Nope sorry don't own anything that you recognize!

I was a little torn what to do... post another chapter or respond to the reviews... so I decided to post this chapter as a THANK YOU for those of you who have reviewed and added this story to your favorites and alerts! (I will get around to answering the reviews! Just a little busy with the Holidays right now!)

Chapter Twenty-eight

Hufflepuff's Victory

Taylor found it hard to concentrate that Friday on anything. Everywhere she went between classes she found herself looking for a certain tall Hufflepuff. When she did see him, her heart would start to pound and the butterflies returned. She was amazed that she had gone from yesterday not noticing the dark haired Head Boy, to being incredibly excited every time she did see him today.

Harry, she noticed, would scowl at Greg every time he saw him and Ron, who had been out on patrol last night when they had returned, arguing, to the common room, had obviously sided with Harry and was now scowling at the Hufflepuff too.

The worst part of the day though was during their double study period when she was creeping along under Harry's invisibility cloak with him, searching their quadrant.

Harry kept on growling about how Hunter was too old for her, until she pointed out that Greg was the same age as he and Ginny. Then Harry started in on how suspicious it was that Hunter was noticing her now, with Voldemort back at full strength, and how it might be some sort of ploy to get at her. By the time the bell rang for them to go to their last class of the day, Taylor was ready to turn Harry into a pebble so that she could throw him out into the black lake with the giant squid.

At least that night Ginny came with Taylor and Harry when they went to search another quadrant and she quickly sided with Taylor and Harry stopped his complaining, but he still glared at Taylor whenever she happened to look at him.

Their systematic search of the castle was proceeding fairly quickly, except they had yet to discover a single clue that might lead them to another horcrux. Plus with all their energy going into searching the castle they hadn't had any time to research how to destroy the one they did have.

Taylor had to admit that she was feeling as if she was letting the others down by the time they all returned to the deserted common room late that night because she was going to the game tomorrow, instead of doing some more searching like they had originally planned.

Hermione seemed to read her mind though because she said after several silent minutes went by, as the five exhausted friends sat in front of the dying fire. "I think maybe we should all go to the game tomorrow. We need a break from this constant searching. Besides the way the Slytherins are talking the game won't last all that long anyway."

An animated discussion then broke out about Hufflepuff's chances against Slytherin the next day, and in the end the five-some decided that they would go to the game and see how it went.

Taylor was up early the next morning. The sky was still dark, heavy clouds hid the stars and a raw wind rattled the glass in the windows. By the time Taylor had returned from her shower a pale light was starting to turn the grounds a cold gray and a few snow pellets pinged against the windowpanes. Taylor put on her old jeans, turtleneck and the navy jumper she had received from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley last Christmas. She also dug out her scarf and mittens and laid them on her bed with her cloak. She glanced at the clock on Hermione's nightstand. It was only seven forty-five, too early to head down to the Great Hall for breakfast. After a moment's hesitation she grabbed her charms book and headed down to the common room to get a head start on her charms homework.

The common room was empty and Taylor curled up in front of the fire, transfigured a pillow into a blanket and settled down to read. It was almost an hour later before another Gryffindor joined her in the common room. The third year settled at a table on the other side of the common room and disappeared behind a mound of books and parchment. Taylor had finished her required reading assignment but thoroughly engrossed in the charms that they would be studying after the holidays, she kept reading.

"Hey Taylor, have you been down to breakfast yet?" asked Ginny as she sat down on the other end of the sofa.

"No. I thought I'd wait for you guys," Taylor said without looking up from her book.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes until Hermione joined them.

"Did you finish your charms reading?" Hermione asked and when Taylor answered "uhm hmm", she continued, "What did you think of the animation charm on page two hundred and eight?" The ensuing discussion lasted until Harry and Ron came down from the boy's dormitories at five to ten.

Taylor ran her book back up to her room and grabbed her cloak, scarf and mittens so she wouldn't have to return for them after breakfast. The butterflies were back in her stomach as she made her way down through the castle with her friends. Harry and Ron seemed to have accepted her coming date with Hunter. At least they didn't say anything to her about it.

The Great Hall was filled with chatter about the coming match, a rare sense of excitement in the air. The enchanted ceiling was steel gray, like the clouds outside and snow fell sparsely, disappearing before it touched the tables.

Taylor saw the dark brown hair of the Head Boy at the Hufflepuff table as soon as she entered the hall but she followed her friends over to the Gryffindor table and sat down to eat. The swarm of butterflies in her stomach kept her from eating more than a piece of toast.

