───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Harry, Blair, Ron and Hermione examined their new course schedules at breakfast. Fred, George and Lee sat beside Blair and started discussing magical methods of aging themselves. 

Blair spotted Hermione's disapproving expression and mouthed to her pranking mates. "Later." Fred, George and Lee snorted as they discussed among themselves.

"Today's not bad... outside all morning," said Ron, who was running his finger down the Monday column of his schedule. "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures... damn it, we're still with the Slytherins..." 

"Double Divination this afternoon," Harry groaned, looking down. 

"Whose death will it be this year? Mine, yours or Ron's?" Blair's comment made Hermione look at her, appalled. 

"You should have given it up like me, shouldn't you?" Hermione said briskly, buttering herself some toast. "Then you'd be doing something sensible like Arithmancy."

"You're eating again, I notice," said Ron, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too. 

Hermione glanced at Blair and bit the inside of her cheek to fight off her smile. "I've decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights." 

"Yeah... and you were hungry," said Ron, grinning. 

"Hey, Granger." Blair suddenly called out. 

Hermione looked at her, confused and amused at the same time. "What?" 

"I may not be Luna, but I sure know how to Lovegood."

The whole hall burst into laughter, even Luna herself was uncharacteristically laughing in a carefree way. 

Hermione blushed a deep shade of red as she glared at Blair. "For the last time, Wood. It's a no. It will always be a no." 

Blair couldn't deny that the rejections hurt her, but she kept the smile on her face. "For now, Granger. For now." 

Blair stood up and went over to Neville, Seamus and Dean, who had just arrived. Hermione shook her head and went back to eating her food. Harry let out a frustrated sigh. "Bloody hell, even Cho Chang is staring at Blair."

Hermione's head snapped so fast as she looked around. Indeed, Cho Chang was staring at Blair with red cheeks and a shy smile. As if she felt the stare, Blair turned around to see Cho staring at her and sent her a wave. Cho's friends giggled. Cho's cheeks went redder as she sent Blair a shy wave. 

Hermione didn't know why her heart suddenly stopped. She didn't know why she felt as if she was punched in the stomach. But she knew deep down inside, though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, it had something to do with the way Cho looked at Blair.

Blair turned around to her friends and sighed sadly. "You know, I really thought she was finally warming up to me, but she said it's a no. That it'll always be a no. What should I do, Gramen, Ignis, Tranqs?" 

Seamus, Dean and Neville exchanged glances. It was unusual for Blair to feel upset about Hermione's rejections. Most times, she would take it all in stride and try again.

Dean patted her on the back comfortingly. "Don't worry, Caelum. You're almost there. You said it yourself. She's warming up to you." 

A small smile made its way onto her face. "Really?" 

Honestly, the three friends felt their hearts break at the sight of Blair Wood, looking so defeated. They didn't think that this could happen to their friend, who had faced dementors, a troll and a basilisk.

Seamus wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they went out of the Great Hall. "Caelum, she'll realize sooner or later the amazing witch you are." 

Neville immediately backed Seamus up. "Yeah, maybe, she's just in denial, you know. Maybe, she just can't believe you're actually in love with her." 

Blair grinned at her friends. "You really think so? Thank you, mates." 

As she skipped ahead and drowned in her thoughts about Hermione Granger, the three boys let out the breaths they were holding in. They didn't like giving their friend false hope, but it was better than seeing her down in the dumps.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The first few classes were quite uneventful for Blair. In Herbology, the Prancers couldn't help but laugh every time somebody said the word pus. In Care of Magical Creatures, a few got minor burns because of the Blast-Ended Skrewts, but for some reason, the Skrewts loved Blair, and Blair loved the Skrewts. She was one of those who got out uninjured though a bit ruffled. Hermione scoffed when stares and giggles of girls and boys followed Blair as she walked down the hall with them.

Then, there was Divination. Harry, Ron and the Prancers laughed loudly as they got out. "D-Did you hear it, Harry? You were born mid-winter." Blair mocked as they burst into laughter once more, looking like madmen to any other person who saw them.

