CH 4: Violence and Voices
The next morning at breakfast, things were still frosty between Hollie and Hermione. In fact, Ron came into the dining hall to notice that Hollie and Hermione were sitting on opposite ends of the Gryffindor table. Uncertainly, Ron took the seat across from Hollie, who was sitting next to Parvati.
"Why is Hermione all the way over there next to Lavender?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask her?" Hollie said evasively.
"Also, don't you and Lavender usually sit together?" Ron asked Parvati quizzically.
"Not today," Parvati replied shortly.
"Alrighty then…" Ron said awkwardly.
Ron looked no less confused but he decided to just drop it.
"So, what've we got first?" Ron changed the subject.
"Double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs," Hollie clarified, eager to accept the topic change. "Here. I asked McGonagall for two since you came to breakfast late."
Hollie handed Ron a class schedule of his own.
"Thanks," Ron said appreciatively. "I slept in a bit. Neville accidentally stepped on Scabbers's tail last night while getting water so Scabbers bit him. The scream woke us all up at around two in the morning and it was a bit difficult getting back to sleep."
"Who's Scabbers?" Parvati asked.
"My rat," Ron said.
"A rat?" Parvati questioned with distaste. "They're so creepy though…"
"Scabbers is harmless. He's actually a very relaxed pet," Ron defended.
"Still… I just can't deal with rats or mice," Parvati explained. "I just don't like them."
Ron looked a bit offended on behalf of his pet.
When breakfast finished, the Gryffindors made their way over to the greenhouses where they were told they'd be working in a new greenhouse. This was exciting as the new greenhouse held far more dangerous specimens than what they were used to. The class buzzed with eagerness as they filed into greenhouse three.
Hollie was a little less than excited, however, when Hermione and Lavender decided to take a seat in the row right in front of her, Ron, and Parvati.
"Alright, class. Settle down," Professor Sprout commanded. "Today, we will be repotting Mandrakes. We're going to need some earmuffs to make sure we stay safe. Can anybody tell me why we're going to need them?"
Hermione's hand shot in the air and she began making little sounds of enthusiasm.
"Could you not be that eager?" Hollie heard Lavender whisper from next to Hermione. "People are staring a bit…"
Hollie felt a spike of anger on Hermione's behalf and almost said something in retaliation before she realized that she and Hermione weren't exactly on speaking terms at the moment.
"Miss Granger," Professor Sprout called.
"The cry of the Mandrake, or Mandragora, is fatal to all who hear it."
"Take five points for Gryffindor! Of course, these Mandrakes are only seedlings so their cry will do nothing more than knock you out for a few hours. But I'm sure you don't want to miss your first day so make sure your earmuffs are on tight!" Professor Sprout explained before pulling out a tub of fuzzy earmuffs and placing it on a desk.
Hollie felt reassured since she'd been a bit apprehensive about working with Mandrakes, having read about them in this year's Herbology textbook during the summer.
"Grab a pair of earmuffs now then get into groups of four."
Everyone in the class grabbed an earmuff before beginning to gather into groups. Before Hollie could suggest a fourth person, Ron asked Hermione to join their group.
"Actually, I'll be working with Lavender, Hannah, and Susan," Hermione said, avoiding eye contact with Hollie who was right beside Ron.
"Well, that's fine," Hollie said. "Besides, we were just going to work with our buddy right here."
Hollie then pulled the first student she saw to her side.
"Hello," he said unsurely. "Can I help you?"
"You're in our group," Hollie explained, staring at Hermione defiantly who was now glaring back at Hollie.
"Hermione, let's go," Lavender said as she tugged on Hermione's sleeve. "Wouldn't want to keep our new friends waiting."
At this statement, Lavender shot a superior look at Parvati before hurrying away with Hermione.
"Wait… you're the Hollie Potter everyone talks about," the boy said as they stood waiting for further instruction. "I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley."
"Hello, Justin," Hollie answered. "This is Parvati and this is Ron."
Ron sunnily greeted Justin while Parvati muttered a quick hi. It seemed she was a bit upset over Lavender, not that Hollie could blame her.
"Sorry about forcing you to join our group," Hollie said apologetically.
