"Looking forward to Quidditch?" Natasha asked brightly. They were sitting outside by the lake a few weeks later, watching the giant squid swim in the lake. Aly and Natasha were sitting under a tree enjoying the last few days of warmth and sunshine.

"Oh, sure," Aly said glumly. "I haven't practiced in forever; I'm probably not going to make the team."

"Oh, how optimistic you are."

Aly frowned at her. "Well, with so much going on this past summer, I barely had anytime to get on my broom."

"I think that's an understatement."

Aly looked over her shoulder and her eyes narrowed when she saw Char climbing up the hill, approaching them casually, his hands in his pockets. Natasha looked between Aly and Char.

"You had plenty of times to get on your broom," Char added, staring down at her. "You beat us a few times."

Aly merely stared up at him and blinked her green eyes. "Do you need something?"

"It's funny," Char continued, ignoring her. "Back then you weren't involved with Adam. You didn't see him constantly."

"What's it to you? You don't care," Aly replied absently, staring at the giant squid.

"It's something to me, alright. Especially if you're meeting with him on Hogwarts grounds."

Aly's heart thumped and her green eyes flashed. "How did you know that?"

"It got around," Char shrugged, flipping his brown hair back.

Aly eyes flashed as she turned to Natasha. Natasha grinned roguishly and scrambled away.

Aly growled audibly and crossed her arms. "Traitors."

"No, they're smart," Char replied shortly, staring her down. "Aly...I am agreeing with you when I say that Adam is not dangerous, and I'm sorry for not seeing that before."

Aly stared down at the ground and did not reply.

"But meeting with Adam when he's in the Daily Prophet everyday isn't smart. If you were discovered, you'd both be in jeopardy. He'd probably be sent for Azkaban by the Ministry if they wanted to. You'd automatically go to the Detention Center because then people could really assume that you were in leagues with them."

Aly glanced hesitantly at Char and uncrossed her arms and sighed.

"He came here to see me and see if I am ok. He knows that I'm probably going to get some attention. He didn't come up here to 'carry me off' or something," she said narrowing her eyes. "I think the main reason you and everyone else doesn't understand is because Adam isn't your friend. He's mine."

"Then that's probably where the problem is," Char said, a small smile forming on his lips. "I don't care for Adam like you do."

Aly's eyes narrowed again. "Are you getting somewhere?"

"Natasha told me that you think you have a 'thing' for him." Char's eyes narrowed as well.

Aly internally cursed Natasha to the pits of Hades.

"I do not," she said stiffly.

"Really, then? I'd like to hear something to back up that statement." Char crossed his arms and stared down at Aly, waiting.

"Firstly, I do not have a thing for him. See if you can fit that into your pathetically small brain."

Char glared at her. "So, let's change the scenario. Let's say that I'm the one in the detention center right now and Adam is standing right in front of you. Would you sneak out to see me and constantly be crying your heart and soul out for me?"

"Of course," Aly said immediately. "Use your brain, Char! I don't favor Adam. I'm a caring person! Even if it was you, or Amanda, or Hayden or Damien! I wouldn't care who is! All I'd care about is helping them. I don't know why you think I favor him so much."

Char sighed and stared up at the sky.

"I'm leaving."

Aly looked at the lake again, attempting to swallow the lump in her throat. "So... is it...over?"

"It's not over," Char said with a small smirk. "I'm just confused and really pissed at you right now. I waited five whole years for you and I'm not letting you go over one person. I just want to understand."

"I've explained to you best I can," Aly shrugged.

"Then we need to talk more," Char answered.

"Do you really think I'm just going to forget this whole thing and start talking to you again?"

"And so am I, but unlike you, I'm trying to make this something for me to learn about. You on the other hand think that I'm some pathetic snob who 'doesn't know how to respect you.'"

"Well...if you hadn't have tried to control me like that, then I wouldn't have had to say that," Aly said, glaring at him.

"I respect you, but I also care for you."

"You don't have to care for me that much."

"I do too."

"I'm not a baby."

Char blinked at her, his expression undecipherable.

"Well, this conversation sure got us somewhere."

"Why are you acting so cool about this?" Aly questioned angrily, staring up at him. "It's like my aura is red and yours is blue."

"That's what Damien told me to do," Char shrugged.

"Damien?! That idiot! I'm going to kill him!" Aly exclaimed, starting to stand up. However, Char placed one hand on either side of the tree and leaned forward, staring at her intently.

"You're not killing anybody," Char said a smile at the corners of his lips. "We'll be talking more often," Char said, forcing her to lock eyes. Of course, even though Aly was mad, she did feel some of her anger dissolving. "Not as often, but we'll be talking. I'm not letting a situation as stupid as this come between us."

"Adam is not stupid!" Aly said angrily.

"I didn't say he was," Char grinned darkly, staring at her. "I said the whole situation was stupid."

"If you think that you can insult Adam for one minute..." Aly warned, but trailed off when Char moved closer and smiled at her. Aly's breath caught in her throat. "Er...What were you saying?"

Char chuckled under his breath and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Aly stared up at him in surprise. He sighed and smiled at her.

"I hate your stupid, devilish, hypnotic, beautiful, sexy, chocolate colored eyes," Aly growled, crossing her arms.

"Then don't look at them."

"How can I not, when they're in my face?" Aly snapped. "Why are you staring at me like that? Cut it out!" Aly snapped.

Char kissed her nose, smiling impishly. "Well...to emphasize my point." Aly realized that Char won. He released her, smiling.

"Well, I shall be reporting my status to my relationship manager, Damien Boyle."

"Give him hell from me, Char. That butthead. Since when has he been your relationship manager?"

Char shrugged and took off, waving at her. He winked as he walked down the hill.

Natasha reappeared a few moments later, smiling.

"I hate you."