A/N: Please review!
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"Fine," Ben groaned when they left the locker room after try-outs. "You guys are on the bloody team."
"Thank bloody goodness," Jack rolled his eyes and scratched his head. "Was really nervous I'd be cut."
Cliodhna bit back a laugh, "Which positions this year, Cap?"
Ben sighed, "Twins are stiff competition so I'll keep you as Beater for now I think. Jackie will do well against Potter and Cedric."
"Compared to the crop this year for sure," Jack said dryly. Cliodhna clapped him on the back and laughed as they both only half paid attention to Ben talking strategy for the coming season.
He stopped mid-sentence when an owl flew up to them and dropped a letter at their feet before flying off again. "Peculiar," he muttered.
"Rather rude to just drop it on the ground," Cliodhna watched the owl fly away. "Did you recognize that owl?"
"No," Jack shook his head and looked at the envelope over Ben's shoulder. "It's addressed to all of us."
Ben turned it over and opened it, "Bloody hell?"
"What?" Cliodhna tried to peer at the letter from around him but she was too short.
"It's from the Department of Magical Games and Sports –"
"Really?"
"To all of us?" Jack was skeptical.
Ben let out a disbelieving laugh, "It says that there's already a bidding way over us –"
"All of us?" Jack asked again, "Are you sure I'm included?" His amber eyes scanned the letter.
"We're not even 7th Years," Cliodhna frowned. "We didn't even play last year!"
Ben let out a low whistle and put his hand to his forehead. "All of the UK and Ireland League teams want to come to our matches. They're asking for permission from Dumbledore."
"All of them?"
"Some European and Australia teams too –"
"And they're bidding for us?"
"As in we could chose a team –"
"And they could pay us a bloody fortune," Ben answered, his eyes widening. "Godric we could be bloody rich."
Jack took the letter from Ben's hands. "I'm not even that good of a Seeker," he frowned.
Cliodhna and Ben looked at each other, their mouths open in shock before Cliodhna let out a squeal and they both jumped up and down. "They want us! They want us!"
Jack ran his hand through his very short hair, "They want me too and I don't even want to play –"
Cliodhna grabbed one of Ben's hands and one of Jack's, "We're not even graduating and they want us to play Quidditch," she laughed. "Come on, I want to bloody tell everyone –"
"Not everyone," Jack advised.
"Why not?" Cliodhna asked. "Who could get mad?"
Jack shrugged, "We can tell our mates but we should be discreet. Who knows if Umbridge will try to, I don't know, sabotage us or something."
Cliodhna groaned, but ultimately agreed with Jack. "We at least have to send a copy of this letter to mum and dad because this is amazing."
"We gotta play amazing this year," Ben said as they started to walk back to the castle again.
"Did you think we were going to play shoddily otherwise?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
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"What's going on?" Briony asked immediately upon seeing the triplets in the Great Hall.
"You three look very creepy –"
"That's very rude, Grant," Ben chided her as she tried to avoid a kiss from Jack which only made him try harder and Summer to nearly cry out in faux-distress.
"No, really," Ida asked Cliodhna, "why do you three look so bloody pleased?"
"We're not allowed to be happy?" Jack asked, giving up trying to kiss Summer and sitting down to eat.
"Not this happy," Hunter said dryly.
"It's unnerving is what it is," Briony agreed. "Try-outs couldn't have been that good."
Ben put some food on his plate, "Now that's quite rude," Ben frowned. "Everyone played quite well."
"We're just happy Ben let us back on the team," Cliodhna shrugged before biting into her roast.
"Bullocks," Summer eyed Jack, "but fine. We'll let you tell us whatever it is when you're ready." She leaned over to whisper something to Jack who frowned before his eyebrows raised to high it was almost comical.
"Cat's outta the bag now," Ben muttered to Cliodhna who sighed.
"Go ahead, tell 'em," She said to Jack.
"We're being scouted this year by all the league teams in the UK plus some in Australia," Jack raced to get the words out.
Summer looked beyond pleased and Hunter high-fived her across the table. "Bloody hell, all the teams?"
"This year?" Briony was surprised, "You're not even graduating."
"And even me too," Jack added, "I'm not even the best Seeker currently at Hogwarts."
"Now's not the time to fish for compliments, Jackie," Ben teased.
Jack ignored his brother as he was congratulated by Summer. Cliodhna looked at their mates. "Please don't tell anyone," she started, "we don't know what will happen and we don't want to make a big deal about it."
"So I shouldn't go around bragging to everyone that my best mates are starting a Quidditch bidding war before they even graduate?" Briony asked innocently.
"Yea, I was about to go tell the Slytherins, I know they're your biggest fans," Will stuck his thumb out to point to the Slytherins behind him.
Cliodhna, Ben, and Jack all rolled their eyes simultaneously, causing the 6th Year Ravenclaws to laugh. Ramona sat down then, "What did I miss?"
Cliodhna smiled at her, "Not for us to say." She was pleased when Ida got the hint and told Ramona what she missed. Cliodhna hadn't said anything to Ramona about Fred – it was none of her business – and she made an effort to be nice to Ramona the past few days, trying to proactively not be angry. Fred had been right, she shouldn't be angry. And he was back to his old self anyway.
Ramona congratulated the triplets and the group fell into an easy conversation. Cliodhna was glad they were all such good friends. When they all moved on to their pudding, Cedric and the twins wandered over. Cliodhna watched Fred and Ramona closely, but they seemed relatively normal (besides not addressing each other). "Klee, we need some advice," George started.
"Just a moment of your time, love," Fred added.
Cedric put his hands on her shoulders, "I told them they should at least let you finish your bloody pudding in peace."
Cliodhna grinned at the twins, "Why don't you ask us all?"
"Oh, we wouldn't want to bother you all," George started.
"But, the more minds we put to this, the better," Fred rubbed his chin.
"We promise not to steal your ideas," Briony said. "None of us are wanting to open a joke shop."
"Well you wouldn't stand a chance anyway," George replied haughtily which caused Ben and Briony to snicker back.
"Best not to challenge them, Weasley," Ida said off-handedly before beckoning them to sit. "Come on, come on, what have you got?"
Cedric stood behind Cliodhna with his hands on her shoulders as the twins began to explain their idea and ask for help in turning it into a reality. Cliodhna didn't pay attention to what they were saying and as soon as her yearmates seemed insanely engrossed in the discussion, Cedric squeezed her left shoulder lightly but she was already standing. "You lot seem to have this covered, not really my area of expertise anyway," she started but they all waved her away. She took Cedric's hand with a smile and they walked out of the Great Hall. "Mind if we stop at the owlery before we head to the Heads Room?"
"Sure," Cedric said and eyed her. "Why are you smiling so big?"
