Chapter Eleven
When Ivy got to the Great Hall, she found Holly already sitting at the Gryffindor table, pouring a goblet of eggnog.
"So, did you figure out how she made it?"
Holly shook her head. "And I was up half the night, too. I've been thinking, though. What if she knows how to use blood magic?"
Ivy paled. "You don't really think she does, do you?"
"I'm not sure," Holly said grimly. "But just in case, we need to get those parchments."
Ivy nodded, lost in thought. Then she grinned. "You know those candies we made for Halloween a few years ago? The ones that make you look like an animal?" When Holly nodded, she chuckled and continued. "I gave one to Umbridge."
Holly's eyes widened and the corners of her mouth started to lift into a mischievous grin. "Which one?"
"The pink one," Ivy winked.
Holly gasped. "Do you think she'll come to breakfast?"
"Maybe," Ivy laughed. "Sometimes it takes a while to notice you look a bit odd."
"But you gave it to her last night!" Holly protested.
Ivy nodded. "Yeah, but I told her it was a cough drop, so she sucked on it. So won't the effects last longer?"
"Yeah." Holly tried to be serious, then broke into giggles. "At least a day longer than normal."
Ivy snickered. "Wonderful!"
Jack came and sat down across from them. "What's going on?"
"You'll see," Ivy winked and tossed him a piece of toast.
"Well, whatever it is, it must be pretty big," Jack took a bite of the toast. "Holly's giggling."
Holly took a deep breath. "No, I'm not. I'm totally, perfectly, serious right now."
Jack nodded understandingly and froze her eggnog. Ivy snorted into her pumpkin juice and Holly erupted into laughter again. Jack grinned and took a bite out of his toast, "Totally, perfectly, serious."
Holly stuck her tongue out and thawed her eggnog. "Anyway, do you have Defense Against the Dark Arts today, Jack?"
Jack shook his head. "I had it Tuesday, remember? I think the younger classes are stuck with the toad lady today."
Holly and Ivy shook with silent laughter at the mention of the toad, but were able to control themselves otherwise.
"What's wrong with Ivy and Holly?" Hermione asked, sitting down next to Jack.
Jack shrugged. "All I know is that it has something to do with Umbridge."
"That toad." Hermione sniffed. Ivy snorted again and Holly elbowed her.
"Doesn't she usually come down to breakfast?" Holly asked carefully.
Hermione shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I think if she did, she'd be here already."
Holly looked up at the teacher's table. "I don't see her."
Ivy frowned and poked her wand at the kippers on her plate, causing them to float in the air and try to swim. "So, are there any students we know who have her today?"
"I think Ginny has her today," Hermione frowned. "Why?"
"Do you think you could introduce us?" Holly asked, ignoring the question. "I have a favor to ask of her."
Hermione stood. "I'll go get her."
As soon as she left, Holly elbowed Ivy, breaking her concentration. "What did you do that for?" Ivy demanded as the fish fell back to her plate.
"I don't think anyone but you appreciated that." Holly said truthfully.
Ivy pouted. "But I was just getting them to do loop-de-loops!"
Just then, Hermione returned with a red-headed girl by her side. "Ginny, this is Jack Frost, Holly, and Ivy. Holly, Ivy, Jack, this is Ginny Weasley."
Ivy's face brightened as she grinned. "You're related to Fred and George? Fantastic!"
As everyone laughed at Ivy's enthusiasm, Holly leaned forward. "You've got the toad lady today, right?"
"Yeah. Why?" Ginny asked.
"Can you do me a favor? Ivy did something to her and I need a few pictures." Holly explained. "I've got a tiny camera right here, all you have to do is point and shoot."
"Sounds easy enough!" Ginny grinned. "I've got her right before lunch."
Holly stood and walked across the table, then jumped down so she was standing right behind the youngest Weasley. "Alright, let's get you set up now then. The camera's in this ring, here." She slid a ring attached to a cord onto Ginny's middle finger. "The cord goes down your sleeve, across your back, and down your other sleeve, like so." She adjusted everything so it looked more natural. "Now, to take a picture, the stone in the ring has to be facing the target. Then, you squeeze this bulb and wait a second. I'd practice in a few of your other classes, just so you get the hang of it. But be careful, you've only got thirty pictures on there." Holly adjusted the younger girl's robes once more and stood back, examining her. "Looks good. How does it feel?"
