- - - Ginny - - -

I have never been so thrilled about a game before. I am nearly vibrating with excitement as we walk onto the pitch. No one knows what we're going to pull off - except Hooch as Talkalot spoke with her before the game. None of the team has told anyone - I haven't even told Mia. I want to surprise her.

We all have matching grins - well, except Rosier, but he never does anything except scowl - and the Gryffindors are looking at the Slytherin team like we're crazy. Even with our win against Hufflepuff, they're thinking there isn't a high chance of us taking the cup from them. Potter and Black stare at me, scowling, and I let my grin widen.

"Ready, Ginevra?" Regulus asks as the captains shake hands. My eye doesn't even twitch at the name. Black is looking from his brother to me and back to his brother.

"Of course. And you, Regulus?"

He smirks. "Naturally."

"Mount your brooms," Hooch orders and we all do so. I lock eyes with Talkalot who nods at me, which I return. A whistle screeches into the air and I'm off, flying outwards and up, reaching for the quaffle. Potter's fingers graze the ball, but I'm faster. I snatch it as I roll by him, tucking it safely into my side. I cackle as I shoot up and fly hard to the goal posts with Wilson and Wright following with Potter cursing behind us.

And the game is on. I'm not sure how long it's been. The intent is to lull the Gryffindors into a sense of complacency before turning everything on its head. Black will be the one to make most of the calls as he's above everyone and can be heard. Until, of course, our big bait and switch. Talkalot will give him a sign to make the first change. But until then, we are simply playing as normal.

"WILSON SCORES! SLYTHERIN IS IN THE LEAD, THIRTY TO TEN!"

" Arrow !" Comes Black's call.

"WHAT? DID BLACK JUST SAY SOMETHING?"

I toss the quaffle straight up and bank to the right hard, hand reaching out and closing around the beater's bat.

"WEASLEY JUST TOSSED THE QUAFFLE AWAY... WHAT IS SHE THINKING? TALKALOT WILL NOT LIKE HER THROWING THE GAME!"

"Right," Cormac yells as he dives into my position, quaffle nearly slipping from his grasp, and I keep moving to the right and immediately catch sight of the incoming bludger that Black hit our way.

"DID THEY... THEY DID! WEASLEY AND CORMAC SWITCHED POSITIONS! DOES THAT MEAN WEASLEY DIDN'T JUST TOSS THE QUAFFLE AWAY? IS THAT EVEN LEGAL?"

I steady myself and hit the bludger, my shoulder twinging at the impact. Oh, lucky me, looks like Potter is the closest player. Such a shame Black got in the way. I fly out of the middle of the field and it takes a moment to center myself and get back into the game. Oh, bugger.

"THERE ISN'T A WHISTLE. MADAM HOOCH IS ALLOWING PLAY!?"

I laugh as I race towards Regulus and smash the second bludger away from him. I dive back down, wind whipping at my face.

"BLOODY HELL. THAT MEANS IT IS LEGAL! SORRY, PROFESSOR, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO ADMIT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERYDAY AND WRIGHT SCORES! SLYTHERIN STILL IN THE LEAD, FORTY TO TEN."

Minutes pass and we fall into a routine.

"POTTER HAS THE QUAFFLE, PASSING TO ADAMS. ROSIER HITS THE BLUDGER, ADAMS DODGES. NICE FLYING, MATE. QUAFFLE BACK TO POTTER, AND HE SHOOTS! TALKALOT BLOCKS THE THROW!"

I periodically watch Regulus - who is keeping an eye out for the snitch and making false starts to keep the other seeker off kilter - and wait for his sign. He does a barrel roll and I look for Wright.

In a matter of moments I find Wright and race towards him. As I near him, Regulus yells " Crimson !"

"BLACK IS YELLING AGAIN! WHAT IS SLYTHERIN UP TO NOW?"

I dive and Wright leaves formation and shoots towards me. I release the bat too early and Wright has to drop a few feet to catch it. " Left !" I shout. " And sorry !" Blast it all, the timing is still weird.

