Chapter Ten
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Dear Charlie,
It's been a long time since I first met you last summer, and many things have changed since then. Selena has grown - she's the size of a small elephant now. I've even learned how to fly her with a saddle.
However, there is something I want to talk to you about. Ron's rat, Scabbers, has faked his death and run away. I was wondering . . . weren't you going to tell him that his rat was an-
"Who's Charlie?"
Endaira jumped and looked behind her. It was Ron.
"Who's Charlie?" he repeated.
"Your brother."
Ron frowned. "Why would you be writing to my brother?"
"Well, for one thing, he is the one who came to my house over the summer."
"Why?"
"He works with dragons, Ronald. Need I remind you?"
"Oh. . . . What's that about Scabbers faking his death?"
"Uh . . . nothing. I've got to go." Endaira stood up and ran upstairs to the girls' dormitory. That was a close call.
Sighing, she flopped onto her bed and finished writing the letter.
-Animagus? It could have changed so much . . .
And I don't believe you ever fully explained how Selena came to me. I suppose it's mostly my fault, being so excited about being a witch and all . . .
Write back soon - I would really like to know.
Endaira Rezagrats
Endaira made her way downstairs and quickly slipped out the portrait hole. From there she headed to the Owlery. Entering the smelly circular room, she went over to a barn owl, who held out his leg automatically for the letter. She tied it to his leg and he flew off - out the window and into the sunset. Endaira walked over to the window and stared out across the grounds. The setting sun cast an orange glow over everything and lengthened shadows. Below, she could see a bit of the Quidditch Pitch where saw several small people flying around - one appeared as a blur as it sped around the pitch and disappeared. Looking towards the trees, she saw only darkness. And something else.
A black shape sitting under the cover of several trees, watching the Quidditch players at practice. It shifted, and Endaira recognized the black dog. Turning on her heel, Endy ran out of the Owlery and down the stairs - almost colliding with Hannah Abbot, a Hufflepuff.
"Sorry!" she yelled and swept around the startled girl. She tore down the corridors and skidded to a halt in front of Sir Cadogan's picture.
"Scurvy cur," she said, panting. The portrait swung open and Endaira stepped through. She ran over to where Persephone and Darren were seated.
"Come on!" she cried, grabbing their hands and pulling them towards the portrait hole.
"Where are we going?" Persephone asked.
"You'll se," Endy replied.
They ran out of the castle just as the last bit of daylight left the horizon. Endaira led the way to where a large tree stood. The Whomping Willow.
Looking around, she grabbed a long stick lying on the ground beside a tree. She used it to poke the knot on the trunk of the Willow, which instantly stilled its branches that had been trying to swipe at them. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, Endaira walked towards the trunk of the tree and slipped down into the hole hidden at its base. Darren and Persephone followed.
Persephone muttered, "It's dark in here."
"Lumos," Endaira said, forgetting to take out her wand. Instead, her palm glowed with a bright, white light that illuminated the tunnel before them.
"Woah," Darren exclaimed. "You can do wand-less magic?"
"It's the gedwëy ignasia from Eragon - ever read it?" Endaira asked.
"No," both voices chorused.
"Oh. Well, it's what appears when a person touches a baby dragon for the first time. It marks that you are bonded with them."
"Oh," Persephone said. "I was wondering what it was. Well that explains a lot."
"Great. Now, let's go."
After walking through the long twisting tunnel, it began to rise and curve around. They climbed through a hole into a room. There was a coat of dust over everything and all the furniture was wrecked. What windows and doors there were had been boarded up.
As Darren and Persephone climbed out behind her, Endaira spoke in a monotone voice. "Welcome to the Shrieking Shack. Known to be the most haunted place in all of Great Britain, it is located on the outskirts of Hogsmeade village-"
"Cut the crap, Endaira," Darren said. Endy stuck her tongue out at him.
"Nox," she whispered, and her hand stopped glowing.
There was a noise behind them as someone came through the tunnel. They turned around just as Crookshanks came into the room followed by a man. He had black, matted hair and a sunken face. He stopped short when he saw the three of them standing there. Crookshanks arched his back and hissed.
Sirius Black looked over Persephone and Darren and his eyes landed on Endaira. She saw his shoulders slump as he relaxed.
"Oh, it's you," he said in a hoarse voice. "But who are you?" He looked at the other two.
"Persephone Williams."
"Darren Cay."
Sirius eyed them with suspicion, until Endaira tolled her eyes and told him that they knew about his innocence, and what more, the books.
"You told him also?" Persephone asked. "Who else are you going to tell?"
"You can decided that, if it makes you feel better. But no one is allowed to actually read them," Endaira told her.
Darren frowned at this exchange. "Who knows about the books?"
"Hermione."