 They calmed down for a while when Seamus snickered. "Bloody hell, Blair. I'd think Lavender could be our house mascot with how red her face was when you asked if you could take a closer look at Uranus." 

The boys went roaring with laughter, but Blair looked confused. "What's wrong with Uranus? I just wanted to see it."

With her innocent response, the boys went hysterical. They finally arrived at the Great Hall and joined Hermione. Not even the fact that Trelawney gave them tons of homework downed their mood. Hermione looked at them with confusion. "What's wrong with you lot?" 

Harry was about to answer when Lavender came into the Great Hall. Blair waved at Lavender, who turned as red as the Gryffindor colors as she sat down and smiled back.

Hermione looked at Blair, hoping for some answers. Blair just puffed out her cheeks adorably. Hermione's eyes widened at her thoughts. Did she just call Blair Wood adorable? 

"I don't know. Divination happened." Blair suddenly caught sight of Fred and George and went to talk to them about their plans for aging up. 

Hermione turned to the 5 boys, who calmed down. "So, what happened?"

The boys glanced at each other, stifling their laughter as Neville cleared his throat. "Well, we were studying planets then Blair turned to Lavender and asked, "Hey, Lav. Could I take a closer look at Uranus?"" 

The five boys went laughing once more, but their laughter died when they saw Hermione looked unamused and even furious at their story. 

Blair sat down beside Hermione and smiled. "What did I miss?" 

Blair suddenly felt cold, as Hermione's icy glare turned to her. "Of all planets, you had to ask for Uranus?" 

"H-Huh?" Blair's eyes widened as Hermione got up and walked out of the hall.

"W-Wait, Mione!" Blair immediately got up and ran after her. Harry and Ron laughed again as they ran after the two. 

Ron whispered to Harry. "5 galleons, they'll get together by the middle of next year." 

"5 galleons, it'll take till the end of next year." The two shook hands as they caught up to Blair and Hermione. 

Blair followed after Hermione like a lost puppy. Hermione finally stopped and glared at Blair. "What?" 

Blair was about to speak when a cold, taunting voice spoke up. "Weasley! Hey, Weasley!"

Harry, Blair, Ron, and Hermione turned around. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something. 

"What?" Ron said shortly. 

"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear. "Listen to this!"

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

Malfoy looked up. "Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed. Everyone in the corridor was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on:

Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. "A picture of your parents outside their house — if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?" Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him. 

Blair glared at Malfoy. "Would you shut up and go style your hair, Mallory? It seems to missing its slippery slime."

"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren't you, Wood?" sneered Malfoy. "So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?" 

"You know your mother, Malfoy?" Harry said — he held Ron back while Hermione had grabbed the back of Blair's robes to stop her from launching herself at Malfoy — "that expression she's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

Malfoy's pale face went slightly pink. "Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter." 

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then," said Harry, turning away. The four of them turned around when... BANG! Several people screamed — 

Blair felt something white-hot graze the side of her face — she reached for her wand, but before she'd even touched it, she heard a second loud BANG, and a roar that echoed through the corridors. 

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"

Blair smiled widely as Moody limped down the staircase. His wand was out, and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing. There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. 

Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry then at Blair. "Did he get you, Little B?" Moody growled. 

Blair beamed at him. "Mister Alastor! No, he didn't. He missed. Give him hell for us, will you?"

Moody rolled his eyes in amusement before shouting. "Leave it!" Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons. 

"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again — it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain. "Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do..." The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. 

"Never — do — that — again —" said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.

"Professor Moody!" said a shocked voice. Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. 

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher. 

"What — what are you doing?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret's progress through the air. 

"Teaching," said Moody.

"Teach — Moody, is that a student?" shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms. 

"Yep," said Moody. 

"No!" cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing.

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" said Professor McGonagall weakly. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?" 

"He might've mentioned it, yeah," said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, "but I thought a good sharp shock —" 

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"

"I'll do that, then," said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike. Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words "my father" were distinguishable. 

"Oh yeah?" said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. 

"Well, I know your father of old, boy... You tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son... you tell him that from me... Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it? Come on, you..." With one last wink at Blair, he seized Malfoy's upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons. 

