Chapter 17: Thinking Out Loud
Gemma dotted the final 'i' on her Charms essay, then looked over at the bent heads of her three friends. September had rolled quickly into October as workloads increased and everyone started to feel the strain. But she was remaining positive.
The girls had all been making a focused effort to talk regularly about how they were feeling under the pressure, in the hopes that they could avoid the various breakdowns they had each had the year before. Seventh year was even tougher than sixth.
Mary leaned further forward over her essay until her head touched the parchment. She sighed. "I'm tired."
Lily looked up from her work. "Are you still feeling unwell?"
Mary shook her head but didn't sit up. "Not really. I'm just tired all the time. Probably because of all this." She threw her hands out, clearly indicating the amount of work they had on.
After that night in September – Peter's birthday – when Mary had been ill, she'd been feeling off ever since. Gemma and the others were constantly telling her to visit Madam Pomfrey, but Mary didn't want to 'waste her time'.
"There is a lot to do." Lily agreed. "I heard Kelly Roe got sick after working all night on a Potions essay."
"I heard that." Alice dropped her quill on the table. "Done." She looked up at them all. "Sounded awful. Apparently she was throwing up for two days straight. And her dorm mates just left her to it. Not very good friends if you ask me."
"That is awful." Lily frowned. She turned to Mary. "We would never have left you in that state."
Mary smiled. "Thanks. I wouldn't leave you either."
Gemma hadn't heard about Kelly being ill, but she had heard about a young Hufflepuff fifth year – Julie Summers – who had been taken to Madam Pomfrey with a high fever. Although she doubted the two cases were related. She only knew about Julie because her mum had written to her about it. Julie was local to Gemma's village and, as a muggle born witch, had looked to Gemma and Cynthia for guidance when she had started Hogwarts five years ago. They rarely spoke, but apparently their mothers did.
Gemma leaned back in her chair and mulled over whether to write more or leave it be. Typically she would read and re-read her work, but she didn't think she had the time. She still needed to complete a Transfiguration essay, a Defence essay, and practice her non-verbal spells. Their teachers were starting to expect them to complete all classes non-verbally.
"What's next?" Lily asked as she placed her essay to one side and grabbed another piece of parchment. Gemma sighed. Lily was a machine sometimes.
Alice grabbed her essay and stood. "I'm taking a break. I can't face doing anymore tonight." Alice walked over to the sofa and threw herself down on it.
"I think I'm going to start on Transfiguration." Mary said. "Peter said he'd read through it for me tomorrow, so I want to give him enough time."
"Sounds good." Lily got her head down, but Gemma was still watching Alice.
She looked sad. Gemma knew Alice was missing Frank and that he hadn't written to her once since she'd started back at Hogwarts. She'd sent him multiple messages, but all had remained unanswered. It was crushing her.
"I'm going to sit with Alice." Gemma stood and headed over to join her best friend. Alice looked up as Gemma joined her, but didn't say anything. "You ok, Alice?"
Alice simply shrugged. "Fine. Just fed up." Gemma nodded, then Alice suddenly continued. "Why hasn't he written? I know he's busy but surely he isn't so busy that he can't send me a quick note to tell me he's ok. To check that I'm ok. He promised me he would write to me every week and he hasn't. I'm so angry."
Gemma suspected her friend was more hurt than angry, but Alice always found it easier to be angry than upset. Gemma also imagined she was worried. Auror training was not for the faint-hearted; there was always a chance someone would drop out, get pushed out, or end up injured or dead. The last being a small chance of course, but still a chance.
"All you can do is carry on as you are." Gemma said, unsure how to comfort her friend in this situation. "You're focusing on yourself and your own studies, your own future, but you're also still writing to him and telling him everything that's happening. Telling him how you are. I bet he is reading your letters every week and is desperate to reply to you." Alice started to argue a point, but Gemma kept talking. "And he will reply to you, when he gets the chance to do it properly."
"I don't want a proper reply." Alice looked down at her hands. "I just want any reply. I just want a few words that tells me he's ok and that he misses me and… and that he still loves me."
Gemma suddenly saw the reality behind the whole situation. "Alice, of course he still loves you. Nothing will have changed that. You showed me his letters from the summer and it was obvious how much he misses you."
Alice chewed her bottom lip. "Maybe. Except…" Alice sighed.
"Except what?"
