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Tweak says, "Then shalt thou count to three"

Ali. (spinswildly) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-01-01 03:43:00

Entry tags:

!1998: 01, !incomplete, adrian pucey, alicia spinnet, graham montague, katie bell

WHO: Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Adrian Pucey and Graham Montague.
WHAT: After discovering Katie's parents are gone the girls make their way to Adrian's so Alicia can pick up Ryan.
WHEN: Straight after this.
WHERE: Adrian's home.
RATING: TBD.

Finding out Katie's parents had... simply gone was awful and that was putting it lightly. She had no idea what Katie must be going through right then and she knew she could never really imagine it either. After they'd gone through that horrible process Alicia had quietly asked that they pick up Ryan before heading home; she wanted, needed, to see both him and Adrian safe and sound despite the fact that she knew they would both be ok.

Alicia took Katie's hand so they could apparate together, making sure her friend didn't get lost in the way. It felt good to be on familiar ground when they made it to Adrian's. "Won't be long and we can go home. I just need to get Ry." She told her friend apologetically, giving her a sad half smile before going to find Adrian and coming face to face with Graham Montague instead. Oh, wonderful. Alicia threw a sidelong look to her friend before looking back to Graham. "Be nice. Ok?"

"I'm always nice," was the answer to that and Alicia had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at him. Idiot.

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goldenchaser
2010-01-03 04:54 am UTC (link)

Katie was grateful of the hold Alicia had on her hand once they'd parted company from the twins, her mind reeling with all the scary possibilities. She wanted to believe they had left of their own accord and that they were safe, but it wasn't easy to be reassured when they had found nothing, no sign of where they'd gone or when. Katie was left to wait - for word from them, for their bodies to be found. She wanted to think positively, but it was difficult to focus on the positive.

It was easier to side-along. Katie wasn't sure she could focus enough to go on her own without splinching. She tried to put on a brave face, but she was scared and she was grateful for Ali's understanding.

"Alright." She nodded her head, happy they wouldn't have long to go before they could head home, even if she didn't fancy having to make nice with her friend's boyfriend, but she told herself it would be but a minute and then they could go home and she could wallow with ice cream and the wireless or something.

Instead, there was Graham. Why did she have to see him on tonight of all nights. She hated him. She hated even more than she said "I'm always nice" in a perfect echo of his claims when Alicia said to be nice, not clear on which of them she was talking to.

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greenauror
2010-01-03 05:01 am UTC (link)

Adrian could not have been more relieved when he heard Alicia's voice in the other room. Ryan had fallen asleep moments before and he'd been getting him settled in the bed he now kept on hand for him before heading into the washroom to clean up a bit when he heard the voices in the front room.

Relief flooded his features as he rushed to greet his girlfriend. He didn't even both to hide how happy he was to see her here and well and in once piece and he was instantly pulling her into a tight hug. It was the kind where he lifted her easily from her feet as he pulled her against him. The other occupants of the room could be easily forgotten for a moment, but he called upon some reserves of self-control and managed to keep their greeting brief.

"I believe you and Katie are acquainted," he offered in lieu of an introduction, a slight smirk dancing across his features as he shared a look with his friend. It might have been almost imperceptible, though, because soon he was addressing Ali again.

"He's fast asleep," he murmured quietly. "I'd hate to move him so late. Why don't you stay here tonight?" he offered. His motives weren't entirely innocent or unselfish, but he didn't think anyone could blame him for wanting to keep his girlfriend close tonight, after everything.

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ex_dutybound169
2010-01-03 02:51 pm UTC (link)

He hadn't expected to see Katie there at all, he hadn't come over to see her but just to be there for his friend, unspoken support. As much as Katie enjoyed thinking he was an asshole he wasn't, Adrian was one of his best friends and he knew how this must be worrying him, how it was getting to him.

Graham said nothing during the brief exchange between Adrian and Alicia, eyes carefully downcast to give them at least some privacy. Though he did get a rather harsh glare at that comment, it wasn't like that subject needed to be brought up right now.

"Are they ok?" Graham asked Katie softly, ignoring Adrian and Alicia to focus on the blonde in front of him. His eyes were genuine, concerned and worried for her. Oddly enough he really wasn't the asshole she thought he was, granted he could be a bit of a cocky dick but that usually just kept things fun.

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spinswildly
2010-01-03 03:02 pm UTC (link)

Alicia had been talking to them both in away, Alicia knew Katie's views on people like Graham and Adrian and while she trusted Adrian, Graham was a whole other subject. She was polite, nice and friendly enough but the man had yet to do much to earn her trust though she was trying hard not to hold the fact that he was a Slytherin against him.

Arms were instantly around Adrian, hugging him tight for that brief moment and for the first time in the past couple of days she smiled and it was genuine and happy, glad to be safe in his arms even if it was only for a moment.

