When we got back to school, I noticed Luna was a bit cold around me and I wondered if she thought I had set Brenda up to do it. I apologized to her about my sister, but I wasn't sure if she believed me or not. She just thanked me and then walked off.
"I wouldn't worry about it," Nick said to me. "It's only Looney Lovegood after all. I'm surprised she doesn't think it's some creature that doesn't exist that is stealing her things."
"I just don't want anyone to hate me or to judge me on what my sister does," I said. "I'll try to keep talking to her and maybe she'll come around. Anyway, where is Samaira. I figured you two would be hanging out already. You haven't seen each other three weeks."
"Oh, we broke up over the holidays," he said. "Didn't I tell you?"
"You know you didn't," Tasha said. "She hasn't even mentioned it to me. She doesn't seem sad either. What happened?"
"She wanted me to go around for Christmas tea but I didn't want to. Besides, my parents didn't want me to go anywhere on Christmas. I just felt like it was too much pressure to meet her parents already. It seemed scary and I even explained that to her. She wrote back that it was over then and I feel that if she will break up with me over that then she's not worth it," Nick explained. "She tried talking to me and she said she regrets it but I said no. I'm not getting back with her only for her to break up with me for something silly later on. Mum and dad told me that girls like that aren't worth it. I don't want some off and on again relationship either. Some of the older kids do that, and I don't want it."
"Was she upset when you said no?" I asked him.
"I dunno. She didn't cry or anything. She just walked off. I expect she'll just ignore me. It was fun while it lasted but I'm not all that upset either. I was shocked at first, but I don't feel overly sad so I guess I can't have liked her that much," Nick replied. "There will be other girls. Besides, she was awfully demanding. I never got to hang out with you two much. She didn't get quite as bossy as Olivia but she'd get all sad if I wanted to leave. Dad said it was probably her way of manipulating me."
"I expect it was," Tasha said quickly. "I've seen her do that to Gretchen and Katrina when they don't want to do something she wants. She pulls the whole sad thing and they do it. I like her well enough of course, but that always annoyed me about her."
"Could have warned me," Nick said but he was smiling at her.
"I thought I'd let you find out on your own," she answered.
As the days went on, we didn't hear anymore about Sirius Black. It made us all think that he must have left after he couldn't get into Gryffindor tower. Harry Potter was too protected and there was also a curfew on the castle when it came to going outside. Hagrid didn't even want us visiting anymore. Nick wanted to because Hagrid had told him that he had to go to a hearing about his Hippogriff.
Tasha and Nick corresponded with him from time to time and apparently Hermione Granger was looking up information for him for his court date.
"Well, she'll find something for him," I said. "I mean, it wasn't his fault, right? They can't find him guilty especially with her help."
"I suppose you're right," Nick said. "But it doesn't stop me from worrying about him. I wish he'd see us at least. I told him to keep us updated because we're concerned too. It's the best we can do I suppose."
"Yes, and they'll likely realize Black is gone soon enough. Once he is the security measures will be lifted and we can go see him," Tasha said. "Writing will have to be enough for now."
I noticed that the Malfoy brat was walking around more arrogantly and I figured it was because he was happy about all that. I was glad he was in the year above me so that I never had to talk to him. It was bad enough when I passed him in the corridors or when I saw him in the Great Hall. I just wanted to hex the smirk off his face.
The Ravenclaw and Gryffindor match came up, I'd missed the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw match (which we'd won) and the Slytherin and Ravenclaw match. We'd had a huge test in History of Magic the following Monday and I'd wanted to be prepared. However, we'd almost won so the team really wanted a win this time. They'd been practicing harder than before. They figured this time they had an edge because they didn't think Gryffindor had been. If we won this game, we'd be in the running for the cup.
"Cho is Seeker you know," Nick said to me with a grin as we walked down to the pitch.
I shrugged. "I don't like her anymore. She never seemed the Quidditch type to me though."
"You don't even know her," Tasha said laughing. "How would you know if she is or not?"
"I don't know," I answered. "Just something about her seems like she'd think it was just too tough of a sport. She seems like a bit of a princess."
"Actually I can see what you mean, but she's actually a good Seeker," Nick replied.
"Maybe it's why she chose to be Seeker," Tasha replied. "She just has to find the Snitch after all."
"You've been to matches," I said to her. "You must have seen that Seekers get hit by the Bludgers the most."
"Yes, but the Beaters protect them," she answered.
"Not always," Nick said. "Remember Harry last year?"
"That's only cause someone cursed the Bludger," Tasha retorted. "Did they ever find out who?"
"No," I said. "Maybe it was the Heir of Slytherin somehow. She was possessed after all."
I didn't say her name because it wasn't common knowledge that it was Ginny and people were walking around us. I doubted anyone cared too much about our conversation but it was still best not to say anything either way. Most were talking excitedly around us. Not too far from us were some Slytherin's betting on how long Harry would stay on his broom this time.
"You don't think the Dementors will turn up this time do you?" Nick asked in a whisper as we entered the pitch.
"No, they didn't last time did they?" I said as we climbed up the steps. "Dumbledore probably made sure they won't again."
"But maybe it's something about Harry," Tasha said.
"The Dementors wouldn't know who he is," I said. "They're not going to target some student. It's only the prisoners and I didn't even they knew each prisoner. They're supposed to be blind. I suppose they must have gotten to know Black somehow though if they're looking for him."
