notes. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I'm hoping to have an entire year every chapter. I'll be splitting the long chapters (I expect a lot, since this chapter already reached 5,000+) I've revised this chapter, because I felt that, like one reviewer had said, Day's crush on Al had been very unrealistic. I want to write a story with OCs that is actually believable. And that is why I enjoy reviews. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Dayna, Professor Ketburn, Professor McDonald, Jenna Finnigan, Riley Hunter, and Headmistress Sonoria.

Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.

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Wide-Eyed Wonder: Eleven

-

First Year: September to December

September 1st, 2017

I woke up quite early. But, honestly, everyone wakes up at 8:00, 3 hours before the Hogwarts Express leaves, on the first day of school, right?

Maybe it's just me.

I jumped off my bed, Aislynn screeching at me when I indirectly rattled her, ultimately waking her up, but I ignored the irritated tabby, running to the closet so I could pick out my outfit for the day.

I pulled on a pair of random jeans and a blue t-shirt. My ears strained to hear any noise coming from downstairs, and, luckily I caught a faint sound of pans clanging against each other.

Apparently, my parents were awake. So I wasn't the only insane person in this house.

I tried my best to walk down the stairs without looking like an overexcited 5-year-old, and, if I do say so myself, I managed to pull it off pretty well.

Dad was at the table, Mum over the stovetop cooking bacon while talking to Dad with a smile. Heat-Charmed eggs were already on a white dish right in the center of the round table ("It won't hurt you if you sit at a corner!" Liam had said when he was 6).

They both looked surprised to see me dressed and ready, and I just shrugged as if to say, 'you should have expected this'.

After saying "good morning" I joined Dad at the table, looking around for Liam and Emma. Where were they? I sighed, digging into the plate Mum set in front of me.

How could they sleep on a day like this? I sighed again 15 minutes later, much more irritated. We were going to be late, the rate we're going.

I'd already finished my breakfast, and those two were still dozing away. I was about to take matters into my own hands. Lucky for them, I saw my little siblings groggily walking down the stairs, rubbing their eyes wearily.

Emma looked at Mum. "Aislynn woke me up!" she cried.

"Really," I muttered, appalled at the fact that my innocent cat would go so low as to wake up my little sister, before running up to my room. Once I opened the door, I nearly giggled at the smug look on the tabby's face.

Never mind about innocent.

Since I was finished with breakfast, I moved forward to sit on my pastel green comforter, pulling Lynn onto my lap so I could pet her, waiting for my family to finish with their breakfast.

I leaned back against the pillows, my mind wandering to a certain, black-haired boy with brilliant, emerald green eyes. I shot up, my eyes wide.

"Oh no!" I whispered, trying to keep my thoughts away from a Mr. A. S. Potter.

It didn't exactly work, and I groaned into a pillow. I'm only eleven, I reasoned with myself, this'll all blow over in a couple weeks.

With that slightly ('slightly' because I really didn't want it to blow over) optimistic thought, I skipped down the stairs, Aislynn still in my arms.

--

At 10:25, we finally piled into the Muggle car Grandma Thomas had given Dad. Dad was Muggle-born so we knew how to use things like the television, even though Mum thought it was easier to use magic.

In the 2-hour span I had had to fill, I managed to re-pack my entire trunk… twice.

Now it was perfectly organized.

I understood why Rose had done this yesterday while I talked to her and a nervous-about-Sorting Al. It did make time fly by.

Then, after re-packing my trunk, I'd helped Mum cook lunch for Dad before he went to work after they dropped me off at King's Cross.

I didn't tell her anything about my recent revelations since I was a bit unsure about them. I mean, honestly, if you just found out you had a… crush on one of your best friends for at least 5 years, would you be sure about anything?

I thought so.

I think Mum noticed something was off – Mother's Intuition, I'm guessing – but, thankfully, she didn't press me about it.

No, she used something else entirely. Her, I-know-something-and-you-will-tell-me-soon look; she used the dark eyes that were oh-so-probing­ and, well, probed me with it.

I shuddered just thinking about the look.

