August 28th, 1992
Rose steps through the opening in the brick wall behind the Leaky Cauldron, into Diagon Alley. The streets are busy, filled with shoppers, families, and her fellow Hogwarts students. "What do you need to get, dear?" her mother asks.
Her father had stayed back home, and the two Macguffin women had taken a portkey to London early, to wait to get onto the platform.
"The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Two, Gilderoy Lockhart's collected works, most of which I already have," Rose says, pausing to scan the rest of the list, "I need to stop quickly at the apothecary to get a few potions ingredients and get some new ink at Amanuensis Quills."
"What do you say we pop into Madam Malkins, it's right next door?" her mother asks.
Rose nods and says, "I could stand for a new set of school robes, the ones from last year are a bit short."
"Then we'll head over to Florean Fortescue's for some ice cream," Rose's mother says, "I'm starving."
The two set off down the cobblestone street, visiting the quill shop, getting new robes, and buying her potion supplies. Rose also picks up some new owl treats for Aya and some new parchment. "Flourish and Blotts?" Rose asks.
Her mother nods and they turn the bend, and head for the crowded bookshop on the corner. "What's all this?" her mother asks.
"Gilderoy Lockhart," a middle aged witch says, "He's doing a signing for his new autobiography, Magical Me."
"Ooh, Mum!" Rose exclaims, "Can we buy a copy?"
"Well," her mother considers, "Alright. We'll need to share it of course."
Rose's mother always had a fondness for Lockhart, and she was counted among his many admirers. "I'll stand in line," her mother says, grabbing a copy off the stack by the front door, "You go get the books you need and meet me back here."
Rose squeezes past a particularly large witch and forges her way up to the deserted second floor. "Standard Book of Spells," she runs her fingers along the spines, "Where are you? Grade one…" she trails off, "Aha! Grade Two!"
She plucks one off the shelf and tucks it into her shopping bag, turns, and heads down the next aisle to find L for Lockhart.
"Hey!" she exclaims as someone brushes past her hard.
"Out of my way!" the familiar blonde bully, Draco Malfoy spits as her flies away from her.
"I hope you fall down those stairs, Malfoy," she says, turning back to the books.
She collects the ones she needs and runs back down the stairs. Her mother grabs her arm, "There he is!" she says as he reveals himself from the back of the shop.
"Make way there. Please! Let me by, madam. Thank you," a small round man with a large man says brushing past them, "Excuse me, little girl. This is for the Daily Prophet."
Lockhart smiles wide and poses for the picture but doing so he spots someone he didn't expect to see, "It can't be- Harry Potter?"
"Harry Potter?" the photographer exclaims, grabbing Harry by the robes and dragging him to the front, "Excuse me madam," he says to Rose's mother as he almost knocks them both over.
"Nice big smile, Harry. Together you and I'll make the front page!" he says as the camera flashes, " Ladies and gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment this is. When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me,... which, incidentally is currently celebrating its 27th week atop the Daily Prophet bestseller list, he had no idea that he would, in fact, be leaving... with my entire collected works, free of charge."
Many witches gasp and clap as Harry gets the books thrust into his hands. He looks uncomfortable, surprised, and like he'd rather be fighting a dragon than standing there in that moment.
"Now, ladies?" he says, ushering them to come forward to get their books signed.
Many of the women push but the Macguffins hold their ground, meeting him after a few minutes of waiting. "Ah, who should I make it out to?" he says, smiling up at Rose.
"Rose Macguffin," she says, blushing.
"What a beautiful name," he says, inking in his name with scarlet ink and two kisses.
"Thank you," she says, not knowing what else to say, and taking the book.
"To Rose Macguffin, a rose amongst weeds. Love, Gilderoy Lockhart," she reads his print.
She snaps the book closed, sliding it back into her bag, and pays for her remaining books.
She glances to the door and sees Lucius Malfoy engaged in a particularly heated discussion with Harry Potter and many of the Weasley children. Harry looked older, taller, and so did Ron. They had done much growing up over the summer.
She wonders if she should go say hi but she thinks better of it. They weren't really friends plus the Malfoy's were bad news. She didn't want to cause trouble with them if she didn't have to.
September 1, 1992
Rose waves, her face pressed against the window, saying goodbye to her mother from her empty train compartment. "Rose?" a familiar voice asks.
"Poppy!" she exclaims, turning away, standing to hug her.
"I haven't seen you since we visited in July," she says, "Can you believe it?"
One by one Cho, Millie, and Amelia find their way to the compartment, each taking a seat as they discuss their summers. "Rose and I spent a lot of time together," Cho says, "We discovered we really don't live that far away.
"Yeah," Rose says, "My father got sick of making portkeys after a while. He says he can't wait until we can apparate."
Rose had the best summer of her life. She went with Cho to several quidditch games, including the Tornadoes, which is Cho's absolute favourite. She often went to her house for several days at a time and raced around brooms in her yard, even venturing out to the muggle town. Cho had visited her many times as well, delighting in the city sights of Inverness. They had taken the Knight Bus into the city once, much to her parents' dismay. She was twelve years old and growing up fast. It would only be a few short years before she'd be able to do magic out of Hogwarts, even apparate.
Rose saw Poppy and Amelia once, in July, when they arranged to meet in Glasgow for a week. They often exchanged letters and always kept in touch. Though, not all of her friends did. Marietta wrote her once, but only in a reply. Her distaste for Cho's friend was only growing. She didn't even join them in the compartment on the way to school.
A knock, three hours into the ride interrupts their conversation. Rose reaches and slides the door open to reveal a small, red haired girl, lines of worry formed on her forehead. "Hello," Cho says, "Are you alright?"
"I can't find my brother," the young girl says.
"It's alright, come sit," Poppy says, patting the empty spot next to her.
"What's your name?" she asks as the girl sits down.
"My name's Ginny, Ginny Weasley," she says.
"I think I saw you at Flourish and Blotts," Rose says, "Last week."
Ginny's eye twitches with anger as she remembers. "I'm going from compartment to compartment because I can't find my brother."
"Which one?" Amelia asks.
"Ron," she says, "He's not on the train."
"I've been to every compartment," she says.
"That doesn't mean he's not on the train," Rose says, "He could be in the bathroom or something."
"No, I don't think so," Ginny says, "He told me he'd come check on me after he got settled in with Harry. I can't find him either."
"Now that's strange," Millie says, "They must be together."
"Have you spoken with Percy?" Cho asks.
"Not yet, I didn't want to get Ron into trouble," she says.
"I think it's time you've told him," Amelia says, "Come on, I'll go with you."
Amelia and Millie leave to take Ginny to find her older brother.
"How many Weasleys are there?" Poppy groans, "I swear there must be a hundred of them by now."
"I think she's the last one," Cho says, "Can you imagine being the only girl?"
"Fred and George must torture her," Rose laughs, "Their mother has a handful."
Several minutes later Amelia and Millie return, frowning, to the compartment. "I really don't like that Percy Weasley," Millie says.
"Who does he think he is?" Amelia groans, "It's not our fault his brother's missing."
"What happened?" Cho asks.
"He got angry at Ginny for not coming to him first but she wouldn't have it," Millie says, "So he told her that he'd send a letter to their mum if she didn't start behaving responsibly."
"So that's where we stepped in," Amelia says, "We told him he was being a prat and he needed to stay out of his sister's business. After all, the first time on the train is always scary."
"I can't really blame her for not running to him now that I've met him," she adds, "Prefect or not he's a git."
The girls slowly begin to forget about the Weasley and retain some level of normalcy in the coming hour. The trolley came and went and each of the girls had a feast of food. "I'm going to get so fat eating all this candy," Poppy says.
"Not with all those stairs we have to run down," Amelia says laughing, "Is that why they feed us so much? Because they make us run around like pygmy puffs in a maze,"
The girls laugh and enjoy some much needed time together before the countryside turns into the village of Hogsmeade and the train comes to a screeching halt at the station. Rose carrie's Aya's cage to the side of the tracks and the train attendant raises his wand, levitating the cage off to the side with the other animals.
Cho, Rose, Poppy, Millie, and Amelia start up the hill to the carriages. "They really pull themselves?" Rose says, "I thought my father was joking."
"I thought mine were too," Cho says, "The older students were laughing at us staring at the carriages last year."
"Don't stare, don't stare!" Amelia says, turning dramatically away from them.
