How is this then? Another chapter! I hope you'll take the time to review it ;D

CHAPTER 12

The weeks after happened in a blur. My time was divided between studying for the O.W.L's, class and snogging Fred in between. I had stayed clear of "the talk" since the last time I brought it up and Fred didn't seem to have any intention of breaching the subject either but I told myself it was enough to spend those little moments with him. We'd kiss in alcoves and in between classes or he'd come over while I was studying in the library and make jokes, poking my side and taking joy out of distracting me and making me laugh despite myself.

In the meantime, Felix and I had started studying together a lot. I had received an Exceed Expectation on the Muggle Studies essay he had helped me out with and he the same grade for the Potions essay I had helped him with so we had both decided that we worked well together.

'Wait, the Impedimenta Jinx is a jinx for what reason again?' Felix asked, looking up from his Charms textbook. I didn't even take my eyes off my Astronomy chart as I answered him. 'Charms alter the objects inherent qualities and abilities while a jinx is minor dark magic and usually hinder the object no more than as an annoyance.' I said. 'Aha.' Murmured Felix.

I let my eyes wander from my chart to look at Felix. He was concentrated on his book, his eyes staring down at the words. His sandy blonde locks fell forward, his brown eyes focused and sniffing his nose. He seemed to have a cold. 'You should swing by the infirmary later to get yourself a Pepperup Potion.' I said and he looked up. 'Oh, I'm not bothering you, am I?' he asked and I smiled, shaking my head. 'Just looking out for you.' I answered and I saw his cheeks fluster. 'I'll make sure to see Madam Pomfrey before dinner.' He agreed.

'Did you know that my friend Mathilda got an internship at the WWN?' I commented as I sat back for a while, folding up my star chart. We had been studying all evening already. 'You're kidding me, she did!?' Felix replied in an excited manner. 'That's so cool!' He added. I nodded. 'Yeah, it's completely unfair though.' I said with a chuckle. 'I work my butt off for a year to get my Ministry internship and she walks into a building and gets her internship at the country's top Wireless Network.' I said to him and he laughed. 'Surely she did more than that?' He said and I shook my head, laughing as well. 'No, I was with her. She just walked in, asked for a job and apparently she was charming enough that they decided to give it to her.' I said. 'She got a letter confirming it yesterday.' We both chuckled.

I thought back to the morning she got the letter from the Wizarding Wireless Network, remembering that Mathilda had been a mixture of both smug and excited. Adrian had been happy for her although he complained that it was going to take up a lot of her time this summer. She, prepared as she was for this, looked shocked by that news. 'Wait, how does this internship thing actually work?' She asked me as Adrian went back to sit at the Slytherin table.

After a couple of moments my amused smile faded away and I leaned my elbows on the wooden library table. 'Sometimes it just feels like others achieve everything effortlessly.' I admitted and Felix nodded. 'The grass is always greener.' He added and I looked at him questioningly. 'Oh, it's a muggle saying. "The grass is always greener at the other side" – it means that we always see and assume things to be easier or better when they're owned or achieved by others.' He told me. 'The muggles have a point.' I said and he nodded with a grin. 'They do sometimes.' He agreed.

'Do you want to live in the muggle world or the wizarding world, when you're done with school?' I asked suddenly and he answered 'The wizarding world' without hesitation. 'Even with this "totalitarian" thing going on?' I asked with a teasing smile. He chuckled. 'Everything has its pros and cons.' He said and I could only agree with that.

He sobered up after a few seconds. 'I always felt like the odd duck out growing up and that's alright but feeling as at home as I do at Hogwarts is hard to deny.' He said.

'But what do you want to do? When you're "grown up"?' I asked an he chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. 'I have no idea.' He replied truthfully. 'But whatever it is, it's going to be magical. I'm not going to university.' He added and I frowned. 'University?' I asked. He nodded, not realizing my question. 'My parents are going to have a fit though. They don't understand how different it is in the wizarding world.' He said. 'No, what is university?' I asked and he laughed. 'Exactly my point!' He said with a chuckle but he quickly explained after.

