Chapter 1
"Amelia Clark!" George Weasley shouted from his compartment on the train. "Get your cute arse over here!"
"George," she replied, embracing the lanky twin. "How was your summer? And where is your brother?"
"Dreadful, and Fred's off planting something by the Slytherins' compartment," George answered. "Where are your friends?"
"I haven't found them yet," she said. "They've either all failed out or they're hiding from me."
"I think they're down past the Slytherin compartment," Fred said from behind her, "but I wouldn't go that way if I were you. It's bound to get a little…hairy in a moment." Almost as soon as the words were out of Fred's mouth, the group heard the shouts from the Slytherins. Amelia started to ask, but Fred cut her off. "Don't ask, love. You honestly don't want to know."
"Fair enough," Amelia replied. Fred pushed her into their compartment and begged her for help with his O.W.L.s that year. "Only because you're like the younger brother I never had," she scolded. "And that goes for George too. You lot can borrow my notes from last year so you don't have to pay attention this year. And because I'm so nice, I won't report you for whatever you just did and I won't tell Percy it was you, either."
"We knew you loved us, Ames," George teased, planting a very sloppy kiss on her forehead. "I never thought I'd be happy to be friends with a prefect."
"You sure know how to make a girl feel loved, Georgie," Amelia said, smirking. She looked around and noticed that George and Fred were joined by Lee Jordan and a couple of girls in their 5th year as well. Amelia was the only 6th year in the compartment and the only prefect.
Soon, the group was joined by another, a 7th year boy that Amelia only knew by reputation. Oliver Wood strode into the compartment and immediately accused Fred and George for causing the ruckus in the Slytherin compartment. Amelia leapt to their aid. "Relax," she ordered. "I'm a prefect and they're not in trouble."
"You can keep them out of trouble for this," he demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"I can if you don't try to get them into trouble," she snapped. She was about to elaborate further when Percy entered.
"Amelia, don't you think it's time you got into your robes? You want to set a good example and you're due in the Prefects' carriage in 5 minutes," Percy ordered before turning on his heels and leaving. Amelia rolled her eyes, but followed Percy out into the train. She changed quickly before meeting the other prefects for her assignments.
After receiving her assignment, Amelia completed her patrol of the halls and returned to Fred's and George's compartment, still unable to locate her friends. "Have you seen Charity and Kate?" Fred asked.
"Nope," Amelia replied, occupying the seat she had vacated when Percy interrupted; she was slightly put out that her friends hadn't sought her out. "They're either hiding from me or they've failed out of Hogwarts."
"They're probably planning your birthday party," George suggested.
"My birthday was nearly 2 weeks ago, you dolt," Amelia scolded.
"True, my love," Fred reasoned, "however, you were with your family and your friends were not there. There will be a party in Gryffindor tower this weekend."
"And trust us," George added, "you'll want to be there. We've got something quite spectacular planned."
Amelia gave them a distrustful look and was about to respond when the room went terribly cold. She could hear the rasping breath of the dementor as it lurched in the doorway and peered into the compartment. She started to phase out, only to pull her wand and shout "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" With that, a wisp of silver flew out of her wand, pushing the dementor back into the hall. Eventually, the creature left.
"How did you do that?" Angelina asked.
"Something I read about," Amelia replied. Truthfully, she had asked Professor Flitwick for help in learning the charm after she failed at getting the assistance of Professor Lockhart.
A thin man in shabby robes appeared in the doorway moments later and demanded to know who had cast the charm. "I did, Sir," Amelia admitted, fearful that she was about to get into trouble.
"Where did you learn that, Miss?" he asked.
"Clark, Sir. Amelia Clark," she answered. "And I had Professor Flitwick help me learn it last year for O.W.L.s."
"Patronuses aren't on the O.W.L.s, but well done, Miss Clark. I'll look forward to having you in my class. Perhaps you'll do a corporeal patronus." With that, Professor Lupin left the group and continued his rounds on the train, ensuring that the dementors would not be returning.
"Why were there dementors here?" Amelia asked after a few moments.
"Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban," George explained. "He's a notorious murderer, killed a dozen people with one spell and sold out Potter's parents to You-Know-Who." Amelia nodded her understanding, but was still a bit in the dark.
