Clementine left Hogwarts for Christmas in Manchester on good terms with almost everybody. She and George had made up, and when she found Skylar she was relieved that she wasn't cross with anyone except George.

"Fred's so much nicer," Skylar told her before they all boarded the train (Skylar was refusing to sit with George point-blank). "He was comforting me back at school – he even hugged me." Clementine bit back a smile. Perhaps at last two of her best friends would finally get together.

Clementine had a fantastic Christmas with her whole family in her hometown near Manchester. They had it at her house, and she especially enjoyed catching up with her cousin Julie, who was her best friend back at home. All in all, she was slightly sorry to be going back to Hogwarts, though she missed (almost) everybody. Hermione, Skylar and the Weasley's had all sent cards and gifts, and she had given them presents before term ended, not owning an owl herself. She had asked for an owl for Christmas, but one withering look from Andrea stopped that idea in a heartbeat.

On the train, Skylar sat squashed in the corner with Fred and Clementine sat cuddled up with George, ignoring everyone pretending to be disgusted by them. They shared their funniest Christmas stories with each other and discussed their large families.

"I accidently managed to make the sprouts explode," George said.

"The actual sprouts? Not just the bowl?" Clementine asked, grinning.

"Yeah. Don't ask how, it's a long story," George grinned.

"Well my granddad managed to fall into my mum's plate of food-"Clementine began, before laughing hard at the memory. She took a few moments to compose herself. "He fell over my Nan's dog. I was the only one who laughed of course."

"Typical," George said, shaking his head with a smile. "You're always laughing at something."

"Did you like the Muggle prank set I got you?" Clementine asked eagerly. She'd looked everywhere for a good present for George, and had finally found it in Toys R Us. It was meant for children about six years younger than George, but he nodded at her question, his eyes lighting up.

"Dad loved it too, though I think Mum was quite annoyed by the fake dog shit – she thought it was real."

"Fantastic," Clementine said with a giggle, imagining Mrs Weasley screaming at George on Christmas day.

The train journey passed by and in no time at all, they were back at the Hogsmeade platform.

"Oh by the way," George said, as they stepped off the train, "if you see Rosalie, tell me so we can hide."

"Why, what's she done?" Clementine asked, but there was a swarm of people now and the two of them got separated. She managed to find Fred and Skylar, but George didn't catch up with them until they were back up at the school, where the three of them waited for him.

"Oh look, there he is," Fred said, helpfully pointing him out. "But he seems to be slightly angry..."

'Angry' was an understatement. He looked furious and was striding up to the castle extremely quickly. Chasing him was Rosalie, who was saying, "George! Listen to me! Wait up!"

"No!" George snapped, rounding on her. "I told you, stay away from me! I've had enough of you."

"Whoa, what's happening here?" Fred asked curiously, stepping towards them. Skylar and Clementine followed, looking interested.

"George, I didn't mean to upset you," Rosalie said pathetically, sticking out her bottom lip.

"You didn't upset me," George said, looking disgusted. "You weirded me out by sending me a Christmas card that sang a love song, contained a lock of your hair and was signed 'all my love, Rosalie.' With a kiss on the end."

Skylar laughed a bit, then looked guilty. Clementine, though furious that the older girl was blatantly trying to steal her guy, stepped forwards with a smirk and her arms folded.

"Guess your plan failed then, you silly cow," Clementine said, eyebrows raised as she looked up at Rosalie.

"Shut up, you stupid little chav!" Rosalie snarled.

"What's a chav?" Fred asked curiously.

"It's a Muggle phrase," Clementine told him. "And I'm not a chav. You however, are a bitch." Ignoring Rosalie's shocked expression, she turned to her friends. "Come on guys, let's go to dinner, I'm starving." She led the three of them away, leaving Rosalie looking silly on the stone steps.

At dinner, the other Gryffindors were curious to know what had happened; many had passed the row on their way to the castle. Clementine and George filled them in on the whole Rosalie situation. Everyone was sympathetic to them; everyone except Gabbie, who surprised everyone by addressing Clementine directly.

"You've got a cheek calling her a cow."

"Excuse me?" Clementine said dangerously as the Gryffindor's all made stupid 'oooh' noises. Gabbie was one of the quietest Gryffindors and rarely spoke to anyone except Ginny. "What did you say, you stroppy little madam?"

