I was glad to get back to school for the final term but I was also really nervous. It was the first time I would take such important examinations. And although I didn't take Brenda's words about my friends holding me back too seriously, I did worry that they would goof off a little. Most of the time I couldn't stand Tara, but at times I wish my friends could be a little more like her with their study habits. I hated being the only person in my group who was serious. I knew Ellen was right that we needed to have fun as well, and I am definitely not a killjoy like she teasingly called me at times, but I really did want to do well in my first year.

I knew my friends were also nervous about these exams, especially Ashley. She was worried she would fail the first year and although I didn't admit it, I was sure if her study habits were the same as they had been at the beginning of the school year, she would have failed. I had full faith that she would pass though, and I was planning to help her out as much as I could. I still felt bad for the way I'd treated her, but I also knew she struggled more than Michael and Ellen because of her learning disability. The other two didn't do as well just because they were lazy, but I knew they could do it if they wanted to.

I was also worried they would still be as moody as they had been when we'd all hung out over the holidays. However, when we picked up Michael he seemed to be in a pretty good mood. He greeted my parents as he sat down in the backseat and he surprisingly even gave Brenda a smile. He'd always gotten along well with Brianne, but since Brenda was always cold towards my friends he didn't say much to her. To my surprise, she also smiled at him and muttered a small hi.

"So how were the rest of your holidays?" I asked him.

Michael gave a small shrug. "Still the same, but that's life." He quickly changed the topic to our exams which surprised me again. I smiled as I listened to him go over what he thought we'd be tested on, and what we would learn during the final term. If he was in a better mood than perhaps Ellen would be as well, and it was good to see my sister finally getting along with my friends. Brenda even engaged him in conversation to tell him exactly what would he on the exams. Brianne and I exchanged looks.

When we got to the train station, my mother gave us all a hug good-bye, including Michael who thanked her for the ride.

"Do you think Ashley and Ellen are here yet?" I asked Michael as we boarded the train.

"I don't know. I hope Ashley's not upset with me. I want to apologize for the holidays," he answered. "I know I wasn't the best guest, but I just get tired of my parents. They keep making promises and then I go home and everything is the exact same. You and Ashley tried to cheer us up, but we just stayed moody. I knew Ellen feels bad as well, her and I talked a lot last week."

"I'm sure she's not upset," I answered. "We both understood. You two did make depressing guests," I added jokingly, "but neither of us care that much. Think about how I treated her, compared to that, you're a saint."

We peered into each compartment as we walked through the corridors. I was about to mention to Michael that neither girl had shown up yet when we found Ashley sitting alone, and gazing out the window.

"Hello," I said as I entered the compartment.

She turned from the window and smiled at us, although her smile seemed a little fake. She seemed as if she were sad about something. I'd seen her pretend to be happy enough times throughout the school year to know when she was genuinely happy, and when she wasn't. Great I couldn't help thinking. Now we're going to have another depressed friend to deal with and I couldn't help but wonder what it was this time.

After I put away my luggage, I could see my mother hugging Brenda on the platform. So I opened the window and leaned out the window so I could say good-bye to her again.

"I know I don't have to say this to you, but be good," she said. "I've never had to worry about the four of you misbehaving. I'm one of the lucky ones, I suppose."

"I'm waiting until I'm older to cause trouble," I told her. "Wait until third year, and then you'll get some owls home from school."

She laughed. "Have a good term Ben. I better get going; your father will wonder where I am. We have to get to Diagon Alley now."

"Bye," I said and I pulled my head back in as she turned to walk off.

Michael was still discussing third term, only now with Ashley. I joined in on their conversation and told them about the timetables that Brenda had made, but I stared at Ashley who still seemed as if she were sad. I wanted ask her what was wrong, but Ellen entered the compartment just as I finished telling them about the schedules.

"So she's just as bad as you?" She asked and I felt annoyed right away, but I hid my annoyance by putting away her trunk. I didn't want us to fight, but I was tired of some of her remarks. I knew at times friends teased each other, but sometimes hers didn't seem like friendly bantering. Many times it seemed she just wanted to get a rise out of me. So I just explained why she had made it for me instead.

