Glancing at her friend, Charlie, who looked like Trina, looked confused until she caught Trina Charlie's drift. "Oh yeah. You told me all about the snowball you and this handsome Gryffindor got into." Feigning forgetfulness, Charlie Trina put a finger to her lips, "Now who won that epic battle again?"

Noticing Braeden's shift away the brunette couldn't help but wonder why he seemed so nervous. He had seemed fine when they had talked earlier in the courtyard. Maybe it was for show. So that Charlie, well, me, or. . I? wouldn't get jealous. How sweet.

Oh no! He was already blowing his cover. "OH, har har har!" Theo let out a fake laugh, growing more and more uncomfortable by the minute. Braeden would kill him if he screwed this one up. "Yeah, that snowball fight... I don't remember who won, though." He shrugged nonchalantly but looked rather odd doing it, like an awkward llama of some sort. Or an awkward lion. Running a hand through his mane of auburn hair, he looked around. "Erm... how are finals doing for you two?" He froze almost as soon as he spoke. Brae would never talk about school! He despised it, so! "I mean... just asking, because I've been nervous. Putting off studying, you know."

Trina Charlie saw the understanding light up Trina Charlie's eyes. She hid a smile, glad that her friend was catching on... otherwise she would have been treading water. She giggled at the sound of the memory.
"Naturally," she said, not truly answering but she gave a small bow in the assumption that Charlie had been the winner.

Trina Charlie blinked as the odd sound left Braedon's lips. She grinned though as he talked about the snowball fight. "I'm not surprised," Trina Charlie said. "I got you on the head quite a few times. It's a surprise you even remember your name," she teased, glancing over at the real Charlie for approval.

She turned to look as he spoke again, and then frowned slightly as he scrambled to correct what he had said. Strange... "Well, you should get on that. Most of them are just around the corner," she advised.

Charlie Trina glanced at Braeden with a very confused look on her face. He doesn't remember? How could he not remember? It was when we first met! Charlie Trina stepped away from the strange acting boy back to her friend. Something was definitely up.

Glancing gratefully at Charlie Trina, the in disguise Huffelpuff nodded her acceptance and gave a sly smile. "Oh yeah," Charlie Trina giggled, "I remember seeing him after. He did look quite dazed." The girl winked at her finals partner before turning a full blown "Trina" grin on the un-suspecting boy.

Gwen couldn't help grinning when listening to that girl talk. Ehem... is threatening a ghost such a good idea? 'I kind of prefer to stay as far as possible from the ghosts. The worst thing is when they fly through you. Makes me want to kill them... again', the ravvie said, and then listened to the Gryffindor talk. WHAT? Wait a sec..., Gwen started thinking. 'I thought I was the only one that jinxed William...', she started saying, but then hoped she hadn't. She wasn't herself now! She was Selina! Hoping Rose didn't pay attention to that, the girl stepped aside and watched the 'fight'. I think I will never forget the time I made William float around at the lake just because he was annoying. Tee hee

'I'm G... ', she started saying but immediatley stopped and caughed. 'Selina', the girl corrected. You are Rose? William's girlfriend? The one he kept telling me about, hoping I would feel sorry for him? Rose... that Rose? This might get interesting...

Trina Charlie saw the confused look on Charlie Trina's face and fought the urge to frown. Something was up. She was sure that her friend had also come to the same conclusion, for there was suspicion flashing in her eyes.

She laughed softly. "Yes, that was quite a snowball fight," she said with a fond smile, hoping that it was a good memory for Charlie. She hide a giggle behind a hand, and watched as Charlie Trina turned to grin. Is that what I look like when I do that? she wondered with another giggle.

'Yeah, but Peeves can't go through you!' Rose grinned. 'You jinxed William? I have respect for you, though you don't look the type to jinx people...' Rose laughed. Then the girl said something that made her laugh. 'G-Selina? That's a strange name!' Then it hit her. Hmm, make as much out of this as possible... 'So, Gselina, are you doing the Polyjuice Final?' Rose asked smiling knowingly.

That's it: the gig was up. Theodore could sense that the girls knew something was out of the ordinary, and for the moment, his Braeden-playing skills were failing miserably. Besides, he didn't want to get Braeden in trouble with any of his friends, exes, whatever they were. Professor Lafay had probably planned these ruddy social problems all along when she created the polyjuice potion assignment for the final.

