Dom entered Hogwarts alone. She gazed around at the faces of her classmates. They were all strangers. Dom could not find a familiar face. There was a girl with bright red hair laughing with a young brunette girl. She felt as though she should remember their faces, but her mind was racing. She didn't have time to really think about it, because she felt a hand pull her shoulder and spin her around. When she was released from the sudden embrace, she saw the beautiful blonde boy who stood before her.
"Dom," he said. Dom looked at the boy and could only notice that he was taller than she. "Dom? Are you ok?" he tried again.
"Louis!" she exclaimed, finally snapping back into reality. Now she hugged her brother. She didn't want to let him go. It felt so nice to have her brother with her. He pulled away and looked at her curiously.
"Dom, where have you been? Mum and dad have been worried sick. I didn't think you'd be here," he said.
"I can't just drop out of school," was all she could think to reply.
"You come to school, but you won't come home?" he asked.
"This is my home. I don't belong in your home Louis," she replied solemnly.
"I don't understand. We're your family. You belong with us," Louis said.
"Louis I love you. I love mum, and dad, and even Vic," Dom said grabbing his hand, "but I can't live like that anymore. I can't go on feeling worthless, because they don't love me."
"Dom, how can you say that? Of course they love you," Louis argued.
"Louis, I don't want to fight about this. I can't accept empty promises from them anymore. I need more than words now. I've waited too long for something to change, and I finally realized that it won't," Dom said.
"Dom please, it's not the same without you there," Louis said.
"Why? You never talk to me at home Louis. I don't mind it, but it's true," Dom said.
"Dom you're my sister, of course I'm going to miss you. I miss stealing your food, and I miss hiding your books. Victoire is always to busy for me any more. I could always count on you being there," Louis said. Dom smiled at her brother.
"I'm here Louis. I'll be here all semester. You can come see me any time, but please try to understand why I did it. I know Dad's upset about the time turner, but he has no reason to be that upset. He only notices me when I'm doing something wrong, otherwise he would know that I do well in school, and I'm actually a nice person, and… Merlin's beard! I've created magic!" Dom covered her mouth after her outburst. She had not meant to tell Louis that, but it had slipped out in her anger.
"What?" Louis asked.
"Nothing," Dom repeated.
"Show me," he demanded. Dom hesitated.
"Not here. Some other time," she said, "but don't tell anyone."
"Alright," he said. They both turned to enter the Great Hall.
"Louis," Dom called, "thank you… for not hating me… for understanding."
"Sure thing," Louis said with a smirk as he left, but Dom could tell he meant it. She made her way to the Ravenclaw table to sit with Billie, Alfie Walker, Luca Cinderford, and Fern Boot. They were discussing their holidays.
"Paris was so beautiful. You'd think everyone there was a witch or wizard the way the city sparkles, Fern said, "it would have been perfect except mom and Aunt Padma had an itinerary for every second of every day."
"Oh, but Paris sounds nice though," Billie said. She noticed Dom as she sat down. "Hey Dom." Dom gave a small wave.
"Hey Dominique, I heard that you had a rough Christmas," Fern said, "Roxy told Annie that you got into a big fight with your dad."
"Yeah I did," Dom said, trying to avoid further conversation about it.
"Oh, was it about the time turner thing last semester," Luca asked, "my sister said you almost got expelled."
"It was about that, but I wasn't almost expelled. They just gave me detention," Dom said.
"So what did your dad say?" Billie asked.
"I really don't want to talk about it guys," Dom said.
"It's ok, Dom. You can tell us. We understand that not everybody's perfect," Fern said.
"Except Victoire," Alfie chimed in. The others laughed, but Dom was having none of it. She got up from the table and left the hall. The others looked after her bewildered. Jasper Bagby leaned over from the Hufflepuff table, having heard their conversation.
"Louis told me that she didn't come home after Christmas. None of the family has seen her since she left their grandparents house," he said.
"Are you serious?" Billie asked.
"Of course I am. Do you think my best friend would lie to me?" Jasper scoffed.
"But why?" Fern asked.
"I don't know. I guess every time she comes home she always gets in an argument with her dad. It happened back in October too," he replied. Jasper shrugged and turned back to his table. Billie looked at her friends.
"I should go after her," she said after a moment.
"She probably wants to be alone. She looked pretty upset," Fern said, "Peggy says she has been down since he grounded her." Billie nodded and glanced once more at the door.
