Of Babbling & Fluttering Lips

A/N Ello all. I'm going to try as hard as I can to update regularly but don't be surprised if I take a while sometimes.

Thank you so much to my wonderful reviewers Hermy & Pocketwatchgirl! It's really nice to know that I'm not just sending this off into cyberspace unnoticed.

Right, this chapter is going to be more sort of, 'Let's get to know our characters' chapter. My English teacher says I have problems with past and present tense. Hoping it goes ok, *fingers crossed*

Enjoy, R&R please!

Disclaimer: I wish to inform you that I am sadly not J. so I do not own anything apart from my OC's. I mean I don't see why you'd think I was her….

CHAPTER 2: Of Oddness in many places

I am odd. I admit it. Don't believe my friends when they tell you I am the sensible one in the group. I mean, usually my massive teenage ego does not admit fault but most of the time I just feel like the universe just loves making feel stupid. Of course it all started when I was born. Three days late by cesarean because my silly Muggle mother would not let Dad take her to Mungo's. Mum says I was an adorable baby. That is a lie, I've seen the photos. Anyways it all went downhill from there in my opinion. I mean it's not like I'm a Lorcan & Lysander Scammander or anything but I have done a many terrifyingly embarrassing thing.

Confusion I think is a big factor in this I believe. Teachers make me feel confused, politics make me feel confused, friends make me feel confused and certain boys make me feel confused. One of whom is walking beside me through the snowy streets of Hogsmede. We both keep our eyes downcast as the early conversation starter's have all been used up.

"You going to the Quidditch game next weekend?" (My way of switching the topic away from my embarrassing little incident in Three Broomsticks.)

"Might do." (Auh jeez thanks Al, real open ended answer.)

Silence followed that scintillating exchange, which seemed to be an occurring theme on our short trip to Honeydukes.

"So Huffelpuff." (That's sad Albus.)

"Yeah, My Dad was in there too so I wasn't surprised. Actually it seems to a repeating trend in our ancestry…" I trailed off. Albus stared at me like I was a three headed dragon.

More silence followed.

"So you come here often?" (My little pearler, oh the shame.)

Another bemused stare radiates from his face.

This frustrates me immensely. First off, a stroke of luck presents me with this opportunity to 'claim my man land' and all I can do is make awkward friggin' small talk! Why can't I be one of those witty, intellectually enhanced, attractive girls who can snag a guy in minutes? But no, fate presented me with apoplectic social skills and a nervous tendency to make my lips look like their trying to rip themselves off my face. Also it's pitiful because I find it hard to comprehend a girl having a crush on a guy she has barely said a word too. And here I am walking along in uncomfortable silence with Albus Severus freaking Potter!

It didn't used to be like this. Being in the same year in all, Al and I had shared quite a few classes over our time at Hogwarts. I even sat next to him in Charms 3rd Year. But then the good old hormones kicked after a certain heated (in my opinion) discussion in the library at the start of the year. Now I am officially screwed.

Thankfully we stopped outside the very crowded Honeydukes before one of us attempted another epic fail pick up line. He overtook me upon reaching the door and opened it for me.

"Ladies first."

Oh thank god that the other forces in acting upon me in that moment outweighed gravity. I smiled at him as I walked through hoping that my feminine charms would strike him utterly witless.

No signs of this master plan working showed as we navigated through the crowd of students squeezed into the Candy store. Finally I spotted my friends in the corner admiring the display of Spindle's Lick'O'Rish Spiders.

My ditzy friend Aliesha spotted me first, "Tammy where have you been…"

My fellow Huffelpuffs all turned and dropped their jaws at the wondrous sight beside me.

"Guys, this is-" I began.

"Albus." They said in usion.

"Er, Hi." He greeted them looking totally creeped out.

My two friends, Aliesha and Kate, oh and Kate's boyfriend Pete all gaped at me. My roommates had managed to get it out of me that I had a bit of an infatuation with the mysterious Potter boy. And they had also heard my resigned complaints that he'll never see me in that way. They must think I'm some sort of Veela now, there's no other I way I would've plucked up the courage to ask him to come. But they didn't know the whole story.

"Uh, we were just going to um- pay for these. Yeah." Kate said very tactfully. They scuttled off towards the counter giving me a complicated series of hand gestures and facial expressions alluding to me that they will be expecting all the goss tonight. I am not looking forward to that.

"So…" Albus gazed around the room.

"Uh do you want to go get some every flavor beans?" I suggested catching a glimpse at the large dispenser. In agreement he walked over with me to the machine and we both grabbed a bag and began filling them.

"These are my favorite sweets." I commented trying to make conversation as we sat outside after paying for the various lollies.

Albus searched my face for a minute before answering.

"Why? You don't even know what you're going get? Some of them are horrible!" He said opening up his bag cautiously.

"That's the fun of it." I smiled, "You are always surprised."

I reached into my bag and pulled out an almost transparent bean.

"May you be lemonade, or vinegar?" I said almost to myself, conscious of Albus' gaze.

I popped the bean into my mouth for a moment then swallowed it with a grimace.

"Vinegar." I choked.

Albus chuckled making my lips flutter even more furiously.

He carefully extracted one from his collection studying its murky coloured exterior.

"That's odd. What do you think it is?" he asked looking unsure whether or not to eat it. I shrugged.

The mighty Slytherin put on a brave face and cautiously placed the delicacy on his tongue. Slowly he chewed with a strange expression on his face.

"Peculiar, I think, I think its sherbet."

I giggled. He laughed. I mini swooned.

From that scrapbook moment on, conversation ran a bit easier. Neither of us committed potentially social suicidal exchanges but there was still that barrier there. Eventually Albus spotted Weasley and Malfoy gesturing for him to accompany them to another store. He looked at me for a second then bid me goodbye.

And after a somewhat glorious afternoon I let my subconscious take over and said something that would no doubt end my chances with Albus.

"See you soon Albie dear." I chimed in a daze until the grossed out look on Albus' face woke me up. I didn't even get a chance to take it back before he was lost in the crowd.

I sat on that cold bench for what seemed like hours in humiliation. Unable to comprehend what a dork I am. But eventually the more responsible side of me (why don't you come around more often?) showed up guiding me back to the castle.

My friends would be expecting a detailed analysis of the afternoon. I had really no idea whether or not I would be able to bear reliving these horrible moments. I knew I was being melodramatic, and all this internal monologing probably didn't help my state of mind- But oh Merlin what am I going to do now?

A/N I wrote this within an hour so it's all pretty random. It didn't actually shed a whole lot more light on Tammy's character but I really wanted to keep the story moving. I tried not to get caught up in her bizarre thoughts but I just couldn't help myself.

I'm going to be a bit busy for the next couple of days so not sure when I'll be able to update next. But I thought maybe I'll get into the habit of posting sneak peeks at the end of each chapter.

CHAPTER THREE: Of Meddling Spectators

Rose Weasley never really talked to me. I never really talked to her. We were happy with this arrangement. The opinionated Ravenclaw would just clash with my 'happy go lucky' attitude. We subconsciously knew it'd probably be better if we just kept it to the occasional greeting in passing. So naturally I was quite astounded when she plonked herself and her books down beside me during breakfast making me choke on my toast.

"We need to talk."