It took an entire pot of tea and a lot of encouragement from both Hagrid and Willow for Hermione to calm down. She word-vomited about her classes to the both of them, which concerned Willow even more. Hermione was taking far too many classes to fit into her schedule...how was she managing all of them? More importantly, how was she managing to get to all of them?
"Hermione, I'm sorry to bother you with this question, but Ron was mentioning something to me the other day that I've noticed, too," Willow piped up. "How have you been getting to all your classes? You've been attending two at once for quite some time now, but how?"
Hermione looked at her sharply. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Hermione, come on now," Willow said. "I may be incredibly dull- I can't see things happening right under my nose half the time- but I can always tell when someone is keeping a secret. It's okay to tell me. You know I don't go blabbing about personal things."
Hermione sniffled. Hagrid handed her another tissue and poured her some more tea.
"Thanks," she mumbled. She blew her nose, then wiped her eyes. "I guess I can tell you...I signed up for a lot of classes. Like, twice as much as I can physically attend. The Ministry agreed with Professor McGonagall that my intellectual potential was great enough that I should be given the opportunity to attend them all, so they gave me this."
Hermione pulled out the old, half-rusted necklace she always wore. Willow raised her eyebrows, which prompted Hermione to explain. "It's a time-turner. As long as I'm careful and follow the rules of time, I can go back a few hours at a time and attend all my classes that occur at the same time. I don't always manage to get back into the same exact position as I left off, though, which is why Ron's been noticing my weird disappearances that coincide with me reappearing across the room." Hermione bit her lip, a fresh wave of emotion passing over her. "He's so dull, I swear! He never notices anything! I've tried to hint to him time and time again that Professor Lupin is a werewolf, but he doesn't understand that, he only notices my disappearances- "
Hermione's eyes flew wide open. She clapped a hand over her mouth, then sagged on her chair, covering her face with her hands. Willow stared at her in disbelief.
"Wait, did you say- ?"
"Yes, but that was supposed to be a secret!" Hermione moaned. "I'm giving away everything tonight!"
Willow mentally did a double-take. She suddenly gasped. "That makes so much sense! Every time he gets sick, it's around the full moon! And one time- you're never going to believe this- I saw a werewolf walking around in the Forbidden Forest, but it had hazel eyes- exactly like Lupin's!"
"Don't tell me yeh've been runnin' around in the Fores'!" Hagrid cried.
Willow shrugged. "Just the outskirts. I'm safe, anyway. I've got plenty of warnings from my powers when something's coming." Hagrid shook his head, obviously not believing her. She cleared her throat to diminish the awkward moment. "Hermione, don't worry about it. I've had my suspicions. Now, I can help keep Lupin's secret."
"An' it wasn't that much o' a secret, Dumbledore let summat the staff know, jus' in case," Hagrid said.
Hermione looked up at them tearfully. "Really?"
"I wouldn't lie to yeh, Hermione," Hagrid promised.
Hermione half-smiled. "I guess that does make me feel better..."
"Hermione, you can confide in us anytime," Willow said, taking the curly-haired girl's hand. "You've overloaded yourself, and until you can get rid of that workload, you have to unload your emotions on someone else. It'll keep you sane- and healthy."
"This, comin' from a bit o' a hypocrite," Hagrid chuckled.
Willow rolled her eyes. "I know, I know, but still, the best advice can come from a fellow sufferer. Seriously, Hermione, anytime you need something, anything, just let us know. We've got your back."
Hermione threw herself into Willow, hugging her tightly. "Thank you so much," she whispered.
Willow smiled. "Anytime. Now, I think you deserve a distraction...why don't you show off to Hagrid all the research you've compiled?"
Hermione willingly obliged. Willow's eyebrows hurt after hearing the amount of information that came pouring out of Hermione. She had called her research pathetic, but three pages in Hermione's tiny handwriting was like half a book in regular font. Hagrid and the two Gryffindor girls spent the greater part of an hour designing a rough outline of Hagrid's speech for the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. Hermione appeared much better after realizing how much work she'd actually gotten done. Her eyes had their usual twinkle back in their depths, and her cheeks were full of hard-earned colour from intellectual enthusiasm. As the shadows deepened around them, Willow finally suggested that they head up to the castle before Professor McGonagall could lecture them on the danger of hanging around the dementor-infested grounds. Hagrid saw them up to the castle, then waved goodbye, also rosier-cheeked than they had found him. Willow's heart warmed. She'd completed her mission of bettering her friends for one night, at least.
Over the next few days, Willow was bogged down with a immeasurable amount of homework. Whatever amount of time she could spare was spent taking care of Hermione, sorting out romance plots with her Gryffindor Sisters (and being forced to participate in one), and hanging out with her out-of-house friends. By Thursday, things were finally looking up. Snape uncharacteristically shoved only one assignment down their throats, considerably lightening the homework load, and Professor McGonagall took one look at their Transfiguration class before deciding that they were better off reviewing that day than learning anything new. Willow loved her Head of House.
Then, Thursday evening, while she was enjoying some alone time- well, as alone as she could get in the Gryffindor common room- she noticed somebody stumble through the portrait hole. It was Harry, but he was unusually pale. Willow noticed him sway a little on his feet as he crossed the room. She instinctively stood up and unobtrusively wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Don't question it, just follow my lead," she whispered.
Harry didn't fight back. Willow guided him into a squashy armchair, then quickly let go. To anyone else, it appeared as if Harry had simply plopped down on his own, sparing him the embarrassment Willow knew would come with needing help (it seemed to be a trend among Gryffindors, she had noticed- including herself- that needing help was difficult to bear).
"Thanks for that," Harry sighed.
"What did you do this time? Did Fred and George put a potion in your mashed potatoes?" Willow joked.
"No...dementor lessons with Lupin," Harry murmured, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes. "It's kind of exhausting."
Willow furrowed her brow. "He's teaching you to make that white wolf thing?"
"Yeah, the Patronus charm. It takes a lot out of you, though, and apparently I'm not good enough to make it form a true animal shape. Everyone's looks different depending on your personality, I guess."
"That's pretty cool- aside from the exhausting part." Willow reached out with her senses and detected very minimal abnormalities within the messy-haired Gryffindor. "You seem fine to me. Are you going to be okay to go up the stairs?"
"I'll be fine," Harry insisted.