"If you don't mind my asking, what are you three doing here?" Sirius asked, interrupting them.
"Well, I wanted them to meet you," Endaira said. "And I wanted to tell you about Wormtail's escape."
"Pettigrew escaped? How?"
"He faked his death - made it look like Crookshanks here ate him," said Persephone.
"So, please don't go after him tomorrow night - you'll give us such a scare," Endaira added.
"Yes, but if you recall, because of that incident, Sir Cadogan is removed and the Fat Lady restored," Darren pointed out. "Which would do us all a favor."
"Right. So, um, I guess you could break in, and I guess do something to make note that you were there," Endaira said.
"So, you want me to enter the common room, do something, then leave?" Sirius asked.
"Pretty much."
"That is absolutely mental."
"Pull a prank, then. I'm sure you like doing that," Darren told him. "But, really, if you were stuck with Sir Cadogan, you would want the Fat Lady back, too."
"Fine. I'll do it. You three had best get going."
As they climbed back into the tunnel, he called to them, "Oh, and could you by any chance tell me the outcome of tomorrow's Quidditch match?"
Endaira smiled at him. With a wink, she said, "Lion's for the Cup!"
As they ran down the tunnel towards the Whomping Willow, they could hear something that Sirius Black probably hadn't done in a long time. He was giving a loud "Whoop!" of joy.
-----
The next morning, the Great Hall was abuzz with talk of Harry Potter's Firebolt. Endaira and Persephone sat down next to Hermione, who had an Arithmancy book propped up against her goblet. As Malfoy and his goons walked away from "examining" the Firebolt, he sneered at Endaira who replied with a very rude hand gesture.
Once the Slytherin scum had left, Endaira nodded to Persephone, who plunked her CD player onto the table and pressed Play.
Music filled the hall. Many people looked around, confused to as where the source of the music was. Others - Muggle-born's - shrieked (mostly girls) when they recognized the song.
"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed, looking up with a smile. "I love this song!"
Endaira and Persephone began singing along.
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down)and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
"I'll be over at ten", you told me time and again
But you're late, I wait around and then (bah dah dah)
I run to the door, I can't take any more
It's not you, you let me down again
Hermione started to sing with them. Her voice was beautiful.
(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time, and I'll make you happy
(Hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo oo ooo, ooo oo ooo
Endaira stood up on the bench and was quickly joined by Persephone and Hermione. They danced to the beat as they sang along.
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore
If you'd just let me know (bah dah dah)
Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more
Why do I need you so
Other girls from the neighboring tables stood up and joined them.Soon, every girl in the school, and some guys as well, were singing and dancing to the music. The only ones who didn't join in were the Slytherins. Even Professor Dumbledore was swaying to the beat.
(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time and I'll make you happy
(Hey, hey, hey!) I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo oo ooo, ooo oo ooo
Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
I I I need you oo oo more than anyone, baby
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart
As the song faded away, they sat down and many people cheered, calling for an encore.
"Wow. That was fun," Hermione exclaimed.
"I never knew you could sing so well, Hermione," Endaira said.
"Oh, I took voice lessons when I was younger."
"Come on!" Persephone called, grabbing her CD player and standing up. "Everyone's leaving for the Quidditch match!"
They followed the rest of the school outside and down to the pitch, joking and laughing. Once they were seated, Endaira took out her wand.
"What's that for?" Hermione asked.
Endaira grinned and pointed it at her friend's hair. Before Hermione's eyes could fully widen, Endy had turned and done the same thing to Persephone's hair, and then to her own.
"Oh!" Persephone exclaimed.
They now had red and gold highlights in their hair that glittered and sparkled in the sunlight.
"You're welcome," Endaira said just as the game began.
They cheered with the rest of the Gryffindors whenever their team scored. Twice, now, the Snitch had been spotted and lost. Then, as Harry and Cho Chang - the Ravenclaw Seeker - were racing towards the Ravenclaw end of the pitch, Cho suddenly pointed down.
Looking in that direction, Endaira saw three dementors standing there. Above, Harry pulled out his wand and roared, "Expecto Patronum!"
An enormous, silver-white stag erupted from his wand and charged at the three dementors, who fled, tripping over their long robes.
Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. Harry had caught the Snitch and Gryffindor had won the match.
Endaira, Persephone, and Hermione made their way down the steps and headed for the school as everyone else gathered to congratulate the Gryffindor team on their spectacular win. They passed Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint - tangled in black cloaks while McGonagall shouted at them. They ran up the stone steps and headed back to the Gryffindor Tower. However, as they came to a certain part of the third floor, Endaira stopped them.
"This way," she said, and led them down the corridor to the statue of the one-eyed witch.
Hermione frowned. "Wait, isn't this-?"
"Yup."
"The passage to Honeydukes!" Persephone squealed.
