A/N: I'd like to star off by thanking KyLewinfor all the marvelous reviews! I'm also glad that most of you are enjoying it! As for the comment about Percy not being so Percyish... don't worry about that. I have my reasons. ;) My goal in this story which predates the Percy we know today by 2-3 years was to actually have everyone find a certain appeal in Percy. To ward off the smuggishness... but obviously Rowling (as usual) likes to work against me and made him even worse then ever! (I swear she probably comes here and reads and says: "hehe.. let's use the name Bella in book 5, make her evil and give her the same discription, let's make Percy more of a jerk and lets give Bill a girlfriend.) -Growls- It's like she's out to destroy me! -cries- anyways, I shall regain my composure and continue to put up my amateur fic which I finished and started 2 years ago regardless of new developments. The Nightshade series shall go on! And if she read the 3rd part to this series (that being The Greatest Honor) then there's just more sabotage waiting for me in book 6 -cries again- so I better hurry up!

Next chapter will be up tomorrow! Only 3 chapters to go after this!


Chapter 12

"Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor"

"How terrible! How awful! This is a total nightmare!" came the sound of a horrified voice in the Gryffindor common room. "She just can't! She can't expect me to wear THIS!"

"Awe – well – It's – um – not – THAT bad…" said the George in-between chuckles

"What are you saying? It is! It REALLY is! It looks like… a DRESS!" said Bill holding up the Dress Robes that his mother sent him. "Oh no! This monstrosity is going back into this box and back home! I can't BELIEVE my old one was eaten up by moths!"

Fred was literally on the floor. Doubled up in laughter he asked Bill what he was going to do for clothes to which he answered: "I'll find a way! I have to!" He then got a great idea! Bill threw away the horrendous, ruffled dress robe and walked out of his dormitory. He walked straight out of the castle and into the grounds as he headed towards the Quidditch Pitch. Bill had that glean in his eye again. There was no WAY he was going to embarrass himself in front of the whole 7th year by looking like a mutated flower. As soon as he entered he saw Hank land and brush the sweat from his brow. It seemed that he was training for the Quidditch finals between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Bill smiled. Things were looking his way. Hank looked in great shape.

Before he got close enough to speak to the blonde poster-boy, he saw him throw kisses at a few girls that were admiring his skills from the stands. They swooned and giggled madly as he winked and smiled at them.

"Hello Hank!" shouted Bill from behind the celebrity of the moment.

"Oh Bill! You startled me!" he said flashing a huge pearly white smile.

"Um – You don't have to do that to me… Just cut the act for a few minutes. It's creepy for me to look at,"

"Sorry, but I get like that when I have fans cheering me on. Ah, my cute little sheep!"

"Right… Well, you seem in good condition, ready for the big game are you?"

"You bet! You Gryffs don't stand a chance! Especially since the captain seems so distracted now-a-days,"

"But you have your, well, "distraction" too," said Bill wondering if Hank even remembered Sandra's name.

"Well, of course but girls and glory both start with the same letter don't they?"

"Right," Bill hated it when he wasn't alone with Hank.

He knew that Hank thought much of himself but he always became extra pompous when people, other then their usual group, were watching. Bill decided to ask him to come along to the changing rooms for a moment so he could talk without the fan club in the background calling his name every four minutes. As they walked, Bill brought up the Quidditch game again.

"So you're that confident are you?"

"Of course! With me as Chaser and our Beater Be-"

"Then I'm sure you'll like to make a little wager on it?"

"Bill, I think the sun's getting to your head! Didn't I just tell you it was a sure thing?"

"Then let's make the bet. If Gryffindor wins… then you'll pay for my "mystery date's" corsage… If Ravenclaw wins, then I'll give up my dress robes for yours, let me tell you… they're really something interesting to look at..." he said with a hidden laugh.

"What's wrong Weasley? Hate to look good that much do you?"

"Then we have a deal?"

"Sure!" he said as they shook hands.

"All for fun and games right? I'll see you when Dumbledore presents us with the Quidditch cup," he said after toweling himself off and walking outside but before he got too far he turned and added. "You've sealed your doom! All this saves me the trouble of shopping for a new one. Joke's on you that mine are 3 years old," said Hank confidently as he disappeared.

As Bill left he grinned maliciously. He knew that Hank wanted new robes and either way it, went Bill would be the winner. However, he hated betting against his own team but so far, Ravenclaw had been winning by the most points since the beginning of the tournament. Of course, he seemed to have missed all of their games but he knew that Charlie was dead nervous to face them, which could only mean that they'd be a real challenge. So Bill walked along merrily awaiting his free corsage or dress robes.