Dom spent the evening in the common room. She did not eat dinner, even when Bille brought her a plate after leaving the great hall. She did end up telling Billie about staying with Aberforth over break, and about how she did not plan on returning home at the end of the year.
"Is it really that bad?" Billie had asked.
"I can't stand it anymore. If all we are going to do is fight, I think it's healthier for both of us to not live in the same house," Dom had replied. Billie had understood. Dom told her that she would miss Louis most, and even her mother and sister. She would miss her father, but it was more of a relief to be away from him. Billie told Dom of her Christmas, and how Fletcher had gotten her and set of quills and a charm bracelet. Dom showed Billie her necklace from Angus, and the girls spent the rest of the evening talking about their boyfriends and the rest of the school year.
Dom was able to enjoy herself more now that she was at school. She had to explain to Angus about her leaving home, but he had been quite understanding. She was able to return to some semblance of normalcy with help from both Angus and Aberforth. While both men thought she should try to make amends with her family, they understood that right now she needed to figure out things for herself. She spent most of the time she wasn't in class with the two of them. She also started spending more time with her brother. Louis would tell her what had happened at home and she told him of her plans to move out at the end of the school year. Dom was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her brother. At one of their meetings, Dom arrived to find Fred, Roxy, Annabel, and Rose there.
"I hope you don't mind. I invited Fred, and he invited Roxy, and she invited Rose and Annie," Louis said sheepishly. Dom shook her head, but there was a smirk on her lips.
"And I assume you told them what we were doing today," she said.
"Don't be mad. We just want to see," Roxy said excitedly.
"Louis," Dom scolded, "I said tell no one. How am I supposed to trust any of you to keep this secret if you've already told each other?"
"We will. We promise," Fred said, "we can make the Unbreakable Vow if you want."
"No," Dom said quickly, "I will not have you risking your lives just to keep this secret, but I do ask that you tell no one. And I mean no one. Not your friends, your siblings, and especially not your parents." She said the last bit looking pointedly at Louis and her cousins.
"We promise," they all said.
"Alright, but before we start I usually get to hear how your week has been Louis. So tell me how've you been?' she asked.
"Really?" Fred asked exasperatedly.
"You're next mister. And here I thought we were here to enjoy the pleasure of each other's company. If spending time with us is too boring for you you're welcome to leave," she replied. Fred smiled.
"Okay, Louis first," Fred said.
"Well, if you must know I learned how to brew a polyjuice potion this week," Louis said in mock superiority. The others clapped uproariously. Louis bowed and waved them off lavishly, before the group collapsed into giggles. Louis recounted his week, the climax being his brilliant idea to switch Duncan's pumpkin juice with fungiface potion. The others laughed at that, and Dom made a mental note to look for Duncan Zabini in the halls later. Fred told them how he was failing transfiguration, and Rose made a quip that even her father had done better than him and he had a broken his wand one year. Fred also told them that he was talking to Ilsa Ancrum. Roxy slapped him and told him to stay away from her friends causing the group to laugh.
"Hey I left you Annie. Unless you have something you want to share," Fred said, smirking at the other girl.
"In your dreams," Annabel said, sticking her tongue out at Fred. Roxy and Annie then told the group about how they were in every class together. Roxy complained that Iris Aldermaston was still treating her like dirt, and Fred and Louis offered to help her put the girl in her place. Dom knew she should discourage them, but did not have the heart to deter them. Then Rose told them how she was top of her class and excelled in every subject. She also divulged her suspicions that Albus's friend, Scorpius Malfoy, had a crush on her.
"And do you like him?" Dom asked.
"What are you talking about? He's her mortal enemy," Fred replied.
"Well I didn't ask if you liked him Fred. I was asking Rose, and if she likes him that's her decision," Dom said smiling at Rose.
"He is very sweet," Rose said sheepishly.
"Nooo," Fred moaned. Dom shook her head at him.
"I agree with Rose. He is sweet. You should talk to him more. I think he's quite shy" Dom encouraged her young cousin. Rose smiled gratefully. Finally, Dom was satisfied with the conversation, and turned to grab something out of her bag.
"Wait," Fred said, "you didn't tell us about your week Dom." Dom was caught off guard by her cousin's thoughtfulness.