"IT'S ANOTHER SWITCH! NOT AS CLEAN AS THEIR FIRST. LEWIS HAS THE QUAFFLE, PASSES TO ADAMS."

" Focus, Weasley !" Talkalot bellows as I join in the chase of the Gryffindor chasers racing towards Talkalot. I swerve, cut off Lewis, intercept the quaffle, and quickly flip around.

"WEASLEY HAS THE QUAFFLE!"

Potter comes tearing towards me, a snarl on his face. I see Cormac nearby and throw the quaffle to him and swerve to miss the incoming chaser and drop ten feet to dodge the bludger before quickly catching back up to spin midair to bunt the quaffle to Wilson with the tail of my broom.

"NICE MOVE BY WEASLEY, MAKING UP FOR THAT POOR PASS OF THE BAT EARLIER."

After that, the switches come hard and fast. I nearly lose the beaters bat as I have to dodge a bludger once, Cormac misses the quaffle entirely a few times which allows the Gryffindors to catch the quaffle - though none of those lead to scores against Slytherin thanks to Talkalot. We have just enough of a lead for us to catch the snitch, which means... at any point-

"LOOK! BLACK AND HUGHES ARE DIVING. ONE OF THEM MUST HAVE SPOTTED THE SNITCH!"

" Weasley !" Regulus bellows right above me as I'm reaching out to catch the quaffle. " Dive left !" I don't hesitate. I leave the quaffle, hoping Regulus catches it.

There to the left is the snitch. The Gryffindor seeker right behind me, having followed Regulus, and I'm off in a shot.

"BLACK HAS THE QUAFFLE? HE'S HEADING TO THE HOOPS. BLUDGER INCOMING FROM GRYFFINDOR BLACK, BUT SLYTHERIN BLACK ROLLS RIGHT."

I swerve around the chasers as they race after Black, eyes on the snitch. It zooms to the Slytherin side, hovering on the other side of one of the goals. Hughes moves to the left as if to go around.

"BLACK THROWS TO WILSON, WILSON THROWS TO WRIGHT, WRIGHT THROWS TO BLACK WHO SHOOTS AND SCORES!"

Well... hopefully this doesn't count against Slytherin.

" Move Talkalot !" I shout as I shoot right towards the older witch, whose eyes widen. She moves to the left most goal as I lie completely flat against my broom and fly straight through the middle, hand reaching out.

The Gryffindor Seeker is there, I can see him in the corner of my eye, but my hand closes tight against the snitch and I pull up, hand held up in victory.

"WEASLEY HAS THE SNITCH! WEASLEY HAS... DOES THIS MEAN SLYTHERIN WINS?"

- - - Hermione - - -

I've always known my sister is brilliant, but when she asked me to bring a specific book to the game I was flummoxed. Ginny knows I don't read during her games, I'd never disrespect her that way, but she asked, so I did… and now I know why.

The stands are still noisy with yelling, debating, cheering, booing, arguing, and I have no idea what else. My throat hurts from all the screaming, cheering, and yelling I've done for the past few hours. Has it only been three? I suppose so. Still, I've screamed myself hoarse. So worth it. I'm not usually a fan, but today's game was like nothing I have ever witnessed before and I've been to the World's Cup!

I hand the book to Kingsley as he moves closer to the Slytherin's section and I point to the Rules, Chapter Six, Section Four of Quidditch Through the Ages . Quoting, I recite the passage aloud, "No substitution of players is allowed throughout the game, even if a player is too injured or tired to continue to play." My voice cracks, but they get the point, I'm sure.

Jules is reading over Kingsley's shoulder. Fabien and Gideon are talking with others animatedly over the chaotic strategy we just witnessed. And Eamon loudly protests, "That proves that what they did is illegal. No subs allowed. You said it yourself!"

That proclamation starts more arguments for and against Slytherin's strategy. I sigh and brace for pushback. I refuse to allow anyone to call my sister a cheater… especially when she didn't cheat… this time… "There were no substitutions. There were alterations, restructuring, and switching. The same players were on the pitch the entire match. So it's not the same thing," I argue back.

