The following days, I tried to act normal around him. Well, as normal as possible. Whenever he talked to me, I blushed and smiled goofily. And I sort of stared at him during class. Whatever happened to my subtlety.

One day, while studying at the library, me doing Riley's homework and Rose finishing a Charms essay, Rose asked me: "So what's going on with you and James?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about", I replied, trying to look innocent.

"Claire, look me in the eye and tell me that you don't fancy my cousin", she challenged, raising her eyebrow.

I moaned, giving up. "Fine! I don't know how or when, but I started fancying him! Does it show that much?"

Rose bit her lip. "Oh dear, that's going to be tough. And no, I think that I am the only one that noticed… for now. If you continue obsessing over him, he and the others will understand eventually."

I frowned. "I don't want to fancy him!"

"Then stop fancying him." Rose said in a firm voice, as if that was the obvious answer.

"I can't! You think I haven't tried?" I lowered my voice as some four year Hufflepuffs stared at me shouting. "It's not like I chose to like him in the first place! I really can't help it!"

"You know", Rose retorted, "If you're going to be that way, don't talk to me until you've stopped liking him. I've been dealing with James's fan club for my whole life. I don't need and you on top of them, okay?"

She grabbed her books and opened her mouth to say something, but regretted it and snapped her mouth shut, and then started walking away. I was too surprised to do or say anything, so I stayed frozen on my chair.

A few seconds after, Rose came back and told me: "I don't know what happened to you. You used to be practical and logical. Now you're everything we made fun of all these years. Remember when we teased girls who fainted at James's sight? You're not better than them now. Come back when you've returned to normal again." And then she left.

For a moment, I thought I'd cry. I easily cry, so I was surprised with my reaction. I just stood there, and the moments passed. I wasn't crying or doing anything. Just staring towards the direction Rose left.

I guess I would cry later, but the reality hadn't really sunk in. Rose was the nicest person I've ever met, so hearing these words coming from her didn't really fit in. It just didn't make sense. It was just too harsh to be Rose.

I'd probably spend the night there, but the Head Boy, Brian Harris, came to me and told me to leave because the library had to close.

I nodded, slowly taking my books and heading to the Gryffindor Common Room.

On my way there, I waited for the crying to come, but it never did.

"I can't have become tough at summer", I sighed, speaking to myself.

"What did you just say, Callaway?" A male voice said behind me.

I turned around, just to see the person that I less needed right now. James Potter. Ain't life a bitch?