"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the season!" the Hogwarts commentator, Peter O'Brien, said. Peter was a seventh year Hufflepuff and probably one of the most un-opinionated students at Hogwarts. He was perfect for the commentating position. That wasn't to say that he wasn't the most passionate commentator. He was pretty good as far as commentators went.

"We are going to be watching a spectacular match today," he said to the crowded stadium. "As usual the first match of the season is Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"

The Slytherin team could hear the cheers and hissing from the crowd as they were announced. They all smiled to each other before Derrick turned to them.

"All right, gentlemen and lady," he started. Charlotte rolled her eyes at him. "Today's the first game of the season. We're playing Gryffindor. I know they're our rivals, as they should be. But I also know that we're better than they are. Let's go out there and show them that. Remember that some of your friends might be out there playing against you. They're not your friends out on the pitch. Extended family and friendships need to be put aside. Let's go out there and show them how real players play Quidditch." The Slytherin team cheered and lined up to get ready to go out onto the pitch.

Charlotte slowly rolled her head around on her neck, feeling and hearing the bones in her neck crack. That was a nervous habit of hers. Making sure she could hear the bones of her body crack. She figured that if she heard them crack before the game, it wouldn't throw her off her flow during the game when she heard them crack for other reasons.

The door to the pitch opened and the team mounted their brooms. They flew out of the room and into the air as Peter called out their names.

"Here come Crabbe, Flint, Goyle, Higgs, Malfoy, Warrington… and Nott!" Peter announced to the crowd as the six seventh years and the one sixth year flew around the stadium, cheering on the crowd. Aidan and Charlotte were always good at getting a crowd ready for a game. They would show off in front of the Slytherin crowd to get them into the game and they would fly close to and fast by the Gryffindors or other opposing houses to intimidate them. The Slytherins would cheer them on after seeing the fantastic flying.

The players got into their positions and the game was ready to begin. The teams were raring to go.

"And they're off!" Peter shouted. "It's Higgs to Malfoy. They're streaking up the field. Charlotte Malfoy, the only girl on the Slytherin team is one of their best players. Malfoy passes to Goyle. Goyle back to Malfoy. And Malfoy scores!" Slytherins cheered loudly throughout the stadium as Gryffindors groaned. Charlotte high-fived Ryan as they passed each other in the air.

"Longbottom has the Quaffle now and she's tearing towards Derrick Flint and the Slytherin goals. And she just took a huge hit by Charlotte Malfoy and Aidan Higgs," Peter told the crowd. "Higgs has the Quaffle and is going back toward the Gryffindor goals."

Charlotte and Aidan had teamed up against the sixth year female Chaser. Taylor Longbottom didn't see it coming when they sandwiched her between them. This was nothing new. Taylor had seen them do it to other Chasers before. She had been anxiously and nervously waiting for them to do it to her.

"You all right?" Michael called from where he was searching for the Snitch.

"I'm all right," Taylor yelled before she tore off after Charlotte and Aidan. But it was too late. Aidan scored on Brayden Lockwood, the new fifth year Keeper for Gryffindor. Slytherin was already ahead by two goals. Taylor sighed as she turned around, determined to help her team score, but knowing that it was going to be a tough and long game.

An hour later Slytherin was ahead ten goals to three. Isabella had finally got past Derrick twice while Malcolm Lupin got past them once, putting Gryffindor on the board. Bruises were starting to show on the faces of all the Chasers on the field. There were minor lacerations to the faces of the more aggressive players. Bludgers had done some damage to the players, more so to the Gryffindor team than those playing in green and silver.

"Higgs to Malfoy, Charlotte's racing up the pitch with Higgs and Goyle flanking her on either side," Peter was telling the crowd. "She ducks to avoid a Bludger and a Beater. She circles around the goals and puts one past Lockwood!"

Charlotte cheered as she scored another goal for Slytherin. She and Aidan each did a barrel roll before heading back up the pitch. They were flying across the center line of the pitch, chasing Taylor Longbottom and Isabella when a Bludger came careening out of the sky. Charlotte pushed Aidan out of the way before it hit her in the left knee. She let out a scream of pain but kept flying. She could hear the Slytherin crowd groaning and the Gryffindor crowd cheering.

"And a Bludger connects with Malfoy's left knee," Peter announced. "That's got to be smarting! But she keeps flying. My, this girl is stubborn."

Derrick called a timeout just after he blocked Isabella's shot on the goal and the players flew to the ground. When he got to the ground, Derrick saw Charlotte being propped up by Aidan. He turned to her with a concerned brow.