"Don't talk to me," Ron said quietly to Harry, Blair and Hermione as they walked down the halls a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened. 

"Why not?" said Hermione in surprise. 

"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever," said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret..."

Harry, Blair and Hermione all laughed, and Hermione started rummaging through her bag. "He could have really hurt Malfoy, though," she said. "It was good, really, that Professor McGonagall stopped it —" 

"Hermione!" said Ron furiously, his eyes snapping open again, "you're ruining the best moment of my life!"

Hermione made an impatient noise and began to walk at top speed again. "Don't tell me you're going back to the library this evening?" said Harry, watching her. 

"Got to," said Hermione thickly. "Loads to do." 

"But you told us Professor Vector —" 

"It's not schoolwork," she said. 

Blair smiled at her with hope in her eyes. "I'll walk you." 

Hermione hesitated before finally nodding. Blair's whole face lit up as she bid quick goodbyes to Harry and Ron and followed after Hermione like a puppy who found its owner. Harry and Ron shared amused glances before going on their way.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"So, what are we doing here, Granger?" 

"Shh!" Madam Pince, Hermione and a few students simultaneously shushed Blair who pouted and carried the books for Hermione. 

She read the titles. "History of House-Elves? What would you need this for, Granger?" 

"Shhh!" Madam Pince glared at Blair, who mouthed an apology. 

Hermione led them to a table and started reading through the books while Blair watched her. "I'm planning to help the status of house-elves. Would you like to help?"

Any opportunity to be closer to Hermione, Blair would take. "Of course, Granger! What would you want me to do?" Hermione was about to answer when the screeching of a chair sounded and Madam Pince walked towards Blair. 

"That's it, out you!" Madam Pince waved her wand.

Blair's eyes widened to see her things float and start smacking her. "I'll- Ow! Wait- Ow! Outside- Bloody- Granger! Ow! Wait, I'm going!" Blair ran out of the library with one last smile at Hermione before sitting down outside the library.

A soft giggle escaped Hermione's lips as her thoughts drifted to Blair. Blair, who had always been there for her. Blair, who always asked her out. Blair with her charming smirk and flirty lines that somehow made Hermione's heart beat a little faster every time, and that messy hair that made Hermione want to run her hands through it.

Hermione shook her head. Sure, she did think of Blair from time to time since third year, but there was something different about how she saw Blair this year. And, it wasn't her physical appearance that made Hermione's feelings change. Well, that was a factor, but it was more because she was now seeing how much Blair paid attention to her. She was starting to see some of the things that she didn't see before.

'But obviously, it's all a trick or something. She couldn't possibly like me.' Hermione let out a sigh and continued reading the books as she tried not to think of the Chaser outside the library.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Hermione's eyes widened as she had just noticed that she had been in the library for 3 hours now. She remembered Blair but shook her head. 'She probably left already.' Hermione bid goodbye to Madam Pince before going out of the library. 

"Mione? Are you done?" 

Hermione turned around to see Blair, rubbing her eyes like a little child. Her cheeks flushed and her heart softened at the sight. Blair looked adorable with the way she yawned and rubbed her eyes, but she looked undeniably attractive with her messy black hair and loosened tie.

Blair smiled and held out her hand. "Come on, Granger." 

Hermione hesitated before taking Blair's hand. She didn't have the courage to say no after Blair waited for her for three hours. The two of them walked in a comfortable silence towards the Gryffindor tower, and Blair couldn't help the happiness bubbling inside her when Hermione didn't let go of her hand even as they reached the stairs towards their dorm.

Hermione was about to tug her hand away when Blair suddenly pulled her into a hug and rested her chin on her head. Hermione blushed and stuttered. "B-Blair, w-what-" 

Blair pulled away and smiled at Hermione before letting go. Hermione frowned when she felt the warmth leave her body. 

Blair turned towards the boys' dorm's staircase before smiling at Hermione once more. "Good night... Mione." 

Hermione's face softened at the use of her nickname. "Good night, Blair." 

