Tilly knew something was up when she woke up that morning something felt off besides the throbbing pain in her side it was the energy in Hogwarts its sharp holding its breath waiting for an opening or for her to drop her gard.It made her uneasy her wand usually in her robes pocket now stayed ready in her sleeve just like her father taught her when she was eleven,throughout her classes her mind couldn't focus on the subject waiting for the class to end to find where this energy was coming from and end it.
her anxiety that was beyond the charts popping more Pills more than usual.When astronomy ended Tilly raced out of class ahead of everyone trying to act like nothing was wrong walking through the halls trying to get out undetected.The portraits annoyed that she was only saying hello and not having there usual short conversations began to gossip among themselves Tilly rolled her eyes at them being so dramatic getting away from all portraits she could feel there was someone near and following her for a few hallways.
Tilly began walking through the halls opening the doors to the outside hallway and with surprising agility and speed jumped out of the first window landing on the grass with a thud running up a tree near by.She crouched on the tree branch waiting for her follower to reveal themselves to her,the bandages around her waist tight against her stomach. She heard the door softly open and close footsteps quickly walked around realizing that they had lost her and went to the small set of stairs that entered the field "is this someone from home?" She thought hidden in the leaves.The boy who lived ran down the stairs running onto the field looking around hands in his hair.
very quietly Tilly jumped from her branch landing on the ground hoping her wound would not reopen and made her way up the stairs not catching his attention "Hey Potter I haven't seen you for a while,how are ya !" Harry jumped quickly turning around hand going to his back pocket.Tilly didn't react to him knowing he wouldn't shoot her and leaned against a column"A little Jumpy ,is everything ok?" She asked, smiling at Harry watching him straightening up walking over to her "you just caught me off guard is all." Tilly faked a chuckle keeping her eyes on the boy looking at his body language.Harry was open except for biting his lip and blinking a lot an obvious sign of anxiety or discomfort probably from her disappearing and reappearing or because he knows that she knows that he was following her it's probably actually both." Oh I'm sorry,Potter !" Tilly apologized holding her hands in front of her watching the anxiety fall from him.
The boy who lived is just like every guy.If you want a guy to calm down just act like your a docile fragile girl,there putty in your hands this works for most guys except for Nevill he just copy's you and then your both just an anxiety mess."you can call me Harry,Tilly its fine." "Oh sorry po-Harry,what are you doing in the field?" Harry looked at Field confused before back to Tilly about that uhhh I wanted to ask you a favor but I didn't know how to ask it without it being weird so I ended up following you…" Tilly was taken back at his honesty, her eyes wide.
"uh ok what's up ,just say it and get it over with and if it's weird I probably won't make fun of you." Harry laughed rubbing the back of his neck"remember the golden egg from the first tournament well it screams when you open it and I'm the only one that hasn't figured it out ," Tilly nodded her head the twins had told her about the banshee egg that made their ears ring for a minute " but Cedric told me that if I go into the perfect bathroom and use there big bath tub Ill figure it out and your friends with a prefect." Harry finished looking at Tilly blinking at him with an idea crossing her mind"so Cedric told you to go to the perfect bath tub?" "Yes" " sounds a little gay." Harry's eyebrow came together as a blush crept across his face. "I-It's not like that I just want to figure out the next task!"Harry exclaimed Tilly held back a laugh "harry there's no shame in it love is love,i'll get that key for you two." "But it's not like that I-" Tilly placed an arm around his shoulder patting it "shhhh its ok live your life your secrets safe with me I wont tell a soul." Tilly grabbed Harry's pinky with her winking and started walking away from Harry. "There's nothing to tell,I just want to open the egg!" Harry exclaimed at Tilly she just winked, giving him a thumbs up "I bet you do." She walked behind the corner disappearing from sight.Tilly wrote on her inner forearm "H key" and waited there until Harry's huff and footsteps phase away and the door closing she rested her head against the wall the bad energy was still plagued her and she had to figure out what it was! Tilly looked across the empty field students still probably hanging out in their dorms doing their homework. It was the perfect time to do this,Tilly sprinted across the field into the forbidden forest.
