DISCLAIMER: Any recognizable works in this story is obviously not owned by me but the great J.K herself. I only own Clare O'Hare and maybe her marriage to Neville...sorry Hannah...not sorry Hannah.

Chapter 5

Morning had come to find Susan knocking loudly on Clare's door.

"Clare? Clare wake up it's Susan. Open the door!"

Half drunk with sleep Clare got up and unlocked the door then shuffled back to bed. Susan knocked again causing Clare to grunt, "S'pnn!"

"Oh." Susan pushed the door open then entered, closing it shut behind her. Clare lay snuggled back under her quilt. The only indication that the body was her's and not a mass of pets was the poof of hair sticking out from the edge of the blanket.

"Clare wake up people are leaving for classes." Susan crawled up onto the bed and bounced a little shaking it.

"Nnn." Clare protested but otherwise didn't move.

"No! Wake. Up." Susan crawled closer and tugged at the covers then found a smaller pillow. "Wake uuuuuuuup!" She cried batting Clare over the head.

"Nnn- stop ...Maokai." Clare grumbled sitting up with a sway, eyes still not cracking open. She peeled him from around her neck where he had taken to clinging tightly to because Susan had startled him.

Susan smiled weakly in apology to him then went back to whacking Clare with her pillow. "Honestly wake. Up! Do you know how long I was standing outside your door? You're going to be late to class!" Susan jumped down from off the bed and riffled through Clare's drawers looking for their uniform.

"Class?" Clare mumbled rubbing her eye.

"Yes! Class! Here in a magic castle ringing any bells?" Susan had started tossing clothes onto the bed then moved to gather up books to put in her bag.

A large halo of hair engulfed Clare's face as she stretched and yawned. Jasper had managed to get on top of the bed as well and took to licking her face.

"Breakfast." Said Clare working through morning fog.

"You missed it." Susan replied. "I mean maybe there might be some left but I doubt it."

Something connected and finally the gears started to turn. Clare's eyes went big as she sat frozen for a moment. Missed breakfast...classes. CLASSES! Clare jumped up then hastily felt for her wand under her covers and pillows. She found it and tucked it into a robe pocket then zoomed around the room getting ready. Throwing on the clothes Susan laid out for her she grabbed her satchel and said her goodbyes before slipping Maokai back under her robe. Susan pointed to her mane and suggested she brush it to which Clare shook her head violently.

"You can't brush this. I normally do it in the bathroom but there's no time now." Instead she grabbed two hair ties and did her best to make two small buns. Were they messy? Yes. Still poofy? Of course. They might of been lopsided too but that was all that could be done so the girls headed out to class. There was a spot breakfast left as they hurried out so Clare grabbed a bite of egg here, a sausage there, and a piece of toast before they managed to make it out of the hall.

Clare frowned a bit when they managed to just make it to transfiguration. Her seat up front was taken up by Leanne and Wayne. She and Susan sat in the back and Clare frowned again as the table closest to them had Justin and Rodger occupying it. Justin she didn't mind but Roger pestered her all class making it hard to pay attention. A quiz was handed out and everyone focused appropriately although Pansy found it hard to lay her quill down once the quiz was finished gaining her some chastisement from the professor. Throughout McGonagall's lecture and homework assignments Roger had turned to Clare and questioned her about borrowing her notes or copying her homework since she was doing so well. Her paper was slightly longer than the others' had been and very well written, which had earned her a few extra points and praise from McGonagall. Even so their next class on Thursday would be a practical on casting of the spell to be followed up on Monday for the grade. McGonagall gave them a second assignment of picking any other object in the room to write a smaller essay on since there had been some students still having a hard time describing similarities and differences.

Clare made her way over as the students dispersed, "Professor would you like me to give a more detailed description of my item? Or should I re pick altogether?"

McGonagall gave a slight smile, "My dear I think you should pick an item that is completely the opposite of your first object." With a hand at her back McGonagall lead Clare into the fray of students then turned to address someone else.