"Alright," she said with a smile, "let's see, I found Jemima and Vlad making out in the second floor ladies restroom a couple days ago." The boys guffawed at this. "I don't know all I've really done this week is talk to Angus and go to class."
"Hey did you hear that there might be another Triwizard Tournament next year. You'll be a seventh year. Will you put your name in the cup?" Roxy asked. Louis looked nervous at her comment.
"No," Dom replied, "I'm not meant for the glory of a Triwizard Tournament. That's Victoire's department."
"But she won't be there," Fred argued, "you're the only one who can defend the family honor."
"I think the family honor will withstand my exclusion from the tournament," Dom replied.
"I still don't understand why they continue to have the tournament. People die," Rose said.
"It's a way of fighting back," Roxy said confidently, "it shows that Voldemort no longer has any power over us. The only reason someone died in '94 was because of him. If we continue to be afraid of him even after his death then we are allowing him to continue to have life." Roxy looked very proud of her argument.
"Wow, you memorized Aunt Hermione's speech word for word didn't you," Fred said.
"No," Roxy said furiously, "but I may have been inspired by her speech. She's a great witch. I want to be like her when I grow up." Fred blanched and Roxy slapped him.
"Alright you two, shall we get down to business then," Dom interjected. All eyes were now on her, eagerly awaiting her display. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small teacup. Vie jumped right out of Dom's hand and scurried over to Louis. He made his way around Louis to Fred, who tried to catch him. To avoid Fred, Vie jumped into Roxy's lap and quickly hopped over her to escape her as well. He finally ran into Rose, who sat completely still, and jumped up onto her shoulder. He finally settled on her head, burrowing into her bushy hair. The others stared in awe.
"So what's the spell?" Louis finally asked.
"It's just a spell to give an inanimate object life. I haven't thought of a name for it. I only just created the counter-spell," Dom admitted.
"Well, what's the incantation?" he asked. The others perked up at this.
"Don't expect me to give you another way to wreak havoc on the school," Dom said. Fred visibly deflated.
"Ok," Louis said amiably, "so is the only one you have?"
"Well I did give Angus one," she admitted.
"Oh come on he's just a boy. We're family. Tell me Dom," Fred begged.
"I gave it to Angus, because I trust him not to misuse it and I didn't give him the incantation," Dom corrected him.
"I'm hurt cuz," Fred said mockingly. They all laughed and spent the afternoon playing with the tiny teacup.
The winter was bitter even into February, but nevertheless the students of Hogwarts gathered outside to watch a quidditch match. This match was between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Dom had found a new appreciation for quidditch now that Angus was taking her to games, but no matter how much she liked the games she could not stand the weather. She shivered as the Slytherin team flew out onto the pitch. She recognized Emil, Felix, Barney, and Duncan from the game against Gryffindor. She knew they played dirty, but the rest of the team were pretty fair. Alma Cinderford had always been nice, and her brother, Luca, was on the Ravenclaw team. Dom also liked Libby Harris, a muggleborn fifth year, and she had grow to appreciate Vlad from interactions with him and Jemima. She caught sight of Jemima sitting with her housemates Alice Bagby and August Clarke. Jemima usually sat with Billie, but Dom knew that she would want to cheer for Vlad while Billie would be cheering for Hufflepuff. Dom was sitting between Angus and Billie. Billie had brought Fletcher, who had brought his little sister, Maisie, and her best friend, Eva Longbottom. Dom admired how protective Fletcher was of his little sister, even allowing her to accompany him to the game, when he usually spent that time with Billie. In front of Dom sat Louis with Fred and Jasper. On the other side of Angus, sat Peggy and Lottie. Lottie sat with Ellis Goldstein, a seventh year whom she had been seeing lately. Dom was happy that her friend was focusing on her own happiness rather than her inadequacy compared to Carys. Dom's head turned as the Ravenclaw team came out onto the pitch. All the fans around her, including Dom herself, cheered wildly as they flew in. First out was the seventh year keeper, Liam Nott, followed by his teammates, Finlay Badock, Alfie Walker, Fern Boot, Luca Cinderford, Deirdre Jones, and Barnaby Taylor. Peggy cheered loudly as Fern flew by, earning her a smirk from her sister. The match started and Ravenclaw had control of the quaffle. Fern, Deirdre, and Barnaby weaved effortlessly, but Fern's shot was blocked by the ever agile Vlad. When Slytherin gained control of the quaffle, they hadn't made it past half when Alfie knocked it out of Libby's arms. The game carried on like that where Ravenclaw could always get the quaffle from Slytherin, but they always had trouble actually scoring. The score was in Ravenclaws favor, 60-40, when Duncan caught the snitch. All Dom's friends began to boo and jeer at the Slytherins, who were whooping and celebrating their victory. When the fans finally calmed down, they all began to exit the stadium. Dom and Angus had planned to go walking by the lake after the game. They were walking along the seats toward the steps when suddenly the whole stadium shook. Dom's head shot up to see the east side of the stadium collapsing. Students screamed as the wood fell out from underneath them. Several spells were shot by the professors across the stadium. Students and beams were frozen in midair or cushions appeared underneath them. There was utter chaos as the remaining students fled the stadium. Angus had taken Dom under his arm, and hurried her off the structure. Dom looked around and was relieved when she found Louis, Fred, and all her friends. She then looked frantically for the rest of her family. She found James with his "marauders" as they had so dutifully called themselves after James's grandfather's friends. She located Albus with Rose and Scorpius. Angus helped her search the crowds and they soon found Molly safe with Tilly.
