Weasley's the Name

Weasley's the Name: Fourth Year

Chapter 9- Balls, Secrets, and Apples

Anthony jittered in his seat, terrified of the thought of having to dance with Taylor.

Not that she terrified him (though she did make his stomach do some odd things), but the fact of having to move awkwardly in front of the entire student body when you already feel like an idiot in a new pair of glasses and your hair was slicked like he was the Minister of Magic...

Oy...I'm going to be sick...

Taylor was nothing less than dazzling and she had taken Anthony's every breath away when she descended the stairs in Gryffindor Tower, and just because of her, he was building up some courage to get out onto the dance floor.

The blonde wore a set of light pink dress robes made of a thin and airy material. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun, but a few strands fell onto her face. She had on very little makeup, but her natural beauty took care of things that lipstick and other applications could never fix.

When she had appeared, anxiously awaiting his reaction, Anthony stared at her in shock and was frozen in his place until she tugged on his arm and dragged him out of the common room.

The Great Hall was completely enchanting, with floating candles and tables covered with lace and fine china. Everyone in the room looked extremely happy, except for Professor McGonagall, who kept pulling people who were 'too close' apart.

The band that was playing, a group of four wizards by the name of Tanrantallegra,began to play a slow tune, causing many of the students to leave their seats and head out to the dance floor.

Anthony's face paled and his stomach fluttered uncomfortably.

"Are you going to ask me to dance?" Taylor asked sweetly, peering over his shoulder and into his eyes.

His glasses began to slide down his nose as he nodded. He turned his head slightly and smiled weakly at her. Taylor's face was vibrant with excitement, and Anthony knew that he couldn't back out of this now.

"Want...do you...do you want to...dance?" he choked out, hoping his voice didn't sound too strained.

Taylor nodded happily and grabbed his hand, pulling him quickly onto the dance floor. Anthony knew he loved the girl, but sometimes, she was a bit too much for him.

They found some room, and Taylor wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling Anthony close.

The blush he felt creeping up his neck was not going to be able to be stopped, so he slowly placed his hands around her waist and enjoyed the sensation of having her in his arms. They swayed, Taylor's head on his shoulder, and he couldn't help but smile at their situation.

Anthony began to look around at all the other couples dancing, hoping to find some evidence that he was dancing correctly.

Rigel Lupin was blushing furiously as Abigail Wood tossed her hair over her shoulders, laughing at something he must've said. Rebecca Lupin and Daniel Martin were rather close, and Anthony prayed that Rigel didn't catch sight of this.

The sight that made his eyes widen was his cousin Brian; he was dancing with Caitlyn Finnegan, but while he was gazing at her lovingly, she seemed to be oblivious of his presence.

"What an entrance!" Taylor gasped, pulling away from Anthony. He turned his head to follow her gaze and laughed out loud as Jacob and a pretty girl in blue flew in on a broomstick. Professor McGonagall rushed over to reprimand them, but soon they were on the dance floor, laughing.

"Is that...Soledad?" Anthony asked, squinting his eyes to get a better look.

Taylor nodded, closing her eyes and leaning her head back on his shoulder as they continued to sway.

"Mmhmm..." she murmured, a soft smile on her face.

The redhead pulled her close, chuckling softly at the contentment on her face. He watched as Jacob and Soledad danced, both smiling and laughing.