"She's right," Kingsley agrees while closing the book to hand it back to me. "Substitutions come from outside the pitch. The Slytherin team bent the rules for their benefit, but they weren't broken. It's a cunning strategy, but what more can you ask for from their house?"

I beam at Kingsley, "My sister is brilliant."

"Are you sure it was Weasley that came up with the idea?"

I blink at Eamon and shrug. "No. She didn't tell me about it ahead of time, but she asked me to bring this book to the game which tells me she wants to make sure others know that what they are doing is legal. That… is brilliant."

Eamon grins and shrugs back. "I can't argue that."

"Thank you."

"But I still say-"

"Give it a rest, Eamon," Kingsley says with a groan and we begin our exodus from the stadium.

I make it to the edge of the stands with the book pressed to my chest so I don't lose it and see Ginny on the pitch. The team has her on their shoulders. I think one of them is named Cormac? He is the beater. That part I remember. The noise around me is fading as the spectators leave to go back to the castle and all I can hear is the play by play of the game we just watched: the hand offs, the near flubs, the possibilities of pulling off the same strategy again.

I stiffen in surprise when I'm surrounded by tallness. Fabien is grinning at the cacophony on the pitch. Gideon is grinning at me. "Good game. Your sister is bloody brilliant."

"I agree." I tell him and giggle when he rolls his eyes.

"Eamon doesn't want to admit that it was a legal game, since this puts Ravenclaw in last place for the cup."

"It's not as if they were in the play-offs; there is no way Ravenclaw is in contention for the cup."

"Sure," Fabien agrees, "but if your team lost, we'd at least be in third, not dead last."

"That's fair," I admit. "I'd apologize, but it would be utterly insincere."

Fabien laughs, Gideon snorts. A throat clears behind me and I turn to see… Severus Snape. I blink at him. Now what? Snape gestures with his head and reminds me, "Your friend is waiting." He looks from one Prewett to the other and asks me, "Shall we go?"

Does he think he's saving me from the twins? I frown at him and see his eyebrow rise… and I giggle. That look was so intimidating when Snape was my professor, but to see his younger teen-aged self do it… Snape looks ridiculous. Poor boy looks offended and I smile up at the twins. "Time for me to go, boys."

"Boys?"

"Oi!"

I laugh at them and walk away with Snape to where Dorthea really is waiting for us. Why she's waiting, I have no idea…

When I reach Ginny's friend, Dorthea squeals in excitement and begins rehashing the game's highlights as if we didn't just finish watching it. Ah well. More quidditch talk. It was a well played game, so I suppose it is expected. I can smile and nod. I have a feeling this conversation will be on-going for a long while.

- - - Ginny - - -

Brilliant.

Cheaters.

Inventive.

Sneaks.

The game is still being talked about. I've seen the other teams trying to do the same thing in practices - even Gryffindor, though they were out really early and most people were asleep. Me? Oh, I was definitely sleeping. Dorthea , on the other hand, had been awake and reported back to me what she witnessed.

Still, that has nothing to do with how. Little. Time. I have left.

And yes, yes, it's my fault for not studying.

Whatever.

That is not the point.

Stupid O.W.L.s in less than a month.

"You really should not have waited so long, Ginevra." I will punch his face in like I did his brother's. His only saving grace is that him calling me by my given name is my own damn fault. Bugger. "What is the topic for the day?"

I growl and the firsties betray me by giggling as Regulus sits beside Snape, who has Avery - Avery - on his other side. What even is our life? Snape looks amused and Avery is smirking. Stebbins - a girl in the same year as Mia - is on my sister's other side and I, of course, have the firsties on my other. The two younger girls periodically switch who sits next to me.

"Herbology," Katie helpfully says.

"Are O.W.L.s really that bad?"

"No." I snap the book closed and put it back in my bag and scowl at Regulus. "It's not. I'm just refreshing my memory, is all, for class."

