Sixth Year-Ink and Rails

[Bobby Britto]

Whether it was luck, fate, or just coincidence, Laun walked in front of Bobby on his journey through the Hogwarts halls to find him. "Laun!" he cried out for the Slytherin student wanting to get his attention and some advice on a personal matter. "Do you have a minute?" Bobby asked with a lingering hope inside.

Laun stopped in the hall and gave a bright smile, "What's up Bobby boy?"

"I need some advice...relationship, advice..." he said with a low voice.

"Of course," Laun threw his arm around Bobby, "what's up?"

Bobby led Laun into a more private part of the hallways, "Rose and I are at odds lately, and I don't know what to do about it....I try to get her to talk about last Summer and nothing. Lately, there's been some distance and it drives me a little crazy..." he confessed feeling like Laun could be trusted enough to share this bit of information. Although he wasn't a new student, Laun was a new friend to Bobby and a fresh perspective on matters. At least that's what the Gryffindor hoped.

"I never thought Rose could be distant," Laun's eyebrows furrowed, "what happened?"

"Are you familiar with what happened to her last Summer?"

Laun nodded, "Tommy told me a bit."

"All Summer, nothing. No real talks about it or anything, I mean I know she's been busy with her new sister, but I've been trying to help her get over it. And all I get is silence."

"Man," Laun sighed, "that doesn't sound like Rose."

"I know! Sadly....that's been her lately...and I don't know how to fix it...," he sighed lowering his head in defeat a little. "Any ideas?" he asked hopeful for a new perspective or idea.

Laun's face scrunched in thought, "And you've tried talking to her?"

He nodded quickly with eyes raised trying not to remember the train too much.

"Well," Laun gave another nod, "you still like her right?"

"Always, but I'm wondering if she needs me to back off or something...," he said in defeat not sure how to be helpful.

"Well admittedly," Laun laughed, "I'm not exactly the best person in the world to talk to about relationships. My experience with girls of the Ravenclaw persuasion haven't been that great."

"Yeah...Mine had a rocky start and right now it's the same way. Think it's just Ravenclaw girls?" he joked with a smile trying to ignore the problem just for a moment longer.

"The thing is," Laun gave another sigh, "I know Rose. I love Rose. But I don't know Rose that well, maybe you should talk to someone who knows her well."

Please don't say find Tommy, please don't say find Tommy" Bobby thoguht as Laun suggested someone else, but he decided to ask anyway, "Any ideas of who I should ask?" Maybe Laun was familiar with more of the Ravenclaws than he was, or so he tried convincing himself.

"The best person I can think of is," Laun grinned, "Tommy."

Suddenly lowering his head in defeat Bobby knew where he had to go, "I kinda figured..." he said low filled with complete defeat. This wouldn't end well, and he knew that. "Thanks Laun."

"Any time," Laun placed his hand on Bobby's shoulder, "You need anything let me know."

---

It had only been twenty minutes but it felt like hours since Laun suggested Bobby go looking for Tommy. Now, Bobby and Tommy were the best of friends, but Rose was one of Tommy's first friends. That alone made turning to Tommy's help in a situation like this difficult to say the least. Still Bobby ventured forthed into the common room seeking out Tommy. "Tommy, we need to talk," Bobby said to his friend staring at him trying to hide his fear of where this conversation could lead them.

"What's up?" Tommy grinned from the spot he was occupying on the wall, a grouping of younger Gryffindor's all gathered around him.

"What's with the grin, mate?"

Tom's head cocked to the side for a second then he gave a bit of a laugh, "Just been a good day," He threw his arm around Bobby, "What can I help you with Mr. Britto?"

Bobby sighed a bit knowing this conversation would probably not end that well at all, "Rose...I need advice about Rose," he said low thinking this would definatly kill Tommy's good day. The bond Tommy and Rose shared was very deep and she had probably already gone to Tommy long before Bobby even thought of the idea to talk to the lad himself.

Tom studdied Bobby for a second and then excused himself from the other Gryffindors around him, "Sure Bobby," Tom jerked his head towards an open classroom, "let's go in here it's more private."

He nodded walking into the class breathing out hard knowing Tommy already knew something, "Before I start...how much has she told you?" he said just wanting to get it out there.

Tom's head cocked to the side as he gave a half smile, "We've talked."

"What did she say?"

"That you two were having issues," Tom hopped up and sat on a near by desk.

Tommy's friend nodded solemnly, "We are and I've been tyring to fix them. Trying to help and...well...things usually get worse afterward. I've tried to get her to talk, tried to open up with her first hoping for the same....and nothing...." he said sitting down letting out a sigh. "Each day she becomes a stranger to me a little bit more..."

Tom looked down at the stone floor. He could feel Bobby's eyes on him. He nodded his head slightly before he spoke, "Bobby, have you ever thought you might just be making it worse trying to get her to talk? That maybe by pushing and forcing her to talk you are also pushing and forcing her away?"

"Yeah...but what else can I do? I try to get her to talk I get nothing. I wait around waiting for her to talk, she goes talks to others. It kinda hurt...when you got knocked out, I got my arm broken...I got a glimpse of other students. Everyone that had a boyfriend or girlfriend, tried to defend each other...Rose was nowhere near me, and not even really looking in my direction....Kinda hurt mate.."

Tommy's eyes registered a tiny glint of anger for just a split second, "Just cause she didn't lose her head and rush to your side," Tom said very calmly, "doesn't mean she didn't care Robert. Would you rather have her lose her head or be the person you fell for?"

Bobby couldn't disagree with his friend, between the two of them Tommy was the more analytical one. The blond teen nodded in agreement, "You're right Tommy...You're absolutely right, but it still doesn't change that her and I feel broken....And right now, I don't know how to fix it..." a said sigh escaped Bobby's lips as he looked up at the ceiling with a lost look painted about his face.

"Well," Tom rubbed the bridge of his nose, "that's the thing. The more you try to fix it, the more it seems that things fall apart right?"

"Yeah...and I really want to fix things...make things work. I'm just afraid it'll be like my dad said, 'Sometimes things can't be fixed,' and that has me a little worried. I'm scared we may be there Tommy..."

"Well Bob," Tom locked his eyes onto Bobby, "you are both my friends," he twirled his wand between his fingers, "I can give you all the advise in the world, but ultimately it's something you two need to figure out."

He nodded looking at Tommy happy that the answer was completely honest. What Bobby had expected was a complete and honest answer, that was along the lines of "It's all your fault, Bob." And although the words didn't provide some magical cure to his problems they were comforting in an odd way. At least Bobby wasn't the only screw up in this problem. "Thanks Tommy," Bobby said staring at his friend while speaking with honest heart-filled words, "Thanks for everything, mate." Although there was tears of sadness slowly coming down his eyes from earlier he was expecting most of the school to side with Rose thanks to the outburst on the train. Mix that with Rose's uncanny ability to be a compelling speaker, Bobby was half-expected to be treated like an ogre, troll, or even a death-eater. Tommy's words gave Bobby a very warming feeling, like maybe he wasn't such a monster.

Tom nodded, "You know I'm always here for you."

---

Although Tommy's help was great and they parted on a very good note, Bobby was still lost looking about for answers and guidance. He was looking about for another male friend, someone to help him. It wasn't until he saw Forster. Bobby had always considered Fors a good friend that he didn't talk to much which made the teen feel bad for a few moments. Still, the Gryffindor needed help and maybe Fors could help be the one to help him.

Forster waved, "Hey Bobby."

The Gryffindor smiled at his male Hufflepuff friend delighted to have bumped into him in a hallway between the great hall and the Hufflepuff home room, closer to the great hall than the Hufflepuff room. Bobby pulled his friend further away both homerooms, "I need some advice Fors and I'm not sure who I can turn toward. I need some advice about Rose..." the teen said with a desperate flare to his words.

Forster looked both ways. "Uhh... sure Bobby, but I don't know if I'm the best one to be asking, but what's wrong?"

"It's Rose...well, me and Rose. We've been fighting and it's like we're strangers that sometimes kiss...I don't know what to do!" Bobby spoke frantically telling Fors about the fights (previous post one on the train and one in the garden) and giving all the details to the Hufflepuff from his perspective. That since the incident last year the Griyffindor has felt put at a distance by his Ravenclaw girlfriend. Sure, at first it felt natural due to the birth of her younger sister, but as time went on it felt like it was more than just that. "And that's where I'm at and I don't know what to do."

Forster listened carefully, nodding his head. "I don't know what to tell you Bobby. I wish I had some magic words for you but I don't." He thought over the details for a moment. "This is probably the last thing you want to hear, but I'd almost say you need some space."

He nodded in an agreement, "Yeah...it does, but I still love her mate. So that's what makes me so confused on this. Can you need the space and yet love someone?"

"I think so." Forster nodded. "I'm no relationship expert, but it sounds like you guys are just setting each other off. She saying stuff and you aren't responding well to it, and vice versa. No malice intended.." He shrugged as he searched for the words. "I mean, is there anything that's drastically changed?"

"Something I can't explain really, it just feels different. Like you know when you can tell something's off, but you can't say why. It's like that."

"I'm at a loss for words, even though I keep talking." He reached out to pat his friend on the shoulder. "If I knew what to do, I'd tell you. But... I don't."

Slumping down slowly Bobby looked toward his friend, "Thanks, I appreciate it...I just don't know what to do, or where to go...I want to keep her with me, but I dont know...I don't know..."

"Then talk to her, bud. You could talk to everyone you know, and we could give you great advice, or we could give you bad advice, or even advice that conflicts with what someone else has said. But regardless, you're not going to get any answers until the two of you sit down and talk about the elephant in the corner."

For a few moments Bobby thought to himself truly taking in what Fors had to say, the guy had a very valid point. No matter how great, wonderful, horrid, atrocious, hideous, or stupendous it may have been, nothing would be solved until the blonde haired teen talked to Rose himself. Blue eyes looked toward Fors, "Thank you. I mean it, thank you mate," and with that Bobby did something he hadn't done before, the Gryffindor pulled his Hufflepuff into a hug.

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

The problem with grand plans was actually having to put them into motion. It had seemed so easy in her mind. Girls sitting around talking about boys; it was simple. But actually getting the girls into her room for the brownies and bonding... well that was a little more difficult.

Her closest girl friends were all so different. Would they even want to hang out together? After all, Nic didn't have a boy to talk about, that they knew of. Cee could talk about her boyfriend... but there was only so much she could say without scarring Cissy for life. That left Rose with talking about Bobby, a sure way to depress everyone in the room.

But still, the great girl night of nineteen eighty-eight had to start someplace. With that thought driving her, Rose started her search for her girlfriends in the most logical place she could think of. After a hushed greeting to Madame Pince, the blonde made her way through the smooth wood tables in the library.

"...so," she heard the voice of her housemate from behind a large stack of books, "if we add five grams of powdered lambis dust, how much juice of the sweetberry fruit will also have to be added to counteract it's effects?"

Cecelia's eyes screwed up toward the ceiling, "Ummm," she said playfully, "a deciliter?"

Smiling at her perfect timing, Rose didn't hesitate in breaking up the flirting. Sitting down beside Cissy, she placed her chin in her hand and pushed the books slightly so that they were between her young friend and her housemate. "Hi, Cissy. How's it going?"

Cecelia smiled, "Hey Rose what are you up to?"

Still ignoring Owen, the blonde smiled again. "Well... actually... I was looking for you."

The youngest Llewelyn smiled brightly, "Oh yeah?"

"We've been here at school for weeks now," she began dramatically. "And we haven't had any real girl time yet. Sooooo..." Green eyes sparkling, she leaned in conspiratorially. "I was thinking we should grab Cee, Nic, and maybe Reagan for a big girl night. No boys allowed... except for when we talk about them."

"That," she said her eyes sparkled, "sounds like a blast!"

"Great! I was hoping you'd say that." Finally 'noticing' Owen, she flashed the younger boy a quick smile. "Sorry to interrupt the study session, but I'm going to have to steal Cissy from you."

"Well we were in the middle of working on her potions homework..." he said, his eyebrows arching ever so slightly.

Though the smile never left her lips, the temperature at the table dropped sharply as Rose looked at the boy. "Well, since Cissy already knows that it takes 3 deciliters to counteract the effects of lambis dust, I'm pretty sure you'll both be okay. Besides, you wouldn't stand between two lifelong friends planning a fun night, would you?"

"Well since you put it that way," he closed the potions book and smiled at Rose, "I guess we could finish later."

"I knew you'd understand," the tiny prefect murmured. She still couldn't decide if she really didn't like him or if she didn't like him just because he wasn't Danny. With another, more genuine, smile she turned back to Cissy. "So, since you two are housemates, want to help me rope Cee into our girl night?"

"Always!" She giggled.

---

One of the best parts of being an upperclassman at Hogwarts was that you were able to cut back on the number of classes you were taking to concentrate on those that were required for the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests - or better known as NEWTs. The downside to having all that potential free time, was that those professors whose classes you were taking tended to pile so much extra work on the students that free time inevitably became study time.

Céilidh found herself in one of those free periods between classes, and had decided to use the time to do some advanced reading for potions class. The Gryffindor common room was nearly empty, and with a few rather pointed looks at the few lingering individuals and the portrait hole, the room was suddenly completely empty. Céilidh sat down in her favorite chair, tucking her legs beneath her and opened her potions text to the chapters they would be covering in the next class session. And that was when she heard the portrait hole open.

"Hey Cee," Cecelia threw herself into the chair, "What have you got going on this weekend?"

Céilidh loved Cecelia like a sister, but she'd just settled in and didn't want any distractions. "Quidditch practice, in case ye forgot. Studying. Mibbie sneak aff wi' Tommy tae fin' some mirk unoccupied neuk o' th' castle fur a guid snog," she said without taking her eyes away from her book. Cee smiled inwardly, knowing just what kind of effect that last comment would have on Cissy.

Cecelia shivered a little, "Well instead of doing that," she chirped, "Rose was wanting to do a girls night just us, and a few others. No boys or bothers, just fun. What do you think?"

Cee rolled her eyes. There was a very good chance that even if she said no, Cissy would badger her all week until she relented. The idea of a girls-only night was appealing, however, since it seemed like forever since she'd not had a boy in some form or function within arm's reach. Still, she couldn't let Cissy have the victory that easily...

"If ah say, aye, wull ye hing aff us?"

"It's gonna be great!" Cecelia squealed, jumping on Cee to give her a hug and knocking the potions book out of her hands. "Oh, I'm sorry Cee," the young blonde picked up the text and handed it back. "I'll let you get back to studying."

It was at that moment that the portrait hole opened up once more and what had to be the whole of the Gryffindor first-year class came stomping into the common room. Céilidh swore something in Gaelic, "Ah micht as weel try tae study wi' Peeves aboot."

"Were we ever that noisy?" Cecelia grinned.

Céilidh stood up and crammed her book back into her bag and threw it over her shoulder, nearly decapitating a nearby firsty, "We, na. Ye, och aye." She pushed her way through the throng of students milling around, and crawled through the portrait hole in search of some peace and quiet.

---

Nicolette enjoyed the quiet hallway as she made her way towards the tower, towards home. The evening sun ruddied the light seeping through the windows at an almost upward angle, catching every little dust mote that weaved its random path in the air. The sight of the evening in the air made the girl yawn, covering her mouth politely. One thing she hadn't taken into account with her use of the time turner was that she had more hours in the day now but was still on the same sleep schedule. A grin tugged at her lips as she considered using it to get a few extra hours of sleep in the morning as well.

The door to their common room loomed before her, the sides seamlessly melting into the wall on either side. Nicolette leaned in and stroked a single finger over the raven that was dozing in the middle of the door.

"A chaser flings the quaffle as hard as he can and it comes back to him without bouncing off of anything, having nothing attached to it, and no one else throws it back to him. How does the chaser do it?"

"Tossed it in the air of course," the blonde grinned.

The door swung open and the girl smiled as she walked in. A change into her pajamas and a few hours beside the fire would perfect for the evening. She knew who the light footsteps that descended the stairs belonged to before she saw the sunny yellow slippers appear at the top of the door way. "Hello Rose." She kept walking to meet her friend at the portal.

Bouncing down the steps, golden curls hiding any trace of mischief on her face, Rose grinned at her friend. "Well hello, Nicolette. How are you this evening?" Her tone dripped with sweetness.

A suspicious brow arced towards her dark hairline. "Wonderfully... and yourself?" Everything from her tone to her stance followed her brow into suspicion.

Green eyes brimming with pure innocence... or evil, Rose beamed and leaned up against the smooth stones of the wall. "Oh I'm great. And now that I've found my best friend in the whole world who would never let me face a night alone, I'm even better."

Not quite having been put at ease, Nicolette looked past the blonde towards their room. "Did you have something in mind?" Sufficiently convinced there was no one waiting just out of sight, she looked back at her friend.

"I was thinking that a quiet night in our room might be a good idea. I'm just not in the mood for listening to the first years gossip in the common room." It was close enough to the truth to ensure that Rose had no problems saying it with a straight face. "We can talk and you can watch me eat brownies."

"Ah, brownies." She sighed with exaggerated impatience. "If I must." She let her shoulders fall as she followed the blonde towards the door. "Whatever you do... don't make me eat one, for goodness sake."

"Oh I'd never do anything that evil to you," the tiny prefect promised. As her hand came to rest on the doorknob, she reached for Nic's hand as well... just to make sure she didn't get away.

Looking down at their connected hands, Nic sounded amused. "Oh, I don't know about that... I'm sure you would do some pretty evil things." The girl laughed as she was dragged up the stone spiraling staircase.

Grinning impishly, Rose flung open the door to their room and nearly pulled her friend inside. "We're here!" she called to the two Gryffindor girls already inside.

"Terrific," Cecelia beamed, "we just finished the popcorn."

"I knew it..."

Céilidh had been waiting for the other shoe to drop since Cissy had brought up the idea of a girl's night, and here it was in the form of Nicolette. They'd never gotten along well in times past, but Danny always spoke highly of the girl and Rose... Well, Rose hardly ever had a bad word to say about anyone. If there was a saving grace to all of this, it was that Nicolette seemed to be just as in the dark about this little get together as she had been.

"'Lo thare, 'Colette," the red head nodded, "How wis yer summer?"

A labored sigh passed her lips as her cousin and best friend winced at the question. As much as the girl wanted to be different this year, that one question had been a sore spot for her. Trying not to let her lips twist in contempt at the girl who had always been rather unfairly the recipient of her displeasure, Nicolette answered as best she could, assuming the Gryffindor had not heard already. "Absolutely wretched. You?"

The answer came as a bit of a surprise. Céilidh wasn't quite sure if Nicolette was trying to be funny, or sarcastic, or truthful. "Sorry tae hear that. Ye look guid, despite th' ill time." The Gryffindor was oblivious to the looks Nicolette's housemate was giving her. "Mine wasn't tae bad. Spent maist o' it keeping Lando oot o' trouble wi' Auld Man Gully as usual."

The dark haired Ravenclaw was no longer torn between being nice and not. She now couldn't decide which part made her more furious. Her mouth hung open for just a moment before she gathered her words. The source of all her contempt for the girl, that overwhelming jealousy, flared up in Nicolette's chest. While she had been locked away, punished, this girl had spent her summer with Orlando, with her boyfriend. "That must have been a new experience for you. You're usually in the thick of it with him aren't you? I mean, you didn't lose the prefect badge for nothing right?" Though her words were light, their intent was definitely harmful.

Céilidh felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Her narrowed eyes alight with emerald fire, and she starred down Nicolette for a moment before trusting herself to speak. When she did, her voice was cool but even, "A dinnae ken whit ah said tae pish ye aff, 'Colette, 'n' oot o' respect fur 'Brosia 'n' th' spirit o' th' evenin', A'm gaun tae gie ye a pass oan something ye ken naething aboot."

"Well now that that's out of the way," Cecelia grinned nervously, her eyes darting between Nicolette, Rose and Cee, "what do we do next?"

Céilidh raised an eyebrow at the raven haired girl, "Truce?"

For the sake of Rose's evening, she would put away her differences but this was far from over. "Truce."

Jaw literally aching from the effort of holding her tongue while giving Nic the chance to try--and fail--to be civil, Rose let out a sigh. Though her words were light, nothing could hide the disappointment in her emerald eyes as she let her glance pass over her best friend. "And now you know why I didn't give you the chance to say no. But..."

With a wave of her wand, the fuzzy lavender blanket that had been draped over an object in the corner of the room flew off to reveal what was hidden underneath. The rough wooden sign, clearly borrowed from somewhere near Hagrid's hut, spelled out in shaky letters 'No Huntin'. "I'm the one who forgot to mention the ground rules. For tonight, this room is a safe place. Life is hard enough out there sometimes. This castle isn't always a friendly place. So now that you've gotten that out of your systems..." Though she smiled gently, her eyes found Nic's face again. After all, Cee hadn't been the one who needed to offer the truce. "Help me have a safe, friendly night."

"Rose," Cecelia's eyebrows furrowed, "did you find Dee?"

Sufficiently distracted, the blonde Ravenclaw nodded. "I did. But she's on patrol tonight. She said she might stop by later... but we shouldn't hold our breath or anything."

"That stinks," Cecelia's bottom lip pouted playfully.

"I know. But we're all here... and we're all fun." She couldn't quite manage to keep the sarcasm out of her voice on that last part. "So....." With a wave of her wand the lights in the room dimmed and small pink and purple fireworks illuminated the air over the beds. "I now pronounce Super-Fun-Girl-Night to be officially open... or started... or something!"

"YAY!!!" Cecelia's own wand raised and a shower of pink sparks flew from the end.

Céilidh caught Nicolette's eyeroll, and smiled. It seemed the two girls had at least one thing in common. She slipped a silver flask from inside her sweatshirt, twisted off the cap and took a quick swig.

"Sparks in th' air ur a' weel 'n' guid, bit this wull pat a spark in yer belly. Care fur a nip?" she asked, offering the flask up to the girls.

Now it was Rose's turn to roll her eyes. "You know I don't drink around you. I learned my lesson last year," she said with a prim little toss of her curls.

Cee's eyes went wide with feigned innocence, "Whit? Tis nae mah fault ye cannae control yer urges whin ye'v hud a wee dram." Oddly enough, the fact that they had kissed hadn't become quite the rabid rumor that either one of them had expected it too, given the nature of the school. Maybe everyone thought it too wild to believe, even by Hogwarts standards.

Rose considered ignoring that last comment as she moved past Cee to flop down on the bed. "You kissed me," she reminded the Gryffindor. Then her sunny face took on an almost naughty light. "Besides, if I can control my urges when Nic's on my bed..."

The brunette had taken to flipping through a catalogue that, based off the images that flickered across the cover, looked like it was completely about high priced scarves. Without even raising her eyes from the page she smirked. "You hardly control your urges. Remember last week?"

Cecelia's eyes were wide as they shot between Cee, Rose and Nic, "What?"

Cee blinked. "Cissy, surely ye heard aboot oor wee adventure at th' oncom o' lest year?"

The younger Gryffindor shook her head, her ponytails swishing from side to side.

Cee grinned wickedly, "Ask yer brither."

Cecelia's eyebrows raised, "I don't know if I want to."

Flipping another page, Nicolette was still mostly absorbed in the winter wear. "He'd likely lie about it... I don't see Tommy sharing this tidbit with his baby sister."

"What tidbit?" Cecelia's confusion settled on her cousin.

