THREE WITCHES

Part 1: Nell

Nell West did not have enough time to think about the absolutely massive and entirely unwritten Herbology assignment that was due in exactly one hour. There was simply too much happening all at once. Last night it was Rosemary and Margot roping her into yet another scheme- this time they were sneaking into the potion master's closet for some items that Rosemary claimed were "absolutely vital." And then this morning it was a run in with some Slytherin girls who supposedly put a hex on Margot's quill during yesterday's History of Magic class, causing it to write only swear words in all capital letters whenever she attempted to complete her work. The group certainly learned their lesson after Rosemary sent Rey to slip some Unbearable Belching Liquid into their juice when they weren't looking.

And now Herbology was only an hour away and Nell was way to focused on helping poor Reyansh Patil (Rey for short) find the sorry fellow who had stolen his shoes. Again.

"Odds that it was Margot?! I bet my wand- no I bet my entire collection of Chocolate Frog trading cards that it was her. She thinks she's so funny- it wouldn't be the first time you know!" Rey croaked from the floor, whilst fiercely examining under a green velvet couch. They had spent the last hour turning the Ravenclaw common room upside down.

"Oh hush, it's a Wednesday Rey! That's Don't Mess with Rey Day, remember?" Nell said. "No pranking Rey on Wednesdays, it's your day off!" She chuckled at him while looking through a cluttered end-table drawer.

"Bollocks," Rey sneered, lifting a large painting of a very grand looking horse off the wall.

At that moment the door to the common room swung open and Margot Lusk-Stroud strolled inside clutching a large stack of books.

"Looking around for girl who'll actually snog you, Rey?" Margot snorted, observing the grand search. She smiled at him and spoke in her thick Irish accent, "Have you searched the bath, maybe?"

"It's Wednesday!" Rey shouted back.

"I know, I know! I'm innocent I swear!" Margot placed her books down and held up crossed fingers.

Rey took a moment to stare her down with squinted eyes, "...I'll be in the bathtub."

He turned and left, finally leaving Nell to rest. She plopped down on an armchair. Margot grabbed her books and joined her on the floor nearby.

"Are his shoes really in the bathtub?" Nell asked.

"Tied to the plumbing over some toilets- he'll find them. We have more important business to worry about anyways." Margot reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. "Just this morning I found this! Tucked right into that ghastly painting beside the door to our room"

She tossed the paper up to Nell, who unfolded it and began to read:

Dearest friends,

We've been informed that last night three Ravenclaw girls managed to sneak into the potion master's closet to steal some ingredients- most certainly to be used for mischievous deeds! And while we are quite impressed by your sneakiness and brazen disregard for rule following we are afraid that you are now in possession of something that belongs to us. You see, we had also planned to raid the potion master's closet last night (the reason for that is unimportant) but when we arrived all of the shredded boomslang skin was gone. We ask that you please deliver it to us by midnight tonight. Please do not take this lightly, the scenario is one of life or death.

Meet by the portrait of the Four Knights tonight. Do not be late.

-M

"Margot! What in the world- who do you think it is?" Nell stood up swiftly and began pacing the room.

"Oh come on Nell, are you daft?" Margot snatched the letter from Nell's hand. "M? Marauder? It's Sirius Black and his dingbat crew."

"Oh… I guess" Nell sat back down. "But why do they think we took the boomslang, I mean we were just there for a bit of goosegrass…"

"Well…" Margot started, "Rosemary may have snatched a few other items before we left."

"Margot!" Nell yelled, "Do you know how much trouble we could get in? And not just with those stupid Marauder boys, we could get expelled!" She collapsed on the couch.

"We won't be expelled. And the Marauders won't be any trouble tonight, don't worry," Winned said.

"Wha-you-you aren't actually going to meet them tonight? Tell me you're joking" Nell screeched.
"Of course we are."

"We?"

"Look-" Margot crawled in front of Nell, "They're just trying to scare us! This is probably all part of some little trick. But I have a plan to show them that we are not a trickable bunch! C'mon it'll be fun!" She placed her chin on Nell's knee and batted her long black eyelashes.

"Geeeez," Nell sighed as Margot continued to fill her in on the plan.