Chapter 2: A Band of Brigands
"You're a hard act to follow,
Such a fine looking fellow.
I hear your belly's yellow,
You're a hard act to swallow."
Darci awoke to being jolted around; she sat up suddenly and groaned in pain. Every muscle in her body protested movement of any kind, her lungs and throat still felt raw from their little underwater excursion and she could feel dried silt from the muddy water crusted over her skin and hair.
"Wow," Two wide blue eyes stared into hers, "you don't look like a happy cupcake."
"Ami's right you look like crap Darci, are you feeling alright?" Lily toned in from somewhere behind Ami.
Darci briefly considered faking sick and playing hooky today but it was her first day at Hogwarts and she didn't really think that would be such a good way to start the term.
"Nah just tired." It came out as a barely legible croak.
"Alright pretty pie but you'd better get up soon or you'll be late for brekky!" Darci looked around to see that the dorm was already empty and Ami and Lily were ready to go.
"Alright go on you guys I'll meet you down there."
"You remember the way?" Lily asked as she and Ami made their way to the door and Darci hauled her aching body out of bed.
"Yeah I remember it from last night, see you guys in five."
Darci hauled herself into the shower and scrubbed furiously, washing her hair twice and got out in record time. She quickly got dressed in a short, black skirt and tank top and pulled her Hogwarts shirt, tie and robes on over the top; she activated the colour charm, scrubbed her teeth and finally gathered the courage to take a look at her reflection. She was immediately tempted to crawl right back into bed, she looked like the living dead but where as Zee pulled that off as vampire chic, this looked more like something you'd expect to find floating in the Bronx river. Her colour charm was wearing off turning her hair a murky grey colour, her skin was sallow, her eyes red-rimmed and she had dark circles beneath each. Wincing she changed her hair a vibrant red and lined her eyes, threw on her dog tags and two rings, deciding on a more mild look for a good impression. No doubt if she actually managed to succeed that impression would be shattered at the first opportunity, nevertheless there was no harm in trying. She checked her pocket watch – it was 20 to nine; she pulled on her socks and some buckled ankle boots, grabbed her pre-packed messenger bag (thank Merlin for bored paranoia) and headed out, letting the cats out as she left. She had to double back twice before she found her way down to the Entrance Hall just in time to hear the chime of the Hogwarts bells ringing loudly throughout the hall. Students gushed from the open doors to the Great Hall, pushing past her as they made their way to their classes.
"Oi! Darci!"
Darci turned to spot Zee reclining against the wall next to the Great Hall's doors, Ami and Lily at her side. Darci made her way over.
"Hey, you arrive at last. We didn't think you'd make it down in time so we got your timetable for you," Lily said handing her the sheet of card.
Darci took the timetable off her as Zee started talking.
"Yeah sorry but we also checked it. You're pretty lucky; you've got one of your only free periods now but these guys have Divination and I've got Arithmancy so adios amigas!"
"Yeah sorry we can't show you around yet and you're in a different Herbology class to us but Greenhouse Two is pretty easy to find. Just head out that door," Lily pointed to a door on the far wall, "and head to the end of the corridor, follow the path across and then it's the one on the far left."
Darci nodded. "Alright you guys had better be off, see you in-" she looked down at her timetable, "History of Magic."
"Yeppers, it's on the fourth floor in the South West Wing, to the right of the main staircase, miss you already cupcake."
She gave Ami a pat on the head as she was hugged around the middle before Lily and Ami hurried off to class.
Examining her timetable as she headed into the Great Hall, Darci decided it seemed fairly manageable although her other courses would complicate her study time.
Darci had liked some of the courses she'd taken at her last school, Salem Witches Institute, enough to arrange to do them via distance education when she left. So in addition to Herbology, History of Magic, Ancient Runes, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Astronomy, she was taking a General Creative Arts in Magic course and a Mystic Remedies course.
Darci was disappointed to discover the Great hall empty and clean of any sign of food. Her stomach growling in protest she turned her mind to other matters. She headed through a pair of large doors off the Entrance Hall trying to think where Hagrid's Hut might be. Taking a wild guess she headed around the right side of the castle, walking past the greenhouse she spotted a Quidditch field and looking around to her other side an expansive, gloomy forest. Hagrid's hut huddled nearby a few minutes walk away from her, the trees of the forest looming next to it. She made her way down and spotted Hagrid carrying a great pile of chopped wood.
"Hagrid!"
Hagrid put the logs down next to his hut. Shading his eyes from the sun he squinted out at her as she came down the hill.
"Darci?"
"Hey Hagrid, came to see how the zoo's doing."
"Oh yeah they're fine, yeh can take a look yourself but I let the horses out to stretch their legs so yeh might hav'ta wait fer 'em. Shouldn' you be in class?"
"Nah, I've got a free period."
"Alright yer pets are 'round the back."
She poked her head around the edge and spotted Roch snoozing next to a pen obviously meant to hold her miniature goat Mandela. Mandela was inside playing with her Springer Spaniel, Cat.
Cat spotted her first and leapt over the small fence, throwing himself at her legs and panting happily, Roch was quickly after him and would have bowled her over again had she not dodged him at the last moment, Mandela bleated plaintively at his fence.
"Roch no! Down, sit Cat!"
Luckily Cat was a tad more obedient then his namesake. When they were both sitting she let Mandela out of his pen and knelt down, petting and babying each of them shamelessly.
Hagrid came around a few minutes later, beaming at them he gave Mandela a pat on the head.
"It's no use keeping him locked up," Darci informed him, "he's named Mandela because Nelson Mandela didn't eat for the freedom of his people whilst this Mandela eats everything for his own freedom. See?"
Darci pointed out a clearly chewed on gap in the fence.
Hagrid chuckled as he leant down to examine the chewed fence.
"Hungry blighter inn't he?
"Yeah, you can just let him wonder around with the others. Roch likes to play mama bear to them so he'll keep them out of too much trouble."
It was a shame she hadn't read Peter Pan when she got him or she would have named him Nana. Roch had been given to her by her uncle Ian for her sixth birthday, a round ball of fur that had driven her mother crazy but that Darci knew she'd secretly loved to pieces. Darci had named him after a portrait she'd seen at her local church of a saint with a dog vaguely resembling hers next to him. Cat she had adopted from an animal shelter when she was ten and her uncle was working in Colorado. She had visited the shelter every day, delighted by the spotted puppy with huge paws that had seemed to have his nose in everything, hence the name as he was curious as a cat.
