CHAPTER 12 | RACHEL'S VCR !

            KENNEDY FEELS LIKE A TERRIBLE cat owner. She's barely had time to spend with Sawyer since arriving at Hogwarts. Sawyer's an independent young cat, always out on his little adventures, but Kennedy still wants to spend quality time with him. She tends to spot him prowling the hallways of Hogwarts on her way to and from classes but by curfew, he's on her bed waiting for them to curl up together and sleep.

Still, it seems that Sawyer still remembers that Kennedy removing her braids means stretching and lazing in her lap. So there he was — laying on her crossed legs as she cut and undid her braids. She wanted her afro out for the Yule Ball — it would go better with the dress she brought. It was a Saturday morning so Daphne was at Quidditch practice, Pansy was thankfully elsewhere and Rachel was laying half off her bed reading one of her books about herbal medicine.

"How long does that take?", Rachel asked, referring to the take-down process. "Couple of hours, if I'm gentle and want to maintain the growth — which I do", Kennedy answered truthfully, "But it's alright. I'm used to it". "You won't get bored?", Rachel asked. Kennedy shrugged non-committedly, "Not something I think much of".

"I could put a movie on for you, if you'd like. Some background noise", Rachel offered, turning over and placing a bookmark in her book. "That's one of those Muggle things, right?", Kennedy asked. "Yeah, it's basically a picture but there's a whole story and a score and acting. It's like a recorded play".

"I thought muggle technology doesn't work in Hogwarts?", Kennedy asked. "I bought this off a seventh year that just graduated. It works", Rachel bounded off the bed to her trunk, "It's a portable TV with a VHS player built in".

"I definitely know what all of that means", Kennedy snorted as she cut into another braid.

"Bottom line, there's a screen and I can put in tapes to watch movies. I only brought my favorites — the classics. Some old Disney movies like Cinderella and Bambi, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins and a couple of others", Rachel went on and on as she brought out a little contraption with a screen and some kind of input area. Kennedy assumed that's where the tapes go.

"Since all of those names mean nothing to you, I'll just put on Cinderella and see how you like it", Rachel said as she put in the tape, "Dee liked it. She'll probably be quite cross when she hears we watched it without her. She especially liked her dress — she based her Yule dress on it".

Rachel made her way to sit beside Kennedy and pet Sawyer just behind his ears. Sawyer purred appreciatively as Rachel continued, "By the way, who're you taking to the ball?". A gentle dreamy score filled the room as Kennedy nibbled with her lip, "You know, I'm not sure". Rachel blinked in an odd mix of surprise and realization, "Won't you ... ask Daphne?".

"That sounds right, I suppose. I just ... I'm not sure if I see her that way anymore". The faint sound of a narrator's warm and soothing voice filled the room as he began telling the story of a kind and hard-working girl named Ella. "That checks out", Rachel admitted, "You haven't been obnoxiously flirting or staring at each other for quite some time now".

"I ... you know, I still want to go with her. Just not, romantically. I'm not sure ... It's all quite confusing".

"Tell you what, still ask her ... that's if you were originally intending to. If you do still ask her, just kind of leave it open-ended. By the end of the night, I'm sure you'll have figured it out and know how to continue".

"That's a whole lot of faith in my ability to figure it out, Rachel".

"You can do it", Rachel chuckled.

"How do you think I should do it?", Kennedy asked as she continued to undo her braids. Sawyer had now moved to Rachel's lap and Rachel was having the time of her life cooing and playing with him. "Well, since it's not romantic anymore, you can't do too much because it would send the wrong message", Rachel paused before amending, "Okay, maybe not a wrong message, but an outdated one".

"Right. So, should I just ... 'Hey Dee, would you like to go to the ball with me?'".

"Sounds like it. Anything more and you're veering into romantic territory I can tell you don't want to veer into".

Kennedy snipped at another braid, "But, where should I? At least the location should be nice enough so she doesn't feel like an afterthought".

