Hi, longer chapter than usual.
You know the drill; J.K Rowling owns nearly all the characters.
Hope you like the chapter.
"Wow. Look at all these cards!" Charlotte yelled as about seven cards landed on her lap.
The unfortunate owl, which had been decorated with a number of pink ribbons, landed in front of Edgar who stroked it and gave it his bacon rind.
"Oh my god, how many stalkers is that" Millie laughed, as Charlotte started ripping the envelopes of. Lizzy, eating her cereal saw that Marlene looked quite jealously at Charlotte's pile of cards.
"So where are our cards?" Fabien yelled at the incoming peck of owls. A black one, adorned with a red ribbon, swooped down in front of Edgar. A single card was attached to its leg.
"Ha, I've still got more" Charlotte said, putting down her last one. "
Any names?" Lizzy asked, as Edgar slowly opened his card.
"No but who puts names on Valentine Cards? You lot are going to help me... Where are you going?" Charlotte asked curiously as Edgar got up, looking slightly green.
"Erm homework" he muttered, running from the hall. Marlene, looking very worried stood up to follow.
"Nah, it's alright" Fabien said pushing her down again.
"Yeah, well go get the hormonal guy." Gideon added as they walked away.
"Wonder what that was all about?" Millie asked.
"Who knows anyway, what to you reckon?" Charlotte said impatiently, holding up her cards.
"Whoa, what a haul! Who are all of your admirers?" Sirius Black sat down. James, Remus and Peter joined him, helping themselves to breakfast.
Charlotte just smiled goofily, staring at Sirius as he lounged back.
Millie caught Lizzys eye and rolled hers.
"So, anyone else got any secret admirers" James asked.
"Well Lizzys hasn't sent her a card but we know their already engaged!"Millie said, making Charlotte and Marlene laugh.
Lizzy scowled at her, as James choked on his sausage.
Sirius and Peter laughed at this but Remus frowned.
"So who is this secret admirer" Sirius asked, when the laughter died down.
"A figment of Charlotte's imagination" Lizzy said coolly, making Charlotte blush bright pink. Millie smirked at her
"Just because you're in denial..." Marlene began.
"Potter what the hell's this!" Lily Evans came storming over; brandishing a pink card like it was a bomb. James sat up straighter, his hand moving to his hair.
"All right Evans, is that a yes?" Sirius said grinning, Remus looking on warily.
Lily looked at James in disgust, "Incendio" she said. The card burst in flame, and she stalked off.
"Harsh" Sirius yelled after her, James looking dejectedly at the pile of ash that had been his Valentine.
"Well, she was never going to say yes, was she?" Remus said exasperatedly.
"Shut up Remus, at least James had the guts to ask out the girl he liked!" Sirius said, hinting heavily.
"Come on guys, we`ve got Defence against the Dark arts next" Lizzy said standing up and began to walk.
Remus also got up, looking quite pink, "We should go to, see you around Lizzy, and friends." Lizzy turned, and waved once before attacking Millie with her bag.
"So I want you to get into pairs and take it in turns to practice Expelliarmus. And try not to kill anyone Miss Bones" Professor Semp said snottily, glaring at the first years.
The Gryffindor's paired up automatically, leaving Charlotte to face the Ravenclaws.
"That's not fair! I was on my own last time" she complained.
Lizzy felt bad for her, but given the only partner less Ravenclaw was George Natan, an insufferable know it all, who she had caught staring at her on several occasions, she wasn't volunteering to swap.
A disgusting scent wafted into their noses "Is there a problem" Professor Semp leaned over the first years, her greasy black hair practically dripping.
"No" Charlotte sighed dramatically still glaring at Millie, who was doing a dance of celebration at having a partner.
"Shall we move over here" Marlene, who Lizzy was partnered with, said.
"Sure, what happened at Breakfast? You looked really upset" Lizzy questioned, as they moved into an empty space.