Rose gave an innocent little shrug. "Which tidbit was that again?" Her emerald eyes twinkled with laughter. So all it took for everyone to get along was to share faintly naughty and mostly embarrassing stories. That was easy enough. "The 'Cee pressing her lips to mine' tidbit? Or the 'what Nic and I do in the privacy of our room' tidbit?"

Cecelia's eyes blinked like her brain was trying to reboot, "Do what now?"

"The difference is that Rose and I love each other very much." The stone solid look on Nic's face made Cecelia question if it was a joke or not.

Stripping off her socks with a sigh of relief, the blonde Ravenclaw sent them flying across the room with a flick of her wand. They landed on her roommate, one on her shoulder and one on her lap, while Rose wriggled her toes contentedly. "But I love everyone... mostly."

"Aye," the redhead grinned, "'N' Ah juist lik' getting 'Brosia blootert sae ah kin tak' advantage o' her. Bit dinna fash yirsel, Cissy, sin we're practically family, A'll lea ye alone." She patted the younger girl on the leg. "Bit fair warning, if Tommy 'n' ah break up..."

Cecelia's face grew red hot as the implications of what they were talking about finally sunk in. Céilidh could only hold the smoldering look on face for so long before bursting into fits of hysterical laughter.

---

"I don't wanna talk about Danny!" Cecelia folded her arms across her chest and stuck her tongue out at the other three girls.

"Fine... then we'll have Cee tell us all sorts of details about her relationship with Tommy," Rose countered, happily backing the younger blonde into a corner.

"Sure... whit dae yi'll waant tae hear foremaist? Cee began without missing a beat, "Howfur weel he kisses or -"

"Oh for the," Cecelia rolled her eyes, "Fine," she rolled her eyes, "what do you want to know?"

"Well..." Rolling onto her stomach, the blonde prefect smiled at the girl. "You've been spending a lot of time with that Owen guy... does this mean you're really over Danny?'

Cecelia grimaced. She knew they would ask about Owen. She gave a heavy sigh, "He's just a friend."

"Ye kin think that, bit frae whit ah kin see, he want's tae be mair than juist a mukker."

"And you were totally flirting in the library."

"I was not," Cecelia grinned sheepishly.

"Flirting..? In my library?"[nic] Nicolette tsked softly. [nic]"Shameful." She tried to shield how unhappy she was about the whole ordeal.

"A dinnae ken aboot shameful, bit ah kin say that Danny isnae too happy aboot th' hail fankle." Cee took another sip from her flask then pointed it in Cissy's direction, "Ah think ye'r bein' a wee bit unfair tae him, lass."

Keeping her lips sealed about how she couldn't agree with that girl more, Nicolette simply nodded . It was an effort in civility as far as she was concerned.

"He was the one that was unfair in the first place!" Cecelia's temper flaired a little, "He swore he would write all summer," she ticked off on her fingers, "and he didn't. He made the joke that he would write to me as long as the American girls didn't distract him. He didn't so obviously they did," she folded her arms across her chest, "It's as easy as that." she said with finality.

"Easy as that to cast off someone you may have loved hmn?" Nicolette picked up her silver handled brush and began dragging it through her long loose hair. "Now you sound like me dear cousin."

"Cissy," Rose began, ignoring Nicolette's last comment. "It's just girls here. It's okay to admit that you picked the worst reason to dump a guy... ever." She hugged a velvet pillow to her chest, running her fingers along the textured surface as she smiled at the younger girl. "You were mad and he's the best target. We get it. But does that mean you really don't like him anymore or you just can't admit that you were wrong?"

The whites around Cecelia's blue eyes turned red. Her eyes began to shimmer as water began to fill them, "I don't..." her voice quivered.

Abandoning the pillow, Rose crossed to her friend and wrapped her arms around her. "I know," she whispered against Cissy's light hair. "I know."

Cecelia sobbed silently into the girl she knew as her older sister's shoulder. "I just don't know," her muffled voice came from Rose's shoulder.

The fiery-haired Gryffindor lay a hand on her housemate's back, "Cissy, ye ken Danny. Ye ken that if he'd bin able, he'd huv worn oot a hail flock o' owls sending ye letters. Ye'v bin mukkers forever, dae yi'll want tae toss that a' awa' juist fur he didnae huv th' time tae write?"

"It's okay, Cissy. We've all done irrational things because of a boy." To her credit, the blonde Ravenclaw didn't look at Cee or Nic after her last statement. She simply reached for a tissue and handed it to the crying girl. "But... not thinking about Owen, or any of the other cute boys here at school, don't you at least want to try to salvage the friendship part of life with Danny... before it's too late?"

Cecelia sniffled but smiled at Rose, "Owen has really nice eyes though," she gave a little giggle.

"Danny does too," Rose countered immediately. "All hazel and nice and..." She cocked her head to the side and gave her friend a speculative look. "Uh-oh, you're starting to get a type. Quick! Get this girl a blue eyed boy," she giggled to the others.

Cecelia snorted as she launched herself at Rose, tickling the older girl. "I'll show you a blue eyed boy."

Céilidh watched the two girls wrestle on the bed with amused interest. She took one last pull from the flask, screwed the cap back, and set it on the sideboard. Then she leaped from her seat, landing on the bed, "Tickle-fight!"

With one look at the growing pile of girls, Nicolette fished a file from her drawer and began filing her nails, pretending the entire ordeal wasn't happening mere feet from her.

Gasping for breath and managing to push Cee away with one foot, Rose caught Cissy's fingers and grinned at the girl. "So... other than nice eyes and the whole totally obvious flirting thing, does Owen have any other good qualities?"

"Ewwww," Cecelia said through fits of giggling.

"I didn't ask if he had a nice package," Rose laughed, resuming the tickling. "I just asked if you'd noticed anything else worth... investigating."

"Brosia," the red head gasped for breath, "Ah think a'm starting tae rub aff oan ye."

The Ravenclaw grinned at her freinds through the masses of curls that had fallen across her face. "And to think... it all started with a kiss."

[Tom Llewelyn]

Sunday mornings were generally quiet, especially in the Gryffindor Tower. Tom sat on the overstuffed sofa, his feet up on the coffee table.Next to him on the side of the sofa, sat the No Notes Notebook that he had purchased from the boys on the train. Afew easy adjustments and it was now calibrated to acknowledge Tommy's own voice as well, which made making notes while reading chapters so much easier. He had just finished his notes on the medicinal uses of Star Grass, from his copy of Advanced Potion making, and was about to start his foot and a half on the subject, when the Common Room's door opened and his sister and girlfriend both walked through.

"Morning Tommy," they said in unison.

"And where have you two been?"

"Sleepover in the Ravenclaw Tower with Rose and Nic," Cecelia grinned as she curled herself up next to her brother on the couch, "Not that we got much sleep."

"Wild night?" Tom grinned at his girlfriend as she walked around the back of the couch toward the staircase.

"Whin tis me 'n' 'Brosia," She winked as she leaned his head back and kissed him, "aye. A'm gaun tae tak' a bawherr o' a nap. A'll see ye efter Tommy, Cissy." With that she walked up the stairs to her dorm.

Tom looked down at his sister, "So did you have fun?"

"Mmmmhmmm," She said sleepily.

"Looks like," he said with a chuckle, "What did you all do?"

"Talked about girl stuff," she yawned, "Tommy?" She sat up so that she could face her brother.

"Yeah?"

"I..." she paused for a moment, her voice failing her, "I feel like a jerk," she finally said tears flowing down her face.

"What for?" A look of worry covered his face.

"For the way I treated Danny," she sobbed.

Tom wasn't exactly sure how to react. He wasn't exactly used to seeing his little sister this upset. He took a deep breath and plastered a smile on his face, "Cecelia you're a teenager," he grinned, "you're allowed to be irrational."

Cecelia gave a half sob half laugh, "I am?"

"Don't you remember Céilidh at your age?" He chuckled.

Cecelia laughed with him, "Oh yeah. Still though," she sighed, "what should I do?'

"Well," Tom leaned back against the arm of the sofa, "that's up to you really. Whatever you decide though, I think you need to actually talk to him."

Cecelia threw herself into her brother's arms, "Thank you Tommy, I love you."

Tommy wrapped his arms around his sister, "I love you too."

[NicoletteAinscough]

"Purple or Green?" The dark-haired member of the constant Ravenclaw pair held up each of two long-sleeved shirts to her body, trying to choose between the two. The lavender and sage both complimented the girl's complexion ad they both matched the hairband she had chosen for the day. It was just down to personal choice and Nicolette could not bring herself to make one.

"Purple, Rose answered without looking. The little blonde was busily reading and rereading the same page of her romance novel.

Tilting her head to the side, black hair brushing her bare shoulder, Nic bit her lower lip in thought as she pulled the purple shirt back to her chest. "You aren't even looking are you?"

"Of course I'm looking." The little blonde gave up on the book, tossing it into a pile by the foot of her bed. Giving her friend her attention she nodded her head. "Like I said, green."

"You said purple!" She went back to the green shirt resting against her frame, the hanger tucked under her chin. "You're supposed to be making these life altering decisions for me..."

"So why don't you like Cee?" Rose asked abruptly, unwilling to pretend to be paying attention any longer.

Gray eyes snapped up to her best friend's reflection, the two shirts forgotten. "Rose..." The blonde could tell by the tone in Nicolette's voice it was a subject she did not want to discuss.

Crossing her arms, she faced her friend with a coolly stubborn expression. "Yes Nicolette..." One golden brow arched up toward her hairline. She was all but tapping her foot as she waited for an answer.

She had several reasons and tried the easiest ones first. "She isn't good enough for my cousin." She cast the shirts to the side and began to dig through her chest, looking for something she could make up her mind on.

"So you'd rather have him dating Aeryn again?" she countered immediately. "And if I approve of Cee, you know she's more than good enough for Tommy." Smiling gently, she crossed her legs on her bed and made herself comfortable. This was clearly going to take a long time. "Try again."

"She's... half-blood." Even that made the girl cringe as she dug further, trying to hide in the mass of clothes that should not fit in that petite decorative box.

The blonde rolled her eyes. "She's important to me. She's important to Danny. She's very important to Tommy. She's important to practically every single one of your real friends..."

She pulled from the pile and sighed, dropping half dressed onto her bed. "Because her grandfather arrested my uncle and ruined my life." It was part of the truth, more than a small part of the truth, but it wasn't the largest truth. "My parents would have never found out about Abbey if Uncle Strom had not been taken away." She stared into the hands in her lap.

"I am sorry about your uncle." Green eyes unusually somber, Rose drew a golden curl to her mouth to chew on it. "But Nic... you do realize who you have something in common with now, don't you?" She didn't wait for the response. Nic had been through a horrible experience, yes. But it wasn't Cee's fault. "That was kinda Eric's reasoning too..."

A hurt look crossed Nicolette's thin features. "We all have things in common with horrible people. He Who Must Not Be Named may have loved brownies for all we know but I'm not going to massacre half the wizarding world and I may have something in common with Eric but that doesn't mean I will hurt anyone because of it" She drew her bare feet up on her bed, her chin resting on her knees.

The tiny prefect nodded sadly. "I would certainly hope not. But Nic... she doesn't hate you for loving the man her grandfather arrested." She paused, her sunny expression subdued but still somehow radiating a calm acceptance. She wasn't angry; she just wanted to understand. "So that's why you made those digs at her last night?"

"Her grandfather arresting my uncle hardly ruined her life..." She chewed on her lower lip, edging a little too close to the truth.

Rose nodded again, silently weighing her friend's argument. There was perhaps a little more transparency in those words than Nic had intended. She could practically see it. Green eyes looked past the taller girl, past the confines of their room, then back quickly. "Yeah... she she really does have a good life..."

"Yeah... she does." She toyed with the loose ends of her hair. "Must have been rough..."

"Mmm-hmm... rough like Danny, and Tommy... and me."

Nic's face soured. "But Alcander, Jackson, and Giles did not take my family from me and think they were righteous for it." Her pillow wrung in her hands. "Your family didn't ruin mine and go on to have the perfect little upbringing with open-minded loving parents and whatever friends she wanted and accepted no matter what she does or who she is." It had come out more than she had intended to but now it was out. It was too late to take it back now.

"I know." The whisper crossed the room as gently as a hug. "But Cee can't change her upbringing any more than you can change yours. So if you're going to dislike her because you're jealous at least be honest about it." That sad smile crossed her lips again. Though she never expected much emotional empathy from Nic, that didn't mean she wouldn't give it. After all, she did understand. "She's easy to be jealous of."

Those usually pink cheeks flushed red. "I'm not... jealous. It was almost impossible to get the words out. "She just... I..." She made a frustrated noise through her teeth. It was infuriating from time to time how intuitive Rose could be. "not jealous..." She muttered.

Rose only smiled. "Nic, I snuck out of the castle down a secret passage way, let her kiss me in the Three Broomsticks, and sat around drinking near the Shrieking Shack... all because I didn't want Tommy and Orlando to think I wasn't as much fun as Cee."

"She's a half-blood auror legacy with an out of control accent and... and... red hair!" This excuse didn't even sound serious, much less like an honest attempt.

Though she'd done a remarkable job of not raising her voice to her friend, Rose caught herself having to work on her patience. "You wouldn't believe how many guys find that hot," she replied, the slightest hint of a smirk touching her lips.

Nicolette had to swallow the bile that rose in her throat. The last thing about that girl that bothered Nicolette. That pretty athletic girl with such a history with him was so close to her boyfriend, uncomfortably close to her secret boyfriend and she couldn't say a single word of it to her best friend. The thought of them together made her sick. "And that is supposed to make me like her more? I'm still single and I have to compete with her for attention?" It was half-hearted and only half-meant.

The smirk grew until it was unmistakable. "Nope... but it did make you admit to it," she pointed out.

"Did not..."

For Rose the matter was settled. Nic had admitted it. Now they could move on to doing something about it. "You should try to get to know her. If not because I'm cute when I bully you then maybe because it would make Tommy and Danny happier. You guys might find you have something in common or something. After all, stranger things have happened."

The brunette pouted a little. "Name one." She knew she was in the wrong. She knew she should stop it with the jealous bit against the blameless Gryffindor but it had turned into a pride thing on top of everything else.

"You playing Quidditch," the blonde answered immediately.

"Merde..." Nicolette was stuck. That was likely the most damning answer to a question in the history of asking. "Double merde..."

Beaming angelically, Rose decided that she was too nice of a friend to rub her victory in Nic's face. She'd save that for later. "Oh. Today is totally a purple day," she told her friend with a decisive nod. "Because I'm wearing the green one."

Handing the green shirt over she took the hanger from inside the purple one and pulled it over her head, reaching her arms through the stretchy material. Static lifted her slinky black hair as she tugged the material over her stomach. "Green looks better with your hair."

"And my eyes." Catching the shirt, she hooked one finger under the baby-blue strap that sat on her shoulder and gave a mock sigh. "It seems almost a shame to cover this. My mom just sent it to me. It's one of those new helping ones." Pulling the shirt over her head, she shook out her blonde curls and turned to the side to give the mirror a critical look.

"What do you think," she asked, sticking out her chest. "Is it helping?"

"While it is lovely, I don't know if you want the kind of attention you'd get if you left without the top." Nicolette turned to the side and examined the landscape of her own shirt. "That is one benefit of getting fat over the summer." She ran her hands over the slinky purple top.

"You're not fat!" the blonde scolded for what felt like the millionth time. Her hands mirrored her friend's movements, turning from side to side as she considered her chest from all angles. "Well I think the helping really is helping," she giggled finally.

Dropping her hands to her side, Nic regarded her best friend. "You know what... I think you're right." Her head tilted to the right a little. "Its subtle but when you point it out... who makes it?"

Rose gave her the dark haired girl a little wink. "It's from the Madame Morganna's Bettering line. They make some help for your lower curves too. But my mom says I don't need something like that right now." She ran her hands along her mostly straight figure. "She barely let me get the bra. I had to do a lot of cute begging."

Giving some thought as to what charm the garment used, Nic pulled a swirled headband over her hair, keeping it back and out of her face. "I agree with your mom." She smiled at her friend's reflection in the mirror. "But the bra is flattering." Clipping a jeweled ornament into her hair just behind the band, Nicolette finally seemed pleased. "There."

Leaving her long curls in artfully planned disarray, the blonde gave an approving nod. "I told you the purple would look good." Grinning, she prudently moved out of Nic's reach and headed for the door. "Come on. It's breakfast time and I hear those pink donuts calling my name."

"That's either exaggeration or psychosis." Nicolette used her friend's distance to her advantage with a wicked grin. "I choose to believe it's the latter"

"Oh no... they're calling you too. Niiiiiic... Niiiic... come eat us!" The sunny prefect bounced back to her friend's side, taking her arm to pull her along toward the door. "We're pretty and yummy.... eeeeeeeat us."

Giving just a little resistance, the brunette followed the other girl. "You know... at Madame Fonce's they didn't have doughnuts..."

Not entirely following Nicolette's train of thought, Rose flashed her friend a quick smile. "They didn't have me either. But we already knew that place was evil."

With a solemn nod, Nic agreed with her friend. "The depths of hell in the sunny south of France by the ocean." The pair walked down the stairs arm in arm. "It was sick really. Such a nice place for such torment."

"I'm sure that was all part of the grand evil plan. The torment's even worse when you're surrounded by beauty that you can't enjoy." With a small smile, she hugged her friend's arm. "But you're here now. No torment. Just people who love you... even when you're a party-pooper."

"That's good... I am often a party-pooper." Nicolette laughed and tugged the other girl through the common room door and into the hallway. "Now lets get you to those donuts before your illness worsens and you start seeing the pictures move."

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

Though the grass beneath her had lost the pillowy softness of summer, Rose's golden curls splayed out across the browning blades as if the change in seasons had done nothing to diminish the inviting nature of an afternoon outdoors. On her back, a safe distance from the Whomping Willow, the tiny blonde had her legs crossed at the knees, one foot tapping to the music in her head as she kept her eyes on the clear sky above her.

"Ooo... almost got me," she giggled to the towering tree. The wand in her hand moved in quick swishing motions, rising and falling like a conductor's baton. Far above, dodging and weaving through the wildly swinging branches, floated a throw pillow that had formerly adorned a love seat on the third floor near the Trophy Room.

It was a gentle, relaxing sort of game --in Rose's mind at least-- and the perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon. Though she had a pile of books by her side, the little prefect was content to continue her quest to make friends with the willow.

Walking up the grassy burm all Orlando MacFooze saw the little pillow darting and dashing as the angry tree thrashed about trying to get at it. His head cocked to the side, regarding the stitched bit of fluff as it teased the willow mercilessly. The boy smirked, "Heh..." and headed up to the crest.

As he suspected there was Rose laying out on the grass, wand in hand and guiding that pillow through the branches. He smiled a moment, watching her "play" with the tree. One might also call it tormenting. "Ah bet ye'd be a whiz at Aereobatic Assault..." he said announcing his presence as he strolled down beside the blond Ravenclaw.

"Hi, Orlando," the tiny prefect greeted him brightly. Cocking her head to the side on the browning grass she smiled up at him. "You know, I haven't played that in ages. Tommy stopped begging me to play after I started beating him consistent-- oops! I hope that's biodegradable."

The willow had taken advantage of her distraction, seizing the moment to hit the pillow with a particularly hard blow. Its branches waved almost triumphantly as tiny bits of stuffing rained down around the base of the massive tree. Then, as the air cleared, the Whomping Willow began to still, the branches now quivering slightly as if in anticipation.

Foozle smiled, his head craned up as it snowed fluffing down over them both. "Mynd some company?" He looked down at the Ravenclaw and picked a piece of cotton out of his spikey brownish hair.

Patting the ground beside her, Rose giggled as she blew a piece of stuffing away from her face. "I'd love some. Have a seat."

The Hufflepuff smiled, tossing his bag over by the stack of books she had laid out. He took the offer on the little piece of land and planted himself down beside her. "Seems fittin ye an Ah baith coming oot tae oor atterie lad ower here..." He thumbed in the direction of the willow who almost seemed to huff in response. Foozle folded his hands behind his head and laid out beside her. "Sin we didnae git tae hae oor wee date the ither day."

"And it's always a shame to miss out on a wee date," she teased, green eyes twinkling. She lay in comfortable silence beside him for a minute before turning her head to look at him. "You know, I think you might be the only other person who comes out here. At least willingly."

"Aye," he replied, looking up and watching the branches sway without a breeze. "Efter Hallae e'een laist year me an him came tae an unnerstaunding." He turned his head and looked over to her. The sun caught the gold in his hazel eyes. "Ah coud hate him fer near endin' me. Oor we coud be pals. An laist year Ah didnae need ony mair unfreends. Sae..." He smiled and shrugged a little.

The blonde nodded. "He didn't do it to be mean. It's his nature." Smiling again, she reached to the side of her body and pulled out another, somewhat more tattered, pillow. "He needs friends. Did you know that a Whomping Willow in isolation will die? He needs activity like this as much as he does sunlight. It's just the way he is."

"Ah didnae ken tha. Tha's a bit sad..." His head tilted, watching the pillow whiz through the branches. "Ah kinda thoucht he was ane o a kynd."

"Oh, he's rare. There's no doubt about that. But how tragic would it be to know we have the only one ever? I think I'm happier knowing he has distant cousins out there somewhere," she answered, keeping her eyes on the pillow as she kept it moving through the dangerous branches.

"Ah guess yuir richt," Foozle nodded regarding the tree in somewhat of a new light. "Naebody shoud be leelane." A smile came across his face.

She smiled back, letting the willow beat the stuffing out of the pillow as her attention turned to the Hufflepuff boy. "Not even an ill-tempered old tree," she agreed. Of course, it was easy to agree out here. The autumn sun was bright and cheery and the company was nearly perfect. The things that brought loneliness inside the castle seemed far away when she was outdoors.

"He's got a great uncle in the corner of a cemetery in Edinburgh. The thing is, the tree's getting really old so he doesn't move around much. He just kinda creaks, shakes his branches a little, and sways even when there's no wind." Those emerald eyes sparkled as she told the story. "So, thanks to him, everyone's convinced that they've got the most haunted cemetery in the whole country right in their backyards. Of course... all the ghost stories and other creepy things probably help that reputation just a little."

Orlando chuckled, rolling over onto his side and propping himself up on his elbow. He looked back at Rose and those grassy eyes of hers. "Fowk have knack fer takin something wee and making it oot tae be muckle scarier..." His thoughts were clearly on the Shrieking Shack, whose entrance was hidden just behind that knotted angry tree before them. Known round the world as one of the most haunted places, Foozle and Danny and Tommy had found it to be just an old shack chock full of charms set up by The Mauraders some years ago. "A jalouse whit we dinnaken is scary e'een fer wizards..."

He smiled watching as the breeze caught her golden locks and held it in its sway, "Ye leuk guid, Brosia." She did. She looked brighter. Happier.

Never one to refuse a compliment, she turned her sunny face toward his and smiled. "Thank you." Her eyes held a small trace of confusion as to his timing. "I feel good. I think. Most of the time."

"Ah think it's being back , ye ken?" He looked over her shoulder where the massive castle stood high in their background. "This place juist haes a wey o makin things richt." His thoughts drifted to last year and the way events had played out for him and Nicolette and a chuckle fell from his lips, "E'een whan its no the wey we expectit." Not all of last year had been bad. Some of it had been quite amazing. "Ah howp we survive efter next year..."

The blonde nodded absently. It was hard to think that far ahead. Dangerous too. Hadn't last year proved that there were some things that were beyond planning. "Nothing is the way I expected it to be. And being here didn't make everything right either." The last thing she wanted was to go down that path... but she couldn't stop herself. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to be back, glad to be with my friends. But this was not my plan."

