Erica smiled, stood on a ledge, as she watched the students hurrying to their classes,"Heh, look at them all."

"Just cause you've got a free period." Parker chuckled, standing next to her friend.

"What about yourself, Missy. You're meant to be in potions." Erica hummed.

"I'm waiting until the crowd clears." Parker nodded.

"You'll be waiting a long time." Erica shook her head.

"Miss Malfoy." McGonagall called to her.

Parker jumped down, pushing through the crowd,"Yes Professor?"

"Arent you supposed to be in class?"

"The crowd, Professor." Parker sighed,"It's too crowded."

"Well, you better head there soon, Professor Slughorn likes people being there on time." McGonagall then looked at Erica,"And take Miss Weasley with her, she looks far too happy."

"But... She didn't pass."

"She did pass, just not at Professor Snape's standard... Professor Slughorn can be persuaded."

"Then I'll gladly take her." Parker smiled.

"Enjoy yourself." McGonagall nodded to her.

Parker waved,"Erica, you're in potions."

"Excuse me?" She blinked.

"You technically did pass." Parker nodded.

"Yeah- But Snape said I needed an Outstanding-"

"Slughorn lowered the bar so you can come." Parker smiled.

"And that's a good thing?" Erica asked slowly.

"Yes, because I don't have to deal with new teacher by myself." Parker nodded.

"Literally everyone else is in that class." Erica sighed,"Draco's in that class, our friends are there too."

"I like you the most... Please?"

Erica looked around,"Fine, but if I fail, I'm going to kill you."

"I'll help you." Parker whispered.

"Let's just go before I change my mind." Erica nudged her.

Parker smiled and took her hand, pulling her to class and slowly walking in.

Slughorn was mid-speech when he turned and saw them,"Oh, Miss Malfoy and Miss Weasley. Quick, grab a textbook from the back."

"Yes sir." Parker nodded as they walked over to the cupboard.

Inside was two books. A perfect looking one and... An old ragged one.

"You're supposed to be in the class, you take the nice one." Erica whispered.

"I don't know.." Parker tilted her head,"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Parker. The books are both the same." Erica nodded.

Parker nodded slowly took the nice looking one.

Erica picked up the other book,"Come on, let's go."

Parker and Erica then sat down with the rest of their Herd. Slughorn then explained the lesson, if you could make a perfect Draught of Living Death... Then he would award you with one drop of Liquid Luck.

"Well, I guess you or 'Mione is gonna get a cool reward." Erica hummed as she opened her book.

"Sure." Parker chuckled as she opened her book, beginning the instructions.

Erica began reading through her instructions but... There were scribbles at the side of the pages, different instructions. Erica shrugged, deciding she might as well follow them.

Along the lines of 'cut the bean', it has a scribble to the side that stated 'crush'. Erica shrugged, using the handle of her knife to crush the bean and add it to her potion. She must've just had a misprint.

"How did you do that?" Hermione looked at Erica.

"It says to crush it, not cut."

"No, it specifically says to cut it." Hermione pointed.

"It doesn't." Erica shook her head,"Maybe you've got a misprint."

"Mine says that too." Ron pointed to his.

"Whatever you say." Erica shrugged as she continued with her potion.

After a while, Erica had finished brewing her potion. Slughorn had walked over and placed a small leaf in her cauldron, which caused it to disintegrate.

"Merlin's beard- It's perfect!" Slughorn smiled and handed Erica a small vial of Liquid Luck.

Erica nodded slowly, holding the small golden vial... How in the world did she manage that?! Everyone else in potions was wondering the same thing. Erica wasn't the best at potions so how did she do it?

"I... Don't understand." Erica shook her head.

"Well, you did something right." Hermione sighed.

"Maybe this'll be my year for potions." Erica hummed.

"Maybe." Parker nodded.

"Use it wisely, Miss Weasley." Slughorn pointed.

"Of course, sir." Erica nodded.

"Let's get out of here before it gets snatched." Ron sighed.

"Good idea."

*********************************

"So who's the owner of the book?" Hermione asked.

"Uh... Well.." Erica opened it,"The Half-blood prince."

"The Half Blood Prince?"

"Yep."

"Who's that?"

'I don't know." Erica shrugged.

"Whoever he is, he's got good answers." Parker nodded.

"Mhm, and some cool spells by the looks of it." Erica hummed.

"He's got harmful spells." Parker pointed to a spell.