Clare wandered semi-aimlessly about the room lost in thought. Maybe that jar there? I could turn the contents into… pickles? In liquid that's probably briney? No I'd have no way of knowing that… Maybe this? Clare moved from her mystery jar to another item but then shook her head. Maybe I should pick something familiar, that bird perch was recognizable and easy enough. Her mind whirled as she looked through many different magical curios. The professor spoke over the mummer of students more about the spell itself, its wand movements, and even demonstrated again its enunciation and how to cast it. Clare was so focused on finding her item she barely listened and hadn't noticed she wandered close to where a group of Slytherins had huddled together. It was a group of girls all sort of orbiting one in the middle. Truly Clare only recognized it as a hindrance to her looking about the room but did her best to push politely by. Ah! A globe! Clare grinned excitedly and plucked the globe from a desk top. One of the girls had said something to Clare as she passed but she only responded with an 'uh-huh' as she hurried back to her desk. She wrote as quickly as she could before class was up so she wouldn't lose her train of thought once homework time came around.

Next class held a surprise as she had suspected. Hufflepuff would share a class with Gryffindor. Again they paired up and even made and semi un-official group with Justin, Susan, and Clare with Lily and Lavender. Lavender had managed to keep their group broke up for most of the class which was technically fine since they weren't really supposed to have large groups. For a short while Clare noticed they were copying the same plant as Harry so she whispered a friendly 'hello'. She flipped her paper over to show her not so good handy work but Harry just shrugged and pointed to Ron's paper which at the most had a dirt smudge and half a sentence on it. They shared a giggle and were interrupted by Hermione fussing to Neville about his notes or something. She basically drug him to Professor Sprout and made him ask some sort of question.

"Blimey." Ron bemoaned under his breath rolling his eyes. He sort of tugged at Harry so they would slip out from Hermione's radar and Harry gave a quick wave goodbye.

Justin had made a few spectacular drawing of flowers Professor Sprout gave particular praise on. This of course started up a round 'name that plant'. The person to answer would get a point earned if they answered fast enough and praise from the professor. Roger had turned it into winning and losing to which the loser would get pelted with a clod of dirt. Most of the girls darted about the muggy greenhouse squealing not wanted to get dirty even though Professor Sprout gave a hearty laugh saying a bit of dirt was good for you. It wasn't until Roger had pelted Seamus and Ron did an all out dirt fight start. Soon laughter roared in the tiny greenhouse with dirt clods flying everywhere. One had been muddy and hit Neville right square in the chest.

"Aw really?" He protested semi-distraught.

"Come now Longbottom it's just a spot of mud. Seamus you put that down right now! Hannah that's a rock dear let's not throw those. Roger-" Professor Sprout had stopped short of what was presumably going to get him to cease his shenanigans. A clod of dirt however, had smacked her right in the face. A piece of greenage still hung to the blackened bit and even swayed slightly. Most everyone stood quiet, still, and wide eyed waiting for points to be deducted or some version of punishment to follow.

"Roger." Professor Sprout smudged the bit of dirt off her face and cupped it in her hand. "That is quiet enough of that." She stated calmly and reached out to grab him. Instead she turned her hand up and patted him softly on the head taking time to pat the soft dirt onto his hair. "Anyone agree? That that's quite enough fun. For. Now?" Everyone snickered in agreement and finally the last bit of class was had. She waved them all goodbye and bid they have a good lunch as the lot marched hot and dirty back up to the castle.

Again lunch was shared with the older years pointing and laughing at the first years and demanding they explain what looked like they had had obvious fun with their head of house. A pair of older girls named Maxine and Heidi poked the even more poofy balls that had become Clare's buns and had a good laugh at the hot mess of it all. Some of her curls had matted together with dirt and sweat and somehow she managed to have a twig in one of the buns which Susan promptly fished out. Clare laughed along agreeing one of the ways to know she had fun was to look at how messy her hair would get.

Taking a short lunch again Clare excused herself and hurried to the common room. She took a moment to feed and play with everyone, of course letting Jasper sniff at all the new smells, then hurried for the bathrooms. She didn't want to be late to class but also felt a little self conscious about her looks. She washed her face and hands vigorously with soap and water. Next were her robes which she dabbed, blotted, and scrubbed to remove dirt or any other questionables. Lastly she ever so carefully took out her buns. With the help of some water she actually managed to pull loose some of the knots. After examining the lot she gave a defeated shrug then simply tousled her hair about to get rid of any debris. She looked at her reflection and tilted her head Meh I've seen worse. Quickly she threw her hair back into its messy buns, grabbed her robes, and headed back out to the dining hall. She just caught up to the usual group as they headed for the stairs. The girls hurried up the corridors to the third floor. Satchels jostled about as Clare hastily fixed her tie while Susan babbled on about how lucky it was to have Clare to make more nice smelling flowers.

