A/N: I'd forgotten I included a Tri-Wizard Tournament theme in this. Probably not the best idea but it's there.
Arrival and First Task
October became a busy month as the date for the Tri-Wizard tournament drew nearer. The students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons would be arriving at the end of the month. It seemed the castle was going under extra cleaning than usual. Filch the caretaker who normally yelled at students for making a mess was a lot more grumpy about them. Ben and Ellen told us he'd tried to give them detention for tracking mud into the castle after one of their practices. Luckily, Professor Fraymen stepped in before he could. Whenever they had a practice, I usually spent time with Denver.
One afternoon as I went to go meet him, I saw him down the corridor with Tara. I froze in my tracks as I saw her kiss him. Denver grabbed her arm, and pulled her into an empty classroom they were near. No way. He can't be cheating. He hates her. I thought to myself as I stared at the space they had been in. It took a moment before I could get out of my trance. I hurried forward wondering if I should confront them, or wait. I paused outside the classroom and reached into my bag where I had one of my extendible ears. I put one end to my ear, and let the other end snake underneath the door.
"-the hell is wrong with you… if Ashley had seen!" Denver's voice came as if I were standing next to him.
"Oh come on, you can do better than her. I don't get why you're with her. I am just doing you a favour. And like I said, I saw her buying love potions. Do you realize she might have drugged you?"
"Really? Because from what I hear; it was you looking at the potions. Ellen and Ashley caught you.
I've told you, I have no interest in you or Lydia. So leave me the hell alone, and stop trying to break us up. I hear Hoofer is single again, go for him." Denver answered angrily.
"Love potion talking," Tara replied and I could hear the smirk in her voice.
"I already told you to stop spreading that around about both Ashley, and Ellen. She did not drug me with a love potion, and she never would. And if you're thinking about doing it to me for you or Lydia, you'll regret it. I will spend the next six years making your life miserable. You'll never want to look in another mirror again-"
"Is that a threat because-"
"No, it's a promise Tara. Leave Ashley and me the hell alone!"
I'd heard enough, I pulled the extendable out of my ear, and put it back into my bag. I opened the door, which hadn't been closed tight enough and stormed in. Tara glanced over at me, and then moved forward to put her arms around Denver. I think she tried to kiss him, but Denver pulled out of her grasp. For the first time since I'd met him, he looked terrified. Shaking with anger, I pulled out my wand and pointed it at Tara.
"Fernunculus!" I shouted.
Instantly Tara's skin erupted into boils and she let out a cry of pain.
"How dare you!" She screamed as she pulled out her own wand but Denver quickly disarmed her.
"Stay the hell away from my boyfriend from now on!" I yelled as I walked over to her. "Tell that to your friends as well. Both Denver and Hank are off limits… and so is Ben, even if he is single now. He does not want you! Find some other guy, and leave us alone!"
Tara glared at me, and then turned away. She hurried to grab her wand, which had flown across the room when Denver had disarmed her. Sending another glare my way, she left the classroom quickly.
"Ashley-" Denver began and he wrapped his arms around me. "Nothing happened with her. I promise."
He sat down on a chair and pulled me down on his lap.
"I know," I said and I kissed him. "I saw the two of you in the corridor. When you pulled her in here,
I followed, but I listened with an extendable first. I was worried for a moment, but I know you wouldn't cheat."
Denver kissed me back. "I don't like the fact you were worried for even a moment. I will never cheat on you. I just want you to know that. I can't ever imagine wanting another girl but you right now. If that ever does change, I will break up with you first. It's just not the kind of person I am. You're my girlfriend."
"Denver, you're an amazing boyfriend. I am sorry I doubted you for even a moment," I sighed and then smiled. "Just think, this time last year we didn't like each other. Did you imagine this ever happening?"
"This time last year?" He asked and he laughed. "Nope, I definitely didn't like you at all. I certainly didn't imagine this moment."
"We definitely had a rough start," I said. "Unfortunately for me, I threw fire at you."
Denver stared at me a moment and then raised his eyebrows.
"Unfortunately for you? Really? Did you honestly just say that? Unfortunately for you?"
He took his wand out of his pocket.
"Rictusempra," he muttered and then kissed me again.
Instantly I felt as if I were being tickled all over. I started laughing uncontrollably.
"Come on Denver, take it off," I laughed. "I'm sorry."
"That will teach you," he said as he took it off but he was grinning. "Even if it could have burnt me, I am glad it did happen. We wouldn't have become friends, and we wouldn't be dating right now."
"So sentimental Denver," I said.
He started kissing me again, and for a few moments we didn't say anything. Everyone would tell me that I was only thirteen, and we hadn't been together long so what I felt couldn't be love. Maybe they were right, I didn't know, but at that moment it certainly did feel like love to me. I wasn't going to ever admit it to people like my mother, or even Rachel but I thought I could tell Ellen and Ben. I'm sure Ben would be another who would be skeptical, considering how smart he was. However, we'd agreed we would all talk to each other without being worried about judgement. I wasn't sure how Michael would react either. Although we'd told him not to be paranoid about the probation, I was still wary around him. I was all for giving him a chance but it was going to take me a while to trust him again. For now, I could consider him a part of our group, but he wasn't my best friend.
"Anyway, Slughorn told us at the last Slug club meeting that he would be holding the Halloween party in a week," Denver continued. "Since the other two schools are coming here on Halloween, he decided to have it early. And of course we can invite someone to the party."
"Let me guess?" I asked. "You're taking Tara?"
Denver rolled his eyes. "I was actually thinking Lydia since Tara is part of the club, but if you think it should be her?"
"As long as it's anyone but me," I answered with a grin.
"Well sorry, but you're the only one I want to go with," he told me.
"Do we dress up for Halloween, or what?" I asked.
I hadn't been to a Halloween party since the ones that were held at primary school, or ones my sister had had. I wasn't sure how Hogwarts did them since Ben had taken Ellen to the last one. Although from what I remembered about the year before, the two of them had just gone in their school uniforms.
"No, we just go dressed as we are. They don't really do anything formal for Halloween," Denver replied. "Anyway, we should get to the library now. We said we'd meet everyone there."
Hand in hand, we left the classroom as we discussed the Halloween party some more. I felt a little disappointed that we wouldn't be dressing up. I was excited to wear the new dress robes I had bought over the summer, but perhaps I'd get the chance to for Christmas. There was supposed to a dance called the Yule Ball during the holidays for fourth years and up but of course Denver and I weren't old enough for that. I also knew my mother wouldn't want me to stay at school. I knew it bothered her that I was so far from home as it was. I did hope Slughorn would have his own party though.