"Ah didnae mean..." Foozle's eyes drifted away from the tree and back to the golden curled girl. In this moment confusion set into his brow. As much as he wished they weren't, things between he and Rose were clearly still tenuous. But something was troubling her and while he wasn't Danny or Tommy, Orlando wasn't the sort to just ignore it. "Ah think Ah missed something alang the wey here, lou." He sat up. "Whit wisnae yuir plan?"

She didn't look at him. Those bright green eyes remained fixed on the slowly waving branches before them. "I just... wanted everyone to be happy..."

Foozle nodded. "Wha disnae?" He wrapped his arms across his knees. "Gif anely wanting made it sae, richt?"

"Yeah. So much for magic," the tiny blonde chuckled. "It would be so much easier if I could just wave my wand and everyone would be dating the person they're supposed to and just be happy and content with life." Rolling onto her side she let her head rest on her hand, the curls spilling down her arm to the ground, as she gave her best smile.

Orlando nearly choked. "Richt," he laughed. "Maiters o the hert are a meestery tae the warld. Taks a wee bit mair faith and wirk than magic." It was impossible not to think of how things had played out for him and Nicolette. "And keep yuir eyes open fer the signs. Guid and bad."

A frown creased her sunny brow. "I know.. but still..." She didn't want to think about the bad signs. "I think it's just hard to know what should be worked on."

The Hufflepuff's shoulders shrugged a little. "Ah dinnaken." He gave the normally bubbly Ravenclaw a lopsided smile. He decided not to pry. "Ah reck these things hae a wey o wirking thair wey tae the surface wither we like it or no. Sae, till than, Ah'd say wha no wirrie aboot whit ye want till ye ken whit ye shoud."

"Well..." Slowly, that impish smile made its way back to her face. "I know I want to help Danny and Cissy."

"Shuir ye dae." Foozle unlashed his fingers and draped his hands from his knees. "Ye lou thaim baith. An thay wis guid fer eachither."

It was a safe topic, especially since Rose agreed completely. Brushing the grass off her sleeves, she sat up and nodded vigorously. "They were. And I really think I can help. I am an expert when it comes to the female mind, after all."

Foozle bounced his scarred brow at the girl. "As close tae such a thing as thare can be onywey."

Promptly, and with as much dignity as she could muster, Rose stuck her tongue out at her friend. "I know how my mind works. Most of the time. And I definitely know how Cissy's works... at least as far as that whole breakup thing went." Green eyes twinkling again as the sun kissed her face, she regarded him with a somewhat speculative look. "I'm cute, motivated, and not above being sneaky. I think that makes me the perfect person to help them. But... I could use a partner in crime who's equally cute and motivated."

The Hufflepuff cradled his chin in his hand as he looked back at the blonde. It was good to see her perking up a little. "We baith ken Ahmno above being snaiky." His lip curled and his eyes twinkled in that autumn sunlight. "An Ah kin be priddy motivatit, especially whan it comes tae mah freends." It was true. When it came down to it, there was a reason Orlando had been sorted into Hufflepuff an not one of the other houses. When it came to his friends there was very little lengths he wouldnt go to for them.

"Whit's on yuir mynd, Brosia?"

The little blonde was speaking before she'd really thought it through. "Well... sometimes couples who were good together just need to be reminded of the reasons why they were so good." She paused, almost absently grabbing a lock of hair to bring to her mouth. She believed that for Danny and Cissy... just like she had for Tommy and Cee. So why was her own relationship such a mystery?

"Um... and I know that Danny still has feelings for Cissy. And she's more mad than over him. Or that's the impression I got." Despite the lingering traces of personal confusion that furrowed her golden brow, Rose smiled brightly at him. "So I just thought maybe something could be done about that."

"Och, Ah ken the lad's still browden tae the lass," Orlando replied with a nod. "But it's no gaun tae be easy, hen. Thair baith as stubborn as a rock." His eyes peeked back at her from the corners, "And sometimes twice as thick."

"You're cute. So I hate to disagree with you... but I'm going to." Her emerald eyes caught the sun as she leaned in conspiratorially. "Cissy has already all but admitted that she was just mad and, of course, Danny was the easy target. There are still feelings there. I just think they should at least try to find out if they're truly cooled into that 'just friends' stage or if there's something deeper that still lingers. You know?"

"Ah ken," Foozle winked. "Ah wadna say itheriwise, lou." It was good to see her sparking. Ambrosia did have a mischievous streak in her, though she kept it under wraps better than most. It was a sweet little thing. When it peeked through Orlando couldn't help the urge to cultivate the little bud. "Ahm yer Gentleman, Brosia. Whitiver ye need, juist ask."

Rose's impish grin could easily have outshone the sun. "That's a dangerous statement, Orlando," she teased. "It's a good thing I'm too sweet and nice to take advantage of you."

Foozle chuckled. "Ye may hae iverybody ense fooled, Brosia, but no Orlando MacFoozle." He leaned in close with a smirk as he pecked her cheek and whispered, "Ah've gat ye pegged."

Those green eyes sparkled with something very close to actual wickedness as she put on her best innocent face. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Exactly," replied the Hufflepuff with that Big Bad Wolf's grin.

[Céilidh MacAllister]

Late September meant cool days and chilly evenings and mornings. This particular morning was most definitely chilly. Céilidh waited outside the pitch, her hands warmed by the steaming mug of coffee she'd brought down from the castle, and the rest of her kept snug by the peacoat Foozle had given her for her birthday. Hers was tailored to her size and was 'bridge coat' length, extending to mid-thigh. He'd managed to enchant it such that, while naturally warm and water resistant, it actually generated a small amount heat. She was going to have to pin him down about the spellcraft, it would do wonders for boots and pants, maybe even stockings, and not to mention Quidditch uniforms.

Rose trudged down the path to the Quidditch pitch, hands stuffed deep in her pockets. To the surprise of many of her friends, the tiny blonde was anything but a morning person, so rolling out of her soft warm bed had been a struggle. But, of course, she wouldn't disappoint Cee.

Her delicate nose wrinkled slightly as she passed through a pile of fallen leaves, their rustling announcing her presence far too loudly. Despite the vibrant colors, this was her least favorite season. Winter, at least, held the promise of growth if one could be patient enough. Fall, though beautiful, was too depressing. Already she could catch a hint of the rich smell of decay. And, as a gardener, she knew that all things had a season, and a life-span. Sometimes things just had to die and...

Shaking her head, she had to be amazed at how quickly her thoughts had gone from gardening to... well... something else. Forcing a smile, she lifted her gaze and looked around for her redheaded teacher/torturer. It was clearly time to get her mind on something new.

Céilidh waved, "Ah wis starting tae think ye weren't gaun tae shaw up." She offered the blonde her coffee, which Rose politely refused.

"I seriously thought about it," Rose said. "If I wasn't certain that you'd find a way to drag me out of bed by my hair."

"Och, ah wouldn't dream o' yanking ye oot o' kip by yer hair, lass." Cee joked to Rose's obvious relief. Then she added with a wink, "A'd grab ye by th' ankles instead."

"But at least my hair would be safe. You're a true friend, Cee," the blonde teased back, sticking her tongue out at the taller girl. "So..." She stared out across the empty pitch with a sense of resignation. "I don't suppose I can talk you into letting us go back to bed, can I?"

"Sure," Céilidh replied. She handed Rose the broomstick and linked her now free arm with the blonde's. "Richt efter ye gang up hauf a kilometer 'n' fly a solo lap ower th' Forbidden Forest, th' Black loch, 'n' buzz th' astronomy tower."

"If I could do that, I wouldn't need you," Rose sighed, letting herself be lead by the redhead. "And... I could just fly myself back to bed." She held the broomstick away from her body awkwardly, looking for all the world like she expected it to turn into a snake at any moment.

They made their way to the center of the pitch, just as before, when Céilidh disengaged from Rose. "A'richt, same drill as lest time, bit this time, ye drive 'n' A'll hurl." Ambrosia frowned at the Scottish colloquialism, but the redhead smiled. "Sorry, it means ride.

"A'll dae mah best nae tae complain a maiter o ye did, though." She added with a wink.

The little blonde made a face at the thought. "If I hurl, I promise you there will be plenty of complaining. But until then..." She squared her tiny shoulders. "Let's get on with it."

Turning her face to the autumn sky Rose closed her eyes, breathing in the crisp mixture of crisp air and bright sun. For a minute she could almost imagine herself up there, several feet above the cares of school. Then, as a breeze stirred her golden curls, she was reminded that it would much much colder on a moving broom and she could look forward to a sore backside again after the session. "Remind me again why this was a good idea..."

"Tae mak' ye a mair weel rounded member o' th' wizarding community?" The look Rose told Cee exactly what she could do with the wizarding community. She was just too polite to say it out loud, and for that, Céilidh was grateful.

Rose swung her leg over the broomstick and settled down. "It's a little more comfortable than last time," she remarked.

"Th' cushioning charm cast oan this model isnae really built fur mair than yin body." Cee said matter-of-factly. "Ah wis able tae enhance it a bawherr fur this lesson though. Na sense in making mah bahookie loupin if ah dinnae tae."

The little blonde narrowed her eyes at the redhead as Céilidh slipped up behind her. "So you deliberately made my first ride uncomfortable in the hopes that I'd find out that it's better to be in the driver's seat?"

"Ye'r a credit tae yer Hoose, loue." Cee grinned. She wrapped her arms around the little blonde's waist. "Let's gang."

For a minute or two the temptation to take off and promptly crash into a tree was overwhelming. That would teach her... or just cause a lot of unnecessary pain. With her hands on the broom, Rose couldn't reach to chew on her hair, so she bit her bottom lip instead. "Okay, oh wise and patient teacher, tell me what to do."

"Kick aff th' ground tae git us gaun." Ambrosia breathed deeply and tentatively scraped her foot across the green grass of the pitch. The broom gave a little lurch, but that was all. "Ah didnae say play footsie wi' th' grass, 'Brosia. Kick lik' ye mean it."

"I know something I'd like to kick," the little blonde muttered under her breath. Then, because she was fairly certain that even if she died Céilidh would reanimate her corpse just so they could continue the lesson, she kicked off hard, giving it a little more force than she originally intended.

This time the broom shot forward and up, rocking both girls back which only served to increase the angle of ascent. Rose squealed in surprise and her knuckles went white with her death-grip on the broomstick. While they weren't going up particularly fast, they were going higher than Rose would have liked given that she was the one 'in control.'

"Um, Cee?" Ambrosia asked, not taking her eyes from the bleacher tower box they were heading directly towards. She was trying very hard not to let the panic she felt creep into her voice.

"Aye, 'Brosia?" Céilidh replied in an infuriatingly calm voice.

"Is there any way to keep us from crashing into the bleachers, crashing to the ground and dying a horribly disfiguring death?"

"Och, aye."

"Then do you think, as my teacher and stuff, that now might be a good time to tell me what it is." She was fairly proud of the fact that she'd managed to say that without screaming, cursing, or throwing up. Yet.

"Push th' nose o' th' broom doon, 'n' lean tae th' left," Céilidh said.

"Down? I thought we were trying to avoid crashing into the ground?" But just because it didn't make sense to her, didn't mean she wasn't going to listen. After all, flying through the sky while sitting on a tree branch didn't exactly make a lot of sense either. Leaning forward slightly, she did as instructed, pushing the nose down and saying a quick prayer just in case.

And almost as if it was magic, the broom leveled off, though they were still heading for the tower. Rose felt Cee's chin brush over her shoulder, "Ye'll likelie wantae stairt th' leaning tae th' left sometime in a wee bit."

Rose nodded an affirmative, closed her eyes and leaned hard to the left. The broom responded instantly, banking into a sharp left-hand turn that put them parallel to the ground and had them going in the opposite direction in the process. To her credit, Ambrosia did not scream; possibly, because her eyes were still closed. Céilidh said nothing, but merely squeezed tighter on Rose's left side. The blonde took the silent instruction and shifted her weight back to the right, rolling the broom and them back upright.

"Okay. So I think that's enough for one day." Her voice seemed to be shaking just a little. Looking down to where her hands gripped the broom for dear life, she wondered exactly when she'd lost all feeling in them.

"Ye'r daein' sonsie," Céilidh said, giving her friend a reasurring squeeze. "Ye juist tae relax 'n' mind that ye'r th' yin in control."

"I'm the one in control. I'm the one in control." Repeating it to herself didn't seem to make it feel any more true. Gritting her teeth she glared down at the piece of wood in her tiny hands. "Okay broom. You don't like me and I don't like you... but you're not going to make me crash. Cee would never let me live it down. So just... be nice."

"Does that mak' it cop ony different?"

Risking a quick glance over her shoulder, the blonde flashed an almost evil smile. "No. But I have to make you at least think that I'm trying to master this..."

"Ambrosia Sheridan, ye'v ne'er failed anything in yer lee. A'm juist hoping that ye'r nae gaun tae stairt noo." If the first part was dismissive, the last was anything but. There was a slight change of tone in Cee's voice that felt a little more than serious. "Fur a' th' joking around, whin ah said ye'r th' yin in control, ah meant it. Ah kin tell ye whit tae dae, bit ye huv tae be th' yin tae dae it.

"Th' broom responds tae ye. Yer hauns. Yer legs. It becomes a pairt o` yer body, an extention o` yer wull. If ye think a'm bein' tae hard, then a'm sorry, bit ah ken ye'r capable o' anything ye set yer mynd tae. 'N' if ye dinnae hawp me, then ask yersel' how come we've stopped moving."

Sure enough, Rose swung her head around to find that they were floating stock-still in the middle of the pitch. She looked back to her 'instructor' to find that familiar twinkle had returned to her emerald eyes. "Forby, if it looks lik' we're gaun tae crash, a'm totally bailing oot. Ah dinnae a broom tae fly, mind?"

Ignoring Cee's last taunt, Rose slowly looked around again. Standing still like this was... well... nice. Beyond her dangling feet, she could see the grass bend in the light fall breeze. Though they weren't up that high, she still felt as though she could hover here and see the world. It was serene. And beautiful.

And she had to wonder if someone like Céilidh took the time to enjoy it very often. Refusing to let her mind get too sidetracked by pondering the nature of encouragement and if her teacher had just encouraged her the way she preferred to be encouraged, the tiny blonde focused instead on her reasons to excel.

"I don't fail at things that are important to me." It was more of a revelation than an argument. And it was true. The classes she was at the top of, or at least one of the top students, were either things that came naturally or, like potions, subjects that she'd found a real-world application for.

"I just need to figure out why this is important." She sighed and eased the broom forward slowly, gliding at a snail's pace over the quiet pitch. Of course, this meant that simply surprising Bobby wasn't an important reason to learn to fly. It wasn't an entirely surprising thought... but it was a depressing one.

They drifted in silence over nearly three-quarters of the pitch. All the while Céilidh was turning Rose's last comment every which way possible in her head. Gryffindor's weren't always known for insight over instinct, but something about Rose's mood wasn't sitting well with her. "Nae important? Bit ah thought-"

And that's when insight won over. "'Brosia," Cee began carefully, "Urr ye 'n' Bobby okay? A'm ainlie asking fur, weel, th' hail reason ah talked ye intae this wis fur him, bit... Ah mean, yesterday ye hardly said three words aboot th' lad 'n' forordinar..." She trailed off. This type of conversation was a little awkward to be having on the back of a broom.

The broomstick dipped even lower, the redhead's longer legs coming close to the ground beneath them as the blonde shook her head. "I know," she admitted with a shaking sigh. "And I don't know. Everything's been just... wrong lately. We fight and we don't understand each other and it's just... not right."

Cee rested her head on Ambrosia's back. She certainly understood the feeling. Her relationship with Tommy hadn't been all sunshine and roses lately, but they were managing well enough. It sounded, however, like Rose and Bobby were beyond the managing stage. "Sae... urr ye thinking that ye twa ur gaun tae break it aff?"

Though the broom continued on at that ridiculously slow and safe pace, Rose felt herself spiraling out of control. "I don't know." The half-sob in her voice told far more than her actual words. "I just.... It's me, Cee. I can't be the girl who does... that. I can't..."

The redhead slipped from the back of the broom, stepped around and grabbed the end of the broomstick. Ambrosia's head hung down, a mass of blonde curls hiding her face. Cee knelt down seeking out her friend's misty emerald eyes. "Be whit, 'Brosia? Be th' yin tae end a relationship?"

The blonde nodded, looking away from her friend's compassionate face. "I'm Ambrosia," she reminded the Gryffindor unnecessarily. "I don't end things. I help people. I can't... Bobby says we just have to work at it."

"Bit whit if tis nae meant tae be? Howfur lang urr ye baith willing tae mak' ilk ither miserable while ye 'work at it?' Mibbie... Mibbie ye'r suppose tae be really guid mukkers 'n' that's it? If thir's yin thing A've figured oot, tis that ye cannae force thae hings tae fit intae a kist o' perfection, a' prettied up wi' a bow oan tap.

"Ye'r a romantic, 'Brosia, tis yin o' th' hings ah loue aboot ye. Bit sometimes... Sometimes ye huv tae realize whin tae let gang. Noo amurnay saying that ye twa shouldn't try tae wirk oan hings, bit... If tis nae thare..."

"I know," she nearly sobbed. "And I know that there's no mystical secret that I've hidden away from him that will magically fix things. I just don't understand why things changed. I don't think I did anything... but I don't know."

Céilidh pulled out her wand and transfigured a stray leaf into a handkerchief, handing it to Rose. "Fowk change, 'Brosia. Sometimes wi'oot even realizing it." The Gryffindor pushed the broom handle down to let the little blonde slip off. She shouldered the broom and slipped her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. They walked across the pitch and into the Gryffindor locker room. Discussions like this were best had somewhere more comfortable than the middle of a Quidditch stadium.

Leaning against her friend, Rose couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "You mean we're done? All it took was a total emotional breakdown? I'll have to remember that."

"Och na," Cee smiled a little, "ye teuk aff 'n' ye landed. That wis a' ah wanted tae git dane th'day. Ah juist didnae figure th' back o' a broom wis th' best steid tae blether."

"Ohmygosh. I did. I took off and landed. And we're still alive." A little bit of the bounce returned to the blonde's steps, just enough to counter the sigh that escaped her lips. "We're really going to keep talking about this? Even when it's so depressing..."

"Weel," Cee sat down on one of the low benches and leaned against row of locker cubicles, "if ye'r nae in th' mood tae blether aboot it, we cuid shift richt alang tae a solo flight."

Hand on her hip, Rose gave her friend a flat look. "Céilidh MacAllister, when have I ever not been in the mood to talk?" Granted, that wasn't entirely true anymore. There were plenty of things she was keeping to herself. But Cee was something of a neutral party... or at least not as close as Tommy and Nic. And, honestly, she'd said exactly the right thing while they were on the broom together.

Flopping down onto the bench beside the redhead, the tiny blonde gave a resigned sigh. "Let's save the solo flights for later."

"Ah thought you'd see it that wey," the redhead smiled. "Sae... Whit urr ye twa gaun tae dae?" Céilidh hoped that by getting Rose to talk about it - talk through it - that maybe she'd be able to come to some sort of decision.

Her chin came to rest in her hands, golden curls hiding her face from sight. "I don't know... and I don't like that. I mean, it's me. I always have a romance plan."

"Och sure. Bit whit if this isnae romance anymair?"

The blonde winced. "But Bobby's my boyfriend."

"Aye, he's certainly a lad." Cee nodded, "'n' a wullnae deny he's yer mukker. Bit whit if th' twa juist dinnae gang th'gither anymair?"

That was the part she didn't want to think about. Things had been hard with Bobby this year. It didn't feel like last year at all. But if boy and friend didn't go together anymore... Her hands moved up to cover her face. She did not want to cry about this. "If they don't..." she began in a muffled voice, "then I really don't know what to do."

Céilidh leaned forward and placed a hand on Rose's back, rubbing gently. "'Brosia, tis nae th' end o' th' world. 'N' tis nae lik' ye huv tae stairt hating ilk ither. Ah dinnae think either o' ye wants that."

She nodded faintly. "I can't belive I'm even thinking about this." Her voice was a half groan... half sob. "I wanted everything to be good this year."

"Noo, noo, none o' that. Thir's na crying in Quidditch." the redhead joked. "Tis juist a maiter o' perspective, loue. If ye stairt th' year aff doon th' glen, ye'v git nowhere tae gang bit up. Unless, o' coorse, ye fin' something in th' glen that's worth putting aff th' climb."

"I don't know," she said again. "But I do know that my boyfriend shouldn't be the one part of my life that makes me unhappy when I think about it. That's got to be a bad sign, right?"

"Ah..." Céilidh winced. There was no real easy way to answer that question. Sure, she and Tommy had been on the outs recently, but things were getting better. And it wasn't as though she was unhappy with him in her life. There were frustrations, yes, and the odd occation that she wanted to thump him with a bludger bat, but unhappy?

The blonde sighed, afraid to even voice the questions in her mind. This was not what she should be talking about. She was Rose... she fixed relationships. She didn't end them. "Bobby and I have been friends since our first year..." she began slowly, working her way toward the terrifying thoughts. "At the rate we're going now..." The blonde curls stuck to her face as she shook her head voilently. "I can't have him hating me."

"Sae is this something yer feelin' ye kin fix, or huv yer feelings simply... changed aboot him?"

Turning her head, Rose finally looked up at her friend, green eyes filled with uncertainty. "That... is a really good question," she sighed.

[Bobby Britto]

The wind moved slowly through Hogwarts, a somber day with a somber mood to match. Only one thing stood out today and that was the sun finally being allowed to say hello to all of the students of Hogwarts as the clouds finally started to part toward the day's end. A golden-orange hue was reaching across the land and at least one teen at the school of wizardry stopped to marvel at the natural wonder that may people would have compared it to a picturesque painting. It was the moment artists across the globe would have considered perfect to replicate, thanks to all of the colors. That particular student that stopped to admire the view was Bobby, dressed in a black coat, cloth, with buttons. It was a belated birthday present from his mother, she bought it because the woman figured he'd liked it. His old coat was getting kind of ratty to boot, and it reminded her of John Lennon, the muggle musician she adored. Along with the coat was a dark gray shirt, long sleeves hidden by the coat, and simple blue jeans. Bobby was out there because he got a note that was far from strawberry fields. It came from Rose, and all it said is, "We need to talk."

Soft steps behind him announced the presence of the tiny blonde. Though the fall day wasn't exactly cold, she had a shimmering pink and lilac striped scarf wrapped around her neck, the tassled ends bouncing off her arms as she walked to Bobby's side. "Hi there," she said softly.

"Hey," he said softly not sure if a hug would be appropriate, Bobby made a few struggling steps that could make anyone tell the teen was very unsure what to do.

Green eyes slightly disappointed at this less than warm welcome, Rose stepped up beside him to watch the sunset. "Wow. It's a nice night."

He hugged her sensing there was something wrong with his greeting, trying to make up for it. "It is...it truly is....I wish more nights ended like this with the sun and everything being this color. How are you?" Bobby asked hoping it was a better question to ask than something like, "how's the weather?"

The little prefect leaned against him, smiling faintly. "Oh. I'm good. Classes are keeping me busy, of course. But that's natural I suppose. You?"

