The students all went back to their Common Rooms after the feast, but the Gryffindors didn't.

Students all gasped as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"What's going on?" Selena asked Tess from her place at the back of the crowd. Everyone was stuck on the staircases, waiting for someone to say the password.

Before anyone could answer, a redheaded girl ran down the stairs yelling, "it's the Fat Lady! She's gone!"


Selena watched as Wendy and Danny looked at each other concernedly, and the rest of her friends whispered.

"What do they mean the Fat Lady's gone?" Tess asked.

"A fat lady is somewhere in the castle? Why is this keeping us out of the Common Room?" Renee asked.

"No, Ree, they mean the painting to the Common Room," Tess explained.

"But how is that possible?" Alisson asked.

Elizabeth stood on her tiptoes. "Look! Look at the painting!"

Selena jumped up to look. There were slashes across the portrait, completely shredding pieces of it, canvas lying on the ground below.

And then the headmaster was there, his heeled boots clicking on the steps as he made his way past all of the Gryffindors. Professor Dumbledore stopped in front of the painting, Professor McGonagall, Professor Lupin, and Professor Snape not far behind. By leaning on the banister, Selena could see them from the back.

Dumbledore looked at the painting where the Fat Lady had been before turning to look at the three other professors approaching. Selena scrunched up her robes in a fist. What could have happened? What could have happened that even Dumbledore looked worried?

"We need to find her," came Professor Dumbledore's deep voice. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky!" a voice cackled.

Selena looked up to find the school's poltergeist floating around above them. She'd seen Peeves floating around the school before, but had been careful to stay out of his way. He just seemed like trouble.

Peeves grinned down at the students, his orange eyes scanning them with wicked glee. He didn't look like the ghosts, she couldn't see through Peeves, though he would become invisible sometimes in the corridors. Instead, he seemed very real, a jester hat adorned with bells atop his black hair, clothes bright, orange bowtie around his pale neck.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked. He watch Peeves through his half-moon spectacles.

Peeves stopped smiling a bit. Dumbledore seemed to be the only person who he respected among the wizards and witches. "Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful. Poor thing."

Selena frowned. Peeves seemed more than happy at the idea of the the sobbing Fat Lady.

"Did she say who did it?"

"Oh yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." The poltergeist did a tumble in the air, peeking through his legs with a grin at Dumbledore. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

"That's a lie!" Selena heard someone yell. That 'someone' was Annabeth. She looked ready to jump into the air and slap Peeves.

Professor Dumbledore ignored her. "Thank you, Peeves." He turned to the students, who were murmuring worriedly.

"Sirius Black?" Alisson whispered behind Selena. "In the castle?"

"To the Great Hall, children, let's be swift," Professor Dumbledore said, beginning to walk. The Gryffindors obediently changed directions, hurrying back towards the Great Hall. Selena had to rush to keep ahead of the older students. They entered the Hall, still lit with fire, ceiling sparkling with stars, the tables covered with empty golden dishes.

About ten minutes later, the rest of the Hogwarts students were all gathered together. Selena saw Hazel and Rolf walking together with the rest of the Hufflepuffs, Hazel looking sleepy.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick pulled the heavy Hall doors shut, keeping them all in.

"What about our pets?" Renee whispered worriedly. "What about Shorty? A-and Crescent?"

"Sirius Black wouldn't attack them, would he?" Alisson said, folding her arms. Selena glanced at her, noticing a bit of worry behind her confident tone.

Professor Dumbledore faced the students. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the Hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," he gave a pointed look to a few of the older students. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

He started to turn, but then seemed to remember something. "Oh, yes, you'll be needing..." With a wave of his hand, the five tables all magically swept to the sides of the Hall, turning up onto their ends, the stone floor bare. Dumbledore waved his hand once more and a sea of purple sleeping bags appeared.

Tess' mouth popped open in amazement, the Muggle-born girl gazing around the Great Hall.

Dumbledore opened the door, looking back. "Sleep well," their headmaster said before vanishing, the door shutting.

Chatter filled the Great Hall, students rushing over to the Gryffindors. Hazel and Rolf appeared, frazzled and both talking at the same time.