In the library, we found Michael, Ben, Morgan and Claire already there. We'd started to study more with our mutual friends together. Although they didn't join us often; Hank, Stan, Jared (who seemed to have made up with his friends) and Ellen were supposed to meet up with us as well. They weren't there yet, so Denver and I weren't the last ones.
We sat down to hear them discussing the Tri-Wizard tournament. Although I was excited for it, I couldn't help but feel bored by the conversation as well. It was all anyone would talk about anymore. It was usually the same discussions. Everyone wondered who would be the champion this time, which had entered, and what would the tasks be. Others wondered if Harry Potter and the other champions from the previous tournament would show up.
As we sat down, Ellen ran over with the boys following behind her, walking slower.
"Ben! Michael!" She exclaimed as she hurried over. "I need you two to do me a huge favor!"
"You don't have to," Hank said as he sat down, and the rest of them joined him.
"Slughorn is having his Halloween party next week and neither Hank nor I are in the club as you know. You two are, and you can invite someone! Please, please invite us. Ben, you can take me and Michael, you can take Hank."
Michael looked uncomfortable.
"Ellen, I already asked Anne and she said yes," he answered.
I glanced over at Hank who was smiling, I had a feeling he was happy to know that Michael was moving on.
"Well, I don't plan to take anyone," Ben said. "So I can invite you, but I don't know about Hank."
"I don't have anyone I am taking," Claire spoke up. "I can invite Hank. There isn't anyone I am taking either. We're all part of the club, and there isn't any boy I care for."
"Oooh thank you!" Ellen exclaimed. "You two are the best. And hey, you can Claire can hang out together."
Claire blushed. "You don't have to hang out with me Ben," she answered.
"I know I don't have to, but I will," Ben said and he smiled at her. "I can't think of a better date at the moment."
Everyone stared at him, and I waited for one of the other boys to make a comment but they didn't. I kind of hoped something would spark between them at Slughorn's party. Claire Parkinson would not be the jealous type, and she was also best friends with my boyfriend. I thought she would be the perfect girl for him. I glanced over at Ellen and she smiled at me. I had a feeling she was thinking the same thing I was.
Claire and Ben were smiling at each other. I glanced around the table; everyone else had looked away except Morgan who looked annoyed. I wondered why that was. He was part of the Slug Club, so that wouldn't be the reason. After a moment, Ellen broke the silence by mentioning we should start studying, which was out of character for her. Obviously she wanted to take the awkwardness away from the two of them.
"So I know you said you wanted to have New Years at your house this year," I said to Ben as I read the latest letter from my mother, "but my mother wants to know if you guys want to come over this year and-" I hesitated before I went on. "She really wants to meet Denver. I don't know if he'll go for it, but she wants you guys and Denver to come over. If you don't want to come, and you want to go to your parents it's fine, but I think she really wants him to come over sometime."
We were sitting in the Common Room the morning of Slughorns Halloween party. The others were busy working on homework and discussing the party. Ellen looked up excitedly, she looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn't. I knew she'd enjoyed it at my place the year before but we had promised Ben that we would have it at his place this year.
"Actually we aren't having the party this year anyway," Ben answered. "Brianne and Brenda are staying at school for the Christmas holidays and Barry won't be around. My parents didn't feel like hosting a big party this year. I think they are just having a night to themselves and their grownup friends. So we can if we want."
"Excellent, I'll let her know," I said. "She really likes you guys, that is if you two want to come over as well." I added as I looked at Michael and Ellen.
"I really would like to. If Rachel is there maybe she can do our nails again, and I know it's a lot to ask but do you think your mum would let Hank go over as well? It's okay if she says no but-"
"I'm sure it won't be a problem," I interrupted. "I was actually thinking if maybe Denver is coming, he might want Morgan and Claire to come. I was going to ask her if I can bring extra people. I doubt she'd mind. You saw everyone at my place last year. It's just everyone else has to get permission from their parents. Maybe Hank will want to invite Stan and Jared as well."
"Jared?" Michael asked in shock. "Are you sure about that?"
"I want to put the past behind me and move on. And maybe if he sees that, he'll stop hating me so much. Maybe he will say no to the invitation, but it's worth a shot."
"You can be a fool sometimes you know that?" Ellen asked.
"Your opinion, but if I didn't forgive people and try to make things right then I wouldn't be with Denver. Michael wouldn't be part of our group again. I know I promised Ben I wouldn't bring it up again, but the two of us wouldn't be sitting here right now. And think about our fight. It's worth it to forgive and give people a second chance. If it doesn't work out, then that's fine but at least I'd try and I would know," I answered.
"I know, but still," Ellen answered. "I'll talk to Hank though, and I will let him know he and the boys
can come if they want."
"Great, and I'll have to talk to Denver tonight at the dance. I am not sure how he will react to meeting the parent type of situation.
I was actually quite nervous about asking him. Ever since I'd told my mother and sister that I had a boyfriend they kept mentioning that they would like to meet him during the Christmas holidays if he could come over. I hadn't told him this yet though. I knew it was a big deal for the boyfriend or girlfriend to meet the parents. Our situation was a little different than the usual.
That night, as we got ready for the Halloween party together Ellen told me that Hank was all for coming and so was Stan. Jared said he might come, but he wasn't sure yet.
"I'm sure that is a no," I answered. "Usually when people say something like that they mean no."
"Actually I am not so sure," Ellen replied. "He said he wanted to talk to you personally about it. I think he was a bit surprised that you'd invited him as well. So he might say yes."
"Yes maybe," I answered.
Or maybe he was going to be rude to me about it. I thought to myself. Perhaps he was upset that I had invited him and he wanted to tell me off for it. I felt even more nervous about the conversation with Jared then the talk I would have with Denver about meeting my mother and sister. Ellen changed the subject and began talking about Hank and how happy she was with him.
"You know, everyone says relationships don't last at twelve but maybe they're wrong. Hank and me are still very happy together."
"I think it depends on the people who are together, and also a lot of people forget what it's like to be our age," I said. "Before I came to Hogwarts, I once told my mother I was stressed out from everything that went on at school. She told me that eleven year olds can't get stressed out. It irritated me when she said that because you can't feel stressed at that age. You can be stressed at any age."
"That's true," Ellen said. "I think even some of the older years forget what it's like to be in the first or second year too though. I hate when they call us cute little kids. I'm sure they hated it at our age."
I nodded in agreement. Although we weren't getting dressed up for the party, we still added more touches to ourselves than we usually did on a school day. After we were done, we hurried from the bathroom just as the other girls were entering. I wondered if they had been invited as well. Although Sarah was part of the club so perhaps she had invited Melanie to go with her. I'm sure the other three had managed to find dates as well though.
"Well I will see you later," Ellen said to me as she glanced over at Hank who was waiting for her.
I walked over to Ben and Michael who were talking near the notice board.
