Chapter 10, Year 5, Part 1: Prefects and Professors

Over the summer, Grindelwald became more active. He started by causing a few riots in Wizarding towns that were close to Muggle cities, but then it escalated. He started killing innocent people for no apparent reason, only that they supported the government's views on Muggle-Wizard relations. His motto soon became 'for the greater good,' although no one quite knew what 'good' meant.

Lyra's parents were starting to get worried because they came from Muggle backgrounds, but it seemed as though they were safe because they didn't whole-heartedly agree on the Ministry's views. The fifteen-year-old's summer passed like many before, although her father was around more than usual, and their spirits were lifted despite the threat hanging over them.

On the platform, Lyra said goodbye to her parents and boarded the train. Allan Shay and his followers had left the year before (she was surprised that they hadn't failed), and so far there was no one to take their place. She also knew that Newt's brother had achieved some fame with his help of sorting out the war in Poland from reading the paper. She was sure that this would inflate his ego even more, if that was possible, and she was concerned for Newt because she was aware that he'd always been at odds with his brother (and that was putting it lightly.)

When she found him in their usual compartment, he looked to be his usual self, although he did seem slightly upset.

"What's the matter?" Lyra asked, sitting down after greeting him

He looked up, surprised. Surely he couldn't be that easy to read. "Leta's been made Prefect."

Lyra felt slightly annoyed. She knew why Professor Dill, Hufflepuff's head of House, didn't make her a Prefect (her unpredictability), but she didn't know why Newt wasn't made one, so she asked him, because he definitely deserved it more than Leta, in her opinion.

"Probably because I'm not the most responsible- and I tend to avoid people." he said

Trying to lighten the mood, she smiled "that's one way of putting it."

"What?"

"You tend to avoid people. Most would call it anti-social." deciding now wasn't a good time for jokes, she remembered why he wasn't cheerful as usual "but why is Leta being a Prefect a bad thing?"

He sighed and said "she won't get to spend time with us anymore, since she'll have other duties. That's why she's not here now," he added "she has to patrol the train. And with it being O.W.L. year, we'll get even less time to see her."

"Well I'm not a Prefect." Lyra reminded him "so we can still have fun. Besides, who needs important positions that takes up a lot of time?"

He seemed to recover at this and smiled slightly "you're right, I guess. I'm just a bit off because of Theseus."

"I read about that in the Periodic Prognosticator. Wasn't he awarded some sort of medal?"

"Yeah. Dad's proud of him." his tone sounded bitter.

"Well, you've said you'd rather have your mother's praise anyday, so who cares? I mean, I know it's easier said than done, and I don't have any experience in this field, but we've always said that Theseus has a perpetually inflated ego that needs constant reimbursement."

"I think you've said that, Ly," but the boy's tone sounded much improved already as they moved on to lighter topics such as the next school year and what the professors might have done over the summer (it was funny to think of Professor Dumbledore in a bathing suit- and rather disturbing.)

Because it was O.W.L. year, all of the teachers had given them a strict speech on the importance of it (as if they didn't know already.) They also each decided that they were the only teachers in the school and gave double the amount of homework than usual. By November, seven people had already needed a Calming Draught issued by Madam March (a new school record.)

Lyra and Newt barely had enough time to spare for their favorite class, Care of Magical creatures, let alone worry about Leta (she'd been known to consistently uphold rules and obey the powers of her badge, a surprise to some, although the same thing couldn't be said for all Prefects.) It was especially a struggle for Lyra because of her lack of skill with her wand.

They were so swamped with work that when beginning of December rolled around, they were all caught by surprise.

Newt's family had written to him and said that they'd be having a Christmas party to celebrate Theseus' award. He'd promptly invited Lyra and Leta because he didn't know if he'd be able to attend by himself (and he didn't say this, but he didn't want to have to look at the smug expression on his brother's face as his father praised him by himself, although it was implied.) He'd also invited the girls over early so they could spend time together, as O.W.L.s were making this impossible.

Both of them had agreed, of course, and Leta at least was looking forward to the party.

A/N: Hello again, 700 readers. It's taken me a little longer than usual because school's started back up (after midterms we had a 5 day break), and that means homework :(. FYI: The Periodic Prognostic is my take on the Daily Prophet

I'm a little overdue, but I'd like to thank the sum of 3 people, Codee21, and the two guests I've had for leaving the first reviews/comments. I'd also like to thank everyone who's favorited/followed this story so far. Gosh, this sounds like a Golden Globes awards speech, doesn't it? I know a lot of people read this story (traffic graph), and I'm glad some people are liking it, but it would be great to know what else people think. So, to the 700 readers I have, I'd like to know how I'm portraying the characters since I always try to stay as close to canon as possible in stories like these and how the story is progressing.

Next chapter: a look into Lyra and Leta's 'freindship'