"That's good, that's really good, Ron," Harry said encouragingly. "You'll do really well."

"Snape didn't let up on you one bit, did he mate?" Ron asked, descending from the hoops. They were down at the stadium, practicing for the big game against Ravenclaw for the cup.

"Not a chance," Harry sighed. "Every Saturday for the rest of the year."

"Geez," Aly said, climbing off her broom. "That's harsh."

"Exactly." The others came down and joined the others on the ground.

"You lot will do fine without me," Harry said. "We've got Ginny replacing me as seeker." Aly caught the quick smile thrown at Ginny. "And Katie's back, so it'll be just fine, don't worry. That cup is ours."

"How many points do we have to win by?" Peakes, a beater, asked.

"Three hundred." Ron whistled.

"But if we only lose by a hundred, we still get second," Harry said quickly. "Head over to the locker rooms."

Aly walked to the girls' room with Katie and Ginny, discussing the match.

"I think we'll win," Katie said confidently. "I'm back, Ron's back, and Ginny's just as good as Harry."

Ginny flushed with pride.

"Oi!"

Aly turned around and watched Dean run after them. He slowed to a walk as he approached them.

"Aly, you forgot your bracelet," he said, holding out Aly's charm bracelet.

"Oh! Thanks," Aly said, having not noticed it was gone. "Thanks a lot."

"No problem," he said. His eyes flashed to Ginny quickly, and then he turned away.

"How're you and Dean...er...doing, by the way?" Katie asked hesitantly as they entered the girls' locker room.

"We're done," Ginny shrugged. "He was a terrible boyfriend, anyway."

"I'm sorry," Aly said, clasping on her bracelet.

"Don't be." Ginny set her broom down. "It was never going to work, anyway."

--

Aly sighed as Slughorn passed over her potion again, his face contorted with disgust.

"I want a written explanation, Ms. Trevelyan," he said curtly, passing onto the next table.

Aly scowled after Professor Slughorn. She looked at the windows. How ironic it was that the red light shining from the windows of the dungeon was landing right on Harry's cauldron. It was sunset, and this was the last class of the day.

"I think he hates me," Aly muttered to Amanda.

"He can't. He's a reasonably nice...oh, forget it," Amanda sighed. "I've have potions homework every day for the past month because these potions are so hard to make!"

"Maybe we should drop it," Aly muttered under her breath. "We never should've taken N.E.W.T. level."

The bell rang and they gathered up their books. They left the dungeons, Aly still fuming.

"And he expects to get this done, and win the Quidditch Match? He's asking for a miracle, that man," Aly groaned.

"Maybe if you win, he won't make you write them again," Amanda suggested as they climbed out of the dungeons.

"He's from Slytherin, Amanda. I don't exactly think he wants us to win," Aly reminded her.

"Ah."

Aly sighed as they approached the fork in the hallway. "I'll be going this way, then. See you at the match."

Amanda wished her good luck, and they parted their separate ways.

--

"Yes!" Aly exclaimed as she watched Dean through the Quaffle through the hoop. "Another goal!"

The score was now three hundred to sixty, Gryffindor winning.

Aly zoomed on her new Firebolt that Char had gotten her for Christmas. It moved faster than the others. She raced after the Ravenclaw with the Quaffle.

In the stands, the Gryffindors cheered madly. "Go Aly!" Damien roared, watching her speed after the Ravenclaw chaser. He waved his flag.

"Look at her go!" Amanda gasped.

"I'm glad I got her that broom for Christmas," Char grinned.

"So are we!" Hayden added brightly. He winced as Aly and Katie sandwiched the Ravenclaw chaser and Dean sped away with the Quaffle.

"The Ravenclaws look exhausted," Amanda pointed out. It was true. They could barely keep up with the Gryffindor Quidditch team. The crowd roared after another goal was scored.

"I think Ginny's just toying with him," Amanda laughed as she watched Ginny match pace with the Ravenclaw seeker.

Then they heard a ding, and Ginny zoomed around the pitch with the snitch in her hand. The whole Gryffindor house jumped on their feet, and roared with joy.

Ginny laughed with joy as she held the snitch in the air, doing a victory lap. Aly ran over to Katie and hugged her madly.

"Two times in row!" Katie exclaimed.

"That's right!" Aly exclaimed. She exchanged high fives with Dean.

---

"Yeah!" Damien grinned, giving Aly a high five.

"That was the most amazing game ever," Amanda exclaimed, smiling at her. She handed Aly a butterbeer. Aly sipped it gratefully, feeling the liquid burn down her throat and revitalize her. They were all in the common room, celebrating.

"Thanks," she said. Char kissed her cheek and grinned.

"Now I bet you're glad I got you that broom, huh?" he winked.

"That's right," Aly smiled. She turned around and hugged Ginny.

"Great seeking," Aly grinned.

"Great chasing," Ginny replied.

Aly heard Ron's voice.

"We won! 450 to 160! We won!"

The crowd parted and Aly saw Harry standing in the entrance to the common room. Harry locked eyes with Ginny. Then he looked at Aly. His green eyes were burning with an unknown intensity that surprised Aly.

"Go," Aly hissed with a smile, and shoved Ginny. Ginny ran full speed towards Harry.

Char stood next to Aly, watching the scene. The crowd parted to let her through.

Aly grinned as Harry took Ginny into her arms, and kissed her full on the mouth. The whole common room went silent.

Damien chuckled at Romilda Vane, who dropped her glass.

Char wolf-whistled. Aly giggled.

When the kiss was over, Ron nodded his approval, reluctantly, and then Harry and Ginny disappeared out of the common room. The conversation went on as usual, just a bit more muffled.

Aly grinned and turned around to crane her neck and look at Char. "Galleon, please," Aly said, holding out her hand. Char gaped at her in disbelief.

"You want it?" he groaned. "I wanted to buy some chocolate from Honeydukes."

"Galleon," she repeated, smiling.

Char smiled mischievously. "How about a kiss instead?"

"A kiss? Not...kisses?" Aly asked suggestively.

"Done," Char winked. Damien pretended to puke.

"Hey...Amanda's schmoozing again," Char said surprise.

"Where?" Damien exclaimed, rushing away. Char and Aly grinned.