Mandela she picked up from West Africa at the beginning of the year. He had been planned as an animal sacrifice and had been determinedly chewing through his thick, rope tether when a local had pointed him out to Darci and explained what he was for. Darci had waited patiently until they had left then untied him, let him out of his pen and lured him over by giving him the apple she'd planned for lunch. He'd happily followed her home after that.
Darci stood up and wiped her hands on her robes. Looking out across the field she spotted Kelpie and above him Kara, blending in well against the clouds. Both had been gifts from Ian, a great motto when it came to gifts for Darci was when in doubt, pets. Kelpie had been given to her as a start-of-term gift when she had been going away to Beauxbatons as a first year. He was a lovely piebald Friesian Sporthorse gelding. Horse riding had been an elective at Beauxbatons so she hadn't had a problem keeping him there. He was well-mannered now at four and a half years old but when she had gotten him he'd been a spirited yearling that had been determined to go where he wanted, when he wanted and as fast as he wanted, which turned out to be at break neck speed. Kara on the other hand was exactly like that now at just over a year old, the dappled grey Granian was very flighty (no pun intended) and had been given to her, a tiny orphan filly by Ian at the beginning of third year in an attempt to cheer her up.
Darci gave a long, sharp whistle and watched as they both raced towards her. She took a couple of steps back as Kara winged her way down, skidding to a halt just in front of Darci, Kelpie arrived a moment later. Darci fed them apples Hagrid had given to her.
"You wan' ter take one of 'em fer a ride?"
"No if I do there's no way I won't be late for herbology. I'll come back this afternoon and take them for a ride, besides I really want to find where the library is before the end of my free period."
"Oh righ', I been there a time or two meself, 's on the fourth floor if I remember righ.'"
"Thanks Hagrid," Darci waved goodbye, feeling a lot better as she made her way back up to the castle.
The library had sounded easy enough to find but Darci soon discovered the fun array of endlessly confusing staircases. She almost fell through an invisible step, climbed halfway down a staircase that appeared to be going upstairs but was actually going down and had the staircases move destinations twice on her before she eventually stumbled through the wide entrance doors to the library. She was greeted with two stern, disapproving expressions, the librarians name tags both read Madame Pince. Darci amused herself for a moment imagining their family dinners before moving her attention to the library. It was a booklover's wet dream, thousands upon thousands of books, from shiny paper backs to dusty old tomes. Darci made way around the shelves, familiarising herself with the layout and ordering system as she picked random books of the shelves. She found an interesting one on growing witch-flowers (orchids that lick your face, fire-breathing snap dragons) and another on tricks to teach your Pegasi. She was working her way around the astronomy section looking for books that might be good for study when her leg hit something soft and warm. She yelped in surprise, whipping her head around she was confronted with large amber-brown eyes covered with reading glasses.
"Oh sorry I didn't see you there; you scared the living daylights out of me." She smiled at the girl sitting on the floor who looked to be around the same age. The girl gave a timid smile back; she had long, wavy brown hair that was pulled back in a messy and overflowing bun. Her hair was the exact same shade as her eyes; her skin was just a shade lighter then both giving an odd uniformity to her looks. She might have been quite pretty had she not been drowning in Ravenclaw robes at least two sizes too large for her.
"I'm Darci, I'm new around here are you a fourth year as well?"
The girl shook Darci's hand and nodded.
"What's your name?" When the girl didn't answer Darci frowned.
"Habla usted ingles? Parlez-vous angl-" She stopped when the girl began to sign with her hands. "Ohhh."
'You're deaf?' Darci signed, the girl shook her head but seemed excited that Darci knew BSL.
'No I'm just mute. Why do you know sign language?"
Darci dropped her hands and answered out loud, sliding down to sit next to the girl.
"My uncle's a translator, sign language was one of the first he ever taught me. So your name is?"
The girl blushed, 'sorry. It's Violet.'
"Nice, can I call you Vi?" Violet nodded in ascent. "Alright if you don't mind me asking, how can you be mute? I would have thought St. Mungo's would have been able to fix that."
'My mother was experimenting with a paralytic potion for the Ministry when I was about five unfortunately it resembled chocolate milk so when I snuck into her lab and tried a sip, it paralysed my throat muscles. St Mungo's managed to get them working again but my vocal cords were damaged beyond repair."
"Ouch, that's some hell kind of chocolate milk you had."
Vi grinned a bit wider this time.
"Hey are you a fourth year?" Vi nodded. "Are you in Greenhouse 2 next period?" She shook her head. Darci sighed, "damn, oh well you should come and sit with me and my friends at lunch then we should be over at the Gryffindor table."
The bell rang a moment later and Darci borrowed her books and stuffed them into her over-full bag as she hurried to Herbology.
The Greenhouse was an interesting place, sunlight filtered through the glass ceilings and down onto a variety of odd looking plants that occasionally rustled ominously. Down the centre table pots of red geraniums were unobtrusively lined up next to a large bin, peering in Darci saw it was filled with packets of blood. A chubby boy Darci remembered seeing with the Marauders reached a finger out nervously towards one of the vivid flowers, Darci yanked it back as a pair of fangs emerged from the centre of the plant and snapped at his fingers.
"They're fanged, you might want to avoid touching them."
The boy snatched his hand back from her and glared at her, his cheeks flushed pink as he muttered something about how he'd known that.
"Dibs on you." A bland voice from her other side proclaimed, she turned to see a really quite tiny Ravenclaw girl staring at her. She looked to be of Indian origin, she had coffee coloured skin, hazel eyes and a bored expression.
"It's either you or that one," she pointed across the table at a blonde girl Darci recognised as one of the other girls that shared her dorm, "and she just asked if we would be studying caterpillars in Herbology this year."
Darci's lips twitched at the disgusted look on her new partners face.
"I'm Lena by the way, you're Darci right? I saw you get sorted last night."
Darci didn't have time to reply as Professor Sprout called for their attention. Professor Sprout was a relatively young teacher; she was stoutly built and had frizzy hair that poked out from under her pointed hat.
"Right, today, students, we will be studying fanged geraniums. Can anyone tell me one use for fanged geraniums?"
Darci and Lena both raised their hands along with two or three other students.
"Yes you." She pointed to Darci.
"Fanged Geranium's leaves can be used in blood clotting potions."
"Quite right, five points for Gryffindor. Fanged Geraniums are one of the most useful plants to healers. Now normally Geraniums need sunlight, soil and small insects but can anyone tell me what these ones need to substitute their diet with occasionally?"
Lena and Darci both raised their hands again.
"Alright Lena tell me."
"Fanged Geraniums occasionally require human blood, about once a year should do it."