The two of them started going to their respective rooms with Blair gushing to all of the boys and Hermione lying in bed with her heart beating so fast. She just couldn't help but think about the perfect feeling of being in Blair's arms.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The next two days passed without great incident, unless you counted Neville melting his sixth cauldron in Potions. Professor Snape, who seemed to have attained new levels of vindictiveness over the summer, gave Neville and Blair, who shouted at Snape after he started insulting Neville, detention. The Prancers were on their way to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Blair waved her arms around since they hurt from scrubbing cauldrons for the third night in the row. Neville had a night of detention, but Blair earned a week of detention. 

Neville looked at her with guilt. "I'm sorry, Caelum. You didn't have to do that, you know?" 

Blair nudged him with her shoulder and grinned. "Oh, Gramen. You know I'd do anything for you, especially if it involves that greasy-haired git." 

The four of them shared laughs as they went into the classroom. Blair saw an empty seat beside Hermione and after a quick apology to her friends, rushed towards it.

"Hey, Granger." Blair smirked.

Hermione rolled her eyes in amusement. "Blair." 

Blair's eyes lit up. It was the first time that Hermione responded with her first name and not her last name. The name Hermione called her depended on what name Blair called her. 

She turned around and smiled proudly at Dean, Seamus, Harry and Ron before mouthing. 'She called me Blair.' 

The four snickered at their love-struck friend, and Hermione looked at her with a questioning look when the door slammed open and clunking footsteps rang through the classroom. Blair smiled excitedly and Moody sent her a small smile.

"You can put those away," he growled, stumping over to his desk and sitting down, "those books. You won't need them." 

Moody took out a register, shook his long mane of grizzled gray hair out of his twisted and scarred face, and began to call out names, his normal eye moving steadily down the list while his magical eye swiveled around, fixing upon each student as he or she answered. Blair chuckled as he smirked before calling out her name as Little Blair Wood.

"Right then," he said, "I've had a letter from Professor Lupin about this class. Seems you've had a pretty thorough grounding in tackling Dark creatures — you've covered boggarts, Red Caps, hinkypunks, grindylows, Kappas, and werewolves, is that right?" 

There was a general murmur of assent. "But you're behind — very behind — on dealing with curses," said Moody. "So I'm here to bring you up to scratch on what wizards can do to each other. I've got one year to teach you how to deal with Dark —"

"What, aren't you staying?" Ron blurted out. 

Moody's magical eye spun around to stare at Ron; Ron looked extremely apprehensive, but after a moment Moody smiled — Blair had to stifle her laughter at the sight of the terrified faces around her. The first time he smiled, Blair certainly had the same reaction.

"You'll be Arthur Weasley's son, eh?" Moody said. "Your father got me out of a very tight corner a few days ago... Yeah, I'm staying just the one year. Special favor to Dumbledore... One year, and then going to my quiet retirement." He gave a harsh laugh, and then clapped his gnarled hands together. 

"So — straight into it. Curses. They come in many strengths and forms. Now, according to the Ministry of Magic, I'm supposed to teach you countercurses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in the sixth year. You're not supposed to be old enough to deal with it till then. But Professor Dumbledore's got a higher opinion of your nerves. Now which of you can tell me how many unforgivable curses there are?"

Blair squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. She knew Moody was telling them these for a reason. Surely, he wouldn't try it on them. He wouldn't show them, would he?

Hermione's hand shot up in the air. "There are three, sir." 

Moody turned his magical eye to her. "And they are so named?" 

"Because they are unforgivable. Use of any one of them will-"

"Will earn you a one way ticket to Azkaban. Correct. Now the ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know what you're up against, you need to be prepared, you need to find somewhere else to put your chewing gum other than the underside of your desk, Mr. Finnigan!" Moody's eye focused on Seamus. 

Blair, Dean and Neville shared amused glances. Seamus groaned. "Aw no way, the old codger can see out the back of his head." 

"And can hear across classrooms!" Mad-Eye threw the chalk in anger. Blair had to pinch her thigh to stop herself from bursting into laughter.

Moody looked around. "So... do any of you know which curses are most heavily punished by wizarding law?" 