"Maybe you can just feel it out", Rachel said before pausing to coo at Sawyer and scratch behind his ears, "When it feels right, you just ask and see if she says yes".

Kennedy hummed non-committedly as she tried her best to be patient and not rip through a knot that formed in her hair. "And what about you, Rachel?".

"What about me?"

"How're you asking Eshaal?".

Rachel lit up, "Oh. Well, she loves owls. Like loves loves loves owls so I'm going to ask her in the owlery. Obviously, it's gonna be decorated and stuff. I figured out a couple charms to mimic the glow of pixies and how to get them in different colors. Her favorite color is yellow so I'm going for mainly that and some amber and reddish tones for a bit of variety".

Kennedy blinked as the chirping of birds and Cinderella's sweet hopeful voice played from the TV, "Wow. You've put a lot of thought into it".

"Only the best for my girl", Rachel grinned.

Kennedy couldn't help but smile wider. She really loved love, even if she didn't give it much thought a lot of the time. She met the occasional son or daughter of one of her Papa's clients and had felt fluttering childish feelings for them occasionally, but nothing of note. She supposed Daphne fell under that category now. She didn't quite like it — not because she wanted Daphne to be a prominent figure in her life romantically, but because she was a prominent figure in her life in general and it felt odd for her to be lumped in with all of those people she felt feelings for a night and no longer.

Her feelings lasted almost two months — she supposed she could count Daphne as her first real crush.

That felt more right. That felt like where Daphne should be.

Cinderella's clear and operatic singing voice rang around their dorm as Rachel hummed the tune under her breath and gently petted Sawyer. Kennedy was half-way done now and if she had any shame, she would probably ask Rachel to leave. But it's expected, there's no way her hair could be expected to be neat after being braided for two months.

It took the end of Cinderella (upon seeing her dress, Kennedy could understand why Dee chose to base her dress on it) and the beginning of Bambi before Kennedy finished removing all of the extensions.

"Fucking finally", Kennedy finally allowed her arms to drop as her head thunked against her mattress. "Next time, you should teach me, so I can help", Rachel offered. "I'll take you up on that", Kennedy mumbled, "Now I have to wash it and oil it and condition it and ugh ... I'm not leaving the dorm today. I'm wearing a bonnet for the rest of the day. I'll deal with picking it out tomorrow".

Kennedy pushed herself up before grabbing her hair toiletries bag and heading for the washroom, "I'll probably be an hour or so. See you then". Kennedy grabbed a pumpkin pasty from the carton to munch on as she went.

"See you", Rachel echoed. The washroom shut before Rachel allowed her eyes to linger on Maman Vernier's pumpkin pasties.

.·:••●••:·.

            EVEN THOUGH KENNEDY WAS PRESENT, she has no idea how she ended up here — in the Gryffindor Common Room, comforting Ron Weaskey because he just got rejected by Fleur Delacour. Kenn was sitting in the left armchair while Ginny sat in the right armchair, comforting Ron, who was in the main chair.

"It's alright, Ron. Really", Ginny said in a soothing voice as she rubbed Ron's back. Ron didn't appear to have heard her. He was staring into the fire, ashen faced.

"Ron?", Harry asked. He must've just walked in. Harry paused, seemingly taken aback by something on Kennedy's person. He opened his mouth to speak, an awed smile forming on his face but Ron interrupted him before he had the chance.

"Why did I do it?", he whispered wildly, pulling at his ginger locks. Ron looked up at Harry with a sort of blind horror on his face. "I don't know what made me do it!".

"What?", asked Harry.

"He — er — just asked Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him", Ginny said. But she didn't sound extremely sympathetic. She was fighting back a smile. Still, she kept patting Ron's arm sympathetically. Kennedy understood the struggle. They made eye contact above Ron's head and fought back against a good laugh.

