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"MUM! I'LL BE FINE!" The eleven year old Blair blushed as her mother, Olivia Wood, fussed over her and fixed her hair. Blake Wood, her father, chuckled and ruffled her hair as her mother then moved to her older brother, Oliver Wood.

Blake hugged his daughter tight. "Oh, our little Blair. Not so long ago, you'd ask me to teach you how to play as a Chaser. Now, you're off to Hogwarts." 

Blair tried getting out of his grip. "Dad! I'm not little anymore. I'm 11." 

Blake laughed loudly and let his little girl go before crouching down and looking her in the eye with a soft smile on his face. "I know, Little B. Remember, what we've taught you, all right? Your heart. Always, always follow your pure heart."

Blair's face softened as she threw her arms around her father. "Yes, Dad. I love you." 

"I love you too, Blair. Now, go to your mum. I don't want her fainting." Blake ruffled her hair one last time. 

Blair giggled before throwing her arms around her mother. "I love you, Mum. Don't worry, I won't get into trouble." 

"Oh, dear. Oliver, take care of your sister, alright?" Olivia gave the two of them kisses on their heads. 

The Wood siblings exchanged glances before nodding simultaneously. "Yes, Mum." They knew that Blair was a troublemaker. It's either trouble would find her, or she'd find herself in trouble. 

Blake checked the time and sighed. "You two, write to us. It's almost time. We love you two." The Wood family shared one last hug before separating. Oliver and Blair waved goodbye to their parents and got on the train. 

Oliver looked worriedly towards his sister. "You got your trunk, Blair? Do you want me to sit with you? I can-" 

"Olli, stop! I'll be fine. Go to your friends, alright? I'll look for Ron." Blair cut off his ramblings with a chuckle. Oliver gave his sister a hug and thanked her before he went off to join his friends.

Blair started walking around and saw a compartment with her childhood friend, Ron, and another boy. Blair knocked on the door and smirked when Ron and the other boy jumped. 

Ron's face lit up as he rose and hugged Blair. "Blair! You're finally here." 

"Oh, Ronniekins. Missed me that much, did you?"

Blair soon turned her gaze to the other boy and smiled as she held her hand out. "Hi there. I'm Blair Wood. And you are?" 

The boy smiled and shook her hand. "I'm Harry Potter." 

"Nice to meet you, Harry." Blair sat down in front of Ron and started talking with him. She missed the surprised expression on Harry's face as she was the first one to not gape and say, "It's Harry Potter!". Harry unconsciously smiled at Blair's actions before joining in the conversation.

Then, the trolley came, and Harry and Blair bought the whole trolley and shared with Ron. While they were eating, Ron took out his wand. "My brother taught me a trick over the summer, wanna see?" 

Blair and Harry nodded as Ron cleared his throat.

Just as he was about to speak, the door slid open, and a girl with bushy hair, freckles, and brown eyes entered, looking from Ron to Harry then to Blair who stared back at her with a small smile. "Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."

The girl's eyes drifted to Ron's wand. "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then."

Ron cleared his throat once more before concentrating on Scabbers. "Sunshine daisies butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!"

But nothing happened. Blair let out a snort. "Oohhh, I'm impressed, Ronniekins!"

"Shut up, Blair Bear." Ron glared playfully at his childhood friend.

The girl shook her head. "Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? Of course I've only tried a few simple spells myself, and they've all worked for me. For example..." 

The girl turned to Harry, which made him tense. "Oculus reparo."

Harry's eyes widened as the tapes on his glasses disappeared, and his eyeglasses were fixed. He took off his eyeglasses, and his lightning scar showed. 

The girl's eyes widened. "Holy cricket! You're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger. And you two are?" Hermione turned to Blair and Ron.

Blair opened her mouth to speak, but for some reason, she got flustered under the witch's gaze. Luckily, Ron decided to speak up for the both of them despite his full mouth. "I'm Ron Weasley. She's Blair Wood."

Hermione grimaced at the sight before standing up. "Pleasure. You three better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon."

She turned to leave before turning around and looking at Blair. "Your cheeks are blazing red, did you know?" 

As Hermione left the compartment, Blair's cheeks went even darker, but a smile spread on her face at the thought of Hermione Granger. "Bloody hell."

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Blair got into a boat with Harry, Ron and a boy named Neville Longbottom, who she became fast friends with. She, Harry and Ron stuck together as they were led up the stairs to come face to face with a tall stern-looking woman named Professor McGonagall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup-"

"Trevor!" Neville suddenly shouted as he spotted his toad near Professor McGonagall. Everybody shared chuckles when McGonagall shook her head at him. 

"Sorry." Neville retreated back to his spot beside Blair.

McGonagall looked over at them again. "The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily."

As McGonagall left, a blonde boy who, in Blair's opinion, looked as if he smelled something bad (Blair thought it could be one of his lackeys at his side) with the way he sneered came over to them. 