Jocelyn Grief danced only a few feet away from them in the arms of the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, Ryan Mitchell, and Anthony noticed that the raven-haired girl could not keep her eyes off of his brother.

~~~

"You play Quidditch at home?" Jacob asked Soledad, completely enthralled with the tiny girl.

The two had not stopped talking since their flight through the school. They realized that they had a lot in common, and Jacob was beginning to wonder why he had never spoken a single word to her.

"Sí, normally Chaser," she answered, shaking some curls out of her eyes. "My papa says I'm preetee good,"

Jacob spun her around and they posed for a fifth year Hufflepuff who was taking pictures. Then, Jacob spun her back into his arms, and the two both blushed furiously because they ended up inches from each other's face.

"Maybe you should try out next year," he said, his voice cracking. "Two of our chasers are graduating."

"Dat would be wonde-ful!" she giggled, squeezing his hand. They continued to dance, spinning in slow circles. He watched her peek over his shoulder, her eyes locking onto something peculiar.

"You 'ave una admiradora," Soledad whispered in his ear, her eyebrows high.

Jacob stared at her oddly and she nodded her chin towards something behind him.

He spun her around again, so it wouldn't be the obvious he looking at what she was talking about. As soon as Jacob's eyes connected with Jocelyn's, she made Ryan spin her away.

"I can't stand her," Jacob moaned, pulling Soledad back into dancing distance.

"Why deed you ask her to be your date?" the curly haired girl asked as the song turned into a faster moving one.

The two began to head towards a table and Jacob shrugged, sticking his hands into the pockets of his robes.

"Cause I'm an idiot, that's why!" he answered with a roll of his eyes. "You're definitely more fun that she is, I'm glad I came with you." He looked down at her with a genuine grin and he couldn't ignore the blush that crept on her face.

"You're not going to ig-nore me on Monday, sí?"

She stopped and looked up at him, her eyes pleading. Jacob, stunned for a second at the fact that she could even think he would do that, smiled and shook his head.

"Of course not! I'm going to drag you around and get you in trouble!"

Soledad looked slightly worried at the concept of pranks, but nodded when he grinned brightly at her.

"Now, let's get something to eat," Jacob said, slipping his arm through hers.

~~~

Anthony and Taylor decided to join Jacob and Soledad, and the four were having a very nice conversation about Hogsmeade when they were interrupted by a high-pitched voice from behind.

"Jacob? Would you turn around please?" Jocelyn said sweetly, her hands behind her back. The curly-haired twin looked around the room as if he had heard something strange.

"Can any of you hear that? There's this strange ringing in my ears..." He shrugged it off and began to pick at his dinner.

Jocelyn sighed, rubbing her right arm with her left. She sent Anthony a pleading look, but he too avoided her gaze.

"What do you want, Jocelyn?" Taylor spat, clearly annoyed. Jocelyn shot Taylor an angry look, but she sighed nonetheless.

"I want to talk to Jacob," she said simply. Soledad, who had also been ignoring Jocelyn, turned around to face her.

"Maybe 'e doz-n't want to talk to you," she snarled angrily, mumbling some Spanish curses under her breath. Jocelyn pursed her lips at the curly haired girl.

"So you decided to come, huh? Too bad it's only a pity date," she shot back.

Soledad's face burned red and looked away and at the same time Jacob slammed his goblet down and stood up to glare at Jocelyn.

"Don't talk to her like that!" he said loudly and angrily as Anthony stood up as well, holding Jacob's arm.

"Well, isn't that what it is?" she said, sending a glare at Jacob. "You've never spoken a word to her and all of a sudden you two are best friends? Ha, she barely speaks English, what fun you two are going to have!"

Jacob, who had opened his mouth to send a very painful hex her way, was pushed aside by a sea of brown curly hair.

"You are so stoopid!" Soledad screamed, stomping an angry foot down. "If I cood barely speak English, 'ow do you sup-pose I got you all of doz A's? 'ow do you tink I understood your ev-aree demand? 'ow do you tink I realized dat if I didn't do your damn eses, you wood--" She stopped abruptly and Jocelyn grinned triumphantly.

"Ha," the black haired girl said simply. "Not so brave now, are you? What a Gryffindor..."

"You're such a...bitch!" Soledad hissed, her eyes stinging with tears. Jocelyn squealed with indignation, but the curly-haired girl wasn't finished,

"You tink because you know a secret of mine you can boss me around like you're a goddess? I'm not going to let you roo-in my life. You're already roo-in-ing yours. What 'appens next year when we take our O.W.L.s? You'll know nah-ting and I'll eat a flobberworm if you get more den four at deh rate you're going.

"You are dis'onest, mediocre, and eh disgrace to the Gryffindor name."

Soledad's eyes glared a hole into Jocelyn, and behind her, Taylor stared smugly at their fellow Gryffindor, waiting for her to respond. The raven-haired girl stood stiff, her mouth moving noiselessly.

"Go on," Taylor said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You heard the lady. Apparently, you're not wanted here."

With a soft squeak, Jocelyn turned and hurried back into the arms of the bewildered Quidditch Captain, pushing him out of the sight of the four.