May was hot, very hot. Most of the students couldn't stand being in their school robes for long and were permitted to walk around without them. It seemed that most of the boys were taking advantage of this situation as the girls walked around freely in their skirts and blouses. This was even better news for Winter as she seemed to be more noticeable the rest. Her blouse was tied in a knot from the front and she permitted herself a little freedom by unbuttoning the first few buttons. These little modifications helped her stand out even if she was already gorgeous. Sandra came around the corner and looked at Winter surprised. She ran along next to her and spoke.

"What are you doing?" she said with a smile.

"My dear Sandra, I'm fishing! If I want to have my date secured, now is the time to do it," she said with a grin. "And to catch the biggest fish… you need the right bait,"

"You're evil!" she said giggling.

"I prefer to call it, compassionately challenged," she said with a laugh.

Indeed, she was turning many heads as they walked to the Great Hall but before Winter walked to the Slytherin table she had decided to accompany Sandra to the Ravenclaw one. Hank was busy prepping the Ravenclaw team as Andrew sighed next to him. He decided to be lenient and let him give the team the final cheer of confidence. However, at Sandra and Winter's arrival Hank just stopped.

"Looking good Hank?" said Winter as he looked at her from top to bottom.

"I'm glad you think so," he said grinning.

"I think she means the team Hank," scowled Sandra as he snapped back to reality.

"Oh right!" he said looking away.

"Well, I better go! Oh, and Hank… if you need me for anything… don't hesitate to ask. We do have to meet to prepare for Muggle Studies you know?" she said as she passed her hand though her long brown hair.

"Off to see Oggy then?" said Sandra suddenly.

"Yes… That's the big fish," she sighed. "Well, goodbye all of you,"

"Goodbye!" said all the boys at once.

Bella didn't say a thing as she watched all the boys stare. They re-entered their tight huddle as Sandra went off to eat.

"Ooh! Now that's a she-devil Slytherin all right!" said a 6th year.

"Yes but Heaven can't be far away from her!" added their keeper.

"Ha! I'm sure Hank has loads to tell us about that!" said, to Bella's surprise, Andrew.

"Ah! Come on! Nothing like that ever happened! It was just for fun! You know I'm all about Sandra,"

"It didn't seem like it just now," said Bella as she was suddenly shoved out of the group. "Boys!" she said as she marched away angrily.

She was getting hot in the halls. She blushed at the thought of seeing Bill just in a clean white shirt. "If he were as daring as Winter it would be even better," she though to herself as she continued along. Without realizing it she found herself in front of the Gryffindor common room as the Fat Lady looked at her pointedly. Bella didn't say a word but kept striding on until she heard the sound of a door swing and a body project itself from it! It toppled over her and she had the feeling that she knew who this was. By the guess of the flaming red hair, the slightly tanned skin and the size… she knew who it must be! However, to make matters worse… he had no shirt on.

"Oh! Sorry! Are you ok?"

Bella lay in shock as Bill lifted himself from her. He blinked a few times curiously at her reddened face but was brought back to reality by taunts from behind him.

"HA! And you think you can make fun of us!" shouted Charlie's voice.

"Oh! Just wait! And give me my shirt back!" said Bill as he turned to face the portrait hole.

"If I feel like it... maybe," sounded Charlie's voice though he was nowhere to be seen.

"You won't get away with this!" said Bill with a laugh as he ran back in and it closed shut.

From that moment on, Bella couldn't seem to return to her natural color. Bill's body was very close to hers during those moments and just the idea of it gave her goose bumps. She sighed dazedly as his smell still lingered around her. It was such a shock, to have had that happen that nothing could seem to distract her from the thoughts that filled her head. He had looked at her. He had paused and stared right at her. His gorgeous golden eyes had gazed at hers and she couldn't help but feel that in those fleeting moments there was a connection. "I'm just dreaming…" she thought but still couldn't seem to wipe off that smile. Yes, summer was definitely going to become her favorite season.

The preparation for the final examinations began and most of the seventh and fifth years were in total frenzy. Suddenly, study groups were being formed and the library was always occupied. Percy had trouble trying to find a spot to sit outside with Bella. There were blankets draped in every inch of the now emerald green grass. They finally they managed to secure a place near the gamekeeper's, hut and sat there comfortably as they watched the clouds roll by.

