Taking::Zoey::Out::of::tha::Pic.--{Lils and Niki}

[Zane Lestrange]

The late Saturday afternoon provided the perfect time to go down to Hogsmeade. The streets were relatively quiet, no longer filled with third years on their first visit to the wizarding village. A cold autumnal breeze caught the shoppers as they hurried from shop to shop desperate to get out of the cold. Golden and red leaves were just beginning to coat the edges of the town, as they fell from the small clump of trees, on the way up to Hogwarts.

The leaves made a nice crunching sound underfoot, as Zane Lestrange made his way down towards Hogsmeade. Usually he would have been there earlier in the day, but not this time. No. This time he was meeting someone. The same someone who had sent him a letter a few days previously. The handwriting was a neat script on a sheet of lilac paper, signed with the name, Zoey. It was Zoey Abercrombie who Zane was going to meet now, in a cafe he had only heard of, having never of had the pleasure of having to visit. Madam Puddifoot's wasn't exactly the place you would wish to be associated with, but considering the circumstances, Zane was happy to ignore that fact.

He had memorised the contents of the letter, having told no one not even Lily or Nikita what it said. It had been an invitation to the Triwizard Ball and a suggestion that they should meet up in Hogsmeade that following weekend. It had been so out of the blue that Zane hadn't even considered it yet, he hoped that this afternoon might make up his mind for him. He was sure that Zoey would have asked Noah, her fellow Champion, to the Ball, but no, it seemed as though, for once, Zane had been mistaken. He opened the letter once more and read it through carefully:

My Dearest Zane,
I can't stop thinking about last Christmas and that kiss under the mistletoe. It was truely magical. I was just wondering if you would like to come to the Triwizard Ball with me and whether you would like to meet up on Saturday in Hogsmeade. Maybe we can continue where we left off last Christmas.
Thinking of you,
Zoey
XxXx

Upon receiving the letter, Zane had merely replied that yes he would like to meet up in Hogsmeade, making no mention of the Triwizard Tournament. He hadn't even told the others that he was going in to Hogsmeade today, he had told them that he would be staying in the Library working on his Potions essay. As if they would believe that, but still it seemed to have worked, there had been no sign of them so far. Taking a quick look over his shoulder before leaving the main street, Zane dug his hands into the pockets of his red hoody, trying to keep out the cold. There was the cafe, looking as pink and well disturbing as other Gryffindors had described.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, imediately feeling the warmth rush through him. Spotting Zoey across the room, he headed over to sit at that table, before ordering a hot chocolate. "Hey," he said with a smile. "Thanks for your letter." Zoey Abercrombie's letters were famous, you knew she liked you if you were among one of the chosen few to receive one, or even get a Christmas card.

[Lily Potter]

News spread like wild fire, even news that the person it peratined didn't want anyone else to know. The whispers had started that day, after Zane's mysterious dissaperance. The rumors of Zane going to meet up with a certain Hufflepuff about the Triwizard Ball had gotten the whole school talking. NOt all of it was good talk. Most of the girls in Gryffindor, younger students if you will, were utterly pissed. "Zane Lestrange going with Zoey? Didn't you see him and that Potter girl the other night in the Common Room?"
Many girls were jealous of those lucky enough to call Zane their good friend. Loads more were jealous of the girls that were luck enough to say Zane liked them. Lily Potter was among the girls jealous of Zoey. Yes, she had intended to ask Zane to the ball. Hence the reason she was furiuosly storming down the path to Hogsmeade. She had been sure she had him hooked while they sat in the Common Room the previous week. Being a Champion was nothing if you didn't have the right date. She is only doing this to piss you off. She doesn't want Zane. She had to constantly remind herself of that fact. She had heard the girl talking about the secrete kiss the two shared. She said it was nothing at all.
The angry red head ducked her head aganist the cold. A gust of wind blew her hair away from her face, reveling the true expression she wore. Grief. Pure grief rested on every wary line on her pretty face. Never, in her fifteen years of life had she thought Zane would sink to this level. Zoey would pay, oh she would. Tucking her arms across the uper most part of her stomach, Lily shivered. Having not been outside, she wasn't aware of the cold she would have to face. Her slightly thick, gray shirt provided no protection from the cold.
Looking up at the empty streets, Lily caught hold of her destination. Madam Puddifoot's tea shop. The cavern for couples in need of alone time to cuddle together. Sighing, she ducked her head again and pushed through the cold. Not only had she thought Zoey would go with Noah, she thought the girl had no intention of breaking anyone's heart. If Zane truly did like that girl, then he might be crushed when he found out that she didn't really like him back.
Finally arriving at the shop, Lily pushed open the dark wood door, reveling the warmth inside. Instantly, her frozen fingers were warmed and the smell of freshly brewed tea hit her in the face. She smiled for a moment, her focus becoming foggy. Quickly, she shook off the sense of peace. Her green eyes darted around the room. She spotted Zane and Zoey. She frowned at the two as she made her way over to them. Zoey's back was to her, thank God. "Hello." she said softly as she made her way up to their table.