"Five for Ravenclaw and it's a good thing they only need it occasionally too. So that's our goal today, if you'd all pair up and get a plant and a 100mL packet of blood from the bin we can get started. Don't forget your gloves!"
"Great," Lena murmured hoarsely.
"Are you alright?" Darci asked as she donned her gloves and dragged one of the pots over, being careful to only hold it at the bottom so as to avoid the snapping fangs.
"I ah…don't like blood."
"Oh…well uh I can probably manage if you want to sit this one out."
"No, no I'm going to be a healer one day I need to get over it."
Lena reached into the bin and picked up one of the small blood bags with a look of strong distaste.
"Just hold it infront of one of the flowers and drop it when the fangs pop out." Sprout instructed from the front of the classroom.
Lena dangled the blood packet directly in front of one of the blossoms, Darci was just thinking that it might be a tad too close when the geraniums fangs popped out so quickly they snapped straight into the packet, the packet exploded with a loud pop. Lena shrieked.
"Great." Darci muttered as she examined her newly decorated robes.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry; oh wow there's so much blood…" Lena trailed off turning an unhealthy shade of green. Luckily Lena didn't throw up all over Darci, although Professor Sprout made her sit down for a few minutes. Darci stripped down to her skirt and singlet, glad it was a warm day.
Darci decided against stopping off at the Gryffindor dorms after Herbology, figuring it would take her long enough to find her History of Magic classroom as it was and it would be better to show up slightly out of uniform with an explanation then twenty minutes late for her first class for the subject.
It was a good thing that she did as like most of the instructions to places in Hogwarts, her History of Magic class was easier explained then found. By god this place needed a map. As it turned out her teacher didn't even notice the dress code violation, he looked a little preoccupied planning his suicide. Professor Desponét was a thin balding man that reminded Darci strongly of the type of lawyers you see in cartoons, he also looked like he'd like nothing better then to throw himself out of the fourth story window. In fact he spent most of the time staring out the window as he recited date after date. Darci and Lily half heartedly took notes while Zee drew patterns that resembled henna on Darci's arm and then spelled them to give them a slight illusion of movement and Ami colour coded their timetables.
Lily offered to lend Darci her robe which Darci declined, it's be too short anyway and besides then Lily would be without one.
"I'd offer you mine but then I wouldn't get to admire the view." Zee joked winking at Darci.
"I met a couple of Ravenclaws during Herbology and my free, I hope you guys don't mind that I invited them to sit with us."
"That's fine," Lily smiled but Zee grumbled, half annoyed. "More people? We really shouldn't leave you alone you collect people like you collect animals."
The rest of the class passed unremarkably and Darci was glad when the bell for morning tea rang, she was starving.
Sirius watched Darci hurry over to the Gryffindor table her attention completely set on the food. She seemed completely oblivious to the small stir she'd caused, male eyes drawn to the long lean legs revealed be her skirt and the small curves the singlet hugged. She was trailed by a small Ravenclaw girl who seemed to be apologising profusely, Sirius quickly caught onto the topic of conversation.
"I heard vampires are suppose to drink blood not spill it all over themselves, having a bad day Roane?"
"Worse every moment you're here, Black and should you really be making accusations about clumsiness seeing how we met?"
Sirius leaned back enjoying the flush of anger that tinted her cheeks; he had been feeling oddly irritable since he'd caught that Slytherin Pratt staring at those mile-long-legs as Roane strutted back to the Gryffindor table.
"As I recall it was you who fell all over me, Roane, looking for a second try? Not that I don't appreciate the free show but you're not my type luv."
"What is you're type then Black? Wait let me guess – cute, blonde and obedient? Then buy a golden retriever asshole."
There was a bark of laughter from behind Darci as her freak friend appeared and plopped herself down next to her.
"Nice one Darci."
"No thanks I tend to stray away from bestiality. I'm not particularly fussy with my women Darci, now that you've taken an interest; mostly I prefer them not to look like they weren't dredged from the bottom of the Hogwarts Lake."
Darci froze for an instant staring at Black, he couldn't know. She was saved from answering when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
'Is it still okay if I sit with you?' Vi signed to her shyly.
"Ofcourse, sit down, everyone this is Vi she's mute but I know sign language so I'll translate."
Ami and Lena were completely ignoring her.
"By god, you are literally too stupid to insult," ((stolen from The Hangover, love that movie)) Lena accused. It seemed Lena and Ami had been violently opposed to each other for years. Lena thinking Ami was an idiot, Ami thinking Lena was stuck up, so it seemed Darci was responsible for an endless stream of high pitched bickering.
Lily gave Vi a warm smile.
"That's interesting; I suppose you'll have no trouble when we get to studying wordless spells."
"Ah more to join the gang. Seriously though I've always wanted learn sign language, you two should teach me."
Vi beamed happily which Darci was glad to see, she had a feeling it wasn't that common with Vi.
"You're mute?" Lena seemed to have just caught onto the conversation, "wow I've seen you around ofcourse but I always just thought you were just quiet."
"Alright seriously everyone shut up. I have less then ten minutes left, I'm famished and I have yet to eat a thing."
The rest of the break was spent in relative silence, relative because Ami and Lena couldn't resist snapping at each other occasionally. Black stared at her the entire time, only grinning in amusement when she flipped him off.
They had History of Magic again after that, by the end of which Darci was starting to feel suicidal herself but atleast she'd had time to grab a robe from the Gryffindor dorm.
She had Ancient Runes with Hufflepuff on the other side of the castle after that. Ancient Runes looked like a very detailed subject taught by a pleasant blonde woman, unfortunately neither Ami nor Lily took it so Darci spent a studious lesson taking notes.
Ancient Runes was followed by Potions which Darci shared with only Lily and Transfiguration with Ravenclaw. Darci was decent at both and got an invitation along with Lily and several other students to join Professor Slughorn for a little get together next week. Lily and Darci made faces at each other when he turned away. Transfiguaration was fascinating, difficult and taught by a stern woman named Professor McGonagall who was also the head of Gryffindor house. Lily shared this class with Lily, Ami, Vi and Lena but put in a strong effort to pay attention as she quite liked it.
When the last bell rang Darci could hardly believe she hadn't known the rest of the girls for most of her life, they had an easy familiarity that seemed odd considering how long they'd really known each other. They had a couple of hours until dinner so Darci took them down to Hagrid's to see the rest of her pets.
'Do you think you could teach me to ride?' Vi signed to Darci.
"Yeah sure thing, I tell you what why don't we go for a quick try now?"