"Well," Theo Brae fiddled with his fingers, clasping them together as he slowly backed away. "It was, uh, nice seeing you... you both! Yeah, but, erm... I have plans with... with my girlfriend. You know how it is..." He shrugged, a half-smile on his face. Surely, Theo Brae wasn't about to go searching for the lovely Emma Malfoy, but he might have to in order to escape what he deemed to be an uneasy situation.

Trina Charlie watched as a variety of emotions flicked across Braedon's face. Whatever battle that they had been fighting, apparently the girls had won. And, with switched identities at that.

"Yeah... see you Brae," she said, adding some sarcasm into her voice. She added some rolled eyes into the mix. Why would he mention a girl friend in front of an ex?

She looked over at Trina Charlie and raised her eyebrows. "Well? That was interesting," she said with a grin.

With wide eyes, Charlie Trina watched Braeden scamper off right after mentioning a girlfriend. "Girlfriend?!" she was finally able to say, more like screech. "Of all the inconsiderate things to say he has to say that?!" She wasn't angry that he had a girlfriend, no not at all. But to tell her, his ex, just like that pretty as you please then to leave?!

Turning to Charlie Trina the Huffelpuff asked, "Did you know he had a girlfriend?" Shocked and hurt, Charlie Trina expressed her hurt, "He never told me. And then he just leaves." Charlie-in-disguise was glad he found someone new but that was not like the Braeden she knew to just spout off something like that and run. "Something is wrong with that man!"

Throwing an agitated wave at the girls, Theodore scampered off as quickly as he could. He had screwed up badly, horribly. For Merlin's sake, couldn't they have just stuck together?! But "nooooo," Braeden had wanted to go see if he could get into the Ravenclaw Common Room now that he was curly-topped and shorter. Not as if he would have had luck answering the question to get past, anyway.

As he walked along and out to the grounds, he chewed on his lower lip nervously, hands stuffed in his dark-colored pants. Theodore truly didn't understand the implications of what he had just done.

Gwen looked around for Peeves and pretended to listen to the girl talk. 'Me...ehm...no? Just some first year Ravenclaw.... I just wanted to mention... eh... like...eh', the girl started saying and thought of something smart to say. All right, time is passing... It doesn't even have to be smart- Just SAY something! Anything will do... 'I just wanted to mention that you weren't the only one that jinxed William.', she finally said. Deciding not to give Rose time to ask something else and start acting suspicious, Gwen went on talking. 'Just... out of curiosity- what spell did you use?' Hopefully we didn't use the same one! I like considering myself original...

Gselina? WHAT? 'No... that's NOT my name', the young Ravenclaw said, accentuating the 'not'. She had to make a short break again, to think of an excuse. 'I caughed first... I think I might get a cold?', Gwen said. Come oon! Even I don't believe myself! And this conversation proved again what a bad liar Gwen was... 'Just Selina', she finally added.

'Um... tee hee... the polyjuice potion?', the girl mumbled, forching herself to seem nonchalant. 'I guess... I have a Hufflepuff partner. A friend of mine', Gwen said nodding. What Hufflepuff friend? I have only one huffie friend -Jory, but I really wouldn't like changing into him. I'm just not that huffie-friendly. 'What about you?', the girl asked, hoping to make Rose stop thinking she might not be Selina.

'I used Jelly-Legs-Jinx on him' Rose shrugged. 'He shouldn't have said what he said so pew!' Rose mimed shooting him with her wand. 'Jinx it was! Oh, so you're called Selina are you? You might have a cold coming, or you're Polyjuiced!' Rose grinned. 'I've done the project I know how difficult it is! So what's your real name, it starts with a G, no doubt' Rose laughed. 'So, G, what spell did you use on William, and why?' Rose grinned evily.

Gwen grinned. 'Great one...', she announced shortly. Then, when listening to the girl talk, she frowned. 'I'm not polyjuiced', she said, as if it was the most natural thing. STOP IT, she thought, still looking at the girl. 'Really, I tell you the truth. Gryffindors aren't supposed to lie', Gwen said. There... Now,... what? 'Well, that Ravenclaw only used Winguardium Leviosa. She made him float arround a while. That's what I heard...', she started saying. After making a short break, she added: 'That's a really easy spell, but it had a good effect on him.'

'Um... and I heard she used the spell just because that William was annoying. What's your reason?', Gwen asked and caughed, actually starting pretending she had a cold. No polyjuice potion- all right?

