YOU GUYS! GUYS! THIS IS GONNA GET CRAY-ZEH! LITERALLY, IT WILL! ME AND MY FRIEND HAVE BEEN PLANNING IT ALL OUT (SHOUT OUT TO YOU, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), AND ALL I'LL SAY IS THAT YOU BETTER BE PREPARED. IT'LL BE A BUMPY RIDE. SERIOUSLY. OR SHOULD I SAY...SIRIUS-LY! ;)

THE CANTERBERRY'S ARE GONNA GET MAJORLY UPGRADED, AS WELL! OH, AND OBVIOUS REFERENCES ARE OBVIOUS, KAY? I MAKE SO MANY REFERENCES. UGH. ENJOY.

GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!

~LF221

Dearest Rosemary,

That is amazing about Scot. I am happy that you have people like that in your life. All I got was a Werewolf who would rather read than prank. By comparison, I think we both know who's got it better. ;) Just kidding, Pup. I love Remus. Don't tell him I said that, kay? Weird question, but I can't remember if you've mentioned any other friends. I would like to know who's who when you come home with stories. And I believe you will have plenty to tell when you get back, what with Prefect duties and the Tri-Wizard Tournament going on. PLEASE keep us updated. PLEASE! There's not much going on here. Really. In fact, your letters are pretty much the only entertainment-or at least, the best entertainment we get. So, fill us in, ok? Especially about you and Seamus. I want every detail, okay?

Love you and am looking forward to your reply,

Dad

Dear Rosemary,

I am very glad to hear about Scot. I think it would be mutually beneficial for the both of you to keep the friendship up. I would hate for Scot to somehow turn out like...me. Anyway, I never mind hearing what's on your mind. In fact, I want to hear everything. It is not healthy to keep all that inside. Let it out, whether that be in letter form or in a conversation. I'll always love you, you know that, right? No matter what.

Oh, and we may be able to start communicating every other night, at least, in a little bit via Floo powder. Maybe after the full moon. I don't know. You may want to remind your Grandmother about that. Please do keep us informed, even if you have to send Alberta in the middle of the night.

Love you more each day,

Remus

=#=#=#=#=

I chuckled as I read the letters. It was great to have such supportive parental figures in my life. I then had to scramble to hide the letters as Seamus came and all but placed his chin on my shoulder to see what I found funny. The proximity and the content about Scot made me panic, and I found that I could not think straight. I stuffed the letters into my pocket.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, sounding only slightly terse. He was rubbing his chin. Oops.

"Nothing!" Obvious lie is obvious...

"Just let me look at it, then." I blanched.

"No." I said. I did not need Seamus reading it, and then asking what the letters mean. I just needed to eat and get to class (braving the Dungeon first, if I remember rght). I did not need this conversation. Seamus managed to pull the hand that was still trying to secure the letters into my pocket out.

"Come on, Rose! What is it?"

"Seamus...I'd normally love to show you, but this letter's...touchy." I said, blushing as I remembered that I had confessed my crush on the very guy who was now badgering me to read the letters that talked about said crush. Ugh. No thanks.

"How so?" He asked, smirking. My cheeks went even hotter.

"It's just...I can't really talk about it. I'm sorry."

"Rose...what could be so bad about a letter?" A lot...I thought, wisely managing not to say it out loud. I withheld the letters again as Seamus reached for them again. He now looked angry. "This is ridiculous, Rose!"

"NO!" I said as Seamus made a sudden snatch at them, and I managed to grab them back. Seamus was suddenly engulfed in smoke, as the water in the glass in front of him exploded, as usual when he got upset. We coughed.

"W-What's the big deal?" Seamus asked. I pursed my lips. Much as I wanted to tell him, I did not know how he would respond to it, so it was probably best if he simply didn't read the letter.

"Look, it's not really your business, I'm sorry. Stuff at home. It's nothing. I'm sorry for overreacting. It's just...maybe later." It was the best I could promise. Seamus huffed, and as he left, I caught a waft of his scent. And froze.