Several hands rose tentatively into the air, including Ron's and Hermione's. Blair clenched her jaw and her fists. She didn't like where the lesson was going. Moody pointed at Ron, though his magical eye had now been fixed on Blair.

"Er," said Ron tentatively, "my dad told me about one... Is it called the Imperius Curse, or something?" 

"Ah, yes," said Moody appreciatively. "Your father would know that one. Gave the Ministry a lot of trouble at one time, the Imperius Curse." 

Moody got heavily to his mismatched feet, opened his desk drawer, and took out a glass jar. Three large black spiders were scuttling around inside it.

Blair took in a sharp breath and smiled reassuringly at Ron, who nodded shakily yet gratefully at her. Moody reached into the jar, caught one of the spiders, and held it in the palm of his hand so that they could all see it. 

He then pointed his wand at it and muttered, "Imperio!" The spider leapt from Moody's hand on a fine thread of silk and began to swing backward and forward as though on a trapeze.

It stretched out its legs rigidly, then did a back flip, breaking the thread and landing on the desk, where it began to cartwheel in circles. Moody jerked his wand, and the spider rose onto two of its hind legs and went into what was unmistakably a tap dance. 

Everyone was laughing — everyone except Moody and Blair. Blair looked down at her desk. She couldn't stand how they could laugh when it was called an Unforgivable for a reason.

"Think it's funny, do you?" Moody growled. "You'd like it, would you, if I did it to you?" The laughter died away almost instantly. 

"Total control," said Moody quietly as the spider balled itself up and began to roll over and over. "I could make it jump out of the window, drown itself, throw itself down one of your throats..." Blair was now clenching her fists so tight she felt her nails dig into her palms.

"Years back, there were a lot of witches and wizards being controlled by the Imperius Curse," said Moody, and Blair knew she was talking about the days in which Voldemort had been all-powerful. "Some job for the Ministry, trying to sort out who was being forced to act, and who was acting of their own free will.

"The Imperius Curse can be fought, and I'll be teaching you how, but it takes real strength of character, and not everyone's got it. Better avoid being hit with it if you can. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" he barked, and everyone but Blair jumped. Moody picked up the somersaulting spider and threw it back into the jar.

"Anyone else know one? Another illegal curse?" Hermione's hand flew into the air again and so, to Blair's worry, did Neville's. She, Seamus and Dean exchanged worried glances. They knew the fates of Neville's parents after he had confided to them during their third year. Even Neville looked surprised at his own daring.

"Yes?" said Moody, his magical eye rolling right over to fix on Neville. 

"There's one — the Cruciatus Curse," said Neville in a small but distinct voice. 

Moody was looking very intently at Neville, this time with both eyes. "Your name's Longbottom?" he said, his magical eye swooping down to check the register again. Neville nodded nervously, but Moody made no further inquiries.

Turning back to the class at large, he reached into the jar for the next spider and placed it upon the desktop, where it remained motionless, apparently too scared to move. 

"The Cruciatus Curse," said Moody. "Needs to be a bit bigger for you to get the idea," he said, pointing his wand at the spider. "Engorgio!" The spider swelled. It was now larger than a tarantula. 

Blair's breath hitched. She hoped what she thought was going to happen wouldn't happen.

Moody raised his wand again, pointed it at the spider, and muttered, "Crucio!" 

At once, the spider's legs bent in upon its body; it rolled over and began to twitch horribly, rocking from side to side. No sound came from it, but they were sure that if it could have given voice, it would have been screaming. Moody did not remove his wand, and the spider started to shudder and jerk more violently —

"Mister Alastor, stop it! Can't you bloody see it's bothering him?" All eyes turned to Blair, who stood up and glared at Moody. Moody's eyes softened a bit as Blair looked at Neville worriedly. She could see his clenched hands and wanted to give him a hug right at that moment, but she knew it wasn't the time.

Moody raised his wand. The spider's legs relaxed, but it continued to twitch. "Reducio," Moody muttered, and the spider shrank back to its proper size. He put it back into the jar. 