'Hmm, I'm not convinced, but I'll go along with it... Well, I jinxed him becuase he called me a pure blooded spoilt Slytherin brat, and that I was more evil than Bellatrix Lestrange!' Rose laughed. 'I nearly got a detention from Professor Cerulean, but she made me say sorry, in order not to get one... So that there disproves your point that Gryffindors don't lie! I lied to her and William! I said I forgave him, no chance, not after everything he did to me! Y'know he told me he kissed some girl, then told everyone he didn't, so, from that moment on, I've hated him!' Rose laughed. 'So, William hasn't told you about me has he? And, if he has, can I know what he said so I can correct the crap he's said?' Rose asked semi-politely.

'Interesting remarks, that kid has', Gwen said, again, not even looking interested of the conversation. 'And it seems to me, he uses kind of the same lines', she added. Well, he didn't say to me I was more evil than Bellatrix Lestrange..., she thought. 'He told that girl she was a pure blooded spoiled brat too', she announced. Why can't he come up with some original lines? Although... I wish he had called me a Slytherin. I love that house!

'Oooh, you were his girlfriend?', Gwen realized, and started laughing. 'Oh... I atually don't know him. I mean I saw him in the common room, I know who he is, but I've never talked to him'

'Did he, now?' Rose laughed. So he had called this girl that as well! 'So unoriginal... Yeah, the key word being was. Got out of that boat as quick as I could!' Rose laughed. 'He was WAY to possesive! I've got y eye on someone else now!' Rose blushed, thinking about Tyler. 'Lucky you, not knowing him!' Rose laughed.

Gwen rolled her eyes when listening to Rose talk. I consider anything and everything that has to do with 'love' totally stupid. Plus, it is somthing I can't even understand, the girl thought, hoping Rose would stop mentioning stuff from her relationship with William. 'Someone else?', the young ravvie said, looking bored, but trying to seem interested in hearing that story. There is a someone else? I'll pretend I'm listening to you,just so Selina won't hate me for being as rude as usual to everyone else.

Thinking of changing the subject, the girl looked around, hoping she would get some ideas. Slim chances, though...

'Yeah, but he's a Second Year. Anyway, have you ever peed Peeves off?' Rose asked the girl mischieviously. She obviously wasn't interested in what the had been talking about.

Gwen tried really hard not to roll her eyes, while listening to Rose talk. Usually that's what she would do if she had no intention of listening to someone's boring 'speech'. Yes! She stopped!, the ravvie thought happily. 'No', she answered simply. 'And I don't intend to do so now' Was that too mean?, Gwen asked herself. Oh, Selina is going to hate me for acting like this. Let's just hope Selina and Rose will never meat.

'I mean... you know... Peeves might get angry and make our time at Hogwarts awful', she announced. Please don't get upset about what I said before. 'So... how do you enjoy your first year here? I mean...it's almost over. Got any plans for next year?', the ravvie asked. I know I do!

'Hmm...' Well, that wasn't very nice! 'Well, I know you don't really want to talk to me, so I'll just go up to the Common Room. Gwen.' Rose said cooly. Yes Rose had been deducting in her mind, who it could be... The amount of times this girl had spoken about the 'ravvie girl', and, when they had been together, William had told her about her. 'If you're Selina, which I know you're not, you could follow me...' Rose said smugly. She'd have her there! Ravenclaws can't get into the Gryffindor Common Room!

Braeden listened as both Alfie and Ruby continued instructing him, and he prayed to Merlin he could at least remember half this stuff. But he got the main points down, at least: scowl, be mean, don't talk too much.

As he was shoved out of the girls' bathroom, Brae!Ruby was left all alone and abandoned out in the second floor corridor. He just stood there for a moment, looking around for any signs of life. Taking a deep breath, the boy puffed out his chest and stood as straight and feminine as he could, slowly beginning to walk down the corridor. After the first few steps, walking like this consistently became easier.

Heh. This might not be so hard after all!
He grinned to himself, but then remembered he was supposed to look intimidating, so he immediately turned that grin into a scowl. He scowled at the suits of armor he passed by, at the paintings who ran away at the sight of him, and even at his own feet. SCOWL AT EVERYTHING. Everything. And he should be fine.

It was then that the boy spotted a sweet, innocent little first year speed-walking down the corridor, his short little legs wobbling under the weight of his back pack, which was about twice his size. At the sight of the poor thing, Braeden smirked to himself. This was his big chance.

As the little one kept walking forward, Braeden took a huge step side-ways and blocked the first year's path. As the little first year looked up at him, Braeden shouted in his face,

"MOVE OUT OF MY WAY, YOU LITTLE… BUG!"
As the little first year dropped his bag and ran away, Braeden crossed his arms and laughed maniacally.
MWAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!