"If you fall, I'm going to be pissed, you know," Willow threatened.
Harry gave her a lethargic thumbs-up. "I'm aware."
As he shakily stood up, a thought popped into Willow's head. "Hey, Harry, I just remembered something. Ron mention that you got a firebolt. Did you know who it was from?"
Harry furrowed his brow. "No. Professor McGonagall took it because she thinks Sirius Black might have given it to me. She's checking it for curses. Why?"
Willow did her best to hide her blanching face. "Nothing. I was curious."
Harry stared at her. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Harry's gaze remained a moment longer, then he turned away, marching sluggishly up the spiral stairs to the boys' dormitory. Willow let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Her heart resumed beating. That was way too close. She hated keeping Sirius a secret from Harry. She loved open honesty as a policy. But this time, she couldn't adhere to it, all because the story was too complicated. Sirius wasn't able to prove his real motives to anyone yet, and he wouldn't tell Willow the full story, no matter how many times she asked. Willow was stuck with yet another secret, but this time, there was nothing she could do. She could only hope that Harry wouldn't become too suspicious.
Her heart hurt so much that her feet carried her right out the portrait hole. Willow found herself walking down the corridor, down the spiral staircases, and down into the Entrance Hall. Then she was out on the Hogwarts grounds. Then she was bounding through the snow-covered expanse of grasslands as a snowy-white cat. Finally, she reached her familiar path, and before she knew it, Willow was standing on the doorstep of the Power House. She transformed back into herself and stomped off her boots. Sirius opened the door for her.
"Oh, I thought you'd never come!" he said dramatically.
Willow rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, like I've ever not visited you on a Thursday evening."
"You didn't last week."
Willow scoffed. "I was on Holiday vacation!"
"You still didn't visit me."
Willow groaned. "You're awful. Come on, let's go for a walk, I'm sure you're tired of staring at the same old walls. What do you do, anyway? I always forgot to ask."
Sirius shrugged as he threw an overcoat on. "I doodle. I write. I randomly sing versus from the Weird Sisters that I hear in Hogsmeade. Sometimes, I walk around as a dog. It honestly depends on my level of boredom."
"Huh. I usually stare at a wall and contemplate deep topics, but usually give up and turn it into a joke."
"That tends to happen, too," Sirius chuckled.
Suddenly, Willow's ears heard a minuscule crack! a few feet from the Power House. She instantly drew her wand, holding Sirius behind her. There was a small crunch of snow. Willow sent out a wave of sonar, and they bounced back almost immediately- in the shape of a person. The hair stood up on the back of her neck.
"There's someone outside," she whispered, deadly quiet.
"Be careful," Sirius hissed.
Taking care not to step on the crunchy part of the frozen dirt floor, Willow took one step towards the door, then another, then another. She tiptoed through the cracked-open door. Tensing her muscles, Willow sprang outside, whipping her wand in the direction of the intruder. He didn't even flinch. Willow's mouth dropped open when she recognized the individual.
"I was wondering when you would hear me," he said, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"Cypress? What the h- were you following me?" Willow spluttered.
Cypress chuckled. "Don't look so offended. And no, I wasn't following you, I was tracking your movements to best plan out a surprise attack with Fred and George. Surprise."
"What- are they here too?!" Willow squeaked.
"No, I told them they weren't stealthy enough to sneak up on you, so they threw a Puddle Pod on me, then sent me on the mission. They're lucky I know the drying spell, or I'd be an icicle by now."
"Well...you found me, so...we can go back to the castle, I guess?" Willow suggested, tapping the door shut behind her.
"You're hiding something behind the door," Cypress flatly stated, nodding directly at her foot. "Don't look at me like that. You're a terrible liar. What are you hiding?"
"Uh...some plants? My jobberknoll? A few magical creatures?" Willow rambled.
"If you were hiding something that simple, I'd be allowed to see them, and they wouldn't be in this super-secret magical hut," Cypress pointed out. Willow's heart skipped a beat. "Come on, you know I hate lying. Get on with it. Oliver's expecting me to help him with a potions project in half an hour, so hurry it up."
Willow internally screamed, but managed to clear her expression for the most part. "Alright, fine, but you can't freak out. Swear to me that you won't go running back up to the castle. You have to give me a chance to explain."
Cypress rolled his eyes. "As if I'm afraid of a little magical creature...I swear."
Willow paused, mentally assessing the situation. She decided it was better to tell Cypress the truth. Taking a deep breath, she called, "Sirius, it's okay, you can show yourself."
Very slowly, full of suspicion, Sirius crept out from behind the door. Cypress blinked slowly upon seeing him. Willow nervously anticipated his reaction. Would he go running to Dumbledore? Worse yet, would he report it to his head of house, Snape? She didn't have to wait very long, however, before Cypress took a step forward.
"Are you...are you really Sirius Black?" he questioned.
"Depends who's asking," Sirius said.
Cypress grinned. "I like this guy."
Willow felt like someone had slapped her awake from a dead sleep. "What?"
Cypress shot her an exasperated look. "Isn't it obvious? You wouldn't be harboring a criminal if he was actually guilty of his crime. You're a sickeningly good person, Willow."
"How...you literally...what?" Willow stammered, losing the ability to speak.
"So this is the Cypress guy you've been telling me about," Sirius observed. He held out his hand for Cypress to shake. "My brother was a Slytherin. You're an interesting breed of people. Not necessarily evil, but interesting."
Cypress shook his hand. "Oh, I'm evil, but Willow won't let me take over the world. I tried to offer her the position of dictator-in-training, but she didn't take it...must want Oliver's spot as deputy dictator..."
Sirius laughed. "I love this one! You should bring him by more often."
"Yeah, sure," Willow agreed, rubbing her head to offset the incoming headache. "God...I was not expecting this...now two people know where you are, Sirius...this is bad...this is really, really bad..."
"Really? I think it's awesome. I might be lonely less days out of the week." Sirius turned to Cypress. "Are you free Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays?"
Cypress smirked. "I'm free whenever I want to be."
"Guys! This is serious!" Willow exclaimed.
"You're right, he is Sirius," Cypress said.
Willow restrained herself from slapping her friend as Sirius howled with laughter. "Okay, funny joke, but I'm actually considering the consequences for once, so pay attention! Cypress, you won't tell anyone about Sirius, right?"
