The castle felt very eerie, with only a small handful of students in the castle, three of whom were Harry, Ron and Hermione. The boys however, were not speaking to Hermione, who explained in exasperated tones to Penny.
'It's just a broomstick!' Hermione shrieked for the hundredth time 'They care more about a bit of damage to a broomstick than the possibility Harry may end up dead because of it! It's ridiculous!' She repeated, scribbling on her Arithmancy graph with more force than she intended, causing the parchment to rip 'Oh for goodness sake!' She cried screwing up the whole thing and throwing it aside. Penny had chosen not to discuss what had occurred at Malfoy Manor, as she was certain it would not improve Hermione's mood, which already seemed stretched to breaking point. She was glad when the rest of the school returned, especially Ginny who nearly choked on her pumpkin juice when Penny recounted Christmas day.
'You set him on fire?' Ginny spluttered 'Brilliant! I mean, that's very very bad of you' Ginny said with mock seriousness 'I mean, yer good thing he is ok, but wicked!'
'Don't tell Hermione' Penny said pleading
'Of course not' Ginny sniggered before she looked thoughtful 'Oh! I almost forgot, I had an idea!' She said drawing out a ball of yarn from her bag. Penny raised an eyebrow 'Got it off the twins. It's enchanted to roll endlessly when approached by a cat. I thought it would be a good late Christmas present for Professor McGonagall!' She said giggling. Penny looked at her wide eyed.
'No!' She squealed 'We can't!' Penny's eyes filled with mischief despite herself, Ginny nodding frantically still giggling.
'Come on!' The little redhead said dragging the darker witch by the hand 'She usually returns to her classroom as a cat after lunch! If we are quick we can leave it on her desk!' She said, the two of them racing down the corridors before coming to the Transfiguration classroom. A quick glance either way they creaked open the door and snuck inside, moving quickly and silently down the classroom. Ginny pulled the yarn out of her bag and placing it on the desk. Pulling out her wand Ginny gave the yarn a sharp tap and whispered 'Initium!' The ball of yarn vibrated slightly then remained still. Both girls shared a wicked grin before sneaking back out the classroom, hiding behind a suit of armour across from the door.
There the two of them waited, trying hard to suppress their giggles. What seemed like forever later Penny prodded Ginny hard in the arm as a small tabby came round the corner. The girls held their breath as it paused, before pushing its way into the classroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. The two witches crept across the corridor quietly and pressed their heads into the tight gap in the door.
At first the small tabby simply walked down the room before jumping on the desk at the front. Immediately the yarn seemed to vibrate and shot from the desk, leaving a small trail being dragged behind it. The tabby froze on the spot before noisily launching itself from the desk scattering the contents in all directions. Chasing the yarn across the classroom the tabby made a small yelp of surprise when the yarn suddenly changed direction and whizzed down the other end, tabby in toll seeming completely mesmerised by the yarn.
The girls watched wordlessly as this went on before they turned to look at one another. For a second neither make a sound before both burst out laughing, shaking from head to toe as they fought to keep the volume down. They stared back into the classroom as the tabby whizzed helplessly around, seeming completely unaware of the two young witches bent over double with laughter, tears streaming down their faces.
'Good afternoon.' A cold voice spoke behind them, causing both girls to spin round on the spot. Professor Snape looked down at the two girls, whose faces were now void of humour. 'And what would be so amusing to two second years such as yourselves?' Snape went on coldly, looking from one face to the other.
'N...Nothing' Ginny spluttered just as there was an almighty crash from within the classroom. Both girls glanced at one another, paling as Professor Snape pushed past them and through the door. Inside a scene of devastation met them, with several of the chairs scattered across the floor, parchment and quills everywhere and a grey tabby still hunting the yarn mercilessly. Snape stared expressionless for a few moments before flicking his wand at the yarn which immediately stilled. The grey tabby froze then turned to face the other occupants. Seconds later Professor McGonagall resumed her human form, red in the face, her usually neat bun unravelling and looking incredibly flustered. Looking at the girls her lips went incredibly thin and her face changed from red to white in rage as Professor Snape also turned to face them with venom in his eyes. Both girls stared back at the two Professors, their eyes widening as the seriousness of the situation dawned on them.
Opps.