Disclaimer:
J. K. Rowling: Have you read the half-blood prince yet? I've sold-
me: Yes, I did, and you didn't get one red cent from me unless you masqueraded as a common American and received change from my cash register at Walmart.
JKR: Well, how-?
me: I went to the library after work to wait from 11:00 P.M. until after midnight for a free copy to borrow! WOOT! That means I got it sooner than I would have if I'd paid you! NYA NYA!
JKR: -ahem-
me: Right. Give to Jo what is Jo's and give to me what is mine! Reread the first 24 disclaimers if you have any questions. Oh, and it isn't wise to write disclaimers at 1:00 in the morning. -yawn- so sleepy!
Reviews: Sorry for the wait! Thanks bunches!
pandasruletheworld: Yes and no, like I said. This time thing is really confusing; it will be as if there were two pasts leading up to a present when the Time Turners return.
Jessesgirl11: First of all, while I am QUITE aware that I should not have been driving,not only was I fighting fatigue from lack of sleep due to my painful jaw (blasted wisdom teeth) and wrong medication- oh, GRR!
Never mind; I am quite sane. Just don't be so condescending, K? It's not your style.
I'm glad you reviewed. Have your parents gotten you that laptop yet? I haven't talked to you in forever, chica!
ZIPPIYGIRL: Glad you like it! Sorry it took so long to update!
Misao13: ¡Gracias! Es… pues, es difícil a veces para escribir cosas interesantes. El mes pasado no podía escribir todo el tiempo y- pues, espero que estés bien y que te guste este capítulo.
Vividly Anonymous: I don't blame you for not signing in. The people like making things harder for us, I suppose.
I'm concerned about when they're going back, too. They'll have to ask for extra time, but since the turners will be going back to their sixth/seventh year in the future… well….
So much to do…
I'm not sure whether or not Harry's parents should find out, lol. That would be funny, though.
I'm glad you enjoy this :-) I'm sorry the update took so long.
IamSiriusgrl: sorry I took so long! I really am. I swear I've been so… well never mind. As for when Ginny and Harry will get together, probably the sequel because, well, a) it has to be realistic in time frames and b) I have so many couples here I might as well save a few for the sequel.
WierdRonnieLover: Thanks. Everything worked out, though. We finally got the car back today! It's about time. Anyway, sorry the update took so long. The next one should be much quicker!
Bissek: Glad you enjoy it! Sorry these next two chapters aren't filled with pranks, but- well…they will probably get back to it. Muahahahaha! I hope you still enjoy this.
Oh, and thank you VERY much for the information about Harold Potter in 1969. Monty Python is made up of crazed geniuses, which means that they are good entertainment. Unfortunately, I haven't seen that yet but hopefully I'll be able to use some of the info. The carnivorous meat sounds like a Weasley's Wizard Wheeze, don't you think? (sequel).
Ashley: Thank you very much for the reminder! At least I got this done a few days after your review. Now I need to write ch. 5 of Malgramer and more of this of course. Tell Wal-mart to give me more time off and to pay me for it. I'm half kidding.
And finally, it is time for the long-awaited fifteen page chapter (in MS.Word without the review comments) of When Time Turns Back!
Chapter 25
Then Came the Morning
Despite their odd dreams, the Marauders still managed to wake up the next morning. Remus, of course, was the first to wake. When he found Sirius slumped over a book, he panicked and started shaking him.
"PADFOOT! Are you all right? Are you-"
"GRR!" Sirius growled. "Of course I'm all right. Now what gives you the right to wake me up like that?"
"I was about to say the same thing," Harry added groggily.
"Oh," Remus replied. "Sorry about that. It's just that you were reading, and-"
"I told you I was going to the library last night, mates," he grumbled. "Is it that surprising?" he asked.
"Yes," Ron, Harry, and Remus replied. "I haven't heard anything from Prongs yet," Ron added. Then they heard the shower start up.
"The bugger-brain! He stole the shower!" Remus growled.
"Well, can we go back to sleep now?" Ron asked.
"No, it's a Hogsmeade day," Sirius replied.
"So, what were you reading?" Harry asked. His response was unintelligable. "What did you say?" he asked. "I couldn't hear you."
"The History of the House of Black," Sirius repeated, speaking louder this time. The rest of them gasped.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Remus asked. "How can you-"
"They weren't all bad, mates. Black is a nice enough color, you know. My great-uncle Orion was an Auror."
"Ugh, veritas durmiendi is weird," Ron complained.
"It's interesting, though. Hey, Ron, did Ginny-"
"Don't even mention my sister," Ron grumbled. "I'm hungry."
"Go to the kitchen or the dining hall," Remus replied mildly; now that he was fully awake and over the shock of seeing Sirius reading, he was in a good mood.
"All right, Moony. Hey, Moony, I know you're a werewolf and all, but could you re-apply for the Dark Arts position our seventh year? I mean, you're still a good teacher and Dumbledore shouldn't give a rap about what people think."
"Um," Remus replied, not sure of what to say.
"He resigned," Harry reminded him.
