Chapter 7: Fairy God Mother

Lying to yourself isn't healthy, but Louis never had done well at doing what was good for him. He woke up as everyone else in his dorm was leaving, took his time getting ready, then told himself it was too late to go down to breakfast and walked to his first class alone. It was nothing unusual for him.

His shoes sloshed in the wet grass and mud and he wrapped his Ravenclaw scarf around himself tightly as he made his way down to Care of Magical Creatures. He was the first to arrive, to no real surprise. He glanced around before pulling himself up onto the branch of a nearby tree. He sat leaning against the tree's trunk, staring out across the picturesque grounds, enjoying the silence, the solitude.

It was a bright sunny day and the air was crisp and cold while the light was more harsh than warming. His breath came out in a cloud of fog which he blew out slowly, watching it float above him with some amusement.

"Not smoking, are you?" came a familiar voice. There was the sound of footsteps cracking against twigs and Teddy Lupin came into view. "Because I think I'd probably have to do something about it and I really do have very little faith in the strength of my disciplinal abilities."

Louis grinned. "No, but I am hiding a collection of highly illegal magical creatures under my bed."

Teddy groaned and covered his face with his hands, "No, don't tell me that!"

Louis laughed and Teddy removed his hands from his face and smiled lightly. But then his expression flickered, his face growing serious.

"How's your sister?" he asked, sounding cautious.

Louis's expression changed too. "Which one?" he asked roughly, although he was well aware of the answer.

Teddy sighed. "She knows I'm sorry, right?" he asked, biting down on his lip.

"To be honest, Ted, I don't think she really cares."

No flash of hurt crossed Teddy's face, his eyes just flickered a sad blue and he stuffed his hands into his pocket. "It just- it wasn't really working. I just didn't feel about her like that anymore…"

"I know," said Louis, sounding irritated. "I know, she knows. Why are you telling me this?"

Teddy frowned slightly, "I just wanted to make sure she's okay."

"She's fine, she's brilliant. Possibly better now." Louis defended his oldest sister fiercely, even though he knew -they both knew- that he was lying.

Teddy could have so easily said something then, and he opened his mouth as if he was about to do so before closing it and nodding once. His hair, today a fine shade of purple, fell into his eyes. Louis looked away, hoping he could take a hint and leave. He'd always liked Teddy, but he had broken Victoire's heart and Louis's loyalty was, first and foremost, to his sister.

It seemed however, that Louis didn't need to worry about driving Teddy away. "Hello, cousin!" called a mocking voice, and Teddy spun around. His golden eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the cocky, grinning Slytherin walking towards them. Apparently being somewhat distantly blood related wasn't enough to lessen Teddy's dislike of Scorpius Malfoy.

Louis hugged his legs up to his chest and buried his head in his arms. It was far, far too early for this. With some sort of vague optimism Louis hoped that if he just ignored the two people in front of him (who were now exchanging curt, narrow eyed greetings) then they'd go away and he would be left alone again.

Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky. A few moments later he heard a scraping noise and felt someone pull themselves up the tree and onto the branch besides him. He lifted his head an inch or so, clearing his vision. Scorpius swore lightly, brushed bark of his robes and turned to face Louis, grinning. Louis let his head fall back down with a thud. Subconsciously he tensed, remembering the events of the night before and expecting more taunts.

All Scorpius did though was say "I got rid of him for you."

Louis's head shot up in alarm. "Not permanently, I hope?"

"Yes, I killed him," said Scorpius, shifting on the branch. Louis could've sworn he heard it creak under their shared weight.

Not particularly wanting to fall to his early death (tumbling from a tree branch was most certainly not a dramatic enough way for a Weasley to die) and far too aware of their close proximity, his head still swimming with suspicion as a result of Al's words, Louis stretched and reached up to the branch above the one on which they were currently perched and pulled himself to his feet. "I have to congratulate you on your body hiding skills," he replied idly, before pulling himself up onto the branch above. "I see not a single sign giving the job away, and so hastily done too. I'd be impressed but I'm sure you Slytherins have been learning how to do that since first year."