Now that the time was almost here, Taylor was starting to second-guess her decision to go to the game with Greg. All the reasons Harry had come up with for her not to go, made perfect sense now. What did she know about the Hufflepuff? What if it was a ploy to get her away from her friends? Why should he be interested in her? She was just Harry Potter's friend. To everyone but her four friends she was just some lone muggle-born, nothing special.

"Taylor? Are you alright?" Hermione asked quietly as she leaned close to Taylor.

Taylor looked over at her friend's concerned face and shook her head slightly. "I think I made a mistake," Taylor whispered, "What was I thinking? I shouldn't be going on a date. I don't even know this guy. Besides, since when am I interested in guys?" Taylor rattled off the first few of her concerns that came to mind.

"Oh Taylor," Hermione smiled. "You didn't make a mistake. Greg is a nice guy. Don't let Harry and Ron ruin your fun today. You're not going anywhere but to a quidditch match. I think it's about time some guy finally asked you out." Hermione said softly, encouragingly.

"Hermione! I don't know the first thing about dating a guy!" Taylor whispered back as she started to panic.

"Just go, be yourself and have fun. And don't worry about those two clod heads," Hermione said softly as she inclined her head at the two boys sitting across from them stuffing their breakfast into their mouths, seemingly oblivious to the hushed conversation across from them. "Remember the hard time they gave me, and you always told me to ignore them, well I'm giving you the same advice."

Taylor smile weakly at her friend. She remembered telling Hermione just that, except that it had just been Ron who had really objected to Hermione dating.

"Hi, Taylor," a deep voice said behind Taylor and she looked up to see the boy who was causing her so much internal turmoil, standing behind her.

"Ah, hi." Taylor said quietly.

"Are you finished eating? I thought we'd head down to the quidditch stands if you were." Greg Hunter said with a smile.

Taylor glanced at Hermione and saw her best friend nod at her, smiling encouragingly. Taylor took a deep calming breath, wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and stood up. She didn't look over at Harry or Ron as she said, "I'll see you guys after the game, okay?" She heard both Hermione's and Ginny's farewell, but neither boy said a thing. Feeling hurt as well as nervous, Taylor pulled on her cloak as she walked with Greg out of the castle and down to the quidditch pitch. They didn't talk at all the whole way and when they reached the huge stands, Greg led Taylor up into the area that the Hufflepuff's were gathering to cheer from.

"You know, if you don't want to stay…" Greg said quietly but Taylor interrupted him.

"No, I do. It's just that… uhm… well, I've never been on any kind of date before." Taylor stammered, and turned bright red. She wondered if she could have stuffed anymore of her foot into her mouth.

"Oh… well I'm glad. I was starting to think that maybe you didn't want to come with me. I don't usually date either." Greg said with a growing smile. "I have an idea. Let's not call this a date, let's just say we're two friends who have come to watch a quidditch match."

Taylor felt an answering smile on her face and she nodded, suddenly feeling much better. "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea."

The stands started to fill and Taylor and Greg soon found themselves surrounded by cheering Hufflepuff's. Greg told her about each player and she cheered along with the rest of the Hufflepuff's when the canary yellow team took to the field.

The weather hadn't improved from first thing that morning and a cold wind whipped snowy ice pellets at one and all from the gray clouds overhead. By the time the snitch was let loose Taylor's teeth were chattering from the cold, but she was starting to enjoy herself. Greg had a way of making her laugh at the most ordinary things and she found that she was watching the tall Hufflepuff beside her as much as the game.

True to the early predictions the game didn't last long. Just a little over half an hour, but it was the Hufflepuff seeker who caught the snitch, and the Hufflepuffs beat the Slytherin's soundly one hundred seventy to twenty.

Taylor cheered herself almost hoarse with the rest of the Hufflepuffs.

"Party! Hufflepuff common room, one hour!" Yelled a sixth year two rows over from Taylor and Greg. "Hey Greg, are you coming?" the sixth year called, then added with a wink. "You can bring your girlfriend too!"

Greg just laughed as he walked away with Taylor, but once they were on their way across the frozen grounds he asked, "Would you like to come to the party? You don't have to, but there will be hot chocolate to warm you up."

Taylor laughed at his hound dog expression. She had relaxed some during the game and the butterflies that had plagued her earlier where just a slight flutter in her stomach, as she said. "Sure why not? I'd love to see if Hufflepuffs can throw a party as well as Gryffindors, purely for academic purposes." Taylor added in a mock serious voice.