"So? He would be better than Snape, and even You-know-who would be better than Umbridge."
"Who?" Sirius asked. Harry sighed.
"Voldemort." The rest of them jumped.
"All right, Voldy-wart then," Harry amended. The rest burst out laughing. "I think you need coffee," he observed.
"I hate coffee," Remus replied. "Hot chocolate or butterbeer, perhaps."
"Coffee?" Sirius asked. "What's that?"
"Yeah, mate, what is it?" Ron reiterated.
"It's a muggle drink with lots of caffeine in it."
"Oh," Ron replied disinterestedly.
"I want some!" Sirius announced to no one in particular. The shower stopped.
"Dibs on the shower," Remus said.
"Second," Harry added.
"Third," Ron said.
"Why do I have to be last?" Sirius asked plaintively, trying out a puppy dog face.
"Go see if you can visit Murzim," Ron suggested.
"I doubt Runa Soleine would appreciate it if I woke her up and asked to visit her dog," Sirius informed Ron. "Plus, Moony probably wants me to let his girlfriend sleep in. Although how he can spend time in her company when she's asleep in her dormitory is beyond me."
"When has Runa's irritation stopped you before?" Remus asked.
"Many times, actually. Maybe it's 10 percent of the time." Harry rolled his eyes, and James entered the scene.
"See ya," Remus replied, rushing to claim the shower.
"Not even a good morning," James commented.
"So what did you dream about?" Sirius asked. "Lily?"
"No, duh," Ron remarked.
"Actually, I didn't." Sirius's mouth flew open.
"But-"
"Get over it, Padfoot. What were you reading?" he asked.
"I'm out of here," Sirius grumbled, stomping toward the door.
"Wait! Padfoot!" Ron called after him. "You… er… might not want to leave without changing from your pajamas!"
EequalsfflateequalsfflatEequalsfflaT
"Grr!" Runa grumbled the next morning when she woke. "I can't believe- grr! MY NAME IS RUNA!" she screamed, waking Brenna.
"Runes! What's wrong?" She asked groggily, already holding her wand. "Of course your name is Runa." Runa blushed.
"Sorry," she replied meekly. "I just… well, mother kept going back and forth between Runa and Saffron Runa last night, and that drives me insane." Realizing what she had just said, she hoped Brenna would understand enough not to send her to St. Mungo's.
"You saw your Mom last night? With the veritas durmiendi, I mean," Brenna amended. "Cool. I… well, I got to relive my childhood," she admitted. "I didn't know my father was-is a werewolf." Now Runa cocked an eyebrow.
"Your father is a werewolf?" Runa asked. "Yeesh, that's weirder than my dream, and now you're dating one," she continued incredulously.
"Yep," Brenna replied. "I'll cure them someday."
"Right," Runa muttered. Murzim, however, did not like how the conversation was going or the fact that he was being left out and he leapt onto Runa's bed.
"Murzim," she protested. He answered with a short bark. "All right, already. Good morning to you, too, feather brain, and I'll get you a doggy biscuit." Murzim wagged his tail and then jumped from Runa's bed to Brenna's.
"Hey, Murzy," Brenna greeted him. "It's a Hogsmeade day. Wanna come?" He barked. "Translation please, Runes?" she asked her friend, who was unwillingly getting up from her warm bed to get Murzim's treat.
"He says there's no way we can leave without him," she replied. "Unfortunately- I mean, fortunately- he's right." By now, she had reached the magically locked container where she kept the dog treats; while Murzim claimed that no mtter how many dog treats he ate he would be fine, she did not believe him. Upon seeing the treat, however, he immediately jumped down from the bed to claim his treat.
"Spoiled rotten dog," Runa muttered as she gave Murzim what he wanted; he ignored her and immediately gobbled it up.
"Since he can understand us, why can't he speak our language?" Brenna asked. Murzim barked a response.
"Mainly because he doesn't feel like it," Runa translated. "Come here, you little brute. Wait! It's a Hogsmeade Day! I get first dibs on the shower." Brenna rolled her eyes.
"Good. You need it," she teased playfully.
"Hey!" Runa protested. "Watch it or I'll use the hot water up."
"Oh, no problem," Brenna replied cheerily. "I know how to use a warming charm."
"Whatever. In only minutes I shall emerge clean, fragrant, and-"
"Soaking wet?" Brenna suggested. Runa rolled her eyes.
"I was going to say 'beautiful,' but that works too. Ta ta for now," she added, and with a wave she disappeared into their bathroom.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lily was the first to rise on the other side of the girls' portal. Immediately she took a shower to wake herself, and then she found her journal and scribbled down everything she remembered from her dream last night. For thirty minutes she wrote in peace, but after that Hermione woke up.
"Good morning, Lily," she greeted her. "You're up early."
"It is seven o'clock," Lily reminded her after glancing at her watch. "We get up earlier on week days."
"And it's a Hogwart's weekend," Hermione agreed. "Well, I think I will take a shower before anyone else wakes up."
"There are two stalls," Lily reminded her.