"OOOO this time make a Gardenia or maybe Lilac?" Susan let her thoughts trail off.

Clare felt a hand pull her back just as she had straightened her tie. She would have squeaked or something if Maokai hadn't already tightened about her neck in surprise.

"Maybe a beautiful….rose?" Susan came to a confused stop just now noticing she stood alone in the hallway. She tilted her head slightly and pointed back the way they had came then front ways to the class.

Clare soon found herself drug back down the hallway to the side and before she could ask noticed the bathrooms.

Selene had stood her next to one of the mirrors from which their reflections and sinks behind them could be seen.

"Why have you kidnapped me to the bathrooms?" Clare started. She also realized they had completely left Susan behind. Clare called loudly, her voice echoing in the long bathroom "Susan!"

Selene then procured a brush and gestured if she might could brush the mess that was Clare's hair.

"Oh uh haha no that's not going to do anything but get stuck." Said Clare gaving a nervous laugh.

Susan popped in beaming when she saw the two and waved just as casual as ever to Selene, "There you are. I wondered where you went."

"I didn't go anywhere I was kidnapped." Clare eye'd the brush. It had hundreds of soft bristles of a light cream color set in a wooden handle. She felt her stomach turn imagining the many knots and tangles it would pull and or get stuck in.

"Ooo goodie a make-over!" Susan clapped and started musing over Clare's robes. "I have some cute ribbon in here somewhere!" She exclaimed and began digging into her satchel.

Selene smiled patiently and shook her head slightly. She set the brush down and gestured for Clare to pull her hair down out of the bun.

Clare sighed heavy and attempted to wrench the hair tie out as it had now gotten semi-stuck itself. "I promise -ow- it's going to get stuck." She pulled loose the second tie and with it a few strands of her curly hair. She rubbed her head tenderly and looked at her reflection. Although now her hair was free it surprising had hardly moved from the form it was in before. The sight made Susan pick at the odd ended curls and giggle.

"Let's just get this over with. We'll be late to class." Clare's voice was shaky and she could feel her knees wobble. She shut her eyes tight and braced herself for the tug fest that would soon be on her head.

Selene grimaced slightly then turned Clare to face the mirror. She attempted to run her fingers through her hair but they snagged almost immediately. Selene took to just grabbing a handful of hair and started right at the scalp. Clare tensed up and scrunched her eyes shut.

"Are you gonna do it or what?" Clare asked, her face still scrunched up and eyes shut tight. The sound of Susan squealing in delight made Clare ever so slightly open one eye. In the mirror her reflection waited in the same pain anticipating pose she held but as Selene continued to brush she also noted sections of hair that had obviously been brushed and now hung in long semi-uniform curls. The dirt and debris had been removed to be replaced by a sweet flowery scent.

"What kind of brush is that." Clare asked staring dumbfounded at her hairs reflection.

"Oooo I think green would be perfect! It matches your eyes." Susan interrupted holding out four or five ribbons of green. "Or blue? I know PINK is perfect!"

"If you put pink in my hair I'll let Jasper pee on your pillow." Clare gave a harsh look to Susan though not quite an 'I'm evil and will kill you in your sleep' sort of look. No letting Jasper pee on her pillow was good enough.

"Shesssssssshh fine." Susan said but reluctantly stashed her ribbons. She pulled out a black and gold set. "Use these they match our house!"

About halfway Selene paused and showed the back of the brush it read Elegant's Elegance on the handle. Susan took over after the brushing to take time to add in the braids while Selene straightened Clare's robes, brushing them smooth before stepping back and nodding in approval.