*
Tilly took off her book bag and cloak only taking a gray bundle the rest was hidden inside a decaying hallo tree trunk not wanting to be held back.Tilly put her wand in her mouth began running through the thick trees jumping over roots and vines feeling of bad energy not leaving her even here. Winding and dodging the hanging creepers going deeper and deeper into the forest the schools towers were no longer visible and suns rays did not reaching inside this deep of the forest making look as if it were night.Tilly stopped at a big old twisted tree its leaves swaying in the breeze placing a hand on the trunk looking at its base a shiny rock rested not covered in dust like the others the sound of multiple clomping alerts her "you feel it too." Firenze stated in a monotone voice looking down at Tilly who turned around to face him and the many other centaurs behind him removing the wand from her mouth tucking it into her sleeve "yes,what is it?" Tilly handed The centaur the shiny rock watching him place it back into his satchel "The forest is filled with anger at the mermaids for they have made a deal with wizards and believe it is servitude."
Tilly was surprised the mermaids would even make a deal every time she had come into contact with them they wouldn't attack her because she stayed out of there space and they stayed in there but that did not stop them from being rude to her over the years they've gotten slightly nicer,slightly being a bit more of an overstatement but still never once had they spoken to her under the water.They would usually just scream at her try to scratch her and swim off "do you know if it was a deal or has the ministry made them there slaves?" Tilly asked the tall Man that smiled a somber smile at her "I do not know, the mermaids speak to me the same as you but I fear the energy that plagues us now and in the future." "In the future?" Tilly asked Firenze raising an eyebrow.
Firenze sat on the dirt ground, his horse legs resting next to his body pulling out a fabric from his satchel and held out an open hand to the ground next to him"come child and I shall show you." Tilly sat next to the centaur wincing in pain. Firenze gave her a look that she just waved a hand and looked at the fabric, a plain color cover in beautiful hand stitched planets and stars circling the earth "Your wizard school teaches you astronomy yes." Firenze asked looking down at Tilly still towering over her.Tilly laughed, shaking her head "yes but it is wizard nonsense just like their history." Firenze shook his head, his eyes told Tilly his mind was elsewhere. "I suspected that,do you see this,dorran." Firenze pointed to mars on the fabric Tilly nodded her head listening to Firenze explanation of the stars position along with the planets and their meaning until the end coming to the conclusion "this is just the beginning of something bigger and everyone is in danger,is it vol" "I won't deny your thoughts but do not speak it that name still holds its poison here." Tilly looked at the colorful fabric in worry "is there anything I can do?" Firenze placed a hand on her back rubbing up and down.
"Do not think too much of this child ,we must hope that the streams lead to a better future than what we have predicted,the future is not inscribed in stone." He folded the fabric, placing it back into his satchel standing up holding a hand out to Tilly pulling her out of her thoughts, lifting her up to her feet "You must return to Hogwarts and speak to the mermaids,Your chances are higher than my own." Tilly nodded her head at the centaur "thank you Firenze,this is for you and those who will take it." Unwrapping the gray fabric it reviled ginger snaps baked this morning and still warm with the warming charm Tilly placed on the gray cloth.
Firenze's face became excited, gladly taking them ,the other centaurs behind him whispering "the sweet moss!" Tilly could feel her spirits rise watching Firenze putting the cookies in his satchel not taking the gray cloth the other centaurs not taking there eyes off of his satchel "Thank you child and for you ,remember to stay alert if something is wrong the centaurs are on your side." He placed a necklace around her neck with a rock similar to the one he left on the trees base twisted with greenery hanging on a simple string.Amazed by its beauty though simple was breathtaking "if you are in danger smash it to the ground I shall be alerted it also tells me when you or I are near." He raised his wrist showing multiple bracelets one of them holding a similar rock a glow coming from both "Thank you I'll speak to the mermaids and if it's the worst I will tell you." Firenze nodded his head "now go child before curiosity consumes our companions." He watched Tilly running back through the woods, the glow of the necklace becoming faded until disappearing before going on his way.
*
Tilly sat on the couch in the Hufflepuff common room waiting for a certain perfect to come tell her "Tilly what are you doing your missing Defense against the dark arts?" Tannis asked hands at her sides right on schedule.Ever since Tilly has known Tannis she was a stickler for going to class and studying going as far as forcing her friends in her "fun weekends " which consisted of trivia,textbooks, math,and baked goods."Give me a break tan tan I'm tired from studying all night,I just want to take a nap." Tilly Lied yes she was up all night just not studying after coming back from the forbidden forest she went up to the astronomy tower to see for herself what Firenze was speaking of and he was right very right.Tannis huffed looking at the books Tilly had placed around her with random pieces of paper in them "fine scoot over,I want one too." Tilly moved from the middle of the couch to the arm throwing Pillows at tannis to use as she grabbed a big blanket.
