New Beginning- Ashleys Story

by JennTH

Voldemort is dead, and a new group of students are ready to take on Hogwarts. Sequel to New Beginning which takes place after the Battle of Hogwarts. This is continued through Ashley's point of view instead of four different ones. Eventually, I'll have the other characters stories up too. OC's so you might not like it.

21. First Term of Seventh Year

Warning: Likely drinking and sexual encounters

First term seventh year

I felt extremely nervous as Ben and I stepped on the train. I felt almost as nervous as I did back in my first year. All the prefects and well basically everyone, was going to see me as an authority figure. No one had ever seen me as one before. I was worried a lot of people wouldn't even take me seriously. They all remembered me as that shy insecure first-year girl. Why should they show me any respect now?

"Don't be nervous," Ben said. "You'll be fine."

He squeezed my hand as we entered the prefect carriage. There were some people already there. Most of them were the newly fifth-year prefects and Ted. None of the seventh years were there yet. Although they'd seemed okay with it at Ellen's birthday party, I had to wonder just how okay with it they really were. They had put in two years of prefect duties, and I had gotten Head Girl out of nowhere.

"This is the list of responsibilities we need to read to the prefects," Ted told me as soon as he saw me. He was holding a piece of parchment in his hands.

I nervously took the piece of parchment from him.

"Don't look so worried," he told me in a whisper. "It really isn't bad. I can read this if you want, and I'll help you out as much as I can, but everything will be fine. You'll pick it up as we go. Today all we need to do is introduce ourselves to the prefects and then just read to them their duties. It's very straightforward. When they leave, I can catch you up on everything."

I nodded and sighed. The prefect carriage was bigger than the normal carriages usually were, but I assumed this was because so many people had to fit in. Ted and I remained standing while everyone else sat down. Claire arrived with Denver and they both gave me the thumbs up before they sat down. Tara arrived shortly afterwards and Darren followed. Nicole had been the seventh year girl prefect, but of course she wasn't there. No one seemed put out. I didn't know the sixth year prefects too well, but none of them were looking at me strangely. The two sixth year Hufflepuff prefects Janine and Trevor both smiled at me when they arrived and gave me the thumbs up.

"Everyone here?" Ted asked as soon as the last sixth year sat down. "Good. My name is Ted Williams, and this is Ashley Dunning. We are the new Head Boy and Girl. You'll report to us for your duties. Now-" and he began reading the list of duties for each and every person to do. Everyone had to supervise the corridors once and a while. "That's it for now. So fifth year prefects, just remember that you'll be taking the first years to your houses. Make sure you show them the most convenient way there, and to also make it easier for them to remember. You all remember your first days here."

Ben stood up to take my hand as everyone else started to leave.

"Actually Ted is going to go over things with me," I said. "I'll be there soon. Can you take my trunk for me?"

"Yeah, sure," Ben said and he glanced at Ted suspiciously before taking my trunk for me.

As soon as he was gone, I sat down feeling a little guilty and I wasn't sure why I did. Ben had looked really put out.

"So do you have any questions about what we have to do?" Ted asked as he sat down beside me. "It's very straightforward. We're just in charge of the prefects but we basically have the same duties they have. Other than that, we are in charge of any events we have at school. We also have to put up notices about Hogsmeade weekends." And he was looked down at the sheet up parchment he had. "Oh and the Triwizard tournament is taking place at Beauxbatons this year. We have to let the sixth and seventh years know, and then pick the two best candidates, boy and girl and let them know."

"I would think that's up to the Head of Houses," I said with a frown.

"Well they are the ones who approve it in the end," Ted answered. "They have to approve of every decision that we make."

"I wonder who will all want to go," I said. "I think Jared said he'd want to go."

"I used to want to," Ted said. "Not anymore. I want to finish up my last year here."

"Ooh, we get to plan fun activities for all the seventh years to compete it as well," I said as I looked over his shoulder at the piece of parchment he was holding. "That should be fun. We get to have meetings with them over the year to plan things out. I didn't know they did that."

"Neither did I," Ted said. "We get to plan out a kind 'graduation' and have an awards ceremony. We get the awards from each classes and from the Ministry but we also get to plan a fun awards ceremony from our classmates."

"A graduation?" I asked. "Like in American High Schools? Do I get to invite my family here then?"

"No, it's not that type of graduation. We just get certificates from the Ministry. It's just in front of the seventh years and our teachers. But we have meetings with the sevenths year all year to plan out our awards ceremony. We get to also have a seventh year yearbook. They're separate from the usual yearbooks," Ted explained.

"It sounds like a lot of fun," I said excitedly. "I can't wait to start planning this stuff. We should have a seventh year dance too."

"Sounds like an idea," Ted said. "We'll have to run all of this by all the seventh years. We'll have to decide when we have our first meeting to talk to them."

"I think after a week or so," I said. "We need to all get settled down first. You know how hard it is to get back into it. Fifth year was hard enough and I'm sure this year will be for everyone. Maybe our second weekend back? We only have two school days this week."

"How about the twelfth then?" Ted asked. "That's on a Sunday. We can have it in the afternoon."

"Sounds good," I said feeling good that we were already making some big decisions together. "So how often do we plan prefect meetings?"

"We usually have them every two weeks or so," Ted said. "But they weren't always necessary. The Heads usually called them when they felt we really needed them. We can set them for every two weeks but then if we don't need one, we can let all the prefects know we don't need one. They usually schedule those on Monday nights."

I nodded remembering that Ben usually had prefect meetings on Monday evenings. I didn't see the point in changing that. We sat and discussed a few more things before we went our separate ways. One benefit of being Head Girl was the fact that it wouldn't seem so strange to introduce myself to the first years. Sometimes I felt nervous when I went over to introduce myself to them. I wondered if they would think it was strange for a random older student to talk them. Other than Alana, Rory and Derek and Timmy, June and the others in their gang, I hadn't developed a relationship with the others.

As I passed a compartment with four first years talking nervously to each other, I couldn't help but compare them to my friends and me. There was a small girl with long brown hair and brown eyes, a small blond girl with blue eyes, a boy with brown hair and brown eyes and a boy with dirty blond hair and grey eyes. They were all talking excitedly to each other about Hogwarts and what houses they thought they would be in.

I peered in each compartment as I went looking for my friends. Some people greeted me, and others didn't. I finally found my friends in our usual compartment. We'd made it tradition to always pick the same compartment and we'd managed every year so far. I felt a little sad that this would be the last time we'd be in this compartment on the first day of school, but I pushed those feelings away.

"Hello," I said as I entered the compartment and I took a seat beside Ben.

"You took a while," Ben said.

"Well we discussed everything," I explained everything that we'd talked about after the prefects had met.

"That's great!" Ellen said excitedly. "I didn't know that seventh years did all of that! Too bad I can't be here for all of it though. I would love the awards ceremony."

"That won't take place until June anyway," Ben said kind of moodily. "You'll have had the baby by then. I'm sure they'll let you come back for it."

"What's wrong with you?" I asked.

"I just wish that it wasn't Ted who was our Head Boy," he said. "You two will be spending a lot of time together alone."

"You know, you could have had that if you hadn't turned it down," Michael said and Ben shot him a glare.

"I don't get where the jealousy is coming from Ben," I said.

"Ted has wanted you for years," Ben answered.

"So?" I asked. "You should be able to trust me. Tara wanted you for years, and I never got jealous of all the time you spent alone with her. The two of you are alone together a lot for prefect duties and your study sessions. You probably will be this year too. I've always trusted you."

"Seriously?" Ben asked. "No, you haven't. You've always believed that I can do better than you."

"Look, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Ted. I don't have feelings for him at all. I don't get why you're making such a big deal out of this," I said. "You're the one that I want to be with. Why are you getting all upset over this? You don't even get like this when I hang out with Denver, and we actually have a history together."

"Everyone knows that Lily and James got together when they were working together as Head Girl and Boy," Ben muttered.

"And how many times have the Head Boy and Girl actually gotten together? Barry and Hermione worked together and they didn't end up together. Brenda didn't end up with… well whoever the Head Boy was at the time, and neither did Breanne for that matter. How many people do we actually know who got together? It could have been you and Tara working together you know. If I brought it up to you, you'd tell me that I am being ridiculous for even thinking it. In fact, you told Tara yourself years ago that she was stupid for thinking that! Remember that?" I said furiously. "Ben, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Ted and me."

"Ben, why are getting all uptight about this?" Ellen asked. "You should know by now that you have nothing to worry about."

"You're getting jealous over nothing mate," Michael added.

"You are," I agreed. "I'm only ever going to talk to Ted when we have our meetings, and I doubt we'll be alone that much. Most of the time the prefects are involved with the meetings."

Ben sighed. "I know I'm overreacting, but you didn't see the way Ted was looking at you during our meeting. I wasn't too happy when I found out that he was Head Boy, but then during the meeting he kept staring at you."

"Well he's just going to have to get over it if he does like me," I answered. "I'm kind of surprised to find that out though."

"I told you back in fifth year that he did," Ben said. "You asked me who was interested in you and I stated that Ted was one of the blokes who liked you."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "I honestly forgot all about that. Besides, that was two years ago. I'm sure he's over it by now."

"He's not," Ellen piped up. "He's wanted you since the third year. He kept asking me to set up a date between the two of you. I didn't think it was a good idea though. So I didn't. It could have been longer than that. He's complained to me since then that I should have set the two of you up before you got with Ben."

"Well as I said, he will have to get over it," I replied and I looked at Ben. "It's only you that I want, and a couple of meetings alone with Ted aren't going to change that. I've never once seen him that way, and I never will. So can you let it go?"

"Fine," Ben muttered. "So who do you think will go to Beauxbatons?"

