Chapter Twenty-Four: Hallie

Weeks passed since Hallie and Harry had come across the Mirror of Erised and almost every night, Hallie woke up in a cold sweat from dreaming about the deaths of her parents. It was getting to the point that she was going to need to see her mind healer. Shaking her head, she opened the card that she was writing in. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day and she was filling out a card for about nineteen people. She had already order enough chocolate frogs for everyone and was on the last card. It was for Seamus and she was having a hard time figuring out what to write for him. Maybe it was because everyone already thought that they were dating but she believed it was because she has a small crush on him.

"Hey Hals, what are you working on?" Hallie jumped and shut the card quickly, only to realize that the voice that she heard was from Hermione. "I'm sorry, Hals. But really, what are you doing? I know it's not homework."

Hallie sighed and opened up the card. "It's the Valentine's Day card for Seamus and I have no idea what to write! I've already finished everyone's card; I even made a card for each of the members of the Quidditch team. But… I can't put down anything down for his… I just don't know how to word the message."

"You do realize that both Prim and I know that you have a crush on him. So, maybe speak from your heart. He probably likes you as well… Prim believes he does with the amount of staring he does towards you." Hermione tells her with a roll of her eyes.

She looks up from the card and shakes her head. "No, he doesn't."

"Hals, he gave you that necklace. He must like you."

"No… I'll just write something like I did for Ron… or Ryder." Hallie says as she writes a quick 'Happy Valentine's Day, Seamus! Here's a Chocolate Frog! ~ Hallie'.

Hermione groans and shakes her head. "Hals, you're a Gryffindor, so I know you are braver than that. I wrote something pretty brave in Harry's card. I didn't tell him that I had a crush on him or anything but I told him how thankful I was for our friendship; and that he meant a lot to me."

Hallie looked down at the card before grabbing her wand to get rid of the words. "You're right, 'Mione. I'm a Gryffindor. I should be brave. Thanks for the advice." She stared at the paper and let the words form in her mind. 'Happy Valentine's Day, Seamus! I never thought that I could meet someone that could become such an important person in my life. I know we aren't as close as I am with Harry, Hermione, Prim, and Ron or as you are with Dean; but we have a special bond. So, thank you for being one of my closet friends. Here's a Chocolate Frog! ~ Hallie'. "How about that?"

Hermione quickly read over it and smiled. "It sounds perfect, Hals. Now come on. Harry needs you. Something about your mind healer being here."

"Why is she here?"

"I don't know… Maybe you forgot about an appointment or maybe Harry set one up?" Hermione said with a shrug and the two girls made their way towards the Headmaster's office. After they had walked the castle and up the moving staircase to Professor Dumbledore's office. "I'll see you at dinner, alright?" Hallie nodded her head before knocking on the Headmaster's door.

"Come on in, Miss Potter." Hallie hears Professor Dumbledore say before she pushes the door open. "Miss Potter, it has come to my attention that Harry and most likely you have been having nightmares about the death of your parents. So, I've called Mrs. Cross in and the three of you are going to go to a heavily protected unused classroom and have a session about this. Now, Mrs. Cross, do you remember the classroom that I showed you before I had sent for Mister and Miss Potter?"

Mrs. Cross smiles at her old Headmaster and says, "Of course, Professor Dumbledore. Kids, follow me. The classroom isn't too far away." Hallie nods her head and follows after her brother and their mind healer. Once they were safely in the secured classroom, Mrs. Cross conjures a chair for herself and two comfy chairs for Harry and Hallie. "Now, how long have these nightmares been going on? And why did I not get a letter from either one of you or your grandparents about this matter? Recurring nightmares like this can affect you a lot in your daily life."

"I don't know about Hallie but I've been having them since the week that we've came back to school…" Harry says as he rubs the back of his neck.

"Yeah… Even since we found this mirror that showed us what we wanted the most in life… our parents alive." Hallie says as she looks down at her hands. "I didn't say anything because I thought I've been handling it pretty well. I'm still doing great in all of my classes… I'm just more tired than I was before the break."

