There's definitely something wrong. Sam never smiles like this.

Kay towered over me, smiling just like Sam. He sat down across from me, and Sam did likewise.

I set my library book down and eyed them hesitantly. I was just minding my own business in the library. Can't people leave me alone?

"What do you want?" I asked, a bit sharper than intended.

"No need to be hostile," Sam said, putting his hands up. "Can't we just talk to our favorite brother?"

I'm their favorite? "You can, but when you're smiling like Kay, something's wrong." I glared at Kay, waiting.

"Well, Charmont-"

Idiot.

"Halloween is today," Kay began. "And every year, we like to pull a little prank."

"Indeed," Sam agreed. "And we need your help."

I frowned at them. "Forget it. I don't have time for pranks."

"That's a lie," Sam scoffed, his blue eyes glinting. "You're not the bookworm of the group. Aly is. You have nothing to do."

"Speaking of the girl," Kay said slyly, a grin forming on his face. "She's a bit of a bookworm, isn't she Sam?"

"Indeed," Sam smiled. "Smart, too. I bet you she'd be able to do an invisibility charm when we prank the Slytherins."

"I agree," Kay nodded. They looked at me. I raised an eyebrow, knowing what they were doing.

"Go ask her yourself, then." I continued reading my book. Suddenly Kay reached over and pulled it down.

"I would," he said feigning sadness, "But we're busy. But, aren't you best mates with her?"

"Yeah!" Sam said suddenly. "He is! Char, you can ask her for us!"

"Are you off your rocker?" I snapped. "I'm not going to do-"

Wordlessly, Kay held up a picture and allowed me to see it.

I blanched.

I sighed heavily and stared into the Great Hall, watching Aly read her book.

This isn't fair, I thought. I shouldn't have to do this.

The picture that Kay held up was blazed in my mind. How did he get that picture?

I shuddered. The picture: a picture of me as a baby. And that year, I wanted to be a superhero. So, the picture is of me, wet, dripping and sopping (after I escaped Mum from my bath), and flexing my stick thin arms.

And I'm naked.

Yes. A hundred percent naked. Unfortunately the picture was taken sideways, so you can see my arse, and...the other thing.

Yeah. Blackmail!

I sighed again. Unless I do it, the picture will be circulated around the school. And news spreads pretty fast. I walked into the Great Hall slowly, trying to act normal. I approached the Gryffindor table and walked around and sat down across from Aly.

She didn't acknowledge me yet, so I waited patiently, noting that she had her hair down. She looked very nice.

She finally looked up at me, brown eyes meeting green, and she raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Hello. Thanks for acknowledging my existence," I joked. She rolled her eyes.

"Can I help you? I'm kind of busy right now."

"Are you up for a prank?" I asked cheerfully. "It's happening tonight, and we could use a smart girl like you for an invisibility prank."

Her mouth popped open. "No!"

"No?" I repeated dumbly.

"No, absolutely not," she snapped, picking up her book.

"Oh, come on, Gem," I smirked, irritating her.

It worked. She reached over and attempted to whack my head with her book. I dodged, laughing, and grinned. "Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Why does he call me that?" Aly growled.

"I'll tell you if you come along," I said suggestively. Please, please, please...

"No."

Argh.

"Fine," I said stiffly, standing up. "Have it your way." Guess I'll have to get out of this myself.

I'm so smart.

I mean it. I'm a genius.

Guess who snuck up to their room and stole the baby picture and burned it in the fire?

Me. That's right. Ha.

I smiled with self-satisfaction as I wolfed down some mashed potatoes that very evening at the Halloween Feast. Hayden looked at me curiously. I grinned and shook my head.

"You have big ears, Amanda."

I looked down the table and saw Amanda and Damien arguing with each other. I reached over and hit Damien on the head.

So did Aly. I must've missed her walking into the Great Hall.

"You never insult a lady," Aly snapped. "It's rude."

"So? Amanda's not a lady," Damien snickered.

Aly's face was red. "You arrogant, son of a-"

"TROLL!"

BOOM! Loud thunder tonight.

EXCUSE ME?!

I looked down the aisle and saw Professor Quirrell (the freaky one), who looked crazy. "What?" I mouthed.

"Troll! In the dungeon!" Quirrell repeated, running down the aisle. He stopped.

Professor Dumbledore stood up urgently.

"Thought you ought to know," he said faintly, and dropped.

I looked at Hayden for one split second, and then the whole Hall was in uproar. We both jumped out of our seats and raced for the door, yelling. THIS SCHOOL IS SO WERID!!

"SILENCE!"

I froze and turned around. Then I felt a punch on my shoulder. I looked to my left and Aly was glaring at me.

"Is this your idea of a prank?" Aly hissed.

"No," I hissed back. "Mine would be better."

Thwack.

Oh, so many bruises I have.