The girls step up and climb into the large carriages, lining up on the seats, facing eachother, much like they had been sitting like on the train. A Hufflepuff fifth year, Aldrea Dorny climbs in along them along with her friend Wylla Fisher, a fellow Ravenclaw. "Hello," Wylla says, "Mind if we share?"
"Sure," Rose says, "There's plenty of room."
Wylla smiles but says no more, unfolding a book, Secrets of the Acromantula: From Borneo, To Britain, and Beyond. Rose turns back to her friends and says, "I'm glad we don't have to be sorted this year."
"It's much more fun," Cho says, "Without the fussing and nerves."
"What happened during your sorting Cho?" Poppy asks.
"The hat was stuck between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw for a few seconds," Cho says, "But obviously it decided Ravenclaw."
"We should have liked to have you in Hufflepuff," Aldrea says with a smile, "With all those house points you earn."
"Not to mention the quidditch," she adds.
"Speaking of quidditch," Millie asks, "Rose, are you going out for the team this year?"
"I've brought my broom," Rose says shyly, "But I'm not expecting anything."
"Are you kidding?" Amelia says, "Hooper would be mad to not pick you after what happened last year!"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he gave you my position!" Cho jokes.
"I don't fancy being a seeker much," Rose says, "Too much pressure."
"Tell me about it," Cho says.
"I've always wanted to be a keeper," Rose says, "So if anything, I'd try for that."
"If it comes to a vote you know you have mine," Cho says, smiling sweetly, "It would be nice to have another girl on the team."
"Thank you, Cho," Rose says, smiling to herself, looking out the window to the glittering candles in the windows of a very familiar castle.
Hogwarts castle was gorgeous by night, no-one could deny it. The girls stare at it in wonder, even the older ones, as the novelty never seemed to wear off. They were home after a long summer at last.
After being ushered through the front door and to the great hall, the students take their seats at their respective tables. Rose is flanked by Poppy and Amelia as she sits. She glances at the nearby Gryffindor table but doesn't see that familiar messy black hair she's looking for. Or the patch of ginger that usually bobs beside it. Come to think of it, the only one she can locate is Hermione Granger, bushy hair bulging out of her hat.
"Look," she whispers to Poppy, pointing at the Gryffindor table, "Ginny was right. Where's Harry and Ron?"
As Poppy turns to look the door flies open and Professor McGonagall bursts through, the Sorting Hat aloft, with a hundred scared first years trailing behind her. She places the hat atop the stool and it begins to sing:
Welcome to Hogwarts, students new and old,
Let me sing you of the wonders to behold,
The hallowed halls of brick and stone,
The greatest halls that I've ever known.
Let me sing you a song of those who made me,
The four greatest wizards that I ever did see,
The wise, the brave, the loyal, the cunning,
Hogwarts together they started running,
Then I was made, a poor simple hat,
With a flick of their wands a quit pat,
I sprang to life, given a chore,
For their magic made simple no more,
I sing tonight of the colors I love,
The colors that shine down us from above,
The four houses each have two,
They belong to each and every one of you...
Scarlet and gold of Gryffindor brave and true,
Shines as brightly as Ravenclaw's bronze and blue,
Slytherins Silver, Green, so cold,
Hufflepuffs yellow and black simple but bold.
So first years approach and put me on,
I'll tell you the colors to which you belong.
The Sorting Hat ends its song and Professor Mcgonagall unfurls her long list of names and begins calling them up one by one. Rose feels bad for them, she knows how scared they must feel. But soon it'd be over and they'd gain some new young Ravenclaws.
"Ginerva Weasley," she calls.
"It's Ginny," Ginny says loudly as she passes her, striding towards the hat.
She hardly places it on her head for a second before the hat sings, "Gryffindor!" and they move on to the next student.
"Luna Lovegood," Professor Mcgonagall says.
"Luna Lovegood?" she repeats.
"Oh! Present!" a dreamy girl with long blonde hair and large earrings says, "I didn't hear you. Must have been the wrackspurts."
A few older students chuckle as she makes her way up to the stool, trainers visible underneath her robes.
"Are those radishes on her ears?" a fifth year boy says, "Bloody hell!"
She sits atop the stool awkwardly, eyes clouded, she hardly seems to notice as Professor Mcgonagall slips the hat onto her head.
"Oh! Very interesting," the Sorting Hat says, "Your mind is unique, young Luna. Though I fear you are often misunderstood."
"Unique? Crazy more like," Amelia spits under her breath.
Millie chuckles at her quip but Rose turns back to the sorting. "No, not Slytherin, definitely not. Hufflepuff? Perhaps not quite right," the hat says, "It all comes down to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."
"Please no," Millie says, "We don't want the crazy one."
"Shut up," Rose snaps, perhaps a little too loudly, as several students around them turn to look at her.
"Bravery you have in abundance," the hat says, "But wisdom perhaps more. Ravenclaw!"
Polite clapping and a few cheers come from the Ravenclaw, including Rose's, who yelled the loudest for her. She doesn't deserve to be outcasted on her first night. She could hardly believe her friends could act like that. Perhaps she doesn't know them as well as she thinks.
She ponders this as Dumbledore makes his usual speech and the feast starts. She gobbles up her food but hardly speaks to Millie and Amelia, her anger getting the better of her.
By the time the dessert course comes she'd like nothing more than to crawl into her bed and go to sleep. And that she does, promptly after settling in.
"Rose! Rose!" wake up!" Poppy says, hovering over her bed, still dressed in her nightclothes.
"Come to the window!" Poppy says, "Look at the Whomping Willow!"
Rose groans and throws her covers to the side, grabs the candlestick by her bed, and walks to the window next to her bed. "Is that a car?" Rose says in disbelief, "Poppy, there's a car in that tree!"
"I heard the horn as it flew in," Poppy says, "Look, it's all but destroyed."
A large branch punches through the windshield as the car falls from its grips. The doors fly open and two large shadows are thrown out of it. The lights turn on as the car revs its engine, throws out the rest of the contents, and drives away into the forbidden forest. "Who is that?"
A wand lights as the two people stand up. "One of them has red hair, I'm sure of it," Poppy says.
"You don't think it could be Ron Weasley, could you?" Rose asks, "And that one could be Harry!"
"Well, they missed the train, but blimey, driving a car here?" Poppy says, sinking down onto her bed.
"There's someone coming," Rose says, pressing her nose against the glass to see better. "My telescope!" she says, grabbing it, pointing it downwards.
"It's Snape!" Rose says, "And that is them! I can't believe it!"
Rose pushes her telescope to Poppy. She catches them before they disappear into the castle.
"What in the name of Merlin were they thinking?" Rose asks.
"That's Ron and Harry I suppose," Poppy says, "Thinking isn't really their thing."
"No wonder they're not in Ravenclaw," Rose laughs, trying not to wake the others.
Rose could hardly fall asleep that night, thinking of what they had just witnessed. This year at Hogwarts would be unlike any other, that much is certain already.
September 2nd, 1992
"Ugh," Amelia groans, taking a seat next to Rose at the Ravenclaw table for breakfast, "We've got double potions after lunch."
Rose looks up from her book, Gilderoy Lockhart's Magical Me, and says, "But we've got defence against the dark arts this afternoon," she says, gesturing to her book.
"Looks like somebody is hot for teacher," Marietta Edgecombe says as she takes a seat next to Cho.
"I am not!" Rose snaps, "I admire his courage and bravery. He's a very gifted wizard."
"Not to mention a fellow Ravenclaw," she adds.
"Stand down, Rose," Ellis says as he passes by, "Save your fire for the pitch next Friday."
"So you did decide to try out?" Cho asks, smiling.
"I talked to Ellis this morning," Rose says, blushing, "He says he's not posted the flyer for tryouts yet but they'll take place on the 11th."
"Ooh!" Wil says, leaning away from her older friends, "We'll all come cheer you on!"
"Oh, no!" Rose says shyly, "Don't do that!"
"I'll be there anyway," Cho says, "We have to try out every year."
"It's more fair that way," she adds, though her lip twitches with nervousness.
"You're not going out for seeker are you?" Marietta asks pointedly.
"Keeper," Rose says, "Why would I want to try to steal Cho's position. What kind of friend would I be if I did that?"
"Just checking," she says, "You never know."
"What's your problem?" Rose asks, temper getting the better of her, "You don't even like quidditch!"