"Willow, I'm one of the best secret keepers in the history of ever," Cypress said. "People only know what I want them to know about me."
"Okay...and Sirius, you won't be running into the castle with him anytime soon- or ever, for that matter- right?"
"Fine, I guess I'll play it safe," Sirius dramatically said.
Willow leaned back against the door of the Power House, dragging her hands down her face. "This is not how I imagined this day would go..."
Over the next few weeks, Cypress and Sirius spent a ridiculous amount of time together. Willow wasn't surprised when Oliver was dragged down to the Power House every Sunday; Cypress loved showing him off. Sirius and Cypress were strikingly similar in their sense of humor. One time, when Willow walked into the Power House, a potion was dumped on her head that turned her hair bright pink. Both Cypress and Sirius knew that pink was her least favourite colour. Willow ended up laughing with them anyway, knowing she would do something similar to them if she was bored, too.
February brought no change in the weather. The sky was still grey, the snow was still white, and the wind was still bone-chillingly cold. The Gryffindor quidditch team still practiced, however, no matter the conditions. Harry grew increasingly gloomy as the prospect of using his firebolt in the coming match against Ravenclaw was squashed by McGonagall's dragged-out search for hexes. Willow found herself cheering him up whenever she got the chance. Guilt ate away at her every time she saw Harry's frown.
The Gryffindor boy was also frustrating himself with his "feeble" attempts at producing a Patronus. Even though Willow tried to convince him countless times that he would get better, Harry was pessimistic about his chances in a real-life situation. It didn't help that Willow was being a complete hypocrite and knew it; she was always hard on herself when it came to advanced magic. On the fourth Thursday, Harry came back from his session with Lupin in better spirits than usual.
"Is that a smile on you face?" Willow teased.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Is that illegal?"
"Yes, the aurors are on their way already," Willow said. "Did you finally manage to make a full-body Patronus today?"
"No, but Lupin gave me butterbeer, and I got this back," Harry said.
Willow shot to her feet. Harry's firebolt was gleaming in his hands, almost appearing natural in his grip. The glossy wooden handle shone like there was a spotlight on it. The detail put into its aerodynamic design was incredible. Harry offered it to her, and Willow took it in hand, admiring its gorgeous brown glow.
"This...is the best broom I've ever seen!" Willow exclaimed. "Wait until Wood sees this!"
"Wait until Wood sees what?" Ron demanded from a nearby couch. He stood up and nearly fell over at the shock of seeing the firebolt in Harry's hand. "Blimey! Dean, Seamus, come take a look at this!"
Before she knew it, Harry was surrounded in a ring of curious admirers, and Willow was pushed farther and farther away from her friend. She decided he would be a while and found the Weasley twins, Paige, and Lee near the fireplace.
"Harry's famous again, I had to leave to preserve his reputation," Willow announced, plopping down in between George and Paige on the couch. "He got his firebolt back."
Fred and George high-fived. "Finally! Ravenclaw doesn't stand a chance now!"
"The game will be over in five minutes!"
A thought suddenly popped into Willow's head. "Hey, I know this is random, but do any of you know how to make a Patronus? I heard that Wood was a little concerned about the dementors after the last match."
Lee shot her a look. "That's seriously advanced magic. I highly doubt even a seventh year could- "
"Save it," Paige said, smirking. "I've got your back."
Willow raised her eyebrows, exchanging expressions with Fred. He shrugged. The boys and Willow watched as Paige stood up and positioned herself behind their couch. She pulled out her wand, but less aggressively than she usually did. Paige closed her eyes, and with a slight wave of her wand, she whispered, "Expecto Patronum."
Willow gasped. From the tip of her wand, a silvery strand emerged, then knitted itself together, over and over and over, forming a vague shape taller than Paige herself. Willow clapped a hand to her mouth as the shape suddenly took on a definite form. A majestic white mare stood before her, glowing in the same silvery, moonlit outline as Lupin's wolf had possessed. It pranced around Paige, who smiled at its light-hearted, yet serious demeanor. The white mare lightly jumped over the couch and proudly strutted among the Weasley twins, Willow, and Lee. It paused when it made eye contact with Willow. She reached out, almost instinctively, and the horse took a step closer, settling its chin on her hand. Willow's heart leapt at the cool touch that was so similar to a ghosts, yet so alive that it couldn't be considered the same. Paige dropped her wand and the mare disappeared, leaving them all to stare at her in awe. Per typical Paige fashion, she smirked at their impressed expressions.
"What? You asked for it," she said.
"But- what- that was- where did you learn how to do that?" Lee spluttered.
Paige shrugged. "They mentioned it in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I decided to try it the other day. It took three tries, but third time's a charm, right?"
"But- the Patronus charm is incredibly powerful magic in its corporeal form!" Lee said. "It's nearly impossible for any underage witch or wizard to perform! You'd have to have some serious power to produce that charm! And it only took you three tries...how?"
Paige shot him a look. "Lee, have you not listened to a word of what happened over the Holidays?"
"Still!"
"I have to admit, I'm impressed," George said. "Isn't a white mare a fairly rare Patronus?"
"Extremely," Paige agreed. "Combine that with my elder wood wand, and I've got that rarest combination in- well, at least recent history. I'm literally one in several billion."
"Okay, now you're getting cocky," Willow said. "How much time have you all been spending with Cypress?"
"He's been helping us with a few pranking devices," Lee said, grinning.
Willow chortled. "I can't wait to see what he's helped you come up with. Use it on Malfoy first, will you?"
"As if that's a question," Fred scoffed. "After what he's done to you? I'd like to watch him suffer for our enjoyment. He deserves it, that son of a- "
All of a sudden, enraged screeching filled the common room. Willow whipped around to see Ron furiously marching down the spiral steps, bed sheets in hand. She noticed some spots of blood spattered them here and there. Her heart sunk into the pits of her stomach when she could finally understand what Ron was screaming about. Hermione sunk behind her stack of books as Ron approached her, brandishing a bundle of ginger cat hair. Her cat, Crookshanks, had killed Ron's rat- and Ron was pissed.
Willow sprang to her feet. She hurdled the couch, then skidded to a stop between the pair. Ron at first continued to yell at Hermione around Willow, but she blocked him from being able to see her, and he soon became furious with her.
"Her cat killed Scabbers! She did nothing about it when she knew that cat was after my bloody rat!" Ron shrieked.