Endy pulled out her wand and tapped the witch's hump. "Dissendium."
"Are you sure about this?" Hermione asked.
"C'mon, Hermione. Have a little spirit. It's party time!"
Somewhat reluctantly, Hermione followed them down the shaft and through the tunnel. Finally, they reached a long flight of steps and began climbing them until they reached a trapdoor. Persephone pushed it open to reveal the basement of Honeydukes. They climbed out and set it back down, the trapdoor blending in with the rest of the floor. Then they made their way upstairs.
Before opening the door, Endaira took the spell off their hair and explained that it attracted too much attention. They then slipped into the candy shop and out the door.
First they headed to the Three Broomsticks where they bought as many butterbeers as they could carry and still have room for candy from Honeydukes. They bought as much as they could. Fizzing Whizbees, Peppermint Toads, Fudge Flies, Chocoballs, and practically half the shop.
They went back downstairs and through the trapdoor, laden down with several bags of Honeydukes sweets and armloads of butterbeer. As they were walking along the passage, someone decided to bump into them.
"Who's there?"
"Fred? George? Is that you?"
"Hermione? Is that you?"
"No, it's the boogeyman."
"Who's that?"
"Endaira."
"Ouch! That was my foot, Fred!"
"Sorry."
"Lumos."
Endaira had shifted her bags and held up her palm. Light filled the tunnel to reveal the Weasley twins.
"Woah," Fred said.
"Wicked," George added.
"You can do wand-less magic?" Hermione asked.
"I'll explain later," Endaira told her.
"What are you three doing down here?" Fred asked. "How do you even know about this passage?"
"That's for us to know-" Persephone began.
"-And you to never find out," Endaira finished.
"What about you, Hermione?" George said. "I mean, of all people!"
"Oh, don't be so shocked."
"Well, if you would be gentlemen and relieve us from some of this load?" Persephone asked. "There's a party going on, and I want to join!"
The twins took some of the bags and butterbeer and led the way back to the one-eyed witch. They headed back to the common room where they passed out the sweets and drinks to the crowd. Hermione left to finish reading a book for Muggle studies, claiming that she needed to finish it by Monday. Persephone brought out her CD Player and a case of CDs. She and Endaira poured over the possibilities of what to play.
"Avril Lavigne?"
"No. Usher?"
"No. Maroon 5?"
"Oooh! How 'bout a mix?" Persephone asked, holding up a CD that had no know title or artist printed on it, meaning that it was a mix she had burned.
"Yeah!" Endaira agreed. They put it in the CD Player and pressed Play.
Green Day's "American Idiot" blared out of the speakers and people began dancing to the beat. Endaira and Persephone dragged Darren over and forced him to dance. Then the song switched to Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes." Endaira spotted Hermione in the corner and decided she should join in the fun. She made her way over, but Harry got there first. They spoke for a moment, then both looked over at Ron, who must have said something, for Hermione burst into tears and ran upstairs to the girls' dormitory.
Here I am, once again
I'm torn into pieces
Can't deny it, can't pretend
I just thought you were the one
Broken up, deep inside
But you won't get to see the tears I cry
Behind these hazel eyes
Shaking her head, Endaira went back over to where Persephone and Darren were dancing.
"Do you have the Cha Cha Slide and the Cotton Eye Joe?" Endaira asked.
"Yeah! I've got a whole disc for party music. 'The Electric Slide,' 'The Macarena,' 'The Time Warp-'"
"'The Time Warp'?! Sweet! Put it on!"
Persephone stopped the music in the middle of Brittany Spears' "Toxic." Nobody protested this and she switched CDs. As soon as she hit Play, the music for "Cotton Eye Joe" came on. Many people did not know what to do, so Endaira and Persephone climbed onto a table and began dancing the steps. Watching them, everyone followed suit.
If it hadn't been for Cotton Eye Joe
I'd been married long time ago
Where did you come from where did you go
Where did you come from Cotton Eye Joe
After that was the "Cha Cha Slide," which many people in the crowd enjoyed. Finally, "The Time Warp" came on.
It's astounding, time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely, not for very much longer
I've got to keep control
I remember doing the Time Warp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me and the void would be calling
Let's do the time warp again...
Let's do the time warp again!
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me
So you can't see me, no not at all
In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention
Well secluded, I see all
With a bit of a mind flip
You're there in the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation, like you're under sedation
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Well I was walking down the street just a having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes.
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
Let's do the Time Warp again!
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!
The Gryffindor party didn't end until one in the morning, when Professor McGonagall showed up in her dressing gown and hair net and insisted that they all go to bed. Endaira and Persephone bid Darren good night, and headed upstairs to the girls' dormitory. Endaira noticed the curtains pulled around Hermione's bed and - checking under the bed - saw that the secret stash of candy was gone.