We spent most of the afternoon discussing who we thought from our year would want to go. We also discussed what fun activities we could plan for the seventh years to do together. Keith joined us a while later followed by Hank, Stan and Jared.

"I don't know if I'd want to go to Beauxbatons are not," Jared said. "I mean back in second year I really wanted to go, but I am not so sure now. It could be fun but this is our last year here."

"You'd get away from Melanie," Ellen said.

"True enough," Jared said. "I'll think about it. I'm not so sure, though."

"I doubt I'd be able to go. It's one boy and one girl from each house right?" Stan asked. "I won't have the marks for that."

"Neither will I come to think of it," Jared said.

"Maybe Ted will go," Ben muttered.

I sent him a look, but I didn't say anything. I hoped he wasn't going to make too big of a deal out of it. Although, I had to admit that if he and Tara had been made the Heads, I would have had some jealousy as well. I couldn't deny that, and he was right that for the longest time I felt he was too good for me. So I couldn't actually fault him for having some jealousy. I was sure that over time he would be okay with it, and in the mean time I would show him just how much I loved him.

"So what kinds of activities do we do?" Hank asked.

"Well, we decide that at our meetings," I said. "It's up to everyone in the seventh year. We'll be doing them all year. It will just be friendly competitions between each other I believe."

"Ooh, we could beat the Ravenclaws!" Ellen said excitedly. "I'd love to beat Tara at something."

"Well actually," I began. "It won't all be houses against each other. I mean we have Quidditch and the House Cup for that. This is all about house unity I think. I mean, if people want some competitions against the houses we could, but I think the whole point of these activities is for all the seventh years to unite and have fun for the last year. The parchment had examples on it, and some of it was actually activities where students competed against teachers. But I'm sure when we have our meeting we can take down everyone's ideas."

"When is the first meeting?" Keith asked.

"The twelfth," I answered. "It's on a Sunday. We'll be sending everyone the invitations."

When I'd boarded the train, I had felt nervous, but now I was feeling excited. It felt good to be in charge of these activities. I loved knowing things beforehand. No one had known that the Tri-Wizard Tournament was happening again. The last time it had happened, Ben had told us about it. However, I didn't think his family knew yet. If they did, they hadn't told us.

By the time we'd gotten to Hogwarts we had all discussed at length the different activities we could do, and who we all thought would want to go to Beauxbatons. I didn't mention it, but I thought it would be something that Melanie would want to do. I didn't want to get Jared's hopes up. She was a very smart girl, and I couldn't see Sarah wanting to give up her prefect duties or leaving Hogwarts. However, Melanie used to talk all the time in second year that she'd love to be a champion. Perhaps she would want to get away from Hogwarts. After all, I had a feeling a lot of people in Hufflepuff were going to be upset with her for cheating on Jared.

When we entered the Great Hall, we joined the rest of the seventh years. Melanie was there too, but she looked away when Jared glared at her. No one else was really talking to her either. She was sitting beside Sarah who was talking animatedly to Joey and Brad.

Everyone greeted each other and talked excitedly until the long line of first years were brought in. I could see the four first years I'd seen on the train all standing together. I hoped the four of them would end up in the same house. I sat up as the first student was called up. She was sorted into Hufflepuff. I clapped loudly for our first new first year. The four first years were all separated surprisingly enough. The little blond girl was put in Slytherin, the girl with brown hair in Gryffindor, the boy with brown hair was a Hufflepuff and the other boy was in Ravenclaw. I hoped even though all four of them had ended up in a different house that they would still be friends.

As soon as the sorting was over, Professor McGonagall stood up for the announcements. She gave out the usual new term announcements before she introduced Ted and me as the new Head Boy and Girl. I blushed as many people's eyes fell on me. She moved on to inform every one of the Tri-Wizard Tournament starting up again, but this time at Beauxbatons.

"As it was the last time, the tournament is only open to those who will be seventeen by October thirty-first. Students who wish to participate can submit their names to the Head Boy and Girl, who inform your Head of Houses. Only one boy and one girl will be picked from each year and house. Now as you all know, Professor Slughorn retired last year. Professor Martin-" and a man stood up as everyone clapped politely. "will be taking over. Now that is everything of importance. Please enjoy the feast."

"So no more Slug club parties," Ellen said.

"Well it's not as if the slug club was active over the last few years," Ben said. "It was only our first and second year that he held a lot of meetings. After that, he didn't seem as enthusiastic. I think he missed the DA. I just wish that we didn't have to have a new teacher for our last year."

"Yeah I know," I said with a frown. "I struggled with Potions last year as it was. This year it will probably be harder."

"You didn't do too badly," Ben said.

"I averaged between P's and A's. Slughorn pulled me aside last year and said I was just above passing," I said. "I'm just worried that with a new teacher I might go down lower. Although maybe this teacher will actually remember me. I was in Slughorn's classes for six years and he still didn't know my name by the end of it. During our last meeting he called me Ms. Buns!"

Michael started to laugh. "You have to admit; that is funny. I do agree, though. It's going to be strange to have a different teacher this year."

"Well think about how the students next year will feel," Ellen said. "Professors Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall are all leaving after this year. McGonagall seriously considered leaving last year, but they asked her to stay for one more year to give them time to find a new Head. They don't want to pick just anyone, and so they want to make sure the person is best suited for it."

"I thought it generally went to one of the teachers who are already here," I said.

"They might not want it though," Ben said. "Most of them are probably just happy being teachers. After all the teachers that failed years ago, I'm sure they're going to be picky this time. Look what happened with Professor Umbridge."

"That doesn't count does it?" Hank asked. "Still, I can't imagine Hogwarts without Flitwick, McGonagall or Sprout. They were all here when my parents were here. I've always heard stories about them. It's been strange with Dumbledore gone, and we never had him."

"I wish we were still here for another year," Jess said with a sigh. "Neville Longbottom will be taking over for Professor Sprout."

"He's going to be here this year," Ellen said. "He's learning with her. By the end of this year, he'll be teaching most of her classes."

"He'll be teaching most of her classes for first to the fourth year," Anne said. "He's only helping in the fifth, sixth and seventh years. Professor Sprout wants to make sure he can help us prepare for our exams after all. He'll most be sitting in our classes."

"Actually, I think he's teaching the sixth year," Jared said.

"Does it really matter for you, Ellen?" Melanie piped up. "You won't be here for most of the year anyway. I don't even understand why you bothered to come back."

"Don't start with her," Keith said furiously. "Ellen is going to be able to finish her education this year. She's already arranged it all with Professor's Sprout, McGonagall and Ashley. She'll be fine."

"Right, I forgot you made Head Girl Ashley," Melanie said. "I don't know what they were thinking when they chose you."

I stared at her incredulously. I didn't understand her personality change at all. I knew that cheating on Jared was one thing, but I didn't expect for her to turn on the rest of the Hufflepuff's. The only person she seemed to want to talk to was Sarah. Everyone else she didn't appear to care too much for.

"Did you think that you were better suited for it?" Jared asked.

"It should have gone to me," Melanie said. "Out of all the girls in Hufflepuff, I got the higher grades last year. I even got better grades than Sarah. If it weren't me, then it could have been one of the Ravenclaw girls. How did Ashley get it?"

"What is your problem, Melanie?" I asked. "You've changed since last year. What happened? I thought you wanted everyone to get along, and what's this about you cheating on Jared?"

Melanie didn't say anything. She just dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, and then got up and walked off without saying another word. Everyone watched her go before they looked over at Jared. He let out a sigh.

"Something changed her during her vacation," he said. "She was okay before she left. When she came back, she was just like the girl she used to be. It's something about that guy she met."

"He seemed like a nice guy," Erica said. "I'm not saying what she did to you was right, because it wasn't. I'm just saying that he didn't seem like a bad bloke."

"I think it's an insecurity thing," Ellen said. "I think she just acts that way when she's insecure."

"I don't really care anymore," Jared said. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm just going to ignore her, and I suggest the rest of you do the same if she's going to be a bitch."

"I agree," Sarah spoke up. "I'm not even sure if I can handle being friends with her for much longer. That's saying a lot considering that we've been friends for the last six years, but I've put up a lot from her. This time, she's going too far. She was so bitchy to me over the summer."

"Well maybe she'll want to go to Beauxbaton's then," I said.

"She might," Sarah said. "She's always wanted to see what it was like. She has the grades for it, and she truly is bitter about you being Head Girl, Ashley. Maybe I can convince her to go. Then I won't have to deal with her either."

"I kind of wondered how many people would be bothered by this," I said as I glanced down at my badge.

"I don't think too many people will be," Jared said. "If they are, it's just jealousy. That's Melanie's problem. She was expecting that badge to come for her. She knew that Tara had dropped out of the running, and she figured it would be her that would get it. None of the Gryffindor girls were well suited for it, and so that just left the Ravenclaw girls. I don't think she was expecting you to get it. I'm not all that surprised though. I thought for sure it'd be you who got prefect."

"Me too," Sarah spoke up. "I thought it would be you too. You'll do a good job, though. Jared is right, anyone who isn't too happy about this is jealous."

"Exactly!" Jess spoke up. "You'll be a great Head Girl!"

The other Hufflepuff's murmured their agreements. I knew for sure I'd have them on my side, but I did wonder about the others. How many other Melanie's would I have to deal with?

The year before, in any classes that we had to do magic in, we were learning how to do spells non-verbally. By the end of the year, it was expected. That was how all of our classes had started out. We took long notes about what was expected of us by the time we sat down to write our NEWTs. Our teachers all informed us that when we were asked to do spells for our exams, we would have to do it non-verbally.