"Um. Well I sent. Do you want to go first?" Marlene said, much too brightly.
Lizzy raised her eyebrows, "Marley." Marlene sighed and stared at the floor,
"I sent Edgar a Valentines. There laugh!" She finished defiantly.
"I'm not laughing, did you sign it?" Lizzy asked, trying to catch her friend's eyes.
"No, but you saw how he reacted! I'm not telling him, and you can't tell anyone!" Marlene said, suddenly anxious.
Lizzy grabbed her friends arm, "I think that you..."
"Ten points from Gryffindor Miss Potter. Do you ever shut up?" Professor Semp had come storming over, her disgusting perfume overpowering the air around them.
She continued, "If you are incapable of working together, I will have to move you!" Lizzy just stared at her, thinking how pathetic she was.
"Are you smirking at me?" Professor Semp screamed unaware the entire class was watching them,
"I wasn't aware I was smirking Professor" Lizzy said coolly, not breaking eye contact.
"You! Elizabeth Potter, go and wait outside" Lizzy walked out of the classroom, catching Charlottes disapproving eyes on the way out.
"Yes Miss Potter, shouldn't you be in class right now?" Professor McGonagall asked.
Lizzy was standing outside her own transfiguration classroom holding a note. "Professor Semp sent me to see you Professor" Lizzy said politely, holding out the note.
"I am teaching at the moment!" Professor McGonagall said, more to herself to Lizzy.
"Come in then." Lizzy walked in to the classroom, which was full of third years, she could see her brother and his friends in a corner. They were flicking paper at a greasy haired boy sitting in front of them.
Professor McGonagall coughed "Is this true Miss Potter?!"
Lizzy looked up, "I don't know what she put Professor." James had looked up, and was staring at her.
"Miss Potter, you are developing a habit of this! Other teachers have complained about your year!"
Lizzy laughed, "That's not exactly all me, is it?"
Professor McGonagall sighed, "Go back to your lesson. Professor Semp has given you a detention with her tomorrow night. "
Lizzy scowled, but managed to say quite politely "Yes Professor McGonagall"
"Stupid Vampire! You weren't even smirking! God I hope that curse is real!" Millie ranted. All the girls were huddled together in the transfiguration courtyard.
"What curse?" Marlene asked.
"No Defence against the Dark arts teacher has lasted more than a year for ages." Charlotte explained.
"That still gives us months of her! Did you see the way she smirked at me when I came back in?" Lizzy growled. She didn't like detentions; her last one had meant polishing all the Trophies in the Trophy room by hand.
"I bet she`ll give you something rubbish as well. She really hates us all!" Millie moaned.
"Talking about Semp" Edgar said walking over.
"Yeah, you recovered then?" Millie asked, as the boys joined them.
"Wish we knew who sent it" Gideon said.
"Yeah, we could take them to the hospital wing" Fabien said, dodging Edgar's bag.
Everyone laughed, then Lizzy spoke "Seriously though" she said with a sideways look at Marlene, who looked nervous.
"It's got to be a good thing, I mean that someone likes you" Lizzy continued, ignoring the stamp on her foot.
"Seven people like me!" Charlotte bragged.
"More like seven people want a quickie in the broom cupboard!" Millie snorted. Luckily the bell went before Charlotte could retaliate.
"So I will put you into pairs and then assign you a project. You will have three weeks to work on your paper and then I will give you a joint grade. Understood" Professor McGonagall said staring at her first year class.
"What does she mean she`ll put us in pairs?" Marlene whispered urgently. Millie and Charlotte looked worried.
"She wouldn't, it's a Gryffindor, Slytherin class. She must be joking if she thinks..." Fabien began, behind Lizzy.
Professor McGonagall picked up a piece of parchment from her desk. "Edgar Bones will work with Joseph Clint" Edgar looked around in horror; a beefy Slytherin boy was eyeing him warily.
"Professor, you must be joking" Gideon said, to general agreement.