"What's happened-"

"-Professor Sprout just came into the Common Room-"

"-why are we here-"

"-we don't know!"

"The entrance to our Common Room was ruined," Alisson said quickly.

Selena bobbed her head. "Sirius Black did it. Trying to get into the Common Room. Or so Peeves says."

Hazel's eyes widened in terror.

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" the red-headed Gryffindor Head Boy called loudly. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

Selena quickly walked over to one of the sleeping bags, taking off her black flats. Elizabeth removed her robes next to Selena, neatly folding them and setting her spectacles on top. Selena snuggled down into the squashy sleeping bag, finding it just as comfortable as her bed. Elizabeth was to her right, Alisson curled up to her left. Wendy and Danny were next to each other, close by.

Selena noticed Annabeth Black going with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger into a corner.

"How do you think Sirius Black got into the castle?" Selena asked, breaking the silence between the group.

"I'm not sure... what with all the dementors around..." Danny said.

"I hope he doesn't get into the Common Room," Tess said, shuddering.

"Well," Danny sighed, laying his head on the sleeping bag. "I wonder what would happen if he did..."

"I'm not willing to find out," Alisson said quietly.

Wendy slowly took out her wand. "Too bad we can't conjure food," she said so quietly that almost no one heard it.

Alisson smiled. "Eating to distract yourself from the Azkaban inmate who could be in our school?

Wendy nodded and looked at the wand. "Maybe..." She set her wand down beside her, seeming to take comfort in it behind so close.

"Anyway... I'm scared about Sirius now too... because if he could get past Dumbledore... nothing could stop him," Elizabeth said.

"Well, he is a murderer..." Renee said.

"Be quiet." Everyone turned their heads to see Annabeth glaring at them. "You know nothing about Sirius Black."

Selena froze. The girl must have been walking past them and heard their conversation.

Renee clamped her mouth shut and turned back and looked straight into the side of her sleeping bag, a light blush covering her face. Wendy pursed her lips, so they were a thin white line. But Selena had had enough.

"What is your problem? You said that on the train, you were mean to us in the forest, and you screamed at Peeves, and now this. What is your deal with the obsession about Sirius Black!" Selena practically yelled. Her eyes darted around the Great Hall, but everyone else was so distracted by their conversations no one was paying them any attention.

Annabeth stared hard at her. "Look. You're just a First Year, and so I suggest that you stop being such a ninny and talking about things you know nothing about." Annabeth looked away and swiped at her eyes, as if crying, and sniffled. She turned around, her fiery hair swinging, and hurried back to the corner with her friends, hugging herself.

"Woah... What just happened?" Tess asked.

Renee finally looked up and smiled a bit. "I think Selena just sassed someone..."

November 1st, 1993. Monday.

Selena woke up, hearing some birds outside the Great Hall. She sighed as she stretched, the sleeping bag comfy. Not many other students were up yet, only faint sunlight streaming in through the Great Hall windows. The Head Boys and Girls were slowly walking around, apparently still on patrol.

A thump made her jump. It was Renee. She rubbed the side of her skull, apparently having rolled off the pillow of her sleeping bag, holding her head forward and saying, "owie, owie, owie..."

"What time is it?" Wendy asked quietly, rubbing her eyes. Selena noticed that she too was slowly waking up.

"I don't know... morning..." Renee said quietly.

Giggling came from a corner as some other girls were apparently waking up.

Selena glanced at Tess' outstretched hand, peering at her watch. 6:30 in the morning. "Guys," Selena whispered.

"What?" Wendy moaned, turning her face back into the purple pillow.

"It's 6:30! You don't suppose we'll still have classes today, do you?" She sat up, suddenly frightened at the idea of going to Potions late. How long would it take to go back to Gryffindor Tower and get ready and then eat breakfast?

"I don't kno-Ree! Wake up!" Wendy said. Selena could tell that Renee was asleep. Again.

"Five more minutes, dad..." Selena heard Renee say.

"Renee... I'm not your father!" Wendy said. She glanced at Selena. "We can ask Percy."

"Dad... You look different..." Renee said, wiping her eyes. "Oh... Hi, Wendy... Where'd my dad go?"