Cliodhna laughed, "Godric you're like the rest of them. I'm not allowed to be happy?" She laughed again when he continued to eye her warily. "Well," she started slowly even though she was nearly bursting with excitement to tell him. "We got a letter after try-outs –"
"What on the Pitch? Strange."
She swatted his arm, "It was too important to get in front of everyone," she laughed.
"What could be –"
She laughed at his incessant interruptions, knowing he was doing it on purpose. "Every team in the league – and some others – are scouting us this year and are starting a bidding war for us to sign with them."
Cedric stopped walking and pulled her back so she was facing him. His smile was so wide and his eyes were so proud Cliodhna couldn't help but blush slightly. He didn't say anything but pulled her in for a tight hug and lifted her off the floor with a loud "woop" and spun her around as she giggled. "Bloody brilliant," he gushed as he set her down, his hands on her arms. "I shouldn't be surprised, you're an insanely talented and dedicated player, but I'm bloody glad every team knows it too." He laughed again and said sincerely, "I'm so proud of you, Klee."
She blushed and wanted to say that it was nothing, but she knew Cedric would remind her that it wasn't. it was a bloody big deal. He leaned down to kiss her quickly and Cliodhna knew there was an unspoken promise for more later. "All right," he was still smiling, "let's go send your letters to your parents I assume?"
She nodded and let him lead her to the owlery, his pride and excitement making her smile too.
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Cliodhna had written a very short note to her parents and sent a school owl, promising them both that she'd write more soon about Quidditch and school. "I should write to Sirius soon too," Cliodhna said to Cedric as they left the owlery and walked slowly towards the Head's room. "Although," she frowned, "I'm not sure he replied to my last letter."
"I'm sure he's fine," Cedric said before she could even ask. "Everyone promised to keep him company," remember? I'm sure he's catching up with Remus, Tonks, and your mum. There's nothing to worry about."
"I'm sure you're right," Cliodhna agreed and leaned her head on his arm as they walked. "Can you believe it?" She asked quietly, "Every team?"
"I mean, yes, I can. You said Ludo Bagman knew about you three, wasn't Robbie scouted?"
"How'd you –"
Cedric shook his head. "He was on a team before he graduated, Klee. Like Wood was too." He chuckled, "I'm sure whenever Wood and Grey were scouted, they saw you three play." Cliodhna shrugged, her cheeks pink and Cedric knew she was both flattered and uncomfortable by the attention. "So I'm not entirely surprised," he said with a smile. "But I am very proud of you."
"I should speak with Snape soon, I mean," she said very fast. "If it's possible to be a Potioneer and play Quidditch, I mean, I may not even start –"
"Love, they're all bidding for you. You're incredible at both Chaser and Seeker. You'll start."
Cliodhna shrugged, "I don't want to assume." Cedric chuckled but she continued. "And I'll want to take classes or something to stay fresh and sharp for when I'm done playing Quidditch."
"To do what?" Cedric, asked, genuinely curious. Cliodhna had mentioned random potential careers her entire life, including, Cedric knew, briefly considering Healing or studying science or botany at a Muggle university.
She shrugged, "Just to stay sharp of mind. I can't play Quidditch forever."
Cedric could tell, without even looking at her, that she knew exactly what she wanted to focus on. At least at this very moment, but he didn't press.
All thoughts of Quidditch and the future went out the window when they entered the Heads room and Cliodhna threw her arms around Cedric's neck to kiss him soundly.
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Cliodhna frowned as Cedric stood from the chair they were cuddled on to get ready for dinner. "Why can't we stay here, maybe nick something from the kitchens?" Cliodhna asked with a very slight whine to her voice.
"Oh?" He asked, his back was to her as he put a t-shirt on and reached for his jumper.
"We could read or go to the Astronomy Tower," she continued softly. "Maybe the Prefects bath later."
He turned around met her eyes, an eyebrow raised. "Sounds a bit like a very romantic date."
She pouted slightly, "Thought it would be nice to spend almost an entire day and night away from anyone else." She leaned back in the chair and turned her face away from him. "But if you have better plans," she trailed off, but her eyes darted to him quickly.
He chuckled lightly and leaned down to kiss her lightly, "Better plans than spending time with the one and only Cliodhna Quick?" He dodged her hand as she tried to playfully swat him. He leaned over to look at her Muggle watch. "Everyone should be eating soon at the Great Hall so we can head to the kitchens in a bit."
"Good," she pulled him down next to her and grinned when his eyes widened when a book flew into her hand.
"Where did you have that?"
"What, not impressed by my wandless and wordless magic?"
He shook his head, "I bloody well thought you were capable of that but –"
"I've always got a shrunken book in a pocket," she laughed and leaned her head against his arm. "This is one Snape gave me about how to be a Potioneer."
He rested his cheek on top of her head. "Useful?"
She murmured, "Not yet," which made Cedric laugh. "But," she hurriedly tried to counter, "Snape wouldn't waste my time, so I'm sure it will be worth it."
Cedric tried to read, but she was a much faster reader and turned the page before he could read most of it. From what he could read, however, it seemed more a guide of how not to become a Potioneer. "Have you thought about what sorts of potions you'd like to make or create?" She shrugged but didn't make to respond. "Klee," he said lightly. "Tell me. This book is boring."
She laughed and closed the book, maneuvering herself so she could look at him. "Well, for starters, I think the Wolfsbane could be better."
"But it already stops the transformation –"
"The day you take it, I mean it's so sensitive to time," she frowned slightly. "And it's extremely difficult to brew. It could work better and be easier."
"You want to help Remus," he prodded gently.
"I think Potions should help loads of people. I mean, they can be difficult and not everyone should try to brew them, but there could be more that are more easily accessible." She shrugged, "And couldn't there be more for Healing? Like how Muggles used to use plants and things?"
Cedric was impressed, as he so often with her. "That's very noble," he offered kindly.
She shrugged, "Someone should have done it by now anyway," she patted his knee. "Should we head to the kitchens?"
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The House Elves were beyond happy to give them more food than they could possibly eat, but wouldn't let Cliodhna and Cedric try to give back some of the food. The halls were rather chilly and when Cliodhna shivered slightly on their way back, Cedric pulled her closer to him. "I think eating in front of the fire sounds nice, don't you?"
Cliodhna felt, like she seemed to more and more recently, that she could melt into a puddle under his touch. She hummed in agreement and her mind wandered, not for the first time, to the room upstairs where Cedric had once so casually said there was a bed.
They ate in front of the fire on the cozy rugs, a blanket wrapped around Cliodhna, as they giggled and laughed about one thing or another. Cedric did his best to bite back a yawn but Cliodhna shook her head ruefully. "It's been a long week, love," she looked at her Muggle watch. "And it's past 9."
