Daisy sighed as she pulled her bag over her shoulder and left the library. It was late and she was the last to leave. Her brothers had no doubt long started their annual Halloween Party in Gryffindor Tower. As much as she would have preferred being there, she knew she had to get her history essay finished that night or she'd never get it done. Plus she wanted to have all day on Sunday free so she and her brothers could work on quidditch. Homework in the library after the Halloween feast - maybe Lucy was right in her constant complaints that Daisy needed to have more fun.

Daisy picked up the pace and hurried down the quiet corridors, hoping to get back quickly. The halls were unsettling at that time of night while empty. And she was a bit anxious to try and let loose just a bit. Maybe she would grab one of the flasks of firewhisky that her brothers always smuggled into their dorm. She was so distracted that as she turned a corner she ran smack dab into someone, banging her nose.

"Ow!" she exclaimed, stepping back and raising her hand to her nose. She looked up and into the dark eyes of Daniel Prentiss. Immediately she scowled. "Watch where you're going!"

"I'm so sorry, Daisy," he said, seeming genuine. Daisy rubbed her nose a bit and then sighed.

"Whatever." She then moved to step around him and continue on her way to Gryffindor Tower. Daniel moved to follow her.

"Allow me to escort you," he said gallantly. Daisy stopped in her tracks, turning and looking at him as though he had lost his marbles.

"Thank you, but I think I can get to Gryffindor Tower fine on my own," she said, starting to turn back around. Daniel moved to her side.

"But I insist. It's getting late and you never know who you might run into," he said. Daisy sighed, caught between wanting to laugh and roll her eyes. But even she could see that she wasn't going to get rid of him.

"Fine," she said, and started to walk quickly. Prentiss easily kept up the pace.

"So, why were you out so late?" he asked, glancing down at her.

"I had to finish a history essay," she said.

"On Halloween?"

"Yea, my brothers are planning to work with me on some quidditch plays tomorrow, so I wanted it out of the way," she said. Her nose was still stinging, but she ignored it.

"Must be nice," Daniel said. "Having older brothers who are good at quidditch and willing to work with you." He spoke genuinely, and not in his usual haughty tone, sounding genuine for once. Daisy was a bit taken aback, but kept her face stoic, not wanting to give the poor bloke any hope.

"It is… when they aren't taking the mickey out of me," she admitted. "Though, sometimes Remus and Alan think helping me is hitting a ton of bludgers at me." She couldn't believe it. She was actually having a decent conversation with the git, though part of her whispered not to hold her breath. It was only a matter of time before he said something that would cause her to hex him.

"Is that who helps you out during the summer as well?" he asked. Daisy shrugged.

"Mostly it's Da. He's been training the four of us together since I was old enough to walk. But during the school year, Jamie works with me the most," she said, still looking straight ahead. She could feel Prentiss looking down at her. "What about you?"

"Cousin. He used to play professionally for a time. Now he just coaches Little League," he said. Daisy nodded, noting that they were almost to the Gryffindor Tower. Thank Merlin. As surprised as she was at Prentiss actually being a decent fellow for a few minutes, she didn't want to be in his presence longer than necessary. They turned another corner and Daisy smiled slightly as she saw the portrait. She stopped and turned to Prentiss.

"Thanks for the escort. But I'm okay from here," she said with a quick smile before turning to walk to the tower. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw as an odd look came over his face. Daisy stopped and turned back, looking at him, thinking something was wrong. He looked ill. She took a step towards him and was about to ask if he was alright before his eyebrows shot up and he suddenly closed the distance, his lips puckered. Daisy screeched as she jumped back away from him. Without even thinking, she pulled back and punched him in the nose. She didn't even realized what she was doing until Prentiss was doubled over, moaning as blood started to pour out his nose. She may be tiny, but she did pack a punch, so to speak.

"Why'd you do that for?" he asked, looking at her as his eyes teared up.

"Why'd you try to kiss me?!" Daisy yelled back.

"I thought you wanted me to!" he replied. "You were leaning in!"

