I felt a huge, uncontrollable grin spread across my face. I seem to have this problem of showing my inside feelings on my face, whether I want to or not. The grin appears at the most inconvenient times--during a lesson, at a meeting, or attending a funeral. Even though my girl cousins say that the grin is a misfortune to have, my boy cousins say that it's a gift. That same grin is the often the reason I'm exempt from punishments, as well as a reason for all my attention from girls.

I can honestly tell you that going into my third year, I was not looking for attention from girls in any way. But once I saw that they were coming to me, I started to get used to it. Then I even started to like it. And that's how I turned into the person I am today.

Mind you, my grin isn't usually present because of a girl. And in this particular instance, it was definitely not about a girl.

I stood near the doorway of the Great Hall. The hundreds of students of Hogwarts were filing in, following the prefects who were guiding them to their correct tables, though the students didn't need the help. Hogwarts is like a home, sometimes more than the students' own homes. And this night, September 1st of my seventh year, I felt like I was home.

"Hey James."

I turned my head to see Samara Kay walking up to me, a smile painted across her pretty face.

"How was your summer?" she asked. I noticed how she looked fantastic in her Gryffindor robes, her blonde hair falling like a shiny waterfall of gold down her back.

"It was great, thanks," I said. I shifted uncomfortably. "Thanks for your letter in August. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to reply."

"Oh it was no problem!" she assured me. "I knew you were probably busy. I just wanted to let you know that I still remembered you."

"Thanks," I said. I looked at the floor, just attempting to avert my gaze from her clear blue eyes.

I knew that Samara had been the best girlfriends I had ever had. She was one of those girls who could balance everything perfectly. She didn't cling on me too much, but was still around for all the stuff that, er, girlfriends should be around for. She had a good attitude about her, always. And she could turn any bad mood of mine into a good one. And lastly, she was easily one of the best-looking girls in her year.

But I couldn't handle it. I had broken it off with her a few weeks before school got out last year, much to the disappointment of my cousins, brother and parents (who I'm sure were hoping the two of us would marry; that's how wonderful Samara is).

So now I stand in front of the most beautiful girl in the Hall, a bit regretful of what I had done, but knowing I wouldn't change it even if I could. I have my reasons.

"How was your summer?" I asked, still avoiding her eyes.  I ran a hand through my hair. "You said you were going to Berlin? How was that?"

"You remembered," Samara said, surprised. A smile lit up her face. "It was nice, really beautiful. My family lives in Germany so it was nice visiting them." She nodded.

"That's great," I said, trying to sound at least a little enthusiastic, but it apparently wasn't working.

"So I heard you made Head Boy!" Samara said, conversationally.

"Yeah," I replied, thankful for the topic. "Yeah, I got the owl this summer. It was really a huge shock."

"There's no one more perfect for the job," Samara said. "I'm really glad you got it."

"Yeah, thanks." I said. "Me too. I was rather surprised when you didn't get Prefect though."

Samara shook her head. "I wouldn't get it. That belongs to Rose. She had it last year and everything and was brilliant at it, I had no chance."

"You would have been fantastic," I said. I hated not being able to grin at her anymore. If I did, I knew that I wouldn't able to stop. I already felt myself growing soft with her again. It was like a relapse from last year.

She smiled softly. "Thank you."

We both looked down at the floor, feeling a bit uncomfortable. I knew that I hadn't finished things with her the way I wanted to. To tell the truth, I didn't want to end things with her at all. I just didn't want her to get hurt. But she ended up getting hurt anyway.

Maybe I could make things better. I wanted her to smile and hug me like she used to. I wanted her to be able to cry in front of me when she was sad. I wanted to be able to confide in her again.

"Samara," I began.

"James!"

"Samara!"

We both turned at the sound of our names, in a rather reluctant way.