"Of course. I know there will probably be several questions on our N.E.W.T.S. about the comparisons between the two houses impromptu parties." Greg said with a straight face and a voice very similar to McGonagall's, and then he broke into a huge grin.

"Hey Taylor!"

Taylor turned at the sound of her name and saw her four friends walking towards her, each couple holding hands.

"Hey! Quite a game wasn't it?" Taylor asked unable to keep off the silly grin she'd had on her face for the last half hour.

The five Gryffindors and Hufflepuff continued on up to the castle talking about the game. When they reached the Entrance Hall, four of the Gryffindor's started up the marble staircase towards their common room.

"Taylor? Aren't you coming?" Harry asked as soon as he realized Taylor had stopped.

Taylor's heart started to pound as she met her brother's green eyes then looked quickly away. "Ah… no actually. I'm going to the Hufflepuff party. I'll see you guys later, okay?"

"Yeah, okay, Taylor. We'll see you at supper?" Hermione answered, and Taylor glanced at her bushy haired friend, then at her brother again. Harry didn't look happy but he didn't say anything.

"I'll deliver Taylor to the Gryffindor table myself," Greg said cheekily as he met Potter's hostile glare.

Taylor rolled her eyes and decided that maybe a hasty retreat might be in order before Greg said anything more. She wasn't sure what Harry might do if Greg taunted him like that again.

An hour later the Hufflepuff common room was packed, someone had brought a wizarding wireless and music filled the room as well as plenty of laughter. Taylor found herself standing close to the wall. Greg had gone to get her another drink of pumpkin juice. The packed room had quickly warmed one and all, negating any more desire for hot chocolate.

"Are you having fun?" Greg asked as he passed her a glass.

"Oh yeah!" Taylor laughed as one of the chasers was animatedly showing a move from one of the Slytherin's. "Quite a party!"

The two stood watching the antics of the Hufflepuff chaser in companionable silence.

Taylor had slowly made her way around the Hufflepuff common room, as inconspicuously as possible searching, as she had much of the castle over the last week. She really didn't think she would find another horcrux here. They already had Helga Hufflepuff's teacup, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She had simply used the guise of looking at the unfamiliar common room.

"You know if you told me what you were looking for I might be able to help." Greg said a few minutes later.

Damn, she hadn't been as inconspicuous as she had thought. "What makes you think I'm looking for something, and not just really nosy?" Taylor asked feigning innocence.

Greg's eyes narrowed ever so slightly and his expression turned serious. "I've noticed that you and your friends seem to be searching the school." At Taylor's shocked expression he continued. "I'm Head Boy, Taylor. I'm out on patrol every night, and I've seen Weasley and Hermione patrolling the same corridor or stairway for longer than is necessary."

Taylor glanced around cautiously but no one was paying them any attention. "Maybe they are just slow patrolling?"

"I'm not stupid Taylor. Please, if you aren't going to tell me what you guys are up to, don't lie to me." It was said quietly but seriously.

Taylor sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was lie to Greg, but she couldn't tell him what Harry and them were up to.

As if sensing Taylor's reluctance to speak Greg asked, "Why don't we go someplace a little quieter and less crowded?"

Taylor followed Greg out of the Hufflepuff common room and up the corridor toward the Entrance Hall. He paused at a door and opened it. Taylor was surprised to see it was almost like an atrium. High glass windows let in the weak winter light and snow swirled around the bushes that hid much of the grounds from view. A roaring fire was in the fireplace, a bookshelf took up the other wall and numerous comfortable chairs were situated around the room.

"We use it as a study area. It was a office for a teacher at one time but it hasn't been used as one since my dad came here." Greg said as he closed the door behind them. He led the way over to a couple of overstuffed chairs in front of the fire and sat down. Taylor sat in the other one.

Now that they were alone Taylor felt the butterflies start in her stomach again. She wondered if he wanted to kiss her. According to Ron and Harry that's what most guys wanted when they got a girl alone. What would she do if he did want to kiss her? The butterflies turned into an angry swarm again and Taylor could feel her hands starting to sweat. Greg however seemed to again read that she was uncomfortable and he began talking.

"My Dad, he works at the Ministry, met my Mum when he was fresh out of Hogwarts. She's a muggle. He met her when he was doing an internship at the Ministry before he started in the Dept. of Mysteries. He's not an Unmentionable though. He didn't want to do that to Mum. He works on the less classified things."

