Writer's Note: I'm so sorry to the readers for this overdue chapter! It's been sitting half-finished in my drafts for almost a month now because I had no idea how to go about it. Thankfully, my muse returned and I was able to finish it. As an 'I'm Sorry' gift, this chapter is extra long. I probably could've shortened it instead of dragging it out like I did, but I honestly enjoyed this chapter. Not only is it kind of fun, it gives more depth to certain relationships in the story and characters. You'll see what I mean. Anyway, don't forget to leave some feedback for me to look forward to! It helps get the juices flowing!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but my OC's are mine.

Chapter Fourteen

A loud commotion caused the curly-haired girl in one of the five beds to stir. Light had barely touched the glass panes of their windows when Ira blinked the fatigue from her eyes, yearning for just a few more minutes of peace. Only, she never got it.

"I'm going to kill you, Greengrass!" Sally-Anne Perk's usually light and airy voice—that sang so many angelic songs in the Frog Choir—was replaced by a haughtiness that only years of resentment could produce.

"Tsk, tsk, Perks," Daphne said slyly.

Groggily, Ira pushed herself up onto her elbows to look around, wondering why in Merlin's name she was being roused against her will in the early hours of the morning. Glancing at a clock on her bedside table, she confirmed it was an hour before breakfast began. Knowing Sally, she was an early bird that took time getting ready in the mornings, so it was no wonder as to why she was awake. But why was she shouting?

Finally, after shifting her eyes from Lily and Tracy—who were both irritated as well—she found Daphne perfectly calm on the edge of her bed. Across from her, nearly red in the face and clenching her fists, was a green-haired Sally. What was once her beautiful strawberry blonde locks had turned into a mop of seaweed-like tresses cascading over her shoulders. Ira's eyes nearly bulged from her head at the sight.

Sally looked to be on the verge of tears if it wasn't for the anger taking control of her body. She stared at Daphne with so much malice, it gave Ira and Draco a run for their money. If looks could kill…

"Look what you did to me!" Sally yelled, stomping to a full-size mirror in the corner of their room.

"That's what happens when you snore obnoxiously," Daphne said flippantly.

"A simple Muffliato could've sufficed!"

Daphne shrugged carelessly as Sally touched her hair and whimpered.

"That's a little extreme, don't you think?" Tracey asked slowly. She wasn't the most talkative girl in their year, and barely tried to speak to any of her dormmates, but she seemed to be thrown off by Daphne's dramatics, voicing this.

"You're awfully brave, Davis," Daphne sneered. "Questioning me."

"I didn't realize talking to you was off limits, your highness."

Ira snickered. She could get used to this girl.

Sally turned back around, her glare even hotter than before. "Turn it back, Greengrass."

"I don't know how," she said.

"Liar." Sally grabbed her wand from her bedside table and held it up threateningly. "Turn me back or—"

The tall girl stood up. "What? What are you, little Sally-Anne Perks, going to do to me?"

"I'll kill you," she stated darkly.

Daphne chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure."

In a split second, Sally had casted a Furnunculus. However, Daphne deflected this with a barrier she put up beforehand. Sally tried again, this time earning a knock-back jinx in the process from Daphne's wand tip. Sally raised her wand when another shot of light joined the mix—it was purple and aimed for Daphne.

"Pullus."

Soon, Daphne was gone and in her place stood a goose. It opened its orange beak, honking loudly. Three sets of eyes landed on the person that casted the spell. Lily, who appeared pleased, but also alarmed, lowered her wand.

"Lily, I hope you know how to turn her back," Ira said carefully.

Daphne honked again, flapping her wings and waddling across the floor. Lady perked up at the sound and hissed. Ira grabbed her quickly to make sure she didn't pounce.

Lily winced sheepishly. "Right…of course."

Tracey visibly gulped. "You don't know how to turn her back, do you?"

Lily shook her head.

Although Sally appeared elated about this, she still disapproved. "Lily, you shouldn't have done that."

"What else was I supposed to do? I don't like seeing people bully you—any of you."

"Turning her into a duck shouldn't have been an option!"

"Goose."

The three remaining girls looked at Lily, confused. "What?"

"She's not a duck, she's a goose," Lily clarified.

Ira closed her eyes, sighing exasperatedly. "Whatever she is, we have to turn her back somehow. If Dumbledore found out you could be expelled, Lily!"

"It was an act of self-defense!"

"May that be the case, he probably won't look at it that way."

Tracey and Sally agreed. It was all too familiar—especially since Draco had just been turned into a ferret by a teacher the previous day. Maybe they could take her to McGonagall—she was the one that turned Draco back, anyway. But that was a risk they weren't willing to take. They'd be in deep trouble. Well, either way they would be. Because Daphne was bound to speak about it if they managed to find a way to fix her on their own.

Ira glanced at Lily. How did she manage to execute such a high-level spell? Human transfiguration was something they were taught in sixth year, and known to be extremely dangerous if you didn't know what you were doing. Clearly, Lily did know what she was doing. She was one of the McGonagall's best students and had been top of the class following first year. Ira realized her question would be answered at another time when they weren't busy trying to figure out how they were going to get themselves out of this mess.

"How about we just keep her like this?" Sally suggested, watching Daphne continue her venture around the room. "I kind of like her better this way."

They watched the animal as if considering it for a moment before it finally honked, forcing themselves out of bed. They made a mess of the place while getting ready. Sally tried to make do with her new hairstyle, drying it with a charm and hiding it under a thick cap. Tracey, Lily, and Ira pulled on their cloaks while she did this, making sure they looked put-together even though they weren't so much on the inside.

"What's the plan?" Lily asked, pocketing her wand and turning to the three girls.

"Oh, no, no, no," Ira said, wagging a finger. "You're staying here while we—" she motioned to Tracey and Sally "—devise a plan."

Lily pouted. "I don't want to be stuck with it."

"Her—it's a person, Lily, that you transfigured into a duck!"

"Goose! It's a goose!"

Ira rolled her eyes, grabbing Lady from her bed. She wasn't coming back and finding out her kneazle had mauled Daphne to death. "You did this so you're babysitting."

Lily narrowed her eyes at the goose that began to walk in consecutive circles. Without much of an argument, she allowed them to leave. The three girls tiptoed down the stairs, coming into a common room filled with students getting ready to go up for breakfast. Theo was one of them, leading Draco and Blaise from the fireplace to where the girls now stood. How could they forget about Theo—Daphne's boyfriend?

"Hey, is Daphne coming down? She promised to walk with me to breakfast today." Then, he looked between them with an odd look. "Wait, Tracey Davis? Since when did you two…wait, where's Lily?"

"She's still sleeping," Ira said hurriedly. A little too hurried.

"She's usually awake before you, though," he said.

"Yeah, well, I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff," Ira said with a dramatic wave towards her face. "I didn't eat dinner last night and when I did go to the kitchens…"

She stopped when she remembered Draco standing there. He didn't acknowledge her, instead watching his polished shoes with a sulk. That's when she remembered last night—her confession, his disbelief. Fear took over. Had he said anything yet? She glanced him for a beat too long, earning a strange look from her housemates.

"The point is," Sally picked up for Ira, "is we're all pretty hungry." She grabbed the girls and started tugging them out of the room. "See you guys up there!"

Sally's chipper demeanor vanished when they left, following some Slytherin's up through the dungeons into the entrance hall. Ira noted that for the most part, everything seemed normal. Nobody gossiped or looked in her direction more than they already did. Perhaps Draco hadn't let slip her secret? It was still early, she concluded, so maybe he was planning on revealing it later in the day. Worriedly, she chewed her bottom lip.

"What are we going to do about Daphne?" Sally asked when they found their seats.

Tracy and Sally were looking at Ira like she had all the answers.

"Don't look at me! I'm dreadful at Transfiguration," she said sadly.

They all deflated, picking at their breakfast.

"We could just leave her—"

"Sally!"

The girl shrunk away and continued eating.