"That's because you had an odd look on your face! I was going to ask if you were sick. If I wanted to kiss you, I'd of bloody kissed you!" she said, her hands on her hips.

"I was… nervous… I wanted to ask you to Hogsmeade again... Ehm, suppose this means you won't go with me?" he said. Daisy stared at him, exasperated.

"No!" she exclaimed. She sighed and shook her head as she turned to the portrait. "Get back to your common room, Prentiss. It's getting late and you'll get in trouble." Daisy then walked into Gryffindor Tower, in disbelief. That git really had no common sense whatsoever. How could he possibly have thought she really wanted to kiss him?

Sure enough her brothers' party was in full swing, though thankfully it was only upperclassmen, with the prefects ushering the younger years to their dorms early, no doubt at Molly's insistence. She'd have a hard enough time making sure the triplets stayed out of trouble without out little ones underfoot. Music was blaring and various groups were hanging out around the room. She looked over and saw Lucy, Sarah and Toby in a corner laughing and passing a flask back and forth. Must have nicked it from the triplets. Others around the room where indulging in butterbeer and various other drinks. In the corner, Eliza and Lisette were drinking something out of goblets with her cousin Louis. Daisy walked over to Lucy and Sarah and sat in a nearby armchair, dropping her bag on the ground.

"What's got you in a fuss?" Lucy asked, holding the flask out to her cousin. Daisy sat up and accepted it, then took a generous swig before passing it back. The alcohol burned slightly, causing her to grimace.

"Stupid, loathsome, idiotic Prentiss," she spat out. Lucy's eyebrows flew up.

"What did he do this time?" she asked.

"Offered to walk me back from the library," Daisy said, scowling. Sarah and Toby looked confused.

"Wait, but isn't that gentlemanly?" he asked.

"He bragged the whole time, didn't he?" Sarah said. "Or made a sexist comment?"

"Actually, no… he was rather… friendly," Daisy said, struggling to find the right words. "It was… odd."

"So your knickers are in a twist because he walked you back and you actually enjoyed it?" Lucy asked, a hint of a smile on her face. Daisy could tell she was preparing to never let her live it down, if it were true.

"God no," Daisy retorted. "He's a git because he tried to kiss me." Immediately Lucy, Sarah and Toby's faces froze in shock.

"He did what?!" Toby said, suddenly sitting up as though he intended leave right that minute to go beat him up.

"Daisy, we have to tell Professor Longbottom!" Lucy said, suddenly acting like a prefect. Daisy groaned.

"No, no. It wasn't like that… His face went all funny looking and I thought perhaps he was sick. So I turned to ask if he was alright, but he thought I was leaning in for a kiss. Turns out he wasn't sick - just nervous about asking me to Hogsmeade again… Really, he's just an idiot," she said. "Besides, I punched him for it." Lucy's eyes went wide.

"You didn't," she said. She then grinned and started giggling. "Oh that's precious. I wish I had seen." Toby seemed to relax a bit, but he studied Daisy closely, looking for any sign of distress. She seemed fine - a bit annoyed - but fine.

"Yea… I think I may have broken it, actually," she said, looking down at her hand, which ached a bit, but was otherwise uninjured. Lucy continued laughing until something across the room caused her to stop and pale.

"Oh no," she said, standing. Daisy looked over just in time to see her three brothers rush out of the room, a look of pure anger on Remus' face as he glanced at her before disappearing through the door. Daisy knew that look could only mean one thing.

"Merlin, no," she said as she stood and moved to follow them. "Damn Jamie and his stupid mind-reading!"

While Daisy thought she was right on her brother's tail, they must have known of some secret passageway, because by the time she, Lucy, Sarah and Toby reached the corridor, they had disappeared.

"Quick, they'll be heading towards Ravenclaw Tower," Lucy said, skidding to a halt and then dashing down a corridor. "If we hurry, we can cut them off!" Daisy ran after her, easily passing her as she barrelled down the hallways and corridors, hoping to catch her idiotic brothers before they got themselves banned from the next match for beating the poor Ravenclaw into a bloody pulp.

