I did not awake until 9.30am the next morning. The smell of oatmeal and biscuits wafted through the house and into my room. I threw the blanket off of my legs and walked lazily to the table where everyone was sitting except for me.

"Good morning Sawyer." said Elizabeth. "I was just about to wake you."

"Mm." I had trouble with speaking after waking up.

"Morning Sawyer." said a very drowsy Seamus next to me.

"What are you doing up?" I asked him. "It's not even close to noon."

"I took the liberty of waking him." said Elizabeth. "Early to bed and early to rise I always say."

"I've been up since 8.30. It's the holiday." said Seamus pouting.

"Can you not say any long winded sentences? Your breath is stunting my growth." I replied.

Seamus laughed and purposely breathed on me. I pretended to gag.

"Alright, enough roughhousing." said Elizabeth in a disapproving tone. "Felicity, when are the girls getting here? It's already 9.30."

"They'll be here soon."

"When did they get up? 3.00?" I asked.

As if on queue, the doorbell rang.

"That must be them!" said Felicity. It was the most excited I'd seen her.

She ran to the door and practically ripped it open.

"No running in the house!" called Elizabeth.

There were girlish giggles erupting from the living room. Two more girls followed by Felicity sat down at the already crowded table. I heard whispers.

"Is that them?" asked one. Felicity nodded.

"Felicity, be polite and introduce your friends to our guests." said Elizabeth.

"Yes, mother. That's Seamus, my brother, and that's Sawyer, his friend." she pointed to each of us as if it were necessary. Seamus smiled at the girls and they giggled. I had no reaction to them at all. "This is Candice," said Felicity.

Standing next to Felicity was a very tall girl with long red hair. It wasn't as bright as the Weasleys but she did remind me of a raggedy Ann doll. She was very thin and had no real figure. She had freckles and big brown eyes. She wore a pink sweater that clashed violently with her red hair and a grey skirt with black boots similar to mine. She looked a bit aggressive.

"And this is Jane."

Next to Candice was a girl about the same height as Felicity. She had long chestnut brown hair that was split into two very long braids. She had braces and her mouth and very light skin. She wore a blue dress with grey tights underneath and blue sneakers. I thought she looked rather sweet.

"Breakfast is ready." said Elizabeth. "Have you girls eaten?"

"No." they said simultaneously.

"Well go ahead and eat up, I've made plenty for everyone."

The girls sat at the table across from us. I kept my eye on my empty plate but watched James out of the corner of my eye. He was preoccupied with a newspaper and had not looked up once.

"How many biscuits would all of you like?"

"Two." said Felicity.

"Three." said Candice.

"Three." said Seamus and Jane. Jane blushed and Seamus smiled awkwardly.

"Sawyer, what about you?" asked Elizabeth.

"I'll just have one. I'm not a big eater."

"Clearly." said Elizabeth.

Still with the bitterness? Really?

Elizabeth gave everyone a bowl of oatmeal and the amount of biscuits hey asked for. I poured maple syrup onto my oatmeal and pretended to enjoy the bland, colorless bowl of sludge that sat before me. I despised oatmeal but I knew if I brought up my food preferences with Elizabeth, her lips would fall off from pursing them so much. How anyone could marry such a disagreeable woman, I'll never know.

Everyone finished with breakfast and I avoided Elizabeth's disapproving look when she saw I had not even finished half of my oatmeal. (Personally, she should be happy I finished the biscuit.) Seamus swiped me one more biscuit before we left the table. I ate it hastily so Elizabeth wouldn't see me eating any extra food with real taste.

The girls retreated to Felicity's bedroom while Seamus and I went to mine.I was eager to eavesdrop and listen to their ridiculous gossip about Seamus and I. He only rolled his eyes when he saw me with my back pressed against the wall. (As if I needed to. The walls were so thin that I could've had pillows over my ears on the opposite side of the room and still known if they dropped a pin on the carpet.)

"So what did you think of them?" asked Felicity when she shut her door.

"I thought they were nice." said one of the girls.

"They didn't even say anything, Jane." that must've been Candice.

"Well, the girl was very pretty. You said she was mediocre, Felicity."

"She is!" said Felicity.

"Yeah," replied Candice. "She's not all that. Your brother on the other hand."

"Ew, Candice!" said Felicity.

"I think she's right." said Jane. "He's really cute!"

Seamus was turning scarlet and I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

"Did you see him smile at me?" said Candice. "It was so obvious that he liked me."

"Really?" asked Jane.

"Of course!"

I wanted to gag. The vanity of the girl was practically tangible.

"You guys are gross." said Felicity.

"I think we should hang out with them!" said Candice.

