"Pippa! Sophie!" It was Pier, who we recognized first in all the chaos of the shaking castle. It had only been 5 minutes since the Room of Requirement's door had shut behind us and already the school was shaking under the weight of enchantments trying to break in. The castle shook again and Pippa tripped into Pier's arms, and in an awkward hugged he lifted to her feet. There was a moment where their eyes locked and he kissed her hard on the mouth. They had such an innocent love as visible as the moon in the sky.

"Come on," Pier said, grabbing Pippa's hand and walking swiftly toward the banister when Professor Trelawney was standing with a bulging bag. I followed after him, hoping Mason wasn't far.

"What are we doing from there." Pippa asked, as we scurried up the stairs, scrambling around as the castle shook. I heard screaming and instantly my stomach clench, the Death Eaters had broken through the first barricaded.

Pier opened his robe a little revealing a big bag with a grin,"Exploding potions, whipped them up with Mason about an hour ago."

At the mention of Mason's name, I went ridged, "Where is Mason?"

"He went to the front lines, Soph," Pier said as he but the bag down on the floor, carefully avoiding my eyes.

"Mason is where?" I said, my heartbeat ramming.

Pier stood up and looked down from his tall height at me in sadness, "I tried to stop him, but Soph, he said he was going for you."

"What?" I exclaimed.

"He wanted to try his hardest to let you and the others get to safety." Pier said, "He really does love you."

That git! I thought angrily, looking down a blue bottles, the cap hissing with steam or smoke. I picked one up and looked at the shimmering blue contents.

"I'm finding him," I said quickly, pocketing the potion before Pippa or Pier could stop me, and charged down the stairs into the screaming throngs of the battle.

The bottle burned hot against my stomach but that might have been since Mason and Pier had only ever been good a making acids and explosions. Potions had always been crazy with them.

Second Year

"How many snake fangs go in?" Turner whispered to Pier behind me and Pippa.

"I don't 5?" Pier guessed.

Hufflepuffs had potions with Ravenclaw and although I was grateful it wasn't Slytherin, I could do without the fear of being killed in an explosion.

"Snape's coming, come on!" Turner urged.

I looked at Pippa, and she looked back at me. We both had finished minutes ago, our Hair-Raising Potion brewed into perfection. Every since Turner had called Hufflepuff's stupid on the train I spent most of my time doing my best to prove him wrong, studying, practicing and brewing whenever I had the time.

"Okay, we are putting in six." Turner said.

"Oh for the love of God!" I hissed, both Pippa and I whirling around to repair the damage. I grabbed three snake fangs from the bowl and pounded them into thin dust as quickly as I could as Pippa ripped small mistletoe leaves and together we both dumped the ingredients into the boy's caldron.

"You said Hufflepuffs were stupid." Pippa snorted. As of this point Pippa and I considered Turner and Pier our sworn enemies; they were arrogant little gits constantly trying to one up Pippa and I. Of course they failed, because Pippa and I were unstoppable. But still the boy's didn't everything short of pulling our pigtails to annoy us.

"Now stir this for a minute!" I snapped before turning around only to be faced with Snape glaring down at me.

"Miss Preston," Professor Snape said in his slow drawl, "What do you think you are doing?"

I swallow, "I was ju-"

"You were just giving Mr. Turner and Mr. Pier instructions, which I had believed was my job. Ten points from Hufflepuff and detention for all four of you."

"But-" Pier began but Snape shortly cut him off.

"Mr. Pier and Mr. Turner will be cleaning out the fourth floor hallway with Flinch tomorrow at six." Snape said quickly, "And Miss. Preston and Miss. Porter you will be helping Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing at the same time."

Pippa and I sat quietly the rest of the class, although when class ended, I could practically feel the steam pour from my ears. I got in trouble because of Turner? And yet still, he had yet to even whisper a thank you! That git!

But to my surprise Turner and Pier actually walked up to Pippa and I.

"You guys didn't have to help us," Pier said, "but you did, so thanks."

Pippa smiled, "Your welcome," and as if a flurry of rainbows had burst into the sky over Pippa's head she added, "Perhaps you could return the favor, I heard your could with your charm, Pier."

Pier smiled a smile I had never seen him wear, a sheepish, shy smile. "You could say that."

"Than help me with the Momentum spell." Pippa said, hooking her arm around Pier's and marching out of the dudgeon.

After watching them leave, chatting easily, Turner turned to face me, but instantly I busied myself with collecting my books.

"Preston thank you." Turner breathed

"Your welcome." I said, quickly, wishing him away as I turned to leave.

"Is there anyway I can make it up to you?" He blurted as I began to walk away up the stairs

"Nope." I responded, walking faster.

I heard him sigh behind me and jog to cut me off.

"Move Turner," I snapped.

"Not until you say what I can do." Turner snapped back.

"Move!" I answered, side stepping him.

"Hey wait!" Turner caught up with me again, much to my chagrin, "I can help you with one of your classes." Turner offered, matching my pace.

"I have better marks than you." I said, then gave him a sideways glance, "And you know that."

"I'll..." Turner thought for a moment and than snapped his fingers.

"What?" I asked, suddenly interested.

"What do you have next?" Turner asked ignoring my question.

"Free time with Pippa, I was going to the library." I answered shortly, wondering where he was going with this, "Why?"

"Oh no reason just thought I would ask." Turner responded as we walked up down the hallway that led to the library.

"No, there's a reason." I said, confused.

"I just wanted to walk you to library, and then I'll give you your reward."

"I don't need one." I responded, becoming more and more confused by Turner's behavior.

"Hufflepuff modesty," Turner snorted, "One of your many interesting traits."

The sarcasm hit my ears, and I retorted, "Your Ravenclaw arrogance shines pretty brightly too."

I heard Turner swallow and we walked the rest of the short way in silence. An awkward silence that made me insanely glad when we reached the Library.

"Okay what's this great reward?" I asked, turning to face Turner.

And suddenly, with all the pressure of a feather, Turner planted a kiss on my cheek and walked away, whistling a cheery tune.

Suddenly completely dazed, confused and even a little angry for his sureness I wouldn't punch him in the nose again (perhaps thats why he left so fast), I reached my hand up and touched my cheek where his lips had touched. It felt hot and tingled. But even in this state that boarded between anger, shock and overall shyness I couldn't help but notice the sign on the library door.

FOR PRECAUTION ALL STUDENTS SHOULD TRAVEL IN GROUPS TO PREVENT FURTHER PETRIFICATION

-TEACHERS

I couldn't help myself but spin around and yell,

"Did you just try to protect me from the monster?"

And Turner called back, "I have no idea what your talking about." He was lying and I knew it and suddenly Turner didn't seem nearly so awful.

But still he was a git who got me trouble.

Return to Top