"James, I'm sorry that I didn't make it to the Prefect meeting." Fred Weasley ran up to me and started apologizing profusely. "Me and Roxanne missed the Express and we had to drive Dad's car al the way up to Hogsmeade. And then we had to walk all the way up to Hogwarts. And then we had forgotten our bags, so we had to get Dad to--"

"Samara, Connor and I have been looking all over for you!" Samara's best friend Lena Briggs and their friend Connor Hastings, Dan's older brother, rushed up to Samara. "Connor says that Christian saved us some seats in the Great Hall so that we can sit with him! Come on!" She began to pull Samara away by the arm.

Samara gave me an apologetic (and disappointed?) look as she followed her friends into the Great Hall. "Bye, James. I'll see you later?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll see you."

I watched as Samara slowly entered the Great Hall, following Lena and Connor. I suppose she wasn't walking that slowly in reality, but it looked that way to me. It was like a reminder of my mistakes, this beautiful girl walking away from me. I had to do something about it.

Fred Weasley was still next to me, telling his story. "So Dad met us in this Muggle town and when he was giving us our bags and stuff, our wands fell out and he tried to explain what they were to the Muggles and--"

"Be right back, Fred," I interrupted, and tore off after Samara. "Mara!" I called. I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me. "Mara..."

Samara looked at my face; hers was contorted into a mix between confusion and a frown. "What is it, James?" she asked.

I grasped for words, but it felt like everything I had wanted to say to her had flown out of my head in the few moments it took me to get to her. My eyes wandered around her face.

"What, James?" she repeated, not smiling. She looked rather impatient, actually. That's strange for her.

I completely lost it. I gave up. "Nothing, Samara. I...I hope you have a good start of year."

She gave me a little smile, nothing like she used to give. "Thanks, James. Don't worry, we'll talk later or something."

I nodded and tried to curl my lips into a smile, without success. "Yeah, that'd be great, Samara."

She turned again and started walking to the tables.

"Samara!" I called after her. At the time I didn't realize how stupid or desperate I must have looked to the rest of the students.

 

She looked at me.

"I…" I began. My throat felt like it was filled with cotton. Is there a spell someone could have put on me that turned me into a huge cotton swab? Shut up, James, I told myself, you're being stupid. Just talk to Samara. You always used to be able to. "...I miss you."

She gave another little smile. "I miss you too." She looked away and went to sit with her friends.

I sighed out of the corner of my mouth. Who knew that the invincible James Potter could be turned into a swarbling idiot by some blonde bombshell?

"Bad time, James," said Fred, coming up to me, "it happens to the best of us." Fred and I always talked about girls, way more than Albus and I ever have. Fred's my age, my Uncle George's kid. He's not around as much as Rosie or Victoire, but you can count on the fact that he'll arrive at the most unexpected times.

"I just never know what to do about her," I said. "All summer I thought I was over her. And then we come back..."

"Aye, I know how that feels," Fred nodded. "Except mine is with Lena Briggs."

I rolled my eyes. "How many years are you going to obsess over that girl? She's hardly given you any attention in the six years you've gone to school with her."

"But this year will be different," Fred insisted. "This year she's going to notice me. Not only notice me, but fall completely in love with me."

I scoffed. "You aren't in love with Lena."

Fred gave me the Look that seems to circulate so rapidly within the Weasley relations. I see it from Rose at least once a day.

"How would you know?" asked Fred. "Like you've ever been in love."

"Even if I was, I wouldn't tell a git like you," I replied.

Fred rolled his eyes. "Whatever. This year is going to be different. Me and Lena are going to be different."

"You say that every year."

"Exactly. Mustn’t lose hope, Jamesy," Fred called over his shoulder as we began to walk to our table.

"James! Freddy! Over here!" called Briony. She beckoned for us to come over.

"Where's Albus?" I asked, sitting down with Fred near our group of friends. "And

Rosie and Lily?"

"Lily and Rose are both down there," she pointed much further down the table, where a group of the younger Weasleys and Rose sat. "And Albus went to say hello to Teddy at the staff table."

"Hey, mate," greeted Sean Finnegan, who sat next to Mike Thomas. Their families were good friends and the two were more like brothers than best friends. My dad says that their dads were best friends at Hogwarts, like Dad and Ron and Hermione were.