All of my friends surprised me by asking if they could borrow it. Perhaps they were actually going to take our third term seriously after all. After we discussed that for a while, I noticed Ashley still didn't seem happy even though she was trying her best to hide it. So I decided to ask her. I wondered if she'd gotten made fun of again by the people in her town. I was ready to tell her to stand up for herself, but instead she told us that her sister had called her a weird embarrassment.

Apparently not only had Jaime insulted Ashley, but Hufflepuff house as well. And for the first time since I'd met her, I felt some dislike for her and I felt angry. I was tired of people making fun of Hufflepuff house when there was nothing wrong with it. I'd met some of the greatest people there. All of the houses, including Slytherin had decent people in it. It was how a person made themselves out to be, not the house they lived in. Jaime didn't even know anything about Hufflepuff and yet she was judging it just as Brenda had done. I also felt some sympathy for Slytherins who everyone believed to be evil. And I didn't understand how Jaime could find her own sister an embarrassment or why other people thought she was weird. It seemed her old classmates were against her because she was shy and quiet, and maybe accidentally did magic but that was it. No one at Hogwarts thought she was weird.

As we discussed this situation, I couldn't help but glance at Ellen who was smirking at me and for the second time that day I was annoyed by her. She was sympathetic with Ashley of course by her sister being a bitch, but she seemed way too pleased to see if this would upset me. I knew I'd been a prat, and I vowed never to do it again, so why couldn't she let it go? Why did she have to keep rubbing it in? I clenched my teeth and looked away as they continued to talk about Jaime and Ashley. It was the only way to stop myself from snapping at Ellen. I knew she was going through a rough time with her parents, so I didn't want to upset her any further. However, I was going to have a talk with her later. It was relief when Ashley finally changed the subject to the kids she'd baby-sat.

As third term began, I was relieved to see that no one was depressed. We all worked hard on our studies for a change and even joined other people. Although I disliked Tara a lot, I started studying in the library with her. I just hoped she wouldn't get any ideas since both Ashley and Ellen insisted she had a crush on me. She was a cute enough girl, but I could never like her past study partners. And when I gave it some thought, it kind of scared me the idea of having a girlfriend. I'd never thought of that when I'd had a crush on Jaime (which was definitely gone by that point) but the idea seemed kind of strange.

"So Ben," Tara began as we worked on a Transfiguration essay a few weeks into the term. "At the last Slug club meeting, Professor Slughorn told us we could invite a guest for the end of the year party. I know we're both in the club and we can invite other people but I thought maybe we could go together. You know, the two smartest people in the year going together will be impressive."

I felt nervous and gave a small laugh. "Impressive how?"

"Think about it, the two top students in the year. You know we are going to be Head Girl and Boy in our seventh year. If we show partnership from early on, and hang out together more the teachers will be impressed as well."

"I'm taking Ashley," I answered. "I've been taking it in turns with my friends and it's her turn. Besides it's better to invite people outside the club so they have the chance to go. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like to go. What about that Ted guy in your class? You study with him a lot. I mean, all the Ravenclaws are smart. It would look impressive for two top Ravenclaws to go together."

I hoped she wouldn't ask a follow up question for why. I didn't have an answer, I was just rambling on. I did not want her to be my "date" to the party. Even if it wasn't Ashley's turn to go, I would never go with Tara. I would take one of my friends, or one of my fellow Hufflepuffs. I would take absolutely anyone but her. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Tara was staring at me intensely.

"Why would you take her?" Tara asked irritated. "I don't even get why you hang out with her of all people."

"This discussion is over," I said and I pulled my essay and books towards me.

"No, what I meant was, well I'm sure she is a nice girl… but come on, she isn't smart at all. Why would you waste time with her? I mean, aside from you, Ellen and Michael, no one likes her."

I could feel my face reddening.

"That's funny, because I can think of a number of people who like her," I answered. "Look, we're study partners and that's it. I don't appreciate anyone insulting a friend of mine."

