you..." the redhead said, biting his lip to contain his laughter.

"Leave me alone," Rigel growled, though his blush hadn't disappeared. "And why are you spending your time bothering me?" he said, trying to change the subject. Jacob raised an eyebrow, interested in what he had to say. "Aren't you going to go and ask Jocelyn?"

"You better ask her before someone else does," George said, leaning back to look at his little cousin. Jacob's eyes narrowed at his words and he turned to him, baring his teeth.

"No one would dare ask her!" he barked, extremely annoyed at the fact that Jocelyn wasn't his in that sense.

"Why wouldn't they? Jocelyn is hot," Brian chuckled, ducking Jacob's jabs at his head.

Jacob's face was now feverishly red, and if George hadn't pushed him back, he seriously would have hurt Brian.

"Then hurry up and ask her! What are you afraid of?" Rigel said, clearly enjoying the action and the turn of events.

"I guess you're right," Jacob sighed, defeated. "She's just a girl, what harm could she do?"

~~~

"Taylor, wait up!"

The blonde girl did not bother to slow down, storming her way past some first year Gryffindor girls, including Emily Weasley.

"Hi Taylor!" the little girl squealed, her curly ponytail bouncing on her neck.

Taylor stopped, though by the stiffness of her body, she didn't want to. She turned quickly and smiled at the young girls.

"Hello there, Emily, how are you today?" she said nicely, gritting her teeth. The girls didn't seem to notice her bitterness, they were still in shock that a fourth year was talking to them.

"I'm just grand," Emily answered. "I just got an owl from my mum, and she had some fantastic news! She's--oh, hello Anthony!" she exclaimed when her brother got close enough. "I have to tell you something!"

Anthony just shook his head and stared at Taylor, his eyes pleading. She stiffened again and began to walk away.

"Not now Emily, I need to talk to Taylor," he said, starting after the blonde. Emily pouted and she grabbed onto her brother's sleeve.

"But Anthony, I have really great news!"

Anthony rolled his eyes and shook his sister off, sending her an angry look.

"I'm busy Emily, please, tell me later." And he left her with her friends to chase after Taylor.

The little Weasley pouted again, but then turned back to her friends, who had started giggling over Anthony and Taylor (they all thought it was quite amazing that fourth years actually stopped to talk to them).

~~~

"Taylor! Please, I'm sorry for being rude." He had finally caught up with her in front of the portrait hole. Taylor was about to tell the Fat Lady the password when she stopped and swung around to face Anthony.

"You really have no idea why I'm upset, do you?" she said, crossing her arms. Anthony shuffled his feet and bit his lip, an innocent glint in his eyes.

"Well, I would assume it was that I was being rude?" he asked, instead of answering her question.

Taylor closed her eyes for a few seconds before she opened them again, and Anthony realized that tears had formed.

"Aw Taylor, I'm sorry. Whatever I did, I'm sorry. Don't cry." He took her hand and pulled her into a hug, letting her bury her face in his chest.

"It's stupid, really," she choked out, wiping her eyes. "It's just me being a silly girl." He chuckled softly, looking down at her.

"What did I do?" he asked, smoothing out her long hair.

Taylor pulled away from him, but not far, because his arms were still wrapped around her waist.

"It's about the ball...you went on bothering Jacob about asking Jocelyn...but, Anthony, you haven't asked me yet."

They both flushed of embarrassment and some other tingly feelings, but Anthony broke the silence with a soft laugh.

"I just assumed that we were going together!" he said happily, pulling her into a hug again.

"A girl likes to be asked!" Taylor pouted with a stamp of her foot. "I told you about the ball last week! I thought you weren't going to ask me!" She laughed, but Anthony could sense that she was still a little upset.

"I'm sorry. I was just being a silly boy," he whispered. Taylor giggled softly and nodded, leaning her head into him again.

The two stood in silence for a few moments, even with the Fat Lady and her friend Violet whispering behind them. Then Taylor looked up at him curiously, a smirk on her face. She began to tap her foot, and when he stared down curiously at her, she sighed and said,

"Well? Are you going to ask me?"

Anthony smiled a full ear-reaching smile, and Taylor blushed, not realizing it. He always made her heart flutter when he smiled at her like that, but she wasn't exactly sure why.

"Taylor Parkinson, will you go to the ball with me?" he asked softly, a blush growing on his cheeks. She giggled in a very girlish way, and without warning, she took his face in her hands and pulled him down onto her lips.

Though shocked at first, Anthony immediately got over it and kissed her back, realizing very quickly that he was enjoying this much more than he had as an eleven year old. The talk his father had had with the twins was rushing back into his head, and he hoped that he remembered everything that was said.

When they parted, he smiled widely, and Taylor left his grasp, her hand lingering in his for a moment.

She told the Fat Lady the password ("Dragon Nails") and started through, but before she did, she turned around to face Anthony, who stood dumbstruck.

"I'll think about it," she finally answered before she climbed through the portrait, leaving him all by himself in the hall. A smile crept on his confused face as he followed her quickly into the common room ("DRAGON NAILS!!").