We found Luna once again so I headed straight for her. I was still trying to get her to realize that it wasn't my fault that Brenda had stolen from her. I took a seat beside her. For once, she actually smiled at me.
"I know you've come to apologize again Barry," she said. "And I know it's not your fault. You don't have to apologize anymore. You can go now if you want. You don't have to sit with me. I know you only came here to apologize and because you feel sorry for me. I'm fine."
"Well, we'll sit here anyway," I told her.
Luna shrugged but didn't say anything else. At times I wondered if she knew leglimency or something. Either that, or she was good at reading people. The entire reason for why I did go over was to apologize and I did pity her. I wouldn't have sat with her otherwise. I didn't move because I wanted to prove her wrong and I was sure she knew that as well. I glanced over at Tasha and Nick who had taken a seat beside me. They both grinned at me.
Everyone was shocked when the game began. Harry Potter had a Firebolt! I'd heard his broom was destroyed in the last game after the Dementors showed up but I figured he'd have gotten another Nimbus.
"Of course that kid has a Firebolt," someone from behind us said. "Another reason to show off I suppose."
I didn't agree, but I did wonder how he'd gotten the money for one. The boy was an orphan after all and we'd heard that the muggles he lived with didn't like him much. They wouldn't have sent him money for it. Perhaps the teachers had bought it for him again. Apparently they'd done so with the Nimbus. I heard others speculating that as well.
"Favourtism is what it is!" Someone else said. "Guess you need a scar on your forehead for the teachers to do let you do anything or to get free things!"
"I don't think the teachers would have bought it for him this time," Tasha muttered.
"He does have gold," Luna said from beside me.
"How d'you know that?" I asked her.
"My dad told me. I asked him how he gets money to come to school and his parents left him a vault full of gold," she replied. "The Potters were a rich family you know."
"I didn't know that but it explains it I suppose," I said.
I didn't know whether to believe her or not, but it did make more sense than the teachers buying it for him. After he'd lost his broomstick, I suppose he'd decided it was best to get it instead of another Nimbus. I wondered how much they were. I'd love one even if I didn't do much flying.
Our team wasn't doing very well and I wondered if it had to do with the fact that the Firebolt had thrown them off. After all their practices, they weren't even scoring all that well. All Cho was doing was just tailing Harry instead of looking for the Snitch.
"What are they playing at?" Nick asked. "Just play the game already! It's not the broomstick, it's the skill! They can't let Gryffindor beat them at eighty nothing!"
Our Beaters must have been thinking the same. One of them hit a bludger at Harry that just barely missed him. If he wasn't on the Firebolt, it likely would have. The Chasers then managed to get in three goals.
"About time!" I said. "Hopefully they can get it tied now. Either that, or Cho needs to get the Snitch now. Why isn't she looking for it? She's never going to catch up to him."
Harry must have seen the Snitch but as he dropped down to get it, she blocked him. It was a good strategy but she really needed to just find it on her own.
"She must know once he dives for it she will never catch up," Tasha said. "She is quite good."
"You wouldn't know it right now," I muttered.
Harry faked her out next but then the Snitch must have appeared a few moments later. Cho and Harry started flying down to the Ravenclaw hoops. Suddenly, some Dementors appeared walking fast below. It was odd because they didn't run, they glided.
"Those aren't real Dementors!" Nick said. "Someone is trying to make Harry fall!"
Harry didn't fall though. Spotting the Dementors, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at them. A silver stag appeared out of his wand and went after them. The Dementors stumbled and then fell down.
"What was that!" I said impressed.
"A patronus of course," Tasha said.
"What's a patronus?" I asked.
I'd never heard of them before but it was neat looking.
"You've never heard of them?" Nick asked with amazement.
"Obviously not," I said.
"It's a way to repel Dementors," Tasha said. "I only just found out what it was last match. I figured you'd know what it was though. They're basically guardians. You produce them from a happy memory and obvious since they're not real the Dementors can't take it from them so it repels them."
"I'd never heard of them either but you always know everything," Nick said to me.
"Not that," I said. "It's useful to know though. Lupin should teach us that, oh look, Harry got the Snitch."
"Wouldn't expect anything else with a Firebolt," Nick said. "Cho never had a chance."
"But who were the Dementors then?" Tasha asked as we stood up.
"Malfoy and his friends," Luna said as she stood up. "Look, they're getting yelled out at for it. I expect they think just the sight of them makes him faint."
"Stupid of them then," Tasha said. "Well the Slytherin team should be disqualified for that."
"Looks like we've lost this year though," Nick said sadly and we began make our way off the bleachers. "Better hope Gryffindor beats Slytherin then."
"But they're below in points too," Luna said. "Slytherin have the highest right now."
"There's still a chance," I said. "I heard Oliver Wood really wants to win his last year."
"Cho probably regrets following him too. Ah well, I guess there is always next year. Aren't you glad you didn't miss the game though? It was exciting either way," Nick said.
"It was," I said. "But I don't think I'll go to the next one. Well, let's get going. We still have Sprout's assignment to do."
The next day, we found out that Sirius Black had gotten in again! Except this time he'd managed to actually get into Gryffindor tower and into the dormitories. Ron Weasley had woken up to him standing over his bed with a knife. Apparently he'd gotten the wrong bed, but when Ron shouted, he got out quickly. A boy named Neville had written the list of the weeks passwords on a piece of parchment and then had lost it.