Luckily, Dad had entered the kitchen, therefore making her attention go to him instead.

I fled immediately when I heard Mum say, "Dayna's hiding something. Go find out, will you, please?"

Dad always obeyed Mum, and, since my dad and I have a close relationship, I knew I was going to end up spilling each and every thought going through my head.

And I did not want Dad to kill Al when he found out about my fancying him.

Because, after all, Al is still one of my best friends, and I really didn't want him to vanish off the face of the earth. That would not be good.

Dad had gone up to my room, knocking politely. After my soft "come in" he opened the door with a slightly nervous smile on his face.

"Hi, sweetie," he began, and I immediately knew he was going to take whatever answer I supplied him with.

I mean, who tells their parents these kinds of things? Especially when said liar (me) didn't even know how that one best male friend felt.

"Dad, I'm fine. Just nervous about Hogwarts." I was surprised at how easily the partial lie came to me, partial because I was nervous about going to my parents' alma mater.

I blame Al.

He breathed out a sigh of relief, and, after a hug, a "We'll be going in a few minutes," and a kiss on the forehead he left the room, closing the door lightly behind him.

I nearly groaned in frustration when all I could really think about was ebony-black hair and bright, emerald-green eyes. His personality, his smile, and even the way he spoke to me, just everything.

I was jolted from these thoughts – always leading to Al for a reason I clearly knew – when Liam poked me in the side, crowing, "We're here!"

I looked out the window, pressing my nose against the glass like my siblings.

King's Cross Station was packed with Muggles, but since Dad had a casual, Muggle-like way about him… all we had to do was copy his disposition—something fairly easy.

We grabbed a cart, put my trunk and Aislynn's basket on top, before we headed to the column of brick in between Platforms Nine and Ten.

Leaning against it, we fell through, blackness clouding my vision before it cleared slightly, the steam of the engine still blocking a crystal clear vision of the platform and the wizards on it, saying good-bye to their children, my clumsiness diminishing as I stood up straight in less than a minute.

"Wow," Emma breathed, her bright, dark eyes wider even than mine.

"Yeah," I said softly.

"Well," Dad said, clapping his hands, his eyes and Mum's sparkling with reminiscence, "let's go find the Potters and Weasleys."

I quickly spoke up, "Dad, I'm sure I'll see them on the train."

I knew I was a coward but I still needed to thinks things over, and I really wasn't ready to see Al yet. Rose, I could talk to (she could practically read my eyes like an open book) but I was sure she'd be with Al and his family.

Mum's eyes scanned over mine searchingly, and I tried my best to look convincing. Apparently, it, somewhat, worked because she moved her gaze to the Hogwarts Express, but I couldn't help but catch the unconvinced glint in her eyes.

Bloody Mother's Intuition.

I tried to act calm and collected the entire time Dad was giving me advice. He also said he and Mum wouldn't mind what House I was sorted in, as long as I did my best in classes. That lessened the nervousness a tiny bit.

Sooner than I would've liked, the Hogwarts Express blew out a thick cloud of smoke, emitting a shrill, high-pitched whistle, and I turned to hug my parents and little siblings goodbye before I hopped onto the train, dragging my trunk behind me, carrying Aislynn's wicker basket along.

Finally, I found an empty compartment near the middle of the train, storing my trunk in the overhead compartment.

I took Aislynn out of the basket (she never liked to be in there for long), letting her climb onto the seat next to me. Patiently, I waited for Al and Rose, and, when the sliding door opened, I was surprised to see a young, startlingly gray-eyed, blonde boy who looked to be about my age, standing there.

"Hi!" I smiled at him in what I assumed was a friendly way.

"Hello," he mumbled softly.

I took that moment to ask, "Would you like to sit here?"

He looked at me with those gray eyes of his, currently filled with disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"Sure, I'm sure," I joked, patting the seat across from me.

He gave me a small, barely-there smile. "Thanks." He stored his trunk, sitting down with a tiny, inaudible sigh.