They dashed through the corridors. She knew they were upon them when she heard Jamie's voice.

"What gives you the right to touch our sister without her permission!" he yelled.

"I'm sorry! It was a misunderstanding! I didn't even touch her!" Prentiss whimpered. "Please don't hurt me! She already broke my nose! Just talk to Daisy! She'll explain!"

"That'll be the least of your worries when we're through with you!" Remus yelled.

"You'll never so much as look at her again!" Alan shouted. Daisy rushed around a corner and slid to a stop, Lucy and Sarah running into her.

"JAMIE REMUS ALAN STOP!" she shouted in one breath. The three boys had the poor Ravenclaw surrounded, his back up against the wall. Their wands were away, but with the three of them standing 6'4 it was intimidating to say the least, even though Prentiss was fairly tall himself. They looked over at her.

"We've got this covered, Daisy!" Alan said.

"NO! YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!" she yelled. They stared at her, dumbstruck. "This is my problem and I already took care of it!" They looked down at Prentiss and back up at Daisy.

"But… he-"

"Doesn't matter! Leave him alone!" she said, her eyes flashing red.

"What's going on here?" Professor Longbottom said as he rounded the corner. He took in the scene - the three Wood boys surrounding the Ravenclaw, who had a bloody nose. Daisy staring dangerously angry at them. He, of course, jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Come off it, boys. Let your sister snog who she wants," he said, whining slightly. "It's getting late and I'd like to go to bed and not have to ban half the Gryffindor team from the next match." Daisy's face went bright red as her brothers looked at him, utterly confused.

"But, sir, that's not what happened," Jamie said.

"We're defending our sister's honor!" Alan shouted. Longbottom sighed and looked at Daisy.

"Care to explain what's going on here?" he asked. Daisy gulped.

"Well… there was a misunderstanding between myself and Prentiss, but we worked it out. My brothers are being gits, as usual," she said. Longbottom looked at the boys.

"Who hit you, Prentiss?" he asked. Prentiss paled, not really wanting to admit that it was Daisy. He still had a bit of pride, after all.

"Ehm, well…" he started.

"It was me, professor," Jamie said, glancing at Daisy, who pursed her lips. No one said anything. Longbottom sighed.

"Alright then. Ten points from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. You get two weeks of detention, Jamie. One each for Remus, Alan and Prentiss. See me in my office tomorrow afternoon for the assignment. All of you, back to your dormitories," he said. No one moved. "NOW!"

Everyone began shuffling off. Daisy refused to look at her brothers.

"We were only trying to help," Remus said, stepping up to her side.

"Yea. The idea of a bloke trying to take advantage of a girl, deplorable," Alan said, moving to her other side. They formed a sort of bodyguard detail with Jamie following behind them. Lucy snorted.

"Says Casanova," she muttered.

"Hey, now. I don't kiss anyone without their permission, I'll have you know. Not my fault I get a lot of permission," he said.

"Are you alright?" Jamie asked, pushing Alan aside and stepping up to Daisy's side. She stayed silent, walking faster. They finally made it back to Gryffindor Tower. Jamie grabbed Daisy's shoulder and spun her around.

"We were just trying to help!" he said. "He tried to kiss you!" Everyone went silent and was staring at the siblings. Daisy's face went red.

"I had it under control," she said evenly.

"But still-"

"But still, no! You lot are just as bad as dad!" she shouted. "I'm not a little girl! I can protect myself!"

"She did bloody up his nose," Remus said, admiringly.

"Shut up, Remus," she spat. He clamped his mouth shut. "Just... leave me alone!" She then turned and stomped upstairs to her room. Lucy and Sarah glared at them before following her. Toby sighed and walked over to Jamie.

"You lot are in big trouble," he said with a small smile. Jamie scowled down at him. Toby's face went a bit pale. "You know, I think I'll be heading off to bed now. Night all."