"I know many of you cheat," Professor Flitwick told us. "I know you whisper the spell, I caught a few of you doing that last year. However, the examiners will be watching for that. You'll have to show them that you can perform your charms without saying a word. I'm sure you all remember your OWLs well enough. They'll expect more of you this time around. The NEWTs are the toughest exams you'll ever take."

Professor's Déplacer and Frayton gave us basically the same exact speeches. Professor Frayton had been teaching us as much as could about duelling over the last six years. I wasn't the best in his class (Michael was) but I did well enough. I'd improved a lot since the first year when I had been a terrible dueller. By the end of the seventh year, he wanted us to be able to duel as if we were in a real battle. That meant dodging cursers, saying them non-verbally and trying to expect what was coming next and when. In Transfiguration Professor Déplacer wanted us to even learn new spells non-verbally.

I felt overwhelmed right away as I thought about it all. Was it really worth it for me to keep all of my classes? I knew I had made a huge fuss to my friends about keeping all my classes but I was starting to wonder if they were right. Did I really need History of Magic, Divination or Astronomy? At the same time though, I felt like I might be admitting to defeat. After all, I had made it this far. I only had about ten more months of study. After that, Ben and I would be taking our trip. I told myself to just suck it up.

Everyone was even more overwhelmed then last year. The work seemed even more complicated than ever. People like Ellen who would eventually take seventh year classes as well were even more stressed out. They would have to do perfectly in the sixth year first term in order to join the rest of us for seventh year classes. They then would have to catch up on the first three months of seventh year and then take both classes simultaneously. I couldn't imagine how hard that would be. I was thankful that I wasn't in that situation.

"I'm glad I quit Quidditch now," Ben said one evening as he even struggled with an essay. "This is going to be tougher than I thought. The way Barry made it sound; it was going to be easy compared to OWL year."

"I think it will be after a while," I said. "Right now we have to learn everything, but I think once it gets closer to exams it won't be as bad. We will only have two years to cover this time."

"True enough," Ben sighed.

In the meantime, I had people coming up to me with their problems. In the past, the younger years had come to me for advice a few times, but now it was a lot more. It was almost every day that somebody was coming to me about some kind of conflict. Not only that, but I had to patrol the corridors with Ted on some nights. We had to make sure that no one was out when they weren't supposed to be.

People also started submitting their names in for who wanted to go to Beauxbatons that year. Melanie and Brad were the only two Hufflepuff's from the seventh year. There were less than a dozen seventh years who wanted to go. It was mainly sixth years signing up, and most of them weren't even seventeen.

It was easy enough to rule out who couldn't go, but it was harder to decide who could go. In the end, I decided that the Heads of Houses could make the final decision. Ted had thought that maybe we could flip coins to decide. I didn't think that was the best idea, though. Even though there were people who were equally smart, there might be someone who was a better candidate. I figured the Heads of Houses would know best.

"Ben, there is definitely no reason for you to be worried about Ted," I told him as I sat across from him in the common room one night a couple of days before our big meeting with the seventh years. I had just gotten back from a meeting with him. The boy was so dull and serious. "I am always so happy for our meetings to end. He went on and on tonight about how important it is to make sure that the prefects are taking their jobs seriously."

Ben smiled. "That's good to know, but I can admit that I was overreacting," he told me. "Ted just made me so angry on the first day of school. He would not stop looking at you, and then he suggested that the two of you work together alone. I know it was dumb now."

"I feel like I am leading it most of the time," I told him. "He actually suggested that we flip a coin to decide who can go to Beauxbatons. He wants our activities with the seventh years to have all these rules. I mean, I agree we need some rules but the way he went on, it's as if he thinks they're little kids or something. Then he basically took over ideas about the awards ceremony. I had to keep reminding him that this is for all the seventh years to decide. He and I are just running the meetings, but everyone gets a say. I also have another idea that I read about, and he isn't sure if he's on board about it because we can't tell the teachers."

"Why? What is it?" Ben asked.

"I don't want to talk about it in here," I said. "I don't want anyone to overhear."

"Maybe it's not the best idea to do it then," Ben said skeptically.

"No, I am sure it will be," I said. "It's nothing bad, but it would be a surprise for later."

I reached for my message parchment and quickly wrote:

I think we should do a seventh-year prank. They used to do it all the time years ago, but they stopped doing it years ago when You-Know-Who first took over. No one has done it since, but I think it could be a lot of fun.

Ben reached for his message parchment and read it over.

"That's actually brilliant!" he said. "It would be a lot of fun. We wouldn't get in trouble for it as long as it's nothing dangerous."

"I know," I agreed. "And I already have an idea of what we could do. We just have to convince Ted. I don't see why he disapproves of it so much."

I think each corridor, classroom, common rooms, and dormitories should have something happening in it. Everyone will wake up to it one morning. One corridor could be all foggy for example, or windy or whatever else people come up with. As long as it isn't dangerous.

"I like that idea," Ben said. "I think you should bring it up anyway. You're Head Girl. Just tell Ted you want to run the idea by everyone anyway, and see what they all say. I guarantee every single person will want to do it. Don't let Ted boss you around."

"At the same time, I can't boss Ted around," I sighed. "Things have to be mutual between us."

"Right, but you can't stop any ideas you have just because he disagrees. You just have to keep talking to him, especially with anything that concerns the rest of the seventh years. The whole point of the meetings with all the seventh years is so that we are all in agreement. You two are leading it, but if people aren't happy about the decisions you make they can vote it out. You and Ted are just leading this, but that doesn't mean we'll end up doing what you say. So if you want to do what you suggested, and you want to run it by everyone, you should. It's the same with Ted; you might disagree with an idea he has, but he should still run it by everyone anyway."

"Like flipping a coin to decide who should go to Beauxbatons?" I asked with a smirk.

"Well, that's different," Ben said. "But either way, you two should try and discuss everything. I'm talking about the activities with the seventh years, though. That isn't up to you and Ted alone. He wanting to flip a coin is just dumb. That's something you should argue with him about."

"I hope we're not going to fight," I sighed.

Ben gave a small shrug. "I doubt you will. I'm sure things will be okay. Just keep talking to him about everything. You two will work it out."

I brought up the idea of the prank to Ted again right before our big meeting with the seventh years. I told him we should see if everyone is on board with it.

"I've actually been thinking a lot about it," Ted said to me. "I think I dismissed it too quickly. You told me that you've been reading up about it, so I decided to look through old yearbooks. People actually did have a lot of fun with it. I'm starting too really like the idea as well. I was just worried about getting in trouble, but teachers didn't have problems with it in the past. As long as it isn't dangerous. So what did you have in mind?"

I explained my idea to him about having something happening in every single room in the castle. He nodded approvingly.

"We could do it close to the end of the year," he said. "Not too close to exams, though. Maybe before or after our Easter break."

"We'll have to ask everyone when they get here," I said.

We were holding the meeting in one of the empty classrooms. Ted and I had arrived before everyone was supposed to show up to talk about it. We'd cleared all the desks to one side, and we'd added a large circular table instead. We'd made a list of everything that we wanted to discuss with them, which included the awards ceremony, the seventh year yearbook, our activities, and a seventh year dance.

"You know, I was kind of wondering about having committees helping us out," I said to Ted. "We could have four people one from each house kind of aid us. There could be people who help out with the dance, the activities, the awards ceremony and anything else we come up with. It will bring more house unity. Normally they just have the seventh year prefects and some volunteers help, but I think it would be nice if we had people from all four houses work together. The committees can always come to us with all the ideas and we have final approval."

Ted shrugged. "Sounds good to me. I was just going to suggest the prefects, but I like your idea better. At least that they can have people give them all of the suggestions. It will be overwhelming for us as it is without people submitting so many different ideas to us. House unity is always good too."

Not too much longer after that, people started to arrive. I noticed right away that just as we did in classes, people all sat together by houses. Ted started the meeting off by explaining why we had called everyone there and told them all that we were up for suggestions for everything.

"We want everyone involved in making our last year very memorable," Ted told them.

"We were also thinking of having committees for everything," I said. "This is supposed to be seventh years working together. So we were thinking of having a yearbook committee, dance committee, an activities committee, and a committee for the awards ceremony. Ted and I will have final approval of everything, but the committees will take everyone's ideas and work on them together," I glanced over at Ted. "We also have an idea for another committee. We were thinking of doing a seventh-year prank."

I explained my idea for the prank, and how whoever was part of the committee could collect ideas for what could be happening around the castle, and the prank committee could assign jobs for each person. Everyone seemed excited about this idea right away.

"I want to be on the dance committee!" Anne said excitedly. "Oh please let me be on that committee."

"If you're on a committee you have to expect to be working hard on it," Ted told her. "So if you volunteer for one, expect to be busy along with everything else we're doing this year."

"Is it really only one person per house?" Meaghan asked disappointedly. "Not all of us will get jobs then."

"We'll make sure everyone who wants a job gets one," Ted said before looking at me and muttered in a small voice. "We may have to have more than four people per committee if we get a lot of volunteers," and I nodded in agreement.

"We'll pass around a sheet for each committee," I told everyone, "and you can all sign your names to it. You can only volunteer for one committee, though. So you'll have to decide which one you want to be a part of. So far we have five different committees, but as time goes on, there might be more. We'll just want an even amount of people from each house per committee. We want as much house unity as possible."

"Now about the activities," Ted began. "I know a lot of you thought we'd have competitions against the other houses, and we can do some of those, but we really want to come together as a whole year. A lot of the seventh years in the past have held competitions against the teachers. So we were thinking along the lines of that when you submit your ideas."