"You'd be surprised," replied Scorpius, "Even Professor Nott objects to the murder and subsequent burying of fellow students. Believes it's not to be encouraged or something."

"Outrageous," commented Louis.

Scorpius's grey eyes were upon Louis as he pulled himself further up the tree, so that he was several branches above Scorpius. His expression was quizzical and the way his eyebrows knitted together was almost adorable. Which certainly was not a word often used to describe Scorpius Malfoy, of all people. His eyes widened considerably however as Louis leaped from one branch to another several feet away. "What are you?" he asked incredulously, "Part cat?"

Louis's face lit up. "I wish," he said, finally settling near the top of the tree. He kicked back into a position as comfortable as you could get when perched upon a branch.

Scorpius arched an eyebrow artfully, "You want to be part cat?"

Louis pulled a twig of the branch above him and twirled it idly around in his hands, his eyes focussed upon the motion. "I want to be a cat."

"Why?"

Louis grinned, a smile that lit up his whole face. His blue eyes were sparkling when he looked up. "Well for one," he began, clambering to his feet so he stood upon the branch, wavering slightly, "I could do this-" he leaped off the branch, causing Scorpius to suck in a sharp intake of breath, and fell to the ground. He landed upon his feet, knees bent, but stumbled and rolled onto his back. He stared up at Scorpius, who looked horrified, and smiled. "-and land much more gracefully than that."

"Are you trying to kill yourself?" asked Scorpius angrily, before he could stop himself.

"Maybe," replied Louis vaguely, getting to his feet. With a flick of his wand he vanished the mud from his robes and glanced over towards the castle. The rest of their class appeared to on their way down. Breakfast must have been over.

"Okay," said Scorpius, as if nothing had happened, "Cats have that whole nine lives thing, and they always land on their feet and have fuzzy little faces and are all floppy and can jump really high, so I see where you're coming from, but if I was an animal I'd be something way more kick-ass. Like a dragon, or a giant African land snail."

Louis laughed. "A snail?" he asked, disbelieving.

"A giant African land snail," Scorpius corrected. "You know how you kill one of those? With a flame thrower. What part of that isn't totally badass?"

Louis snorted. "The part where it's a snail, maybe?"

Scorpius stretched his long legs out and flicked his blond hair out of his face. He barely wobbled even though he was perched precariously upon the branch, Louis noted with some envy. "You really can't insult me Weasley; you're the one who wants to be a cat."

"Al told me not to talk to you," Louis blurted out suddenly, tearing his eyes away from the boy in front of him.

He could still see Scorpius however, out of the corner of his eye. Scorpius frowned slightly but then his face straightened out. "You're not doing a very good job of it," he commented, sliding out of the tree as their classmates approached.

Louis found himself again thinking of Al's words from the night before. Who did Al think he was, warning Louis against Al's own best friend? Did Louis really come across that pathetic? Did Al really think he couldn't handle himself? Louis didn't like Albus giving him warnings like he needed them, like Al knew all. Why was he so bloody intense about everything all the time? There was something about the way that he was always so serious, so self-righteous, that drove Louis mad. When Al told him to do something, Louis's automatic reaction was to do the complete opposite. It always had been. But it also made him curious; Albus was a Slytherin and always had an ulterior motive. He may genuinely believe that he was doing the right thing yet he would also think that nobody else would understand, or maybe just no one else needed to know. He kept things to himself and you could never quite be sure what he really wanted. Louis was a Ravenclaw; a thinker, and Albus's words were a cryptic code that he had to puzzle out.

But Louis was also a Weasley. They were not ones to sit down and talk through a problem and Louis was no different. Albus didn't want him to do something? He'd do it, and find out just why he was so against it. It was brash, yet it worked. It wasn't a conscious thing; Louis didn't go out of his to annoy his cousin. He just had an insatiable curiosity, a habit for pushing situations to the edge. He took what Albus said as an insult of types, a challenge. Al thought that Scorpius would get to him? What did that even mean? Did he think that Louis was weak? That Scorpius could just destroy him if he wanted to? So Scorpius thought everything was a game, yeah, well Louis was willing to play. If Al thought he was just going to surrender then he was in for a surprise. Maybe Louis didn't care either. His life was dull, he had nothing to lose.