"I'm Dayna Thomas. Nice to meet you. What's your name?" I stuck my hand out, watching him with the same expectant, dark eyes I had bestowed upon Al 6 years ago.

He took it gingerly. "Scorpius Malfoy."

"Malfoy?" I asked quietly, and his face turned panicked. "I've heard of it before, but, well, whatever."

I grinned at him. "Exploding Snap?"

He smiled back, flashing pearly white, even teeth, the small smile he had given me earlier disappearing. "Sure."

I took out my pack of exploding cards, giggling when the stack blew up and showered Scorpius's white-blonde hair in ashes.

He stuck his tongue out playfully at me. I reciprocated quickly. The door opened then and I felt my heartbeat increase and a blush spread across the back of my neck as I saw Al standing there with an exasperated look on his face. "Finally we've found you!"

Rose grinned at me, placing her trunk in the overhead compartment as Scorpius and I had, Al quickly copying.

"H-hi Al," I stuttered, trying to ignore Rose who gave me a confused, you-will-tell-me-later look.

She sat next to me, her eyes darkening when she finally noticed Scorpius. I gulped.

Al sat on my other side, making my heartbeat faster, but I tried to curb my attention elsewhere. Sadly, to no avail.

I could practically feel the wheels in Rose's mind turning.

"Al," I leaned over to whisper in his ear, "why does Rose look almost… indecisive?"

Rose Weasley was never indecisive.

"She's trying to decide if she should listen to her father or not. Apparently, the Malfoys aren't exactly best friends with our families." His eyes were currently trained on the blonde boy, and I knew he was also trying to decide whether or not he should listen to his family's prejudices.

"Oh. I see. Well, Scorpius isn't too bad," I reasoned, "He's actually pretty nice."

He turned his green-eyed gaze on me. "You're already friends with him?"

I nodded, a smile on my face. "Yeah. You know me. I like making friends, and he was pretty easy to become friends with. Look, just give him a chance." Playfully, I nudged his shoulder with mine.

I turned my body forward so I could look at Scorpius. He almost looked as though he were getting ready for rejection. I sighed irritably.

"You know," I continued, finally catching Rosie's interest, "you shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

A smile appeared on Rose's freckled face. I think she enjoyed me using book idioms to make her see reason.

I could see a decision light up her sky-blue eyes.

"Hi," she finally said, turning to stick her hand out to Scorpius, "my name's Rose Weasley."

His eyes lost that hardened look, and he took her hand. "Scorpius Malfoy. Nice to meet you, Rose."

When Rose dropped her hand, Al quickly followed her lead. "Albus Potter. But you can call me Al."

"Nice to meet you."

I clapped my hands. "Now that we're all friends, wanna play Exploding Snap?"

Rose shook her head. "No thanks. I still need to read the other half of my Charms textbook."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Of course, O Queen of Reading."

Scorpius snorted, but, at Rose's withering look, quickly disguised it into a cough.

Al chuckled, bringing out his pack since mine had been incinerated earlier.

We set it up, laughing when the ashes fluttered onto Rose's page. She huffed. "Did you three rig this or something?"

Al, Scorpius, and I all set up our innocent looks. "Of course not, Rosie," Al said.

"We'd never dream of it," Scorpius supplied, looking positively delighted to be included in a circle of friends.

I said nothing, instead pinning one of my best innocent looks on Rosie. She just sighed, patting her book so the pieces of burnt card fell to the floor.

"How was your summer, Al?"

He laughed. "Same as yours, Day. You practically spent the summer with our family."

"That is true," I replied, shrugging.

We kept up idle conversation until Rose peered out the window. "I think you three should change into your robes. I've already changed into mine."

"Of course you would," I muttered good-naturedly, so only Al would hear.

He stifled a laugh.

The two boys ducked out of the compartment as I changed into robes, blushing slightly.

When I was properly changed, they came back in, shooing Rose and I out.

She looked at me with her eyebrow raised. "Tell me what's up, will you?"

I nodded, smiling at her. "Of course. But it's about Al."

"I figured as much," she giggled. "So tell m—"

She was interrupted abruptly when the sliding door opened, the boys looking very… sophisticated with their robes on.