At that moment, Draco led Theo and Blaise into the Great Hall. Theo took a seat next to Sally while Draco and Blaise sat across from them, right beside Ira. Luckily, Blaise kept Draco and Ira apart by sitting in-between them.

"Daphne hasn't come down yet," Theo told them.

"I'm sure she'll be down any minute," Sally reassured.

His eyes landed on the cap keeping her hair a complete mystery. "What's with the hat?"

Sally straightened. "I'm trying something new. Do you not like it?"

He shrugged. "I guess so." His eyes moved to Ira. "How are you doing with your Gryffindor friends?"

Ira had been stirring her porridge when the question was asked. "I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to them since yesterday."

"What happened?"

Ira stiffened. "It's a long story, and we don't have enough time from now until first period for this story to be told." She looked back at her tureen. "I'll tell you another time."

Ira took a cautious glance in Draco's direction. He was still sulking, but this time staring at his sausage and eggs as if they'd offended him. It only got worse when Pansy sidled up next to him, trying extra hard to gain his attention. He wasn't having it though. He merely shrugged her off and left the girl pouting at his side.

"Parkinson, have you seen Daphne by chance?" Theo asked.

Pansy rolled her eyes at the question, or just Theo in general. "No, I haven't seen her since yesterday. I still can't believe they separated us into separate dorms! Daphne is my best friend…besides Millicent, of course."

They all shifted their eyes to the burly girl with a square build seated some ways away, where Pansy must've relocated from. Ira shuddered as she recalled second year when she had to pry the large girl off Hermione during a duel. Under watchful eyes of Gilderoy Lockhart and Professor Snape, they watched as the girl placed Hermione in a headlock, when all they were instructed to do was disarm each other. Mass chaos ensued.

Pansy's voice caused Ira to snap back to reality. "They still let them room together! It's not fair. It's been four years and the three of them haven't been separated!" She looked at Ira and Sally accusingly.

"Come off it, Parkinson. You see her enough during the day anyway," Blaise chided.

She nearly groaned. "Blaise, you're supposed to be on my side!"

All he did was shrug, turning his attention to Draco. "What's up with you, mate?"

Draco didn't say anything and picked at his food like an insolent child.

"Okay," Blaise remarked slowly, turning to Ira. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" This was asked in a hush whisper.

Ira glared. "Does it look like I'm Malfoy's keeper?"

Blaise grinned then, and something about it sent shivers down Ira's spine. She ignored it, however, and went back to chowing down on her food, pushing the thoughts of Draco away and conjuring up ways to get Lily out of the mess she made.

When breakfast commenced, the three girls followed one another into the corridor outside the Great Hall.

"So, do you have a plan?" Sally asked while students parted ways to their first classes.

Ira shook her head. "Not really. There's only three options: find out how to turn Daphne back ourselves before the end of the day, talk to Professor McGonagall, or find Professor Dumbledore and tell him what happened."

"The last two don't sound pleasant," Tracey pointed out. "We're better off just finding out ourselves."

"But what about our classes?" Sally asked.

Ira waved her off. "The only important one today is Defense, and that's not until after lunch. We may just be able to figure something out by then."

Something in their weary faces said otherwise.

Skipping morning classes, the three girls spent their abandoned periods in the library researching Transfiguration. Neither of the girls were as good as Lily, so all of it seemed like gibberish to them.

"I'm about to throw this book at the wall!" Sally declared, frustration etched in her voice.

The book in question snapped shut at the revelation, flying away to a high shelf where Sally wouldn't be able to reach it. She glared.

Ira shushed her. "You're going to get us in trouble!"

"Isn't that what Slytherin's do best?" she asked cheekily.

"You are way too prideful," Tracey commented while flipping through a book.

Ira giggled. "Well, she is 'Sally-Anne Perks—Slytherin, ballet dancer, and part of the frog choir, if she's lucky. But knowing her, luck has always been on her side." After a brief pause, she added, "'And also annoying.'"

Sally crumpled up a piece of parchment, aimed it for Ira's head, and threw it. She got her right on the nose.

"Hey," Ira said. "Have you ever thought about trying out for the Quidditch team?"