"So… how have you been doing lately Percy?"

"Not bad. I feel far better about Runes class then before," he said dreamily.

"I'm surprised you managed to take everything in! I thought that you'd be distracted," she said laughing.

"Oh Quiet! I don't like her like-" he started his face flushed.

"Oh fine! But come back and thank me when you two start going out ok?" she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Huh? Well… Ok," he said jokingly. "What about you? How's school going?"

"Fine I guess… I mean nothing's really changed. Looks like it will be the same for my O.W.L.s too. I'm not worried. My grades are ok,"

"I'd be horrified!"

"Yes but you're a lot more ambitious then I am! Percy, I feel like I know you inside out!"

"That makes one of us… You still haven't told me about how you're going about everything before the big 'event',"

"I think things will be fine. I had a nice dream yesterday," she said as Percy looked at her. "I was standing in the hall near the stairs with my dress robes on and then a handsome man came and looked right at me. I curtsied and he took my hand and kissed it…" she said softly. "Other details are just too incriminating for me to tell!" she added with a wink.

"I don't want to know them!" he said looking at a particularly puffy cloud.

"Well… I might be able to see the future but I trust my dreams more then I trust that. I'll take hope over certainty any day," she said seeing the last cloud float by. "So, what happened with the twins? Why were they in Hogsmeade the other day?"

"Oh! Well… they managed to slip by Filch somehow and err –" Percy began.

The last thing he as ready to do was admit defeat before the twins. After that startling reunion in Hogsmeade Percy was dead set of having them confess everything to McGonagall. However, the identical Weasleys proved to have a trump card under their hats, one that Percy felt the need to take full advantage of. It was very much unlike him, but he knew when to use things to his advantage. Especially when it would put him in Penelope's good graces, after all, it's not like he was paying for the trinkets that he'd have the twins buy for him every month.

As they lounged, others plotted! Charlie would allow no rest to himself or his players at such crucial times. There were but 3 days until they faced Ravenclaw and he felt that he had been very neglectful of his team. With Jaycee near him, he had totally gone off track but now was the time to return to the old routine. Jaycee remained objective and focused, as she always had been. She couldn't let him down, not after that terrible defeat by Slytherin last year when Charlie developed a strain in his hand.

"All right everyone listen up! Now's the time to give ourselves the extra push we need to eliminate Ravenclaw! Now, we've seen their strategies and we know their weaknesses! All that's left is to target those weak points with our tactics!" proclaimed Charlie as the entire team cheered.

And so began the Legendary Charlie Weasley's newest practice routine. Oliver Wood felt particularly energized by this and loved the adrenaline rush! Most of him teammates however, didn't seem to quite agree. As the days moved forward soon came the final matches between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

Everyone gathered to the pitch about a half hour before the match was set. It was a hot summer evening and even the savviest of bookworms had decided to replace the enclosed study room with fresh air. Bella had been prepping herself for a while as Andrew had been giving the Ravenclaw team the plan to defeat the Gryffindors. Hank just kept sighing and telling him that he was being a tad too obsessive over the last match and should know by now that they have the game in their pocket. Bella knew that Andrew's worries came mostly from his own performance. He wanted to be sure the points were high enough incase he couldn't manage to capture the snitch. As good as he was, he knew that Charlie Weasley was better. With the sun shining brightly and the wind blowing in the Ravenclaw's favor, the match was about to begin. The usual group of seventh years united in the lower stands. It seemed like the most neutral place to sit since Winter and Sandra were routing for Ravenclaw. Bill looked at Winter with a stare.

"So… Traitor… Why do you want Ravenclaw to win?" said Bill jokingly as he eyed Winter.

"Because I want to support Sandra plus Hank told me that I'd get the pleasure in taunting you after he won. So I thought to myself, what's more fun? Taunting Bill or consoling Sandra and Hank? And then, I remembered the way you whined last year when we, the Slytherins, won. The choice seems obvious," she said with a grin.

"That's just evil!" said Bill with a lifted eyebrow.

"I know," she said smiling.

"Well, when we win, we'll make sure not to cheer TOO loud," said Sandra laughing.

Percy, Jaycee, the twins and Jonathan sat next to them. Suddenly Penelope came walking in their row and sat next to Percy. Bill eyed his brother and wondered what had happened over all this time for Percy to have gotten all this attention from girls. It seemed nearly impossible for his most serious brother to have this sort of magnetism about him. Penelope began to talk with him as the twins had barely fidgeted at her movements. They had totally ignored the fact that she was there and stirred with excitement. Finally Percy noticed that the usual four were reduced to three.