"Ron, I'm sorry you lost your rat, but is it really necessary to do this in the middle of the common room?" Willow said.
"YES!"
Willow sighed. "The answer was no, but scream all you want, it's your voice box." She turned around to face a tearful Hermione. "Come on, grab your books, I'll help you. We're going upstairs."
"Oh, so now you're siding with that bloody cat, are you?" Ron fumed. "He's not even cute! He's the ugliest creature I've ever seen!"
Willow pivoted and clamped both hands around Ron's shoulders. "Look, I share the sentiment. The cat isn't the prettiest thing in the world. But you need to stop yelling at your friend, because as much as you think it's her fault, it's not! It's no one's fault!"
"But- "
"Ron, shut it!" Willow hissed, a warning glinting in her eyes. "Before you embarrass yourself- and more importantly, Hermione!"
Ron clenched his jaw. "I'm going to my dormitory."
Stomping his way up the stairs, Ron slammed the door behind him. Willow shooed the encroaching crowd away. Once the majority of the Gryffindors had stopped staring, Willow bent down and hugged Hermione.
"You okay?" she whispered.
"No!" Hermione said honestly. Her lip trembled. "Why is he blaming me for every little thing that happens to his rat?"
"He's a butt? I don't know, but I'll definitely talk to him about it- and rather sternly, I may add."
Hermione sniffled. "It won't do any good. He's never going to- "
All of a sudden, a door slammed upstairs. Willow and Hermione instantly looked up. They burst into laughter at the most incredible sight they'd seen all year. Parvati, Sally, Mia, Fay, and Lavender had dragged Ron out of his dormitory. He struggled against them, infuriated, but the five were overpowering him. The Gryffindor Sisters yanked him off his feet and threw him over the banister, dangling him by his hood. Ron's eyes flew wide amid the chortling from onlookers below. Hermione snorted and fell out of her chair with laughter.
"APOLOGIZE! NOW!" Lavender demanded.
"It was her cat that killed my rat!" Ron protested.
Sally temporarily dropped him, then caught him by his sleeve, sending Ron scrambling for something to hold, but finding nothing. Willow couldn't help the explosion of chuckles that escaped her.
"APOLOGIZE, OR WE DROP YOU!" Fay yelled.
Ron clawed for support from the banister, but still came up empty-handed. He appeared as if they were ready to drop him off the Eiffel Tower. "Fine! I'm sorry!"
"FOR WHAT?" Parvati prompted.
"For antagonizing Hermione about her stupid cat!" Ron wailed. "Now pull me up, please!"
Lavender huffed, as if wishing that she had the chance to drop the fiery redhead, but relented, roughly yanking Ron up and over the banister. He was sent tumbling down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom. The entire common room exploded into whistling and snickering. The Gryffindor Sisters proudly stepped over a very deflated Ron and triumphantly bounced to Hermione's side. Hermione appeared as if she could have cried happy tears.
"Why would you guys do that for me?" she sniffed. "Professor McGonagall will have you in detention for weeks."
Mia winked. "Anything for a Sister."
A single happy tear did trail its way down Hermione's cheek as she flung her arms around her Gryffindor Sisters.
The third year girls seemed to have finally claimed Hermione back into their inner circle. Although she still snapped at them about Divination and Professor Trelawney, they figured out how to brush it off. Hermione was receiving the support she needed. Willow and she continued visiting Hagrid as often as possible to help with Buckbeak's trail, but now it was nearly one hundred percent devoted to organizing Hagrid's defense statements instead of becoming a therapy session for Hermione. Beaky's chances for requital were rising by the day.
Over the past few weeks, Hagrid had eventually given up on trying to reclaim all his fire-dwelling salamanders from Willow. She managed to give him back all but one- a major success, considering how hard they fought to stay with Willow. She had taken to carrying the salamander in her pocket within the aerated glass container, where the original fire was still burning via a charm that provided an infinite supply of burning fuel (she still had no idea how Fred had managed it). Fidget and the salamander had a very shaky friendship forming, but it was better than their first meeting. Fidget had even shared a handful of wood lice with the salamander, a high compliment, considering that wood lice was the bowtruckle's favourite snack, and he was extremely defensive of his treats.
Friday passed by in a blur of study, quidditch, study, visit Hagrid, sleep. Although she was exhausted, Harry's new firebolt brought extra enthusiasm into the practices. The entire team seemed to be performing at their peak with the firebolt in their midst. Willow even found herself pulling off some stunts that she'd never had the nerve to do before, let alone the skill. She thanked Sirius over and over in her mind for pretty much handing the win to Gryffindor. Wasn't it ironic, she chuckled to herself, that the "mass murderer" that everyone thought was after Harry was actually the one supporting him the most?
When Saturday morning arrived, Willow awoke with an unparalleled anticipation and nervous energy. She naturally acted as if she had three hundred milligrams of caffeine in her system every morning, but this morning was unlike any other. She was hyped up on an energy that was almost ridiculous. Her Gryffindor Sisters did not appreciate it in the slightest ("WHAT IS THERE TO LOVE ABOUT MORNINGS?! GO BACK TO SLEEP!"), so Willow left the common room early. She practically ran to the Great Hall. Her entire body was humming with pent-up energy, worse than her powers at their peak when she was repressing them. This game could be the end of Gryffindor's run for the quidditch cup if they lost; if they won, they'd have a really good shot at it. They couldn't let this be the eight year in a row that Gryffindor was out of the running. They just couldn't!
The entire school seemed to be feeling the same vibes. When students finally began trickling into the Great Hall, an abnormally high volume bounced off the stone walls, creating an ambiance that Willow usually associated with lunchtime. She could hardly eat. Then she stress-ate. Then she stopped mid-bite. Then she stuffed three rolls into her mouth. What if Gryffindor lost? What if someone got hurt, and she was put in, and she messed up the game for everyone? Willow bit her lip. There were so many what-ifs!
A group of giggling Gryffindor boys caught her attention, redirecting her thoughts to something more constructive for a change. Willow grinned from ear to ear at the sight of her fellow third year Gryffindor boys entering the Great Hall. They surrounded Harry in a sort of entourage of honor, enclosing the precious firebolt within their guard. Harry chose to sit next to Willow as the rest of the Gryffindor team filed into the Hall. For once, Harry easily managed to eat breakfast (he normally couldn't stomach water before a match). Nearly everyone from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw visited them throughout breakfast, oohing, ahhing, and admiring the firebolt's elegant appearance. At one point, Draco came by, obviously trying to unnerve Harry. Harry replied back with a smart comment that sent Draco straight back to the Slytherin table, furiously whispering with the Slytherin quidditch team. Willow and Harry high-fived.