Marietta opens her mouth to give her retort but is interrupted, " RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR!" erupts from the Gryffindor table.
Ron Weasley's cheeks are almost as red as his hair. A red howler floats poised in front of his face, screaming, " I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE, WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME!"
The howler turns to his younger sister Ginny and says, "Oh, and Ginny, dear, congratulations on making Gryffindor. Your father and I are so proud!"
The howler blows a raspberry before tearing itself up, falling to pieces in shocked Ronald Weasley's lap. "Merlin's pants," Amelia says, "That was hilarious."
"Not really," Poppy says, "We saw them when they crash landed on the Whomping Willow. They nearly died!"
"You can better bet that Harry Potter was involved," Marietta says, rolling her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rose asks, "You know Marietta, I'm getting tired of your bad attitude. Neither of those two boys have done anything to you."
"You're just bitter because their more well liked than you," Rose finishes, "You're petty and jealous and a poor excuse for a friend."
Rose slams her book, grabs a piece of toast, and flies out of the great hall, leaving Marietta awestruck and teary-eyed. It was a long time coming and Rose didn't feel bad in the slightest.
Rose went to her classes that day without seeing Marietta even once. She was a third year and in none of her classes but she often ran into her in the halls. Perhaps she was a bit harsh but she truly felt something needed to be said. Over the summer she has become bolder and she likes it.
Rose strides into the defence against the dark arts classroom and takes a seat besides Poppy. "That was quite the row you had at breakfast," she says, "Marietta's broken up about it."
"Oh boo-hoo," Rose says, balling up her fists by her eyes, fake crying, "I can only bite my tongue for so long."
"No, Rose, she was broken up that you felt that way about her," she says, "She considers you a close friend and she says she feels bad about giving you a hard time."
"It's her nature to be a bit abrasive," she adds.
"How long can she use her nature as an excuse to be blatantly rude to people?" Rose asks.
"Look," Poppy starts, sighing, "Just make up and put it behind you. You're not the type to hold grudges."
"Right," Rose says, "But I'd sooner kiss a Hippogriff than make up with her today. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel different."
"If I talk to her today we're just going to have another row and it won't do either of us any good," Rose adds, "Give me some time to calm down."
Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger walk into the room, taking the seats in front of them. Several other Gryffindors and Slytherins file in, including Draco Malfoy and his two witless cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
He groans as he takes his seat, glancing around the room at a target to attack. "Ah, Potter," he starts, "I thought I smelled your foul scent when I walked in here."
"The only one foul here is you, Malfoy," Rose spits, blood still boiling with anger from the morning, "With a face that weasel-y I'm surprised you don't already know."
"Rose," Poppy breathes, but it's too late the damage has been done.
"How dare you speak to me?" Draco starts.
"How dare I speak to you?" Rose laughs, "You speak so often Malfoy, I swear you love to hear the sound of your own voice."
The rest of the class 'ooh' as she starts in on him, "You know, Draco, you speak so much, all the time, but you say so little," she pauses to breathe, "You talk all the time about your family and your money and your status but the filth you speak makes you nothing. It makes you insignificant. You're a pale, blond, piched-faced arse-hole that has nothing better to do than bully people because the only two people who like you are afraid of you."
"Macguffin!" Seamus cheers, "I didn't know you had it in you."
Draco motions for his wand but Rose stops him, "So help me god if you pull out your wand I will jinx you so hard you won't know what hit you," she pauses to breathe, "In case you haven't noticed I'm in a temper. You've picked the wrong day."
Draco wrinkles his nose and turns away from her, muttering. Rose straightens herself up and tries to ignore the whispering around her. "Bloody hell, Rose," Poppy says, laughing and snorting, "I can't believe you."
Harry and Ron turn to Rose, leaning back on their chairs. Harry lays his arm across Magical Me as he says, "You didn't have to do that, honestly," he pauses, "You'll just make life harder for yourself."
"Malfoy's family is important at the ministry," Ron says, "Malfoy's not one to start big trouble with."
"I think I can handle him," Rose says, chancing a glance, though he wasn't looking at her.
As she comes down from her rage slowly she comes to realize that Harry is inches from her, paying attention to her. "Listen, Rose, if he bothers you again tell us," Harry says.
"Tell us so we can watch you jinx him!" Ron says.
Hermione elbows him in the chest and Harry says, "He's a prat and he's always going to be. Try to stay away from him. But if you need my help, come find me."
"Thank you," Rose says, smiling.
Harry returns that smile and turns away from her, towards the front of the room as the class begins. Professor Lockhart throws open the door and the class erupts into applause, including the many dozen paintings of him on the wall. His robes sway as he climbs down the staircase beaming, "Let me introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher... me! Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-times winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award- but I don't talk about that," he says, feigning modesty, "I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at him. Ha ha ha... hee, hee…"
Ron groans but it's lost to anyone but Rose, as all the other girls around her were mesmerised. It's true, Rose does quite like him too, and hangs on his every word.
He dismounts the last step and sidles over to a large rounded cage, a blue cloth hiding the contents. The cage begins to shake and bulge. The class gasps as he says, "Now- be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind. You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here."
" I must ask you not to scream," he adds, taking hold of the cloth and ripping it away, "It might... provoke them!"
"Cornish pixies?" Seamus Finnigan says, laughing.
"Freshly caught Cornish pixies!" Lockhart corrects him.
Seamus laughs even harder than before. "Laugh if you will, Mr. Finnigan, but pixies can be
devilish tricky little blighters," Lockhart says as he puts his hand on the latch," Let's see what you make of them, ha! Come on now- round them up, round them up, they're only pixies!"
Dozens of blue pixies flood out of the cage and begin their attack. They aren't deadly or particularly dangerous but they're tricky, and the shear number of them is a force to be reckoned with.
"Ow!" Rose says, as a pixie thumps her on the nose.
"That one's mine!" she says, angrily chasing it with her textbook.
She swings and hits it, causing it to fall to the floor, knocked unconscious. "Ha!" she says, turning away to enter the fray.
"Rose! Help!" Poppy says, the pixie pulling at her tie.
Rose swings and misses, yet still causes the pixie to release her tie. "What the bloody hell is Lockhart thinking!" she bellows, "This is rubbish!"
The two girls look up as a pixie uses a stolen wand to cause a dinosaur skeleton to fall to the floor. The bone dusts hits them in a powdery mist. "Scourgify!" Rose says, pointing her wand at her robes.
The dust falls off her to the floor. "How did you do that?" Poppy asks.
"Scourgify!" Rose says, pointing at her too.
"Thanks," Poppy says, turning away from her to smack two pixies with a book.
Rose looks up to see Neville Longbottom being dragged to their ceiling, dropped onto the candelabra. Rose points her wand to help him but thinks better of it. If she misses or says the spell wrong, she could seriously hurt him.
"Peskipiksi pesternomi!" Lockhart says, to no avail.
Realizing his spell has had no effect, he flies up the stairs and says, "I'll ask you three to just nip the rest of them back into their cage!"
"What do we do now?" Ron bellows after him, but the door slams shut.
Hermione sighs, pointing her wand in the air and says, "Immobulus!"
The pixies freeze where they are and float aimlessly through the air. Rose's eyes turn to Neville, who says, "Why is it always me?"
"Think we can levitate him down?" Hermione says.
Rose turns to her and says, "Together?"
Hermione nods and the two of them levitate him down to the ground safely. He brushes off his robes and says, "Thanks."
"How do we get them back into the cage?" Malfoy says, disgusted at the creatures.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Rose says, pointing at a pack of petrified pixies, casting them into the cage.
Her spell echoes around the room as several other students take her lead. Ten minutes later the pixies are back in their cage and the room in a general state of chaos.
Hermione climbs the stair to his office, "Professor, they're all cleaned up."
"Professor?" she says but he doesn't answer.
"Alohamora!" she says, pointing at the lock.
She throws the door open and groans as the other students crowd around her. "What?" he says, looking up from his hand mirror, fixing his hair.
"Oh is it done?" he asks, sitting up.
He strides to the door and surveys the destruction of the room, "Ah, best call Mr. Filch straight away."
He turns to leave but Hermione stops him. "But sir," she says, "You've got half the class left."
"Read chapter one of Break with a Banshee and have one roll of parchment on my desk by tomorrow," he says.