Mrs. Cross sighs and looks at Hallie closer. "Do you realize how Professor Dumbledore knew that you two have been having nightmares?" Both Hallie and Harry shake their heads 'no'. "Your cousin Prim has heard you wake up multiple times at night saying 'no, no, no' over and over. So, she wanted to make sure that Harry wasn't having nightmares as well. She asked Ron and when they realized that both of you have been having nightmares they automatically knew to head to Professor McGonagall and she then went to Professor Dumbledore. He figured the nightmares had to deal with your parents or your uncle and knew to come to me. Now, I want to try to figure out this nightmare and hopefully we can make it occur less or not at all. Harry, you first."

Harry sighed before looking down at his hands. "It starts after Voldemort storms into our bedroom when our parents were still alive. He telling our mum to step aside and she would be spared but she just keeps saying 'no, not my babies,' over and over again. Voldemort is livid and quickly kills her before trying to kill me as well. That's normally when I wake up, gasping and covered in sweat."

"That is definitely interesting. So, you've only dreamed of your mother's death?" Mrs. Cross asks and Harry shrugs. "You've never dreamed of your father's death?"

Harry looks down at his hands and sighs, "No… Never… I don't think Voldemort was the one to actually kill my father… I think it was his wife that killed my dad."

"I would like to know why you think He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had a wife."

"I've been told how strange it is that both Hallie and I have the same type of scar. I've also been told that it's impossible for an evil wizard to cast the killing curse on two individuals in the same moment. So, someone had to be there as well to have casted the spell onto my sister." Harry said and Hallie looked down at her hands. Her brother had no idea how right he was.

Mrs. Cross nods her head before looking over at Hallie. "Hallie, you've been quiet so far. Would you like to tell us what your nightmares have been about?"

"Uh… I guess I have too… My dreams actually start way early. Voldemort is using an Unforgivable Curse on my dad – I'm not sure which one – and he says over towards the person 'take care of him while I kill the boy' and all of a sudden there is a flash of green light and my dad is on the floor. I can hear my mum crying, asking not to kill Harry and me… Then I hear Voldemort cast the killing curse as the figure moves up the stairs. The next thing I know, is that I'm actually staring at my unconscious brother and what kind of looks like an explosion and ashes everywhere. I hear a loud scream and I look up at this slightly beautiful women – and what I mean slightly is that she is starting to look more and more like Voldemort. She screams the killing curse before it backfires and kind of blows up our room. That's when I wake up, crying." Hallie says as she looks anywhere but Harry and Mrs. Cross.

"So, you've also had a dream of your parents' death but it was your father's death… And you believe that there was someone else to kill you… Now, the two of you are correct. Voldemort shouldn't have been able to cast the killing curse on both of you at the same time, so the fact that both of you think there was someone else there that night is probably true. But Harry, we have no way of knowing if Voldemort had ever gotten married nor would we have known why. Let's try to figure out what is causing the two of you to have these dreams and maybe we can get them to stop."

The days and weeks following the session Hallie and Harry had with Mrs. Cross, Hallie was back to her old self again. She hadn't had a nightmare since the Friday after Valentine's Day… Seamus had given her this beautiful card with the Gryffindor crest on it and it had said:

Hallie, getting to know you this past year was amazing. In my opinion, you are the coolest and smartest person here… Okay, probably not the smartest person – since that title goes to Hermione – but definitely the second smartest. Thank you for being here for me and thank you for helping me in charms… (I swear, I don't understand why I keep blowing things up with my magic!) You are the true definition of a Gryffindor.

Yours,

Seamus Finnigan

His card definitely made her believe that what Hermione and Prim have been saying for days now was true. He probably did have a tiny crush on her but she was not sure if it was just because she was still new to him… or because she was famous. The Quidditch match between Slytherin and Ravenclaw had come and gone with Slytherin beating Ravenclaw two hundred and ten points to sixty points. Now both Harry's next Quidditch match and Ron's birthday was getting nearer and nearer.

Hallie and Harry were both trying to figure out what to get Ron for his birthday. Prim had already grabbed him something around Christmas time, as did Hermione. "Maybe we should both get him a huge box of Chocolate Frogs. He loves to collect the cards."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Hals." Harry said with a shake of his head as he crosses out that idea on their piece of scratch paper. "How about a book on the history of Quidditch?"