Ginny swung her arms around. "Fine. You can hardly tell the cord's even there."
Holly nodded. "Great. Thanks so much!"
Ginny grinned. "You're welcome! I guess I'll see you at lunch!" She waved goodbye to Ivy, Hermione, and Jack and walked back to her friends.
"What was Ginny doing here?" Ron asked as he and Harry walked up to the table.
"Just doing a favor for me!" Holly grinned, walking back across the table to sit next to her sister.
The group ate in silence for a while, then Holly turned to Harry.
"Harry, do you know where the Headmaster's office is? I need to ask him something."
Harry nodded. "Sure. You go up to the third floor, turn east, and stop at the big gargoyle in an alcove. That's the entrance. But you'll need the password."
"I'll be fine!" Holly winked. "In fact, I think I'll go and see him now. He's probably just sitting down to eat right now."
Ivy looked up. "I'll walk up with you." She shoved the last of her food in her mouth and stood up. "Lef's guh!"
Holly rolled her eyes. "I'll see you guys at lunch."
As she and Ivy quickly walked out of the Great Hall, Ron turned to Jack.
"What do you think she's going to talk to Dumbledore about?"
Jack shrugged. "She never tells me anything."
"Why do you two always sit with us?" Hermione wondered.
Jack shrugged again. "I sit here because Holly and Ivy sit here." He speared a sausage and chewed thoughtfully. "Not sure about Holly, though. I think she does it to make sure Ivy doesn't misbehave." He shrugged once more. "Or it could be so Ivy can keep an eye on Holly." He paused. "Or maybe it's just an interesting psychological phenomenon."
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione just stared at him, Jack scowled. "'Everybody's seen this one,' they said. 'It's a classic,' they said. Stupid girls." He muttered to himself, then stood up. "See you guys later."
As he stalked off, Harry turned to Ron. "Did it just get a bit colder in here?"
"…I'm just saying don't go all ancient queen on him, alright?"
Holly grinned and rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't. Besides, I'm just looking out for Harry. Isn't that what we came here to do? Watch over the kids here?"
Ivy nodded. "True. Just don't scare Dumbledore, alright? You get kinda scary when you turn on your regalness."
"I don't think Dumbledore is the type that scares easily, Ivy. Anyway," Holly continued, pausing at the gargoyle. "Do you have the password? North gave it to you, right?"
Ivy shook her head. "I thought he gave it to you."
"Nope." Holly frowned. "You don't think he gave it to Jack, do you?"
The twins looked at each other for a minute, then shook their heads. "Nah!"
Down in the fifth-year Hufflepuff boy's dormitory, a white-haired teen pulled a slip of parchment from his sweatshirt pocket.
"'Acid pops'?" Jack read. "I wonder why North gave me this." So saying, he threw it into the fire and walked out.
Ivy leaned against the wall as Holly paced back and forth. "Maybe you can use your magic to bypass the statue."
Holly pursed her lips. "I tried that. Maybe…" She walked up to the gargoyle and placed her hand on the statue's brow. "Sir Gargoyle, what is your name?"
"Dom." Came the grumpy reply.
Holly looked at Ivy, who shrugged. "Well, Sir Dom, as ruler of this castle, I ask that you step aside so I may speak with the headmaster about a very important matter."
"I don't remember there ever being a ruler of the castle." Dom grouched.
"How long have you been here?" Holly asked kindly.
"Since the Four Founders." Dom said proudly, pulling back his shoulders as much as a statue could.
"I see." Holly looked back at Ivy. "Then do you remember Salazar Slytherin?"
"That old sourpuss? Of course I do. When he left, he put a chip in me the size of a bludger! Rowena, she was always so nice to me, tried to fix it, but there's still a bit missing. Right there on my back, see?"
Holly leaned over and looked. "Oh, yes. I see. If I can fix it for you, will you let me pass?"
The gargoyle huffed. "You fix it? How could you fix it? Not even Rowena Ravenclaw could fix it!"
"If I do, will you let me pass?" Holly repeated.
"Sure, sure." Dom said. "If you can fix that, I'll let you go and see the headmaster."
Holly nodded. She stepped back and surveyed the walls around the statue.
"Ivy, do you think you could help me? We're going to have to transmogrify something into the type of stone he is. The stone in the walls isn't right."
Ivy stood and searched through her pockets. "I've got this lump of clay. We could set it on him, shape it how we like, and then turn it to stone."