Maybe it seemed odd at the moment, after all Scorpius was being perfectly pleasant, but really that just put Louis more on edge. He'd always had a certain taste for danger though, and an undying irritation at his dark-haired, green-eyed cousin's words.

Louis pulled a face. "I don't have to do what he tells me to do," he said. It was easier to get the words out when he wasn't looking at Scorpius, easier to be brave.

He was someone who longed for excitement yet never seemed to attract it. Any sort of drama was a break from the days' monotonous tone and he pounced on it. He wanted to be bolder, and so he tried.

Scorpius grinned. His smile flashed as bright and dangerous as a knife. "No," he said, "you don't."

Scorpius slid out of the tree as the rest class approached. He leant against tree trunk and crossed his arms over his chest, looking the very picture of casual and at ease. Louis hung about awkwardly nearby, burying his hands deep into his pockets as the class gathered around them, chatting together in small groups. The class was mostly made up of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, leaving Louis and Scorpius a bit on the outer.

Louis was glad when the class started and he was provided with the distraction of their professor rambling on about what they'd learnt last term and then what they'd be doing now. His mind had been only partly on what was being said -after all he had heard it all before- but he was yanked back to attention at the mention of two dreaded words: Partner project.

At this most of the class erupted into whispers -mostly pleased ones- as they fought friendlily amongst themselves as to who would work with who. Louis stared up at the sky, pointedly avoiding any eye contact and inwardly panicking over who he could work with.

Professor Williams started explaining the assignment, talking about how it would last them the next few months and would be as important, and possibly more so, than their exam. The dread Louis was feeling increased a little more with each word. He much preferred working independently and did not like the idea of having to rely on another person, whoever they might be.

The basic gist of the project, he picked up under his worry, was that each partnership would be given a magical creature to find out as much as possible about, through both research from books and practical observations. This sounded easy enough. That is until Louis caught onto the fact that him and their partner would be caring for their creature for the length of a month. Not so easy.

It wasn't until Isabelle Griffin -a dark haired Gryffindor- actually called across the group to Hufflepuff Josh Roach, asking him to be her partner, that Professor Williams seemed to catch onto what her class's attention was really focused upon. When she did she grinned almost evilly. "Oh," she said, "You didn't think you'd be choosing your partners, did you?"

The chorus of groans in reply seemed to signify just that. Louis seemed to be the only one who didn't mind. At least he'd get a partner that way.

Professor Williams ignored the strew of complaints being thrown her way and clapped her hands together in a down-to-business type of way. "Alright team," she said, for she was the type of teacher to speak like that (although when she said it her voice was laced with mocking sarcasm). "Let's do this."

She looked around the class, examining each of them critically.

The girl in front of Louis whispered to her friend, "She's not just making this up as she goes, is she?"

The girl's -and Louis's- suspicions were as good as confirmed when Professor Williams clicked her fingers in Isabelle's direction, saying "Okay, you there, go with whatshername and umm, you with the beanie, pair up with pigtail girl."

It went on like that. Scarf-y was paired with Curly-haired, Hair Bow with Nail Varnish, Giant with Shortie and so on.

The numbers were certainly dwindling, Louis noticed, as each person stepped out to meet their new partners, laughing at their nicknames and trying not to look too pleased -or too displeased- with whom they'd been paired with, and he still hadn't been selected. He knew who else hadn't been too. His heart beat a bit too rapidly inside his chest and he tried to look disinterested.

Seventeen seconds later –not that Louis was counting- Professor Williams opened her mouth and said, "-and that just leaves the two suspicious looking blonds at the back."

"Suspicious looking?" scoffed Scorpius. "How offensive. I'll have you know I come from the most respectable of families."

Most of the class laughed at this, even the professor's mouth turned up slightly at the corners. "I know all about your family, Mr Malfoy," she said.