When the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, Amelia made her way to the platform to help direct the younger students. When most of the students had been properly herded to the correct places, Amelia got into one of the last remaining carriages for the ride to the Castle. "You're the twins' friend, right?" asked the same voice that had earlier challenged Amelia to keep the twins out of trouble.
Turning to face the Scottish boy, Amelia nodded and said, "Yes. And I have a name."
"I'm sure you do, but no one has given it to me yet," Oliver countered.
"Amelia Clark," she said. "And you don't need to introduce yourself. I know who you are."
"I'm sorry for getting shirty with you earlier," he offered. "The twins have a way of getting into so much trouble that they miss Quidditch practice."
"It's fine, really," she replied.
"I heard you fought off a dementor on the train," Oliver said. "That's quite impressive."
"Thanks," Amelia replied. She had hoped that they could ignore each other for the rest of the ride to the castle, but Oliver seemed insistent.
"Where did you learn that spell? I mean, our last 2 Defense teachers have been utterly useless," he continued.
She laughed and nodded. "I had Professor Flitwick teach me the spell last year," she explained. "I had read about it and I wanted to know it in case it was on the O.W.L.s, but, like you said, Quirrel was useless and Lockhart probably did more harm than good. I just hope this year's teacher is better."
The carriage arrived and Oliver helped Amelia out of their carriage and walked with her into the Great Hall, all the while wondering why he had never met her before. They arrived at the Gryffindor table and Amelia found her friends, Charity and Kate. She gave Oliver a friendly wave and went to sit with her friends while he sat with the Quidditch team.
"It looks like you had a good summer," Charity teased. "How did you get to hang out with Oliver Wood?"
"I met him on the train when the twins were entertaining me and I couldn't find you lot," Amelia explained. "We happened to be the last 2 people waiting for a carriage and rode up to the Castle together."
"Were you the one who cast the Patronus?" Kate asked. Amelia nodded. "We heard about that all the way at the other end of the train. What form did it take?"
"It didn't take a form; it was a shield," Amelia answered.
Kate and Charity nodded and Charity said, "That's still impressive."
"Where were you lot on the train?" Amelia asked.
"We were at the front," Kate answered. "Charity was flirting with that Ravenclaw bloke, Davies."
"Shut it," Charity ordered. "He's gorgeous and I've got him to tutor me in Charms."
"You don't need tutoring in Charms," Amelia joked.
"He doesn't know that," Charity joked. "And you lot won't tell him. Perhaps I can get him to take me out to Hogsmeade and we won't spend the year being single wallflowers again."
"Speak for yourself," Amelia ordered. "I don't mind being single or a wallflower. It gives me more time to focus on football training."
"You're still on that?" Kate asked.
Amelia nodded and answered, "I'm hoping to play in the muggle Olympics, so I need to practice since I haven't played on a proper team here."
It seemed like the feast lasted for ages, but finally, the group was heading towards Gryffindor tower. Amelia was side-lined by Prefect duties and was helping some second years by ensuring that they had the password. Percy strode through pompously and called for the first years to follow him. Charity and Kate ran on ahead while Amelia helped a first year who got left behind. "It's o.k., kid," she promised. "I'm in your house and I'll make sure you get to the dormitory just fine."
"Does it have to be such a long way?" asked the first year girl.
"What's your name?" Amelia asked.
"Madison Gardner," she answered. "I'm a muggle born. Is it true what they said on the train? That the muggle borns were attacked last year?"
"Some muggle borns were attacked, but I'm a muggle born and I was fine," Amelia promised. "And the creature that was attacking the muggle borns was destroyed. Professor Dumbledore wouldn't let us come back if it wasn't safe."
"What about those things on the train? The demenders?" Madison asked, tears streaming down her face.
"Well, I managed to send 1 reeling on the train," Amelia answered. "There are ways to defend yourself and there are always Professors around." The child seemed to be a little less nervous when they reached the portrait hole. Amelia turned to her and asked, "Do you remember the password?"
"Fortuna Major," Madison said. The Fat Lady opened the door and welcomed them to Gryffindor tower.