[Nikita Snape]

A evil laugh struggled out of a six years mouth, as she headed towards Hogsmeade, with her head down, trying to keep her nose warm. She also was one of the many whom had heard about Zane Lestrange taking Zoey Abercrombie to the Triwizard Tournament. 'Oh, please... there's no way they will be going together. I'm just simply not gonna let it happen. Zane wants to go with, Lily, I just know it. I'm just gonna have to take out Zoey, that way the two can be together...' These thoughts belonged to Nikita Freya Snape, as she shuddered when a big wind swept up her way. She scampered along faster, running quickly into Madam Puddifoot's tea shop.

Nikita shoved the door open, running into the room ever so quickly. She shrugged off her jacket, hanging it next to many others. She sighed, rubbing her hands together, trying to create friction. She walked up to the main area, sitting down on a stool. In the process of walking towards the stool, she had given the many unlucky students, an evil glare, which made them run out of the room very quickly. She smiled at this, asking for a mug of Butter Beer. She received it quickly, chugging it down. She sat it back on the table her eyes scanning the room, for her friends. She saw only one of her friends, whom was the talk of the school on that particular day. Then there was Zane's friend, Lily, whom she didn't particularly hate, or dislike at all. Slowly, her eyes rested evilly on Zoey Abercrombie. What a slut. Who did she think she was asking the one and only Zane Lestrange, whom was suppose to be going with Lily, in her mind. She just snorted, looking Zoey up and down.

Nikita hoped up from her seat, walking over to the three. Her eyes stayed focused on Zoey, with a wicked grin on her face. She sat down next to Zoey, not fully wanting to. She looked at Zane, and then at Lily, and sighed. "Well, well, well... what is going on here?" She said with a hint of humor deep in her voice. She loved interrupting Zoey, and Zane, not giving them any time to talk to each other. She smiled warmly at Lily, and winked at her, giving the hint that she wasn't there to hurt her. She was actually there to help. Surprisingly enough, she felt like she needed Zane to be with Lily, and that they both needed each other. Her pale blue eyes searched the three, her eyes showing warmth to Zane, and Lily, but wickedness to Zoey.

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[Zoey Abercrombie]

Zoey hadn't been waiting long, it had only been minutes ago since she had stepped through the threshold and sat down at this very table. The edges of her white skinny jeans had just about dried off thanks to the warmth of the cafe. She put her hands in her pink hoody pockets whilst she waited for her hot chocolate and her date. Many people had been wondering why Zoey Abercrombie had asked Zane Lestrange to the Ball. Only she knew the true reason, but of course she wasn't about to divulge that to anyone. Minutes later, with hot chocolate in hand, Zoey saw Zane approach the cafe. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed he was wearing Zoey's favourite hoody, of course he didn't know that. "It's ok, thanks for coming," she said quietly when Zane was sitting comfortably. She offered Zane a marshmellow from her saucer as they waited for his hot chocolate.

A sudden breeze swirled around the cafe as the door opened once more, although Zoey did not turn to see who had entered. One. Two. Three On the third second a quiet hello could be heard. Looking at Zane's smiling face, she could tell it would be a Gryffindor, most likely going by the name of Lily Potter. Before she had had the chance to respond, another person had approached them and sat down next to her. Nikita Snape. Oh great. I thought this place would be private? I was obviously mistaken.