"Pain," said Moody softly. "You don't need thumbscrews or knives to torture someone if you can perform the Cruciatus Curse... That one was very popular once too. Right... anyone know any others?"

Blair sat back in her seat and put a hand on Neville's shoulder and to show his thanks, he put a hand over Blair's. Moody's two eyes turned to Blair as he set down the spider in front of her. "Perhaps, you could give us the last one, Blair Wood." 

Blair shut her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't believe that Moody was doing this. 

"You don't know?" Moody raised his wand once more. "Avada Kedavra!" Moody roared. There was a flash of blinding green light that Blair saw even if her eyes were shut tight and a rushing sound, as the spider rolled over onto its back, unmarked, but unmistakably dead.

Blair clenched her jaw and dug her nails into her palms. She opened her eyes and glared at Moody. Moody's eyes softened once more. He paused and gazed at Blair before turning back to the class. 

"Not nice," he said calmly. "Not pleasant. And there's no countercurse. There's no blocking it. Only one known person has ever survived it, and he's sitting right in front of me." 

Everyone but Blair's eyes turned to Harry. Blair was still appalled at the events that transpired in their first class. Suddenly, she felt her fist uncurl as a hand slipped into hers and squeezed it tight.

Blair looked at Hermione with surprise. Hermione just sent her a weak smile before writing on her parchment. Blair mindlessly wrote as Moody ordered them to. She settled into the comfort Hermione's touch brought. Blair knew the horrors of the three curses. Her eyes turned to Neville once more in the worry of her friend. She didn't know what it felt. To witness the curse that turned his parents into mere shells of who they used to be.

As soon as the bell rang, Blair let go of Hermione's hand and ran after Neville, who rushed out of the room, with Dean and Seamus chasing after her. Neville had his eyes wide open as he leaned against the wall. 

Blair brought him into a hug. "Nev, are you alright?" 

Neville smiled forcibly. "Yeah. I wonder what's for dinner. I-I'm starving, a-aren't you?" 

Blair, Dean and Seamus exchanged glances when Harry, Ron and Hermione came towards them. Hermione looked over Neville with worry. "Neville, are you alright? What-"

But an odd clunking noise sounded behind them, and they turned to see Professor Moody limping toward them. All seven of them fell silent, watching him apprehensively. Blair was still cross with him, and it was obvious in the way she glared at him. 

But when he spoke, it was in a much lower and gentler growl than they had yet heard. "It's all right, sonny," he said to Neville. "Why don't you come up to my office? Come on... we can have a cup of tea..." Neville paled even more at the invitation.

Moody turned his magical eye upon Blair. "Little B, you should come too. I think, you're quite cross with me, aren't you?" 

Blair crossed her arms and kept her glare on him. "Yes, I am. And I'm coming for Nev. Not you, Professor Moody." Moody chuckled before placing his hands on Neville and Blair's shoulders. Blair smiled reassuringly towards her worried friends before they went into Moody's office.

Neville and Blair were silent as Moody brought out some books from his bookshelves. "Longbottom, I heard from Professor Sprout you have quite the affinity for Herbology. Here you go." 

Neville relaxed slightly as he thanked Moody before reading through the books. Moody served them some teas as he turned to Blair with a sad smile. "I'm sorry, Little B. It's Dumbledore's orders, you know? Remember-" 

"Constant Vigilance!" The two of them shouted out at the same time. 

Blair smiled and sipped her tea. "I know, Mister Alastor, and I'm sorry for how I reacted, but I just think you shouldn't really do it in front of- you know..." 

Moody nodded grimly. "Don't worry, kid. That would be the last time." After that, Blair was satisfied as she, Moody and Neville talked about Moody's first week and a few adventures they've had over the years.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Neville and Blair went back to the common room. Neville started reading his book while Blair lay down on the couch with her head on his lap. "Hey, Nev?" 

"Yes, Caelum?" Neville muttered distractedly, still absorbed in his book. 

"You know, I'll always be here for you, right?" 

Neville put down the book and smiled down at her. "Of course I do, Blair. We've been through too much for our friendship to break." The two of them smiled sincerely at each other, their smiles conveying what words couldn't.