The blonde smirked at Harry. "It's true then. What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." Blair looked around, unamused at the whispers. 

The blonde continued on. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron and Blair shared glances before they snickered. Draco's eyes went towards them as he sneered. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley."

 Ron went red and looked down while Blair growled and glared at Draco Malfoy. "At least his hair is natural. You must get tired bleaching your hair all the time, Mallory. I'd give it 7 to 10 years before you get a bald, shining spot."

Draco glared back at her. "It's Malfoy. And you are?"

"Wood." 

"Wood?"

"Would you shut up?" Blair's comment made them all laugh.

Draco Malfoy turned red and turned to Harry instead. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. I can help you there." 

Harry glanced at Draco's extended hand before looking back up at him. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." 

Draco's eyes steeled and opened his mouth to say something when McGonagall came back. "We're ready for you now."

McGonagall led everybody through the two large doors and intro the Great Hall, where there were four long tables, filled with students, but what amazed Blair the most was the ceiling that appeared to look like the sky. 

"It's not real, the ceiling." Blair jumped to see Hermione Granger beside her and felt her cheeks flush at the sight of the witch whose eyes twinkled as bright as the bewitched ceiling.

Hermione turned to her. "It's just bewitched to look like the sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

"You're brilliant, huh?" Blair could only utter out in amazement.

Blushing at the compliment, the Muggleborn was about to respond when McGonagall placed the stool in front of the first years.

On top of the stool, she put a pointed wizard's hat, but it looked extremely dirty and frayed. There was complete silence for a few seconds. Then, the hat twitched. There was a rip near its brim, and it opened wide like a mouth and started singing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

Everyone in the Great Hall clapped their hands as the hat finished its song. It bowed to the four tables and became still again. 

"So we've just got to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry and Blair. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll." 

Blair let out a sigh of relief. Her family wouldn't tell her anything to give her "the full experience", so she had been feeling her nerves for quite a while now. Fred and George didn't help them calm down either as they even got Oliver in to prank their younger siblings.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward and held a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!"

A girl with flushed cheeks stumbled out of line and put on the hat. After a moment-

"HUFFLEPUFF!" 

Everyone cheered and clapped as Hannah sat down at the Hufflepuff table.

Blair's nerves got the best of her as her attention left the sorting. She just heard several students like Brown and Seamus Finnigan being sorted into Gryffindor. Then... 

"Granger, Hermione!" 

Blair's eyes snapped up to the front. She watched Hermione run to the stool. The hat was set onto her head and after a few moments... 

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Among all the applause and cheers, Blair was the loudest of them all. After Hermione, Neville was sorted into Gryffindor and Malfoy got sorted into Slytherin.

After a few more names, Harry was called. "Potter, Harry!" 

Whispers broke out once more. Harry ignored all their whispers, and the last thing he saw was Blair's reassuring smile before the hat dropped over his eyes. After what seemed to be like a few minutes, the sorting hat finally shouted. 

"GRYFFINDOR!" 

Blair and Ron cheered for their friend, who shakily walked towards the Gryffindor table. Harry sent them smiles while Blair and Ron sent him thumbs-ups. Then, a boy named Dean Thomas was sorted into Gryffindor and a girl named Lisa was sorted into Ravenclaw. 

There was only Ron, Blair and another boy left. 

"Weasley, Ron!" Ron turned green. Blair whispered a good luck and pushed him forward. 

A second later after the hat sat on his head, it shouted. "GRYFFINDOR!" 

 Harry and Blair clapped loudly with the rest as Ron sat down beside Harry.

Now, it was Blair's turn. Blair walked up to the stool and caught her brother's eyes. Oliver smiled at her as Blair let the hat drop over her eyes. 

"Oh, another Wood." A small voice came into her head. 

'You know my brother?' Blair thought to herself. 

The hat's voice laughed merrily. "Now, I know you wouldn't be sorted into Ravenclaw." 

Blair pouted at that. 'Hey! I'm smart. I started memorizing Quidditch plays when I was 6. And I've got quite the ideas for pranks.'

"Yes. Yes. You truly are troublesome, Blair Wood. And it's quite difficult as to where to place you. You are definitely courageous, I see. But there's an undying loyalty in you.

"You are too kind, Miss Wood. You do not have what it takes to be in Slytherin. I see it in your heart, and you do not have the ambition even if you have leadership and resourcefulness in you. Your wits are... alright, but not your strongest point. However, your bravery will be one that so much people will remember, and your determination will bring you to great adventures. But of all, it is the purity of your heart that makes you yourself. So, where to put you? In Gryffindor where you are destined to be or in Hufflepuff where you may thrive?"