"Classes, quidditch, Snape, you know, the same. Snape, I think gets a little moodier year after year, the new Quidditch position is different...and I kinda miss keeper, but I like my new place now. And besides worrying about Professors going crazy on students, it's pretty much the same as last year there." He smiled and raised his eyebrows trying to be comical and optimistic about this year, but too many bad things were already starting to happen.

The blonde girl nodded. "I don't think anyone's gone crazy... yet. But it's still early in the year," she chuckled softly.

He smiled, "Give it time, we're not even half-way through the year yet...I say we're off to a good start this year to becoming crazier than we were last year.."

"No way. We're going to have a nice calm year." She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder, watching as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. "With nice, talented professors."

"Don't get me started on them," Bobby groaned putting an arm around her for a moment. It was a bittersweet comfort to him that Rose's sunny, no pun, disposition was starting to come back.

A frown touched her golden brow. "Are you unhappy with your classes then?" she asked sincerely. It was yet another sign of her bad-girlfriendness; she realized that she wasn't even certain what classes he was taking this year.

Shaking his head repeatedly Bobby looked at her, "It's just the one. I'm still not exactly over seeing my best friend and classmates getting shot by a man that's supposed to educate and not assault," he said with bitterness and disdain.

Pursing her lips to the side, Rose looked up into his eyes. "You need to find a way to get past that. Professor Qasim is... well he's direct. But I don't think he's bad. I talked to him after Kat had her disgusting thing and, I don't know, I may not agree with his methods but I can't argue that the man knows what he's doing."

"I'd rather see Gilderoy Lockhart suddenly become headmaster before I call Qasim a good teacher..." he said staring at her. Rose knew how much Bobby really didn't like Lockhart at all...

Rose bit her lip. She hadn't come out here to argue with him, especially on matters they'd never see eye to eye on. "But you're going to be in his class all year..."

"Taking a class, trying to learn, and respecting your teacher are different things Rose. I'll take it, try to listen to him, but it doesn't mean I have to like it..."

"Of course not," she answered, biting back an angry response. Staring back out at the sunset, she was suddenly reminded of her conversation with Cee. Maybe they really were just making each other miserable. They certainly weren't able to talk without arguing or at least having a misunderstanding lately.

He tried hard not to roll his eyes at her comment as it felt like a response given by one of his parents when they were humoring him. How come they didn't understand each other as much as last year? It nearly drove Bobby insane as he really wanted to understand her, but she was distant. And he, well...hearing weird voices and trying to convince others you heard them, never really fared well for anyone as far the teen knew. Although Rose was always very supportive, hearing weird and strange voices even in Hogwarts may be pushing it when it came to that support. "So......" Bobby said trying to clear the air of any negative emotions and start up a new conversation.

"Yeah..." Pulling a lock of hair up to her lips, she bit down rather hard. She had no idea what to say to him. And, am I making you miserable seemed a little too drastic at the moment. Barely able to hold back a sigh, she desperately fished for something to talk about. "So... um... you said you like your new Quidditch position?"

Should I back off? Seemed a little too forward to ask and lately, Rose was very anti-forward actions or words lately. Every time Bobby tried to be direct it lead to fighting, in his mind anyway. "I like it just fine I mean it's fun and interesting. I like trying new things around here in the wizard world. They usually lead to something fun, it's why I became keeper in the first place. So I figured, what the heck, I'll try something new again. I do miss it sometimes though," he shrugged trying not to beam or sound too excited with his words. One of the things Bobby said he'd never do would be to go on and on and on about Quidditch like some of his Housemates tend to do.

"Mmmhmm." Chewing on her hair, the little blonde didn't quite meet his eyes. "It's nice that after so many years here at Hogwarts that we can still find new things. I think I'd be kinda sad if everything became totally commonplace. You know?"

He smiled at her, "Nothing about the wizard world will ever be common, every day there'd be something new. One of the reasons I'd like to be here rather than there after we're done with school..."

Though she had no "there" other than the world she'd lived in every day of her life, Rose nodded. "That's still a long way off," she told him quietly, eyes on the horizon. "So many things could change between now and then."

"Not this, sometimes things are constants. It's a question of, whether or not we know they are."

"And some things change." She smiled sadly, remembering some of the very fitting things Cee had said to her.

"Yeah...sometimes they do," he said fighting the urge to give a response to say something more positive. Rose did have a point, even if it was a negative one.

"Do you think we've changed?" She pressed on, suddenly sick of dancing around their problems. They were going to talk about this even if it killed her.

He sighed out loudly really not wanting to talk about this, but knowing things were too bad to ignore anymore. He looked at her, "Yes, but I wonder if this is fixable or not."

Crossing her arms, she drew away from him. Green eyes now fixed on his face, she thought about their first year at Hogwarts. They'd been friends for years. She wasn't going to lose that... even if she did lose him as her boyfriend. "And how would you fix us?"

"I see that less up to me, and more up to you, Rose. I've tried talking, I've tried backing off, I've tried everything...Just tell me what you want to do, and I'll do it..."

"You kept trying to fix me. Like there was some magic spell that would poof! make me all better or something. It doesn't work that way. I have talked..." Her voice trailed off in a sad sigh. The truth was right there in front of them. "I just haven't talked to you."

That hurt like a punch to the kidney, sharp, painful, and almost debilitating. It was great that she had found an outlet, but part of Bobby was truly sad. That outlet...wasn't him and deep down he really wanted it to be..."Do you want me to back off and just be friends for a while? It feels like no matter what I do....I'm not helping lately," his words came out dull, and emotionless. It was all Bobby could do to get them out without sounding desperate or extremely distressed.

Tears stood out in her emerald eyes. "Bobby... you were my friend long before we started dating. I think that's one of those unchangeable things. But..." But she couldn't say it.

Suddenly Bobby turned letting tears roll down his face, "And mine too...always will be, but in the end I want what's best for you. If I'm not it, I'm not it. Just give me a little time..." he said with a low voice starting to walk off crying harder than before knowing it was for the best, and it was a mutual agreement. Just sometimes agreements weren't always happy ones, for either party.

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

She made him cry.

Curled up in a tiny ball on the end of the couch, Rose paid little attention to the --thankfully-- empty common room around her. It was dinner time, time to relax and enjoy the end of the day. But the blonde had no appetite. Forehead resting on her knees, she sat cocooned in her little shell of sadness.

She made him cry.

Not because of some misunderstanding or sweet action that brought tears of joy. In trying to keep them both from being miserable and ending up hating each other, she had made him cry. It had to be the worst feeling ever. It was certainly one of the worst things that she'd ever done in her life.

Hidden behind the cascading curtain of her golden hair, the prefect missed the sound of soft footsteps until it was too late. "Um... Ambrosia?" The concerned voice cracked and wavered slightly, not yet settling into a true barritone. "Are you okay?"

Wincing, the tiny blonde turned her head to peer out at Ricardo Gomes. The second year boy had grown considerably over the summer, a fact that nearly all of the second year girls had been noticing. "Oh. Hi." Absently wiping away any tears that might have lingered on her cheeks, Rose tried to smile. "I... didn't know anyone was up here."

Hazel eyes betraying his worry, the dark haired boy shook his head. "Well, dinner's almost over. I just came back early so I could get a jump on my Charms homework." Reaching out to put a hand on her arm, he gave her another concerned look. "But are you okay?"

"Dinner's over?" That meant she'd have to deal with people soon. Nic would be back. And so would Danny. She couldn't face either of them. Not yet. Not because she doubted either would be anything other than sympathetic, but just because she couldn't admit to her own failure yet. After all, how was she supposed to help Danny with his love life when she couldn't even keep a boyfriend? "I really have to go."

Pausing before she raced out the door, she gave the younger boy a small, more genuine smile. "And I'll be fine. Thanks for asking. You really are a sweetheart." Leaving him staring after her in confusion, the prefect hurried out of the Ravenclaw tower. She just needed a place where she could be alone.

---

Doing her best to avoid every other living, and non-living, soul in the castle, Rose hurried down the long stone hallways toward the prefect's bathroom. It seemed to be the safest place. And, failing all else, she could always throw herself into the bath if she really needed to avoid people.

Slipper clad feet shuffling lightly in the empty coridoor, she looked back as she turned a corner, relieved to see that there was no one behind her. Unfortunately she couldn't look both directions at once.

The shock running into so much pink fluff was too much for Cecelia, who was sent backside first to the stone floor with an "Ooof."

"Ohmygosh I'm so sorry." Reaching down, Rose did her best to help Cissy to her feet. "I wasn't watching and I totally didn't mean to run you down. I'm really really sorry."

Cecelia giggled, "Fancy running into you here Rosie."

Forcing a smile, the blonde Ravenclaw tried to look casual. "Oh I was just going to go bask in the glow of the prefect's bathroom."

Cecelia's lip popped out a little, "I don't get to see till next year."

"It's worth the wait. Trust me." Try as she might, she couldn't seem to keep the smile on her face. It was definitely time to keep moving along.

Cecelia's eyes studied her older friend. Besides Tommy, Cecelia knew Ambrosia best. Her eyes finally landed on Roses, "What's wrong."

"Nothing."

Suddenly Cecelia looked a lot like her mother, "Ambrosia..."

Rose gave a sour little pout. Then, with a heavy sigh, she grabbed the younger girl's hand and pulled her past the bathroom to an invitingly open classroom. "Bobby and I broke up!" she blurted as soon as the door had closed behind them. Then she burst into tears.

"What? Cecelia's eyes bugged out of her head, "Why?"

The tiny blonde collapsed into a chair, hugging her knees to her chest. "It just... wasn't right anymore. We couldn't talk or understand each other. I was afraid we were going to end up hating each other. And he said maybe we should back off and I didn't disagree..."

"That's the silliest thing I ever heard," Cecelia shook her head.

Raising her eyebrows, Rose gave her friend a steady look. "Says the girl who broke up with her boyfriend because he didn't write..."

Cecelia opened her mouth, but then it closed just as quickly, "Okay, point taken." Cecelia sat down next to Rose and pulled her close, "I'm sorry."

The tiny prefect leaned into the younger girl's hug. "I'm sorry too. It's just... not what I wanted. I think." Shaking her head, she gave a sigh that seemed to come from her toes. "That's the problem. I didn't even know what I wanted. I just knew something wasn't right." Looking blankly at the empty desks in front of her, she gave a half smile at how little sense she was making. Good thing Cissy understood this sort of thing.

"Well," Cecelia sighed herself, "It's not like I know any more about dating than you do, [cissy]"but you and Bobby seemed so, perfect."

"We were... for a while." Her head slowly came to rest on Cissy's shoulder. "But Cee said that sometimes people just change. So maybe it's not like anything we did... but who we are. I don't know. I guess I keep hoping that we can still be good friends and stuff. You know, like we were before we ever started dating."

Cecelia smiled, "Exactly."

"I like to think there's hope for all of us." She couldn't help but give another sigh. "I just wish he hadn't looked so sad. Cissy, I made him cry..."

Cecelia looked Rose in the eyes, "Rose, Bobby wears his emotions on his sleeve. I doubt you really did or said anything terribly mean, but it wouldn't matter, that's the way he is."

Rose nodded. She couldn't argue with Cissy's words. It didn't really make her feel any better though. "I suppose you're right. It still just felt so... horrible."

Cecelia nodded, "But Rose you have to do what's right for you, and at this point was Bobby truly right for you right now?"

She couldn't bring herself to say it, so she simply shook her head. Her slipper-clad feet swung lightly over the floor as she sighed again. "But I really wanted this year to be the year of right things..."

"What if this is the right thing?"

"If it is... then things will work out and Bobby will be happy and I'll be happy even if it's not happy as boyfriend and girlfriend." A sad smile tugged at her lips. It really was hard to think of a future without Bobby, she'd spent so much time daydreaming about it last year.

Cecelia nodded, "Exactly."

Throwing her arms around her fellow blonde, Rose finally gave a genuine smile. "What would I do without you, Cissy?"

Cecelia giggled, "You would have to totally rely on Tommy?"

"Oh how horrible," Rose giggled.

"So," Cecelia's eyebrow raised, "Think you could sneak me into the prefect's bathroom? I've heard the bubble bath's are to die for."

The tiny Ravenclaw was feeling better by the minute. "Oh they so are." Those green eyes began to sparkle just a little. "And I'm sure we can work something out... if you're willing to make a deal..."

"You're on," Cecelia grinned. As soon as her grin started it went away, replaced by arching eyebrows, "What kind of deal?"

[Laun Orris-Whitmoor]

"A moment please," The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor called out over the din of students packing their bags to leave class, "For you assignment due on my desk next week, I would like a foot and a half parchment on the Vodou wizards of Haiti, with particular focus on the spells and potions that are used to turn people, living and dead, into Zombi slaves, and the spells and potions used to counteract this."

There was a collective groan from most of the students as they finished packing.

The professor's voice called out again, "Michael, Laun if I may have a word please?"

The two sixth years looked at each other and then smiled at the professor, "Of course."

As the Gryffindor set his book bag back down his head turned back to the door and the red head that was standing there waiting for him. Tom gave Cee a grin, "I'll catch up with you," he called out.

Céilidh's eyebrows knitted down disapprovingly, and with a heavy sigh she turned on her heel and left the doorway down the hall.

Laun was practically squirming with excitement as waved off Sam and Dee with a smile so wide it seemed to take up his entire face.

Looking from the former auror who was collecting the papers on his desk, to his Slytherin counterpart Tom gave a wary look, "Wonder what he wants?" Tom said in a low hushed voice.

"I have no idea...but I have such a good feeling about this!" Laun laughed.

Amen Qasim looked up as the boys approached. He gave the stack of parchment in his hands a little tap on the desktop, letting them settle together neatly before slipping them away to the side. "Gentlmen," he smiled. Qasim was excellent at reading people's body language; it had gotten him to where he was today, but it didn't take an expert to read the stiffness in Tommy's posture. "Relax, nobody is in any trouble here. I just wanted to take a moment of your time."

Tommy's nerves settled only a little. His hands clasped behind his back. "About?"

"Well," The Defense Against Dark Arts professor leaned forward on his desk. The way he sat kept himself low between the boys, their eyes gazing down upon him from the superior vantage point. It was a simple trick that put people at ease. "Several little birds through out the hall have been all a buzz about this tournament Professor Flitwick is putting on with the Dueling Club." Amen's hands folded together. "You're both in the Club, are you not?"

"Yes sir," they both beamed.

The professor smiled again as he leaned back, "Have either of you thought strategy or how you will carry yourself during these matches?"

"Well," Tom leaned forward, "I guess it would depend on who we are facing wouldn't it?"

"Yeah," Laun nodded alongside.

"What I mean is," the former auror continued, "A big part of winning a duel like this is more than just using more powerful spells, you have to asses the skills of your opponent, know their stregths and weaknesses as well as you know their own."

"What would be the easiest way to do that sir?" The blond Slytherin Prefect leaned forward as well.

Those dark eyes regarded Laun. Amen shook his head "There is no easy way, Laun." He looked between the two boys. "Hard work and determination is always the path to success. There is no short cut."

The Defense Against Dark Arts professor slid his chair back from his desk. "The road to your success here is research and practice. Learn about your opponents. Observe them, casually. Watch how they operate, what their comforts are, where they struggle. And I do not mean strictly when it comes to dueling..." He gave a thoughtful smile. "You'll find that how people live their daily lives impacts what they'll do in battle considerably."

"I mention this because I think the two of you have an incredible learning opportunity here. I know you are both considering the Auror field. These are the very skills that you will need to develop in becoming a successful Auror and here you may use them in a very real way." He looked at them both carefully a moment. "I see tremendous potential in you both, and as your professor I would like to help shepherd you forward."

"Thank you, sir!" Laun said trying his hardest to stop himself from laughing, crying and/or fainting.

"Any advise you could give me sir," Tom nodded, "I would be happy to get."

The boys both stood and started walking to the door. As Tom's hand hit the handle, he turned back around. "Sir?"

"Yes, Michael?"

"How is the investigation into Kat's situation going?"

"Not very well sadly," The former Auror closed his eyes, "I have not been able to find one solid lead."

"Well, sir, I did have some thoughts on...I'm sorry it was presumptive of me to even ponder such a sensitive matter."

"No, go on."

"Well it was determined that what poured from Kat's nostril was ink correct?"

"Correct."

"Well what makes ink...squids...

Tom tried to keep from laughing, Here it comes.

"...I believe Kat was doing a story on the merfolk and found out something dark and earthshattering about them...so dark they entered into compact with the giant squid and together sought to silence one Miss Kat Tarbell forever but being inhuman mistook her nose for her mouth and that is, as you say...what happened."

Amen's eyebrows raised slightly, "That is an interesting," Amen cleared his throat, "theory. I've been thinking," he stood up, "would you two young men like to help me with the investigation? Sometimes I have learned that people will talk to those they have things in common rather than someone of authority. If the two of you could help me I would appreciate it. And who knows if you all help with this, it could really help both of you all with your future endeavors."

"I can't speak for Laun," Tom nodded, "but I would be honored sir."

"He can speak for me...I mean yes!" The clockwork innards on Laun's mind began their twisted beats once more...a case!

[Céilidh MacAllister]

Going about the hallways his mind running rampant with too many thoughts Bobby made his way back toward the Gryffindor common room, a place of solace and maybe clarity. Making his way past the fat lady Bobby went into the room before letting out a breath of relief. His blue eyes casually scanned the room noticing familiar faces like Tommy, each of the Weasleys, Bill, Percy and Charlie, and Cee. Each of them were doing various things reading, talking, taking a break, the usual stuff in any common room. Originally Bobby was going to wander off to his bunk and maybe end his mind's rampant movement with a little sleep, but then a sudden thought crept into his head. Slowly his gaze went back to Cee and Bobby strolled up to his housemate, "Do you have a minute Cee?" he asked.

Céilidh looked up from her book. Bobby's face was framed by his shag of blonde hair, but there was something in his eyes that sent a silent signal. "Sure Bob, whit's up?"

Bobby cast a furtive glance around to the others in the room. He was sure everyone would know soon enough, and he wanted to be able to deal with the inevitable questions without breaking down. Getting emotional in front of a girl was one thing. Getting emotional in front of your mates... "Can we find some place a little more private?"

Having an inking of what her teammate wanted to talk about, the red head agreed, "Lead oan, MacBritto..."

They moved to a cozy, quiet area of the common room, with a pair of chairs and a small side-table tucked off to one side opposite the wall of windows. Céilidh took the corner seat, ensuring that she'd be able to ward off any unwanted eavesdroppers with a look. "Sae..."

Bobby wasn't really sure where to begin and found himself staring into his lap. "Cee... You're a girl..."

Céilidh couldn't repress a smirk as she pulled out the collar of her sweater and looked down, "Why Bobby, Ah dae hawp yer correct."

"I'm trying to figure out where things went wrong with me and Rose. I've thought about, over and over and over again...And in the end, I'm still as clueless as I was before I began thinking on it," Bobby admitted his inability to figure out the problem that was his relationship. He tried doing things that felt right and obviously something went wrong, terribly wrong. Now it was just trying to figure out what went wrong, why, and using that to mend any damage his and Rose's friendship may have.

Failing the obvious attempt at humor, Cee leaned forward, wresting her elbows on her knees. She'd already had a similar conversation with Rose. It was a situation that, oddly enough, had brought the two of them closer together. Whether the same could be said for this talk with Bobby...

"Leuk, Bobby... some things cannae be fixed na maiter howfur much, or frea howfur many angles ye leuk at it."

"I just feel like...I did more damage than good Cee," he stared at her being very candid with his words. His blue eyes looked straight into hers, "I'm worried about the friendship... maybe I damaged that too. We were so close before we became a couple, and it hurts to loose her as a girlfriend...a lot." By now those blue eyes were starting to water as tearms began to form. This kind of openness was usually saved for Tommy, but it felt good to let it out in front of another. Again the teen looked at Céilidh, this time with a few tears streaming down his face, "It'd hurt more to loose her as a friend."

The redhead reached out and took one of Bobby's hands in hers. She knew for a fact that this was one of Rose's concerns as well. If anything it was a good sign that there was still some common ground the two could work on. "Bobby, Ah kin honestly say 'Brosia feels th' same. She daesnae wantae hurt ye ony mair than ye'll want tae hurt her. But th' kinch is whin ye gang frae boyfriend an girlfriend back tae juist friends, thir's aye a wee bit o' hurt. Ah cannae explain whit changed in 'Brosia lest year. Hell, Ah cannae even explain whit changed in me."

"But you and Tommy were together when everything happened, so it stands to reason that maybe if I'd been there, things wouldn't be the way they are now. That Rose and I wouldn't have... broken." The boy's eyes found his lap again, and his hair covered his face.

Céilidh smiled but her eyes betrayed the gesture. She reached up, wiping the streak of tear down Bobby's cheek and lifted his chin. "Trust me whin Ah tell ye that ye didnae wantae be thare. None o' us wanted tae be thare... least o' a' 'Brosia. Reason? Reason gaed oot th' windae whin Eric blew up th' Prefect's loo. We were a' lucky tae be alive. Thir's nae a day that goes by that Ah dinnae thank th' Heavens that Tommy, or 'Brosia, or 'Lando didnae git killed."

Bobby sniffed. "I don't know how that's supposed to make me feel any better, Cee. I kinda feel like I let everyone down not being there..." he confessed letting another detail that was eating at him slip to Cee. He hated not being there for his friends like it was a collective let down not just to Rose, but everyone he called a friend that was involved.

"'N' gif ye hud bin thare, 'n' something happened tae ye? Howfur dae ye think Rose wid feel?" She'd been through the what-ifs a thousand times over in her head. "Ye weren't meant tae be thare, Bobby. 'N' mibbie... mibbie that's a sign that ye 'n' Rose... that yer ainlie suppose tae be friends."

He shrugged for a moment letting Cee's words sink in. Maybe she had a pretty valid point, some people aren't just meant to be. As much as that hurt Bobby he admitted to himself that Cee was probably right. Him and Rose just weren't meant to be and she was also right about the pain part too. Right now, the blone hair blue eyed teen was in a lot of it as he continued to stare down at the floor. It would be hard to see Rose, but for the sake of their friendship he would try. Looking through his blond locks again Bobby cast his gaze at Céilidh, "Do you think the friendship is fixable?"

The girl's eyes softened, "Ofcourse ah dae, Bobby. If thir's yin thin 'Brosia loues, tis huvin mukkers a' aboot. Bit," her tone turned serious again, "mah best advice is tae let ilk ither heal formaist. Dinnae try tae push hings. Let 'Brosia ken that ye'll be thare."

Tears started to dry up as it was comforting to hear advice from Céilidh, just like all the others, she gave advice that wasn't judgemental. Deep down Bobby was afraid because of how he handled the situation of accusing eyes or words even with his heart, in his opinion, was in the right place. Every part of the conversation with his firey housemate, so far, had gone so much better than he could have hoped for. Still he hated showing all the hurt and pain, so desperate to find an escape he clung to new topic for a moment. "How are you and Tommy?" he asked.

"We're guid. Hings wur a wee bit... tense efter that first dark arts class," she replied. Casting a glance to where her boyfriend sat with the Weasleys, she smiled. "Bit he made up fur it wi' mah birthday."

"Everything was tense after the first dark arts class. I still don't like him Cee," he confessed looking toward Tommy and the others, like she was.

"Nor dae Ah," she said. "Ah cannae deny his experience, bit... Thir's something nae richt aboot him."

