A/N: My first fan fic! Yes, its a tiny one-shot in comparison to the rest of them in the wide world of FF but its mine ^_^

Hope you like it!

The girl paused, teetering on indesion.

"C'mon Hannah," her best friend urged, "What have you got to lose?"

The Hufflepuff shrugged, inside she was shaking. She had everything to, and yet nothing, to lose!

"I dunno, Susan. It could go really badly."

"Or it could go really really well!"

Hannah grinned back at her best friend, barely daring to imagine the possibilities, as her hands shredded the scattered leaves in her nervousness. Privately, she couldn't believe Susan had talked her this far. She never would have been this easily swayed two weeks ago. But she also knew that it was now or never - she would have to risk it.

"Okay," Hannah said finally, "I'll do it."

"You will? Ommigosgh, really?"

The girl grinned sheepishly at her best friend - she could hardly believe it herself.

. . .

Hannah stood up and walked determinedly towards the Quidditch pitch.

Just go ask him now. Before I change my mind again.

Although how how she could get any more nervous, Hannah couldn't imagine.

"Hey," she said breathlessly.

Cormac McLaggen turned and smiled devastatingly, and his ape-ish friends became unnaturally silent.

"Hi," eyes holding the unspoken question: Why areyou talking to me?

Taking a deep breath, she began; "So.. whatcha been up to?"

"..Funny you should ask that, Abbott. You see I've been training for the Gryffindor quidditch tryouts next week - I play keeper and it's only a matter of time before they make me Captain, because of my.."

Hannah did her best to seem that she was listening, more admiring his face than anything else. He stopped for breath and she took her chance;

"So, what I was meaning to ask you was," mouth dry, palms sweaty, "There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up and I was wondering...if you'd like to go with me?"

His face was frozen, unreadable, but his eyes said all too much. She /didn't/ need an answer.

"Never mind." Hannah turned and walked away quickly, to hide the prickling moisture on her cheeks. The girl almost ran in shame, but not fast enough to hear the laughter behind her.

. . .

"So? What did he say?"

Hannah slumped against their tree, "Nothing. Well, he didn't have to - his face said enough."

Susan consoled her sympathetically - broken hearts were a common misfortune. They sat in silence for a while, contemplating and watching.

"You know, if he's such a jerk, than I don't think he's worth it, Han."

"Really?"

"Really! Who does he think he is, hurting you like that?"

"Yeah?"

"Come on! Didn't he like, cheat on his last 3 girlfriends?"

"You're exaggerating - only once."

"But he was awful to Alicia afterwards. And he can be such an arrogant berk. Seriously, Hannah, that idiot's not worth your tears."

"... You're right."

"Hannah," she turned to see Neville Longbottom, his friendly face furrowed with concern, "Hey, are you okay?"

The girl smiled, hesitantly, the ghost of new hope within her. "I'm fine, now."