AN: Im pretty tired right now and have re-arranged this chapter soo many times, so there are likely many mistakes, so sorry in advance ;) Slight rewind on this one ;) Tell me what you think, please review :D Sorry if this chapter sucks :P

As Mackenzie sat in one of the abandoned potions classrooms, regaining control of her breathing, she wondered idly how she had gotten there.

Oh right, she remembered, I ran away after blasted Tony asked me out in front of everyone. I can't believe I was actually saved by the bell, how cliché is that?

Mackenzie glanced at her watch, realized that everyone else would be at lunch and decided that it now would be a good time to sneak back into the class and retrieve her things from the workstation.

She poked her head out from behind the door as to secure the fact that the corridor was uninhabited and when she was satisfied, she walked cautiously out and towards her classroom.

The room was empty, she could not see any of her things on the table. That was when Mackenzie began to worry, Who has my bag?

She then exited and paced around the hallway for a bit. Mac then came to the conclusion that Isabel must have her bag, after all, best friends should always take their friends stuff with them after said friend has run away from a boy asking her out, right?

It made sense, but then Mackenzie debated whether or not she wanted to go and find Isabel, Izzy will want to know what I think of Tony but I don't even know what I think of Tony. Maybe I'll just hide here for a while…


Lunch time was over and Mackenzie had missed it, a fact her stomach was trying valiantly to tell her.

She ignored the loud grumbles and decided she would walk slowly to her next class, she didn't have to be there for another hour but at least the Muggle Studies classroom would have something interesting to look at while she waited for the class to start.

She almost wished the class she was going to was on a higher floor, so more time would be spent getting there but alas, the location she was headed was only on the first floor.

She arrived without any trouble but soon found herself locked out of the classroom and she had to resort to more pacing in order to whittle away her time.

Mac then realized that Izzy would be turning up for this class as they took all of the same subjects, Isabel would no doubt question Mackenzie but at least Mac would get her bag back.

She was so busy thinking of what she could say to make Izzy not interrogate her that she didn't notice when someone she really didn't want to see turned around the corner. Tony called out to her,

"Mackenzie! Hey, how are you?"

She looked up and a sinking sense of dread washed over her, Great, just bloody fantastic.

"Oh, uh hey. I'm fine, just waiting around for Isabel. I think she has my stuff."

Now go away, I can't deal with the pressure! He didn't go away, instead he frowned,

"Your stuff?"

Mackenzie had to clarify, "My books and ingredients that I left behind in potions when I, uh, ran out."

Like a freaking coward, how did I end up in Gryffindor?

His frown deepened then, "Right, well I saw her earlier but she didn't look like she had extra things."

At that moment, Mackenzie didn't care too much anymore about where her bag had gotten to; she just wanted to take the conversation away from potions and the question he had asked her in class and so she said,

"Oh well, I'm sure they will turn up somewhere. So, uh, what's it like being in Ravenclaw?"

Yes, great distraction Mac, good one.

Unfortunately Tony did not want to cooperate with Mackenzie and he said, "Speaking of Potions-"

We weren't.

"-Mackenzie, I just really wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was completely unfair for me to spring that on you in front of everyone, so I'm sorry. Could you possibly find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Oh Merlin, what do I say? She was very uncomfortable as she muttered,

"Oh, uh wow."

Very eloquent Mac, well done. Now quick! Let's talk about feelings to try and scare him away.

"Tony, I was really embarrassed today and… I was confused too; I mean, why on earth would you want to date me? You must be crazy."

Mackenzie almost laughed at the shocked expression that Tony was wearing.

"Are you kidding Mac? You're-" Tony was then interrupted by Teddy who seemed to appear out of nowhere,

"Mackenzie! I've been looking all over for you!" Teddy strode over to them then glanced at Tony, "Oh, am I interrupting something?"

Thank heavens! Mac was desperate to stop her talk with Tony, she wasn't ready to answer him, she needed more time.

"What do you want with Mackenzie, Lupin?" Tony practically spat the words at Teddy and Mackenzie noticed how the anger distorted the usually handsome features of the brown-haired boy and made them quite unattractive.

She also noticed a strange expression cross Teddy's face but she couldn't think of what it was.

Teddy then recovered and replied, "Oh, I just wanted to return her things, if that's alright with you Hilliard?"

Hmm, she thought, why are they so hostile to each other? What's going on?