"Well, I still want one of them," Hermione replied. After grabbing a towel and a few other toiletries, she went off to revel in the hot water- and cleanse herself, of course. By now, Lily had finished writing down her dream, so she closed her journal and decided to work on an extra-credit Transfiguration essay; she figured that she needed all the help she could get in that subject.
"Hey, Lils, why are you doing homework on a Hogsmeade day?" This time, Lily looked up to find that Marianela had interrupted her work.
"Hi, Nela," she said absently.
"You didn't answer my question, chica," Marianela reminded her.
"It's for transfiguration, that's why," Lily replied. She stuck the parchment in the textbook and slammed it shut, waking Ginny, who groaned and pulled the covers over her head.
"Come on, Gin," Marianela urged her from across the room. "You already woke up."
"No I didn't," Ginny replied groggily. "Oh, right, I did," she added. She sat up. "So, why were you and Hermione sleeping funny last night?"
"Are you referring to me or Nela?" Lily asked.
"You," both Marianela and Ginny answered.
"Oh," Lily replied. "Well, our potions teacher made us take a potion that affected our sleep and gave us an odd dream."
"Hmph," Ginny muttered. She slowly pushed the covers away and got up from her bed.
"Dibs on the shower," she added.
"Hermione is in one," Lily replied. "Now, will someone let me do my transfiguration essay?"
"No," replied Runa, who was coming through the portal. "I'm bored. Brenna is in the shower. Does anyone want their makeup done or clothes picked out?" she asked.
"NO!" three voices answered in unison.
"I'm going to take a shower," Ginny and Marianela spoke simultaneously.
"I woke up first," Marianela added.
"I dibsed it," Ginny protested.
"So? I was up first, and I need to see Dumbledore about settling things in Spain.
"So what are you doing here?" Ginny asked.
"Huh?" Hermione asked as she came out of the shower area with a towel around her. "Marianela is currently a resident of this room, and she has every right-" Ginny cleared her throat.
"As I was saying, since she lives here, I am curious about the reason for which you questioned her presence in this room."
"She hasn't asked about Spain yet," Lily replied. "Why don't both of you take your showers since both are open?"
"Okay," Ginny and Marianela replied. "As long as I get a shower, I'm happy," Ginny added. After grabbing a towel and a few other items, she ran to the bathroom in search of hot water. Marianela soon followed.
"So, who's first?" Runa asked.
"Pardon?" Hermione murmured.
"You are!" Runa turned to face her. "Now, 'Mione dear, you really don't want to go out wearing denim this time." Hermione groaned.
"Lily, might I have a bit of assistance?" she asked. Lily bit her lip.
"Mmm, " Lily said absently; she was buried in her transfiguration essay.
"She's not paying attention," Runa informed Hermione. "Now, open up the closet."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Marauders had finally managed to prepare themselves for Hogsmeade, although there were several pranks played before they could get going; Sirius had tured Remus's hair lime green, James had found a dead bee in the bathroom and levitated it toward Ron, and Harry had found some never melting ice cubes; he and Ron levitated them down the original Marauders' shirts. However, Remus managed to beat them all: he had put a hex on their clothing to change color based on their moods and thoughts. He especially enjoyed when Sirius's outfit turned pink when he first saw Runa; that was when the other Marauders knew there was something amiss. Fortunately for him, he had left the hex off of himself, so that when he caught a glimpse of Brenna across the cafeteria, his clothes did not change color.
Unfortunately for Remus, Ron knew the counter-hex; Fred and George had been giving him a few lessons during his sixth year to prepare him for a summer job with them.
"Darn," he muttered when Ron had successfully removed the hex from everyone's clothing. "I was hoping none of you would know about that."
"Oh, Fred and George were experimenting on it for a product," Ron explained. "I've learned a lot from them. You're their heroes, by the way," he added unneccessarily. James, Remus, and Sirius beamed.
"Well, they chose good models," Sirius declared. "Hey, why are we taking the open route to Hogsmeade again?" he asked quietly.
"Because it's relatively warm today and we wanted to see the scenery," Remus explained.
"You mean that you wanted to see the scenery," Harry corrected him. "I don't mind it either, though. I just wish I had worn a jacket," he added.
"Use a warming charm," James suggested.
"They're too warm," Harry replied. "I've been working on one that it temperature sensitive-"
"That's easy, mate," Sirius told him. "Just say aestas temporis instead of just aestas, and you can mentally control the temperature"
"Okay, thanks," Harry said before trying out the charm. "It works," he added.
"I might do that too," Ron said to no one in particular. "Look, there's Zonko's!" he added excitedly. "I need to find more things for Fred and George to look over."
"Good idea, mate," Harry told him. "I'm glad their company is/will be/was- what tense am I supposed to use! I'm just glad that you and the twins are making money."
"Me, too," Ron confided.
"These twins sound intriguing," Remus commented. "Will I ever get to prank them successfully?" he asked.
"Not telling," Ron and Harry both replied.
"Hmph," James muttered. "Come on, let's go into Zonko's!" He dragged his friends into the store, glad to finally be there again.
