The slimy little reptiles are coming. They are looming over my head. They are threatening me, haunting my sleep. Causing sudden spasms. Yes, you heard correctly. N.E.W.T.s are coming. Honestly, just from the name you know whoever came up with this was a raving lunatic. Nastily Exhausting. Honestly, they're starkers.

Wow, that was an odd picture of a studious and evil looking wizard making these exams stark naked. Yuck.

Anyway, I was in the common room and sitting in front of the fire, peacefully watching the flames cracking up in the morning, only I did it in silent laughter. So hard that tears were streaming down my face.

"Angelina!" Fred. Of course. "This is serious. Do you know Andrew Rimmer?"

I thought for a second, ten I remember that he was in our year. A Ravenclaw. Actually, I knew him pretty well. Shy boy, fairly tall, though under two meters. I've never really talked to him a lot, though he and Trish went to the Yule Ball last year. As friends of course, neither of them had a partner. That's the most I ever spoke to him, seemed a nice enough boy.

"Ravenclaw in our year? What about him?"

I think,"— Fred looked around the room, checking if anyone else was listening —"I think that he and Trish are dating."

I snorted. "Fred, that's absurd! She would've told me!"

"You didn't see them…all cozy in the library? And I know for a fact that someone else asked her out on a date and she rejected him. It could have been because she's dating Andrew. "

"Wait, someone else asked her on a date?" Pause to get over shock. "Anyway, if she didn't tell me that then I suppose it's…possible. I'll have to talk with her."

"No! She'd just blatantly deny it! You have to talk to Andrew."

"Why can't you do it Fred? You're a boy, you'd get along with him better!"

"Well, you see, Angel dearest," My cheeks went warm, despite how stupid it sounded. "I'm not Trish's best friend."

"I'll do it at breakfast," Of course, since it was morning and I was sleepily waiting for the girls to get ready, I hadn't a clue what I'd agreed to.

Soon the six of us, I shan't bother to specify names because if you don't know by now it's rather pathetic…were heading down to the Great Hall. Fred kept giving Trish raised eyebrows when she wasn't looking, and then throwing me fervent glances. Everyone but me went to the Gryffindor table; I veered off towards the Ravenclaws, who looked puzzled to see me coming. Off in the distance I could hear Trish interrogating Fred and ordering him to stop me.

Quickly, I found Andrew Rimmer and sat down next to him.

"Hi Andrew!" I said this cheerily as though it wasn't odd for me to be sitting down at a different house table next to a boy I've never spoken to before. Not much anyway. Just in passing.

"He — hello Angelina," Poor bloke. He was spluttering and might have been choking on his pumpkin juice. Now me. I was never really one for subtlety. So, after saying the polite two word greeting, I decided to tell him why I was here.

"So Andrew, how are things going with Trish? Heard you were getting pretty cozy in the library yesterday." And so it begins.
"Trish? But, she's my study partner! We aren't dating!" Andrew looked up in shock, almost poking my eye out with one of his blond spikes.

"Funny, I never said you were," I replied. "All I did was imply that things looked rather suspicious with going to the Yule Ball, then spending all that 'alone' time in the library. Now, Trish would never tell me, but I have a few pieces of information that lead me to believe that studying is no longer what it used to be."
At this point I began to eat the toast I brought over in my hand; I was most definitely not going to waste breakfast. Then, in his response I remembered why I hate arguing with smart people.
"First of all Angelina, when we went to the ball we were just friends. It was a platonic thing. And if I recall correctly you and Fred Weasley went to the ball and you're not dating."
Whoa, wasn't ready for that one, but I'm good on my feet. "Your point Rimmer?"
"Next, all that 'alone' time in the library was filled with real studying. Trish and I've never done anything…vile."
It was at that remark that I started chuckling, remembering that old Andrew has never been kissed or had a girlfriend before.

Oh wait, I shouldn't be talking, should I?
"Be quiet Ang!" he said to my giggle fit. "Anyway, my last point is that if by 'other evidence' you're referring to when she turned down Fred, I can readily assure you that that was because of common sense and not prior commitments."
Wait, it was Fred that asked her out? But — wha —? Hmm…I would've loved to see her shoot him down, though.
"So you're not dating?" I asked to check.
"Nope." Said Andrew. He nodded strangely.
I sighed, mores the pity, those two would have gone great together. Not to mention I just embarrassed Trish and Andrew. I shall avenge myself. Maybe I'll set them up.
"Okay, you win, you and Patricia aren't going out. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't. I think you would make quite a cute couple."
He now blushed a deep shade of scarlet, to be rivaled only by a Weasley, and looked to his friend for help. His friend who had been watching the whole thing with amusement, as had several other Ravenclaws, just shrugged.
"I like Trish, but she's like a sister, and we're too much alike to ever have much chemistry."
I scowled at him promptly. No one is too good for Trish.
"Fine then, thank you for the lovely conversation and I wish you good day." I was about to turn around and smack him with my braids, but he spoke first.
"Johnson! I didn't mean to offend your friend, Trish is great! It's just that the thing is…I've got my eye on someone else."
I sighed again and headed back to the Gryffindor tower; at least there I know all the gossip. And clearly, today was a great day for just that.
"Well Fred, you were wrong. I also am starting to think that you only started those ridiculous accusations after Trish turned you down."
Fred was stunned; obviously he believed in what he was doing and he didn't plan on us finding out Trish rejected him.
"See! Why won't anyone believe that Andy and I are just friends? Not that bloody complicated of a concept!"
"Andy?"

