Author's Note: I'm so sorry it took so long to update! I had school, and then I completely forgot I even wrote this story!
Oh, and Doe? Feel free to use my plot line- just…try and plug my story for me? Please?
Here goes…
December 15th
Hey Alex!
Hello Padma. Did you ask your parents?
Sure did. Guess what!
It would be easier if you just told me what they said.
Well…true…okay. Nick was Nicolas Flamel!
I'm sorry…who?
Oh, honestly Alex, what kind of Ravenclaw are you? Everyone knows who Nicolas Flamel is!
I don't. Take pity.
Oh, all right. He's a noted alchemist, and the only known creator of the Philosopher's Stone. Perenelle is his wife. They're about 660 years old!
Oh my!
I know! I thought being 11 was a huge achievement… ooh! I got a letter from Justin this morning!
Didn't you only see him yesterday?
Well, yes, but I think he likes me.
Obviously.
No, no, no! I mean he likes me.
Ah. What do you plan to do about it?
Absolutely nothing. I can't think of anything to say that wouldn't come out really rude, so I'm not going to do a thing. Anyway, I've been thinking…
Yes?
If the dog is guarding the Philosopher's Stone (and I'm almost certain it is), then it wont be the only thing guarding it. There would be lots of spells and enchantments, wouldn't there?
That sounds right.
So the teacher's can handle it, and I shouldn't snoop around.
That sounds…astute.
Thank you. But I cant just forget it entirely. I might check on it every so often, just to make sure it's still safe. I know that, realistically, if someone did try to steal it there isn't much I could do, but I feel safer doing so.
I rather thought you'd decide that.
Am I that predictable?
Honestly?
Of course…
Yes.
Oh well. Anyway, I should probably go because Mother keeps calling my name. Bye Alex!
Bye Padma.
*
Parvati Patil stormed down the hall and burst into her twin sister's room, her dark hair swirling out behind her like an errant storm cloud. She stuck her hands on her hips and waited. Padma looked up from where she was writing in an old-fashioned book and chewed on the end of her pen. Finally she sighed, closed the book and tucked it under her pillow. Parvati vowed to remember where she hid her diary, just in case she needed blackmail material later. She tapped her foot impatiently.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Padma asked. Parvati gave a dramatic sigh.
"Mother wants us to go to Draco's now, to start those etiquette lessons," she proclaimed, and then waited for some sort of reaction. Padma merely looked thoughtful.
"I struggle to see what the problem is," she said. Parvati heaved yet another dramatic, martyred sigh, spun on her heel and stormed back out of the room. Padma watched her go, a slight frown wrinkling her forehead. She shrugged, and pulled the diary back out again, dipped her quill in some ink and began to write.
*
Hi again Alex.
Back so soon, Padma?
Yes, I found out what Mother wanted me for. Parvati just came in.
Is it about those etiquette lessons?
Yes, Parvati's furious. I think I just made her angrier though. Oh well. I suppose I had better go down. Bye!
Bye Padma.
December 18th
One week until Christmas!!!!!
Hello Padma.
One week until Christmas!!!!
I know.
One week until Christmas!!
I do believe we've covered this.
I know but…One week until Christmas!
I can see you're a little excited.
One week until Christmas!!!
Goodbye Padma.
One week until…Alex?
Sorry.
That's better.
One week until Christmas!
December 19th
Hello-
Before you tell me, I know there are six days until Christmas.
I'm sorry, I was a little hyper.
I noticed. Are you calmer now?
Yes. The etiquette lessons were a DISASTER. It was very funny.
Why's that?
Well, first Mrs. Malfoy wanted us to show her our table manners. So Draco and I behaved properly, but Parvati ate with her fingers. And she stuck her elbow in the butter dish on purpose.
Why did she do that?
Maybe she thinks that if she's really hopeless, she won't have to have lessons with Draco anymore?
Hmmm…I doubt that would work.
It didn't, now she has to have lessons all by herself, and Draco and I don't. Yesterday I saw some of my friends from school!
Hogwarts?
No, the school I went to before Hogwarts. It was a kind of prep school for wizard children.
Ah. Did a lot of people in Hogwarts go there?
I don't know. Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Parvati, Neville and I all went there. So did Armande, but she's going to Beauxbatons with Louis; and Mikael is going to Durmstrang.
That's quite a mix.
I know. Draco nearly went to Durmstrang, but when his father enrolled him his mother enrolled him in Beauxbatons, so they compromised on Hogwarts. There is no way I'd ever go to Durmstrang; it's apparently even colder than Hogwarts!
Not to mention heavily into the Dark Arts.
I think I'd prefer Dark Arts at Durmstrang than Defence with Quirrel the Queer.
That's not very nice.
It's not my fault he's a creep.
You shouldn't say such things, it's not becoming of a lady.
Pfffft.
