I was disappointed when our Easter holidays arrived and I realized Slughorn wasn't having a party. I figured for sure he would be holding one but our last one was for Valentines Day. I was really hoping to invite Ashley so I could make up for the last party. Instead he rewarded us with an essay.

"Aren't we going to have a party before the break?" I asked him after a Potions class.

"I usually don't have them this time of year," Professor Slughorn explained. "It's close to exams. I'm sure I'll expect great things from you, Mr. Hoofer. We'll have a party at the end of the school year when everyone has finished their exams, particularly the fifth and seventh years."

I was disappointed, but I figured an end of the year party would be a lot of fun. So instead, the last night of term, Ellen and I spent some time in the Quidditch pitch. We both really wanted to be on the team for second year, and we figured we'd need all the time we could get. We would be competing against older students. I didn't think Ellen would be too good at being a Chaser since she was so small. I knew she was a good flyer but I doubted she could play Quidditch. It turned out I was wrong, she was better than me. According to her, her father had been training her from a very young age. I congratulated her, but I didn't want to admit I was jealous and I felt some competition.

On the train ride home, Ashley told us that her sister had a boyfriend. Although I knew I had no chance with her, and that I needed to get over her, I felt horrible. I guess that meant I had to get over her for sure. I didn't even know the guy, but I hated her new boyfriend and I was jealous at the same time. He got to be with a great girl. I wondered if he was one of the boys who had been at the New Year's party. Had I talked to him at all? I sighed and tried to focus on the conversation my friends were having, but it was hard.

At home that night, I decided to talk to Brianne about it. I would have talked to Barry, but he had decided to stay at Hogwarts for the break. He wanted to study as much as he could before he had to take his NEWTs. I could never talk to Brenda, even if she was dating Nick. So I went to Brianne, who I was close to anyway. I told her everything, including how I had treated Ashley at New Years.

"Okay first of all, you need to learn not to go for just looks alone," Brianne told me as soon as I was done.

"I don't," I answered.

"Well you obviously do. You barely know Ashley's sister. You only liked her because she is pretty, and you almost lost one of your best friends over it. You really should remember that for the future."

"I have to be attracted to a girl to like her," I told Brianne. "You can't tell me that you would date someone you aren't attracted to."

Brianne laughed.

"Of course I wouldn't, all I am saying is that there is more to a person than their looks. What if you'd talked to Jaime and you hadn't liked her after all? From what you've told me, you and the girl barely had a conversation. You only like Jaime because she's pretty, and that's it. You don't even know if she's a good person. I'm not saying she isn't, I am just saying you have to take a lot more than looks into consideration. I understand completely though. It's human nature to want someone you're attracted to. What I have a problem with is how you treated your friend because of your attraction to this girl. Ben, you're going to be attracted to a lot of girls, and I am sure you're going to have plenty of girlfriends as well. That's not a bad thing at all. Just don't treat Ellen or Ashley any differently. A lot of girls are going to be jealous of your friendship with two girls."

"I won't treat them differently," I answered. "But I doubt Jaime is a bad person, she is popular."

"So?" Brianne replied. "Popular people aren't always good people. Some are and some aren't. Look, let's say you and Jaime ended up together. What if she gave you an ultimatum that it was her or Ashley? Would you have ditched Ashley just to be with her sister? Keep in mind that this would be a long distance relationship. You would see Jaime on holidays, and you're twelve. People your age don't stay in relationships for that long. It's a hard lesson to learn Ben, but I think a good one."

"I guess you have a point. It would never have worked with Jaime. But do girls really do that? Will girls make me choose between Ellen and Ashley and them? What do I do then?" I asked.

"It's not just girls who do that. It's insecure jealous people who do it. I'm sure Ashley and Ellen will get boyfriends who are jealous of you and Michael. And you should already know the answer to that question. You do not choose someone over your friends, especially at your age. If someone is willing to give you an ultimatum, than they aren't worth your time. Talk to Barry sometime about this, he'll tell you about his girlfriends and their reactions to Tasha," Brianne told me.

After my conversation with Brianne, it really hit me how I had treated Ashley. Of course I had realized New Years that I'd upset her, especially after her scary former baby-sitter had attacked me, but it wasn't until that moment that I fully realized just how much of a git I'd been. Brianne was right, I had barely known Jaime but I had liked her a lot because of how beautiful she is. I'd gotten angry with Ashley and had treated her like dirt after she'd invited me to her place. I vowed then on that I would never treat Ashley or Ellen that way again if I met a girl I really liked.