"Well it's not just her, it's Ellen too. I mean, I suppose Ashley has an excuse because she is naturally stupid but what about Ellen?" Tara sputtered. "I mean- wait don't go Ben!"

I'd started to throw my stuff in my bag angrily.

"I'm sorry Ben. I shouldn't have said any of that stuff. I'm sorry; I won't insult your friends anymore. I want us to keep studying together."

"Lets get something straight here Tara," I said as I stood up and swung my bag over my shoulder. "I will continue to study with you, but that's it. We are strictly study partners and that's it. And maybe we shouldn't have these one on one study sessions anymore. But if you ever insult any of them again, I will never talk to you again. And that goes for Michael too."

I turned from the table, and left the library angrily. I headed to the Hufflepuff Common room where I found Michael. I wasn't sure where Ashley or Ellen was; perhaps they were having their 'girl' time they liked to have at times. Michael and I usually did that as well, either we hung out together or we hung out with the other boys in our year.

"What's going on?" I asked as I sat down on the table with him.

"Just looking up some of the duelling spells we'll be doing next year," he answered. "I asked Professor Fraymen if I could borrow the next years spells."

"You really like duelling," I said. "I wonder what Ellen would say about that."

Michael shrugged. "I don't really care. Anyway, I think her attitude about studying has changed anyway. Although I worry about how she's going to react when she realizes that her lack of studying isn't the reason why her parents fight."

"I expect she's going to slack off even worse," I answered.

I too was worried about Ellen. Although she'd done things that annoyed me lately, I did feel horrible about what she was going through. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have my parents fight constantly. According to her, her parents had started fighting long before she'd started at Hogwarts. So I doubted very much that it had anything to do with how she was doing in school. Something was wrong in their marriage and it had nothing to do with Ellen or her little brother. I just hoped they would work it out, otherwise I knew Ellen would be devastated. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to work out between them though.

"She's a great girl though," Michael said.

"Don't tell me you have a thing for her," I said glancing up at him.

"Why not?" He asked. "She's a very pretty girl. You've seen her mother. She's only going to get more beautiful. Don't tell me you don't find her hot. Or are you still in love with Jaime?"

"No, I am not still in love with Jaime. I'm over her, I am," I insisted as he raised an eyebrow. "And I suppose Ellen is cute but no, I don't see her like that."

Michael stared at me in shock. He shook his head slowly.

"Do you know how many of the guys in our year like her? Hell, I heard some third years discussing how beautiful she is. How can you not see her that way?"

I laughed. "I can't believe you have feelings for Ellen. She's our friend."

"It can be more than that," Michael said defensively. "Besides who else am I going to go for? Ashley? No one in our year would want her. And she has such a pathetic crush on Denver. She's so fucking ugly, haven't you ever noticed she has a unibrow?"

My amusement turned to anger.

"Didn't I tell you to lay off on her?" I asked. "Quit making fun of her."

Michael seemed to enjoy making fun of Ashley at any chance he got. It seemed that as soon as she left, he was quick to make fun of some sort of flaw she had. He mostly made fun of her for being ugly, but he also liked to call her stupid as well. It had gotten worse since we'd gotten back from the break. It irritated me not only because we shouldn't be making fun of her, and I was past that but if it hadn't been for her we wouldn't even be friends. She was the one who added him to our group when no one would talk to him. Besides, the ugly jokes were getting old. I didn't care anymore, she was my best friend, his as well. It shouldn't matter to us. I felt as mad at him as I had with Tara.

"You're one to talk, you used to all the time," Michael said with raised eyebrows.

"Right, keyword, used to. I don't anymore, and I won't anymore and I don't want to hear you do it either. We were gits to her. She's been nothing but nice to us, and even loyal to stick with us, especially you and look at the way we treated her. We don't deserve her friendship," I said.

"What do you mean especially me?" Michael asked and he set down his quill and folded his arms. "You treated her like crap New Year's Eve because you wanted her sister! And Jaime isn't that pretty, not compared to Ellen or Melanie or even Tara! You're such a hypocrite Ben."