"Are you all right?" he asked. Charlotte gritted her teeth in pain but nodded anyway.

"My kneecap is shattered but I can still play," she told him. "I can still fly. Walking may be a problem, but I can still fly."

"It's a sore spot and they know it," Derrick said. "I can bring in a Reserve. I don't want them going after your knee anymore."

"They won't," Charlotte said. "Michael's too noble to tell them to go after my knee and they're not stupid enough to do it otherwise. They know that he'd kill them."

"Fine," Derrick sighed. "But if you get killed, I'm not the one explaining it to your dad."

"You won't have to." Charlotte grabbed her broom from Graham and had Aidan help her back on it. Derrick stopped her before she flew off.

"Be careful," he advised. Charlotte nodded and the team mounted their brooms. After a whistle they were back in the air, ready to play.

A good break was what they needed. It was also what the Snitch needed. After two minutes of play after the timeout, Skyler and Michael spotted the golden winged ball. They dove for it while the Chasers fought for control of the Quaffle. After a long dive, Skyler spiraled upward with the Snitch clutched in his hand.

"Slytherin pulls off a spectacular win!"

"Madam Pomfrey, when can we get out of here?" Aidan asked from his bed in the Hospital Wing. All of the Slytherin Chasers had been sent to the Hospital Wing straight after the game. They were far better off than the Gryffindor team. Each member of the team had been sent to the Hospital Wing.

"You will be allowed to leave once I let you, Mister Higgs," Madam Pomfrey said as she came over to the Slytherin side of the wing and administered some potions to the three Chasers. "Just like your father, you are."

"Great game," Derrick said, smiling at his injured players. Charlotte looked to her right and saw Aidan with a bewildered expression on his face. Looking to her left she saw that Graham wore the same face. "I know you're all injured, but still it was a fantastic game. Great flying out there."

"So if we die in your pursuit of the Cup, it's only part of your plan, right?" Aidan asked. Charlotte chuckled and shared a smile with Ryan Crabbe. Her attention was brought to the school nurse who was trying to give her a potion for her knee.

"Drink it all up," Pomfrey told her. "You're going to need all of it to repair a kneecap. You might be here for a while as well."

From her bed Charlotte could see the entirety of the Hospital Wing. She could see where Michael and Isabella lay next to each other, both looking slightly worse for the wear. They were in good health though. She was glad to see that Jeremy was by Isabella's side, talking to her about anything but the match. Paige was right next to Michael, reassuring him that he played well and that Slytherin narrowly won.

Charlotte gagged and nearly threw up when she drank the potion that Madam Pomfrey had given her. She was able to finally force the potion down her throat and pass the cup off to the nurse.

"That's an attractive face you're making," Derrick said to her.

"Shut your mouth," she told him. "I just shattered my kneecap for you. I hope you're happy." Derrick only smiled at her. He turned in the direction of the door that had just opened and his smiled widened.

"Jimmy!" he said to one of the two Ravenclaws that walked toward them. The younger Ravenclaw scowled.

"I hate it when you call me that," he said.

"Yes, but I'm your older brother," Derrick said. "Tormenting you is part of my job." Derrick smiled at his younger brother. James Flint could hold his own against Derrick. James was one of the Beaters for Ravenclaw and looked like it. He was tall and very sturdy with arms that could crush just about anything. Derrick was very disappointed that he wasn't a Slytherin. Not that Ryan and Thomas weren't good Beaters, James was just better. Next to James was a Chaser that was becoming quite familiar around the Slytherin parts.

Andrew Davies looked at Charlotte with what could have been assumed as a worried look.

"Are you all right?" he asked her. "That was a nasty hit."

"Don't I know it," she said. "I'm fine though. Pomfrey just gave me something for it and I feel it working already." Andrew broke into a smile.

"That's good," he said. "That was some wicked flying out there."

"Thanks, man," Aidan said from Charlotte's right. Andrew turned to him, almost like he just realized that Aidan was there.

"You're welcome," Andrew said before turning back to Charlotte. "Well, we must be going. We'll see you out on the pitch in November."

"That you will," Charlotte said. She watched Andrew and James leave. Ryan turned to her and smirked.

"I told you so," he said to her.

"Shut your face before I Avada Kedavra you," she said. Ryan chuckled at her displeasure.

Charlotte and Aidan welcomed the sun on their faces as they walked down to the village of Hogsmeade. But even as they walked in the sun, they tightened their scarves around their necks. October had been cold and they were barely halfway through it. Charlotte stumbled slightly but was thankful for Aidan's hand on her elbow that prevented her from falling.