"Hey, Seamus. Good summer?"

"Great," he replied. "Thanks. Charlie came with us on vacation."

Charlie Corner laughed. "Sean got so pissed at Mike's sister that he almost sealed her in one of those mummy tombs."

"Until I kicked some sense into his ass," grinned Mike, punching Sean on the shoulder.

"I absolutely believe you did that," Albus said sarcastically, joining the table. He sat next to Briony.  

"And what did you do this summer, Potter?" asked Sean. "Lose another kissing contest?"

Sean and Albus, although friends, had a competitive edge to their relationship. They were always holding contests and competitions. The last one before school was let out the previous year had been a kissing contest. Sean had bet that Albus couldn't kiss a girl as long as he could, and Al had taken him up on it. For over three hours the two had snogged their girls (Al was snogging a girl named Marie Tamblyn while Sean snogged Lena Briggs, much to Fred's dislike). Finally, Albus had stopped kissing to turn away form his girl and sneeze, ending the contest. He still hadn't lived it down.

"Shut up, Sean," Briony defended Albus. "I thought it was very sweet that Al considered the girl he was kissing and didn't sneeze in her mouth. Besides, some girls don't fancy boys like you, who just want to snog them and nothing more."

Sean smirked. "And how was your summer, Briony? Have fun with old Gran?"

"Briony and I had a fantastic summer," Dan said, from his seat on the other side of Briony.

"What do you mean, Dan?" asked Mike. "Did you two spend you summer together?"

"Practically," Briony grinned.

"You didn't mention that to me," said Albus.

"She doesn't need to report to you, Potter." Sean rolled his eyes. "So what are you two shagging now? Get an apartment together in the city?" Briony flushed a bit.

"Shut it, Finnegan," I said. "Do you honest-to-Merlin think that Bri would in a million years do that? No."

"I've so missed your defensive talk, James," Aurora Nikolas took the seat next to me at the table and gave me a hug. "It just wasn't the same not seeing you for two months."

I grinned. "I missed you too, Nikki." Nikki and I had an interesting relationship. Neither of us wanted anything intimate with each other, yet we were still good friends. "Aren't you excited to finally be a seventh year?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "Finally!"

"Sorry to break up the reunion," said Fred, interrupting, "but I want to hear what went on in Dan and Briony's summer."

"Okay," Dan said, smiling. "So we weren't like living together or anything, but we just spent a lot of time together, hiding away from our houses. Because Connor had those girls Lena and Samara over every two seconds--"

"Lena?" Fred interrupted again. "Why was Lena always around? Are they going out now or something?"

Dan shrugged. "Close to it. I dunno, but she was always over this summer."

"And my brother always had his little twelve-year-old friends over, so I would try and stay out of there as much as possible." Briony smiled.

"And my house is just a block over from Briony's dad's," continued Dan.

"So we just spent as much time together as we possibly could," finished Briony. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it, Albus," she apologized.

"Students, please take your seats," Professor Flitwick's magically loud voice filled the hall. "The school year is about to begin."

A hush came over the Hall as the students finished conversations and sat at their respectable tables.

"Welcome to the brand new year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The teachers wish to an extend a hearty greeting to all students, new and returning." Flitwick's feeble voice fed through the Hall. "I would firstly like to introduce new additions to the staff."

I sat straighter in my seat, looking for Teddy at the staff table. He sat near the end, by the huge mountain that was Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Teddy wore his staff robes, and his hair had been returned to its natural brown. I suppose he thought it had to look professional or something.

"Firstly, after our much esteemed Muggle Studies teacher retired, we were glad to welcome our accomplished alumni Cho Chang back to Hogwarts."

The students cheered as Chang stood and smiled, her long black hair tied into a plait running down her back.

"Doesn't Dad know her?" asked Albus, shouting over the noise.

 

I shrugged. "I guess. But she's not a Muggle-born. Why is she teaching it?"

Albus shrugged as well and we turned back to Flitwick, who stood on a stack of chairs behind the staff table.

"Second, as many of you know already, our last Potions teacher was, ahem, disposed of," Flitwick cleared his throat.