There was a nod of agreement from the blond teen, "Just because he's experienced doesn't mean he knows what he's doing...Same goes for Lockhart. Sure they both know a lot, but to me they're no better than a pair of bumbling idiots. What kind of a teacher would hurt their students the first day? It still bugs me Céilidh and I doubt I'll let my feelings go," he said bitterly as thoughts of the first time he met Qasim. In the teen's mind there were lines people just didn't cross and Qasim crossed all of them. It just wasn't right.

Céilidh looked across the room once again. Both Tommy and Laun were so enamored with the Auror, though Tommy was doing his best to not be so starry-eyed around her. "Ah dinnae ken, Bobby. Something tells me Qasim ken's exactly whit he's daein'."

[Orlando MacFoozle]

"Well," Tommy Tommy threw his arm around Orlando as the two of them, along with their other partners in crime ducked through the opening to their homey cave away from castle. "How does it feel to be the next to hit the of age mark?"

On the other side of the Hufflepuff, Danny grinned. "Aye. An' tae think, most of the fowks at Hogwarts think yuir still a half year away."

"Aye," Céilidh said, bringing up the rear, "'n' that we've ne'er used it against ye is a testament tae oor friendship."

Foozle laughed, heading over to the nice and comfy leather couch they had acquired. Since redecorating the cave hadn't looked better, even if it did look suspiciously like the Slytherin common room. After all, the items that Danny and Lando had pilfered here and there over the years was always a bit worn out when they got it. Still, somehow all that furniture seemed warm and inviting in their little cave. He looked up at Cee he was crossing over in front of him. "And gae again ma da's wisses?" More than likely it was the company that made it so different. "Ye'd niver..." The birthday boy smiled.

It was a family secret, Orlando's birthday. An inside joke that Alec and Giles had come up with after Tommy was born so close to Foozle. Orlando would be celebrated on his half birthday, April 1st... April Fools day. That way the boys wouldn't have to deal with competition over being celebrated so few days apart. Perhaps that was why the Hufflepuff was such a joker all his life. He had literally been born to it.

Danny was right, outside of these four, Rose and Albus Dumbledore, none were the wiser. And Rose and Dumbledore had always played along with the joke. Well, now Nicolette knew too, but even the others in the room didn't know that. Still, The Gentlemen gathered together on this night every year in a small, private celebration. Just the family.

"Sae how daes it feel, brither?" Dan repeated Tommy's question as he set four squat glasses down on the coffee table. He uncorked the black glass bottle of Gentleman 25 with a soft pop.

"Disnae feel a wee bit different than saxteen tae tell ye the truith," Lando replied. "Ah reck that'll change tho."

"Ye kin nae notice anything," the redhead waited as Danny poured the first - of many - rounds, "bit a'm sure Aunt Rhane wull be glad that she doesn't huv tae deal wi' ony mair underage magic letters frae th' Ministry."

As Danny finished with the last shot, they each raised a glass, "Tae yer mither 'n' faither, wi'oot wham, ye wouldn't be 'ere th'day."

The Hufflepuff nodded, "Aye," he smiled, catching that amber reflection of himself in the light off the glass which was surrounded by the warped images of the others. He reached forward, and four glasses clinked together.

"Here's to all our parents," Tom raised his glass again, "if not for them we wouldn't be the people we are today."

The four glasses clinked again.

"So," Tommy said during his shudder from downing the amber liquid, "Never will get used to that stuff."

Orlando laughed and threw an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Ye dinnae hae tae drink it, brither." Of the foursome, Tommy had never been the drinker that the three Scots were. That was just it, he hadn't been raised in a Scot house. But that never mattered, the four of them were family. "Weel," grinned the Hufflepuff as he set his glass back down for Danny to refill, "except the day."

"Aye, 'n' forby," Céilidh bumped Tommy with her hip and gave him a suggestive look, "howfur urr ye suppose tae git me blootert 'n' tak' advantage o' me if ah kin dram ye under th' buird?"

Tom's cheeks flushed, but there was a twinkle in his eye, "You could always join me under the table."

"A'richt noo," Lando interrupted, handing them both the next round, "A'd tell ye twa tae git a room, bit sin a'm juist turning seventeen, amurnay duin tae be Uncle Foozle juist yet."

"Jealous?" Tom's eyebrows waggled as he smiled widely.

"O ye makin time wi ma sister?" Foozle returned with a look of skepticism and a dry grin. "Nae, Ah'd no caw whit Ahm feeling jealousy." He winked and raised his glass to his lips.

"What would you call it then?" Tom said right before he finished downing his drink, shuddered and kissed Cee.

Foozle looked at them Cee then Tom and then replied with complete deadpan. "Nausea." There was a moment of silence. Then Foozle and Danny broke out with raucous laughter.

Danny filled the glasses around again. "You gauntae spill the beans? Or are we gonna keep up the con?"

"Ah dinnaken..." Foozle took his glass and settled back in the couch's cushions. "Ah niver gie it muckle thoucht..." And as he did, the more he thought about how that birthday tied him to his father. He smiled a little, looking into his scotch. "Ah reck thare's nae need tae keep it saicret efter April, but..." He sipped the drink. "Why ruin a guid thing?"

"Hear hear," Tom raised his glass.

From the back of the room a familiar voice called out, "If ruin is t-t-topic,
Then something should be d-d-done.
A g-g-good thing has been broken,
Disrepair is n-n-not fun.
So if, in yu-yu-your carousing,
You find it in your heart,
And d-d-decide you should fix me,
Then you should g-g-get a start!"

Tom choked on the liquid in his glass, "I think he's getting upset gents."


"Ach..." Foozle leaned to the side to look past Tommy at Wordsworth, their safe of discombobulated charms. He'd always been rather... independent . But since the the fire last year he'd been positively off his head. "We're wirkin oan it, mate. Ah sweir." He gave a sheepish look to the others. The truth was, all the research they did trying to open him hadn't done a lick of good and the research trying to fix him wasn't proving much better.


A thought popped into his head, and Danny glanced at Céilidh. "Y'know, it took our loverly Gryffendor lass tae get him open... mebbes she can charm some information out of the stuttering safe."

"Och, ye'r th' brains o' th' group, Danny," the redhead teased, "Ah juist used common sense is a'." Still, she disentangled herself from Tom and crossed the cave to where the squat box sat. Kneeling down, she laid a hand on the safe. "Tis juist that ye'r a wee bit mair advanced than anything we've hud tae deal wi', Wirdswirth. Ye ken if 'twas as simple as Reparo, we'd huv hud ye fixed up awready. Is thare na advice ye kin gies?"

"If a-a-a-advice I had,
it would have l-l-long been g-given.
b-b-but my memory's t-thin,
like a l-l-l-l-l-lost, frayed r-ribbon."

"Well I guess that settles that," Tom said glumly, "maybe we should try going through the old notebooks again, see if anything comes up."

"That soonds lik' a grand idea, Tom." Cee turned back to the safe and patted the side, almost as though she was comforting a friend in the hospital wing, "Ye wilnae mynd if we celebrate Lando's birthday, we'll try tae keep it quiet."

"On an occasion such as th-th-this,
A celebration there should b-b-be.
So long as n-n-n-nothing goes amiss
And you d-d-d-do remember me."

"Niver, mate," replied Orlando raising his glass to the forest colored safe. "Yuir as muckle a pairt o the clan as the rest o us. We'll git ye fixit. "

---

An hour had passed since the pledge to Wordsworth and the party was still in full swing. Tommy pulled a small box from his jeans pocket. Throwing his arm around the Hufflepuff that was as much his brother as he was his best friend, he pulled him toward a quieter corner of the cave, "Got a little something for you."

Foozle smiled, his eyes twinkling a bit from the many rounds they had shared. "Ye didnae hae tae dae tha, brither." His eyes fell to the box in Tommy's palm. "Really."

"It wasn't just me," He put the box in Orlando's hands, "Open it."

The Scot looked at the thing in his hand a moment. Though the plain white box small, barely covering his palm, it had a bit a of heft to it. His fingers closed over it, and he gave a tug on the little black bow that kept it closed. Flipping the simple hinged top back, Orlando was completely unprepared for what he found inside.

"Och," said the Hufflepuff, his throat feeling a little dry despite the dent that the four of them had put into that bottle of Gentleman 25, "Tommy..."

Nestled atop the soft white cotton was a silver disc whose sheen had been worn and scuffed away by the abuse of time and use. In fact it was so worn that the crest embossed over the top was becoming rather faint. The shield with the chevron over it, a dancing polecat in its top corners and a dragon curled at the bottom was mostly there. The leaf-work that surrounded it was nearly gone completely as was the helmet that adorned. Even so, Orlando knew it well; it was the MacFoozle coat of arms.

He barely noticed the way his fingers trembled as he took it from the box. The silver chain unspooled as he turned it in his hand. His fingers ran across the equally fading emblem on the back, the Hufflepuff crest. As old as it was, it popped open without a sound when his thumb tapped the button that split it on its hinge to reveal the clock face within.

Orlando looked back to Tom. "Tha's ma da's watch..."

Tom smiled, "Yeah," he said with a bit of a sadness in his voice, "Dad told me that he gave Uncle Alec that watch on his seventeenth birthday." Tom's blue eyes sparkled with tears as he spoke, "After Uncle Alec," Tom couldn't get the word out, instead he sniffed heavily, "Your mum gave it to my dad. He sent it to me last week for to give to you. He said to complete the circle," Tom said with a watery laugh that turned into another sniff.

Foozle just nodded, his head bobbing back and forth as he stared at the watch. He hadn't seen it in years. "Tommy..." Those hazel circles shimmered like polished glass as they welled. "Ah..." It clicked when it folded closed. His thumb stroked the cool metal of the watch and he looked up at Tommy. His words cracked a little, "Ah dinnae ken whit tae say."

Tommy pulled Orlando into a hug, "Happy birthday, brother," he said quietly.

With the watch clenched tight in his fist, Foozle hugged the Gryffindor back tight. "Thanks."

Céilidh nudged Danny, "Isnae it juist th' sweetest thing ye'v ever seen? Fur th' lack o' a camera..."

Fooze ran his wrist over his cheeks, still holding tight to his father's watch. "Shut it." He chuckled a bit as he turned back to the others.

Picking up a package, Danny tossed it to Orlando. "Ah'm afraid mine's nae as sentimental as our man in Gryffindor's was... but I think you'll like it anyway."

The Hufflepuff caught the brightly-wrapped package and pulled the paper free of the box. Inside was a tiny silver flask, almost big enough to hold a shot, with a metal attachment loop that would allow it to act as a watch-fob. "Awesome!" Foozle attached the small silver disc to the end of the watch's chain. "Did ye twa plan this?"

Tommy shook his head. "Don't look at me."

"I found out whit Tommy wis doing and..." He shrugged his shoulders a bit.

"It's perfit, Dan. Thanks." Tucking the watch into his pocket, he held the flask and unscrewed the top with his fingers. "Ah reck it hauds enouch tae git thru the seicont hauf o Snape's class."

Danny laughed. "It shoud get ye through more than that, mate." Taking the flask from Orlando, he picked up a bottle of 25 year old Gentlemen's. Opening it, he carefully pored the entirety of the bottle into the tiny flask. "A figure it'll hold anither fifteen or twenty bottles, but Ah've nae filled it up for sure."

The birthday boy smiled, throwing an arm around the Ravenclaw's neck. "Ye ken me sae weel."

Cee reached behind the couch and retrieved her gift. It was wrapped in yellow and black-striped paper with badgers that started to sing happy birthday in a very high-pitch when Foozle took it from her. "Aye, weel mah gift isnae nearly as sentimental, or fin, bit ah think it'll hulp us oot wi' Uncle Map. 'N' mibbie a few ither hings as weel."

There was a bit of disconcerted screeching when Orlando ripped into the paper to reveal a rather hefty text. It was titled: Dark Detectors, Theory and Practice. "Ah think th' chapters oan sneakoscopes wull git us ower th' proximity detection."

Orlando's eyes lit up as he read over the back of the book. "Oooo... Verra nice, ginger!" He cracked open the heavy spine of the book, his eyes dancing across the pages as he flipped through. "Och, this is excellent!"

The redhead looked pleased, "Guid," she said, handing each of them a newly refilled glass, "Noo, that we've gotten a' th' gift giving oot o' th' wey, let's mak' wi' th' merry making!"

[NicoletteAinscough]

Orlando paused at the base of the stairs, standing alone in the dark halls of the dungeon level. He stared at the fruit tapestry a moment. He swayed just a little, his head still somewhat befuddled by the evening's festivities. But even though it was late, his birthday wasn't quite over. In fact, it would be a bit longer before he would crawl into his bed and take to sleep. No, tonight had a bit more sneaking involved. But that was part of having a secret birthday. And a secret girlfriend.

"Hmmm..." He pulled out his dad's watch and checked the time. There was still a little left. And he didn't want to run into the others as they headed home to their beds.

He tickled the pear and slipped into the kitchen behind the tapestry. He always loved that warm inviting smell and feel that Hogwarts Kitchen had with its bustling elves working to prepare for breakfast. It had taken very little encouragement for Gerti to provide him with a steaming mug of black coffee to go along with smaller cup of hot water steeping tea. He thanked her with a kiss on her little old cheek and popped back into hallway.

By the time he reached the seventh floor he'd put a decent dent into the mug's contents and his head was a bit less clouded around the edges. He paced back and forth a few times across the hall from Barnabas and his trolls and then stood as the door appeared from the stone.

"Opensesame..." he said with a cheerful grin to the door as he backed into it, pushing it in ward. He turned about and found himself in the familiar confines of the Come and Go room, complete with couch and loveseat. Much like in the Great Hall, the roof up above had been replaced by a starry night sky.

It was a perfectly lovely setting. But the loveliest thing of all was the girl seated on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her. Her long black hair hung down, most of it tucked behind her ear and rolling off her shoulder. A single dark lock fell from her temple and swayed long the edge of the book she held in her lap.

"Hullo, Collette," he beamed with that rosy cheeked cheeriness. "Ah branged ye some tea."

Slipping the bookmark in place, the Ravenclaw looked up to the expected company. She tucked the book inbetween the cushion and the armrest and stood to cross the short distance between them. "Hello, Orlando." She held one hand under the cup and took the handle from him with the other. She had more than an idea of what kind of evening had preceded their meeting and wasn't surprised by the little extra sway in his step. "Have fun with the guys?"

"Aye," nodded the Hufflepuff. Free of the teacup, he slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a hug. "Twas verra merry." He put a kiss upon her cheek. "Wi singin.." His hand upon the small of her back, he started to sway a bit to the memory of the tunes in his head, "an bit o springin..." Those hazel eyes glimmered in the sconce light as they looked upon her. "And mebbes twa three o some o the finest Scotch in aw o Scotland." He kissed her cheek again.

Her smile was amused as she laughed softly. "I can tell." She pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. "I am glad your birthday is going so well." Her own eyes reflected the same as his, albeit with considerably more focus.

His cheeks pinked just a little as he beamed. "Weel, it's juist gotten better." He hooked his arm around hers, tangling them up to their cups. The steam of the flowery tea mingled with the dark bitter coffee. He took a sip from the white mug. "Ah've been thinking aboot ye aw day."

"You have?" She couldn't suppress the smile that crossed her lips. "Now what have you spent all day thinking about that involved me?"

"Gettin tae see ye..." With that hand still hugging her to him, he leaned in over that small space that separated them and kissed her. "Tha's the best giftie o aw." He made that face of exaggerated thought. "Weel, awmaist. Tommy did get me a watch..."

"A watch! I am almost out ranked by a watch!" She playfully pinched him just under his ribs. "Must be some watch..."

Orlando laughed, his body twisting from her ribbing. He disengaged from her a just a bit. "It kinda is." His hand slipped into his pocket and pulled out the worn silver disc. The chain unspooled below and draped over his fingers as he held it to her, MacFoozle crest up. His smile grew a bit as he looked at the watch then to her. "It wis ma Da's."

Nicolette gently touched the front. "Wow... yeah..." Just as he had, she looked up from the watch to him. "That is a really outstanding gift. I see I have some competition."

The Hufflepuff shook his head a bit. "No whaur it counts, hen." His lip curled a bit in that smirk, and he gave her a wink. He moved the watch into her hands. "Ye can gie it a leuk gif ye like."

With the most careful fingers, the girl touched the latch to open the watch. Inside, a pair of thin dragons uncurled from the center and stretched across the face as if waking up. Each hurled a small blue flame near the numbers of the time, lighting them up a moment. "Its lovely, Orlando." Her fingertip brushed across the time worn etching inside the cover. When the time comes... "When the time comes for what, I wonder."

"Ah dinnaken." Foozle replied with the smallest shrug of his shoulders, his eyes down on the watch in her snowy fingers. "Da niver said, but," a subtle smile fell over his lips, "when the time daes come, Ahm shuir Ah'll ken."

"I'm sure you will too." Nicolette carefully pressed the watch closed and passed it back to him. "You certainly have a knack for that sort of thing."

"Ah hae a knack fer all sairts o things." Foozle slipped the watch back into his pocket and took her hand instead. Their arms tangled up. "Ahm chock fulla knack." He snickered as he pulled her across the room.

Her light giggle echoed his laughter as she followed him. "Oh, you're chock fulla something alright." She used their link to pull herself in closer to him.

"Och, Colette" he held his closed fist over his chest and forced that mock hurt into his words, "ye wound me." The boy then laughed harder as he leaned over and planted a kiss just behind her ear. "And on ma birthday tae..."

Silver eyes twinkled with a hint of teasing as she put her tea cup on the table, lifting his from his hands as well and placing it beside. "So you think you should get special treatment on your birthday hmn?" Her fingers flowed into his hair from just above that broken brow to the back of his neck.

Foozle's lips were curled in that MacFoozle grin of his. "Acoorse no..." he replied though his head nodded in an agreement rather contrary to his words.

Their dynamic went from him pulling to her pushing as they approached the couch behind him. "Well... which is it? No?" She gave him one last push which toppled the boy backwards into the cushions. "Or yes?" Nicolette leaned in, hands on either side of him, her lips mere centemetres from his.

"It's ma birthday..." he said, as if an answer to her question. He voice was barely a whisper onto her lips. His hazel eyes flickered up to hers, those irises mirroring the lines of his face against the dark back of the couch that surrounded his head. He paused a moment, both of them holding to that tenuous position before a kiss. Orlando's throat jogged up and down as he swallowed, "Sae..." And then his eyes went wide.

"OCH!" Surprise and excitement took in that split second flash of a moment. The boy danced a little in his seat. "Ah awmaist fergat tae tell ye!" Foozle's arms wrapped around her and pulled her onto the couch with him, dragging her up across onto his lap.

With a little squeal, the girl landed on him and tried to resettle from the abrupt change in mood. "Forgot to tell me what?" His smile infected her.

That smirk plastered across his face was full of mischievous excitement. "Ah stairt official training the morrow wi Perfesser McGonagall efter dinner." He squeezed her a little more. "Tae get ma animagus license!"

A look of confusion took the girl's face. "To get your... what?" She was sure she had misheard.

"Animagus license," her repeated, not catching a whiff that hesitation from her. The boy simply carried on. "Ye ken," his face twisted into a little snarl not unlike one worn by the wolf he dressed up as last halloween, "Grrrr."

Both her brows arched towards her hairline. "I didn't know you were interested in... animagic... How long have you been thinking about this?" She couldn't help the flash in her mind of her Orlando bending and breaking into a vicious animal.

"Lang time," replied the Scot. "Since afore..." He stopped in thought, but no time frame came to mind. "A lang tyme onywey. But naething ever came o it till laist year." He reached up and tucked a long lock of that jet hair over the ridge of her ear, his smile never waivered. "Tommy, Danny an Ah came up wi a plot tae feegur it oot. Ah wantit tae tell ye, but.." The boy chuckled a little, "thare wis, um, legalities an aw. An, ye ken, gif juist in case it didnae wirk Ah didnae want tae wirrie ye while ah wis..."

He smiled more, his arms wrapped around her and squeezing a little. "But we decided tae gae legit, sae..." he leaned in and planted a kiss on her, "Ah can tell ye wi oot wirring ye."

"And Danny..?" She wriggled a little uncomfortably. "Do you know what...?" Nicolette stroked her thumb across his familiar cheek lightly. "Do you know what you'll become?"

"Nae," he shook his head as his expression turned a little disappointed. "Ah wis sae close tae feeguring it oot, ah sweir it..." His head titled a little into her gentle pearly tipped fingers. "But nae, Ah dinnae yet. Ah guess ance ye dae it gits easier."

"Just..." She chewed on her lower lip a little. "please... be careful."

"Hen," Orlando's dipped his gaze to catch her eyes. He knew better than to tell her he would be safe and cautious; she knew better than to believe it. He gave her a smile. "Ah'll be fine. Juist like Tommy is. And Ah'll be careful."

Nodding a bit, Nic smiled at him. She took his face in her hands and closed the interrupted kiss, her fingers sliding back into his hair. Her whisper brushed her lips against his. "Happy Birthday, Orlando."

The birthday boy kissed her and smiled one of those smiles that lit up in his eyes. "Thank ye, hen." She could feel his cheeks warm against her fingers. The arms around her legs and back connected, hugging her to him that much more. "Ahm haen a verra nice birthday. The best."

Reaching into the cushion beside them, Nicolette pulled a small dark wrapped package that hummed softly with contained energy. She pulled back a little and held it between their still close faces.

"Whit's this?" Like a small child, his eyes lit up with that excitement as they were drawn to the dark warapping. The boy wriggled a bit, and He let her go. "Is it fer me?" Fingers opened and closed eagerly with the excitement to take it from her and rend the wrapping paper to bits.

"Of course it is, birthday boy." She dropped the small vibrating package into his hands, smiling at how happy he was.

"Woo Hoo!" The Scot chirped as he caught it and took barely seconds to shred the package's neat and perfect wrapping to find the rectangular black wooden box inside. Finally that anticipation and excitement slowed his advance as he carefully held it in his palms. It was slightly warm to touch. It held every bit of his attention, and his nimble thumbs carefully opened the box's top. With a soft concussion, the vibrating stopped and within lie a pair of marble sized clear orbs. Across the surface, rainbow colors shifted and swirled.

Orlando's jaw went a little slack watching the twirling colors. He knew them instantly, but had never seen a pair in person. They were, to put it mildly, pricey. "Interrupters?" He looked from the colorful globes to her silver eyes. "Yer pattin me oan..."

"So you like them then?" She clapped her hands, rather pleased with herself.

"Like thaim?" He laughed, still enthralled by the gift. "Thay're incredible, hen." He very carefully took one of the glassy bulbs from its case and held it, feeling its powerful energy humming in his fingertips. It was something so small and delicate, and yet it was built to catch some of the most powerful magics known. "Ah loue thaim..."

Nicolette kissed her boyfriend on the cheek. "I figured, after what tends to happen with you around, you could use them." She stroked an unruly spike behind his ear as she watched him happily handle her gift to him.

"Why Colette," Foozle laughed and set the Interrupter back in its cushion. "Are ye cawing me a tribble magnet?" Catching the swirling color of the magical treasures, those hazel eyes narrowed playfully over the top of that dark wooden box that held them.

"Compelling evidence leads me to just such a conclusion." She tugged his chin in to give the birthday boy a kiss, picking up where they left off before he interrupted with his news.

Orlando's fingers dropped the lid, shutting out the shimmering light within, instead focusing on those silvery irises. The box settled onto his lap. He kissed her softly. "Best birthday iver..." he whispered to her lips.

"And they'll only keep getting better." Both her hands cupped his cheeks, her thumbs stroking just below his eyes.