Cedric frowned and went to argue but yawned again. Cliodhna laughed genuinely and stood up, the blanket falling from her shoulders. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"No," he stood too, taking her pro-offered hand. "I can walk you back."
She started to walk towards the stairs, still holding his hand. "No," she said simply.
"No?"
She turned around to smile at him, "No, Cedric. I'm staying here with you."
"Klee," he tried to argue.
"Just to sleep," she teased and kissed him lightly. "I miss falling asleep next to you." He looked ready to argue again and she smiled, "We'll wake up plenty early and we can go back to our Common Rooms and meet for breakfast before anyone wakes up," she shrugged. "Not that it's any of their business. Now, come on," she started up the stairs again and Cedric followed with a dazed smile.
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Cedric and Cliodhna were the first of all their friends at breakfast the next morning and no one mentioned that they weren't in their beds the night before. Cliodhna raised an eyebrow at Ben, daring him to ask them where they had been, but he merely smirked and sat down next to Briony. Cliodhna was determined to spend a night with Cedric at least once a week and she wasn't going to let Ben make Cedric feel awkward or guilty for breaking the rules as Head Boy.
Cedric looked up at the ceiling of the Great Hall and sighed, "Bloody storm."
"Was hoping for some Quidditch?" Ben asked.
"No," Cedric shook his head, "would have been nice to just be out of doors for a bit."
"Maybe it'll let up later?" Briony tried to seem hopeful.
They all looked back up at the ceiling, which was now swirling and nearly black. "Not likely," Cliodhna shrugged.
"Well, I've got plenty of work to do," Jack sat down. "And plenty of tea to drink."
"Have you done the Transfiguration?" The Ravenclaws began chatting about their different classes and workloads and Cedric looked ready to leave when Henri approached to say hello. Cliodhna watched Briony's face closely – Briony smiled widely at Henri but didn't seem nervous. "Head Boy," she nodded at Cedric, "want to meet before dinner to go over Hogsmeade schedules?"
"Sure," he agreed. "You do the Charms work yet?"
She frowned slightly, "No, I'm having a tough bloody time with it."
"It wasn't easy, I'm not even certain I did it properly," Cedric admitted. "Maybe Briony can help you –"
"Me?" Briony's eyes were wide.
"You're the best at Charms, right?"
"I –" Briony's cheeks flushed.
"Klee mentioned she always went to you for help," Cedric continued.
"It's true," Ben nodded, an evil glint in his eye that made Briony open and close her mouth in slight horror.
"Would you mind taking a look Briony?" Henri asked, genuinely hopeful. "My mates can be a bit patronizing," she trailed off. Briony opened her mouth but Henri, clearly worried that she was going to say no, said, "I'm sure you're too busy, I totally understand –"
Briony smiled, "I'd be happy to help, Henri. Although I'm not sure how helpful I'll actually be."
"Brills," Henri clapped her hands. "Take your time with breakfast. I'm in no rush." She pushed her long braids away from her face. "Thanks, really." She patted Cedric on the shoulder, "See you later."
Briony ignored Ben and Cliodhna's eyes and with a small smile on her face, turned back to her breakfast.
Cliodhna then turned her gaze to Cedric, raised an eyebrow at him, and asked, "Need any Potions help?"
"Actually, that'd be great," he grinned. "I'll go grab my things and meet you outside Ravenclaw Tower." He said goodbye to everyone else, winking very discreetly at Briony. Cliodhna saw it but didn't say anything.
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"Do you know something about Briony and Henri?" Cliodhna asked Cedric bluntly, her voice low as the door closed behind her. Cedric let out a laugh as they walked to the dungeons. Cliodhna rolled her eyes when he didn't respond. "Well?"
"Henri's asked about her in passing, or, rather," he smirked slightly. "What she probably thinks in passing. So I watched them a bit, and I caught them both trying to sneak glances at the other." He grinned, "I'm not so oblivious." He opened his mouth, his eyes wide in delight. "Had you not noticed?"
"I noticed Briony," she huffed, "but I didn't want to get my hopes up." She looked at him and sighed, "How could we both be so oblivious to each other last year then?"
Cedric laughed and put his arm around her shoulders, "Because when it's yourself it's different. And neither of us wanted to get out hopes up or destroy a friendship." They continued along for a moment before Cedric asked, "Are you sure we can just use the Potions classroom on a Sunday? Doesn't even Snape's favorite student need permission?"
Cliodhna waved a dismissive hand at him, "I'm sure it's fine."
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Briony and Henri walked to Ravenclaw Tower together when they were both done with breakfast. Henri thanked her again for helping and Briony said, "Save your thanks until we see if I can actually help."
Henri laughed, "You're, I'm sure, going to be a better help than my mates." She sighed and continued, "They aren't always very good at explaining things in a helpful way."
Briony replied drily, "Really putting Ravenclaw's in a bad light."
Henri let out a loud, surprised laugh before covering her mouth to suppress her laughter. Briony's stomach flip-flopped. "You're bloody right," Henri managed with a grin when she stopped laughing. "I can see why Ida and Cedric speak so highly of you." She turned her head forwards missing Briony's wide eyes, and shrugged, "I'm sure the others do too, but I don't know them as well."
"Oh," Briony managed, "that's nice of –"
They were at Ravenclaw Tower and Henri answered the riddle easily, but as the door swung open and she saw how many students were there, she frowned. "Mind if we go somewhere else?"
Briony shook her head, "Not at all. A classroom, maybe? So you can practice?"
Henri continued to frown slightly, "The Heads Room might be better." She smiled at Briony, "No one to stop by and judge me."
If any of Briony's other mates had said that, she would have rolled her eyes, but Briony didn't know Henri well enough and her heart was nearly pounding. She nodded and said simply, "Sure. Let me go grab my things."
When Briony got to her dormitory she took a deep breath, let it out slowly and told herself to relax. They were mates. She was helping out a mate. The fact that she was smart and beautiful and clever and perfect shouldn't matter at all. With another deep breath she went downstairs, bag over her shoulder and saw Henri talking to a 7th Year boy that Briony had heard Ida once mention was 'dreamy' but 'a bore'. The boy – what was his name? Felix? Fletcher? – had his hand on Henri's arm and he was leaning down to talk in her ear. Briony couldn't see Henri's face, but she felt simultaneously jealous and defeated. This boy was clearly interested in Henri (how could Briony blame him?) and –
Henri shrugged her arm away from the boy and said rather loudly, "No thanks, Fisher," as she turned and walked away. The look of annoyance and disgust was clear to everyone. When Henri saw Briony, her face changed and she smiled almost in relief. She took her arm to turn her towards the door quickly, "Come on, let's go."
When they reached the corridor, Henri dropped her hand from her arm. Briony asked hesitantly, "Are you all right?"