"Oy! My twin! You asked Trish out and she rejected you? That's hilarious!"
'So that's what you were all talking about, how come you didn't tell me earlier Ang?"
"Wow, you're all so pathetic that I feel as though this would provide great commentary material."
"LEE!"
Despite everyone talking at once they all managed to understand each other and none wished their personal lives broadcast.
The rest of our breakfast period was spent in thoughtful silence, punctured only when Lee attempted to speak but had his foot trodden on by George.
Soon though, it was time for classes. Not only do we have to deal with those horrible afore mentioned tests, but the teachers are loading us down with homework, If Trish got scared during O.W.L.s I hate to see how she will react to these; I'm on the verge of a breakdown!
Do you realize that Hogwarts is almost over and I haven't got a bloody clue what I want to do after it? I mean, I could be a dragon tamer, or play professional Quidditch, work in the ministry, maybe start off being apprenticed at a school. I can't believe I haven't planned this out!
I feel like my life is really odd. Like, superb oddness, really. I also feel as though I am going to go get one of The Weasley twins featuring Lee Jordan to get me something from the kitchen. I couldn't possibly do it myself! After all, I am such a good girl and as Quidditch captain I have to set a good example.
Let's see, what else has happened? I can't really think of much, I already told you about the excellent Quidditch practice we had yesterday. Oh, yeah! Lee got detention from Umbridge the other day. He's got to go in after class every day this week. Fred offered him some Snackbox, but he practically ran away from it. But apart from that—OF COURSE!

Harry! Well, let me explain, what happened was that lunch I went around to tell everyone practice was cancelled (more horrendous weather), and Harry shocked me by saying that he's found a place for us to practice Defense! YES, DEATH TO THE TOAD!

Ahem, sorry.
But, yes, that's what happened, and I told Katie, Leesh, and Trish about it. The four of us trooped down to the seventh floor, near the statue of Barnabas the Barmy at eight that evening. To our surprise, there was a shiny wooden door there which none of us recalled ever seeing before. ("Not a good sign, if you ask me," muttered Trish) Inside was, well…a room for Defense. There's no other word; books of spells lining the walls, Dark Detectors all over the place, and cushions covering the floor for us to fall on when we're stunned. Impressive, Potter.

We started out by electing leader, Harry by a unanimous vote. That Cho Chang from the Ravenclaw Quidditch team was just fawning over him, I tell you. Anyway, next order of business was a name, for which my suggestion, the Anti-Umbridge League, was so callously turned down. Sigh, we can't have everything I suppose. Fred came up with a good one too, it was, um...drat, something about the Ministry though. Final verdict was…Dumbledore's Army. The D.A. I get all tingly just thinking of the name.

We practiced Disarming, as Harry says it saved his life once, and it's basic magic so it'll be good to start with. Fred and George had some fun messing with Zacharias Smith then, but I think Harry caught them. Oh, and some kid's wand went flying and smacked Leesh in the nose; Trish and were in peels of laughter for at least five minutes before we could even lift our wands again. Finally, Harry blew his whistle (which he got from where?).

"Well, that was pretty good," he said. "But we've overrun, we'd better leave it here. Same time, same place, next week?"

"Sooner!" shouted Dean Thomas. Most people nodded in agreement, but I had to protest despite my immediate fondness for the D.A.

"The Quidditch season's about to start, we need team practices too!" But if there's rain, disarm all you want!

"Let's say next Wednesday night, then," said Harry. "And we can decide on additional meetings then…Come on, we'd better get going…" Then he took out this old piece of parchment which turned out to be a map and let us all leave in little groups. Trish and I ended up leaving with the twins.

"That was great!" said Fred as we walked back to the common room. "Harry's a good teacher."

"Yeah, I noticed that too," I said. Indeed, I am speaking to Fred again, no eye contact though, for I'm still getting over the-feeling-that-has-returned-after-so-long. "He'd make a good Quidditch captain someday," I observed. "After I'm gone, that is."

"Tomorrow then?" I punched George in the arm.

Authors' Note: The more observant of you may have noticed that I have now placed the apostrophe outside the 's'. –ahem- WE have now placed the apostrophe after the 's'. This is due to grammar reasons as we have multiply authors.