"Whit disnae?" He leaned into her, her palms feeling the wight of his face as she held him. His eyes caught the glint of the Come and Go Room's sconce lighting as they drifted along the soft snowy lines of Nicolette's face. "Frae whaur Ah sit iverything gits mair bonnie ivery day."

Her own cheeks pinked as he spoke. "My dearest Orlando..." She shifted her weight in his lap, face to face. "I'll be here every day to make it that way."

Orlando nodded. "Tha's juist whit daes it fer me, Colette." His cheeks slid in her palms and the boys lips found hers and left a pair of kisses there. "The hen o ma hert."

[Dan DuMorne]

Though it was in her nature as a sixteen year old to hate boredom, Rose couldn't help but feel a stronger enmity for the sensation lately. After all, boredom led to thinking. And thinking led to overthinking. And overthinking... well that was just bad right now.

The little blonde had already studied as much as was humanly possible without getting too far ahead. That left reading. But, of course, since the majority of her books were romance novels that led her right back to that whole thinking thing.

So Rose sat alone in the common room, chin on her hand, watching with wry amusement as the younger girls tried to avoid her. It was no surprise that even the most oblivious students knew about what had happened between her and Bobby; that was to be expected. It was just mildly depressing to find that most people seemed to think that breakups were contageous.

Green eyes coming to rest on Danny dozing on the couch, she wrestled with indecision. Was it fair to inflict her boredom on him? Chewing on her hair for only a moment or two, the tiny blonde made her decision and tiptoed over to the couch. Her finger gently met his shoulder. Seeing no movement, she tried again. Harder. "Danny!"

He awoke, the biography of Dangerous Dai Llewellyn falling in his lap. "Ah'm awake perfesser Binns!" he shouted, before realizing he was in the common room and Rose was standing there. "Er, hello..."

"I'm sorry," she giggled, looking anything but ashamed. "I needed some company and you were here..."

Dan nodded. "Say no more. Not like I was doing anything useful anyway. Whit's on yuir mind?"

Pushing his legs off the couch so she could sit down next to him, Rose gave a little smile. "I hate to say this... but I'm bored. And I thought..." With a teasing little smile, she reached down to retrieve his book. "And I know you have ways to entertain yourself that don't involve sleep-reading."

Smiling, Danny kicked his feet up on the low table in front of the couch. "Ah'm nae shuir my usual methods woud work without Foozle or Tommy. But we coud sneak intae Hogsmeade and get some... libations..." Knowing about her trip last year, Danny watched Rose's reactions.

Blushing bright red, she shook her head firmly. "I think we both know that sneaking and um... libations are a bad mix for me." Looking at him through a mass of golden curls, her smile curled into an almost naughty grin as her semi-depressed mood seemed to flee. "Unless you're looking to see me kiss a girl again..."

"Well..." Danny said thoughtfully, "A could see if Cee was available..."

Doing her best to look shocked, Rose gave him a little shove. "You're bad. Just for that I'm going to make you..." She paused, looking around the room as she tried to think of some appropriate punishment. "Oh. I know!" In an instant she was on her feet, reaching for his hand to pull him up. "Come on. We're going outside."

With a mock sigh, the Danny took Rose's hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Where are we goin'?" he asked, feeling slightly strange at holding Rose's hand.

"I'm feeling the need to be smashy," she answered as if that explained everything. "But first we need to stop by Hagrid's hut, or at least his garden."

Danny's eyebrow shot up. "Jus whit are we gauntae be smashin' hen?" he asked, intrigued.

"Well..." The little blonde grinned over her shoulder at him, still dragging him along by his hand. "I'm hoping that we won't be smashing anything. If Hagrid has some produce that we can borrow --or have-- we're going to play one of my favorite games... with the Whomping Willow."

The young man's eyebrow arched higher.

---

Though she'd dropped his hand, Rose was still firmly in charge as she led Danny out of the castle. The fall leaves crunched merrily under their feet as they crossed the grounds and made their way to the sprawling garden beside Hagrid's stone hut. The giant of a man was outdoors, leaning over his huge pumpkins like a great hairy haystack. "Perfect," Rose giggled, picking her way through the vines to approach the groundskeeper. "Good afternoon, Hagrid."

"Hull there 'Brosia," the half giant beamed from behind his bushy beard. He stood up to his full height trying as best he could to clean the dirt from his hands on the sides of his coat, "Been stayin' away from spiders?" He chuckled.

"Always," the tiny blonde answered brightly. "Your pumpkins are looking great this year." With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure Danny hadn't abandoned her, she flashed Hagrid a quick, heart-melting smile. "I don't suppose you have any that aren't so perfect, do you?"

Hagrid nodded, "I think I got a few fer you," the groundskeeper looked behind her, "Who you got with ya there?"

Blushing at her rudeness, Rose grabbed Danny again to pull him forward. "You haven't met Danny? I'm sorry. I thought everybody knew him." Emerald eyes twinkling, she winked at her housemate. "Hagrid, this is Dan DuMorne, an absolutely brilliant Ravenclaw and exonerated troublemaker. Danny, this is Hagrid."

Danny smiled. "Nice tae meet ye, mister Hagrid."

"Ah've heard a ya lad," Hagrid laughed as clapped Dan on the back so hard he almost fell over, "how are ya."

"Good, sir,"[dan] Danny said, slightly in awe of the size of the groundskeeper. [dan]"And I howp you've nae believed at least half o' what ye heard. Three quarters gif ye heard it from Perfesser Snape."

The groundskeeper roared with laughter, "Don't worry about that lad," he clapped his hands together, "Now 'Brosia you were wantin' pumpkins righ'?"

"Yes please. Danny's going to help me give our favorite Willow some exercise today and I thought that some of your smaller pumpkins would be perfect. Plus..." She beamed up at the half giant. "It's a great way to spread the seeds."

"Now don't go gettin' the willa' in too big a tizzy," Hagrid smiled.

The tiny blonde shook her head. "Of course not. It's not a game if we're not all having fun. Right, Danny?"

Shooting an unsure glance at Rose, Danny nodded. "A guess. I dinnae know a tree coud hiv fun."

Her answering smile outshone the afternoon sun. "Just wait. You'll see..." Bouncing on her toes, she looked up at the towering form of Hagrid. "So... pumpkins? And maybe a wheelbarrow. Even the little ones get heavy after a while."

---

Two large rocks for the body, then the pumpkin head --complete with eyes, a nose, and even freckles-- was placed on the top of the pile. Stepping back from her creation, Rose picked up a handful of dry grass as she considered adding some hair. "What do you think?" she asked Danny, taking her job very seriously.

"He's the picture of an orange an' grey snowman." Danny laughed.

For his part, the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain had slipped his wand from his pocket and got two of the smaller pumpkins hovering just off the ground, orbiting each other.

"No. He's a pumpkin/rockman. Ooo... a rock-kin man." Finally satisfied with the body, Rose pulled out her own wand and pushed the man into position. For its own part, the Whomping Willow seemed to show incredible restraint, waiting until the stone figure was fully in place before swinging one massive branch down low to send the rock-kin flying out over the forbidden forest.

"Nice one. Let's see how he handles this." Danny swung his wand toward the tree and the pumpkins shot forward. The tree swung at one, making it explode in a flurry of orange and seeds. The second nearly flew by, but the willow caught it, smashing it into the ground.

The tiny blonde clapped and grinned. "Good shot!" she called to the tree, watching as the branches waved slowly in anticipation of more targets. "See... he likes you," she told Danny with a triumphant smile. This was good; it was what she needed. Time outdoors without any worry of something reminding her of Bobby. The Willow had been her spot. Something she had shared with Orlando, and now Danny. It was never theirs, so there were no memories to overcome. "Do it again," she giggled. "He loves agililty type games almost as much fun as smashy ones."

Danny waved his wand and two more pumpkins flew toward the willow. Once again the tree plucked them from the air with flailing branches and obliterated the gourds.

Shooting a glance at his housemate, Danny got a wicked idea. Waiting for the tree to assume its normal stance, he levitated a rock and sent it whirling against a certain knot on the tree's trunk. He took off running as soon as the rock hit its mark.

"Bet I can touch the trunk!" he yelled at his housemate.

"Danny!" Nearly dropping a pumpkin on her foot, Rose took off after her friend, determined to save him from certain whomping. She made it several steps before it dawned on her that there were no branches swinging anywhere near her... or anywhere at all. "Wow. He really likes you," she breathed, looking up at the abnormally still tree.

Running back, he grabbed Rose's hand and drug her out of the range of the tree's swinging branches. They cleared the tree's reach just as it came back to life and swung wildly at them. "Nae shuir if he really likes me or if I just know how to push his buttons."

Heart pounding, the little prefect stared at him with a mixture of amazement and irritation. "You nearly gave me a heart attack." One tiny fist thumped against his chest. "How did you do that?" she demanded.

"Mebbe I'll tell you sometime," the young man grinned at his friend. "But ye cannae expect me tae give away all my secrets, can you?"

The blonde pouted for a minute, giving him the opportunity to at least look sorry for scaring her. But, when the grin didn't fade from his face, she decided on another tactic. Hitting him once more for good measure, she finally laughed and flopped down on the now-brittle fall grass. "Oh I'll get it out of you someday. Just you wait..."

---

Peering Into the Beyond fell to the floor with a sudden loud thud. Posture becoming, if possible, even more rigid, Cassidy Chambers' eyes rolled back in his head and he began to speak. "Words spoken now will have deeper meanings in the times to come...."

Shaking his head, the tall Ravenclaw opened his eyes and looked at the crowd of gawking first years who had gathered around him. "What the hell?"

---

Danny had started a trail of pumpkins that were slowly drifting toward the willow. As the gourds were being smacked and smashed, Danny shot Rose a glance. "Say, Rose..."

Though the chill in the afternoon air had brought a flush to her cheeks, the blonde was still beaming as she watched the willow play with the remaining pumpkins. "Yes, Danny?" she responded without looking his direction.

"Ah've been thinkin' aboot something And I want your input. And maybe yuir help. But nae as a prefect..."

Those golden brows arched in mock-suspicion. "Daniel DuMorne, what are you up to?"

Danny held up his hands. "Naething illegal or against the rules. Grinning, he sent another pumpkin into the tree's reach. "But you know we've got no Halloween dance this year."

"Nope. Not this year." Halloween. She'd been trying not to think about it. It seemed in some strange way to be a mark of failure. Her relationship hadn't even lasted from one Halloween to the next. "What are you thinking?" She suddenly smiled, hoping she wasn't wrong about the possible direction this conversation was heading.

"We need to hiv a party."

Rose bounced on her toes, resisting --for now-- the urge to hug him. "We so do. Ohmygosh that would be so much fun. We could invite our friends and just have a nice night together." Now she couldn't hold back. Her hug didn't quite knock him over. "You're brilliant!"

Danny shook his head. "No, brilliant will be convincing the ithers tae help." He shot a glance to the golden-haired girl. "Know anyone who kin help wi' that?"

"Please... " She poked him in the chest with one tiny finger. "This is why you have me. I can talk anyone into anything. We'll totally get enough help to make this a great Halloween party."

Nodding, Danny threw an arm around the girl. "I knew I coud count on you, Rose."

Feeling a sudden rush of warmth that certainly couldn't have come from the air around them, Rose's smile grew radiant as she tilted her chin to look up at her friend. "You can always count on me, Danny. Always."

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

Tom had always found it easy to use the spare Transfiguration classrooms to practice his dueling. Most of Professor McGongagall's classes were in the mornings so the hall was practically deserted after about three each afternoon, so it was just about the perfect spot. A quick flick of the wand, and all of the class rooms furniture was neatly stacked against the walls, and another flick put the dueling dummy up in it's normal place

Tom stood ten feet away from it, the tip of his wand absent mindedly tapping against his leg. Very smothly, his left leg slid behind his right. His wand, held lightly in his right hand pointed at the dummy. A slight smile slid across Tommy's face as the wand flicked in his hand, "stupify!" The familiar red jet of light issued forth from tip of the wand and slammed into the dummy, knocking it across the room and into the chalk board.

Tom's smile broadened as he flicked his wand again and the dummy moved back into position.

Tom slid back into his stance, and flicked his wand once more at the dummy, "Expelliarmus!" The light from the wand hit the dummy in it's hand and sent it spinning round and round.

"Piertotum Locomotor" Suddenly the dummy came spinning back toward him, its movements now graceful as it danced back into place.

Tom whirled around on his heel, a look of confusion on his face, "Oh," he smiled sheepishly, "hi."

"Hi, Tommy!" The blonde beamed brightly as she wandered into the room. "Am I interrupting?"

"No," Tom's grin widened as he enveloped Rose in a hug, "Just getting in some practice."

She snuggled into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Well that seems productive. After all, you don't want to lose to me too badly."

"Well you do have a point there," Tom laughed, "what bout you? You wanna take a whirl at pokey?"

"Pokey? You named him? That's a little adorable." Grinning up at her oldest friend, Rose shook her head as she declined the offer. "While I'm sure beating up something that can't fight back is highly satisfying..." Somehow she managed to keep from laughing. "I think I'll pass."

"Well it's better than the last thing I practiced with," Tom shrugged.

One golden eyebrow arched up to her hairline. "Dare I ask?"

Tom laughed again, "Bludgers," Tom winked.

"Ohh... those are those Quidditch thingies aren't they?" She wound a lock of hair around her finger, blinking at him vacuously.

Tom sighed, "Yes," Tom said in a mockingly exhausperated tone, "those are the Quidditch thingies."

Grinning, Rose decided to stop tormenting him... for now. "Speaking of... when's your first game?" Finally releasing her friend, she took a seat on the top of a nearby desk, feet hanging inches above the floor.

Tom's eyes screwed up to the ceiling, "Ummmm the fifth?"

"Um..." She stopped twirling her hair and lifted it to her mouth. "Do you think it would be weird or bad or anything if I still came to watch?"

"I don't see why not," Tom shrugged, "there's still me, and Cee, and Cecelia," Tom started ticking off on his fingers, "and of course Shelley, and she's going to need all the cheering she can get." Tom gave another laugh.

The tiny blonde nodded. "I do want to support my friends. I just don't want to make Bobby feel bad or anything. I mean, he told me to give him time." She bit at her hair, looking past Tommy to the halls of the castle. "I'm in this weird gray zone and I don't know what to do," she confessed. "I've never had an ex-boyfriend before."

Tom threw his arm around Rose, "Take it from someone who has been in the break up stage several times," Tom grinned, "It'll get better."

"I know. And some days it is better already. It's just..." She leaned into his embrace again, knowing he was right.

Tom tightened his grip on Rose, "You know what you need?"

"Chocolate?"

"No," Tom laughed, "Well maybe, but I think you need to let off some steam." He let Rose go and pulled his wand, "Shall we?"

She pursed her lips to the side, considering it. "I suppose it couldn't hurt." Hopping off the table, she drew her own wand. "Unless you plan on being really mean..."

Tom grinned as he walked to the far side of the room and saluted Rose with his wand, "Would I ever be mean to you Ambrosia?"

The blonde saluted back, that grin tugging at her lips again. "Never, Tommy." Watching him intently, she was forced to admit that he was right... again. It did help to have something to concentrate on. And blowing off steam... well that was just an added bonus.

"Ladies first," Tom grinned.

"Aqua Eructo" Deciding against starting with something expected --like expelliarmus-- or something dry, Rose shot the jet of water at the Gryffindor boy, hoping at least to get one shoe wet.

"Oh bugger," Tom said under his breath he was clearly not expecting her to pull out a water spell during the duel. The stream hit him flush in the face. As soon as his face was visible again, he spit out a mouth full of water, "Cute."

"Yes. I am." Grinning at him, Rose did what any considerate friend would do... she cast another spell to dry him off. "Conairicus" This time the warm air shot its way across the room.

The warm air hit Tommy drying him, "Okay my turn," He grinned wickedly, "Rictusempra!"

"I thought... you said... you... weren't mean..." The little blonde doubled over, laughing until tears nearly ran down her cheeks. "You're so... mean."

"I wouldn't call this mean,"Tom grinned, I am making you laugh."

"In a mean way," she gasped, trying to get her laughter under control. Taking a deep breath, she tried for another spell. "Carpe Retractum!" A rope shot forth from her wand, wrapping around her friend and pulling him toward her. As soon as he was within reach, Rose bopped his nose with one slim finger. "Meanie."

Tom snapped back, "Ow," he laughed, "Now who's mean?"

Her long eyelashes brushed against her cheeks as she blinked at him with exaggerated innocence. "Certainly not me."

Tom's head cocked to one side as he popped his wand from inside the coils of the rope, "Avis!" small little yellow canaries circled Rose's head.

"I swear, Tommy... if they poop on me..." With a pout, the little prefect waved her wand to make the birds disappear.

Tom laughed so hard, he tripped on the ropes and sent him crashing to the floor.

Giggling, Rose leaned over her friend. "Tommy?" she began, not making any attempt to help him up. "I was wondering if you could help me with something..."

"What," Tom grunted.

"Well..." Stepping over him, the blonde sat down on his stomach and made herself comfortable. "Danny and I were talking about Halloween... and we thought maybe a party would be nice. Nothing overly huge. Just a fun time where we can get together with our friends and not be alone and stuff..."

"Sure," he wheezed, "what do you need?"

Caught up in the excitement of the idea, and oblivious to his discomfort, Rose bounced a little. "Well you're pretty much Mr. Transfiguration. You could hlep us make things really Halloweeny."

"Okay if you do one thing..."

"Of course, Tommy. What is it?"

"Stop bouncing," he groaned, "before you squish me."

[Tom Llewelyn]

"I gotta say," Tom sat backwards against the Ravenclaw table, "while I enjoyed last year's birthday party, this year's birthday has been a lot better. Nice and quiet."

Rose nodded, blonde curls bobbing around her face. "Maybe we can start a pattern. Big, little, big, little... and so on." She flashed him a quick, impish smile. "Because I'd be sad if I couldn't plan any more huge parties for you."

Tom laughed, "Between you and Céilidh, I don't think that will be a possibility."

Resting her chin on her hand, the blonde looked across the table at her oldest friend, green eyes reflecting utter contentment. "This was just right though. Sometimes I feel like I get so busy, it's nice to have time with our families too... though I think I could like without the 'when you two were kids' stories."

"Oh no kidding," Tom rolled his eyes, "If I hear about those baths one more time..."

"Don't remind me." Rose blushed to the roots of her hair. "I'm just glad no one else was around to hear that." Even as she said it, she had to wonder who she was worried about impressing. After all, it wasn't like she had a boyfriend anymore.

"You forget," Tom started ticking names off on his fingers, "Lando, Dan, Cee, Cecelia, Fors, Dee..."

With a little whimper, Rose's head hit the top of the table, golden hair falling around her face to hide her from sight. "Okay okay... so everyone in the world has heard... let me pretend that at least a few people don't know the story."

"I'm sure, Mister Filch hasn't if that helps?"

"Mmm-mmm!" Her voice was muffled by the smooth wooden table. "That doesn't help at all."

"Okay then," Tom laughed, "How can I make you feel better?"

Her head came back up in an instant. "Well... it's almost Halloween and the weather's getting colder and you know what that means..."

"No," Tommy grinned, "what?"

Reaching across the table, she grabbed his shirt in her tiny fists and shook him. "We have to put out some winter clothes for Godric!"

"Ambrosia," Tom's eyebrow arched, "You're not serious?"

For a moment a cloud covered her sunny expression. "I'm totally serious, Tommy. I do it every year. And you know what... the clothes always disappear." She was willing to admit that there were many possible explanations for why the clothes dissapeared. But whether the giant squid was really Godric or not, this was tradition and she wasn't about to break it. "As a Gryffindor, I'd think you might be a little more supportive," she added, that smile returning to her face.

Tom was beaten. He knew it. If there was one thing that Tom Llewelyn could never do it was say no to that smile. "Alright fine," he relented, "what do you need me to do?"

"Just meet me at the front doors at nine o'clock tonight. And don't worry..." she laughed, anticipating his objections. "Professor Flitwick knows about my tradition. He's been surprisingly flexible about the whole thing too."

"It's cause you're his pet," Tom grinned.

"I am not!" The blonde huffed. "Just because I'm a top student and my dad's one of his best friends does not mean I'm his pet. Besides..." Those green eyes filled with a wicked little light. "You're practically Mr. McGonagall."

"Shut it," Tom's cheeks turned red.

---

Despite having lived here for six years, having faced the Forbidden Forest and a friend gone crazy-evil, Rose couldn't help but shiver as she waited in the darkness for Tommy. The castle was so beautiful in the daylight; it was home and comfort. But now, with the other students in their common rooms, it was a little creepy to be here on her own. Shifting her small bundle of winter clothes from one arm to the other, she peered down the dimly lit coridoors as she waited for her friend to arrive.

"Well there is one thing you can count on," Tom said from behind her, "October in Scotland can get bloody cold," he handed her a thermos, "Gerti sent along something to keep the nip away."

It took only a second or two to get over the mini heart attack he'd given her by sneaking up on her. "Ooo... what is it?" she asked, forgetting to be mad at him as she reached for the thermos.

"Her special hot chocolate," his eyebrows arched.

Nearly dropping the clothes, and the thermos, as she wrapped her arms around Tommy in a hug, Rose beamed up at him. "Promise you'll thank her for me. Her hot chocolate is the best. Ever."

"Of course," he offered her the crook of his elbow, "shall we?"

Her arm wound through his. "Thank you for coming with me, Tommy."

"Like there was ever any doubt I would," he grinned, "besides, where else would I be?"

"Studying?" she teased, leading the way onto the dark castle grounds. "Spending quality time with Cee?"

Tom's eyes opened wide in mock surprise, "Oh God you're right," his arm let go of hers, "I better get back, see ya."

Rose stared at him in open-mouthed shock. "But you said..."


"I'm kidding" Tom laughed as he kissed Rose on the forehead, "besides Cee and I already celebrated my birthday." Even under the darkened sky, the blush on Tom's face was evident.

She hugged him again and managed to squeak out a quick "Awwww." But her joy was colored by jealousy, an emotion she didn't like in herself at all. Firmly reminding herself that being single wasn't the worst thing in the world, she grinned at her friend and continued to lead the way down to the darkened lake. After all, making her friends... and giant squids who could possibly be the world's oldest animagi... happy was more important than feeling sorry for herself. "Then no more stalling. You don't want Godric to freeze, do you?"

"Lead on then," Tom grinned.

And she did. The tiny blonde didn't let go of his arm until they'd reached the shore, making sure he didn't try to turn around again. Looking around at the misty lake, Rose frowned slightly. "I was hoping for clear weather tonight. I can't find the rock I usually use."

"It it that smooth gray one? With the black speckles running through it?"

She shook her head, a small pout settling on her lips. "Nuh-uh. It's speckled like that, but more bumpy... like a chair. And it's bigger, so he can have some privacy while he puts the clothes on."

Tom followed the foggy shore line a bit away from Rose, "Oh yeah that one, I know it's around here some," there was an audible thud and a bit of a whimper, "found it," Tom said with a bit of pain in his voice.

She couldn't help but giggle. "Thank you, Tommy. What would I do without you?" Nearly skipping to his side, she gently placed the folded clothes on the flat park of her rock.

"Don't mention it," Tom grumbled as he flopped onto the ground and rubbed his foot.

With a sympathetic little smile, she flopped down beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It's nice out here," she said, shivering slightly. "One of these days I'm going to stay out here until midnight and I'm going to see him for myself."