"You what?", asked Harry. "I don't know what made me do it!", Ron gasped, looking up frantically between Kenendy, Ginny and Harry. "What was I playing at? There were people — all around — I've gone mad. Mad, I tell you! Everyone was watching! I was just walking past her in the entrance hall — she was standing there talking to Diggory — and it sort of came over me — and I asked her!".

"You moreso shouted it than anything", Kennedy amended. "Then Kennedy rephrased it for him in a more soothing way—", Ginny added. "In French. Thought the mother tongue would make it sound a bit sweeter. More romantic, you know? But then, I forgot some words so there was a bit of English sprinkled in there. Not too sure how much that helped but she got the message".

"Ron, if you told us beforehand, I would've helped prepare you", Kennedy huffed, "It didn't have to be this way".

"Bugger off with your logic. I'm sulking and I don't wanna hear it", Ron placed his face in his hands before sighing and continuing, "She looked at me like I was a sea slug or something. Didn't even answer. And then — I dunno — I just sort of came to my senses and ran for it."

"I had to pick up his bag for him because he dropped it in his haste. You're welcome for that, by the way", Ginny quipped.

"She's part veela", said Harry. "You were right — her grandmother was one. It wasn't your fault. I bet you just walked past when she was turning on the old charm for Diggory and got a blast of it — but she was wasting her time", Harry said bitterly, slightly pouting, "He's going with Chaerin Chang".

"Shiiiiiiit", Kennedy murmured.

Ron looked up in question, "How'd you know that?".

"I asked her to go with me just now", Harry said dully, "and she told me".

Kennedy reached out and silently rubbed Harry's back. Rejection stings. She's not speaking from experience but she can imagine.

"This is mad", said Ron. "We're the only ones left who haven't got anyone — well, except Neville. Hey — guess who he asked? Hermione!".

Well, they weren't the only ones left but Kennedy didn't feel like outing her dateless status.

"What?" said Harry, completely distracted by this startling news. Kennedy snorted fondly. What a little gossip.

"Yeah, I know!" said Ron, some of the color coming back into his face as he started to laugh. "He told me after Potions! Said she's always been really nice, helping him out with work and stuff — but she told him she was already going with someone. Ha! As if! She just didn't want to go with Neville ... I mean, who would?".

Both boys began cackling. "Ron, that is so mean!", Kennedy chided him just as Ginny said, "Don't laugh".

Just then Hermione climbed in through the portrait hole.

Hermione came and paused slightly at seeing Kennedy, "Your hair, Kenn — it's beautiful!", Hermione exclaimed. Kennedy beamed, "Thank you, 'Mione".

"Why weren't you two at dinner?" she said, turning to the boys.

"Because — oh shut up laughing, you two — because they've both just been turned down by girls they asked to the ball!" exclaimed Ginny.

That shut Harry and Ron up.

"Thanks a bunch, Ginny," said Ron sourly.

"All the good-looking ones taken, Ron?", said Hermione loftily. "Eloise Midgen's starting to look quite pretty now, is she? Well, I'm sure you'll find someone somewhere who'll have you." But Ron was staring at Hermione as though suddenly seeing her in a whole new light.

"Hermione, Neville's right — you're a girl..."

"Oh well spotted," she said acidly.

"Well — you can come with one of us!".

"No, I can't", snapped Hermione. It seemed it wasn't the first time they were having this exchange.

"Oh come on," he said impatiently, "we need partners, we're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any, everyone else has..." .

"I can't come with you," said Hermione, now blushing, "because I'm already going with someone."

"No, you're not!" said Ron. "You just said that to get rid of Neville!"

"Oh did I?" said Hermione, and her eyes flashed dangerously. "Just because it's taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn't mean no one else has spotted I'm a girl!"

Ron stared at her. Then he grinned again. Kennedy could tell he was about to say something incredibly stupid.

"Okay, okay, we know you're a girl," he said. "That do? Will you come now?"

Kennedy rolled her eyes so hard she saw colors. Boys.

"I've already told you!" Hermione said very angrily.

"I'm going with someone else!", and she stormed off toward the girls' dormitories again.

"She's lying," said Ron flatly, watching her go. Kennedy scurried over to follow her, "'Mione, who're you going with?". Hermione turned to face her with a light blush before whispering, "Viktor".

"Merlin, Viktor Krum asked you?", Kennedy excitedly whispered. Hermione shyly nodded. Kennedy jumped for joy, "Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Do you have any idea where or when you're getting your dress?".

"It's being fitted for me right now at that new store in Hogsmeade—"

"Gowns & Glamour?".

"Yes! That's the one. I just have a couple adjustments to make to it but it's supposed to be ready come Christmas morning".

"Ooh, that works perfectly with me. My Papa told me about the ball before we got here so I had a gown made before arriving. It's in my trunk but I need to get some accessories and such so I have to stop by there as well. Daphne and Rachel also have to pick up their gowns from there Christmas morning. We can go together! If you want, you and Ginny can even come over to our dorm to get ready after we pick them up. Pansy's never in the dorm anyways".

"That sounds lovely, Kenn. We'll talk more about it later, yeah? Ron's rubbish has tired me out", Hermione flicked her eyes over to the boys before rolling her eyes. "He's just being stupid. You know why, right?".

Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes, "I do".

Kennedy pulled her in for a hug, "G'night 'Mione. Rest well, alright?".

"Night, Kenn", Hermione smiled and waved as she walked towards the girl's dormitories.

Immediately Kennedy returned to the main group, Ron immediately asked, "Who's she going with?". "Not your business until she chooses to tell you", Kennedy cooly replied.

"Have you figured out what you're going to do about Daphne?", Harry asked her.

Kennedy hummed, "Rachel gave me some advice. I'll just ask her and over the night I'll feel out if it's romantic or not. But, right now, I'm leaning towards not romantic. But, I'm not sure. I'll still ask her though".

"What's your plan now though? Seeing as you decided to ask your crush's date".

"I do not have a crush on Pretty Boy Cedric—"

"Alright, alright then. Fine. What's your plan now?".

"Ask the next girl who walks through the portrait hole", Harry earnestly answered. Kennedy rolled her eyes, "You're going to be a shitty date". Harry didn't seem entirely disturbed at the notion.

The next girl who walked through the portrait hole was Parvati Patil. She said yes to Harry. Kennedy could see him haggling to see who could be Ron's date and thinks they might have settled on asking Padma, Parvati's sister, but she wasn't sure. Wasn't her concern anymore.

She had spotted the Weasley twins coming out of the boy's dorm and had an urgent question to ask.

"Fred and George", she called out. "Kennedy", they both said, one after the other by half a second.

"What can you tell me about Filch's patrol patterns?".

"What will you be needing it for?", Fred (?) asked, crossing his arms and leaning down to cock his head to the side mockingly.

"Nothing that will interfere with your fun, I can assure you. Just a bit of fun for the new kid", Kennedy smiled in a cheshire-like manner.

Their eyes glinted with the same desire for mischief. It seems they recognized that. Fred (?) started, "Right, so here's the deal with Filch's patrols. He starts his rounds at the top of the hour, always looking like he's just chewed on a lemon. He starts precisely five minutes after curfew—exactly when you want to be tucked away and out of sight. Always get a headstart. You don't want to be looking for a hiding spot while he's already started his rounds"

The other twin chimed in, "First off, he'll lumber down the main staircase from the entrance hall, muttering about how he'll catch the 'little miscreants' tonight. At this point, your best bet is to duck behind the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy—it's a classic hiding spot. He's blind but his hearing's bloody stellar to make up for it so make sure you're quiet. If the purpose of all this is for snogging, I'm afraid you'll have to keep the moans to a minimum".

"The purpose of this is not for snogging—", Kennedy defended but they paid her no mind.