"You're joking."

"Completely."

Sally struck her again with another wad of parchment. Ira laughed and turned back to the book in her hands. Her eyes widened, smiling brightly. "Look!"

The three of them rejoined at a table nearby to look over its contents. For the most part, it seemed simple. The only thing they needed to worry about was getting her back in one piece. Some of the dangers to begin with, that Lily should have considered beforehand, was the possibility that Daphne could stay in her goose-state permanently. Or, if they tried to make her human again, she could leave with a beak for a mouth or feathers on her body. She could be normal, but not completely. It took a strong amount of power to successfully reverse the magic. It was no wonder why only sixth years and above were taught it.

They were doomed.

"What are you three doing in here?"

The librarian found them. Madam Pince was a strict woman with an unpleasant attitude towards the student-body. Her scowl twisted when she saw them mulling over a book, looking at its contents from where she stood.

"Fourth years shouldn't dabble in things they know nothing about," she stated suspiciously, charming the book to fly into her open hand. "Now, get back to your classes before I summon Headmaster Dumbledore!"

Having already wasted enough time, Ira left the library with the girls. They would rejoin after their next class, hoping it wouldn't be too questionable if they went to at least one period that morning. Ira made it to Professor Babbling's class feeling as though she'd ran a marathon. Study of Ancient Runes was on the sixth floor in Classroom 6A, meaning she had to take many flights of stairs to get to her destination. Upon entering, Ira realized that not many students took the course. A few Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's were in attendance, none that she recognized. But as her eyes drifted over the faces, she found one hovering over their parchment, scratching into it with elegant strides.

"Ms. Soares, so glad you could finally find time in your day to attend," Babbling greeted, turning from the chalkboard. "Do you have an excuse for your tardiness?"

Ira shuffled forward into the room. "Uh, I was feeling ill."

"Hmm…"

The skinny woman was by no means unpleasant. In fact, she was one of the more tolerable teachers in the school, one that Ira had come to like within a year of taking the class. Her dark eyes surveyed Ira from where she stood, wondering how to deal with Ira's interruption.

"Take a seat and get out your copy of Advanced Rune Translation. Make sure to get the notes from one of your peers after class."

Ira felt a smile tug at her mouth.

"Do you know if Ms. Moon will be coming in today?"

"Err—"

At that moment, the said girl came through the door, looking quite a mess. Lily's usual pin-straight hair was a mess on top of her head, her face flushed with stress. Her uniform looked as though it had been grabbed straight from the dirty-pile. Lily always looked put together.

"Ah, Ms. Moon, we were just wondering when you'd be making an appearance," Babbling smiled, though her eyes took in the girl's odd state and fought back a frown. "We're doing a refresher in Advanced Rune Translation. Please, take your seats."

Since the class was smaller than most, that meant most of the seats were open. Ira and Lily took the table directly behind Draco Malfoy's unperturbed form. Of all the seats they had to take…

"What are you doing here?" Ira hissed quietly, flipping to the page Babbling had instructed.

"I, sort of, got us into a bigger mess," Lily explained.

"Oh, please, I'm all ears."

Lily hesitated. "Okay, so, the goose may or may not have gotten out."

That was the worst thing Ira could've heard.

"Anyway, I was starving after you guys left so I went to the kitchens, and when I left the goose was sleeping, but when I got back…she made a huge mess of our room and managed to duck out before I had a chance to catch her." Lily snorted suddenly. "'Duck out'."

Ira winced. "This isn't a time to make jokes, Lily. We have to find her!"

"I tried, but Filch found me and told me to get back to class or he'd tell Snape one of his students was skipping class." Lily frowned. "I'd much rather put up with Dumbledore than that greasy old rat."

"We're skipping next period and finding her before someone else does," Ira concluded through a whisper.

"No, we are not missing out on Potions."

Babbling took notice of the girl's chatter, calling them from the front of the class. "Is there something you'd like to share, girls?"

Lily shared a coy smile with the woman. "We were just talking about the Demiguise and how it's tethered to the number zero."