"Say… Where's Lee?" questioned Percy.

"Oh, he's talking to McGonagall," said Fred not moving his gaze from the pitch.

"Yeah, says he has a surprise for us. I wonder what it is," said George looking for the players.

"Oh, it's good! I'm totally responsible for it! He would have NEVER pulled it off without me! I guess you'll all find out soon enough," said Jonathan as Madam Hooch flew out into the pitch.

Suddenly a voice echoed around and the commentator began his announcements. However, the usual sleepy drawl that was heard in every match was replaced by a higher pitched and younger sounding voice.

"Hello everyone and welcome to the Quidditch Cup Finals! My name is Lee Jordan and today, I'm replacing Quincy as your temporary commentator! Be easy on me now, I'm just a kid! Now, we are all here to view the Ravenclaw/Gryffindor match! I know this will be great for both are fierce and had given a great performance this year! Who will claim the cup?"

"Is that…" started George.

"Yeah! When you guys made that remark about him commentating he got really serious about it! So, we went to McGonagall's and talked to her about it. Of course, I talked her into it and she said if ever the opportunity arose, they'd give Lee a try! And then the regular commentator got sick! It was fate I tell you!" said Jonathan putting his hand on his chest.

"Well… you've always had your way with teachers! Wow! This is going to be great!" added Fred as the teams began to fly out.

Bella quickly removed her glasses and let her hair down. "Maybe he won't recognize me this way," she thought as she flew into position. Hank turned his head for a moment and looked at Bella with a smile. "My pretty bodyguard's in place and now all that's left is for me to win us a game," he thought. Charlie went up to face Andrew. He had a strange grin about him and this worried the Ravenclaw Seeker. What could he possibly have up his sleeve?

"I want a fair game," said Madam Hooch who stared mostly at Hank. It seemed that she still didn't trust him.

"Remember, 30 points!" hushed Andrew from above.

"Right! 30 points you won't get!" said Charlie as the snitch was released and the games began.

Hank made the first move towards the Quaffle. With split second timing he reached for it in an underhand pass from another chaser. He zoomed off quickly and was dodging nearly every chaser in sight but a Bludger made it around and was zooming in at top speed until Bella made her usual quick appearance! With a hardy hit it bounced off into the sky as Bella turned her head to Hank.

"Can't leave alone for a second can't I?"

"I'd be a happy man if you didn't," he said with a wink as he flew towards the goal posts.

Bella just sighed and shrugged. She assumed he was just being his usual flirtatious self and decided to ignore that. She had really gotten used to the way Hank acted. He wasn't a bad person. In fact, he was very nice but it was just that he liked to outline everything and that often made for strange moments like these.

"Wow! Did you see that shot! What a strong beater! Is she new?" asked Bill as Percy and others looked at him totally discouraged.

"No… she's not," said Percy.

"But aren't all of Ravenclaw's players boys?" he said confused.

"Someone needs glasses… and it's not Percy," said Winter smiling.

"Come on! They're so far away that no one can see them well. Besides, I only noticed it was a girl because of the hair,' said Bill trying not to look like an idiot.

The match was so heated that it felt like a war between fire and water, with the water dowsing every flame! The blue and red robes fluttered furiously and seemed like nothing but blurs. Lee was on a roll! He was calling every shot and the crowd was going wild with excitement.

"And now Ravenclaw's Hank Silver's on a rampage! It's an all out battle between him and the Gryffindor keeper Oliver Wood! Oliver has shown us a good performance today but Silver is relentless! What is fuelling Silver's stamina? Roger Davies has also made his real debut today! He and Silver have become a team all on their own! Ravenclaw has such an excellent line up! With Nightshade as a beater they've been allowed a tremendous lead! – And another goal by Ravenclaw! It's coming from every side and angle! But where is the snitch?"

Indeed, Charlie was searching around desperately! If he didn't find it soon, Ravenclaw would win no matter the outcome! His chasers were good and had managed 60 points so far however; Ravenclaw had escalated to 170! Bella was a wall! Charlie's beaters had become completely useless and Hank and Roger Davies seemed to have come to an unspoken agreement that the third chaser would play "passer". Charlie's situation was desperate! After having his team slack off and then become overworked and tiered he had badly prepared them for the match! Charlie was Gryffindor's only hope! They could not allow Ravenclaw to get the snitch! It would be too embarrassing! 320 to 60 points is too much of a gap to allow! He just needed to find it before Andrew did! And then… like heaven sent, was a golden shining ball near the Gryffindor end of the pitch!