"What if he's met someone else?"
Gemma huffed at her friend who was being so silly. She had seen plenty of Alice and Frank together to know that Frank was beyond besotted with Alice. No way could anyone else even come close. They were like a couple from a story. "No, Alice." Gemma heard the frustration in her own voice, but she needed to shut this thought down. "I won't have you questioning that. You know he loves you and you know he misses you. He's just incredibly busy, but he will write to you." Gemma stood up and placed her hands on her hips. She looked at her friend. "Now, stop feeling sorry for yourself and stand up. You're Alice Fortescue. You sulk about nothing."
Alice stared up at her and Gemma saw a small twitch of her lips. She was fighting the urge to smile. "Fine." Alice stood. "I'm Alice Fortescue and I don't sulk."
Gemma grinned and gave her friend a hug. "Good."
"Thank you." Alice squeezed her tightly and then they pulled apart. "Can I sit down again now? I really do just want to chill here and not work on any more essays."
Gemma laughed and nodded, then they threw themselves back down and leaned into each other. They sat in silence, watching the fire crackle, and Gemma heard the sound of people entering the common room behind them.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw James, Sirius, Remus and Peter head in and straight to the table Mary and Lily were at. Peter sat next to Mary, who seemed to be immediately asking him questions, while Remus sat next to Lily and pulled out some parchment. James sat on Lily's other side, while Sirius leaned on James's chair behind him. He clearly didn't want to get involved in essay writing.
Gemma stared at him for a moment. It had been a while since they had kissed that second time – here, in the common room – but Gemma knew they hadn't really had the opportunity. Despite spending almost every hour together all day, they were never alone. And Gemma had been far too busy to arrange anything private between them. Not that she would of course; she wasn't that bold.
She wondered if his friends knew about their second kiss. The girls knew absolutely nothing about either kiss, because Gemma had been too uncertain over what it had meant to tell them. Now she had a better understanding, she had contemplated confiding in them a few times. But she'd always backed out. She wondered if they would understand.
Sirius stood up from his lean against James's chair and raised his arms over his head. She always enjoyed it when he did that. He had beautiful arms. Strong and muscular, his clothes always seemed to strain themselves over his biceps. She liked that.
Merlin, she wanted to kiss him again. It had been the single most exciting moment in her life; more exciting than when she had won the ultimate duel challenge a few years ago and she had been crowned top of their entire year. She wondered if he felt the same way. Probably not; he'd kissed many girls, and had slept with some of them. She wondered how many…
"Who are you looking at?"
Gemma jolted at Alice's voice and she turned to look at her friend. Alice was looking over Gemma's shoulder too, at their table of friends.
"Oh. Just James and Lily." Gemma hated how easily the lie fell from her lips, but she couldn't admit the truth without a very long explanation. "They seem to be getting on really well." Technically this was all true. Gemma had noticed them sitting together and talking, and they did seem to be getting on well.
"They are, aren't they?" Alice agreed. "I think James is going to ask her to Hogsmeade and I actually think she'll say 'yes'." Gemma was about to reply but then Alice looked up towards the seat beside the sofa. "Oh, hi Sirius."
Gemma turned her head and saw Sirius had joined them and was taking the nearby seat. He gave them both a quick smile. "Don't mind me." He waved a book in his hand and Gemma noticed it was her Auror book. She had left it on the table with her other school work. "Found this lying around so thought I'd give it a read."
Gemma ignored his smirk and playfully rolled her eyes. "You can borrow it this one time, Sirius. But I want it back."
Sirius stared at her intently. "Fine. But it will cost you." Gemma heard the implication of exactly what the price would be, and she felt her insides tingle under his heated gaze. She had to look away. Fuck. She hoped Alice hadn't noticed.
Ignoring Sirius, Gemma focused on the fire in front of her.
Alice sighed loudly. "We still need to write our Auror essays."
Gemma groaned in response. "I know." She had been putting it off for days. Not because she didn't want to do it, but because she couldn't seem to articulate how she felt. How much she wanted it.
"At least it's an easy question. 'Why do you want to be an Auror?' I've got about fifty answers to that, I just need to pick the best ones." Gemma nodded but didn't say anything. Alice noticed. "Don't tell me you don't have fifty answers?"