"Just leave her alone," Ginny said from the other side of her. Clementine raised her eyebrows at both of them, but they said no more and steadily avoided her gaze. She turned instead to the twins, who looked as confused as she felt.

"What's gotten into your sister?" Clementine asked, bewildered.

Fred shrugged, looking nonplussed. "I can't answer that one," he said slowly. "Has she mentioned Clem to you, George?"

George shook his head, looking at Ginny like she'd grown an extra head. "Nope. I can talk to her if you'd like, Clemmy."

"No, just leave it," Clementine said, angrily stabbing her fork into her food. "What do I care?" This was the worst first day back she'd ever had. After dinner, she walked with George, glowering at the floor and anyone who dared look at her. In the common room she was given a fairly wide berth, as she wasn't known for her bad moods, and for that she was grateful.

The next day, things kept getting steadily worse. The third years all got their mock exam grades back, and Clementine only passed Potions, Herbology and Charms. She'd only passed Charms by one mark, which didn't help either. She'd scored so low on Ancient Runes, History of Magic and Transfiguration that she refused to tell anyone what she got. Instead, Clementine shoved the parchment into her bag and avoided Skylar persistently asking her what she'd got (of course Skylar had passed with flying colours, even though she'd barely done any work).

Clementine must have looked fairly dismal in Defence Against the Dark Arts, because Lupin asked to talk to her at the end of the lesson.

"I would ask you what's wrong, but I have a feeling that the Christmas exams might be the reason for your unusually grave face," Lupin said. Clementine sighed.

"Yeah, that's right. I thought I might have passed this class, I really enjoy it and that. I guess I'm just naturally rubbish at magic," Clementine said, and she could feel slight tears in her eyes. She blinked them away quickly.

"Now that's not true, Clementine. You were only a few marks off passing Defence Against the Dark Arts, and I was sorry to fail you. Your answer on Grindylows was what brought your mark down, but apart from that you show signs of getting a high mark at the end of the year if you work hard."

"Really?" Clementine said in amazement, and Lupin smiled.

"There's no need to look so surprised. You simply lack confidence. I will give you any help you require, especially towards the summer."

"Thanks, Professor!" Clementine said happily, her grin back on her face now. "You're such a great teacher!" Lupin laughed, and got something out of his desk.

"Here, take this chocolate."

"Thanks, Professor," Clementine repeated, cramming the chocolate in as she waved goodbye. Lupin was by far one of her favourite teachers at school.

It was break now, and Clementine waited at the bottom of the stairs for George like they'd arranged (Skylar was going to the library). She knew he'd just had History of Magic, and so she wasn't expecting to see George walking along with Rosalie. Clementine squinted at them, confused. They only worked together in Herbology, so why were they together now?

Before she could march up and investigate, Fred appeared in front of her, blocking her view. She smiled, but it faded once she saw how unnaturally serious he looked.

"Urm Fred, where's George going? He's supposed to be meeting me," Clementine said, with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"He's got to speak to Professor Flitwick about some Charms essay he forgot to hand in," Fred said, still not smiling. "He'll come back, but there's something I need to tell you."

"Hit me with it," Clementine said, sighing, as they walked on into the courtyard.

"To put it bluntly, something strange seems to be happening every time George talks to Rosalie," Fred said. Clementine was confused.

"What do you mean?" Clementine asked. Had she put a spell on him, or fed him some illegal potion as revenge? She clenched her fists.

"He looks all... dreamy. I don't know how to describe it. You won't want to hear this, George can't take his eyes off her whenever she's around. I reckon she's put him under a spell or something, he can't stand the stupid thing. Neither can I, for that matter."

"Unless she's got special hypnotising powers," Clementine joked, though her heart was thudding. A moment later, she stopped still. Fred didn't notice until a few steps away.

"Clem? You okay?"

Clementine wasn't listening. What she'd just said made her think of a conversation she'd had with Rosalie before Christmas...

Flashback

"I've noticed your boyfriend doesn't seem to want to spend much time around you ever since you got together. It's a shame because he's such a nice guy; I would know since we've been working together a lot recently."

"What is your problem?" Clementine asked, turning to face her. "Do you really think George would actually be interested in someone like you?"

Rosalie gave a short, tinkling laugh. "Oh, dear 'Clem.' You may have your Metamorphmagus powers but I have my very own powers too; and I hate to say it, but mine are far better than yours."

Clementine wondered if it was something to do with this special unknown 'power'. There was only one thing to do; find Hermione.