So – the latest about Remus Lupin. No, he hasn't stopped acting like a first year. He still smiles innocently as he says sweetly, "Hi Dahlia." He picks up my quill when I drop it and he gazes at me constantly.

It's actually kind of cute, until I realize he's a seventh year and that no seventh year boy can put on an act like that – unless it's an act.

But I think he's getting a little braver now.

"What are you doing this weekend?" he asked, twisting around in his chair to talk to me in History of Magic.

"Just studying probably," I replied. "I really need to catch up – and when's a better time than before exams?"

He laughed, even though it wasn't funny. It was actually serious. I've been slacking off this whole year but I don't want to have to repeat.

"Why?" I asked.

He broke eye contact and stared at the chair for a second. "Oh," he said, looking back up, "I was just curious."

"Okay," I said. "What about you?"

"What?" He looked confused for a second. "Oh, this weekend. Doing the same, I guess."

Getting all flustered by a mere girl, I thought. I smiled. Act or not, it was amusing to see such a smart guy trip over me like this.

That he would actually like such a pathetic failure like me. I'll really have to try these last few weeks. If I don't pass my exams, I'm going to drop out of school – because I am definitely not going to take my seventh year again with all those little sixth years.

Amusing and all, I decided to have a little fun with him.

I leaned towards him with my chin on my hand, so that some long hair spilled over and hung across my cheek. I looked him right in the eye and blinked slowly. Not quickly, because quickly looks like I'm trying to stare him down.

I smiled – again, it's slowly not quickly.

Then I asked casually, "What are you planning on doing this summer?"

"Oh, not much," he replied and then told me about all the places he was going, all the jobs he had.

"Wow. That's quite impressive, Remus. You say that's not a lot?"

He smiled sheepishly, but he was pleased by my admiration.

(How fun flirting is.)

"What about you?"

"Oh, I'm not doing much. But I really mean it when I say it. I don't have anything planned. I guess I'm just staying at home."

Who am I to be flirting like this, when I'm so great that my summer is staying at home with my parents? I thought.

I felt pretty pathetic.

But he said, "Oh, that's so fantastic for you, Dahlia. I wish I could just relax this summer."

Though shallow – being a boy and all – he's not that bad.

"It'd be great if you could come over and hang out with me this summer," I said and touched his arm. Not like my parents would even let him step foot in the house.

Before he could reply, Professor Binns started talking, so he had to turn around.

I think I can handle a summer fling, I thought to myself.