The Man in the Bushes

Quinn was walking down the sloping lawns down to the road that led to Hogsmeade, her book tucked under her arms when suddenly a deep voice whispered in her ear.

"Long time no see Eldens."

Quinn gasped, whipping around.

"Ugh Albus don't scare me like that." She said shoving him in the arm.

"So I see you've gotten nerdier." Said Albus glancing at the books she was carrying.

"So I've see you've gotten taller." Quinn retorted. He snickered lightly.

"So, where are the others. Have they gotten tired of your obnoxious presence already."

"Nah. They have dates." Said Albus coolly.

"Dates?" asked Quinn.

"Well you see it's this thing where two people who like each other spend time together."

"I know what a date is. I was surprised, that's all. So if both of your mates have gotten dates than which unfortunate girl have you roped into going with you?" asked Quinn.

"You."

"What?!" shouted Quinn, dropping her book.

"Geez woman, chill out. I was only joking." Albus said picking up her book. Quinn sighed in relief, continuing down the road through Hogsmeade.

"So where do you want to go?" asked Quinn pulling Albus from his thoughts.

"Oh umm how about The Three Broomsticks? We can grab some butterbeer."

"Sure, that sounds nice."

They entered the large pub, the walls practically bouncing with sound.

"Follow me." Shouted Albus taking the lead. Quinn grabbed his hand as he squeezed between two bulky wizards, clearly arguing about something.

"Nah man I swear I didn't take your galleons!" Said the man with the bushy beard.

"Well then why isn't it in my pocket?" Said the thinner of the two.

"Maybe because your ruddy clothes are so old they can't old nothin'!"

The men's voices faded slightly as Quinn and Albus made their way over to a table across the room from the arguing men.

"Grown men arguing over pointless things." Sighed Albus.

"I know right! People these days are so immature." Said Quinn nodding vigorously.

"So you like mature guys huh?" asked Albus taking a swig of his drink.

"Yeah I guess you could say that. Why?"

"I dunno." He said shrugging. "For future reference?"

"What do you mean?" however at that moment the two, well I guess you wouldn't call them gentlemen, began fighting ferociously, their fists flailing wildly as a crowd began to gather.

"Let's get out of here" said Quinn..

"Yeah."

"You want to head up to the shrieking shack?" Asked Quinn as they made their way out of the three broomsticks and strolled up the lane.

"Sure, you know people say that old place is haunted."

"Oh really? Umm. Well. Ohh let's go to Zonkos." Said Quinn hurriedly, turning on the spot to head back down the lane.

"Wait!" said Albus catching her arm and wheeling her around to face him.

"Are you afraid?" he said sneering leaning down toward her face.

"I..I… Of course not!" Stuttered Quinn. Albus smiled playfully, dragging her by the hand up the slope.

"Come on it's not that bad."

They reached the shack, its dingy walls and windows evident in the twelve o'clock sun.

"See look" said Albus gesturing at the house. "It's harmless." Quinn glanced around suspiciously, noticing the overgrown shrubbery that was making its way up the wall. However, something still seemed off about the place, and as Quinn bent to inspect the porch rails she noticed the tip of a wand peaking out from within the bushes. A plan was formed in that moment and before she knew it, the plan was being executed. She marched toward Albus, stood on tip-toe and hugged him whispering.

"Trust me."

Then she placed her hand firmly on his chest, glancing at the wand point again, that was now pointed at his head, and she tackled him to the ground, Quinn resting on top of him, just as a spell shot over their heads.

"PATRIFICUS TOTALUS!" Quinn shouted pointing her wand at the bushes. There was a loud thud as something within the bushes tipped and fell. Quinn stood up and marched over and dragged out the something that fell, or, more accurately, the someone.

Albus stood watching her examine every aspect of the house, she moved with such grace that it was basically an art form, Albus smiled as she ran her fingers along the house, but it was when she stooped, studying the porch rail, that it happened. She straightened up suddenly and marched toward Albus with a determined air. Fear permeated Albus' usually cool appearance. She stood before him and raised herself on her tip-toes, approaching his face with hers. His stomach lurched and before he knew it he had decided to act, without thinking. His hands were pulling her closer by the waist. She moved in towards his face and he closed his eyes preparing for the moment. But it never came. However, she did say something.

"Trust me." Then she placed her hand on his chest and her foot behind his then she peered over his shoulder, and pushed him to the ground. Knocking the wind out of him as her weight fell on top of him. Then he heard her shout.

"PATRIFICUS TOTALUS!"

He heard a loud thud as something within the bushes fell. Quinn shot up and dragged someone out of the bushes.