"Ready to go?" I asked them.
"I'm waiting for Anne," Michael said smiling at me. "I asked her to go with me and she said yes."
"I have to wait for Ellen and Hank," Ben told me as he nodded in their direction. "I am taking her, and we are meeting up with Claire."
"Oh right," I said. "Well I can wait for you guys but those two might-"
"I'll walk down with you now if you want."
I turned with surprise to see Jared standing behind me. He was the last person I expected to actually come up to me.
"You're in the club?" I asked.
"No, Sheila Andrews invited me," he told me. "I said I would meet her in the Entrance Hall."
"Okay," I said nervously.
I said good-bye to Ben and Michael and we turned and headed out of the door. I could sense a lot of people staring at us. I would have to tell Denver about the situation because I knew people would be going straight to him with tales. They would likely want to spread rumours.
"So Ellen said you wanted to know if I wanted to go to your New Years party," Jared began.
"We always throw a party at my place," I explained. "My mum said I could invite some friends over. Last year I just invited Ellen, Ben and Michael. This year she said I want to invite Denver as well, so I thought he could invite his friends. Ellen asked if she could invite Hank as well, and I thought he'd want to invite his friends as well. If you're not doing anything you're more than welcome to come. There will be a lot of teens there. My sister always invites all her friends, so my mother shouldn't mind. I have to ask her first, but I really don't think she'll mind. You just have to remember that they're all muggles."
"I've been around muggles," he answered. "I am just surprised you're letting me come to your house given our past."
"I am ready to move on," I said. "I always believe in second chances."
Jared sighed. "Well Michael was definitely right about you. Look, I am sorry for everything that happened. I shouldn't have tried to wreck your friendship and I am sorry for being rude to you. I just always have a hard time believing someone can be so nice without some kind of agenda. Stan and Hank have been telling me for over a year that I was being an idiot but I didn't listen. If my parents say it's okay and I am sure they will, I will come."
"Apology accepted," I said. "As long as you're done being a prat than I am willing to move on."
Jared smiled at me, which was probably only the second time I had ever seen him smile at me. He'd done it before when Melanie had gotten jealous about Ellen and me. I felt relief, not only because the conversation had been a good one, but because I no longer had an enemy in Hufflepuff. In the past I would have been suspicious about his apology but I believed this time he was sincere. In the Entrance Hall, Denver was waiting for me with the Andrew twins and Claire. He looked surprised to see me talking to Jared and a little annoyed as well.
"Hi," I said as I approached him.
He just nodded back without answering, but he took my hand and led me away calling a quit good-bye to the twins and Claire.
"What were you doing with him?" he demanded as soon as we were out of earshot.
"He was apologizing and I will explain why," I said. "So don't be angry."
"I'm listening," Denver said but his face remained hard.
I could tell that this time he wasn't going to be as easy-going. He hadn't really seemed too angry about Michael but it would take a lot of convincing this time. I explained everything from my mother's letter and invitation to inviting extra people to my place including Morgan, Claire, Hank, Stan and Jared.
"I can understand the others but not him," Denver said. "You shouldn't be inviting him and you shouldn't be forgiving him."
"Why not if he is sorry?" I asked. "Why continue to hate him? If he's willing to stop being a prat and move on then I am. I don't believe in holding grudges Denver."
"You do remember he tried his best to turn Michael against you. I know you're forgiving but come on. Out of all the people, including me, he was the worst to you. He had no reason to treat you like that," Denver said angrily. "You know what, I am too angry with you to go to Slughorns party. The date's off."
He turned and walked off. I stared after him a moment. It was the first time the two of us had ever gotten into a fight over something since we'd started dating. I felt scared that he would break up with me. I didn't want to go back to the Common Room, so I continued to wander the corridors deep in thought. I tried my best not to cry. It was something I had to remind myself of constantly because everyone knew that it didn't solve any problems. I knew he had a reason to be angry, but I didn't think he'd be this mad.
There was a tower I had discovered a while back that not many people went up to. I had only gone up there a couple times. It was one of the highest towers and it had a connecting bridge to another part. I wasn't sure if students were allowed up there or not, but that night I didn't care. I'd only discovered it once because Peeves had taken me up there when I'd gotten lost in my first year. I headed up there now feeling a little depressed. I couldn't believe how angry Denver was with me.
"What happened last night?" Ellen demanded the next morning. "Why weren't you and Denver at the party? We looked all over the place for you. Claire and Morgan said they would like to go to your party as well. You weren't there to explain it to them."
I explained to Ellen what had happened the night before. I didn't tell her about my tower though, where I had stayed until very late just staring at the stars. I wanted it to be my own secret place. So instead I told her I just wandered around the corridors and then came back to the Common Room late.
"He'll come around, although I do understand his anger. I am surprised you are forgiving him as well. I only put up with him for Hank, but you have to admit that he was a huge git."
"But if he's willing to apologize and change why hold a grudge?" I asked. "Why keep some kind of fight going on? Look, I hate having enemies. I know I will always have some, but why keep people as enemies who are willing to change?"
"I know, and I get that," Ellen said. "But Denver is your boyfriend, and you know how he is like when it comes to you. He's more protective of you than Hank is with me. He wasn't happy when you started to talk to Michael again, but he understood since you were friends before and Michael was… well a little misguided. Jared was a jerk to be a jerk and that's it. It would be the same as if you became good friends with Don Zent or Xavier Opress."
"I think Jared isn't on the same level as those two," I said. "But I can see your point. I just hope he doesn't break up with me over it."
"It's a disagreement Ash," Ellen said. "He is angry because he is protective of you. He's not going to dump you over this. Don't worry."
"Hopefully not," I said. "So how was the party? Was it fun?"
"Yes, and guess what? Slughorn managed to invite Harry Potter and his friends there. So guess who finally got to talk to Harry?"
"Michael?" I asked.
"They didn't say much, but I think Michael is thrilled that he finally got to talk to his idol. Michael basically just thanked him for what he did, and asked him what his life was like now. Harry told him, but Slughorn interrupted."
"Well he'll be happy for a long time. How did their dates go?
"Oh great, Claire and Ben will probably hang out again," and Ellen went on about their night together. I really hoped it would work out with both Anne and Michael and Ben and Claire. Although Anne could be ditzy, she was a nice girl. I had misjudged Jess, Anne and Erica. The four of us would never be best friends but we got along just fine and that's all that mattered. Michael needed a girl who was interested in him back after what had happened with Ellen. Perhaps after he had a girlfriend he wouldn't feel so insecure. Although I did worry a little that she might be the type who cared about money.
That day it was an unusually beautiful Sunday for October. Normally this time of year it was already cold out, and we'd had a few cold days but that day it was a warm and comfortable day. So my friends and sat outside where they discussed Slughorns party and Denver.
