Disclaimer: I own nothing of value.
A/N: These one-shots were written for the Cookie Jar of Chasing the Snitch. I figured I'd post them here because people have been asking me if there are any other H/A stories. Sadly there aren't really. It's also to apologise for the lack of Sugar and Spice updates. You won't have to wait much longer. I'll eventually post three of these one-shots. I hope you enjoy them! They were great fun to write.
I wrote this specific one-shot before OotP, so for obvious reasons it's AU. It's set in Alicia's last year and it doesn't have anything to do with the plot of Sugar and Spice.
I adjusted my glasses and straightened my robes. Honestly, I've faced dragons, Death Eaters and a Dark Lord. Why should I be scared of a girl? Ron always said a girl would be my undoing.
I guess that's why I couldn't talk to her. Fear of rejection. Inferiority complex. I would have made an interesting case for Sigmund Freud. He'd have some complicated psychoanalytical reason for my behaviour, but the truth it that I'm just a coward.
What if she laughs in my face? Not that she's the type to do that. As far as I know, Alicia Spinnet is a kind and loyal girl. Not that I know this from experience. Just observation. I do a lot of that to make up for being too frightened to talk to her.
Anyhow, I remember a couple of months ago when Malfoy was picking on Neville in Hogsmeade. Ron and I had been about to step in when Alicia appeared out of nowhere and took Neville firmly by the hand. Malfoy just gaped stupidly as Alicia led a very startled Neville into the Three Broomsticks and proceeded to buy him a Butterbeer.
I don't even think Alicia knew Neville very well. She just saw a fellow Gryffindor in trouble and stepped in. She managed to embarrass and stupefy Malfoy without uttering a syllable. From that moment I was hooked. But I wasn't the only one. Neville was all red faced and goggle eyed for weeks, though he's back to following Ginny around now.
That leaves Alicia to me. Or that was the plan at least. Now I wasn't so sure. I'd been furtively watching her for nearly an hour and a total of seven guys had tried to chat her up. Not that I was counting, of course.
Alicia turned away each hopeful with an apologetic smile, which confused the hell out of me. Gryffindor had just made it into the Quidditch final and we were in the midst of one of the wildest parties ever. Everyone seemed to be snogging someone else.
Not Alicia though. She was sitting in an armchair by herself.
The only logical explanation I could come up with was that she already had a boyfriend. Of course, I could always just go and ask her. Cold sweat slid down my neck at the very thought. Or perhaps not.
I peered around the common room and spotted Angelina and Katie sitting at a table. I had a great idea. I could ask them if Alicia had a boyfriend! That way I wouldn't have to confront her personally.
I wiped my sweaty palms down my robes. As casually as I could, I wandered over and took a seat across from the girls.
"Oh, hello, Harry." Angelina smiled up at me. "Enjoying yourself?"
I nodded politely. That was about all the small talk I could abide. I was liable to burst if I didn't get my answer. "Can I ask you girls a question?"
Katie stopped examining her nails and looked up with sudden interest. "Sure, Harry."
I shrugged nonchalantly. "I was just wondering if Alicia has a boyfriend?"
Angelina raised a curious eyebrow. "Why?"
Did I mention I was about to burst? "Does it matter?"
"Well, people don't normally ask questions like that unless they..." Katie trailed off.
"You like Alicia!" Angelina exclaimed.
My stomach suddenly jumped. "No, I don't. Forget I ever said anything. I'm going to go...over there."
Katie didn't even hear me. "Fred, George! Get over here!"
I felt like bashing my head on the table as the twins stopped trying to force-feed Crookshanks a Canary Cream to join the conversation.
"What's going on?"
"Guess who Harry likes!"
Oh, no.
"Alicia!" Katie announced excitedly.
"Ickle Harry likes our Leesh?"
"Apparently."
"I don't! I asked a simple question!"
It was too late though. My life was as good as over.
"Hey, Seamus! Harry likes Alicia Spinnet!"
"Really? Oi, Dean!"
And it went from there. I slouched in my seat for a while. The news spread like wildfire and people began to look at me. At this point I'd had enough and I retreated to my room. I'd probably have to leave the country and become a fugitive like Sirius. I could learn to like eating rats. Really, I could. There was no way I was ever going to live it down.
xxxxx
Alicia sipped Butterbeer in her armchair, oblivious to the whispers concerning herself and the Boy Who Lived. She probably would have remained oblivious if it weren't for the Creevey brothers. The two of them were having a conversation behind Alicia's armchair.
"Did you hear who Harry likes?" Colin squeaked.
Alicia's interest peaked at the mention of Harry's name.
"Ooh! Who does he like?"
"Alicia Spinnet. You know, from the Quidditch team!"
Alicia almost choked.
"Really!"
"Yeah! Harry likes Alicia! I heard it from Neville who heard it from Ginny who heard it from Dean who heard it from Seamus who heard it from Fred and George. They heard it from Angelina and Katie who got it straight from Harry's mouth!"
"Wow!" Dennis sighed, obviously impressed that his brother was so high up the gossip chain.
At first Alicia figured she had misheard, but there was no mistaking it this time. She scrambled up and peered over the back of the chair. "Are you serious?"
Both Creevey brothers jumped in surprise.
Colin cringed. "Whoops."
"Eep," was all Dennis could manage.