Chapter Three

Serenity woke up with a start at the crack of dawn. It was just her luck that she had an easterly window.

"Ahhh. . . Come on girl! Close the curtains and gets some more shut eye!" one part of her mind screams.

"No, get dressed and go down to the common room to read." yells another part of her mind.

Serenity got dressed, grabbed her book and crutches, and went to the common room to read.

She set her crutches to one side of the chair she'd chosen, then sank deep into the squishy chair. Serenity sighed and started reading while waiting for the others to finally wake up.

When someone did come down to the common room it was Fred and George Weasly; mischief-makers, extraordinary.

"Good morning boys. Off to some early morning mischief?" Serenity asked, not looking up from her book.

This gentle, yet correct, tease effectively froze the two mischief-making boys in their footsteps. Slowly, they turned in unison to face the invader who dared to catch them at their pranks.

"I think I can safely assume that since you're not answering, I'm correct." Serenity said seriously with a scowl on her face while putting down her book.

"Listen, if this has anything, I mean an-y-thing, to do with Slytherin," Serenity starts, making it sound like a threat that made the twins freeze up even more, "let me know if I can help." she said lightly. "I don't think it occurred to them to change the password just yet. They won't be expecting payback so soon; after all, I only just got out of the hospital wing yesterday." Serenity continues with a mischievous smile one her face.

Fred and George were nearly dancing with joy halfway through her spiel but stopped when she caught their attention again, "Ahem! Before I give you a little information, would you kindly direct me to the Great Hall? I haven't been there from here yet and I'm getting hungry!"


* * * * *


That next week passed by in one happy blur with prank after prank I successfully pulled off, with, of course, the help of Fred and George.

Bluemoon was reeking havoc on the other tables and more than once she'd land a spurt right on Malfoy's food or silver-blond hair. I think she may have gotten one or two very unlucky Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs.

On Wednesday, Professor Dumbledore had taken me aside after breakfast.

"Serenity, I know that they deserve what they're getting, but your hawk is taking it a bit far," he had said.

"Bluemoon just brings my mail and talks with me. That's all I control." I said defensively.

"Yes but could you ask her to watch her aim? I can name quite a few very unhappy Ravenclaws." Dumbledore reasoned.

"Alright. I'll talk with her but I won't guarantee anything. She is peeved at Slytherin." I answered reluctantly.

When Friday rolled around, Madam Pomfrey said that it would be okay for me to walk without my crutches, which turned out to be a good thing because I would have killed myself trying to get down to Potions.

And at dinner, while Fred, George and I were scheming of what to do next, Malfoy got enough nerve to throw an apple at the back of my head.

I somehow saw this out of the corner of my eye. Luckily, I'd had spells in place, so with a flick of my wand, which, I might add, I had hidden in my lap, I could freeze the apple in midair. When I did this, the apple froze an inch from my head, then I grabbed the blasted thing and took a large bite out of it with out another thought given; although, it would seem the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, Oliver Wood, if I remembered correctly, gave it no less than three.

I turned around and raised the apple in a mock toast and take another bite. I don't think that I've ever seen Malfoy and his 'bodyguards' turn quite that shade of magenta before.

"Boys?" I said to get the still-scheming twins out of their grand plans for pranks on the Slytherins, "I just took care of our Malfoy pranks for a day or two." I finished and took another bite of the apple.

"What do you mean?" Fred asked excitedly.

"Hey! Where did you get that!?" George exclaimed his question, barely letting Fred finish.

"Oh this? Malfoy was kind enough to throw it in my head's general direction. Speaking of which. . ."

Malfoy had thrown an orange at me again so I repeated my actions and displayed it in front of me, "Would either of you like an orange?"

"Er. . . No thanks." the twins responded as I peel the ripe orange.

"Oh well. What a waste." I said and placed the now peeled orange back where I'd frozen it and with another flick of my wand, it zoomed straight back at Draco's ever-reddening face.

I turn around and mock surprise. "Oh dear! Did that hit Malfoy? Sorry Malfoy, but I just didn't feel like eating an orange." I said, my voice dripping with false concern and apology. I tried vainly to keep my straight face while I glanced over at Malfoy's pulp-splattered, and juice-dripping cherry-red face.

"Yeah right! That hit the mark you aimed, or rather didn't aim, for!" Fred exclaimed, George would have said the same thing except for the fact that he was laughing uncontrollably in his seat.

"Yep, and now, its time for me to sleep. G'night." I said with a yawn, got up, stretched and went back to the Gryffindor dormitory.


* * * * *


I dreamt of my home back in the states and how Diana looks more like mother everyday. My mom, dad and grandfather were right beside us until Aunt Laramie took us aside and said that we'd be going to Hogwarts when we turned eleven.

Out of the corner of my eye I see my parents and grandfather arguing and Diana goes to see what's going on.

A black fog crept up on my family and grabbed my parents and grandfather. It was reaching for Diana but Lauren snatched her back to us, then I muttered a few words and we were protected.