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows "I assure you I am not joking Mr Prewett; one of the aims of this exercise is to promote inter-house cooperation. Now if you will let me continue:" The Gryffindor`s looked at each other in despair.
"We`re doomed" Millie muttered. "Amelia Bones will work with Leanne Yates" Professor McGonagall said. A tall ginger girl looked sulkily over at them.
"Fabien Prewett can work with Bartimus Crouch" Professor McGonagall continued.
"Professor are you insane!" Fabien yelled. Professor McGonagall silenced him with a look; Lizzy exchanged a hopeless look with Marlene.
Professor McGonagall carried on reading down her list. Charlotte was paired up with Narcissa Black. Gideon was paired with Marlene; they were probably the only happy pair in the class.
That left "And finally Regulus Black can work with Elizabeth Potter" Professor McGonagall finished.
"Not a word" Lizzy hissed at a smug looking Charlotte.
"Now you have ten minutes to plan how you are going to plan your project. Now go and sit with your partners" Professor McGonagall said.
Nobody moved.
Then slowly everybody stood up and began to move.
Gideon smiled sympathetically as he took Lizzys seat next to Marlene.
Lizzy and Charlotte moved slowly over to the table where Regulus and Narcissa where sitting. Narcissa looked as nervous as Charlotte, but Regulus was looking at Lizzy smugly.
Lizzy sat down, edging her chair as far away from him as possible. She looked at their assignment. How was Transfiguration discovered and place does it have today in a modern Household?
Lizzy slumped over the desk, this was a nightmare. "So what did we get?" Regulus asked, leaning towards her to read the parchment.
She handed him the parchment. "So what do you want to do? I would like to cover the invention of Transfiguration." Lizzy said very fast, not looking at him.
"I want to do it together; we have ample time in class and meeting three times in..." Regulus said.
Lizzy looked at him, "Why on earth would you want to spend excess time with me an arrogant Gryffindor!"
Regulus stared at her, his penetrating eyes staring at her. "I, I want to get a good mark." He responded slowly.
"So that's it, you think I'm thick and don't want to trust me with any work. Well good for you, I'll do my own assignment and we'll see which is better shall we!"Lizzy exploded.
The bell rang and she stormed from the classroom, before he had a chance to speak.
She knew she was being irrational, he had probably been trying to be nice.
"Oy wait up!" Millie yelled from behind her. Lizzy slowed down, waiting for her friends.
Unfortunately they weren't the first to catch up with her.
"Excuse me! I didn't at all imply you were stupid. I don't see what your problem is with me." Regulus said angrily, grabbing her arm to make her look at him.
Lizzy pulled away, "My problem! Who's the one who acts like a completely foul idiot half the time and then just pretends to be a saint the rest of the time?"
Regulus laughed mercilessly and imitated a horrible high pitched voice "I love James, I hate James, I love James, I hate James"
Lizzy just saw red, "At least my brother cared enough to make up with me! When was the last time you spoke to Sirius?"
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them.
Seeing his face contort in pain.
Seeing him turn and walk away.
She felt terrible; she felt a hand pulling her away.
"Miss Potter!" Lizzy looked up, Professor Heatherwood was looking at her concerned.
"Are you feeling alright?" Lizzy shook her head, to free her thoughts.
"I'm fine Professor. Sorry were you asking me something?" Professor Heatherwood, turned away, and Lizzy turned to Charlotte.
"What are we doing?" Lizzy whispered. Charlotte smiled at her,
"It doesn't matter, are you o.k.? You look really ill" Lizzy shook her head,
"I'm fine, I just feel..."
Sam Joyce came bustling over "Is it true you got into a fight with Regulus Black because he cheated on you?" Lizzy, looked at him dumbfounded.
"Of course not you idiot!" Charlotte snapped, pushing him away.
"Wonder how that one started?" Lizzy laughed slightly. "Uh, I should be in Slytherin. God I can't believe I sunk so low."