"Now for the awards, we were thinking of fun rewards. I was reading some old yearbooks and I saw some ideas. Some of them included: Future Minister for Magic award. That's just an example. If you can send in your thoughts, we can take the most popular ideas or vote on some ideas. We'll do the same for the activities committee as well. Once we have the committees organized, that's who you'll submit your thoughts to. We may have to add more people to the committees, but keep in mind that there are five committees so far. If we have four people per committee, that's twenty people. We may need people's help for other things. If you don't end up in a committee, we'll find something else for you to do. I think we're all going to be busy this year," I said.

"I also read something else in the yearbooks," Ted spoke up. "I don't know if people will be on board with it or not. They don't do it every year. It could be fun, though. Besides everyone's graduation photos, we could have a list. You could have things like Favourite foods, your nickname, etc. We could either vote on these lists or people can choose their own. Also, some people have under their pictures: Known for. So, Tara, you could put under your picture Known for a very smart girl, or something along that line."

I liked that idea as well. I hadn't noticed that in the yearbooks.

"So we can open up the floor, and everyone can give their ideas," I said.

"I like the idea of the committees having an even amount of people in them," Ellen spoke up. "But I think there should maybe be sub-committees or something. I mean, for the yearbook committee there should just be people who are taking photos or something. If there are only four people per committee, they're going to have a lot to do to organize everything."

"Or maybe just two per house," Tara spoke up. "That's forty people and so that's almost everyone. It could be a boy and girl from each house."

"I like that idea," I said. "And I like your idea Ellen, but each committee can decide on what jobs everyone has per committee. So would everyone like eight people for every committee?"

"Sure, but how do we decide that?" Hank asked. "We want to make sure people aren't in committees that they don't want to be in. Personally, I'd like to be in the prank committee."

"Well you'll have to really think about what committees you want to be in," Ted said and he waved his wand and five pieces of parchment appeared in his hands. He set them on the table and began writing which committee they were for at the top of each. "So we'll pass these around, and everyone can sign up for what they want. We'll see how many people end up signing up for a committee and we'll work with it. Think carefully about where you want to be and think of a second choice. It's probably going to take some negotiating. Now this might sound unfair," Ted added, "but I think the prefects should refrain from signing up for anything yet. The prefects just like Ashley and I will likely be involved with everything at some point. So we'll just let everyone else sign up first to make it more fair. That eliminates eight people so far."

"Or if you're going to Beauxbaton!" I added quickly. "It's not right to sign up for a committee if you don't plan to be here," and with a wave of my wand, I pictured some quills and ink wells to appear on the table in front of me. "So if everyone lines up, you can sign up."

Ted set the parchments down on the table as well, and we backed up. Everyone got up and quickly formed a line. Ben walked over to stand beside me.

"Everything is going smoothly so far," he told me. "You seem like you have a real knack for this. You don't even seem nervous."

"I'm not," I said with a smile, and I looked at Ted. "I just hope there isn't any fighting about who is going to be in each committee."

"Well I think Tara's idea about having two per house might help more," Ted said, and he smiled at Tara who smiled back.

"And keeping prefects out of it," Claire added. "I was going to suggest that."

Ellen walked over to stand with us.

"There is no point in me signing up to be on a committee," she said sadly as she patted her stomach. "I'll let the others sign up instead."

"Well, we'll find something for you to do anyway," I told Ellen, and I put an arm around her. "You have to be here for the awards ceremony."

Melanie stood back too, but she didn't speak to anyone. She was going to go to Beauxbatons as well as seven others. Melanie and Brad were the Hufflepuff's who were going, Parker and Kristy were the Slytherin's who were going, Nancy and Henry were the Gryffindors and Lindsay and Eric were the Ravenclaws.

Once everyone had signed up, they all sat down again. Ted and I looked over the lists. A lot of people wanted to be part of the prank committee. It seemed more boys want to be part of prank committee while more girls wanted to be part of the dance committee. So after some negotiating, we ended up having two girls per house for the dance committee and two boys per house for the prank committee. The other two committees we ended up actually having to add people. It took some time, but eventually there were eight people per committee.

Afterwards, we talked a little longer about some of the pictures we wanted to take that year. We wanted to have a picture of every seventh year taken. We needed to have it taken before the seventh years that were going to Beauxbatons left, so we ended up arranging for the end of September. A lot of people wanted it out by the lake with the castle in the background.

It felt good to have so many people co-operating and listening to me. My worries that people wouldn't take me seriously were unfounded. Not too many people seemed to mind that I was Head Girl. The ones who minded were ones who already disliked me, or were jealous like Melanie. For the most part though, they all accepted it and they all seemed to think I was a good choice for it.

When everyone left except Ted, Ben, Ellen and Michael I sighed with relief.

"That went a lot better than I thought it would," I said. "There were no arguments, and I really think people have accepted me."

"I don't know why you've been worried about it," Ben said. "Most people have agreed you deserve it. Ever since the third year you have been introducing yourself to the first years. You helped three of them befriend each other. You've helped out a lot of the other first years over the years and you never cared what house they were in. You've grown a lot from that whiny first year girl you used to be."

"I'm not always the best, though," I disagreed. "Remember last year with Don, Xavier, and Nicole? I stood back while people bullied them. I didn't care. It's because of Ellen that the bullying stopped because she was against it in the first place. I keep thinking about how that isn't real leadership because I let my personal feelings get in the way."

Ted shrugged. "So did I, and so did a lot of people. The Head Boy and Girl last year knew what was going on and they turned a blind eye to it. People were upset. It wasn't the best decision for all of us to make, and we shouldn't have let our personal feelings take over but there's no point in dwelling on it. It's something to learn from for now on. I mean, I actually witnessed someone send the boil curse at Nicole and I just walked away."

"Exactly," Ben said. "That one incident shouldn't override everything else. Besides, I doubt the teachers actually know your involvement in it. They knew about me and the other prefects, but not you. What were you supposed to do to stop it anyway? You never did the bullying yourself, you just ignored it just like every single other person in the castle who wasn't involved."

I didn't say anything, but I remembered Ellen's comments from the year before. She had been right. As someone who wanted to be a teacher, I shouldn't have overlooked it. I doubted it would happen, but what if I disliked the students I had? I couldn't just decide to let them be bullied just because I didn't like them. It was something I often felt guilty for, but I never admitted it. I'd been bullied myself, and I would have wanted someone to step in.

"They're right," Ellen chimed in. "It's now in the past, and now you know better. You're doing fine so far as Head Girl, and you can continue to do so."

I nodded but I kept quiet as the others began discussing excitedly how fun seventh year would be.

Professor Martin turned out to be an excellent teacher. He was young and handsome. I didn't think he could be older than his late twenties. He didn't play favouritism like Professor Slughorn had. If anyone was struggling in his class, he took them aside and sat down with them to see why they were. One afternoon close to the end of September after a hard potion class he looked up as everyone started to put their things away.

"Ms. Dunning could you see me a moment after class please?" He called.

A lot of the girls looked at me jealously. Many girls had crushes on him. Ben looked a little annoyed, but he didn't say anything. He just left with Michael. The boy had to do something about his jealousy at times. He should have known that a teacher wasn't going to go for a student. Not only that, but he had to stop feeling jealous of other guys altogether. I didn't understand where it was suddenly coming from. In the beginning of our relationship he hadn't exactly been one but it was slowly developing.

As everyone left, I walked to the front of the class feeling nervous. I wasn't sure what I could have done.

"I've noticed you've been struggling a lot," he told me as soon as I reached his desk. "I've been looking over Professor Slughorns notes from every year. I see that you struggled a lot in your first year, but you improved a lot between second year and fifth year. You passed last year, but only just above passing. I was wondering what we could do to improve that? Is there a reason why you are having difficulty?"

"In first year I struggled in all of my classes," I informed him. "It was mainly my confidence because of my learning disability and I was learning magic for the first time. Once I got confident though I did fine. I understood the work after that. Last year things got really complicated though because of NEWT level. I have a hard time understanding some things."

"Well, I'd like to see you do really well on your NEWT," Professor Martin continued. "I know you're Head Girl as well, so I know you need to be passing every single one of your classes because of that. I am starting study groups for every year on certain days. I know you have a lot of homework to do, and Head duties so we'll work around your schedule as much as we can. I plan to help you as much as I can to raise your marks by the time you have to take your exam. What day do you think will be best for you?"

"I'm not sure," I said. "Probably weekends, to be honest, unfortunately."

"Do you think we could work together on Sunday mornings for an hour or so? It might be best for every seventh year. You aren't the only person who is struggling. I remember NEWT level well enough, and it isn't easy."

"Sunday mornings would work," I answered with a nod.

"Good," Professor Martin said. "Feel free to ask any question you might need. If you require to practice potions, we can do that as well. I'm determined to raise your mark to at least an Exceeds Expectations."

"Thanks," I said. "It's what I really need to be honest. Professor Slughorn never really paid much attention to me. He only helped out the people he liked. He could never even remember my name for six years."

Professor Martin nodded. "I've heard about him and his Slug Club. I wasn't here when he taught. I graduated a couple years before then. I had Professor Snape as my teacher, and even he played favouritism when it came to his own house. If he didn't like you, you were on your own. I was a Ravenclaw student, and he seemed to hate Ravenclaws as much as he hated Gryffindors and he really hated Gryffindors. I've always wanted to come back to Hogwarts as the potions master. Professor McGonagall thought I was the best candidate for it. I don't play favourites. I don't care what house you're in, I will help. So how about Sunday morning around ten? Does that work for you?"

I nodded.

"I'll send letters to the rest of the seventh years then," he said. "Have a good afternoon Ms. Dunning."

I said good-bye and quickly left the classroom. I liked Professor Martin. I could already see that he had a lot of patience as well. I'd noticed other people struggling in our class as well, and he never let anyone feel like an idiot. I figured he'd be perfect for Ellen as well since she had to work hard to be able to do the seventh year work as well.