That smell, that charred smell...I can only remember it from one other place: The dungeons, in the Amortentia potion. I gulped. What does that mean? I mean...it's not like he likes me...Right? I know I like him, but... I sighed, and drew my wand. "Seamus...here." I said as he turned around huffily. "Tergeo." I muttered, moving my wand over Seamus' face. It was left clean and clear. He cleared his throat, and I am sure that the redness to his cheeks was a combination of the scouring and the heat from the explosion. It had nothing to do with...anything else. I know it. He's not as interested in me as I was in him. That much was obvious. Ah, well.

"Class-time!" Faith called, gathering her things from slightly further along the table. I sighed.

"Coming." Bitty linked her arm in mine.

"Come on! It'll be dinner before you know lunch has passed."

"You know I hate it when that happens, right? Losing track of time is one of my most hated things." As well as not knowing if my crush is reciprocated, I added inwardly.

=#=#=#=#=

I hate it when Bitty is right.

The only thing that's really shocking to me is the fact that Gran was yelling at the twins for not fully Transfiguring a badger into a fur muffler. I mean, come on, Gran! It's a NEWT level Transfiguration. I whispered that to her, and only got a huff in return. I sighed.

No use getting all worked up just because Gran wants to uphold Gryffindor's image as the other schools came in and performed in the Tournament. She wants to make sure Hogwarts in general is not humiliated. She feels pressure and stress to make sure the students under her care are up to standard.

Which means that when students can't quite perform...she gets a little stressed out.

I actually looked forward to my patrol tonight, strange as that sounds. This year is weird...

=#=#=#=#=

The patrol was definitely the weirdest thing that happened today.

I was paired with the female Hufflepuff Prefect. Abigail I think. I explained that it would be most efficient to split up.

So we did. I found only empty halls. Not even couples french-kissing in classrooms, which I was actually thankful for. I didn't need anymore daydreams of snogging Seamus. But anyway...the halls were abandoned now.

That is, until I came upon the Transfiguration classroom.

I found a trio of shadowed figures. Two were taller than the third, who was clearly a female. They were waving their wands and uttering spells under their breath, so softly I couldn't understand anything. I crept closer to investigate. As one of the two taller, obviously male, figures passed a strip of moonlight, everything became clear.

"Weasley!" I cried, in a fairly passable impression of Gran. "What do you think you're doing?" The jump was more than satisfactory. I smirked.

"Ah, perfect! You can help us!" I quirks a brow. Were they serious right now?

"No." The pouts I was met with did not help at all. I shook my head.

"Why not?"

"I can't know for sure what you are doing, and as such I cannot, in good conscience, help you." I hated my more formal way of talking when I was trying to get a point across or be serious. Ugh. That chuckling isn't helping, either...

"Are you meaning to sound like ol' McGonagall?" One of the twins chortled. I think it was George. I fumed, stomping my foot.

"NO! I was just saying I will not help you!" I repeated. "And so what if I do sound like her?! She is my Grandmother, after all!"

"Geez, Rose! Calm down!" The third figure, who had been suspiciously quiet up to this point, said in a voice that told me she was about to break down in hoots of laughter again. "We're just laying a little surprise for that crazy lady." That did it. I exhaled sharply to display my fury as I drew my wand. Before I could do anything, however, the figure, whose voice I weirdly couldn't place (it sounded a bit familiar, really) had placed her hand over my mouth. I narrowed my eyes. Whoever this was, she was strong.

"Just listen! We aren't going to scar her, alright? We're-" I forced the hand away. This was ridiculous! So what if they wouldn't scar my grandmother?! It was still inflicting damage!

"It's still going to do something to her!" I hissed. "That's not something I'm letting you three get away with! In fact, I am sending you all to your dorms, this instant!" The twins snorted.

"Right. Sure thing, Rose. just as soon as we're done with this Hiccuping Jinx." I blinked.

"The what?" I snapped. It didn't quite register through the red haze I was still in due to the fact that my grandmother could be hexed by students who should know better.

"Hiccuping Jinx. Harmless, really. It's just that, well..." Fred (I think) started.

"We needed to get her back for our public humiliation during class." The other one finished. I scoffed.

"And you think hexing her is a good revenge scheme?!" I screeched. "How was this a good idea?!"

"It's nothing. The worst she'll do is hiccup a few times in the first few minutes of class, then reverse the Jinx with a simple little spell. No damage done, I swear."