"Why do they change the password so much is my question?" Tasha asked. "No wonder he had to write them down! Why not change it once a month?"
"I think it usually is like that," Nick said. "But they don't have their usual portrait guarding the entrance. They have some mad portrait that keeps changing the passwords. The other one didn't want to go back in case Black showed up again and none of the others wanted the job. Seamus Finnegan told me that a while ago."
"Well I hope they get a better one after this," Tasha said. "The one they just had wasn't very good."
"It's scary how close he came though!" I said. "What if Ron hadn't woken up? What if he actually killed Ron to silence him?"
"I thought about that too," Tasha said. "I'm surprised he didn't! He didn't care about killing all those people before! All the boys in the dorm would have been sleeping. He could have killed Ron and then went after Harry!"
"I think it's because Ron shouted," Nick said. "It was loud enough to wake everyone in the tower. Black probably just wanted to get out of there. He'd probably have to kill them all but he'd still be caught. He's a murderer but he's obviously not stupid."
"That is true," Tasha said. "He really wants his revenge, doesn't he?"
"I'll say," Nick said.
Security tightened even more around the castle. I was surprised that they didn't have prefects leading us around again. Nick was worried his parents would make him go home for sure that time, but they just wrote to him to be careful. Olivia's parents didn't even make her leave, and I'd thought for sure we'd see her gone by Monday morning, but she was still there, even by the end of the week.
I noticed people were crowding around Ron Weasley a lot, likely to get his story about what had happened. I was curious myself, and we finally got close enough to him a few days later to ask him what had happened.
"Do you have nightmares now?" Tasha asked him. "I'd have nightmares of him if I were you!"
"Nah, I know he wouldn't dare come into Gryffindor tower again," he said.
"But what did he look like?" I asked. "I've only seen a picture from the wanted posters."
"Long matted hair and really skinny and scary looking, almost like a skeleton," Ron replied. "Looks like he could use a good meal."
"Could you imagine waking up to that?" Tasha asked later on to us. "I'd be having nightmares for sure."
"Probably does have nightmares," I said. "But he won't admit that. I think he's enjoying the attention even if it was scary."
"I wouldn't doubt it," Nick said. "Harry is always in the spotlight and now for once Ron is. Might as well let him savour it for once."
Shortly after that, it was the Easter Holidays. We were all given forms to fill out for new classes for third year. It wasn't easy for me to decide. On the way home, I sat going over the list. At one time, I'd considered Care of Magical Creatures but I wasn't so sure anymore. As much as I liked Hagrid, I'd heard his classes weren't that great. I doubted when I left Hogwarts I'd do anything with it, so I decided against it. I didn't tell Nick or Tasha my reasons, they both got so defensive about him.
I figured Arithmancy for sure but I was torn with the other classes. Everyone always said Divination was rubbish but fortune telling seemed kind of interesting anyway. Muggle Studies would be fun to take and then there was Ancient Runes. I was shocked Tasha didn't want to take it. She'd probably he ahead in it being muggleborn and all.
"But I'm not going to do anything with muggles when I leave," she said. "And I'm not taking a class just because it's easy."
My parents were willing to give her plenty of advice though. We talked about it later on in the living-room.
"Why would you want Divination?" Benny asked when I mentioned it. "It's rubbish. I can't believe you'd even consider it!"
"What do you know about it?" I asked with amusement.
"I've read plenty on the classes at Hogwarts," he said. "I want to be ready when I go! I've already read through your first year of spells book and I've pretended with my wand. Divination is all fortune telling and it's not even real."
"Some of it is," I said. "There have been actual prophecies you know."
"But seers are rare," Benny argued. "You'd do better with Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures."
"I'm not taking Care of Magical Creatures," I told him and then I smiled. "I can't believe you're giving me advice about my classes. You're too smart for your own good, you know that? At seven I wouldn't have known the difference. I just wanted to go."
"I'm almost eight," Benny reminded me. "And now that you and Brenda have gone all I ever do is read about it. Soon Brianne will be gone too."
"I still have to wait a little over a year though," Brianne said.
"Better than four years," Benny told her. "What about Brenda? She just went right upstairs again. Barely talked to us in the car. She's not in a bad mood again is she?"
"She's always in a bad mood," Brianne said. "Does she even have friends?"
"We didn't talk much this term," I said. "And she does have one friend. We tend to stay away from each other at school. I prefer it that way and I'm sure she does too."
"I just hope she does me the same favour," Brianne said. "But she's told me more than once she's going to watch me when I go."
"You just have to tell her to bugger off," I told her.
"Well, I hope you aren't too mean to her," mum said with a frown. "She is your little sister and I do want you to look out for her, especially with Sirius Black getting into the castle."
"I only tell her to bugger off when she's being a brat," I told mum. "And I checked up on her after Sirius got in. She was fine. In fact, she told me to stop hovering, so I'm sure she's fine. She didn't even like it when I wished her a Happy Birthday. She doesn't even like being around Kendra as much and they were inseparable."
"I asked Kendra about that," Tasha said. "I'm friendly with all the first years," she added when we all looked at her with confusion. "I just like to make sure they're okay you know? We were scared all the time last year. Anyway, I asked her if they're fighting and she said no. She said Brenda just likes to be alone at times too. She's not offended and she does like time to talk to the other girls. They all like Kendra, but they avoid her because of Brenda."
"I might ask her about that then," dad said with a frown. "I don't much like her being alone so much. She needs friends too."