I headed to the Great Hall where dinner was taking place. My friends were down towards the middle of the table. I hurried over to them and took the empty seat beside Ben.

"So what as that about?" He asked as soon as I sat down.

"He's starting study sessions for anyone who is struggling in potions," I answered. "He's doing it for all seven years. He wants to help me as well. He said he notices that I have been struggling and he's gone over my marks for the last six years. We'll be doing it on Sundays at ten."

"And anyone can go to these?" Ben asked.

"Anyone who is struggling," I told him. "I don't think he'll kick anyone out. He wants to prepare seventh years for their NEWTs and for the other years he wants to help improve their marks. I imagine he's helping fifth years as well."

Ellen nodded. "He's doing it for us too, especially for the people who will be taking sixth and seventh years simultaneously. And guess what? Hagrid told me I could start in October. It doesn't have to be just first term. As long as I am doing well I can. Professor Martin told me he'd have me ready before the end of term too since I have to go off in March."

"You never told us when your due date is," I said. "Have you found that out yet?"

Ellen smiled. "Your mums birthday actually. They said the due date is on the sixteenth. I meant to you, I am sorry. It's just with everything going on it slipped my mind."

"So when do you leave?" Stan asked her.

"March first," Ellen answered. "I've been talking to all my teachers too, and they said they'd send me my school work at the beginning of every week, and I have until Fridays to send it back. It's going to be hard, but it's okay. Guess what else? I've been talking to Professors McGonagall and Sprout about taking my Transfiguration OWL and NEWT as well. So I should be able to have NEWTS for Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Defense and Care of Magical Creatures. I mean at least I'll have them for five of the important classes. If Quidditch doesn't work out, I can find something when I am ready to go to work."

"Good for you," I said feeling happy for her but I wondered if she'd have time to do so much school work with a little baby around. I knew her mother would help out, but she worked during the day.

"Yeah I'm really proud of you Ellen," Ben added.

She smiled at Keith. "Well, I am finally taking my future seriously. I have to with the baby on the way."

"Anyway," I murmured to Ben. "I want to talk to you after we eat."

"Sure," Ben said with a shrug.

We were going to have to talk about his jealousy once and for all. We'd been together for two years. He needed to get past it. I'd stopped with my insecurities and now it was his turn. He'd told me that I needed to stop thinking he could do better, and at first I'd had trouble but I'd moved past it. I wanted him to do the same with me, especially since it seemed as if it were developing over time.

So after dinner, we walked off hand in hand. I decided to take him to the tower I had discovered years ago. Anytime we'd tried to get into the room of requirement we couldn't get in. Too many people knew about it. The tower was off limits though, so not too many people went up there. I wasn't even sure what it was for. I hadn't really gone up there since my second year. Denver had never wanted to go up there when we were dating. I'd taken Jared up there a couple of times, though I didn't tell Ben that. He'd gone up there with me a few times, but he was always worried we'd get caught.

"I just want some privacy," I told him as I led him up the steps. "I don't know why we don't come up here more often. No one, not even the prefects guard this place. I don't know why your paranoid."

"Because as you said, no one guards it. I don't care about being caught," Ben answered me. "But you're not the only person who knows about this place. I've seen other people go up here. This place is more open than any broom closet in the castle. We'd never hear anyone coming either. Good attitude to hear from the Head Girl though."

"Well we're just going up to talk today anyway," I said.

"I don't know if I like the sound of that," Ben said.

We entered the first part of the tower and then headed out to the connecting bridge. The second part of it was full of junk and an old armchair. Ben automatically sat down and pulled me down onto his lap. He looked at me worriedly.

"So why did you bring me all the way up here to talk?" He asked me.

"It's about this jealousy you've been having lately," I said. "It seems like it's getting worse. When we first started dating you didn't have it as much. You probably had it a little, but not as much as you have lately. I just want to know why. I mean, you explained about Ted and I understood. You got all jealous today about me staying behind to talk to our teacher. I listened to you when you told me I needed to stop my insecurities with you. What is it about me that you can't trust? You told me that we'd start talking more when we need to."

"I know I can trust you," Ben said. "I just get worried about our relationship sometimes. We've been together for two years now-"

"And that's a bad thing?" I interrupted. "That should show you that we're good together."

"Not necessarily," Ben said. "Sometimes people get bored with relationships when they've been together a long time. I've heard enough people complaining about it, and we're still so young. I know you'd never cheat on me or anything, but you do know it's rare for people our age to stay together for so long. I just get worried about you getting bored with me, or you meeting someone else and realizing its them you like."

"Are you bored with me?" I asked him.

"No," he answered automatically.

"So what makes you think I am bored with you? Ben, I can't imagine being with anyone else. Two years ago when we got together, I woke up the next day feeling excited because I was finally with you! I felt more excited about the fact that we were together then I'd ever been with Denver. I still get that feeling when I wake up. I still have that thrill that I am with my best friend and that he loves me. I can't imagine being with anyone else but you. The feelings I had for Denver are nothing compared to you. I haven't wanted anyone else since," I said. "Don't you remember last year when you told me that it bothered you that I thought you could do better? Why the sudden insecurity?"

"Morgan and Claire," Ben answered with a sigh. "She talks to me a lot if we have prefect patrol together. It started last year, but she's been complaining a lot more this year. She's bored with him now, but she's scared to break up him with because she doesn't want to hurt him. He's the only bloke she's been with, and she'd like to go out with more before she settles down. I guess I just started to worry that you felt or you would feel the same way. You've only had one other serious relationship. Jared doesn't count obviously."

"Well you don't need to worry," I said. "I can only imagine you in my future. I am not worried about going out and meeting other guys. I had those worries in third and fourth year. I went on all those failed dates. I went back to Denver because I thought I still missed him. As soon as I realized my feelings for you, and I think I always had them I forgot about other boy's altogether. I can honestly understand Claire and Morgan though. They've been together for so long. How old were they when they got together? Thirteen maybe? That's why they, well at least Claire feels that way. The rest of us at least dated around first. So we found each other a little early, so what? It was you who told me that you thought we'd end up together no matter what."

"I know," Ben sighed. "I know I am being dumb sometimes, but I do love you. You have no idea how much I miss you when we're not together during the holidays. And sometimes I think about last year and how you wanted your alone time away from me."

"To be fair it wasn't you I wanted to be away from. I just wanted to be alone," I said. "I miss you too when I am not with you, but that doesn't mean that we should be together all the time. Everybody needs time alone, everybody. Even you. You might not want to admit it, but you have your moments too when you just want to be left alone. You've had many of those moments this year so far."

Ben sighed and hugged me tightly. "I guess this is part of being in love though. It's not that I don't trust you. I know you'd never ever do anything behind my back with someone. Neither would Claire though. I know you say you won't, but just promise me that you won't stay with me out of obligation."

"I will, and you have to promise the same thing," I said and Ben nodded. "So while we're alone, do you want to talk about what you want to do for your birthday? Do you want a party?"

I'd had my birthday a couple weeks ago, but we hadn't done much outside the four of us. I didn't want a big deal to be made that year. I was only turning eighteen after all. I felt that I'd hit all my milestones by that point. I didn't really care anymore about celebrating it with a lot of people. As long as I had fun with my best friends and my boyfriend I was happy enough.

"No," Ben answered. "I just want to hang out with the three of you. We don't need to make it a big deal. I think last year was enough to last me a life time. I agree with you, eighteen isn't a big deal. Last year we had enough birthday parties anyway. I think everyone is bored with them."

I laughed. "I am not so sure about that. I'm sure people were happy enough to get drunk."

"Yeah but the lake parties got a little old," Ben said. "You'd think people would get creative for their friends."

"True enough," I answered. "I think one last party at the end of the year will be enough. You are still doing a pool party aren't you?"

Ben nodded. "I think I'll do it right after we're done school though. By August everyone will be moving on with their lives. You and I will be working for the summer anyway to save money. I think one last party after term ends will be enough. After that, when we get back maybe we'll see how many people want to get together so we can catch up."

"Does Hogwarts ever do ten year reunions?" I asked.

"Yes, they usually hold them after school ends," Ben said. "Let's not jump ahead that far," he added with a grin. "So are we done fighting now?"

"I don't think we really were," I said and I kissed him. "We agreed last year that we'd talk more, and so that's what we are doing. I just wanted to get away from everyone to do it."

We spent the rest of the evening kissing and talking. I'd never thought about getting bored with Ben, and I hoped it would never happen. We weren't like Claire and Morgan though. I could finally see Rachel's point about people dating at twelve or thirteen. It just likely wouldn't last, and if it did, people would probably have regrets.

Not too much longer after that we had all the seventh years go out by the lake for the big picture. We'd asked someone from the sixth year who worked on the yearbooks to take them for us. We were going to take more than one picture, and then once they were developed, we'd let everyone choose which one they wanted before we made copies of them.

The committees had already started to work together. We planned to have these meetings at least once a month. The committees would update everyone together on how things were progressing. Sometimes Ted and I went to their meetings, but we left them to it most of the time. We had to approve everything they did, but we wanted to make them feel that it was their project. As long as they updated us as much as possible, we left them alone.

Ellen was slowly starting to show as October began. In the summer, she had bought as many robes as she could to hide her pregnancy. She was starting to get depressed that a lot of her clothes didn't fit. I didn't say anything but I couldn't understand how she could be getting upset over getting bigger. She was pregnant, it was going to happen. It wasn't the same as just gaining weight just because you were getting fat. She was carrying a life inside of her. She was not fat. I had a feeling that she'd be one of those girls who would be all belly. Once she had the baby, she'd go back to her old size again.