"Anyway Mackenzie, here's all of your stuff," the blue-eyed boy handed her one of the bags he had been holding. Teddy then surprised Mac with his next statement,

"Oh, and I wanted to talk to you about something else as well."

What? This day is getting weirder and weirder…Teddy Lupin brings me my stuff and then wants to talk to me? What in Merlin's name is happening?

Tony stared at Teddy, his eyes filled with suspicion, "What do you…you're going to ask her out, aren't you?"

Oh gosh, that's ridiculous! As if he would ever…would he? No…

Mackenzie suddenly found her shoes to be very interesting; she couldn't stop the blush from tinting her cheeks pink as she listened closely for Teddy's answer,

"I was going to ask her what Professor Binns was talking about today in class, I know Mackenzie is the best at History of Magic and she actually understands what's happening, so…"

Okay…not sure how to take this…am I happy or disappointed? Merlin, feelings are so complicated.

Mackenzie then realized that she had an opening to get rid of Tony for a while; she looked up at Teddy and gave him a small smile of appreciation as she said,

"Oh, okay, I can try," She looked over at the other boy, "I'm sorry Tony, we can talk later, right?"

Whoa, okay, he's not happy. That's one mega glare at Teddy.

"I suppose so," Tony conceded bad-temperedly, "as long as you promise to think about us?"

Mackenzie hesitated, "Oh, I uh yeah, okay then."

Tony watched her for a moment before he turned and strode purposefully down the corridor, leaving Mackenzie with Teddy.

The silence made Mac acutely aware of the tall figure in front of her and the fact that he was studying her intently. She felt the need to break the quiet,

"So, History of Magic?"

Anger and disbelief settled on Teddy's face and Mac vaguely registered that even when he was angry, Teddy Lupin was still a gorgeous looking guy.

"Can you believe that guy?" he asked before continuing his very mini rant, "He's acting like you've already said yes to him, what a jerk! You could do so much better."

Curiosity had her asking and she would later wish she hadn't, "Really? Like who?"

Teddy seemed to swell with self-importance and confidence right before her very eyes. He grinned down at her and stated, "Me."

Mackenzie couldn't stop the cynical laugh she felt bubbling up, Teddy couldn't be serious.

"You're joking right?" she asked. For a second, Mac thought she saw a flicker of hurt in his deep azure eyes but she dismissed it, nothing could hurt Teddy Lupin.

"Yes, me," he said as it if the idea was palpable, "I'm far superior to him in the looks department; I'm undoubtedly more fun, I'm a better Quidditch player than him, I'm in Gryffindor and I'm probably smarter than him. See? I'm definitely much better for you than Hilliard, trust me."

Mackenzie couldn't believe her ears, My god! The arrogance of this boy!

Her voice failed her temporarily as she tried to reply without letting on to the fact that she was properly disgusted by him in that moment.

"What are you saying exactly?" she finally managed to inquire

Teddy paused a moment to collect himself before answering and asking the all-important question,

"Mackenzie Millark, will you go out with me?"

The first thoughts to race through her mind were, Bloody Merlin! What is with today? Why is everyone asking me out?

Those were soon followed by, How do I get out of this one? Somebody help me!

Teddy was looking at her expectantly and she somehow knew that he needed an answer, so she said emphatically, "No," and spun around.

Mackenzie then attempted to open the door to Muggle Studies classroom, forgetting in her haste that it was locked.

She jiggled the door handle desperately and was so occupied that she completely missed the stricken look on Teddy's handsome face.

Her arm was suddenly in Teddy's possession, he twirled her back around to face him as he demanded, "Why the hell not?"

Mackenzie was glad that the rest of the corridor was deserted as she glared at Teddy and yelled,

"Because you're an arrogant prick! A bully! An insensitive and conceited jerk that doesn't care who he humiliates! You should be ashamed of yourself! I would never date someone like you, ever!"

Mackenzie had never been so harsh to anyone, but she guessed it was just one of those days…

She pulled her arm from his grip and stomped off down the corridor in the opposite direction to what Tony took, hoping that Teddy would not come after her.

Oh man! Did I really just say all of that to Teddy Lupin!? I must be crazy, he's going to hate me and then get everyone to be extra horrible to me! I'm going to die…

Mackenzie tried really hard to shake herself out of the dramatic and panic inducing thoughts. She was now, once again, hiding in an abandoned classroom and shaking like prisoner standing before a Dementor.