"Yeah, yeah. That's what they all say. Anyways, once he's made his way through the entrance hall, he heads toward the dungeons. If you're sneaky enough, you can slip into one of the empty classrooms on the second floor. Just be careful not to trip over any furniture—Filch has ears like a hawk, and he won't hesitate to come poking around if he hears the slightest noise".

George (?) added on, "Take advantage of corners and hallways. He doesn't check anywhere twice. Once he's gone down a hallway, just stay there until you can't hear him anymore. Hiding in the library is always an option. The bookshelves are great cover and it's always the last place he checks. There's a side door you can escape out of if he ever catches you in there. Just keep an eye out for Peeves; or befriend him like your friend Rachel did."

"Honestly, if he'd just pay attention, he might actually catch us! But as it stands, we could slip right past him dressed as ghosts, and he wouldn't know what hit him", Fred (?) remarked and they all snickered.

"Look at you, chatting it up with a Slytherin", Kennedy dryly commented. "I've got my doubts but you're alright, I suppose. You only just became a Slytherin", one of them shrugged before the other added, "Everyone else is fine with you and you haven't done anything downright ... snakey".

"That was a terrible pun".

"Not the way we see it", they chorused and made their way towards Seamus and Dean's game of Wizard's Chess. Kennedy went and sat down beside Harry, resisting the urge to play with his hair. She remembers how it felt by the Black Lake. It's so soft, but it looks so spiky. Like a porcupine.

"Were you gathering intel from Fred and George just now?", Harry asked.

"Yep. How to sneak around and avoid Filch. I already figured out Snape's routine and something is telling me that we'll need to do a lot of sneaking around for the upcoming tasks".

"Yay", Harry dryly remarked. Kennedy chuckled before Harry finally spoke up. He looked at her, but a little higher and that awed expression from before they got swept up in Yule Ball drama returned, "I really love your hair, Kenn. It's beautiful".

Kennedy grinned widely and absent-mindedly played with the baby hairs coiling at the nape of her neck, "Thanks, Harry. It's a lot of work, which is why I don't have it out as often. But I wanted my afro for the ball. Goes better with the dress I have in mind".

"What's the dress like?", Harry asked curiously.

"Can't tell. I need to have a super dramatic reveal like Cinderella did".

Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise, "You've watched that movie?".

"Just yesterday. Rachel has a TV and CVR with a bunch of tapes, so we watched Cinderella and a bit of Bambi as I was taking down my braids".

"You mean a VCR?", Harry chuckled. "Yeah, that", Kennedy laughed.

"I haven't watched a movie in forever", Harry mumbled. "I'll ask Rachel if we can borrow it then. We can look through her tapes and find something".

"I'd like that", Harry smiled and avoided eye contact, instead staring into the warmth of the fire. Kennedy wasn't entirely sure why, but she avoided eye contact too.

.·:••●••:·.

            THE RIGHT MOMENT to ask Daphne never really came. It was a little past midnight, Sawyer was snoring lightly, Rachel was asleep, Pansy was asleep but both Kennedy and Daphne were awake. Daphne wasn't doing much, she was just reading one of those muggle books she had borrowed from Rachel. Vanity and Bias by Jean Austin or something of the sort.

"Dee", Kennedy gently called out. Daphne lifted her head, "Yeah?". Kenn gently got out of bed, careful not to disturb Sawyer, grabbing the spare blanket she leaves laying on her trunk before sitting on Daphne's bed.

"Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Daphne blinked. "As friends or ...".

"You're my best friend so I'm going to be honest with you — I'm not sure. Is that alright?".

Daphne pursed her lip but nodded, "I feel confused as well. We can just use the ball to feel it out". They stared at each other, a slightly awkward silence hanging in the air before Daphne said, "Oh, I never gave you an answer. Yes, Kennedy, I would love to go to the Yule Ball with you as your date".

Kennedy beamed and hugged her. She could feel how Daphne's smile bunched up her cheeks against her neck.

It didn't feel romantic. Not at all. But she loved it all the same.