They both settled on the separate sides of the couch "Yeah Tilly you were seriously studying." Tannis sarcastically chuckled holding up a drawing of Ron freaking out in front of a conspiracy board "I wasn't messing around O.W.L's are a very serious thing."Tilly replied jokingly being offended pulling the blanket over her."its so weird how you started teasing Percy then tutored Ron and now you know all the Weasleys." Tannis sighed thinking about Tilly pushing Percy's buttons that it was "tomatta" not "tomato" to the point that he screamed slammed his head on the table mumbling "tomatta".Tilly laughed putting her hand under her head"yeah I don't know how that happened .the twins are still annoying at times though,don't really talk to Ginny ." "Yet you still talk to them,against Jensens pleads ." They both laughed thinking of the Slytherin boy begging her to stop talking to the Weasleys twins because they're starting to talk to him and won't leave him alone .
The sound of Tannin's light easy breath told Tilly she was asleep very stealthy got off the couch sneaking over to tannis bag on the ground careful to not wake she light sleeping friend.Tilly opened the bag and unzipped the first pocket on the left side finding the ring of prefect keys,taking off the simple gold old key off the ring Tilly slipped it in her pocket putting everything back the way it was running over to the door of the common room whispering "Thanks tannis!".
*
Students were still in class by time Tilly made it to the black lake no one saw her or followed her making it much easier.She removed her school uniform and shoes standing in her black swimsuit setting her wand under the bundles of cloth she walked into the water a chill stabbing into her body grabbing handful of Gillyweed quickly eating it before taking a deep breath before diving into water.
The change was annoying to say the least especially the pain from her side but Releasing the breath she was holding under the water watching the bubbles rise to the top"this will be easy, so easy ." Tilly reassured herself swimming to the edge of the forest of plants "Merpeople! I'm entering peace. I don't want to fight you, I just want to ask you a question!" Tilly yelled waiting for a moment taking a reassuring breath entering the forest swimming carefully pushing the plants a side.Even under the water the bad energy lay as thickly as land the calming alluring song echoed around her"there surrounding me." Tilly thought looking at the thick plants.
A staff came at her quickly she swam back raising her arm to block it. Red streaks floated up to the surface "Peace I come with peace!" Staff pointed around her and revealed the mermaids snarling their pointed teeth at her. A sharp high pitch scream left their mouths Your not welcome here!" Tilly moved the staff from her throat "I come in peace,Firenze the centaur sent me to ask you a question." The mermaids started at her hungrily seeing the shiny rock around her neck "lower your staffs,why is a centaur speaking with a….." The mermaids looked Tilly up and down as the others followed her orders don't you feel the energy in the air we were worried for you after hearing that you struck a deal with the ministry.Is your kind safe?" The mermaids knew exactly what Tilly was talking about; it was written on their faces
. "We have never been safe the moment wizards were created,though I hate them with a passion they made a deal that would feed my children and stop hunting them." Tilly looked at the mermaid with interest shock that the ministry would even give a fair bargain "What did you have to do for that miracle?" "Two days without danger to wizards in our waters when they give us a signal ." Tilly was shocked not knowing why they would make this deal "why do they want passage here?" Tilly asked the mermaids laugh at her like she told a funny joke
" we do not care what they want as long as they keep their promise."There was no way of getting anymore information out of them they gave her all they had "Thank you for answering my questions and for allowing me into your part of the lake." Tilly replied respectfully, bowing her head keeping it low waiting for the mermaids to respond " Get out now." Tilly turned and began to swim away followed by two mermaids one looked familiar.Reaching the border between there lake a sharp poke on her ass made her jump "Hey your the mermaid that did that last time!" The mermaid looked at her wide eyed not expecting to be remembered "ACHHHSJVBE!" It screamed at Tilly before swimming back into the plants "ACHHHSJVBE to you too!" Tilly yelled shaking a fist.
Tilly swam back to the shallow end a green catching her eyes Tilly could tell the Gillyweed was wearing off but she need that green quickly swimming to the bottom her webbed hands and feet becoming undone she quickly grabbed as much green as she could kicking up to the surface choking on the water breaking the surface gasping at the water going into her mouth .A huge slimy tentacle wrapped around her pulling her up into the air gasping Tilly patted it " thank you Tiny, just need to catch my breath."