"But I've also admitted I was wrong, and I've apologized. I also know I made a mistake about Jaime which I've admitted to. But you? You make fun of her and Ellen. You sit here and talk about how you have a crush on Ellen, and yet I've heard you making fun of her with the other guys in our year! Not only that, but in case you've forgotten, you wouldn't even be hanging out with us if it hadn't been for Ashley. You're still the same insecure git you were at the beginning of the school year. All I am saying is that you need to knock it off. I might have made mistakes throughout this year, but at least I realized it and I admit it and I've stopped. I think you're still angry with Ashley just because she met Harry Potter and you didn't."

A few weeks ago, Ashley had run into Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley on the grounds. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a little jealous but I wasn't angry with her and neither was Ellen. However, Michael had taken it really hard. He'd made her repeat every word they'd discuss at least several times, and he'd flipped out on her for not mentioning him. The two of them hadn't spoken for a couple of days. He'd made up with her, but he still pouted about it.

Michael now sat across me glaring. I wondered if he was going to stop speaking to me. However he gave a small sigh.

"You're right, I don't know it's just sometimes I'm jealous of you and her," Michael answered. "You have this perfect home life-" "It's not perfect-" I interrupted but he held up his hand. "and she complains about being poor but she really isn't. And she also has a baby-sitting job lined up for the job even if she can't afford anything. Neither of you even realizes how bad my home life is."

"We both get that," I told him. "But at least you have both your parents; you do know her father died right? And maybe my parents don't argue and I am not poor but my life isn't perfect. But you can't take it out on us anyway. Ashley has had just as hard of life as you, and she gets made fun of by a lot of people, including her sister. She shouldn't have to deal with it from her friends."

"You won't tell Ellen you I feel will you?" Michael asked. "I don't want her to know. She's so damn beautiful and she's my friend. I can't help liking her. It's not the same as it was with you and Jaime."

"I don't want anything to do with it," I told Michael. "I think you should find another girl to be honest. My brother told me that the girls we like at this age aren't the ones we'll end up with later. I don't think you want to ruin your friendship, or all of ours. If you guys date, we'll all be taking sides. Look at the disaster with Jaime."

"It's not the same," Michael answered. "At least I know Ellen."

I sighed; I didn't want to argue with him so I just gave a shrug and promised I wouldn't mention it. However, I couldn't help but wonder how this would affect our group if he acted on his crush. I knew Ellen was a pretty girl, and I knew a lot of the boys in our year liked her. However, I just couldn't see her that way. But that didn't bother me in the slightest because I remembered what Barry had told me about his situation with Tasha. I was glad to find that I felt as if Ellen was my sister, and I guessed I felt the same as Ashley as well. I would never fall for my friends.

A few days later Ellen and I were practicing Quidditch. We both really wanted to be Chasers for Hufflepuff. We mostly just tossed the Quaffle between us, but sometimes older students joined us as well. That day, the two of us were playing with some of the older Hufflepuffs with an actual game going on. I felt jealous at just how good she was. The older students were impressed as well, including the captain who felt sure she would be able to make the team next year.

"It's refreshing to see people practice beforehand," Ren Summerby told us. "Usually I get people just showing up and they don't know a thing about Quidditch. I think the two of you will be a good addition to the team. So just keep this up, and perhaps you'll be on the team. I'll be happy to get the pair of you. You're already friends and you work well together. Next year is my last year. I want to win at least once."

"Can't you just tell Professor Sprout that you want us on the team next year?" Ellen asked.

"I have to have try-outs for everyone, it's only fair," he answered.

As we headed to the Great Hall for dinner, Ellen talked non-stop about how exciting it was for a sixth year to think she played so well. It was nice to see her confident in something. Although her marks had improved and her work was better, she did lack confidence in some of her skills. For Quidditch, she felt nothing but confidence. She knew she was good at it.

"Maybe it will be you and me who brings the cup to Hufflepuff," she said. "We're just that awesome."

I laughed. "Maybe you will. I'm good, but you're spectacular."

She smiled back at me. "I know I'm so awesome."

I smiled and shook my head, but I was amused. We joined the Hufflepuff table with. I began to fill up my plate with food.

