Chapter Six

You Got to Love Your Friends…and Hate Puberty.

I kept my mouth shut for most of the feast, barely talking to my own room mates apart from Scar. I could hardly stand even to look into anyone's thoughts at the moment, even though I knew that I had nothing to worry about. I felt like a freak, like I didn't belong, that I'd do anything to fit in again.

Damn puberty.

When Dumbledore dismissed us for the evening, I stayed behind and pretended to retie my trainers before taking out my mother's Invisibility Cloak and walking out onto the grounds.

Lucinda Nightshade, my house founder's former lover and murdered founder of Hogwarts' fifth house was floating outside her common room tree when I pulled off my Cloak.

"Hey, Nightshade." I said, smiling.

"Hello again, Hannah." Nightshade said, faintly leaning against the tree's trunk so not to fall in. "The password's Conium."

"Thanks, Nightshade." I said, giving her an icy cold hug before saying the password and sliding down. My eyes widened at the reception I received.

Ivy, Sheila and She-Cat were in the common room, hanging up green, silver and blue streamers around the common room, hanging an arrangement of balloons every few yards, all matching the streamers.

"Uh…" I said, sounding as dumb as I felt.

Everyone froze, minus She-Cat, who ducked under a table loaded with food, a cake and pop and tried to jump out, yelling "Sur-!" before hitting her head on the bottom of the table and yelling "OW!"

Sheila spun around, her now silvery blonde hair swishing behind her in her ponytail "Hey! Surprise!"

"Uh…" I said again "What's going on?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in confusion.

"Oh, nothing special. I just thought that I'd throw you a party for your birthday!" Sheila said, beaming.

My eyes lit up "Really?" I said, still a little confused. Didn't she know that my birthday was in July? "Thanks, Sheila, but…my birthday was in July."

Sheila looked at me shocked, then turned to Ramona "You told me her birthday was today!"

Ramona smiled "I know. I just thought I'd be amusing to fool you."

I laughed "Well, either way, Sheila, I love it. Thanks." I said, smiling and giving the Ravenclaw a hug.

"You're welcome!" Sheila chirped in my ear "Anytime."

I smiled as I sat down on one of the couches "Hey, She-Cat!" I yelled to Ramona "Wanna pass me a Coke?"

"Diet or Regular?" She-Cat asked, taking one of each in each hand.

"Regular." I said, raising my hand for She-Cat to chuck the can into. "Nice throw!" I said, catching it and starting to open it.

"You do know you could have used telekinesis to get the pop yourself, right?" Ivy asked, taking a handful of crisps from the bowl and plopping herself on my legs.

"No, I forgot I had that power." I said, cracking open the can and gulping some. "I was too busy exploring my ability to control elements."

"Fireball!" Sheila shouted, picking up the white dragon that was near the cake "Not yet!"

I rolled my eyes and took another sip of pop. "So how were your guys' summers?" I asked, stealing a crisp off of Ivy.

"Fine." She-Cat said laughing "I bit someone."

"Who?" Ivy asked, her eyes widened in shock.

"My dad." She-Cat responded "But it was just a love nip." she flashed and turned into a cat "Want one for yourself?" "No thanks, I'm good." Ivy said, stepping back. "So, Han," Ivy said, changing the subject and turning to me. "How you feeling after what happened on the carriage?"

I ground my teeth in jealousy "Fine. I just fail to comprehend something that I should know."

"What'd that be, Han?" She-Cat asked, turning back into herself.

"I don't see why Pansy doesn't just ditch Draco when she A: knows I like him and B: was asked to ask him out by a certain someone in this tree." I lolled my head in Ivy's direction.

"Hey!" Ivy said, offended "I said I was sorry."

"Don't worry, V." I said, patting her on the shoulder and taking another deep swig of Coke "I forgave you during last term. I just am made at Pansy now for not breaking it off with him."

Sheila stood up and put Fireball on the table "Ok, Fireball," she said, beaming as she put the dragon down "you can light the candles now."

Fireball took a deep breath and blew out a fire small enough to light the candles that made the number 13 in the center of the cake.

I smirked to all my friends before I made my wish. It was selfish, I know, but I had to wish it, for my sanity's sake.

I wish Draco Malfoy would dump Pansy Parkinson for me. I thought as I blew out the candles.

I picked at the piece of chocolate cake, which Ivy had covered for another time. I took a bite.

Hmm. I thought, taking another bite of the sweet moist pastry. Whoever made this cake is a pretty good cook.

I smirked as I chewed. If I had my way, and birthday wishes did come true, then I'd have Draco by term's end.

I started thinking about ways to get even with Pansy for doing me like this. I thought, maybe lock her in the Chamber of Secrets with another Basilisk.

No. I thought, discreetly shaking my head so Ivy, Sheila and Ramona wouldn't notice it That's too mean.

Maybe flush her head down Moaning Myrtle's U-Bend? No, still too nice.

I smiled as the party cleared up, stammering out my thanks and appreciation so much I was oddly reminded of Professor Quirell, my first year Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

As I lied in bed that night, right after ten, I thought about what life would be like if I took Pansy "Out of the picture."

For one thing, Draco would be mine for the taking, and not hers. I'd also be doing him a huge favour by taking her out, she was getting to stalker-like clingy.

What am I thinking! I thought as I rolled over. Pansy's my friend! Why would I want to take her out for something as stupid as taking Draco from me? Sure, she stole him from me even though I had liked him way longer than her. Man, Potter, why are you caring so much? It's not like you…love Draco!

Do I?

I rolled onto my back and shut my eyes.

"Damn you, puberty." I mumble to myself before finally falling asleep, dreading talking to Draco the next morning.