*
Dragging her feet though the water her vision impaired from her wet hair in her eyes I'm never going in the water again." Tilly thought aloud. She dunked her head into the water flipping her hair back walking back onto land shivering laying on her stomach watching the inch long cut disappear.
The sun began to set behind Hogwarts, casting it in an orange glow Tilly sat in her wet school uniform her suit still on watching the sunset shivering from the cold trying to muster the energy to get up after healing her arm and still trying to heal her side.Getting up shakily Tilly shoved the green mold of the key into her pocket and began slinking back into the old castle "Tilly is that you?" Yelled a familiar male voice running over to her"h-hello." The person ran up to her touching her shoulder looking at her face tillys eyes weren't able to focus "Bloody hell Tilly your blue come on! Let's get you to a fire!" She felt Fred put something around her shoulders,It was warm and soft. a hand going around her shoulders moving up and down a bit of warmth forming walking back to the castle"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Tilly mumbled trying to push away from Fred.
"If you think I'm letting you go your wrong please let me help you." Tilly huffed letting herself be taken wherever Fred was taking her.Baubles" a creaking sound was heard as warmth developed her students talking and laughing as Fred led Tilly up some more stairs coming to a doorFred held the door open. Tilly walked into the dorm room. It smelled like teen boy and the walls were covered in quidditch posters but only by two beds were there splatters of different colors across the wall " you can borrow some of my clothes." Fred ran over to the chest in front of his digging through it " you don't have to do that Fred,they probably won't even-" Tilly shuddered rubbing her arms Fred handed her some folded up clothes well I am and I'm going to stand in front of the door so no one comes in dear." He winks and runs out the door closing it taking his robe off of her, not letting her say another word.
Tilly looked at the clothes in disbelief looking at the size on the tag reading " medium " she shook her head setting the clothes on the bed "I wear an extra large this isn't going to fit." She mumbled feeling the cold even more without Fred's cloak. Tilly was embarrassed thinking of telling Fred his clothes weren't going to fit her especially after him being nice enough to be worrying about her to even give them to her "I'm freezing cold damn mermaids living in the water !" Tilly whispered, taking off her wet robe and uniform dropping them to the floor she touched the wet loose bandages around her waist stained red from the wound opening "one of them has to have bandages." Tilly walked over to Fred's trunk digging around and putting things back not finding any moving over to Georges trunk digging to the bottom "I believed in you George ,more than enough quidditch stuff and pranks but no bandages between the two of you !" Tilly smacked her hand on the trunk a first aid kit fell from a hidden pocket.Quickly Tilly opened it, finding a roll of bandages rudely cut at the ends "Thank you George ." Tilly removed the old wet stained bandages looking at the three inched chunk missing the edges around it jagged and glistening from the teeth ripping it out "it Better of healed this much,fucking tired from this." She wrapped up her waist walking over to the clothes on Freds bed.
Fred leaned against the door frame waving at students going and leaving their dorms messing with his gryffindor cloak.The door creaked open "why does it take girls so long to-" Fred felt his breath being taken away in the heavenly glow he never noticed in his dorm before lighting up the angle in front of him,her body usually hidden under baggy clothes was made of soft curves and rounded edges.Tilly made his chudley cannons shirt and sweatpants look like all of her perfect outfits. A blush forming on his face looking at how his clothes looked on Tilly'' is the chudley cannon's a band ?" Tilly asked, moving her hand covered by the long sleeves away from the neck line " HELLO!" Fred thought looking away from tillys chest, his face red.
Tilly was oblivious to the fact that during last winter Fred was tired of being choked by the tight shirt collar and had cut it off into a semi deep triangle and that at the moment her large breasts were showing more than usual and that a couple of first years we're staring at her " here I'll take that and you can have this back." Fred quickly threw his cloak on to Tilly From behind catching a glance at how tight his sweatpants were on her rounded butt" Goodbye!" A small sound left him " are you ok ?" Tilly placed a cold hand to Fred's face " Gah, you're just cold. Come on." Fred took her wet clothes in hand making sure the cloak was covering her as he led her back down the stairs holding her pinky with his glaring at the first years as he passed them.