"It's fine, I needed a group after all," Justin stated. "Greenhouse 3 is amazing, though! Did you guys see that Tentacula plant? Hogwarts never fails to amaze me, I'm so glad I was able to come here. My parents were so surprised when my letter came, couldn't have imagined that they'd have a wizard in the family. My name was down for Eton, you know—"
However, Justin's life story was interrupted by Professor Sprout ordering that earmuffs be put on before she passed out the Mandrakes. There wasn't much time for talk after that.
After Herbology, the Gryffindors separated from the Hufflepuffs and proceeded to make their way back into the castle for their next class: Transfiguration.
Hollie found a seat, Ron and Parvati sitting down beside her. Right on time, Professor McGonagall stood up and began taking roll.
Once she found everyone present, she assigned review from last year. They'd be transforming beetles into buttons.
"Now although we are just reviewing today, second year requires more difficult spellwork. It is more productive to have you work in twos as many projects and papers will require you work with a partner. I will put you into pairs starting today and these pairings will be in use for the rest of the year."
"Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnigan. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil—"
A small groan was issued from Parvati and Lavender's face soured.
"—Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas. Hollie Potter and Hermione Granger—"
Oh great, Hollie thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Just what I needed.
After McGonagall finished assigning pairs, the students moved to sit near their partner. Hollie and Hermione sat straight-backed, facing forward in their individual chairs. Each refused to neither make eye contact with nor speak to the other.
McGonagall passed out the beetles and almost immediately, Hollie turned her beetle into a button. As she brought her button up, everyone in the class stared at her in awe. McGonagall gave Hollie an approving look and another beetle to practice on.
"Excellent, Miss Potter! This time around, please try turning the beetle into a blue button."
As Hollie went back to her seat, she noticed Hermione glaring at the table. When Hollie reclaimed her seat, Hermione had managed to turn her beetle into a button and hurriedly walked over to McGonagall. Hermione received her second beetle and as she reached the table again, she looked directly at Hollie and raised an eyebrow in challenge.
Hollie was initially shocked but she definitely wouldn't back down. Hollie smirked as she held Hermione's gaze. She proceeded to transfigure her beetle without even glancing down at it.
Haughtily, Hollie took her blue button and sashayed past Hermione.
By the time thirty minutes had elapsed, McGonagall had a desk full of buttons yet no more beetles and no more patience.
"For the love of Godric! I really appreciate your enthusiasm but this is too much, girls! Especially you, Miss Potter! This is about the tenth button I've received from you—"
However, her tirade was cut short by an explosion from Ron's malfunctioning wand. The classroom was suddenly filled with a green gas that smelt of rotten eggs.
"Class dismissed!" McGonagall called out in exasperation.
As they were leaving, Hollie noticed Lavender and Parvati chatting with happy looks on their faces.
"Looks like they're hanging out again," Ron said. "I wish the two separate pieces of my wand would hang out together again. Right now, they're barely held together by a thread."
"Yea, that's a pretty bad break," Hollie commented. "At least we got out of class early. Did you write home for another wand?"
"My mum said we couldn't afford it at the moment," Ron answered dejectedly. "She was really upset. The wand used to belong to Charlie."
The pair went down to lunch. Lavender and Parvati sat near them at the Gryffindor table.
"Hey, Hollie," Parvati said with a smile. "Lavender's got something to tell you."
"Hey, Lavender. What's up?"
"Hi, Hollie," Lavender said soberly. "I'm sorry about everything last night. We shouldn't have been fighting. Did you make up with Hermione yet? You guys were great in Transfiguration. Speaking of Hermione…"
At this moment, Hermione approached the Gryffindor table.
"Hey, Hermione! Come sit here!" Lavender called out.
Hermione looked uncomfortable as she noticed Hollie sitting across from Lavender but after a glance at the rest of the available seats, she made her way towards them and took a seat on the other side of Ron.
"Hey, Ron," Hermione said cheerfully. "Hi, Parvati and Lavender."
At the omission of Hollie's name, Lavender and Parvati looked to Hollie in awkward apology.
"So what class have we got next?" Ron said quickly grabbing Hermione's class schedule. "Hermione, why have you outlined all of Lockhart's lessons in hearts?"
Hollie poorly concealed a snort as a cough and Hermione went red as she yanked her class schedule back.