Al and I looked knowingly at each other. Dad had told us about what happened to the old teacher. Apparently he had been caught brewing some illegal potion or something and was fired from his position.

"So for the first time in ten years, we are required to fill the position of Potions master," Flitwick continued. "Please welcome Luciano Marcello, Hogwarts' new Potions Master."

The very Italian-looking man at the staff table nodded in gratitude as the students applauded politely. Fred leaned over to me and muttered, "Doesn't look like of much of a hard-ass, you think?"

"I dunno," I replied. "If he is, we'll take care of it."

Fred agreed, but shut up as Flitwick spoke again.

"And lastly, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year." Albus, Fred and I grinned at each other. "His father graced Hogwarts over twenty years ago, when he taught the same subject, and became one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers we've had. We now welcome his talented son, who I'm sure will follow in his father's footsteps. Teddy Lupin."

The Gryffindor table absolutely erupted with cheers, the Weasley relations going crazy. Teddy grinned from the staff table and nodded to the students.

"Alright, settle down," said Flitwick, looking quite pointedly at Roxanne and Louis Weasley, who were practically on the table cheering.

Once the students had quieted, Flitwick resumed his speech. "We hope that each staff member and student gains experience and intellect this upcoming year. And two of the students who will be gaining this valuable experience are the new esteemed Head Boy and girl-- James Potter and Annia Grinkov."

Again, the Weasleys erupted with cheers, along with the entire Gryffindor table.

The Hufflepuffs were cheering for Annia as well, and she looked absolutely mortified. I grinned and looked down the table at Samara, whom I thought would be looking at the Weasleys as if they were completely mental.

I thought wrong.

She sat next to Connor and Lena, smiling laughing. But not only that, she was cheering.

My grin grew larger when I saw this.

"Knew it would be a Weasley!" Fred yelled.

When the noise had finally died down, Flitwick said, "Let these Heads pass on the experience they have to the next generation of students. Let us welcome the new first years of Hogwarts."

We all turned to the back of the Hall, where the first-years were filing in, following Professor Vector.

"Damn the old bat's getting old," Fred whispered as he watched her walk down the aisle.

"She's not that old," I replied.

Fred gave me the Look. "Uh, yeah she is. Look at her."

I looked at Vector. Her silver hair was tightly pulled back into a bun; her face was crinkled and lined. "Yeah, but you have to admit, she's an extraordinary witch."

"Extraordinary at getting on my ass every day," muttered Fred. I laughed.

"Please stand in front of the stool, students," directed Vector. The first years obeyed, but looked absolutely terrified when the hat on the chair in front of them began to sing.

Rather than listening to yet another Sorting Hat song, I spoke with my table about the first years who were gathered around the singing hat.

"That girl, three down from the boy with the blonde hair, she looks just like Amy Madson. You know, that girl from Ravenclaw? The seventh year?" Fred mused.

"Well that little girl over to the right looks so familiar," Nikki, pointing.

"That's because she's my sister, dimwit," Mike said, rolling his eyes. "That's Marnie."

"Look, there's the last Hastings brother," Fred told me. I looked at the first years and spotted Dan and Connor's little brother Austin. He looked just like the other two, with sandy brown hair and green eyes.

"And there's mine!" Briony called, pointing to her own brother. He was small, like her and her other brother Sam. He had dusty brown hair and blue eyes.

"What's his name, Briony?" asked Fred.

"Remus," she said with a little smile. "My mum named him after Teddy's dad."

"Hey, James," Fred said softly, nudging me. "Look at the kid next to Briony's brother." My eyes traveled to a tiny boy with clear blue eyes, so much like those of the girl I had yearned for just minutes earlier.

"Is that Samara's brother?" I asked, squinting to see him better.

"Dunno," said Fred. "But it sure looks like her. Maybe it's her cousin or something. I didn't even know she had a brother, did you?"

I shook my head. "No. That's why this is such a big surprise."

I again stole a glance down the table at Samara. She seemed to be listening to the Sorting Hat's song intently. She gave no indication if the boy was her brother or not.

