He reacted almost instantaneously, kissing me back with passion and nearly knocking me off my feet.

My brain was a muddled mess about to dissolve into a puddle. What was I doing? What was he doing? Why was this happening?

His soft lips pressed hungrily against my own, and he bit down on my bottom lip, our bodies pressed together, his the only thing holding my form up, my ankle and my lips both on fire.

"Annalea..." he murmured, snapping me back to reality.

Forcefully, I pressed my wand to his chest, pulling away. "Don't even think about it. It was a distraction, and you fell for it. Locomotor Mortis."

And he freezes in place.

I finally look up, aware of my heavy panting, flushed face and the stares that I was attracting. "What?" I ask, "I read a lot of textbooks!"

Finally, I looked up and met Professor Gold's shocked eyes.

"Professor?" I ask.

"Miss Trotsky, Mr. Potter," she says dazedly, "Fifty points to Gryffindor. You may also sit out the next round of dueling and begin on your homework."

We both gape at her, and I wondered if my Confundus charm had somehow hit her.

"Well, go off to it then!" She snaps, old vigor in her voice. She silently performs the countercurse on Albus, sloppily and very nearly missing him.

We nod, and I limp to go and sit down at my table, still in shock. I had kissed Albus Potter. I had kissed him, and he had kissed me back.

My first kiss, now known as a distraction tactic. I had wasted, literally wasted, my first kiss. What a story to tell the grandchildren.

What grandchildren? I was right on track to becoming an old spinster.

My eyes burned with water. I would not cry. Would. Not. Cry.

The end of the hour couldn't come quickly enough. I limped out of the classroom to first go to the Hospital Wing for my ankle, which Pomfrey sternly told me to go easy on after giving me yet another potion, knowing that I wouldn't.

Then I searched for Lily. She'd promised me new skirts, and I needed to take my mind off of Albus. I could only hope that she hadn't heard about it yet.

Sure enough, I found her up in our dorm, holding a silvery looking cloak and in regular muggle clothing.

"Lils!" I said, grinning at her and dropping my bag to the floor. "Skirts?"

"Better than that," she says, grinning. "Shopping spree!"

"As long as we're buying skirts, I don't care about anything else."

"One track mind, I see," she replies. "Change into your muggle clothes, it'll make us less conspicuous."

I changed into a red top and blue skinny jeans, coupled with my black boots and black leather jacket.

"What's that?" I finally ask her about the unusual cloak she holds.

"Invisibility cloak. Been in the family for generations."

We both climbed under it.

We walked for a long time in silence, finally reaching an empty corridor with a statue of a woman with one eye.

Lily approached the statue and whispered, "Dissendium."

The statue opened up, to my great surprise, and we climbed into the dark tunnel.

"Lumos," I said, illuminating the dark place. "Where does this lead to?"

"Honeydukes cellar."

"Do you do this often?"

"I usually go with my brothers."

We trudge on.

Lily eventually clears her throat. "I heard an interesting rumor today."

I gulp. "About what?" I keep care to not let my voice stutter, and continue walking in front of her, pulse speeding up.

"Nothing important, really," Lily says breezily, "It was just something about you and Albus."

"Fancy that," I say, "he's in nearly all of my classes."

"Yeah. Do you want to know what they were saying?"

"Why not?" I knew that she'd tell me anyway.

"It was just that," she hops over a small boulder, "you were snogging in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Who told you that?" I bark a little laugh. How...true. I stopped.

"All the girls in that class, who tried to slaughter me for not telling them that Al was taken."

Her voice is a little bitter. Uh-oh.

"Is this true, Annalea?"

I gulp. To lie to my only friend would be suicide, and to not lie would probably also be suicide.

"You did, didn't you, Anna?"

"It was strictly a distraction tactic!"

"Ann-"

"We were dueling and he was trying to kill me!"

"I highly doubt-"

"I wasn't thinking straight, okay! Professor Gold-"

"Annalea Trotsky!"

Oops. I gulped. "Yeah, Lily?"

"It's fine."

"Really?"

"What do I care if you snogged my brother?"

"I thought that you would. I mean, I would if my sibling was in that sort of position, which is nonsense because I don't have any siblings but I think-"

"Anna."

"Sorry."

"And you didn't mean anything by it?"

"I wasn't thinking straight. We were dueling! Your brother is vicious!"

"With what part, the snogging or the dueling?"

"The dueling!"

"Sure. But did he kiss you back?"

"Well, he did before I jinxed him."

"Annalea!"

"I had to! I had to disguise the fact that I actually-"

I knew my rambling would get the better of me.

"You actually what?"

"Nothing."

"Annalea."

"Nothing."

"Anna!"

"You need to stop yelling, Lily."

"I swear, I'll tell that old cow Skeeter that you were kissing my brother."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

"Fine, fine, okay! That I actually liked it! Are you bloody happy now?"

"Very. A bit disgusted, but happy nonetheless. I was pondering my dear brother's sexuality there for a couple of years. Is he a good kisser?"

"Lily!"

Pause.

"Yes."

"You like my brother!"