Tom threw his arm around Rose, "Thanks for the easy birthday, Rose."

The blonde smiled and snuggled in closer. "In case you haven't figured it out by now... I'd do anything for you, Tommy. Including going against my urges and not throwing you a huge birthday party."

Tom chuckled, "You did show considerable restraint."

"Yes I did."


The two sat in silence for a few moments looking out over the lake. Tom bit his lip as he debated with himself on how to ask the question that kept rolling around in his mind. Finally, he took in a heavy sigh and squeezed Rose again."How are you doing?"

She knew that tone and she knew she couldn't lie. "I'm alright. I keep busy and that helps a lot." Giving a shrug, her shoulder bumped into his side.


"Good," he squeezed the blonde tightly, "after the past year or so you need some happy."

"I've had lots of happy," she protested, enjoying the hug.


"I know, I know," he grinned, "I just...worry about you."

Rose smiled, tilting her head so she could look her oldest friend in the eye. "I'm fine. And you know I appreciate the concern it's just..." With a sigh, she leaned her head onto his shoulder. "I have a lot of good friends... who all have boyfriends or girlfriends or whatevers." She knew she was exaggerating but the words kept coming. "I just... it's lonely sometimes."

"Trust me," he held the girl tighter, "there is no way you are going to stay single for long. Hell if Cee and I weren't together..."

"I know," she said, nodding solemnly. "Then I'd be dating Cee."

Tom's mouth opened, but no sound came out.

The tiny blonde grinned and reached up to pat his cheek. "As long as I can still make you make that face, I know I'll be fine." Growing serious, she placed a light kiss on his cheek. "And as long as you're my friend..."

"You know it," he tapped his forehead against hers.

A soft splash sounded from somewhere out on the lake. Nearly jumping out of her seat, Rose leaned out over the misty water, trying to see. "Ohmygosh... maybe he's gonna be early this year."

"Uh Rose," Tom said warningly, "you're a little close."

"But I want to see..." Placing one hand on the rock, she leaned out a little more, peering out into the darkness. "Something's out there. I can see... oh!"

"Oh bother," Tom pulled his wand quickly, "Levicorpus"

With a squeak of fright, Rose opened her eyes to find herself hovering just above the water. Letting out a sigh of relief, she watched in amazement as her breath caused ripples below her. "Tommy... pleasepleaseplease get me up. It's too cold for a swim."

Tommy grinned, "Hmmmmm, I don't know," his wand tilted upwards slightly. As it did so too did Rose. Another motion down, and Rose could feel the tension of the water on her nose, "this could be fun."

"Michael Thomas Llewelyn!" She held her breath, trying to keep her skin away from the cold water. "You are so evil!"

"I dunno," Tom smirked, "you are trying to steal my girlfriend."

"I was kidding. I promise. Please get me up. I think the fish are watching me!"

"Oh alright," Tommy said with a laugh, "I would have thought you wanted a first hand view of Godric." He flicked his wand towards the land and Rose floated to the shore, landing on the ground.

The minute her feet were firmly on the ground, Rose turned toward Tommy, hands on her hips as she glared at him. "That was so not funny, Tommy."

Tom laughed, "Says you."

Doing her best to pout, Rose crossed her arms and turned her back on him. "A fish almost bit me on the nose! That is not funny; it's horrible!"

"Depends on the fish," Tom gave another grin, "I'm thinking a cuddlefish would be right up your alley."

With something between a groan and a laugh, the little Ravenclaw launched herself at him, hitting him as hard as she could. "Evil. Evil. Evil!"

"Hitting a man on his birthday," Tom said with a pout, "how uncouth."

She hit him once more just for that pout. "I'd never hit a nice person on their birthday. But you're suddenly evil... so it's okay."

Tom smiled as he rubbed his shoulder, "You know you can't stay mad at me."

He was right and they both knew it. "Never," she said with a laugh, giving him a hug to make it all better. "Otherwise I'd be sitting in the dark by myself... and then I'd be too depressing for words."

"True," Tom nodded "but if I used those words, I would use dower, antisocial..."

"That's quite enough." Now she had to hit him again. "It's a good thing I love you."


"Yeah," he rubbed his arm, "Or that would have really hurt."

---

Safe and warm inside the castle, Rose stood beside her friend at the foot of the Ravenclaw tower. Despite her protests that she really didn't need to be walked back to her common room, Tommy had insisted on keeping her company. "Listen, since you're awake and right by my room and stuff... can you wait here for a minute?"

'Um sure," Tom nodded.

Racing up the stairs, Rose blurted out the answer to the riddle in record time then took the stairs to her room two at a time. Making sure not to wake her roommate, she rummaged around through the many pillows on her bed until she found the painstakingly wrapped book on her bed. Then, certain that now was the right time, she ran back down to her friend. "Okay..." she gasped for breath. "So I was afraid to give this to you at dinner because it's kinda mushy and stuff..."

"Yeah?" Tom tore open the package to reveal a simple leather bound photo album. Tom looked up at Rose with a smile.

The blonde looked faintly embarrassed. "It's nothing much. And we'd had so many stories at dinner that I thought you might not need pictures to go with it... you know? But there are some really good ones in there. I got them from nearly everyone I could think of." Biting her lip, she made herself stop babbling. After all, it was Tommy. He'd never been unhappy with one of her gifts before.

Tommy looked down at the moving photos of his past and then back up at Rose, "This is..." he looked back down, "wow."

Her brows knit in concern as she peered up into his face. "Good wow? I mean, I know it's not fancy... I just thought that we're getting older and no matter what happens I want you to remember me and everyone and all the good times we've had and..."

Tom threw his arm around Rose and pulled her close, "It's perfect."

"I'm so glad you like it," she whispered in his ear, holding him close. "You may be the big meanie who almost dunked me in the lake, but you're like more than my best friend... you're the best non-brother any girl could ever wish for and you deserve nothing but good things."

[Laun Orris-Whitmoor]

Laun and Rose rounded the corner, they had been assigned together for the regular prefect patrols. They hadn't found anything so far except for Mrs. Norris being a pain in the butt but that was pretty average for every night at Hogwarts.

"I'm glad I got stuck with you Rosie, we don't spend enough time together anymore."

Giving him a sideways glance through her curls, Rose gave a little nod. He was right, of course. Over the last couple of years, they'd spent less and less time together. She supposed it was the nature of growing up, forming new friendships and things like that. But it was still depressing. Especially when the bulk of their interactions last year had been when she'd helped Nic try to free him from the spell she'd put on him. "If you're so glad, you should probably avoid words like stuck," she told him primly. "But I'm glad too, Laun."

"Oh you know what I mean," he laughed, "How yah been?"

"Oh fine. Busy with classes and... stuff. You?" She nudged him with her shoulder.

"'Bout the the same, got Flitwicks tourney to train for but so do you, miss." he nudged her back.

The blonde nodded enthusiastically, curls bouncing around her shoulders as she beamed at him. "I'm totally excited about that. I know it's going to be great. And fun." Some of the excitement fled her voice. "And a good distraction from my boyfriendless life."

"You and Bobby broke up?"

"Oh that's right. I forget you live in the dungeons," Rose teased, trying to keep from getting too depressed. "It hasn't been very long actually. I guess the gossip's just slow getting to you poor Slytherins.


"I'm sorry." he said sincerely patting her shoulder, "but you know what this means..." He said brightly his voice trailing off as he raised his eyebrows.

"What?"


"You and Tommy can finally admit your unspoken love for one another! ...of course Cee's still in the picture...but still may this will cause him to rethink that relationship!"

The blonde rolled her eyes. "Well I do love Cee almost as much as I love Tommy. Maybe we'll just have to make it a threesome," she said, trying her hardest to sound completely serious.


"Well that is one way to solve the Cee problem." Laun nodded.

"I'm kidding, Laun," Rose groaned. "And I think I'm gonna be single for a while. Maybe I'm just better at helping other people with their relationships than I am at actually being in one."


"Well I'd start with Fors and Sam, I was talking to tem a few days ago and I used me and Sam's Meatloaf code...it flew right over his head. If she hasn't trusted him with that than I have grave fears for their relationship."

She couldn't help but laugh. "I think Fors and Sam are fine. Busy and freakishly Quidditch obsessed, but that seems to work for them." Smiling at him as they rounded a corner near the Prefect's bathroom, she flashed a quick wink. "What about you and Dee? Everything still sweet there?"

"Me and Dee? Dee and I broke up two weeks ago...jeez you say I'm in the dungeons." Laun smiled with a roll of the eyes.

Rose stopped dead in her tracks, staring at the back of Laun's head like his hair had suddenly been transformed into Gillyweed. "You what?" Her tone hovered on demanding and her hands drifted to her hips. "How could Dee not tell me?"

"She broke up with me incidentally, she said that we'd gotten together for the wrong reasons, which I agreed with, and that you'd understand as something similar happened in something called 'Wands and Heartsrings'?"

Making a grumpy face, the blonde looked for reasons to argue with that. It was a good reason. "You guys needed each other last year. But lots of things have changed this year... so I guess it's okay. As long as you're both happy."


"We're totally cool, still friends, no hard feelings. It's all well and good." He beamed.

"You better be." She narrowed her eyes at him, still looking for reasons to be upset about this turn of events. "Is anyone staying together this year?" she sighed.


"Well yah know...we're both single now..." He winked teasingly.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Staying single. Remember? But you on the other hand..." With a smile, she reached out to give him a little one armed hug. "I will work my magic for you anytime you need. All you have to do is ask."

"I am suddenly so scared right now." He laughed and cringed at the same time.

"Cause it's Rose?" Tommy laughed as he walked out of the Prefect's Bathroom, his hair wet from a bath, "So what are you two up to?"

"Just patrolling," Rose answered with a little pout. "And apparently I'm scary."

"I've said that for years," Tom gave Rose a wet kiss on the forehead, finally I have corroboration."

"Tommy she wants to be in charge of my dating life...help me..."

"Sam would let me." She stuck her tongue out again. "And besides, you're not that hopeless. I don't need to be totally in charge... just... helpful."

"I will say this," Tom threw his robed arm around her neck, "she does wonders."

"Well I suppose It wouldn't hurt to ask, okay; Rose who do you see me with?" He shrugged.

Rose pursed her lips to the side as she looked him up and down. "You need someone who can handle your... well... Launness." Grinning at him, she leaned against Tommy as she continued. "Someone funny, and strong willed... and opinionated and loud wouldn't hurt either."

"You just described half the female student body! come on! put some effort into this oh guru o' mine!" Laun laughed.

"Oh sure... first you doubt me. Now you want effort?" The blonde gave a little toss of her curls.

"Well I'm just saying a name would be nice..." He smiled sheepishly.

"Well hmmm," Tom said in mock thought, "I hear Liz Thacker is open."

"Who?"

"He's kidding," Rose answered quickly. "So kidding. Because you're so not her type."

"Whose type am I?" said surprisingly sadly with a shrug of his shoulders, "I wasn't Corrina's, or Nic's, or Dee's, or Sam--" He stopped himself mid-sentence, shocked at what he almost voiced out loud, "...Or anybodys..." He clenched his fists hoping they didn't hear it.


"It happens to the best of us," Tom shrugged, "or do you remember Cee, Aeryn, and Tati. Well before Cee and I finally figured it out." He said with a bit of a laugh.


"Yeah well it's getting to the point that I'm getting desperate, I may just take Shelley up on her offer just for the female companionship." Laun shrugged.

Rose promptly thwacked him on the back of the head. "We do not date people out of desperation. That's just bad."

"Have you told that to Gemma Holtz and Lander Gibbons?" Tom laughed, "Those two totally got together out of desperation."

The blonde giggled and pinched Tommy in the side. "They don't count. No one else wants to date them anyway. But Laun is actually dateable. He's smart and nice and funny and cute... and a little bit crazy. I know there's a girl out there who'll be perfect for him. Somewhere."


"St. Mungos?" Tom's eyebrows arched.

"You're so mean!" Rose cried, punching her oldest friend with her tiny fist.

"Guys whoa, hold your thestrals for a sec! Shelley offered to give me private quidditch lessons! Dirty minds! She just thought I might like to play a bit better and it may help my commentary. I wonder why she's never offered to train Damien though." Laun shrugged.

Rose's emerald eyes lit up. "Private lessons? I think you should definitely take her up on that. As soon as possible."

"Why? I'm okay at Quidditch. I should really get on her to help Dame though. I have some pull with her you know, she's a tough cookie but I know how to push her buttons." Laun laughed.


This time it was Tom's turn to smack Laun in the back of the head, "You really are thick Laun."

"Be nice." The little blonde punched Tommy again. "It's not always bad to be slow."

"Well you are both so mean right now."

"Laun you need to realize," Tom rubbed the sore spot on his shoulder, "Shelley likes you. Am I right Rose?"

"Isn't that the only reason anyone ever offers Quidditch lessons? It's kinda like a rule," Rose laughed, patting her oldest friend on the shoulder to make it all better.

"Oh she does not." Laun laughed.


"Listen to the girl Laun," Tom grinned, "she knows of what she speaks."

"But she's a Slytherin, I've already dated one Slytherin...my reputation is at stake..." Laun was tripping over his words a bit, he hadn't ever considered this...

"You dated Dee, not a Slytherin Slytherin. And Shelley's smart and fun and can clearly handle you. I'm not saying you need to attack her the minute you two are alone together... but at least make yourself open to the possibilities." The blonde's tone was faintly scolding. "Your happiness is way more important than some imaginary reputation."


"But...It's Shelley...She's like a sister to me." Laun didn't even believe that.

"Laun," Tom threw his arm around Laun, "There is no pressure at all. Leave everything in mine and Rose's capable hands. By Halloween I promise you, we can get you a date."

[Orlando MacFoozle]

"I really hate Potter and Black," Tom moaned as he threw his head back against the leather chair he was sitting in, "They were about the same age we were when they created Wordsworth. Why is it they can create something like this and we can't find a bloody thing."

The Gentlemen were far from organized when it came to keeping track of things on paper. Sure they kept notes, but they kept things vague and obscure - writing in ways that really wouldn't make sense to strangers. It was in code, if you will, though they never created anything so formal. The Mauraders on the other hand were surprisingly prolific. Across the tabletop a series of papers and notebooks in various penmenships. All of it had come from the inside of Wordsworth's hold.

As The Gentleman from Gryffindor had noted, if they did it, it was more than likely that the Marauders did too. They just had to figure it out. And that's just what they'd been trying to do. For days.

Orlando MacFoozle sat across from Tommy on the floor. His elbow was on the coffee table and propping up his chin. In front of the Hufflepuff was a thick bound book which he'd been scanning through over the last several hours for something to go on. Anything. On the other side was a piece of parchment marked by very few words, a few black drips of ink from the quill he held, and a little black and white sketch of a safe.

"It's ane thing tae stairt frae scratch. Ah reck we could feegur a wey tae dae something similar wi a bit mair ease." He looked back over his shoulder at the dark green safe that sat silently in the corner. "But we dinnae want tae mak anither Wardswirth. We want tae fix him. Tha's a wee bit mair complicatit. Gif we cannae feegur oot juist how they did it, we coud juist mak him aw the waur o oor efforts."

"Yeah," Tom rubbed his forehead with his fingers, "I need a break. If I don't let my mind rest for a while, it'll explode."

The Hufflepuff nodded. "Ma keekers are aboot ready tae bleed tae." His eyes were dry and red. He sighed and pushed the pile of research aside before leaning back on his palms. Even without looking at his mind was still sifting through the lines of notes Potter, Black and Lupin.

"Ach..." He shook his head, trying to break from all that studying. "Ah gotta git ma mynd aff it ontae something ense." He reached over for the bottle that sat near the corner leg of the coffee table on the floor and uncorked it. Refilling the squat glass on the table, he set the bottle back down between him and Tom. "Fancy a game or something?"

Tom slid lazily from the chair he was in to the sit across the coffee table from Orlando. "Basiliks's Gambit?" He said with a smile as he pulled a deck of cards from his book bag and gave them a quick shuffle, "We haven't had a good match in quite a while, and it would definitely help get my mind off of things."

"Sounds guid tae me." Orlando grinned as he picked up his glass and raised it to his lips. "But Ah dinnae want tae hear aboot hou ye wis juist rousty whan Ah troonce ye, brither." He raised the glass in as if toasting to the coming victory and drank.

"Very funny, MacFoozle," Tom winked, "When was the last time you beat me anyway? Christmas last year?" He laughed as he shuffled the cards again.

"Three games straucht christenmas fernyear." Foozle set his glass down, eying the flipflipflip of cards in the Gryffindor's hands as they shuffled. "Efter which, gif Ah recaw, ye swuir no tae play onymair."

"Youthful indiscretion," Tom shrugged as he took a drink from his own glass in front of him, "but we're all adults now," he said with a bit of a laugh in his voice as he layed the deck in front of Fooze to cut the cards, "Care to cut?"

"That we are, auld man," replied the Scot. He reached over and took a third of the deck from the top and set it on one side. "Twa-three mair weeks an we'll be poppin aboot by magic instead o flae." Another third was set to the other side, leaving three small decks in a row. "Afore ye ken it, NEWTS." He started swapping the decks around like a mock game of three card monty. "And we're duin." And all three had been reassembled into one neat pile.

"I don't want to even think that far out," Tom gave a bit of a shudder, "that will mean no more Hogwarts, no more castle, no more..."

"McGonagall?" Orlando's eyebrows waggled as a large smile grew on his face.

Tom resisited the urge to throw the deck at him, "Shut it. For the bloody last time I am not in love with Professor McGonagall."

"Ah ken, Ah ken." Orlando laughed. "But yuir sae cute whan ye get her fur up aboot it." Tommy rolled his eyes and dealt the first hand. "No that tha helps yuir case ony."

"Yeah, yeah..." The Gryffindor groaned a little as he took up his hand and looked them over. The creatures on the faces of the cards looked around, getting rather irritable at the mess of suits that surrounded them. Before things could get out of hand Tommy quickly organized his hand by their elements, keeping the fires together and the same with the waters, airs, and earths. "She's more your problem now, brother."

Foozle started quickly swapping cards around, attempting to avoid the same ruckus as his opponent was. The last thing he needed was his Swedish Short-Snout getting all upset because it was stuck between a couple house elves from the fire suit. His whole hand would be given away.

"Dinnae remind me." Orlando was now just a few weeks into his Animagus sessions with Professor McGonogall and while she had taken both him and Danny each under her private instruction without hesitation, the Hufflepuff had those sessions to be quite strenuous. "Tha auld bird is a teuch ane. She winnae e'en lat me uise the batch o smoch we ceuked up frae Wirdsworth." He shot a glance to the still sleeping safe in the corner. "Says Ah hae tae learn it the haurd wey. Ah reck Ah micht thump her gif she says it builds character."

"Well," Tom's index finger tapped against his lip as he looked at his cards, "if it's any consolation the Professor has been acting disappointed in me since she found out about you two and Cee. I don't think she fully bought the we stole his notes routine."

Orlando set card between him, a low little house elf running around with a flaming torch. "Sairy aboot tha..."

"Not your fault," Tommy replied tossing a blue centaur over the elf, who didn't seem to appreciate the company. "I knew what I was doing." The Gryffindor's shoulders shrugged slightly. "We all did."

"I dinnaken," Foozle chuckled softly, tossing his card down. "Dumbledaur actually seemed surprised fer ance. Ah think we might hae haen ane ower on him that time."

Tommy laughed. "You think?" Cards were played faster and faster and when the hand was done, Tommy slid them over the table and stacked the bank neatly in a very exaggerated gesture.

"No completely." Lando slid the deck over to Tom. "Ah dinnae think he wis surprised, but Ah dinnae think he expected it."

"Well then," Tom slapped down a centaur holding six flaming arrows, "that's one in our favor."

The two sat in concentration for a few moments as more cards were piled on, "So lad," Tom grinned as he played his next card, "It's a brand new year..."

"Nae kidding," Orlando smirked.

"What I mean to say is," Tom said with more than a bit of exhasperation, "anyone tickling the old fancy this term?"

It was Orlando's turn to shrug his shoulders. "Nae." He didn't like having to, but he wouldn't break his promise to Nicolette. The lie played as easily as the Basilik card in his hand. All the cards on the tabletop popped into a smoky nothing and Tommy cursed under his breath. "Ah reck the hert isnae oan a calendar year."

"Never say never," Tom lay down another card, "you can never tell what's gonna happen from one moment to the next."

"Ah didnae sae niver." The Hufflepuff laid down his the last card in his hand and retrieved his winnings. "Ah juist sain no this term, no richt nou." He reached for the deck, "Ahm weel aware o how fickle the faits are, brither."

The little deck stack cards hummed softly in his hands as one by one he handed out the last of them between Tom and himself. Once more they went about arranging their hands. Despite his love life being the last thing he wanted to talk about, Foozle continued in the hopes that at the very least he could head off some half cocked scheme about setting him up Tom may come up with or already had. "Whaniever it happens, it happens." He gave a little look over his shoulder. "Ah gat enouch tae keem ma mynd busy."

Tom followed the look. The green safe sat silently in the corner. Tom heaved a heavy sigh as his eyes slowly floated back to to his cards just not in enough time. An audible pop and one of his cards exploded, "Bloody hell!"

The Hufflepuff chuckled. "Gotta be fester, Tommy..."

"Yeah, yeah," Tommy slapped down a card, "You're bloody fault distracting me with Wordsworth."

Tommy must have supplemented his deck with the Hogwarts Edition because he was staring at the Fat Friar card. "Strategy is strategy, brither," Foozle replied, countering Tommy with that ghost to knock his Hebridean black down a few pegs. "Is no ayeweys aboot the cards in yuir haund."

"Yes well," Tom slapped down a Coalamander to weaken the friar, "I know the answer has to be staring us right in the face with the old chap. It's got to be something simple."

"Stupit phoenix lizard..." The Hufflepuff grumbled a bit at Tommy's card and played. Still, he nodded to the Gentleman's sentiment. "Cannae see the forest fer the trees." His brow furrowed a bit. "Oor the ither wey aroond. Whichiver..." He reached for his glass.

Tom laughed, "Now you're beginning to sound like one of those damn journals," he played another card, "June sixth: We harvested Wright root from the Forrest today. This coupled with the Rosen Weed from the gardens should prove interesting. I have never heard of either one. You?"

Those sharp hazel eyes lifted from his dwindling hand. "Say tha again?"

"Herbert root and Rosen weed." Both Gents were a fair hand when it came to Herbolgy and potions, but it wasn't out of the question that Foozle would remember something Tom had forgotten. The Gryffindor's brow knit together as he watched several expressions cross over the Scot's face. "You know them?"

"Nae, but-" One of the cards in his hand popped, drawing a curse from Foozle, but he didn't stop, "but ane o the anes Ah wis reading the nicht wis frae June and wis talkin aboot using Placo extract an poudered Bowmantuber fer makin vazil juice." Vazil juice, as both of them knew, was used as an all purpouse lubricant in magical gear works. Foozle was completely unfamiliar with either ingredient, which is why it had stuck in his craw. But now...

"Wait..." Tommy was getting it too. You couldn't solve the puzzle if you didn't have all the pieces. "Bowman Wright?" He knew the name instantly. Everybody in his familiy did. After all, Bowman Wright had invented the Golden Snitch.

There was another pop from Foozle's hand. "Ach," the Hufflepuff shook the sting from his fingers. "Aye," He tossed down a card just to get rid of something, not even caring what it was. "An Placo Rosen." Rosen had been another metallurgical charmer who was famous for his moving statues. They hadn't even considered artists. Foozle had to give the Marauders credit; that was some good out of the box thinking.