'In the wizarding world you learn a profession through experience by working in your field as an assistant or intern on the basis of your O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's and working your way up from there but in the muggle world, when you leave school, you go to a different school that teaches you about a specific subject or field that you can specialise in or a certain profession. That's called university.' He told me and I studied his face in fascination. 'That doesn't sound practical.' I commented. 'How are you ever going to learn like that?' I asked and he smiled. 'It does work, I promise you. I think university is actually a really good thing; it encourages a lot of learning and from lots of different sources and also things nonspecific to your profession.' He said 'However, because university is held in such high esteem it's difficult to get a job without a university degree.' He informed me. 'Parents always force their kids to go to university and I know that no matter how much I'll try and explain them that I don't need any more than my Hogwarts schooling to make it in the wizarding world, they feel like I'll be better off with a degree under my belt.' He said. I shrugged, not knowing the solution.

'You'll just have to talk to your parents. If they don't understand, it's because you haven't told them enough.' I said to him. 'I tell my parents everything to do with school.' I added and he nodded thoughtfully.

'I just never really was the kind of person to tell others about anything really.' He complained though. I patted his hand. 'You tell me all kinds of things.' I commented and he smiled at me, his cheeks slightly pink. 'You're different.' He said.

A slightly pregnant pause was held in our conversation until he cleared his throat sheepishly. 'Anyway, I don't know if I'd even be able to do well in university. All the muggles there have six years of muggle schooling ahead of me. I might be able to make a tea cup dance around the table but I can sure as hell not tell you the square root of X.' He said. I didn't even know what he was referring to so I just nodded along. 'I can't say that I do either.' I offered.

When I got back to the dormitory that evening I was exhausted. I had gotten up early to study, went to class all day, studying in between and then after class I had studied as well. 'Are you okay Cecil?' Mathilda asked, climbing into bed with me, laying on her side so she could look at me. I murmured something unintelligible.

Mathilda looked at me for a moment. 'Are you finally going to tell me what happened at Hogsmeade?' She asked and I groaned and rolled over so I didn't have to look at her. That didn't discourage her. 'Aurora said you two were just snogging but you came back looking like you were crushed by a giant.' She said. I didn't say anything.

I hadn't told my friends anything about the humiliating situation I had landed myself in by asking Fred what we were to each other. He technically hadn't answered yet but I could see in his eyes what the answer was going to be. Rather than go through that I buried my head in the sand.

'Come on Cecilia, we always tell each other everything!' She prodded and I turned around so I could look her in the eyes. 'Do we?' I asked. 'So what did you and Adrian have a fight over, over Easter? It must've slipped your mind to tell me.' I said. I wasn't normally this confrontational but I was very tired and my edges were a little bit sharper than they were usually.

Mathilda huffed. 'If you don't want to tell me, fine, but don't expect my help then either.' She said, climbing out of my bed, bumping into me hard in the process and climbing into her own bed. She turned off the light next to her bed and the only light still on was Marietta's as she was going over her Charms notes before sleeping.

It was silent for a few minutes but then I heard Mathilda whisper to me. 'That's not true, you know that right? I'll always help you when you need it.' She said and I smiled sleepily. 'Thanks Tilda, vice versa.' I answered.

The next day at breakfast I got a load of mail. Two short letters from my parents, a letter from my brother and a thick envelope from the Ministry, presumably regarding my internship (so I could schedule my W.O.M.B.A.T. exam together with professor Flitwick). I decided to read those of my parents' first.

Dear Cecilia,

The news is almost a month old already but still we're so proud of you! I told all the neighbours that my daughter got a prestigious internship at the Ministry of Magic! They're all very impressed, I assure you.

I only have a few minutes before work to write you this letter but I just wanted to remind you to send a letter to your cousin for her birthday. The 27th, remember? Stacy is new to the family after all so we should make sure she knows she's welcome. Your aunt Odetta tells me that she has trouble fitting in. But it has only been two years, you've got to give it time.

Well, good luck studying – I'm sure you'll do great on the O.W.L's so don't work yourself to death like I know you will, alright? I'll send you a longer letter next week, but do promise me to send me one back. Your father and I haven't seen you since September last year and we long to hear from you in detail.

Lots of love,

Wendela

'It's my adopted cousin Stacy's birthday next week.' I said to Mathilda who was buttering her toast next to me. 'How is she doing? She was very quiet when I met her at your birthday last summer.' Said Mathilda. I shrugged. 'Mum says that she has trouble fitting in.' I told her. 'But it's only been two years since my Uncle Irving and Aunt Odetta adopted her. It's only natural she needs a little time. I went back to reading.

