The last week at the Burrow breezed by without anything eventful other than more Quidditch matches in the sunny garden and secretive planning for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Casey had calmed down a little, convincing herself once again that she had imagined any romantic feelings for Fred-though she couldn't help but notice that his smile was just a bit different when aimed toward her.

September 1 was rainy and overcast as they hauled their trunks out to ministry cars lent to them to take the Weasleys, Casey, Harry, and Hermione to King's Cross.

"These are roomy, aren't they? You really have to give Muggles credit." Mrs. Weasley said as she and Ginny got into a front seat of a car. Casey and Hermione exchanged glances in the back seat, stifling laughter because they knew very well that there were extension charms on the cars to make them bigger on the inside. The whole lot of them managed to fit into the ministry car, a feat that Casey didn't have the heart to tell Mrs. Weasley could not have done with even two ordinary Muggle cars.

After a long journey to London and a lot of chaotic bustling through King's Cross, they'd finally made it to the Hogwarts Express.

"All right, you know you're all welcome home for Christmas, Harry, Hermione, Casey, you're included," Mrs. Weasley said as she hugged and kissed them all goodbye. "But I expect you'll be wanting to stay at Hogwarts this year." Casey raised her eyebrows. Her grandfather had said the same thing.

"What's going on?" The twins moaned in unison. All week Percy, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie had all been hinting that something special was happening at Hogwarts this year, but no one would say what exactly it was.

"No, no, you';ll know soon enough." Mrs. Weasley insisted. "Off you go, now, or you'll miss the train."

"That's really weird," Casey murmured to Fred and George as they settled into an empty compartment. "My grandpa had said the same thing when I told him I was coming back for Christmas."

"Even your grandfather knows?" George exclaimed. "They'd better tell us right away."

"I'm sure they will," Fred said. "From the way Crouch and Bagman were talking at the match, it's supposed to be a big deal."

"Speaking of Bagman," Casey started. "Heard anything from him?" Both Fred and George shook their heads sulkily.

"Not a word." George said. "But he's involved with whatever is going on this year, right? He's bound to be around Hogwarts this year."

"True!" Fred exclaimed. "He'll have to talk to us face-to-face."

At that moment, Lee burst into the compartment and greeted them jovially.

"How about that match?" Lee exclaimed as he settled in next to George. "Sorry you didn't see it, Case, it was amazing!"

"So I've heard," She chuckled. Lee went on to animatedly relive the match with Fred and George while Casey listened. She did her best to look entertained, but she had heard several play-by-plays from the entire Weasley family and Harry several times in the past week. Just as the crowd in the corridor started to thin, their compartment door opened and two seventh year Ravenclaws stood in the door way, one of which was Casey's ex, a tall handsome indian man, Kiran Singh. A metallic feeling of anxiety rushed down from Casey's chest down to her legs as she and Kiran locked eyes. Kiran immediately looked away.

"Right, this one's full," He murmured to the blonde girl next to him, who giggled nervously. "Sorry." Kiran stated as the two turned and left the compartment, shutting the door with a snap.

An awkward silence flooded the compartment and Casey kept her gaze frozen on the shut compartment door, a feeling of dread panging in her stomach. As what she saw began to sink in, she started to feel the sting of tears in her eyes. She rapidly turned to stare straight forward, blinking the tears back, determined not to cry in front of Lee and the twins.

"He's a prat," Fred murmured softly next to her. Casey nodded, still blinking back tears. Fred reached over and placed his hand on hers and lightly squeezed it. "Really."

"I know." Casey finally managed, successfully keeping her cheeks dry and clearing her throat. "I'm fine." She smiled reluctantly at Fred, but pulled her hand away from his. Fred opened his mouth to say more, but Casey looked back up at Lee and George.

"How about that Wronski Feint, guys?" She said softly. At this, both Lee and George loosened again, glad for the conversation to return to something as comfortable as quidditch.

"Oi, Case, you should have seen it!" Lee exclaimed. "It was absolutely wicked! That bloke can fly!" Casey let Lee, George, and Fred continue their quidditch conversation, but Fred was more quiet than normal, stealing glances at Casey every now and then.

That had been the first time she'd really seen Kiran since they had broken up in the spring, and now he was with a girl she didn't even know before...was that his girlfriend? Casey couldn't stop the thought and it caused an avalanche in her chest.

He broke up with me because he couldn't handle a relationship anymore, and he appears with some dumb blonde! Casey thought. What an ass! She once again fought to keep her negative thoughts from causing her to cry, but she was less successful this time. As the first tear fled down her cheek, she shot out of her seat and tore out of the compartment. The only person she could imagine talking to about this was her sister, Alex. Drying the few tears that she had let fall, she immediately started looking through the compartment windows for her sister. After going through nearly every department, she recognized Alex's dark, straight hair so she opened up the door.