Hallie shakes her head. "No, he got one over the Christmas holiday and we both know how Ron is about reading… Oh! I have an idea! Well, at least for my present for him. I'll still give him a few Chocolate Frogs but I'll also give him a certificate that says until the end of the year, I'll help him with both potions and charms. I won't be able to complain either with how he studies."

"You're right, Hals… That's an amazing idea! I wish I had a subject that I'm completely amazing at…" Harry says with a sigh as he looks off to the window.

"Ron wants to one day be on the Quidditch team, right?" Hallie asks and Harry nods his head 'yes' and she smiles. "Why don't you offer to help him practice to one day join the team? He wants to become keeper after Wood leaves, right?"

"Yeah, Ron wants to be keeper after Oliver leaves… And I think that's a good idea. I wouldn't be Ron's coach per say but I would just be a helper on how our team already works. And I'll still give him some candy as well! You must have gotten mum's brains." Harry said with a smirk before giving her a quick hug. "Come on, we need to go and order his candy."

Hallie smiles and they pull out an order form from her bag and fills out what all they were getting for Ron. Once the form was filled completely out, they ran towards the Owlry and sent Hedwig off with the form. Days passed and before she knew it their package came and Ron's birthday was upon them.

Even though they had to go to all of their classes that day and a normal dinner in the Great Hall; Hallie, Prim, and Hermione decorated an empty classroom near the Gryffindor Tower for all of their friends to surprise Ron. As everyone was helping putting the last few finishing touches on the room, Hallie and Prim were standing by the door. "I don't understand why we had to have Ron's party tonight. We still have classes to go to tomorrow." Hermione says from her place next to the table with his gifts.

"We want to make sure his birthday is separated from the Quidditch match this weekend, 'Mione." Prim says as she toys with her school skirt.

"Exactly!" Hallie calls over with a smile. "Is everything ready?"

"Mum's cake is on the table," Percy says with one of his rare smiles.

Hallie nods and looks around the room. All of the gifts for Ron were sitting on the table in the corner. All of their friends plus the Gryffindor Quidditch team were standing around the room wearing the hats that Hermione found a spell to make. Everything was ready and perfect for Harry and Ron to walk into. Hallie heard movements outside of the classroom and quickly turned the lights out and moved over where Seamus and Dean were standing. "He's coming guys!"

They waited with baited breaths until they heard Ron grumble. "I don't understand why we have to come here, Harry. I don't want to celebrate my birthday – that feels like everyone has forgotten about – in an abandon classroom."

"Hallie wanted to show you something that she did in the classroom. She thinks you might find studying in here a lot better. And no, we won't be studying on your birthday, Ron. And I promise, once we get back to the common room, we'll give you your presents."

"Fine…"

A few seconds later, Harry and Ron step into the room and turned on the lights. "SURPRISE!" Hallie, along with everyone else, screamed. Ron's face lights up and he turned towards Harry to slug him playfully in the arm.

"We got you!" Prim says with a smile from her place next to Neville and Ella. "We even asked your mum to send you a cake; but we had her deliver it to Professor McGonagall. She's informed all of the other professors and Prefects that we were throwing you a surprise birthday party; and as long as we are back in our common room by ten, no one will get points deducted if they were on the guest list we gave her."

"We know the party won't last too long but we wanted to keep your birthday and the Quidditch match separately." Hallie says with a shrug of her shoulders.

Ron shakes his head with a smile. "I don't care! You guys are the best! Can I open my presents?" Harry nods his head and Ron runs off towards the table. Hallie watched Ron open the first gift and said, "It's from most of the Quidditch team and Lee Jordan. Wow!"

"We all pitched in to get you stuff from Hogsmeade. Katie just had to give us the money for her gift and sure a lot of it, you can get either on the Hogwarts train or in Diagon Alley. But you can be one of the first kids to have items from Hogsmeade without being there yourself." Oliver says from his seat next to Angelina.

"Thanks guys!" Ron opens the next couple of gifts. Neville and Ella went in together to get him a new wizard chess set. Dean had given him a muggle futbol, Seamus had given him a Chudley Cannons jumper, Lisa got him a box of about twenty Sugar Quills, Ryder found him a well-worn Chudley Cannons shirt and hat, and Sophia bought him an assortment of wizarding candy.