Clare turned her head this way and that looking at the smooth curls. "Uhm thank you… Never had a brush to actually…. Do that before." Clare said thanking Selene but still not sure if she believed what she saw or not. Susan took a section of hair and tied it with a black ribbon. Braiding down she added more ribbon and hair til at last she finished leaving Clare with two large braids. They had black and gold ribbon laced in and were tied in smart little black and gold knots. A few of her more unruly curls snaked their way out of submission around the edges but other than that everything looked perfect.

Susan beamed at her handy work with slight pink coming to her cheeks.

Overall everyone seemed amazed and pleased with the new look. With a nod Selene turned to Susan and smirked at her then shifted her bag. She left out the bathroom without any other acknowledgment.

DADA went by in a rather dull manner. Professor Quirrell assigned them many chapters to read for homework and told them about it's follow up quiz on Thursday. Susan's choice of finally picking a rose as the flower they would use in class was in fact the most eventful thing that happened in class. Charms had come and gone in the same manner. Their quiz had ended early and earned them all praise from the professor who thought, at this rate they might come to correctly cast the spell ahead of schedule.

For their last class Hufflepuff had a study hall with Ravenclaw headed by Professor Sprout. Housemates mingled with each other and formed their own clicks. Clare found herself in a group with Susan and Justin from her house as well as Oliver, Sue Li, and Padma Patil. And even though she liked her group, Clare soon found herself hiding under a book fort fast asleep. It wasn't long before the bustling of students filing into the hall for dinner woke her however as did a light slap on her back from her houses prefect.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." He said jokingly taking his seat. She greeted everyone with a yawn and a stretch. The topic of conversation today was dominated by quidditch and to Clare's surprise Harry Potter. He seemed to have gotten himself into quite the bit of trouble when he had his first flight lesson. Rumors abounded at what he had or hadn't done and whether or not he might get expelled.

"Well I got fussed at too. Maybe you know, Madam Hooch is just really strict." She commented. Soon food appeared in all its many plates, bowls, and platters. When everyone had piled their plates Cedrick picked the conversation back up.

"That would be about right but the last anyones seen of Potter, Professor McGonagall had him and hurried him off the field."

"I say that's a sure sign he's done for." Said Stebbins before stuffing more food into his mouth.

Susan and Clare found themselves squished together as Fred and George elbowed and bunched in on either side of them making the girls giggle.

"So you're hearing about the latest gossip about our newest star." Started Fred with a playful light to his eyes.

"You mean about how he's toast and anywhere from getting detention or being sent home?" Clare asked grunting through the pressure.

"What? No so listen right, our Harry showed that tosser Malfoy what's what." Said George.

"Didn't he though? AND it was only his first flying lesson." Added Fred the tone of ever amazement.

Susan elbowed back and grinned, "What are you two on about?"

"Honestly you Hufflepuffs." Fred said shaking his head in shame.

"You'd think they lived under a kitchen or something." Finished George. The two exchanged glances then started in on the juicy bits taking over each others sentences.

"Harry-"

"The Harry."

"Had his very first ever flying lesson just today."

"And thoroughly walloped Malfoy."

"See he's been boasting how splendid he is on a broom." Fred said leaning in.

"Spectacular." Chimed George.

"Spectacular." Said Fred rolling his eyes.

"Thinks he's a slick git." They both agreed.

"Straight up swiped Neville's remembrall." Said Jordan sliding into the space in front of them. "Thought he was going to have a go at Potter for a moment but then what does he do?"

"He throws it of course!" Exclaimed Fred.

"Right across the yard." Added George.

"And like a rocket SSHHOOMM Harry's off after it." Jordan motioned with his hands for emphasis. He lowered his voice and leaned in, "I even hear McGonagall is going to make him seeker for the gryffindor team."

Clare's eyes went big, "Whaaaat?" She gasped. "Seeker!"

"That's right so no pressure. It's not like he'll give gryffindor a HUGE lead or anything." Said Fred placing a hand on her shoulder.

"All you have to do is you know, out do the Boy Who Lived and I'm sure you'll make the Puffs team." Said George patting her on the back sympathetic like. Clare's mouth just hung open and she repeated 'what'.

