CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NOT ACCORDING TO PLAN
[21]

song: Animal by Neon Trees

+++++++++++++++

When the quartet arrived back at Hogwarts, they went to visit Hagrid.

"I will say this one last time." Umbridge said as they were eavesdropping from outside the hut. "I'm ordering you to tell me where you've been."

"I told you. I've been away for me health." Hagrid's said in his thick Scottish accent.

"Your health?"

"Yeah. Bit of fresh air, you know."

"Oh, yes. As gamekeeper, fresh air must be difficult to come by." Umbridge said sarcastically. "If I were you, I shouldn't get too used to being back. In fact, I mightn't bother unpacking at all."

She left and sprayed some of her pink perfume around his front door.

"This is top-secret, right?" Hagrid warned when they sat down and asked him where he was. "Dumbledore sent me to parley with the giants."

"Giants?" Lin asked. "You found them?"

"Well, they're not that hard to find, to be perfectly honest. They're so big, see?" Hagrid explained. "I tried to convince them to join the cause."

"But I wasn't the only one that was trying to win them over."

"Deatheaters?" Ron asked quietly.

"Yes. Trying to persuade them to join You-Know-Who."

"Did they?" Harry said.

"I gave them Dumbledore's message. Suppose some of them remember he was friendly to them. I suppose."

Hagrid's dog, Fang, starts barking. Hagrid got up and looked out his window. The quartet got up too.

"It's changing out there. Just like last time." Hagrid said darkly. "There's a storm coming, Harry."

+++++

Lin froze when she saw the front of the newspaper.

"Uh... Guys you've got to see this!" Lin whisper-shouted.

Hermione and Harry turned to see what she was so anxious about. Ron reluctantly looked up from his breakfast.

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN:
MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS
"RALLYING POINT"
FOR OLD DEATHEATERS

Antonin Dolohov - convicted of the brutal murders of Gideon and Fabian Prewett

Augustus Rookwood - convicted of leaking Ministry of Magic secrets to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

Bellatrix Lestrange - convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom

They looked down the table to see Neville, looking very sad and depressed.

+++++

Fred struggled to catch up to Lin in the busy corridor. "Hey, Lin!"

She stopped and turned around. He finally caught up and said what he wanted to say. "Do you want to go to Hogsmede with me? On Valentine's Day?" Fred asked nervously.

"Oh." Lin said surprised. "I have to do something with Hermione. It's very important.... And I don't like Valentine's Day."

Fred looked down slightly, clearly disappointed. He had already told George he wouldn't be his and Lee's third wheel, since he thought he would've had a date.

Seeing Fred's disappointed face, Lin felt a little bad. "You can accompany Hermione and I."

His face lit up a little. "What are you doing?"

Lin looked around a little but to make sure no one was looking. Everyone had already gone back to their dorms. "We're meeting someone."

+++++

Lin grabbed Fred's hand and lead him to where Hermione was headed. The Hog's Head.

Seated at one of the tables was none other than the lying, cheating dungbeetle, Rita Skeeter.

+++++

"Harry! Harry, over here!" Hermione called when Harry walked in.

She waved frantically to grab his attention. He looked surprised to see Hermione, Lin, Fred, and Luna sitting with Rita Skeeter at a table.

"You're early." Lin commented.

"I thought you were with Cho. I wasn't expecting you for another hour at least!" Hermione said.

"Cho?" Rita Skeeter asked. "A girl?" She snatched her crocodile-skin handbag and fished around in it.

"It doesn't matter if Harry's been with a hundred girls. So you can put that away right now." Lin ordered as Rita was pulled out an acid-green quill.

"What are you up to?" Harry asked as he sat down at the table.

Rita Skeeter motioned her head toward Lin. "Little Miss Perfect was just about to tell me when you arrived." She took a big loud slurp of her drink. "I suppose I am allowed to talk to him, am I?" She asked sarcastically to Lin.

"I suppose you are." Lin replied coldly.

She took another sip of her drink. "Pretty girl isn't she, Harry?" Fred took Lin's hand in his, under the table, and squeezed it gently.

"One more word about Harry's love life and the deal's off." Hermione snarled.

"What deal?" Rita wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "You haven't mentioned a deal yet, Miss Prissy, you just told me to turn up. Oh, one of these days—"

"Yeah, yeah, one of these days you'll write more horrible stories about Harry." said Lin indifferently. "Find someone who cares, why don't you?"