"Thanks," she said to him as she steadied herself. "Still getting used to the repaired knee." Aidan smiled at her and she knew he understood. They had been let out of the Hospital Wing in the late morning after all those that were permitted to visit Hogsmeade had left. Madam Pomfrey had allowed Charlotte to walk down to the village as long as Aidan went with her.

"Where do you reckon everyone is?" Aidan asked as they neared the village.

"With it this cold outside? My guess would be the Three Broomsticks," she answered. Aidan nodded and they headed in the direction of the pub. Sure enough, when Aidan pulled open the door and let Charlotte in ahead of him, they heard the familiar laughter of their Slytherin friends.

"Hey!" they heard Derrick shouting from across the pub when they entered. "You made it! That crazy bat let you out of the Hospital Wing!" Charlotte turned to Aidan with a look.

"How many do you think he's had?" she asked under her breath. She heard Aidan chuckle.

"Two, at least," he answered. Charlotte nodded in agreement. They headed over to the table anyway and sat down with their friends. After taking off their cloaks and scarves, Charlotte and Aidan ordered a couple Butterbeers and waited for Madam Rosemerta to bring them over. They laughed as Derrick continued on in his slightly tipsy ways.

"Derrick, sweetheart, I'm going to have to commit you to St. Mungo's if you don't stop acting like a fool," Charlotte said. She gave a quick thanks to Madam Rosemerta as she set down the steaming Butterbeers on the table. Charlotte took a small sip, testing the temperature of the drink.

"Charlie, darling," Derrick said with a slight slur as he sat down. "You wouldn't have me any other way."

"Sadly, this is true," Charlotte said. "I don't know what I would do without you. I find that I would have less meaning to my life if you weren't in it."

"This better not be another one of your sarcasm episodes, Charlotte," Derrick said, pointing an accusing finger at her.

"But it's only for you, love," Charlotte said, reassuring Derrick that he was the only man in her heart.

"Good," he said. "As it should be." Charlotte smiled to herself as she drank some of her Butterbeer.

"Charlie, how's the knee?" Ryan asked from across the table. Charlotte put her drink down and looked at him.

"Good enough to walk down here," she answered.

"But still bad enough that she needed my supervision," Aidan remarked from Charlotte's right. "Pomfrey insisted on it."

"Only because I almost tripped in the Hospital Wing," Charlotte said. Aidan scoffed at her.

"Almost tripped? How about almost killed yourself?" he said. "You couldn't walk for a bit and almost face-planted on the floor. You're lucky I was there to catch you."

"And I owe my life to you, my dear knight," Charlotte said with a look to Aidan. The young man smiled.

"I thought you loved me?" Derrick asked.

"Of course I do, sweetheart," Charlotte said. "But we can't let Aidan catch on." Derrick nodded and pointed to her once more. Charlotte watched as a few Slytherin girls joined their table, along with Skyler's younger brother, Matthew.

"How's your trip been so far?" Emma Craft, seventh year Slytherin Prefect, asked the table. There were grunts and various answers that proved that the trip had been good so far.

"Emma! Love of my life! Where have you been?" Derrick exclaimed, standing up and knocking the table slightly. Those sitting grabbed their drinks before they could spill. Emma looked at Charlotte.

"How much?" she asked.

"Our guess was two," Charlotte answered, referring to herself and Aidan. "We only just got out of the Hospital Wing when we found them here. It's safe though. However we do share the honor of being the love of his life."

"Fun," Emma said as she sat down with Meredith Bones, a sixth year prefect, and Lucy Ann Lestrange, a fifth year prefect and Matthew Nott's girlfriend. "Nice game yesterday."

The eyes of the players lit up. All of them started talking at once about the match and what had taken place during it.

"I have never seen their Beaters play like that," Ryan started.

"The flying was amazing," Skyler remarked.

"Did you see the barrel rolls?" Charlotte and Aidan asked at the same time.

"I was amazing, of course," Derrick commented.

"It was pretty good," Graham and Thomas said.

"All right!" Emma said. "Sorry, I mentioned anything." Charlotte laughed with her and multiple conversations grew around the table.

"Charlie," Derrick said as the afternoon was turning into an evening. The only ones that remained at the table were the seventh year Quidditch players. "My head hurts." Derrick had his head lying on his arms that were folded on the table.

"That's what happens when you drink too much and have too much sugar, love," Charlotte explained. "Do you want to head back up to the castle?"