"You always did like that creature," Babbling mused, turning back to the chalkboard. "And what is it about this creature that makes it symbolic, Ms. Moon?"

"It's ability to become invisible on a whim, and it can also tell the future."

"Ah, yes. That's what makes the Demiguise such a hard creature to catch. It's able to see what you're going to do before you even think about it. If you're about to catch one, it'll know minutes beforehand. That branches off into another area of study, Divination, a class I'm sure you've all taken before?"

Ira stiffened just as Draco leaned back casually in his chair. What Ira would give to reach out and wrap her hands around that slim neck of his and squeeze—

"Ira?"

Ira snapped out of it, looking at Lily who grinned.

"Fantasizing about killing Mal-foul, are you?"

Draco seemed to hear because his head whipped back and his eyes bore into Lily's. "I'm sure she's fantasizing about a lot more than that."

Ira blushed against her will and forced her eyes to her textbook.

Lily snorted again. "Flatter yourself much, Malfoy? Doesn't Pansy do that enough for you?"

"Children!"

The three of them gulped and watched Professor Babbling glide to their tables in the back. She met them with a look of disappointment and annoyance. The kids shrunk away.

"If you don't stay quiet, I will send you to Dumbledore's office," she threatened. "And Merlin knows I don't want to do that."

Lily straightened. "We're sorry, professor."

That seemed to do the trick, because Babbling smiled again—although tersely—and took her place at the front of the room. Ira shared a thankful look with Lily.

Ira tried to make it appear she was paying attention when she leaned in close to Lily's ear. "We read something about human transfiguration in the library earlier."

"And?" Lily jotted down some notes.

"And…there's a good chance if you're incapable of producing a spell strong enough to turn Daphne back, she could just stay in that state forever," Ira said carefully, watching her friend's eyes go wide. "Look at it this way, you already produced an amazing spell that turn her into a fully-functioning goose, who's to say you wouldn't be able to turn her back?"

"I've never done that before, Ira. That takes years of practice."

"Then how did you turn her into a goose in the first place?"

Lily sighed. "My mum, she…she wants me to be the best at everything and when I told her about what McGonagall told me in first year, she made me keep at Transfiguration. She's made me practice on objects and animals…sometimes even people."

Ira tried to mask her shock. "That's dangerous, Lily."

"You don't think I know that?" Lily asked hotly. "I've only ever managed to turn people into things, not turn them back. Mum always did that part for me. She's excellent at magic."

Draco's voice joined the mix. "Can you two shut up? I'm trying to learn."

"I'm surprised you even have the brain capacity to learn anything, Malfoy," Ira snapped, a little too loudly.

Professor Babbling had enough of their antics. She berated them in front of the class, making the kids hurry to collect their things and shuffle out the door. Ira walked with Lily, hoping that Draco wouldn't follow them. But he did.

"You two just cost me a whole lecture!" he complained. "All for what? A conversation about a duck?"

Ira shot him a look. "Don't eavesdrop. It's not polite."

"Considering you sat right behind me, it's hard to tune out that ugly drawl of yours."

"Ugh, I should've strangled you when I had the chance!"

They turned a corner, continuing their screaming match.

"That doesn't sound entirely too unpleasant," he grinned suddenly with a wink.

"You're disgusting!"

Lily stopped. "Guys, shut up!"

They both did as told, listening as they came to the end of the corridor. There was a sound of something slapping against stone and a honking noise. Draco was the only one that appeared confused.

Sure enough, Daphne waddled by without taking note of them standing there, continuing down the hall they just came upon. Ira and Lily looked at each other before sprinting down the corridor behind Daphne. Draco followed, managing to catch up with them due to his athleticism.

"What is a duck doing in Hogwarts?" he asked through deep breaths.

"Goose!" the girls said in unison.

Lily reached out and grabbed a hold of Daphne by her back feathers, taking her into her arms. The girl flailed around until finally calming.

"Well, that was easy," Lily commented. "Now we just have to turn her back."

They remembered Draco standing there, watching them curiously. "Turn her back?" He seemed to put the pieces together, because a look of realization flashed on his face. "Daphne. That's Daphne isn't it?"