"Hey, Marauders!" the owner greeted them cheerfully. "I'm glad you're here again. Would you like to try some beauty-isn't-even-skin-deep cream? I'll give it to you for half the price."
"Let me guess, its name was too long for it to sell?" Remus suggested.
"That and the WFDA got on me for selling unsafe products," the owner sighed. "They've no appreciation for my art."
"You should try-" Ron immediately closed his mouth.
"'Scuse me?" Zonko's owner asked. "Did you say something?"
"I was just going to look for candied worms," Ron replied quickly.
"Oh," he replied. "Over on the right," he added disappointedly.
"Whew," Harry muttered when he had left. "That was close."
"Very," Ron agreed.
"What's this?" Sirius asked.
"Did you think of a new product or two?" Remus questioned. Ron nodded. "Do you have any scrap paper?"
"Sure," James said, reaching into his pocket and handing him a scrap of parchment. "I have a quill, too- self-inking."
"Thanks, mate," Ron replied, quickly using them to scribble down, 'sleeping powder/cream- b. sleep,' and 'improve mood clothing- imitate Muggle mood rings.'
"Oh, that looks good," Sirius complimented him.
"Fred and George will love those ideas," Harry added as Ron pocketed the paper.
"Yep!" he replied cheerfully. "Now let's get some pranking supplies!"
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Meanwhile, Runa had managed to drag the rest of the Secuestradoras into a shoe shop, Magic Steps Emporium. They had spent thirty minutes in there, and Hermione was sick of trying on shoes.
"Come on, Runes, let's go," she pleaded.
"Just try on the black heels," Runa suggested. "You're buying these three pair," she added, motioning to several boxes of shoes in a row.
"All right," Hermione sighed. Brenna, too, was irritated with the shoe shopping; Ginny had managed to hide in a corner, and Lily had escaped to the bathroom.
"Why don't you wear those out after you buy them?" she suggested.
"I might as well," she grumbled, picking up her boxes and walking to the cash register. Brenna followed, she herself being attached to some hot pink heels.
"So, you're going to wear those outside?" the lady asked.
"Obviously," Hermione replied, slightly disgruntled.
"Look, 'Mione, there's no reason to gripe," Ginny told her, having returned from her hiding spot. The cashier said as little as possible and completed Hermione's transaction quickly; soon Brenna was done as well. Then, as they were walking out the door, Runa heard her mutter, "uh-oh."
"What?" she asked the cashier, turning back.
"Finite incantem," she replied nervously. "I'm so sorry! It's-"
"Come on, Hermione growled, dragging Runa out of the shop. "It's time to go into another bloody shop." Lily, Ginny, and Runa stared at Hermione as they walked and she fumed; Brenna was a bit dazed and paid no attention.
"Look, there's the guys!" Ginny exclaimed when she saw them approaching. "Hey Harry, hey Ron! Hi Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs!" she shouted.
"RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY!" Hermione shouted. "GET YOUR HIDEOUS SELF OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Ron looked bewildered.
"Hermione, are you all right?" he asked. "You look a little pale."
"HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY HEALTH!" she screamed. As she did so, Brenna started acting up.
"Hey Padfoot. You got a date tonight? REMUS!" she giggled, throwing her arms around him and staying extremely close. "How're you doing, honey? Le's find ourselves a-" by now, Remus had turned bright red from embarrassment.
"Brens! Are you okay?" Runa, Lily and Ginny asked simultaneously. Hermione was still yelling at everyone and everything, and Brenna was being very, very clingy.
"I'm fine," Brenna replied. "Better'n ever." She giggled again. Remus stood there, bewildered, not sure whether or not to shove her away when she was acting this strangely.
"What's going on here?" Harry demanded.
"I wonder," Runa muttered.
"You wonder what?" Ginny demanded. Now, Hermione had a terrified Ron against the wall and was about to hit him; Ron was trying his hardest to be chivalrous and not punch her in the stomach.
"FINITE INCANTEM," Runa shouted, her wand pointed toward Hermione's shoes. Then she did the same for Brenna.
"What?" Hermione asked. "Ron! Oh, I'm so sorry!" she wailed, letting go. "What on earth is going on here?" Brenna was just as confused; when she realized how close she was to Remus, she shot away from him, embarrassed.
"What- I- sorry," she muttered weakly. "I—"
"I wondered what the girl in Magic Steps Emporium meant," Runa interrupted. "Somehow there were mood spells on those shoes."
"You were in quite a hurry, Pouncer," Ginny added. "Ron, next time just punch her in the stomach." Hermione blushed.
"I didn't know-"
"Why didn't we notice anything different about Brenna?" Lily questioned. "Oh, right, it made her flirty, and there weren't any guys around," she realized, answering her own question.
"Next time you go shopping, please check for spells," Sirius begged. "Soleine, your temper is bad enough without you being under a hex."
"Where did you go?" James asked.
"Magic Steps Emporium," Brenna admitted. "I-I'm sorry," she apologized to Remus. He blushed again.