"I swear you two have to teach me to sign. I so don't be appreciate feeling like the dumb foreigner in all your cute little conversations."
They had Kelpie and Kara saddled up in no time with Hagrid's help, Lena knew how to ride but her and the others seemed content to settle back and play with Mandela, Cat and Roche whilst Darci and Vi went for a ride. Darci helped Vi into Kelpie's saddle before mounting. She taught her how to hold the reigns and then just walked them around for a bit, Kara chafed at the slow pace stretching her wings out occasionally.
"Hey Vi, mind if I take her for a quick fly? She needs a bit of exercise, I'll be back in no time."
Vi nodded absently patting Kelpie's silky coat.
Darci took a run up and then kicked off, the ground below melted away as Kara's powerful wings steadily pushed them upwards. Hogwarts was amazing from this height. Darci circled a turret and plunged over a knife-like cliff to fly over the sea. They circled back around a few minutes later and winged back down to Hagrid's hut.
Most of the rest of the night was spent studying, working their way through the seemingly endless piles of homework that had been heaped on them.
Darci woke up on Tuesday morning feeling considerably better then she had yesterday. It was early enough that Ami and Lily were still asleep so Darci took the advantage to take a long shower and take her time getting ready. She had liked the henna patterns that Zee had drawn on her yesterday so drew a quick one and spelled it in a similar fashion she drew on her eye-liner cat-like. She put on black, buckled jeans, a white shirt, a thick belt around her ribs, then pulled on her Gryffindor tie and robes. She spelled her hair black except for a chunk at the front that she dyed vibrant purple and ruffled it into her usual pixie spikes.
Lily knocked on the door.
"Get out Darc, I'm in serious need of shower-time."
"Alright I'm out," Darci opened the door to a rumpled looking Lily. "Is Ami up yet?
"Nope good luck with that."
"Oh wait Lily I almost forgot, I have something for you."
"Huh?"
Darci rummaged through her nightstand and fished out the green opal.
"I found it, I thought you might like it." She said as she laid the opal in Lily's hand.
Lily cooed holding it up into the light to admire the play of colours.
"It's beautiful Darci, thankyou."
"Consider it an early birthday or Christmas present or something."
"Well I love it, thankyou again."
She gave Darci a quick hug before going off to her shower.
Darci was attempting to wake up Ami when Valiant flew in her window, an envelope clutched in her beak
"Hey Val whatchya got for me girl?"
What she had was a long letter from her uncle berating her for not writing yet. Darci sat down and consigned herself to writing a detailed explanation of her first day at Hogwarts, excluding her little midnight exploration ofcourse. She gave him the details of her friends though thinking he might enjoy hearing about Lena and Ami's constant bickering, Lily's fiery demeanour held behind a quiet good girl persona, Zee's dramatic personality and Vi's timid warmth. Lily came out of her shower halfway through and together they managed to force Ami out of bed.
Darci put her half-finished letter away and made her way down to breakfast. The Great Hall was half full when they got down and busy with the sounds of people scraping marmalade onto toast and clinking spoons against teacups. They met Vi at the doorway and settled into a spot towards the end of the Gryffindor table.
'How did you go with your essay on the four castes of animagi last night?'
"What'd she say?" Ami asked.
"She wants to know how we went with the essay on the four castes of animagi." Darci explained as she spread butter over a warm slice of toast.
"Pretty good actually, I've finished it but I'm not quite happy with how I've worded it. I mean I'm assuming it's in the standard format for essays, I really can't imagine McGonagall wanting it in a more conversational format can you?"
"Does anyone actually understand a word that comes out of that hole in her face?"
Ami asked conversationally as she licked a spoonful whipped cream.
"Eeew how can you eat that?" Ami made a disgusted face at Lena's plate which held two carrots, a celery stick and a small pile of almonds. Ami's was piled with fluffy white scones, whipped cream and mini marshmallows which she was happily pushing into her cream and sandwiching in her scones.
Lena glanced at Ami's plate. "I'm trying to lose weight, you're clearly attempting to go into a diabetic coma."
Darci frowned at Lena; Lena's figure was already looking on the edge of starvation.
"Ami stop putting marshmallows in your scones and atleast eat some fruit, Lena for Merlin's sake you're stick thin, eat some carbs."
Whingy, high-pitched noises started coming out of both of them but Darci tuned them out.
"By god I wish those two were mute." Lily muttered to her, Darci sniggered.
"What are we laughing about, oi shove over midgets." Zee squeezed in between Darci and Lena and started piling her plate.
"I will have you know I'm a very healthy height!" Lena yelped indignantly as Ami shrieked.
"Just because you're so unnaturally tall doesn't mean you can demean the rest of us normal folk."
"Whatever Tinkerbell and Thumbelina let me eat."
"I would like to make an announcement everyone!" James Potter was standing on the Gryffindor table, his voice magically amplified. "I have decided to take a wife this day, yes that's right I will be a married man!"
"He wouldn't," Lily whispered in shocked disbelief, her face turning red.
"That's right; my darling Lily will be joining me in holy matrimony! Lily get up and wave to all the nice people."
"Don't rise to the bait, don't rise to the bait." Darci advised quietly as she watched Lily attempt to reign in her furious temper.
"Oh I see folks, she's just saving her energy for tonight." James announced loudly with an exaggerated wink.
"You arrogant son of a bitch! Since you clearly have problems understanding that I have never nor will ever have interest in you, you PIGHEADED prick! Let me make it clear to you, if it was a choice between you and extinction, I would happily doom the human race! If it-"
"Oh come on Evans, stop being a frigid b-"
"Sirius! Don't speak to my fiancé that way!"
"I AM NOT-"
"Black no one asked your opinion! Go crawl back into the hole you came from."
Darci chipped in, Zee chose that moment to pick up a ripe plum and lob it with surprising skill and accuracy at Remus' head. It collided with the side of his skull with a wet smack. That was about the time all hell broke loose.
All hell it turned out was a school-wide food fight; it ended with both Darci's group and the Marauders getting detention for a month and losing considerable points from their houses (Gryffindor suffered greatly).
"I don't understand why I got detention and Vi didn't I was barely involved! This is a nightmare my perfect record has been marred." Lena protested loudly as they exited the great hall.
"I'm pretty sure you got detention because they found you under the table attempting to rip Ami's hair out. And Ami you don't get to look so self righteous until you apologise to Lena for right hooking her when she wasn't looking, that was a cheap shot."
"I kind of like that Tink's a dirty fighter actually." Zee mentioned.
"What do you have now Darci?"
"Charms with Hufflepuff 1, you guys in that?" She asked Lily and Ami.