"Woah!" Hank said in an impressed voice.

I looked up to see why, and saw that everyone was staring at Ashley with shocked expressions. I looked at her as well, and noticed that her unibrow was gone. She looked a lot different because she'd thinned out her eyebrows a lot. In fact, she looked a lot better than she had. I wouldn't call her beautiful like her sister. She would never be as pretty as Jaime, or even Ellen, Melanie and Tara (who I have to admit was gorgeous) but there was something about her that looked cute. Although I knew my sisters plucked their eyebrows and did other things that girls did, I'd never given it much thought or realized it made a difference. However, looking at Ashley I realized that eyebrows could make a person's face look different.

The rest of the first years were impressed but I felt angry. She had obviously heard Michael and me talking. I looked over at Michael who looked back at me. He was realizing the same thing as I was, and I couldn't help but feel angry with him. She had obviously taken offense to it, and changed it. It made her look better, but she must have been upset enough, especially if she'd heard it coming from us. I thought back to how she had seemed kind of quiet and distant over the last few days but she'd told us it was because she was very nervous about our approaching exams.

"What made you decide to change your eyebrows?" I asked and I glared at Michael again.

I was trying so hard to make things right between us after the disaster with her sister. I just wanted the four of us to get along.

"Oh I've wanted to do it for a while, but I didn't know how to do it," she answered. "I asked your sister Brianne about it and she was happy to show me. I thought about asking Jaime over Easter, but you know I didn't see her much and then we had that fight. I just wasn't sure who to ask for help, and I figured since your sister is older she could help."

She was lying though, I could tell. I could always tell when she was lying or hiding things. I'd started to notice certain things that she did, like she fiddled with her hair and stared down instead of making eye contact. The rest of the first years continued to compliment her, but I kept quiet. Michael kept quiet as well, I could tell he felt bad but I was still angry with him. This was another reason why I wanted him to stop making fun of the girls behind their backs. What if they overheard? Part of me hoped she'd heard what he had said about Ellen as well.

Later when the two of us were alone, I confronted her about it.

"Be honest," I began while I corrected her History of Magic essay. "You heard Michael and me didn't you?"

"Well yes, I didn't mean to. I was just leaving my dorms when I heard you two talking. Thanks for what you said though," she said and blushed and I knew she meant when I was defending her. I felt thankful for that. At least she knew I wasn't making fun of her, and that it had been all Michael. I was curious about whether or not she'd heard what he had said about Ellen though. I had promised not to say anything though.

"No problem, And it does look a lot better." I told her. A lot better. I couldn't help but add in my mind.

We had a memorial for the war survivors and those who had died, and then after that it seemed the school year sped up. Professor Slughorn told us the date for the final slug club party during one of our final meetings in which Michael had been invited to. He had been issued an invitation recently because his potions marks had gone up so much that year. In fact, out of a lot of the people in our year, his grades had improved the most. Ashley and Ellen were averaging which was fine for them, but Michael had surpassed everyone's expectations.

"I'm taking Ellen to the final party," Michael told me excitedly.

Ellen had planned a birthday party for Michael with most of the people in our year, and it had been a success. She'd done it because the two of them had grown closer since the Easter holidays but also because she wanted to cheer him up. We all knew his parents wouldn't be doing anything for his birthday so she wanted us to. I had no problem with that at all. We'd done the same for Ashley, and my friends had celebrated mine was well. We'd gone together and bought him a birthday pack from the Weasley's joke shop. It had a variety of different joke items in it. Michael knew that Ellen had been behind it though, so that had made him fall for her harder.

"I expected you would," I answered. "I'm taking Ashley."

Michael laughed. "Oh, really? Ah, so you've moved from Jaime to her sister."

"It's her turn," I said knowing he was just joking. "I plan to make her an invitation to the party. Did I tell you that Tara invited me though?"

"No," he laughed, "but hey she's beautiful. A lot prettier than Ashley even if she is insane."

"I told you not to make fun of Ashley," I began feeling irritated but Michael seemed to be in too good of mood, he grinned and lifted both his hands up.