Dear Cecil,

How are you doing? You've always been such a smart girl so I'm sure studying is going well. I just quickly wanted to tell you I've gotten a new bell for the shop door. We've had the bell for nearly twenty years now and it has suffered through quite a few reparo's but now it's finally beyond fixing. I just wanted you to mentally prepare for the fact that next time you're home and you enter through the shop downstairs, you'll have a significantly higher pitched "ding-a-ling" signalling your arrival than before. I wanted to name the new bell but you've always been better at naming things. Any suggestions?

Hugs and kisses your way,

Dad

I laughed. Mathilda looked up curiously and I showed her the letter. She laughed too. 'I love your dad, he's so silly sometimes.' She said. 'I'll make sure to think long and hard about the name for that bell.' I said with a chuckle.

Next was Aidan.

Dear Cillyhead,

Mum and dad are completely insufferable these past few weeks. They have nothing else to do but to gush over their perfect daughter who got a Ministry internship and is expected to bring home about a thousand O.W.L's over the summer. In their eyes you're completely perfect. I pointed out how you always forget to bring your dishes to the kitchen once you're done with them but it was to no avail. Love is blind, eh?

All joking aside though, great job. I'm also very proud of you. I told Nina about your internship and she says she can't wait to meet you. If you're up for it, we could meet at your next Hogsmeade trip? I thought I could invite Nina to stay the weekend with me at Hogsmeade and we could see you then as well. Forward me the details of your next weekend there and we can make plans. I do hope you'll like Nina. In the past, it has never worked out with any of the girlfriends you didn't approve of.

Just a reminder: mum and dad still don't know about her so zip it, yeah?

Lots of love,

Aidan

I was excited. 'Aidan is going to be in Hogsmeade our next trip there!' I said happily. 'He is?' Mathilda shrieked out. 'I can't wait to see him!' She said to me, letting her toast fall onto her plate. 'Who's Aidan?' Asked Adrian from Mathilda's other side. He'd been reading a quidditch magazine before but he had looked up at Mathilda's excitement.

'Cecilia's amazingly fit brother!' She said and Adrian frowned. 'Amazingly fit?' He drawled and she grinned, nodding her head. 'Who's fit?' Asked Aurora and Marietta as they sat down opposite from us, putting their bags down. 'Aidan; Cecil's brother.' Mathilda said and both the girls across from us squealed. 'A total showstopper!' Marietta said and she and Mathilda grabbed each other's hand above the breakfast cereal and both let out a whoop.

'Well, it doesn't matter anyway, because you promised to go with me to Hogsmeade next time.' Adrian said but Mathilda brushed him off. 'Yeah, whatever, we'll still do that.' She said. I couldn't help but laugh at the situation in front of me but I quickly said 'Well, while everyone gets way too excited about me meeting my brother, he's going to introduce me to his new girlfriend.' I said. Groans were definitely heard but I saw Adrian had a smug smile plastered on his face.

'He's still dating that Nina?' Asked Mathilda and I nodded. 'And he still hasn't told our parents.' I added and Mathilda clapped her hands together. 'It's never going to work out! If he can't even tell his parents that he's dating this girl, then how could they ever spend the rest of their lives together?' She asked the table. 'Aidan never tells mum and dad anything.' I pointed out and she pouted. 'That's true.' She said.

'What is it to you anyway?' said Aidan grumpily and Mathilda winked at him. '5 year old Mathilda promised herself that she would marry the very hot Aidan Wiggleswade!' She said and I snorted. Aidan couldn't laugh about it. 'Good luck with that then.' He said and he stood up, leaving us alone. Mathilda was snickering away. 'Well, you're already part of the family for all intents and purposes.' I pointed out. 'Mum practically sees you as her own.' I added and Mathilda blushed a rare blush. 'You have a great family.' She said.

'Well, I'm just going to quickly head up to the library and study before classes so I'll see you guys in Care of Magical Creatures.' I said, standing up and swinging my bag over my shoulder. There was a chorus of "see you's" and I walked out of the Great Hall, my notes in my hand as I looked through them.