That smirk was noted along with the return glare, eyes flicking from Adrian to Graham but she'd ask about that one later. Something was going on but right now wasn't the best time to ask.

She wanted to, she wanted to stay but worry for her friend made her pause, eyes resting on Katie for a moment. "I can't, I need to make sure Katie gets home..." she told him softly, voice dipped low and worry was thick in her tone, regret there too. "She needs me." And she hoped those words would convey why Katie needed her without having to say it. "Maybe he should sleep here for tonight."

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goldenchaser
2010-01-03 03:55 pm UTC (link)

There was absolutely nothing to it and she shot Adrian a look of her own when he made that comment. Of course. Of course Graham would have told him. Of course. He probably bragged about how he'd tricked Katie Bell into bed. Knowing that Adrian knew just made her hate him more.

She could only stare at him when he questioned her. Stare and shrug, anyway. "I don't know," was all she said, arms hugging around herself, her gaze much less defiant that it ordinarily would be. The last thing she wanted was to have a moment with Graham Montague, but she didn't have it in her to fight right now.

"It's alright, Ali," she murmured as she overheard a little but of the conversation she was having with Adrian. She didn't like the man, but she knew Ali probably needed him just as much right now. She knew, also, that she wouldn't like the idea of spending the night away from her son.

"I'm fine. I can get myself home. You should stay."

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greenauror
2010-01-03 04:03 pm UTC (link)

Adrian wasn't thinking about the idea that Maybe Katie hadn't told Ali about her and Graham. He knew the pair weren't exactly on friendly terms, but they weren't exactly in the forefront of his mind right now. His concern was all for his girlfriend and son at the moment. He didn't have much room for anyone else.

"I understand," he told Ali, because he did, even though there was a little bit of a pout, because he wanted to be selfish and keep her here with him and Ryan. He agreed that Ryan should stay here. He was already asleep. Adrian had no wish to wake him.

"Gray could always see her home," he suggested slyly. Knowing Ali, she wouldn't want Katie going alone, especially right now. He was sure his friend would welcome the opportunity, though, and if it would get Ali to stay, he wasn't above making the suggestion, regardless of whether or not Katie was likely to be a fan of the idea.

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ex_dutybound169
2010-01-05 12:02 am UTC (link)

This was just going bloody great, Adrian was going to completely ruin any chance of getting her in the sack again if he carried on, asshole. For the moment though Graham ignored Adrian and his idiocy and focused on Katie. She didn't know? He frowned, "they weren't there?" That wasn't exactly a good sign. "Maybe they went into hiding?" Was she halfbood? muggleborn? Graham didn't actually know, it wasn't like he'd ever actually cared very much and he didn't ask the girls he slept with. "I'm sorry."

At the suggestion of Gray taking Katie home he looked a touch surprised then realised that a) Alicia probably wouldn't allow Katie to go home alone and b) if he went with Katie then Alicia would stay. Slytherins, they were sneaky like that.

"I'll go with you," he agreed even if she hadn't agreed, eyes flicking to Alicia who he figured would be the deciding factor in all of this. "You should't go on your own."

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spinswildly
2010-01-05 12:07 am UTC (link)

Home on her own? No way. No way was Katie going home on her own. "No. You're not going on your own, it's not safe," she told her friend sharply and there was no if buts or maybes to her tone. There was no way in hell Alicia was allowing her friend to go home on her own after a night like this.

And then Adrian suggested Gray. Eyebrows shot up a little as her gaze settled on the other Slytherin who then agreed to go with Katie. Arms crossed over her chest, giving Adrian a questioning look before returning her attention to Katie. "You can't go alone," she ventured lightly, a touch of a plea in her eyes. It wasn't often that Alicia spent the night away from Ryan and right then she could do with both her son and boyfriend, it was selfish and awful and she felt truly bad but they were all having a rough time.

"He could take you right home and then leave?"

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goldenchaser
2010-01-05 12:21 am UTC (link)

No. Fuck no. That was what Katie would have normally said to the idea of letting Graham Montague accompany her home. It was the last thing she wanted, but even without the pleading in her eyes, Katie knew Ali wanted to stay. She knew, also, that her best friend wouldn't let her go home alone.

It wasn't fair. A choice between willingly spending time with a man she despised or being selfish and forcing one of her absolute best friends to spend the rest of the night away from her son. It absolutely wasn't fair, because there was no choice there, really.

"Alright," she agreed, though not without her own reservations. She wasn't letting herself appreciate the sympathy in his eyes or his tone from a moment before. She wasn't letting herself trust him. But she'd do this for Ali. Let him see her home and then he could leave.

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greenauror
2010-01-05 12:28 am UTC (link)

To be fair, Adrian wasn't trying to get Gray into any trouble. He just couldn't help being amused at the irony of it all. He knew Ali's friends weren't exactly approving with their relationship, so it amused him to know Katie had slept with Gray, even if she was being completely thick about it.