Gemma sighed. "I do. I just… whenever I start thinking about it, I hit a block. I can't seem to get down on paper what I'm feeling. This essay is nothing like our school essays. Those are so easy in comparison; they're about facts and data and experiences that have actually happened. But this… it's about me. What I want, how I feel, why I'm going to be good at it." Gemma shrugged. "I don't know. I'll write it eventually, I just keep hitting a wall and it's getting me down."
Alice wrapped her arm around Gemma and pulled her in for a hug. "You will get it. You're the most determined witch ever to become an Auror so there is no chance you won't find a way to write down how you feel. You just need to keep trying."
Sirius frowned from behind the book he was pretending to read. He could hear Gemma and Alice's conversation, and he was confused as to why Gemma was struggling to write her Auror essay. He'd never known anyone speak so passionately – or so much – about wanting something. Merlin, the amount of times he'd found himself in a conversation with Gemma and she'd start spouting off how she felt about becoming an Auror. He almost laughed. He could probably write the damn essay for her.
A thought occurred to him and he mulled it over for a short time. Then he smiled to himself; he was a genius. Deciding to put his plan into action the following evening, he focused his attention on the book in his hand. It was actually an interesting read.
Eventually, an hour had passed and everyone was heading upstairs to bed so he gave Gemma her book back and joined his friends.
The following afternoon, Sirius pulled Gemma aside after their final class of the day. "Hey. What you doing tonight?"
Gemma laughed. "Potions essay. Transfiguration essay. Defence essay." She paused. "Probably another essay that I've forgotten about."
He smiled. "Your Auror essay?" Gemma groaned in response. He continued. "I've got an idea; a way of helping you with your Auror essay. Come with me to the Tower tonight?"
Gemma eyed him suspiciously. "Ok. But I can't be up late. I really do need to get these essays written."
"I know. I do too." They turned and walked together towards their common room. "Meet me outside the Great Hall at eight, after dinner, and I'll make sure I have the map on me."
"Sure."
They arrived back at the common room and started one of their essays together. Then Sirius headed for dinner with James, Remus and Peter, seeing Gemma briefly as she ate with her friends. Just before eight, he left his friends with their desserts and headed out the doors. As he waited for Gemma to join him, Sirius tucked himself into an alcove and leaned back.
Suddenly the main door opened and Sirius watched as Snape leaned in from outside. He glanced around the hall, clearly looking to see if he had been spotted, before stepping fully into the castle. Snape obviously hadn't seen Sirius tucked away. Snape quietly shut the door behind him, did another sweep of the hall, then disappeared down the corridor towards the dungeons. Sirius frowned. What was he up to? Why had he been outside? He was tempted to follow him.
"Why are you hiding?" Sirius looked around and saw Gemma standing in front of him. "I almost didn't see you there."
"Not hiding, just waiting." He smiled and turned. "Let's go."
They headed towards the Tower, talking about everything and nothing, then climbed their way to the top. Gemma headed straight for the railing and looked out. Sirius watched her for a moment.
It had been a few weeks since they had been alone together. Since she had initiated a second kiss. He hadn't expected it from her; in fact, he'd been thinking about how to initiate one himself. But she had walked up to him and pressed her lips against his. It had been… sweet.
Until he'd taken over, of course. Then it had become decidedly not sweet. He smiled at the memory.
Gemma turned to him. "What are you smiling about?"
"Just remembering an enjoyable night."
He noticed a slight blush creep over her cheeks and he smiled. Damn he wanted to kiss her again, right now. He wanted to forget about her bloody Auror essay and just have fun instead. They'd done enough work over the last few weeks. But… he had offered to help her, so he would.
"Let's sit down." Sirius moved to the floor and Gemma followed him. He stretched himself out and she did the same. He looked at her. "Lie back, and close your eyes." She frowned at him and he laughed. "Trust me."
Despite hesitating, she laid down on the ground and closed her eyes. "Now what?"
"Now, I want you to tell me why you want to be an Auror."
Gemma opened her eyes immediately and sat up on her elbows. "What?"
Sirius pushed her to lie back down. "Lie down. Close your eyes." She huffed but did as she was told. "I heard you talking to Alice last night. You're overthinking it. So just relax, and tell me why you want to be an Auror."
"But you already know why. I must have told you ten times already."
More like a hundred times, but Sirius didn't say that. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill from his pocket. "Humour me."