"Please don't tell her I said anything," Tasha said. "She hasn't forgiven me for Christmas quite yet."
"Yes, just tell her it was me," I said quickly. "It was me after all."
"Don't worry," mum said to Tasha with a smile.
"She needs to get over that," Brianne said.
"Brenda stays angry a long time though," Benny reminded her. "Remember when I accidentally spilled juice all over her sweater? She still brings it up and I was four!"
"I forgot about that one," I said smiling. "But yes, Brenda typically doesn't let things go. She'll forgive you three years from now."
"So why did she just go upstairs?" Benny asked. "If she isn't angry, why doesn't she want to talk to us?"
I shrugged. "Who knows? You have time to see her. She'll come around."
"So Barry, anymore girlfriends?" Brianne asked with a smirk.
The Easter holidays went by rather quickly. Nick came over almost everyday. Each day we tried to lure Brenda out of her room, but she wouldn't budge. She wasn't exactly grumpy but she wasn't friendly either. She just wanted to be on her own which was strange. Mum just told us that twelve was an awkward time for a girl and perhaps she just needed time to herself for it. I wasn't sure if I agreed because Tasha usually didn't like to be alone for too long. Neither did the other girls.
"But everyone is different," mum said. "And Brenda has liked her private time for the last couple of years. I'm sure it's just a phase and it will pass. Best not to upset her."
"I'm going to try and get tickets for the final of the World Cup," dad told us our last day at home. "How would you like to go with us Tasha?"
"Ooh I'd love to!" Tasha said. "It will be a real Quidditch game. I mean, I know the school ones are real but this will be professional! Thank you so much for inviting me."
"Of course dear," mum told her. "We'd love to have you there, and we wrote to Nick as well. His parents said they are taking him, but perhaps we could all sit together. So we're going to try and get tickets together. Maybe campsites as well."
"Would you like money for it?" Tasha asked them.
"No dear, it's on. We just want to invite you," and then she turned to Brenda. "And you can ask Kendra if you'd like."
"I don't really want to go," she said. "Can't I stay at home or maybe I could even got to Kendra's."
"Well don't make your mind up quite yet about that," dad said. "It could be a lot of fun and it could be fun for Kendra too."
"Well, I'll ask her but I don't care for Quidditch that much," she replied.
"You go to the school ones," I said. "And that one is going to be amazing! It's the end of the World Cup Brenda."
"I'll think about it," she said.
"It hasn't been in Britain for years!" Benny told her. "You have to go. It will be a lot of fun!"
"And you can bring Sam along if you'd like," mum told him. "I'm sorry we don't have anyone your age Brianne."
"It's okay," Brianne said. "I'm just excited to be going! It's going to be so exciting."
"And we'll hang out with you too," Tasha told her.
"Us too!" Benny said. "We'll all keep you company."
Brianne grinned. "I appreciate it. I can't wait. I hope it doesn't take forever for summer to get here."
I felt the same way. Not only because I was excited for the game but because next year we'd be third years. We'd go to Hogsmeade and everything. No one really bothered with the third years either. Summer would be nice too of course.
When we got back to school, I'd decided on Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Divination (to Benny's annoyance) as my three classes. It wasn't a good idea to take more than that because the time table got too full. I wasn't even sure how someone was supposed to get to all their classes in a day. I didn't want too full of schedule.
I didn't understand Nick's reasoning with taking the easy classes. He'd decided on Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures, so I convinced him into taking Arithmancy as well. I told him it was silly to do that but that Arithmancy could open up many doors.
"Fine, but if I can't do it, you're helping me," he told me.
"Don't I already?" I asked.
"Oh shut up," he said grinning. "Well, what about you Tasha?"
"Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes," she answered. "I did seriously consider Divination, but Benny has a point when he says it's pointless."
"Benny seemed adamant on that," Nick said with amusement. "That kid is too smart for his age."
"He's adorable though," Tasha said. "And he can give it back to Brenda when she gives him attitude."
"He learned not to take it from her, especially after last year. I told him not to let her walk all over him, so he hasn't," I said. "I think he's going to really miss Brianne when she goes. They're close."
"He's starting to look more and more like you," Tasha said. "At least he's grown a bit. He was upset about that."
"I think a couple of inches yes," I said. "He's still smaller than I was at that age. I don't know why that is. I was teasing him about it the other day but he doesn't seem to be self-conscious about it anymore. All he said was that smaller was cuter."
"He's going to be one of those kids that will grow tall once it really starts. He'll be like Ivan I bet. He was smaller than all of us last year and now look at him," Nick said. "I bet he grew again while we were gone. Maybe he's taking something. I wish I'd grow."
"You have," Tasha assured him. "You both have. All three of us were the same height when we started and how you're both taller. I just hope I'm not done growing."
"You grew," I said pointing to her robes where her socks were showing. "You didn't grow last year but you'll need new ones in the summer."
"I still feel like I'm looking up at everyone except maybe Gretchen," she said.
"We should have measured ourselves," Nick said. "We could check at the end of seventh year to see how much we have in seven years."
"Mum measures our heights all the time," I said. "She will in the summer. All three of us were about the same height so we can go by that. If we were any different it'd probably just be a centimeter or so."
"Mum and dad did until I got my letter," Tasha said. "I'll check when I get home. I expect it's a few inches I grew."