When they had finished eating, Lavender and Parvati left the table arm-in-arm. The trio also got up, though much less merrily. They didn't get far before a small, brown-haired boy stopped in front of them.
"Hullo, Hollie! My name's Colin Creevey," he rattled off with enthusiasm.
"Hey there, Colin," Hollie replied.
"I've read all about you," Colin said elatedly. "I'm such a big fan. Would you mind if I took a picture? I heard that if you develop photos here, they'll move!"
"Well, I don't really know you that well…" Hollie started awkwardly.
"Please? And if you could also sign it afterwards?"
"Wow, Potter! Giving out signed photos? I want one too!" Pansy shrieked in an obviously derogatory manner from behind them.
"Perfect," Hollie muttered to herself before turning around to face Pansy with a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Great, who should I make it out to? Is it for your friend? The platinum-haired twit? Or for you? The pug-faced—"
Just then, Hollie noticed Lockhart barreling past students in their direction.
"Oh, no, no, no," Hollie said as she attempted to flee the scene but there was suddenly a crowd gathered, blocking her way.
Hollie could only accept defeat as Lockhart's hand descended upon her shoulder.
"I should've known it was you, Hollie!" Lockhart boomed. "Go on then, lad. Let's make it a double portrait and we'll both sign it!"
Lockhart clamped Hollie to his side and Colin excitedly snapped a picture.
Hollie noticed Pansy doubled over in silent laughter and caught a glimpse of Hermione's upset face from behind Colin. She tried to remove herself from Lockhart's side fruitlessly.
"Now, Hollie. Let me have a word with you on the way to the classroom," Lockhart said as he dragged Hollie along with him, clearly not taking no as an answer.
"Hollie, Hollie, Hollie," Lockhart began with a huge smile. "I can see that I've given you a little taste of the spotlight but you can't be setting yourself up like this. People are going to start thinking you've got a big head if you're giving out signed photos. You've got to build up your reputation first!"
Hollie frowned at him in confusion.
"Don't get me wrong, you're at a pretty good start with this girl-who-lived reputation. I know, I know. It's not as great as my winning Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile five times in a row but it's a start."
"What?" Hollie managed to ask.
"Hmm… was that not it?" Lockhart questioned before he donned a knowing look. "Oh! I think I've figured it out. Let me just say that I am flattered but you should really crush on someone closer to your own age. Older men are nothing but trouble you know!"
He let out a bark of laughter and clapped Hollie on the back.
"No, that's not it," Hollie said firmly but they had reached the classroom and Lockhart bounced towards the front of the room, leaving Hollie at a loss near the door.
As the other members of the class began filing in, Hollie headed straight to the back row and piled up a barricade of books in order to prevent seeing Lockhart. Ron soon sat down beside her and Hermione took her seat on the other side of Ron.
"What'd he want to talk about?" Ron asked and Hollie saw Hermione perk up curiously from the corner of her eye.
"I'll tell you later," Hollie said shortly.
"Hello class!" Lockhart greeted. "I thought we could start things off with a pop quiz."
The class groaned.
"None of that," Lockhart said with a cheeky grin. "I promise you, if you did your summer reading then you'll be fine."
"I guess I'm not going to be fine," Ron said under his breath.
Hollie gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before taking the stack of quizzes and passing it on. She looked down at the first question.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's favorite color?
Right… She did not recall. Next question.
What is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest ambition?
Hollie skimmed the rest of the page. To her horror, they were all questions about Lockhart. Hollie answered the few she did remember and simply made up things for the other questions. The class passed up their papers and Lockhart collected them all at the front.
"Tsk, tsk. I'm disappointed that almost none of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac as stated in Wandering with Werewolves," he said as he flipped through the quizzes. "And my greatest ambition is to unite the magical community and produce my own line of hair care products as mentioned in Gadding with Ghouls! But one of you has gotten a perfect score! Where is Hermione Granger?"
Everyone swiveled to stare at Hermione who was raising her hand meekly, rosy-cheeked.
"Excellent work! Ten points to Gryffindor! For the rest of you, we obviously need some review so let me read you the transcript from my interview with Witch Weekly."
Hollie briefly considered how much trouble she'd be in if she just got up and left but Ron saw her looking at the doorway.