"Where is Victoire?" Dom asked worriedly. Victoire was never hard to find in a crowd. Dom was truly worried. She and Angus got closer to the collapsed stadium and Dom began to dread what she would see. They pushed their way through and saw the carnage. Students were lying under beams. The entire side of the stadium was destroyed. Dom took note that the stadium had collapsed in a diagonal line running up the framework to the seating. It didn't look like a collapse of age or weather. It looked like someone had cut through the stands. Dom's musings were interrupted when she heard Headmistress McGonagall shooing students out of her way. Her expression was horrified when she lay eyes on the destruction. She immediately went about ordering the staff to attend to the injured students. That was when Dom noticed, with relief, that Victoire was among the students aiding those caught in the wreckage. Dom's relief was short lived when she caught sight of the student Victoire attended. Victoire had just freed Roxy out from under a beam. The young girls hair was matted with blood where a beam had hit her on the head. She was unconscious and looked eerily still as Victoire pulled her out to lay her in the grass. Victoire was quick to stop the bleeding from her head and make a stretcher to carry her out on.
"Roxy!" Dom turned to see Fred tearing through the students gathered. His face was pale and anguished as he knelt at his sister's side. Dom turned into Angus's shoulder as she averted her eyes from her cousin as he wept. Dom let silent tears fall as the students were carefully moved to the hospital wing. The rest of her family followed Roxy, but Dom stayed there in front of the stadium with Angus. They were still there when the other students had gone inside. Professors wandered through the demolished stadium looking for any stragglers and for what weaknesses caused this to happen. Aberforth approached the couple.
"You two should go. There's no need to see this," Ab said to Angus. Dom looked up at him.
"This wasn't an accident," she said dully. Aberforth gave her a questioning look. "The stadium hasn't ever collapsed on its own. It isn't that old," Dom said.
"Just because it hasn't collapsed before doesn't mean it can't," Angus reminded her. Dom looked at Aberforth still.
"Look at the break. It's a straight line. Cuts right through the wood. It didn't collapse. It was ripped apart," she claimed. Aberforth sighed.
"I noticed that as well," he admitted sadly, "but we can't do anything until we find out who or what did this. You should be with your family," he said. Dom nodded and allowed Angus to lead her to the hospital wing. When they arrived, there was a throng of students waiting outside. Dom found her family, and Louis flew into her arms. She hugged her brother tightly.
"Vic is in there with her, but they wouldn't let us in," he said quickly. Dom nodded as she held him. She looked over his shoulder to see Rose, Molly, and Albus huddled together, while James stood a few feet from where Fred was sitting in a corner away from the others. Dom released Louis and softly cupped his cheek before walking towards Fred. She placed a hand on James' shoulder, and he nodded patting her hand and walking away. Dom knelt in front of Fred. He looked up at her teary eyed. He ducked his head back down to hide the tears.
"No one is watching," she whispered, opening her arms. Fred fell into them, and she held him. The Weasleys sat in front of the hospital wing doors long after others had left. Dom still held Fred, who had cried himself to sleep, while the others had huddled close to them in silence. Suddenly, the doors opened to reveal Victoire. Dom gently shook Fred awake. He immediately found Victoire, his eyes begging for answers.