As the summer term began, I started to spend more time down in the library. Surprisingly, during these times Brenda joined me. I didn't complain because she never talked except to ask me a question about one of her assignments, but also because I could show her some second year work as well. When I did this, it was a good refresher for me.
"It would be more organized to make a study timetable you know," Brenda told me. "I'm going to start doing that next year. Actually, I might do that later tonight. I want to do really well on these exams. There are a couple people who are doing better than me and I want to be top of the year. It's Transfiguration and Charms I have a problem with. I don't understand why and I've heard the older students say that Charms is easy."
"Maybe for them," I said. "It gets more complicated and so does Transfiguration. You're passing at least."
"Yes, and I've improved greatly in Transfiguration, but there is something about Charms that doesn't work for me," she said. "Do you ever struggle with it?"
"At times, but it's Herbology for me at times. I don't get it because they're plants. I was happy when we moved on from mandrakes. I could never plant them properly, and I hated having earmuffs. Potions is my best class and Astronomy is my second best, then Transfiguration. The rest are around the middle. Garth told me that it's about third year when you really start figuring out where your strengths are because it's intermediate level. So you never know, things could change in two years for you."
"But I have trouble with colour charms and lighting my wand!" Brenda said. "And it took me forever with the unlocking charm too! Professor Flitwick said someday we'd be combining some together. If I can't do one, how do I more than one?"
"That's not until at least fifth year I think," I said. "A lot of things you come to combine Transfiguration and Charms. That will really complicated. I don't know if we have to do it here, but that's how McGonagall got her giant chess set to work."
"I imagine a lot of things work that way," Brenda said with a sigh. "Professor Lupin showed us some dark arts detectors too, so those must combine many spells as well. It's so overwhelming to think of all we need to learn."
"I know what you mean," I said. "I was watching the fifth years practice for their OWLs and I haven't learned any of that they were doing. I still have three years of study to get through before I do it. Then there are the exams themselves. Chester and Ralph have said they piled the homework on. They do it in seventh year too but Garth said it's a breeze compared to fifth."
"Plus you get to drop some classes," Brenda said. "I don't want to think about fifth year though. I need to get through first year first. I really hope I pass these exams."
"You'll pass," I assured her. "There is no way you'll fail."
"Well, I will if we keep talking instead of studying," she said to me with raised eyebrows.
"Okay, but you started talking first," I reminded her. "But let's work on Charms first. That's the one you're worried about the most."
It was actually a pleasant evening with her, and I realized that she was normal when it came to studying. I figured that would be the best way to bond with her if I wanted to. I supposed I should have realized that a long time ago.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin Quidditch match came up shortly. I didn't go down, but I regretted it when everyone came up celebrating. Apparently it had been a really good game and Gryffindor had won. Everyone would rather see any team but Slytherin win again. So even though we had a loss that year, everyone was really happy anyway.
Even the fifth and seventh years decided to have a break and their exams were coming up very soon. Seeing them take a break, I decided to join in on the party too. I wouldn't have gotten much studying done anyway. The common room was too loud.
"If we're partying like this, can you imagine the Gryffindor common room right now?" Nick asked.
"Probably Hufflepuff is partying too," I said. "Slytherin will be the only house that isn't."
"Well, it doesn't take much for the Hufflepuff's to party," Nick said. "Didn't Olivia ever tell you? That's basically the party house. I'm a bit surprised. I always thought they'd be the tame ones but almost every weekend they're celebrating something."
"She did, but I'd forgotten about it," I said. "She doesn't like it."
"If I'd known about that I'd have asked the hat to put me in Hufflepuff," Nick said smirking.
"Ravenclaw is best," Garth said as he joined us.
He'd come over levitating a tray of drinks. He set it on the table in front of us.
"Now go on," he said. "Drink up. No one really complains much when you're third years and lets face it, the three of you will be in less than two months."
Nick happily grabbed a glass and took a few sips.
"So only one drink and that's it?" I asked with a wink as I reached for my own.
"Nope, I'll let you have more. In moderation of course. I'll let you feel how it's like to be buzzed," he said. "I'll be back in about an hour. Make sure you drink water or butterbeer in between."
"Which means don't chug," I told Nick.
Tasha grabbed a glass as well, and then Garth levitated the tray and walked off. I watched him go. As I did, I decided I'd do the same thing someday for the second years at the end of the year. It felt good being allowed and I didn't need to get drunk but being buzzed would feel nice. I'd gotten a nice one the year before but at the previous New Years I hadn't.
"Brenda doesn't seem impressed that everyone is partying," Tasha said as she glanced across the room.
I glanced in her direction. Indeed Brenda wasn't happy at all. She was glaring around the common room. Likely, she was wondering why we were celebrating even though it wasn't our house that won. Moments later, she snapped her books shut and then headed to the dormitories.
"She needs to liven up a bit," Nick said. "Anyway, cheers. To passing and finally being intermediate students."
"To passing," Tasha and I said as we clicked glasses.
Call me conceited, but I wasn't worried about failing. After that night, I could see people getting really nervous about the upcoming exams. In the library, I saw some first year Hufflepuff's at a table beside Brenda and me looking as if they were close to tears.
"Invite them over here," I told her.
"No," she said to me.
"We can help them help. It's prefect material to help your fellow students you know," I told her.
"If it means that much to you, than you do it!" She snapped. "I'm not doing it. They're a bunch of fuddy duddies anyway. Don't know why you care more about helping them than me."