Henri rolled her eyes and gathered her braids to move them over to one shoulder. "I went to Hogsmeade with Fisher once, 5th Year, mostly to get him to stop asking me. And it was bloody awful. He's nice and all, but my god he's boring."
"Really?"
Henri looked at Briony sideways, "Imagine the most boring topic you can think of and multiple it by 100 and you're probably not even halfway there."
Briony let out a whistle, "That's bloody boring. So what was that all about?"
Henri sighed, "Him wanting to give it another go." Briony could tell there was more Henri wasn't saying, but she didn't press. "You understand, I'm sure. Sometimes boy can be so bloody daft."
Briony shrugged, "Can't say I do. I mean, sure I've seen my mates act idiotic, but not directed towards me."
Henri whipped her head around and stared at Briony, perplexed. "Really? But you're bloody beautiful." Briony could barely understand what Henri had said as she continued, "I mean, what about your Yule Ball date? Who did you go with?"
Briony didn't get a chance to blush, but she put the fact that Henri Jackson-Jenkins called her 'beautiful' in the back of her mind to think about and treasure later. "Who, Weasley?" Briony laughed, "No, we went just as mates since we both didn't have dates."
"Which Weasley?" Henri was confused.
"George," Briony smiled. "He's a good lad. We're good mates now." Henri gave her a look and Briony laughed, "No, really. There's nothing more there than friendship." They walked in silence for a moment as Henri led them to the Heads Room. "Who did you go to the Ball with?"
Henri laughed and shook her head, "A young man from Beauxbatons. Thought I'd cross the aisle, extend a friendship. And it meant Fisher wouldn't ask me. Poor lad only really spoke French which meant there was very little talking." She winked at Briony and Briony's heart sank, even as she had tried not to get her hopes up…
They reached the Heads Room and Henri offered her tea as Briony looked around at the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff decorations. "I don't come here very often, I know it's easier for Diggory and Quick to meet here to get away from everyone." She set her bag down and handed Briony a cup of tea.
Briony smiled, "Shall we?"
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Henri collapsed onto a chair, "I'll never get it. This is useless."
Briony shook her head and tried to hide her knowing smile as she said quietly, "Wow, that doesn't sound like something a Head Girl would say, does it?"
Henri glared at her for a moment but stood up defiantly and tried again. On the third try she let out a confident "whoop" and threw both of her hands in the air. Briony laughed, her smile wide, "See? I told you! You just had to keep –"
Henri took the two long steps towards Briony, took her face gently in her hands, and kissed Briony lightly on the lips. Briony froze, caught completely off-guard.
Henri, noticing very quickly that Briony wasn't responding, pulled her head away and at looked Briony, "Oh, I'm sorry, I misread," her hands dropped from Briony's face. "I'm –"
"No," Briony said quickly, her face a mixture of emotions. "I was just caught off guard. I, I, well, thought you liked guys." She swallowed and said quietly, "I didn't want to get my hopes up."
Henri met Briony's wide, green eyes, "I do, sometimes, I think, like guys. But, I like you too." She frowned slightly, "I like you more than any lads I've ever fancied, Briony."
"I'm," Briony took a deep breath, "I'm gay. But no one but a few people know." She tilted her head, "Please don't tell anyone."
"Of course not," Henri wanted to reach for her hands, but didn't.
"But," Briony started. "Are you," she trailed off.
"I'm," Henri frowned, "I'm not sure. I've had crushes mainly on boys, I think. But there's something about you –"
"Me?" Briony's eyes, somehow, grew wider. "Only me?"
Henri smiled and Briony thought she would burst into flames. "Yes," Henri's voice was low. "Just you." She hesitated slightly, "Can I – well, may I kiss you?"
Briony swallowed, more nervous than she'd ever been before and nodded. Henri leaned in again and gently kissed Briony, hesitant that she would freeze again. But Briony didn't freeze. She wrapped her arms around Henri's shoulders and deepened the kiss.
After what felt like hours but also merely seconds, they slowly pulled apart and both smiled shyly. "You're a better kisser than any boy I've ever snogged," Henri smiled lazily and Briony blushed prettily before pulling her in for another kiss.
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Cliodhna and Cedric were in the Potions classroom, Cliodhna answering Cedric's questions about the potion he was working on for class, and Cliodhna looking through an extra NEWTs level textbook and taking notes, when Professor Umbridge 'hem hem'ed from the doorway. "Mr. Diggory, Ms. Quince, what are you two doing down here?"
"Oh, hello Professor," Cedric forced a smile on his face. "Just working on a Potion for class."
"On a Sunday," she tilted her head. "Really?" She turned to Cliodhna, "But you two are different years, are you not?"
"Yes, professor," Cedric answered, unsure where this line of questioning was heading.
"Do you have permission to be down here on a Sunday? Looking through Professor Snape's stores of ingredients?"
"Yes, professor," Cliodhna smiled.
"Are you quite, sure?" She raised an eyebrow, her head tilting some more, a smile on her face as she smiled.
"You can ask him," Cliodhna smiled and Cedric followed her gaze past Umbridge where Snape was walking into the classroom behind her.
"May I help you, Dolores?" Snape asked slowly.
"Oh, Severus, yes, I was just making sure Mr. Diggory and Ms. Quiz have permission to be here on a Sunday –"
"Ms. Quick," he corrected her without missing a beat. "Ms. Quick," he repeated, "and Mr. Diggory have my permission to be here. Ms. Quick has been aiding in my endeavor to categorizing my stores of ingredients as you know several items were stolen from the fake Alastor Moody." Cliodhna watched as Umbridge tried to remain looking prim and not embarrassed as she undoubtedly felt.
"Ah, I see," she continued to smile. "Well then," she turned to go and left without another word.
"Thanks professor," Cedric said but Snape ignored him and looked at Cliodhna.
"A Sunday, really?"
Cliodhna shrugged, "I knew no one else would be here, Professor." She smiled and Cedric watched the pair – was Snape going to smile? "I was looking through the books and the ingredients, get a head start on being a Potioneer."
Snape nodded, "And helping Mr. Diggory, I see."
"Only when he asks for it, yes," she smiled at Cedric.
"She still getting your name wrong on purpose?" Snape asked casually as he walked to his desk to grab another book and hand it to her.
"Seems so," she took the book.
"That may help," he nodded and walked back towards the door. "Good day."
Cedric turned to Cliodhna when Snape had left, "I thought you said we had permission?"
She laughed, "We do now, don't we?"
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Henri and Briony walked together to the Great Hall, holding hands until they got closer and began to hear the voices of other students. They had agreed to keep things quiet as there were no openly gay students at Hogwarts, (and what with Voldemort and his Death Eaters' previous crusade against Muggleborns, who was to say if they would soon crusade against gay people?) and Umbridge seemed as though she may not be for gay relationships in the castle.