From Isabel, he got a box of wizard cards. "I'm sure you have most of these but I don't really collect them. I just love the chocolate frog."

"Wow, thanks Isabel! You sure you don't want the ones I don't already have back?"

"Nope, I just like to keep the ones about wizards and witches that interest me in some way." Isabel told him with a grin.

The next present he grabbed was Hermione's. "Wow, 'Mione! This is extremely cool." He took her gift out of the box and laughed. "This is the best!"

"What is it?" Lisa asked in confusion.

"It's a 3D puzzle of the Chudley Cannons team crest. 3D puzzles are a muggle thing but I thought about this gift idea while we were still at home during break and took the idea to a wizarding toy shop. They made it for me and here we are." Hermione said with a shrug of her shoulders.

Ron laughs and looks down at the box. "I can't wait to work on this over the summer holiday! It will be too difficult to try to work on it here. Thanks again, Hermione." Hermione smiles and watches as Ron pulls Percy's gift towards him. "Wow, Percy… You didn't get me a book this year! Thanks for the Chocolate Frog boxes." The next gift Ron opened had him laughing until he was as red as his hair. "Fred, George! Joke items?"

"They are joke items that have already been tested by Fred and myself. We knew almost everyone would get you candy or something Chudley Cannons related, so we thought about giving you some of our joke material." George told his little brother with a laugh and Ron grinned at him before thanking them. He grabs Hallie's and Harry's gift off of the table and opens it.

"Candy and what are these?" Ron asks as he holds up both of the certificates.

Hallie moves closer to him and says, "We wanted to get you something really cool. So, the gift certificate from me deals with homework. Until the end of the school year, I'll help you with both potions and charms classes; especially potions. I'm also not allowed to complain on your work effort."

"Really? You won't complain at all?"

"I'll try as hard as I can to not complain, Ron." Hallie told him with a roll of her eyes.

Harry smirked and leaned in closer to Hallie and Ron to say, "And my certificate is for my help on getting amazing as a Quidditch Keeper, so you can one day take Wood's place."

"Thanks mate!"

Oliver looks over at where they are sitting and says, "Harry, Ron, come to me if you two need any help at all. I want to make sure the team will be just as good, if not better, by the time I have to leave Hogwarts."

Ron grins and goes to grab the second to last present on the table. "Ron, that one is from me!" Rowan tells him with a big smile. Ron nods and opens the box. "Do you like it?"

"Wow, this is great, Rowan! It's a blanket like the one she knitted for Lisa. Thank you." Ron tells her with a grin.

Rowan blushes and Hallie looks at both Prim and Hermione in surprise. I think Rowan fancies Ron… This will be very, very interesting. "I figure the Gryffindor Tower must get cold at times, so I thought this might help."

"You're right, Rowan, the Gryffindor dorms do sometimes gets chilly at night." Prim says with a smile before she pushes the last gift – her gift – towards him. "Here you go, Ron."

Ron smiles at her before he quickly opens the box. "Prim, this is so cool!"

"What is it?" Hallie asks as she looks back and forth from her cousin and Ron.

Prim laughs before saying, "I painted an event from the start of the school year… The night he saved us from the troll."

"Hey! I helped that night!" Harry grumbles and shoots Prim a glare.

"I never said you didn't help but since this is supposed to be Ron's birthday gift, I showed the moment that I thought he showed the most courage."

Hallie rolls her eyes before moving closer over to Ron to see what Prim had drawn. "Wow, Prim, the moment right before Ron dropped the-" Hallie gasped as the painting moved. "How? Prim, how were you able to do the spell that would make the painting move?"

"I didn't do it, Hals, there will most likely never be a way for me to be able to perform this charm. I went to Professor Flitwick to see if he or another professor knew how to perform the spell. And Professor Flitwick obviously knew the charm since he's the Charms professor. I only had to promise to volunteer more often for casting spells – even if I believe I can't perform the spell as well as another student." Prim told the group around her and Ron with a small smile and a light blush covering her face.

Everyone sat around to watch Prim's painting move to Prim's memory of that night. "Prim… This is definitely my favorite gift ever received! Sorry guys, but she made a wizarding portrait of me! A legit portrait!" Ron quickly – and probably without thinking – pulled Prim into a tight hug before letting her go, nervously. "Um… How about some cake? My mum's cake is pretty magical."