"Do you think they'd want to?" asked Jane.

Both Seamus and I mouthed the word NO at the same time and had to restrain ourselves from laughing.

"I think so. Maybe if I ask he'll say yes." said Candice.

"I dunno. The girl probably wouldn't be interested." said Jane.

"Good! Less competition."

"They're not dating." said Felicity.

"Yeah, right." said Candice.

"Well, I think they might be a thing but both of them admitted to having people on the side at their school."

"Really?" asked Candice, a little too interested.

"Yeah." replied Felicity.

"What did they say?" asked Jane.

"Sawyer told me she had a boyfriend. Get this, his name is Draco."

Candice laughed out loud.

"What kind of a name is that?" she scoffed.

"I'm pretty sure it's a constellation." said Jane.

"Whatever. It's still stupid."

"Anyways!" said Felicity. "Seamus said there's some girl at his school that he likes. Her name is something like Herminny or Herinny. I don't remember."

"Let's ask them to hang out!" said Candice.

"I don't think they'll be interested, Candice." said Jane.

"How would you know?" she asked in a biting tone.

"Because they're older! Why would they want to hang out with a bunch of fourteen year old girls?"

"Umm, excuse me," said Felicity. "I'll be fifteen next week."

As if that makes a difference.

"You can ask them but I'm pretty sure they'll say no." said Jane.

"Well let's find out!"

Seamus and I were in a panic as what to do. Should we say no? That might be rude. Even if it's true. Neither of us wanted to hang out with these spoiled rich girls, even if one of them was kind of nice.

The knock came at the door before we could decide. Seamus answered it.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Do you guys wanna hang out or something?" asked Candice. She twirled her hair and made goo-goo eyes at Seamus. He looked like he wanted to vomit.

"Uh…Sawyer, you wanna hang out with them?"

Candice crossed her arms. No doubt, irritated by Seamus' not immediately bolting at the chance to say yes.

"Do I really look like I'd be willing to be seen in public?" I replied. My hair was a mess and I was still wearing my pajamas.

"You could stay behind." said Candice.

"We could give you some time to get ready if you want." said Jane. "We can wait."

"Jane!" hissed Felicity and Candice.

"Well, if Sawyer's not going then I'm not." said Seamus. "We'll give her some time to get ready. How's that sound?" he said asking me.

"Whatever." I replied. "Then get out. I'm not dressing in front of you lot."

Everyone left the room and I heaved a huge sigh. This was the exact opposite of what I wanted to do. I was now destined to spend a day with three teenage brats with nothing better to do then tear down my appearance and gawk at Seamus. At least Jane was sweet.

I dressed myself in some denim jeans and a simple long sleeve red shirt. My coat hung on a nearby chair and I tucked my jeans into my boots. By the time I brushed my hair and walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth, everyone was already dressed. Seamus was wearing a black shirt and jeans with his plaid coat and the girls wore coats in various colours. Candice's was a violent pink that made her look like a cartoon, Felicity's was a baby pink that complimented her skin, and Jane's was a pastel blue. I assumed Jane really liked the colour blue since three out of the four items she wore were blue.

I brushed my teeth and put on my black wool cap and a red scarf. The others were standing by the door while I was in the hallway trying to button my coat. the buttons kept slipping out of my hands and I was getting frustrated. I was cursing from my anger.

"Having some trouble?" said a voice behind me. I turned around to see James. I was rooted to the spot. "Lemme help you."

He reached for my buttons but I moved out of his way.

"Don't worry, I'm only trying to help." he said with a slimy smile.

"Just stay away from me." I whispered.

"What's wrong?" he asked moving closer.

I slipped out from my corner and walked briskly toward the door. I felt shivers all over my body.

"Sawyer?" asked Seamus. My face must've alarmed him.

"Don't worry. Do you think you could help me with these?" I pointed to the buttons. "My hands are a little shaky and I can't get them."

"Sure."

Seamus buttoned my coat and we were able to leave

The girls suggested we go to a nearby park but I was already freezing by the first five minutes of being outside. I suggested we go to a café instead. The girls agreed so we headed in a direction they claimed led to a nearby café. Empty chatter filled the silence.

"So where are you from?" asked Candice. She batted her none existent lashed at Seamus.

"I'm from Ireland. Sawyer's from Scotland."

"But you have a an English accent." said Jane.

"I didn't really go outside much. I've spent virtually all my life at the boarding school Seamus and I go to. My uncle is headmaster."

"What school?" asked Jane.

"It's far away. You won't have heard of it." That came out much more pretentious than I intended.

"So Seamus," said Candice. "What do you like to do?"