They walked into together amiably, chatting about nothing of consequence and Henri grabbed Cedric from the Ravenclaw table to sit further away from everyone else as Briony sat with her yearmates. She ached to look at Henri and watch her, would have liked to look at her all day, but she knew she couldn't. For one thing, Ben and Cliodhna would notice and ask questions, and she knew George was more perceptive than he let on. But God did she wish she could talk to someone about what happened that afternoon. She had bloody snogged Henri Jackson-Jenkins. Henri Jackson-Jenkins thought she, Briony Blackburn, was bloody beautiful.
She let slip a very small smile as she sipped her tea. Before asking Cliodhna how her tutoring Cedric in Potions went. No one seemed to suspect a thing, and for that, Briony was grateful.
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"All right," Ben clapped his hands as the team gathered around him. "Congratulations to you all on making the cut and for those of you who are new, welcome." Klee grinned at the new players as Ben continued, "In keeping with what is now practically Ravenclaw tradition" (Jack rolled his eyes), "several of you will be playing different positions, depending on who we will be playing. I've got some ideas for the Chasers especially that I think could help against some of the more aggressive teams, but today we're going to start out with some drills." He looked around at everyone, "All right, Jackie, Cho, and Samantha, come with me to start shooting. Hunter and Kendra you'll start with Klee to work with the Bludgers. And we'll switch around in a bit."
Kendra opened her mouth in shock, "Me? As Beater?"
Ben grinned, "You tried out for Beater, didn't you?"
"And Chaser," she was still in disbelief.
"And you were pretty good at both," Ben's smile grew as he brushed some of his hair away from his forehead. "Now," he addressed everyone, "no more compliments today. You're all the best players in Ravenclaw, so come on. The rest of you can practice Chaser in a bit."
Cliodhna put her arm around Kendra, a 4th year, as she led her and Hunter to where the Bludger was locked away in the trunk. "Won't it be such fun to have the first female Beaters in Hogwarts history?"
"Really?" Kendra's dark blue eyes were wide.
Cliodhna laughed, "Really. Now, come on before Ben starts getting on our case about slacking."
After about 45 minutes, Ben called them all over to chat before having Hunter, Cliodhna, and Kendra join him and Samantha, a 3rd year, to practice as Chaser. "Even me?" Hunter asked.
Ben laughed and rolled his eyes playfully, "Everyone but me and Samantha – for this year at least – are practicing and playing two positions. And that's because Samantha has a pretty mean left-handed shot. And we may need her to be a Seeker replacement when we lose Cho next year." He clapped Hunter on the shoulder, "Jack and Cho go catch the Snitch, will you?"
They flew off and Jack instructed the others to start shooting and throwing the Quaffle around.
At the end of practice, after Ben told everyone good work and they'd do some more intense drills on Thursday, he huddled with Jack and Cliodhna. "Well?"
Jack put his broom over his shoulder, "Well what?"
"How'd I do?" Ben asked exasperatedly.
Cliodhna bit back a laugh, "You were great. Not too strict and scary, not too easy and lenient."
"Sure," Jack shrugged. "You did well."
"What do we think of the newbies?" Ben tried not to roll his eyes at his brother.
"With some drills and more practice, they'll be brilliant," Cliodhna grinned. "You think Kendra and I could play Beater against Slytherin?"
Ben moved his hair off his forehead again, "That's probably our best bet. Although depending on how good Kendra looks as Beater or Hunter at Chaser, Gryffindor may be good. Depends how many points we need." He watched her closely, "You can play Chaser against Hufflepuff."
"Oh," Cliodhna shrugged, "Sure."
Ben and Jack exchanged a quick glance and Ben laughed, "So you don't have to send a Bludger to your boyfriend."
Cliodhna raised her eyebrows and opened her mouth, "Oi! I could send one – I already bloody have –"
"Not when he was your boyfriend," Jack pointed out calmly. "And now you don't have to."
She pouted slightly but threw her broom over her shoulder and started towards the castle muttering to herself, Ben and Jack chuckling behind her.
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"All right, Cassandra, you are very close," Cliodhna took her quill and deed another ingredient to the girl's list. "Now, why do you think you need the foxglove for this potion?"
The young girl screwed her face up slightly as she thought and Cliodhna smiled. "Give it a think, let me see how Danny is doing, yea?" She walked over to a 4th year boy who was frowning and staring at his blank parchment.
"I don't even know how to begin," he sighed.
"I like to start by reading everything about the potion and taking notes," she waved her wand and handed him a new piece of parchment. "Write down what ingredients there are, maybe some of them are so important –"
He looked up at her, "Oh, that's brills!" He grinned, "That's easy!"
Cliodhna laughed lightly, "It wasn't meant to be hard, Danny. Professor Snape just wants you to start thinking about the potion and –"
"Hem, hem."
Cliodhna turned to the doorway as the four young students all stopped writing and stared at Professor Umbridge. Cliodhna wondered again if Umbridge was bloody following her – "Oh, hullo, professor," she smiled. "How can I help you?"
"What, exactly, is going on?" Umbridge blinked and Cliodhna had to agree with Ron – she looked unnervingly like a toad.
"Oh," Cliodhna smiled, "I'm a Potions tutor –"
"Sanctioned?" Umbridge cut her off.
"Yes," Cliodhna forced her face to keep smiling. "I have a note here from Professor Snape." She took the folded up piece of parchment from the pockets of her robes and handed it to Umbridge. "Sometimes I tutor in the Potions classroom, but today we're just working on their essays that are due later this week."
Cliodhna watched as Umbridge very obviously did not read the parchment and instead asked, "How many students do you tutor?"
Cliodhna shrugged, "Depends. Today Professor Snape asked me to work with these four."
"Does he always ask you to tutor specific students?"
Cliodhna wasn't sure what Umbridge was trying to figure out with this line of questioning and this worried her. "Sometimes, yes. Sometimes students come to me. There are some students who I've been occasionally tutoring for a few years." She smiled, "We're almost done here, actually. I'm going to escort them all back to Gryffindor Tower when we've finished. Don't worry, professor."
Umbridge's smile was sweetly fake, "Better hurry along. Curfew is within the hour." She turned to leave, her heels clacking loudly on the classroom floors.
"She left with your note from Professor Snape," Cassandra pointed out.
Cliodhna grinned, "The note was for her."
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"Ms. Quick," Snape said offhandedly as Cliodhna approached his desk after class. "I take it you'll need another note?"
"She barely glanced at it, but kept it for evidence. Did she come to ask you if you truly gave me permission?"
Snape met her eyes but didn't say anything and picked up a quill to write a new note, but Cliodhna pulled one out of her bag, "I made copies."