"What on?" Heidi Clineswell, a Slytherin girl asks.
"Well, me of course!" he says beaming, "Good day!"
He closes the door, leaving Rose and the other students utterly bewildered. "I don't know about him," Seamus says shaking his head, "He's barking."
"Don't write that in your essay," Hermione teases, "He's a bit eccentric but he's a brilliant wizard."
"Yeah, real brilliant, Hermione," Ron says, "And brave too. Did you see how he ran away like that after his spell didn't work?"
"Oh shut up, Ron," Hermione says.
Harry sighs and follows them back to the desks. Rose, Poppy, and the other students slowly collect their belongings, some searching for a half an hour for their stolen possessions.
"They broke my quill," Poppy says, brandishing a scarlet-feathered quill, snapped in half.
"My ink bottle got smashed," Rose says sighing, "Let me know what else you need and I'll send Aya to my mother."
September 11th, 1992
Rose's hand tightens as she grabs her broom from the locker room. She ties her long red hair into a bun on the back of her head and looks in the small rust-spotted mirror. "You'll do fine," Cho says, her black hair filling half of the mirror behind her.
"Don't do me any favors," Rose says, "If I'm going to make the team, it's going to be of my own accord."
"I'm not a cheater," Cho says, "I wouldn't dream of it."
Cho claps her hand on Rose's shoulder. "I'll be there in a minute," Rose says.
She puts on a brave face and strides out of the room, headed for the pitch. She glances up at the stands, filled with students not just of Ravenclaw but of other houses as well. She smiles as she sees Poppy, Amelia, Millie, and Wil holding their enormous 'Go Rose!' banner.
"I've got this," she whispers to herself as she walks out onto the pitch.
"As I'm sure all of you know, we've lost our keeper and one beater this year and those positions are empty," Ellis says, "However we're Ravenclaws and we're going to do this fairly. So we'll be holding re-trails for all of the positions."
"When you hear the position you came to audition for please step forward," Ellis says, "Each of you will go through a two part test. Whoever does best will fill that position."
"Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch have kindly agreed to judge you," Ellis says, "We'll be doing the beaters first. All those wishing to try out to be a beater please step forward."
Four boys step forward to audition. They each go through a rigorous physical test, bludgers and all, during which they had to aim at enchanted rivals made by Professor Flitwick. They then were drilled on knowledge of the game, five questions each. "Duncan Inglebee and Jason Samuels have fared the best, according to our judges. Congratulations, you have made the Ravenclaw team!"
The crowd roars, short of the Slytherins, who collectively boo. Rose spots Draco Malfoy's pinched face in the crowd and turns away. She semi-regretted her fight with Draco. Ever since he's tried to make her life a living hell. Professor Snape treats her especially bad and somehow she knows Draco is the cause of it. Not to mention, Draco had retaliated several times, compromising her potions twice and by targeting Poppy, calling her a Mudblood. She'd never apologize to him now. That is unforgivable.
What was forgivable, though, was the argument between Marietta and Rose. They patched things up quickly but the resentment still stands. Regardless of the niceties the two girls maintain for the sake of their mutual friends, one thing's for certain, they'd never be very close again.
"Will those wishing to try out for seeker please come forward?" Ellis says.
Cho steps forward but nobody challenges her. "Congratulations, Cho, you are the seeker for-"
"I still want to try out," Cho says, "It doesn't feel right."
So Cho does, she tries out, and passes their tests with flying colors, a true Ravenclaw.
"Chasers, step forward," Ellis says, "Ravenclaw will be looking for three."
Ellis joins the line of seven people as they each take turns trying to score goals. Ellis comes out on top, along with 4th year Roger Davies, and Randolph Burrow.
"Well done, well done," Ellis says, "Chambers and Bradley will be alternates."
"And all that's left is the keepers," Ellis says, eyes flashing to Rose momentarily.
She looks around her, noticing there's many people left. She counts, including herself, ten wishing to try out. "One by one you will mount your brooms and our new chasers, including myself, will send five quaffles at you. Whoever defends the most will move on to take the second half of the test. Clear?"
Her fellow Ravenclaws nod their heads, some looking more nervous than others. Out of ten people only one will be chosen, and Rose doesn't like her odds.
Three hopefully defend the goal posts before her. One boy, Grant Page looked like he'd be the one to beat, saving all five would-be goals. "Macguffin," Ellis says, ushering her upward.
She kicks off the ground hard and positions herself in front of the three hoops. "You stink, Macguffin!" Draco Malfoy bellows beside her.
Out of the corner of her eye she sees Wil mouthing silencio, wand aloft. The Slytherins are promptly struck with silence, her spell winning out. "Kill it, Rose!" Amelia bellows.
"Ready?" Ellis calls from across the pitch.
Rose nods and Madam Hooch blows her whistle. And then they're off, Roger and Randolph passing the quaffle, tossing it to Ellis to take the shot. She flies on her comet and kicks it away effortlessly. The quaffle soars towards her again, she dives, she makes the save with her fingertips. The crowd roars. Three to go.
Randolph send the ball towards her, spinning, jerking to the left-most post at the last second. She saves it with her head, catching the quaffle, sending it back to Roger. Rose makes the next save easily, as Roger sends it almost straight into her chest. "Sorry," Roger says, as Ellis glares at him. Regardless of it was purposeful or not, Roger gave her an easy save.
Ellis takes the quaffle from him and she sees in his eyes what he's about to do. He wont let her off as easy, regardless of his fondness for her. She knew what she'd have to do. She snaps back and forth, round the hoops like a knot, doing a perfect Double Eight Loop as she makes the save. The Ravenclaws roar, she's tied with Grant.
The remaining three hopefuls try their hardest but none do better than Rose or Grant. It would come down to the knowledge test.
"Rose, what is the name of the foul that occurs when a Keeper tries to defend the goal from the back?" Flitwick asks.
"A flacking foul," Rose says, "Easy one."
"Mr. Page, in which year was the decision made to change the color of the quaffle to red?" Madam Hooch asks.
"1711," he says haughtily.
Rose wants to beat him more than anything. Four more questions each are asked and they get them all, remaining neck and neck, forcing the judges to come up with an alternative way of deciding.
"Whoever answers this question first will be the keeper for Ravenclaw house," Ellis says, taking the piece of parchment from Professor Flitwick, "You get one chance and once chance only. Listen carefully."
"What is the maneuver called when a Keeper hangs by one hand and one foot from his or her broom, extending the other hand and foot as far out as possible in order to cover the three goalposts?"
"star-and-stick" Grant says so rapidly that Rose barely has time to comprehend the question.
Rose hangs her head in defeat. "I'm sorry that is incorrect," Ellis says.
"What?" Rose says, "Starfish and Stick's right, isn't it?"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the new Ravenclaw house Keeper, Miss Rose Macguffin!" he bellows.
The crowd roars, including her friends, who scream so hard their forces get hoarse. "He said star and stick," Ellis whispers, "Not starfish."
He smiles as he holds her arm up, beckoning the other team members to join them. Those in the stands both start heading up to the castle and flood onto the field.
Poppy jumps on Rose, almost knocking her down, congratulating her. Rose is surprised to see Marietta, who had also come to congratulate her, despite her distaste for quidditch.
Cho throws her arm around her and says, "It'll be great to have another girl on the team," she says, "All these boys drive me crazy."
"I don't know, Cho," Wil starts, grinning, "I saw Roger Davies staring at your butt earlier."
"Wilhemina, please," Cho laughs, teasing her, "The last boy I want looking at my butt is him."
"Hey, you two, we're going to go change and head up to the common room," Ellis says, "To celebrate."
Rose smiles and nods, feeling the happiest she's felt in a very long time.
October 31st, 1992
"I've got to catch up on my homework," Rose groans, "All of these extra quidditch practices are murder."
"I know what you mean," Cho says, "It's no different in my year and from what Wil's told me, it only gets harder."
Rose and Cho fly out of the great hall, up the steps to the first floor, intent open a long night of studying. "Why's the floor all wet?" Cho asks.
"I don't know," Rose says, "I think it's coming from the bathroom?"
"Nobody ever goes in there," Cho says, "I don't know what it'd be flooded."
"What's that?" Rose points down the hall, their steps quickening as they spot a crowd of people forming.
As they approach the crowd, Hermione Granger reads aloud, "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened... enemies the heir... beware," she gasps, adding, "It's written in blood."