"We don't have Herbology today," Regulus' mouth twitches, but he doesn't actually smile, "and we don't have any homework due."

"We have Herbology tomorrow, though." Thank you, Dorthea.

"Which means Ginny would normally be waiting until then to catch up on her work," Mia - Mia! The betrayal! - adds in, not bothering to hide her smile.

The rest of the table chuckles and I give in and laugh with a shrug.

Stupid O.W.L.s.

- - - Hermione - - -

I hear a growl. It is low and guttural. I look over and sigh at the large black dog. "I'm busy, Snuffles. If you don't want to be around me, then go elsewhere. You know this is my favorite spot. You shouldn't be surprised that I continue to be here."

Instead of leaving or changing back to his human form, the bloody dog bares his teeth at me and snarls in a menacing fashion. I blink at him and ask, "Really now? It's been over a month and we obviously haven't said anything to endanger Lupin."

Sirius transforms and states, "My name isn't Snuffles, it's Padfoot."

I grin at him. "I'm aware."

I close my eyes and try to occlude. I hear movement beside me as Sirius takes a seat. "I hate you."

"No you don't," I disagree.

"You helped your sister break my nose."

"No I didn't," I disagree further.

"Yes you did," Sirius argues.

"I did not. I helped her unleash her anger. Breaking your nose was a side effect that I had not anticipated." I look at Sirius, peering at his face. "Did it hurt? It looked like it hurt."

"Yes!"

"You're lucky that Madam Pomfrey is good at her job. I can't even tell that it was broken."

"That's hardly the point." Sirius huffs and I can't help grinning at him. He's behaving like a child. I smile, because he isn't being a bully at the moment. It's a nice change of pace. It's almost like this is the old Sirius, the one that - I wince and look away - died.

"I heard that you and Potter tried to confront Ginny, warning her off or something silly."

Sirius extends his legs, crossing his ankles and leans back, propping his torso on his palms. "Fat lot of good that did. I was rather angry."

"Were you?" I ask and smirk at the confused look on his face. "I'd like to think you were more worried about your friend."

"That was part of it."

"Maybe embarrassed because Ginny punched you?"

"Mortified."

I laugh and look at Sirius. He's changed… maybe. I hope he has. "So we're putting that in the past now?"

"Maybe," Sirius says with a shrug, "yeah, I am. James is still on about Lily."

I draw my left leg up, hugging it to me and laying my chin on my knee. "I don't understand the appeal."

"What?"

"Oh don't sound offended," I huff at the fool boy. "I just don't understand. Lily is smart, but not the smartest in our year."

"That would be you?"

"Pfft, hardly," I scoff. "I suppose she is pretty. I'm not a good judge on that sort of thing."

"There are a few I think are prettier," Sirius admits.

"And she isn't the nicest person. She's so judgemental…" I sigh when Sirius shrugs. "I really don't get it."

Sirius leans closer and admits, "Me either. It's James that thinks the world revolves around her."

"More fool him," I say.

"Maybe," Sirius says. It isn't an agreement, but it isn't a denial either. His voice sounds a tad distant as if Sirius is thinking of something else suddenly and I glance his way. Sirius is frowning at the Black Lake. He's definitely lost in thought and I go back to trying to Occlude with a person nearby. I think it may be working. Not sure how I'd know for certain, but I'm interrupted when Sirius suddenly says, "Being punched by Ginny wasn't nearly as bad as Remus' reaction."

"What happened?"

"He refused to speak to me for months." Sirius looks at me before admitting, "It really was supposed to be a prank. Mean spirited, sure. I can't stand that smug arse…" Sirius sighs, "But I obviously didn't think the whole thing through. Then when I was called on my idiocy, I was too proud to admit I buggered the whole thing." Sirius lays back on the blanket, staring up at the white billowy clouds, with his head pillowed on his forearms. "I don't want Snivellus dead - I don't think I hate anyone that much - and I certainly don't want Remus hurt. I just wanted to scare the git."

