AN: I apologize for the very long gap between chapters. Real life has been very busy and draining lately.

On a different note, I have written a story involving these four set after their years at Hogwarts, an epilogue of sorts to Lessons. If there is any interest, please let me know, and I shall publish it as soon as I can.

'Sis!'

Padma turned around quickly at the sound of her twin's voice, and was immediately pushed backwards with the force of Parvati's hug. She might have fallen into the lake were it not for a large tree.

'How are you, sis? It feels like I haven't seen you in ages! Oh, you've done your hair like that again! You always wear it like that! You've got to let me give you a hand with it, do something different for once! It'll be worth your while, I'll make it look really pretty-'

'No, really, Vati, you don't have to. I like it this way; it keeps it out of the way. Would you mind letting go of me? I do believe my friends are feeling rather awkward, just standing there, watching us.'

Parvati released Padma reluctantly; still looking thoughtfully at her twin's coiled braid, fiddling with the ornamental clip at the end of her plait absentmindedly.

Padma smiled at the three boys standing next to her.

'This is my sister, Parvati.'

Michael grinned.

'Nice to meet you, Parvati. I'm Michael, Michael Corner.'

Parvati grinned right back, batting her eyelashes a little.

Apparently, she found Michael to her liking.

Terry held out his hand.

'Pleased to meet your acquaintance. I'm Terry Boot.'

Parvati took it, and they shook hands.

'How quaint!'

Apparently, Parvati also found it a little odd that an eleven-year-old boy would shake hands with people upon meeting, and use the word 'acquaintance'.

Padma wondered why her sister was using the word 'quaint'. Perhaps living with Hermione Granger was rubbing off on her.

Parvati turned her attention to the third boy, who simply looked down at his feet, ears red, and muttered something.

'Pardon? I didn't quite hear that...'

'His name is Anthony, Anthony Goldstein. He's a little shy sometimes, please don't take it personally.'

Padma smiled her thanks to Terry, for somewhat salvaging the situation.

'Aww! How cute!'

At this, Anthony shuffled his feet and reddened even further.

Parvati turned back to Padma.

'I never thought this day would come! My sister, Padma, friends with three boys! I am so happy for you, sis! They're kind of cute, too...'

She giggled into the palm of her hand.

Padma averted her eyes from the boys, suddenly uncomfortable. Michael blushed, and Terry raised his brows and turned away.

Poor Anthony bore significant resemblance to a beetroot.

Padma decided that she had to do something before the poor boy fainted.

'Vati, how's Lavender?'

Parvati linked arms with her twin, marching them off in the direction of the castle.

'Oh, she's fine! But you really have to let me do your hair now...'

The three boys followed awkwardly at a distance.

In the Entrance Hall, the Gryffindor parted company with the four Ravenclaws.

'See you around, sis! Please use that clip I gave you, it'll look really pretty with your Ravenclaw robes. See you, boys! '

Padma smiled slightly forcefully, waving goodbye to her sister, who smiled back winningly at Michael.

'Well, that was an interesting experience.'

Padma took a deep breath.

'Interesting might not be the word I'd use for it, Terry. Vati is a wonderful sister, but...'

'You and she are a little different.'

Michael still looked a little punch-drunk.

'More than a little different, Terry. Parvati's really pretty, well, not that you aren't too, Padma, but-'

'The two of you are very different people, which is not a bad thing at all. After all, if you were more like your sister, I would fear for Anthony's wellbeing.'

The blonde boy's face was still pink-tinged.

Michael grinned.

'Yeah, Terry's right, Padma. I mean, he's only just managed to start talking in front of you, and most of the blushing is gone. If you actually acted like a girl-'

'Michael, Padma, Anthony, I don't know about you, but I really need to get a start on my Charms essay. Why don't we all go to the Library?'

With that, Terry pushed a reluctant Michael in the direction of the Library before he could say something that might end with an angry, or more likely, upset, Padma, even if she refused to show it.