'Freddie,

I have fantastic news! From my excitement, you can probably guess what it is, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I'm now officially a young apprentice! Dumbledore read out the list of successful applicants at Dinner last night; there's 56 of us, but I'm the only person to have chosen the Misuse of Muggle Artefact's office.

It says in my information pack that I'll be starting in two days time, on Monday. I don't know how we're going to arrive at the Ministry - I thought we'd probably use Side-Along Apparition, but there is a rumour about the Knight Bus (Hannah had to explain what that was to me. You'd think after over 5 years in the Wizarding World I would have been familiar with every form of transport.)

It'll be so much fun to work with you, and even just to see you again. I appreciate that the level of complexity and interest in the department isn't exactly high, but it doesn't matter. We'll be together.

Please write back before I come on Monday; I'll want to hear from you before I see you.

All my love,

"Larn" x'

'Where did you rush off to this morning?', Hannah asked, half in indignation and half in genuine curiosity, as she pulled her Potions textbook from her bag. It was the first and only lesson of the day; Larna had posted her letter directly before Potions.

The Ravenclaw opened her mouth to reply, but the sneering voice of Professor Snape halted anything she may have been going to say.

'There will be no talking in my class, as there never has been and never will be. 5 points from Hufflepuff!'

On the Potions Master's lips could be seen the faint beginnings of a smirk, and Hannah's fellow Hufflepuffs (namely Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan) turned to look at her in annoyance.

Had it not been for the Young Apprenticeship beginning on Monday, Larna would have been in a foul mood: to have to attend extra lessons with Snape was bad enough, but to be forced to sit through his drawling classes on a Saturday, meant to be a day of rest, was sheer torture. However, the Ravenclaw found it impossible to be glum, much to the incredulity and envy of her Hufflepuff friend.

As Snape turned to the blackboard and used his wand to wordlessly write instructions for the potion they would be brewing (Draught of Aquired Beauty), Larna turned to Hannah and whispered, 'I just had to write to Fred, and finish reading my paperwork for Monday. Are you excited?'

Nodding the affirmative, the Hufflepuff smiled. 'Guess who's in my department?'

Larna shrugged and frowned, confused, so Hannah averted her eyes and focused them on one boy in the class, to the left of the two girls, who was clearly struggling with his ingredients.

'Neville?' Larna enquired in seemingly obliviousness - then the penny dropped. 'Wait - you don't...'

But her friend, smiling in ecstacy, confirmed her suspicions.

'You fancy Neville! Since when? How come I didn't notice?'

'One question at a time!' Hannah said. 'Yes, I like Neville. I don't know when I started to, I suppose I've just warmed to him since September; we have a lot in common. You haven't noticed because you've been too besotted with Fred, and it may come as a surprise to you that I've kept it quiet, unlike you did when you first liked Fred.'

Professor Snape had finished the instructions, and approached the table where the two girls were working. However, they were so wrapped up in the conversation that they were unaware of his presence until he cleared his throat and they jumped, startled.

'As much as your romantic exploits are...highly amusing, I believe I instructed everyone to remain silent in my lessons. You will both serve detention with me immediately after class, and I will deduct 10 points each from your respective houses.'

In unison, the pair groaned, earning them another snide remark -'an additional 10 points each to be taken'. This time, both friends held their tongues, although their distaste at the situation was portrayed clearly on their faces.

Strolling towards the library that afternoon, Hannah and Larna, with Luna Lovegood in tow, moaned about their detention and the unfairness of the Head of Slytherin.

'He never punishes Malfoy or the other Slytherins,' Larna sighed in distress. 'He just doesn't like me because I'm with a Gryffindor.'

Hannah hummed her agreement, with the 15-year-old Luna piping up, 'I hear his rooms are completely infested with potunes.'

The two Sixth years, having no idea what potunes were, merely smiled at the blond Ravenclaw and rounded a corner, entering the library.

The trio found a desk in a far corner of the room, away from prying eyes and ears. Placing their info packs down, Hannah and Larna removed their Potions homework from their bags, and began to scan the shelves immediately in front of them for titles which would help them to write 12 feet of parchment on 'The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Draught of Aquired Beauty'.

Finding two books - 'Aesthetically Effective Potions' and 'The Benefits and Problems of Changing Appearance' - the two 16-year-olds began to write, while Luna hummed a tune which sounded vaguely like a muggle Christmas song.

After a few minutes, however, Larna became distracted and began to talk to Hannah, who also ceased to work, about Neville.

'So, you mentioned you had a lot in common.'

Hannah smiled, 'Yes. We both enjoy and do well in Herbology; he wants to teach it whilst I want to research it. He said the reason he chose the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was because of his interest in the legal limitations surrounding Herbology.'

As she talked, Hannah became more animated, and as her best friend, Larna could tell the Hufflepuff was smitten. The Ravenclaw smiled subtly as a thought occurred to her: this must be what she looks like to others when talking about Freddie. Rather than feeling embarrassed, she felt proud, and happy that her boyfriend could have such an effect on her.