Hallie watched how most of the group surrounding Ron, followed him over towards the cake; but Hallie pulled her cousin to the side. "So, how does that spell work? What do you have to do first? The spell or the painting?"

"I don't know how it works but I was able to paint first with magical art supplies and Professor Flitwick was able to perform the spell on the painting. It's basically like he was able to use my memory or something." Prim told her with a shrug of her shoulders. "Now, come on, I don't want to lose out on Mrs. Weasley's cake!" Hallie rolled her eyes but followed Prim over to where Harry and Hermione were holding two pieces of cake each.

Hermione smiles at the two girls and says, "We made sure the first three pieces of cake served was yours and Ron's." Hallie smiles at Hermione as she takes a plate from her brother. "I'm glad you two planned this. It was a good idea and I'm sorry if I'm being crabby about classes tomorrow. I just didn't sleep well last night. We still have no idea what Fluffy is guarding nor do we know who Nicholas Flamel is and exams are just around the corner it seems."

"Hermione, you need to relax, alright? Everything will work out in the end. Let's celebrate that Ron is now twelve, okay?" Harry told her with an easy grin and Hermione gives him a shy smile.

"Guys, I'll be right back; I want to talk to Rowan about something." Hallie says before turning to look for where Rowan was sitting or standing. Once she found the Hufflepuff, Hallie made her way over to the girl. "Hey, Rowan, can I ask you something?" Rowan nodded her head 'yes' and Hallie continued, "Do you by chance have a crush on Ron?"

Rowan sighed and look down at the piece of cake that she had in her hands. "Yeah, I guess I do; and I don't even know when it happened but it has. Please don't tell anyone! I don't want to be embarrassed around everyone since he probably doesn't like me back."

Hallie sighs as she glances from Ron to Prim to Rowan and back to Ron. "I promise that your secret is safe with me."

The Saturday following Ron's birthday party was the fourth Quidditch match of the year. Hallie and Prim were finishing getting ready or the match while Hermione stood by the loo's door. "Hermione, what is wrong?"

"I'm just worried on if Professor Snape can be impartial during the match today." Hermione says with a sigh as she looks down at the floor. "I just know how Harry can react to Professor Snape."

Hallie looks from her reflection in the mirror to her best friend. "I know, Hermione, but my brother has a trick up his sleeve: contacts." She smirks before fidgeting with the chain on her necklace. "Okay, I'm ready to head down to breakfast."

The three girls move throughout their dorm room and end up meeting up with Ella, Neville, Seamus, and Dean in the common room. "Hey guys, where is my brother and Ron?"

"They already went downstairs for breakfast. Harry is nervous about the upcoming match again." Seamus says as he casually throws his arm over Hallie's shoulders.

Hallie blushes and moves out from under Seamus's arm and starts to walk backwards. "It's only his second game of the season but he does have a trick up his sleeve."

She smiles before turning around to bounce down the stairs. "Wait, what do you mean by he has a trick up his sleeve?" Dean questions and Hallie turns around.

"Come on, now; get around me, so I can tell you. You know how both Prim and I now have glasses we wear from time to time when our eyes are tired?" The group of Gryffindors nod their heads and she smiles. "Well, Harry wanted to try contacts for when we have Quidditch matches and they seem to work out pretty good."

Neville grins like a mad-man and says, "So, he won't have to worry about his glasses during a match! That's brilliant! He's going to be on the same page as all of the other players! This is amazing!"

"Just remember guys, no one but you four, the Quidditch team and Professor McGonagall know about Harry's having contacts. So, keep quiet until the match starts." Prim says with a shake of her head. Neville, Ella, Dean, and Seamus nods their heads and the group of Gryffindor continue to walk to the Great Hall.

Inside the Great Hall, Hallie immediately spots Harry and Ron sitting at their normal spot with Lisa, Isabel, and Sophia standing behind them. She walks over quickly and sits in front of her brother. "Hey guys, ready for the match to begin?"

Lisa smiles and nods before saying, "We were just telling Harry and Ron that even though we are not truly taking sides, we believe that they are going to win and hopefully by a large amount of points. After our defeat by Slytherin, last match, we want the team who has the best chance at beating Slytherin to win."

