Since Al's ingenious plan cannot work unless no one is at Hogwarts (so, basically, the holidays), Rose, Al, and I suffer through the rest of the semester. But, really, it's not that bad. Having amazing friends by my side gets me through it.

One day in October, Al comes up behind me and taps on my shoulder in the Great Hall. "Hey, Emmeline," he says.

"Hey." I smile at him and sip my juice.

"Are you going to the first Quidditch game of the season in a couple days? Gryffindor versus Slytherin…tempting…" He grins. "Especially because a certain someone will be Seeker, and that certain someone will bring another certain someone there by force if the second certain someone refuses to go to the first certain someone's game."

I clutch my head and say, "You just made my brain melt."

Albus laughs and says, "You better get that brain of yours into shape if you want to pass the O.W.L.s!"

I groan. "Don't even mention those. And of course I'm going to your game, Al. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He shouts, "VICTORY!" and picks me up, spinning me around.

Giggling, I shout, "Albus Severus Potter, put me down right now! I want to finish my pumpkin juice!"

He grins and says, "Never!" Hoisting me over his shoulder, he proclaims, "To Herbology!"

Pounding on his back and laughing as he speeds through the halls of Hogwarts, I say, "Put me down! Put me down, Al!"

"Not until you admit you fancy James!" he says, now skipping like a little boy. He can really be so adorable.

Except when my head keeps getting smacked against his back. I say, "You're so attention deficit. First, Quidditch, and then your ridiculous belief that I fancy your older brother?"

Albus sings, "You didn't answer my question…"

I sigh and say, "I do not fancy James Potter. He is an arrogant prat who doesn't know when to say no. Just watch out for your brother, Al. The next thing he does might be getting some poor girl pregnant or setting the school on fire."

"Oh really?" someone asks, and pokes my leg. "That's quite insulting."

I feel my face turn red as Al turns me around so I'm lying in his arms. This is quite an awkward position.

James Sirius Potter is standing in front of me, a wicked grin plastered on his face.

Still blushing, I say, "It was meant to be."

Al ruffles my hair, grinning at James. "Isn't she a charmer?"

James looks at me in a way that pierces me to my core and says, "Absolutely." His warm chocolate eyes make my heart flutter.

No. You do not fancy James. Listen to what you said before, Emmeline. He's absolutely dreadful. You do not fancy James.

Great. Now I'm talking to myself. And I thought making friends would make the little voice in my head go away!

Al rolls his eyes and says, "Okay, Emmie, we have to get to class. See ya, James."

James nods at him and looks at me. "Goodbye, Emmeline."

I wave, gulping loudly, and feel myself begin to move as Al pounds down the hall, all the way to Herbology.

I don't fancy James…right?

That night, the Gryffindor Common Room is full to the brim with students. All are crowded around one James Potter, who has some big news.

"The Gryffindor-Slytherin match is canceled."

"What?" Rose exclaims, and looks behind her. Scorpius is standing right behind her. Embarrassed, he moves away. Turning back to her cousin, she demands, "How can you cancel the first Quidditch match of the season?"

James shrugs and says, "I dunno. It wasn't my decision. Rosie, do you really think I would cancel a Quidditch match? I'd replace school with them if I could."

She sighs. "I know." She turns to me. "Emmeline, what do you think happened?"

I whisper, "Maybe it was because of whatever Skeeter and Filch were talking about."

Al's on my other side, his face slightly pink with frustration. He shouts to his brother, "They can't cancel it! They mustn't! They—"

I put a hand on his arm. "Albus," I say soothingly. "It's all right. There will be another game eventually."

He looks at me, anguish in his eyes. "But I needed to play at this one."

Al has been torturing himself since fourth year, when the Slytherin Seeker beat him to the Snitch, causing Gryffindor to lose the Quidditch Cup. He has felt guilty ever since, and I guess he thought playing Slytherin again this year would give him a chance to redeem himself.

Fred, George Weasley's son, ambles over and pats Albus on the back. "Oh, Al, do you really think anyone cares about when you lost the Cup for Gryffindor anymore?"

Al looks down. "Yes."

Fred gives him a small smile and another pat on the back and says, "Well, you're right."

"Fred, you little git!" Rose says, swatting him. Then, she looks around. "Where are Hugo and Lily?"

The two Potter-Weasleys in the year below me come over, looking frustrated. Albus's sister, Lily, says, "I can't believe we have no match anymore! And James had just taught me a new trick with my broom…" The young Chaser looks down, dejected.

Hugo, Rose's brother, says, "Oh, it's okay, Lil. There's always another time." He gives Rose a bright smile and says, "Hey, sis."

Rose scowls and says, "I do not understand how you can still be happy right now. This is horrible!"

Hugo smirks. Fred turns and points at me. "Who's the hot chick?" he asks.

I feel my face burn, and when I look down my golden curls hide my red cheeks.

I hear Rose huff and Al says, "This is my friend. Her name's Emmeline."

"That's a pretty name," Lily says earnestly.

I look at her and smile, blushing. "Thanks. Your name is pretty, too."

She grins. "Thank you." Then she proclaims, "You and Al are going to get married someday."

"What?" James exclaims as Al and I say, "Huh?" and Rose squeals, "Awww!"

"What makes you say that?" Hugo asks, staring at me and Albus curiously, analyzing us.

Lily shrugs and smiles. "I dunno. I just…said it."

Muttering something about fresh air, James escapes. Fred follows him, singing a little song about puppy love. I blush for the millionth time.

Rose elbows me and winks.

Thomas Finnigan, Gryffindor Prefect, bursts through the door/painting to the room and shouts, "The game is canceled because Professor Tumms is missing!"

The room is immediately silent as we all realize that the Gryffindor Professor who replaced McGonagall is gone.

"I'm sorry, but what? You gotta be shitting me!" I say, running over to Thomas, my eyes wide.

Thomas stares at me in surprise, as do the rest of Gryffindor (other than the Potters, Weasleys, and Scorpius, who just scowls). "You talked…"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, I talked. Surprised?"

He doesn't answer; he just stares at me with this wiggly grin.

I sigh. "Look, is Tumms really gone?"

He blinks as he realizes I talked to him again. He nods sadly. "Yes. He disappeared an hour ago, and there's blood in his classroom."

I flinch.

"We don't know what happened."

Officially freaking, I slowly walk away from him and back to Rose and Al. I clutch Al's arm and say, "You were right," while looking straight ahead, my mind blank.

Al says, "Uh, sorry Lil, Hugo, but we have to go." He gently tugs on my arm and pulls me to the entrance to the room, Rose close behind.

Once we are safely outside and alone, Rose says, "What are we going to do now?"

Al sighs and looks at us with sadness in his emerald eyes. "I dunno. I dunno."

(A/N: Surprise, right? Don't worry. Our little heroes are going to figure this out. I hope…)

Note: HP belongs to J.K. Rowling. I do not own it. All other characters (i.e. Emmeline) are mine.