"Erm, no," Ira said, chewing on her lip.

"You've always been a terrible liar, Soares," he pointed out. "I should go to Dumbledore about this—get you all expelled."

Ira reached out and grabbed his arm. "Don't, Malfoy." Her grip tightened. "Please."

His eyes moved to her hand on his arm. He watched it with satisfaction, reveling in the moment.

Realizing what she had done, Ira removed her hand. "You could help us. We're trying to turn her back on our own."

"That's impossible," he stated. "The only one able to turn her back is a teacher, someone who knows what they're doing."

"Maybe, but Lily's good."

Lily's shoulders sagged. "Ira—"

The bell signaling the end of the period shrilled through the air, and soon they were sucked up by the crowds of students. Most of them didn't pay them any mind, but some did stop to stare. What an odd combination—Draco Malfoy, Lily Moon, Ira Soares, and an unknown goose in the middle of the hallway.

"Everyone's going to lunch. What are we going to do with her?" Ira asked, watching as Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared equally confused looks with her while walking by. She hadn't spoken to them since blowing up in their faces the day before. She made a note to talk to them later after the Daphne mess blew over.

Lily handed Daphne off to Ira. "Since you two managed to get a decent meal today, and I haven't, you two are babysitting."

Ira and Draco's jaws hit the floor in sync.

"Don't give me that look. I'll be back before lunch is over. You two can—I don't know—hang out in the common room for a bit?" Then she sighed. "Actually, that's a dreadful idea. Take Daphne to our dorm, Ira."

"You want the two of us to go into our dorm?" Ira asked naively. "Together? A boy and girl? That's not allowed."

Draco smirked. "Could you be anymore childish, Soares? All we're doing is watching over Daphne." His tone lowered. "Unless you have something else in mind—"

"Gross!" Lily nearly shrieked. "Please, that is something I don't want to imagine."

Ira's cheeks got hot. "I would never!"

"I know you wouldn't," Lily said slowly. "But him on the other hand…"

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Just get to the Great Hall, Moon."

The girl hurried away, but not before giving him an icy glare and a reassuring smile to Ira.

The walk to the dungeons was awkward. Ira didn't want to deal with unnecessary chit-chat. What could she possibly say to Draco—her enemy and the one that now knew about her secret? She considered asking him about the previous night, but something about bringing it up didn't sit well with her. It'd only stir the pot more.

Once they stepped foot in the common room, the fireplace roared to life in greeting. Thankfully, nobody was around, leaving the two of them to consider their options.

"I hope Lily wasn't serious," Ira commented while placing Daphne on one of the leather sofas. "We'll be perfectly fine here."

"For now," Draco said, plopping down next to the goose.

Besides the crackling fire, the air around them got quiet. Daphne drifted to sleep, while Ira and Draco tried ignoring each other's presence. It didn't work, because soon, Draco began speaking.

"Were you serious last night?" he asked out-loud, balancing his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward to address Ira.

Ira, who nestled herself opposite from him, never took her eyes off the fire, watching the flames burn bright against the brick fireplace. The flames licked up the sides, unwavering in tune with the draft that seemed to filter in through the dungeons. She didn't know what to say to him. He'd only laugh at her again. Wouldn't he?

"What's it matter, Malfoy?" she asked tersely. "You didn't believe me then, what would make you believe me now?"

He watched her for a moment, calculating her blank expression. "I just want to know more."

Her eyes peeled away from the fire, finally looking at him. "Why?"

"It's…interesting."

"It's crazy, you mean."

Draco closed his mouth.

"See? Just let it go, Malfoy."

"That's not—"

"What's the point of even talking to each other? Do you not remember what I said last night? You're furthering my point even more by trying to get into my head and under my skin. It's not going to work—not this time."

Draco leaned away from her and started sulking again.

Ira calmed down before continuing. "We were never meant to be…friends, Malfoy. Just let that be that."

He scoffed coldly. "I'd never want to be friends with someone like you."

Then what do you want from me? She wanted to ask but decided against it.