"Alex?" Casey called, getting the attention of everyone in the compartment.

"Hey Case!" She said cheerfully. "What's up?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, of course." Alex stood up to exit the compartment. "Are you okay?" Casey nodded and pulled Alex out into the corridor with her.

"I just saw Kiran." Casey blurted, "He was with a girl."

"Oh," Alex nodded. "Abigail Greengrass." She nearly whispered.

"You knew?" Casey snapped, tears forming again. "Why didn't-"

"Casey, I know they're friends." Alex said carefully. "That's all."

"He walked into my compartment with her because they didn't realize I was there." Casey told her. "It looked like they were together."

"Casey," Alex sighed. "Just because she was with him doesn't mean they're dating. Honestly they could just be friends. I know that you're still hurt, and that's okay...but even if she were dating him, he's not yours anymore." Alex's words made Casey's heart hurt ache a little more, but she knew Alex was right. She always seemed to be right about these kind of things.

"I know, but why'd he have to come into my compartment with that dumb blonde?"

"Hey," Alex placed a kind hand on her shoulder. "Don't hate her because of something he did to you. He's the asshole, but you don't know her." Alex reminded her. "But it's okay for you to be upset, especially if you just saw him again for the first time. Those are your feelings and they're valid."

"Thanks," Casey mumbled, letting a few tears stream down her face. Alex pulled her into a rare hug; neither sister had ever been very touchy.

"Just ignore him," Alex told her as she lightly patted her back. "You're better than him and you know that. Show him that." They pulled away and Casey managed a smile.

"Thanks. Really." Casey said. "How's Grandpa?"

"Fine," Alex smiled. "He actually seemed a lot better than usual when I left. Moving around a lot more, and he seemed happier."

"Good..." Casey said, clearing her throat. "Okay, I should get back. I'm missing a very rousing conversation about the World Cup."

"Don't want to miss that," Alex joked. "Let me know if you need to talk again."

"I will, thanks again."

Casey now felt much more stable after what Alex had told said, but she didn't fdeel entirely better. A dull sinking feeling in her heart had replaced the sharp pangs and she had the overwhelming desire to hide or just go to sleep. As she neared her compartment, she saw Fred coming out of it.

"There you are!" He said when he saw her. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I can go back..." He trailed off, gesturing back at the door. The concern on his face was enough to bring a smile to her face.

"I'm okay," She said. "Thanks, Fred."

"No problem." Fred murmured, and he closed the distance between them and embraced her.

"He really is a prat, Casey." Fred said seriously. "You deserve better."

"What? Like you?" Casey joked before she realized what she was saying. There was a slight pause before Fred laughed.

"Hah, please." He said as the two of them broke away from each other. "I'm out of your league."

"A girl can dream, can't she?" Casey feigned a high-pitched swooning voice.

"Yeah, whatever." Fred said, nudging her. "You're sure you're okay, then?"

"I am, Fred." She looked into his eyes and smiled pointedly. "Thank you. Really. It's been really nice to have your support during all this rubbish."

"Anytime," Fred said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I promise. Now, we'd better get back inside or George'll have a hey-day again."

It was great to finally get back to Hogwarts and be greeted be the golden light of the Great Hall. Casey silently chattered with Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet during the Sorting Ceremony.

"Are you the Quidditch captain this year, Angelina?" Casey asked. "With Wood being gone, I thought you'd be the best candidate."

"No, unfortunately not." Angelina shook her head. "I thought maybe it'd be one of you two then."

"It's not me..." Alicia said, confused. "Who could it be? One of the twins?"

"No, it wasn't them." Casey told them. "They'd never have let me forget it if that were the case."

"Who could it be then? Potter's too young." Angelina asked. Alicia and Casey shrugged.

"Maybe McGonagall hasn't decided yet."

Food appeared on their plates as the sorting finished and they began to devour the food around them.

"Fred, George, do you have any idea who'll be quidditch captain this year?" Angelina asked them.

"We thought it'd be you." Fred and George said in unison.

"Well, it's not, and apparently it's not you two, Alicia, or Casey either."

"It couldn't be Harry, could it?" Alicia asked again.

"No, Harry's too young." Fred remarked.

"We'll just have to talk to McGonagall about it tomorrow," Casey said, scooping some potatoes onto her plate.

"Right, let's talk business Volkova." George said in mock-sternness. Casey straightened.

"Roger that," Casey said, and when George raised his eyebrows she clarified, "I'm listening."

"We were wondering about the progress of the invisibility potions you're working on." Fred said.