"Attracted to. It hasn't been long enough for me to like him, Lils."

"Nonsense. You're in denial."

"I don't think that would be a bad thing with your prat of a brother."

"Hey!"

"I speak the truth."

"No, you don't. You like him."

"I don't think he likes me, so what does it matter?"

"I do."

"However would you think that? He called me a coward today!"

"Because he has no patience for people not standing up for themselves. He wouldn't even bother telling you that if he didn't like you."

"And he's in all of my classes. Like, Professor Longbottom and Professor Gold made him partner up with me, and I had to sit by him in History of Magic. And he didn't look happy in any of those instances!"

"Go on."

"And he's, he's known for being standoffish and rude and all of that, no offense Lily. And he's not at all my type, I mean, I didn't even have a type up until now. And maybe it's just because he defended me or something. I don't even know why I like him!"

"I do. I've listened to enough girls to know why, Annalea."

"Then tell me why, Lily Potter, because I sure as hell don't know!"

"Stop overdramatizing. There are worse things than liking Al. You like him because he handsome and smart and can play Quidditch. You like him because he makes you think hard, and because he's hard to figure out. You like him more than all of the other girls like him combined."

I eye her in disbelief. "We're not discussing this any further, Lily."

"Fine."

We reach the end of the tunnel soon, and Lily climbs up first. We soon make our way noiselessly out of the darkness of the cellar and into the main hustle-bustle of an afternoon in Honeydukes.

We make our way past an older wizard buying chocolate truffles and into the busy street of Hogsmeade, thick with people who'd just left work.

Lily pulls me into Gladrags Wizardwear, and we make our way past their infamous socks to find the owner.

"Afternoon, Miss Potter!" The lady who we had been looking for said, popping out from behind a tall counter. "How may I help you today?"

I supposed that being famous meant that you could leave school whenever you liked and the no one would bat an eyelash.

"My friend Annalea needs longer skirts," she said. "Can you help her?"

"Certainly," the lady smiles at me warmly. "Right this way, dear."

She fits me for my new skirts while Lily browses the store, walking past "unique" displays and pulling out numerous articles of more conservative clothing for me to try on when the owner finishes altering the skirts I want.

"Why would I ever need any of these dress robes Lily? I don't go to dances anyways!"

"You do! You're going to the Halloween Ball!"

"In costume? No one would ever want to go with me anyways!"

"Yes, they would! You just won't give anybody else a chance."

"All done, dear," the shopkeeper says, interrupting my retort. "How many like these did you want?"

"Two more, please."

"Alright. You can browse while I finish these up."

Lily then proceeds to shove me into a dressing room, pressing a royal blue set of dress robes at me.

I pulled it on. "Lily! Whatever were you thinking?"

"Let me see."

I open the door and Lily falls about laughing.

She's picked out a super-short dress that barely comes past my butt, and is extremely tight fitting. Embroidered on the front is a broomstick and a snitch.

"You can wear it for tryouts tomorrow!" She giggles.

"I look like some sort of slag!"

"My brothers would put you on the team for sure, though!"

"Lily Potter!"

I refuse to let her pick out anything else for me, and I browse the store while she tries on dress robes.

I knew that she would make me go to the Ball, and I actually kind of wanted to go, so I looked around for something to wear.

A half an hour later, I'd finished finding my Halloween costume and went to go and try it on.

It all fit wonderfully. I'd chosen a Rebel theme, and had found a pleated, black leather miniskirt, knee-high, lace topped black tights, a pair of blood red, torn and tattered high top sneakers, and a tattered red shirt with 'BITE ME' embossed in silver lettering written on it.

By the time I'd finished, my skirts had been done for a long time. I thanked the lady, paid for my purchases and found Lily outside the shop.

"You took forever, Annalea."

"So sorry, your Majesty."

She smacked my arm. "Stop that. Where do you want to go next?"

"Let's go to Spintwitches," I suggested. "Tryouts are tomorrow, after all."

"You and the boys and your Quidditch," she shakes her head and frowns, but follows me into the shop anyway.

"Don't judge me!" I shoot back playfully. "You have to love Quidditch!"

"I don't."

I mock-glared at her before stepping into the shop.

I nearly sighed in ecstasy when we entered. There were bookshelves full of books solely on Quidditch, every big league team, statistics, strategies. The other wall held polished walnut chests, containing complete sets of the regulation standard Quaffles, Bludgers, and a solid gold, golden snitch.

In the middle there were complete sets of uniforms, complete with gloves in and goggles in customizable colors.

But the far wall captured my attention.

"Broomsticks," I breathed. "Aren't they beautiful, Lily?"

I fingered the new Firebolt Series XIV, First Class. It was the single sleekest, most powerful broomstick that I'd ever laid eyes upon.

The shopkeeper walked up to us, eying my wandering hand. "Anything in particular today, ladies?"

"How much on the Firebolt?" Lily, to my great surprise, asks.

"It's quite a bit, young lady," he smiles condescendingly, obviously unaware of who he's talking to.

"A number, please, sir."

"Ten thousand galleons. Top of the line, just released."