"Nope, best of luck!"
Darci made her way to the third floor of the South West Wing and managed to locate her classroom as she picked bits of porridge out of the hair on the back of her head and tried to remember if scourgify would take off her scalp if she attempted it on her head.
"Well look at what the cat dragged in. I have to say sugar, you and your friends sure were an interestin' sight taking on the big boys this morning but you gotta learn to look after that pretty rainbow hair of yours."
Darci glanced up and couldn't help but wince. The blonde perched neatly on a table near the entrance of the charms classroom was perfectly manicured, every long, golden strand in place, her uniform precisely ironed as she examined her nails. What is it with beautiful people? Darci wondered irritably, it wasn't enough that they were beautiful, they had to be popular and top of the class and ridiculously lucky as well? Darci was a mess, like the rest of the student body her uniform was stained with bits of fruit, ketchup, whipped cream and god knows what else but Miss Pageant Queen had managed to not even muss her hair up?
"So how did you manage to avoid disaster?" Darci asked grumpily.
The blonde gave her a too-sweet smile. "These plump little wiz-kids are smarter then I give them credit for but I must congratulate you on your wonderful success at breaking up the monotony that is daily life as a student, now sit down pumpkin and I'll fix your hair." The blonde had a fairly strong Texan drawl, she had big, blue eyes, lightly tanned skin, long blonde hair and a figure that really made it seem unbelievable that she was only a fourth year.
Darci reluctantly sat down next to the girl.
"What did you say your name was?"
"Didn't gorgeous, it's Tatiana but I might just like you enough to let you call me Tat." She gave Darci another big smile, Darci gave a tentative smile back as Tat scooted her chair behind Darci's to fix her hair.
"I'm Dar-"
"Darci Lana Brigid Roane, daughter of Elizabeth Delilah Roane, the dressmaker and currenty living with your uncle Ian Alec Roane, a translator and diplomat for the Ministry of Magic. I've come across a few of your mama's pieces, they were very original she coulda been famous if she'd wanted to."
"Scourge Capillus!" Darci was sitting half lying back as her hair was scrubbed; completely flabbergasted at having private information calmly told to her as if Tatiana had told her something obvious like she had green eyes.
"How do you-"
The teacher arrived just then, Proffessor Flitwick was a small man to say the least, he probably wouldn't come up past Darci's ribs if she stood up.
"Miss Grey I'm not sure that's entirely appropriate use of your class time." Flitwick addressed Tat in a squeaky voice.
"Now, Professor," Tatiana started with an almost scolding note in her voice, Darci was amused, when she turned her head to look at Tat, to see that she was giving him a disapproving look, like he was a naughty child.
"You and I both know that scourgify is an important charm taught in fourth year, me and Miss Roane were just practising, can you suggest a better way for us to spend our time whilst waiting for you?"
Darci could swear Flitwick was flustered, his cheeks just a tad pink, he fidgeted for a moment then muttered, "I suppose that's alright then."
"Wow, I wish that worked for me." Darci muttered as Flitwick moved to the front of the room and began talking about charms they'd be learning this year.
"It's all in the attitude darling." Tat answered as she massaged the shampoo into Darci's hair and cast another dry-cleaning charm on her clothes.
"How did you know about my family and name."
"Oh don't feel outed no one else knows, I took an interest in you from day one and decided to do a little research."
Darci didn't particularly want to know how she had found that information but was slowly warming up to the blonde.
"There we go, good as new." It was, her uniform was clean, her hair fresh and smelling like pineapples. "You're hair colour's come out though," Tat flipped open a little golden mirror so Darci could see. "I also happened to notice you're taking some distance education courses, including a GCAM course."
"A what?"
"A General Creative Arts in Magic course I am too. I want to be a designer see? And Hogwarts really doesn't have many useful subjects for that but the GCAM course is working out well."
"Oh yeah I really like it, very original." Darci murmured distractedly as she took notes.
Tat slid up to sit on her desk, a notepad in her hand as she casually sketched and seemed oblivious to the fact that a class was in session.
When Flitwick paused to demonstrate how to use the freezing charm, which Darci already knew, Darci peered over at Tat's notepad.
"Can I see?"
Tat flipped the notepad over with a quick smile; on the other side was a sketch of a red flamenco dress.
"That's really pretty, I've been looking for a nice flamenco dress."
"Huh, I thought you only did ballet?"
"Ok I am going to tell you now, that is really freaking me out."
She chuckled, "alright but my all-knowing is hard to control, still if you're interested I should design for you sometime." She gave Darci a quick once over. "You're going to have to ditch the goth look on occasion though, not that it doesn't have it's own attributes but you'd look good with colour. Deep, rich ones I think, royal blues, plums, scarlets."
"I might be able to survive that."
"Perfect! Now let's talk about this cute little anti-marauder group you have."
"Is that what were known as? The anti-marauders?"
"You didn't know?" Darci shook her head.
"I know it's not very catchy, you should think up a different one. Now who's leading your rat-pack?"
"Ah I don't know, I don't think we have a leader. I guess, I don't know, Zee maybe?"
"Oh yes Zaresh, no she's definitely the troublemaker. You need someone charismatic, intelligent, someone who will give the group direction and control."
Darci smirked, "are you suggesting yourself?"
"Moi? I would never be so presumptious, no really I can't, no no you're too kind but, oh alright fine you've forced my hand."
Darci chuckled, "alright, not really sure how the others are going to take that though."
The rest of the class passed fairly easily, they froze glasses of water towards the end.
Tat was in the same CoMC class as Darci, their class was held on the Eastern side of the Quidditch pitch, opposite the Forbidden Forest. When Darci and Tat arrived there Ami's was waiting there chatting quietly to a couple of Hufflepuffs, she broke away when she saw Darci.
"Cupcake-" She froze when she spotted Tat.
Eyes wide as saucers she grabbed Darci's hand and all but hid behind her.
"Uh, Ami this is Tatiana-"
"I know," Ami stage whispered, "I don't like her, she's scary."
"Smart girl," Tat smirked, "but there's no reason to fear, you haven't pissed me off…yet." She laughed at Ami's wide eyed look, "sorry, couldn't resist."
"I heard she cursed one girl to break out in boils, and when they tried to get rid of them they multiplied." Ami told Darci. "Her?" Darci murmured disbelievingly, even with the creepy all-knowing stuff, Tat looked fairly harmless especially with her sweet as apple pie accent.
"She deserved it, thieving little skank stole my favourite stilletos and then told me there was no way they were mine because no mudblood could afford them."
Ami peeped out from behind Darci.