"I'm sure once he thinks about it he will forgive you," Ben told me. "The way you two are, I am sure you will make up soon."
"You guys all act like we are some perfect couple," I said feeling irritated. "We are only thirteen remember. Maybe things aren't as good as I thought."
"You're getting depressed over one little fight," Michael said. "He only got angry with you because he is worried about you. I'm sure there are people you'd get upset over if he talked to them. What about Maisie, or Tara."
I thought about him forgiving Tara, and I did feel some anger go through me.
"You're right, although I don't know how I would react if it was Tara. She tried to break us up. I just don't want an enemy if I don't have to have one. I already have enough people who dislike me. Why shouldn't I forgive someone if they are willing to change? All of us know that Jared was a prat but you didn't see him when he apologized. I could tell it was sincere."
"I know it was too," Ellen said. "I honestly think he's been sorry for a while, I think ever since the fight but I think he knew none of us, especially Ashley, wanted to talk to him. When I told him about the invitation he looked happy and surprised. I mean why continue to fight amongst ourselves after what the wizarding world went through if we don't have to? It's between Ashley and Jared. And to be honest, I am glad to see he is trying to change. It can be awkward hanging out with Hank sometimes when I don't like one of his friends. It's awkward when our group gets together. It's kind of the same tension we all had before our fight."
"I agree," Ben said. "We all have to share the same Common Room for the next six years. And speak of the devil…"
Ben was looking at something over my shoulder. I was facing the lake, so I couldn't see. I turned and saw Denver walking over to us with surprisingly Jared, Hank and Stan. Jared and Denver were trailing behind Hank and Stan deep in discussion, but neither looked angry. As they approached us Hank smiled at Ellen and then at me. I had a feeling that Ellen had told Hank about the fight, and he had tried to make things right.
"Can we talk?" Denver asked me. "Let's go for a walk."
"Sure," I murmured and I stood up. I left my books there figuring we'd back, and if we weren't I was sure my friends would take them back.
"Look I am sorry," Denver told me as he walked off. "I was out of line."
"Yes you were, but I understand as well," I answered. "My friends pointed out it's because you're protective of me."
"I am but you've never been wrong before when you've tried to make it up with people. Usually your instincts are right," he said. "If they weren't, we wouldn't be having this discussion at the moment. It's just I haven't forgotten everything he's done to you. Claire and Morgan both told me I was being dumb though, and then Hank approached me and told me off. So I decided I would just talk to Jared. I yelled at him at first, but then we talked. He really is sincere."
"People can change," I said and explained to him the points I'd made to my friends about unity.
"I'm sorry I ruined last night," Denver said he stopped me to turn and kiss me. We kissed for a few minutes before pulling away.
"You can make up for it by coming to my place for New Years," I said. "My mother really would like to meet you. Claire and Morgan are welcome of course. I just have to write and ask her but I honestly don't see a problem considering the house is always full of kids."
"That's fine, my parents won't mind," Denver said. "I'd rather keep making up though if that's alright with you."
We walked over to a tree where we sat and began making out.
The night we were all waiting for finally arrived, Halloween night. The entire school was excited about it. The other students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were finally arriving, and the Tri-wizard tournament was starting. The teachers had us all line up outside by year and house to wait for their arrival.
"So what did your mum say about inviting everyone?" Ellen asked me as we waited for the foreign students to arrive.
"She said the more the merrier. She said I can invite anyone over that I want as long as they have permission from their parents," I replied.
Secretly, one of the reasons I was glad that I could was to show some of the other kids from my town that I had made a lot of friends at school. The majority of them hadn't really seen the new me over the summer, so they would see me now with new eyebrows, makeup and more friends. I knew Jaime was planning to invite the whole neighbourhood again, and likely my mother would have people over too. My sister had told me it was the party of the year because it would be the year 2000. Everyone believed that the world would end because all of the computers would malfunction. I didn't believe it was true though, everything would be the same later.
"Look up there!" A first year girl shouted. I looked over at her to see that it was Janice.
Excitement grew through the students as we saw what looked like a flying house. As it drew closer we realized that it was a giant carriage being pulled by winged horses. Some of the older students had seen it before, so they weren't surprised by it, but us younger students were excited by it. Janice, who I had thought was shy at first was shouting excitedly with her friends, so I guessed it had been first night jitters.
When the carriage had stopped, Hagrid had walked over to tend to the winged horses while the carriage door was opened. A dozen students left the carriage along with a woman as big as Hagrid. Professor McGonagall walked over to greet them. She called the woman Madame Maxime, and from the way they greeted each other, I guessed they were old friends.
"Go on inside and warm up then," she was saying.
The Hogwarts students parted and let them through. The Beauxbatons students wore robes of light blue silk. It looked as if they wouldn't be warm enough for Hogwarts weather. I could hear others speculating this as well. A lot of the boys were staring at the pretty French girls, including the ones who were clearly too young for them, like Ben and Michael.
"I wonder if there are any Veela girls," Jared muttered to Stan. "I wouldn't mind a piece of that."
"Keep dreaming mate. None of them will look at a twelve year old."
"I don't care. I heard Fleur Delacore made quite the stir when she showed up. Apparently her sister goes there now. Do you think she will be here?"
"Fleur Delacours sister is our age," Ellen spoke up. "Or around our age anyway. She won't be old enough yet."
Jared smirked. "Really?"
"She's also in France," I said.
"True, but Beauxbatons will be holding the next Triwizard tournament. So maybe I want to be a champion in five years."
A bunch of people let out snorts of laughter just as someone was shouting for us to look at the lake. There was a bubbling in the lake and then suddenly a ship which looked like it had once been in a wreck emerged. There were silhouettes moving around the port holes. I was amazed that even magic could turn a ship into something like a submarine. It made me feel mediocre as well with my own magic. Although I was doing a lot better than I used to be, and my confidence was better I couldn't imagine charming a ship to be able to move under water. Whoever had done it had to be a very powerful witch or wizard. It reminded me just how far I had to go.
When they had docked the ship, several students emerged in bulky red robes. They were better suited for Hogwarts weather, although I imagined they'd be even warmer in those kinds of robes. There were only a dozen of those students as well. In a way, I didn't feel it was fair. Hogwarts sixth and seventh years were all allowed to enter while it seemed only certain students had been selected from the other two schools. For some reason I imagined they were students like Tara or Ben. If that were the case, there was no way Jared would be able to go in his seventh year. He wasn't an idiot but he wasn't a nose to the grind stone type of student either. He was almost like Ellen when it came to school work.
