A/N: Hey guys, I just want to apologize for not updating as much. My computer crashed and I lost a good majority of the story I had already written and was waiting to update. Just bear with me! Thanks!

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I giggled as I lead Georgie, Jane, and Carly to the Charms classroom. It was totally silent, except for my barely suppressed giggles.

Carly smacked me on the head. "What is up with you?"

Georgie whined. "Where are we going?"

I spun around to look at them. Georgie was in a velvet green dress that ended with a flare at her knees with long sleeves and a modest neckline. Jane was in a baby blue silk dress that made her look like a fairy. And Carly, I giggled again, was in pink.

She smacked me again, guessing my thoughts. I had told Jane and her about the party already, but Georgie was still in the dark. I sobered. "Look, we're almost there, I promise."

I quickly spun back around and resumed walking, searching for it.

And there it was, tied to a doorknob half an hour ago by myself. I handed the blindfold to Georgie. "Put this on."

She looked at me with a suspicious look on her face. I pouted, and she caved in.

I took her by the hands and led her to another door a little ways away. Carly and Jane quickly opened the door, and I led Georgie through. "Okay," I smiled, "you can take it off now."

She did so with a gasp, tears springing to her eyes. I looked at our surroundings as well. Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with myself.

It had taken a lot of threatening, coaxing, and ass-kissing, but I had pulled all of the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor upperclassmen together for this night. The Charms classroom looked nothing like it usually did. Twinkling lights lit the room from their places on the ceiling, creating the illusion of abnormally bright starlight. There were blue and green ribbons everywhere, since they were Georgie's favorite colors. Music was playing softly from a magical stereo Carly had set up.

Usually the dance Ravenclaw had was much more informal, but I had made them dress up for the occasion. Not dress robe-fancy, but close enough. There was punch and food and a table full of presents. And then, there was Louis, dressed in nice slacks and a shirt holding a rose.

Georgie stepped forward. I had finally gotten her to admit she really liked Louis. Always had, apparently, or, at least, that's what Carly said. They had grown up together, and new each other better than Jane and I did.

Louis offered her the rose. "Happy birthday, Georgie. Care to dance?"

She nodded as she clutched the rose tightly. The music became louder, and they began to dance. Everyone else took that for the signal, and began to dance to. Carly clapped me on the back. "You're amazing, Lin."

I sniffled. "I just want her to be happy."

Jane hugged me. "She is." She winked and opened her mouth to say something else, but was cut off.

"Jane. D'you reckon," Marcus paused and scratched his head as he tilted his head to the side. "Um. I mean, will you," he tried again, before throwing his hands in the air in frustration. "I give up."

And with that, he kissed her.

She stood stiffly, until she melted into his embrace. Breathlessly, she tore her lips from his and placed his hands on her waist. "Dance?"

He smiled at her, and away they went.

Carly burst into laughter after they left. "Damn. Was that you, too, Lin?"

I faced her with a twinkle in my eye. "Well, it's the perfect opportunity, don't you think?"

She smiled, but quickly froze. "Did you set me up, too?"

I scowled at her. "Thanks for reminding me of my failure. I can't figure you out, you know. Who do you like?"

She smiled brightly at me. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She patted me on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Lin. I would've never forgiven you if you had set me up like this, you know."

I nodded, and slung an arm around her. "I know. Want to dance?"

She snorted, and adjusted me so I was in a waltz position. "Sure."

And we danced like that for a few songs. I laughed at everyone's expressions as we left the dance floor. "Looks like we'll be the new hot topic for gossipers tomorrow."

She snorted as she helped herself to some punch. I looked at the room again. "Louis is brilliant. I hope they work out."

She sipped her drink, and then looked at it strangely. "This has been spiked with firewhiskey!"

I slapped my forehead. "Jack."

"Hello!" He popped up brightly, and flashed a smile at us both. "Care to dance, Lin?"

I frowned. "Did you spike it with firewhiskey?"

He grinned mischievously. "Perhaps. Still care to dance?"

Carly fumed. "What about me?"

He winked at her. "Oi, I'm only asking to be polite, after all. I'm planning on having you to myself the rest of the night."

He spun me away from her as she roared at him, "JACK GOWAN, YOU ARE –"

But soon we were engulfed by the crowd. I laughed at him. "Carly, hmm?"

He grinned sheepishly. I patted him on the back. "It's alright. I have a sneaking suspicion she likes you, too, but you didn't hear it from me."