I blushed when I met Al's gaze, but he didn't notice, instead stepping inside to let Rose and I enter the compartment again.

I sat on the same seat I'd been in, Rose sitting right beside me with a contemplative expression on her face.

Suddenly, she gasped, and I jumped in my seat, along with Al and Scorpius on the seat across from us.

I watched as her eyes blazed with comprehension and I blushed, pulling Aislynn onto my lap so I could have some use for my hands.

I'm guessing she knows now.

--

My heart was rattling madly in my chest as I sat on the rickety, old stool, ready to be Sorted into a house. Al and Scorpius had been Sorted into Slytherin, but, really, I didn't mind.

The pureblood mania was still in the Snake House, of course, but it wasn't as overbearing as when my parents had been at Hogwarts.

Ah, a Thomas. I remember your father and your mother quite well. If I do believe, they were both Sorted into Gryffindor, but your intelligence is quite astounding. What would you say to Ravenclaw?

My parents don't mind, so why should I?

Well reasoned. I guess I'll place you in—

"RAVENCLAW!"

I jumped off the stool after giving the Sorting Hat back to Professor Longbottom, our Herbology professor.

I smiled at Al over at the Slytherin table, one he returned, before I sat by Riley Hunter, a 1st year Ravenclaw, like myself.

Patiently, I waited for the T's, the U's, and the V's before it was Rose's turn.

I could feel her apprehension but she walked up to the stool with her head held high until the Sorting Hat's tattered lip fell over her eyes.

A few seconds and the Hat called out, "RAVENCLAW!"

I whooped, saving the seat across from me for Rose.

She flew off the stool with a slight clumsiness, sliding into the seat I had saved for her.

"I guess we're dorm mates, then, huh?"

"I guess so!" She turned to Riley. "Hi, we'll become very good friends, I reckon."

Riley laughed. "Oh yeah. We'll be having fun in our dormitory tonight."

After Headmistress Sonoria's feast-introduction speech, I turned to look at Al at the Slytherin table. He was talking with Scorpius, his hair looking messier than usual.

I giggled, my attention diverted when the plates in front of us shimmered with piles and piles of food.

Rose quickly piled her plate with the quickness only Ron Weasley's daughter could manage.

Lightly, I grabbed a few of my favorite foods onto my plate, eating several pieces with moderation, unlike someone in front of me who was currently scarfing down steak and kidney pie.

Dessert, though, was where I went loose, matching Rose's pace with my very own while eating treacle fudge.

Finally, stuffed, I leaned back in my seat, almost falling over in the process. I heard Al's snickers behind me and I shot him a dark glare.

He quickly shut up.

--

I plopped onto my four-poster bed in the Ravenclaw First Years' dormitory, fresh from my shower, watching Aislynn with an amused expression on my face as she explored the room.

"Hey, Rose?" I asked when Riley and our other roommates (Tanner Goldstein and Jenna Finnigan) had gone down to the common room.

"Yeah?" She was currently re-reading her Transfiguration textbook on her bed.

"So do you know?" I looked anywhere but at her, slightly blushing even at the thought of Albus.

"Yes, I know. But it's not bad, right? He is your best friend. Besides me, anyways."

I laughed.

"Of course, Rose."

I yawned, tucking myself in since I needed to wake up early for the start of classes.

"Dayna?" I heard Rose's soft voice waft towards me, and I sat up.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of Scorpius Malfoy?"

"He's perfectly nice. I really don't care that he's a Malfoy."

"Neither do I." When there was silence on Rose's end, I raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

She'd tell me when she wanted to.

With a small smile on my face – the thought of Al clear in my mind – I fell asleep to the sound of Rose's book's pages turning.

--

September 2nd, 2017

I woke up at 8:00 the next morning – perfect time because classes started in one hour.

After a quick shower, I changed into my robes, grabbing my bag in the process.

I glanced at Rose's bed, not surprised to see it empty and already made.

I walked into the common room, still awed by the high ceilings and the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw.

