Cho Chang sat in the Ravenclaw common room, twirling her ebony locks around her finger, distracted from the Arithmancy books lying open in front of her. Beside her was her best friend Marietta Edgecombe, scribbling away ferociously at an advanced Charms assignment; on the other side sat Padma Patil, brows furrowed, working on an Herbology assignment. But Cho couldn't concentrate. Something – or rather someone – was keeping her preoccupied.

Colin Creevey.

Over the summer, Colin had gone from being scrawny and pimply to a buff Greek god. She – and many of the other girls – couldn't keep her eyes off of him. However, Cho had had the great misfortune to be sorted into Ravenclaw, where her housemates always put schoolwork above ... more pleasurable activities. Her mind wandered to someone else, someone whose very existence angered her, because she was going out with Colin.

Pansy Parkinson.

Cho huffed, and Padma, annoyed, looked up at her.

"Sorry," said Cho.

~* Later That Night *~

Padma, Cho, Marietta, and Mandy Brocklehurst were the last girls up in the Common Room and Cho mentioned her newfound infatuation.

"Well," said Padma, thinking. "My twin sister, Parvati, you know, she's in Gryffindor, in the year above. We've got connections."

Mandy squealed. "Do you think you could get me into a broom closet with Neville Longbottom?"

Marietta gave Mandy a strange look.

"But what's in it for me?" said Padma.

Cho rolled her eyes. "You'd think you would be a Slytherin."

"Well, the Hat did consider putting me there," said Padma.

"Hmm ..." thought Cho. "Oh! I know! I can guarantee you a spot on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team this year! You wanted to be a Chaser, didn't you?"

Padma nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, it's a deal! Now, what exactly do you want me to do?"

Cho bit her lip, thinking.

- To Be Continued -