Snape struggled to not roll his eyes or smile and said instead, "And how will those essays look when I collect them?"
Cliodhna grinned, "Perfect, I expect." She handed him her own essay, "I know it's not due yet, but I wanted to hand it in now. I've been looking into creating potions," she hesitated before continuing, "if you would be willing, maybe, one day, to sit down and look over some of my ideas and notes?"
Snape's lips twitched, "That is something that can be arranged, certainly. I look forward to reading your essay, Ms. Quick."
Cliodhna nodded and turned to leave as the 5th year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs walked into the classroom. She saw Hermione whispering to Harry and she smiled at them as she approached. "Hiya," she greeted.
Hermione stopped whispering immediately and as she said hullo to Cliodhna, elbowed Harry's side. He grunted slightly but tried to ignore Hermione's look. "Hi, Klee," he managed to get out. Cliodhna noticed he shoved his left hand into his robe pocket, but didn't mention it.
"Do you think we can run something by you later, Klee?" Hermoine asked as Harry glared at her.
Cliodhna raised an eyebrow at the pair, "Once you both agree that you actually do want to run something by me, sure."
Ron snickered as Cliodhna winked at him. She saw Hermione slapping Harry's arm as she left the classroom.
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"All right," Harry said to Cliodhna as she was leaving the Great Hall after dinner with Ben and Cedric, Hermione and Ron standing behind him. "We're ready to ask you now." He tried not to frown at Ben and Cedric, "Actually might as well ask you as well."
"Cheers, mate," Ben muttered.
"Not here," Hermione hissed and pulled Ron and Harry away.
"We can go to a classroom," Cliodhna offered, "I've got permission to tutor so no one can write us up."
Hermione nodded and led them all to the nearest classroom. Once they were inside she told Harry to get out the map, "Ron, can you watch for her?"
Ron nodded and took the map from Harry, his eyes looking towards Cedric and Ben. "You both knew about the map?"
"The twins," they said simultaneously.
"It was my dad, Sirius, Lupin, and –" Harry trailed off for a moment. "They created it."
Hermione cleared her throat before saying lowly, "We're not learning how to defend ourselves in Defense Against the Dark Arts –"
"Not learning anything, really," Ron mumbled.
"But especially how to defend ourselves, because Fudge is paranoid and –"
Cliodhna nodded, "Yes. And we're not exactly prepared for what's coming."
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "And, well, I think Harry should teach us –"
"I can't teach anyone –" Harry began to argue, rubbing a hand over his face, his glasses on his forehead.
They all ignored him as Ben asked, "Who would be 'us'?"
"Anyone who'd want to be taught," Hermione began. "That we could trust –"
"Because it would have to be a secret," Cedric sighed. "As Head Boy I can't support this," he held up a hand to stop Cliodhna who had opened her mouth, clearly ready to argue, her eyes wild. "And neither can you three as Prefects, but this is an extenuating circumstance. And we need to know how to defend ourselves."
"How are you going to recruit or tell people?" Ben asked.
"First," Hermione said, "do you all think this is a good idea?"
"Yes," Ben agreed.
"It's necessary, yes," Cedric said.
"Then, we can tell people, quietly. And we can gather everyone together during the Hogsmeade trip in two weeks."
Cliodhna nodded in agreement, "I think you'll have a lot of people. You'll need somewhere big to teach."
"Yea," Hermione sighed. "We'll have to really think about that."
"I can't teach," Harry tried to argue again.
"Potter," Cedric said seriously. "Don't be a fool. You dueled You-Know-Who and you've conjured a Patronus to defeat hundreds of Dementors –"
"You did?" Ben was shocked, "Bloody hell, Potter!"
"You've got a real knowledge of this, Harry," Cliodhna added gently. He sighed and Cliodhna could tell he was too scared to ask what he really wanted to. "And we'll help you anyway we can."
Harry met her eyes and nodded. He didn't need to verbalize his thanks.
"We should go," Ron interrupted. "She's got up from the table."
They all left quietly and went their separate ways. Cliodhna squeezed Cedric's hand and smiled at him as he headed towards his dormitory. She met Ben's eyes and said, "Guess we should start recruiting."
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"That's the second time this week she's disrupted a tutoring session," Cliodhna growled as she sat down next to Briony. She didn't notice she had clearly interrupted Briony and Henri chatting on the couch, nor did she seem to notice that they were sitting relatively close together.
"You've been tutoring a lot more this year," Briony offered.
"I think word got out," she sighed. "And some kids really seem to be scared of Professor Snape."
Henri moved to say something but Briony shook her head ever so slightly. "She probably doesn't like that it's you tutoring so many young students."
Cliodhna leaned her head against the back of the couch. "Just because I'm dating Cedric and friends with Harry?" She frowned and furrowed her brows, "But I've done nothing to make her hate me, I've been insanely sweet –"
"She hates centaurs and merpeople," Henri said sadly. "She called them 'dirty'."
Cliodhna groaned, "And triplets probably fit in that category." She stood up, "Well I'm going to punch my pillow and read to calm down." She turned to leave but winked at Briony, "Don't stay up too late."
Briony's cheeks pinked as she turned to look at Henri, ready to apologize. Henri shook her head ruefully and chuckled, "Doesn't miss anything that one, huh?"
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"Oh, bloody hell," Cliodhna muttered to Jack as they entered the Potions classroom and saw Professor Umbridge in the corner with her clipboard.
"I thought she'd been round to all the teachers already?" Jack whispered.
"I have a feeling she's here to see me in action," Cliodhna groaned. "She bloody hates that I'm a tutor."
Jack narrowed his eyes at the woman before turning away quickly, "Not fair she hates you so much more than she hates Ben and I," he muttered as he sat down next to her.
Snape entered and everyone quieted down immediately. "Turn to page 97," he said, "and please begin. This position is exceptionally hard and will take serious –"
"Hem, hem –"
"Concentration. There will be no –"
"Hem, hem –"
"Talking unless you have a question –"
"Hem, hem –"
"For me. Yes, Dolores, do you have something to add while they gather their supplies? Time is limited."
Umbridge opened her mouth to speak but Milton and a Slytherin girl stood to get their ingredients. Briony, Jack, Cliodhna, and the rest of the class followed suit. Umbridge clamped her lips together and wrote furiously on her clipboard.
Cliodhna was so focused on her potion that she forgot Umbridge was there until the woman was leaning over her cauldron. "Oh, I wouldn't do that, professor. It's very volatile at the moment," she smiled.
Umbridge stood back from the cauldron, "And how did you get into this class?"
Cliodhna continued to slice the moondew, "I got an 'E' on my OWLs."
Umbridge was visibly annoyed that Cliodhna wasn't giving her full attention to her. "I was told that only one –"
"That was me," she continued to smile and slowly dropped the sliced moondew into the cauldron.
