Hey all, squibbles here. Sorry I haven't been able to write lately, I've been so busy. But never fear - I haven't been wiped off the face of the planet. I would never abandon my fanfics (or my fans). I'm currently working on the next chapter of Going On Seventeen, but for now, here's chapter two of There's Something About Terry.

Enjoy!

If you're not a close mate of Mandy Broklehurst's, you would probably never be able to pick her out a crowd. She is the type of person who blends into the background and has no desire to be the center of attention. She is not a follower, but certainly not a leader.

Mandy's straight, brown hair falls to the middle of her back, and is usually woven into neat plaits. Her eyes, the color of the ocean, are perpetually glued to the floor in front of her when she walks. Or, flying across the pages of a book. When she moves about the hallways, she clutches her schoolbooks across her very flat chest, her shoulders slouched due to her tendency of staying low and out of the spotlight.

An introvert, Mandy is soft-spoken and generally keeps to herself. She voices her values and reveals her secrets only to her closest friends, and even they don't know everything. She is a bright girl, but her shyness prevents many people from discovering her personality.

Mandy has a unique appreciation for nature. Returning to Hogwarts after the summer holiday is a true joy for her, as she adores strolling around the grounds in September, when the leaves are just beginning to turn spectacular shades of orange and red. Mandy, who lives in the heart of London, is one of few students at Hogwarts who is truly thankful for the natural beauty that surrounds the school.

Like all people, Mandy has bad habits. Biting her nails, for example, which began during her History of Magic OWL exam at the end of fifth year.

But for the past six years, she's had the ongoing habit of scoping out Terry Boot, whenever possible.

Since the Sorting Ceremony of her first year at Hogwarts, she has been smitten with him. Infatuated.

Yet, despite the fact that they were sorted into the same House, Mandy has spoken to Terry only a few times. Her bashful temperament has always kept her from striking up a decent conversation

And why would a popular boy like Terry ever approach her?

Mandy Brocklehurst flopped down on her bed, wearing a blissful smile.

"He picked up my books today."

Padma Patil, who was styling her hair into defined ringlets with her wand, rolled her eyes toward Mandy.

"You are obsessed."

Mandy rolled onto her stomach and giggled senselessly into her comforter.

"See? You don't deny it," Padma stated.

Feeling hyperactive, Mandy changed positions again, this time on her side with her arm propping up her head. Padma had turned back to the mirror and was applying some slimy-looking white product to her curly head of black hair. Mandy chose not to respond to her roommate's taunt. Her grin only widened as she replayed the moment she and Terry had locked eyes as he had handed over her books. It may have only been a split-second, but just thinking about it made Mandy's heartbeat quicken.

Padma had finished with her hair and was sitting on Mandy's bed.

"Mandy," she began, sounding a bit overly understanding. "Let me talk to him. I can get you guys a date together, honestly."

"For the millionth time, no!" declared Mandy as she collapsed onto her back.

"Why? What have you got to lose?"

"Padma, he has no idea who I am. If you told him I wanted a date with him, he'd think I was some... some freaky obsessed stalker."

"So... you do want a date with him?"

Mandy let out a frustrated groan.

"All right, all right," agreed Padma. "But, listen. I'm actually meeting him and some other mates in the courtyard in like, five minutes. We're just hanging out, really casual, you know? Why don't you come with me?"

Sighing, Mandy pulled herself to a sitting position and tucked her legs under her. She poked at the mattress, considering. She did want to go. She wanted to be around Terry. But Padma's group of friends were all so... popular. Michael Corner, Lisa Turpin, Terry (of course), and several others; Mandy doubted that any of them even knew she was a Ravenclaw. Even Padma was just an acquaintance. She was the sole connection to Terry which, essentially, was the only reason Mandy confided in her. Otherwise, Padma stuck with her (many) mates, and Mandy stuck with her (very few) mates.

Padma was standing, pulling on a pair of pink gloves. She picked a matching scarf off the ground and tied it around her neck.

"So what's it gonna be?" she questioned, hands on her hips.

Mandy shook her head slowly, staring down at her bitten fingernails.

"Don't think so, Padma. I've a lot of homework, and—"

"Rowena Ravenclaw, Mandy! It's Friday!"

Mandy peered up at Padma just in time to see her roll her heavily made-up eyes. Mandy shrugged as she gazed longingly at her roommate's flawless complexion.

"I understand that you're studious and everything, I mean, who in this House isn't? But really. You'll have ample time to do your work tomorrow and Sunday," Padma reasoned.

Chewing on a thumbnail, Mandy shrugged again.

"Next time, Padma."

"If you say so. Just come on out if you change your mind," Padma called over her shoulder as she skittered out the door.

Mandy laid down once more, breathing deeply for several moments. She thought of Terry in the courtyard, horsing around with Michael Corner, telling jokes to the group, being flirted with by the girls. Letting her eyelids fall, Mandy pictured herself beside him, laughing with him, staring into his fascinating eyes—

The high-pitched giggling of what sounded like a band of first-year girls whipped through Mandy's fantasy. She listened as they crashed-and-banged down the dormitory stairs, all of them talking a mile a minute, but none of them, it seemed, really hearing each other.

As their voices faded, Mandy rocked onto her side. She glanced at the clock; it was 3:30. It would be another hour before her best friend, Samantha Fawcett, would be out of her Charms Club meeting.

More boisterous laughter came from the common room.

Everyone's having fun but me, Mandy thought, a listless sigh escaping her lips. She pulled the elastics from her hair and ran her fingers through the plaits, causing them to instantly unweave.

Closing her eyes, Mandy relaxed against her mattress. She resumed her fantasy which, for some reason, always ended with she and Terry soaking wet, kissing while waist-deep in the lake.

Well, that's that. Please R/R! And thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter.