Hello again! I hope you all like this chapter =D

MoonyLikesChocolate (AKA swimmergirl101)- Sorry you've been having a rough week! But I'm glad that the update made you feel better =D

00000000000000000000

"Miss Ravensdale, would you stay a moment?"

"Sure." I returned to my seat as Slughorn stopped by the work table.

"I must say, I've been very impressed with your work this year. You've shown exceptional skill, compared to how the notes describe your past years." He seemed a bit awkward, but I forced a grin.

"Thank you, sir."

"Several other professors have spoken very highly of you. I understand you were chosen for the advanced Charms classes?" I nodded.

"Yes. Professor Flitwick says I take after my father in that area."

"Ah, yes. Bernie was one of my finest."

"You knew him?"

"Indeed, dear girl. Oh, that brings me to my point!" He pulled a scrap of parchment from his pocket; it looked like some kind of list. "I was wondering if you'd like to join a little club of mine."

"A club?"

"I call it the Slug Club. Only the brightest students are accepted."

"Um…I'd love to, sir."

"Splendid!" He wrote something in his own notebook before glancing at me once more. "I'm hosting a dinner for the eligible students next Sunday evening at six o'clock."

"I'll be there."

"Wonderful. Well, I'll not keep you another minute."

"Thanks, professor."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Once back in the common room that night, the first person I told was Neville.

"Lacey, that's great! He actually asked me to go as well."

"Wicked!" We smiled for several long seconds. "It must mean we're both talented." Though he nodded, the gesture seemed hesitant. "What?"

"Well, he mainly talked about my parents and how great they were…nothing about me."

"He just doesn't see you yet."

"Most people don't, I guess. Except for you." Another moment passed before Neville finally got to his feet. "Good night, Lace."

"That's not true," I muttered, though there was no longer anyone around to hear me.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Such poor concentration."

My face flushed upon hearing some Slytherins giggle. Snape had made me go in front of the class and conjure the Shield Charm nonverbally; needless to say, it didn't go well.

"I'm trying, Professor."

"I find that hard to believe," he replied, making no attempt to hush himself. "Return to your seat." I obeyed as quickly as possible, trying to settle down. Remember what Remus said, remember what Remus said..."You're not even hiding how incapable of awareness you are, along with other lazy people in this class." In my rage, I whispered under my breath for Snape to do to himself what humans do to make babies.Once the words left my mouth, the sudden silence made it very clear that I should've just shut up.

"You've earned yourself a week's detention for that comment, Miss Ravensdale." The professor returned to his desk and flipped through the textbook. "Speaking of lazy people...Longbottom, stand up." My friend stood, seeming fairly embarrassed. "Perhaps, by some miracle, you can state the proper nonverbal incantation and wand movement for the Shield Charm."

Neville shifted nervously before his expression changed; it looked as if a bulb had gone off in his head.

"I've no clue about the wand movement." We could practically hear Snape roll his eyes. "But if I remember correctly, the incantation is Snog My Fat Arse."

I gasped, as did several others.

"You'll join Ravensdale in detention, Longbottom." Neville obeyed.

My ears couldn't process what they'd just heard. Still, as my comrade shot me a smile, I felt a bit of comfort at the notion of not facing Snape alone.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

He had us clean all of the windows and floors of the classroom without magic. By the time we returned to the Gryffindor tower at almost midnight, we were both covered in grime and dust.

"That was fun," he quipped. "Well, good night."

"Neville?" My friend paused to look at me. "Why'd you do that today?"

"You didn't really think I'd let you go all by yourself, did you?"

"Thanks." He smiled one final time before retreating upstairs, allowing me to throw myself into the easy chair.

Being in love is really cool.

00000000000000000000

I hope you all liked this one. Please review!