Their Headmaster was very tiny compared to Madame Maxime. In fact, he was tiny compared to Michael. He was a short and thin man and something about him looked very mean. I imagined he had to be a very stern man in order for people to take him seriously as Headmaster. He greeted Professor McGonagall and he led his students inside. The Hogwarts students followed them inside.
As we sat down at our tables, there was some excitement from other students about where the other students would sit. The Beauxbatons students settled at the Ravenclaw table, and the Durmstrang students sat down on the Gryffindor table. Many of the Gryffindor seventh years sat down around the Durmstrang students to talk to them.
"Looks like they are only interested in talking to the older students anyway," Ellen muttered. "Like usual. Sometimes I hate being so young. I wonder when older people will start taking us seriously."
"When we're their age," I muttered.
But in a way I didn't mind too much, it was exciting but I didn't feel I would be able to relate to people who were seventeen years old. At times I felt I had trouble relating to other thirteen year olds. Whenever I was around Jaime's older friends, I felt that they were so much older and sophisticated. I always feel intimidated.
Professor McGonagall welcomed the new students, and then the Goblet of Fire was brought out. It had been in a trunk. When it was lit, it had blue flames. Students would be entering their names in from after the Welcome Feast until the next evening. There would be an age line drawn around the Goblet, but there would also always be a teacher standing by to make sure no one who shouldn't entered. They would check each and every name and school that was entered so that no one could enter a younger student under another name, and no one could bewitch the Goblet.
A lot of the younger students groaned when they heard this. I guessed they were hoping they could convince an older student to enter them. I think they were hoping they could be like Harry Potter. Several of the second year Hufflepuff's who had older siblings muttered in disappointment. As we ate the feast, I noticed there were different foods than usual on the menu. There were some French foods I had never tasted, but it was good.
The boys were eating but they were still checking out some of the older French girls. Although I knew I should be secure in my relationship with Denver, I couldn't help but glance over at the Slytherin table. He was in deep conversation with Claire about something while Morgan was staring over at the Ravenclaw table at two of the French girls. I looked over at Ellen, who was glaring at Hank in annoyance. He was staring over at the Bulgarian girls.
"The French girls look good, but the Bulgarians aren't bad looking at all either," he whispered.
"Are you insane?" Stan asked. "You've got the prettiest girl in our year."
"I know, and I am not complaining, but I can notice other girls. She notices other boys," he muttered back.
Both boys were very unaware of the glares Ellen was giving them. She didn't say another word for the entire feast. I glanced over at Ben and Michael to see if they had noticed this exchange, but they too were ogling the girls. I gave another glance over at the Slytherin table. If Hank could check out other girls when he had a beautiful girl like Ellen, then perhaps Denver did too, even if he were devoted to me. However when I glanced over again, he was still talking to Claire.
"I can't believe him," Ellen said angrily later that night as we got ready for bed. The other girls hadn't come into the bathroom yet.
"He's still very happy with you though," I said.
"I know he is, but he is constantly doing that. I know he is going to notice pretty girls. I do notice cute boys. It's the fact that he just stares at them, and talk about how good-looking they are is what bothers me. There are times when he has said that if he were single, he would date a certain girl," she said annoyed. "It's not just tonight, and I get tired of it."
"Have you talked to him about it?" I asked him.
"No," she answered with while she shook her head. "I told you, it's not a good idea to let guys see your insecurities."
I didn't think that was the best idea considering how well it had worked out with Denver after I'd talked about my own. If all Ellen did was glare at Hank and complain about him, he couldn't know how she really felt. I remembered when my friends kept telling me I had to stop being so passive aggressive. I knew at times I still was, but I was definitely a lot better than I used to be. At that moment, I felt Ellen was being passive aggressive with Hank. At first I thought she had an amazing relationship with him, but at that moment I wondered how good it was if she couldn't talk to him about it.
"Maybe if I shag up with him," Ellen muttered.
I'd only read about people dropping stuff from shock in books, but at those words, I dropped my toothbrush in the sink.
"You can't be serious, Ellen!"
"Well why not?" She asked.
"You're twelve years old!" I exclaimed. "He hasn't been pressuring you into it has he?"
"No of course not, he hasn't brought it up at all. I've just heard some of the older girls talking about it. They said having sex with them usually keeps them interested," she replied. "Besides, age shouldn't matter."
"Yes it should matter Ellen! No one should be having sex at twelve! You can't try and keep him by having sex with him. Just talk to him about how you feel. I could never have sex with Denver just to keep him interested."
"Probably because you're too ugly," Ellen muttered.
I stared at her. Ellen had never called me ugly; she was the last person I would ever expect to say that. I finished brushing my teeth, and then went back to the dorms. I couldn't believe she would say such a thing.
"Ashley wait!" Ellen shouted as I went to my bed.
The other girls were entering the dormitory now. They stared at us for a moment before entering the bathroom themselves whispering.
"Look I shouldn't have said that. I was just trying to hurt you. You just don't know what you're talking about when it comes to this," Ellen said.
"Ellen, this is one time when I am going to have to disagree with you. I'll forgive you for your comment because you're frustrated but don't do it again. I honestly think you should talk to Brianne about this before you make any decisions. She's fifteen, so she will know better than either one of us," I answered as I crawled into bed. "Now leave me alone until tomorrow. I will forgive you for your comment, but at this moment I still don't feel like talking to you. And we don't have to tell Ben or Michael about this."
I shut my bed curtains.
"I am sorry," she said and that was all she said.
I knew I'd forgive her. I knew at times people said things they didn't mean when they were angry, but I was still really hurt. She was the one person I never thought would say such a thing to me. I felt it also showed my growth that year. In the past I just would have ignored her completely instead of telling her off. It took a long time for me to fall asleep that night. Not only because Ellen had insulted me, but because I was also worried about her. I hoped she would make the right decision.
Ellen and I acted as if our fight hadn't happened from then on. Instead, like the rest of the students we waited all day excitedly for the champions to be picked for the Tri-wizard tournament. The say seemed to take for ever to get through. By that evening, everyone in the Great Hall was buzzing with excitement. Apparently a few older students had tried to enter some younger students, and they'd been caught. A lot of them would be serving detention during the first task of the year. Not only the older students, but the younger ones as well.
"Idiots," Ellen muttered.
"For once I agree with you," Ben said. "And I always believed you loved breaking the rules."
"Don't start with me," Ellen shot back.
"It was a joke, lighten up," Ben said.
"Just leave me alone!" Ellen exclaimed and she folded her arms tightly and then shot at a glare at
Hank who looked surprised.
Moments later, she got up and stalked off. I didn't want to interfere with their relationship so when Hank asked us what was going on with her, I shrugged and looked away. Ben and Michael looked clueless, so clearly they didn't understand either. Ben leaned over.
"You do know," he whispered.