Gemma sighed. "Fine." She paused for a moment, then began. "I want to be an Auror because I want to make our world a better place. A safer place. More so than ever now, with the war. But I've always wanted it. And not because my parents were Aurors. But because I could see crimes being committed; people being hurt; the injustice of the person responsible walking away."
Sirius smiled as he wrote down everything Gemma said. She continued talking, covering all the reasons why she wanted to be an Auror and the things she planned to do if – when – she joined the team. As always when she spoke, her passion and determination came through.
She paused for a moment. "I just want to make a difference. I want to do something… valuable with my life. Otherwise… what's the point?"
Sirius could tell she had opened her eyes and was looking at him. He finished writing 'point?' then looked at her. "Here." He handed her the full page of writing.
"What's this?"
"Your Auror essay."
Gemma took it from him and read it. Read her words, in his hand. She suddenly looked up at him, and Sirius could see the emotion in her eyes. "Sirius… I…" She shook her head and looked back down at the parchment. "Thank you. This is… thank you."
He shrugged. "I didn't do anything. It's all your words." He looked over at the writing. "You probably need to tidy it up though, maybe move some of the sections around; you got quite waffly at one point." Gemma laughed. "And it should probably be in your handwriting. But at least you have something."
Gemma nodded, then folded the parchment carefully, and placed it inside her cloak. "Thank you."
Sirius shrugged and laid down on his back. He had wanted to help but he didn't want to get sentimental about it. He heard Gemma lie down as well and together they stared up at the sky. It was dark and the stars were shining bright. October had been cold, but clear of cloud and rain.
"Sirius?"
He looked over at Gemma. "Yes."
"Can I… can I ask you a personal question?"
Sirius hesitated. He typically didn't like people asking him personal questions, especially as they were often about his family. Did he really have different beliefs? Had he tricked his way into Gryffindor? Was he going to grow up and become a death eater? Stupid questions that made him so angry.
But this was Gemma. She wouldn't ask him any of that. "Ok."
He sensed her hesitation as she continued to stare up at the sky. "How many… how many girls have you… been with?"
Sirius sat up on his elbows and looked at her, surprised. Of all the questions he could have guessed her asking, that would not have been on the list. And he was immediately intrigued about why she wanted to know. "Define 'been with'."
Gemma didn't look at him. She shrugged slightly. "You know… been with. Had… had sex with."
He almost laughed at her inability to say the words. For someone so headstrong she was adorable when it came to this topic.
Before he could answer though, she blushed and closed her eyes. "Sorry. I shouldn't have asked…"
"No, it's fine. I don't mind." Sirius stared at her for a moment, before answering. "None."
A small crease appeared in Gemma's forehead. "None?" She finally looked at him.
Sirius couldn't help but chuckle at her confusion. "None. You seem surprised?"
"I am. I mean… I just thought… well, I'd heard a few stories."
He laughed. "Ah yes; the stories." The stories he had, for a while, encouraged. It had only been in the last six months he'd started to regret his reputation. "Almost all of them are made up."
"So, have you not even… kissed many girls then?"
"I've kissed a few." He did quick maths in his head. "Seven, if you want a number."
"Oh."
He chuckled. "You sound disappointed."
She smiled at him. "I'm not. I'm just surprised. You seem so… experienced." She looked down as she said the last word and Sirius knew she was thinking about their time together.
"You don't need to kiss a hundred people to get experience, Gem." She looked back up at him. "You can gain experience with just one person; if it's the right person."
She bit her lip and seemed to agree. He wondered if that was a reflection of his kisses. He knew she hadn't learned much from Ivan. She smiled at him. "Can I ask you another question?"
He laughed. "Shoot."
"Why haven't you… had sex yet? I mean, surely you've had the opportunity? Based on the rumours, every girl in the school would clearly jump at the chance."
He couldn't help himself. "Would you?"
She frowned. "Sirius. We're not talking about me."
"Shame." He paused, then explained. "The truth is, I haven't wanted to. Well, I've wanted to, obviously, but all the girls I've kissed haven't felt right. They've been too needy or too controlling or…" He shrugged. "…the spark just wasn't there. You know, it was all a bit bland." He laid back down and stared up at the sky. "I guess I'm just waiting for the right opportunity." He didn't tell her that he couldn't stop wondering if she was the right opportunity.