Scorpius grinned, eyes sparkling with mischievous energy. He knew exactly what was implied with that simple sentence yet really didn't seem to care. To him there was just the exciting chance of an argument and as he opened his mouth to retort Louis couldn't help but think that with him as his partner this was going to be a long couple of months.


Lucy had woken up that morning in a much better mood than she'd gone to bed in the night before and was now smiley and awake. It was amazing that they all still had things to talk about, she thought, as they laughed over breakfast, after they'd stayed up so late the night before, chatting aimlessly. Her first class of the day went well as well, so Lucy was cheery as she made her way to Charms, recounting the tale of when Granddad Weasley accidentally burned down the letterbox (why he had one was ridiculous enough in itself, seeing as he, like most other witches and wizards, relied purely on owl post) to much laughter from her friends.

The laughter turned to giggles as James Potter and his mates were spotted walking towards them. Lucy rolled her eyes. James stuck his tongue out at her and winked at the other girls who dissolved into a giggling heap. Lucy pulled a face at her cousin in return and James laughed good naturedly as the two groups passed by each other.

Lucy looked down, her dark hair falling into her face, blocking her view of the corridor. It took only that moment for someone to bump into her, knocking the books she'd been carrying out of her hand and to the floor.

"I'm so sorry!" exclaimed a voice.

Lucy was already smiling. "Don't worry about it," she said, and pushed her long locks back behind her ear.

It was lucky she'd already answered eloquently enough, as all words were lost to her when she looked up into concerned brown eyes in a handsome face framed by soft brow curls.

"Here," William Taylor, a friend of James's said, bending pick up her books. He placed them back in her arms and Lucy felt herself blush red. She could hear her friends giggling and she felt a small stab of irritation boil up inside her.

She ducked her head in an embarrassed gesture and muttered, "Thanks," taking back the books.

"No problem," Will grinned, "I'll see you around, yeah?"

Lucy specifically heard James exclaim "ooooh!" his voice cheeky at the least. She shot him a venomous glare, which he returned by making a heart with his hands and grinning obnoxiously. She tried to scowl at him in return but broke it off by laughing.

"Sure," she said to Will, smiling still. Silently she was thanking Merlin that she'd been in such a good mood that her body was able to carry on normally without any direction from her brain, for she was certainly not thinking as clearly as she was talking.

She re-joined her friends, sending them the most fearsome warning look she could manage, daring them to even try to say something. To her great relief they just grinned cheekily at her, raising their eyebrows suggestively until she elbowed those nearest to her in the ribs and glared. Then they only did it behind her back.

Their silence only lasted out until they rounded the next corner, onto the Charms corridor, where they burst out laughing and teasing in the way only real friends can. Lucy rolled her eyes and half-heartedly told them to stop as they lined up outside their class, while maybe, just maybe, trying to pretend that she wasn't enjoying it just a little.

Charms was the same as usual; nothing really exciting. Lucy concentrated on not taking out anyone's eye as she summoned and multiplied in one complicated maneuver as instructed.

Louis was focussing a bit too hard on his spell, trying to ignore Blair Parkinson batting her eyelids to one side of him and Matthew Davies droning on about how awful Ravenclaw's Seeker was on the other, in an extremely un-subtle attempt to convince Louis to replace the Seeker on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.

Al's mind was also on Quidditch although really, there was nothing unusual there. He was whispering furiously at -you really couldn't say to- his Keeper, who was looking ready to curse Al, about game techniques with his usual serious-eyed intensity. Al's girlfriend, Jez Zabini, sat on the top of the desk beside him, looking bored and filing her nails with the edge of her wand.

Rose and Scorpius were in the row behind the Slytherins, trying to look like they weren't arguing under their breath.

"You should ask Will to the next Hogsmede trip," suggested Cassie, eyes glinting gleefully as she grinned over at Lucy.

Lucy lost control over the objects she was charming, sending about half of them flying across the room. Her hand flew to cover her mouth and she gasped in almost-horror as they bounced against the blond head of her cousin.

She ran over to Louis, exclaiming apologetically. "I am so sorry!"

"That's alright," he smiled, bending over to help Lucy as she scrambled to pick them up.