"Solemnly swear." The woman added, arm raised as if on trial. (Why can't I place that voice? It seems to almost...change every time she talks. Or is that just me?) I exhaled slowly. They were right. Gran had berated the twins for failing that Transfiguration...and they did say it was simple to reverse. What could this really do to Gran, anyway? She was tough as iron. She could take it. I swallowed. Gran would need never know that I was involved, right? That I was the one who didn't shut this revenge scheme down? Nah...

"This is not an intense Jinx, right?" I had to make sure before I turned away from this. I mean, it wasn't like gran couldn't take a few hiccups, right?

"It'll feel no harder or softer than normal hiccups." Fred (or George) explained, nodding. His arms were crossed casually. I sighed.

"I'm too tired for this...I'm off. But. If I hear of any pranks that do permanent damage or require Madam Pomfrey to reverse, I will deduct points." I growled, pointing my finger at the miscreants to emphasize the seriousness of my words. All three pranksters looked at me in horror.

"You...you wouldn't..." The mystery girl squeaked. I smirked.

"Oh, yes. I would." I said. "Don't test me." It seriously amused me how much this affected these pranksters. I turned on my heel again. I walked back slowly, listening for anyone else out when they shouldn't be. There's nothing, not even an owl loose in the halls. Okay, one owl, Alberta, in the Common Room, but I sent her to the Owlery and was on my way up the stairs.

Slipping into bed was the best feeling in the world. I was so tired, I was asleep instantly.

=#=#=#=#=

Ericka, surprisingly, needed to be woken up. Faith told me she was just suffering the aftermath of her first all-nighter of the new semester. I found that slightly hard to believe, until Faith then went further and said that Potions had never been Ericka's specialty, and she needed a TON of time to write essays and she hadn't had the proper amount of time to work on it until the night. I nodded, and ate a few more bites of my toast. Hermione sat down a few seats down on the opposite row. I flushed, thinking about our last conversation.

It's not as if Hermione doesn't understand what werewolves go through, right? She knows exactly what they go through, she knows one, fer Pete's sake! It's just that...she was really affected by the House Elf thing, for some reason.

But surely she can see that they enjoy working, right? It's because that's all they've ever known. It's not that I condone it! In fact I find in awful, but there isn't a whole lot one alone can do to change it. It's been around too long, too ingrained in society. I mean, if the House Elves were unhappy and rebelling, that would be different. But they've been this way for so long, it's all they know. They're happy (or they think they are) serving people.

Hermione just needs to calm down. Heck, I need to calm down and we need to have a calm conversation. I slid down a little as a few of my housemates left the table.

"Hello." She said. I sighed.

"Look, Hermione, about what...what I said...I'm so-"

"Don't. It's fine." I shook my head. I needed to get what I had to say off my chest.

"I was out of line. I'm sorry. I just...get very defensive very quickly of my friends and family. I react harshly, and then regret what I did. It's just that it almost seemed like you had forgotten the Werewolves, and that is what I hate: people never even considering the Werewolves' point of view, because they are 'dangerous, homicidal maniacs'. And, to be honest, most are, but then there are ones like Remus...and I'm rambling, aren't I?" Hermione chuckled.

"Some things never change. I'm sorry for not catching on sooner as to why you were so upset by my apparent neglect of Werewolves like Remus. I'm not forgetting them! I was just startled by your outburst and when that happens, sometimes it's hard to think." I nodded.

"Again, sorry. I just..." I shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a hot-head."

"You seem to get that from your father."

"And probably my mother." I said, sighing as I grabbed a parchment. Alberta would be in the rafters until I left. She was such a great owl, and I had another ten minutes before I needed to leave for class. Arithmancy, actually, not Potions. Ugh. NEWT level calculations are getting harder. Professor Vector is giving us more assignments now. It's getting harder to keep up, but it's still nothing too earth-shattering. I was still able to keep up. It's not even that hard, really. There's just so much to cover so quickly. I took a deep breath, and started to write.

=#=#=#=#=

The day went better than expected. Faith, Ericka, Fred and George and I were able to actually understand the lecture on the calculations we had to do, the way it actually helped you figure out the possibility of something happening to you. I left the classroom feeling good about the homework, relaxing because I actually understood it. Ericka yawned as she caught up to me.