"I like to play sports. Sawyer and I mostly just hang around campus and talk or we'll mess around in the Common Room."

"Mess around?" asked Candice skeptically.

"Not like that!" said Seamus turning pink. "I meant just goof off."

"Oh."

"So do you have any family Sawyer?" asked Jane. The two of us had sort of drifted to the back and the other three walked ahead of us.

"Not really. I have an uncle and a sister."

"No parents?"

"Nope."

"Me either. Well, sort of. My mom passed away and my dad works a lot so we don't really see him much."

"We?"

"My brothers and sisters. I have eight."

"Woah!" I exclaimed.

"We're Catholic."

"That would definitely explain things." I said with a laugh.

"My older sister Connie takes care of us. She's nineteen and lives at the house. Sometimes my uncle stops by but he doesn't really do much."

"That must be hard."

"Not always."

It was quiet.

"So Felicity says you have a boyfriend."

"Yep."

What is with these girls and having boyfriends?

"That must be nice." she said.

"It can be." I replied.

"I'm not really interested in boys. At least, not enough to pursue them. I like to study."

She turned red.

"I must sound really weird." she said.

"No, you sound smart. Too many girls your age are fixated on getting boyfriends while they're ruining their high school careers."

"I guess. So how long have you been friends with Seamus?"

"Almost six years."

"Wow! I've been friends with Felicity and Candice for two years."

Jane and I walked in silence as we approached the café. I was the first person inside and the first person to the counter. I ordered some hot tea and handed the woman some money. She looked at the coins in her hands like it was in another language.

"I don't know what this is." she said. She handed me back the three knuts I gave her.

Embarrassed, I shoved the wizard coins in my pouch and asked Seamus if he had any muggle money. He had a few pounds on him and it was just enough to pay for the tea. The girls laughed at my mishap.

Once I had my tea, I sat with everyone at a small area with sofas. They were rejoined in mind numbing conversation again when the door opened and Seamus turned scarlet.

"Seamus?" asked Candice. He wasn't listening.

I turned around and, as luck would have it, there was Hermione Granger with both of her parents and a younger girl walking toward the counter. I knew Hermione had no siblings so when another couple came through the door and spoke to them I assumed it was her cousin. Seamus' mouth was practically touching the floor and he was beet red.

"Sea-"

"Hermione!" he called out a little too loud.

Seamus looked like he wanted to kill himself from doing something so stupid. Hermione turned around looking quite alarmed until she saw us sitting down. She smiled and waved. Seamus tried getting up to see her but knocked a few things over in the process.

"Hey!" he said.

"Hello, Seamus." she replied. "What a surprise to see you here! I thought you'd be in Ireland visiting your mum."

"Change of plans. Sawyer and I found my dad instead."

"Oh, how exciting!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks." he said and he absentmindedly scratched his ear. "Did you get the gift I sent you?"

"Yes, I did. I haven't opened it though. I'm saving it until Christmas."

"You're going to love it."

"I'm positive I will. It's a book no doubt."

"What else?"

"Thank you Seamus. You know how much I love reading."

"Oh!" he exclaimed.

Seamus unbuttoned his coat and tugged on a part of his shirt for her to see.

"You're kidding!" she said.

Seamus was wearing her S.P.E.W. button.

"I can't believe you're wearing it!"

"Well I've had to hide it." he leaned in to whisper. "Muggles, you know. They can't know."

"Naturally. But you actually kept your word! Thank you."

"A-Anytime."

While the two were conversing, Candice was seething at our table.

"Who is that girl anyway?" she asked with a very bitter tone.

"That must be the girl he was talking about last night. Herninny."

"It's Hermione." I said. I resumed sipping my tea.

"Whatever. She's not very pretty." said Candice. "I mean, look at her hair! It's practically alive!"

"Could you stop being judgmental for five fucking seconds?" I said a little too loud.

The other people with the Grangers gave disapproving looks and shielded their daughter from me. Candice was absolutely shocked but she stayed quiet. Felicity and Jane were both scarlet but Felicity was a little more angry.

"That was very rude." she said.

"I was rude? Did you hear the way she was talking? Honestly."

Seamus was about to start another sentence when Hermione walked over to our table.

"Good afternoon Sawyer." she said.

"Hello, Hermione."

"I expect you're well?"

"For the most part, yes."

"How's your holiday been?"

"Interesting to say the least."

Hermione took a seat. Seamus sat next to her.

"What's that you're holding?" asked Felicity.

"This?" said Hermione. She put up an enormous book. "Just a book. I brought it along for some light reading."

"Just a question Hermione but, what exactly do you consider tedious when it comes to reading?" I asked.