Selena rolled her eyes, wishing she could go back to sleep.

November 6th, 1993. Saturday.

Sirius Black was on everyone's mind that week, his name being spoken in all the corridors. Of course, this only incensed Annabeth Black, who Rolf theorized must've been a distant relative to Sirius Black and didn't want the family name tarnished. The first Quidditch match of the season was approaching, the first one Selena would see at Hogwarts - which was thrilling. Less thrilling was the weather, which was getting worse and worse, dimming all the classrooms.

But that wasn't the only change.

"Onward to glory! Defeat the serpent scoundrels!" Sir Cadogan drew his sword, slashing around the air, stumbling about his painting. "Victory is ours!"

Renee shook her head, arms folded. Selena clambered out of the portrait hole, Tess behind her. Sir Cadogan, the subject of the painting that was replacing the Fat Lady for now, was now running from one end of the frame to the other. His pony was chewing grass in the background.

"He's even more mental than the Fat Lady," Renee mumbled, watching the knight.

"He's better than nothing," Tess sighed, standing and brushing off her Gryffindor scarf. "He's the only one who volunteered, I heard. Everyone else is scared of Sirius Black coming back."

Sir Cadogan tripped, nearly impaling himself.

"We're doomed," Renee stated simply.

Selena giggled, turning away. "Just be happy he's only changed the password once today. He changed it five times on Thursday."

The girls walked down the Grand Staircase, heading into the Great Hall. A roll of thunder echoed as they walked inside, though Selena wasn't sure if it was more from outside or from the enchanted ceiling.

She peered up at the magical ceiling, watching as grey clouds swirled, heavy rain falling. Outside, a similar scene was unfolding, the clouds so thick that they were obscuring the distant mountains. The ceiling never failed to amaze to Selena, suspended above the hundreds of floating candles, but now it was just frightening.

"They won't cancel the match, will they?" Tess asked, sounding apprehensive as she looked at the dreary weather.

Renee shook her head. "Quidditch matches usually are never canceled."

"It'll be great, Tess, don't worry," Selena assured her friend with a warm smile. It was Tess' first time ever seeing Quidditch in person. It would be quite the experience for a girl who had only ever watched sports played on the ground, Selena supposed.

They sat down at the table. Elizabeth had decided to go to the library before the match, and Alisson was sleeping in. Selena glanced down the table further, seeing the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Danny and Sasha were among them, along with other players like Harry Potter as the Seeker and Oliver Wood as the Keeper.

It was difficult to hear much above the loud rain hitting the windows of the Great Hall. Selena smoothed her yellow slicker, sighing.

It would be quite the match.

One Hour Later

Selena shivered in her slicker, in the stands of the Quidditch pitch. Some of the students were chanting, waving banners, but it was too loud for her to make out what they were saying. Thunder boomed overhead.

The stands were packed, nevertheless. Umbrellas dotted the sea of students, one or two suddenly being ripped away and tossed up into the wind.

"I hope Danny'll be okay!" Alisson yelled over the rain.

Wendy bobbed her head, rainwater spilling off her rubber hat. "He'll be fine!" she yelled back. "Don't worry! He knows how these matches go!"

Selena wasn't so sure, glancing around. The rain was getting worse and worse...

And then the crowd got louder, people cheering and screaming. Selena glanced down at the muddy field, the teams appearing from within the stadium. The Gryffindor team - wearing bright scarlet - walked across the pitch, brooms in hand, having to hunch down and walk sideways to fight the wind. Wendy cupped her hands around her mouth, cheering.

On the other side, the Hufflepuff team was in a cheery yellow, matching the crowd of Hufflepuffs waving their pennants. On the field, two players walked towards each other. One must be Wood, Selena knew, the Captain of the Gryffindor team. She didn't know who the Captain of the Hufflepuff team was. They shook hands, Selena barely able to see.

Then Madam Hooch stood there, watching as the players mounted their brooms.

Alisson leaned over to Tess to explain what was going on, probably yelling though Selena couldn't even hear her. She wiped away some rain that had gotten past her hood, watching as the players all flew up into the air. And then then the match began.