When the fog finally cleared, I saw my parents, and then my grandfather, lying on the pavement unusually still. Then they fade out only leaving a key, a locket and a ring. I could even hear a train whistle in the background.

I woke up, startled out of my mind and in a cold sweat. Was that a vision? No, I'm not on a vision quest so what was that? I thought confusedly.

I discarded the notion and fell back to sleep, hoping for something to make itself known to me.


* * * * *


That morning I woke up early, quickly got dressed, and sneaked down to the oak tree. I figured that it was time to bring my hope chest inside.

I must have felt. . . I don't know how I felt but something or someone wanted me to put my mother's locket and matching earrings on. With that, I moved the last of my possessions into the Gryffindor Tower.

After I'd locked my hope chest in my closet, I went down to the Great Hall, and waited for breakfast with nothing to do but wonder what that dream had meant. It was a surge of power, yes, but what kind? Good or evil? Beneficial or destructive?

"Why were only the locket, ring, and key the only things left by that mist?" I wondered aloud.

"What about a ring, key, locket and mist?" someone asked, startling me from my thoughts.

When I look up, I see Harry Potter sitting across the table from me instead of Fred and George. "Oh, hi Harry. Nothing that would concern you; just a bad feeling."

"Oh, yeah. I get those every year around now when I realize that I'm going back to the Dursleys for the summer." Harry mentions as he grabs an apple from a bowl.

"Yeah well, don't feel like that's the only place you can stay. I stay at the Leaky Cauldron all summer. Tom doesn't mind if I have visitors." I said off-handedly, grabbing a hand-full of ripe strawberries.

Harry must have found this as a shock because he dropped his apple on the table and its juices splattered everywhere, including my face.

"Thanks Harry. I don't think I've ever showered with apple juice." I remark sarcastically grabbing a napkin and started to clean off my face.

We laughed, Harry laughed more nervously but we still laughed at what happened to Malfoy.


* * * * *


When a flurry of wings could be heard throughout the Great Hall, Serenity looked to see if Bluemoon was going to cause mayhem or bring her a letter.

When Bluemoon was spotted finally, she held a thick letter in her talons, and dropped it squarely on to Serenity's empty plate.

It isn't from mom, dad or grandfather. It can't be Diana; it's too neat, too professional. Serenity thought worriedly. Who is it from?

Serenity tore open the envelope and a ring and a key fell from the package. Serenity recognized the ring as her mother's. Scared, Serenity read the letter:


Dear Miss Silverwing,

It is my regrettable duty to inform you of the passing of your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Serrez, and of your grandfather, Mr. Starrefeather, in a train derailment along with all aboard the train.

My sources have informed me that you are currently residing at your live-in academy. I have also been told that you live in an apartment in London during your school breaks and that your sister, Miss Featheredmoon, will be attending your academy in September.

Your sister will arrive at London Int'l Airport, Gate 72a, at five 'o' clock p.m. on July 14th.

I am sorry that you were unable to attend their services but your grandfather wanted you to have this key although the reason escapes me.

Have a better summer.

Regrettably Yours,

Andrew P. Parkinson

Andrew P. Parkinson

Chief of the Topeka Police Dept.


Serenity was shocked beyond words and to tears. So, that's what my dream meant.

Then she noticed that there was a p.s. in a different handwriting.


P.S.

Serenity,

If you need anything at all, just send the hawk back with word.

Sincerely With Love,

Lauren Blacksun


"No." Serenity whispers, disbelieving. But then the ring proved that her mother was dead; she'd have never taken it off, forced or willingly.

The letter dropped to the table but Serenity continued to stare at the space between her hands, tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly, she snapped and ran from the table, leaving the ring and key on the plate where they'd fallen.

"But mom! She's a Slytherin!" Ron could be heard moaning from beside Harry. Curious, Harry leaned over to see what Ron was complaining about.

"Hey. What's wrong?" Harry asks, trying to read the letter in Ron's hands.

"Ah man! Mom wants me to have Serenity stay the summer." Ron moans again, but the twins perk up, "Serenity? Stay at our place? For the summer?"

When Ron nodded, they started snickering incessantly. "Oy! Fred, George, it's not funny! She has a sister that's coming on the fourteenth. It's as if it's not bad enough that that stuck-up Slytherin, Serenity, is coming but we have to put up with her sister too?"

"Sister?" the twins ask, then laughing even more, Fred and George huddle, occasional laughter rose from the scheming twins.

"Why would your mom want Serenity to stay the summer? She has a place in London." Harry asks, thoroughly confused.

"Her parents and grandfather died. I suspect that's why she ran off." Ron answers, pointing at her Serenity's now vacant seat.

"Oh. Well, I'm done, I'll see you later." Harry said, and left the table.

Through the myriad pathways that lead to the Gryffindor tower, Harry wondered where Serenity could have gone. Sure, she was a pain, but he suspected that that was only because she'd been with the Slytherins so long that all she knew now was coldness.

