Disclaimer:I don't any of the characters, except for the ones that I have obviously created myself. The rest belongs to J.K Rowling.
A/N: I've obviously taken liberties with this story; I hope I don't offend anyone because that's not my intent. Also, I welcome constructive criticism, but if you have to flame me, please don't swear! That is totally inappropriate as I am sure there are better ways of getting your views and opinions voiced.
Chapter 1
The hours between the last class of the afternoon and dinner usually found the library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry almost completely deserted. The students rarely used these hours to study within its walls, opting instead to lounge around their respective common rooms to unwind or catch up with their friends. Madame Pince, the librarian, didn't mind. If there were two or no students at all, it didn't matter; what did matter was that the library remained quiet, as one should.
A short and very pretty first-year tried not to fail Madame Pince's objective as she quietly weaved her way through the shelves of the library. As always, the library was lit brightly, but Lavender Brown couldn't help but shiver. Although she loved Hogwarts, she didn't care much for its library. It reminded her of something that belonged in a horror movie, which probably explained why she always put off coming here unless it was absolutely necessary!
Her trip at the moment was of such circumstances. She had slacked off on her homework from Charms and was now paying the price. Professor Flitwick had assigned them to research the Levitating Charm they were now studying (due a week later) and she had put it off for the day before it was due!
"I really should do better," Lavender now muttered to herself, "Mum and Daddy will be furious if they find out my schoolwork is lacking. And then, where will I be? Without an allowance and the latest magazines and fashions, that's where!" She shivered again, clearly disturbed by the possibility of losing such a privilege.
She made her way towards the back of the vast library where she knew the books she needed would be, for Hermione Granger had told her countless times during the week. Hermione, another first-year, was as bossy as she was brilliant. She had gotten done with it the day it had been assigned; her parchment had also been a page longer than necessary.
Pushing this thought angrily away, Lavender continued towards the back of the room. She had just turned the corner of one shelf when the sound of voices murmuring caught her ears.
"So, who is it?" one of the voices asked in a hushed tone.
Curious, Lavender quickly concealed herself behind the shelf and peeked out. She almost gasped in delight when she discovered Oliver Wood sitting at a table with George and Fred Weasley.
Ask any girl in Hogwarts, whether a first-year or seventh-year, who the hottest guy in school was, and the majority would answer Oliver Wood, a fifth-year who also happened to be captain of the Gryffindor House team. And how could he not be? He was tall and muscular-no doubt benefits from playing the rough sport of Quidditch-and had the dangerous combination of a dreamy Scottish accent and deep brown eyes that made any girl melt. He was a very handsome, albeit clueless, wizard who never seemed to notice the scores of girls that openly stared and drooled at him. It was a great topic the rest of the Qudditch team used to tease him.
And here he was, right in front of Lavender, talking about something of the utmost urgency, judging by the hushed tones between the three. She inched forward a bit and strained her ears to listen.
"…liked her for a long time now…" Oliver was now saying, gesturing wildly to the Weasly twins, "…I just haven't had the courage…she's best friends with-" His voice suddenly dropped and to her disappointment, Lavender couldn't hear who the object of his affection apparently hung out with.
"Who?" One of the twins-George or Fred, she wasn't entirely sure- demanded. She strained her ears harder, very much wanting to hear the reply.
Lavender leaned forward, hearing Oliver groan in exasperation. "Gwen Beaumont," he answered, just a bit louder.
Ignoring the muffled laughter by the twins, Lavender quickly turned on her heel and hurried from the library. She all but ran back to the Gryffindor common room and burst through the portrait hole and wildly looked around. She had important news and needed to share it with her best friend, Parvati Patil. But first, she needed to know who Gwen Beaumont's best friend was! Her eyes fell on a pair of older girls, but more importantly, older girls who also happened to be on the Quidditch House team!
Almost a bit hesitant, but full of purpose, Lavender strode over. "Hello," she greeted.
Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet glanced back at her. "Hello, Lavender," they greeted, smiling.
"What can we do for you?" Katie asked. She always tried to be friendly to the first-year students, remembering how terrifying her first time at Hogwarts had been.
"I was just wondering if you could tell me where Gwen Beaumont is?" Lavender asked, hoping she didn't sound too nosy, "And, her best friend…oh, dear! I forgot her name!"
Alicia, a third-year, raised a puzzled eyebrow. "You mean Vanessa Young?" she asked. It surprised her that Lavender didn't know about Vanessa; the latter was easily one of the prettiest girls in school.
Lavender's face lit up. "That's her!" she exclaimed, turning away, "Thanks!" She quickly disappeared up the stairs.
"Wait!" Katie called after her, "We didn't tell you-" She stopped when she realized it was too late. She turned back to Alicia, who was looking just as confused as she. "Weird, that one," she commented.
Alicia nodded. "Totally," she agreed.
Oliver glared at the twins as they laughed behind their hands. He didn't know what possessed him to tell Fred and George his most guarded secret, but looking at them now made him regret it!
"Will you two be quiet?" he now muttered to them, his eyes glancing around for any signs of Madame Pince, "You know what'll happen if Pinch catches us!"
Fred and George continued laughing until tears streamed down their cheeks. Only when they were gasping for air did they stop to catch their breaths.
"Vanessa Young only happens to be one of the prettiest girls in our year, not to mention the entire school," Fred began, holding his aching sides. He shook his head in disbelief.
"Yet, you're in love with her best friend!" George finished, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He had nothing against Gwen Beaumont; in fact, she was a really great girl, very smart and friendly. And she was pretty….just not at the same level as her friend.
Oliver looked confused. "Vanessa is alright," he admitted, "I just think…never mind. Anyway, are you going to help me or not?" He looked expectantly at his friends.
Fred and George looked at one another. "What do we do?" they asked, grinning