Holly grinned. "Perfect! Come over here so we can do it."
Ivy walked over and together they filled in the chip.
"Alright, Dom. This might feel a bit funny." Holly warned. She nodded to Ivy and closed her eyes as she forced magic into the clay, focusing on it becoming one with the stone around it. The clay glowed and slowly turned to stone. When it was finished, Holly and Ivy stepped back simultaneously.
"Better?" Ivy asked.
Dom grunted and stepped aside. "Both of you go on up."
Holly patted the gargoyle as they passed. "Thank you."
Dom just grunted and moved back into place behind them.
As the stair slowly curved upward, Ivy turned to Holly. "Why'd you need me to help? You're powerful enough to do something simple like that without even thinking."
Holly shrugged. "But it wouldn't have lasted. With our combined power, it will last as long as Dom."
Ivy thought about that. "You just wanted to get me up here, didn't you?"
Holly looked at her innocently. "I thought you'd want to make sure I didn't go all 'ancient queen' on Dumbledore."
Ivy face palmed. "Fine. But I'm leaving if this cuts into Potions. I think I'm going to really enjoy that class."
Holly laughed. "When is Potions?"
Ivy looked down at her watch. "Five minutes! I've got to go! I'll see you later!" Ivy turned and raced down the stairs, much to Holly's amusement.
"I guess she really does want to get to Potions." Holly mused. Then she turned to the door that she now stood at. "I guess I should knock." She did, and then walked right in.
"Anybody here?" She called out. When no one answered, she walked further in and called again.
"You just missed him." A familiar voice said.
Holly looked around and finally saw the painting that the voice had come from. "Godric! So nice to see you again!"
The man grinned. "Good to see you too! Now, what's this I hear about you being in Ravenclaw this time?"
Holly shrugged. "Ask him." She said, pointing to the Sorting Hat. "He decided, not me."
"Perhaps I will, when Albus gets back." Godric Gryffindor mused. "I'd certainly like to know the answer to this riddle."
"Dumbledore is gone, then?" Holly asked, looking around again.
"Yes, as I said, you just missed him."
"Oh." Holly's shoulders slumped. "I needed to talk to him about something rather important, too. Do you know when he'll be back?"
Godric shook his head. "Probably not till late tonight. He's been searching for something, you know. Always has maps out on his desk."
"Really?" Holly walked over to the desk, just to see. Sure enough, hidden under some papers were maps of different areas around the British Isles. "Interesting," she murmured.
"Yes, quite." Godric agreed. "Now, what was it you wanted to talk to him about?"
Holly smiled up at the painting. "Something about Harry Potter. I'll just leave a note. You'll tell him I was here when he gets back, though?"
Godric bowed. "It would be an honor, my lady."
Holly rolled her eyes as she jotted down a quick note. "None of that. I'm a student at the moment, remember? No 'My lady' or 'Your Highness' or anything like that, got it?"
Godric waved away her argument. "Yes, yes. Whatever you wish."
Holly smiled. "See ya later, Godric."
"Fare thee well!" Godric Gryffindor called out as she left the office. Once the door was closed, he added, "My lady!"
On her way to lunch, Holly got stopped by Professor Flitwick.
"Holly, will you do a favor for me?" he asked.
"Sure, Professor!" she said brightly. "I mean, you did cover for me that one time…"
Professor Flitwick chuckled. "Holly, do you think you could eat at Ravenclaw's table from time to time? Try and make some friends in your own House?"
Holly nodded slowly. "Yeah, I can do that."
Professor Flitwick smiled. "Thank you."
Holly walked in to the Great Hall and sat down next to a blonde haired girl. "Hi. I'm Holly."
"I'm Luna. You might not want to sit next to me if you want to make more friends in our House."
Holly scoffed. "That's silly. I can be friends with you and anyone else I want. If people don't want to be my friend just because I'm friends with you, then that's too bad for them." She winked conspiratorially. "We'll have more fun than them, anyway."
Just then, Ivy came and sat down across from them. "Holly! What gives? It took me forever to find you!"
Holly shrugged. "Flitwick asked me to sit at the Ravenclaw table some of the time. So, starting today, I'm sitting here for either lunch or dinner."
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll sit with these –"
"Intelligent people," Holly supplied cheerfully.
"– weirdos whenever you do." Ivy finished. "What food do you have here, anyways?"