The hours wound down, and soon, the Gryffindor team marched out of the locker room amid thunderous applause. Cheering and whooping and hollering greeted their entrance. Willow grinned, excitement bubbling up in the midst of her nervousness. The crowd believed in them; why shouldn't she believe in herself? Ravenclaw was a good team, but they had been training harder, longer, and better. And with the new addition of Harry's firebolt, how could they expect to lose?
Willow pushed off the ground with her other teammates. She warmed up all the positions, then took shots on Wood. He was saving even the most difficult of shots today, and easily. Willow grinned. They were ready. Wood called the team up for a quick pre-match chat, then counted them off, and they took the field. Willow touched down near the bench, sitting down, holding her Nimbus Two Thousand and One over her bouncing knees. There was so much anticipation, so much pressure, so much determination in the atmosphere. Willow shivered despite the light breeze. The conditions were clear and sunny. Neither team had an advantage. It would all come down to who had the grit to win the game before the other.
Madam Hooch's whistle shrilled, and the match was on. Willow watched as the seas of red and blue exploded to life from the stands, screaming for their teams, crying out in unified cheers for their favourite players. She beamed at the sight of her Gryffindor friends all huddled together with a sign for Harry. Ginny and Colin were practically lost under the enormous canvas. They exploded into cheers when Katie easily slipped the quaffle past the Ravenclaw keeper for the first goal of the match. Lee contributed some hilarity to the commentating, which put Willow more at ease as the match progressed. She watched Alicia and Angelina do a wall pass to zoom past a Ravenclaw defender and send the quaffle sailing past the opposing keeper's fingertips. In no time, Gryffindor was up by fifty.
Out of the corner of her eye, Willow noticed a red dot blurring across the sky. Harry was diving towards a fluttering golden sphere near a low barrier. Willow's heart pumped faster. He was gaining on it! His firebolt cut through the air, streaking towards the snitch, closing the distance by the second- he was ten yards away from it- just a little closer and he would win the match-
Then, Willow noticed a bludger heading straight towards him. She yelped a warning to Harry, who swerved out of the way just in time to avoid slamming into it. The crowd groaned in disappointment. They clapped enthusiastically for George's response of hitting a bludger at the offending beater, however, and the match was back on track. Gryffindor racked up three more goals in the space of five minutes, pulling away from Ravenclaw significantly. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie made the chaser position look like child's play, the way they were passing it around the Ravenclaw defenders. It was a beautiful sight to see.
But all good things come to an end. On a very projected pass from Alicia, a Ravenclaw chaser darted in and stole the quaffle, surprising Wood with a quick shot. Willow cussed violently on the sideline as Ravenclaw managed two more goals on a shocked defense. One Ravenclaw beater even stared at her for so long that a bludger hit him in the head. Willow stopped cursing after that.
Just then, Harry darted across the pitch again, this time honing in on the Gryffindor goalpost, where the snitch was fluttering in tight circles. Willow screeched in support of his chase of the snitch- he was gaining on it again- there was no way he could miss- the firebolt was so quick- he was going to get there-
Willow cursed loudly again as Cho, the Ravenclaw seeker, appeared from thin air, directly in Harry's path. Wood shrieked at his seeker to knock her off her broom, they couldn't afford for him to be a gentleman! Willow couldn't agree more. She was quick enough to stop someone from falling all the way to the ground; bash away! Thankfully, Harry figured out an alternative. He figured out that Cho was tailing him, so he sprinted towards the ground, then pulled up, throwing her off his tail. Harry suddenly kicked it into another gear when he spotted something glittering at the Ravenclaw end of the field. Willow grinned. He'd found the snitch again! This time, Cho was way too far below to cause any trouble. The bludgers were nowhere in sight. Excitement broiled in Willow's stomach. Harry was going to catch the snitch! They were going to win!
"DEMENTORS!" a voice screamed.
Willow's blood ran cold. She gasped and clapped a hand to her mouth. A small cluster of dementors had gathered at the edge of the field, tall, intimidating- and staring directly up at Harry. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Were there more dementors coming? Would they attack Harry? Would they attack the stands? Would they attack her?
"Expecto Patronum!"
A blast of white light exploded from the tip of Harry's wand. Willow watched in surprise as the bright ball of silver exploded into the dementors, sending them flying backwards. Relief cooled her from head to toe. Harry's lessons had paid off after all! He'd saved himself! He triumphantly resumed his pursuit of the snitch.
Willow cheered wildly as Harry closed the final meters between him and the fluttering golden ball. Ten meters- five- four- three- two- and he closed his hands around the snitch.
"YES!" Willow shrieked.
The Gryffindor team was already a mass of scarlet, enveloping Harry in a many-armed hug. Willow joined in, laughing joyously. They'd won! They'd won! Gryffindor was positioned for a semi-final for the quidditch cup! Harry was beaming brilliantly, so completely and utterly happy that Willow was surprised red and gold confetti didn't burst from him. The crowd soon flooded the quidditch pitch, entangling the team in even more celebratory hugs and cheering. Willow's face hurt from smiling so much. They had a chance! They had won!
"Oh my God, look!" Alicia exclaimed, pointing across the quidditch pitch.
Willow turned her head towards where the dementors had been earlier only to double over in laughter. It turned out the "dementors" were actually Crabbe, Goyle, Marcus Flint, the Slytherin quidditch captain, and none other than Draco Malfoy. They struggled to removed themselves from the large, black robes they'd put on for the occasion. Professor McGonagall was yelling at them with the ferocity of a lion's roar, ripping away house points and threatening Dumbledore's wrath as well. Willow couldn't help the sweet, sweet taste of victory that warmed her from head to toe. Karma had struck down Malfoy at last.
"Willow, psst, come here!" Fred whisper-shouted through the crowd.
Willow barely turned around before Lee and George had grabbed both her arms and dragged her towards the Gryffindor locker rooms. Paige was waiting for them there, a jubilant glow lighting up her features. A few butterflies fluttered around in Willow's stomach at the sight of her hair, which the older girl had done up for the occasion in fancy braids. She blinked hard to clear away the sensation.
