Spring started to really show itself, slowly the days became warmer and the students were happy to be able to go to Hogsmeade. Alice had talked with Fred and they decided to meet up later at Rosmerta's. For now, the red head went exploring together with Amara. Cedric had a date with Cho, although he had seemed to contemplate not going.

"You know, I don't think Ced and Cho will be a thing for long," said Amara on their way to the village.

"Why's that?" asked Alice curiously.

"For one, they are totally different characters and secondly, she's really pushy, haven't you noticed?"

"I don't know...but now that you say it...she really loves to go to that pinkish tea shop...what's it called again?"

"Madam Puddifoot's," said Amara with a grin. "It's the most couply thing to do but Cedy hates it. It's too sweet and full and cute. Not at all what he likes."

"Poor lad," said Alice equally grinning. "

The girls looked at each other and burst into laughter. Then they went to get some sweets at Honeydukes. Alice really loved the peppermint toads. The feeling was so funny when they jumped inside her stomach. Amara however couldn't resist the chocolate cauldrons. They decided to get Cedric something as a surprise after his date, so they bought him some jelly slugs and Fizzing Whizbees. Then the two made their way to Rosmerta's.

The twins were already waiting there together with Ginny and Alyssa. They were deeply in conversation when Alice and Amara arrived. They didn't even look up until the girls sat down.

"Oh love, it's you," said Fred surprised.

"Well, yes. You were the one who suggested meeting here" said Alice, giving him a peck on the cheek.

"That's true," said George. He took the time and ordered two drinks for the two while Ginny was writing down some strange names.

"What are you doing?" asked Amara.

"George and Fred were discussing names for new items to sell. Me and Ginny found them and offered our help," said Alyssa.

"But they haven't come up with anything useful," said Fred, earning a smack from his sister.

Alice laughed while taking a sip from her freshly arrived butterbeer.

"Well, what have you come up with? What are the new products about?" Amara seemed eager to listen. Alice knew that her friend loved everything joke related, so the twins' shop really resonated with her. They quickly delved into a heated discussion about the products and about product names.

Alice leaned back and listened. She loved how their eyes lit up every time Fred and George talked about their shop. It was a dream come true for them and Alice wished with every fibre of her being that their dream would become reality more sooner than later. After all they had been making money and saving it for quite some time now.

After leaving Rosmerta's they crossed paths with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Alice could swear that she had also seen a large black shaggy-looking dog just behind them. But when she looked a second time it was gone, so she just dismissed it as a trick of the light.

Walking up the stairs to the entrance hall, Alice stomach began to rumble as the delicious smell of dinner reached her nose. She hadn't noticed how hungry she had become. Walking through Hogsmeade was always so exciting that she tended to forget everything else.

When they sat down on their respective tables, Alice looked over to Cedric.

"How was your date Ceddy? Anything exciting happened?"

"Oh, it was okay I guess," said the boy. "I mean, there's nothing better than drinking tea in a pink shop. But having to sit there for over two hours, that's just torture."

"Oh, poor wittle Ceddy-boy," said Amara with a grin.

"You know, I don't understand why you're still together if you hate it that much. It's more torture to be together than to break up if you're not happy. At least talk to her," Alice looked at her friend. She had been really happy for him to have found a girlfriend, but she also didn't want Cho to be led on by him.

"I know, I know. And I will but after the third task. I just can't deal with this right now, especially because I do still like her. It's just not how I imagined it to be," sighed Cedric and put food onto his plate.

"Don't stress yourself out, Diggory. Maybe our little gift from Honeydukes will make you feel better," said Amara and handed him the little package. The boys face lit up immediately. The girls had picked just the right things for him.

On Monday morning Alice sat down on the Gryffindor table for breakfast. She wanted to talk to Alyssa about the upcoming Easter holidays and if the girl had planned to go home. But all was forgotten when the first Owls had arrived, and Hermione had received letter after letter. After opening one after the other it was quickly clear that the article about the girl in the Witch Weekly had sparked some jealousy and hatred for Hermione.

Alice sat right next to the bushy haired girl and read one of the letters. It was a vile message full of hate. It said that Hermione should go back where she came from and that Harry deserved better. Alice shook her head.

"Blimey, what has the world turned into. Some people have just rubbish in their brains," said Alice just as Hermione let out a squeak. She had opened another letter and had been sprinkled with what seemed to be undiluted Bubotuber pus.

"Oh no, Hermione! Let's get you to Madame Pomfrey, shall we?" said Alice and looked at the girl sympathetic. Hermione nodded and stood up.

Madame Pomfrey decided to let Hermione stay there for the rest of the day, as it took some time to heal the wounds caused by the Bubotuber pus. But Hermione insisted on resting for just one period.

"I need to be there for Care of Magical Creatures. I can't just sit out a whole day of classes," was what she had said, and nobody had dared to disagree with her.

It was the end of the Easter holidays. Alice had stayed at Hogwarts to learn as she still needed to catch up in most of her classes. They sat altogether at the Gryffindor table for breakfast as Hedwig, Harry's owl arrived with a package from Mrs Weasley. It was filled with Easter eggs for everyone. They were huge, the size of dragon eggs except for Hermione's. The egg the girl had received was merely the size of a chicken's egg and very loveless made.

"Your mum doesn't read Witch Weekly, by any chance, does she, Ron?" asked the girl quietly.

"Yeah," said Ron, whose mouth was full of toffee. "Gets it for the recipes."

Hermione looked sadly at her tiny egg.

"Don't worry Hermione," said Alice. "We can talk to her and tell her that it's all just a big load of rubbish that's written in there. For the time being you can have some of mine."

"Thank you," said Hermione but didn't seem quite as happy as she tried to be.