"I promised I wouldn't say a word, girl talk," I whispered back.
I couldn't say more because Professor McGonagall was looking around the room sternly. Moments later, the Goblets flames turned from blue to red. It spit out a piece of paper.
"From Beauxbatons Felicia Corbuckle will be champion!" She called out.
A loud cheering came from the Beauxbatons sitting at the Ravenclaw table. A beautiful girl with long red hair stood up and then bowed. As she headed up the front of the hall where Professor McGonagall directed her to go to a door not too far from the one where we had waited for our sorting. Before she went through the door, she bowed again.
"Stuck up," Melanie muttered who was sitting beside me.
A few moments later, the Goblet spit out the name for the Durmstrang students.
"Alex Fiddler from Durmstrang!" Professor McGonagall called out.
Alex seemed to have a different response from his school mates. While the Hogwarts students clapped for him politely, only a few of the Durmstrang students did. The rest of his classmates booed loudly. It only took their Headmaster, Professor Pring to stand up and glare at them for them to stop. I wondered why the boy was so unpopular. Perhaps he was a know it all like Tara. I'd be embarrassed if everyone at Hogwarts booed me. And although it was paranoid and insecure thinking, part of me felt that could happen to me. A lot of the second years still didn't like me.
Now the Great Hall was dead quiet while we waited for the Hogwarts champion to be picked. All the sixth and seventh years looked so hopeful. The flames spit out the last name, and Professor McGonagall caught it in the air.
"Molly Miller from Hogwarts!"
The Ravenclaw table erupted in cheers again as a girl with long brown hair stood up. I had no idea who she was, but I clapped my hands with everyone else anyway. Ben whispered in my ear that she was one of the Ravenclaw prefects.
"Congratulations to all our champions. The first task will be November twentieth," she called. "You are all dismissed."
Although a lot of people were happy for Molly from Hogwarts, there were a lot of disappointed students anyway. We could hear a lot of complaining but Ben and Michael seemed too focused on what was bothered Ellen to care too much about the champions. They questioned me all the way down to our Common Room.
"Look, I promised her I wouldn't tell," I said. "If you need to know you two have to talk to her. I'm sorry, I can't tell you. Now stop bothering me."
"It has something to do with Hank though," Michael pressed on.
"Ask Ellen," I said. "If she wants you to know, she will tell you herself. I am not saying a word."
"You're stubborn," Ben said.
"It's why you love me," I answered back.
I never said anything like that to them before, but I'd been feeling pretty comfortable lately. Ben just smiled at me and put an arm around me.
"You know it," he answered. "Now, let's get started on that Potions essay you're behind on."
Later I went up to the common room to find Ellen crying on her bed.
"You know, if it is really bothering you that much you should talk to Hank, or break up with him," I told her.
"It's not that," she said.
"Well then what's wrong?" I asked.
"I don't know who I can talk to about this, and I am scared to leave the common room, so I can't go find Brianne or Brenda," she said.
"About what?" I asked.
"I-I got my period, and I have nothing to take care of it," she said. "I guess that's why I have been so grouchy lately."
"Oh that, well I've gone some pads in my trunk," I told her.
"You've been through this already?" She asked. "When?"
"Just this summer, it started right after we finished Hogwarts," I answered her as I went to my trunk where I kept a big supply of them. My mother and I had gone shopping for them. She had bought me at least four months' supply. She said we would get more when I came home at Christmas. "My sister showed me what to do."
"It's just so embarrassing," she said. "I mean, I knew it would happen but I guess it must have started in the Great Hall. I noticed when I got back here that I had made a mess."
"Well here, you can use some of these, but I am sure Madame Pomfrey has some in her office too.
My mum only got me enough to last until the Christmas break so I have to be careful," I said as I handed her a few pads. "Those should last you. Maybe she has better ones anyway, I don't know what magical ones for witches are like since these are muggles ones."
"They'll do," Ellen said. "And thank you so much. And I really am sorry about last night. I am not making excuses, but I guess maybe it was the hormones talking. I would never say something like that to you. And I wasn't serious about the sex. I just felt so emotional that's all. Were you like this?"
I nodded.
"I think my mother suspected something was up. Normally if I backtalk her she gets angry but she was more understand that time. I'm sure I get like that too when it's about to start. It's a monthly thing," I told her. "But I still think you should either talk to Hank or Brianne or do both. I'm glad you're not serious about sex, but still."
"Do not tell the boys about this!" Ellen told me as she left the dormitory and entered the bathroom. She returned about five minutes later happier than what she had been.
"You know I won't," I answered, "but you should know they are going to be asking what it was wrong. They were badgering me about why you're unhappy. I told them if they want to know, they should ask you."
"I guess I should tell them. It's not really fair to keep them in the dark. But still. They will never know about my period," she said and her face went red.
"None of them know about mine, not even Denver. I can't imagine ever discussing it with anyone. I was glad it happened at home, and in the summer," I said. "And now I know I have to keep track of it, but I can tell anyway. I get crampy."
"So that's normal?" She asked. "I have a backache and cramps and I feel nauseous."
'It's normal," I said. "I keep hoping there is a witches potion or something for that. Come to think of it, maybe I'll go down with you to see Madame Pomfrey. Maybe there is a potion or something."
Ellen told the boys about her problems with Hank, but I didn't think she discussed them with Hank. She stuck by her theory that it wasn't a good idea to talk about her insecurities, and nothing I said or even Brianne said could change her mind. She even stopped talking it about it with me after a while. If I brought it up, she would change the subject.
By the twentieth of November, we were all excited about what the first task would be. We were all hoping for a Hogwarts win. Only the champions and the teachers knew what the tasks would be. They were told the night they were picked. All we knew was that it would take place in the Great Hall, so we all wondered exactly what it could be. It couldn't be dangerous. It definitely wouldn't involve dragons or any other kind of animal for that matter.
On the day of the task, we all sat in the Great Hall waiting for the announcement. There was a table right in front of the teachers table with a row of different potions in flasks. After we had all sat down, Professor McGonagall stood up to quiet everyone down.
"I would like to introduce Gabriella Rose, the temporary head of the sports department," Professor McGonagall said. "She will be commentating the first task, and she will explain the first task to you."
She sat down, and short and chubby woman stood up.
"Hard to believe she is Head of a Sports department," Michael muttered and a few people snickered.
"Welcome everyone to the first task of the triwizard tournament. Now the first task is simple. The champions have already been selected in which order they will begin. Felicia Corbuckle from Beauxbatons will be the first champion. All she has to do is solve the riddle and choose the right potion. If she chooses the wrong one, we will instantly know. Now, just to put your minds at ease, none of these potions are dangerous. So, let's welcome Felicia Corbuckle."