"No problem," he replied. "However, I think you may need to watch out." The other Marauders laughed.
"Where's Nela?" Lily asked suddenly.
"She's out with Sara for a little while," Ginny replied. "We're meeting them in fifteen minutes at The Three Broomsticks, remember?"
"Oh," Lily responded. Then they heard a beeping noise coming from Ginny's backpack.
"What's that?" Ron demanded.
"It's in Morse code, whatever it is," Remus commented. Brenna, however, was listening.
"It's Nela," she replied worriedly. "She needs back-up. She's by Honeydukes and the bookshop."
"Ok," Ginny responded, her eyes brightened by fury. "Let me at 'em. Wands ready, everyone, and let's get going," she commanded as she thrust herself through the crowd.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Marianela and Sara had found a second-hand store, The Thrifty Magician, next to Sara's favorite bookstore. She hadn't bought a dress for the ball yet, and didn't want to spend much money; she was saving most of what she had for Italy.
"I can't believe my luck," she enthused as she browsed through the racks. "This necklace is gorgeous, don't you think?" she added, picking up a slender silver chain with a purplish pendant. Marianela looked at it carefully.
"It's fake," she replied disgustedly. "It's not even a good fake," she added. Sarah looked over at her in surprise.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Well, I just have to look at it in the light," she replied. "My father was a jeweler."
"Are you muggle-born, then?" Sara asked, surprised.
"No, not really," Marianela replied. "There can be wizard jewelers- my father was one of them. Can we go look at the clothes?" she asked.
"Sure," Sara agreed. "How else am I going to find something to wear at the ball?"
"You could just wear school robes," Marianela replied, half-joking. "It would certainly drive Annie and Rosa nuts."
"True," Sara admitted. She dragged her friend over to the clothing section. "Here they are; let's see if we can find anything." Immediately she began flipping through without success. After five minutes, she was grumbling and ready to leave.
"Why don't they have my size?" she moaned. "Honestly! This is insane."
"Because I was expecting you, silly," a voice behind them explained. They turned around and saw a short, old-looking witch who was smiling with almost toothless mouth.
"Oh, hi, Myra," Sara greeted her cheerfully. "How did you know I'd be coming?"
"Heard talk of a ball," she explained. "Besides, you're one of my regulars." Sara blushed.
"Thanks. So are there any dresses or robes in my size?" she asked.
"Just one," Myra apologized. "It's a Muggle dress, but if I clean it up a little it'll be fine."
"All right," Sara agreed. "Thanks. Where is it?"
"Over here. By the way, who is your friend?"
"Marianela Perez y Prado, I'd like you to meet Myra Goldleaf," Sara introduced them. "Myra, this is Marianela." Marianela curtsied and Myra peered closer at her through her glasses.
"Nice to meet you," Marianela said.
"Stop the pleasantries," Myra ordered. She turned around and probed Marianela's expression. "I think you meant that, though. Now, let's look at the dress." She led them to a storage room in the back of the store; it was cluttered with various items and there was barely room to walk.
"I get lots of things in from purebloods who are ashamed to wear anything more than once, or admit that they've got a tight budget;I've got everything here from dress robes to crystal balls to trunks to-"
"What's this?" Marianela asked, picking up a cork box covered in ornate leather designs and carvings.
"Oh, that? That's a keeping box that the Russian wizards liked to make in the 1600's. Actually, it can store more things than one thinks: everything in it is invisible and automatically shrinks. There's a spell somewhere to take everything out of it to find out what is in there if you don't know; I can't remember it right now. It's Plethora or something like that."
"Cool," Marianela said cheerily. "How much is it?" Myra tilted her head.
"It's outdated, you silly persnickety- wait, you're not silly or persnickety, are you?" she asked, not expecting a response. "Anyway, I guess it isn't that outdated. Erm… one galleon," she said. "And don't sue me if there's something in there that's harmful; I really don't know. Haven't had a chance to look at it or look up the spell."
"Okay," Marianela replied. "It's like Ginny's handbag, only it's not a purse."
"No," Myra agreed, "But I think you'll find it useful. It would be even better if it weren't so pretty."
"It's still nice, though," Marianela replied. "I'll take it," she added, pulling a gold coin from her purse.
"Thanks, hon," Myra said as she pocketed the galleon. "Now, Sara, the dress is back here in that corner." Sara looked in the direction that Myra was pointing and saw an old, dull yellow dress covered in sequins and brown stains.
"Um, it's got a lot of stains on it," Sara pointed out. "I really can't wear something like that to the ball."
"No," Myra agreed. "It's too bad I'm a squib; I do have a list of spells that will help, though."
"I've seen you do magic before," Sara protested. The proprietress cut her off.
"I've got a trick wand with a number of useful spells put in it by my daughter. All I have to do is say the spell, and no one is the wiser." She walked to another part of the storage room, stepping over various objects on the floor. "Oh, here is is!" she beamed as she picked up a book. "Cleaning Spells: Everything a Seamstress Needs to Know About Refurbishing Clothing, Tapestries, and Etcetera."
