The week just seemed to pass in a blur, classes were nonsense and Amanda lost Huffelpuff more points than any Huffie had ever done. But mostly in potions, partly for blowing up her cauldron but certainly also for slipping and spilling Artemis-root juice all over professor Snape, a very stinging sensation according to the books and the Potions Master certainly did not look happy as he gave her detention for two weeks and withdrew 45 points from Huffelpuff.

Now on her bed, face buried in her pillow she just willed it all to be a dream and wishing to wake up from this hellish nightmare.

"Amanda?"

Hearing nothing but muffled sounds Susan sat on the bed next to the devastated girl, gently running her hand over her back.

"I heard!"

Rolling over Amanda sighed, rubbing her face with her hands before looking at the girl sitting beside her.

"Do I even dare ask fate if anything else can go wrong?"

Susan shrugged, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Well…"

Amanda cocked an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes at her friend.

"What now?"

Clearing her throat Susan looked at the ceiling shortly before muttering.

"Well, Oliver is looking for you"

Groaning Amanda flopped her pillow over her head again and Susan could her hear speaking from underneath.

"Can't I even get a moments rest?"

Susan shrugged, knowing the girl couldn't see her but she didn't know what to say. Removing the pillow Susan sighed.

"He's waiting outside the Common Room dear, you better go see him"

Letting out a sob Amanda pushed herself of the bed, running a hand through her hair as she left the Dorm without even looking back. Susan felt her heart drop by the sight of torment her friend was going through and obviously showing.

Passing through the Common Room Amanda cringed as small hisses and buh's were heard. She knew she wasn't popular but this was just ridiculous. Pushing the backside of the statue she entered the hallway, seeing her brother waiting for her.

"You sent for me brother dear?"

Looking up at him she saw the look of disappointment, slight anger and something else she couldn't pin-point.

"Amanda – what's going on?"

Shrugging her shoulders she continued to look at the floor.

"Loosing points, being inattentive in class, clumsy – even more demolishing than normally"

"Well…"

She felt her mouth dry out, like she had just eaten flour, her hands were trembling violently so she had to clutch the hems of her sleeves to stop them, she was feeling cool perspiration forming on her forehead.

"I've just…"

She could hear Oliver sigh and looking up she saw him rubbing his brow.

"I know this is a difficult age for you Mandy but if you don't pull yourself together your grades are going to drop too low and that's …"

Oliver Wood stopped and looked at his babysister, she was looking paler than usual, eyes slightly glossy and a darting look.

"I don't mean to sound like father but you better pull yourself together before he hears of this"

Nodding Amanda looked down again, their father was tough and demanding and since both her brothers had exceeded in school Amanda felt a huge pressure living up to the standards of the Wood-family.

"I'm sorry, I'll do my best"

Oliver looked at his sister again, tilting her chin up he looked into her eyes.

"Don't be sorry sweets, just get back into the game"

Giving half a laugh Amanda rolled her eyes.

"Once a captain, always a captain"

Oliver winked as he gave her shoulder a squeeze, one that almost made her knees buckle. He honestly didn't know his own strength or he kept forgetting that his sister wasn't a Quidditch player.

Watching him turn and walk down the hallway Amanda sighed, she wished she could tell him what was happening, or at least ask him to help her. To save her?

Frowning she clenched her fists and jaw, had it not been for him she would not have been in this kind of trouble. No, he was, in fact, to blame for all of this and what was she doing? She was sacrificing herself for him, something that he had never asked her to, something she didn't have to do because what else are big brothers for? Besides to protect their younger sister? Scowling she turned and headed back into the Common Room.