"Now, the girls' dormitories are just over there," Amelia said, pointing. "You'll be on the first level. When you get into your dormitory, you'll find that your belongings have already been delivered. I suggest you get in there and get some sleep as tomorrow will be a busy day."
"Thank you, miss," Madison said. "For everything."
"Anytime, Madison," Amelia promised. She joined her friends by the fire, especially Fred and George. "Is it me, or do the first years get younger every year?"
"You're getting older," George teased. "Now, before you start sagging, what say we have a look at that lovely arse of yours?"
"Bugger off, Georgie," Amelia ordered. "You're not getting anywhere near my arse. I'd be cradle robbing."
"But we need the firmer touch of an older woman," Fred begged.
"You can bugger off too, Freddie," Amelia said. "You're not getting anywhere near my arse either." The twins each gave her a pout, but she refused to concede. She was getting ready to trudge up to her dormitories and get the summer gossip from her friends when Fred looked up and said, "Evening, Cap'n." Amelia turned her head and saw the tall frame of Oliver Wood standing behind her.
"How's your summer, Weasley?" Oliver asked. Fred started to explain, but Oliver cut him off. "I'm not entirely interested. I was being polite. That was decent, what you did for that first year, Clark."
"I was just doing my job, Wood," Amelia answered. "And now, I'm off to bed. I'll see you lot later. And lads, try not to get into trouble on the way to bed. I'm not going to be able to alibi you this time."
As Amelia walked towards the stairway to her dormitory and out of the common room, Oliver watched her closely, smirking to himself. "You realize, Wood, that she's not going to fall for your usual tricks," Fred said.
"It's true, mate. She's got 4 older brothers who are somewhat protective," George continued.
"Do any of them go to Hogwarts?" Oliver asked.
"No, they're all muggles," Fred replied. "But, they also keep her informed on the tricks blokes play to get a bird. You're going to have to be creative if you want to get next to that."
"Cheers, Weasley," Oliver said. "Now, did you lot fly over summer?"
"We didn't exactly have the opportunity," George began.
"I told you lot to fly. This is my last chance. We have to win the cup this year," Oliver scolded. "Be sure you find time to get out before next Saturday."
"What's next Saturday?" Fred asked.
"Quidditch practice," Oliver answered.
In the girls' dormitory, Amelia was gossiping with her friends. "What is going on with you and Oliver Wood?" Kate demanded.
"Nothing is going on," Amelia protested. "I just met him today."
"You are so lucky," Charity added. "I'd give anything to have Oliver Wood notice me. He's so hot!"
"I'll introduce you," Amelia promised.
"Very funny," Charity scolded. "I'll believe it when it happens."
The next morning, Amelia rose early and went to breakfast before her roommates were even out of bed yet. She sat at the Gryffindor table and opened her Defense book to read ahead. She did not expect to be interrupted. "Good morning, Clark," Oliver said. "I didn't know you were an early riser."
"Most mornings, I would have gone running, but my knee has been sore," she replied. Oliver plopped down across the table from her and she put her book away. "I didn't realize you were up this early either."
"Quidditch practice," he answered. "I tend to go out on my own with some charmed quaffles. I would normally have been later for breakfast, but Professor McGonagall warned me about being out too early with the dementors around, so I didn't practice today."
"Thanks for the warning," she said. "I'll remember to plan my runs accordingly."
"What makes you like to run so early?"
"Sometimes, it's the only quiet time I get to myself," she answered. "I love my friends, but sometimes I just need my space. My brothers tend to understand that. Girls don't get it as easily. What makes you like to fly so early?"
"Same thing as you," he answered.
Amelia was almost half-way through her breakfast when Charity and Kate plopped down on either side of her. "Remind us why you're always up so freaking early," Charity demanded.
"I generally go running to stay in condition for the football team," Amelia explained. "And I'm about to keep a promise. Oliver, these are my friends, Charity and Kate. Girls, this is Oliver Wood."
"Good morning, ladies," Oliver said with a chuckle. "And your mate here isn't the only one up early. Unfortunately, I've got to get my schedule from Professor McGonagall and get ready for class. I'll catch you up later." He winked at Amelia and left.
"I think I'm going to be getting up early this year," Kate teased.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Amelia grumbled, hoping that it was an empty promise as she rather treasured those mornings to herself.