"Hey." She said. She looked absolutely exhausted. It was actually pretty funny to look at.

"You okay?" I asking, smirking at her. She sighed.

"Yeah...*yawn*...You going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" This weekend was the full moon. I...actually, I should be able to make that and still get to the lighthouse for the moon-rise. No problem. I'll tell Remus, and talk to Gran about the fire thing he mentioned before I send those letters. I smiled.

"Yeah, actually. I plan on it." Ericka grinned.

"Awesome! Now, to battle with Potions!" She said with an overly-dramatic voice, hand holding an imaginary sword aloft. I giggled.

"Come on, you goofball." I shook my head and hurried along to catch up to Bitty. "Hey, you." I greeted, poking her lightly in the ribs. She stiffened slightly.

"Don't do that, Rose!" She squeaked. I grinned wickedly.

"Why? It's fun!" She rolled her eyes with a frown.

"Not for me!" I rolled my eyes.

"Alright. Whatever. Let's go!" I said, jogging off down the corridor. Potions was at least bearable, now that Mr. Sleepy-head wasn't my partner anymore. I refused to work with him again, after last time. He literally just watched, and marked off the instructions as we completed them in his textbook. Bitty was my partner this time. We worked together, me as the gopher as long as Bitty kept track of which step we were on and dealt with the ingredients. I stirred the mixture, as well, and it was complete just before Snape called the prep time over. It was nearly perfect, and Snape simply passed over our cauldron. Thankfully, no Gryffindors made a fool of themselves (looking at you, Weasleys!) during class. Mostly. I mean, they cracked jokes that seemed to nearly push Snape over the edge. But he just strode around, sneering and throwing out sarcastic, rude comments at anyone who did not measure up to his standards. As always in that class. Then, it was off for another tense class period of Transfiguration with Marcene. She was quaking where she stood as Gran huffily magicked the instructions onto the blackboard. I tried to follow them, but my fur muffler still had black and white stripes, earning a disapproving look from Gran and another order not to display incompetence in front of the visiting schools' students. Ugh. What was wrong with me? How was I not doing it right?! I am a McGonagall, fer mercy's sake! However, I merely rolled my eyes when Gran turned her back. I didn't dare do it to her face. She'd probably kill me. Death by public humiliation and extra homework. NNNOOO!

So that's why I didn't do it. Nor would I suggest anyone else do it. Serious injury to pride may occur. But anyway...

"Are you headed to Herbology?" I heard Scot ask from a side classroom on my way out to the grounds. I nodded.

"Ugh. That means that I have to go outside for Care of Magical Creatures..." I frowned. Then pulled off my outer robe. It was warm enough yet to go around in just my uniform.

"People will talk." Scot mused, a wry grin on his face. I blushed.

"What? No, it's to give you shade." Scot frowned. "Besides, I don't need it. I'm going to Herbology to keep records of how this one plant reacts to a weedkiller."

"...You really are something else." He muttered, settling the robe into position. I smiled and walked alongside him.

"No more detentions with Snape for you, then?"

"They were reassigned to cleaning every portrait in the dungeon the dorms are in." I nodded. It really was fortunate that Gran and the Headmaster understood both the severity of the crime, and the position Scot had been in. Scot once told me that, like many other people, Draco Malfoy made it his mission to make Scot as miserable as possible whenever possible. I met up with the girls at the fields. I led Scot over to a shaded area under a tree, thankfully close enough to Hagrid to hear, but shaded enough that Scot didn't need to stand in the sunlight, which would make him nauseous after moments, and dead after minutes, apparently. Or so I've been told. Scot was the first vampire I've ever known that wasn't trying to suck everyone's blood. He even seemed to hate this side of himself. Like Remus. I need to make sure Scot lightens up. Remus, too. That's basically my life goal. Not really, but I do want to make that happen. They are too harsh on themselves. I then reminded myself (Or Faith tugged too hard on my arm) that I had to get to Herbology.