I wrinkle my nose at Sirius and ask, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because no one believes that I'm a decent bloke." Sirius turns his head and gives me a sad grin. "Because sometimes I get tired of pretending to be what other people expect me to be. Because you're listening to me and not just judging me. And because you kept Remus' secret like you said you would."

"Then why did you growl at me?"

SIrius' look turns mischievous. "To see if I could scare you," he suddenly sits up to point a finger at me, "and then you called me Snuffles!"

"Next time you do something so ridiculous, I'm going to conjure a newspaper and bop your nose!"

Sirius barks out a laugh.

- - - Ginny - - -

"Miss Weasley." I hate this already. Can I just... not? "I know that you have not been here long and that we have not had the five years to become acquainted like I have with the other students, but I hope you feel comfortable speaking with me."

Even if I say no I'll be forced to have this talk anyway. So... yay. I keep my face calm as I occlude and I attempt a small smile. "Of course, Professor. You're here to help me figure out the best path for my future. I can respect that."

Respect, not like. Slughorn chuckles. "I must admit, you have certainly been an interesting addition to my house. How have you been finding Slytherin?"

I grin. "Would you like an honest opinion or a more acceptable answer?"

"Oh ho, my dear, I have heard that you speak your mind and I would not dare try to curb you now. Please, your honest opinion." From the mirth in his eyes, I think he's actually telling the truth, though there's a steeliness there too.

I lean back and carefully choose my words. "The house of Slytherin has always prided itself on its students' ambition, cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness. While I have met a few students that embody these traits, I feel like most have only one. Some have ambition, but lack the cunning and resourcefulness to lead them to where they wish to go. Others have cunning, but do not have the leadership to go far or the resources to fully support their plans. Need I go on?"

"And you, Miss Weasley? How well do you fit into this house?"

"I have ambition - I know what I want and I will go after it with a single-minded decisiveness. I have resourcefulness - I know information or ways to get what I need. If needed, I could lead even if I do not prefer to do so. As for cunning," I chuckle and shake my head, "I do not have the patience for it most of the time, but in a pinch I can make do. Most times the best way for people to understand something is to tell it to their face."

Slughorn gestures to the tea in front of me and I obligingly pick up my cup to take a sip as he continues, "Fascinating. One would think you should have been in Gryffindor."

"Perhaps if I was sorted when I was eleven." Truth is always better than a straight up lie, and this is something I've been saying to anyone who asks me about my sorting. "Mr. Hat did say I would do well there."

The professor nods and takes a sip of his own drink - which smells a bit too strong to just be tea. "Those ambitions you spoke of, does that mean you have an idea of what you will be doing after graduation? A job in the Ministry, perhaps."

I refrain from rolling my eyes. His suspicions would normally be correct for the heir of a pure-blood family, but the Weasley's have never been considered 'normal'. "My ambitions lay elsewhere. For my future I have plans on playing quidditch after I graduate."

"Ah, yes. Your last game with Gryffindor was a marvel to witness."

"Thank you. It's the funniest game I've been in."

"I see, I see," he murmurs as he sets his cup down. "And if you don't make a team?"

"I'll make it, Professor."

"While I do not doubt you, it is always beneficial for a contingency plan. One that we at Hogwarts can help you with so we might be able to plan out your next two years." His lips quirk into a smile. "Otherwise I might just have to suggest you take all the courses to cover all your bases."

I wrinkle my nose and the professor chuckles. "My skill set lies in Transfiguration and Charms." I glance to the side and smile faintly as I think of my brothers. "I might go into curse breaking."

"Hmm, that is quite commendable." Slughorn writes something on the parchment in front of him, nodding. "You will definitely need to take Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense. While an O.W.L.s in potions is what you need, I do suggest you take the last two years even if you do not take the N.E.W.T.s test. Curse Breakers need to be able to make their own potions as needed." Of course, of course , I need to take potions. "I also suggest you continue with Care of Magical Creatures, and as long as you pass your Runes O.W.L.s that's set."