"Yeah," came the pathetic reply.

"All right," Charlotte said. "Let's go." The team stood up from the table and gathered their outer garments. They made their way to the door as they wrapped their cloaks and scarves around their bodies. Upon exiting the pub, they could feel that the temperature had gotten at least ten degrees colder. As they made their way in the direction of the school, Charlotte caught sight of the sweet shop Honeydukes.

"Aidan, can you get Derrick back?" she asked. "I need to drop by Honeydukes and get something for my brothers."

"Do you want someone to come with you?" he asked. "Pomfrey will be livid if you walk by yourself."

"Do you want to accompany me?" Charlotte asked. "That way if anything does happen, Pomfrey can kill you personally?"

"Let me pass Derrick off to Ryan," he said. "Crabbe!" Ryan turned around from where he is walking. "Could you look after Flint?" Ryan nodded and started directing Derrick away from unsuspecting villagers.

Charlotte grinned at her friends and she led Aidan toward the sweet shop. They entered and saw the straggling students, like themselves, that were getting the goods out of the last few minutes of their visit to the village. They saw a few students that they recognized but didn't make conversation with them.

"I need something for Liam and Daniel," Charlotte said to Aidan. He nodded beside her. "I just don't know what to get."

"Why don't you get them some chocolate and one of their favorites?" Aidan suggested as he browsed the new chocolate flavors. Charlotte nodded.

"That sounds good." Charlotte looked around for her brothers' favorite chocolate flavors. After that she looked around for some Sugar Quills for Daniel and some Peppermint Toads for Liam. She picked up enough of each and made her way to the counter to pay for them. Aidan was off looking at fudge. As she made her way up to the counter she nearly bumped into Andrew Davies.

"I'm sorry," she said and it was what she heard from Andrew.

"How're you feeling?" Andrew asked her.

"I'm feeling better," Charlotte said. "Can't walk like I used to, but I'm getting used to it."

"That's good, I guess. I hope you get completely better soon."

"Thank you." Andrew moved around her to leave the store but turned before he made it to the door.

"Charlotte," he started. "Are you going to be around for the next Hogsmeade weekend?"

"I believe so," she answered.

"Would you… I'll see you there then," he said. Charlotte nodded; letting out the breath she had been holding as the door shut behind him. Aidan sidled up to her.

"I think he almost asked you out," Aidan pointed out. Charlotte looked at him, glaring slightly.

"Really?" she asked, sarcastically. "I couldn't tell."

"What would you have said?" Aidan asked. Charlotte sighed as they walked up toward the cashier as the line moved.

"I don't know," she answered. "I might have said yes just out of pure shock."

"Shock that someone would ask you out?" Aidan said. "We need to build up your self-esteem. We might have to kick you out of Slytherin if you keep acting this way."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Charlotte said, not meeting Aidan's eyes.

"I know that you don't think you're at all pretty, or at all talented on the Quidditch pitch," Aidan said. "I know all about your insecurities. Why do you think like that?"

"I've been told that I'm intimidating," Charlotte said. "I don't want to be intimidating."

"Do you know why you're intimidating?" Aidan asked. They had reached the counter and Charlotte placed the sweets on the counter.

"Because I'm a female Quidditch player," Charlotte answered. Aidan laughed at her. He shook his head at her but she didn't pay him any heed as she paid for the candy. Once she had the candy and they were headed out the door, Aidan responded to her suspicion.

"That's not it at all," he said. "You're intimidating, and I'm using your words, because you're a smart, beautiful young woman. You can take care of yourself. Guys like to be the knight in shining armor. They like to take care of girls. You outshine a lot of us on the pitch. To be honest, that's not intimidating, it's pretty hot."

"If that's so hot, then why aren't guys breaking down my door?" Charlotte asked somewhat sarcastically.

"Because to some that's intimidating," Aidan explained. They had reached the Quidditch pitch and could see a few students flying around in a pick up game. They stopped and watched. "An upstanding gentleman, like myself, would still love to date you despite the fact that you're, supposedly, intimidating."

"Then why aren't you and I dating?" she asked as she watched the students, members of different houses, flying around with one another.

"Because I know you well," Aidan said. "You and I wouldn't work. You have your heart set on Mitchell Wood, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. And if the scene on the platform before the train left was any testament, he feels the same about you."

"You fancied me?" Charlotte asked, turning her attention from the pitch to Aidan. He nodded as they sat down on the grass.