"They've run plenty of horrible stories about Harry this year already, without my help." Rita said, avoiding Lin's gaze.

"We're aware." Hermione huffed. "He's told the Minister of Magic the truth and the Minister's too much of an idiot to believe him."

"So you actually stick to it, do you?" sneered Rita. "What's the evidence?"

"There were a dozen deatheaters there, that night in the maze," Harry snarled. "Want their names?"

"I'd love them." Rita replied. She fumbled through her crocodile-skin bag and pulled out her quick-quotes quill.

It immediately began to scribble onto a floating piece of parchment.

'Teenage survivor of You-Know-Who's attack, Harry Potter, age 15, caused outrage yesterday by accusing respectable and prominent members of the wizarding community of being Deatheaters...'

Rita stopped suddenly and her face fell.

"But of course," the quill lowered and Rita stared daggers at Lin. "Little Miss Perfect wouldn't want that story out there, would she?"

"As a matter of fact," Lin said in a fake sweet tone. "that's exactly what Little Miss Perfect does want."

Rita stared at her. So did Harry and Fred. Hermione smiled.

Luna just stared dreamily out into the distance and sang 'Weasley is Our King.'

"You want me to report what he says about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Rita asked in a hushed voice.

"Yes we do." Hermione said. "The whole true story. All the facts. Exactly as Harry describes them. He'll give you all the details, he'll tell you the names of the undiscovered Deatheaters he saw."

"The Daily Prophet would never print that, you silly girls." Rita remarked.

"But Luna here, has a father who's the editor of The Quibbler." said Lin, giving Luna a small smile. "Her father has agreed to help us."

"The Quibbler?" Rita cackled. "You think people will take him seriously if he's published in The Quibbler?"

Lin glared at her.

"Some people won't," Hermione said simply. "but The Prophet's been suspicious these days- people could turn to alternatives."

"And I'm supposed to do this for free?" Rita demanded.

"Well yes," Lin said calmly. "Otherwise, as you well know, I will inform the authorities that you are an unregistered Animagus."

Rita looked like she was fighting an urge to throw her drink at Lin. "I suppose I don't have any choice have I?" sighed Rita.

"Daddy will be pleased." Luna said happily. Rita clenched her jaw.

"Okay Harry?" Hermione asked, turning toward him. "Ready to tell the public the truth?"

"I suppose." Harry said, watching Rita position her quill at the ready.

"Fire away then, Rita." said Lin, leaning back in her chair, satisfied. Fred squeezed her hand even tighter, signifying his pride in her.

+++++

"Toast?"

"No."

"Bacon? You love bacon."

"No."

"Or at least some pumpkin juice won't hurt—"

"I don't want anything, Hermione." Ron said through gritted teeth.

It was finally the day of the quidditch match. It was odd seeing Harry and the twins without their quidditch robes, when the rest of the team was sitting with them.

As always, he refused to eat anything out of nervousness.

Lin felt weird wearing quidditch robes. She felt comfortable, but she was still insecure about it. Harry and Hermione were busy trying to comfort Ron.

Her expression must've been showed concern because Fred turned to her and spoke. "How're you feeling?" he asked concerned.

"Fine." Lin mumbled, not bothering to him in the eyes.

Fred gave her a look. "No you're not. Are you nervous?"

"Yes."

"Are you excited?"

"No." She turned towards him.

"What's with all the one word answers?" Fred said aspirated.

She sighed. "I'm just worried I'm gonna screw the whole thing up." Lin looked back down at her half eaten breakfast.

"You're not gonna screw it up." Fred was serious for the first time. He took Lin's hand in his, under the table. "I've seen you practice with the team. You're just as good as Harry, if not better. You're gonna be great, and I'll be cheering you on in the stands." He gave her a small smile, hoping she'd return it.

She finally smiled and some of the nervousness went away. "I think I'm ready." Lin whispered softly.

"For the match?" Fred asked in confusion.

"No." Lin let out a chuckle and her smile never left. "To tell everyone. After the match."

Fred's smile grew even wider. Everyone was still not focused on them.

"I'll make you a deal... You cheer me on and if I win, we'll tell everyone in the afterparty."

"Deal." Fred said. He resisted the urge to punch the air. Things were going in the right direction for him.