"I don't know, guys," Casey shook her head. "It's definitely progressing better than I thought, but it's going to be a while before we can test it. I really don't know if we can pull of an invisibility potion." Casey told them. Casey had become an incredible potioneer over the years and was attempting to produce a potion that could make the drinker invisible. After turning it into a potion, the twins thought it may be possible to sell it and make invisibility more accessible than it already was because invisibility was usually only achieved through invisibility cloaks, which were rare and unreliable, and disillusionment charms, which were difficult to perform.

"If anyone can do it, you can!" Fred encouraged her before taking a rather large bite of shepherd's pie.

"We'll see." Casey said. "But I think I've perfected the love potion, and if I did it right, it should be even stronger than Amortentia...the only problem is that we're going to have to find someone willing to test it."

"What do you mean?" George asked. "You've got three people right here." He gestured at him, Fred, and Lee.

"I don't know if that's a good idea." Casey chuckled. "If something goes wrong and I have to deal with you lugs being in love with me forever?" At that moment, she and George made eye contact and she could see what he was thinking: one of them already was. Casey rolled her eyes.

After dinner, Dumbledore began talking about the usual back-to-school business and Casey began to feel more tired than ever. Had there not been suddenly an uproar of chatter and cries, she may have zoned out Dumbledore's entire speech.

"What?" Casey asked. "What happened?"

"Dumbledore just said there'd be no quidditch this year!" Angelina exclaimed, outraged.

"What?" Casey exclaimed, but Dumbledore had paused, waiting for silence. When it quieted down, he continued.

"There will be no quidditch this year because this year Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament for the first time in 200 years."

There was some confused chatter that followed.

"The Tri-Wizard tournament is composed of three challenging tasks for three students to compete in, one from each of the three magic schools of Europe who have had this partnership since their founding. These schools are Hogwarts, of course, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang."

As Dumbledore explained the tournament further, wonderment grew in the eyes of the students. When Dumbledore mentioned that there would be a reward of 1,000 galleons in prize money, the twins exchanged enthusiastic looks.

"However, new safety measures have been added this year," Dumbledore continued. "No student under the age of 17 will be eligible for the tournament." Once again there was an angry outburst.

"No way!" George shouted.

"That's not fair!" Fred yelled. "We'll be 17 in April! We should be able to do it!"

"There will be an impartial judge that will choose the champions, and, be warned. You will not be able to fool them." Dumbledore said.

Later, as they were walking back up to the common room, Fred and George were devising plans to enter the tournament.

"You can't tell me you're honestly going to try and enter!" Casey exclaimed.

"Of course we are!" Fred answered. "We'd have to be mad not to try! 1,000 Galleons, Casey!"

"You're going to risk your lives for money?" Casey raised an incredulous eyebrow. "I can't believe you two. Those tasks are bound to be dangerous...people have died in them."

"You don't have to enter, Casey," George said. "But we're going to. So you're with us, or you aren't."

"I'm not with you." Casey said, shaking your heads. "And I really think that you guys should consider not trying to enter."

"All right, Hermione," Fred teased. "We'll be sure to do some thinking right after we've finished our homework-"

"And cleaned our room!" George blurted, laughing.

"Piss off." Casey muttered. "I'm serious."

"Come now, Case," Fred said, placing his arm around her shoulders. "We'll be fine."

Casey pushed his arm off of her. "You don't know that, Fred. You'll need some serious skill in magic to get by those tasks-"

"Oh, so you think we won't be good enough?" George challenged her, not smiling anymore.

"No, that's not it," She insisted as they climbed through the portrait hole behind some fifth years. "I just mean that the tasks are meant for seventh years, people who are ready to take their N.E.W.T.s!"

"Hear that, Fred?" George looked to his brother. "We've got an actress for a best friend. I thought her impression of Hermione was pretty good, but now this impression of Mum is spot on." On the last two words there was an almost stinging anger. Fred's face was much less furious than George's, but Casey knew that Fred was definitely not happy about her comments either.

"All right, Volkova." George said as he headed toward the staircase to the boys' dormitory. "If you think you're so much better than us with all of your 'magical skill,' why don't you enter? Show us what you've got."

"That's not-" Casey tried to utter, but Fred and George grimaced at her and headed up the staircase. Casey muttered a curse word and shook her head. She'd apologize tomorrow.

Casey started getting ready for bed when Angelina and Alicia entered the dormitory.

"Going to bed so early?" Alicia asked. "Thought you'd be gallavanting around with the Weasleys."

"Is it just me," Angelina said with laughter in her voice. "Or are they getting even more attractive as they get older?"

"I'd say!" Alicia agreed with a giggle. "It looks like they've gained some muscle over the summer." Casey blushed and smiled at the fact that she wasn't the only one who had noticed. Both girls glanced at her and noticed the expression on her face.