"During our fifth and sixth years. I think we all did at some point," he answered. "Ryan still fancies you a bit, but Derrick is head over heals for you. He'll never admit it and don't tell him I told you. This conversation is only so you can stop beating yourself up when you think no one is paying attention. Truth is Charlie, we're always paying attention."

"More often than I would like you to," Charlotte said. Aidan chuckled.

"You come from a great, well respected family," Aidan said after a moment of silence in which they were observing the game being played on the pitch. "You're a well respected and wonderful person. Anyone would be happy to have you as a friend, as a lover, as a wife. Here's what you need to remember. We all love you. We do. You will always have your friends. You will always have someone who loves you for who you are. You don't need a boyfriend to tell you that you are a beautiful person. We tell you everyday in our own way." Aidan turned to Charlotte and saw that she had a single tear running down her face.

A few days later, on Tuesday to be exact, our wonderful Slytherins were seated at their table in the Great Hall for a satisfying breakfast before morning classes. In between the mouthfuls of toast, eggs, potatoes and sausage, there was conversation. Just the normal conversation of a Tuesday morning before the mail came. Soon the air above the heads of the students was filled with a vast number of owls. Three owls interrupted Charlotte's breakfast as they all dropped letters onto her plate of food before taking off out the Great Hall windows.

She picked them up and looked at the return addresses of each. Putting them in the order in which she wanted to read them, she selected the first letter. She opened the parchment envelope and took out the letter.

Dear Charlie,

This is a letter from your wonderful, amazing, Quidditch playing brothers. We have sent you this letter to thank you in sending us the chocolate and candy. We are impressed that you have remembered our favorites. We are also suspicious of your actions. We know that you are trying to get us out of shape so you can take our places on the starting line for Ballycastle. We're onto you, dear sister.

Speaking of Quidditch, we want full details of that match that you had against Gryffindor. Mitchell heard from Isabella that it was quite brutal. She also said that you were phenomenal… again. We want details. All of them.

We also heard that you were almost propositioned by a one Andrew Davies. We won't say who told us this as they are a viable source of information on you while you are at school. Our advice is for you to stay away from all those that are male, unless you are in class, at a Prefect meeting, at Quidditch practice or just can't help it. Under no circumstances are you allowed to go on any sort of romantic outing with a boy.

How's school going, by the way?

Love your dearest brothers,

Liam and Daniel

Charlotte chuckled as she finished the letter. This letter didn't surprise her one bit. Derrick looked at her quizzically as she laughed. Without responding Charlotte handed him the bit of parchment. He took it and began reading it, laughing as he started. Charlotte picked up the next letter and opened it a little more slowly than the first letter.

Dear Charlotte,

How is school going? Your father and I are quite proud of you. We know that you will go far in whatever you choose to do.

Your father is begging me to ask you how the game went on Friday. You know how he loves his Quidditch. He knows that you won and has been rubbing it in your godfather's face since he heard. He just wants the finer points of the game. I told him he could wait for your brothers' letters but you know him, he has to hear it from you.

Do me a favor and write back to him soon. He won't stop talking about how he wishes he could have been there to watch. We also want to know if you'll be coming home for the winter holidays or if you'll be staying in the castle. We understand if you want to stay at school for the holiday if a good amount of your friends will be there. We do want you to come to the holiday party anyway. Your extended family would love to see you again.

Your father and I have also been wondering about what it is you plan on doing after your time at Hogwarts. We would like to know if you plan on pursuing a career in Healing or if you plan to follow your brothers' footsteps and go into professional Quidditch. We just want some answers, sweetheart. But don't worry about it too much.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Mum and Dad

Charlotte sighed and handed the letter over to Derrick. She watched as he nodded in recognition of the handwriting and ink. His eyes moved over the parchment and his eyebrows furrowed as he got farther into the letter. Charlotte turned her attention to the last letter in her pile.

Charlie,

How's school? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I imagine that you've been asked that more times than you would like. I can just hear the answer from your brothers. I needed something to open the letter.

I can also get the details about the match from Liam. No doubt he'll come and start bragging about you once he gets the details from you. I look forward to hearing about it.

I miss you. Really, I do. You're probably doubting that, but it's true. I really miss you. For some reason I can't stop thinking about you. You keep showing up in my head. You're not practicing Divination, are you? I can't wait to see you. It probably won't be until Christmas unless, by some miracle, I can make it up to see a match.

I really do miss you. I hope to see you soon.