He hugged me before resuming our dancing stances. "Thanks, Lin."

An hour later I was by myself straightening the piles of presents on the table. I glanced over at where Georgie and Louis were talking, completely oblivious to everyone around them. Oh yeah, I had done good.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and saw Albus. "Heya, Al."

He offered his hand. "Wanna dance?"

It was a fast paced song. I took his hand, and giggled. "I didn't know you could dance, Al."

He spun me effortlessly. "Lily wanted to learn, so I did, too."

I laughed as he dipped me. "You're a true gentleman."

He glanced around. "Your friends sure are having fun."

I grinned as I saw Carly and Jack bickering. Oh yeah, she totally likes him! "I'm glad for them."

"What about you, Lin?" He looked at me curiously. "Don't you have a boyfriend?"

I sighed. "No, but that's alright. I don't mind not having a boyfriend," I told him as he spun me again, "in fact, I enjoy it. Relationships are messy." I looked at him. "What about you, Al?"

He shrugged. "There's someone I'd like to ask, but I don't really know how to yet."

I patted his shoulder. "Want me to set you up?"

He rolled his eyes. "Lin, thank you, but no thank you."

I frowned. "But look at tonight, I could go into business –"

"Madam Puddifoot's is enough, thank you." A new, though familiar voice interrupted us. "Mind if I take her?"

I glanced up at James. "Aren't you going to ask me?"

He took Albus's place, who had quietly slipped away. "And give you the chance to say no? Never."

I scowled at him as he twirled me around. "And here I was thinking you were improving."

He grinned at me. "Oh yeah? How?"

I snorted, but avoided his eyes, and instead stared at the collar of his shirt. "I dunno. You've been more polite lately."

He dipped me. I gasped and clutched at him. It had been unexpected. He chuckled. "Scared of heights?" I stuck my tongue out at him as he stood me upright and continued dancing. "Oh, that's very mature, Ms. Pub Brawl."

I blushed. "How did you find out about that?" I demanded.

He laughed. "Carly told us after dinner a couple of days ago. Of course, you had already gone up to bed." He was silent for a moment, and then sighed, suddenly becoming serious. "I meant what I said that day on the train, you know."

The song changed, and he held me closer and more intimately. I was too busy blushing to notice, though. "That you, you –"

"That I like you," he whispered.

I closed my eyes. My heart was racing in my chest. Jesus Christ he smells good.

"You look beautiful, Caroline."

Why did you wear this dress? I thought back to my decision-making process. It was a dark, deep blue that reminded me of the ocean.

You're such a beach bum!

"Lin?" I opened my eyes to see him leaning down. He was too close. Oh my gosh, he was too close, but I couldn't move.

"JACK!"

Carly's shriek snapped me out of my daze. I glanced at him briefly before taking off like a shot towards Carly. She was spluttering at Jack, who looked extremely pleased with himself. I grabbed Carly's arm. "Carly."

She looked at me, indignant, but immediately softened when she took in my expression. "Come on." She held me protectively to her side. She looked over at Jack. "I will deal with you later, Gowan," she promised.

She took me back to the dormitories, which were quiet. Everybody who wasn't a sixth or seventh year was probably in bed, and everyone else was at the party. She sat me down on my bed. "Lin?"

I was shaking. "He likes me."

"Who?" She looked concerned.

I hyperventilated. "Potter!"

She scratched her head. "James?"

I nodded and moaned as I curled up into a ball. Edgar jumped up on the bed and nuzzled my head.

"Well," she paused, "didn't you know?"

I looked at her, surprised. "Did you?"

"Well," she looked highly uncomfortable, "you told me!"

I buried my face in Edgar's fur. He gave a little meow in protest. "I thought he liked me as a friend."

"Oh." She softly patted my back. "Well, do you like him?"

"I don't know!" I wailed, and threw my arms around her.

"Well, bugger." I heard her mutter.

I released her and fell back onto my bed. "What about you?"

She sighed and fell back next to me. "Jack kissed me."

I turned my head to see her blushing. "Isn't that a good thing?"

She scowled up at my ceiling. "Who says I fancy him?"

I bit back my laughter. "C'mon Carly, I know you. Jack's a great guy. Why don't you give it a chance?"

"I'm scared," she admitted softly. "I don't like being scared."

I wrapped my arms around her. "I know. Me, too."

"What a pair we make, eh Lin?" She laughed, but it was devoid of laughter.

I just sighed.