A week into my sixth year at Hogwarts. Woo, I've survived so far without injuring that blasted Davies and have managed to bother Macduff more than usual, seeing as we have quiet a few classes together, which was definitely nothing to be happy about, I assure you.

Either way, there was one thing to be very excited about: I was holding Quidditch tryouts in search of the newest additions to our precious and elite Quidditch team. Really, we were only in need of a chaser and a beater. Every other position was covered. Trust me, if we were allowed to have reserve teams, I would certainly let more people on our exquisite crew, and perhaps demote a few of the regular team members to the reserve... Ahem, Davies.

I'd posted a reminder on the board in the Common Room to remind anyone willing to try out, but I wasn't really counting on many hopefuls showing up that night. As it were, I maybe have this reputation of being cutthroat and unsympathetic to those seeking a spot on the Quidditch team unless they have the determination to put up with my carping and judgmental nature.

But enough of that, I had yet to make it through the day! No sense in wasting thought on Quidditch tryouts when I had classes. Oh, wonderful day- my first class was Care of Magical Creatures. A class I had with Fiona, thankfully, and with my worst enemy: Wood. Sodding Wood.

Fiona and I made our way down the hill towards Hagrid's hut. She was blabbering on and on about some Hufflepuff fellow she thought was quiet attractive, but he was younger than her, so she didn't know if she should pursue him or not.

"Who're you talking about now?"

Fiona let out an exasperated sigh, "Cedric Diggory." She elaborated upon my expression, "The Hufflepuff Seeker."

"Oooh. Gotcha, mate."

"Can't believe you didn't know who I was talking about."

"Oi, I knew who you were talking about! I'm not an idiot! I was just teasing you," I lamely covered up. I tried not to make a point of acquainting myself with Hufflepuffs. They annoyed me.

"Well, O Brilliant One, what do you suggest I do?"

"'Bout what?" I asked, biting into the dark red apple I'd snatched from the Great Hall before we'd departed.

"Diggory!"

"Yeah?"

Fiona rolled her eyes, "What do you suppose I should do about him? Should I ask him to Hogsmeade?"

"Sure, why not?"

"You don't have any advice? No ridicules?"

"Well, I dunno. If ya fancy him and what have you, I'd say go for it. And, if he turns out to be a bloody Hufflepuff like I've always said any Hufflepuff is, then I can gloat about how right I am about sticking to your own house."

"Klaus didn't," she pointed out. "Anna's a Hufflepuff."

"She's different," I replied after some thought.

"Oh, is she now?"

I paused, "Well, no, not really. But he fancies her quite a bit, so I'll let it slide this one time. However, in your case, I say you ought to go after him, just for the sheer sport of it."

Fiona was shocked. It was rare that I ever gave relationships approval.

"Besides," I continued, "it'll be great fun for me to watch everything fall apart!"

"Wood and Von Straussburg."

I groaned as Hagrid announced partners. I had been praying I'd be with Fiona, as I usually was, but Hagrid decided to switch it up and put me and William Wallace in a group together to go exploring along the edge of the forest. I had the feeling he hadn't really planned a lesson for the day, but that was fine by me. Perhaps I could trail behind Fiona and her partner, some Slytherin girl, and just ignore Wood for the time being.

And, as usual, things never work out quite as I planned them. Sadly, I found myself walking along the Forbidden Forest's edge with the bloody Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, nowhere near Fiona and overall quite displeased, as you could surely guess.

"What're we supposed to be looking for?" I asked finally.

"Dunno, figured you'd have a clue, seeing as you are the Ravenclaw in this partnership."

"And what's that supposed to mean, eh?"

"Well, since you're the Ravenclaw, aren't you by nature expected to be a better student than the rest of us?"

"Yes, of course."

"And I figure that to mean you should pay more attention during instruction than I do."

"False!" I cried. I refuse to be defined by the Ravenclaw stereotype. Especially since the typical Ravenclaw most certainly didn't pay any more attention during classes than any other Hogwarts student.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. 'Sides, what would you know, Wood? You're just a bloody Gryffindor with very few Gryffindor friends," I huffed triumphantly.

He simply raised his eyebrows before turning his attention to the ground.

I groaned. It simply was no fun when he gave up mid-row.

"You're supposed to argue back," I nudged him.

"Maybe I don't feel like it."

"Maybe I do."

"Am I supposed to bend to your every whim then, Rue?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. Rue?

"What in the bloody hell, Wood!"

He stopped and turned around to face me, "What?"

"You never call me Rue!"

"It's your name, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's my name, but you're not supposed to use it! You haven't called me 'Rue' since, erm, first year! Before first year, even!"

"Fine then, would you rather I call you by some stereotypical name then?"

"I'd prefer it!" I snapped.

"Nazi."

"Scot!"

"Nazi."

"Banquo!"

"Nazi."

"Merlin dammit, Wood, you can't use the same name as an insult three times in a row!"

"Aye, I think I can."

I slid my hand over my face. This was completely useless.

We continued on.

"Haggis Boy," I muttered under my breath.

"Nazi."

Fiona and I slid into our traditional spots next to one another, and across from our dormitory mates, at dinner.

"So, anything interesting happen today, ladies?" Rosaline Thompson asked.

"Nothing out of the usual," Fiona replied. "More Rue maunder."

"Oh, c'mon!" I cried defensively.

Carolina Russell spoke up. "So, what's the big issue today that's got your knickers in a twist?"

"Guess," Fiona and Rosaline said simultaneously.

"Hmm," Carolina tapped her chin thoughtfully, "could it be Oliver?"

"I swear that boy has not so much brain as earwax!" I cried, exasperated.

"Oh, and on come the insults," Rosaline grumbled before putting a spoonful of soup into her mouth.

"It's true!"

As it were, none of my friends seemed to have much of a problem with the Scottish wart that was Oliver Wood. I was certain I wasn't the only one in the school who had a problem with him. I knew for a fact that none of the Slytherins liked him, Marcus Flint especially. I didn't particularly care for Flint, but we could be united in our hatred for Wood. Though it wouldn't happen, seeing as he's a Slytherin and all. But, nonetheless, it proves my point that I am not the only one who doesn't care much for William Wallace.

"I still think she fancies 'im," Fiona declared.

"I most certainly do not," I said passively, biting into the roll of bread in my hand.

"Why else would you go on about him all the time?"

"Maybe this is how you express your love: through a facade of hatred and discord!"

"Oh, that's bloody ridiculous, and you lot know it."

"Rue-Rue and Oliver sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Carolina sang loudly. So loudly, in fact, that a few Gryffindors turned around and glanced in our direction.

"Oh, shut it!" I sank in my seat.

"But I thought you didn't fancy 'im," Rosaline said, a smirk tugging the corners of her mouth upward.

"I don't!"

"That's not what I heard," a distinctively Scottish accent said from behind me.

Oh bloody hell.

There ya go! Still liking it, I hope? That which you don't recognize from the Harry Potter universe is mine, but that which you do recognize is thanks to J.K. Rowling. Continue reading and please review! Yours.