The hallways were filled with the scent of Christmas as students looked forward to the upcoming holiday eagerly. Scarves were wrapped tightly around necks and hats covered up every single head that could be seen outside.

More importantly, today was a very special day.

"Hello there, Tommy," Glinda bounced across the hallway before hopping up into the windowsill beside me. "Just a wonderful day, isn't it?"

"Yes, I would say it is," I replied in mock boredom, letting out a sigh as I leaned back on my hands.

She gave me a pointed look that told me if I didn't pull out her present immediately, she was going to break into the Hufflepuff dormitory and cover my bed in itching powder.

"Right, right, on with it then." I dug around in my satchel for a moment before pulling out the clear vial. I'd attached a thin pink bow around the neck of the bottle, along with a tag that said 'For Glinda'.

A liquid that changed from purple to green, then green to white, swirled around in the vial. It swished from side to side, gleaming in the hanging lanterns as I presented it to Glinda.

"Oh, is this what I think it is?" She murmured as her eyes widened.

"Right on, thought you'd find it increasingly important as O.W.L.s neared."

"For once, I think you're onto something, Soot," Glinda smiled warmly as she took the glass and twirled it around to watch it sparkle in the light. "Wit-sharpener, did you make this yourself?"

"Took me a few tries, I'm surprised I got the stain out of my shirt."

"Likewise," she barely replied, entranced by the gift. "I'll remember this."

"You better, especially when my birthday rolls around again."

"Yes, I'll splurge on chocolate that isn't on sale."

"My chocolates were on sale?"

"You think I'd pay full price?"

The library was beginning to fill with more and more students as the day went on, becoming a little loud as classes ended and dismissed. Glinda and I found ourselves sharing the large wooden table with students we'd never met before, yet we all shared a common goal: pass our O.W.L.s. And that was plenty enough to unite us in page flipping and nervous mumbling.

"What's stopping you from going up to him right now and telling him you'd like to snog in a closet?"

"Glinda," I whispered indignantly, "There are people here."

"Right on, I am able to see, thank you."

"Could've fooled me with how you're talking now."

"So? Answer my question, Soot."

"Because there's people over there, too, Baker."

"Mm, yes, it is a library. A public one at that."

"One doesn't usually act so forward in a library, especially when everyone over there is a Gryffindor."

"Ooh, rather scary that lot is." The two of us looked over to see half of the table in a nervous frizzy as they quietly talked over each other, quizzing different people over different books. Fred sat beside a girl, I remember her being on the quidditch team as well, and it made me feel queasy.

"He's with a girl anyways, probably already gave her chocolates or something."

"They're not even looking at each other, what's it to her if you go over and do what she isn't?"

"They're studying, just as we should." I nodded to the books splattered over the table like paint, all turned to relevant pages.

"O.W.L.s aren't for another few months, we've got plenty of time to have a bit more fun."

"Let me know how that works out for you."

"You're still avoiding the question, I know you don't care about that girl at all."

I looked away from her for a minute, just to prepare myself for what I was about to admit. Not because it was actually serious or anything, but because Glinda would make fun of me endlessly for it.

"He's a Gryffindor, alright? And I'm a Hufflepuff. Don't act like there isn't some brave girl sitting next to him who probably hasn't already swept him off his feet."

Like clockwork, Glinda replied with a "You're kidding me, right?"

"I would love to say I am, Baker."

"Mighty stupid of you, I'll say that."

"I'd have to agree with that."

"Glad to know we're at least on the same page, I suppose."

Houses didn't really mix, not in that way at least. Sure there were more 'temporary arrangements', but longterm relationships between houses hardly happened. Gryffindors ended up with Gryffindors, and Slytherins ended up with Slytherins-that's just how Hogwarts worked.

"It's not like he even knows who I am, anyways." I sullenly looked back at my book pages aimlessly, not really comprehending the words I was looking at.

"Then make him know who you are. Merlin's beard, you're so dramatic," she twirled her pencil around in her fingers, using her other hand to twist the ends of her hair around in tiny circles. "Do you forget how we met?"

"Using the word 'met' doesn't really describe it," I muttered, remembering how Glinda claimed me against my will.

"Oh, sure it does. And ever since then we've been inseparable."

"More like I haven't been able to shake you quite yet."

"As if you'd want to shake me," she scoffed, corners of her mouth upturning slightly.

I glanced outside to let my eyes trail over the snow that littered the air. It was only the middle of winter now, but O.W.L.s were sneaking up on us quietly. Sure, most students wouldn't be studying right about now, but Glinda and I studied year round. Why? Because we had nothing better to do, of course.

Others were busy falling in love or eating their shitty chocolates, but we would always have our textbooks and each other's presence. Merlin, that sounds lame.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Glinda teased next to me, and my eyes refocused to find themselves locked onto a certain head of flaming hair. Only that head of hair happened to be looking right back at me.

Like a guilty criminal caught red handed I quickly ducked my head down and pretended to be reading about runes or whatever was in front of me.

"Ouch, not so slick are you, Soot?"

"Be quiet."

"Ah, he's still looking," she remarked, making my face warm even more. I wonder if the tips of my ears looked as red as they felt, maybe they were melting into my hair at this point. "You're bringing a whole new meaning to redhead."

"Can we leave? You aren't even studying anymore."

"How can I when a cheesy teen novel is happening right in front of me? What an unexpected birthday present."

"Merlin's beard," I muttered, swooping up my books and sliding them into my satchel. "Meet me by the common room if you want to go get food later."

"Gotcha, grouchy," she waived me off with a two finger salute, wiggling her feet which had been propped up on the table.

I glanced over to the table of Gryffindors almost instinctually, only to find Fred completely turned around, focused back on his studies. Obviously, what did I think he'd be doing? Still staring at me?

Yeah, that's exactly what I thought he'd be doing, but my heart sank as I walked out of the library without so much as a glance from his direction.

"Bloody hell, I'm pathetic," I mumbled, turning to face the way I was walking a bit too late, as I came into contact with a shoulder.

"Whoa there, too much time before O.W.L.s to be saying that," joked a familiar voice. I looked up to seen none other than George Weasley himself, the man and the myth.

"Ah, sorry, was in my head."

"The best place to be," he winked. "You're Soot, aren't you? Were you at quidditch tryouts?"

"Yeah, that's me," it took me a moment to respond. I couldn't imagine a Weasley knowing who I was. "I was there to watch a friend."

"Oh really, weren't there to stare at Fred, were you?"

I blinked. And then I blinked again. Slowly, I let my eyes trail back to where George was looking at me with a smile.

"Pardon?" I choked out, suddenly feeling the full weight of all five books in my satchel.

"I think we both know what I said," he laughed lightly.