"How –"
"Dolores, please leave the students alone, this is a very tricky procedure," Snape's voice was abnormally steely.
"That's all right, professor," Cliodhna looked up at him. "I can do both –"
Umbridge scribbled something on her clipboard, her face hard, and walked away. Snape held Cliodhna's gaze for a moment before turning away.
At the end of the lesson, Snape told the class that only Cliodhna's potion wouldn't have killed whoever drank the potion and dismissed them all with an assignment of what they did wrong. Umbridge was the first one out of the classroom and Cliodhna couldn't ride her smug grin. Milton rolled his eyes at her when she winked at him.
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"That'd be bloody brills," Will whispered to Ben. "Being taught by Potter himself?"
"What's his experience though, exactly?" Neil asked.
"Besides being the bloody Boy-Who-Lived?" Will scoffed.
"He was a baby," Neil started to say.
"For starters her dueled with You-Know-Who and was able to leave and save Cedric," Ben cut him off.
"Oh," Neil was embarrassed.
"And, apparently he conjured a Patronus –"
"In front of a Muggle, right? That's why he was on trial?" Will asked excitedly.
"But also in front of nearly a hundred Dementors his Third Year," Ben added, his voice quiet. Will and Neil's mouths dropped open in awe. Ben was glad when they didn't ask any follow-up questions. "We're meeting in Hogsmeade, at the Hog's Head. Only people we trust since it needs to be secret." They nodded and Will went off to find Hunter. He looked over and saw Cliodhna mentioning the idea to Briony and went over to join them.
"I'm in," Briony agreed without asking any follow-up questions or voicing any concerns. "I mean, he dueled Him, didn't he?"
"He did," Cliodhna nodded.
"I mean, you dueled fake Moody," Briony mentioned softly. Ben looked surprised and Briony smiled. "She told me this summer. I'm sworn to secrecy."
"You didn't even want to tell Potter that," Ben said to Cliodhna, still shocked.
"Yes, well," Cliodhna bristled. "He had a lot on his plate, didn't he?"
"Can I invite Henri?" Briony asked, clearly eager to avoid an argument between Ben and Cliodhna.
"Sure," Ben said quickly. "As long as you think she won't rat us out because she's Head –"
Briony refrained from rolling her eyes. "She won't. She knows this is serious. She may not be able to come to every meeting or whatever –"
"Of course you can tell her," Cliodhna smiled.
Ben watched Briony and started slowly, "Say. What's –"
Cliodhna stood up and deflected for Briony, "You ask the lads?"
Ben was easily distracted. "Yea. Think we should mention to the team?"
Briony hid her smile behind her book as Cliodhna and Ben walked away, Cliodhna explaining that it shouldn't come from their captain.
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"Do you all really need tutoring today?" Cliodhna's eyes widened as she walked into the Potions classroom and looked down at the list Snape had given her. There were only four names on this list. And they were four students she'd already tutored before. "If you're doing well in Potions," she started.
"We're all not doing well," a young Hufflepuff boy piped up.
"We could all use some help," another young boy added.
Cliodhna sighed and put her bag down, "All right," she started. "Essays to the left, if you need to work on a potion, gather all your ingredients but don't start until I've come around to check it –" She watched as only (thankfully) a handful of boys got up to get their cauldron and ingredients. And yes, those were the four Snape had –
Were there only boys here? Cliodhna looked around the room, perplexed, but asked a boy what he needed help with.
"Oh, um," he stalled, his face paling. "Is um, is this right?" He pointed at the middle of his parchment.
"What's your name?"
"Paul."
"Ok, Paul," Cliodhna's patience was wearing thin. "You don't actually have to be here, do you?"
"I mean, I don't like –"
"No," Cliodhna stood up and cleared her throat so everyone in the room could hear her clearly. "If you're here simply because you don't enjoy Potions or Snape, leave." Some of the boys looked around at each other but didn't move. "If –"
"Hem, hem."
Cliodhna froze and turned around slowly, "Hullo, professor –"
"Your tutoring session seems to be a bit unruly, Ms. Quick. Is Professor Snape this poor of an instructor?" Umbridge blinked.
"No, Professor, he's not. Some of these –"
"Why are you here, young man," she addressed a Hufflepuff. "Do you need help in Potions?" The boy swallowed, nervous. "Don't lie," she smiled sweetly and Cliodhna felt sick. "We must not tell lies."
"No, Professor," the boy struggled to get out.
"Then why are you here?" The boy swallowed again. "Did Ms. Quick ask you to come here?"
Cliodhna's insides froze even as her face turned hot. What was she insinuating?
The boy shook his head.
"Are you here because Professor Snape –"
As if she had summoned him, Professor Snape strode in. "If I didn't give you permission to be tutored tonight, leave," he said sternly and every boy except the four hurried out of the room. "Dolores," he started.
"What was all this?" She asked pleasantly.
"Apparently some of the younger boys have a crush on Ms. Quick and wanted her to tutor them. I caught a straggler –"
Cliodhna's face got even hotter as she ached to leave this unpleasant conversation and actually tutor the four students who needed it.
"Well, that's unacceptable. This sort of thing can't happen, when the Minister hears –"
"It was an innocent mistake," Cliodhna blurted out before she could stop herself. Umbridge ignored her as if she wasn't even there.
"Please tutor the four I asked you to, Ms. Quick," Snape said. "Dolores, please, let them work."
Umbridge was clearly displeased but the glean in her eye worried Cliodhna.
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Cedric was waiting for Cliodhna outside the Potions classroom when the four students left, thanking her. Cedric could tell immediately that her smile to her tutees was fake. "What are you doing here?" She asked, clearly trying hard not to sigh.
"Done with rounds, thought I'd stop by and see you," he pushed off the wall he'd been leaning against. "What's wrong?"
She groaned, her cheeks turning pink and took his hand as they walked. "For starters, she came by –"
"Again?" Cedric was surprised and frowned. "Why is she always popping by? She doesn't even dislike me this much."
Cliodhna shrugged, "She came by and there were a lot more students." Cliodhna continued slowly, "More than the four I was expecting," she trailed off.
"And?" Cedric could tell she was holding back. "Didn't they need help?"
"Um," Cliodhna bit her lip, "not exactly. They were there because, well," she groaned. "Snape came too, oh Merlin, Cedric. It was awful."
"Klee," Cedric laughed, "what, exactly, was awful?"
"They were there because," she struggled to find the right words. "They wanted to be near me."
Cedric's eyebrows shot up and he tried to control his laughter as Cliodhna hit his arm. "They had crushes on you, is that what you mean?" He continued laughing as she pouted and tried to drop his hand.
"It's not funny," she argued.