"We're having a party, obviously, but we need an extra pair of hands, so you're helping," Paige announced. "Get changed quick, and make sure you find something casual, because Honeyduke's doesn't need to be suspecting us."
Willow grinned. "Is this yet another heist?"
"Better yet- in your opinion, at least- we're actually paying, then we can hang out in Hogsmeade for a bit until Lee finishes setting up the common room." Paige unlocked Willow's locket and threw her robes at her. "Let's go, you're burning daylight!"
"How did you...know my combination?"
Paige smirked. "I have my sources. Come on, or I'm leaving your sorry arse here!"
Minutes later, Paige, Willow, and the Weasley twins were marching along the Hogwarts corridors, heading no where in particular- or so it seemed to Willow. The older three stopped in front of a one-eyed witch statue. Fred pulled out his wand, glancing down both corridors to make sure they were alone, then whispered, "Dissendium!"
Willow gasped. The one-eyed witch immediately slid aside to reveal a dark, damp passageway that led away from Hogwarts- and directly towards Hogsmeade. George lit his wand with a murmured incantation, which shone brightly against the earth-lined passage. Paige and George took the lead, leaving Willow to shoot Fred a questioning look as the one-eyed witch snapped back into place behind them.
"Merlin, do you need an explanation for everything?" he teased. He sighed dramatically. "Fine, I guess I'll reveal my secrets...George and I got our hands on this parchment called the 'Marauders Map' our first year. It shows everyone in real time- and every secret passageway. It's the secret to some of our success, but we've grown beyond needing to know where Filch is at all times. Harry has the map now."
"He does?" Willow said, raising her eyebrows. "I had no idea."
"He's done a good job keeping it a secret, then."
"Wow...you really trust Harry with something like that?" Willow asked.
Fred pretended to act hurt. "As if he's any greater threat to this school than George and I! If we managed to keep it under wraps, then Harry will definitely survive."
"That's true..." A thought sent a chill through her body. "Uh...you said that the map shows where everyone is at all times, right?" Fred nodded. Willow's stomach flipped, fear dragging an ice cube down her spine. "How far does it extend?"
"It only shows people within Hogwarts." Fred nudged her, smiling. "Why? You think Harry'll turn you in when you go for a night stroll in the Forbidden Forest?"
Willow did her best to hide her blanching. "Something like that."
"Don't worry. If he's as much a brother to you as he seems, you're safe."
It's not me that I'm worried about! Willow screamed internally. What if Sirius entered the castle, and Harry found him? Harry didn't know the full story; in fact, no one did! She decided that the first moment she got, she was going to warn Sirius about the map. She'd never forgive herself if Sirius got caught by his own god son...
The tunnel finally brightened enough for George to put his wand away. A single trapdoor allowed the slightest bit of light to leak in from above. Paige slowly pushed it open, peeking cautiously, then motioned for them to follow. Willow followed her and the twins into a surprisingly not-dusty cellar. The delectable scent of sweets and sourness piqued her interest. She remembered that smell from somewhere...oh, Honeyduke's! They must be in the cellar! As Paige led the way upstairs, Willow soon found out that she was correct. They snuck out of the semi-busy sweet shop one by one until Fred finally rejoined them outside. Willow's heart pounded with the exhilaration of the moment; she was breaking rules, and she was having a good time with her friends. To top it off, they'd just won a quidditch match. What could be better?
"The Three Broomsticks!" Paige exclaimed. "We have a little less than an hour to kill, right?"
"I think you just read my mind," Willow chortled.
Paige winked at her. "Damn straight- oh wait, that would be incorrect..."
Fred rolled his eyes. "Come on, let's have a butterbeer or two, it's bloody cold out here."
Willow followed the three into the Three Broomsticks. The warmth of the roaring fire to her right burned away the cold from her cheeks. Willow massaged her fingers, sighing contentedly as the feeling flooded back into them. Madam Rosmerta walked up to them in her usual glittery high-heeled shoes. She didn't bat an eye at the sight of the four Hogwarts students entering her pub, joyfully seating them at a table near the back of the pub. George sat beside Willow, which appeared to agitate Paige, but Willow shot her a look that wiped the anger off her face. Paige begrudgingly let it go and plopped down next to Fred.
Madam Rosmerta flashed a pearly-white smile at the four as she took their orders. She returned moments later, her heels clicking pleasantly on the old wooden floors. Four foaming mugs of butterbeer were placed in front of the Gryffindors. Willow greedily took several gulps of the lively drink, the February chill being driven from her system. The enlivening, savory flavor lit up her senses, ushering in naturally happy thoughts while simultaneously driving away the negative ones. Willow purposely kept the foam mustache the butterbeer gave her, much to George's amusement.
"You've got something on your face," he teased.
"No, really?" Willow said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Is it snow? I tend to attract cold things."
"Like our hearts?" Fred joked.
Willow rolled her eyes. "And I've condemned myself to a life among future convicts." She wiped off the foam. "Thank God for butterbeer. I think I was getting frostbite. I've got poor circulation in my fingers."
George barely touched her hand, then recoiled dramatically. "Oh no, it appears they've turned to ice. They're unsalvageable. Say goodbye to playing the guitar, writing, football- "
Willow scoffed. "What does soccer have to do with my hands?"
"You have to throw the ball in, dumbarse," Paige said. "Wow, even George knew that. Your football I.Q. just went down ten thousand percent."
"Even the dumbest people can be good football players; I just happen to have both brain and brawn."
"Are you sure about that? Your marks in Potions say otherwise..." Fred said.
Willow gently kicked him under the table. "Shut up and drink."
For the next half hour, the twins and Paige caught Willow up on what they'd been doing with their pranking business. They'd actually begun to organize a crowd willing to pay for their devices. The Puddle Pods, Bantam Bursts, Pesky Pendants, and portable spider webs would be on sale within the next two weeks. Willow raised her eyebrows upon hearing exactly how many people were willing to pay for pranking devices. Of course, Lee probably swindled at least half of them into the operation, but nevertheless, it was awesome to see the twins and Paige so happy about their accomplishments. The Weasley twins and Paige were finally finding their niche in the world. Willow studied their enthusiastic faces as they went on and on and on about their plans. There was so much enthusiasm, so much excitement in the atmosphere, that she could have sworn they transmitted their emotions to herself. Willow joined in their rapid-fire conversation, feeling on top of the world.