Something at Ira's feet nuzzled into her leg. She glanced down to see Lady sitting there, looking up at her with those bright eyes of hers. The animal had trailed behind her all day. Ira almost forgot she was there.

Then, Lady did the unthinkable. She stood up, stretched, and moved to Draco's polished loafers. Ira felt a surge of jealousy rage within her as she watched her Kneazle cuddle up to Draco's feet. Draco cringed, lightly pushing the animal from him.

"Don't be rude," Ira bit out, walking from her place on the couch and grabbing Lady. "She shouldn't like you. Can't she sense your evilness?"

To experiment, Ira took a seat next to Draco and put Lady down, watching the girl quickly warm up to Ira's enemy with grace.

Draco smirked. "What can I say? I'm a charmer."

"A snake charmer," Ira said, taking Lady back and keeping her in her lap.

From where she sat, Ira noticed how close in proximity she was with Draco. She could smell his clean, earthy smell—one that she knew for sure had all the girls swooning. He was a charmer, even if Ira didn't like to admit it. The girls had a tough time keeping their eyes off him. This was something she saw over the years. She wondered how he managed to seem so disinterested in the attention he received. Then again, he was disinterested in everything and everyone. Except for one person…

Ira's eyes caught Draco's. He still had that bored look on his face, like he'd love to be anywhere but in that moment with her. Of course, after their spats of the years, Ira got used to the looks he gave her; the same bored, irritated expression that only she could get out of him. Or Harry. He could get under his skin without even trying.

But that also didn't answer to the other looks he gave her when he wasn't a complete prat. Ira knew that she'd no longer see that side of Draco for a long time, but wasn't that what she wanted? She wanted him to leave her alone and quit with the game of charades forever. She wanted to forget his existence entirely. Right?

"Soares?"

Ira snapped out of it and swallowed the bile rising in her throat from her thoughts at the same moment a group of voices came from outside the common room. Ira and Draco looked at each other suddenly, wondering who could be back from lunch so early. Hopefully it was who they hoped for.

When Sally, Lily, and Tracey walked in, Ira breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank Merlin you guys are back," she smiled, removing herself from her spot next to Draco to greet her friends.

They didn't look so thrilled.

Ira frowned. "Did something happen?"

Lily nodded. "Someone saw us with Daphne and told McGonagall we have a restricted animal on Hogwarts grounds."

"So, what's going to happen now?"

"We don't know. McGonagall stopped us on our way from lunch and said Dumbledore will want a word with us immediately," she said.

Ira knew this wouldn't be good.

So, the four of them took their time to get to Dumbledore's office, all of them thinking the worst. While the other students would enjoy their first Defense class with Professor Moody, they would spend time getting punished for what Lily did. Draco refused to go, resulting in him separating from them and attending the class. Ira envied him.

The gargoyle leading to the headmaster's tower was anything but friendly. The girls watched it leap aside after saying the password, "Sherbet Lemon."

Climbing the spiral staircase, the girls made it to the double doors. It was the first time any of them would be going inside the office, so what would they find? Ira pictured it as something to marvel at.

And it was.

The wooden doors opened into a circular room that made them jaw slacked in awe. It had a high ceiling that seemed to go on forever, with walls decorated in portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses, all sleeping soundly. Walking to the claw-footed desk, two staircases on either side of it went upward over tall shelves of books. The Sorting Hat sat on a stool nearby, along with a large animal perched beside the desk. Ira realized this as Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, watching the girls enter with a goose in Lily's arms. There was a twinkle in his eyes like always.

"Hello, girls," Dumbledore greeted.

"Headmaster," they mumbled, shifting uncomfortably under his stare.

There was a brief pause before he began to speak. "I'm sure you know why you're here—"

"I turned Daphne into a goose!" Lily lost all composure and started blabbing out the truth.

Ira had been side-eyeing her to entire walk, watching the girl nibble on her lip a little too much. She was usually a calm girl who knew how to keep her wits in check. Now, Ira saw a whole new side to her. But she didn't blame Lily for acting the way she did. She might be getting expelled, the pressure had to be weighing her down.