"Your mum's a muggle?" Taylor asked, a little surprised that he would so openly admit that to her when such admissions were so dangerous now.

"Yeah, she loves my Dad but she made sure I went to grade school before I got my Hogwarts letter. I'm glad she did really, I learned a lot about muggles. I think that is some of our kind's biggest mistake, not understanding muggles better. I think that is where a lot of the prejudices come from. I took Muggle Studies here, but I dropped it after the first year. It wasn't all that informative. My Mum's parents are still alive and I go to visit them every summer, plus we go there for holidays sometimes. Mum likes to do everything muggle. It drives Dad crazy sometimes cause he could do it quicker with magic, but he usually gives in and does it, what Mum calls 'manually'."

Taylor listened as Greg told her about his dad's family. They were pure-bloods but they didn't have the pureblood attitude. He said he was even related to the Weasleys, a third cousin twice removed or something like that.

When he was finished Taylor didn't know what to say. She couldn't tell him about her brother, and she didn't know how much to say anyway.

"I didn't ask you out Taylor to find out about your personal life. I know the rumor is that you are muggle-born, but I don't care about that."

Taylor smiled a little at that. "Yeah, well, I grew up with my Uncle. I never knew my parents." She could be at least that honest with Greg, but she couldn't tell him any more.

Greg was quiet for a moment and when he spoke his voice was gentle, "I'm sorry. I didn't know about your parents."

Taylor shrugged. It was an old pain that throbbed through her chest. "That's okay. It was a long time ago."

"You only have your Uncle now?"

Taylor shook her head. While not common knowledge, this was no secret either. "No, he died a week before I received my Hogwarts letter."

"Oh," Greg said softly, "so you don't have any family left?"

Taylor met Greg's blue eyes. There was sadness and concern in them. "I have Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, they are my family now."

Greg nodded his head but he didn't look away. A slight smile curved his lips as he said, "That sure explains your close relationship with them. And Potter's and Weasley's hostile reaction to me." He laughed a little before he continued. "I was starting to think that they were jealous boyfriends or something."

Taylor couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh no, not boyfriends! Brotherly love I can handle from the two of them, but ewww!" Taylor shuddered at the thought of kissing either of those two.

Greg laughed too. They talked about school and their classes but when the talk turned to what she was planning to do after school, Taylor looked at the floor. She had never allowed herself to think about that, only of helping Harry get rid of Voldemort.

"You don't have any plans for after we graduate?" Greg asked after he had explained his desire to become an auror.

"I've never thought that far ahead." Taylor answered honestly.

"Because Harry is the Chosen One, and you are helping him?" There was just a hint of censure in his voice.

"Yes, I am. I may not have known my parents, but I know Voldemort (Greg flinched at the name) killed them and I plan on doing everything in my power to bring him down!" Taylor growled as her temper ignited.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to judge. It's just that, life goes on you know."

Taylor came to her feet and started to pace. "Life doesn't go on Greg! People are dying out there! Voldemort is trying to take over, and if he succeeds, life as we know it will cease!"

Greg stood up and caught Taylor's arm and turned her to face him. "Taylor, I'm sorry again. I didn't mean it like it sounded. I know if You-Know-Who comes into power things will be hell. My family hasn't escaped his terror. I have two cousins that are missing and another that was killed. I was just surprised that you haven't thought past the end of the year." His voice was sad and a pained expression crossed his face at the mention of his cousins.

Taylor closed her eyes and tried to rein in her temper. "I can't think past that. I've committed myself to helping Harry, however I can. In all likelihood I won't make it past the coming war." Only she knew how completely truthful her last statement was.

Greg stared at her shocked, as he swallowed audibly, "Surely you can't mean that. You can't plan to die Taylor. It might happen if there is a war, but…"

"There is no if Greg, only a when." Taylor said quietly but with absolute conviction.

"So you and Potter and the others, you're searching for things?" Greg didn't question Taylor about her fatalistic comment. It bothered him way more then it should to hear this girl before him so willing to die.

Taylor lowered her eyes. She couldn't tell him any more. It was too dangerous, for Harry's sake, and Greg's if someone should ever think she had confided in the Hufflepuff.

"You can't tell me." It wasn't a question. "If there is a war, I will fight too, you know. The vast majority of Hufflepuff will fight."

Taylor looked up at Greg and she shuddered at the thought of Greg fighting. "Greg, maybe I should go." She backed away from him.