Studying for O.W.L's was driving most fifth years over the edge. Marietta had to go into the hospital wing for a potion against headaches and drowsiness and I was considering going to ask Madam Pomfrey if she could give me anything against panic attacks because the simple thoughts of the upcoming exams made my heart race at an unhealthy pace.

When I met up with Felix one evening after dinner again so we could work on our essays together he told me that he wasn't too worried. 'Exams aren't everything in life.' He said airily and I just stared at him, not believing my ears. 'Exams aren't everything!?' I hissed. 'These are the O.W.L's Felix! They'll determine not only our next few years at this school but also our chances in the outside world!' I said to him and he shrugged sheepishly. 'I'm happy if I've just done my best.' He said and I laughed, more of disbelief than of anything else. 'Just your best…' I muttered. 'I have to get O's in at least two of my subjects, will not allow myself more than three A's and I have to pass everything.' I added. I secretly admired Felix's carefree attitude though. It must be very relaxing.

After our study session we said goodbye to each other hastily, both hurrying to our common room as it was only just before curfew. I was in for a shock though when a hand reached out of the wall to my left and pulled me through, just before I got to the spiral staircase that led up to the Ravenclaw Tower. 'Don't scream!' A very familiar voice whispered and I only just held back my shriek.

I looked up to Fred holding his index fingers to his lips and I nodded. 'I'll be quiet.' I said softly. He nodded back.

'So, what is it?' I asked nervously. Fred was standing close to me. It only was a very small room behind the wall he had pulled me through. It seemed to be filled exclusively with empty paintings, abandoned by their inhabitants, all stacked up against each other. 'What is this room?' I asked, looking around. He shrugged. 'Forgotten storage of some sort. George and I found it back in first year and it was exactly the same then except for a couple of inches of dust.' He told me as he put his hands on my waist. My cheeks immediately started burning at the physical contact.

'What more would you like to know about this secret room?' He asked, looking down at me with a grin. I found it hard to think clear when Fred looked at me. Or even if I just looked at him. Or thought of him. Fred just made it hard to think to begin with.

'Uhm, how is the ventilation here?' I asked, mentally slapping myself in the face for that question but fortunately it made Fred laugh. 'I suppose we'll find out.' He answered before leaning down and capturing my lips with his.

His lips were forceful and passionate, as they always were, and I pushed myself closer to him. I slid my hands up from his chest to his hair and back to his chest and I felt his hands knead into my sides. 'I should get back to my common room. It's almost curfew.' I murmured. He grinned against my mouth. 'Yeah, isn't breaking the rules exhilarating?' He replied and my heart started to bang away even faster.

He pushed himself even closer to me and it made me stumble backwards a bit, almost through the wall I had come through but Fred hauled me back just in time and instead turned me around to the wall next to it, pushing me up against it as he started to suck at the skin of my neck. I embarrassed myself as I couldn't help gasp at the sensation. He only responded by sucking harder.

His hands started wandering more and after a few laps up and down my back and my waist, his hands slipped under the sweater of my Ravenclaw uniform.

I sucked in my breath at the contact. Part of me was startled by it and wanted to run in fright but another part of me took over and moved closer to his hand. He saw that as encouragement and his other hand went under my sweater as well, feeling my bare stomach and back. I had my arms around his neck and was cursing myself for not knowing how to take initiative. In my mind I could hear Mathilda telling me that "guys will always appreciate a girl going for it" but I didn't have Mathilda's confidence. Did I dare to?

With a large breath I decided to slip my own fingers underneath the collar of his button up shirt. Fred smiled against my lips. With a beating heart I treaded my fingers a little further. At a certain point I couldn't reach any further; he was too tall. Fred pulled back a bit. 'Let me help you with that.' He said and before I could protest (although I didn't know if I wanted to) he started unbuttoning his shirt.

With every button that slipped through the hole, a little more of his chest was exposed and I could feel my face burning. Both scared to proceed and so incredibly eager to. When he had finished with the last he leaned forward again and kissed me and I, with a little hesitation, reached out to feel his chest. I couldn't believe what was happening.

We snogged for a little longer before he started to pull at my sweater too. I stiffened and he could tell because he stopped and softly whispered 'I just want to feel you close.'. I bit my lip but then gave a nod. He eyed me for a second and I didn't want him to question me or think I was a little girl or something so I reached up and kissed him and he took that as my definitive yes and pulled my sweater over my head, me helpfully holding my arms up.

