Emily and Callista sat together in their dark corner of the library, pretending to study to the unknowing eyes.
"What do you think it means?" Callista asked, feeling uncomfortable speaking about the attack.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Emily, although she knew exactly what her friend had asked.
"The attack." Callista said in a whisper, her eyes searching for any intruders.
"What do you think? We were assaulted for no reason that I can think of." Emily growled, still angry that she had let her guard down.
"But here? In Hogwarts? I thought this school was impenetrable." Callista said with a frown.
"You weren't the only person who'd thought that. Now parents are questioning Dumbledore's capability to keep his students safe. More so after having the Ministry making him and Potter look like fools." Emily said, matter of fact.
"Apparently so." Callista nodded, thoughtful. "I'm just trying to figure out if we were already targets and why, or if we were too unfortunate, you know? Wrong place, wrong time."
Emily only nodded in answer.
"How could someone enter Hogwarts without being noticed?" The sense of dread grew as Callista wondered numerous scenarios. "Has someone let them slip inside or are they just very skilled? Whoever they are."
"I don't know, Callie."
"Neither do I. But it feels good to say them aloud." Callista said with a light shrug.
Emily was biting her lip, figuring out how to voice her conflicted thoughts. "I just don't think it's a great idea to talk about the incident, Callie."
Callista looked at one of the books she had randomly picked earlier. "I understand." She felt it too. It isn't safe.
ϟ
"Hi."
Callista looked up from her parchment, careful not to spill any ink or smudge any on her History essay. "Granger. What is it?"
Granger looked anxious so Callista tried for a smile. That seemed to put her at ease. "What do you think of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"
"Umbridge?" Callista couldn't hide her surprise.
"Yes, her."
Callista straightened and thought about how to diplomatically phrase what she believed of the pink clad professor. "Professor Umbridge has a sort of ancient method for teaching but other than that I have no ill thoughts about her."
Granger's face fell. "Oh. Well, thank you." She smiled unconvincingly and quickly left, making Callista wonder what had happened.
She's up to something, no doubt her two buddies are in it as well. Thought Callista, suspicious.
"What are you working on?" A smooth voice asked, startling Callista.
She looked at the speaker and couldn't help but let out a small smile. "Hello to you."
He grinned at her. "Missed me?"
"Of course not. I just saw you two hours ago." She resumed her light reading, searching answers for her essay.
"I'm wounded." With a hand on his chest, he made a choking sound that made the librarian glare at them.
"Madam Pomfrey is available in the infirmary." She replied.
He sat closer to her and stared at the scrawled words on her essay. "Is this professor Binns essay about the Giant Wars?"
"Well spotted." She mumbled, trying to concentrate on the rather dull book.
"I'll help you."
"You've done enough. Thank you." She looked up from her book. "Really. I'm almost finished."
"Right." He nodded. "So you'll go to the first Hogsmeade trip with me?"
Callista widened her eyes, almost spilling the ink. "What on earth are you babbling about?"
He flashed a bright smile that made his eyes shine and his dimples show. "I'm talking about a date. You and I."
Her face flushed in embarrassment. "I don't think it would be wise to-"
"Please."
"I've got things to do."
"Take a break that day."
"I'm going with my best friend."
He smirked, his eyes knowing. "Ah. I've heard your friend has plans on the first Hogsmeade trip with her boyfriend."
Callista looked away from him. "So?"
"So?" He laughed. "You've got no excuse not to go."
"Certainly. I plan to go without you."
He let his eyes drop, pushing out his bottom lip.
"Oh." She groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"Please?"
"Alright!" She sighed, exasperated and letting her hands drop to her lap.
His face brightened. "Good. We'll plan it out soon."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever."
He chuckled, standing up. "Since you no longer require my assistance, I shall leave you to the finishing touches of your lengthy essay."
"Get out already!" She said, laughing quietly.
He walked backwards, looking at her. "I'm Dorian, by the way." He turned and walked out of the library.
Callista smiled, despite herself.
ϟ
Emily laughed loudly as she walked out of the Divination classroom, Callista right beside her.
"What's so funny?" Callista asked, having trouble carrying her bag.
"Trelawney! That's what's funny. Did you see her face when Umbridge asked her to give a prediction? She's an imposter!"
"Oh." Callista rolled her eyes.
"Why are you so dry today?" Emily asked, handing her bag to Crabbe. Or Goyle. She didn't know and didn't care.
"Dry? Me? I'm not dry." Callista said, staring at the back of Granger's brown hair.
"Oh, obviously. It's just me imagining things." Emily said, oblivious to the fact that Callista was distracted. "So tell me, have you spoken to the transfer? Has he said anything interesting?"
"Not really." Callista replied.
"A vague answer." Emily noted.
"What's there to say?"
"Nothing, I believe. But he's cute." Giggled Emily.
"And you have a boyfriend."
"The most perfect one at that. But I'm talking about you, my sweet. And him." Emily smirked.
"Oh, please. Don't start with your silly attempts at setting me up with someone." Callista sighed.
"It's about time you get yourself a hot boyfriend! It's fifth year! You need some experience for later on in life and as much as I love you, I won't help with the practical stuff."
"It's OWL year, as well. I don't have time for meaningless relationships." Callista deadpanned.
"You're impossible!"
"And you're illogical."
Both girls groaned in annoyance, glaring at each other.
"I can't understand your priorities." Emily said.
"I can say the same for you."
There was a moment of silence.
"Did you know that mudblood Granger talked to me as I was leaving the library?" Emily asked.
"Did she? I didn't know." Callista said a bit sarcastic.
"Well, more like asked me what I thought about Umbridge. Rather suspicious."
"What'd you say?"
"To get the hell away from me if she didn't want to end up getting jinxed. How dare she speak to me?" Emily was offended.
"Don't flatter yourself." Callista said jokingly, hiding the anger she felt.
Emily laughed. "It wouldn't be me if I didn't."
"Right you are."
"See you later. I'm going with Draco to the Black Lake for a bit of air." Emily chirped happily before sending Crabbe and Goyle to the Common Room to hand her bag to a girl called Vanessa.
"Sure. Have fun." Callista waved goodbye. Her smile dropped as her friend disappeared around a corner. She couldn't stop thinking about Granger. She'd have to find out in some way what the Gryffindor trio were up to. With a tired sigh, she followed Crabbe and Goyle to the Common Room, opting to take a break in one of the many leather chairs with a view of the bottom of the Black Lake.
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Hello! I hope you are all enjoying this so far.
This is my first fanfiction ever so I'd appreciate constructive criticism and feedback. It would totally make my day and it would give me the motivation to keep writing future chapters.
Here are some questions you could answer in the comment section:
1) Which character do you identify with and why?
2) Which characters do you like and dislike? Why?
3) What kind of missions do you think the main characters are given?
4) How can I improve my writing skills?
5) What is your favorite scene so far?
This is AELIN ㅡ cut!