"Any of them off the shelf?"

"We have one in the back, Miss..."

"Potter, sir."

"Potter," his eyes widen in recognition. "I'll be right back with that."

He comes back very quickly, holding a sturdy looking silver box.

Sliding out the broomstick, he explains it's features.

"Maximum speed is 300 kilometers per hour, not that I would ever recommend flying that fast. The entire package has a 100% money back guarantee and is currently being used by the Holyhead Harpies for their entire team. The tail feathers are hand clipped, thrice examined, and securely placed on the broom with a special spell that is virtually unknown. The entire broomstick is completely streamlined, designed to be as light as possible and to hold as much weight as possible, not that I think that would be a problem. It includes a Specialty Service Kit, only available with the Firebolt, as well as a GPS and compass. Acceleration is best in class, as well as direction changes. You should see this broom do a hairpin turn!"

Lily interrupts his words. "Do you do engravings?"

He nods. "We cut into the wood, not enough to hurt it, but just enough so that we can pour the color in and gloss over it."

"I'll take the broom," she says, "Can you take a cheque? I don't just carry around that much money."

"Absolutely," he says, beaming at his unexpected sale.

He produces the receipt and Lily signs off a Gringotts cheque.

"Would you like the engraving, Miss Potter?"

"Yes, please. Engrave it with Annalea Trotsky, and take care with it. A calligraphy-like print will do wonderfully." She says all of this in such a calm voice, I don't catch what she means until it hits me.

I was getting a new broomstick.

He nods, and we exit the shop with a promise to return later, while I'm still freaking out.

As soon as we walk out, I round on Lily. "A broomstick? Are you serious, Lils?"

She nods. "What are you flying now?"

"Nothing fancy. It's just a Nimbus 3200. Didn't need any fancy competition broom."

"Well, now you do."

"First of all, we don't even know if I'm going to make the team, and second of all, Lily, I know that you're rich, but you can't just spend money like that. You've barely known me a day!"

"And I know that you're a good person in need of a great broomstick. Don't sweat it. My parents will understand."

"Lily," I look her square in the eye. "I know that buying a broom like that is knuts to you, pun intended, but I really don't want you to think that I'm just here to mooch off of you. That was never my intent."

Her expression softens. "I know that, Anna. That's why I chose to buy you the broom. You were drooling over it. Besides," a gleam enters her eyes, "how better to prove to my brothers that you know Quidditch than the best broom on the market and skills to match?"

"You've never even seen me play."

"I know a Quidditch star when I see one. Your form, your attitude, your reflexes, they all scream Quidditch. Trust me."

"Well..."

She cuts me off yet again. "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. It's cold out."

I nod and follow her. We walk to the pub, stepping into the warmth. We sit down at the counter, and Madame Rosmerta smiles at us. "Butterbeers?"

"Two, please," Lily says.

I set down my purchases and turned to Lily. "It's so weird, though. He's in my Herbology, History and DADA classes. It's insane!"

Madame Rosmerta brings us our bottles of butterbeer, and I smile at her. Lily turns to me, swiveling on her own stool. "A bit weird, yeah."

We sip at our drinks, "How was the first day for you, Lils?"

"It was alright. It's really annoying how I have this enormous family, and I'm the only one in fifth year though."

"You're fine," I reply, "You're only a year's difference either way."

We continue to talk aimlessly until I look at my watch and realize that an hour has past. "How about we go back to Spintwitches? The broom should be finished."

Lily grins. "Gosh, Annalea. It's your broom, not the broom. Learn to take a gift."

"Yeah, well," I stammer. "I haven't gotten you anything."

She rolls her eyes, "Here." She hands me the check for our drinks, "You can treat me, and I'll treat you to that Firebolt thingamajigger."

I laugh at her. "'The Firebolt thingamajigger'? Your brothers would faint from the shock of hearing that kind of terminology."

"Oh, do shut up," she says, laughing along with me. "Let's go."

The bell jingles when walk into the Quidditch shop, and the man we talked to earlier hurried out from behind the counter.

"Miss Potter!"

"Is the broom finished?"

"Yes, and my best work, too."

He pulls the broom out from the box and we peek at the engraving.

It is masterfully done. My name, Annalea Trotsky, swoops and swivels in a shimmery gold, the light glinting off of it.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaim. "Can we take it now?"

"Indeed." He puts it back into the box for us and hands it to me. "Have a good night."

"Thank you so much," I say.

"Thank you," he calls as we leave the shop.

After stopping by Honeydukes to buy our sweets, we sneak into the cellar and head up to the school.

By the time we got back to the dorms, dinner is almost over. Lily went down to dinner, but I elected to go to the library; being the first day back, no one would be in there, and I wanted to be alone and well away from Albus Severus Potter.

Pulling the book that I bought at Spintwitches out of my robes pockets, I settled down in the back of the library. I sat on the stone floor, bunched my cloak across my lap, and dove eagerly into The Best Quidditch Players of the Decade by Samuel Wimbledon.

And before I knew it, I was fast asleep.


Who got da Nimbus? She got the Nimbus :)