"I know, Ms. Moon."

Lily quieted. "You did?"

"I know everything that happens within these corridors," he laughed lightly. "I know a talented witch when I see one."

Ira and Sally gaped.

Lily blushed. "Oh, uh…thank you?"

"Although your magic is much more advanced than other students in your year, and quite remarkable, it goes without question that you and your friends ought to still be disciplined. First, by turning Ms. Greengrass back, perhaps?"

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore returned Daphne to her full form. Daphne was confused at first, then furious, taking a lunge towards Lily who sidestepped the movement. The tall blonde must not have had the best footing after being in a goose-like state, because her lunge brought her down. Tracey did the respectable thing and helped the girl off the ground, but Daphne shoved her away.

"My parents will hear about this!" she snapped.

Dumbledore smiled. "There will be no need. Both your parents and Ms. Moon's have been contacted in light of this ordeal."

"Surely she's getting expelled!"

He didn't answer her, instead moving to a different topic, eyes moving to the tall raven-haired girl standing nervously in the center. "Ms. Moon, I'm sure you know the consequences of using such dangerous magic on another student. Human Transfiguration can have dangerous side-effects if not casted correctly. Thankfully, you knew full well what you were doing before you turned Ms. Greengrass into a goose."

"I was only defending Sally," Lily sputtered. "Daphne turned her hair green and they were dueling in our dorm. It was the first thing I thought of."

"It was still foolish. You saw what happened yesterday between Professor Moody and Draco Malfoy, you knew it to be unwise to use a spell like that on another one of your classmates."

Lily's face fell, glancing at her shoes instead of Dumbledore's knowing stare.

Dumbledore continued. "Tomorrow evening I have summoned both of your parents to my office to discuss the situation you two got involved in and how we'll stop any inconveniences in the future. I wish I could say there won't be any, but knowing you girls, anything is possible."

Tracey stepped forward. "What about us, sir? Will we be punished as well?"

He took his time to answer, looking over them thoughtfully. "Separating you girls seems to be the wisest decision."

Ira blanched. "No way. I can't room with someone other than Lily and Sally! They're like my sisters."

Lily put a hand on Ira's arm. "Ira, it's okay."

Dumbledore sighed. "Ms. Greengrass and Ms. Soares will begin rooming with Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson by tomorrow night while Ms. Perks and Ms. Davis will continue rooming together fro the remainder of the year."

Ira growled, like that really minimized the problem.

Lily straightened. "What about me, sir?"

"We'll conclude that tomorrow. For now, I bid you all to your next class." He plucked a Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Bean from a dish and coughed. "Ergh, troll boogey."

Ira didn't want to leave—not when she could put up a fight against his punishment. She'd rather have a month's worth detention than share a room with three of her biggest enemies. She sulked like Draco on her way out, feeling Dumbledore's eyes boring into her back the whole way.

Daphne didn't join them for their Defense class, instead skipping it and heading towards the dungeons. The only thing Ira could look forward to now was the class, hoping she didn't miss too much.

"What a vile punishment," Sally mused with slouched shoulders. "I hope you don't get expelled, Lily. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ira agreed. "Me too."

Lily put on a good face, though. "It'll be fine. I guess I'll just transfer to Beauxbaton's…"

"No, you can't!" Sally cried, wrapping her arms around Lily soothingly.

"What choice do I have?"

Ira interjected. "You always have a choice. Maybe Dumbledore will let you off easy. He did commend you on your wand-work."

"The same wand-work that landed me in this situation in the first place," she grunted.

They made it to Defense just in time. Moody was talking about the Imperius curse with a large spider in his hands when they walked in. He didn't look too pleased at their interruption but told them he'd been notified by Dumbledore before the period that he'd have some late students. Lily and Sally took a table near the back, while Ira sat in the empty seat next to Harry. Oddly enough, Ron was seated with Hermione for once.

Offering Harry a quick smile, Ira watched as Moody continued on with his lecture on the Unforgivable Curses. She tried to focus on what he was saying, but all she could think about was Lily, and what waited for her the following day.