Charlie raced down to the spot where he had seen the one thing that would bring him victory! He fell into an incredible nosedive and grazed the grass as he chased the Snitch inches away from the floor. Andrew had noticed the sudden drop and twisted around to pursue Charlie. Lee exploded!

"OH! That's IT! That's it! Get it Charlie! Get it!"

"Mr. Jordan! May I remind you that you're not supposed to take sides while commentating?" came the sound of professor McGonagall's voice.

"Sorry! But this is BIG! And there goes Andrew Miller! Who will get the Snit- Oh! Another Score by Ravenclaw! It's going to be tight! If Gryffindor gets the snitch they'll only be 20 points ahead! If Charlie gets the snitch now, although they loose the match, Gryffindor will win the cup! They've had too much of a lead against Slytherin and Hufflepuff!"

Charlie then gave an extra kick to his broom. Within moments the Cleansweep 3 became a rocket! Charlie flew in forward, his hand out stretch inches away from the snitch! Andrew couldn't believe it! How did he make such a slow broom become so fast? Soon Miller was eating dust and looked up. This was it… Charlie was going to get it but they needed just one more goal to win! Just one! So he made a quick detour and let Charlie chase after the snitch.

"Hey! Beater formation 3 Defensive! Clawing Talon!" shouted Andrew from below.

Bella nodded and raced to her companion. Bella went towards a Bludger as the other beater made his way to wherever the Quaffle was. It was Ravenclaw in possession with Roger Davies gripping as tightly as he could. Bella sent the Bludger towards her mate and chased after it like a tail! She slowed down about half way to its course as it received the Ravenclaw beater's bat. He was standing a few feet above Davies who was concentrating on heading towards the goals. It hit and left and soon there was a crazy zigzag of a Bludger circling Davies! The beaters were hitting it hard enough so it wouldn't touch Roger but would bend towards the other Chasers! As they made their way towards the post Oliver looked determined. His eyes became shifty and squinty.

Charlie felt the cool touch of the snitch on the very tip of his fingers! That's it! Any second now!

"Davies! Pass!" Yelled Hank as he flew in from the side!

"No! Not in this formation! Stay low incase I miss!" he yelled back.

"Hank! Watch out!" said Bella as the Bludger aimed for Hank's head.

"Oh! Thanks!"

"Get out!" yelled Bella again as it returned towards him and Bella hit it away.

Hank's face went red with anger. He wanted to make the goal but the formation was too tight. He slowly backed off with disappointment as they were but feet away from Wood. Bella received it at the right moment and aimed for Oliver! His eyes grew to twice their size as the replay of his downfall suddenly came to him. Partly out of reaction and partly out fear that Bella's full strength was once again backing her hit, Oliver instinctively dodged the Bludger… however, right behind was the Quaffle in the Bludger's trail! He didn't even notice Davies make the throw as they both passed through the hoop! And then, he heard something that made him wish that the Bludger had hit him.

"CHARLIE HAS SECURED THE SNITCH!" yelled Lee Jordan at the top of his lungs.

At the very moment the whole Gryffindor team had sprung up and began to cheer until Lee made the second announcement.

"RIGHT AFTER THAT LAST GOAL FROM RAVENCLAW! Ravenclaw WINS the Quidditch cup!"

The whole pitch fell dead silent as the Ravenclaw supporters took the time to take in the news. They then jumped to their feet! The Gryffindor fans fell to their seats in astonishment! They were so close! Charlie had fallen flat on his back. His face was puffy and red and he was breathing very deeply. He let himself lay there on the grass as he heard the sounds of the numerous voices slowly fade away until one brought him back.

"You were wonderful Charlie. You really were," said a whispered voice.

"Jaycee… 2 years in a row that I've lost it… I've failed…"

"No! You're still the best Seeker and captain Hogwarts has ever seen!" she said as she leaned down towards him. "And the best friend and love anyone can ever wish for,"

She leaned down on Charlie's immobile body and kissed him gently. Soon he lifted himself up and kissed her back.

"Now, let's get you washed up! All that's left now are our exams,"

"Aw! Exams?" sighed Charlie.

"We can have our own study sessions… no need to worry about that!" she said with a wink.