He started unbuttoning my shirt at a painstakingly slow pace and the slower it went the more I wanted him to hurry up so I could feel his warm hands on my skin. I wish I had prettier bras though.

He was done. I was now completely vulnerable. And as if to point that out he pulled back for a moment and looked me over. I crossed my arms self-consciously but he took my hands and untangled them. 'Don't worry so much Cecil, you look hot, alright?' He said with a smirk and I blushed. 'You're not bad either.' I said awkwardly, but then I started laughing at myself.

Fred laughed too and then leaned into me, his bare chest pressing into my equally bare body.

I couldn't really remember how long we had stood there snogging but suddenly the thought overcame me that I had to get back to the common room. Fred's lips were at my collar bone when I pushed him off. He swore as he was startled and I giggled when I looked at his face. His eyes were wide, his ears and cheeks were red and his hair was sticking up in every direction.

'What is it?' He asked, a worried look on his face. 'I have to get back up to the common room! It must be way past curfew already.' I explained, all the while picking up my robe and sweater, buttoning up my shirt as I did so. 'Curfew? You must be kidding!' Fred said and I turned to him, swinging my bag over my shoulder.

He looked about as handsome as I could ever imagine him; his shirt still hanging open and his face scrunched up in confusion. My stomach was doing summersaults knowing that I could see him like this. That must mean something, right? 'I've only ever had one detention; in second year for something my friend did. I do not wish to repeat that.' I told him. He let out a barking laugh. 'You keep surprising me. Only one detention? You're so innocent.' He said with a grin. I pouted a little. 'You say that as if it's a bad thing.' I said and he stepped forward, pecking me on the lips. 'I feel like I'm corrupting you.' He said with a wink and I laughed.

'I do really have to go now.' I said apologetically. He pecked me on the lips again. 'I'll see you tomorrow?' I asked and he grinned. 'Anytime.' He answered. I grinned as well. I backed away from him, right through the wall into the empty corridor. I sighed happily and turned towards the staircase up to the common room.

Right in front of the door that hid the Ravenclaw sanctuary I checked myself over to see if I was presentable. I patted down my hair, righted my shirt and tied my sweater around my hips, swinging my robes over my shoulders. 'Can I come in?' I asked the bronze eagle knocker on the door as I combed through my hair with my hands.

'Feed me and I live. Give me water and I die.' The knocker answered and I took a few moments to think. 'Fire.' I said eventually. The door swung open. I went in, my eyes scanning the common room quickly to find that Mathilda wasn't in it and I speed walked up the stairs to our dormitory. There I found Mathilda sitting cross legged on her bed, her Transfiguration textbook on her lap and her notes scattered around her.

She barely looked up when I came in. 'It is so noisy downstairs, as if they have no mercy whatsoever on my poor nerves.' She said to me. I came to a halt in between our beds, not saying anything. She looked up when she realized that I hadn't answered. 'Wow, what is it?' She asked as she took in my flustered face. She looked at her alarm clock. 'It's way past curfew, did you come back just now?' She added and I nodded. 'Fred and I..!' I began but she shrieked at that alone and pushed her textbook and notes aside, crumbling them terribly by doing so. She sat on her knees in the middle of her bed and I perched down on my own.

I told her the whole story and was careful not to leave anything out despite my embarrassment and she was delighted. 'And?' She asked. 'Did you like it?' And to my own surprise I nodded with a big grin. 'It was, I don't know, just so magical, you know what I mean?' I asked her back and she shook her head yes. 'I do, I do, I do!' She replied enthusiastically. She flopped back on her pillow. 'Oh, I'm just so excited for you Cecil!' She said. She rolled onto her side, smiling at me. 'Things are just going so well for you now! A prestigious internship, great grades, great friends-' she winked '-and in your downtime you're snogging a hot quidditch player.' She said.

I flopped onto my back as well. 'Things are going pretty well, aren't they?' I said happily.

They seem to go pretty well indeed... :)

Like I said at the beginning, I'd much appreciate a review. When I see that people favourite or follow my story but don't bother reviewing, it always puts me off a bit.

Well, I hoped you ejoyed the chapter! I'l try and hurry up the next one.