"She's awake," Victoire smiled at Fred. Fred rushed forward and hugged her quickly before going into the room.
"Can we all go see her?" Rose asked.
"Of course," Victoire said, pulling the girl in for a hug, "but don't get too noisy. She should rest." Victoire ushered the rest of her family in one by one until she saw Dom. Victoire looked at her sister with disdain before putting her arm around her brother and leading him inside. However, Louis stopped at the doorway. He turned and reached a hand out to Dom. She smiled and took it, letting her brother lead her into the hospital wing. Victoire just scowled. Roxy was already joking with her brother and claiming she was perfectly fine. She kept asking Madam Pomfrey when she could leave. The matron let Roxy leave that evening under strict orders to refrain from any strenuous physical activity. She also made Victoire promise to check on her before bed. Dom gave her cousin a hug before heading to the Ravenclaw tower alone. She crawled into bed still wondering what had caused the collapse that had nearly cost her cousin her life.
Life carried on. All the students injured in the quidditch game recovered. The stadium was rebuilt. The professors had not found the source of the collapse, but promised the students that the stadium was now completely safe. Dom walked through the grounds. She desperately wanted to paint the castle itself, but could not find a place to be alone to do it. The light hit the turrets so beautifully. She wanted to capture it. She wandered until she found a group of second years gathered on the lawn. She approached Rose.
"What're you guys up to?" she asked.
"Well," Rose replied almost in a sneer, "Trevor claimed that boys were naturally better fliers than girls, so Gwen punched him." Dom had to hold back a laugh at the way Rose made punching him seem like the most sensible choice Gwen could have made. "And now they're going to race to prove it."
"I see," Dom smiled. She watched the Balsall twins mount their brooms. Gwen looked absolutely confident as Caterina Aldermaston and Ruby Ancrum cheered her on from the sides. Trevor looked confident, but one look at the doubt on Albus, Scorpius, Fergus Hughes, and Ernie Corner's faces, and Dom knew he was in trouble. She had never seen either twin fly, but judging by the spectator reaction, Dom was willing to bet on Gwen. As she watched the two take off, Dom could tell that Gwen was a natural flier. She would make a great quidditch player, maybe even next year. Angus's spot on the team would need filled, and Gwen might even be good enough to beat out one of the Wood boys. The race was close, but Gwen won by at least three broom lengths. Trevor stuck his tongue out at his sister, as she paraded around him with her friends cheering at her back. Rose smirked smugly as Albus and Scorpius came over.
"I knew he was gonna lose," Scorpius said.
"A wise prediction," Rose affirmed. Dom smiled at Scorpius's obvious delight over receiving praise from Rose.
"He shouldn't have been so arrogant," Albus chided.
"I'll tell you a secret Al," Dom said, "there are very few men who aren't."
"I heard that," came a voice from behind her.
"I didn't say none," she said smiling at Angus, "I of course meant to include you in the few. You two as well." Albus and Scorpius smiled at her complement, and even more at Rose's approving nod.
"So what are we up to today?" Angus asked.
"Gwen just wiped the floor with Trevor in a race," Albus declared.
"It was quite brilliant," Rose agreed.
"Sounds spectacular. I'm sorry I missed it," Angus said. Then turning to Dom, he said, "Hey are you busy?"
"No," she replied.
"Come with me then," he said.
"Alright. Bye Rose, Al. Have fun." The younger children waved as she left with Angus. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"I don't know," he replied, "I just wanted to get you alone." Dom smirked.
"You're awful," she said as he pulled her close to kiss her. They wandered through the woods on the grounds. Dom loved the trees around Hogwarts. They were so different. Some tall and sturdy, while others were thin and pretty. Angus began to run through the trees and Dom followed him. The branches pulled at her hair, but she was enjoying herself too much to care. They laughed as they sped through the trees. They reached a hill, and both rolled down it. They sat at the bottom laughing at each other's antics. Dom sat up straight as she heard a noise in the distance. She beckoned for Angus to get up, and they crept through the woods until they found the source of the noise. It was a group of wood nymphs playing music. The couple sat and listened to the lilting melodies. Dom got up and moved several yards away from the clearing where the nymphs played. She began to dance in between the trees. Angus smiled as he watched her. She danced over to him and pulled him off the ground. The two waltzed silently between the trees as they enjoyed each other's company and the lovely music of the nymphs.