Chapter Three: Matchmaking and Pranking

On the first weekend they were at Hogwarts, Charlotte finally decided to read the letter from her mom.

Dear Charlotte,

It seems surreal to think you just turned one yesterday, and now Sam and I are writing letters in case something happens to us. The war's getting worse, you see, and tomorrow isn't guaranteed. First, I want to tell you I love you. You're a beautiful, happy baby, and I'm sure you're going to grow into a beautiful, charming young witch. Second, I want to give you a bit of advice if, for some reason I'm not around. When you decide to date, Charlotte, the only requirement I have is to make sure he loves you with everything you have. Everyone fights. Samuel and I fight, but he loves me and I love him. What matters is this: even after the nasty fights, if he still wants to be with you, he'll make the effort. Don't let someone like this get away, darling. Above all else, I want you to be happy with whoever you choose. I hope you never read these words, and that I'm there for you from now on. However, if you are reading this, I wish you nothing but love, laughter, and happiness, Charlotte. You deserve the best. I'm proud of you already and nothing you do will ever make that change. Again, I love you, and couldn't ask for a better daughter.

Love always,

Mum

Charlotte smiled at the letter, as Seamus invaded her mind once more. She didn't know what she wanted anymore, but yet, she desperately missed the Irish Gryffindor. Charlotte sighed. She knew she'd have to talk to Seamus soon, but she couldn't bear another fight like the one the previous year.

The Sunday following their first full week of classes saw Charlotte awake and dressed in her Quidditch robes earlier than usual. She was overseeing Quidditch tryouts, and as she needed a new Chaser, this was important. She ate a quick breakfast, and headed down to the Quidditch pitch. There was a good turnout of hopefuls talking loudly as she stood in front of them. Justin Bradley and Connor Chambers stood off to the side, frowning at her. They were mad she was Captain, and Charlotte intended to set everyone straight. She waited for a minute for the talking to subside, but when it didn't, she took matters into her own hands. "SHUT IT!" She roared and instantly everyone shut up. "Thank you. Now, before we start trials, I know some of you are pissed I made Captain and you didn't." She looked at Chambers. "Get over it. If we're going to kick everyone else's arse into the ground, we have to work together. So, if anyone has a problem with me as Captain, you're welcome to leave and if you were on the team, I'll find someone to replace you."

When no one moved, she relaxed. "Alright then. Chasers, line up! You'll be going alone with Bradley and Chambers to see how well you work with them."

She flew up to the goalposts and the Chaser tryouts began. Rodger Davies' little brother, Ethan, flew particularly well, and as he was only a fourth year, he showed great promise. The Beaters from the previous year, Inglebee and Samuels, were back on the team, and then tryouts were over. It was quick and relatively painless, and she was sure she'd found a better team than Harry. "I'll post the results tonight in the common room. Thanks everyone!"

She walked back to the castle, surprised when Chambers caught up with her. "Just so you know, I wasn't mad. I just thought I was a shoe in for Captain."

"It's fine. I just wanted to clear that up."

"Good. I think we'll be alright this year, though." He smiled at her. "See you later, Captain."

-HP-

The next few weeks passed quickly, and the only Marauder who seemed on board with pranking their new DADA teacher was Charlotte. "That's because he likes you, though." Isobel said the evening before the first Hogsmeade trip. "We'll work on the first year pranks."

"Oh, alright. If you three are so scared of Snape." She said, already wondering what she could do to him.

"So, yah going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Seamus asked as she started scribbling ideas on a piece of parchment, keeping an eye on their map.

"Probably not. I have homework to work on." She said, stuffing everything in her bag. "See you guys later!"

"Where are you going?" Isobel called after her, but she was already walking down the corridor.

"Draco!"

The blonde sixth year stopped. "What do you want?" He sneered.

"I want to know where the hell this attitude came from! You were my friend and now you're treating me like shit."

