Chapter Six:

Scheming

"It's not against the rules though!" William said excitedly, careful to keep his voice low though.

Of course as we sat down to eat breakfast the next morning the third-floor corridor didn't take long to take center stage in our conversation. William had been theorizing about why we wouldn't be allowed there all night and all he could think of was that Dumbledore was trying to hide or protect something but what that object could be was eating away at him. So he wanted to find out for himself what was being hidden.

"Um, Dumbledore said it was forbidden which means going there is against the rules." Jason said as if explaining that to a child.

"He said it was only forbidden to those who don't wish to die a painful death." William said seeming proud of finding this loop hole. "He basically handed us an automatic out if we get caught!"

"I don't think that was his intention when he said that." Brittany said frowning.

"Yeah, I'll check it out with you." I said casually.

The third-floor corridor had been on my mind most of the night too. My curiosity was peeked but I wasn't about to try to check it out by myself. The opportunity to check it out with people I knew I would be safe with was presenting itself though and I definitely wasn't about to pass it up.

"I wouldn't mind checking it out too." Mark said.

"You're all bad influences on each other." Jason said shaking his head.

I was just glad he wasn't trying to scold all of us for even planning on going there. Though if we got caught his tune might change.

"I have more important things to worry about than breaking into a place that may end my life." Dean said calmly.

"I actually don't wish to die at all so you can count me out." Thomas said.

William and I looked at Trent expectantly. Mark was in and normally Trent would join in on these adventures and was even more inclined to if his fellow Gryffindor was coming.

"Sorry guys. It's too early in the year for life-threatening shenanigans. Let me know when you guys are doing something a little safer. Like, antagonizing the giant squid." He said smirking.

"Brittany I assume you won't join us on our journey?" Mark asked knowingly.

"Absolutely not! I think you three are insane for attempting it. I hope a painful death is worth trying to find out what the Headmaster hid there." She huffed.

"Wow. Rowan is braver than most of you. You guys will never gain much knowledge if you're afraid of a little painful death." William said.

He crossed his arms and looked at his fellow Ravenclaws with disappointment.

"Being a mad scientist isn't the only way to gain knowledge." Dean pointed out.

"Do you know how many medicines we wouldn't have if no one was willing to risk their lives by testing on themselves? The fact that we have magic means we should be even more willing to do so!" William said passionately.

"As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm for research and progress you would do well to remember there are first years around us. We don't need them testing spells and potions on themselves." Penelope Clearwater said from a few seats away.

William hadn't realized how loud his voice had started to get.

"My bad!" He said before lowering his voice again "Progress is only made by the bold experimenters."

Penelope ran her sharp gaze over our group with a scowl on her face, one that deepened when her eyes rested on Mark and Trent.

"Why are there Gryffindor's at our House table?" She asked.

"We were just talking to them for a moment." Thomas said jumping to defend them.

"They should be at their table. We're separated for a reason." She said.

"What reason?" I asked before I could stop myself.

I only regretted speaking up for a moment. It was no secret I wasn't a fan of the separation of the Houses. People of other Houses were rarely allowed inside one anothers common rooms and when they were there were always odd or hostile looks given. I wanted to know the reason. It would make more sense to let people with different strengths learn from one another rather than to force this weird separation.

Penelope's eyes snapped to me and I could sense her distaste for me.

"It has to do with team building. Just like the House Cup brings us together as a team so does living and eating together. The only reason I don't scold them for turning to speak with you is because you're Jasons sister. I won't interfere with familial matters. But," she said turning back to Mark and Trent. "you two have no such connections."

"Okay, okay." Mark said putting his hands up in surrender. "It's too early for such hostility. We'll leave."

Mark stood up and motioned for Trent to do the same.

"You guys could probably sit with us. Our House in pretty inclusive." Brittany said.

I was sure that was supposed to be an insult to Penelope but she most likely didn't see it as one.

"Thanks Brit but we shouldn't risk getting scolded again." Trent said.

"Hey Mark, in case I don't get a chance to talk to you later, we'll meet at the library after all our classes." William said.

Mark nodded and he and Trent went back to their table.

The first day back at classes as a second year was easier in some ways and harder in others. Classes like Potions and DADA already gave us assignments because we didn't need another introduction to the class. Classes like Divination and Care of Magical Creatures just gave us a syllabus and overview of the class. Knowing my way around the castle definitely made this year's first day much less stressful.

I sighed as I waited for Mark and William outside the library. Honestly I should've chosen to take literally any class other than Divination. The teacher seemed off her rocker and I probably wouldn't learn much from the class. Ancient Runes had sounded interesting and useful but I thought being able to tell the future would be better when I was picking classes.

"So, what trouble making are you and your friends planning on getting up to?"

I jumped at the sudden whisper and spun around to come face to face with the Weasley twins. I pouted and crossed my arms when I noticed their smirks.

"It's not very polite to sneak up on people like that." I said.

"It's the best way to approach someone deep in thought." Fred said.

"So," George asked leaning in "what were you all plotting?"

I tried to ignore the burning of my cheeks his close proximity caused.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I said giving him wide innocent eyes.

"Come on, Rowan." George said the smirk still on his face. "We of all people know plotting when we see it."

"We practically invented scheming." Fred added.

"Are you accusing me, a rule abiding student of devious scheming?" I asked in fake shock. "I'm offended."

"I think you've participated in more devious acts than you'll admit to." George whispered.

My smile fell and my eyes went wide with shock. What exactly did he mean by that? And what was with the look he was giving me? My body felt like it was on fire and my heart beat sped up as my mind raced with possibilities. Did they know it was me sneaking around the castle last year? Or was he referring to something else I was unaware of?

"Rowan? Are you okay?"

I felt like my body was moving on its own as I turned to see Mark quickly making his way down the hall. I glanced back at the twins and noticed they had put some distance between us again.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said giving him a reassuring smile.

When he reached me he put a hand on my shoulder and searched my face as if to make sure I was really okay. He casually placed himself between the twins and me. By then my body had started to cool down and my heart beat went back to normal. My mind was still a little frazzled but everything else was readjusting.

"Mark, maybe you'll tell us what you're up to." Fred said questioningly.

"Oh, is that what she looked so distressed over? You two shouldn't make a habit of interrogating little girls." Mark scolded teasingly.

"I'm not a little girl!" I snapped.

I didn't know why that had offended me so much. I was used to being called small and little, heck, my younger sister was almost taller than me already. For some reason right then it felt like I was being called a little kid though and I really hated it.

"Don't get her mad, Mark. We get the feeling she's a dangerous one." Fred said smirking.

"Sorry Ro, I didn't mean anything by it." Mark said seeming sincerely sorry.

"It's okay Mark." I sighed. "And you two, I don't know what kind of impression you got of me but I am a perfectly sweet and innocent girl and I don't know how you could think any differently."

"I hate to interrupt…whatever this is, but we have experiments to conduct." William said coming up behind me.

He grabbed Mark and I's wrist and pulled us away. I looked back at the twins as I stumbled after William. They watched with a mixture of shock and amusement.

"Um, bye you two." I called back.