"You're a muggle-born?"
"You betchya, cutie pie."
"I am too."
"I know." Ami looked at Darci.
"Don't ask, she's all-knowing apparently."
Ami timidly edged out from behind Darci.
"I like your accent."
"'Course you do sugar, stick 'round me long enough you might just pick it up."
"Really? Oh I like you. Darci I like her, she calls people sugar."
Just like that Ami was back to her hyper self.
"Attention students!" Professor Hawkins was a tall man with keen blue eyes and a head of hair that had once been red but was now mostly silver.
"This month we'll be studying magical animals. Now if you all need a reminder a magical animal is one with magical abilities as opposed to a normal animal with magical properties. Hedgehog quills, for instance, are useful in many potions but hedgehogs themselves are not magical."
He paused to beam at the students.
"Today is really special students; I have a really brilliant treat for you. Today we are studying…phoenixes!"
He stepped behind the shed next to them and returned, beaming from ear to ear, with three phoenixes perched on his arms.
"Some of you may know Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's pet, the other two are on loan from a local conservation."
The phoenixes were large, somewhat resembling bright scarlet and golden peacocks, they were all quite beautiful although one of them appeared to be moulting.
"Now you'll see the female on my left, Firefly, is moulting. This is because she's nearing her Burning Day. Now every 80 years or so a phoenix ages and wears out, at the end of this period, on its' Burning Day, the phoenix bursts into flames, from the ashes, the phoenix is reborn. The phoenix is therefore considered the only truly immortal being on Earth, although the exact number of them is unknown it can be assumed that it never changes."
"Now phoenix have dozens of other useful properties which I'll want you to list and describe in the research assignment you'll be handing in next week."
There was a general groan from the assembled students.
"Now if you'll all line up, you can politely touch Fawkes' feathers, the others I ask you not to touch as they are not tame and when aggravated phoenix can be extremely dangerous."
Darci was feeling buoyant by the end of the lesson, who cared if she had detention for a month, she had good friends and she loved Hogwarts, what's not to love?
Her friend's obviously didn't feel similarly.
"Another assignment already? I'm going to die." Ami muttered miserably.
"It's like they think I have nothing better to do." Tat sighed.
Ami dragged her feet as they made their way to their DADA classroom.
"Come on Ami, get the lead out." Darci called over her shoulder as they made their way up the incline.
Ami rushed to catch up.
"Hey Ami watch-"
Ami's foot hit a stone and she managed a magnificent fall, her warms waving for a moment before her chin hit the ground with a sharp snap.
"Out," Darci finished.
Ami immediately started crying, her big puppy-dog eyes filling up and her bruised chin wobbling.
"Cut that out now." Tat said sharply.
"Hey that's a little h-" Darci started to protest but Tat was already kneeling down and examining Ami's scraped chin.
She fished around in her back for a moment and pulled out a bandaid. She cast a disinfectant spell and then carefully applied the bandaid.
"There now, doesn't a bandaid make everything feel better?"
Ami nodded and sniffled.
"I could've sworn I just saw The Queen putting a band-aid on Ami." Lily said as she met them moments after Tat had left for her class.
"She did! She was really nice Lily flower!"
"The Queen?"
"Yeah, Queen bitch, the Ice Queen, off with their heads Queen Tatiana."
"Huh, well 'The Queen' is probably going to be hanging out with us now."
Lily raised her eyebrows.
"Darci made friends with her."
"Oh Darci I really have to agree with Zee on this, you pick up waay too many people way too quick."
"Ok last one, I swear." She claimed pressing her palm to her chest.
Professor Sabin was a large, stern-looking man who outlined their syllabus, then had them write out the wand movements and take notes about a simple reflecting spell.
"Students, a reflecting spell differs from shielding spells, such as protego, in that it should reflect some of the damage back to the original attacker if performed correctly. Ofcourse as kaptro is quite a basic reflecting charm it probably won't do you much good against say, an Unforgivable Curse, but it in most other circumstances it's a useful spell to know."
"So how did you make friends with The Queen anyway?" Lily whispered to her.
"I think it less to do with me making then her selecting and harvesting me." Darci replied with a self depreciating chuckle.
"But what's the big deal anyway? Our whole group is fairly weird Tat should fit in well." Lily's reply was cut off by Sabin.
"Students!" He gave a sharp look in there direction before continuing. "Now it is of particular importance in this spell that you use strong, steady hand movements, if you are prone to nervous quivers then I would suggest a calming potion or simple relaxing charm. I will be expecting you to have mastered this spell by the end of this week so you'll want to pay particular attention to the diagram on the board."
At the end of class they made their way to the Great Hall. Inside they found Tat sitting on the table in the place where they usually sat. Around her there was a couple of metres gap where people had edged away although a group of first year boys had gathered near the edge to stare with the gawking wonder usually reserved for naughty magazines.
"Well I guess we'll never have to worry about our seat getting taken again.' Lily commented with a grin."
"Tatty! I missed you!" Ami ran full throttle towards Tat but was stopped by a long arm holding her at a distance.
"Nah-uh munchkin, the last girl who called me Tatty ended up with a third nostril, so it's either your highness or Tat."
Ami pouted for a moment before brightening. "I know Tat Teddy?"
"You might as well let her call you that, this could go on all day." Darci informed Tat.
Tat stroked her chin for a moment and then shrugged.
"Hello Lily, I don't think we've ever been formally introduced, I'm Tatiana." She shook Lily's hand.
"You have great coloring, you'd look good in bright colours too but you should avoid yellows and oranges. Pale pinks are fine, but too dark without being red will clash with your hair and you should avoid overly bright greens as they will make you look like a Christmas tree."
"…Oh." Lily couldn't seem to think of anything else to say to that.
"Don't worry sweetie I'll fix you up with a nice little Sunday dress, you'll love it."
"Uh, okay." Lily gave a hesitant smile.
"Is she sitting with us now?" Lena had sidled up to Darci and whispered to her.
"Oh yes Lena Ming Kahn, you know that look really isn't working for you, if you let your hair out and then maybe soft pastels, blacks and whites if mixed with flowing fabric-"
"Oh no, uh uh, I refuse."
This from Zee who had also arrived.
"Darci this has you written all over it, what the fuck is The Queen doing sitting with us? I mean look don't you think we have our hands full with you, the walking zoo, firetop over there, Miss Invisible-" Vi stood to the side, observing with owl eyes, "and the midget wars without adding Princess Barbie to the mix?"
"Ah now, the ever outspoken Zaresh I've been meaning to see you for a while now. You make some of your own clothes don't you? I was thinking maybe we could do a line of alternative style clothing together."