My head duties kept me pretty busy. I couldn't believe that it was already October. It seemed as if the time was going by quickly. Between doing patrols, dealing with conflicts, having meetings and doing all of my homework, I felt I really didn't have much time to relax. I tried as much as I could to maintain the friendships I'd made over the years, but at times it was hard to see everyone.

On Sunday mornings I started to have my sessions with Professor Martin and the other seventh years. There weren't too many people who came from our class, and the ones who did come had the same struggles as I did. He would sit down with us and go over our homework and our potions. One Sunday he had all brew a potion that we'd had difficulty with. By the end of that lesson, I actually understood where I had gone wrong with my first potion.

"We've only had these sessions for a few weeks now," Professor Martin told me one afternoon after he peered into my cauldron. "I can already see improvement in both your classwork and your potions. You seem to work better with these one on one sessions."

"I understand it better when someone explains instead of just reading it from the textbook," I answered. "Ben usually tries to help, but he's got his own work as well to do."

"You seem to be the type to learn better visually," Professor Martin said with nod. "Not everyone can learn straight from the textbook or by notes on the board. I have other students who are the same way. We'll see what we can do to make it easier for you. I believe it's one of the reasons why you do so well in Charms. Perhaps in my classes I'll start brewing potions with people if they need it, while others can work on their own. I think it may benefit my first years more."

"I also have a learning disability," I said. "I learn things slower than others do."

Professor Martin nodded. "Well as long as you keep brewing potions like this, I think by the time you take your NEWT you'll get Exceeds Expectations. Just give me a sample, and you can be on your way."

He moved on to the Andrew twins to talk to them next. I grabbed a flask and put my potion into it before clearing it away. Once I cleaned up, I quickly left the room. I found Ben waiting for me outside of the classroom. He was frowning over his message parchment.

"Hey," he said with a smile as I touched his arm.

"Who are you talking to?" I asked. "You look upset."

"Claire," he said and he showed me the message parchment. "I told you she was talking to me a lot about Morgan lately. I've been trying to convince her all morning that she should just end things with him then. She sent me a message shortly after you left about how unhappy she is with him, and she has no one to talk to about it. She doesn't want to talk to Denver, and she really doesn't have any close girlfriends. I don't mind her talking to me about it, but she just won't take my advice."

"I imagine it's hard. They've been together for so long. It was hard for me when I had to tell Denver, and we weren't together for that long. Sometimes I think that Morgan might feel the same way though," I said.

"I know it must be hard, but what I hate is when people ask for advice but they don't take the advice," Ben said. "You used to be the same way. Actually you can still be the same way."

I smiled at him. "Honey, you can be the same way too. I think most people are."

He winked at me and then took my hand. "Let's go. So how was it today?"

"Professor Martin said he thinks I am the type that needs to learn things visually. He said that's why I am probably good at Charms. He said he wants to start teaching that way in class instead of just having people brew the potion straight from the board or from the text book. He thinks it will be easier for first years," I said.

"It would be easier for everyone," Ben said. "And I agree. It probably is one of the reasons why you are good at Charms. You're a natural, but it's also because Professor Flitwick takes the time to show us the wand movements. You're good with most of your spell work, even Transfiguration. Even I have been having problems in Potions lately. They're so advanced and complicated. I think he should show us how to brew them step by step. It's something that has always bothered me to be honest. I'm not sure why Slughorn didn't do it that way."

"Apparently Snape didn't either," I said. "When you think about it, it makes sense. Professor Martin is new, so he's just learning as he goes. He told us that last class. He said he is hoping to pick up techniques during the year."

"I wonder why they didn't have him do the teachers training as well," Ben replied. "Neville Longbottom will be starting next term as a trainee. It would make sense for any of the teachers to be honest. Perhaps they wouldn't have had so many problems in the past."

"I think that was mainly because they couldn't keep a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher though," I said. "It would be hard to have teachers train every year. The job was cursed. I think it had something to do with You-Know-Who. As soon as he died for good the job stopped being cursed. From what I heard, the last teacher to last was someone named Professor Merrythought. After she retired, no one ever lasted there again. I think she left about the same time You-Know-Who finished school. So maybe he did something to the class. You know he was all about the Dark Arts. He probably hated the fact that it was a defense class."

"A lot of people believe that," Ben said. "It is a bit odd that the job stopped being cursed after he died. Still. They should be doing some kind of teacher training before they hire someone."

We walked up the steps that would take us to the Entrance Hall, and then towards the doorway that would take us down to our corridor still talking.

"So the activities committee has come up with the first activity planned out," I told the seventh years one afternoon in late October. "So I'll let Aaron tell everyone about it."

It was a Sunday afternoon. Ted and I had decided we would hold the meetings on Sunday afternoons since that was when most people would be available. I could see a few people were working on their homework while they listened. I couldn't blame them. While I was getting ahead on Potions, I wasn't doing as well on the other classes I was struggling with. Ben did as much as he could to help me, but he had his own work to do.

"I still think you should drop Divination," he had told me that very morning.

"No. I only have eight months left to do it, and then I am free. The last few months are just review anyway. So it's actually less than that. If I could handle fifth year, I can handle this year," I'd told him. "Now please stop bringing it up. I'm not complaining about my workload at all. It seems to bother you than it does me."

"Because I hate seeing you stressed," he'd replied. "Especially when you don't need to be. You don't need History of Magic, Astronomy, and Divination."

"That was true when we took our OWLs," I'd told him. "Look, I just want a challenge. This time next year, you and I won't be thinking about school work. We'll be relaxing somewhere on a beach perhaps. So just let me be stressed and challenged right now. Soon it will be all over. It will go quicker than we both think."

Ben hadn't said anything else to that, but I could see by the look on his face that he disagreed. I think he just wanted to avoid an argument. I'd gone off to my Potions lesson shortly after that. At the moment he was staring down at the table while everyone else was focused on Aaron.

"We've had many ideas coming in," Aaron said. "We've written them all down, and we'll vote on the ideas today. The top ideas we'll do during the rest of the school year. However, we had a Halloween activity come in and I thought we could do that next Sunday. I'm sorry to the Beauxbatons students who cannot join, as you are leaving next Saturday. Now we had quite a few ideas for Halloween but we really liked this one. You are to make some magical Halloween decorations. The most advanced decoration will win. We'll also use the decorations to decorate the Great Hall this year."

"I thought the competitions we're supposed to be against the teachers!" Maisie said.

"Most of them will be," Aaron said. "Some will be against each other, and some will be house competitons. However, the teachers want advanced notice when we have our competitions against them. We only just came up with this idea. So this time it's just going to be seventh years against seventh years. We did seriously consider it be houses against houses, but we'd like to have those competitions to a minimum. For the last six years it's been houses against houses. This year it's supposed be all about unity with the seventh years."

"But it's not exactly unity this time either," Maisie said. "I'd rather it be against the teachers."

"Well this time it's not," Aaron said. "The teachers are busy and they need advanced notice as I said. We had many people send in ideas about this contest, so we combined the popular ideas. This is what we came up with. However, if people are against, we don't have to do it. How many people would like to do this? Put up your hands."

A lot of people put their hands. There were less than a dozen people who didn't.

"I like the idea of this," Zoey said. "But can we partner up with people?"

"How many people would like Zoey's idea?" Aaron asked and many people raised their hands. "Okay because we talked about that as well at the meetings. I think that if you do want to work together, it should only be with one other person. And if we do it that way, then I think teams should go against teams. It wouldn't be fair for one person to go against two people. So with your hands, how many people would like to do it on their own?"

There was a number of hands and Aaron quickly counted them all. He made a note on a piece of parchment and then asked how many people would rather work in teams. We wrote down the number as well.

"Okay there is an uneven amount of people for teams," Aaron said. "So I think the teams should choose their partners now, and whoever is left out will work alone, or else one of the individuals can team up with someone. After we decided that, we'll go over the rules and then we'll go over the rest of the competition ideas."

Naturally Ben wanted to work me. It was the first time he said anything to me since our disagreement earlier that day. As it turned out, Maisie ended up being the only person who didn't have a partner and no one seemed to want to partner up with her. So pouting, she folded her arms and glared at the table.

"I guess I won't work on it at all," she said.

"Don't take that attitude Maisie," I said irritated. "It's supposed to be fun for everyone."

"Well no one here likes any of my ideas," she said. "No one wants to work with me. How is it fun for me when everyone is against me!" She glared at her fellow Slytherin's.

"Actually Maisie, one of your ideas is one we really like, and we'll vote on it," Aaron said. "You wanted a scavenger hunt in the grounds against the teachers. If you'd like, we can all vote on it right now. How many people would like to have a scavenger hunt against the teachers later on in the year?"

Maisie's head popped up in surprise when almost everyone's hands went up. The only peoples who didn't go up were ones I believed who hated her. I thought they looked interested but since it was her, they didn't want to put her hand up.

"See, there is one of your ideas approved," Aaron said to her. "Now moving on, you have all week to work on your decorations. Now then, we've written down all of the ideas here," and he picked up a piece of parchment from the table, "we'll pass this around. Tap the ideas you like with your wands. It will register your votes. The most popular ones will be the ones we'll do," and he passed the parchment to Tara who was sitting beside him.

It took about five minutes for the parchment to go around. While it did, Aaron continued to talk about the Halloween contest. I glanced at it to see that he'd charmed it so the votes wouldn't register right away. It was a charm he'd asked me to show him how to do a week previously. Now I knew why. I was the only one in the class who had gotten it right away when Flitwick had taught us in September. Many people were still struggling with it. He winked at me when I looked over at him after I voted on it. I passed it on to Ben. It actually felt good when some of the smarter students needed my help with Charms.