Cassie had followed Lucy across the room. "This feels familiar," she said with a laugh, watching Lucy and Louis, "Except there's probably less chance of a snog in this for you, Lu."

Lucy glared, getting back to her feet. Louis just looked confused.

"Err, that's Lu-cy. Not Lou-is," supplied Cassie. "Merlin, your names are similar."

"Who are you snogging?" Louis asked Lucy, sliding the objects into her arms.

"No one," replied Lucy adamantly at the same time Cassie answered, "William Taylor."

Lucy glared at Cassie once again. "No one," she repeated. "Someone's getting a bit ahead of themselves." She gave Cassie a pointed look.

"Pshh," the other Hufflepuff said, rolling her eyes. "It's only a matter of time."

Now Lucy couldn't help but smile widely. "Only if I'm lucky," she grinned.

Louis was biting down on his lip, looking uncertain. "Lucy," he said, somewhat nervously, "You do know he's…"

He trailed off. Lucy had already turned away from him, and was giggling with Cassie. Louis rolled his eyes and turned away himself. Well, if she didn't want to listen…


It was a relatively new system that Hogwarts had introduced; a large shared room where students had to go to during their free periods to study. The room where Louis was currently sitting at a table by himself, Transfiguration book open in front of him, was open to all houses but limited to sixth and seventh years. The entire operation was intended to reduce the gaps between the four houses and ensure that all essays and other homework assignments were completed on time.

He'd barely started working when Rose and Scorpius trudged in, looking rather uncomfortable together for boyfriend-and-girlfriend. Rose glanced around the room and upon spotting Louis, made her way over towards him. Scorpius trailed behind.

"Mind if we sit here?" Rose asked with a friendly smile, something that Louis always thought looked out of place on her.

Scorpius slid into the seat next to the one Rose stood behind before Louis could answer and slammed his books down onto the table. He stared woefully at how large the pile was.

Louis nodded at Rose. "Sure," he said simply, returning his eyes to the page in front of him. Part of him was nervous about what Scorpius was going to say or do. He needn't have worried though, as the three of them workd in silence until James approached them, dragging Al behind him almost literally.

"What do you know about Jez Zabini?" James asked, slamming his books onto the table and sliding into the seat next to Rose.

Al flopped into the seat next to his brother and crossed his arms over his chest, looking annoyed.

Rose didn't look up from her book. "Skanky Slytherin bitch," she answered frankly.

James put his hand over Al's mouth, cutting off whatever angry retort he was about to snarl at Rose. "No, apart from that."

It seemed that Al had bit at James's fingers for the next second James was reeling back, clutching his hand. "Just a joke, just a joke!" he cried defensively. He turned to Rose and added seriously (although his blue eyes were sparkling with their usual humour), "Now Rose, I don't think Al appreciates you talking about his girlfriend like that."

Rose's eyes widened in surprise. "Girlfriend? Al!" She then frowned puzzlingly. "But I thought she liked Louis?"

All eyes turned to Louis who sat there, wide-eyed. Al's eyes were narrowed venomously and he looked fit to kill. Louis groaned and buried his head in his hands, hoping that the floor would open up and swallow him.

James rolled his eyes, opening up his Potions textbook at random. "She's dating Al now, Rosie," he said. "Keep up."

Rose shot Al a skeptical look, "Really Al? Her? You could do so much better."

"You're one to talk," replied Al irritably, jerking his head in Scorpius's direction.

"I am right here, you know," said Scorpius, "Can you at least wait until I've left the room to bitch about me. I hear it's the usual protocol."

"Believe it or not, Scorpius," said Rose, "We don't just sit around all day discussing you."

Scorpius snorted. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Okay, okay," interrupted James, before wands could be brought out, "Can we get back on topic, please."

"And what would that topic even be?" asked Scorpius, quite reasonably.

"Yeah," said Rose, agreeing with him for once. "Why are you even here, James?"

James grinned. "Don't sound like that, Rosie. You should be grateful that I am blessing you with my presence. Today is a wonderful day for you all!"