"Sometimes we are so think," Tom said excitedly as another card popped in his hand, "bloody hell," he cursed as he just threw another card down, "Why did we not see this sooner?"

Foozle tossed down the last card. "We wisnae leuking at the hail picutr, birther. Juist oor ane pieces the puzzle." He sat back on his palm and took a mouthful from his glass. He sighed and ran his fingers back through his hair. "It's something at least. We mebbes chasing ghosts, but at least we're chasing somthing nou."

"Right," Tommy stood up and started pacing the floor, "okay, so Potter and Black did this, we can too no problem." Tom smiled confidently, but the grin quickly faded. "There is just one problem."

"An tha is?"

"I don't have a clue as to what kind of spells are used to charm snitches," Tom shrugged, "you?"

Orlando's head cocked to the side, "Ye'r askin me?"

Tom sniffed a laugh, "Good point," The Gryffindor threw himself back down onto the stone floor of the cave. For every little part of this mystery they solved it grew another two or three heads to cut off like a Hydra. "Blimey," he rubbed the back of his head, "why does it always come down to research?"

Orlando shrugged his shoulders. "Hell gif Ah ken..." He felt his jaw stiffen with a yawn. "Gif it wis juist a simple chrairm frae a beuk wad we dae hauf o whit we dae? Ah dout it." He looked back over his shoulder to the sleeping safe. [caipin]"Tha's juist whit maks Wirdswirth ane o a kynd."[/capin]

Looking back to the table, Lando counted up the cards. "Ah reck ye prolly want tae tak a leuk intae the Snitch chairms." He stacked up the small deck. "Ah'll powk aroond intae oor Artist freend." He slid the cards over towards Tommy's bank.

"Right," Tom nodded as he collected the cards, "I'll start with the snitches, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to actually charm a snitch," Tom leaned back on his hands and stared up at the cave's ceiling, which was still blacked with soot from the battle that took place months ago. "You know, I never really thought about how those little buggers worked."

This brought a laugh from Foozle who was depositing his bank over by Tommy. "Tha's actually kynda funny." He winked. "Juist feegurt it wis magic, eh?"

"Well it is magic," Tom rolled his eyes, "just never really thought I would need to know how it was done."

"Ah jalouse tha's juist whaur ye and me differ." Lando smirked. "Curiousity."

"Well since my animagi form is a cat," Tom smirked, "I think it's best I stay the bloody hell away from curiosity."

"Touche, Mr. Llewelyn. Touche." The Hufflepuff laughed aloud. "Guid tha yuir no considering testing oot hou mony lives it gits ye. Thair'd be a mony o fowk tha'd be awfu waesome gif such a thing came tae pass."

"Yeah," Tom laughed again, "if I tried that, I think Cee would break every wizarding law to bring me back, only so she could kill me herself."

"Ah suspect yer richt," Foozle idly swiped up the deck. Shuffling all the deck back together it filled out as all the popped cards returned to join the others with a little static fizzle. "An Ah dinnae think it wad be priddy." He smirked, folding the deck in his fingers. "Guid thing we keep oorsels oot o ony situation tha'd put us in ony hairm."

"Oh yeah," Tom laughed even harder, "we're genius's at that."

He stood up and walked across the room, as he did he slid his hand along the wood of the back of the couch. He hadn't actually thought of what other ramifications could possibly exist about his animagi form. You don't think... Tom shook his head trying to toss the thought away, Nahhh. He walked across the front of the sofa and sat back down on the floor across from Orlando, "Well that's a first for us I believe," He said with a laugh as he looked down at the cards, "In all that excitement, we totally forgot about the game."

A Low chuckle fell from the Hufflepuff. "Ah wis howping we wad juist gae oan furgeetin aboot it." He retrieved the box and slipped the cards back home, "It wis close... but ye won."

Tom's head cocked to one side, his lips curled into a smile, "I didn't hear you, could you say that again?"

"Ah saaain," replied Foozle overly loud as he dragged out the word, "It wis close"

"And..." Tom beamed wider.

Foozle smirked, tossing the box of cards at its owner. "And ye win, brither. By twa points..."

"Well then as the winner," The Gryffindor stood up and threw his arm around the Hufflepuff, "let me buy you a drink."

Foozle smirked, "Aw the speerits here are oors."

Tom pulled Lando even closer into a one armed hug, "Even better."

[Dan DuMorne]

The Ravenclaw Quidditch captain walked into the greenhouse whistling an ancient Scottish tune. At the far end of the building he spotted the reason he was there, his golden haired housemate, preparing his Herbology tutoring session for this evening. "Hullo, Rose," he said with a smile on his face. "Whit's the plans for this afternoon?"

The tiny blonde was leaning over one of the planter boxes. Though she didn't look up at her friend's approach, her face broke into a bright smile. "Hi, Danny! Come over here and I'll show you."

Making his way over, he knelt down beside the planter. It's nae chompin' cabbage, is it?" Or farting fangsnap? He frowned. "Ahmno shuir A want a lesson with those."

Wrinkling her nose, Rose giggled as she made room for him to look at the damp soil that filled the large box. "There will be no lessons involving anything that farts," she told him primly.


"Tha's guid." Danny grinned. "Whit are those bouncin' things?"

A stray curl fell across her face as she turned her head to look at him. Blowing it out of her face, the prefect giggled again. "Aren't they adorable? They're Leaping Toadstools." As if to confirm her words, one of the larger brown and white mushrooms gave a sudden jump, nearly making it to the rim of the planter box.

Danny laughed. "Well, the name fits, anyway." Glancing at the girl, he fell into a seated position. "So whit's the lesson?"

Lowering her hand into the box, Rose waited patiently until one of the toadstools jumped into her hand. "These are full grown." Holding it gently but firmly, she lifted it for Danny to get a closer look. "Something happened to the ones in the forest last fall. Professor Sprout isn't sure exactly what it was, but they nearly died off. So we're going to take these little guys and transplant them. Not deep in the forest or anything... maybe just near Hagrid's."


"Hou do ye transplant things that jump and hop?"

"Very gently," the girl explained with a grin. "We'll find a fallen tree or another good decay spot and let them look around... well... hop around. If they like it they'll settle in on their own."

Danny nodded. "Seems guid. We're less transplanting an' more moving 'em to their new house."

Rose nodded, holding out her hand for the toadstool to jump over to her friend. "Exactly. We're just helping them along. But it really is important work."

"Fair enough," he said, catching the fungus as it jumped into his hand. "An' knowing you like I do, ye've got a nice spot all picked ut, don't you?"

"Three, actually," she admitted. "But I know you know the forest. So I was thinking I'd be open to suggestions... if you had any. If not, we can totally go with my spots."


Danny did know a spot. But he wondered if he should take her there, so close to the cave where she'd been held by Eric. He decided to take a chance. "Ah do think I know a spot. Mebbes."

A grin lit her face as she took the mushroom back from his hand. "Show me. I'd love to see it." And she meant it. Danny was such a pleasure to tutor, serious about what they were doing and always willing to try. It made their times together even more fun. "We just need to get these little guys into a nice deep bucket to transport them."

Getting to his feet, Danny began to wander around the greenhouse looking for a bucket. The October sun shone through the roof and walls, making the cool autumn feel more like July. He looked under the racks of pots and planters, finding a variety of fertilizers and plant food. Finally he found the deep bucket they needed. Bringing it back, his concern for opening old wounds crept back into his brain. But if there was anyone who deserved to see their lair, it was Rose. She had suffered because of their secrets, maybe she could help keep them honest.

"That's perfect!" Oblivious to his inner conflict, Rose reached for the bucket with both hands. Humming softly to herself, she began to scoop up the toadstools and place them at the bottom. As one wriggled in her hands, she laughed and motioned Danny to come closer. "This one's a little worked up. Can you just hold it for a minute or two. Sometimes they calm down if you stroke them a little."


Danny took the wiggly fungus and petted its cap. Slowly it stopped squirming but returned to jumping as he placed it into the bucket. Together they wrangled the rest of the little guys into their transport vessel. Danny picked up the bucket carefully and looked to his tutor. "Shall we go, or d'we need tae get saemthin' else?"

With a triumphant smile, the blonde held up her favorite trowel then hopped to her feet. "Nope. We're ready to go. Lead the way, Danny." She peered around his body to look at their precious cargo. Satisfied that they were safe and happy, she linked her arm through his and waited for him to show her the spot.

---

Arm in arm they walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest, talking about everything while saying nothing of consequence. They compared notes on the latest letters from home detailing the adorable actions of their new siblings, chattered idly about the Quidditch team and discussed their school assignments this year.

Danny stopped and shot Rose a grin. "Hey Rose?"

"Yes, Danny," she answered, smiling at him in the dim forest light.

"Ah'm thirsty. Are ye?"

A little frown furrowed her sunny brow as she nodded. "We probably should have thought of that before we left the castle. But don't worry, I'm sure we can get something when we get back."

"Or," he said with a grin as he reached into a small hollow in a tree, pulling out a pair of butterbeers. "A could hit ane of the hidden stashes." He popped the tops and handed one to his friend.

"Danny!" She stared at him then shook her head in amazement. "If you ever stop surprising me... I'm gonna... do... something." With a laugh, she took the butterbeer from him and took a small sip.

He laughed back. "Ah'm jus' glad ye've niver found whit A hiv stashed in the common room." Taking another sip of his butterbeer, he shot her a glance. "Altho' since Ah'm gauntae be of age in anither month, Ah'm nae shuir that matters anymore."

She was laughing too hard to pout. "You have a stash in the common room? How did you ever become so sneaky?"

Danny shrugged. Well, my mum was an Auror, my Da's a fair snoop himself, Aunt Rhane, Uncle Alec an' uncle Giles were aw Aurors." He laughed. "Us boys hid tae learn tae be guid sneaks early on."

"I suppose some things are just bound to rub off," she laughed. Cocking her head to the side, she grinned up at him as they continued on their way. "Do you think the professors know?"


"Know whit?"

"That you have sneaky stashes all over the place."

The boy laughed. "A suspect Dumbledaur kins some of 'em. O'coorse, there are days when I suspect he knows iverything that goes on in the castle. They continued southward along the edge of the forest. "An' most o' whit we hiv hid is naethin' bad. Just snacks and treats an' whit not."

The little prefect's eyes lit up. "Oh tell me you have a chocolate tree somewhere." She gave his arm a little squeeze. "Because that would be the perfect thing right about now."

"No," he said with a laugh, "But there's a hollow stone in the castle that is full o' chocolate frogs."

Rose's laughter echoed through the trees, startling a flock of birds that had been resting in the branches overhead. Pausing to watch them fly, Rose almost forgot about the chocolate. Almost. "You know, as a prefect, I may have to make you show me that stone one of these days. You know... just for prefect stuff. I'd certainly never devour your stash."


"Ye eat it aw, ye hiv tae refill it hen." the Quidditch Captain laughed.

The two fell into a contented silence for a short while, walking along and admiring the beauty of the multicolored foliage. Finally Danny stopped. A few trees had fallen nearby and there was a small, leafy clearing surrounded by tall oaks. "Here we are."

"It's beautiful." Dropping his arm, she'd taken only a few steps toward the nearest fallen tree when she suddenly stopped. Tucking her golden hair behind her ears, she did a slow turn, taking in the little clearing with a wide eyed glance. "We're really close to your cave, aren't we?" she asked, trying to smile.

"Yeah. Sorry." Danny was worried he had made a mistake. "It's really a guid spot. A was worried about it, though."

She shook her head. "Don't be sorry, Danny. This is a great spot. It's fine. Honest. I just... hadn't been anywhere near it since... you know."

"Yuir okay wi' this?" he asked, concern for his friend evident in his voice.

"I'm fine. I promise." She smiled at him. "I can't say it's not a little weird. But it's probably good for me. You know, that whole getting on with my life and healing thing," she added with a half laugh.


Danny walked the bucket of mushrooms over to Rose. "Should we get these little guys intae their new homes?"

She took the bucket from him and dropped to her knees in the damp soil, brushing away some fallen leaves to find the perfect spot near the trunk of the tree. "I need you down here with me. We don't want any of them to wander off. They always do better when they're in family groups like this." A grin tugged at her lips. "Kinda like us."

Plopping down beside his housemate, Danny smiled. "Aye. An' Ah'm glad I've gotten tae know you better this year," he said, helping Rose corral the mushrooms. "It's a shame it dinnae happen sooner."

"Get back here!" Catching one small toadstool that was trying to hop away, Rose guided the tiny fungus to a nice spot on the fallen tree before turning to look at her friend. "Definitely. We just didn't know what we missing," she said, going back to his words.


Danny chuckled at the blonde's words as he corralled a pair of toadstools back in Rose's direction. He really was amazed at how well they got on, which shouldn't have surprised him. After all, Tommy was close with each of them. "Ye kin, a coud show ye some o' oor stashes. Jus' the anes a Prefect wouldnae get in trouble for..."

Breaking up some of the dirt with her pink-handled spade, the tiny prefect thought about it for a minute. She wanted to jump up and hug him just for the offer. After all, considering how things had been toward the end of last year, it was a huge step. And... it was kinda exciting. "Um..." She didn't look up at him yet. "I think that sounds nice. If you're comfortable with it, of course. I know you wouldn't get me in trouble."

"Ah've got nae problem wi' it. Woudnae hiv offered if A did." Danny shooed a couple the toadstools over toward where Rose was digging. "Jus' dinnae eat all the Glacial Snowflakes. Ye kin hou Tommy gets."

"I promise I won't eat all of the anything," Rose giggled, finally lifting her emerald eyes to meet Danny's hazel ones. "Let's make sure our little friends are all settled in and then you can show me the wonders of your secret places."

[Tom Llewelyn]

The usual October misty fog hung over the entire grounds including the quidditch pitch. The thin layer of frost made a crunching sound as Tom and his younger sister both walked out of the tunnel that lead into the Gryffindor Dressing Room.

"Why is it," Cecelia grumbled as she looked at the fog covering the pitch, "that when we have extra practices, we always have to do them at the bloody crack of dawn?"

"Because," Tom gave her a smile as he shifted his broom from one shoulder to another, "it's usually the only time the pitch is free."

"I could be inside with a large cup of hot chocolate or better yet," her nose wrinkled, "I could still be in bed."

"Yes well," Tom shot her a sideways glance, ""You're the one that wanted to switch positions."

"Fine, let's do it," Cecelia flew higher into the air. It was amazing how graceful she was when she was on a broom. By far, she was the best flier of all the Llewelyn kids. The most astounding part was that she had only had her own broom less than a year. The Gryffindor fourth year barrel rolled back toward the west goals, slingshotting around them back toward the center of the pitch

"Okay get ready," Tom yelled from below as he opened the trunk and the two bludgers flew up into the air, and Tom raced after them. "So have you talked to Danny yet?"

One of the bludgers raced toward Cecelia. The blonde's narrowed on the target in front of her. The girl swung her newly purchased bat making connection with a loud crack. The bludger squealed through the air back towards Tommy who at the last second flattened against his broom as the bludger flew past him.

"Bloody hell," Tommy swore as he leveled himself with Cecelia, "You almost took my damn head off!"

"Teach you to be so nosey." Cecelia giggled as she knocked another bludger out of the way.

"Can't a brother be interested in his sister's life?" Tom shrugged as his own bat connected with bludger.

"See if you don't mind me saying dear brother," Cecelia's eyebrows narrowed, "it is none of your business." Another bludger screamed toward her and she knocked it away sending it careening toward the goals on the west goals.

"None of my business?" Tom grinned as he hit another one of the balls through the rings on the east side, "I'm your older brother, I'm supposed to be over protective."

"Since when have I ever needed you to be over protective?" Cecelia went into a powerdive as she chased a bludger toward the pitch floor. At the last second, she swung her bat violently slapping wood against leather and sending the bludger high into the air in the opposite direction.

"What do you mean since when?" Tom said as he chased down the bludger that Cecelia just hit, "What about the Immogene Farkus affair?"

Cecelia snorted, "That was four bloody years ago Michael."

"It still counts," Tom retorted as he hit another bludger away from him, "And I take by this change of subject that you haven't talked to Dan."

"No I haven't talked to Dan," she said mockingly, "the time just hasn't been right. He's always around... people."

Tom laughed, "Oh come on, since when have you been shy like that?"

Cecelia lobbed another bludger at Tommy,"You're a right git you know that?"

"You only call me a git when I'm right and you know it," Tom grinned, "Look, Rose and Danny are putting together a Halloween get together. I know you're invited to it. That would be a good time to pull him aside, talk things out."

Cecelia's eyes narrowed, "Oh yeah that's the perfect time."

Tom swore under his breath as a bludger whizzed just inches from his head, "Just think about it okay?"

Cecelia's eyes narrowed on her older brother. He could almost feel her mind running between breaking his nose and crying.

Finally the blonde's shoulder's drooped and she heaved a heavy sigh, "Fine Tommy," she knew he was right. This had gone on long enough between her and Danny, "I'll talk to Danny, I can't promise anything will change."

"Didn't say it had to," Her older brother nodded, "but you two need to talk." He grinned as he guided his broom over to hers and enveloped her in a hug. The older brother released his younger sister and gave her a grin, "Now then, let's get back to work."

Cecelia returned the grin, "Agreed."

[Ambrosia Sheridan]

Rose and Tommy sat in one of the unused Transfiguration rooms. In between them sat a huge amount of black parchment, "So command me oh great mistress," Tommy had a bit of a mocking twinge in his voice, "how do you want these invitations?"

Twirling a curl around her fingers, Rose stared at the pile of parchment as she thought it over. "Well it has to be Halloweeny. And creative. And unique." She flashed him a quick pseudo-angelic smile. "But I know you can handle it. Especially with me commanding you."

"Your wish is my command oh Great Mugwump," Tommy played with a bit of the parchment, his eyebrows curled up, "have you finished the invite list yet?"

"Hmm-mmm." The blonde wrinkled her nose as she shook her head. "It's hard not to get carried away. I keep thinking of reasons to invite nearly everyone. But that defeats the purpose of our small fun party."

"Well let's see," Tom sat back and put his hands behind his head, "there's you, me, Lando, Danny, Cee of course," Tommy gave a bit of a smile, "who else?"

"Nicolette and Cissy," the blonde answered immediately. "Family is always invited. But after that the list gets harder..."

"Well the not invite list should be easier," Tom laughed, "definitely not the twins."

Rose was giggling before he'd even finished his thought. "Oh come on. They didn't get to do anything sweet for you for your birthday."

Tom glared at Rose. His hand moved very quickly toward his wand, which flicked up and a little red spark shot out stinging Rose on the elbow.

"Ouch! You're so mean!" Her pout would have been convincing... if she hadn't started to laugh again. "I didn't say I would have let then do anything. You should be nice to me... you mean boy."

Tom laughed, "So not them.

"But Sam and Forster, for sure. And Bobby." She paused and bit her lip. "Unless you think he won't come."

Tom gave a heavy sigh, "I'm sure he would, but I want to be sure you're comfortable with him being there."

She nodded, green eyes very sad as she reached across the space and patted his knee. "I want him there," she said firmly. "He's still my friend and your friend. He should be there."

"Okay," Tom nodded, "What about Sean? I know you guys are in the same house and all but..."

"Um..." She bit her lip again. "He's kinda... um..."

"A pain in the ass?"

"I was going to say... a loudmouth," the blonde giggled.

"Well it works either way," Tom laughed again, "I he's one of those that might cause a bit of a stink if we don't invite him, and we don't need that."

Abandoning her lip, Rose pulled a curl around to her mouth and began to chew on it as she thought it over. "I don't know what's worse... him complaining or him being there."

"Both," Tom groaned, "but he's also Sam's best friend besides Laun. We don't want her upset either."

The blonde groaned through a mouthful of hair. "Fine. He can come. Maybe we can arrange for him to get lost in the maze or something." She paused and flashed him a guilty look. "I'm a horrible horrible person, aren't I?"

"Only if I am," Tommy's head cocked to the side.

"You're the opposite of horrible," she assured him, still thinking over the invite list. "We should invite Bill. Ooo... and Tati. You guys are totally to the friends stage, right?"

"Never stopped being friends," Tom nodded, "we just haven't seen a whole lot of each other since, well you know."

Rose nodded then pushed the still-blank papers aside to give him a little hug. "I know. And I'm sure she's all kinds of happy for you and Cee. She's too sweet not to be."

"This is true," Tom nodded as he returned the hug, "Sides I hear she's dating Aidan now."

"Then we'll invite them both," Rose said, considering the matter settled. "Now... who else?" Taking the curl from between her teeth, she gave her oldest friend a quick, give-me-what-I-want smile. "I know he's not really a party guy... but I'd like to at least try to invite Cass."

"It's you and Danny's party luv, not mine," Tom nodded, "Cass has always seemed like he had a wand up his bum, but he's a good guy."

The little Ravenclaw beamed at him. "It's everyone's party. Danny was just smart enough to think of it first. And I'm irresistible enough to get everyone to help."

"So Professor Snape is making the punch then?" Tommy beamed.

"Don't tempt me," she giggled, wondering if her powers of persuasion would go that far. "But speaking of punch... I know it's a lot of work, but I kinda thought you guys could talk to your friend, Gerti, for us.... maybe...."

"Oh I'm sure she would," Tom gave another look to the black parchment, "So what to do with these?"

"Cats... or... bats," the blonde decided finally. "I don't want you to try to go for scary or anything, just something that fits the theme." She picked up a piece of the paper, turning it from side to side in her hands to try to picture what she was searching for.

"Hmmmmmm," Tommy bit on the tip of his wand for a few moments, "what about..." Tom tapped his wand against the paper Rose held in her hand. The paper shifted and folded. It seemed to almost come to life as it changed into a bat flapping it's wings in front of Rose.

With a squeal of delight, Rose held up her hands in front of the paper bat, offering it a safe place to land. "It's perfect. It's adorable."

"You think that's adorable," Tom grinned. He tapped it with his wand again. the paper bat started dancing side to side. It's wings first the left, then the right, then both covering it's face.

She didn't know who she wanted to hug more... the bat or Tommy. "Thank you, Tommy," she gushed, giving him a hug that nearly knocked him over. "I know this is going to be a great night! I just know it.

"And now," she continued, pulling back just enough for him to see the the mischevious sparkle in her green eyes. "On to equally important matters..."

Tom had known Rose for nearly all of his life; he knew exactly what she was thinking. "A date for Laun?"

"Exactly!" That curl was back in her mouth as she began to think it over. "I think he's totally in denial about the whole Shelley thing... we just need to help him realize it."

Tom nodded, "So how do we do it? We can't pull the same trick as last year. Cee would kill me."

Rose shook her head. "No tricks. This isn't a dance or anything like last year anyway. We need something... simple. Right now he thinks of her as a sister. Or at least he thinks that's what he thinks of her. We just need to snap him out of it."

Tom put his hand behind his head, "Well that's no fun," he gave a bit of a laugh, "so oh goddess of love what should we do?"

"Well... first... you should definitely call me that more often," the blonde giggled. "And we should... um... well there's got to be an easy way to help him see that just because he has an established friendship with Shelley it doesn't mean that she's the kind of girl who is off limits to kiss."

"Should we talk to her?" Tom said half to himself.

"Of course we should. Though I'm sure she already understands the situation. We girls are much better at this sort of thing than you guys are." That angelic smile almost hid the wickedness in her words.