Blair was about to drift off to sleep when the door to their common room opened. Her face lit up as she saw it was Harry and Ron, but it soon turned into a frown because Hermione wasn't with them. "Harry, Ron. Where's Mione?" 

Harry scoffed. "So, no hellos for us? Or maybe, a hi." 

"Oh, hello. Where's Mione?" Blair grinned lopsidedly. Harry and Ron shook their heads at her, saying they didn't know.

Blair and Neville recounted their story at Moody's office. After their story, Neville went up to their dorm and Harry, Blair and Ron started their Divination homework. They laughed at the various death situations they came up with for their dream journal. 

Blair's had her meeting a troll on a Monday, wrestling a dragon on a Tuesday, dating the giant squid on a Wednesday, and more disastrous and unbelievable events. They were cut off when Fred and George came and whisked Blair away to talk about their plans. 

Blair was nearly finished with the Aging Potion for Fred and George. Though she warned them that it wouldn't work, nothing could change the Weasley twins' minds.

"So, it'll be done on-" 

The door to the common room opened, and Hermione Granger came in and rushed to Harry and Ron. 

"Mione!" Blair left the twins and stumbled on her way. "I missed you." 

Hermione blushed before clearing her throat. "I've finished it." 

"So have I!" said Ron triumphantly, throwing down his quill.

Hermione sat down, laid the things she was carrying in an empty armchair, and pulled Ron's predictions toward her. "Not going to have a very good month, are you?" she said sardonically as Crookshanks curled up in her lap. 

"Ah well, at least I'm forewarned," Ron yawned. 

"You seem to be drowning twice," said Hermione.

"Oh am I?" said Ron, peering down at his predictions. 

"You'd better change one of them to getting trampled by a rampaging hippogriff." Blair commented before she smiled charmingly at her love.

Hermione shook her head. "Don't you think it's a bit obvious you've made these up?"

"How dare you!" said Ron, in mock outrage. "We've been working like house-elves here!" 

Hermione raised her eyebrows. 

Blair smacked Ron on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Mione. I'll take care of him." 

Ron playfully glared at his childhood friend, who smiled at the smile on Hermione's face.

Harry laid down his quill too, having just finished predicting his own death by decapitation. "What's in the box?" he asked, pointing at it. 

"Funny you should ask," said Hermione, with a nasty look at Ron. She took off the lid and showed them the contents. Inside were about fifty badges, all of different colors, but all bearing the same letters: S.P.E.W.

"'Spew'?" said Harry, picking up a badge and looking at it. "What's this about?" 

"Not spew," said Hermione impatiently. "It's S-P-E-W. Stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare." 

Blair, Harry and Ron exchanged confused glances. "Never heard of it," said Ron. 

"Well, of course you haven't," said Hermione briskly, "I've only just started it."

Blair sighed dreamily as she whispered to Harry and Ron. "Bloody hell, she's amazing! My future wife." 

Ron scoffed at the way she was acting before turning back to Hermione. "How many members have you got?" 

"Well — if you three join — four," said Hermione.

Ron sighed. "And you think-"

"It's a brilliant idea, Mione. Don't worry, we'll help full time." Blair cut Ron off. 

Harry and Ron glared at her, but Blair didn't even notice as she focused on the way Hermione's face lit up. 

Ron turned to Hermione again. "You think we want to walk around wearing badges saying 'spew,' do you?" Blair smacked him on the shoulder again.

"S-P-E-W!" said Hermione hotly. "I was going to put Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status — but it wouldn't fit. So that's the heading of our manifesto." 

She brandished the sheaf of parchment at them. "I've been researching it thoroughly in the library. Elf enslavement goes back centuries. I can't believe no one's done anything about it before now."

"Hermione — open your ears," said Ron loudly. "They. Like. It. They like being enslaved!" 

"Our short-term aims," said Hermione, speaking even more loudly than Ron, and acting as though she hadn't heard a word, "are to secure house-elves fair wages and working conditions. Our longterm aims include changing the law about non-wand use, and trying to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, because they're shockingly underrepresented."

"And how do we do all this?" Harry asked. 