Rose shot him a look. "Grateful?" she repeated, "I think 'worried' is the word you're after. I know you wouldn't be here unless you wanted to meddle about in our lives."

James was caught. "Oh, but it's so fun!" he exclaimed, sounding like a small, excitable child as he threw his hands into the air expressively. "You're all like my little children!" He grinned around at them all and was met with four stony expressions. "Oh come on, I'm doing you a favour. I am here to get your love lives on track."

This was met with a range of reactions. All of which James ignored.

"Hush now," said James, raising a hand in warning. "I am like your fairy godmother. Except significantly more manly."

James ignored the snorts of disbelief at that last past.

"Nevertheless!" he cried, although there had been no (voiced) arguments. He countered off on his fingers. "Al's got a hot girlfriend, I have the beautiful Janey, Scorpius has Rose-"

At this Rose sent a rude gesture James's way without even looking up from her book.

"-What about you, Louis?"

Louis froze. Scorpius was grinning at him, eyes sparkling knowingly. Louis wanted to throw his book at him.

He resisted. Instead he said the first thing that came into his head (which really was never a smart thing to do). "I'm engaged."

Scorpius roared with laughter. James shot Louis a pitying look. "No, you are not." he said simply.

"Louis could get a girlfriend if he wanted to," said Rose, "He hardly needs your help."

"I don't know what that's supposed to mean," replied James haughtily. "But I am offended nonetheless."

"I don't think he could," said Al, whose glare under his dark messy fringe screamed that he was just looking to pick a fight.

Louis, annoyed enough with his moody cousin after his lecture the night before, shot him a look. "Do you want to bet?" he asked cooly.

James's eyes were glowing with excitement. "Ooh," he said. "You don't need me do you?"

"Alright," said Al. "Ask someone out right now."

"Who?" asked Louis, accepting the challenge readily. Al had said there was a game. Maybe he was wrong about the players. "Go on. Pick someone."

Al surveyed the room for options, probably looking for the worst person possible, Louis couldn't help but worry (although it wasn't as if Louis would be into anyone Al picked, really). Internally he was regretting his decision already. He was a Ravenclaw, shouldn't he be able to think before speaking?

"Are you sure you don't need my help, Lou?" asked James worriedly.

"I am perfectly capable," replied Louis, faintly annoyed with this lack of faith. Great, apparently he was a loser with no social skills, as everyone appeared to be suggesting.

"I don't think he can do it," Al said, as if it was final. He turned to Louis. "You don't have the guts."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're awful with girls, admit it. That's why you've never had a girlfriend. You can't talk to them."

"I could think of other reasons," supplied Scorpius, his eyes sparkling gleefully. He had been watching the entire exchange with the type of enthusiastic expression one might display at a particularly exciting Quidditch match, his eyes flitting between Al and Louis.

Al shot Scorpius an annoyed look then continued his tirade on Louis. "I've seen you," he said, "You can barely say more than a word or two."

James glared across at his brother. "Could you try not being a colossal twat, Al, for once in your life?"

"He can't help it," said Rose, with a roll of her eyes. "You should know that by now."

"I do," said James passionately, "He's a-"

Louis's stomach had sunk for a moment there, thinking the 'he can't help it,' had been referring to himself. It increased his desire to prove himself.

"It's okay," he said calmly, cutting James off before an infamous Potter-brother brawl could break out. He stared Al straight in the eye. "Would you like me to prove you wrong?"

Al adjusted his green-and-silver tie, staring straight back at Louis. "I'd like you to try," he challenged.

"I think this calls for a bet," grinned James, sensing how he could turn this situation to his advantage (ie. entertainment with the possible advantage of money making). "If Louis can work the Veela-Weasley charm he must be hiding within him somewhere, and secure himself a girlfriend right here and now, Al will…" he trailed off, motioning in Al's direction for him to complete his sentence.

Al appeared to be thinking it over. "He can't just ask her out," he said, "He has to prove he can keep her. Until Hogsmede weekend at least."