"I don't find reading tedious at all actually."

"I would think not. You've read half the library." I said. Hermione smiled.

"I wouldn't go that far. I just like literature is all." she stood up. "My family is ready to go. I'll see you both when we get back to school." she said to Seamus and I. "Oh, and Sawyer, Professor Slughorn asked about you. He wanted me to make sure you came to the next dinner for the Slug Club."

I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Just telling you. Oh, and please tell Ron to stop obsessing over that, work of art, you have on your back. It's really getting old."

"Duly noted." I replied.

"Happy Christmas everyone." she said.

"Happy Christmas!" replied Seamus.

Seamus watched her leave as she and her family walked out to the café and into a nearby car. I was smiling to myself over the fact that Ron was still jittering over my tattoo. The boy obviously needed a girlfriend. A real one. And it seems like he and Lavender are pretty much finished. Hopefully he would make a move on Hermione soon. Unfortunately that meant heart break for Seamus. But I knew Hermione was not interested in him. Even if Ron wasn't in the picture, she would still say no. I silently hoped that Seamus would find someone else soon.

We all left the café soon after and I was miserable once again. My feet were frozen and my teeth were chattering.

"Here." said Seamus.

He gave me his scarf and wore mine instead.

"Mine is warmer."

"Thanks." I said.

Candice said nothing the entire way back. She held her nose up and high and avoided looking a me. I was perfectly content with that. Felicity was silently trying to make her feel better by picking at me. Jane pleasantly walked by herself completely silent and looked around at the scenery. She would ask the occasional question but other than that she was perfectly content with being silent. Seamus and I conversed on the way back. He was quietly whispering about how he didn't expect to see Hermione there and how much of an idiot he was.

I assured him that he wasn't as much of an idiot as he or I thought he would be. I thought he seemed perfectly normal other than his scarlet cheeks. He and I also discussed my involvement with the Slug Club and how I desperately wanted to avoid the next dinner.

"I would give anything to not show up. Sucking up to a professor is Fleur's thing, not mine."

"If you don't go, he'll hunt you down."

"I know. Stupid prat."

We arrived at the house around noon and I retreated to my room without saying a word to either Elizabeth or James. Seamus followed me and we conversed for a while longer.

"I can't believe how loud you were back there." said Seamus.

"You should've heard that little brat!" I said. "She was tearing down Hermione left and right!"

"Since when do you care if someone tears her down? You've been doing that your entire school career."

"To Hermione?"

"To everyone!" said Seamus with a smile. "Though I can't really blame you. I'd do the same thing if people treated me the way they treat you. Maybe if-"

"I were nicer than people would like me, I know you've told me that speech."

"It could work."

"I'd rather graduate with everyone hating me than waste my time trying to gain approval from people I'm most likely to never see again."

"I suppose you're right." he said.

He leaned over and whispered.

"Do you think they're listening to us right now?"

"Without a doubt in my mind." I replied.

FELICITY

The girls and I were leaning against my wall listening to Sawyer and Seamus' conversation. We couldn't get much other than that Sawyer thought Candice was a bitch. Which I sort of agree with but she's my friend so I had to defend her. Jane got bored listening to the conversation and was reading one of my books to pass the time. Candice was listening with rapt attention.

"What a stupid bitch." she said, seething.

"Candice!" whispered Jane.

"What? It's true."

"I don't know how you two can listen to them still. It's dumb."

"Shut up, Jane."

Jane rolled her eyes and went back to her book. I did feel kind of silly but I was mildly interested to know what they thought of me. I didn't exactly make a great first impression on Sawyer when she walked into my room but I didn't want her to hate me.

"Well, what did you think of the other girls?" asked Seamus.

"Felicity and Jane?"

"Yeah.

"Jane's fine. She at least talked to me."

I saw Jane smile. Candice rolled her eyes.

"Felicity, I don't really know what to think of her. She's been rude so far."

"At least she isn't Candice."

"I suppose. I'm tired of talking about them. Let's just move on."

"Quite right." said Seamus.

"So what did you get Hermione for Christmas?"

"A book."

"Obviously."

"It's a book on Magical rights movements."

Candice and I were confused.

"Magical rights movements?" she whispered. I shrugged.

"It has things on elf rights and goblin revolts. I thought she'd enjoy it."

"You do know her well."

A series of whispering that we couldn't make out came after so we abandoned eavesdropping.

"What was he talking about?" I asked.

"Probably some stupid nerd book. I'll bet they play one of those ludicrous video games with faeries and trolls and things like that."

She and Jane laughed but I wasn't so sure.

Something was different about them.