"Oh, no... It's Filch's cat. It's Mrs. Norris," Harry Potter whispers to Ron beside him.
Cho gasps and her mouth falls open, "Who would do this?" she asks.
"I don't know," Rose answers, "I've never seen anyone do anything of the like. It's barbaric."
"Oh!" Madam Pomfrey exclaims, rushing through the students to get to the front.
"Enemies of the heir beware!" Draco reads excitedly, "You'll be next, Mudbloods!"
"What's going on 'ere? Go on, make way, make way. Potter- What are you…" Mr. Filch says, trailing off, seeing his cat and the blood upon the wall, "Mrs. Norris? You've...murdered my cat!"
"No, no!" Harry protests.
"I'll kill ya!" Filch exclaims starting for him, "I'll kill ya!"
"Argus! Argus, I…" Dumbledore starts, stopping himself as he sees the bloody message, "Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately. Everyone except... you three."
Dumbledore gestures with a flourish to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Ravenclaws, follow me," Ellis says, taking Rose by the arm and leading her and Cho away.
"Enemies of the heir beware?" Rose says to herself, "What's that supposed to mean."
"Heir of Slytherin," Ellis says out of the side of his mouth.
"No, no, must be just a prank, a hoax," Rose says, "The heir of Slytherin...then that will mean-"
"Someone is going to open the Chamber of Secrets again," Ellis says.
"Again?" Rose asks.
"Again," he says as they climb the steps back to the common room.
What did he mean by that?
November 3rd, 1992
The school is buzzing about the bloody message left on the wall on Halloween, it's just about all the school can talk about. The Ravenclaws had been excitedly trading their knowledge on the chamber all weekend but were largely coming up empty. Rose had known there might be a secret chamber in the school that Slytherin had built but she didn't know it had been opened before. When she tried to ask Ellis about it he brushed it off, changing the subject twice. He told her that he overheard his father talking about it once when his older brother was in school. He told her she didn't want to know.
Rose and Poppy sit excitedly in Transfiguration class, eager to practice a new spell they'd been working on. "I understand the theory but I'm quite nervous," Poppy says, staring at the rat in front of her.
"Why'd I have to get the rat?" she asks, admiring Rose's small bird.
Professor McGonagall slips quietly from her office and into the classroom. "Could I have your attention, please?" she asks, "Right. Now, today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets. Like so. One, two, three, Vera verto."
The bird on her desk transforms into a beautiful water goblet effortlessly. "Now it's your turn. Well, who would like to go first?" she asks, "Ah! Mr. Weasley. "One, two, three. Vera verto."
Ron clears his throat and points his wand, bound in spello-tape, at Scabbers, his rat, and says, "Vera Verto!"
The rat transforms into a rather furry water goblet, complete with tail. "That wand needs replacing, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall says as the rest of the class laughs, "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about...the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asks suddenly.
"Well, very well. Well, you all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Now, three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously," she starts, pausing, "One did not."
"Three guesses who," Ron mumbles.
Rose suppresses a laugh as Professor McGonagall goes on, "Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, "pure-bloods." Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school," she says, "Now, according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though, shortly before departing, he sealed it until that time when his own true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the Chamber and unleash the horror within, and by so doing purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."
"Muggle borns," Hermione says.
Poppy exhales hard. Rose pats her on the shoulder lightly and she nods. It must be hard for her. Rose has no idea how to help her.
"Well, naturally, the school had been searched many times. No such chamber has been found," Professor McGonagall says.
"Professor? What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?" Hermione asks nervously.
"Well, the Chamber is said to home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control," Professor McGonagall answers, "It is said to be the home of a monster."
"That's enough of that," she adds, "I've probably told you too much already. Now remember, One, two, three, Vera Verto."
Poppy waves her wand over her rat and turns it into a goblet. "Yuck!" she exclaims, "It's still got eyes."
"Vera Verto," Rose says clearly, pointing her wand at her bird.
"Very nice, Miss Macguffin," Professor McGonagall says admiring her work before turning to Poppy, "Perhaps you can help Miss Tippet."
Poppy shrugs and says, "I managed to do it yesterday well enough."
"You're just nervous," Rose says, "Look, your hands are shaking."
"Nobody has any idea how scared I am right now," Poppy whispers, "If the heir of Slytherin has returned then they'll surely come after muggle-borns."
"Rose, they're going to start killing people like me," she adds, barely audibly.
"Not if I can help it," Rose says, pointing her wand at Poppy's still blinking goblet.
The eyes disappear. "Better," Professor McGonagall says, turning around to examine 'her work'.
"Thanks," Poppy says as McGonagall strides away.
"Don't mention it," Rose says with a slight smile, "I've got your back."
November 7th, 1992
"It's high time we check out the competition," Ellis says as he walks with Cho and Rose down to the pitch, eager to see the highly anticipated Gryffindor/Slytherin match.
Rose snorts and says, "Potter, yes, but Malfoy bought his way in," she pauses, "He couldn't fly his way out of a paper bag."
"True," Ellis says with a laugh, "But everyone knows that Slytherins are cheats. It'll give us a good look at what's in store for us this season."
"I can't believe we're playing Hufflepuff next weekend," Rose says, "It feels like just yesterday I made the team."
"Oh, Hufflepuff, we'll crush them," Ellis says, climbing the steps, the bitter November cold stifled for a moment in the enclosed stairwell, "Bellius Misty's an idiot. And from what I've heard they have a lot of newcomers this year."
"No offense," he adds to Rose, "You're actually good."
"Thanks," she says, "I think."
Rose and Cho take a seat in the stands with the other members of the Ravenclaw team. They would have come down anyway but Ellis insisted the come and sit together, taking notes and making strategies. "Here they come," he says after a few moments, "I'd kill for one of those Nimbus 2001's."
Rose shrugs and says, "They can keep their flashy brooms. We'll just win of our own skill. I don't need a fancy broom to make me better, thanks."
"I suppose you're right, Rosie," he says, clapping a large hand on her shoulder, "What's the Slytherin team worth without their brooms?"
"Not much more than hippogriff shi-"
"Thank you Wilhemina!" Ellis says, cutting off her expletive.
She grins, sitting three rows above them. The Ravenclaws laugh a moment, waiting for the game to start. "And so it begins," Rose says, pulling out her parchment pad and a self-writing quill.
"Another goal for Slytherin! They lead Gryffindor ninety to thirty!" Lee Jordan bellows semi-angrily into the microphone twenty minutes into the game.
"Maybe they're better than we thought," Cho sighs, "We've got a lot of work to do."
"What's that?" a first year girl screams in front of them, "Something's wrong with Harry Potter!"
"Not again," Rose sighs, leaning forward to see.
"It's a rogue bludger!" Ellis exclaims, "Those bloody Slytherins. I swear they'll wish they'd never signed up to play quidditch when we go up against them!"
Cho looks through her binoculars to get a better look at the trouble. "I don't think it's the Slytherins," she says quietly, "They look as shocked as we do."
Even Lee Jordan forgets to commentate as Harry Potter flies the length of the pitch, the bludger following his every move. "He has the worst luck," Cho says.
"I don't think it's luck, Cho," Rose says, "Someone's trying to kill him again!"
"You, you don't think it's You-Know-Who again, do you?" Cho asks nervously.
"I don't think so," Rose says, "But this heir of Slytherin could be a pretty good guess."
Bam! The bludger blows through the pitch below, snapping the beams that hold up the stands where the Ravenclaw team sits. The seats sway for a second and settle, leaving the Ravenclaws to hang on. "Harry Potter has spotted the snitch but Draco Malfoy is right behind him. And so's that bludger. I'll bet the Ravenclaws aren't too happy right now," Lee Jordan commentates.
"Ouch!" Lee Jordan exclaims as a bludger collides with Harry's right arm, "That's got to hurt!"
"What's this?" he adds, "Harry Potter has caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!"
"But perhaps it's too early to celebrate, Harry Potter is still being pursued by a relentless bludger," Lee says, "Someone help him."
Several people rush out from the stands, to where Harry sits on the ground, knocked off his broom. Hermione Granger's distinctive hair gives her away as she points her wand into the air, causing the bludger to blow to pieces. "Let's go see if he's alright," Ellis says as they fly down the stairs to the ground level.