"So don't do those ones." Ron nodded slowly.

"I wont." Erica sighed.

"What's that spell there?" Harry pointed,"Sectumsempra."

"Uh... Dunno. I'm not testing it out, not if it comes from here." Erica shrugged.

"Good, it sounds dangerous." Parker sighed.

"I'll keep it safe." Erica hummed.

"Good. Are we still going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Hermione turned to them.

"Of course." Ron nodded.

"Good, I need a butterbeer." Hermione leaned back.

"Guys, I might be jinxing us, but I think this might be an okay year." Erica smiled.

"I hope so." Harry chuckled.

*********************************

"Y'know, I've missed this place." Erica sighed as they entered The Three Broomsticks.

"It's been a while." Ron agreed, sitting down at a table.

"It's... Comforting, in a way." Hermione smiled.

As they sat down, they noticed Ginny and Dean Thomas making out in a corner.

Erica looked away,"Gross."

"Definitely." Ron shivered.

"It's not a big deal, guys." Hermione sighed,"Imagine Ginny turns around and sees Ron snagging me, she wouldn't make a scene."

"Do you want to snog him?" Parker blinked.

"No- It's hypothetical." Hermione shook her head.

Erica looked between Hermione and Ron,"..Sure."

"Look I'll- I'm going to get drinks." Hermione quickly got up and went to the bar.

"That was a bit.. Weird." Harry nodded slowly.

"She's crazy." Ron muttered.

"And Lavender isn't?" Erica scoffed.

"She's... Okay." Ron shrugged.

"Okay? She follows you around like a lost dog." Erica rolled her eyes.

"She just wants to get to know me."

"She's obsessed with you." Erica crossed her arms,"Have you seen the way she looks at me when I spend time with you?"

"You're my sister, she wouldn't be jealous of that." Ron sighed.

"She would, and she is."

"Let's uh... Stop talking about Lavender, okay?" Harry shook his head.

"I agree." Ron nodded.

"I'm sorry." Erica sighed.

"It's okay." Ron shook his head at his sister as Hermione brought their drinks over.

Erica took a drink quickly, as she noticed Slughorn approaching,"Thanks 'Mione."

"Harry, Hermione... May I invite you two to join me at my Christmas Party?" Slughorn smiled.

"Us?" Harry asked.

"Yes, both of you." Slughorn nodded.

"Why, sir?" Hermione raised a brow.

"It's... Special, for the Slug Club. Please may you come?"

Harry looked around,"Sure, why not?"

"I'll come." Hermione hummed.

"Brilliant." Slughorn smiled.

"Where exactly are we meeting you?" Harry asked.

"There's a room, a hall just along from the Slytherin Dungeons. You'll receive a password to get in."

"We'll be there." Harry told him.

"Oh- You're allowed to bring one person each." Slughorn added.

"Great." Hermione nodded

Slughorn waved with a small chuckle before he left.

"Ooh, fancy." Erica hummed.

"Who are you gonna invite?" Ron turned to them.

"I'm not sure yet." Harry shook his head.

"Well, I think I'm a good choice." Ron smiled.

"Debatable." Erica coughed.

"Hey." Ron nudged her.

"Just saying."

"Can I go?' Ron asked.

"I'll think about it." Hermione pointed.

"I think we better head back." Parker sighed.

"I think you're right." Erica stretched as he stood up.

Once they all were outside, Parker kicked some snow as they walked,"If we had a snowball fight, who'd win?"

"Hm, I'd say me." Erica nodded.

"No way." Ron scoffed.

"What? Think you could beat me?"

"One hundred percent."

"Yeah, right." Erica nudged him.

"You want to bet-" Ron grabbed some snow.

"Guys?" Harry pointed towards a student in the air. Katie Bell, seventh year.

"Oh my-"

But before anyone could react, Katie fell to the ground and lay there... Motionless. The Herd quickly ran over as Hagrid walked up.

"Step back- Don't come any closer, any of you." He picked up Katie Bell.

"What's that?" Harry pointed to a brown package in the snow, the paper slightly ripped.

"Don't touch it Harry, you might end up in the same spot." Parker pointed,"Is she okay, Hagrid?"

"I don't know yet." Hagrid shook his head,"Bring that parcel, but only touch the paper."

"We'll need to talk to McGonagall... Won't we?" Parker sighed.

"Always do." Hermione shook her head.