"You make your own clothes?" Zee asked speculatively.
"All of 'em actually, unless I been buying from another designer to examine their style."
"Really? I actually really liked the one you wore to the O'Reilly party last year."
Just like that Tat seemed to be accepted and everyone settled down to eat. Darci was ended up between Lena, who was counting grapes onto her plate, and Vi.
"Hey Vi, how has your day been?"
She smiled, "good."
Darci noticed the books Vi was clutching, she peered at the spines and spotted one she knew.
"Hey I love this book." Darci quickly slipped it from Vi's arms before she could react.
"Wow I didn't know you were a romance lover though." Vi was turning a deeper red by the second.
"Oh wow Jeaniene Frost, I love her! And I'm not usually much of a fan of romance either but Kitten and Bones are so kick-ass!"
"Yeah Jeaniene's Frost's wicked although I like a lot of romance especially paranormal and sometimes historical."
Vi seemed to be emerging a little out of her embarrassment, that was until Zee took One Foot in the Grave off Darci and flicked through, landing unerringly on Chapter 32.
"Why Vi, you sly fox I'd forgotten how kinky this is." She chuckled as she flipped a page.
Vi had turned an even brighter shade and seemed to be attempting to disappear.
"Now don't you listen to her possum, most women read romances, perfectly natural." Tat gave Zee a sharp look and an empty plate suddenly wacked into the back of Zee's head, Darci hadn't even noticed Tat's wand moving.
"Ow! Hey, what the fu-"
"Don't make me soap out your mouth young lady." Tat said warningly, a bar of soap appeared, floating, in front of Zee's face.
Zee settled back into her chair appearing mystified.
"Did I just get called young lady?" Lily started to laugh, Darci joined her and eventually the whole group was in fits of laughter, even Tat couldn't control a grin and a chuckle.
"I'm sorry Vi," said Zee, returning Vi's book, "I didn't mean to embarrass you, it's a great book."
"Thanks," Vi smiled timidly as she accepted back her book. "I've never met someone else who reads romance, which authors do you like?" She asked Darci.
After morning tea Darci and Lena went off to their Herbology class where, to Lena's great relief, they were having a theory day on the works of Geoffrey Scarlet.
Herbology was followed by Ancient Runes. In Ancient Runes Professor Dagaz wrote up detailed descriptions of the six variants of the rune jēra and their applications in spellwork.
"Most young witches and wizards don't actually realise that in fact their wand movements are fundamentally based on drawing runes. Runes are involved in all parts of a witch or wizard's life and your spellwork will always be improved by their use."
Darci looked up from her workbook and caught Sirius' eye. Black seemed to be on his own for once too, he was sitting three seats across from her. He looked quickly at Professor Dagaz who had her back to them as she drew out runes on the blackboard. Black gathered his things and quickly slipped into the empty seat next to Darci.
"What do you want Black?"
"Who says I want anything?"
Darci arched an eyebrow in silent challenge, which seemed to fascinate Black.
"How do you do that I've never been able to lift just one…"
"Cut the crap Black, what do you want?"
"The pleasure of your company?"
He sighed in resignation at the look on her face.
"Fine I can honestly say I'd rather be spending my time with the giant squid."
There was that odd knowing gleam in Black's eyes again, the one that made Darci distinctly nervous.
"Buuut as it happens a mate of mine is a royal bloody idiot and hung up on a mate of yours and has forced me to convey an apology on his behalf to be passed to the aforementioned friend of yours for any inconveniences she may have suffered in result this morning's misunderstanding. In addition the aforementioned friend of mine has forcefully persuaded myself to offer a similar conveyance in response to any similarities I may have made between aforementioned friend of yours and a cold female dog."
Darci stared in disbelief as Sirius rattled off the convoluted, near incomprehensible list; Sirius leaned back nonchalantly with his arms folded behind his head.
"You take after your grandfather, you could have been a politician." Sirius grandfather Pollux had made an unsuccessful attempt at becoming minister close to ten years ago. Sirius' expression didn't change but when he spoke there was a steel note to his voice.
"I don't take after anyone Roane and you'd do best to remember that."
"Black! Roane! Please conduct your personal affairs in your own free time please."
Darci blushed as a few people snickered and suddenly decided she really didn't like Professor Dagaz that much after all.
Roane concentrated on her work, carefully copying out the runes from the board. A couple minutes passed of Darci attempting work and Sirius relaxing and watching her as if she'd just become his new favourite form of amusement.
"Alright Black fine, whatever I'll pass the apology on but will you leave?"
"No, I like this seat."
"Seriously," Sirius grinned and Darci rolled her eyes and continued, "what the hell do you want Black?"
"That's not really the question is it?"
"What?"
"What?" Darci glared at Sirius.
"Alright I'll tell you what I want to know, I want to know what you're hiding."
Darci head snapped up just a touch to quickly and she could see Sirius had noticed. She flushed a little.
"I'm not hiding anything." She mentally winced at how weak her voice sounded.
"Really? You don't sound so sure of that Roane."
Darci paused as Dagaz shot a look over her shoulder then turned to Sirius.
"You're right Sirius I am hiding something." She deadpanned, Sirius focused on her with sudden intensity.
"My undying love for you, will you marry me?" She smirked.
"Oh fuck you."
"I'd rather not." Darci said as the bell rang
After Ancient Runes was lunch, which passed with Darci and Vi exchanging favourite authors and discovering they had very similar tastes when it came to books. Whilst they chatted Lena and Ami had rekindled their heated argument which was being prevented from coming to blows by Tat. Darci caught Sirius looking at her a few times as his friend James talked to him.
After lunch Darci and Zee left for their first Astronomy lesson, which was a theory one at the base of the Astronomy tower.
Astronomy was taught by a Professor Stella, who was a thin, dreamy old lady who often seemed to wonder off on tangents that had little to do with the original topic.
It was quite a relaxed class but Darci had a feeling she'd struggle with it as a lot of it seemed to rely heavily on maths which Darci was terrible at. Luckily, as it happened, Zee was excelled at math and willing enough to help Darci in exchange for help with other homework, although as far as Darci could tell Zee was more then capable in all her subjects although she lacked…focus. In other words she'd rather be drawing on Darci's arm, and flirting with curious girls. Toward the end of the lesson Darci caught Remus' eye, he was by himself in this class so she gave him a grin, Remus seemed to be alright compared to the other the marauders.
"Hey Remus what's happening?"
He returned her smile.