"Oh don't even start that," I said to her glaring. "I've caught you up in Charms. You'll never make prefect with your attitude," and I got up before she could say another word. I walked over to the Hufflepuff's who all looked up at me with surprise. A couple girls elbowed each other and then giggled when I looked at them. I didn't understand why but I ignored this. "I just wanted to know if you lot wanted some help. You look a little stressed. I'm Barry, a second year Ravenclaw."
"Ooh sure," a girl said excitedly.
"With the priss?" A boy asked as he glanced over at Brenda who was glaring at us.
She obviously heard him because she stood up and scowled right at me as she packed up her books.
"Don't worry, I am leaving," she snapped.
"Well, then I might as well bring my books over here then," I said and I walked over to grab them.
I headed back over to them and took a seat. The girls were still rather giggly while the boys were staring at them with looks of confusion.
"How do you the priss?" The boy who had spoken earlier asked me.
"She's my sister," I answered. "I take it you lot don't get along?"
"She acts like she is better than us or something," he answered. "I sure hope that's not why you've come over to help."
"No," I answered firmly. "Brenda and I aren't the same. I don't understand why she hasn't bothered to get along with you lot, but I get along with most of my year. I noticed you were stressed and I just took the exams last year, so I thought I'd help. I'd rather she had stayed too because I was helping her but she's gone."
"She doesn't think much of us Hufflepuff's," a girl answered. "But she doesn't think much of the Ravenclaw's either. Only that Kendra girl."
"Hmm, well, I'll talk to her about that," I said. "So what were you working on?"
"Potions," another boy said.
"Excellent. My best subject and it's what Brenda and I were working on. I was showing her some second year potions too. It helps me refresh. So I'll see what you have to do, and then I can help you show some second year assignments," I said.
We were at it for about half-hour before Nick and Tasha came over to join us. Neither asked why I was helping the first years, but I had helped some of the Ravenclaws after all. They just sat with us and began answering some of their questions too. I felt like it was a productive night and the Hufflepuff's looked less stressed by the time they began to pack up their books.
"Thanks for helping us Barry," Mary (I'd learned their names while we'd sat there) said to me. "I feel quite prepared now. If I get high marks in potions it will be you I have to thank."
"You're really trying hard for this prefect job aren't you?" Nick asked with a grin once they were gone.
"It's not just that," I told him. "And the thought occured to me. It's just that they looked quite stressed. Brenda was with me, but they don't like her so she left and I came over here to help. It really does help with my studying to help them."
"I noticed that too," Tasha said. "It really does help."
"I do agree, but I think most of the girls enjoyed your help for other reasons," Nick said. "But you know, we didn't actually do our exams last year. How can you tell these first years that-"
"But I have an idea of what was on them," I said. "I still have all those practice sheets. Besides, Garth told me some things as well. They'll do just fine."
"Sometimes I forget," Tasha said.
"I do too," I told her. "I was showing Brenda what was on the exams before I remembered."
"How can you two forget? That was the best moment last year. I keep hoping Sirius will be caught and then we will have them canceled again," Nick said. "You two are so weird."
"Coming from him, that's a compliment," Tasha said to me giggling.
Nick and I started to laugh as well.
"If you're not here to study, out!" Madam Pince said as she suddenly came around the row of books.
Still laughing all three of us put our things in our bags and hurried out of the library.
Exams came and to me, they all seemed so easy. We had practicals and written exams. I had some questions that I struggled with, especially with Transfiguration and Herbology but otherwise I felt I did really well and I knew even with some of the questions that I missed, I'd passed either way. I noticed other people leaving looking a bit pale but relieved.
I sought out my sister to see how she felt she did. She was still quite angry with me for working with the Hufflepuff's so she was a little cool towards me as she told me how it had been.
"I expect I passed Charms," she informed me.
"Well I figured you would," I told her.
In the common room later, it was to find Nick and Tasha looking quite upset and I couldn't figure out why that was. Did Sirius Black enter the castle again or something?
"Hagrid has kept me up to date with his hearing and all," Nick said. "He lost back in April and he had the appeal today, but he lost. They're going to execute the Hippogriff. He's told us not to go down."
"I wish we could be with him for it," Tasha said with tears shining in his eyes. "We should have just visited him anyway this year. I feel as if we've abandoned him."
"We can't go down there," I said. "I'd like to visit him as well, but you two know we can't. If we're caught out there, we will be in big trouble. Considering the lengths they are going to protect us, I don't imagine it will just be detention. We'll try tomorrow morning if we can. We'll try before the term ends. It's the best we can do."
"You're right," Nick said with a sigh. "Might as well celebrate with everyone else then. Wonder if your sister will join in for once."
"I don't know," I said as I looked around for her but I didn't see her around anywhere. "I don't expect so. There are my cousins though. Want to hang out with them? Garth will be gone soon."
"They'll let us drink," Tasha said. "It can make us forget I suppose."
"Uh oh," Nick said suddenly smirking. "It's never a good sign when you need alcohol to forget your problems."
"Oh stop," Tasha said. "You knew what I meant."
"I don't think I knew what she meant," I said to Nick. "Did you?"
"Not a clue. Looks like our friend has a problem," Nick said to me.
"You two are prats," she said and then she got up and walked over to join Garth, Chester, Ralph and some of their friends. They all greeted her happily. One of the girls gave her a drink. Nicole was her name I believed. She was a seventh year.