The bell had sounded ten minutes later and Mackenzie was grateful that she had been able to gather some control back in that time.

She stumbled to the door and sent herself back into the first floor corridor and towards her Muggle Studies lesson that was due to start.

As she headed into the now open classroom, Mac noted that Isabel was sitting at one of the desks in the far front corner.

Isabel practically jumped out of her seat when she saw her, Izzy's excitement was a little unnerving to Mackenzie but nevertheless she manoeuvred her way through the maze of chairs and desks over to her friend.

"Mac! Over here now! Sit! Shut up! Talk!" that was how Isabel confusingly greeted Mackenzie.

"Izzy, I can't shut up and talk at the same time. Calm down," chided Mac as she took her seat next to Isabel, it was obvious to her what Izzy wanted to talk about.

Isabel examined her closely, as if looking for fissures in her mental health,

"Mackenzie, are you alright?" Izzy was then sympathetic, "Potions today must have been awful for you," her expression turned thoughtful, "then again Tony Hilliard is one fine-looking guy…so where'd you disappear off to?"

Slightly amused at her friends quick face changes, Mackenzie answered,

"I'm fine I guess. I hid in one of the other dungeons, skipped lunch and decide to wait around up here."

Isabel was then musing, "What are you going to say to Tony?"

Mackenzie's cheeks flushed, "Oh, I told him I would think about it."

"What? You already talked to him? When?"

"He tracked me down just before, it was supremely awkward until Teddy turned up. Actually after that, it became somehow more awkward and resulted in some…yelling."

Izzy was gobsmacked and nearly shouted, "What! Teddy! Mackenzie! Talk to me woman!"

It was a good thing that their teacher was never on time, good for Izzy but not for Mac, as she really didn't appreciate having to relive the painful interaction from earlier.

However she did proceed to recount her conversations with both Tony and Teddy and when she was finished, Izzy said in awe,

"Mackenzie! You yelled at Teddy Lupin! I'm so proud of you! I'm not sure what I would have done if he had asked me out. Actually, I probably would have said yes to him, even though he's a bullying git. I guess that makes me a tad shallow but it's not my fault, he's too bloody gorgeous!"

Their Professor entered the room then, as did the rest of the class and the two girls soon busied themselves with their work.

Half way into the lesson, Professor Magda had to leave and deal with Peeves who was apparently gluing pieces of chalk the blackboards, forming rude words.

Without the Professor to keep them from it, the students broke into casual chatter and Isabel turned to Mackenzie to ask her,

"What do you think of Tony? Would you date him?"

Mackenzie sunk into a contemplative silence for a moment before replying,

"Well, he is normally a very nice guy, he's smart and sweet and everything…"

"But?"

Mackenzie frowned, "He said he had been thinking about me over the summer, but I never thought of him at all. He must like me more than I like him and I don't get it."

"Sorry?" Izzy was puzzled

"We've hardly even talked to each other so… it's weird, I guess. Does that make sense?"

Isabel shrugged, "Maybe you should talk to each other then. Tell him you want to start by being friends or something."

Mackenzie gave her friend a one-armed, slightly awkward hug and tried to stop grinning so much, "Isabel! That's great! You're a genius. Here have this!"

Mac reached into her bag and fished around for the Chocolate Frog she knew was in there. Her fingers grasped the package and she brandished the sweet, handing it over to Isabel.

Isabel squealed with delight, chocolate was her absolute weakness and craving.

Several odd looks were directed at Izzy when she tore open the wrapper while practically bouncing on the spot with an overwhelming sense of happiness and excitement.

Mac had long ago learnt that the way to reward or bribe Izzy, was always with chocolate of some sort.

The rest of the hour seemed to rush past them and before they knew it, they were repacking their bags and discussing the best ways to avoid both Teddy and Tony.

Tony didn't seem as much of a problem to Mackenzie now that she had an idea about what to say to him, but that didn't mean she wanted to talk to him so soon, she needed time to recover from her ordeal today.


The girls survived the long trek up to Gryffindor Tower and offloaded their heavy bags onto their beds before sitting at one of the small tables in the common room.

Mackenzie and Isabel were off to the side and going mostly unnoticed by the other people wandering around the room. They were very glad that they had no homework just yet.

Isabel slumped down onto the table in first-day exhaustion and Mackenzie pulled out her book, but they were quickly interrupted.

That's when she received the first gift.