[Zane Lestrange]

Zane smiled as he saw Lily approach the table. A few seconds later he caught sight of Nikita. So Lily had lived up to her promise from yesterday, that she would come and provide back-up. "Hey Lily, Niki," he said, trying to avoid the look of annoyance that was plastered across Zoey's face. "Zoey I, need to tell you something," Zane didn't want Zoey to wait any longer. He had to tell her now, so that she knew that he was going with Lily and not with her. "I can't go to the Ball with you, sorry," he looked her straight in the eyes as he said this, wanting her to know that he was perfectly serious. "Why don't you ask Noah instead?" He quickly broke eye contact when he noticed the change in emotion swiftly cross Zoey's face. Zane glanced at Lily and then Nikita, who seemed to be keeping their distance.

[Lily Potter]

A smile of pure enjoyment crossed over Lily's bright face. She watched Nikita walk up, an unusual thing for a Slytherin to have anything to do with two Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff. It mattered not why she was had come, it only mattered that if a fight did, possibly start, it would be two on one. Good odds for Lily. Though she wanted Zoey to know that Zane wasn't going with her, she really wanted Zane to leave the suspense in the air. But no. Zane said flat out that he wasn't going with her. "Yeah, and you'd better ask him fast. I've heard Malfoy is, what is the word for it? Oh, in love with him." she said, raising an eyebrow before moving away from Zoey and behind Zane. She watched Zoey, a sickeningly sweet smirk on her face. "Sorry 'bout you, Zoey." she said, looking innocent. She didn't want Zoey to find out too soon that she would be attending the ball with Zane. Zoey had to be surprised.

[Zoey Abercrombie]

Zoey just looked into Zane's eyes as he told her that he couldn't go to the Ball with her. Her expression changed from that of a sweet happy Hufflepuff to one of pure hatred. "I hate you Lily Potter. I only asked Zane because I knew it would annoy the hell out of you. The way you follow him around, hang on his every word, laugh at any joke he tells, I've got one word for that, and that's obsession." as she said this she took her wand from her pocket. "And you," she turned her attention to Nikita, "why are you here? Why should you care who Zane...oh I see," Zoey laughed as she realised Niki must like Zane, otherwise she would have left them to it. "Oh don't worry, I won't tell them your little secret Nikita," Zoey said quietly turning her attention back to Lily. "Oh and for your information, not that it's any of your business, Noah's already asked me to the Ball," She paused, staring at Lily, watching the insincere smile on her face. "If you ask me Zane, you can do a lot better than these two, well a lot better than her," she pointed at Lily. "Oh don't look so surprised," she said quietly as a look of confusion spread across Lily's face. "You're not the angel you make yourself out to be. I can read you like a book, all those dark secrets you never want anyone to know. Actually I might share them with Nikita and Zane, what do you think?"

[Nikita Snape]

Nikita started cracking up as she heard Zane turn Zoey down, then her face turned immediately serious as she listened to what Zoey said to Lily, then her. Her mouth dropped, and she had her normal evil glint of hatred in her pale blue eyes. "Oh hell no, Zoey. You think I like him?! No, bitch I don't. Unlike you... 'cause I know you were dying to go with him to the ball... but he's just too damn good for you. Sorry. I'm here because I like watching 'good' students fight. It's interesting how y'all handle things. I mean... I handle them differently. So, why don't you back the freak off, okay? 'Cause no one here wants to hear you stubborn, preppy mouth run. So shut it miss. priss. And, get over Zane, and yourself. Oh, and there's no way you're gonna go with Noah... he's going with Corliss." Nikita paused to shrug her shoulders lightly. Then she continued slowly, "Looks like you're out of options... including James, 'cause he's going with his new girlfriend Lilah. Oh well."

Nikita laughed evilly, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder to give Lily, and Zane a happy look. She then twirled a long piece of hair in her pointer finger, grabbing another butter beer out of the passing waitress' hand. She drank it slowly, happy with her snappy, and yet bitchy, response to Zoey. She sighed, placing her mug back down on the table before looking at the shocked Zoey once more. "The worst part is... that you actually thought I was a nice person, and that we would become friends." She cocked her head to the side, flipping her bottom lip out as if she were pouting. "Sorry, I guess you read me wrong... but i read you right. I guess that means I'm prettier than you, sly-er than you, more likeable than you, AND smarter than you. You're basically nothing compared to me. You don't even have a remembered last name, Abercrombie. I mean seriously, what did your parents do? Exactly... nothing compared to what my father did. Just go crawl into a hole and die Zoey... no one wants you here." She did a little wave with her hand, a smirk on her face.