I didn't stop to stare, though, because I had a long walk ahead of me. Our common room was located on the west side of the school, and I really did have to hurry to arrive at the Great Hall in time.

I opened the Great Hall doors with a slight stitch in my side (I figured I'd get used to the long walk), but I managed to spot Rose's shock of curly, auburn-red hair. I quickly slipped into the seat beside her, grabbing toast since I really wasn't all that hungry.

"Did you get our schedules yet?" I asked her. She nodded, handing me mine before we compared.

I had all of my classes with her, but what I really wanted to know was which classes I had with Al.

I squeaked when I felt a warm hand touch my shoulder.

Turning around, I was surprised to see Al's face a few inches above mine. "Hi!"

He grinned. "Hi. What class do you have first?"

I looked at my timetable. "Charms. What about you?"

"Same." I felt my mood grow immediately.

"Do you wanna walk with us?" I motioned to Rose and Riley beside me.

"Sure. Scorpius'll come too."

"Okay! We'll meet you in the Entrance Hall."

I gave him another smile before turning back to my breakfast.

My redheaded best friend nudged me. "You are a great actress, Dayna. I could barely notice the fact that you fancy him."

Riley leaned over. "You fancy Albus Potter?" she whispered.

I blushed immediately. "Yeah," I mumbled, "but please don't tell anyone."

Riley smiled at me. "Of course I wouldn't."

"Thanks," I breathed, studying my schedule since I was already finished with my breakfast.

Apparently, after Charms, I had Double Transfiguration, then Lunch, History of Magic after that, Potions, Break for one hour and thirty minutes, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Double Herbology. I had Astronomy on Thursday.

Finally, Rose poked me in the side, and I stood up, shooting a glance to where Al was sitting. He nodded; said something to Scorpius, and then he swung a leg over his bench to join us.

I smiled at him, giving him my schedule silently. He understood, his eyes flickering from one sheet of paper to another.

"I have Astronomy, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, and D.A.D.A with you Ravenclaws."

I laughed. "Well, we have those with you Slytherins."

Shaking his head playfully, he started to walk, and I easily stayed up with him, ignoring Rose and Riley's frequent, speculative glances. Poor Scorpius had to walk with them, and I was pretty sure he was confused about why the two girls kept shooting looks between Al and I.

Finally, we reached the Charms classroom, and I sunk into a seat in the middle, Al sitting beside me. I sighed inwardly.

As much as I liked the fact that he was in the seat by me, Riley and Rose were never going to let me forget it.

I watched as Professor McDonald explained the basic swish-and-flick move for the spell, Wingardium Leviosa.

After 3 tries, I managed to make my feather float.

Suppressing giggles, I helped Al out, also ignoring the shivers that ran through my eleven-year-old body when my hand touched his.

Was I supposed to feel like this? Merlin, I was only eleven!

He thanked me after the 5th time I explained it, and a smile was my only reply.

While my eyes wandered around the lively room, I finally set to watching Rose turning slightly in her seat to help Scorpius.

Riley was sitting behind Rose, talking to Jenna Finnigan about something or other – probably boys – since the two of them had already Charmed their feathers to fly.

"Hey, Dayna." I turned to look at Al.

"What is it?"

"There's a bug in your hair."

"There is? Get it off! Get it off!" I jumped wildly around in my seat, flailing my arms about, all the while watching Al as his body wracked with laughter.

I narrowed my eyes. "You were kidding," I stated in a deadly voice.

I could practically feel Scorpius and Rose gulp from behind me. Smart, those two. Very clever.

"Albus Severus Potter," I whispered, menace practically dripping from my voice, "you are in so much trouble when Charms is over."

He was silent, but I could see the fear in his beautiful green eyes. I did have a temper when I wanted it to emerge.

A few minutes later, the bell rang, and I jumped from my seat, grabbed my books, and walked briskly to the door, not daring to look back at the three – Riley had already gone with Jenna to Transfiguration – people currently trying their best to stay a considerable distance away from me and my temper.

Of course, it could never outmatch the Weasley temper, but it was still a frightening tool.