"Us Hufflepuffs take that has a huge insult," Rowan says with a grin and a laugh. "Ryder and I wanted to wish you luck in the match. We know how Professor Snape can be at times with you."

Harry smiles at her and says, "Thank you, Rowan. I just hate how Madame Hooch is out sick with the flu. I didn't even know you could catch the flu this late in the year."

Everyone nods sadly and the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs disperse from the Gryffindor table to eat their breakfast. Hallie was glad that one thing was different about this match than the one against Slytherin. Even though Harry was nervous, he was actually able to eat something this time. Once they were all done, the group of first year Gryffindors followed the Gryffindor Quidditch team to the pitch.

"Harry, we'll going to grab some seats. Good luck!" Hermione says with a smile and Hallie pulls her away from the Gryffindor's changing room.

"Come on, 'Mione. Lisa, Isabel, Sophia, Rowan, and Ryder wanted us to get neutral seats, so we can all sit together." Hallie tells her with a shake of her head.

Prim laughs before saying, "There is nowhere neutral for us to sit. At least this time we don't have to worry about anyone cursing Harry's broom."

Dean looks up from his wand – he had been working on the newest spell that Professor Flitwick had taught them in the last class. "Why do you say that?"

"Oh, Prim just meant that the professors were probably going to be on a lookout today to make sure it won't happen. Harry and I seem to have a magnet for trouble." Hallie says with a laugh and looked over at her cousin. They didn't need other people thinking that Professor Snape was behind Harry's broom being cursed since they themselves didn't know for sure. "Come on, let's try to find somewhere neutral… Maybe being closer to the Ravenclaws… That could help, right?"

Dean and Seamus shrug their shoulders and the group walks up the multiple stairs cases before finally finding two rows of seats on the edge of where the Gryffindors sit next to the Ravenclaws. "This will probably work. Rowan and Ryder can sit on the Ravenclaw side with Lisa, Isabel, and Sophia." Ron says as he sits down in the front row. Prim snags the seat to the right of him and the rest of the Gryffindors sit down as well. Moments later, their Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff friends sit down next to them and there was a buzz of excitement coursing through all of them.

The stands filled up quickly and before Hallie even knew it, the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams were flying around the pitch, waiting for the game to begin. Professor Snape walks out with a broomstick in his hand and his cloak bellowing behind him. "Man, Professor Snape really knows how to make an entrance." Dean mumbles out loud and Hallie let's out a soft but quick laugh. She watches as her brother lands in front of the Hufflepuff's keeper, Amy Summers. Oliver and Jeanne Kenyon, Hufflepuff's seeker and captain, shake hands before mounting their brooms with the rest of their teammates. All seven players on both teams start to raise their brooms as Professor Snape lets out the Snitch and Bludgers. Hallie watches Professor Snape mount his broom before tossing the Quaffle up into the air and shooting up to referee the game.

"And Bell has the Quaffle! She passes over towards Johnson who then passes it back over to Spinnet. The Gryffindor chasers really know how to work together as a team, am I right Professor?" Lee asks the Head of Gryffindor.

Hallie laughs as she hears Professor McGonagall mutter, "Stay focus on the match, Mister Jordan." The game goes on with Lee making jokes and cracks at the other team every five minutes. Hallie knew that the Gryffindor team did not care about the amount of points they ended the game with, as long as they won without Professor Snape interfering too much. She notices her brother dart across the pitch with the Hufflepuff seeker straight on his tail; but Jeanne was not fast enough. The whole house of Gryffindor starts cheering loudly as Harry holds up his hand with the Golden Snitch gleaming in the sunlight.

"And Potter catches the Golden Snitch and the Gryffindors win one hundred and eighty points to Hufflepuff's twenty points. What a quick match! If you're in the Gryffindor House, I can almost guarantee that there will be a ragger in the common room tonight!"

"Mister Jordan!" Professor McGonagall says quite loudly in her surprise. "I would hope there would not be as you said a 'ragger' in the Gryffindor Common Room tonight. I would hate to take points away from my own house!"

Hallie and her group of friends chuckle as Lee tries to talk himself out of losing points for the Gryffindor House. "Of course not, Professor! Only a small celebration party for all of us; definitely not a ragger! The first years wouldn't need to be corrupted like that!" Prim shakes her head as they all stand up and start to head down towards the pitch.