Charlotte patted her arm sympathetically. "He was baiting you. Anyway let's not talk about him, aren't you dreadfully hungry?"
Lizzy shook her head, "No, I feel a bit sick if anything" Millie came striding over, Marlene in her wake.
"Well don't throw up on me!" Millie said. Lizzy half smiled, though her stomach was still twisting uncomfortably.
"You've got to eat some dinner!" the twins said loudly.
"Come on Lizzy, you skipped lunch you must be starving" Millie added, her arms crossed. Lizzy shook her head, heading for the stairs.
A twin grabbed each arm, "Look either you"
"Come in and eat"
"Or we drag you in and"
"Levitate food into"
"Your mouth."
Lizzy sighed, "Fine." They all walked into the Great Hall, Marlene finding Lizzys hand and giving it a quick squeeze. They all sat down and helped themselves to food.
"So, Edgar who do you reckon your valentine was from?" Charlotte asked in a desperate attempt to start a conversation.
"I don't know. Erm maybe..." he trailed off.
"Is there anyone you'd like it to be from?" Millie pressed.
"Yeah, there is!" Fabien said loudly, Gideon nodding. Edgar looked mortified, Charlotte suddenly excited.
"Ooo, are they in our year?" she asked. Lizzy raised her head to look at Marlene who was staring at Edgar hopefully.
"None of your business." Edgar mumbled.
"Course it is! Who is she?" Millie said glaring at her brother. Edgar looked at Lizzy for help.
"Leave him alone guys! Still Ed, you know they might like you back." Edgar looked at Lizzy, confused.
"Oh if looks could kill" Millie said staring at the Slytherin Table.
"Thanks for that" Lizzy said, putting down her cutlery and standing up.
"Oh come on!" Gideon said pulling her back down. They sat eating in silence, when a note came fluttering down.
Lizzy picked it up, as it was addressed to her. Millie read over her shoulder "Meet me in the Library at seven. Who do you think it's from?"
Charlotte snorted, "Its obviously from Regulus. How romantic!"
Everyone else looked at her like she was insane, "How is that romantic?" Edgar said.
"What's romantic?" Sirius and James were standing there, Charlotte opened her mouth but Lizzy kicked her.
"Nothing, come on Millie we need to do that homework." Lizzy sped from the hall, closely followed by her friends.
"Hello" Lizzy said, looking round the deserted Library. It was almost dark, the bookcases casting long shadows, shadows that could be hiding anything. She shouldn't have come;
"You came" said a surprised voice.
"Where are you?" Lizzy asked her eyes restless.
Are you scared? The big brave Gryffindor, surely not?" Regulus said tauntingly, stepping out of the shadows.
"I came to apologise, I stooped pretty low earlier and, I'm sorry" Lizzy said, very fast.
Regulus walked up to her, she was suddenly very aware of how much taller he was than her. "Don't you hate it, how they have all the attention even though you're the better child." Regulus said sincerely, studying her face.
"What?" Lizzy was feeling claustrophobic, she felt her breath quicken.
"No, I suppose your parents love you" Regulus said dejectedly, collapsing into a chair, his eyes burning a hole in the floor.
"Regulus, I'm sure. I mean Sirius still cares about you." Lizzy said uncertainly, perching next to him. Regulus looked at her, his eyes searching her very soul.
After what seemed an age, he smiled at her, "Really?"
Lizzy took his hand. "Of course, he was so upset when you were sorted." Regulus stared at her,
"Do you think James would have forgiven you? If you'd been in Slytherin."
Lizzy looked away and stood up, "I don't know" she muttered.
Regulus took her hand and stared at her, "Can we be friends?" Lizzy could hardly breath, she nodded to him.
Regulus smiled, and walked out of the Library. Lizzy was left alone, with her confusion.
So, what did you think? Any feedback is good.
Bye Bye