All my love,

Mitchell

Charlotte stared at the letter for a while. Once she had stared at it enough she stood up from the table and walked out of the Great Hall. Derrick and Aidan looked up as she left. Aidan shrugged when Derrick looked back at him.

Isabella watched her best friend from across the hall. She smirked to herself when she saw Charlotte clutching a piece of parchment in her hand. Isabella had seen her open three letters. She had handed the first two to her Quidditch captain but didn't hand the last one to him. Isabella knew immediately who the letter was from. She made a mental note to owl her brother with a letter as soon as she got the chance.

Friday night of that week saw the Advanced Astronomy class up on the Astronomy tower. The students were put in groups of four and were all huddled around the telescopes, close to each other to feed off each other's body heat. Charlotte had the lovely opportunity to be in a group with Derrick, Andrew Davies, and Cameron Summerby, a seventh year Hufflepuff Chaser. She and Derrick huddled together as the cold air hung around the tower.

"So much for heat rising," Derrick said as he ran his hands up and down Charlotte's arms. "How's your knee?"

"Stiff," Charlotte said. "It's too cold." Derrick nodded and they continued to listen to Professor Sinistra as she lectured about the movement of Jupiter and its moons. The groups looked through their telescopes as soon as Sinistra was finished lecturing.

"What are we looking for again?" Derrick asked. Charlotte looked down at her notes.

"Moons," Charlotte answered. "Around Jupiter." Derrick nodded and peeked through the lens of the telescope. Andrew was flipping through a book and Cameron was surveying the sky with his bare eye.

"What was that letter about on Tuesday morning?" Derrick asked nonchalantly as he adjusted the knobs on the telescope.

"Nothing that concerns you," Charlotte said. It was a practiced line over the last few days. "You and Aidan can stay out of my business."

"Come on, Charlie," Derrick said. "I know who it's from; just tell me what he said."

"No, I'm not telling."

"Charlotte, how did you enjoy the match?" Cameron asked. "I never got to congratulate you by the way. You played an excellent game."

"Thank you, Cameron," she responded. "It was a great game, despite the injuries."

"About that," Cameron said. "Are you going to be able to fare well in the next game? You play Ravenclaw in November, right?"

"That's right," Andrew answered. "We're looking forward to that game. I imagine Charlotte will be back in top shape before the match."

"Charlie?" Derrick asked.

"I'll be fine," Charlotte answered, looking at the sky and the other groups around her, wishing she were somewhere else.

The remaining half hour of the class consisted of Charlotte being interrogated, flirted with, and heard enough about Quidditch strategy to write a new book. She was very glad when Sinistra told them to pack up their belongings and head out of the tower. Charlotte didn't move faster on the ground than she did in that moment. She moved so fast that Aidan had to steady her as she almost tripped. He had been working in the group next to hers and was headed out of the tower. She looked up at him and sighed in relief when she saw who it was.

"Thanks, again," she said. Aidan just smiled and guided her out of the tower. The Slytherins made their way down the multiple flights of stairs and into the dungeons. Once they had reached the common room, the boys split off and headed in the direction of their dormitory.

"Charlie," a voice called her back into the common room. She turned and saw Derrick. "What's up with you?"

"I couldn't take your interrogation, Andrew's pathetic attempts at flirting, and Cameron's constant talk about Quidditch strategy," Charlotte answered. "I was about ready to Avada Kedavra someone's ass."

"Actually, I believe that was Cameron's way of flirting," Derrick said. Charlotte sighed.

"What is wrong with all of you?" she asked.

"You are really pretty," Derrick confessed. Charlotte just left the common room, exasperated. Derrick smiled and shook his head at her as she left. He walked to his dormitory and entered it to find his roommates were still awake.

"She is too much fun to get confused and flustered," Derrick commented as he made his way to his bed.

"She's going to kill us when she finds out that this is all a ploy to get her to think better about herself," Ryan said.

"It's not much of a ploy," Aidan said. "Most of it is based on truth. We all did, at one time, fancy her. Derrick would still date her if she would have him. So would you, Ryan. I just can't believe how much Davies is into her."

"Summerby is into her too," Derrick said. "You should have heard him talk about Quidditch to get her to talk to him."

"Bad move," Aidan said. "Don't talk to her about Quidditch. She'll think that that's the only reason why you know her."

"Do you think Mitchell will finally get a move on?" Derrick asked. "You know he's wanted to marry her since his fifth year."

"I hope so," Aidan said. "She might get fed up real soon and move on to someone like Davies."

"We don't want that," Skyler put in.

"We don't want that at all," Aidan agreed.