From what we'd seen of Felicia, she was a very arrogant woman. She was beautiful and knew it. She liked to flaunt it around our school. So many of the boys wanted her. She would tease them, and then let them down. She flirted with boys who had girlfriends. Many of the girls hated her. No one was surprised when she skipped into the Great Hall and then bowed and fluttered her eyelashes at some of the first year boys sitting at the Gryffindor table. They all gaped at her in surprise and then they smirked.
"That's disgusting," Sarah muttered. "If an older boy did that to one of us they would probably get in trouble for it. But apparently it's okay for her to flirt with eleven years old and she's seventeen!"
I had to agree with her on that one. Felicia didn't care who she flirted with, she just seemed intent of making all the boys from Hogwarts and Durmstrang hot for her. It didn't matter if they were just eleven year old boys or seventeen, if they were male, she would flirt. I imagined if Alex tried to the same thing with the girls, he would be in big trouble for it.
Felicia smiled at a piece of paper she was reading. I wondered if they got the idea from Severus Snape, the old Potions teacher. Apparently when Harry Potter had been in his first year, there was a Philosophers Stone hidden in the castle that was guarded by many enchantments. One of the old teachers had gone after it on Lord Voldemorts orders to steal it. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had gone after him to stop him. One of the enchantments they had to get past was one where they had to guess the right potion. The right one would get them through the door, the others were poison.
I muttered to Ben who nodded.
"I was just thinking the same thing," he whispered back as Felicia danced back and forth while she stared at the potions. "They must have. You have to admit, it is really clever. Not too many people could solve the puzzle. It just proves how smart Hermione Granger is because she could solve a riddle that not too many grown wizards could solve, and she was just twelve. I don't even think I could figure it out. And I am willing to bet that riddle up there isn't easy even she seems confident."
"Wow Benjamin Hoofer admitting that he can't do something," Ellen said with a smirk, but she said it in a way that we knew she was just kidding. He smiled and rolled his eyes at her. "I am willing to bet Tara thinks she can solve it though."
"I'd put my money on that," Michael added quickly and he glanced over at the Ravenclaw table.
A moment later Felicia picked up a flask of potion, and then smiled over at the Hufflepuff table before she bowed and then downed the potion. I hoped so much that it would be wrong. Nothing seemed to happen at first, but then she started to dance around. At first we thought she was celebrating but it didn't seem as if it were part of her control since the look on her face was shock. Moments later she stopped, and her face turned red with embarrassment.
"So close, and yet so far!" Gabriella called out. "Unfortunately being close isn't enough. Now Felicia, I would like you to keep that riddle because it will also help you solve what the next task will be. Now, let's see what the judges have got to say. They mark out of ten."
Professor McGonagall was first. She shot of ribbon which formed a six. Gabriella was next, she shot up a five. A man who I wasn't sure his name was sent up a five, Madame Maxime sent up seven and Professor Pring sent up a two.
"That doesn't seem fair since she was fairly close," Ben said. "I imagine the potions that are close only give a small side effect while the rest are worse. It doesn't seem right."
"Felicia's score is twenty-five. Now our next champion is Molly Miller from Hogwarts!" Gabriella called.
Everyone cheered as Molly entered the Great Hall and Felicia took her place at the Ravenclaw table. She looked nervous. She read the riddle and then looked at each potion and then read the riddle again. Moments later, she picked up a pink potion in the middle and drank it. Nothing happened at first, and then it seemed as if she were glowing for a few moments before she went back to normal. No one seemed to know if this was a good thing or not.
"Congratulations to our Hogwarts Champion!" Gabriella called out. "Not only did she guess the right potion, but she guessed very quickly. Now as I told Felicia, you must keep your riddle so you can guess the second task. Now, let's see what our judges have to say!"
Professor McGonagall gave her a nine, Gabriella gave her a ten, the man gave her a seven, Madame Maxime gave her a six and Professor Pring gave her a four. It was clear that he was not going to mark fairly which didn't seem right. Of course teachers would favor their own schools, but if the students deserved a good score then he couldn't just cheat. A lot of people were muttering about this in disbelief.
"Molly's overall score is thirty-six!" Gabriella called. "Now on to our final champion, Alex Fiddler!"
Alex walked over to the table and read the potion. He took a long time reading it over. It seemed as if about five minutes past before he glanced at the potions. It was clear he had no idea what he was doing, and I felt a little bad for him. I could imagine being in his shoes. I would never be able to guess the right potion either. It must have been hard for him to be up there with no support from his school.
He finally chose a blue potion, which we all knew was wrong since Molly had chosen a pink potion (whose flask had filled itself again) and drank it. There was a flash of light, and moments later Alex seemed to have turned into a dog. He was barking loudly. Everyone started to laugh hard, and then he was back to himself looking embarrassed. He stared at the floor with a scowl on his face. He didn't even look up as the judges began giving their marks.
Professor McGonagall gave him a three, Gabriella gave him a two, the man gave him a one, Madame Maxime gave him a three and not to anyones surprise, Professor Pring gave him a seven. It was obvious he wanted to give him a good mark but he couldn't give him a perfect one. So he had to settle on one of the higher numbers instead.
"Someone has to talk to him about that," Jared said angrily. "He can't just give everyone else bad marks but his champion a good one!"
But everyone else was talking excitedly that Hogwarts was in the lead. We were dismissed to go back to our Common Rooms while the champions were to stay behind to hear more about the next task, which would take place at the end of February.
"We want to talk to you," Anne said to me as she latched onto one of my arms and Erica latched onto my other arm while Jess led us away from the crowd going to the common room.
"What's going on?" I asked wondering if it had something to do with Michael. From what I knew, their date had gone well.
"We heard you are inviting a bunch of people to your house for New Years," Jess said. "I knew we aren't best friends or anything, but we're still hurt. Why weren't we invited?"
"It's nothing personal and Melanie and Sarah aren't invited," I answered but I explained my reasoning behind why everyone else was invited. "But my mum said I am welcome to invite as much people as I want," I continued. "So you three are welcome to come. Just remember there will be muggles there."
"I'm muggleborn," Erica answered. "And don't worry."
In a way, I did feel worried about having so many Hogwarts friends coming to my place. Not because I was worried they would do magic (they couldn't) or because they might slip up. It was because they might find out how much people from my home town didn't really like me. Ben, Ellen and Michael, and even Denver, Morgan and Claire were really understanding. However the rest I wasn't so sure about. Jared and I had only just started to get along. Stan and Hank respected me, but would they still respect me if they found out how my old life used to be?
"Please don't tell me you're going to invite Melanie and Sarah if they ask?" Ben said to me. "Things are going really well with Claire and me since Slughorn's party. I don't want my ex-girlfriend there. Even if we are getting along now."