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[Lily Potter]

Temper flaring, Lily watched Zoey, her eyes blazing. She couldn't go to far, not yet. When she was out of sight and Zoey was near, she would be sorry for saying those rude things. Very sorry indeed. "Ah. I knew it. By the way, I'd bet that Noah only asked you to make you feel like you actually mean something to our school. Really, Abcrombie, you mean nothing to me nor Miss Snape. Go on and say you hate me, it tickles me to see you fume. Things will only get worse from here." she said, the hint of fake sweetness long gone from her tone. She had half a mind to send the girl flying back into the far wall. That wouldn't be nice, now would it? Zoey deserved something though, something far worse than anything Lily could unleash on her. This was the last straw. Zoey had no right to say these rude things.
"Well, Noah could do a lot better than you. I think that you should go crawl in a hole a die. No one wants you here Zoey. No one." she spat, her Lily smile covering her face. She found herself resting her hand on Zane's shoulder, looking down at him. She gave him a small, sad look before glaring at Zoey again. "What secrets might you be talking about? You couldn't possibly know anything about me. Your to obbessed with you oh so important 'circle'." she said, mustering as much venom as she could. You just couldn't mess with a girl like that. No one could. No way, no how.

[Rosie Lupin]

Rosie had been by herself as she wandered aimlessly through the streets of Hogsmeade. The icy claws of winter were just beginning to strengthen and hold their grip on the castle and surrounding area. Pink tinged the petite, auburn-headed girl's cheeks and nose, giving her a rather lively look. The woolen mittens on her hands and the carefully knitted scarf around her neck were both presents from her father's mother. Each were dearly needed in the biting cold.

As she rounded the corner, scrunching up her nose to get feeling back into the thing, her hazely-green eyes had the chance of glacing into the sickeningly cute tea shop on the corner. She'd never actually been there. Whenever her and Ted had went out, they'd gone to the Three Broomsticks, as she didn't exactly adore Madam Puddifoot or her little cafe. However, there were four people inside that she knew only too well. Three from personal experience and one from the constant talk around school about her. They seemed to be arguing about something, and Rosie couldn't help but notice the completely panic-stricken face of Zane in the background.

Oh, the poor dear.

It seemed the girls were fighting over him. And, the moment Rosie entered the tea shop, she realized that her thoughts were indeed correct. Most of the other occupants of the place had stopped all conversation to watch and listen to their heated debate. And frankly, Rosie would rather not have the four of them making fools of themselves. So, she marched over, and cut right into the conversation while the hormonal girls took a moment to breathe.

"Jesus, you three," she scolded the three girls. All three were younger than her and all three taller, but still, she seemed to be able to command a reasonable prescence in the room. "He's just a boy." She turned to Zane for a moment to mutter, "No offense, love," before swiveling to the girls again. "Don't be hacking away at each other's heads for him. He'll love who he loves and no amount of cutting words will change that." No matter what one could say about Rosie, they could never deny that she knew what she was talking about.

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[Zane Lestrange]

Zane just sat there, occasionally sipping his hot chocolate which the waitress had hurriedly placed on the table before returning to the back on the cafe. He had no idea what to say or what to do. The polite exchange of greetings had now turned into a rapid exchange of insults, which never seemed to cease. There were several options. One, he could try and intervene, but that of course could just make things worse. Two, he could head for the door, again that would probably cause issues. Three, he could stay put and hope for a miracle. Zane chose option three, hoping that the three girls would just run out of steam anytime soon. The minutes dragged on, and it was still going on. I need a miracle. And that was when the chime above the door went off again and in walked Rosie Weasley. He listened to her words, not really taking anything in, but the others seemed to have paused to listen to her. Peace at last.

[Lily Potter]

Lily waited for Zoey to respond to what she had said, but the girl didn't have time for it. Roise hurried in right when Lily was going to ask her if she was going to answer any time soon. She smiled brightly at her cousin. "I wasn't fighting over anyone! I was defending my rights! Did you not hear her? She wasn't being very nice, Roise." she said, her voice warm until she ended her statement. Her eyes scanned the Hufflepuff girl's expression. I wish I could wipe that ugly smile from her ugly face. she thought, praying Zoey was stupid enough to listen in on her thoughts. She smiled warmly at Rosie again. "I'm sorry, Zane." she said quitely, looking down at him. He looked so cute when he was in an awarkard stop in a conversation. "Ok, Rosie. Okay." she finished, looking at Zoey while she spoke to her cousin.

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