Finally, I calmed down, my empty threat hanging in the air in front of us before I sliced it away with a cheery, "Let's go to Transfiguration!"

Scorpius, Rose, and Al caught up to me, Rose giving me a knowing look before she walked forward with Scorpius right beside her.

Al smiled at me. "No hard feelings?"

I laughed. "None. I guess I was pretty funny with the way I was writhing around in my seat, huh?"

He chuckled. "Oh yeah."

I slapped him lightly on the arm. "Well," I huffed, a half amused, half uncertain glint in my eyes.

He nudged my shoulder. "Well what?" he teased, and I grinned, not replying, instead skipping into the Transfiguration classroom.

Again, just like in Charms, Al sat by me, his Transfiguration book already on the desk we shared.

I sighed softly. Can I ever really tell him what 'what' is?

I couldn't just say, 'well, I fancy you,' can I?

--

3 months later…

December 13th, 2017

Dayna,

You'll be going home for the holidays. Emma, Liam, and your Dad and I miss you very much. Dad says he has a surprise for the three of us for Christmas. He won't tell me where we're going – I don't know why – but all he said was to bring your essentials.

Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Mum

I grinned. Perfect! Al and Rose were going home for Christmas, and I could actually go with them! Forget what I said about Mother's Intuition!

Thank you Mum!

I ran around my dormitory, packing everything I could see that was my "essentials."

My crush on Al had diminished in the 3 months since the start of school, and I was partially happy, partially sad about it.

I already told Rose and Riley about it, but all they said was, "Uh-huh."

I spluttered, "It is so true!"

They gave me raised eyebrows, but I was quite stubborn with my answer, if I do say so myself.

"Oh Dayyyyna!" Riley sang.

"Whaaaat?" I replied, turning from my already closed trunk – lighter than usual – to stare at my dorm mate and friend.

"Guess who's outside the common room door! Guess! Guess!" I suspected someone gave her chocolate, because she was abnormally hyper right at this moment.

"Um, Scorpius?"

"No! So close, but Al's outside!"

"Really?" I asked flatly, trying to sound uninterested. And succeeding, if I do say so myself.

"Oh, yep! He says he and Scorpius are waiting for you and Rosie!"

"Okie doke. Can you go tell Al and Scorpius to wait a sec? I still have to find Rose."

"Well," Riley began, a smile on her face, "Scorpius and Rose are already in the Entrance Hall."

"Oh." I suspect a set-up. Narrowing my eyes at my friend – who cheerfully kept smiling at me – I tromped out of the room, using Reducio to shrink my trunk so I could carry it in my jeans pocket.

I opened the common room door, smiling at the boy just outside of it.

"Rose and Scorpius ditched us," I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest. At Al's hurt look, though, I quickly added, "Not that I don't mind, but they could have waited!"

He laughed. "I was just kidding, Day."

I glared again, a huge grin breaking my façade.

While waking to the Entrance Hall, we talked animatedly about what our plans for Christmas were.

Once we did reach the Entrance Hall, I quickly spotted the shock of blonde hair, and the curly mass of auburn.

"Rose! Scorpius!" I yelled out. They turned as one, and waved. I waved back, grabbing Al's hand boldly since he was going way too slow. Luckily, the mass of students blocked Rose and Scorpius's view of us.

When we reached the two, I dropped Al's hand before Rose could see, and if she did… she would have ultimately hounded me with questions and raised eyebrows.

I did not like raised eyebrows. It clearly showed doubt, and I always wanted to spill my secrets.

One secret, though, would not be the fact that I still like Al.

Because I don't.

Really, I don't.

The carriages took that moment to appear, and I quickly clambered in with Al, Rose, and Scorpius.

Scorpius stroke up a conversation about Quidditch, something to which Al, Rose, and I vehemently defended our favorite teams.

"Chudley Cannons," Rose argued, "Dad says, will shoot up in the rankings and everyone'll be surprised, wishing they supported that team."

Scorpius agreed with her, and I tried to hide a smile.