Gemma hadn't replied, so he looked over at her. She was chewing on her lip, her forehead in a tiny crease. He wondered what she was thinking about.
Gemma wondered which category she fell into. She didn't think she had been needy, but she had so little experience that maybe she had been. She'd certainly needed him to take the lead.
But then, maybe she was too controlling. She was independent, which she liked about herself, but she knew she could be bossy and stubborn and annoying when she wanted to be. And she knew Sirius found her frustrating sometimes. She almost laughed. He was just as frustrating.
Then again, maybe there just hadn't been a spark between them. Except, her whole body had been aflame whenever he kissed her, so it would have only been him finding it bland. Merlin, that would be depressing.
"What are you thinking about?"
Gemma couldn't admit the truth. "Nothing."
"Liar."
As always, he saw through her. "Shut up."
Sirius laughed. "Fine. Keep your secrets." They returned to silence for a moment, then he spoke again. "So… you've asked me some personal questions. Now it's my turn."
Gemma paused. "Ok. Although if you're going to ask for my 'numbers' you already know it's two and zero."
He laughed again. "I wasn't going to ask you that, but it's good to get confirmation." He paused for a moment. "You told me before, when we were last up here together, that you didn't want a relationship. I have to admit, I was surprised. I had you pegged as someone who wanted to find her one true love, settle down, get married, have kids."
Gemma frowned, surprised. She didn't think she'd given off that impression. She looked over at him. "Really?"
"Yeah. Becoming an Auror aside, of course." He shrugged. "I thought you'd want both."
Gemma smiled and looked back up at the sky. "I suppose I do want both. Just… not yet. I love what my parents have and I see how happy Alice is with Frank. I do want that." She paused for a moment. "But… I also see how sad Alice is that they are spending so much time apart, and will for the next two years. And I saw how my parents marriage almost broke because my dad rejoined the war." Gemma sighed. "I do want to find love, one day, but right now I want to be an Auror more. I want to start this part of my life now. Love can wait."
She heard Sirius chuckle. "Love can wait." She heard him move and she looked over at him. He'd turned to lie on his side, facing her. He rested his head on his hand, arm bent at his elbow.
She mirrored his position. "What about you?"
He frowned slightly. "What about me?"
"Is love in your future?"
Sirius scoffed. "No."
"Why not?"
"Don't believe in it."
Gemma frowned. She hadn't expected that. "You don't believe in love?"
He shrugged slightly. "I guess I believe in it for others. James's parents seem happy enough, and James obviously turns into an idiot whenever Lily's around; apparently that's love. But for me? No way."
"Why no way?"
Sirius looked down and pulled an odd expression. Gemma couldn't quite read it. He didn't speak for a little while. "Some people aren't meant to be loved."
Gemma was momentarily stunned. Did Sirius truly believe that he wasn't meant to be loved? But… everyone should be loved. Everyone needed love; deserved love. Her heart ached at his words. She was about to launch into a tirade of why he was so very wrong, but he suddenly leapt up from the ground.
"It's getting late and you wanted to work on your essays." He pulled out the map and studied it.
Gemma sighed and stood too. The conversation was obviously over. "You're right. I do want to get back and get at least one more complete." She turned to him. "Thank you again, for helping me with my Auror essay."
He smiled at her. "No problem." He directed her to the stairs and they started to climb down. "The way back is clear, and we've still got ten minutes until curfew anyway."
She nodded and together they walked back to their common room, mostly in silence. And a small part of Gemma fought with herself over how sad she was feeling that they hadn't kissed; it had been a rare moment where they had been completely alone and she had expected… something. She shook herself. Maybe twice was enough.
"Oh no."
Gemma looked up at Lily, who had covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes moved frantically over the newspaper in front of her. It was breakfast time, and multiple copies of The Daily Prophet had just been delivered.
"What is it?" Mary leaned in to Lily and gasped. "Oh no."
Suddenly Gemma became aware of other gasps around the room and frantic murmurs. She looked quickly around; students were gathered together over newspapers and letters from home.
"It's St Mungo's." Lily placed the newspaper on the table and turned it so all four of them could see. Gemma stared in horror at the images displayed and the shocking, bold headline.
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION - ST MUNGO'S BURNS!
Gemma read the story and clenched her fists in anger. Another horrific attack by Voldemort and his death eaters, with at least thirty people killed and many more injured. Reports of death eaters 'playing' with their intended victims; of witches and wizards already vulnerable being exposed to horrific, painful torture; of the entire hospital being burned to the ground.