"Not to worry, Harry. I will fix that arm of yours straight away," Professor Lockhart says as they reach the crowd forming around him.
"No, not you," Harry says wisely.
"Oh, poor boy doesn't know what he's saying," Lockhart says, "Now, this... won't hurt a bit. Brackium emendo!"
Harry's arm flops down, bonelessly. "Ah, yes, ha! Well that can sometimes happen, um, but- uh... the point is, uh…" Lockhart trails off as Harry bends his entire hand backwards, "You can no longer feel any pain, and heh- very clearly, the bones aren't broken."
"Broken!" Hagrid exclaims, towering over the crowd, "There's no bones left!"
"Yuck!" a third year Hufflepuff squeeks.
"Much more flexible, though," Lockhart says.
Hermione Granger shoots him daggers and he stops trying to defend his spellwork. "It's hard to believe he fought all that evil and did all those great deeds in those horribly expensive books we had to buy," Cho says.
"I was just thinking that," Rose says, as they head back to the common room, "It's almost as if they're not even him."
"Poor Harry, though," Cho says, "Like he needs more trouble."
"Who do you think set the bludger after him?" Rose asks, "My money's on the heir or whatever they call themself."
"If a tree falls in the Forbidden Forest and no one was there to hear it, does it make a sound?" the eagle knocker asks.
"Just because we don't hear them, it doesn't mean they don't exist," Rose reasons, "If a tree falls and there's noone around to hear it, the vibrations won't be converted into sound. It makes no noise."
"Well reasoned!" it says, swinging open the door.
"I'm tired," Rose says, "And I've got some homework to do. I think I'm going to have a rest and then go to the library."
"I could stand to relax too," Cho says, "That match was just awful."
"I'll meet you there in an hour," she adds, "Maybe we can go over that Lockhart essay we both have to write."
"I can't believe he's so lazy that he's set us the same essay," Rose groans, "I hope he doesn't last much longer."
"Anyway," she says, "See you then."
November 30th, 1992
A week after Harry's attack it was Rose's turn to play her first Ravenclaw quidditch game of the season. The game went well, they played Hufflepuff after all. Cho caught the snitch about thirty minutes into the game and they won no contest. Rose saved nine out of ten goals that sailed at her. All was well.
What wasn't well was everything else. The school has been buzzing with rumor since Harry was attacked by the bludger. That very same night a young Gryffindor, Colin Creevey was the first to be petrified by the monster in the chamber. Since then the students of Hogwarts school have been in a temper, terrified that they'd be next. Rose worries, if not for herself, for Poppy, for Rose is pure-blood. Since Slytherin favored pure-bloods she assumed she'd be safe. Though after some careful consideration she comes to realize that Harry Potter was half-bood and he was attacked. No-one is safe anymore.
Since then Professor Lockhart has decided to start up a Duelling Club, in order to arm the students against potential attackers.
"I don't want to go," Rose sighs as Poppy drags her to the great hall.
"If I'm in danger I want to be prepared," she says, "We need to learn how to duel before it's too late."
"Gather round! Gather round. Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent. In light of the dark events of recent weeks...Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this Dueling Club to train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions," Lockhart says, sashaying the length of the hall in his fussy robes, "For full details, see my published works."
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He has sportingly agreed to help with a short demonstration," he adds, "I don't want any of you youngsters to worry. You'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him. Never fear. One. Two. Three!"
"Expelliarmus!" Snape hisses, blowing Lockhart backwards.
"An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind me saying, it was pretty obvious- ah- what you were about to do. And if I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy," Lockhart says brushing himself off and standing up.
"Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor," Snape says snakely.
"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape! Ah... Let's have a volunteer pair!" Lockhart says.
"If it's us I'll kill you," Rose teases, whispering to Poppy.
"Um, Potter, Weasley, how about you?" Lockhart says, pointing to Harry a few yards away.
"Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox," Snape says, "Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy, perhaps?"
He gestures for Potter and Malfoy to step up onto their platform. "Goodluck, Potter," Lockhart says, slapping him gingerly on the back.
"Thank you, Sir," Harry answers, turning now to Draco.
Draco's eyes narrow as they face each other. "Wands at the ready," Lockhart says, "On the count of three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent- only to disarm. We don't want any accidents here. One, two-"
"Everte statum!" Draco interrupts, causing Harry to fly backwards.
"Rictumsempra!" Harry retorts, knocking Malfoy backwards as well.
"I thought they were meant to only disarm," Poppy says, "They could seriously hurt one another."
"I'm not sure I really care if Harry hurts Malfoy," Rose says.
"What if it was the other way around?" Poppy says.
Rose blushes and doesn't say anything. "You like him don't you?" Poppy asks, "That's why you're bludger red everytime we talk about him."
"I said disarm only!" Lockhart warns the two boys.
"Serpensortia!" Draco says, a snake bursting out of his wand tip.
It falls with a heavy thud to the floor between them, raising its great head, ready to strike. "Don't move, Potter. I'll get rid of it for you," Snape says, brushing past Malfoy.
"Allow me, Professor Snape," Lockhart says, pulling out his wand, "Alarte ascendare!"
The snake soars high into the air. Rose and Poppy step back and to the side, nearly knocking over Justin Finch-Fletchley, a Hufflepuff boy from their year. "Sorry, Justin," Rose says, "I didn't mean to step on your foot."
"Oh, it's alright, Rose," he says, turning back to the snake.
The snake turns upon landing, slithering forward, studying Justin. Poppy squeezes Rose's hand as they decide whether they should run or stay very still. "Sya- hassa- she. Sya- hasi- heth. Sya- hasi- heth," Harry hisses.
Justin's eyes widen as the snake makes to strike. "Vipera Evenesca," Snape says, disintegrating the snake.
"What are you playing at?" Justin says, terrified.
The students begin to exit the hall in large numbers but Rose and Poppy are frozen to the spot. "Wh-what was that about?" Poppy asks, "That hissing what was Harry doing."
"I didn't know he was a Parselmouth," Rose says, plucking up the courage to lead Poppy out of the hall, past Harry and the others.
"What does that mean?" she asks.
"He can speak to snakes," Rose answers.
"Why would he try to set that snake on Justin for?" Poppy says, "If anyone, he should have set it on Malfoy."
"Poppy, this isn't good," Rose starts, "Slytherin could talk to snakes. Not very many wizards can do it. None that I know."
"So?" Poppy says, confused as they reach the spiral staircase to the common room.
"So?" Rose repeats, "Slytherin's heir can talk to snakes. All the attacks, Poppy. Think about it."
"You honestly think Harry Potter is Slytherin's heir," she says, climbing the first stairs, "Five minutes ago you were blushing about him."
"I'm not saying that," Rose says, "But I wouldn't count it out completely."
"Rubbish," Poppy says, "If anyone's Slytherin's heir it's Malfoy."
"I thought so too but now I'm not sure," Rose says as they reach the landing, "All I'm sure of now is that this changes everything."
December 18th, 1992
Much had changed for the students of Hogwarts since the duelling club. Much doubt was casted upon Harry Potter and he was shunned from most anyone. Rose was kind to him but fearful. She really didn't know him well and he scared her. Poppy was always on edge around the Slytherins and any known muggleborn haters. She had a hard time keeping up with her studies, even breaking down once in Transfiguration. Rose gave her sweets out in the hall to make her feel better but it was just a small bandage on a gaping wound, it might make it feel better but it doesn't fix the problem.
Rose was miserable as the next quidditch match against Slytherin had been cancelled due to the increased amount of students being petrified. Justin Finch-Fletchley was among them and it scared her. Would Poppy be next? Or another one of her friends? She was almost glad when Christmastime came around.
She's going home today and she'd like nothing more. She drags her trunk behind her as she sits at the Ravenclaw table one last time before going back to Inverness. She sighs as she sips her hot cocoa. "Are you sure you don't want to come home with me?" Rose asks.
"I'll be alright with my parents," Poppy says, "I'm no safer with you or anyone else. Besides whatever's behind the attacks surely can't follow me out of the school."
"I wonder what's been doing this," Cho says, "It doesn't make sense. What petrifies but not kills?"
"It does seem funny that nobody has died?" Amelia asks, "As terrible as it sounds."
"No, I know what you mean, I was thinking about it too," Millie says, "I thought Slytherin wanted to kill muggle-borns. What good does this do if Professor Sprout can just bring them back to life with the mandrakes?"
