A/N: Sorry it took so long! Thanks for the couple of reviews, and remeember to give me feedback by reviewing when you finish this chapter! :D thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own HP, only the stuff I came up with.

Chapter Two: Hogwarts at Last

I tried to hold myself back from shoveling all the food I could reach into my mouth at once, but was relatively unsuccessful, particularly when the garlic mashed potatoes appeared in front of me, calling my name with metaphorical noise makers and flashing banners. The Hogwarts beginning of term feast is one of my favorite parts of the year, food-wise. It is a fat girl's dream. Only I have quidditch, a fast metabolism, and an unfortunately small stomach, so I am not breaking the scale anytime soon. However, I have always been told I have the mind of a ten ton dragon, drowning in pleasure every time I can get a parcel of something edible on my taste buds. But besides that, I swear, I'm perfectly normal...mostly. OK...one more little thing... I'm also kind of socially awkward. Of course, my friends say it is cute and not a big deal, but I think it's the reason I'm the only girl in our year who hasn't had a boyfriend before. I think I scare off the male gender- besides Fred and George, of course. Don't get me wrong, I've been on dates (well, only enough to make the word plural). It's just, those guys kinda just never talked to me again afterwords. So yeah...anyway...

"Woah slow down Charlotte, you're going to get a stomach ache!" Katie said jokingly, interrupting me from my thoughts.

I paused with a spoonful of potatoes halfway to my mouth, eyeing the pumpkin pie that just popped up down the table, "Have I ever?"

"No, I guess not," Katie laughed and shook her head.

"First quidditch practice tomorrow!" Angelina said.

"Geez, you guys are already being taken away from me. Oliver is insane" Alicia said (A/N: I needed room for Charlotte on the team, so I had to cut Alicia. Yes. Very sad indeed.)

"I don't think he's that bad. He's just has passion for something he loves," Katie interjected, shrugging.

Alicia raised her eyebrows, "Sounds like you've developed a little crush, Katie."

Katie quickly turned beet red and put on an innocent face, "What? No, no. I would never... It wouldn't be... ugh. never mind. Stop assuming things that aren't true Alicia."

"Whatever. I promise I won't tell," Alicia grinned mischievously, got up and walked towards the great hall doors.

I looked at Katie. She looked uncharacteristically worried. I scooted over closer to her and patted her arm.

"Don't worry, Katie, if it's really important to you, she won't say anything," I tried to comfort her.

Katie looked into my eyes and went back to eating her chicken, "I swear, nothings going on between Oliver and I." She looked like she was telling the truth. Katie wouldn't lie.

"Ok. I believe you. It wouldn't be a big deal if there was anyway, I mean, besides his insanity and obsession with Quidditch, Wood's a nice guy."

"Anyway...speaking of boys, here comes Lee and the twins!" Angie nodded to them.

Fred, George, and Lee walked towards us, Lee winking at several girls at the Ravenclaw table.

"Hello ladies," said Fred.

"Do you girls want to hang out later in the common room?" George asked.

"We've got butterbeer!" Lee cheerfully added wiggling his dark eyebrows.

"Of course. We'll be there in a bit." Angelina nodded, chuckling.

The common room as always was welcoming, warm, and cozy. I spotted the butterbeer on the coffee table, reflecting the flickering flames from the fire. The fire crackled as a charred log could not longer support itself and fell into the hot coals at the bottom of the fireplace. I sat down on the couch where Fred, George, and Lee were sitting, playing exploding snap. Fred let out an elephants trumpet and we all laughed.

"Angie, hand me a butterbeer would you?" I said, grinning.

"Of course, here you go," she handed me a bottle and I cracked it open.

Taking a delectable sip, I sighed contentedly, sinking further into the squishy leather couch. This is the life. I quietly watched as my best friends enjoyed each others company. Occasionally somebody would say or do something outrageous and then everybody else would burst into raucous laughter. The light from the fire made George's eyes twinkle more than usual. Alicia basked in the golden glow and Katie sat on the floor next to her, smiling at something Angelina said. Fred gazed at Angelina unabashedly. After things had been quiet for a while, Katie got up and said that she needed to get to bed if she was going to be ready for classes tomorrow. Angie agreed and followed. Alicia stayed with Fred, Lee, George, and I for a while longer while we talked quidditch, but eventually got bored and left. Fred was distracted by Oliver and was taken away to look at the new quidditch accessory catalog. George, Lee, and I were talking for a while about what the new year would bring. We pondered our last year at Hogwarts silently until Lee finally said he was going to hit the sack. I was getting pretty tired too, but I didn't feel like getting up. Apparently, neither did George.

I sleepily took the last sip from my butterbeer and stared into the fire.

"So what are you planning on doing after we graduate?" George asked me.

"Oh, I don't know..." I tiredly said, "I think I might want to get a job that has its main focus on charms. I like charms. And I'm pretty good at it."

"Yeah you are," he agreed, nodding his handsome head. What?

"I could charm this bottle to float and deliver a message if I wanted to," I continued, kind of slap happy.

"You should send an anonymous love note to Flint," he joked. I laughed.

"Of course, you are going to run a successful jokeshop" I continued.

"That's the plan..." he nodded again and we were quiet for a while longer.

I cuddled into George's side and put my head on his shoulder. He draped his arm comfortably around my shoulders. I felt so at peace. I inhaled and my nose was filled with George's alluring aroma for the second time.

"Are you smelling me, Char?" George chuckled, looking down at me.

"What? You smell good. Am I not allowed to smell you?" I slurred sleepily, closing my eyes and tucking my legs in.

"You can do whatever you want," George said quietly. I was about to fall into the unconscious realm of dreams.

"George?" I said.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't guys like me?" I asked quietly, feeling vulnerable.

He was silent for a second and then answered, "You really have no idea, do you..."

I waited for what he was going to say, but sleep claimed me and I only half heard what George said next.

"We do..."