"Ron, did Harry say where he wanted us to wait for him after the match?" Hallie asks as they walk down the many stairs.

Ron looks over at her before answering, "Over by the Gryffindor changing room. He wanted us to all walk up towards the common room together." Hallie nods her head as they make their way to where her brother would be shortly. The slightly large group stands off to the side and they watch the Gryffindor team fly their way into the changing room.

"You got to be kidding me! Why in the world did they fly into the changing room?" Rowan asks in surprise.

Hallie and the other Gryffindors look at each other before laughing out loud. "Harry says it's part of how Oliver celebrates a win. They do a lap around the pitch before they fly into the changing room." Hallie tells their friends that doesn't live in the Gryffindor tower.

"And if they lose?" Ryder asks with a smile.

"They walk in sadly. Harry has yet to do so; but from what Ron's brothers have told us, it's truly morose." Prim tells their friends as the first couple teammates walk on out. Moments later, Harry walks out with a huge smile on his face. "Harry, you did amazing!"

Harry nods his head as his smile grows wider. "Thanks, I would've liked for us to have gotten more points before I had caught the snitch but Wood specifically told me to catch the snitch as soon as possible."

"That was a good strategy on Wood's part since Professor Snape was the one refereeing today's game." Hermione says with a smile.

Harry gives her a warm smile before turning towards their friends in the Hufflepuff house. "It was a nice match against your team, guys. Jeanne is an amazing seeker and I had really thought she was going to catch up to me before I caught the snitch. Also, if you guys want to come to the party, you can. You just have to stand a bit away when we give say our password to get in." Their friends in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff smile before nodding their heads that they understood. "Great! Let's head on up. Fred, George, and Lee should've already got the common room ready. They somehow have a way to always get food and drinks when we have a party."

"That's because they are probably some of the students who raid the kitchens." Rowan says with a laugh.

"I can see them definitely them doing that!" Ron says with a grin as they walk towards the common room. Once they made it to the portrait of Elspeth, Rowan, Ryder, Lisa, Isabel, and Sophie stay over by the staircase as Hallie quickly says the password. "Come on, guys!" The group of first years walk in and over towards where the Weasley twins had set up a snack bar. Throughout the whole night, Hallie and her friends talked and laughed about anything and everything.

Hallie kept watching Rowan, though. She was worried that her sweet Hufflepuff friend would end up getting hurt one day because she was not sure on how Ron and Rowan would work out in the long run. Though, she figured that Rowan would over time get over Ron and if she did not… Hallie would be there for her friend. "A knut for a thought?" Hermione asked with a sigh.

"I promised not to say anything…" Hallie said with a sigh.

Hermione looked over at her before letting her eyes travel the room until they landed on Rowan. "It has something to do with Rowan liking Ron, doesn't it?"

Hallie looks up and over with surprise and shock all over her face. "How did you know?"

Hermione smiles and shakes her head. "I had a feeling after Ron's birthday party. She seemed kind of upset after Ron raved about Prim's gift. What are you so worried about? I know it is not because you have a crush on him, so why worry? Rowan will either get over him or one day they will date. There's nothing to worry about."

"Remember how you felt after Harry didn't stand up for you on Halloween?" Hallie asked and Hermione nodded her head 'yes'. "I just don't want Ron to do something that would end up causing us to lose our friend, is all. Cause to be honest… I don't know if I would choose Ron over Rowan. I know he's Harry's best mate and all; but Ron and I are not truly as close as we probably should be, right?"

Hermione nods her head but looks over at their group of friends. "Hallie, Rowan would never ask us to choose between them because she knows how much our house means to one another and how strong our loyalty is to one another. Sure, Ron and you are not the best of mates, but you do like him as a very good friend; and over time he will become our best mate. Now, come on, there's a party happening."

Hallie laughs as she pulls Hermione into a quick hug. "Hermione, I do believe that's the first time I've ever heard you say that you want to continue a party." Hermione grins as she pulls Hallie over to their friends.

A/N: So, what do you guys think of Rowan and Ron maybe happening in the future? Like, I know who he is going to end up with, but I also think it might take the two of them awhile to realize things.