"Bugger off you two." Hollard Stebbins from down the table. "Hufflepuff's made of their own stuff. Don't need no Harry Potter to be great." He said tossing a muffin at one of the twins. They dodged and laughed tossing the muffin between each other before pegging Jordan with it. They started digging in when Clare asked why Malfoy had taken Neville's remembrall anyway.

"Aw, that's just a Malfoy thing to do." Said Jordan shrugging it off.

"He's a real chip off the ol' block from daddy that Draco." Said Fred.

"Neville got one of those wonky brooms and fell off, lost it then." Added George.

"Madam Hooch took him to the infirmary though so he's fine." Finished Jordan.

"What do you mean wonky. Didn't know what he was doing?" Clare asked confused.

"Not everyone is a great flyer." Said Susan, her face giving a small grimace remembering her own flight.

"Not as good as you anyway." Lily had spotted them from the other table and moved to take a new seat with Clare and her friends. Lavender was with her and made a sort of gross face then busied herself with talking to anyone else at the table.

"Hey that's right you guys already had your first lesson?" Jordan spoke up, interested. "How'd it go?"

"Well Clare definitely passes with 'flying colors'." Said Susan elbowing her friend.

"Well I did ok." Clare said sheepily.

"Ha! More than ok." Said Lily giving her a wink. She raised her voice enough for the older years down the table to hear, "She zooms about our orchard all day back home. Apples fall of by the dozens but they never touch ground."

"Spectacular." Smiled Jordan nodding his head causing Clare to blush a little.

"'Spectacular'." Mocked the twins.

"She'll have more chances to fly." Said Cedrick from down the table, "I'm sure she'll even make the team….eventually."

Clare mumbled a thanks to everyone and played in her food before elbowing Fred next to her, or was it George?

Sneaking her pets out again Clare made her way down to the lake. Lily brought Lavender with her which made Clare roll her eyes. Susan and Lily were alright with her pets but she would not let Lavender keep Maokai hidden. Merry, Berry, Lulu, and Jasper ran up and down the banks while everyone chatted.

"I will say this." Lavender started. "I'm glad you cleaned up from herbology. Your hair looks positively lovely even for you." Clare scrunched her face but chose not to take offense. "I heard someone took to saying hurtful things about you."

"Well we all walked out very dirty." Lily said, "Besides who said anything not one of us?"

"No...it's just something I heard." Lavender picked at the grass, "Something about her dirty face and overall appearance...something about being a mudbl-"

"Lavender!" Lily gasped joined in with a shocked face from Susan.

"I'm not saying it! I just mean that's what I heard!" Lavender leaned back and cupped her knee and placed a hand over her breast, "I would never say something that mean!"

Clare rolled her eyes again. Yeah right.

Susan had a strained look on her face as she tapped her chin, "Could it have been that girl… in transfiguration?"

"What girl?" Clare asked.

"She was with Selene…. Well not with her with her but a Slytherin too." Susan gestured with her hands, "Kinda long of hair like this dark, you know like this." She tilted her head high into the air.

"Her?" Lily asked pointing across the way. Sure enough a first year Slytherin was walking down the hill in a not too pleased mood, towing a few people in her wake. "Well I'm sure your new dew is to blame for that!" Lily smiled petting at Clare's braids. Clare gave a small smile and mumbled a light maybe.

Susan gave a happy squeal again, "I know isn't it pretty!"

The girls fussed over hair for about as long as Clare could stand and finally Maokai came slithering out from a lazy nap.

"Oh eww!" Lavender exclaimed then quickly hushed her voice. "Can't you keep that thing maybe anywhere else but here!" Her voice obviously disgusted.

"I mean." Clare started sheepishly picking him up and petting him, "You can always leave." She added a bit firmly.

Lavender scoffed and got up in a huff, "Gladly!" She had only made it halfway up the hill before calling back to see if Lily would follow. Lily gave a sympathetic look and gave Clare a hug before leaving. Susan on the other hand couldn't have been in more agreeance that she leave.

"Suits me! Maokai is way cuter than she is!" She said booping him on the snoot.

The sound of screeching caught their attention from near the trees as they spotted Selene playing with her owl. He was large by comparison and took delight in being thrown into the air. Clare thought she might have caught a glimpse of Selene looking their way and maybe even saw the hint of a satisfied smirk.