Zoe loved being in Gryffindor. Sure, during her first year she'd really been hoping that she and her brother, Joe, would be in the same house- which hadn't worked out. Joe was a natural Slytherin. He was ambition and loved tackling new projects and ideas. He was a good leader, and stuck up for himself as well as those he cared about. And she knew he was happy in his house, as well. It's just, after spending the summer together in their home she remembered how much she missed him. Zoe decided as she walked into the great hall that this year she would make sure to hang out with Joe at lot more. Up ahead she could see him, walking with his fellow Slytherin's Tyler, Caspar, and Dan. Zoe knew Tyler quite well (who didn't?) and from what she'd heard from Joe, Caspar sounded lovely. And then there was Dan- he was quiet, and liked to wear dark colors. It seemed like nobody really knew him.

"Let's meet up after dinner," Louise said to Zoe, getting ready to walk over to her fellow Slytherin's.

"Wait," Zoe said, grabbing her arm, "Could I come with you?"

Louise looked at her like she was crazy, "You're not supposed to sit at another houses' table."

Zoe felt her heart sink, "Yeah. I just thought-"

Louise squeezed her friend's arm, "You can swing by our common room later though! It'll be fun, and I'm sure Joe will be happy to see you. Okay, bye- and tell Alfie hi for me!"

Zoe gave a tight lipped smile. Of course she had to have the loudest, most talkative girl in Hogwarts as a best mate.

"Zoe!" Mamrie Hart stood from the Gryffindor table and waved at her. She quickly weaved her way through the crowd of students, and sat across from the red head.

"Hey!" Zoe said, happy to finally be reunited. "How was your summer?"

Mamrie made a devilish face, "Oh it was a hot one, let me tell you!"

Louise plopped down next to Dan and across from Joe at the Slytherin table.

"Hello boys!" She said, making sure to include Tyler and Caspar who were sitting there as well.

"Louise! Oh my god, I missed you so much!" Tyler said, immediately standing up and walking over to give her a hug, "Where were you on the train?"

"I was in Zoe, Tanya, and Jim's compartment," Louise explained.

Caspar snorted, "Aren't Tanya and Jim dating now?"

Louise nodded, and Tyler smirked while walking back to his seat, "They're so cute."

"Good morning Hogwarts!" Professor Green announced to the great hall. "It's Tuesday! And it's the first day of day of another brilliant school year!"

"Whooo!" Caspar shouted loudly and pumped his fist. Joe snorted into his hand.

"Thank you Slytherins," Professor Green pointed to their table, "I love the enthusiasm! Alright," he clasped his hands together, "Get ready for an opening speech."

While Professor Green animatedly spoke, Louise leaned towards Dan and whispered, "Who do you think the Prefects will be?"

Dan studied her bright green eyes, and her high blonde pony tail with dyed pink tips- absentmindedly he wondered what his parents would say. Nothing good, he was sure.

"I dunno," Dan said, "But I hope to God it's not me."

"Dan Howell!" Jack Harris, a seventh year, announced in the cool, shadow-y Slytherin common room. Dan was sitting in the plush black leather chair near the huge, ornate fireplace, with Caspar sitting on the floor in front of him. When his name was announced as the male Prefect, nearly 80 pairs of eyes turned their attention on him. Dan willed the windows to break so that the lake would flood the room and put him out of his misery.

"and the chosen lady is Louise Pentland." Jack's twin brother, Finn announced, clasping Jack on the back. "Now Professor Green's asked to see you in his office."

"People, let's give a round of applause for our perfect Prefects!" Tyler stood up from the couch suddenly, clapping like crazy. Everyone else happily joined in. Dan plastered on a smile, and followed the ecstatic Louise out of the room.

"I can't wait to write to mum!" Louise squealed, as they walked side by side towards headmaster's office. "She's going to be so proud. And I'm so happy that we're doing this together! I think you're the one person who might be more awkward than me." Louise teased and nudged Dan.

Dan laughed, "Yeah." He knew his parents were going to be proud- more than proud. Which is exactly why he hated it.

As soon as Professor Green's office came into view, Dan and Louise saw the other chosen fifth year prefects, standing there slightly confused. Louise gave a little jump before bursting forward.

"Zoe!" She said, wrapping her friend in a huge hug, "Congrats!"

"Congrats to you too!" Zoe said, laughing. "How awesome!"

Dan continued standing at a distance away, feeling immediately uncomfortable. He decided the best course of action was to stare at his shoes, until-

"Ah, hello prefects!" Professor Green came out of his office, his long grey robes trailing behind him. "I can see this is going to be a great year. I know that some of you are very eager," he glanced towards Louise and Zoe who were still practically bouncing from excitement, "while others," he looked over his glasses directly at Dan, "may be wondering why you were chosen. But please believe that I- who have total say who in gets these roles- have casted you with full confidence. That being said- I've also decided to try something new."

The hufflepuffs, Grace and Phil, shared a glance.

"You shall be performing all of the normal Prefect duties, however this year you'll be assigned a partner from a different house." The group was shocked.

A pale, blue eyed ravenclaw, spoke up, "But Professor-"

"Troye," Professor Green held up a hand, "believe me, I've seen the house segregation that goes on in this school- and I am sick of it. Hopefully, when the younger students see the older housemates mingling, they'll try it too! I've compiled a list-"

"Ooh!" Louise yelped, "Professor!"

"Could Louise and I partner up?!" Zoe pleaded.

"We'll be good, I promise," Louise assured.

Professor Green adjusted his glasses, "Yes, very well." He studied his list, "I'll just have to change. . . okay, wonderful! The first partnership will be Grace and Hannah."

Grace stepped forward and glanced at the short ravenclaw girl. Hannah shot Troye a smile, before walking over to stand next to Grace.

"Excellent," said Professor Green, "Next will be Troye and Connor."

Connor, a Gryffindor, took a deep breath and went to stand next to Troye. He gave him a huge smile, which Troye hesitantly returned.

"And then, of course, Louise and Zoe, which leaves Dan and Phil."

Dan wanted to close his eyes and die. As if being made Prefect wasn't awful enough- he just had to be partners with Phillip Lester. Oh God. Dan didn't move a muscle, so Phil doubtfully walked over to him. Phil smiled, but Dan just stared straight ahead.

"Now that you've all got your new partners, I expect to see both of you working very closely together. Set a good example for the other students. That's truthfully what being Prefect is all about." Professor Green put his hands on his hips and smile, "You may all go back to your rooms, and get a good night's rest! Tomorrow's your first day of classes."