"Nothing much Darci, so I see that you aren't enthralled by the movement of Jupiter in coalition to Uranus?"
"No not so much, even less so about how that affected the Professor's weekend three months ago." Remus chuckled.
"Hey Remus," Zee was distracted from shocking a couple Gryffindor girls by winking and blowing kisses at them. "Sorry about the plum this morning it wasn't personal I just thought a food fight might shake up an otherwise boring Tuesday morning."
"No that's alright it was fun actually and I think I may have got you back, I'm pretty sure I got you with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
"Oh that was you; it's going to take me forever to get the jam out of my top."
As it turned out Remus was actually quite likable when separated from his gang of idiots. Darci didn't actually understand why he wasted his time with them but decided to make things easier for him and not to bring it up.
After Astronomy they had History of Magic again which Darci casually took notes in whilst working on her Mystic Remedies assignment – "Research twelve herbs and fungi native to your surrounding area that would help in a dire medical situation." Sounded like a good excuse to explore the Forbidden Forest to her.
After History of Magic they all met up in Darci, Lily and Ami's dorm. They spent a few hours in there, the other dorm members snuck in for a couple of minutes, glared at them all and then crept back out. Darci had learned that their names were Holly, Bridget and Kendra.
Zee was lazing across Lily's bed. Darci was showing Vi some books she wanted to lend her, Lily and Tat were chatting casually on Ami's bed and Ami and Lena were having another shouting fit (something about Ami's fluffy toy collection, Darci didn't know she'd stopped paying attention to them.)
"Alright now ladies, settle down, settle down." Tat tapped at the side of a champagne glass with a spoon. How or where she'd gotten the champagne glass Darci wasn't sure. The others quietened until Lena sniped "atleast I can go to bed without Mr Snookems."
"It's Sir Hugsalot." Ami shouted as she launched herself at Lena. They finally torn apart by an irritated Tat.
"Now you two are gonna sit in opposite corners until you can learn to play nice." She gave them stubborn pushes towards opposite walls.
"Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted I have gathered you here tonight-"
"You have?" Zee muttered sceptically, Tat ignored it.
"-to announce the formation of the Brigands!"
"The Brigands?" Lily questioned.
"Yes as a group a name will give us focus and unity. The Brigands represents our opposition and rivalry to the Marauders as well as our commitment to freedom, adventure, exploration and our own set of laws."
Zee sighed dramatically, "alright if it keeps the little Queen happy I'm cool with it."
"It does actually. Any other objections?"
Everyone else shrugged.
"Alright then I would like to nominate myself as Leader, Chief and Captain. Will anyone second it?" She looked around the room.
Darci raised her hand, grinning a little. "I so second it." Tat made a good leader and as Zee said, if it kept her happy…
"Excellent, are there any objections?" Everyone else shrugged. "Alright, motion carried. Now as the newly elected Leader I feel it is my responsibility to govern the group responsibility, first order of business, you two," she pointed at Lena and Ami, "have two weeks to work out your issues, your fighting is disruptive to the group. Second order of business – homework." She went around dumping large sheafs of bound paper in front of each person.
"Wait, you mean you're giving us homework?"
"That's right, sugarpie." She gave Zee a super sweet smile.
"I retract my second." Darci proclaimed.
"Oh come on guys it's just a questionnaire- wait, we have to write an essay?" Lily asked incredulously.
"Actually you have to write five mini-essays, for me to operate optimally as leader I must have a full understanding of each person and their place in the group. You have ten days to hand it in."
"Alright guys whatever let's go down for dinner."
"Oh yes about that you're in for a bit of a show."
Dinner was almost over and Darci still had no idea what Tat had been talking about when a glimmer of light above Professor MacGonogall's head caught Darci's eye.
A firework went off at the High Table, it shot up and exploded above their heads in a flurry of red and gold. A squelching sound, like texta on a whiteboard, started as red little horns appeared above McGonagall's head as if she were a photo someone had drawn over, it went on to do all of the teachers, colouring a few teeth out of Dumbeldore's grin, a pirate patch to Flitwick and a clown face to Desponét, then started to write on the wall behind them.
This presentation is proudly
brought to you by The Marauders.
Darci glanced over at Tat to see her grinning and almost missed a cartoon fat, blue dragon flying across the wall. It paused infront of the lettering and then spewed blue flames over them, erasing them. In their place was blue lettering.
And proudly outdone and erased
by The Brigands.
Your welcome.
The blue dragon then peeled itself off the wall becoming three dimensional and flew over the Gryffindor table. It paused over the Marauders, opened it's wide mouth and puked blue goo all over them. As the goo dripped down their faces words were spelled out in them. On James' head was Beaten, on Remus' by, on Peter's little, and on Sirius' girls.
"So I assume this is your handiwork?" Darci asked Tat.
"Oh that's not all, you just wait until they try to get all that glue off them. The writing turns blue and stains when connected with soap. Should take them a good week to get that off atleast."
They scurried off pretty quickly after that, worried that they might get another detention if the Marauders caused a scene.
"It wasn't bad actually, I quite liked it although we'll need to work on your flair."
"Well you'll all be with me for the next one, you can make sure I got plenty of flair."
They trundled up to the library to study for a bit, the library closed at 8:00pm so they had just under an hour. Darci sat down quickly and began to write up the assignments and homework she currently had. Already it was quite an impressive list.
"There is something I need to know from you lot." They all paused and looked up at her.
"I need to know when of your birthdays are, I already had mine, it's August 18th. I'm a Leo."
"Really?" Darci asked, "shouldn't you be in the year above us then?"
"No as my birthday was within two weeks of the first day of term I was given the option to start on the following year."
"Oh well happy birthday anyway."
"Thankyou Darci, when's your birthday?"
"Don't you already know this?"
"Yes I'm just confirming information."
"November 11th." Tat took out a notepad and ticked something off.
"Lily?"
"January 30th."
"Vi?"
"She says it's the 2nd of March." Darci translated.
"Lena?"
"It's the 28th of May."
"Ha take that I am so older then you, you mean little baby." Ami announced.
"I'm May 24th."
"Not necessary Ami, sit down Lena."
"And Zee, it says here that your birthday's Sepetember 17th, that's in two weeks, is that correct?"
"You must tell me sometime where 'says here' comes from but yeah that's right."
Tat clucked her tongue. "You've given me no time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?"
"The party ofcourse."
AN: Yeah this one took me a while and was more like a day in the life of a Hogwarts student, should pick up next chapter. If you want an explanation for anything pop me a message. Oh yeah there's a link to Darci's timetable on my profile. Now practise the magic mantra, review, review, review :).