"Don't you dare leave me here by myself," Ron whispered.
So Hollie, along with her classmates, had to endure Lockhart's reenactment of his interview for the rest of the class period.
Over the next few days, Hollie did her utter best to avoid Lockhart and Colin. Lockhart was pretty easy to ignore apart from the time spent in DADA but Colin was a different story. He seemed to have memorized Hollie's class schedule and popped up multiple times throughout her day. Apparently, nothing gave him joy quite like saying hello to Hollie around ten times each day.
Things were still tense between Hollie and Hermione. Hollie's initial anger had worn off and she actually very much missed Hermione but her pride wasn't yet satisfied. It didn't help that Hermione hadn't given in at all either. After all, why should Hollie apologize first if Hermione was being just as stubborn?
Ron suggested that they both apologize at the same time because he was going bonkers trying to keep the peace.
"Now you can get a taste of how I felt first year!" Hollie told him.
"I don't think I was that stubborn," Ron retorted.
"You were worse. At least I didn't send anyone running to the bathroom crying on the same night a troll got in the castle."
"Should I call Lockhart, the love of your young life, over here?"
"Shut up! He might hear you," Hollie urged. "The sound of his own name works like a summons or something. Besides, Hermione might hear you too. I definitely don't need her hearing that Lockhart is the love of my young life."
With Hermione claiming the library, Hollie spent much less time there and stuck to studying in the common room instead—which was where she happened to be early Saturday morning. She'd stayed up late reading the night before and had fallen asleep on a comfortable armchair.
"Hollie! Wake up!" A voice called, shaking Hollie lightly by the shoulders.
"Whozzit? Whas going on?" Hollie asked sleepily.
"Quidditch practice, Hollie. That's what's going on," Oliver said with a manic gleam in his eye.
"Right… What time is it?"
"Five in the morning," Oliver replied casually.
"Oh, guess I fell asleep out here—FIVE IN THE MORNING?!" Hollie hollered.
"Hollie, you shouldn't be shouting. It's rude to wake up others at this early time," Oliver reprimanded.
"I don't want to hear that from you, Oliver," Hollie responded.
"Sorry, Hollie," Oliver said seriously. "Could you please come to practice? We need you; you're the best seeker we've ever had! A brilliant, kind girl with good grades and excellent flying skills—"
"Alright already! I'm going, I'm going. You're creeping me out," Hollie said in good humor as she headed toward the girls' staircase to get ready.
"Great!" Oliver chirped. "Also… could you wake up Angelina and Katie for me too? Boys can't get up to the girls' dormitories, you know?"
"Really? What happens when you try?"
"Something very unpleasant," Oliver said grimly.
After Hollie had woken up the other two females on the team, everyone then assembled in the locker room for one of Oliver's infamous talks.
"Now that we're all up and at 'em," Oliver began.
"Speak for yourself, Oliver," Eli said whilst trying to stifle a yawn.
On the other end of the bench, Fred and George were leaning against the lockers behind them, obviously asleep and not even bothering to hide it. Angelina, Katie, and Hollie were all shoulder to shoulder with dazed looks on their faces and their eyelids heavily drooping.
This did not deter Oliver.
"Let's talk strategy!" Oliver shouted, abruptly waking all of them.
"Ugh, Oliver. Let's just wing it, okay?" Fred whined.
"None of this winging. We are going to win this year," Oliver said with his eyes ablaze. "Now,
look here at this diagram…"
After the first diagram came a second then a third. After the third, nobody was conscious to keep count any longer. Hollie had fallen asleep against Eli's shoulder while Eli was out cold with his head on the lockers behind him. Angelina and Katie were on the other side of Hollie with their heads resting against each other's in slumber. Fred had fallen over onto Angelina's lap where he slept soundly and George somehow had made his way to the floor.
A few hours later, Oliver wrapped up the meeting by slamming a hand against the current diagram and forcefully waking the rest of the team again.
Eli fell sideways off the bench and Hollie's head smacked against the now empty spot he'd been sitting. Angelina and Katie flinched, knocking their heads together. Fred jumped up in surprise and promptly tripped over George who was still sprawled on the floor.
"Let's go practice!" Oliver yelled enthusiastically.