"I wish that we could eat our supper while the Sorting goes on," said Nikki, rubbing her stomach. "So we could eat while we watch. Like a TV dinner."

"Like a what?" asked Fred, ever oblivious to all things Muggle. Nikki was Muggleborn and still lived like one while on school vacations.

Nikki rolled her eyes. "Never mind."

"It's a good idea though," said Sean. "I could go for eating right now. Maybe we should take it up with the house elves."

"Didn't Rose's mum work for their benefit rights or something?" asked Dan. "Maybe we should get her to talk to them about it."

"Can't you guys just last a few minutes during the Sorting to eat?" asked Fred.

Nikki snorted. "Like you should talk. I've seen you polish off an entire turkey by yourself."

"So true," Fred remembered fondly.

"Remus has been worried all summer that he won't be put in Gryffindor," Briony confided. "I don't even know what to say to him at this point."

"I was worried about the same thing when I first came to Hogwarts," said Albus. "I was so scared that the Hat would put me is Slytherin."

"Why weren't you put in Slytherin?" Briony asked.

Albus shrugged. "It wanted to put me in there. But it knew I wanted to stay out of Slytherin more than anything. So it decided to put me into Gryffindor, even though it thought I could do better in Slytherin."

"Do you regret it?" asked Briony. "Not going into Slytherin?"

Albus smiled at her. "Not at all. Not for a moment."

"It almost put me in Ravenclaw," said Nikki. "But it decided Gryffindor at the last moment."

"Yeah, me too," said Briony. "Except it almost put me in Slytherin too."

"Really?" I asked. "Did you get out of it the same way Al did?"

"No," she replied. "I wasn't worried about getting into Slytherin. And that's why it put me in Gryffindor."

"Wow," I said. "That's cool."

"Mhm," she agreed.

"Hey," Fred nudged me again. "How are they gonna sort Lily? I mean, she's not up there with the first years."

"Dunno," I said, "but I'm not worried about it. Lily will get sorted."

"I hope she's in Gryffindor," said Fred. "Grandad won't be happy if she's not. And as weird as it sounds, I don't like it when Grandad's mad."

"Me either," I agreed. "When he's down, he just brings everyone down with him."

"Are we all going home at Christmas holidays?" asked Albus.

"From what I know, yes," I replied, watching as Avery, Jordan was sorted into Slytherin. "All of us."

"Oh, I do miss Christmas parties at your house," sighed Briony. "That's one reason I wish I still lived with my mum."

"Move back!" insisted Albus. "Please, Briony? We miss having you next door! And then you can come with your mum to our Christmas party!"

"Or you can just come with your dad and Sam and Remus," I suggested.

"Oh yeah," Briony said sarcastically. "I'm sure your dad, who's been friends with Mum for years, would be quite keen on inviting her estranged husband and his two kids from another marriage over for Christmas."

I shrugged. "Just a thought."

"Couldn't you stay with you mum for the holidays?" Albus asked. "Or you could stay with us."

"Yeah!" I exclaimed. "Stay with us!"

"I wish I could," Briony said regretfully. But I don't really want to leave Remus with Sam and Dad. They just don't get along. I have to be the peacemaker in the family."

I scoffed. "You're the peacemaker everywhere, Bri Bri."

"Remus should come stay with us too," suggested Albus, watching Edwards, Belinda become a Hufflepuff. "It would be cool."

"I want to," assured Briony. "I miss you guys. I just have to talk it over with my mum and everyone. But I do want to."

"Guys, my brother is almost about to go up!" Dan sat straight in his seat, looking at his brother.

We all turned to watch as Vector called out, "Hastings, Austin," and little Austin Hastings walked nervously to the stool, sat, and the Hat was placed upon his head.

We waited.

It took a moment for the Hat to shout out, "Gryffindor!" and the Gryffindor table exploded with cheers.

"Not really a surprise, is it?" Dan yelled over the cheering. "Both Connor and I were sorted into Gryffindor. Austin had to join us!"