"We start by recruiting members," said Hermione happily. "I thought two Sickles to join — that buys a badge — and the proceeds can fund our leaflet campaign. You're treasurer, Ron — I've got you a collecting tin upstairs — and Harry, you're secretary, so you might want to write down everything I'm saying now, as a record of our first meeting. And Blair, you could be our Public Information Officer. You spread the word and sell badges."

Blair beamed at her. "Do I do it with you?" 

"Of course! I am the president so I have to be there to explain, you know?" Hermione smiled at them all. Harry and Ron looked torn between exasperation at Hermione and amusement at Blair's happiness. Suddenly, there was a soft tap on the window. All heads turned to see that it was Hedwig.

"Hedwig!" Harry shouted, and he launched himself out of his chair and across the room to pull open the window. Hedwig flew inside, soared across the room, and landed on the table on top of Harry's predictions. 

"About time!" said Harry, hurrying after her. 

"She's got an answer!" said Ron excitedly, pointing at the grubby piece of parchment tied to Hedwig's leg. Harry hastily untied it and sat down to read, whereupon Hedwig fluttered onto his knee, hooting softly. 

"Is that Uncle Snuffles? What does it say?" Blair asked curiously. Harry began reading it.

Harry —


I'm flying north immediately. This news about your scar is the latest in a series of strange rumors that have reached me here. If it hurts again, go straight to Dumbledore — they're saying he's got Mad-Eye out of retirement, which means he's reading the signs, even if no one else is. I'll be in touch soon. My best to Caelum, Ron and Hermione. Keep your eyes open, Harry.

Sirius

Harry looked up at Blair, Ron and Hermione, who stared back at him. 

"He's flying north?" Hermione whispered. "He's coming back?" 

"Dumbledore's reading what signs?" said Ron, looking perplexed. "Harry — what's up?"
 

Blair looked at Harry worriedly. "Harry..."

"I shouldn't've told him!" Harry said furiously.
 

"What are you on about?" said Ron in surprise. 


"It's made him think he's got to come back!" said Harry, now slamming his fist on the table so that Hedwig landed on the back of Ron's chair, hooting indignantly. 

"Coming back, because he thinks I'm in trouble! And there's nothing wrong with me! And I haven't got anything for you," Harry snapped at Hedwig, who was clicking her beak expectantly, "you'll have to go up to the Owlery if you want food."

Hedwig gave him an extremely offended look and took off for the open window, cuffing him around the head with her outstretched wing as she went. 

"Harry." Blair put a hand on his shoulder.

Harry shrugged her off. "I'm going to bed. See you in the morning." 

Blair, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances as Harry went up the stairs. Blair stood up and sent them smiles. "Don't worry. I got this."

Blair walked up the stairs to the boys' dorm and waved to Neville, Seamus and Dean before walking to Harry, who lay on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I'm fine, Blair. There's nothing wrong with me." 

"You do know you can lie to everyone else, but not to me, right Harry?" Blair sat down on his bed. 

Harry sighed before sitting up. "He's the only family I've got left, and I don't want anything to happen to him, Blair. I-I'm scared. I'm scared he might get caught again because of me."

Blair ruffled his hair affectionately. "Harry, if it bothers you, remember who he is. He's Uncle Padfoot. He won't get caught, all right? He's been through too much to stop and get caught." 

Harry smiled weakly and bumped her shoulder. "Thanks, Aika. You always make it fine." 

"I'm always here, James." Blair squeezed his shoulder one last time before going to her fellow Prancers. The four of them conversed about their day before starting to brainstorm for their pranks. Ron came in and talked with them.

"Oh, Blair. I forgot to ask. You had something to tell us the other night, right?" Dean suddenly asked. 

The whole room groaned. Blair beamed before diving right into her story about the night at the library. 

"Why'd you have to ask, Dean? Couldn't you have done it tomorrow?" Ron said with a hint of amusement and frustration. 

Neville just fell back on his bed. "Good night, mates. Let her go on." 

The five boys tucked themselves in and drifted off to sleep as Blair gushed on and on about Hermione without a care.

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