"Well," Al reasoned, "Puddlemere United has Oliver Wood, and he was the Captain in my Dad's first year."

I sighed. "Everyone knows the Holyhead Harpies'll win this season." At the raised eyebrows – again – from Al, Rose, and Scorpius, I continued, "I mean, honestly, Al," I turned to look at him, "your mum was on that team, and she was utterly brilliant!"

"That's true," he finally agreed, "but still, Puddlemere United will win!"

And that's pretty much all we talked (or argued) about in the carriage and in the Hogwarts Express until we reached King's Cross Station.

--

"Daddy!" I shrieked, running forward to launch myself in Dad's arms.

"Hi, sweetie," he said, kissing me on the forehead before setting me back on the ground.

"Mum!" I hugged her, and then turn to hug my little siblings. "Hi Liam," I grinned, ruffling up his dark hair. He glared at me, but the smile on his face gave him away.

"Hi Em!"

She squealed, jumping up, begging to be carried. My 5-year-old sister enjoyed height. I let her climb into my arms, nearly falling from her weight. She had grown while I was away.

"So, Daddy," I began, with half a glance to Mum who smiled encouragingly at me, "where are we going to go?"

He grinned sneakily. "Your mum put you up to this, didn't she?"

I nodded, sending an apologetic look Mum's way.

She just shrugged. 'At least we tried,' her shrug meant.

"Please, Daddy?" I jutted my lip out, making my eyes abnormally large. The picture of innocence.

Too bad Dad was immune… most of the time.

I could practically see his resolve slipping, but he stayed stubborn—maybe that's where I get my stubbornness from…

I sighed. "Fine, I give up!" I threw my hands into the air for emphasis.

Dad grinned smugly at Mum, and she only stuck her tongue out. With a giggle, I rolled my eyes. My parents were so childish sometimes.

I said bye to Al and Rose (Scorpius had mysteriously disappeared) before we fell through the barrier. We were back in Muggle London.

"Okay, you four," Dad said once we reached home, "we are going to the States for Christmas."

Emma, Mum, and I squealed. Liam's dark brown eyes widened considerably, making him look like a very surprised fly.

"Really?" Mum asked, somehow landing in Dad's arms.

"Yeah." He grinned, bending down to kiss her.

Emma and Liam wrinkled their noses, but I said nothing, already used to their displays. Still, it didn't mean I had to watch.

"Well," Mum said breathlessly, "you three should go pack. Come on, Emma, let's go help you pack." With a look back at Dad – one I did not want to know about – she carried Emma up the stairs and into her room.

"Dad," I said, blushing furiously, since, despite the fact that I didn't want to even think about that look, I already figured it out, "I don't want to know."

Quickly, I ran up the stairs, the blush still prominent on my face.

Packing will be good, I thought, but quickly deflated when I realized that my shrunk trunk was already packed and ready.

With a sigh, I trudged down the stairs, raiding the fruit basket on the circular table, before walking into the backyard.

I took a bite of the apple I had snagged, heading towards my favorite tree in the forest behind our house.

I climbed expertly – with a few scratches – up to the middle, and I leaned against the trunk, my eyes closing.

Weirdly enough, my thoughts wandered to Al, and I wondered what he'd be doing for the holidays.

That inevitably led to his emerald-green eyes, his untidy jet-black hair, and, I even wondered when he'd have that growth spurt – 4th year, 5th year, 6th year?

I groaned in frustration.

I am not in denial.

Not.

Okay, I am in denial.

Bloody raised eyebrows.

Bloody emerald-green eyes, untidy, jet-black hair, and that crooked grin that can send even melted chocolate even more melted.

To Be Continued…

notes. I enjoy writing Dayna in denial. It's pretty funny. Anyways, thanks for reading this monstrosity of a chapter! 16 pages, with Tahoma in size 10! Do not worry about Dayna's and Al's relationship, though, since it shall diminish when Dayna's girlish hormones come into play. And Al's too, now that I think about it. Except that they will be guyish… not girlish, cause that would be awkward…

Reviews are greatly appreciated. I'd love the feedback.