"I think some of us have concussions," Hollie muttered, rubbing the side of her head.
Angelina and Katie shared the sentiment and rubbed the spots where their heads had collided.
"Oh look at that, the sun's up now," Fred observed as they walked out onto the pitch. "That was a rather nice nap. Felt like I had a particularly comfy pillow."
Hollie noticed Ron and Hermione up in the stands with some food and her stomach growled. She wondered if Oliver would mind if she had a quick snack before flying.
"Somebody, tell me I'm still dreaming though," George said. "That can't be the Slytherins, right?"
Hollie tore her gaze from the stands and directed them to the other end of the pitch where the burly Slytherin team was heading towards them.
"You have got to be kidding me. Eli, do you think you can go get Professor McGonagall?" Oliver asked, marching up to meet the Slytherin captain once Eli had taken off with a nod.
"Flint, you can clear out now. I've booked the pitch this morning."
"Sorry, Wood. Written permission from Professor Snape to use the pitch. Got to train our new seeker," Flint said with a nasty grin as he held out a piece of paper.
"New seeker?" Angelina questioned.
Draco Malfoy then stepped out from behind the other players.
"You?" Hollie scoffed in disbelief.
"What's happening? Why's he here?" Ron asked as him and Hermione ran up to the group.
"I'm on the team," Malfoy said smugly.
"Draco's father has been very generous to our team," Flint said satisfactorily as he waved his broom in front of Oliver's face.
"Nimbus 2001s?" Oliver asked incredulously.
"Yes, much better than the old Nimbus 2000s," Malfoy sneered at Hollie.
"So, you bought your way onto the team?" Ron asked scathingly.
"Jealous that your family doesn't have the means to do the same thing?" Malfoy replied.
Ron, Fred, and George tensed up.
"Jealous that their family doesn't need money to get the things you want?" Hollie retorted.
"Aren't you just the same as me? The only difference is your fame got you where you wanted to be instead of my money," Malfoy spat as the Slytherin team grinned in appreciation.
"Don't lump her in with you," Hermione said, glaring at Malfoy.
"I thought the scarhead dumped you as a friend?"
"Leave her out of it!" Hollie shouted at Malfoy.
"So you're buddies again? You know, I thought that was the only smart move you've ever made, Potter. Getting rid of a mudblood like her—"
At this moment, multiple things happened.
Several people gasped and Angelina screeched, "How dare you!"
Both Hollie and Ron, however, flew at Malfoy. Hollie kicked him firmly in the shin while Ron punched him in the nose. Malfoy aimed all his punches for Ron and Hollie took advantage of this by elbowing him in the ribs. Clearly learning from his mistake, Malfoy shoved Hollie hard towards the ground.
Hermione shrieked in indignation and hurriedly helped Hollie back up.
"STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" McGonagall was running across the pitch towards the pandemonium with Eli beside her.
Hollie lunged forward and got in one last punch to the throat sending Malfoy into a coughing fit before McGonagall reached them.
"What is going on here?!"
Immediately, everyone who wasn't directly involved in the fight began explaining at the same time and attempting to talk over everyone else.
"Enough! Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Potter, to my office now!" McGonagall ordered.
Once they were in the office, McGonagall went straight to her desk and began writing furiously. Hollie anxiously wondered if she was writing up expulsion forms.
"Alright, Mr. Malfoy take this note to Professor Snape and leave my sight," McGonagall said, handing Malfoy the paper.
"Now, Mr. Weasley and Miss Potter," McGonagall began as the door closed behind Malfoy.
"Care to explain yourselves?"
"Malfoy's infuriating," Hollie provided.
"He called Hermione a mudblood!" Ron shouted passionately.
McGonagall looked scandalized before her features softened. "I understand that you stood up for a friend but that does not excuse violence. If Mr. Malfoy should choose to use such language then you need to inform me or any other professor. That word is inexcusable."
"What does it mean, anyway?" Hollie asked.
Ron squinted his eyes at her in confusion and McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"If you didn't know what it meant then why did you attack Mr. Malfoy?"
"His tone rubbed me the wrong way," Hollie offered honestly.
Ron looked torn between exasperation and amusement.