"That's a long title," Sara observed. "Are you trying to sell me that, too?"
"Nah," Myra replied as she flipped through. "It's too useful; I have my daughter use it. Here it is!" she added, pulling out a piece of paper. "These are the spells you need to use. Try them here." She handed Sara the paper; Sara skimmed it and saw six spells written down that included stain removal, fabric strengthening, a softening charm, a quick-dye charm, an anti-fading and anti-stain charm, and a color strengthening charm.
"All right," she replied cheerily. Then she performed the first three spll. Amazingly, the dress now looked as good as new, but it was still banana yellow with silver sequins on it.
"Ugh," Marianela commented. "Please tell me you plan to change the color," she added.
"Obviously," she replied. "What do you think, Nela? Should I change it to green or pink?"
"It depends on the shade. How about coral?"
"Huh? What kind of color is that?"
"Erm, nevermind. I'll think of something else."
"You think of color in gemstones, don't you?" Myra commented. Marianela jumped up, startled.
"Somewhat, yes," she replied.
"Don't jolt like that back here," Myra grumbled. "You'll hurt yourself or, worse, break something."
"It's nice to know you're so concerned about your customers' health," Marianela replied sarcastically.
"Um, my dress?" Sara prodded. "What color should I make it?"
"Pink," Marianela replied. "A deep pink, like- oh, crud! I can't remember the stones that color! Just make it sunset rose."
"How am I supposed to know-?" Myra flipped through the book again and interrupted her.
"Here you go. See it?" Myra asked. "This is what you'll say the color as in the spell if it's complicated.
"Yes, thank you!" Marianela replied. "This says it's FE78AA." (AN: I used paint and a calculator to find the hex numbers, like you use with html. R254, G120, B170.)
"All right," Sara decided. "That's pretty." She then used the quick-dye charm. "I like this," she decided before doing the remaining charms.
"It's old fashioned," Myra warned.
"No problem," Sara replied. "That means that it'll be unique."
"Undique?" Myra asked, confused. "That means 'on all sides' in Latin."
"Unique," Sara corrected her. "How much is the dress?"
"Two galleons," Myra replied. Sara bit her lip. "However, since you refurbished it, I'll give it to you for one." Sara smiled.
"Thanks, Myra," she said gratefully. She got out a gold galleon and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Ms. Goldleaf," Marianela echoed.
"Myra," the squib corrected her.
"Myra, then. How do we get out of here?"
"Go that way, then turn into the second door on the left," she replied. "Here, let me bag your items." She used her trick wand to do so, then handed the girls their bags.
"Bye, Myra," they called before following her instructions.
"Hmph," she responded, chuckling. "Girls these days," she added before inventorying new items.
Only Marianela and Sara had exited the store. However, the sight of the outside world was not welcome; Rosa, Annie, and four boys from Slytherin and Ravenclaw had surrounded the entrance.
"Hello," Marianela greeted them coolly. "Mind if we pass through?"
"As a matter of fact, we do, Spaniard," Annie replied. "Now give me my necklace."
"Is that supposed to be an insult?" Sara asked.
"Don't be an idiot," Rosa advised. "Hanging out with dirt really doesn't help your social standing, nor does shopping at second hand stores."
"If you won't let us pass, I suppose we'll just have to cut through," Marianela responded. "Excuse me, boys," she added, pushing the bag up on her arm and pulling out her wand. "I'd rather not have this get messy."
"Especially since you're outnumbered," Annie replied. "Now give me my necklace."
"Do you mean my mother's necklace?" Marianela smirked.
"As if your mother could own such a necklace," Annie sneered.
"Just give it to her, Franco," one of the Slytherin boys demanded. Marianela's eyes flashed; Franco and his men were responsible for her family's death, and she did not take that lightly. It was all she could do not to start the fight with that provocation.
"If I look like an ugly, middle-aged man to you, then you really need to visit St. Mungo's. You need your vision checked, not to mention your hearing. What is it like being a nitwit?" she asked. He growled.
"Petrificus totalis!" he shouted.
"Protego," Marianela said coolly, putting up the shield just in time. By now, Sara was on the ground under a jelly-legs jinx.
"Expelliarmus," Sara gasped, gaining one of the Ravenclaw boys' wands.
"Avada-" Annie started.
"Expelliarmus," Marianela interrupted, effectively stopping the spell and disarming Annie. She started casting hexes left and right, as well as putting up shields against the other hexes, and used the other hand to signal Ginny in Morse Code with her invisible MSCD.
"She doesn't give up, does she?" One of the Slytherin boys muttered. "Cambio-"
"You know, she actually looks kind of pretty like that," one of the Ravenclaws decided. "Rosa, why are we-" Rosa shot the full body bind at him.
Marianela knew that she couldn't hold out for much longer; already she had bloody gashes all over her body and constantly had to put up shields.