I wish you enjoy this chapter, as it was extremely difficult to transport. I mean, it was on my slow downstairs computer with the broken internet, and had to get upstairs or to Proma. Really people, I'm not made of floppy disks! Ya, and she had to scan the original chappie (it was sent to me lacking the beginning paragraphs) and then I had to decipher them. –whew-

The biggest cliché of the week: Captain Hook, from Peter Pan, name. We can't figure it out…I say it was James Earl Hook or something, am I right? My friends all think it was based off of James Cook, a real explorer.

I'm happy! I'm fourteen and one of the managers of the school volleyball team! YAY nine months of asking totally paid off. Congradulations!

Also, if the review link serves us correctly, one more and we have a HUNDRED AND FIFTY. I'm so speechless; this ROCKS. Completely! Made up for having to go to a teen leadership conference with a drug user (while, not anymore) and a man in a pink bunny suit.

Jersey Princess: By Princess, are you really a member of the royal New Jersey family? Because there used to be such things as royal governors (back when America wasn't independent) and I am quite taken with the idea you came from them. Meanwhile, I just watch the reviews keep rolling in.

Braids and Boils has been a long time in the coming, originally it was Braids and Bludgers, but then Desi in her stroke of brilliance changed it. :blushes:

Flagstonejester: Are you a member of a court? Perhaps Jersey Princess's court, that would make sense. This is fun, maybe everyone in fanfiction knows each other somehow. Feel free to take up one of my challenges, they are for everybody to try and goodness knows we need more Bellatrix/Lockheart stories. Just tell me when you post it! Yeah, that'll be cool.

I love long reviews! O yes, ditto. In fact, that's one of the things that inspired me to co-write A Wizards Guide to Fanfiction with Desi, it's under her account. The second chapter is dedicated to those reviews we so love. :sigh:

MellyV: Now, I think a square dance would be supremely humorous. It was brilliant, Tev. I am sure Umbride has, to quote my sister, "mad hard core skill" I made your life complete? COOL. Yea! We rule! Correction, Tikvah Ariel rules, as she came up with the square dance. Semester is over! w00t.

Dark Hermit KaelinFred and George aren't the only ones freaked out by the boils; I had to write it! It was supremely funny as I did, though, I must admit, but freaky all the same. I am positively crackling with glee. The very thought of you doing six horrendous chapters of ground school is so very funny. Those things are all over 100 questions!

How long till they get together, who says they get together? Ooo, that's the twist, innit? I mean, this is OotP from a different POV and Fred never said anything about him and Angie dating. Dun dun dun!

Down with science labs and up with science skits! Er…okay!

Nikki Weasley 7393: You need help because you are suffering from writers block? Okay, then I shall tell you a story that will inspire you. Get ready for this one.

One day, in my English class we decide to do a write-around. Now, I was the only girl participating in this and everyone in the school seems to have it out for me.

So, as I read aloud the final story I find that I rule the planet Galib, taking it from the evil witch Brew, and rule with an iron fist. Killing all those who get in my way. Then, I am defeated and an army of ant-flounders take over, but they must fight the crickets to get justice. I apparently, am general. So the crickets are squished but then an atomic explosion (which I unwittingly wrote, not aware that I was in the story and still alive) killed everything.

Told you so.

So, my advice; do a write around. You write something for five minutes, then fold it over so only the last line is showing, and switch. Go around in a circle several times. The more people the more fun. Or, try one of Tev's challenges! They're really good, build up your writing stamina they do. Or you can make up your own like that: just point to random things in the books and pick the requirements for your personal challenge out of that.

Venus725- Hah, glad you liked the chapter. I would be gravely saddened had you not. Yeah, it was short, but hopefully the next'll be longer, and I like to think that I'm growing steadily better at not relying solely on canon, good for you, so there'll be more of Fred mixed in with the D.A. I know! I love QuidditchMoke as well I don't, I think it is horriably restricting, but sigh, what is my opinion but a leaf in the tree…the mokes in Fanastic Beasts and Where to Find Them just struck me as so cool. As you can see from how much I use them in stories. I don't mind for my other stories, either, because I do love Harry Potter much more than anything else and remain faithful to it always. That's almost like a romantic sentiment, very touching. Thanks for reviewing!

The Mysterious M- I want to see that movie! Me too! I totally read the book, the orginal novel by Gaston Leroux mind you, and though I know it will be horriably different and most likely based off of Andrew Loyd Webber's version I still wish to se. Yes, your guy is in, worry not, unless you want to woryy in which case I give you the go ahead. Sounds like your having an awesome week though, congrats on the prom! Very much so! Though your crush sounds rather confused, at least he isn't dating another girl. You called our story excellent, that's this chapter dedicated to you! Hmph, and I was going to dedicate it to myself.