"Well –" Holly started.
"Hold that thought!" Ivy stood. "I'm gonna go get Jack!"
Minutes later, she returned, riding on Jack's back.
"Hey guys! I explained it all to Jack. He's cool with eating over here sometimes if we also eat with the other Puffs. Apparently we don't want them getting jealous." She hopped off of Jack and sat down across from Holly and Luna again. Jack sat down too and they ate for a few minutes in silence.
"So, were you able to speak with Dumbledore?" Ivy finally asked.
Holly shook her head. "Nope. He was out when I got there. So I left a note and a message with one of the portraits. How was Potions?"
Ivy toyed with her food for a few minutes before answering. "It was good…I got detention though."
Holly almost choked on her eggnog. "What'd you do? And how long do you have it?"
"Till the end of the week," Ivy started, looking around.
"What'd you do?" Holly repeated.
"I wasn't making the potion Snape was wanting us to make," Ivy shrugged. "I had already finished it, though."
Holly face palmed. "It's because you're a Gryffindor, isn't it?"
Ivy shrugged and took a bite out of her sandwich. "I guess so."
"That's silly," Holly shook her head. "He gave you a whole week for that!"
Ivy coughed. "Well, I did egg him on…but just a little bit! I figured that if I was in detention with Snape the rest of the week, our lovely toad lady can't give me detention for giving her that cough drop."
Jack grinned. "Sounds like a good plan!" He and Ivy high-fived.
"Yeah. Until you get a double detention," Holly pointed out. "Snape and Umbridge. Great plan, Ivy."
Ivy shrugged nonchalantly. "That's where you come in. You tell Dumbledore about the quills, he bans her from using them, and her detention isn't as terrible. If I do get detention from her, I can also talk to McGonagall and see if she can get it so I have a House detention, not detention from the toad."
Holly grinned. "Alright, alright. Your plan sounds good."
Ivy sat back and folded her arms. "Thank you very much, dearest sister! Your acceptance of it makes me feel so good about myself."
Jack sniggered as Holly also folded her arms.
"I'm so glad you feel that way. I'll try to accept your ideas more often."
As Ivy was thinking of another comeback, Ginny walked up.
"Hey, Holly, I got the pictures you wanted." She tossed the ring to Holly. "All I ask is that you give me a copy of them, okay?" She grinned and sat next to Luna. "Hey Luna."
"Deal!" Holly pocketed the ring. "Thanks for doing that for us. Was it cool?"
Ginny laughed. "She looked like an overgrown toad! She was greenish-brown, had a few warts, and her tongue! It was awesome!"
Ivy, Holly, and Jack laughed. "That's great! I'll be sure to develop these as soon as possible." Holly got out.
Ginny nodded and reached for a sandwich. "Mind if I sit with you guys?"
Jack and Ivy shrugged, but Holly and Luna both nodded. "Of course you can!" Holly said cheerfully.
They ate in silence for a while, then Ivy "accidentally" dropped some of her carrots into Jack's goblet. Then Jack, to retaliate, froze her pumpkin juice as she was getting a drink. Soon, Holly had mustard all over her face (from Ivy's sandwich) and Ginny's robes were splattered with eggnog and pumpkin juice. Luna was untouched, although her copy of the Quibbler wasn't as lucky. Holly was getting ready to pour some water on her head when she noticed her diminutive Head of House hurrying toward them.
"Teacher's coming!" she hissed to the others. "Scourgify! Tergeo!"
By the time Flitwick had reached them, everything was spotless.
"Hallo, Professor!" Ivy said with a grin. "What's up?"
The Charms professor looked around at the five of them. "Five points from each of your Houses for that abominable display of self-control." Then as the five students looked at each other solemnly, he added with a grin, "And ten points to you all for your quick use of those cleaning charms!" As he walked away, Ivy grinned and high-fived Ginny
"Yes! We gained ten points! That's got to count for something!"
Holly rolled her eyes. "You know, Ravenclaw did, too. We're still ahead of you guys."
Jack frowned. "We need another Hufflepuff in our group!"
"I don't think we could handle another Puff, Jack!" Ivy exclaimed.
As Ivy and Jack debated about the virtues of Hufflepuffs, Luna turned to Holly.
"So, are we a group, then?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Holly shrugged. "If you want to be." She stood and started walking away. "We'll be eating with the Hufflepuffs for dinner if you want to join us!"