"No, you're right. It's very funny," he smiled. "How many people were there? Should I be worried?" Cliodhna didn't respond and Cedric laughed again, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Come on, cheer up. It's very funny and very silly."
"Except I think this only made Umbridge angry, Ced. I think she'll find a way to stop me tutoring."
Cedric frowned, "But how could she do that?" He shook his head, "Why would she do that?"
"Because she hates me?"
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"There's a lot of people here," Harry whispered nervously to Hermione and Ron. "More than I thought."
"Nah, mate, seems about right," Ron shrugged. "I mean, Cedric and the Quicks were of course going to bring in a lot."
Harry swallowed and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"Thank you all for coming," Hermione addressed them all as they sat and stood around them. "And for meeting us here. I'm not sure how much you've all been told, but since we're not learning how to defend ourselves or practice in the classroom, we wanted to take action outside of the classroom. To defend ourselves against what's coming."
"So," Kendra asked nervously, "it's true then. He's really back?"
Harry was surprised that she wasn't accusing him or seemed ready to accuse him of lying. She genuinely wanted to know. "Yes," he said firmly from beside Hermione. "He's back."
There was a hush as seemingly everyone stared at Harry. Hermione cleared her throat and continued, "We're going to learn from Harry and –"
"I can't teach you," Harry started.
"He is rather young," Perkins agreed from the back before hiding when he saw Cliodhna glaring at him.
"He dueled with You-Know-Who at the graveyard," Ron started rather angrily.
"Coulda been lucky," Seamus shrugged.
"He conjured a Patronus to defend himself against hundreds of Dementors his Third Year," Hermione said firmly.
"Blimey –"
"Are you serious –"
"Hundreds?"
"I don't know if hundreds," Harry shrugged.
Cedric stood up, "I trust Potter to teach us some things. And it'll give us the time and space to practice."
Everyone was quiet. Ron shrugged, "And Klee could help teach too."
"What?" Cliodhna blurted out.
"You dueled Flint your Second Year," Ron pointed out.
"Silently," Jack added. "Your bloody good at silent spells."
Harry looked relieved, "That'd be helpful."
"Flint was a wanker though. He wasn't very good at dueling, was he?" A Gryffindor asked.
"She dueled Moody," Briony called out before Cliodhna could stop her. Everyone was silent again but this time they all turned to stare at Cliodhna. "Well it was Barty Crouch Jr, of course," Briony added for good measure.
"Klee?" Hermione asked.
"Um," Cliodhna cleared her throat. "Uh, you see, the thing is –"
"After the practical portion of her OWLs, the imposter Moody dueled her," Ben cut in, saving Cliodhna the embarrassment of trying to explain.
"Silently," Jack added smugly. "And she bloody won his wand."
Everyone continued to stare at Cliodhna, her cheeks now pink, "Um, yea. It was right before the tournament so I didn't want to make a fuss."
"Right," Hermione said. "So Klee can definitely help."
"Please," Ron added.
Cliodhna squirmed slightly, "Sure."
"All right," Hermione clapped her hands. "Well, we'll sign up –"
"And then destroy the paper –" Jack added hopefully.
"Once we have a safe way of communicating," Hermione agreed. "But the only issue is a place to meet. It needs to be big enough and private enough."
"What about the Room of Requirement?" Neville suggested.
"Brills," Ron's eyes were wide. "You know where it is?"
"Perfect," Hermione agreed. "And now all we need is a name."
"Dumbledore's Army," Harry suggested.
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"Strong turnout," Fred said to Hermione.
"Three whole Quidditch teams," Ben winked at her.
"Some youngins too," Fred agreed. "Pretty good."
Hermione smiled at them but said to Jack, "Do you think you could help me with some charms? I was thinking of ways we could communicate without her knowing –"
"Coins," Fred suggested and Hermione turned to stare at him. "What?" He grinned, "I'm not allowed to have a good idea now and then?"
"They're inconspicuous," Jack agreed. "Everyone's got some." He patted Fred's shoulder, "Nice idea." He smiled at Hermione, "And I'd be happy to help."
"Harry," Cliodhna started as she approached him and Ron. "I would have said after –"
"But things got a little out of control." He met her eyes, "I understand."
"And then he was essentially dead and you had enough to worry about," she frowned. "I really didn't want you to find out this way."
Harry smiled, "It's really all right, Klee."
"Why'd he do it?" Ron asked. "I mean, why duel you at the end of the year?"
Harry and Ron watched her take a deep breath and say very softly, "To test me."
Ron's eyes widened and Harry looked very worried but Henri was approaching and with a final, very small shake of her head, Cliodhna turned to smile at Henri and leave.
"Well that's not good," Ron muttered to Harry.
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"What do you think she meant?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione as they walked back to the castle.
"Well Crouch told her that You-Know-Who would like her," Hermione said quietly.
"But he was a loony," Ron tried to argue.
"Maybe he'll try to recruit her to be a Death Eater." Harry's voice was low, "And dueling her was a way to see if she's worth it –"
"And she beat him," Hermione breathed.
"Bloody impressive," Ron added. "And all silently? I mean," he trailed off.
"How would they try to get to her though, I mean, recruit her," Hermione wondered. "She's at school. She's got a Muggle mum."
Harry and Ron didn't have an answer for her and as they walked into the castle they saw a large crowd standing at the wall where Filch was hanging an Order from Umbridge. "Oh, bloody hell," Ron muttered. "What now?"
'NO STUDENT CAN TUTOR ANOTHER STUDENT, SANCTIONED OR NOT'
"Uh, oh," Hermione breathed and stood on her toes to look for Cliodhna in the crowd. Harry pointed to where Cedric was very obviously holding Cliodhna back from ripping the decree down. "That's just an attack to her, isn't it?"
Harry frowned, "I think so."
"Klee," Cedric whispered into her ear. "She wants you to lash out. She's baiting you." He could hear her teeth grind together as she clenched her jaw. "Don't let her see how she's affected you." Cliodhna's fists were clenched at her sides, her face turning red in anger, her ears pounding so loudly she barely heard what Cedric was saying to her.
Cedric finally pushed her away from the crowd and she took a breath, unable to see much of anything as he pushed her through the crowd and towards the cool, empty hallway. "Take a breath," he instructed and turned when he heard footsteps behind them.
"What –" Ron started.
"It's preposterous –" Hermione nodded.
"This is just the start," Cliodhna said, surprising them all with how evenly she spoke.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow.
"This is only her first decree and it's targeted at me," Cliodhna explained, still calm. "She's only going to continue."
"But," Ron frowned. "What could she do?"
"What can't she do?" Cliodhna asked before she and Cedric walked away, leaving Hermione, Harry, and Ron looking worriedly back at the wall.
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A/N: Please please review! More to come!