This was an ingenious plan, he thought. Ali would stay here, Gray would get some time alone with the blonde. It was perfect. He was immensely pleased with himself for coming up with it.

Maybe it was an asshole thing to do, but in his defense, he needed this time with Alicia just as much as she did with him.

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ex_dutybound169
2010-01-05 07:38 pm UTC (link)

Her reaction surprised him, it honestly did. He didn't expect her to agree quite so quickly but then he was easily slipping into a grin, something a little smug and like gaining a victory."I'm be a good boy, just like last time, promise." He imagined that wouldn't go down well but she'd agreed and really that was all that mattered right?

Graham held his hand out to Katie, the tiny smugness gone and he just smiled. "Lead the way?" He had no idea where the girls lived and so he would have to side-along apparate with her, which forced touching which amused him all the more.

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spinswildly
2010-01-05 08:01 pm UTC (link)

Alicia smiled when Katie agreed, giving her friend a grateful look, glad that she had so she could spend time with Adrian and her son when she needed them. "Thank you," she mouthed to her friend, knowing that Katie already knew how much it meant to her, how much she needed this right now. They were both scared and worried, Katie's family having gone missing and Alicia not knowing what was going to happen to her or Ryan.

"Graham, be nice or I'll hex you into next year. I don't care if you're Adrian's best friend, I mean it." And she so definitely would if he even looked at Katie wrong and upset her. Alicia gave him one of her sharp glares, one of those looks you learn as a mother, all sharp and 'no' without even saying it.

"Sure you're ok with this?" Alicia asked Katie, still worried about her as she moved to give the blonde a hug. "They'll be ok, we'll find them and everything will be fine." She hoped so anyway.

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goldenchaser
2010-01-08 06:26 pm UTC (link)

No, no Katie wasn't remotely alright with this, but she knew that Ali wanted her to lie and say she was. She wanted to stay here with Adrian and with Ryan and while Katie didn't remotely understand what her best friend saw in the boy, she didn't want to be the reason she couldn't stay here with her son.

Graham's comment earned him a sharp glare, not just from Alicia, but from Katie as well and she looked at the hand he held out as if it was plague-infested. Ugh. Did she really have to touch him? There had to be another way, surely. He didn't know where they lived, though, and Ali wouldn't let her go alone. There was no choice.

"It'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" She hugged Alicia, wanting nothing more than to change her mind and beg her to come along, but she knew she couldn't.

"Let's get this over with," she muttered to Graham, taking his hand, but holding it as loosely as she possibly could as she apparated them just outside the wards around the place she shared with Alicia and Angelina. With any luck, she'd splinch him along the way.

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greenauror
2010-01-08 06:53 pm UTC (link)

It was hard to fight a smirk at Graham's comment and he couldn't resist choking out a "Have fun! Don't do anything we wouldn't do!" after them when they finally popped out. He couldn't help himself. The whole Katie/Graham situation was highly amusing.

Soon, though, his attention re-focused on his girlfriend. His arms slipped around her and he pulled her in close, his lips pressing to her forehead as he just held her for a moment.

"I'm glad you decided to stay," he murmured, lips still pressed to her head as he spoke softly, letting his guard down a little. He wasn't likely to let many people see how worried he was about all of this, but Ali was different. He could be a little more vulnerable with her, even if he wasn't admitted out loud just how terrified he was that something could happen to her or to their son.

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spinswildly
2010-01-09 01:20 pm UTC (link)

Alicia let the comments pass for a moment, instead just settling into him and giving herself a moment to collect herself. Here she felt safe and it allowed her to relax, just a little. "Me too," she told him softly, arms lifting to move around him as she could hold him close. She kissed him softly, pulling back after a moment to sigh. "They were gone," she told him softly and it was scary to put it into words. Gone. Simply gone. She hoped they'd done it by their own choice, left because it was safest for them and Katie.

What was going to happen to her? to Ryan? Alicia pushed aside those thoughts, she'd thought about it too much already and right then she just wanted to be with Adrian.

"What's going on? Between Katie and Graham?" She finally asked after a moment, head dipping back so she could look up at him.

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greenauror
2010-01-15 12:42 am UTC (link)

Adrian nodded, not saying anything further, because on top of not knowing what to say, he was selfishly focused on his own loved ones. Her. Ryan. Katie would be alright, he was sure, and he knew his girlfriend was worried about the blonde, but he really just wanted to focus on them at the moment.

He was a little wrapped up in his doting little touches - a hand in her hair, one on her cheek - when she dipped back to question him and it was a distracted "hmmm?" he answered her with at first as his own head dipped down to brush a tender kiss over her jaw. That little bit of affection had his focus more than her question did and it took him a second to process what she'd asked him.

"He shagged her awhile back," he added, supplying an answer, even if his focus was still on her and the way her skin tasted as his lips brushed over the side of her neck. Really, that was much more interested than whatever game Gray and Katie were playing, wasn't it?

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