The train ride back to Kings Cross Station wasn't nearly long enough. Lexi had her own compartment as there were so few people returning this year. By the time she felt the train slow to a stop, she knew how her feelings towards Cedric had changed. She did like him, Bree and all her friends were right. There was no denying that fact now, not after how she reacted last night. She said before that she was not jealous of Cho. That was wrong now too. Lexi was insanely jealous of Cho. Just the thought of her touching Cedric made something roar inside of her.

But what haunted her most during her first week home was the memory of Cedric's expression when he realized Lexi was standing there watching him. She couldn't understand it. He looked terrified more than surprised, like her presence at that moment scared him. It made no sense. His life was his own, and he shouldn't care what she thought, especially since their friendship was only a week old.

Christmas day was the worst. All Lexi could think about was the Yule Ball and Cho coming down the grand staircase as Cedric looked at her in awe. She didn't have her usual enthusiasm about opening presents, and her parents started to worry about her. She hated people worrying about her; she was a big girl, who could handle things by herself. Assistance was not welcome in her world, which is why, when she noticed there was a letter from Cedric among her other presents, she burned his letter. Lexi had not the curiosity enough to open it before throwing it in the flames because the sight she saw her last night at Hogwarts was enough for her. She didn't want his sympathy or apology or whatever the letter contained.

"Lexi!" her mother's voice echoed around the house the day after Christmas. Lexi looked at her clock and noticed it was already two in the afternoon; she hadn't meant to sleep so late.

Then her mother opened the bedroom door. "Lexi, Bree is in the fire place. Don't make her wait."

Lexi bustled out of bed to answer her friend's floo call. Bree's head was dancing in the flame as she entered the room. Her parents were no where to be seen, and she assumed they had cleared out of the living room to give her some privacy.

"Lexi!" Bree squealed as she approached.

"Hey, Bree." Lexi tried to match her enthusiasm, but it didn't work. She saw Bree's face turn into a frown; that girl missed nothing. But surprisingly, Bree didn't comment.

"I thought you might want an update on the Yule Ball. You really missed a great party. I wish you had been there."

Lexi's curiosity perked up. She didn't really care about the ball, per say, but about Cedric and Cho at the ball.

"Everyone was gorgeous of course. Dumbledore got the Weird Sisters to play!"

Lexi merely smiled and nodded through out Bree's update. Occasionally she would throw in a "really?" or a "that's cool." It wasn't until Bree mentioned Cedric that she really started listening.

"And I'm sure you want to know all about your new friend Diggory." Bree rolled her eyes. "I must admit he was extremely hot. Cho looked nice too. They seemed to be having fun together and I think they are officially dating now, but I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" Lexi replied morosely. She didn't try to hide it from Bree; she could tell Bree had already put the puzzle pieces together.

"Well, it was almost midnight and I was getting punch, and then Cedric comes up and asks me if I've talked to you since you left."

Lexi felt her heart pick up speed. "What did you say?"

"I said no, of course, but then he asked me to tell you that he needs to talk to you and that it's important."

"You can tell him that I don't want to talk to him."

"I'm not going to do that, Lex. He seemed pretty upset about it."

"Fine, I'll talk to him."

"Lexi, what's going on?"

"And I'll talk to you when I get back to school." Lexi saw Bree give her an angry look. "I promise."

"Alright. See you in a week." Bree sighed in resignation and disappeared from the flames.

Unlike the first week of break, the last week went by way too fast. Lexi was dreading having to see Cedric and Cho holding hands and doing all the things official couples do. The image made her sick.

But returning to school was inevitable. Lexi decided she would just have to avoid Cedric as much as possible. It wouldn't be hard; she had managed it all these years. Although, Cedric wanting to see her was a definite problem. The only way around it would be to hide out in Gryffindor Tower as much as possible.

So as soon as she entered the castle that night, Lexi went as fast as possible without running up to the seventh floor. She was out of breath when she got to the Fat Lady's portrait and entered the common room. She immediately saw Patricia and Angelina walking up the stairs to the boys dormitory. Angelina caught sight of her and waved her up.

Fred, George, Lee, Alicia, Bree, Patricia and Angelina were all sprawled across the various surfaces of the four-bedded room when Lexi came in.

"Lexi!" they all welcomed her back.

"You missed one hell of a night, Lex." Lee told her.

"I heard." Lexi sat down next to Bree and let her put her arms around her in a hug.

Fred and George got up at the same time. "Who's ready for a party of our own?" George asked as he crouched under his bed. He and Fred pulled out several butterbeers and bags upon bags of sweets. They all howled in delight and dug right in.

"Where's Kenneth?" Alicia asked sometime later. Lexi looked at the clock and saw that it was already past midnight

"Oh. We locked him out." Fred said with a smile.

"I didn't hear him try to come in." Patricia pointed out.

George punched Fred in the shoulder. "Told you I could do a killer silencing charm."

"Aww, poor Kenneth." Lexi said as they all laughed.

Fred scoffed, "Look whose talking. The poor boy has been trying to mend his broken heart since you turned down his Yule Ball invitation."

Lexi frowned, not wanting to be reminded, but knew it was all in good fun…until she saw the familiar twinkle is Bree's eyes.

"Speaking of which, did you ever talk to Diggory?"

All eyes were anxiously awaiting for Lexi's reply. Bree obviously couldn't keep her mouth shut. "I just got back!"

"Are you going to, though?"

"Why should I? He's with Cho now, so there really is nothing to discuss."

"I knew you liked him." Patricia gave her a sly smile.

"So what if I do. It doesn't matter." Lexi stuffed the last Cauldron Cake in her mouth, giving her an excuse not to talk. She sensed that the mood of the group had went from teasing to sympathetic. Lexi didn't like it. "Look. It really doesn't matter. Its just a silly crush. I'll get over it soon. Don't worry about me. Come on, let's not ruin this party."

She threw one of the few remaining Chocolate Frogs at George, who was sitting across from her. He batted it out of the way so it hit Patricia squarely in the face. Everyone burst out laughing at her expression, and the good mood returned.