I headed up to the dormitory that night feeling strange. Did Harry's actions mean he had romantic feelings for me, just like I did for him? It certainly seemed to indicate he was willing to explore that path anyway. I tried not to get too excited though. We were both still pretty young after all, just 12 and 13, so there was no need to rush anything. I started wondering about Demelza, Amy and everyone else, and who they may have feelings for. As we headed inside, I decided to pop the question.

"So, it's been established that I fancy Harry, but what about all of you?" I asked to the dormitory at large. "I think it's only fair that you lot tell me about your crushes since you know about mine"

There was an uncomfortable silence, which Amy eventually broke.

"Well, I've been getting closer with Andrew Godden recently. I've liked him ever since he joined the Quidditch team with us last year. We've talked a lot over the summer, and I honestly feel like he's reciprocating my feelings, and it would be exactly what I need in my life at the moment"

"Certainly, I hope you get him mate" said Demelza "I on the other hand, find that new Swedish boy super attractive. I just haven't had the courage to talk to him yet"

"You mean my brother?" said a voice from across the room.

It was Magdalena Sivarsson, our new dorm mate. She had arrived at Hogwarts and was put into second year straight away, as she was already twelve and had grown up in Sweden. She and her 14 year old brother had moved to the UK with their family this year. Their mother was English and had married a Swedish man, so that's why they had learned to speak our language too. As a Gryffindor, she replaced Daniela in our dorm, and her brother was a 4th year Hufflepuff. We had yet to tell her of this morbid fact, and we weren't entirely sure we would.

"Yes, Stefan is his name, right?" asked Demelza

"Indeed. I can introduce you to him if you like"

Demelza blushed

"Oh no not yet, I'm not ready to"

"Come on, if you are with me it will be ok. No one knows him better than I, and the sooner you meet him the better, as he is sure to attract attention from girls in his own house"

Demelza bit her lip

"Fair point" she said eventually "Can you set him up with me?"

"I can try" Magda replied, smirking

"Come on then, who do you like" I asked her

"I have only just arrived here. I have not had time to analyse each boy and work out who is the most attractive"

"Cop out" I said, giggling

Magda rolled her eyes

"I challenge you to go to Sweden and choose the most attractive boy at your school there within 2 days of arriving" she snapped.

"That's hardly fair" I retorted "Most Swedes are far better looking than Brits, it would be a much more difficult decision"

"I will have you know that there are plenty of ugly Swedes"

"Alright then, if you want to insult your own people you can"

She went silent and I smiled smugly, knowing I had outsmarted her

I turned to Mary Davison, who had said nothing throughout this entire conversation, and raised an eyebrow.

Mary threw her arms up, frustrated.

"Damn it! I was hoping that by staying quiet you guys would just forget I'm here" she said.

We all laughed

"What, and that we'd all suddenly go blind too?" said Amy

"Or lose our short term memory?" added Demelza

"Come on mate, you were never going to wriggle out of this" I said

"Fine, whatever!" she exclaimed "I fancy Ernie Macmillan, happy now?"

"Yeah I guess. Can't say we know a huge amount about him" I replied

"Alright, well, now that's out of the way, all I have left to say is that I hope that mad Hippogriff that attacked Malfoy dies, and Hagrid is sacked, sooner rather than later!"

This changed the mood in the room completely

"Excuse me?" I said "That mad Hippogriff?! Mary, the only mad person in that situation was Malfoy. He insulted it, he got what was coming to him. That's the most basic rule of interaction with such things!"

"No!" Mary said "My father is in the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, and he says his department have already been informed of the incident. They're likely to order the death of the beast!"

"They can't! Everyone with any common sense and decency knows only Malfoy was at fault. There are so many witnesses that will back Hagrid up too" said Amy

"Yeah!" added Demelza "Look, Mary, we know you want to toe to your father's line here, but you need to use some critical thinking. That Hippogriff isn't mad, it was only acting in the way that everyone knew it would"

"Well, maybe they shouldn't be allowed any type of human interaction then, if that's the risk that comes with it, and especially not at a school!" retorted Amy "If you want to support a great lumbering oaf and his dangerous beasts, then fine, but don't expect me to join in with you!"

She slammed her curtains closed.

"Well, that escalated quickly" said Magda.