I often wondered where my talent in the class came from. In other classes that we did magic in I still struggled when I first learned spells. Usually it took me a while in Transfiguration to get a spell working. Once I knew the spell, I had no problem doing it again but I always struggled at first. In Defense Against the Darks Arts I struggled and eventually I could do the hex, but it was often hard for me to do it under pressure if we had to duel. It made me wonder what would happen if I was fighting for my life. However, with Charms it was different. Ever since first year after I gained confidence in the class I could do charms almost instantaneously.

"Okay, so we'll make a schedules with these ideas," Aaron said interrupting me thoughts. "That's all from the activities committee for now."

Hank went up next for the prank committee.

"We have enough ideas for what can be going on for every classroom and corridor," he announced. "Now we're just organizing the ideas. We don't need any more ideas, so please don't send anymore. For now we're just going to organize who will do what and we'll work on a date. We believe it should be before the Easter Holidays. Afterwards everyone will be preparing for exams. We think before Christmas will be too soon. We'll keep you updated. Right now we don't have anything else to say."

Paul from Ravenclaw stood up next. He was part of the yearbook committee.

"We've decided that people should be allowed to send photos for the year book. Send all pictures to Erica. She's going to organize all photos. She'll also be taking photos throughout the year. She'll be taking photos for most of the activities unless she is participating, and then we'll find back up. We may end up asking some of the younger years to take them if everyone else is busy. We also have enough ideas for the lists, so please don't send anymore. We're going to be setting up a date for your photo in the yearbook. We'll do that after the Christmas holidays. We've decided to actually hire a professional for that. They'll have different backgrounds for you to pick from. We're just waiting to hear back from someone. Other than that, we don't really have any new announcements. Most of the work won't be starting until little later. So we'll have more updates then."

Anne went up next for the dance and told everyone that they were just working on decorations, but there was really no news yet. After that, we all discussed any more ideas that we could do that year and then Ted and I dismissed everyone.

Ben wanted to start working on our Halloween decorations right away. He told me he had an idea that we could make skeletons that could move around on their own. He figured with my Charms talent and his Transfiguration work that we could do it. It would be very advanced magic. We were just learning how to animate things in Charms. We were only learning how to do it on small objects. Ben was talking about adult sized skeletons.

I figured it was a good thing though. We were practicing spells that we were just learning and it would help us learn them better. He made sure we worked on all our homework early before we went up to the tower to work on it together. We even stored them up there behind a large bookcase. I often wondered what the tower was for. It seemed as if it was just there for storage, but I couldn't understand why.

"My mum and step father are going back to Cuba for the Christmas holidays," I told him one evening mid-week while I struggled to charm a bone. "They liked it so much that they've decided to go back again."

"You remember your promise, right?" Ben asked looking up from a ball that he was trying to Transfigure into a skull.

"Of course I remember," I said. "I'm still going to go home for a few days, but I would like it if you came over to spend the night a couple of times. I'll stay the night at your place and you can stay the night at mine. There will also be Ellen's baby shower that I have to go to."

"As long you're not going to Diagon Alley on your own, I don't care," Ben said and smiled. "I'm not going to be a git this time. How are the plans for the baby shower going anyway?"

"Pretty good," I said. "Mrs. Perenge asked me to send a list of students from Hogwarts who I think would want to go, so I am working on it right. She and her mother have it all planned out though. They're setting up that little den area as the nursery too. I guess Mr. Perenge has been working on a nursery at his place as well. He's been on board for since the summer after their talk."

"I'm glad he's finally straightening up his act. I don't blame Timmy for not wanting to forgive him right away. He's ignored the kids for so many years," Ben said.

"Timmy is starting to warm up to him," I answered. "He told me he plans to spend a few days with him for Christmas. Even though he's been at him for year, he still does need his father."

"Well especially now," Ben said. "He needed him when he was a little boy, but Timmy is at a difficult age now. You remember how insecure we all were at that age."

"Yes," I said instantly. "I was the most insecure of us all I believe."

"Michael and I didn't exactly help with that," Ben said. "I know you've forgiven us and we've changed but I still think back to first year. I feel awful and I wish I had a time turner so I could go back and tell of my twelve year old self, especially after that incident at New Years and the Valentines party."

"Everyone is an idiot at twelve though," I said. "Especially boys, but there is no point in dwelling on it now. We're together now."

"I know," Ben sighed.

On Saturday, we all went to the train station to bid the students who were going to Beauxbatons good-bye.

"Good riddance," Jared muttered as Melanie boarded the train without looking back.

"You really liked her, didn't you?" Ellen asked Jared as she put a hand on his arm. He was glaring down at the ground.

"She's the first girl that I actually liked," he said. "I should have known better though. I should have remembered her past but of course she tricked us all. I'm just glad that she decided to leave. I don't ever have to see her again if I don't want to. I've counting it down."

"I really do wonder what happened," I said. "She can't have been faking her change."

"She's just a fake," Jared said. "When she wants to impress people she'll do what she wants to get own way. She wanted us all to like her, so she changed. She wanted me, so she did what she could to please me. Once she met that guy, and she decided she wanted him, she did what she could to get him. She stopped caring what I thought, or what any of you thought. It's the same as when she was in the second year."

We watched as the sixth and seventh years leaned out the windows to wave to us. Once the train left, anyone in the third year and over were allowed to go to Hogsmeade. However, not wanting the first and second years to feel left out, the teachers were planning a party for them in the Great Hall. At the moment, we were lined up by year to watch them go.

As the train started to move, people were shouting good-byes to their friends. Some of the seventh years had tears running down their cheeks. It would be the last time they would see most of us and Hogwarts. Melanie was the only one who wasn't leaning out the window. I didn't know Brad too well, but I would still miss him. He had always been there even if we didn't talk that much. He always went to my New Year's parties. Joey looked a little lost as he waved to his best friend. Dan clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Hang out with me in Hogsmeade," he told him. "Ellen and Keith are going together, so I don't have anyone. I might meet up with Hank, Stan and Jared later if you want."

Joey looked at him surprised and then nodded. "Sure," he muttered as he glanced back at the train.

I could understand how he was feeling. I'd spent so much time alone when my friends had been in relationships. There was a time before Hogwarts when I hadn't had friends. Here he was in his last year, and his best friend was leaving. He got along with everyone, but he wasn't close to anyone. Perhaps he and Dan would grow close. I would have to make sure to keep him involved in everything so that he wasn't too lonely. I didn't want him to feel left out.

Ellen was in deep conversation with Anne, and Keith walked over to Ben and me.

"Look, Ellen plans to meet up with her mother later on today," he said to us in a low voice. "So when she does, I was wondering if you two could come with me to do something."

"Sure," I answered glancing at Ben who shrugged and gave a small nod. "What time?"

"She said they're meeting up at two. Her mum wants to take her to Diagon Alley to look at some baby stuff for the nursery," Keith answered.

"We'll see you at two then," I said to him.

"Why do you need to see us anyway?" Ben asked.

"I'll explain later, I'll see you at Honey Dukes," Keith said and he walked away to rejoin Ellen.

I had a feeling that he wanted to surprise her with something. He seemed quite secretive and worried that people might overhear.

"Third years and older, you may now go on to Hogsmeade if you have permission!" Professor McGonagall called. "First and second years! We have a Halloween party planned for you in the Great Hall."

Timmy and his friends glanced back at the older students with jealous looks on their faces. I could tell that they wanted to go to Hogsmeade too. The first years didn't seem to care. They seemed excited for the party. It didn't take much to excite first years though. I remembered back then getting excited over the smallest things. Everything had been so amazing in my eyes. I was so used to magic now, and at times I wished I could go back to that twelve year old who had been amazed by everything. I was going to miss Hogwarts when we left.

"Coffee shop?" Ben asked me.

"Sure," I said. "I think after our meeting with Keith we should go back to the school early to finish up our Halloween decoration. We have to work out those kinks."

We'd made two skeletons, and they seemed to work but they couldn't work properly without falling over. They were very awkward. I believed I knew what I'd done wrong, but I just had to make sure. They seemed almost clumsy and I figured it was the way I was charming them.

As soon as we were on our own away from everyone Ben muttered: "I get the feeling Keith wants to propose to Ellen."

"Really?" I asked. "You think that's why he wants to see us without her?"

"It makes sense," he said. "I also overheard him saying something to Dan about it. He said he wants to make things official with her. I think he wants us to pick out a ring. We're her best friends after all."

"That makes sense," I said, "Ooh I wonder when he plans to do it. This is exciting!"

Ben often told me that he could see me as his wife. So I wondered if he had the same plans eventually for me. Had he already bought a ring for me? We'd talked about our future so much, and we'd been together longer. Although of course Ellen and Keith had a baby on the way.

We spent the day together discussing our plans for the Christmas holidays and Ellen and Keith. At five to two, we headed to Honey Dukes. We found Keith standing outside the shop with his hands shoved in his pocket. Michael was also with him. Ben raised his eyebrows at me. I had a feeling he was definitely right about Keith proposing if Michael was there too.

"So why did you want to meet up with us?" Michael asked Keith.

"Lets walk a bit first," he said glancing around the crowded street. "I don't want too many people knowing yet."

Ben and I exchanged looks. I had a feeling that he was right. We walked until we were no longer around any crowds. Keith turned to face us before looking around.

"I want to ask Ellen to marry me," he said. "Dan already knows, but I wanted to talk to the three of you as well. You've been her best friends since the first year. I was kind of hoping you would come look at rings with me today."

"I had a feeling that's what this was about," Ben said with a nod. "Of course we'll help you look."

Keith glanced at me. "I was also hoping to ask a big favour from you at your New Year's party. I want to ask her to marry me at the count down."

