CHANDLER

My stomach sank as I saw the familiar rickety mailbox that signaled the 5 minutes left to drive to the Burrow. Dad turned into the long winding dirt path. We had been driving from Whales since yesterday afternoon when camp had finished. And now I was spending the last six weeks of summer with my best friends in the world at the Burrow.

I did the breathing exercises I was taught to keep calm. Because as excited as I was, I was also nervous that James hadn't forgiven me for the awful things I had said to him at the end of the year last year. Fred had assured me he was fine when he invited me for the summer, but still, something wasn't adding up.

Why hadn't James contacted me all summer. He was my best friend, and I knew I was his. Yet the boy hadn't called, or sent a letter. Even a bloody I'm fine – J would've been appreciated. But there was nothing.

My dad stopped when we reached the Burrow, I was the only one staying this year since Aidan and Nolan (my two 7th year brothers) both had jobs and couldn't stay with Dom and Roxanne (their girlfriends). I climbed over Caleb (my youngest brother a second year) and Connor (my 4th year brother) helped me fight with my duffle out of the trunk. With my bag and broom in hand I waved goodbye to my parents and walked up to the front door.

I raised my hand to knock when two screaming masses open the door and knocked me down with hugs. I quickly popped back up, hugged hem properly and started bouncing and screaming with them. I had missed Lexie and Mere so much this summer. Usually I had time to write them or call them during the day, but as a Keeper Counselor this year, my only free time was at night, and was very limited.

"Whoa Chandler! You got hott!" I stopped jumping at Lexie's comment. I guess I had changed over the summer. My chest was no longer identical to a 2nd year boy's. and my butt fit into my jeans a bit better. I had grown out my hair to mid back, my acne was clear and my braces off (mom said the build character). I had changed but I didn't know if I was hott.

"Lexie!" Mere scolded her. "Chandler's always been hott. She just looks like a woman now." I hugged mere in gratitude. (mere and lexie had become women 4th year, I guess I was a little late)

"Did you losers miss me?" I asked as I recollected my stuff and followed them into the house.

"Of course. But you know who missed you the most." Mere told me.

"Finnus of course." Lexie teased.

"HAHA." Mere said not laughing. "No, James. He changed his whole life this summer. He called it detoxing." She told me.

"Interesting." I replied. Thinking about what that could possibly mean.

"Ding Dong the wicked witch, which old witch, the wicked witch, Ding dong the wicked witch is dead!" I heard from the kitchen in Fred and Finnus' not so amazing singing voices. It couldn't be.

"Is Beth the Bitch finally gone?" I asked them as I walked into the giant blue room.

"Yupperoonis young Chandler. James is finally a free man" said Fred. I looked towards James for confirmation.

"She's gone." He told me, looking straight in the eye. I ran over to him and hugged him as tight as I could.

"I am so sorry." I apologized into his chest.

"What for? You were right. I was stupid an ignorant and ignorant and everything else. So I am sorry." He apologized. I giggled at his silliness and pulled him to me in an even tighter hug.

"So, I heard that you changed your life." I told him.

"yeah. I've even been working out for Quidditch season so Aidan doesn't kill me." He told me.

"we actually don't know if he is captain yet. Chris gave no indication when leaving last year and there hasn't been any letters yet. So who knows. You could be captain for all we know." I teased.

"That's strange." He said. We walked back and joined the rest of our friends at the kitchen table for food.

(CHANDLER WOOD CHANDLER WOOD CHANDLER WOOD CHANDLER)

I was awoken the next morning by what sounded like an owlery coming from the living room. I knew I a second what was going on.

"Lexie! Mere! Get up! Hogwarts Letters!" I yelled as I jumped on each of their beds and ran through the door and down stairs. I feel down the last flight onto Albus. I got up quickly pulling my shirt back down over my chest.

I walked into the kitchen with a red Albus following me.

"You know he likes you right." James whispered into my ear.

"I know, and I feel really bad." I said feeling my blush getting deeper by the second.

"Okay. James this is yours. Oh and Chandler Yours is over on the oven handle. You have three letters darling." Mrs. Potter said. I was walking over to the oven. Three? I was expecting two because of OWLS, but three?

I tore the envelopes from my owls leg. I checked my test scores. All O's except for a P in History of Magic. (to be expected since I slept through half of the exam still upset from my fight with James the night before.)

The second envelope had my school books which I threw to the side for the minute and focused on my last envelope. It was heavy. Could 6th years be prefects? Or head girl? I laughed at the thought of me being either of those options.

I opened the envelope gingerly and a familiar patch fell out onto the table. One that Teddy Lupin had worn my first year, Chris Parker for my second through fifth year. The Quidditch Captain patch. I, Chandler Jude Wood, was going to be Quidditch Captain.

"James!" I squealed.

'"Yeah Chandler?"

"I got it! Not Aidan, not Nolan, me!" I squealed. He threw out his arms for a hug and I jumped up. He spun me around in congratulations.

"Do you know what this means?" he asked.

"That I'm the first girl quidditch captain Gryffindor has seen since Fred's mom. And that I have a lot of work to do for replacing Chris's beater position. And that we have to win the cup otherwise Aidan will never let me down for stealing his spot and then not winning the cup. And Holy God I cant do this." The pressures of being Quidditch captain soon seemed to crash around me. What was I thinking?

"Relax Chandler. You've got this. You're strong, work hard, and you have something that neither Aidan or Nolan have." James placed his hands on my shoulders trying to keep me from having a nervous breakdown.

"What's that?" I asked sarcastically expecting a perverted reply.

"Respect, not just from me, but from everyone. No one ever questions what you have to say on the pitch because you are always three steps ahead. You're going to be great Chandler." I smiled.

"Thanks. You really are the best friend ever."

"Glad you think so because I have some bad news." He told me. His hands tightened on my shoulders bracing me for what ever was in store.

'Yes?" I asked.

"My dad's birthday party is tonight, so you have to go shopping."

'Bloody Hell!"

A/N: Thanks for reading guys. It means a lot to me. So next is Harry's party, and we all know stuff goes down at HP's party. 3 you guys. Please review!

Disclaimer: I wish!