"Accio butterbeer," she shouted when she saw someone behind her attackers holding a glass of the beverage. The glass flew straight toward her, crashing through Annie and rendering her unconscious. Then, just as she was protecting herself from another hex, she saw a welcome sight: her fellow Secuestradoras and the Marauders racing down the street. Ginny was leading them; her face was red with rage, and her eyes were ablaze. She started throwing hexes as soon as she was in firing range; the others joined her shortly afterward.
"Wait," one of the Slytherin boys, now under the jelly leg jinx himself, protested. "We didn't mean any harm-"
"Silencio!" Brenna shouted, effectively silencing him. "We know exactly what you meant, as well as the fact that you are a disgusting pawn who can't even think for himself."
"Look, we give up, all right?" a Ravenclaw snapped. "You're too many for us."
"What makes you think we'll let you surrender?" Sirius challenged. To his surprise, none of the girls protested.
"You deserve to be hanging by your toenails in the dungeon," James agreed. "So, what do you say? Shall we call Filch, Marianela?"
"Just dock points and give detention," Lily interrupted. "James, you know I don't want you to be like- them, the cowards."
"Cowards!" Rosa demanded. "I'll have you know-"
"Yes, cowards," Lily repeated. "Convincing guys to help you attack innocents, whom you outnumbered three to one, just because you don't like their nationality- there's not much more cowardly than that."
"Just let me hex the dung eaters," Sirius growled.
"Come on, Lils, just let us do a few hexes. We won't do anything harmful, just alter their appearance a little." Lily sighed; she could tell that all of her companions were excited at the prospect.
"All right," she agreed. "But first, let me dock points and assign detention. All of you, one hundred fifty points off your houses for each of you for attacking and using harmful hexes and detention with Filch for three weeks." She paused. "That includes the unconscious ones save Sara. Go ahead," she added. Her friends then proceeded to turn the purpetrators' skin green with orange polka dots and their hair purple. Rosa and Annie's heads were shaved, and Runa used a hair growth charm on their legs. Then Hermione, Ginny, Brenna, Remus and Lily used all the healing charms they knew on Sara and Marianela before reviving Sara; Sirius, Runa, James, Ron, and Harry put them on stretchers and tied them up.
"It's time to take them to the health wing," Lily decided.
"Aw, darn," Marianela muttered. "Sara, are you all right?"
"Yes, and so is my dress," she replied. "Thanks, guys. How did you know?" she asked the others.
"How did you know?" James reiterated, glancing toward Ginny. "What was the beeping coming from?"
"Brenna and I are the only amateur radio operators at Hogwarts," Remus added.
"Call it a stroke of genius," Brenna replied. "Come on, let's get the idiots to Dumbledore and Madame Waxley and then return for some butterbeer."
"Good idea," Harry agreed. "Make sure she knows the whole story, though, so that she'll make them suffer.
"Will we have time to do any more shopping?" Runa asked.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The floating green bodies on stretchers guarded by the Marauders and Sequestradoras had quite a dramatic effect on the staff at Hogwarts. Staff of all four houses stared at the group; even the divinations teacher could not hold back her shock.
"I- not even I could have foretold a calamity such as this!"
"Calamity, my foot," Mrs. McGonagall retorted, glaring. "I presume that Ms. Evans would not allow an unprecidented attack in her presence."
"Hmph," the divinations teacher grumbled. The potions master took a different approach to the students.
"Why are you carrying my students on stretchers in such a state!" he demanded. "Fifty points each from-" James interrupted him before he could finish.
"I believe we should be asking why your students as well as some Ravenclaws ganged up on two students in an unprovoked attack," he replied steadily, barely holding back his rage as he kept one hand over Lily's mouth. Lily bit him. "Ouch," he protested, pulling away his hand.
"JAMES POTTER! WHY ON EARTH DID YOU THINK YOU COULD KEEP ME FROM SPEAKING MY MIND!" she yelled.
"I just wanted to keep you out of-" he started to protest; she wouldn't let him finish.
"AFTER ALL, I AM CLOSER TO NELA THAN YOU ARE, AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR-" The staff members stared with their mouths wide open; Lily was screaming louder than she ever had at James Potter, which meant quite a bit.
"Ms. Evans-"
"SHUT UP!" Harry interrupted. Lily and James stared at him in return. "Now, I presume that ambushing two students outside of a store from jealousy is incorrect behavior. Am I correct?" He did not wait for an answer. "Both of the victims, whom we healed, were Ravenclaw, as well as four of the six attackers. All of the boys were under the influence of the two girls whom you see on the stretcher." Mrs. McGonagall finally managed to interrupt him.
"I see, Mr. Potter. Very good." She glared at the potions master. "I am taking 100 points from Slytherin, both for the students' actions and a professor's unauthorized, erroneous accusations against students."
"Now, look, Minerva," the potions master protested. "You know you can't do that. Only the headmaster can dock points from houses based on a teacher's action, and what else should I have thought when I saw my students bound to stretchers, injured, and hexed green!" he demanded.
"He's right," Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher, agreed. "As much as the docked points are deserved- I believe they deserve more deducted- only Dumbledore can punish teachers." The potions master gave Mrs. McGonagall a smug look.