Jacob was, having been silent for so long, stunned and frozen. He turned towards Taylor and Soledad, both of whom looked extremely happy.

"What in bloody hell just happened?" he asked, plopping back down into his seat.

Taylor jittered happily and Soledad tried to refrain from jumping up in place. She seemed absolutely ecstatic and couldn't stop moving. Her shoulders were rocking with the music, and her feet were tapping rapidly on the floor.

"I think," Anthony began, standing up and rounding the table to stand behind Taylor. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly, and the two shared a bright smile that seemed to be only theirs. "We have just witnessed the demise of Queen Jocelyn."

"Off wit 'er 'ead!" Soledad squealed happily, then covering her mouth in shock at her own words; her eyes remained giddy. "Did you see 'er face? ¡Ella está como un pez fuera de agua!"

"I got 'water' out of that sentence," Jacob said with a grin.

Soledad clapped excitedly at him and grabbed his hand, pulling him up. He laughed as she continued to drag him to the dance floor, turning around with her eyes shining.

She let go of him and raised her arms above her head, snapping her fingers and moving to the music.

"I need to dance, come on, let's dance! ¡Baila, baila!"

~~~

Near eleven, there were still quite a few couples dancing slowly on the floor. Many had retired, and the teachers were trying their best to send the rest to bed, but the hall had been 'rented' until midnight.

The night had been full of very memorable things, all of which were captured on camera by the hired photographer (the same Hufflepuff that had snapped Jacob and Soledad's picture). The row with Jocelyn, however, was one the four Gryffindors would have as a secret forever.

Professor Potter had swept his daughter, Rose, away from a fifth year Gryffindor (who the Professor stared daggers into) and shared a few dances with her. Rose started off being absolutely humiliated by her father's lack of dance skills, but by the third song, she was smiling and twirling in good spirits.

Door prizes had been given out, and the lucky winner of five free Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks had been Brian Weasley. He gave them to Caitlyn, knowing that she absolutely loved Butterbeers. The third year was elated, and could not stop talking about them the entire night.

Anthony, though he tried, had grown very tired of dancing very quickly and struggled to keep up with his effervescent date. Luckily for him, Malcolm Malfoy cut in for a couple of dances with his little sister, letting the worn out redhead take a break.

Anthony and Taylor decided to call it a night when he nearly toppled over in exhaustion; his wonderfully enthusiastic date had managed to keep him on the dance floor for an hour straight.

He had to stop himself from performing Locomotor Mortis on the blonde more than once.

He plopped onto the couch of the Gryffindor common room, Taylor sliding down next to him. His hair was a wreck, sticking up all over and his forehead was dripping with sweat.

He vowed never to dance again.

"That was so much fun!" Taylor giggled, clinging onto Anthony's arm and burying her head in his shoulder. The redhead rolled his eyes and leaned his head back onto the couch, ready to fall asleep.

"I'm glad you had a good time," he said simply, his eyes fluttering shut. Taylor looked up at him and smiled softly, very impressed with his patience. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, causing him to open his eyes again.

A few girls entered the common room, giggling like mad. Rebecca Lupin, Rose Potter, and Caitlyn Finnegan looked ecstatic as they sat at the table beside the couch and began to discuss the night's events.

Brian Weasley entered a few moments later, looking almost enraged, and stormed up the steps as Rigel Lupin and Abigail Wood climbed through the door.

Rigel politely held her hand as she entered, and they said a simple goodnight before Rigel raced after his best friend. Abigail headed towards the gaggle of girls, and their giggling increased.

"I know you really didn't want to dance," Taylor whispered, trying to ignore the girls' constant laughing. "I could tell by the look on your face." She patted his stomach and smiled. "It really made me happy that you suffered through it without complaining."

Anthony smiled back at her, pushing a loose lock of hair out of her face.

"I wasn't suffering; you made it bearable."

She pushed his glasses up his nose, and he took her wrist in his hand, intertwining their fingers. They laughed, and she fell into his arms again.

"I love the glasses," Taylor said, staring into the fireplace. Anthony nodded and kicked her shoeless foot.

"I love you," he whispered, smiling softly. The chatter in the room stopped, and suddenly, Anthony felt as if all eyes were on him. He looked towards the group of girls, and noticed that they were watching him.

He looked down at Taylor, who was staring at him with wide, excited eyes.

"What?" Anthony asked, clearly confused. She smiled and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips.

"What a wonderful thing to say," Taylor said, and with her other hand, she waved off the girls. The group took the hint, and raced up the stairs and began giggling hysterically.

Anthony stared at their hands with an odd look, it was almost as if he was trying to solve an Arthimancy problem.

"But...you knew that I did...you always knew, right?"

Taylor sighed softly and shifted her body so now her legs were beneath her and she was facing him. With her free hand, she took his chin in her face, causing him to look at her.

"Yes, I always knew. It's just a thrill to hear you say it." She blushed and stared shyly at him.

"You've never said it to me," Anthony laughed, winking at her. Taylor's eyes widened and she smiled brightly, looking a bit mischievous.

"Ooh, guess what!" She scooted closer to him, their noses inches from each other's. He tilted his head to stare at her oddly.

"What...?" he asked slowly.

She kissed his nose and then his lips.

His odd expression turned into one of complete bewilderment though he was red with excitement.

"I love you, Anthony Weasley," she said softly, kissing him again. Anthony grinned, and then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

