Where The Sage Shrubs Grow,

Chapter 85

Sage's POV:
"Last one there has to flirt with Snape!" Hallie cried taking off for Hogsmeade
"Oh hell no!" I said chasing after her
"Ain't no way-" MC laughed
The twins, Karl, Clementine, and Harry just ran after us.

A thick layer of snow and ice coated the ground, making it more dangerous to run. Which only seemed to add to the experience. At some point the road had turned into a slide, the ground starting to move downhill. Everyone slipped and tripped their way down, however I was smart enough to just let myself slide like a graceful ice scatter, giving me the advantage to take the lead.

"Show off!" Hallie yelled
I laughed as I continued to run ahead. Soon enough the twins were right behind me, using their long legs to pass everyone else.
Fred tried passing me but I slightly pushed him causing him to stop and regain his balance. I slipped the rest of the way to the three broomsticks.

I breathed heavily, keeling over as I waited for everyone else to get there."
Karl was last, unfortunate man.
"You cheated!" Fred pointed out once he reached me
I laughed "I did what I had to."
"Your own boyfriend! I feel betrayed." He fake pouted
"Yeah, how could you." Hallie joined in on the dramatics
Everyone trying to regain control of their breathing.

"All is fair in racing and having to flirt with Snape, that wasn't going to be me." I laughed
"Fine, but you have to order the butterbeers." Hallie grumbled taking off her coat
"Oh alright." I sighed
The others went to find a table as I walked up to the counter. It was just eight butterbeers there was no reason to be nervous. Despite my shaking hands.

"Good morning. How can I help you?" The boy at the counter asked
He didn't look like he could be much older than me, maybe he decided to get a job on his days off or something.
"E-eight butterbeers please." I managed to get out
"Of course, will that be all?"
"Yep."

"So, what's a pretty lady like yourself doing here?" He asked leaning against the counter
My cheeks warmed at the compliment, I wasn't used to them.
"Nothing much."
"I must say, I don't think I've seen you around here before, I would have remembered." He smirked looking me up and down

I had never met a guy who was just so naturally nice. I guess his family must have taught him to give compliments. The butterbeers came to the bar and he handed me them on a large tray.
"Maybe you can bring me back that tray and we can talk some more." He smiled

I returned his smile and turned around towards the table where everyone was sitting. They were all staring at me. I walked over to them confused and set the tray down on the table.
"What are you all gawking at?" I asked
"Was he flirting with you?" Hallie asked

I froze looking at her with my mouth slightly open. It hadn't even dawned on me that he might have been flirting.
"He was?" I asked slightly scared
Hallie sighed and rested her face in her hands "You are so dense sometimes. Yes! He was flirting with you!"

"I thought he was just a really nice guy!" I responded
"No 'nice guy' looks a girl up and down like that." George piped in
Everyone at the table agreeing. I looked at him slightly shocked. Fred was the only one who really flirted with me so it never really occurred to me that someone else would do it.

My jaw dropped even further.
"I have to return this tray! I don't wanna go back." I squeaked
"Do it. I wanna see how this drama pans out." Hallie smirked
I glared at her
"I hate you." I mumbled turning around to return the tray
Fred looked like he was about to get up and do it for me but I had already walked off.

"Glad to see you back so soon pretty lady." He smirked
I set the tray on the bar and smiled kindly at him.
"Maybe we could get dinner together after this, my shift ends in a few hours."
"Uhm, I don't think my boyfriend would like that very much but uhm I truly appreciate the offer." I responded

His face fell and his gaze darted to Fred behind me who was probably staring daggers into him.
"I- um. Ok." He stuttered
"I really do appreciate the offer. Have a nice day." I said turning around and walking off again
My could feel my ears heating up, I was embarrassed.

I sat down between Fred and George, and we all started sipping on our drinks. We had a competition to see who could have the biggest cream mustache. All of it served to help me forget about my problems. It felt like I was back in the days where my biggest issue was trying to figure out a way to get onto my windowsill in the library without leaving footprints on the couch.

Even after our butterbeers had long disappeared we stayed talking about the days when there weren't death eaters breaking out of Azkaban and girls trying to drug Fred.
"I still cannot believe she came to you like two days later and tried to make it sound like she was trying to help." Hallie laughed "Please tell me you don't talk to her."

"Mean we have a class together but she more pushes herself onto me than anything." I sighed "I just don't want to be rude."
"She drugged your boyfriend, it's not rude."
"Now, there's no need to make me sound like the dumb one here." Fred commented
"You were." Everyone said in unison

"Man now she won't wear that black dress anymore." Hallie rolled her eyes
"It didn't even fit me-" I pointed out
"No it did not." Fred smirked
"Ayo?" George's eyes widened "Let's not go there now."
"Hey ok let's talk about Clementine and Harry. Um like that time he came over and whispered seductively in her ear." I laughed
"Oh I know you aren't talking, what about that time I found hickeys on your neck?" She retorted
"Hey hey hey now at least I haven't been walked in on getting freaky with my boyfriend twice." I said turning to Hallie."

"Hey, if I didn't know any better I would think you were stalking me." She said crossing her arms
"Nah cause that time you and Karl started making out- up in front of everyone. Nasty." I said wiggling my finger back and fourth in disapproval
"NUH UH- you didn't go there." She said pretending to be shocked

"Yes ma'am I did." I said sarcastically flipping my hair off my shoulder
"We have too much drama in our lives." Clementine sighed shaking her head
We left the three broomsticks still laughing about each other's embarrassing moments and all the fun times we had shared together.

1175 Words