AN: Sorry it's so short! I just had to get them through to mid/early october for the next chapter, but the next few should be up pretty fast. Thanks for reading! and I love getting reviews ;)

Wednesday night finds me sitting in the great hall, after dinner has been cleared away, humming softly to myself. We have a Charms test next week and I decided to get a head start on studying to avoid the low P I got last time. I hear voices as a small group of people enters the hall, and I think to myself that it sounds a lot like James but don't bother to look up because I'm so over him. Right? Right.

So I get back to my work, keeping one ear out. When I hear the conversation end and the group getting up I look up (anything to get away from studying) and I see James walking by, with two guys from the Gryffindor quiddich team. He's wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt and sneakers, which is different because he's always wearing a neatly pressed uniform.

He looks stunned for a second as his eyes meet mine, but he just says a simple "hello" and continues walking. I of course panic, squeak a "hi," blush, and look back down. Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh. He said HELLO! And he definitely looked surprised in a good way when he saw me, is that a good sign? Does he like me?! Wait. NO. Focus. He's a pig headed prat remember? Oh shush. It's not like anything will come of the crush, and it feels good to like someone. To get all excited and happy when they make eye contact or say hi. Just don't expect anything to happen, got it Anjali? Yep. Sure. Gotcha. SO OHMYWIZARDGOD he looked so hot in his quidditch practice kit!

This is such a bad idea…

"Welcome to the first quidditch match of the year! Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor!"

Each side erupts into cheers as their team bursts out onto the field, the Slytherins cheering Ravenclaw for the most part and Hufflepuffs just cheering in general. My eyes immediately seek out James shaking hands with Harper Lin, the Ravenclaw captain.

"Ravenclaw's captain and seeker Harper Lin shakes hands with James Potter, captain and keeper of Gryffindor. Beating for Ravenclaw is Louis Weasley and Stephan MacMillain, chasers are Lysander Scamander, Rose Weasley and Erica Brint, and keeping is Boris Wiltkin. The deadly combination of Dominique Weasley and Fred Weasley beating for Gryffindor, Jon Thornton, Perri Jordan, and Kendall Henderson are the chasers, and seeking is Lily Potter.

"Annnnnddddd THEY'RE OFF!"

I love going for quidditch matches, but I rarely focus on the game. I like the feeling of the crowd and the cheering for my team, but the game flies by in a blur of red, gold, blue and bronze.

"Ravenclaw calls a time out, and the score stands at 70-90 Gryffindor."

"YEAHH GO GO GRYFFINDOR GO GO GRYFFINDOR!" The red and gold part of the stadium explodes into chaos and cheer.

"Alright, Ravenclaw comes back onto the field, Weasley and MacMillian look like they have a plan brewing."

"AND LIN TAKES THE SNITCH! RAVENCLAW BEATS GRYFFINDOR 230 TO 110! GO RAVENCLAW! SUCK ON THAT GRYFFIES!"

"MR. BELL! Language!"

The Gryffindor team slinks off to their locker rooms as Ravenclaws, Slytherins, and Hufflepuffs swarm the field, lifting Boris into the air. The Gryffindors mutter congratulations and clear out back towards the castle.

"Yo Anjali! What are you doing tonight?" Taiga calls as I walk into the Hufflepuff common room.

"Dunno, maybe study for that Charms test? Break out the runes if I'm feeling motivated?" We walk down towards our room.

"Wellll while that sounds so so tempting, guess who got 4 invites to the Ravenclaw Victory Party?!"

"YOU?! NO WAY!"

"Yeah, Adam invited me," Taiga rolls her eyes, "I'm not going with him though so you have to come too."

"Hahaha I don't know…."

"You're coming. Emery's in, but I haven't been able to convince Ash."

"And why'd you think you'd be able to convince me so easily?"

"Anj, you are verrrryyy susceptible to peer pressure. And I know you love me," Taiga hugs me. Still hugging we stumble into the room and promptly trip over Jinx.

"GAhhhh!" I cry slamming to the floor. "Taiga. Have I mentioned-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You hate the cat." Taiga responds rubbing her knee.

"Guys. Are you sure about this?" I ask turning in the mirror, pulling my skirt down.

"Anj. You look fantastic," Emery says pulling her hair up.

"You should come with a waiver, cuz you're drop dead gorgeous girl," Taiga adds.

"I think I look borderline slutty…. But if you guys say so," I say sitting on my bed and pulling a pair of black heels on.

"The point is to dance on that fine line, between slutty and flirty. And you my friend are dancing like a mad woman."

"Thanks, Em."

I'm wearing a black leather skirt and a pale pink lace tank top and a black tank underneath. Taiga did my make up, smoky, dark, and dramatic. Totally the opposite of my everyday look. Emery looks gorgeous in a tight emerald dress, and Taiga stuns in mustard colored shorts and a maroon crop top.

The three of us walk to the Ravenclaw tower, me wobbling a bit in my heels, but we manage to make it there without me breaking an ankle. The party is in full swing when we arrive. Almost everyone from 5th year and up is here, from all houses including Gryffindor. Taiga grabs our wrists and pulls us to the bar.

"Three firewhiskeys, with a dash of pumpkin juice," she demands, hands on hip.

A few seconds later our drinks appear and we take them, disappearing into the crowd. I take a sip of the drink, it burns as it goes down but it has a nice pumpkin spice aftertaste. Taiga and Emery get pulled off to dance by some boys, and I sit by the fire talking to Elissa, a Slytherin girl from my Arithmancy class. About halfway through the cup, I'm feeling very warm and very happy. Suddenly James Potter comes out of nowhere and plops in the arm chair across from me. He looks at me and goes, "Ananananjali!" He fumbles through my name and points at me, looking very proud of himself for remembering.

"Close enough," I laugh. "Great job in the game today, I mean even though you didn't win."

"Thank you, thank you, it means the world to me," he gestures around wildly.

"Jamie-poooo," a squeal screeches in my ear and even James flinches. Samantha Smart, seventh year Slytherin and Head Girl, jumps onto James's lap and proceeds to wrap her tentacles- sorry, arms around his neck and suck his face.

"Ewww." Elissa says, pretending to retch. "That's definitely not sanitary."

"Hmm yeah doubtful. Who knows where those lips have been," I joke, trying to tear my eyes away. Of course he'd never like me. I'm not the type of girl guys like him notice. I knew it was a stupid idea.

"You know," Elissa starts, eyeing me, "You're a billion times the person she'll ever be."

"Huh?"

"You shouldn't need to pull down your shirt and hike your skirt up to attract a boy. You'll get one. A decent one, who sees you and not just your boobs." She says, drains her drink and stumbles off.

She's right. I shouldn't need to. But what else am I supposed to I do?