He looks up from where he's writing. "I must ask, my dear, but are you the scion for the Weasley family?"

"Yes, I am."

"Both of these professions are quite dangerous."

Ah. I suppose that makes sense. I smile. "Yes, they are."

"Will you receive any pushback from your family?" Slughorn has his head tilted to the side. "Do we need to come up with a third option on the off chance that your family demands you to change your plans?"

"Professor, my family won't force me to change."

He takes a moment to stare at me before nodding. "Very well. Now..." I fight back my groan.

- - - Hermione - - -

Career Advice. I remember that meeting with Professor McGonagall last year. It feels so long ago and not just last year, more like a lifetime ago. I don't envy Ginny and Dorthea for having to sit through their meetings with Professor Slughorn. Not because he's a bad professor, it's just that he's… well… Slughorn is so… smarmy… so very Slytherin.

Slughorn enjoys his connections with high profile people. So much so that he brags about his little collection of people. Even his Slug Club is all about networking. Not that I'm ever invited to one of those meetings, it's just what I've heard. So I imagine Professor Slughorn will be paying close attention to his students and their hopes for their future. Sure Slughorn will give sound advice and if he just so happens to help someone along their way to success… all the better for him when said student gets that dream job.

I sigh softly, absently rubbing my scarred collarbone, and wonder when I got so jaded. I used to be so positive and optimistic. Or at least I tried to be.

"What are you looking at?"

"No idea."

"Uh huh." I can hear the humor in her voice and I shrug. "You're so weird, Weasley."

"I know, I know," I agree and I grin at my roommate. "I really wasn't looking at anything specific. I was just thinking about Career Advice day. Ginny's appointment is today."

"Jealous? I'm sure Slughorn can make time for you, too."

I wrinkle my nose at Stebbins. Ew. No. "Pass, thanks." I look out the window again, still not really seeing anything, just lost in my thoughts. "I just realized that I don't know what I intend to do with my future. I thought I had it all mapped out. Go work for the Ministry, make a difference in our world…"

"Really? Politics?"

"Right? The insanity."

Stebbins chuckles and counters, "You like arguing. Maybe a solicitor is more your speed."

"Arguing? I do not."

"You like to prove your point," Stebbins amends, "and have facts to back up your statements."

"I do?"

"Hmm," Stebbins pretends to consider a response and quickly follows up with a half-whispered, "Tom Riddle."

Ah well, maybe I do. "You may have a point," I agree and Stebbins makes a gesture to get us moving down the hall.

"Of course I do."

Life is certainly interesting since we've come back. A solicitor? That has a certain appeal. The real question is: will I be practicing law in the Muggle or Wizarding World? Maybe both?

- - - Ginny - - -

"Why do they keep giving us so much work?"

"O.W.L.s." The response did not just come from Dorthea, but from Regulus and Snape as well. We're sitting in the library and studying. Well - Dorthea, Regulus, and I are studying, Snape is pointing out things I got wrong as I'm working on potions.

I've given up trying to make him stop. He's more stubborn than anyone I know - George, Fred, and Mia included. Now, I give only a token 'you don't have to help me, you know' statement which he answers with a bland expression before pointing at my essay and proceeds to ignore my statement. The nerve.

"Right. Well, I'm done." I roll up my potions homework - complete! - and stuff everything into my bag before jumping to my feet. "And I'm bored! Anyone else?"

Dorthea and Regulus shake their heads, but Snape is standing up - no one is surprised. I'm not, at least. Dorthea doesn't say anything and Regulus doesn't look up so I don't think they are either.

Snape and I walk out of the library and head back to the Slytherin Common Room. As we walk, Snape throws up a privacy charm and asks, "So why did you and Agosti-Weasley do the prank?"

I blink and stare at him. "Why not? It sounded fun. It was fun."

"Yet you would not have been able to pull it off without my aid."

"Yes?" I look at him.

He tilts his head. "You didn't ask me to settle my -"

I groan and walk faster. "No. No, no, no. The prank sounded fun, you could help, and we wanted to do something."