Nick and I quickly got to our feet and hurried over to them. As I reached them, I remembered that they'd just taken their OWLs and NEWTs, so of course they were happy. Our exams were likely easy compared to what they had just done. Drinks were thrust into our hands the moment we sat down.
"To be your age again," Garth said with a sigh. "I'm not ready to go yet."
"I am," Penelope said. "I love it here, but I am ready to start my life."
"A life with Percy Weasley?"
She just stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh come on," a boy who was familiar to me, but I didn't know his name. "You two have been together for two years now. You've got to be shagging at least. I just hope we get an invitation to the wedding."
Penelope just slapped his arm. She didn't say anything to that. She just smiled at us and then moved over to join a few sixth year girls. I was surprised she didn't mind us drinking. I'd heard enough about Percy Weasley to know that this would not be okay. Chances are the Gryffindors were celebrating at the moment too. If his brother Ron tried to get a drink, he wouldn't let him.
I said this to Garth as soon as I noticed she was distracted by the girls she'd joined.
"He wouldn't allow seventh years to drink," Garth said with a smirk. "I'm sure they'll all be happy after this year. I heard he told off a bunch of seventh years when we were your age. I think he might have even ratted them out. Good thing he's not in Hufflepuff. They look for a party for any reason. So do Slytherins. I heard the last Slytherin party would put the Hufflepuff's to shame."
"I'm actually surprised by that," I said. "I don't believe their boring but they just seem like a tame lot."
"They're just content most of the time," Chester said. "Not always. At times there are some who don't have much self-esteem and they can complain, but otherwise they're usually happy. I love being a Ravenclaw but my second choice would be Hufflepuff for sure."
"We don't get that much chance to talk to them," Nick said. "How is it that you lot all seem to get along with different years and different houses? That isn't to say we don't get along with them we just haven't gotten the chance to meet them much either. It seems you get along with three different years."
"That changes as you get older," Ralph told him. "Next year you'll be taking more classes with other houses with the new classes. Also, you just tend to well… mature a bit. In the first and second years, and sometimes even third people tend to stick to their houses. They let them define them more. Once you get older it changes. Hell, we didn't even really start talking to the other years until the end of last year," he said indicating himself and Chester.
"I'd noticed," I said.
"In seventh year you have more activities that unite you though," Garth continued. "Probably by the end of next year you'll see a change. I've heard you helped some of the Hufflepuffs with their exams. You also had a girlfriend in Hufflepuff. You're slowly breaking out of our House. I expect by seventh year all three of you will have friends besides each other. You're doing it now by hanging out with us. Last year you only talked to me. Quite a few times we've all hung out."
"But how often do you let first or second years hang out with you?" Tasha asked him. "If it weren't for Barry and Brenda, you likely wouldn't talk much to the first and second years except to help them."
"Not true," Garth said. "Why do you think I'm friends with the fifth and sixth years all sitting here with us? It had nothing to do with Chester and Ralph. I told Barry last year that we didn't often talk. I was talking to their fifth year friends more than them."
"And we do interact with the first and second years too," Nicole said. "It just depends on how friendly they are. Some don't want to hang out with us and some do. I have quite a few third and fourth year friends," and with that she waved to a group of third and fourth years standing together. "If you ever listen to the Sorting Hats songs, you'll notice it often tells us to unite and we have to start with our own houses before we do the other houses. Though it's often hard with Slytherin. Too much resentment still, but maybe someday that will go away."
"And we also know your second year classmates," Ralph told me. "We've talked to them too."
And then he scanned the room until he found the boys near the dormitories door. He let out a whistle with his fingers and when they looked up, he waved them over. Without hesitation, the boys got up and walked over.
"We'll be leaving after this year," Garth said once they were sitting. "It's time you lot all get along with the other years so you can take over the common room someday. Where are the girls? And the firsties?"
"Firsties are right there," Ivan said. "I can get them."
"Where is Brenda?" Chester asked me.
"Probably hiding upstairs," I said. "She won't come out. She hates parties even with the exams over. Guess it's good she didn't wasn't put in Hufflepuff if they're the party house."
"She wouldn't fit in there at all," Kendra said who had joined us on her own. She must have been curious. "She's my best friend but she can be a bit much. Sometimes I think she'd fit in better in Slytherin."
"No," a bunch of fifth years said. "They'd eat her alive," a girl added.
It was odd that so many of these people knew my sister so well. I assumed she must have angered a lot of them besides my classmates and her own.
"She told us off for partying during Gryffindor's win," a sixth year beside Penelope said. "Don't know what she is thinking telling off people older than her," and she turned to Penelope. "Sounds a lot like your boyfriend."
"Percy can be a bit much… but he is kind," she said. "And I don't think he is quite as bad as that little girl."
Perhaps I should have felt bad that my sister was the topic of conversation among several different years, but she had brought it on herself. It was her own fault. I couldn't protect her from everything after all. She had to learn for herself that she was angering people, and that they didn't like her. I just hoped she'd find out before she had too many people who hated her.
I was relieved when the subject change none-the-less. Everyone went back to just celebrating. Usually everyone stuck to their own groups, but that night first years were talking to seventh years and everyone was talking outside their groups. In a way, I wished we were having a party in the common room. We could get to know the other houses better that way. I decided to take Garth's advice and talk to the other houses as much as I could the next year, and to continue getting to know the younger students as well.