=#=#=#=#=

Surprisingly, I found myself in Charms class on Friday rather quickly, practicing the rather difficult Switching Charm. It was supposed to Switch my notebook for a book from the shelves, but I couldn't get it to work, and had only succeeded in making charred patches on the tables we worked on. Beside me, Faith and Ericka snickered, browsing a book they had gotten via the Charm from the shelves.

"Oh, shut up!"I grumbled, trying yet again to perform the task at hand, but couldn't for whatever reason. I looked over to the Hufflepuff boy right in font of me. He had slightly shaggy brown hair with remnants of green in it, his head bent toward the table, sadly, so I can't see his face. He was well-built, but not bulky. Skinny, but not lanky, either. His white polo was rolled up almost all the way to his elbows. His tie was around his head, and he waved his wand in the correct pattern. and it didn't work. A streamer flew out of his wandtip, and wrapped his book up like a present. He sighed.

"Eesh." I smiled.

"I feel you." I whispered, waving my wand again. "Can't get this Charm to work."

"Me, neither." He whispered, grinning at me. I found that he had the prettiest blue eyes I had ever seen. His grin seemed to be permanently stamped on his face. I liked him already.

"I'm Rosemary, but please call me Rose."

"Sean." He replied, and we shook hands. "Wanna try Switchin' our textbooks? Might help, what with 'em bein' so close together." Greeeaaattt...another Irish boy. I thought, smiling as I readied my wand, concentrating on mentally picturing Sean's textbook right in front of me. He's nice. course he's nice. He got into Hufflepuff, didn't he? Okay, now that's just stereotyping here... I waved my wand, envisioning the Switch. And this time, it worked! Sean and I hugged each other in glee. "Yaaasss!" He cried happily, being quiet forgotten as we jumped around in elation that we had finally done it! "Nailed it!" I laughed. He was so energetic, it was hard to be down around him. I had been, before I spoke to him, and now I'm laughing. He truly has an amazing talent.

"Way to go, Sean."

"Same!" He chirped right back at me, sadly lowering his voice a bit. "You'd really like my new friend, Mark. He just joined Hufflepuff this year. He's great." I smiled.

"So...you know Joseph Finnagin, right?"

"Oh, yeah. In fact, we live near each other! Isn't that great!" I nodded enthusiastically. "Seamus seems to like you a lot." I huffed.

"Not lately." Sean frowned. It was clear he expected me to give another reaction.

"Whatchu talking about?" It was my turn to frown.

"Uh..."

"Helikesyoualot,buthedoesn'twantmetotellyou." Sean mumbled in rely. I huffed. This was ridiculous.

"Don't play dumb, Sean. He won't even look at me."

"Because you always leave right after you see him!" He retorted as we packed up.

"He hates me because of one little trip-up! I honestly would take it all back if I could, but I can't, so..." It was true. I'd rather not have kissed Scot, but...I knew that it had led to some great discoveries and also great discomfort. I mean, it is freaky to know your friend is a blood-sucker. I don't mean to degrade him, but that's just the facts of life. The simplest way to put vampires into words is saying Blood-Sucker, but that's also like saying a werewolf is a monster. It's not all of who they are. they can also be these people with real feeling that are decimated by the hate they get and the bigotry against them. It stinks. It really does.

I just hope the world changes and becomes aware of just how vast the spectrum is under the term 'vampire' or 'werewolf'.

THIS IS THE FILLEREST OF FILLER CHAPTERS, GUYS! I KNOW. I'LL HAVE MORE PLOT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I JUST...WANTED THIS TO GET UP BEFORE I LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE LONGER.

YOU HAPPY, KR?! ARE YOU?! HERE'S YOUR FREAKIN' UPDATE! ;) JK, LOVE YOU! LOVE ALL MY LOVELY READERS! LET MY KNOW IF YOU THINK SEAN AND MARK SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED OR NOT. I REALLY WANT FEEDBACK. I WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING Y'ALL HAVE TO SAY, EXCEPT HATING COMMENTS. THOSE'LL JUST HACK ME OFF, AND I'LL 'AVARDA KADEVRA (IDK SPELLING)' YOUR BUTT!

I'M THE CRAZED BUTT-STABBER! (UNASHAMED MARKIPLIER REFERENCE. SORRY NOT SORRY...)