These characters aren't my magical doing, they're J.K. Rowling's.

Cricket and Max Mann (and their parents), Emily Steele, Charlie Ashfield, and Professors Mac, Shore, and Zinski are part of my spell :)

Short silver-blonde hair stood out like a beacon in the dead of night. Its owner had his hands stuffed in his pockets in a relaxed pose as he looked out over the lake. He knew someone was behind him even before the twigs snapped under the intruder's feet.

"You're late," Malfoy stated simply as he continued to study the night.

Radley winced at his tone. He never knew how to read Young Malfoy. "I-I'm sorry Young Malfoy."

Malfoy knew if he turned to face the older man he'd end up hexing him. So he kept his back to him, "You will leave Cricket alone."

"What?" Radley's jaw dropped.

"Are you as deaf as you are stupid?" Malfoy snarled. "You will leave my fiancée alone. You don't seem to be able to control yourself around her."

"I was just teaching her a lesson." Radley forgot himself and raised his voice to the boy.

Malfoy turned his rage filled eyes to his future father-in-law. "You forget yourself, old man. You gave up any claim on her. She's mine now. I'll teach her what lessons I think she needs. You will leave her alone."

Radley ignored his better judgment—if he had any—and took a dangerous step towards Malfoy. "I was only trying to get rid of that Gryffindor vermin for you."

Malfoy casually reached for his wand. There was no way he could out-duel the old man. Although stupid, Radley was one of the strongest wizards among Voldemort's followers. "I will take care of him. I already have a plan to get Cricket. Come Christmas, she'll be at my side counting down the days until she becomes Mrs. Lucius Malfoy."

"What are you planning?" Radley asked.

Malfoy smirked and went back to his relaxed posture. "That is none of your concern. Stay out of my way and I might invite you to the wedding." With a smirk Malfoy turned and made his way up to the castle.

Radley knew he should get out of sight, but he stayed by the lake for a few more minutes plotting. Oh, I'll leave her alone for now. But when the time comes; you'll both pay. You won't know what hit you, boy.

Later that night Cricket finally shuffled her way out into the Room of Requirement's Common Room. Everyone was huddled around the fireplace doing homework—with the exception of Sirius.

Remus did a double-take when he saw her making her way towards them. She was still in her pajamas with a thick blanket wrapped around her body. Her hair was ruffled from sleep and she had dark smudges under her eyes. "Hey you, how're you feeling?" Remus asked. He didn't stand but wrapped his free arm around her to pull her close.

"Mainly tired." She snuggled her face into Remus' side as her eyes closed.

"Why don't you stay in bed?" Lily asked.

"I couldn't sleep anymore," she said as she began to drift off again. When Remus' body shook with laughter she opened her eyes again. "Or, maybe I just didn't want to be alone anymore."

"It's alright," Remus set his work away and sat back in his chair. He pulled Cricket in his lap and in seconds she was sound asleep again with her face hidden in his shirt.

"I hope she feels better soon." Emily reached over and rubbed Cricket's back.

"She probably won't go to classes tomorrow, but the potion should be finished by Tuesday." Remus commented as he studied his girlfriend.

Everyone went back to their work until Sirius came in. "Hey everyone. Did you guys know there's a Hogsmeade trip this weekend?"

James turned to Lily, "Hey, we finally get to have our date."

Lily returned his smile and secretly linked her fingers with his under the table.

"Where have you been?" Emily asked Sirius as he sat down.

"I was getting a snack from the kitchen." Sirius stayed quiet for a second before huffing in thought.

"What's wrong?" Peter asked.

"Well, I made a reservation at that one fancy restaurant on the east end of Hogsmeade thinking I'd have a date."

Remus snorted and regretted it. Cricket murmured in her sleep and squirmed. Remus soothed her before looking back to Sirius. "What's wrong Sirius, losing your touch?"

"No, all of the girls are getting to be the same. They giggle like schoolgirls and try their hardest to plaster themselves on me. It's getting to be a bit annoying."

Remus stared at his friend shocked. He couldn't believe Sirius Black, of all people, would be tired of girls throwing themselves at him. "So what are you going to do with the reservation?" Maybe he'll let me and Cricket go, he thought, but immediately threw it out. We can't be seen in public.

It seemed James had the same thought. "Hey Sirius, if you don't want it, I'll take it. I was going to go get a reservation anyways, but well..."

Sirius didn't seem to have heard James. "Hey Steele, you going to Hogsmeade with anyone this weekend?"

"Or you can just ignore me," James huffed and Remus and Peter laughed quietly.

Emily looked up and studied him. "No. What time are you picking me up?"

"Ten o'clock." Sirius gave his roguish grin before standing up and disappearing behind the boys' door.

"Emily," Lily hissed as soon as Sirius was out of sight, "why did you agree to go with Sirius?"

"Why not?"

"The only reason he invited you was because he didn't have a date," Peter answered logically.

Lily and Emily gasped. Emily's eyes turned a dangerous dark blue color as she glared at Peter. "Oh really? The only reason. Maybe your animagus form should have been a pig—it would have fit you more." She stood and slammed the girls' door behind her, waking up Cricket.

"Get your slimy hands off him!" Cricket shouted as she sat up quickly. She looked around and blushed when she realized it was a dream.

"Who get their hands off whom?" James smirked.

"Nothing. What happened?" She asked.

"Peter just got done choking himself with his foot." Remus gently rubbed her back.

"Oh?" Cricket looked at Peter, who was a bright red color. "What'd you do now?"

The group explained what had happened and Cricket laughed. "Well, it was about time he gained the courage to ask Emily out."

Everyone gawked and Remus laughed softly as Cricket buried her face in Remus' chest for more sleep.

Yay, another post:) I'm starting to get the hang of things at school, so I'll try to write more often, but they still probably won't be very long. this wasn't even the part I was planning on writing for this post, so maybe I can get the one I was planning out soon. That and I got sudden inspiration for a sequal of sorts... But the only thing is, it won't follow the HP books at all... but hey, that's what fanfiction is for, right:)

Anyways, leave me all of those wonderful reviews :)

Hope all is well:)