"You're a strange one, Weasley."

"You won't hear me arguing."

- - - Hermione - - -

"Ginny hasn't figured it out yet, have you?"

"Figured 'what' out?" Snape asks, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Your feelings for her," I offer and he sputters. I giggle and keep walking. I hear his footsteps behind me, they're slowing, and I turn to him before I'm out of earshot. "You'll get there, probably before she does, but you'll get there."

"You're barmy," Snape huffs.

"Perhaps," I acquiesce, "but I'm not wrong."

I leave Snape behind, flatfooted by what I said, and he looks contemplative. Well now... Isn't that interesting? I wonder how long it will take for them to figure it out.

- - - Hermione - - -

The last Hogsmeade trip of the year is next weekend and I don't know if I truly want to go. I should be spending that time studying now that finals are nearly upon us… but if I know Ginny - and I do know my sister - she won't let me stay behind when there is fun to be had.

"What are you doing?"

I blink at the question and bring my attention back to the present. We're in the middle of class and I'm not listening to the lecture. I have no idea what is happening at the moment, but at least I can answer this last question posed to me. I simply tell Snape 'thinking' without elaborating further.

"She does that a lot," Stebbins says. I sigh at the girl beside me. She's more chatty than she used to be. I rather like having another female to speak with, but she's grinning and I really just want to stick my tongue out at her. But I won't… this time.

"That's true," comes a voice from behind us.

I turn in my seat and roll my eyes at Avery. "Be glad that I do, Avery."

"And I am," Avery says faux seriously because the silly boy is smirking at me, "but you were staring off this time. So I seriously doubt you were thinking of anything useful."

"What do you consider useful?" Stebbins challenges the boy and Snape snorts in amusement. "Another prank, perhaps?"

I blink in surprise at Stebbins. "What are you on about?"

"Oh don't play coy with us, Weasley. We know you and your sister are in some sort of prank war with the Gryffindors."

"And winning," Avery adds. "That last one was rather impressive."

"How did you get the Great Hall set up the way you did?"

"Who said I did anything?" I glance at Snape, then intentionally bring my gaze to the other two so as to not single him out in any way, before I smile sweetly. "Besides, the headmaster enjoys a good prank."

"I knew it!" Stebbins hisses.

"You know nothing," I counter, "nothing you can prove anyhow…"

- - - Ginny - - -

"If you're worried about your O.W.L.s you can always skip Hogsmeade."

"Nope." I don't even look at Regulus.

"Your grades are more important than a weekend."

"Nope." I glare down at my Care book.

"I'm sure your sister can pick up whatever you want from town."

"Nope." I will not break my quill. I won't. I might toss my ink in Regulus' face, though.

"Really, you won't be missing much in Hogsmeade. It's always the same."

"Nope." Is there a better response? Definitely. Do I care? Nope.

"Are you going to say anything besides 'nope'?"

"Nope." I am not letting this go.

Regulus snorts and I fight my grin. "Stubborn, Ginevra. Stubborn."

I stop fighting my grin. "Nope."

- - - Hermione - - -

"You're going to Hogsmead."

"Of course I am." I smile at Ginny, giving her a knowing look. "I wouldn't dare stay behind when there is fun to be had."

Ginny laughs as she sits with me at breakfast. It's nearly time to go, but Ginny takes the time to eat toast and rashers, washing it down with… is that tea? Ginny sighs in satisfaction before turning her attention back to me. "Where should we go first? And don't say the bookstore."

"No, not the bookstore," I agree and laugh when she looks surprised. "There are no books that I need right now. Yet someone has a birthday in a few months and I'm hoping to get an idea of what she may want…"

"Who?" When I hear the question, I blink at Ginny and she frowns in confusion. I'm not wrong, right? If memory serves, and bollocks if I mess this up, Ginny's birthday is in August. We had a cake and everything shortly before we ended up here in the past. When I keep staring at her, Ginny tries again, "What…"

"You! Silly," I huff. "11 August. I didn't forget. It's a few months away, certainly, but I need ideas. You have such eclectic tastes that I'm almost desperate enough to go to Zonkos for a plethora of silly pranks, but that isn't what you need or really want, I don't imagine. So, I'm hoping to do some window shopping and get some ideas." I purse my lips when she's looking at me funny. "What?" I ask. "Did I say something weird again?"