"Come on Ron..." Hermione said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I mean- it's only just a game, isn't it?"

"Hermione," Harry shook his head. "You're good on feelings and stuff, but quidditch isn't just a game."

"Maybe not," Hermione said sourly. "But at least my happiness doesn't rely on Ron's goalkeeping ability."

+++++

The quidditch field stands were already with the Slytherin's horrible singing of 'Weasley is Our King.'

"Captains," Madam Hooch addressed Angelina and Semmerby, the gryffindor and hufflepuff quidditch captains. "shake hands."

They shook hands and gave each other a respectful nod.

Weasley cannot save a thing
He cannot block a single ring
That's why Slytherins all sing:
Weasley is our king!

Ron was now visibly shaking with anger, embarrassment, and worry.

"Players, mount your brooms!" Madam Hooch shouted. "Let the game begin!" She blew her whistle hard and everyone flew up into the air on their brooms.

The match wasn't that long so far, but the Gryffindors were losing. Severely.

Ron hadn't saved a single goal out of the fourteen chances. Hufflepuff had 140 points and Gryffindor had none.

The singing grew even more louder. But why did Kai hear voices from the Gryffindor stands?

Weasley can save anything
He never leaves a single ring
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our king!

The Gryffindors were being orchestrated by Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and Pavati. It was a new version of 'Weasley is our King.'

Now the Gryffindors drowned out the Slytherins.

"Zacharias Smith is going to shoot!" Lee's voice boomed through the stands. "He's going for it— and- THE GOAL IS SAVED BY RON WEASLEY!"

Ron was beaming with pride, the quaffle in his right arm.

The Gryffindors burst into cheers and they sang the new song even louder, making sure Ron heard it.

After that, Ron never missed a single goal.

Lin was still searching frantically for the little golden nuisance.

"You've got this, Lin!" Lin heard Fred's voice from the stands.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lin spotted something shiny and gold, reflecting the sunlight. It was hovering only a few feet away from Hufflepuff's seeker, Rolf Scamander.

She thought about what to do for a second. Rolf wasn't stupid, Lin knew that from DA meetings. If she dived for it now, he'd know, and he was closer.

Lin zoomed to the opposite direction, knowing he'd follow suit. She turned around to make sure Rolf was taking the bait.

When he almost caught up to her... Lin made a sharp turn and headed to the snitch. It was still in the same spot but was not zooming away from Lin's near grasp.

Rolf noticed her turning around and followed her, seeing the snitch too. He had a better, faster broom so he easily caught up with her.

They were now neck in neck, arms extended at the ready.

Lin stretched as far as she could. Her fingers closed in around the small golden ball.

She held it up to signal the victory. The Gryffindors cheered so loudly, she was afraid her eardrums would burst. Lin's eyes raked the sea of red and yellow, searching for Fred.

Her eyes met his and they both smiled. Lin flew down to the ground to meet the rest of the team. Harry and Hermione congratulated Ron and Lin. George was there to celebrate, but Fred was nowhere in sight now.

"Where's Fred?" Lin asked out loud. Hermione gave her a knowing look.

George shrugged.

"PARTY IN THE COMMON ROOM!"

+++++

Ron walked into the common room, changed and showered, quidditch house cup carried high above his head proudly.

The whole common room cheered.

Lin hadn't seen Fred since their brief eye contact.

Ron was in the middle of a crowd, still holding the trophy.

Lin, Hermione, and Harry were surrounding him and cheering too.

Someone tapped Lin's shoulder gently, making her turn around. Fred was standing there, looking very confident for some reason.

He grabbed her by the waist and connected their lips in front of the whole Gryffindor house.

She was surprised, but kissed back shortly after and her hands flew up to cup his face.

The common room cheered even more loudly than they did before.

Fred and Lin pulled away for breath, but Fred still held on to her waist.

She seemed to realize they were in front of almost the whole student body and blushed heavily. "This was not according to plan." Lin whisper-scolded.

"Who cares about the plan?" Fred teased. He was secretly relieved Lin agreed to tell everyone now.

Hermione and Harry were smiling happily at their friends. Ron however, looked less than pleased.

He now had an expressionless face. Lin was like a sister to Ron. A weirdo, dark-minded, yet cool, sister. But if she had to date someone, might as well be someone in his family.

Ron finally smiled. The late reaction was good enough for them.