So, I avoided him. It was just like last semester, actually, but without Ary. We still wrote to each other daily, and invited us all to tea at her mum's for our first Hogsmeade day. Lily and Hugo still got in trouble, Rose still studied, and Albus and I still read together, although it wasn't as frequent as it had been, but that was okay.

Soon enough, two weeks had passed, and it was my birthday again, and quidditch tryouts. I shuddered.

"It's alright, Lin, it'll be over soon." Jack reassured me as we both watched James score past every keeper that was trying out.

"There's only two more left, Jack!" I grabbed him by the front of his robes. "They've all stunk so far! What're the odds that those two will be better?"

He pointed behind me. "Apparently, not that big."

I looked to where he was pointing. A girl with dull red hair was doing very well. James hadn't scored once. I felt like crying. We really needed to win the Cup this year, because it would make us, and therefore me, look better to quidditch scouts.

The girl touched down shortly afterwards, without letting a single quaffle past her. I hugged her tightly. "I love you."

"Get off her, you nutter!" Jack stifled laughter as he ripped me from her. "Alright, tell me your name, love."

She looked in shock at me. "Sally McLaggen, fifth year."

Jack nodded towards me. "You still want a spot on the team? She's the seeker, and we need her, unfortunately."

I scowled at him.

Sally nodded. "I know. I'll take it, if you'll have me!"

I hugged her again. "You're an angel!"

Sally tentatively hugged back while Jack laughed at us.

I dragged Sally back with me to the Gryffindor common room. "It's my birthday," I explained on our way, "but we should also celebrate finding you, or, you finding us." I paused.

"Thank you." She blushed.

"It's no problem. " I looked closely at her. "Hey, are you related to the Weasleys?"

She giggled. "No, but I get that a lot."

I shrugged, and then resumed tugging her along. "I should've been able to tell. Your hair has more actual red in it than theirs."

I finally pushed her through the portrait hole, where my friends were waiting by the fire. Jane stood up to greet me. "Is this the new keeper?"

Sally nodded. "My name's Sally McLaggen. I'm a fifth year."

Jane handed her a butterbeer, and then toasted her. "Congrats, Sally. May you keep Linny sane this quidditch season."

Everyone laughed but me. I pouted.

"No, none of that on your birthday, Lin," Georgie told me semi-seriously as she pushed me into a chair. "Besides, you have to open your presents!"

I cheered as Edgar found his way into my lap. He purred as I ripped the packages open.

Several moments later, I looked at my presents happily, I had gotten everything I had wanted, and Ary had happily sent hers to Jane so I could open them all together. The team had even gotten me a toy snitch.

So you can imagine my surprise when Rose handed me a last, small box. I looked at it in confusion. She blushed. "I, uh…"

Lily stepped in at this point. "Look. It's complicated. Just open it."

I looked at her curiously, but did what she told me to.

I gasped. Jane got up to look at was cupped in my palms. "Oh," she breathed, "that's gorgeous."

"What?" Carly demanded. "Hold it up!"

I did. It was a shimmering snitch on a golden chain. The snitch was dainty and delicate, and covered in intricate designs. I gave another gasp when it popped open and showed it held a clock, and a miniature picture frame.

I looked around at everyone. "Who… ?"

Lily shrugged. "Do you like it?"

I turned to her. "You..?"

She shook her head. "It's a secret. Do you like it, Lin?"

I nodded, and so she leaned forward and put it around my neck. "Then wear it. It's beautiful on you."

Edgar placed a paw on it after it had settled over my chest. He meowed, and I laughed. "I guess we both like it."

Jane patted me on the shoulder and placed a kiss on Edgar's nose. "Come on, you lot. Let's get to bed. We have classes tomorrow, after all."

I picked up Edgar and made my way to the stairs. Or, at least tried to, but found myself instead face to face with James Potter.

He grinned. "Happy birthday, Yan- Lin."

I stared at him. "Did you call me Lin?"

He chuckled. "I thought you wanted me to."

I frowned. "I did."

He tilted his head to the side. "So, why are you upset about it?

I jutted my chin out. "I'm not!"

He sighed as he patted Edgar's head. "What's the cat's name?"

"Edgar," I said stiffly. Why wasn't he leaving?

"As in Edgar Allan Poe?"

My jaw dropped, and I could've sworn I heard everyone else in the room's drop, too. "What?"

He squared his jaw. "You heard me."

I shook my head. "Um, yeah."

He finally stepped aside to let me pass. "Goodnight."

I went by him without responding. I heard him sigh again. I thought he would leave, but I was on the third step when I heard him say, "Nice necklace, by the way."

I blushed, and turned to look at him, but he was gone.

I looked at Jane in shock. She shrugged, but avoided my gaze.