"I heard it's tricky business working with mandrakes," Cho says, "That the potions are very hard to brew."
"We were caring for them up until everyone started to get petrified. They were horrible," Rose says with a shudder.
"I heard poor Neville Longbottom fainted," Millie says, "It's a pity we don't have herbology with the Gryffindors."
"At least we don't have to be in the greenhouse again until the summertime," Rose says, "The theory classes aren't all that bad. Professor Sprout's kind to us at least."
"Can't say that for Snape," Marietta says, plopping down into a seat besides Cho.
"Thats for sure," Amelia says, "I nearly punched him yesterday over that stupid hair-raising potion."
"Miss Dearborn," Rose imitates Snape, "While your theoretical knowledge of potion-making is satisfactory I must ask why you con-tin-u-ally put the wrong number of rat's tails into your cauldron each class. Or are you simply not able to follow directions?"
"That isn't funny, Miss Macguffin. Twenty points from Ravenclaw," Snape's voice echoes back to her behind her.
She stiffens, terrified, caught impersonating him. A girl laughs and she turns to see Wil. "You gave me a fright," Rose says, laughing, clutching her chest, "I almost got sick!"
"Your impression is better than mine!" she says, leaning on the table by Marietta.
"Look, I've gotta go meet Bobby," she says, "I'll see you all after the holidays."
"Ooh, Bobby!" Rose teases her.
"Shut up!" she says, grinning, "Anyway, you all have a happy Christmas, alright?"
"Happy Christmas," the girls repeat back to her as she drags her trunk out of the hall.
"You should have seen your face, Rose," Millie says.
"Remind me to never do that outside our room," Rose laughs, "My poor heart can't take that again."
"We'll do it tonight," Hermione says as she whips into the hall, Ron and Harry beside her, "Everything's ready."
Rose turns away from them, back to her friends, but glances over to them every few seconds, wondering what was ready.
The train rolls into the station an hour later, ready to be boarded by the Hogwarts students looking to get away from their exceedingly dangerous school. Rose turn, spying Hagrid dragging a large pine tree from the forest towards the front entrance of the school. Not that many aside from the teachers would enjoy it. Nearly every student is going home this year. Rose can't blame them.
February 20th, 1993
Rose had a good, quiet Christmas at home in Inverness. She was happy to be home but hungered to be back at Hogwarts and its libraries. Her parents had bought her a broom servicing kit and she was eager to try it out, as Ravenclaw is scheduled to play Slytherin in March.
Cho and her family came on boxing day for a quick visit. They exchanged small gifts, Rose giving Cho a snitch necklace she had found in Diagon alley, Cho giving Rose a beautiful green quill engraved with the Ravenclaw motto. The two girls even endeavored to go into town to use the telephone to call Poppy. It look them several minutes as they weren't used to communicating the muggle way.
After the holidays ended the girls went back to school, and back to full-time studying. Rose found her schoolwork getting harder, short of defense against the dark arts of course, which was getting more tedious. Professor Lockhart had gotten worse than Rose had ever seen him, ignorance or idiocy she couldn't be sure. One thing she was certain of, Lockhart would never get a penny from her again. If she could help it that is. She shuddered to think he'd last more than the one year. Hogwarts school really didn't have much luck with defense the dark arts, did they?
As February blew in it only got the colder. Rose caught a nasty cold that lasted two weeks, despite Madam Pomfrey's remedies. She just couldn't seem to shake it, like the bad feelings she had about Harry Potter. Since Christmas break he and his friends had become more secretive, always whispering in the back of the class, always the first at the scene when there was trouble. Still, she wouldn't admit to Marietta that she shared some of her concerns. Other students had become fearful of him as well and she couldn't blame them after the business with Justin Finch-Fletchley at the duelling club. If one thing was certain, either Harry Potter was a magnet to bad luck or all of his bad luck had turned him into a bad person. Rose couldn't decide which.
Still, there seemed to be those who admired him. For after Lockhart's stunt on Valentine's Day, it was certain had a very fervent admirer. On the fourteenth of February Lockhart had a 'special surprise' for the students of Hogwarts, as he hired a dozen dwarves to dress in gold wings, carry harps, and deliver valentines to student. Much to Rose's horror she received one outside charms class from an anonymous sender. She suspected Draco Malfoy was behind it, as he seemed quite keen on embarrassing her. She didn't feel bad about it, though, as she heard that one of the dwarves had to knock Harry Potter down to deliver his valentine. At least hers didn't go that far.
So with another week gone by it's finally time for the Gryffindor/Hufflepuff match. Rose is excited to have more quidditch after a very long off-season. "Hey have you seen Poppy?" Rose asks Amelia as she pulls up her winter boots.
"I never saw her," Amelia says, "Never saw her come back last night either. She went to the library and must have gotten back when we were already in bed."
"Well, she likes to get breakfast early," Rose says, "I suppose we shouldn't fuss, it's not as though she'll be sad she's missed quidditch."
"Ready?" Cho knocks once, appearing in the doorframe.
"Yeah," Rose says, throwing her scarf around her neck and putting on her gloves.
"My money's on Gryffindor," Cho says as they wade through the snow towards the pitch, "The Hufflepuffs are so terrified of Harry that I'm surprised they didn't cancel the game."
"What's going on?" Rose asks as several students head away from the pitch, irritated.
"Match has been cancelled," Seamus Finnigan, "Can you believe it?"
"And we got all dressed up," Rose sighs, "Ugh, it's probably for the best. Now you can help me study for my charms again."
"Woo!" Cho says, twirling her finger, feigning excitement.
"Excuse me," a young Ravenclaw boy asks, "Are you Rose Macguffin. You're the only other Ravenclaw I know with red hair. And the other one yelled at me."
"Marietta," Rose laughs.
"I'm sorry what?" the boy asks.
"Her name is Marietta," Rose says, "But I'm Rose. What can I do for you?"
"Professor Flitwick is looking for you," he says, "They say you're to meet them outside the hospital wing straight away."
"What's happened?" she says nervously, quickening her pace.
"I can't say," the boy says, "They didn't tell me anything but that."
"Well thank you...umm.." she starts.
"Richard," he says, "Richard Barnes."
"Thank you Richard," she says, breaking into a run, "Excuse me,"
Cho runs alongside her, skidding on the ice as they come to a stop at the entrance to the school. They fly up the steps, boots wet from the snow, finally reaching the hospital wing. "Professor!" Rose semi-shouts, "Professor, is everything alright?"
"I'd like to say yes but I'd be lying," he says, "Oh good, you've brought Miss Chang. She should be here as well."
"You've got to tell me what's happened," Rose demands.
"I could tell you," he says, reaching up, only able to pat her on the elbow, "But I think you ought to see it, dear."
"Follow me," he says, opening the door.
A boy with red hair and another one with a familiar messy black mop stand by someone's bedside, Harry still in his quidditch robes. She turns to head for them but Flitwick proceeds straight, towards a bed with a closed curtain.
"Professor, who's in there?" she asks as calmly as she can muster.
He waves his wand and the curtains open, revealing Poppy, her eyes glossy, petrified. "No!" Rose exclaims loudly.
"I'm sorry, Rose," Flitwick says, "I know you two were close."
"They found her and Miss Granger by the library," he says, "She was wearing these."
He picks up her smashed reading glasses and hand them to her. "These were hers, yes," Rose says, "She was studying for your test next week."
"I should never had assigned it," he says angrily, "It is such a shame that this is the result of my extra work."
"I don't think that's true," Cho says, "You didn't ask the monster to attack her."
"She's right professor," Rose says, approaching her best friend's bed and grasping her cold hand, "It'd be a better use of our time to find out who did this. To find the heir of Slytherin."
"Your guess is as good as mine," he says, "Thank goodness Professor Sprout is close to having the mandrake potion ready. Miss Tippet will be back in charms before we know it."
"That's if they don't shut Hogwarts down," Professor McGonagall says.
"Shut down Hogwarts?" Rose says, astonished, "They can't do that."
"The headmaster may have no other choice," she says, hanging her head, "The school is obviously not safe anymore."
After a few moments of sitting with Poppy, Cho and Rose rise from her bedside and redraw her curtains. They are of better use at the library, doing research, plotting their revenge. "Your friend, Poppy is it?" Harry says to her on the way out, "They must have been together."