Austin ran to our table and Dan moved away from Briony to give Austin room on the bench. He introduced his little brother around. "You know Bri, and this is Albus, James, Nikki, Fred, Sean, Charlie and Mike."

Austin smiled, still looking a bit nervous.

"Hey, James," Fred interrupted us. "That boy is about to go."

Vector waited patiently as Kalvin, Kaitlyn hurried over to the Ravenclaw table. She then announced, "Kay, Jonas."

Both Fred and I turned at looked at Samara, who was watching interestedly with a slight smile on her face. "Still can't tell if it's her brother," Fred said.

"They're definitely related," I decided. "And he looks just like her. I'd say it's her brother."

Jonas Kay walked up to the stool and sat. The Sorting Hat was placed upon his head.

I looked back at Samara again. She was waiting patiently, but a shadow crossed her face when the Hat decided, "Slytherin!"

"What?" gasped Fred. "Whoa, didn’t see that coming."

"Neither did Samara, by the look of her face," I said, equally surprised.

"Well, I guess it goes to show that families aren't always put together," Fred concluded. "Even siblings."

"That's not Samara Kay's brother," interjected Dan, from across the table. Both Fred and I turned to look at him.

"He isn't?" asked Fred.

Dan shook his head. "No. It's her cousin, from Germany. She saw him when she traveled there this summer and his parents decided to send him to Hogwarts. They're definitely not siblings."

I looked at Fred. "How do you know this?"

"In case you haven't heard, Lena and Samara practically spent their breaks at our house," Dan said. "Except for the time when Samara was in Germany or when Lena was going with her family to Luxembourg."

"It's true." Briony nodded. "Every time I went over there this summer I saw them."

"Not that it's a bad thing," Dan said hurriedly. "I don't care much for Lena," a death glare was shot at him from Fred, "but Samara's okay. She's nice and everything."

"She is," agreed Briony. "One time she went to Dan's house to see Connor, but their family wasn't home because they were on vacation. So she came over my house instead and we went to the cinema and stuff. She had never been before, it was a big thing before."

I felt myself smiling. I could just imagine Samara getting excited about going to see a film. I remember when we were dating I had given her a pretty little doll I had bought from a Muggle store during Easter break. It was little and blonde with blue eyes, and said little things when you hugged her.

"How does it work?" Samara asked excitedly. "Is there some sort of charm on it?"

"No," I replied, trying to show her how the doll worked. "It has a whole system inside. It feels when you hug the doll and then makes the noises come out."

"Fantastic!" she said in awe, looking at the doll with a loving expression. She then looked at me. "I'm going to name her Juliana."

I had kissed her on the forehead. "That's a beautiful name."

And now she had gone to the cinema with Briony, still in wonder of the world outside magic.

"It was a film about some superhero. He was in love with a girl who wasn't one, and it made things complicated. She absolutely loved it, said that she admired the superhero for trying to stay with this girl, because he loved her so much," Briony said.

"I didn't know that you and Samara were friends," Charlie Corner said.

"We weren't," replied Briony. "Until then."

Briony and Samara would be perfect friends. They're so much alike; they have so many of the same attributes. When I first met Samara in my fourth year, I thought that she was like an older and a slightly more outgoing version of Briony. Honestly, the two could be sisters.

"She talked about you, James."

I looked up. Briony had leaned a bit over the table to say this softly to me.

"Samara did?" I asked, feeling my heart flutter a bit.

She nodded. "She asked after you, once she knew that we were...friends."

I swallowed, glancing at Samara, who was talking excitedly with Connor and Lena. "Really?" I asked.

Briony looked up as Legman, Steven was sorted into Gryffindor, and everyone cheered. "Yes. I'll tell you about it later, I promise."

I nodded and turned back towards the Sorting where Madson, Jenny was placed in Ravenclaw.

"Just like her sister!" Fred said. "I knew it!" He leaned over and muttered to me, "I heard what Briony said. Don't worry; I don't think that anyone else listened properly. But I want to hear about it later."

I nodded. "Don't worry, you will. And I want to know about what goes on with Lena this year."