Harry arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait and, after mentioning the password to her, he entered to find Serenity sobbing on the floor halfway to the door that lead to the Girls' dormitories. She almost looked as if she was sleeping but then you would see her shaking with sobs.

Quite suddenly, Serenity stopped shaking and the sounds of muffled crying subsided. Harry, stunned, hadn't moved from the entry and was startled when someone yelled at him to get out of the way. That someone turned out to be two someones that turned out to be Fred and George.

"What happened to Serenity? She ran. . ." Fred started but trailed off when he saw Serenity lying on the floor.

"Uh oh. Looks like we'll need Hermione." George said once he saw the scene in front of the trio. "Harry, go get her."

Harry left, and Fred and George set to, what they thought of as, 'the impossible task' of getting Serenity on to one of the couches.

Which would explain why they were amazed to find that Fred could lift her with no problem. "Wonder how many meals she missed at Slytherin?" George asks his twin jokingly.

"Probably all of 'em." Fred answers right after he laid Serenity's slight body on the soft couch.

They didn't have to wait long for Hermione to come in with Harry and, to the twins' amazement, Professor McGonagall following her.

"Hermione and I can handle this. Go on. Shoo!" Professor McGonagall urges while picking Serenity up off the couch with Hermione's help.

"Poor thing. First, Slytherin. Now this?" Professor McGonagall mutters under her breath.

Hermione hears this and looks up at the professor, "Why? What happened?"

"Her grandfather and parents died last night at midnight our time along with a whole train full of magic folk. Rumors say that You-Know-Who regained enough strength to derail a train and kill everyone onboard."

Hermione fell silent and trailed behind the professor.

* * * * *


I woke up, startled to find myself lying in my bed. Then I remembered all the awful events of the morning.

The letter said that my parents and my grandpa died in a train derailment. That fits with the whistle in the background after the mist receded. Lauren had probably taken out Diana so that would fit. The locket I had so that had to be left behind. The key could have been found in Grandpa's pocket and the ring would have been taken off Mom for the interment.

But why? And how? Did it have to happen? Could it have been stopped? I stem the flow of unanswerable questions and open the drapes surrounding my bed. I'm relieved to find some lunch and a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Hmm. . . didn't Grandpa say that is was a wizard before he became the tribal shaman? I wonder what really happened." I ask the air and pick up the paper.

Sure enough, right in the headline.


WIZARD TRAIN DERAILMENT IN AMERICA


At 6 PM, Central Standard Time, a train full of wizards derailed due to unknown, dark forces that killed all on-board. It is confirmed that roughly twenty people on the wrecked train were squibs.

While reports are yet unconfirmed, the most notable of the known deaths was that of wizard Stephan Starrefeather, creator of the new Communicorbs, his squib daughter, Kira Serrez, and her husband, Anthony Serrez. Although Mr. and Mrs. Serrez were both squibs, their two daughters, Serenity Silverwing, who will be starting her fourth year at Hogwarts, and Diana Featheredmoon will start attending Hogwarts this fall, are undoubtedly magic.


I set the paper down, not caring to read more. I knew what they were hinting at by 'unknown, dark forces'. Was he gaining power? But why start with America this time?

I stopped my thoughts and ate greedily at the meal that'd been left.

A good half an hour later the door opening frightened me. I squeaked my surprise and nearly tipped my juice over.

In came Hermione, Lavender and the Gryffindor prefect. The prefect was caring a tray of fruits and sandwiches.

"Hello. So you're the infamous Serenity. We usually don't allow food in the dorms but we can make an exception in this case." the Prefect said while setting the tray down next to me. It was full with strawberries, oranges, apples and turkey and chicken and a few roast beef sandwiches.

"Thanks." I manage to mumble out. Then I noticed that Lavender was carrying a pile of books while Hermione was holding a slightly larger one.

"Oh no. . ." I groan. Hermione, you shouldn't have.No, you really shouldn't have. I thought.

Hermione laughed. "No! These are for me! I need something

to do for four days." Hermione said and walked over to her bed and set the books she was carrying on the table beside it. She had Lavender put her pile of books on her bed while I gawked at her.

"Don't tell me that you're not going to eat that after all I went through to get Percy to let me bring it up.' the Prefect teased.

"Oh! Sorry." I say and grab a sandwich and bite into it, not bothering to see what meat it had. All food didn't taste at all. I was numb down to my bones.

Disclaimer: Although it would make me extrememly happy to be the owner of Harry Potter, alas, I only own Serenity Silverwing her sister, Diana Featheredmoon, her aunt, Lauren Blacksun, Police Chief Andrew P. Parkinson,(no relation to Pansy Parkinson) and her parents, Mr. Steven & Mrs. Kira Serrez, at the moment. I know that I said that I'd own more characters the two last times but I'll own more next chapter. I promise!!! See ya again in "Chapter Four: Letters and Tears"!