"You think so, too, don't you?" Angelina asked enthusiastically.

"I mean," Casey said, avoiding eye contact and organizing her trunk. "I suppose. I've grown up with them and gone to their house every year. I can't really be attracted to them."

"Oh shut it!" Angelina giggled.

"Your tone's not very convincing Ms. Casey." Alicia sauntered over to her. "Admit it, you find them attractive."

"I can appreciate-" Casey said, but Angelina interrupted her.

"What if you end up married to one of them?"

"Ooh, that's be adorable, you and one of the Weasley twins!" Alicia squealed.

"Guys," Casey began to laugh. "They are separate people, you know. I wouldn't marry both of them."

"But you wouldmarry one of them." Angelina finished for her.

"If they both fell in love with you," Alicia said, excitedly perching on her bed facing Casey. "Which one would you choose?"

"George," Angelina answered for her. "George is sweeter."

"Oh, that's not even true!" Casey said finally, causing both Angelina and Alicia to cheer. "Fred's definitely sweeter, it's not even a contest."

"She would know, Ange," Alicia smiled.

"Well, maybe he's sweeter to you because he sweet on you." Angelina insinuated, winking.

"What do you mean?"

"I've always noticed that George was a little nicer," Angelina told her. "So maybe you think Fred is sweeter because he fancies you."

"That would make so much sense!" Alicia exclaimed as though she'd just realized something she had been trying to figure out for ages.

"What would make sense?" Casey asked, feeling lost about the whole discussion happening.

"He acts like he fancies you," Alicia said. "I've always thought he treated you differently, but I never realized! How stupid of me!"

"You know, now that you mention it," Angelina gave Casey an appraising look. "I think he does fancy you."

"Great." Casey muttered. "First George and now you two. He does n-"

"George said he fancied you?!" Alicia and Angelina exclaimed in unison.

"No!" Casey said. "No he said he thought Fred fancied me, but that's all, he doesn't know any-"

"Casey, George is Fred's twin!" Angelina squealed. "If anyone would know if Fred fancies you, it's him! And if he says so, I'd wager it's right."

"Stop it, guys," Casey said, running out of ways to defend herself. After all, how was she supposed to deny it to Angelina and Alicia as well as George when she couldn't totally deny it herself?

"Well, do you fancy him, then?" Alicia asked expectantly.

"I-" Casey wasn't entirely sure what to say. She wasn't sure what the truth even was. "I guess I'm not sure." This caused both Angelina and Alicia to cheer again.

"I think that's more positive than negative!" Angelina said happily.

"We've got to help her figure this out, Ange." Alicia said, sitting up straighter. "So, we've already gone over attractiveness...you do think he's attractive, right?" Casey felt she no longer had any reason to lie.

"Yes." She said quietly. The grins on Angelina and Alicia's faces widened.

"If something happens, something exciting," Angelina questioned. "Is he the first one you want to tell?"

"Of course!" Casey said. "Because he's my best friend."

"Your best friend that you're attracted to." Alicia corrected.

"Fine, yes, my best friend that I'm attracted to," Casey admitted. "But he's my best friend, still! I can't fancy him!"

"I don't think it's that you can't," Angelina told her. "I think it's that you're afraid to." Casey didn't have any way to respond to this. It was true, she had fancied people before...quite a few people, in fact, but none of which she'd already had a close relationship with.

"How do I know that this won't ruin our friendship?" Casey asked them.

"But what if it doesn't?" Angelina countered. "What if the two of you fall in love?"

"That's too big of a risk, I need him." Casey said. "And I'm still getting over Kiran, and, I'm..."

"Scared." Angelina finished for her.

"Yeah, I'm scared."

"I'm sorry, love," Alicia said affectionately. "But Fred and Kiran are loads different!"

"Are they, though?" Casey said, feeling the pangs in her chest come back. "Kiran was sweet at first, too. He gave me flowers and kisses on the forehead and was always very kind...but that wore off. He stopped showing up when he promised he would and he started lying to me, and then he abandoned me! How am I supposed to know that it won't happen again?"

"You don't know," Angelina sighed. "But honestly, both Fred and George are good people. They may not always seem like it, but I don't think Fred would intend to hurt you. He's probably just as afraid of getting hurt as you are."

"I suppose." Casey sighed back. "Thanks, guys, but I really need to get to bed. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, you have to keep us updated on the Fred-situation!" Alicia said. "Good night!"

Casey rolled her eyes as she closed the curtains on her four poster. "Good night."

She had finally admitted to herself and to them that she liked Fred. What had she gotten herself into?

Hey guys! Thanks for reading! I'm just having some fun with this, but I'd love to hear from those of you reading. If you have any comments, criticisms or even questions, please review! Thanks again!