"Okay good," nodded James. "A time and a place. Louis must acquire a girlfriend now, and take her on a Hogsmede date then. If he succeeds Al will-"

"-Why should I have to do anything?" Al interrupted. "Aren't we doing him a favour? We're practically getting him a girlfriend. It's hardly an awful burden he has to bear. Can't you just file this under 'A Gift From Your Fairy Godmother" like you did when you forced Fred to audition for Quidditch back in third year when he was absolutely terrified?"

"That was doing him a favour," said James. "Look at him now, he's a star!"

"Exactly," agreed Al, showing some fine skills in the way of Slytherin cunning and manipulation. "And we're doing Louis a favour, helping him find the confidence to get himself a nice girlfriend."

Louis saw right through what Al was trying to do; slither his way out of committing to a bet, but James seemed to be buying it.

Louis wanted to cut in, 'but I don't even want a girlfriend,' but he really didn't want to face answering the dreaded 'why?'. He considered just coming out with it, but when he opened his mouth the words just died in his throat. Just like they always did.

Rose was muttering angrily about it all just sounding like a business deal, and it "not being fair on the girl."

Privately, Louis agreed. Everyone else ignored her, though, and he didn't speak up.

James appeared to have come to a decision. "Alright," he said, "Show us what you can do, Louis." He gestured to the room at wide.

"Err…"

"Oh, we need to pick someone for you, don't we?"

Louis nodded, ignoring how his gut was squirming nervously. What was he getting himself into?

"How about-" Al began, eyes glinting wickedly.

"Uh-uh," tutted James. "Fairy godmother gets to make the all-important decision." He stared around the room, stroking his non-existent goatee thoughtfully. Everyone, even Rose, watched him, following the path of his eyes with theirs.

"How about her," he suggested, pointing. "Short skirt, long hair, mostly obscured by the book case."

"That's Al's girlfriend," said Rose, shooting a cautious Al's way.

"Oh, of course," said James, hurriedly moving on. "What about her?" he asked, swinging his arm around in a motion that nearly took Al's head off, obviously trying for random selection.

Rose looked horrified. "She's yours!"

"I …totally knew that."

Rose rolled her eyes. "What about her?" she asked, nodding towards a girl with a long braid of red-brown hair standing amongst a group of other girls near the entrance. "The pretty Hufflepuff. I think her name's Rorie Jenkins. She's nice."

Al looked like he was hoping someone more challenging than "nice" would be selected. Louis decided he'd better accept Rose's option before he was forced onto one of the Bullstroads.

"I'll do it," he said, getting to his feet. "Do you want to come with me, Al? Be ready to catch me when I faint from nerves." He said the last bit sarcastically.

"I think I'll stay here," answered Al. He flicked his wand across his fingers nimbly. "I'll be ready with a cushioning charm though, don't you worry."

Louis forced an overly friendly, overly fake smile at his obnoxious cousin before crossing the room.

Inwardly Louis smirked with satisfaction at the surprised looks from the four left at the table as he seamlessly integrated himself into the Hufflepuffs' conversation. He could do this kind of thing, he just chose not too.

The table watched on, seeing Louis smiling as he talked and the Hufflepuffs laughing in return, but unable to hear a word. It only took a minute or so for the other couple girls to smile and with nudges and giggles, leave, leaving Louis and this girl -Rorie- alone. His stance was casual, his expression sweet, and Rorie appeared to be lapping up every smile, every word he said.

"Ignoring what I said earlier, I didn't really think he had it in him," said James, honest with shock as Rorie grinned extra wide and nodded and Louis smiled in return, saying a few more words before walking back over to their table. They all tried to look like they'd been doing something else.

"Done," grinned Louis, with the same smiley confident air he'd had around the Hufflepuffs as he slid into his seat. The look was so shockingly different on him; he looked like a whole different person. "We're going to the next Hogsmede together."

"I am impressed, young one," said James, looking -well- impressed.

Scorpius held a similar expression. "You're a charming little liar, aren't you?" he said, shaking his head in awed disbelief. "Who'd have thought."

Al just looked annoyed, which really, seemed to be the emotion-of-the-day for him. "It's not over yet," was all he said.

The game was well and truly on.