"No," I said. "I think I have enough people for now. It's only fair that I invite your dates, and since things seem to be going well with Michael and Anne I might as well invite her. Anyway, Melanie still really doesn't talk to me."
It was true, although Ben and Melanie had been broken up for a long time now, she still didn't want to talk to me. I didn't get it; I was not the reason for their break up. She couldn't handle her jealousy of me. She had absolutely nothing to be worried about considering that Denver and I were still going on strong. It was something that surprised a lot of people, even me. Everyone else because no one thought we'd make a good couple and me because everyone had told me that relationships didn't last at thirteen. Apparently we were proving everyone wrong.
A week before the holidays, Melanie and Sarah finally confronted me about it. They were very angry.
"I'm not inviting everyone in Hufflepuff," I said. "Besides, why should I invite you Melanie? You act like it's my fault that you and Ben broke up. It's because you were jealous and clingy. You wouldn't let him hang out with us. You made him choose between you and his best friend. And Ben and I are just friends."
"Right now you are!" Melanie said. "You two are so stupid, neither of you see it. I feel sorry for any girl that comes into Ben's life and any boy that comes into your life. Maybe right now you and Denver are fine, but eventually he's going to realize it. I can't see it lasting between him and Claire."
"Ben and I will never date, we're too good of friends for that and Denver knows Ben and I are really good friends. You just think girls and guys can't be friends," I said. "So no, sorry you can't come. Not only because you have been very rude to me but because Ben doesn't want you to go. He doesn't want his ex-girlfriend around his new girlfriend."
"Well we didn't want to go anyway!" Melanie answered and she turned and walked off angrily.
"Look, I understand completely why you don't want Melanie there, but you and me have always gotten along really well," Sarah said to me. "I don't understand why I at least haven't been invited. I always thought Melanie was wrong about you and Ben."
"I know Sarah, I just didn't think of you because of Melanie. She's your best friend. I can invite you, but she is probably going to be really angry with you. It might start a fight between you two. Are you sure you want that?" I replied.
"I can handle Melanie," Sarah answered.
"Look, you can come if you really want to," I said. "You know Jess, Anne and Erica weren't originally invited either. It's because they confronted me about it too."
I explained to her exactly why I had invited everyone that I had invited.
"So you see it definitely wasn't personal, although Ben definitely does not want Melanie there. I also don't and I don't want to talk to her until she apologizes. I was not the cause of their break up. Anyone who gives ultimatums like that is responsible," I continued.
"I know, although Melanie is right. I am not saying she should have given him an ultimatum and she is at fault for the break up but you and Ben are very close. She won't be the first girl who will get jealous. That's the problem with when people are friends with the opposite gender," she answered.
"I know, and I expected it but I figured it would always be Ellen because she is so beautiful. She is one of the prettiest in our year," I confessed.
"Ashley, you're not as ugly as you think you are. I don't even think you are ugly. I get so tired of hearing people say you are. You have big beautiful eyes, and ever since you got your eyebrows done you look even prettier. Don't let anyone else tell you that you're ugly. You got Denver didn't you?"
And she turned and walked off before I could say anything else. I was in the dormitory, so I headed to the bathroom to look in the mirror. I'd heard before I had nice eyes, but I always thought everyone had beautiful eyes. However, I could actually see her point. My eyes were big and beautiful. I smiled, at least there was something about my face that was pretty, even the rest wasn't. I figured if we ever got into human transfiguration I could do something about my nose.
"Your mum really doesn't mind all these people coming over?" Ben asked me as we headed home for the Christmas holidays.
"Nope, she told me to invite as many people as I want," I answered. "I gave her the final list after Sarah asked and she said it's fine. She just said to make sure you all know that the boys are sleeping downstairs and the girls upstairs. So she wants you to bring sleeping bags, and we have extras if they don't bring any. Jaime is giving up one of her beds for one of the girls too."
"How many people are coming now?" Ellen asked.
"Thirteen," I answered. "It's not bad. Remember, my mother loves when people come over. You remember last year don't you?"
"Oh I don't care," Ellen said. "We should make it tradition to invite a lot of people. I think it's kind of nice seeing other people outside of Hogwarts. Melanie probably isn't going to forgive Sarah for a while."
"Melanie needs to grow up," Ben answered.
I didn't tell my friends most of our conversation. I didn't want them to know that Melanie thought that Ben and I were secretly in love but we didn't know it. Although Ben had come a long way, I still wasn't comfortable talking about that with him. This time last year he would have been disgusted and even if he considered me his best friend, and he stopped calling me ugly I knew he still found me unattractive. People's opinions didn't change like that. It was the same with Michael.
"I'm just surprised Michael is still able to go even if he is staying at Hogwarts," I said.
Michael was staying at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays even though he was coming to my party. He had told his parents that they needed to change, or he wasn't coming home and they hadn't. However, they had given him permission to go to my place. He had to get written permission from his parents, my parents and Ben's parents. He was staying at Ben's place after using the floo network from Hogwarts for a few days during the holidays. From what Michael had said, it was his mother who had given permission to make up for it.
"Well it's the holidays," Ben said. "Students can leave; it's just a long process. My parents have no problem letting him stay over for a bit, and then he'll be going back to Hogwarts with us."
"I wonder if he'll be lonely though," Ellen said. "I can't imagine staying at Hogwarts for Christmas when no one else is. I know the older students will be there, but there really won't be any second years."
"Brad and Joey are there. He gets along with all the boys in the second year. I am sure he'll be fine. I think he's better off staying then going home. It's miserable at his place as it is. You two haven't seen it, but in the winter it's even worse than the summer. It's not even warm enough," Ben answered.
"And you know he has to clean up after them."
"No, I agree with you," I answered. "He definitely deserves better. He'll be happier. I am pretty sure his parents are part of his insecurity problems. I've noticed he is a git the most when he has to go home. I think that's what happened last summer. He was dreading going home all summer, and then he was upset by being at home. I noticed how happy he's been lately."
It was definitely true that he had changed, and it wasn't just because of our fight. I knew our fight and the probation (which was definitely over now) had helped in a way, but I also think it was Anne who helped. He'd found another girl who was actually interested, and he knew he didn't have to go home until the summer. Ben had even told him that he could spend as much time as he wanted as his place instead of just a week. Not only that, other people had offered him as a place as well. I'd even told him he could come over anytime he wanted. It was something I wanted to bring up with my friends as well closer to the summer. I didn't mind the week long get togethers, but I figured we'd be entering third year next year. We were getting older now. Although I'd be baby-sitting and I could leave when I wanted anyway (no floo or anything) but they were more than welcome to come over when they wanted. That was a talk that could wait until later though.
For now, we just discussed the Christmas holidays and New year's.