Eventually, their half hour dwindled. Fred announced that it was go time. They got up from the table, tipping Madam Rosmerta well (Willow managed to force Fred to let her pay for herself), and began to leave when Willow noticed something.
"Uh...George? You're still holding my hand," she said.
George's expression broke out in shock. His cheeks reddened as her withdrew his hand. "Oh, sorry."
"No, no, you don't have to be sorry, it's fine." Willow blushed, realizing how that could have come off. "Well- not in that way- I meant- "
"It's okay, I know what you mean," George said quietly.
Willow and George stared at each other for a moment, both quite flustered, then quickly rejoined Fred and Paige outside the entrance to the Three Broomsticks. The fifth-years stole into the cellar with practiced ease, but Willow struggled. She ended up waiting for Fred to let her know when the coast was clear until she actually moved. As the twins and Paige gathered party supplies, Willow's stomach was buzzing with the fluttering of hundreds of butterflies. Why was she so high on happiness? Did holding George's hand actually make her feel fuzzy with love? Was it something else between them?
Ugh, stupid emotions! Willow yelled. Why can't you just tell me what you're trying to say? That would be a whole lot easier!
That's not how emotions work, stupid, Cebba chortled.
You're not helping! Willow flipped her wispy bangs out of her face, letting out a puff of air. I don't have time for this crap. I'll figure it out later. For now, how much do you think all these party supplies will cost?
Three thousand million trillion galleons.
Cebba, I swear to God, one of these days, I will be able to physically punch you, and it will feel so good.
I'm looking forward to it.
CEBBA!
Fifteen galleons less, Willow was completely devoid of guilt as she pattered along behind the twins and Paige. All four of them shouldered massive packs of sweets and butterbeer. The tunnel was thankfully more insulated against the icy wind of the Hogwarts grounds above. Willow might have fallen over dead if her feet were any colder. She successfully transported all their party supplies through the corridors, up way too many flights of stairs, and into Gryffindor Tower. The entirety of Gryffindor cheered upon their arrival.
"Let's get this party starteeeddd!" Lee cried, his voice magically amplified.
"No spiking any drinks tonight, Lee," Willow warned, setting down her load. "Professor McGonagall dropped a few hints that she'd be dropping by to make sure we're behaving."
"Fine..." Lee sighed. "You're more fun when you're tipsy, though."
"Lee!"
"What? It's true!" he said, feigning innocence.
"I'm fourteen!" Willow protested.
"Eh, that's the perfect age to figure out what you want."
Willow shook her head, giving up. She left Lee and the Weasley twins to get everything set up, opting to find her friends with Paige instead. Her Gryffindor Sisters were immediately upon her. She was dragged every which way in a vortex of shrill exclamations and crazy dancing. Paige always managed to pry her away before Lavender, Mia, or Fay could totally engulf her in insanity. Willow couldn't say that she wasn't having fun, though. She danced the night away amid flashing lights, hyped-up music, and enough laughter to extend her life fifteen years more. It must have been ten at night before she finally took a break, being dragged off the dance floor by Paige.
"You're done, I can tell you're exhausted," Paige chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm kinda tired," Willow panted, plopping down in a chair. "It's hot in here."
"That's because I'm here, but drink a cold butterbeer anyway, it might help," Paige said.
Willow stared at her. "Did you just- I'm not even going to say it. That was too smooth to condemn."
"I'm not a narcissist, just a speaker of the truth," Paige said, winking. "I'll go grab you a cold butterbeer- and make sure Lee kept to his promise. Be back in a few."
"Got it," Willow said, voice slightly pitched.
Paige disappeared into the crowd. Willow's heart beat a little baster than normal. Did that happen every time she was around Paige? The fifth year was way too hot...wait, did she just think that?! God, emotions were so confusing!
Willow noticed through the haze of her mental breakdown that Hermione was reading an enormous book in her corner of the common room. The book in her hand was enormous. Willow wondered how on Earth she could read with the party still going on. Harry must have been wondering the same thing, because he visited her, but moments later- after an all-too-perfectly-timed comment from Ron- Hermione burst into tears and snapped her book shut, darting up the stairs. Willow's stomach lurched. She was on her feet in an instant, tearing after her. She found the curly-haired girl crying on the banister, back to the wall.
"Hermione! What happened?" she questioned.
"Go away!" Hermione sobbed, tucking her knees to her chest.
"Um...that's like telling a brick wall to move. It's not happening. What did Ron say?"
"Nothing!" Hermione wailed, burying her face in her knees.
"Obviously, it was something," Willow prompted, kneeling down next to her Gryffindor Sister. "What did he say? Was it about that stupid rat? I'll slap him if you want me to. He's being insensitive at this point."
Hermione shook her head. "Violence won't solve anything."
"Okay, you're right, that would make me feel better, not you," Willow admitted. She tried to touch Hermione's shoulder, but she shrugged off the touch. "Is there anything I can do?"
"No!"
Willow sighed. "Hermione, I'd like to help, but I can't do that unless you tell me what's wrong."
"I don't even know where to start!" Hermione cried.
Willow bit her lip. Was there anything she could do to get her Gryffindor Sister to open up? Nothing came to mind, no matter how hard she racked her brain for options. God, why was she so awful at this emotional support thing? Did she seriously have that low of an emotional capacity that she couldn't even help her friend?
Out of the corner of her eye, Willow detected a shimmering movement. She glanced up to see an astonishing sight. A silvery-white apparition stood before her, tall and proud in its stance. Willow recognized it as a white mare. It padded towards her, cautiously, but not uncertainly. It radiated happiness, joyfulness, and love. The creature was certainly a patronus. Paige's patronus...but why would she- ?
Suddenly, Willow know what to do. She gently shook Hermione, getting her to look up. She pointed towards the creature.
"Look," she whispered.
Hermione gasped. "Is- is that a patronus?"
Willow nodded. "Yeah."
Hermione shot to her feet. "This- how- she's incredible! A real corporeal patronus, in Gryffindor Tower? This would take immeasurable power and talent to produce; whose is it?"
Willow nodded to the dark-featured figure standing on the staircase. "Hers."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up. "Paige? Since when- ?"