*
" Sit right here,I'll get you something warm to drink!" Fred pulled up the gryffindor hood over Tillys head pulling a gold blanket over her shoulder and running off. Tillys mind wanders to the fire the shadows being cast across the carpet from her hanging clothing and suit, her side aching in protest of either being cold or being in constant movement,maybe all of the above.her eyelids weighed heavy pounds fighting to stay open from the calming ambience and warm clothes that had the faint smell of Fred "did I forget we had plans?" Ron asked not to notice Tilly wrapped up in layers, the wet hair sticking out or her shaking" OH my god What happened?" Hermione elbowed Ron in the side making her way over to Tilly.
Tilly saw Harry standing by Ron and mostond him over he shuffled over an eyebrow raised "you two better not get caught ." Tilly shuddered holding out the wet dripping key that Harry took with an uneasy smile at his friends before running up the stairs to the boys dorm." I saw you eat an apple so I got you an apple cider !" Fred yelled dodging groups of students and his brother a ceramic mug in his grip steam following it.The mug warmed Tillys hand feeling the Cushion next to her fall in as a gentle callused hand was brought up to her four head and moved down turning to his back hand on her cheek treating her as if she were silk " your still freezing,what were you doing ?" Tilly sipped the sweet brown cider feeling it ran down to her stomach,It's warm, filling her body. " I thought it was a perfect day for a swim ." The four stared at her.
" in the black lake?" Fred exclaimed his hand falling to her shoulder "it's almost February,it's freezing out !" Hermione stated Tilly just shrugged her shoulders, sipping the cider leaning against Fred.Hermione and Ron looked at Tilly like she had a third head,Fred bounced his shoulders a bit making her head bounce "come on what's the real reason." Tilly knew she couldn't tell them a centaur in the woods told her to talk to the mermaids because they were worried they were being enslaved. "I dropped the key off the bridge." Tilly mumbled curling onto herself "what so you went down and searched for it?" Ron looked at her like she was crazy. The gold key was tiny. "Uhh you could say I went down." Tilly took another sip looking into the mug feeling Freds grip tighten on her shoulder "you fell off the bridge!" He began looking over her, pulling the hood off her head.
" Are you hurt,did you crack your head open? I'm getting gonagle!" Fred rapidly said letting Tillys face go jumping up about ready to scream before Tilly grabbed his arm pulling him back to the couch against her "don't get Mcgonagle! Fred I'm fine, nothing broken except my ego." Fred looked up at her determination still in his eyes looking at the feather hat floating around the common room belonging to the Professor "oh no Tillupa Guhubble,you fell off a bridge into cold water!That's like a 7 meter drop !" Fred exclaimed finger pointing at her "Can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with Fred,you need to go to a medic." Hermione agrees Rons nods his head "Please your all over reacting,I'm fine if I wasn't you would know." Tilly stated at the two looking down at Fred feeling him trying to get up still a determined look on his face "That's the adrenaline talking,MCGO-" Tilly covers Fred mouth muffling his screaming Herminoe started walking over to Mcgonagle "Hermione please I'm absolutely fine nothing wrong with me but if there is I promise i'll go to a medic,don't bother Mcgonagle I just got back to school!" Hermione stops in her tracks turning back to Tilly still holding her hand over Freds mouth.
"You promise." "Yes,I promise." Fred pulls Tillys hand down "Bullshit!" He exclaimed trying to get up again but this time Tilly wrapped both arms around his shoulders Pulling him back down onto her lap "Freddy calm down I'm fine really." "You fell off-what are you doing stop avoiding -'' Fred stopped mid sentence almost drooling feeling her nails on his scalp messing with his hair putting him in a trance "Stop spazzing out your acting like Percy." Tilly laughed at Freds annoyed hum,
Tilly was amazed at how soft his hair was; the streaks of fire were straight and long but somehow soft and fluffy.
who would've thought messing with his hair would turn him into an actual putty in her hands; the boy was almost drooling on her lap. Hermione and Ronwere surprised as well " I've never seen him like this before." Ron smiled at his dopey looking brother, definitely out of it .Hermione snickered "Harry would never believe this." "l honestly didn't think this would work." Tilly admits her hand stopping for a moment. Fred blinked, coming out of his trance looking around trying to remember where he was looking up at Tillys smirking face, his memory quickly coming back pointing up at her. " You're going to a medic-'' Tilly started scratching his head again putting him back in a trance.