"It's horrible." Mary whispered, and Gemma looked over at her. She had tears in her eyes. "All those people, injured or killed."
Lily wrapped her arm around Mary as they all continued to read. Gemma could hear other students talking; she could hear the panic in their voices.
"Where will be next?"
"What if they attack Diagon Alley?"
"Do you think they'll go after the Ministry?"
"Hogwarts is still safe, right?"
"Nowhere is safe anymore!"
Gemma turned to her friends. "Everyone's panicking."
Lily looked around quickly. "But everyone must know that Dumbledore won't let anything happen to us."
Alice nodded. "The school is heavily protected."
Gemma agreed. "No one can get in." She was sure of it.
Except… she did know about the passageway from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack; Sirius had confided in her that Remus used it every full moon to transform and hide out, with him, James and Peter joining him. Sirius had confided that those two were also animagi. Not that she had been surprised once she'd discovered Padfoot.
But that passageway was an extremely dangerous route in and out of the grounds. Not only because people suspected the Shrieking Shack was haunted, but also because the Whomping Willow enjoyed destroying everything around it.
Gemma turned her attention back to the article and her friends. They could still hear the panic around them as they kept reading the article. A letter suddenly dropped in front of Gemma and she immediately recognised her mums handwriting. She tore it open and read quickly.
"What does it say?" Alice asked.
Gemma looked up. "Mostly what we've already read. My mum says my dad was there, fighting, but he got out before the building burned down. Apparently he had caught a death eater, so was imprisoning her at the time. It was too late when he headed back. The building was gone."
"That whole place, gone." Mary sighed, sadly. "I hope they can rebuild it."
"They can." Lily said firmly. "And they will."
They all looked up to the sound of people entering the Great Hall. Students from all houses were ushered in by the teachers. McGonagall walked with purpose towards them, flanked by James, Sirius, Remus and Peter.
McGonagall stopped in front of them. "Miss Evans. I need you and Mr Potter to come with me."
Lily jumped up immediately and followed McGonagall and James back out of the Great Hall. The other three hung back.
"You ok, Mary?" Peter asked, as he took Lily's seat. She shook her head and they started talking.
Gemma looked up at Sirius and Remus. "What does McGonagall want with them both?"
"Head Boy and Girl duties, I think." Remus answered. He sat down next to Gemma. "All students are being brought in. We think they're going to make announcement."
"To tell us that we have nothing to worry about?" Alice shuffled over slightly so Sirius could sit down.
"I assume so." Remus replied.
At that moment, the Hall fell into silence as Professor Dumbledore appeared. He walked down the central aisle and everyone watched on. Gemma saw the House professors at the back of the hall, with Lily and James and the other Houses' Head Boys and Girls beside them.
"Students." Dumbledore stepped up to his podium to address the room. "I know you will all be saddened by the news of the attack at St Mungo's. Some of you have relatives who work there, or relatives who are patients there. Please be assured we are gathering as much information as we can from the Ministry, and we ask that you speak to your Head of House if you need information on someone close to you."
Gemma heard a few murmurs around the room, and her heart went out to those who didn't yet know the fate of their loved ones.
"You are reminded that Hogwarts is safe." Dumbledore paused for the message to sink in. "The castle is protected. No one will be getting in without my knowledge; that I can assure you. You must all stay calm and support each other." Dumbledore paused for a moment. "Hogwarts, we will not cower; we will not run or hide. We will remain strong and we will stand tall in the face of this. Together."
Gemma smiled as Dumbledore stepped back. They would stand together and they would stay strong. Gemma hated this war, but she was not going to run from it. Merlin, she had every intention of running into it.
McGonagall, James and Lily all moved and started ushering students to class, clearly dealing with questions and concerns as they went.
Gemma turned to Alice and Mary. "Come on; we should get out of here."
Alice nodded. "We haven't got class until eleven." Alice looked around. "Shall we just go back to the common room?"
Gemma agreed. "I think so. Wait for Lily there."
The three of them headed out of the Great Hall, the boys just behind them. Gemma thought back over the last few months. Waterloo. Kings Cross. St Mungo's. She sighed; the war was definitely getting worse and she suspected the Ministry would need more than just Aurors to fight back.