"I'm sorry about Hermione," Rose says, "It was likely that they were both coming back from the library."
"I know what you're thinking," Harry says, "But I've had nothing to do with this. I'm the one trying to stop this."
"I wasn't going to say anything," Rose says.
"I've seen the way everyone looks at me like I'm some sort of monster," he says, "But I would never hurt a friend. I'd never hurt Poppy, or Hermione, or anyone if I could help it."
"Look, Harry, I don't believe the rumors," Rose says, finally making her decision about him, "Please don't think as badly of me as you believe the others think of you."
"I'm sorry," he says, "I didn't mean to-"
"Forget it, Harry," she says, smiling with all she can muster, "I'll see you around."
He nods as Ron comes out the door and they set off towards their common room. "What was that about?" Cho asks.
"It's not Harry, I'm sure of it," Rose says, climbing up the stairs, "He's absolutely terrified."
"I just can't believe Poppy's been petrified," Rose says, tearing up, "What am I going to do without her?"
"You've got me," Cho says, throwing her arm around her, "And like Flitwick said, she'll get better once they give her the potion."
"Let's just hope it works," Rose says, "Or I'll kill whoever did it with my bare hands."
May 28th, 1993
Mayhem, mayhem was the only word Rose could think of to describe the events of the recent weeks. Things had been bad without Poppy, very bad. Rose felt more lonely than she ever had in her entire life. Her other friends grew sad in her absence. Rose became withdrawn from them after that, short of Cho, who wouldn't let her leave.
Rose spent a lot of time in the library towards the end of February, throwing herself into her work. Even Professor Snape had to admit she was most certainly the top of her class without Hermione Granger to compete with. That too made her sad.
On the 26th her 13th birthday came and went without the fuss of the year previous. Amelia and Millie had drawn her a birthday card, which was big for them, as they rarely even spoke to each other these days. It wasn't as though nobody liked each other anymore, it was the pain of having to deal with the loss of Poppy that drove them apart. Rose came to realize that Poppy was the glue that bonded them together.
Professor Lockhart had grown the worse in recent weeks, becoming even more insufferable than he was before. Rose had taken to defacing some of the school books she had to buy. Every little Lockhart had a moustache, a dunce cap, or other little mockery made of him. She smiled every time she saw them. Poppy would have laughed and that was a happy thought, her laughing again. Rose doubted sometimes whether or not she'd ever hear her laugh again. Professor Sprout's mandrake remedy was taking a miserably long time. She wondered how long she could stay petrified before she started to die.
Speaking of petrification, the school was sent into an uproar after that. The students now have to be escorted to class by Professors. Rose once had the unfortunate luck to get Professor Lockhart, who prattled on about himself the entire way up to Ravenclaw tower. His egocentrism annoyed her, perhaps even worse than Snape annoyed her. She hated to admit it to herself, but she hated the accompaniment of Lockhart more.
Since the attack on Hermione and Poppy the school has been more mistrustful of Harry Potter. They seemed to think that he was the only one likely to be the heir of Slytherin. She didn't believe it though, and came to his defense as often as she could. He, or so she thought, looked even sadder than she did.
And then it happened, one night, a girl was taken. At long last the school looked like it was in it's final days. Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever, the threat, written in blood read. Rose didn't see it for herself, but it was described to her in horrific detail. The Ravenclaws packed their things that night quickly, wanting to be prepared. Rose even packed up Poppy's things. She'd get her out of the school, too, even if she had to carry her out. That's how deep their friendship is seeded.
But the Ravenclaws needn't have panicked. Hogwarts school would not close, all thanks to Harry Potter that is. In secret for practically the entire year Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been trying to figure out who was Slytherin's heir. That was the hushed conversations, the worried looks, the secrecy, it was to save them all. Rose knew they'd come to regret their treatment of poor Harry Potter one day.
Rose believed the rumors, no matter how fantastic, because she believed Harry Potter was capable of fantastic things. The girl they had taken was Ron Weasley's sister, Ginny, after all. The Weasleys were like his family and Rose knew he wouldn't sit idly by and lose what little he had left. The two rescued her, with help from Hermione Granger of course, and Poppy by the looks of it. Together, in the library, they discovered that it was truly a Basilisk that dwelled in the deep dark of Hogwarts.
It was said that to look in the snake's eyes would surely mean death. But none of the petrified students did so directly, even Poppy used her eyeglasses to protect herself. Harry Potter battled the snake in the chamber, below the girl's bathroom on the first floor. It is also said that he battled He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the chamber, his teenage self preserved in the diary. It was not Harry, but Lord Voldemort, that was Slytherin's heir. Using his gift of parseltongue Harry had saved them all.
Rose also heard that the sword of Gryffindor came to him in a moment of great need, which she supposed was also true. What greater Gryffindor would be worthy of such a thing? None but Harry Potter and Godric himself, or so Rose surmised. If anyone was going to pull the sword of Gryffindor out of the hat it would be Harry Potter.
And though he killed the snake and saved the girl he still remained humble, as he always had been. He didn't get up on his high horse and say "I told you so" and rub it in everyone's faces. He did what he had always done, be brave. Rose could think of no truer Gryffindor.
In the days to follow there was celebration, the students finally felt safe again. Gone were the days when friends turned on friends, fearing the worst of each other. All was well at last, to most everyone of course. They had hauled Hagrid off to Askaban prison upon the chamber's openings. Apparently he had been falsely accused of opening it fifty years previous. Though Dumbledore presumably ordered his release, he still had not come back to the school.
Rose sighs as she flops down the stairs to the great hall for the end of term feast. She'd have her exams next week, and despite of everything, she still felt unprepared. She longs to have Poppy sitting next to her as she takes her seat besides Cho, turning to the teacher's table.
"Rose! Rose!" Cho says, hitting her on the arm, "Look, isn't that Nearly Headless Nick?" she asks.
"Yeah," Rose sighs, "That's him."
"But wasn't he petrified that night with Justin?" she adds.
Rose perks up and says, "Look there's Hermione Granger!"
She stands, bolt upright, finally spotting her. "Poppy!" she half yells, running the length of the room. She throws her arms around her, sobbing hard, as they connect. "I've missed you so much, Pops," Rose says, "Hogwarts isn't the same without you."
"i've missed you too," she says, crying herself, "Thank god for mandrakes, right?"
Rose laughs through the tears and says, "Oh Poppy I've felt horrible, I should have been with you that night."
"You can't protect me from everything," Poppy says, smiling.
"You never leave me again," Rose says, leading her to the table, "You never leave us alone again, alright?"
Poppy nods, laughing, as her fellow Ravenclaws begin to greet her and pat her on the back. "Well done, Poppy," Penelope Clearwater says, "I heard you helped Hermione Granger solve it."
"I didn't do much," Poppy says, "Just what I could."
"You've done brilliant," Amelia says, throwing her arm around her.
"Welcome back," The Grey Lady says, smiling shyly, floating over the table.
"Thank you, Helena," she says, "It's good to be back."
"Could I have your attention, please?" Professor McGonagall says, hitting her spoon on her water goblet.
"I wonder if that's the goblet with my rat's eyes," Poppy laughs, thinking of the last time she was in transfiguration.
"Probably not," Rose says, smiling, "I don't see the tail."
"Before we begin the feast, let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey, whose Mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been Petrified," Dumbledore says.
The school erupts into applause, Rose slapping her hands together particularly hard. "Also, in light of the recent events, as a school treat," Dumbledore adds, "All exams have been canceled."
"Oh thank goodness," Rose says.
Groans echo from some others at the Ravenclaw table, but also many cheers as well. Contrary to popular belief, not all Ravenclaws enjoy studying or taking tests. Poppy, in particular, grins, not fond of test-taking.
"Sorry I'm late!" a gruff voice says at the entrance to the hall.
Rose turns, realizing that it belongs to Hagrid. Harry, Ron, and Hermione beam as they look up to him. "The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Errol," he says.
As he reaches Harry, Ron, and Hermione his words are lost with the sound of excited whispering from the tables around her. Clapping starts again, and excited whooping, which Rose happily joins in with. Even the Slytherins participated, which was a rare sight in itself.
Another year was finally done at Hogwarts. Another monster beaten, several more tests taken and spells learned, but most of all it was the year she learned what it truly means to love and be loved by someone. She learned the true value of friendship, of bravery, of love, and nothing could take that away.