Blair thought about it hard. 'Anywhere's fine, but I do prefer Gryffindor. I think I'd be a great Chaser there. My brother's there too. And so are my friends. Which house were you in, Mr... Sorry I didn't catch your name.' 

The hat burst into laughter once more, and this time, it did it out loud. "They call me Mr. Hat. Better be GRYFFINDOR!" 

The Gryffindor table cheered and clapped as Blair grinned and went towards her friends. She was sure it was gonna be a great year. Maybe she could have adventures of her own while at Hogwarts. As Dumbledore put it, "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

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Blair Wood's first three years in Hogwarts were nothing but trouble.

In her first year, she had gained three brothers in the form of three other Gryffindors – Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas. After an incident involving firecrackers, Peeves, Snape, and a long detention together, they established their ragtag group of friends known as the Prancers. Seamus the firecracker, Dean the tranquilizer, Neville the gardener, and Blair the ringleader. Major victims of the Prancers were the Slytherins, who were always tormenting the other houses, Snape, and Filch. Anyone who meant to stand in the way of justice and trouble would face the Prancers' wrath and pranks.

While the formation of the Prancers was the highlight of the year, becoming the Chaser for the Gryffindor's Quidditch team was something to note too. And well... she wouldn't admit it to anyone, but the way Hermione Granger sent her a smile after Gryffindor won the House Cup due to the Golden Trio (and Neville)'s quest of saving the Philosopher's Stone had made her heart flutter for the very first time in her life. 

Then, came second year. As the Prancers were brainstorming what could be "The Perfect Prancer Ploy" – a top secret plan that could be their legacy in Hogwarts, they even found a new target in the form of Professor Lockhart. If you asked Blair why, she would say it was because he was such a fraud, and not because Hermione was obviously smitten with the Professor. Uh uh. After all, why would she care about who the Granger fancied?

But Blair's question was soon answered when the Chamber of Secrets happened. Of all the Muggleborns, of all the witches and wizards, of all the students in their school, Hermione just had to be one of those who were petrified. It was the first time Blair felt her heart break as she sat by Hermione's frozen figure in bed and promised to do everything. It didn't help too that her little sister figure, Ginny Weasley, was taken in as well. 

Through sleepless nights and endless reading, Blair and the Prancers were able to create the Mandrake Restorative Draught that eventually returned all the petrified students back. Blair may not remember all the steps to making that potion, but she would most certainly remember the joy on Hermione's face as she rushed towards them at the end of the year feast and gave Blair (and the rest of the Prancers) a tight and grateful hug. That was when Blair knew to herself – heart pounding, hands slightly shaking as she hugged Hermione back. Maybe... Just maybe, she had the tiniest crush on Hermione Granger.

So, when third year came around, Hermione Granger was completely surprised when Blair Wood suddenly walked up to her one day and looked at her differently. While they would enjoy the occasional chat in the common room or the small talks in their dorms, Blair had never shown any interest or any sign at all that she ever thought of Hermione as more than a friend. But Blair changed. It started out small. The compliments, the snacks, then the walks to class. Then, finally, asking Hermione out to Hogsmeade – as more than friends. On a date. An actual date. And it escalated from that moment on.

Between trying to keep her best friend away from Sirius Black, saving Buckbeak, and having to figure out the whole Time Turner thing, Hermione just had no clue what to do with Blair Wood's sudden flirtations. She could only get flustered every time Blair would ask her out or drop a pick up line. But every time Blair would ask her out, whether it was the time that she took a Bludger to her arm during practice (Oliver was livid) or the time during Valentine's Day when Blair shamelessly asked her out during Potions class (and got a detention in return), Hermione would say no. As much as she didn't want to reject her friend, Blair just wouldn't get it unless Hermione actually said no.

And when that would happen, the Prancers, Harry, and Ron would just exchange silent looks. Ever since their second year, there was not a day that Blair wouldn't talk about Hermione when she hung out in the boys' dorm. Complimenting her looks and her wits, complaining about how she was so smitten with Lockhart, groaning about her never getting a chance, gushing about how Hermione had smiled at her that one time during Potions, and even daydreaming of their future. The boys had seen and heard it all. It was a miracle it took Blair two years before she finally admitted that she liked Hermione.

And though Blair was at loss when it came to love, she and the Prancers had their own small victories as they finally started on "The Perfect Prancer Ploy", took care of a big black dog, and helped Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Buckbeak's escape. Also, she got to have private Patronus lessons with Remus Lupin who was a werewolf and one of her father's dearest friends. Turned out she was truly a lion at heart. So, although she got rejected by Hermione when Blair stood up on the table and asked her out again at the end-of-the-year feast, she still considered the slight smile tugging on the corner of Hermione's lips as her greatest victory that year.

And now comes their fourth year. Everything changes. Relationships, friendships and themselves. Blair Wood goes into fourth year, and trouble chases after her once more. Bloody hell, they just couldn't get one quiet year.

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