So THIS is what it felt like to be Ruby Blair!

Theodore Dumble, the stress of finals weighing down on him like a wall of bricks, ambled down the corridor. Although his finals for potions and history of magic were over, there was still a mountain of other exam topics to study for. He was a Ravenclaw; he was supposed to enjoy this stuff, right? Putting his nose to the grindstone until it was rubbed raw, correct? The sixth year didn't mind studying; he just didn't like doing it twelve out of the twenty-four hours in a day.

His shoulders slumped from the weight of his rucksack, he shlumped along the corridor. All was well, as he rehearsed arithmancical numerical formulas in his head. Until he saw a shock of red hair up ahead.

For Merlin's sake. ._____.

Theodore hadn't caught sight of Ruby Blair in ages, and he had appreciated the break. Although she had started to be nice to him in small spurts, the absence of hearing oneself being called a curly-haired moron was a beautiful respite. One hand instinctively flew up to his hair, which had nearly gone back to normal. It was his natural color and curls sprouted here and there, yet a few straight patches stuck out, remnants of Braeden Stonem's lions mane that hadn't faded since the polyjuice potion incident. What would Ruby say about his funny appearance?! Probably something snarky. He would just have to grin and bear it.

Theo couldn't avoid her, no matter how much he desired to, so he marched along. Instead of speaking, he threw an awkward nod in her direction. Where were his girlfriend, Alfie, or his boyfriend, Brae, when you needed them?!

Braeden watched the little first year run off with a huge smirk on his face, which would have looked horribly awkward on his real face, but looked perfectly fitting on this new Rubyesque face. With both hands on his new hips, Braeden stood admiring the sight of the terror he'd just caused before the guilt began to very slowly creep up on him.

Poor first year… what had he done to deserve that?

However, before Brae could worry about this too much, he caught sight of none other than Theodore Dumble walking down the hallway. On instinct, his face lit up with the power of a thousand volts. "THEO!" He beamed at the sight of his not-so-curly-haired-anymore best mate, though his grin faded and his brows furrowed as the Ravenclaw merely gave him a brief almost dismissive nod. It wasn't until a whole moment later that Braeden realized Theo was seeing him not as who he was, but as who he looked like. Ruby Blair.

GAHH!! He'd almost done it again!
Stonem, get a hold of yourself!
He gave away his real identity when he hugged Emma while still polyjuiced as Theo, he couldn't do the same now! He sure wished he could tell Theo the truth… but he didn't want to disappoint Ruby either. Besides, she'd threatened with beating him up.

"I--I--I mean-- uh-- y--you! Yeah, you! The-- the one with the curly… well not that curly… the hair! Ye--yeah, you! Come here!" said Braeden, trying his best to sound as intimidating as possible. Yelling at Theo wasn't as easy as yelling at that random first year. This was his little Thumper! "What're you doing here, eh? Looking for your boyfriend, that idiot Brae?" asked the boy, scowl permanently glued to his face. It faded slightly, though, as his red eyebrows raised in surprise. Wow. That had sounded pretty Ruby-ish, hadn't it?!

Wait, hold the phone. What?

Theodore's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates in other words, the span of Alfie's eyes. Had Ruby taken a holiday and gone to Manners School, or something?! Or maybe that bug that had been paining her all of this time had finally crawled out of her butt. The Ravenclaw certainly had not expected a smile and a friendly, joyous greeting. It was as if Brae, that clumsy, lanky Bambi boy, had spotted his boyfriend across the beach and was about to run over in slow-motion while a cheesy 80's song by a muggle, or Celestina Warbeck, played in the background.

Swallowing his pride, and fear, Theodore strolled over to his tormentor, ready to take it like a man. Gulping, he thought of something to say. What did you say to a bully after all of this time? Nice to see you? Glad you're back? I couldn't live without your daily taunting.

"...Neutral to see you," He mumbled, biting his lower lip with consternation.

"And," Theo added, clearing his throat and speaking up, "I, uh, was off to the library to study. Finals, you know." He pursed his lips as Ruby added in one of her typical insults. Boyfriend jokes; how original not. "No, actually," He responded, adjusting the strap of his bag and standing up straight, his pride wounded. No one called his little lion man an idiot! <_____< "He's probably in the Great Hall, or with Emm, or... something." Theodore had actually made plans to hang out with Alfie sometime after he went to the library, but Ruby was definitely holding him up. Then, he would have to explain to his girlfriend how he lost his dignity once more because of Ruby Blair. How humiliating.