"Relax; I am not making fun of your girlfriend. I'm just stating an obvious fact. Tara is prettier than Ashley. She's prettier than a lot of girls in our year. Not nearly as beautiful as Ellen, but you know she is. Come on Ben, don't be an idiot. I know you notice the girls in our year. This is why I like talking to Hank, Stan and Jared. They don't mind talking about who is attractive and who isn't."

"I don't mind it either," I said. "Believe me, I notice. I just don't want to do it at the expense of our friend. I know Ellen is pretty, and I know Tara is too. I've noticed how gorgeous Melanie is as well. I just don't want to make fun of Ashley in the process. Don't tell me you are making fun of her with those guys now."

Michael didn't answer me, he stayed quiet for a moment and then gave a small shrug.

"So if you had a pick of any of the girls in our year, who would you pick then? You've said you don't want Ellen which is surprising and you aren't interested in Tara, so who then? You're not still hung up on Jaime?"

"Melanie," I answered without hesitation. "She's smart, funny and a great girl. And no, I am completely over Jaime."

"Thought so," Michael answered. "But anyway, did Tara just come right out and ask you then?"

"Basically," I answered and I gave him a summary of our conversation.

"I don't really blame you," he said. "I can't believe she said that about them. They're our friends, and she seems full of herself."

"She is," I said.

Although I'd rejected her, Tara still seemed to come on strong. Now that the exams were approaching, a lot of us were studying a lot more together. Tara joined our sessions a lot more. There were times when we studied outside, and she would try to convince me to go for a walk with her. I think everyone we studied with knew what was going on. I wished she would just get the hint and leave me alone. She didn't seem to get it though. She liked me as much as Michael liked Ellen.

Luckily she was completely clueless to his feelings.

Finally, our exams approached and I felt confident about them. Each exam came easily to me, although for some reason I seemed to struggle with a few of the Charms questions. I knew it was mean, but I felt a little annoyed that Ashley had done so well on the questions I mentioned I'd struggled with. However, I pushed those feelings away because it was good for her that she was excellent in one class. I could handle that. I had to remember that I couldn't be good at everything. I still couldn't help but feel disappointed that Tara still beat me. I was in the top three in the year. Ted from Ravenclaw had beat me for second and Tara was of course number one.

"I can't believe you're disappointed," Ashley said to me. "You're in the top three!"

"I can't believe you're surprised you passed," I answered back but not in annoyance although I think she felt I was annoyed, because she looked offended. "I just mean because you weren't confident about these exams. Anyway, I know I did well. I'm not upset about my marks. I just hate that Tara beat me. I just can't stand that girl. She's going to be so smug."

"You two have a love hate relationship," she said with amusement. "I bet you two date."

"No," I answered. "I will never date her. If I ever start dating, it will never be her. Anyway, she tried to ask me to Slughorns party and I said no."

"Because you're stuck with me?" she said but she was laughing.

I'd made her an invitation and had given it to her. She had been pretty excited about it. I'd given it to her the day before when the Hufflepuff's had a party.

"I was planning to ask you all along, but even if I hadn't, I wouldn't have asked her," I said.

"No, you probably would have asked Melanie," she said. "Next year you should take her to a party."

I looked at her surprised that she knew about Melanie but I didn't say anything. She and I had grown close over that year, just as Michael and Ellen had. However, it seemed the two of us understood each other better. I always knew when she was honest or when she was lying but our other two friends didn't and she also knew the same about me. Just like I knew she liked Denver even though she wouldn't admit it. Michael knew it as well, but it was because I'd told him.

"Maybe I will," I answered. "If she'll go with me anyway."

"She will," Ashley answered. "And then maybe Tara will take the hint."

I smiled at her. I wondered why I had ever been mean to her in the beginning, but I was glad we'd moved past that. I also knew at that moment that I was completely over her sister. I also felt I had grown up a lot that year. So many things had changed since I'd boarded the train for the first time. I had gained three new best friends, and I'd had a successful first year. So what if I hadn't beaten Tara in first year? I still had six years to go.