"We can easily settle this, then," Remus responded to Professor Flitwick's statement.
"Eh?" he asked. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Remus means that Professor Dumbledore would be more than happy to sort through this mess and deduct points from Slytherin and Ravenclaw under these circumstances, and that we may as well pay him a visit."
"Excuse me?" the potions master sneered. "Look, Minerva, your little Gryffies are all worked up over some poor little defenseless Ravenclaws-"
"Who managed to hold out for several minutes against six attackers and make idiots of a few slimy Slytherins," Sirius interrupted angrily.
"That's Lady McGonagall to you," Mrs. McGonagall added primly. "Now, shall we visit Albus?"
"Sure," replied everyone but the potions master.
"'Lady?' Why would I call you Lady McGonagall, Minerva?" he demanded.
"Simple. I helped with the defeat of Grindewald and was granted a title, you imbecile. Now, let us go get this taken care of. Some of us would like to enjoy the rest of the day." She turned around and briskly led the group to the headmaster's office. After she said the password the door creaked open and all of them crowded into the office.
"Albus!" she called.
"Yes?" the headmaster asked, suddenly appearing right behind her.
"What! How did you-" Professor Flitwick started to ask.
"You have got to stop doing that, Albus," Mrs. McGonagall commented. "Now, we have a situation-"
"Anyone could have heard the yelling down the hallway, Minerva," Albus interrupted her. His eyes twinkled with amusement; nothing but the Death Eaters or news of his friends in danger could faze him.
"So, if you know what's happening, you would know that Minerva wrongly criticized my character and attempted to dock points for my-" the potions master started to say.
"Priggish behavior and idiocy," Runa interrupted him. He glared at her.
"Fifteen points-"
"To Gryffindor for honesty and loyalty," Lily cut in.
"Thirty points-"
"QUIET!" Dumbledore boomed. "Now, I believe that Marianela and Sara were the ones wronged. Will you please explain the appearance of four Ravenclaws and two Slytherins bound to stretchers and hexed green?" Although he was quieter and calmer, Sara and Marianela knew this was not a question: it was a command. They looked at each other for a moment, trying to figure out who should respond, before Marianela spoke.
"Pardon our, um, problema, er, problem, por favor-please You see, these six attacked us outside of a store. We couldn't defend ourselves forever, and thankfully our friends came along to help us. They were so angry that Lily allowed the rest to turn their skin green before we bound them to stretchers; they revived and healed us, and we were on our way to see Madame Waxley when Professor Plieth so rudely interrupted us with unjust accusations." The potions master glowered at her.
"Do you have anything to add?" Dumbledore asked Sara.
"No," she admitted. "Only that Rosa and Annie have been rude to Nela all year, and when I sided with her, they started picking on me, too."
"Ah," Dumbledore said. "Well then, I suppose we shall have to dock 400 points from Ravenclaw- sorry Flitwick- and two hundred from Slytherin for the students' actions. I am adding 200 points to Ravenclaw on your behalf for your actions today. Furthermore, 1000 points go to Gryffindor for their bravery and willingness to help out other students."
"What about Minnie trying to dock points from me?" Professor Plieth demanded.
"Oh. Well, first of all, I'll have to ask Professor McGonagall to do a bit of research as punishment, and Professor Plieth, you will have to entertain us on February thirteenth with a few recitations of romantic Muggle poetry." Professor Plieth stared at him; everyone else started laughing.
"E-excuse me?" he asked. "Professor Dumbledore, sir, you are… er…"
"I can't be off my rocker. I don't have a rocking chair yet," Dumbledore informed him. "I asked Aberforth to get me one for my birthday, though." Professor Plieth stared at him, horrified.
"M-mudblood poetry!" he whispered hoarsely.
"Sappy Muggle poetry," Mrs. McGonagall corrected him. "Now, if you'll excuse me and the rest of my Gryffindors, as well as these two lovely Ravenclaws, we have things to do on this lovely day. I am sure that you do as well."
"Of course, Minnie," Albus Dumbledore replied. "So, I shall see you later. Professor Plieth, you are free to go as well after you help me transport these six students to Mrs. Waxley's. I will get back to you on the selections you must recite."
The Marauders and Secuestradoras were surprised to see a triumphant smile on Mrs. McGonagall's face.
"Serves him right, the prat," Mrs. McGonagall muttered. "You didn't hear that, by the way," she informed her students before turning around and plodding to her office.
I can't think of anything else to say except I hope you enjoyed this. I actually ended up splitting chapter 25 up because it was 28 pages long!
The only "problem" is that ch 26 is more romance-only, and I like things to be well-rounded. I think things will work out, though.
Again, thanks for your patience. I really appreciate reviews, including those with constructive criticism, comments, etc. As for flames (I don't have many, thankfully- only one freezing-cold one from a random Someone on my second fan fiction piece which basically said, 'someone's done this before') they simply up a person's review count.
Well, I'm off to college in a month! Wow. I should update long before then, though.
73 (good luck),
Auramistealia