Fred gave me a Look. "I thought you didn't believe anything could happen."

"I didn't," I replied. "But right about now I'm thinking that anything is possible."

Fred grinned. "The invincible, indestructible, stubborn-beyond-belief James Potter is admitting himself wrong?"

I laughed. "Don't get used to it, Weasley."

"Hey," greeted Rose, coming up behind us. She sat between Fred and me at the table.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "I thought you were sitting with Lil."

"I was," she said, cheering with our table as Elaina Rowloft came to join the Gryffindors. "But Louis and Hugo were being such huge gits, I just had to get away."

"What about Lily?" I asked.

"She stayed. She doesn't mind Hugo. Actually, I think that she's become used to him in the past few years. They're sort of like brother and sister now." She rolled her eyes a bit. "And I didn't think it would be quite comfortable if she came to sit with Albus at this table and all."

"True," I agreed.

"Rose, you were sitting by Lena and Samara?" asked Fred. My heart began to pound. I thought he was going to say something about Samara. Everyone in my family but Fred thinks that I'm over Samara, and I wanted to keep it that way.

"Yeah, why?" asked Rose.

"What was the score with her and Connor?" asked Fred. "Is he going out with her?"

"Not that I know of," Rose said. "They seemed like they were dating, but not committed. But I don't think that Lena really commits to anyone."

Fred slapped her on the arm. "Don't talk about her like that!"

"Ow!" Rose cradled her arm. "What, you don't still fancy her, do you?"

Unlike me, our entire family knows of Fred's love life. I juts know a more extended version.

Fred buried his head in his hands. "I've fancied her ever since I was eleven!"

"Aww," cooed Rose. "That's so cute. In an incredibly pitiful way."

"Bri, look! Remus is about to get sorted!" Austin pointed.

"Talisman, Remus."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Teddy's eyes open wide in surprise at the sound of his father's name. He smiled proudly, watching Remus Talisman wear the

Sorting Hat on his head. The Hat spouted out, "Gryffindor!" in moments, as if it didn't even need to think about it.

Briony cheered loudly, grinning, as her brother ran to our table. He and Austin quickly congratulated each other and both went to the end of the table, where the other first years were sitting, and where Marnie Thomas went to sit after being sorted into Gryffindor only minutes after Remus.

After Zimmerman, Kelly had finally been sorted into Ravenclaw, everyone in the Hall seemed rather restless to eat.

"Only a bit more business to take care of," Flitwick assured the students. "We have three transfer students who need to be sorted."

Fred, Rose and I looked knowingly at each other.

"Will Amara Lestrange, Lily Potter, and Hugo Weasley please come to the front of the Hall," Flitwick requested.

"We didn't talk about Hugo at the Prefect meeting," noticed Rose, watching her brother and Lily stand from the Gryffindor table and walk to the front. Amara did the same from where she had been sitting at the Slytherin one.

"I know," I said. "Flitwick hadn't mentioned him."

"I wonder why," Rose mused.

Amara went first. Slytherin was shouted from the Hat before it even formally sat on her head. The Slytherins cheered as Amara went to sit at their table again.

"Lily," beckoned Professor Vector, and my sister sat primly on the stool, closing her eyes as the Hat was placed on her head, as if it was reading her mind. I glanced at Albus. He was biting his lip with worry.

"Gryffindor!" the Hat cried.

Lily broke out in a smile and stepped down from the chair. She didn't come to our table, but I realized what she was doing. She was waiting for Hugo, so sure she was that he would be placed in Gryffindor as well.

Lil has her own way of doing things.

Vector put the Hat on Hugo's head as well.

"Gryffindor!" it shouted. And that was that.

The Weasleys broke into loud cheers for both Hugo and Lily as they proudly walked to the table. Or maybe it was just Hugo who was truly proud. Lily just looks like that all the time.

"So they all made it into Gryffindor," said Fred, watching the Weasleys congratulate Lily and Hugo.