"Yes," Ginny laughs, "but I'm used to it."

Dorthea waves from the Great Hall doors and comes bouncing in. "Ready to go?"

"Sure?" I think.

"Yes," Ginny assures her friend and pulls me from the table. "We're ready to go." Ginny pulls my hand, tucking it under her arm so I'm holding the crook of her elbow as if she's escorting me. Silly girl. "So…" Ginny beams. "Where to first?"

- - - Hermione - - -

"How did you do it?"

We're sitting in the Three Broomsticks, enjoying our butterbeer when the question comes. Ginny smirks and I smile innocently… or as innocently as I can manage. "Hello, Avery. Always a pleasure to see you. Where's Snape? It's rare to see you without him lately."

"He's getting our drinks, you're avoiding the question, and he doesn't believe it was you three." Avery eyes Dorthea's confused look and corrects, "Or two."

Dorthea is looking at us with suspicion and huffs, "What did I miss?" Gasp. She says that with such a heavy accusation in her tone! Heh.

I shrug and Ginny, that devious sister of mine, drops the smirk immediately and bats her eyes sweetly before stating, "I have no idea what Avery is talking about."

Laughing, Dorthea shakes her head. "I have known you long enough not to fall for that look."

Avery snorts in amusement before gesturing, questioningly, at the empty chair. I nod and he sits down before leaning forward, staring intently at me. "I know it was you two, Weasley. You were plotting something in class. But what I want to know is how you managed to pull it off."

Dorthea huffs, "I still want to know what I missed!"

"Just one of the most difficult pranks in Hogwarts history."

"What?" Dorthea is now sitting forward. "What did you do?"

Avery huffs in amusement and says, before I can, "Nothing we can prove. That's what Weasley said in class, which is why I know it's them."

People are paying attention to what we say? People are listening to Ginny and me. How frightening. The responsibility of not abusing this 'power' is rather astounding.

Snape arrives and sets down a butterbeer in front of Avery, as he pulls a chair over for himself. "I'm telling you it wasn't them," he claims and I can't help but smile at Snape. He's nothing like our professor, so it's making it easier to be around him. I don't hate the bloke, but we're still not friends. I'm also enjoying the fact that we are pulling off all these silly pranks and Snape really believes it isn't us… except the prank he was a part of… or he's playing along, giving us an alibi? I can't imagine why he'd do that though.

Dorthea huffs and asks, for the umpteenth time, " What did I miss ?"

"The Gryffindor common room's entrance is locked." Avery laughs as he continues, "No one can go in or out. Didn't you notice there were no Gryffindors at breakfast this morning?"

"How unfortunate for them," Ginny sighs. "It's the last Hogsmeade visit of the year, too."

Gasping in surprise, Dorthea asks Ginny, "How did you do that?!"

- - - Ginny - - -

Freedom!

I walk out of my last test for O.W.L.s with a huge grin on my face.

Freedom!

Practical defense is done. I performed my patronus and I know I got those extra points because my horse happily pranced about the entire room and disrupting others. I giggle at the thought.

Freedom!

"Really, Ginevra, did your horse really need to come and interrupt me?"

"What, couldn't focus, Regulus?"

"That was so cool, Ginny! Where did you learn to cast the patronus charm?"

I lean against Dorthea as I beam at the two. "Mia and I learned last year." Took quite a few months, but learn we did! I sigh happily. "We're free!"

"We still have N.E.W.T.s."

"And those will be worse."

Straightening, I push Dorthea into Regulus with a huff. Regulus - the prick he is - scowls, but he steadies her as Dorthea laughs at me and I stalk away.

Screw N.E.W.T.s.

I'm free!