"So what do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Well you know that everyone usually gathers in the living room for the count down. I'd like to ask her in front of everyone, and the television will be where everyone will be focused. So if I could get her in front of the TV somehow, I'd be grateful. You know Ellen loves to be at the center of attention, and this would definitely make her happy," Keith said.

"I'm sure we can find away. The younger kids will be playing on the Nintendo, but we always kick them off. We'll just make sure we get in there early," I answered.

"And you three approve of this?" Keith asked. "I wanted to make sure you three are okay with it as well as her parents. Her mum knows what I am doing today. I don't know about her father."

"I definitely approve," I told him. "The moment you two got together I knew you were meant to me. I could just tell from the way you interacted. Now you two are already starting your family. I think marriage is the next step."

"I agree," Ben said and he clapped Keith on his shoulder. "And it means a lot to me that you're asking our opinion as well. I know you love her."

Michael sighed. He was staring down at his feet. I believed he was still in love with her even after all these years. He looked up at Keith.

"But are you only marrying her just because it's the right thing to do?" Michael demanded.

"No," Keith said right away. "I always planned to marry her. My original plan was to ask her when we finished school. However, I've moved up the date because of the baby. If we plan things right, I am hoping we can marry in the summer. I love that girl, and I can't imagine my life without her."

"As long as you love her and treat her well," Michael said but he looked away as he said it. I glanced at Ben who gave me a small shrug.

"So let's go look at rings," I said excitedly.

It was hard being around Ellen and knowing that soon Keith was going to propose. I had to do my best to contain my excitement around her. I hoped the next couple of months would go by quickly. In the meantime, we had our school work to keep us busy enough.

The next day, Ben and I got up early to set up our skeletons. We had finally perfected them the night before. We had to take them all to the Great Hall early in the morning. Professor Martin had cancelled our potions lesson for that day, but he'd told me I didn't need it that week anyway and neither did the other seventh years. He said we could wait a week before we had another one.

Ben and I tested our skeletons by forcing them to walk down to the Great Hall. They walked in front of us. Many of the younger years stared in amazement. I felt proud of our accomplishments. Many of the teachers knew that we were having our contest that day. Some of them came down to watch. When Professor Flitwick saw Ben and I leading our skeletons to the Great Hall, he clapped in approval.

"I always knew you'd do well Miss. Dunning!" He said to me. "You too Mr. Hoofer."

A lot of people had demons, bats, pumpkins, ghosts, spiders, zombies, what looked like live heads in jars full of slime and some people from muggle families had even brought in ideas from muggle movies. There was a Chucky doll, a Freddy Krueger, the killer from the Scream movies, the gremlins and so many more. After seeing some of the stuff, I didn't think our skeletons were nearly as cool. They did a lot more than some others peoples did but they seemed quite tame scary wise.

"So how do they work?" Ellen asked as she and Keith approached us. They had a flashing Jack O Lantern. "Do you have to control them?"

"We can, but they can move on their own too," I said. "It was really hard to do, but I think I have it."

Ben and I took our wands off the skeletons. They had walked around on their own up in the tower room; I just hoped I could get them to do it again. I waved my wand and muttered in incantation. At first the skeletons didn't do anything, but then with some creaking, they began to move around on their own. Many people stopped to look up from their projects to stare as the skeletons lumbered around. The first time I had tried this, they had tripped over their own feet. Now however, they could walk around without difficulty.

"Was that all you?" Tara asked me as she glanced up from the banshee that she and Aaron had worked on together.

"Ben helped a lot," I said. "He transfigured all the parts."

"But she charmed them to move around," Ben spoke up. "She's amazing. She's better at Charms then I am."

"Well you should still take a lot of credit," I said. "I could never have built them on my own. When I tried transfiguring the bones they weren't so realistic," I added to Tara. "What about your banshee? It looks really realistic."

"It sounds realistic too," Aaron said and he pointed his wand at the banshee. It let out a loud wailing noise that caused everyone to cover their ears. Aaron quickly silenced it.

He moved forward next and put his wand to throat and muttered "Sonorus. Can all the seventh years stand by their projects please!" Aaron's voiced boomed around the Great Hall louder than usual. Everyone stopped what they were doing and moved by their projects. "Now, I told you all that the teachers weren't participating but they will be judging. They will judge our spell work as well the realism. There are different categories to win under."

Professor's Sprout, Flitwick, Martin, Deplacer and Fraymen were the judges. They all moved together to look over each project and made different notes. I glanced at the Great Hall doors to see a number of first and second years watching. I could see Timmy and his friends pointing at the different projects. Alana, Rory and Derek were also there. Alana had wanted to see how our skeletons would turn out. I'd told her what we were working on and she was impressed by what they were supposed to do.

"I don't think I could ever get to that level of magic," she had said.

"You will," I reassured her. "You're smart and you're doing really well in all your classes. I used to feel the same. By seventh year you'll be able to do what I can." Probably better. I had added to myself.

The Professor's walked over to Ben and I. We had stopped the skeletons from moving around, but they now asked us to demonstrate what they could do. I waved my wand to reanimate them. They began moving around on their own again aimlessly.

"Can you explain exactly the steps you took to make the skeletons?" Professor Deplacer asked sounding impressed.

Ben explained how we'd used different objects and transfigured them into bones. I made sure to point out that Ben had done most of the transfiguring since he could do it the most realistically. However, Ben made sure they knew how I'd gotten them to work my charming each and every bone individually, and in a way that they had to work together.

"It was hard at first," I explained. "They couldn't move around without tripping. It took some time to figure out how charm them so each bone could work together."

"This is amazing work," Professor Flitwick told me. "Not just for this contest, but in general. I've always been pleased with your work Miss. Dunning, but you continue to surprise and amaze me. You've come a long way from your first year. This is very advanced for your level so far. I've been teaching you to animate objects, but I never expected anyone to get to this level."

I smiled at him feeling shy. I wasn't used to so many compliments.

"Thanks," I said.

"You really have grown with your school work," Professor Frayton added to me as he watched the skeletons. "This is something I could never do on my own you know."

I felt bad that Ben wasn't getting as much praise as I was. He had after all worked hard on them with me. However, when I looked at him he smiled. When the teachers had moved on to look at the banshee, I turned to him.

"You deserve just as much praise," I said.

"The teachers have always been happy with my school work," he told me. "I'm sure they are impressed by how realistic the skeletons work. However, getting them move around on their own the way you've managed is very impressive. You don't seem to realize just how impressive this is. Not too many of the seventh years can do this yet. Eventually they'll probably be able to do that just as well, but right now we are just learning how to do this. That's why it's impressive Ashley."

I was about to say that Ben's work was just as impressive but the banshee began to let out the ear piercing wail again. We didn't say anything else to each other. I just took Ben's hand and watched at the teachers moved around to judge everyone. I felt a little bad for Maisie. Most people's projects were quite impressive. I felt we all deserved an award. All she'd made was a basic tarantula. The only thing that was magical about it was that the eyes flashed red, otherwise it just sat there.

After the teachers judged everyone, they handed out the awards. Ben and I ended up winning one of the most realistic and impressive awards. Other people won funny awards, scary awards, silly awards, amusing awards. I honestly thought that the head in the jar was amazing. Tara and Aaron also won the realistic award.

After we were all given awards, we were allowed to help set up the Great Hall for the feast that night.

"I know you two worked hard on these skeletons," Professor Deplacer told Ben and I as we put Maisie's spider on the wall, "and this might be too much to ask, but I was wondering if I could keep the skeletons for future students to learn from. It's just these bones are so realistic looking, and I'd like for future students to see what level they could get to."

Ben and I looked at each other.

"Well I don't mind," I finally said. "I'm not sure where I can store the skeletons anyway. Right now I live in a muggle neighbourhood. I'm flattered that you want to use our work for future students to learn from. It's up to Ben though."

"I don't mind," Ben said. "I just wanted to see if we could do it. If it helps other students then I don't mind. I'm not sure where we'd store them anyway. Now that we know we can make them, we can again in the future if we need to."

"They might be useful for future Charm's students as well," she added.

That night at the feast, the Great Hall looked impressive with everyone's decorations. I could hear Timmy's group talking about how they planned to do the same thing when they were in the seventh year. Now that it was later at night, I thought that Maisie's spider actually looked impressive on the wall. It was darker, so the glowing lights appeared more brightly. In the muggle world it would actually be a nice decoration.

I pointed this out to Ellen who nodded.

"I actually thought it was actually done well anyway," she said looking up at it. "Sure it's not very magical like the rest of them, but it could be creepy looking. You know I think she's lonely without Don and Xavier here."

We glanced over at the Slytherin table where she sat a part from the other Slytherin seventh years. The rest of them really didn't like her. She'd always just hung out with Don and Xavier who I believed had felt sorry for her, which was why they had befriended her. The two of them had stuck with her no matter what, and now they were gone. As much as I disliked her, I couldn't help but feel bad for her. I didn't believe she actually hated muggleborns. I believed she just did what Denver and Morgan had done in the first year.

"She dug her own grave," Michael said. "She's the one who has been a bitch for the last six years. Don't feel sorry for her. She made her choices in life just like Melanie did. It isn't saying much that those two were her only friends."

"Still," Ellen said. "It is awful to be lonely. It's called having empathy."

"I'll never have empathy for people like that," Michael retorted. "Look what happened to my parents."

He got up and left the Great Hall. Ever since the day before when Keith had announced his plans, Michael had seemed extremely miserable. I wondered if he'd always hoped that at some point Ellen would fall for him. Now that Keith was proposing, that dashed all his hopes of ever getting with her. I thought maybe he hoped he and Ellen would eventually be like Ben and me.