I wanted to talk to Barry, but since he wasn't home I wrote him a letter and told him everything. While I waited for his response that week, I worked hard on my homework and even went to Brenda for advice. She was the top of her year and she was a shoo in for Head Girl. She might not have been much fun to be around, she did understand school work better than my brother and other sister. I think it pleased her that I went to her for help.

"You know Ben, you might end up being first in your year if you ditch those little girls you hang out with," Brenda told me while she quizzed me on some questions she was sure would come up on my Herbology exam. "I honestly believe they are the ones who are holding you back, especially the little brown haired homely looking girl. She isn't smart, is she? I've heard her talking in the library, and I've even looked at her marks. I really think you need to drop her. I talk to Professor Sprout about you a lot, and she isn't allowed to reveal too much about her students but since I am a prefect, I did get the information I wanted. From what I've heard, that blond girl slacks off and you're constantly helping her and the other one out. I think it's time you stopped hanging out with them. It's bad enough you're a Hufflepuff, but you're hanging out with the worst possible people."

For a moment I just stared at my sister. I knew she didn't like my friends, but she didn't like Brianne's friends or Barry's. My theory has always been that she hated them because she had none herself. I was angry. Not only had she insulted my friends, but she also insulted my house. I wanted to yell at her, but in the end I gathered up my books and left the living room, where we had been studying. I headed up to my room clenching my teeth. I always liked Brenda the least out of my siblings, but I felt this time she'd gone too far. I didn't plan to speak to her again for the rest of the holidays.

I entered my room and slammed my books on my desk. I was about to lie down on my bed when an owl flew into my room. I didn't recognize it, so it couldn't be our family owl. I had sent a letter to Ashley, and I was waiting for her response back. Ellen's family had an owl, but Ashley and Michael didn't. So I usually used Hooty, our owl to write them. However, Michael had an owl call he'd gotten in the summer so usually he sent a different owl to me. So I wondered if he'd written to me. I realized right away that it was one of the Hogwarts owls, and figured Barry must have gotten back to me.

Ben,

First of all, you're a prat but don't be too hard on yourself. I wish I would have learned that at your age. I didn't realize it until I was 15 when Tasha stopped speaking to me. I didn't treat her well at all. I chose a girl over her. I don't know if you remember me mentioning a girl named Romilda, but I'd had a major crush on her. We never dated, but I wrote home to you about her often. That girl is nothing but trouble. Did you know she fed Ronald Weasley a love potion and he ended up getting poisoned? Anyway, she was in fourth year and I was in the fifth. I'd been assigned to help her out with some school work because she was behind. I thought she was one of the prettiest girls I'd ever seen. She had no interest in me, but she knew I wanted her, and she used it to her advantage. She manipulated me to do things for her, and I ignored Tasha who tried to warn me about her. Eventually Tasha and I stopped talking because I picked Romilda over her. It took me over a month to come to my senses. I'm surprised Tasha forgave me. There were other girls before Romilda, but I think for Tasha that was the final straw.

Yes you were a git New Years and you did not treat Ashley well but at least you've realized it. We can all be stupid about our crushes or relationships. I know it might be annoying for you to hear, but you are only 12 years old. Any girl you like now will not be the one you'll be with in the future, especially a Muggle you barely see or know. In fact, when you're 17 I am going to write to you and ask you what you think of 12 year olds dating. I am sure your opinion will be different, and you'll realize just how silly your crush on her sister was. I am not going to lecture you, but I want you to remember this moment for the next girl you're interested in because Jaime won't be your last.

Barry.

Even after talking to Brianne and Barry about Jaime, I did feel a little upset she was in a relationship but I also knew I would move on. I had my first test when Ashley sent me a letter asking me to go to her place. I would see Jaime again, but I would not be anything like I was before.

However, when Michael and I arrived at Ashley I found out that Jaime was gone overnight. My parents dropped Michael and me off at her place Friday evening. Mrs. Dunning let us in, and informed that the girls were up in Ashley's room. I already knew Michael and me would be sleeping in their room, so dropped off our stuff before we entered Ashley's room. We found the two girls sitting on Ashley's bed talking. There was an air mattress on the floor for Ellen to sleep on, so that's where Michael and I sat.