"I don't have all day," Paige said, her wand hand trembling slightly. "I'm super powerful, congrats, yay me, but if you could please hurry up and use this thing to make you feel better, I'd very much like to return to my depression."
"Oh, sorry," Hermione said. She took a few uncertain steps towards the mare. "Will she...walk through me?"
"No, she'll walk to you, I've trained her better than that," Paige joked. "Go on, let her walk around you, it makes people happy for some reason."
Hermione took one more small step towards the mare, then gasped as it trotted towards her, tossing its head as it pranced in circles. Hermione smiled and even let out a laugh each time the silvery tail hairs flicked her. The mare proudly showed off its rippling muscles, its perfectly silky mane, and its glowing white hair. Willow couldn't help but grin herself. It was mainly the joy radiating from the patronus, but nonetheless, it was touching to see Paige sacrifice some of her willpower to cheer up a friend.
"Thank you," Hermione said, smiling from ear-to-ear as the mare sneezed. "She's incredible."
"You're welcome," Paige said, panting ever so slightly. "Are you still gonna burst into random tears, or can I please stop using my brain on a Saturday?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm good now."
Paige dropped her wand arm, and the patronus disappeared. She dramatically fell to the floor, splaying out all limbs, acting as if she'd just run a marathon.
"Oh, that was far too many happy thoughts to think about at once...where'd the darkness go..." she whined.
"Doom, gloom, depression, right here for the taking," Willow joked. "If there's such thing as an anti-dementor, I'd have ten surrounding me at all times."
"Being happy is exhausting," Paige complained. "How do you do it?"
"Um...isn't that...bad?" Hermione questioned.
"Nah, that's just Paige for you," Willow explained.
Hermione nodded slowly, albeit slightly concerned, judging by the expression on her face. "Thank you for cheering me up, guys. I really appreciate it." She picked up her giant book. "I've got to...go read now...I guess. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Happy reading, Hermione," Willow said. "Don't wake up until you absolutely have to."
Hermione disappeared into her dorm. Willow's frame lightened, content now that her friend was taken care of. She was thinking about rejoining the party when she suddenly received a blow to the back of her leg that sent her tumbling to the floor. Paige burst out laughing as Willow smashed onto her back. Pain fireworked across the third year's back.
"Not funny, Paige," Willow groaned. "Not funny."
"It was to me, so that makes it funny."
"That's not how it works."
"Yeah it does. That's how all jokes work."
Willow rolled over so she could fake-glare at the older girl. "I hate you forever, and there's nothing you can do to change your mind."
Paige wrapped her legs around Willow, pulling the younger girl closer to her. "Hm, I think I sense a challenge. Does this change your mind?"
Willow's heart rate spiked, but she hid it well. "No."
"You're a terrible liar."
"What are you talking about?"
"Willow, whether you like it or not, you wear your heart on your sleeve, and it's painfully obvious, painfully."
"I hate you."
"You hate me because you know I'm right," Paige said, smirking. "Call me a liar."
"Liar."
Paige flipped over Willow so that she was on top of the younger girl. Laughter escaped Willow as the older girl lazily stretched out, lounging on the completely crushed third year.
"I- can't- breath!" Willow chuckled breathlessly, her lungs compressed under Paige's weight. "You're- too- heavy!"
"Are you calling me fat?"
"If it- gets you- off of me- yes!" Willow wheezed.
Paige rolled her eyes, but she relented. "We all know I'm more muscular than the entire quidditch team combined. George tried to claim otherwise, but he's lost every arm wrestling contest I've challenged him to."
Willow grinned. "He's terrible at it. Even I won against him, and I'm not that strong."
Paige sat up, yawning. She clanked something on the floor. "Well, I brought you your cold butterbeer if you want it. I'm going to bed before Lee can drag me into something stupid." She flirtatiously blew a kiss to Willow as she walked away. "Night."
Butterflies fluttered around her stomach as she stared after the older girl. "Good- goodnight!"
You're so in love with her.
What? Cebba, shut up!
Cebba only giggled as Willow blushed furiously. She quietly made her way into her dormitory, closing the door silently as to not disturb Hermione. After brushing her feet and washing her face, Willow flopped in bed, shutting off all the lights except the one Hermione used for reading. She drew her four-poster's curtains around her to block the remaining light in the room. Willow calmed her mind, shoving away all the emotions from the day, hoping they would sort themselves out sometime in the near future...
Sirius is here.
Willow sat bolt upright in her bed, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. She must have fallen asleep. What do you mean?
Sirius is here in the castle, you dumbarse.
WHAT?! Where? Cebba, tell me right now!
He's in the boys' dormitory, your floor. He's got a knife, too.
WHAT?!
Willow tore back her curtains, not bothering to be quiet as she yanked open the door to her dormitory. She bust down the boys' door, finding herself staring at one of the most bizarre scenes she'd ever laid eyes on. Sirius was hovering over Ron, knife drawn, but he wasn't aiming for Ron; he was searching for something near his feet. Willow blinked, unfreezing her limbs, and jumped into action. She lunged for Sirius, grabbing his arm with an iron grip. His eyes widened when he recognized Willow.
"Willow, this isn't- !" he started.
"NOT NOW!" she hissed, nearly breaking his arm in an attempt to get him to move.
"Wait, I have to- !" he pleaded.
Whatever he had to do, Willow didn't know, because at that very moment, Ron woke up and let out a horrendous screech. Willow's heart stopped. She panicked. She dug her nails into Sirius's arm. Willow pushed off the ground with all her might and managed to drag a stumbling Sirius out of the boys' dormitory. She practically threw him down the stairs, then sprinted out of the Gryffindor common room. She tore down the corridor towards the window. Sirius cried out for her to stop, but she didn't listen. Willow shoved him straight out the window, then launched herself into the night herself. She transformed into a dragon mid-fall and caught Sirius in her claws. She darted straight for the Forbidden Forest, directly for the Power House. Willow dropped Sirius at the front door and shape-shifted back into a human, stumbling as she did so, but pushing Sirius inside as she did.
"Sirius, what the fu- !"
"Willow, you have to let me explain!" Sirius begged.
"Explain what? You could have been killed!" Willow shouted hysterically. "You could have been kidnapped! You could have been found! You- "
"Willow, the only reason I was in the castle was to find Peter Pettigrew!" Sirius exploded.
Willow furrowed her brow. "Who?"