~~~

"And den, my brother decided it would be fun to use my Remembrall as eh Sneetch."

"Did you get it back?" he asked, picking his broom up so it didn't drag on the ground.

It amazed him how much he didn't know about her, like the fact that she had a sister and brother who went to Hogwarts and had left before they had started, how she wanted to be a Healer just like her father, and that she had broken her arm when her brother (the one who stole the Remembrall) tried to show her how to do a Wronski Feint.

"Of course, I'm eh natural Chaser, I caught it seconds after my papa threw it up in deh air."

They shared a laugh as they turned the corner and passed the Library.

"What a talent," he commented.

After he spoke, they fell into silence for the first time that night. Jacob wondered if she had run out of things to say, but seeing as she's been quiet for four years, he doubted that. Maybe she had been offended by his comment? Why...it was a good one!

Out of the corner of his eye he watched as she folded up a napkin that she had unconsciously taken from the ball. It was now five times as small as it had been.

"Soledad..."

"You are probably wondering what my secret ees," she said quickly, not looking up at him.

Jacob stopped walking, but she continued down the hall, not noticing that he had stopped. With a soft smile and shake of his head, he jogged up to catch her.

"It's no-ting dangerous," she was saying. "It's just that eef people knew den I'd be some-ting of eh...entertainment show. I don't need pee-pol bah-dering me while I try to study. I need top grades in almost every subject eef I want to be a 'ealer--"

"Soledad! You don't have to tell me!" Jacob interrupted, noticing the nervousness in her voice. She stopped and turned to him, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"Re-really?"

Jacob laughed and tugged on her arm, continuing towards Gryffindor Tower.

"It's your secret to tell, you don't have to reveal anything to me." He shot a smile her way, making the girl blush furiously.

"Gracias, Jacob...I'll tell you someting though; eet'll make your 'eart race," Soledad chided, nudging him in the ribs. Jacob rolled his eyes as they stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Go ahead, shoot, I'm not easily impressed," he said, crossing his arms with a teasing smile. Soledad coughed something that sounded like "Jocelyn," but she put her hands behind her back, looking playful.

"Mi hermano se llama Joaquin Diego," she said swiftly, giggling.

Jacob looked at her with a cocked eyebrow, not understanding anything she said but 'Joaquin Diego.'

"Joaquin Diego?" Jacob asked, his voice tight. Soledad laughed again, grinning in anticipation. "Is that...that's...the..." His eyes were wide with amazement.

Soledad stood up straight, looking proud, and she put her hands on her hips.

"Joaquin Diego," she said with a perfect Spanish accent. "Better known in Madrid as El Cerrojo, and that name feets 'im quite well because--"

"He's the Seeker for the Cannons," Jacob breathed. "Your brother is Bolt?"

Soledad shrugged as if she wasn't impressed as the two gave the Fat Lady the password ("Kissy kissy").

"'is name sounds better in Spanish, but sí, Bolt is my brother. 'e was a Sleetherin, doze years when day keelled Gryffindor."