It was a mix of red and yellow as the players streaked across the sky. Selena managed to see a Bludger rocketing through the rain, nearly taking out someone before a Hufflepuff Beater swatted the Bludger back with a club.

Somewhere in the Teacher's Box was the commentator's seat, but Selena couldn't hear it. Only those nearest could probably hear what was happening. Elizabeth lifted her cloak up above herself, glasses speckled with constant rain.

The match went on like that, the storm not letting up. Gryffindor seemed to be winning, judging by the amount of cheering coming from the House's stands.

A Bludger - hit by a Hufflepuff - flew towards Sasha before one of the Weasley Twins appeared, a Beater for Gryffindor. He hit the Bludger with the club, knocking it back towards the Hufflepuff boy.

"HIT HIM, FRED! HIT HIM HARDER!" Wendy screamed, standing on one of the wooden benches. No one was sitting, rain flooding the wooden boards around their feet, pouring through the cracks in the floorboards, and soaking the wooden benches. Wendy didn't seem to care about the rain, getting more and more excited as the match went on.

And then lightning flashed, forking down and striking in the air.

Tess tensed next to Selena.

The players started descending, Gryffindor going down to the side of the field, heading towards an umbrella.

"Is it over?" Tess yelled.

"No!" Alisson replied, getting a mouthful of rainwater. "Just a time-out, I suspect!"

A girl with a Gryffindor scarf ran down the stands, rushing over to them, speaking to Harry. Or, at least, the player who looked like Harry. Selena still could barely see through all the rain.

And then the team was flying back up into the air, Hufflepuff taking their places, the match continuing.

Harry flew past them, searching for the Snitch that would help Gryffindor win and the match to end.

Thunder rolled so loud Selena felt it in her ribcage. Lightning flashed, a white-hot bolt forking over one of the stands. Not even five seconds later, there was another flash.

"What's he doing?" Alisson screamed, looking up at Harry.

Selena watched as he was moving in the air, facing one of the empty stands. She furrowed her brows, unsure.

And then the Seeker for the Hufflepuff team was flying across the pitch, intent on what could only be the Snitch.

"C'MON, HARRY, BEAT DIGGORY!" Wendy bellowed.

As if he'd heard her, Harry turned, flying through the rain, getting closer to the Hufflepuff Seeker.

And then the Boy-Who-Lived fell off of his broom and tumbled through the air.

Selena gasped, Renee screaming. Harry fell through the air before hitting the mud-covered ground. The stands exploded into chaos, people screaming and yelling. The players all stopped flying, the Gryffindors flying towards the ground. The Hufflepuff Seeker turned on his broom, the golden Snitch glinting in his hand.

The match was over, and Gryffindor had lost. But at the moment, everyone was focused on the player who had just fallen all the way to the ground.

Dread filled Selena's stomach as Harry lay motionless on the pitch. Please don't let him be dead, she prayed, shaking her head. He couldn't be dead.

Madam Hooch was out on the field, running to Harry. The Hufflepuff players all descended, rushing towards the fallen Seeker. Madam Hooch waved them away, picking up the small, black-haired boy. The Hufflepuff Seeker landed last, waving his arm with the Snitch, seeming to speak to Madam Hooch. Whatever he said, she didn't seem to listen, hurrying off the field with Harry.

The Gryffindor players began to follow. A girl suddenly appeared on the pitch, dark cloak whipping around.

She stopped in front the Gryffindor players, speaking to them. Selena watched as the Hufflepuff players began to return to their locker room. The Gryffindor players left the girl who'd run out on the field, her hood falling down as she turned to watch Madam Hooch carrying away Harry.

Even through the rain, Selena could recognize her, red curls whipping around.

Annabeth.


Yay! I uploaded! I said I would upload it tonight. Yeas, 11:20 is counted as tonight. For me.

Well, this must be short!

I have a story to tell tomorrow. Thanks for reading and review! Bye!

Oh, and I know... No new people... but this chapter had story plot. So, bye!

~Meghan

2/20/18: Some of this chapter was altered for the sake of the story. The ending of the last chapter was taken from the movie, but I tried to keep this chapter canon.