"Taylor, no. Please, wait." Greg said as he stepped after her.

"This wasn't a good idea. You have a family that if the wrong people found out we were hanging around together could be in danger. You could be in danger. I won't let that happen." Taylor whispered, turning to leave. Greg's hand caught her arm again.

"My Dad and his family have already put in place as much protection as is possible for our family. If something happens, it won't be your fault, Taylor. My Dad is married to a muggle. That brings about its own source of danger. I like you Taylor, maybe more than like you, and I'm willing to risk whatever danger there is to keep seeing you."

Taylor shook her head. "If something were to happen to you because of me…"

"We can't control the future Taylor. All I know is that right now I want to get to know you better. If that puts me in danger as you think, then I will deal with it when it comes. Please don't shut me out because it might be dangerous. I don't know if anything will come of us but I know if we don't give it a chance, we will never know."

Taylor's heart hammered in her chest as she looked up into his sincere blue eyes. There was no deception there; only honesty as he waited for her to answer.

"Why do you want to get to know me? I'm no one special, besides Harry Potter's friend. You don't know anything about me. I could be a dark witch for all you know, and you told me all about your family. You do know how dangerous just that could be don't you?"

"I know you are smart, pretty and an extremely talented witch. I've seen you in Defence Against the Dark Arts. You're no dark witch. Besides you are Harry Potter's friend and he is totally against the Dark Arts. I told you about myself so that maybe you would start to trust me. I don't want you to tell me anything that will betray your friends or put what Harry has to do in jeopardy. I just want to see you, be near you. Get to know the quiet girl who has always stood in her friend's shadow." Greg's voice had become softer and he reached up to push a stray lock of hair off her forehead.

Taylor stared up at him for a long moment but he didn't look away. "I think maybe you need glasses. I've never been called pretty before!" Taylor laughed at herself and pushed her glasses up into place self-consciously. "Maybe you won't like what you see when you get to know me."

"I don't think I need glasses. I'm not the only one who has noticed how pretty you are. Just the only one brave enough to ask you out and I haven't seen anything yet that I don't like." Greg said with a crooked smile.

Taylor blushed.

"Now, I did promise that I'd return you to your friends for supper and seeing that it is almost that time," Taylor noticed for the first time that the windows were indeed black and several candles were lit around the room. "Maybe we should head in that direction. I'd hate to force Potter and Weasley to have to come looking for you.

With a smile Taylor walked out of the room with Greg. The Head Boy was very charming and he had shot down all her objections, and he had been a perfect gentleman. He hadn't made one move to kiss her. His hand in the small of her back as he guided her through the corridors made her skin tingle and every time she sneaked a peek up at his face he met her eyes with a grin on his.

Taylor was very aware of the look on everyone's face as she walked into the Great Hall with the Head Boy. A murmur started as Greg escorted her down Gryffindor's table to where her four friends were sitting. Greg's hand was still resting on her back as they stopped at the empty seat waiting for her.

Greg met Harry's eyes as he said "Delivered safe and sound, just as I promised." He then looked down at Taylor and winked at her before he said. "Thank you for accompanying me today Taylor. I had a very nice time. I hope to see you tomorrow?"

Taylor could feel her face heating up with a blush, very aware that not only were Harry and her friends watching and listening but almost everyone in the Great Hall.

"Yeah, I had a nice time too. Thanks for asking me to go with you. I'll see you tomorrow, maybe." Taylor said quietly.

With a parting smile Greg turned and walked over to the Hufflepuff table and Taylor sat down.

A/N Well there you have it! Taylor's first date! :) I really tried to convey Taylor's insecurities as a girl. Sure she is a very powerful witch but as a teenage girl she is very lacking in the skills that one should have by age 16. I also wanted to show that while the world around Hogwarts is on the brink of war that still a young girl can have her first ackward date and all the confusing thoughts that go with that momentious occasion! When I first thought of adding Greg into the mix I wasn't sure if he would work... I mean I didn't want to take away from Taylor and her relationship with her brother but as I wrote I realized how shallow and stunted she appeared to be. So this stroy has evolved not only into how to destroy Voldemort but also the coming of age of a young witch with all the crap that life has to throw at her. I hope you have enjoyed and will continue to do so!

I want to say again a HUGE THANK YOU! to all those who have alerted and favorited this story! and those of you who have taken the time to leave a review THANK YOU as well! (and I will reply to your reviews as soon as I have time!) Thank you to my wonderful bata barbc! Until next time, cytpotter