McGonagall let out a long sigh. "It is an extremely derogative term for someone who was born of non-magical lineage. It has no place in our society and no place within school grounds. I feel like I understand your sentiments so your punishment will be just one night of detention. I will determine where you'll be serving your detentions by tomorrow," McGonagall stated before dismissing them.
As soon as they left McGonagall's office, they came across Hermione lingering in the hallway.
"Hollie, I'm so sorry," Hermione said, doe-eyed.
"Don't worry about it, Hermione. I'm sorry, too," Hollie responded with a tentative smile.
"Thank you," Ron groaned. "I was so close to collapsing from the tension!"
The next morning, the trio was happily chatting away during breakfast—Hermione and Hollie once again sitting next to each other.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Potter," McGonagall addressed. "Mr. Weasley, your detention will be with Mr. Filch in the Trophy Room and Miss Potter, yours will be with Professor Lockhart in his office. Be at your designated locations by 8 PM tonight."
"No, please," Hollie entreated. "Can't I do my detention with Filch too?"
"Certainly not, Professor Lockhart specifically requested for your help."
McGonagall left the table leaving Ron and Hollie with identical looks of doom on their faces.
"This is going to be torture," Hollie muttered.
"I'd rather be you. Filch is a nightmare," Ron said.
"He's going to give me 'advice' on how to achieve fame for hours," Hollie bemoaned.
"Well, at least he's trying to help," Hermione contributed.
"Yea, sure," Hollie echoed hollowly.
At a quarter to eight, Hollie and Ron made their way sadly to their separate detentions. Hollie dragged her feet to Lockhart's office and knocked dully.
Lockhart's door swung open and for a wild moment, Hollie wondered why there were twenty Lockharts in the office before realizing that his office was full of pictures of himself.
"Welcome, Hollie!" Lockhart stated, grinning toothily. "Admiring my décor? I get a great deal on picture frames."
Hollie smiled painfully in response to Lockhart mistaking her disbelief for admiration.
"Take a seat," Lockhart said gesturing to a lavish purple chair across from his desk. "You'll be helping me answer fan mail."
He then turned dramatically and faced Hollie with a serious expression.
"But don't expect a treat like this every time you get in trouble, a good teacher can be a stern one too!"
"Okay…" Hollie said unsurely as she sank into the purple chair across from Lockhart.
"Right! Let's get to work! You'll be addressing the envelopes," Lockhart stated as he passed Hollie a list of addresses and blank envelopes. "Use this ink, please. I'm known for my lavender ink."
He brought out a lavender ink well and Hollie began making out a letter to Glenda Sparrington.
"Glenda is such a dear. Writes me so faithfully! Hopefully, you'll have such devoted fans one day too. You're off to a start with that boy with the camera! Maybe he'll write you fan letters when you're more famous…"
Hollie tried her best to tune out Lockhart's babbling but every now and then she caught phrases such as 'fame is a fickle friend' and 'fan is what fan does and celebrity is what celebrity does.'
Her hand was beginning to cramp by the time Lockhart finally declared her detention served.
"My, look at the time! We were just having too much fun! How many other professors can the students have fun with? Well, off to bed with you."
Hollie scuttled out of the room as fast as she could and began making her way back to the Gryffindor common room.
It was late and the hallways were silent save for the echoes of her footfalls. Then suddenly, Hollie heard it.
"Hungry…"
The voice sent shivers down Hollie's spine. It sounded as if it came from the very walls and Hollie pulled out her wand and tried to pinpoint where it was coming from.
"Let me hunt… Let me kill…"
The disembodied voice began going upwards.
"So hungry… For so long…"
Hollie hurried up a staircase after it.
"Going to rip… kill… tear…"
The voice had leveled out again and seemed to come from right around the corner. Hollie frantically turned the corner and was faced with nothing but an empty corridor.
...
Author's Note: Hello! This is the first time I'm really doing an author's note. Skip it if you'd like!
Thank you for reading and the reviews I got! I really appreciate them. This story is a lot of firsts for me. I appreciate the reviews whether positive or constructive. I will take it into account and feel free to pitch ideas for any future stories, I'd love to read them!
However, this story is already pretty much all planned out so I hope you at least enjoy my writing style and will stick around and take the chance to watch this story and my characters (borrowed from JK Rowling!) grow.