"Your girlfriend isn't around; she is staying at a friend's house tonight. Guess she didn't want to see you," Ellen informed me.

I didn't answer her, but shrugged to show I didn't care and then I stared at the floor. I felt annoyed with Ellen for taunting me about Ashley's sister but I also wondered if what she said was true. Had Jaime left because I was there? Did she find my crush on her so pathetic that she didn't want me around because she had a boyfriend? Or was it because she was still angry for the way I'd treated Ashley at New Years. Either way, I found it too much of a coincidence that she wasn't around. I also didn't like Ellen calling her my girlfriend. I was trying my best to fix the situation and not ruin things with my friends, but the teasing wasn't helping. So I decided not to say a word.

Although it was fun seeing my friends again, it wasn't as fun as I'd hoped it would be. Both Ellen and Michael were very moody. I had a feeling I knew what was bothering Michael. When we'd arrived at his place, it was to find him sitting on his dilapidated porch with his raggy suitcase. He wore a scowl on his face. I guessed, although I didn't ask that things weren't any better at his house, especially when he ran to my car and only mumbled "hi" as a greeting to my parents.

We were supposed to go to Ellen's place after my friends slept over at my place, but her parents cancelled our plans, but I didn't mind. I'd looked forward to seeing them all week, and yet by the end of the weekend I didn't want to be around them anymore. I didn't mind being around Ashley, for once she wasn't complaining about her sister or anything else. She was cheerful. It was Ellen and Michael who I wanted to get away from.

After they left, Brenda came into my room. I felt instant annoyance. My friends had sensed that she didn't like them, so I'd lied and went with my theory that she didn't like them just because she didn't have friends. I didn't want Ellen and Ashley to know that she had called them dumb, and she thought they were holding me back. So as soon as I saw her, I glared and turned back to my potions essay.

"I've made up a study schedule for you," she told me. "I always make one for Brianne, and she has always found it useful. You don't have to use it of course, but I just wanted to help you break up your study time, but I wanted to give you some time off. First time exams can be stressful for first years."

For a moment I felt angry with her for interfering but when I saw the look on her face, it went away. I held my hand out to take it.

"Thank you," I said. "I would never have thought to make one for myself."

"It's also my way of apologizing," she told me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have insulted your friends or Hufflepuff. I'm really not a fan of Ellen's at all, but I don't know Michael or Ashley well enough to make judgement. I actually admire you for helping out Ashley. Professor Sprout told me that she has a learning disability, and that you are doing your best to help her pass. Ben, you're showing that you'd make a good prefect already."

She sat down on the edge of my bed, which was beside my desk.

"Why did you say that stuff then?" I asked not ready to let her off the hook yet. "And what is it about Ellen you dislike? You don't know her well enough either."

"I know Ellen well enough. Maybe she is a nice girl, I don't know. But she doesn't have a learning disability like your other friend. She willingly chooses not to work. You may not think I don't have friends, but I do. I talk to plenty of Hufflepuff's in my year, including the prefects. I ask them to check up on you for me. Your my little brother, and I can't do it myself since I'm in Ravenclaw. They've told me, and so has Professor Sprout, that you are doing really well. You work hard enough. But they tell me that you fight with Ellen almost every night about her doing homework. She slacks off-"

"I'm not going to stop being friends with her, she has not made my marks go down," I protested.

"I know Ben. You didn't let me finish. I don't like her, and maybe I never will. But I don't have to. She's your friend, not mine. But I shouldn't have insulted her, or told you to stop being her friend. I don't know why I said those things Ben, but I shouldn't have. I won't say anything more against your friends. Look, I just want to help prepare you for your exams. So will you keep working with me until we go back to school? When we go back, you have the option of using your study schedule."

I nodded. I glanced down at the study schedule again. One thing about Brenda was that she is very organized, even when we were younger she was always organized. She had managed to schedule all of my classes for me to study, but she also gave me time off to hang out with my friends. I figured I'd let my friends borrow it to if they wanted. I smiled at Brenda.

"Well thank you," I said. "I'll definitely use it, and perhaps even my friends will."

"Good," she said. "Now, I've made you some quiz sheets for your tests. If you want, you can work on them."

So that was how I spent the rest of my holidays. I knew my friends would laugh at me, it would confirm to them that I was a brown noser, but I really wanted to do well in the first year. Perhaps with Brenda's help I could even beat Tara for top of the year.