He sighed. "Look, it's just…there's a lot going on and I didn't figure you'd want to hang around the son of a convicted Death Eater, especially since he elatedly confessed to murdering your mum."

Charlotte gaped at him. "What?"

"Mr. Potter was there, too. I thought he'd have told you."

"No. He didn't." She muttered. "But, Draco, you're not your father and-"

"Don't be so sure." He interrupted her.

She grabbed his shoulder, preventing him from turning away. "Please. Don't shut me out. I still want to be your friend, alright?"

He smiled wanly. "Alright. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it." She smiled back. "See you later, Draco."

"Yeah." He said quietly, watching her walk off. Her affirmation of their friendship did nothing to alleviate his worries. Instead, it just made it worse. When the time came, he knew that she would always side with Potter, and that would eventually get her killed. However, he needed her more than he cared to admit and until that time came, he was glad he could call Charlotte Potter his friend.

The next day, Charlotte was indeed working on homework instead of going to Hogsmeade. She was just finishing a homework assignment for Snape when someone sat down opposite her. "Hey."

She looked up. "Seamus, I thought you were in Hogsmeade."

"It's not as much fun without yah." He paused. "Yah know, I still fancy yah. A lot."

"What about Brocklehurst?"

"That was just…she was desperate and I wanted to forget yah. Didn't happen, though." He waited for her to say something, but when she didn't, he continued. "If yah don't feel the same way anymore, I'll leave yah alone." Seamus scooted his chair back and started toward the door.

Charlotte thought for a minute as she watched him walk off. Then, her mother's words in the letter came back to her, and she knew what she had to do. She jumped up and dashed after him, grabbing his arm. "Don't leave." She said, looking into his aqua-blue eyes. "Please."

He stared at her, trying to figure out if this was a joke. Finally, he spoke. "Are yah sure?"

"Positive."

They walked back to the table together and Charlotte finished her homework, feeling the weight on her mind vanish.

The next morning, as she sat with the Gryffindors for breakfast, she followed Harry out the Great Hall. "Harry!"

"Oh, hey, Charli." He smiled, but he seemed preoccupied. "What's going on?"

"I have a question for you, my lovely cousin." She smirked. "Walk with me?" He nodded and she looped her arm through his. "It has come to my attention that one of my friends fancies the Chosen One, and has requested my services. So, Harry, who's caught your eye?"

"Who is it?" He asked suspiciously.

"Wrong answer. I shall not spill my knowledge, Harry, as she didn't tell me outright, but I'd bet my captain's badge that she does in fact fancy you, as I've caught her staring at you in a few classes."

"No one in particular, but…Hermione's rather pretty, you know. So is Ginny, though." He looked around, making sure they were alone in the corridors.

Ginny's name reminded her of her promise to Oliver. Charlotte grinned, as the redhead in question came into view. "Alright, then." She waved Ginny over. "See you Harry."

She left her cousin in the corridor, looking quite terrified that she was going to tell Ginny he thought she was pretty. "What are you doing now, Charli?" Ginny asked, amused.

"Keeping a promise. Are you seeing anyone?"

"Not at this moment, no. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was dancing with Oliver Wood at the wedding, and he kept staring at you, so I told him I'd talk to you."

"Oliver Wood? The same Oliver Wood that's obsessed with Quidditch?" Ginny asked, shocked.

"The one and only." Charlotte laughed. "Why? You don't fancy him, do you?"

"A little bit, yeah." She blushed. "Maybe I'll owl him later."

"Good idea. See you, Ginny."

Charlotte then sped off back to the Great Hall. She would need a good, solid plan to bring Hermione and Harry together, but first, she had a prank to pull.

On Sunday night, she sneaked out of her dorm to prank Snape. Hoping to Merlin she wouldn't be expelled for this, she changed everything in his office and classroom to hot pink and purple, and placed the box of chocolates she'd had Isobel pick up for her in Hogsmeade on his desk, with a cute little note attached that read: To Severus, my favorite person at Hogwarts, I miss you, Love Dolores.