*********************************

"Why is it, whenever something happens, it's always you five?" McGonagall held her head.

"Trust me, Professor... I've been asking myself the same thing for six years." Erica shrugged, her hands clasped.

Snape then walked in and over to McGonagall,"I heard the news about Miss Bell."

"What is this, Severus? " McGonagall asked him.

Snape lifted the necklace with his wand, inspecting it,"Well, it's definitely cursed... If she was delivering it to the Headmaster then whoever cursed Miss Bell, wanted it to be Dumbledore instead."

"It was Malfoy." Harry spoke up,"Draco."

Parker glanced at Snape before turning to Harry,"Draco wouldn't do that."

"He would-"

"And where is your proof?" Snape raised a brow,"This is a very serious accusation."

"I just know." Harry pointed.

"You just... Know." Snape blinked.

"Harry- Just drop it." Erica whispered.

"You hate him too." Harry turned to her.

"You must have rather good gifts, gifts mortals can only dream of. How grand it must be... To be the Chosen One." Snape nodded.

"I think it's best you five leave, we'll sort this out." McGonagall sighed.

"Agreed." Snape told them.

"Right.." Parker turned around and left.

"Why were you defending him in there?" Harry asked.

"Because- The only proof you have us that you think he's acting more snakey than usual." Erica crossed her arms.

"Ron, your game starts soon." Harry turned away from Erica.

"Crap- The game." Ron sighed.

"We should get some food before you go on." Harry nodded.

"So you're ready." Erica smiled.

"Good idea, need my strength, you know?" Ron agreed.

"Oh yes, so strong." Erica nodded slowly.

The Herd then began walking to the Great Hall, sitting down at their usual spot. Erica watched Ron starting to get some food so she quietly moved his glass towards her.

"What are you doing?" Hermione looked at her.

"Nothing, nothing." Erica assured her, taking a small vial from her pocket.

Hermione watched her,"That's not right, Erica."

"Nobody needs to know." Erica shook her head, as she slowly passed the glass back.

"It's cheating."

"She's being nice to him." Parker shrugged.

"It's not cheating if I don't get caught.' Erica put her vial away.

Ron turned back and took a drink of his juice that was in his glass.

"You ready to go?" Harry asked slowly.

"I am." Ron nodded.

"We'll see you boys on the pitch." Parker waved.

"Have fun." Erica hummed.

The boys left, Hermione standing up,"I'll see you both there.' She walked after them.

"You think she's mad at me?" Erica asked Parker.

"She'll get over it." Parker assured her.

"Yeah, it's just a game."

"I'm gonna go grab my scarf, I'm freezing. Meet you at the stands?" Parker asked.

"Mhm." Erica smiled.

Parker waved and ran to the common room. Blaise was sat there by the fire, looking through sheets of parchment.

Parker had grabbed her scarf, walking to Blaise,"Shouldn't you be getting ready for the match?"

'I suppose I should." Blaise nodded slowly.

'How are you feeling about it?"

"I'm not that bothered, it'll be fun either way."

"I know you'll do great." Parker smiled.

"Thanks." Blaise hummed as he sat his papers down.

"But then again, I need to root for both teams." Parker nodded.

"But I'll be the best, right?"

"Don't let anyone know, but yes." Parker chuckled.

"I knew it." Blaise smiled.

"I'll see you out there, don't get hurt." Parker pointed as she wrapped her scarf around her neck

"I'm always careful, don't you worry." Blaise assured her.

"See you, Blaise." Parker smiled softly and walked off.

"See you, Parker."

*********************************

Neville was on his way towards the Quidditch pitches, leaving the Great Hall.

"Nev." Erica hummed as she skipped up to him.

"Hi Erica." Neville stopped.

"Going to the match?" Erica asked.

"Might as well, nothing else to do."

"Do you want to sit with me?"

"If you'd like. I don't mind." Neville gave a small smile.

"I'd really like that." Erica reached for his hand.

Neville gently took her hand,"Who do you think will win?"

"Probably Gryffindor, but I don't mind." Erica hummed.

"We'll just need to see." Neville nodded.

"Exactly!"

"Are we meeting Parker and Hermione there?"

"Yeah, they're on their way to the stands."

"Why haven't you wrapped up warm either? It's cold." Neville sighed.

"It's not that cold." Erica shrugged.

"Are you sure?"

"Honest, I'll be fine." Erica assured him.

Neville nodded slowly,"Okay."