(A/N:  sigh….well I'm rather disappointed in how chapter 10 turned out…too much resolution and not enough conflict! I read the great article on character development though on the front page…. definitely something to think about. Ok well I'll shut up and here goes….)

October 12th

Dear Journal,

We're friends again! I truly missed her you know, even though we were angry at each other. Henry SO wasn't worth it… Anyway, it's back to normal now…the "Goody-Goody Gang" has returned, as Sirius enlightened us only this morning. The great git. Though, I must admit, he does have some attractive qualities….not like my dear Tom of course….man when he touched my arm during practice the other day…..

"It was like I was flying without a broom…" Rachel recited, hands crossed over her chest dramatically.

Angelina, who had not known Rachel was reading the journal over her shoulder, blushed and grinned.

"Can I have a little PRIVACY?!" With a menacing glare, she threw a piece of toast at Rachel, missing by a mile. Rachel giggled and pulled out a small piece of parchment.

"I wish I could keep a journal. It's so hard to actually remember to write in it though…" She stared into the clear blue ceiling for a moment, lost in the space. With a shake of the head, she reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook.

"Okay, I've made a list of all the spells we've done so far in Transfig and what they do for our test on Friday. Quiz me?" She gave Angelina a pleading look.

"My gosh Rachel you are such a nerd!" Angelina complained, putting down her quill. "I am not about to spend my precious journal time studying. One of these days your brain is going to run out of room and start squishing out your ears."

Rachel stuck out her tongue. "Fine then, Miss Priss, I'll just ask Jackie." She turned to her Gryfinndor companion.

"Um, well actually, me and Will were just…erm….leaving.." Jackie stammered hurriedly, grabbing her boyfriend's arm. He looked rather put out; the newly loaded plate of breakfast entrees sat enticingly in front of him.

"Uh, eah, weerustoing." He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and grabbed a muffin as he was once again dragged from sight.

Pouting only slightly, Rachel returned the parchment to her bag.

"Ah, well, everyone's just excited about Hogsmeade anyway. I can't wait to stock up on some candy at Honeydukes….I've been craving a Peppermint Toad for ages!" Angelina smiled at her friend.

This reminded Rachel…..she needed to go by Dervish and Bangs and get her model of the solar system, which she loved dearly and had gotten for her birthday last year, fixed. Jupiter would not stop bumping into Uranus….

None of the students or teachers were particularly attentive the next few days; Professor Flitwick had even given them a day off after three successive classes managed to either lose or hyper-activate their projections. Rumor had it they had all started crying at once and he hadn't slept trying to calm them all.

To third-year students and above, the first Hogsmeade weekend of the year was a much enjoyed release. Yes, they adored Hogwart's; the food, the friends, the fun, but it was good to get a change of scenery every once and awhile.

Rachel met up with Jackie, Angelina and Cathy right outside the front doors of the castle. (a/n—I'm not exactly sure where in HP they exit to get out of the castle…I know Hogsmeade is just across the lake though…)

"Hey guys! Let's go!" Her coins were burning a hole in her pocket, and just yesterday she had received her family's Christmas list. As they walked down the road leading to the village, Rachel tried to figure out a good way to buy presents.

"Ok, here's my idea. We go in pairs for the first few hours, buy presents for those not with us, and then switch partners around lunchtime at Honeydukes. That way we can get presents for anyone else, and it can still be a surprise!" She looked expectantly at her friends faces, who nodded absently and didn't seem to really mind either way.

(cue Diagon Alley music upon their entrance…..)

(a/n: I know this is very short but I can't bear to have just little chapter 10 being the end so far….I promise the next one will be longer…..)