"Can you say you're surprised?" asked Rose, clapping. "All Weasleys are Gryffindors. It's just a fact. If anyone wants their future kid to be a

Gryffindor, they should marry one of us."

"I'll keep that in mind," Sean said, winking at her.

Rosie rolled her eyes. "Shut up and eat your chicken, Finnegan," she said as our plates magically filled with food, marking the end of Flitwick's speech.

Sean helped himself to some potatoes muttering, "Why do the Weasleys always tell me to shut up?"

"They didn't talk about that new girl," Rose said, pouring herself some Pumpkin Juice.

"No," I replied, my mouth full. "I suppose they don't want the whole school's attention on her when she arrives."

Rose shrugged. "Maybe."

"Oi, James," called Fred. "Who's my partner for rounds?"

"I believe its Melena Partridge," I replied. "Ravenclaw fifth year."

"Ex-cel-lent." Fred grinned. "She quite a looker."

"I thought you were fancying Lena?" Rose asked.

"A bloke can look, can't he?" Fred shrugged.

Rose shook her head at him and turned back to her food. "Boys. I can't understand you half the time."

"And that's why we remain a mystery to the female species," Fred reasoned, stuffing a forkful of potatoes into his mouth.

Rose cringed and handed him a napkin to wipe his mouth with.

"Thanks," he said, his voice garbled.

"I think," said Rose, "that boys are insensitive jerks. And I'm maintaining that position."

"We're not," I said, defensively. "As a whole, we have good morals and standards. But if girls consider our flirtations with others and a bit of kissing to be non-committing, then no girl can be made happy by a guy."

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned. Standing behind me was Samara Kay.

I swallowed my mouthful of food. "Hey, Samara."

She didn't reply, but just stuck out her hand, which held a folded note. "Here. Vector told me to give this to you." She turned and walked away.

"Shit," I muttered, my hand grasping the note.

"Smooth," commented Rose. "Talking about girls in the most repulsive manner in front of the girl who you dumped without warning. No wonder she hates you."

"She hates me?"

"She should," said Rose. "After what you did to her."

"I thought I was doing it for her," I said. "I thought I was doing a good thing."

Rose rolled her eyes and muttered, "Boys."

"Don't listen to her, James," said Fred. "I'm sure she doesn't hate you." He pointed with his fork. "What’s the note say?"

I unfolded it.

Mr. Potter,

Though the duties of Head Boy include showing the first years to their dormitories, you will be exempt tonight, as Professor Flitwick would like you in his office at eight o' clock to meet Reagan Carlisle, who has just arrived.

Please enlist another Prefect to perform the job that was formerly entitled to you.

Regards,

Professor Septima Vector

I folded the note and stuffed it in my pocket. Great. The last thing I wanted right now was to guide a naïve girl around Hogwarts. "What time is it?" I asked.

Rose looked at her watch. "Seven-thirty."

"Great. Fred, could you escort the first years to the dorms after supper? I have something to attend to in Flitwick's office."

"Ooh, to attend to," Fred mocked. "Sure. Don't worry about it."

I rubbed my forehead with my hands and looked sideways at Samara, talking with a new student. In less than five minutes, my seventh year had gone from spectacular to horrid.

I must be cursed. It's only a matter of time until I turn into a werewolf.

A/N: So now you know who James’ crush is on: the beautiful and brilliant Samara Kay (who seems to be going through some of her own family issues at the moment). Honestly, when I began writing this chapter I was really unenthused about it. I thought it was just going to be a filler chapter. But then I saw how much information the reader was getting on each character in this one chapter and I began to love it! It’s definitely my favorite this far. It shows what James is really thinking and what he’s really like. In the next chapter you’ll see how he manages working with the new girl. That chapter is going to be really fun because you get to read from Reagan Carlisle’s perspective! I’m working on it currently. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I’m excited for you to keep reading! If you have any questions or want background information on the characters or plotlines, or want to see when I’ll be updating, you can visit my blog at www.rougette.wordpress.com. It has all Sixth Year info on it and I’m working to get it as updated as possible! Thanks again! Read, review and check back soon! Love, Caralanne <3