Jacob, still in a bit of shock at being next to the sister of one of his favorite Quidditch players, led Soledad up to the steps as far as they could both go. He leaned his broom on the wall and she stood stiff, suddenly looking very nervous.

"Well, I guess this is it. It's been fun," he said, not sure of what to do.

Should we shake hands, hug, or...kiss?

Soledad nodded happily, moving some of her hair behind her ear.

"Sí, tank you for taking me, eet was one of de best nights of...my life."

The sparkle in her eyes told him that she was being completely honest, and he felt an unfamiliar sensation in his stomach.

"Er...your welcome," he said, his cheeks burning. Soledad blushed as well, bouncing from foot to foot.

"Maybe I'll send you some Cannons teeckets." She giggled when he gasped in excitement. "Buenas noches." She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek quickly. With a wide smile, she rushed away and up to the dorm.

Jacob, feeling proud for making her so happy, released a sigh and turned into the dormitory.

~~~

When Jacob entered the dormitory his cousin Brian, who looked livid, confronted him.

"I hate women," he growled, grabbing Jacob's collar. "D'ya understand me? I'm going to live as a hermit and become the next Uric the Oddball, I swear upon my wand that I will!"

Jacob stared at his cousin as if he had three heads.

"You do that, but first, let me go?"

Brian released a frustrated snort and quickly let go of him. Jacob straightened out his collar, watching as his cousin stormed into his bed.

Rigel stood beside his own bed, shaking his head softly.

"Caitlyn...she, er..."

"Don't," Brian warned, throwing open his curtains to glare at Rigel, and then slamming them shut without another word. Jacob wasn't even sure that he had changed out of his dress robes.

Andrew Jordan and Joseph Longbottom stood by their respective beds, looking as if they wanted to burst out laughing, but were too scared of what Brian might do. The three (Rigel looked defeated) clambered into their beds, and Jacob strode to his, a slight jump in his step.

Anthony was lying on his bed, already changed. His glasses sat on the nightstand, and his hands were behind his head as he stared at the canopy of his bed.

"Have a good time?" Jacob asked his twin as he pulled his nightshirt over his head.

"Mmhmm," Anthony responded, not breaking his gaze with his canopy. To Jacob, he looked as if he was staring at a beautiful piece of art, literally entranced.

"Did ya dance a lot?"

"Mmhmm..."

Now, Jacob was wondering why his brother had that silly grin on his face. It most likely had to do with Taylor, seeing as Anthony looked like dreamy.

Then, with a sudden flash of realization, he jumped onto his brother's bed, loving the startled look on Anthony's face.

"Ooh," Jacob crowed loudly, patting his brother hardily on the shoulder. "You guys snogged, didn't you?"

Anthony's eyes bugged out of their sockets, and he frantically reached over for the glasses he had laid on the nightstand.

"We most certainly did not!" he said loudly, reminding himself and Jacob of Uncle Percy. His twin chortled and fell to his side as Anthony fumed and smacked him over the head with his pillow.

Jacob crawled away and fell to the floor on the other side of the bed, his brother still hitting him with the almost featherless pillow.

He stood up, swatting the pillow away with a laugh. His hair was all over, but he didn't mind since he was going to sleep and was going to mess it up anyway.

Anthony kept glaring at him, but the tell-all red of his ears seemed to prove Jacob's accusation.

"All right," Jacob said, putting his arms up in defeat. He walked around Anthony's bed and clambered on to his. There, he swung his feet over the side, and leaned forward to look at his brother. Anthony seemed to be expertly avoiding his eyes.

"Tell me one thing." Jacob put up one finger, incase his brother couldn't count. "And I promise I'll never ask any more questions."

Anthony turned his head slightly towards his brother, indicating that he agreed with the proposition. Jacob intertwined his fingers and cracked them, making Anthony roll his eyes in disgust.

"Okay..." His eyes lit up as the perfect question slid to the tip of his tongue. "What does she taste like?" he asked, knowing that his brother would want to kill him for it.

Jacob watched as the blush in Anthony's ears raced into his face and down his neck, his entire body extremely tight. The red-faced twin grabbed his curtain and looked to be in the motion of pulling it shut. Instead, he turned his face fully towards his brother and said,

"Apples." And then he shut the curtains, Jacob howling with laughter.