The next morning I had a slight headache. The older kids hadn't given a damn that first and second years were drinking. Everyone was just so happy that exams were all over. I think I was actually drunk for the first time in my life. I could understand now why the older kids loved it so much.
Nick was shaking me awake the next day. I tried to roll away, but he wouldn't let me.
"Come on," he said. "We said we'd see Hagrid today!"
That got me up. I was just as concerned about him. So I jumped up and got dressed quickly. I spent extra time on my teeth because I'd had a horrible taste in my mouth. I expected my breath stunk too. When we got downstairs, it was to find Tasha already waiting for us.
"Hurry, let's go," she said. "I hope he isn't hung over. I expect he's the type to drink his problems away."
"Kind of like you?" Nick asked.
"Oh don't start that again," she said. "We'll just grab some food from the Great Hall and go."
So that's what we did. I noticed a group of students leaving Hagrid's hut just as we were about half-way there. I remembered we weren't his only friends. He was friends with quite a few of the students but I suspected he was the closest to Harry Potter and his friends.
We knocked on his door. Hagrid opened it instantly and it wasn't the crying hung-over man I expected to see, but a very happy man.
"Ah it's you three," he said happily. "Well come in, come in."
"You seem… well, happy," Nick said. "Did they change their minds?"
"Buckbeak got away," Hagrid said happily. "Not sure how. 'Spect I didn't tie him well enough. I was emotional. He's always been a smart one. Knew what was goin' to 'appen to him and he flew off."
"Is that really what happened?" Tasha asked him doubtfully. "I mean, I am glad he got away but you didn't tie it loose on purpose did you?"
"No. Didn' wanna get meself in trouble or Dumbledore," Hagrid told her. "Bad enough that Sirius Black got away."
"Got away?" I asked.
"Didn' yeh hear at breakfast?" He asked.
"We didn't go to breakfast," Nick said. "We just grabbed some food to eat on the way here. We had a late morning. Party in the common room, you know?"
"Ah well, they had 'im captured last nigh'" Hagrid explained. "Caught him in the Shrieking Shack. Snape caught 'im from what I heard and they locked him up. Somehow managed to escape anyway."
"Wow," Nick said. "He was probably living there all year. But how was he getting into the castle?"
"Well don' go tryin' to get in there," Hagrid said. "But the Whomping Willow is planted right over the passage way to the Shack. That's how he was getting in all year. Used to use for Lupin you see. When he was a child they accepted into 'Ogwarts on the condition he went down there every month. Him and Black were friends see, so Black knew about the tunnel and took shelter down there."
"What do you mean?" Nick asked.
Something connected in my mind though. I hadn't given it much thought but I remembered the essay Snape had given us months ago. Lupin disappeared every month and now that I thought about it, it was at the full moon. That could mean that-
"Lupin is a werewolf?" I asked aloud.
"'Spect yeh didn't hear that either," Hagrid said grinning. "Yes, Snape told the Slytherin's at breakfast this mornin'. He's resigned. Guess he was out loose in the grounds last nigh' and he's worried about it 'appening again. Normally he takes a potion, but he'd forgotten las' nigh'"
Nick and Tasha exchanged glances.
"Is that why Snape gave that essay to so many classes?" Tasha asked. "He always hated Lupin. He probably wanted someone to find out."
"I expect it was," I said. "If I'd really thought about it before I'd have figured it out but I never cared. He was a good teacher though. It's a shame we're losing him over that. He shouldn't go though. Last night was a mistake but he was careful all year."
"Lupin thinks parents will be writin' with complaints soon enough," Hagrid answered. "Can't say I blame them."
"No I suppose not," Nick said. "Mum and dad would be but he was a great teacher. He caught us up from last year. Why would Snape just rat him out like that?"
"He thinks Lupin had to do with Black gettin' in the castle," Hagrid answered. "He weren' but the two were friends years ago. Snape was angry that he lost his Order of Merlin over the escape yeh see. So he took it out on Lupin."
"The things you miss when you're hung over," Nick said.
"Well, I am going to write him later," I said. "Let him know he was a great teacher and that we'll miss him. I want him to know that not all of us are prejudice."
"Well, not all werewolves are like Professor Lupin," Tasha said.
"Not all Slytherin's are bad either," I reminded her. "Can't lump everyone together. Not all Ravenclaws are snobby."
After we left Hagrids, we spent the day outside. It was a hot kind of day and no one wanted to be inside. Most people had taken a spot by the lake. I could see Garth and his friends even standing in the lake. I watched them wondering where Sirius Black was now. He must be gone from the area. He'd been caught and he'd gotten away. There was no way that he'd stick around now. If he was smart, he'd leave the country. He'd go far away where no one even knew him.
Our marks were posted not too much longer after that. I'd moved up that year. I wasn't top of the year yet, but I was third from the top. Perhaps next year I'd make it to the top. I couldn't help myself, I checked the first year list for Brenda's name to see how she'd done. She hadn't spoken to me since our last conversation, and she didn't seem as if she wanted to. I found her name, she was in the top ten, so she'd done quite well but I knew she'd be beating herself up over it. She wanted at least in the top five. I just hoped she wouldn't blame me.
Next thing I knew, our trunks were packed and we were waiting for the horseless carriages. The next time I was back at the castle, I'd be a third year. This time I didn't feel quite as bad about leaving the castle. I'd be back, we had the World Cup to look forward to and Hogsmeade next year.