Neither is that.
I'm not a lady!
Okay.
Nor will I ever be one!
Okay.
That is so 1600's!
Okay.
I'm ranting, aren't I?
…yes.
Sorry. Oh, did I tell you?
Tell me what?
Mandy is coming over! It'll be so much fun, it's really boring at home. There's nothing to do, and the staircases don't even move. Our house sucks.
Sucks?
Oh, I forgot. It means that it's lame.
Lame?
Never mind.
Okay.
Anyway, Mandy's coming over tomorrow. The only problem is Lavender.
Parvati's friend?
Yes. She's coming over too, and she's really ditzy.
Ditzy?
You know, obsessed with her looks and stuff.
Ah.
Yeah, and when her and Parvati are together they're really snobby to me. So Mandy and I are just going to act really snooty to them back.
Interesting. Let me know if it works.
I have to go, I'm wrapping up Christmas presents. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Goodbye Padma.
Bye Alex!
December 20th
Mandy gets here any minute now!
When does Lavender get here?
Same time. Unfortunately.
You really don't like Lavender, do you?
Not especially. Ooh, someone's at the door! I have to go!
Bye Padma.
*
Lavender Brown looked at the manor house in front of her and felt her stomach drop several feet. She hadn't realised Parvati's house was so big. Her parent's coach pulled away, and she longed to run back and join them. Instead, she swallowed heavily, pushed an errant strand of wispy blonde hair behind her ear and knocked on the door. A few seconds later she heard someone pounding the stairs and pull the door open. A pretty girl with long, dark hair stood in front of her, a hopeful expression on her face.
"Parvati?" she asked hopefully. The girl's face fell.
"No, Padma," she said disdainfully, and then turned back into the house. "Parvati, Lavender's here!" she called loudly, then stepped away from the door to let Lavender in. Lavender followed, her face curious. Padma led Lavender through a startling succession of rooms until they reached a door. Lavender looked from the door to Padma and back again. Finally Padma sighed heavily, pushed the door open and stepped inside. A few seconds later, she reappeared with her mirror image. Parvati smiled brightly at Lavender and grabbed her elbow.
"Ignore her," she said, nodding to her sister. Padma sneered back and disappeared back into the manor. Lavender heard her footsteps going back up the stairs and felt a little guilty.
*
Ooh, Parvati is such a cow!
What happened? Who was at the door?
Lavender. I let her in and took her to Parvati's room, after Parvati ignored me calling out to her. Then she just told Lavender "Ignore her" and started dragging her around the house, showing off. I don't know what I've done to make her so mean to me.
I can't think of anything.
Maybe she's just a bad-tempered person.
My sister wasn't particularly nice to me at your age either.
You had a sister?
Oh, yes. Hadn't I ever told you?
No! What was she like? What was her name? Was she older or younger than you?
Her name was Meredith, and she was older than me.
I'm older than Parvati.
Really?
Yes, by 10 minutes. I might remind her of that soon. Now there's someone else at the door!
Hopefully it wont be Lavender again.
I think if it was I'd just leave her there. I think it's Mandy. Gotta go!
Bye.
Bye!
*
Padma Patil checked through the peephole before opening the door this time, just to make sure. An eleven-year-old girl with frizzy red hair stood on the porch, tapping her foot impatiently. Padma burst into a grin and heaved the door open.
"Mandy!" she yelled. Mandy wrinkled her nose.
"Indoor voice, Padma," she said, in a scary imitation of Padma's mother. Padma snickered and led her into the house. Mandy dropped her bag onto the floor and looked around. Padma stood anxiously behind her, waiting for a reaction. Mandy turned back to face her, grinning broadly.
"This place is awesome," she said. Padma beamed at her.
December 22nd
Sorry I haven't written Alex.
I can understand. How have things been?
Excellent! Mandy's here. Her parents had to go away for business or something, so they asked if she could stay.
I take it you're happy about this.
Of course, I'm having the best time! The only problem is that Lavender is still here.
Why?
Mother and Father thought it was only fair that if one of my friends was allowed to stay for Christmas, then one of Parvati's should be allowed as well. I think that's stupid, and so does Mandy. We've just been ignoring Parvati and Lavender.
I see.
The house is heaps more fun with Mandy here. We've been exploring.
Exploring?
Yeah, the lower floors and stuff. Parvati and I weren't allowed in there until we'd learnt some "basic magical skills", but now Father said that we could take care of ourselves, as long as there were a few of us. Mandy and I have been down here a couple of times. It's really neat!
I take it we're down there right now?
Yes, Mandy's still asleep, but I wanted to check a few things out. There are some passages and doorways that I've never seen before.
I hope you won't do anything rash.
Alex, you know me better than that.
I was just saying.
I think she should explore.
Katerina! How are you?
Frightfully bored and looking to hear about a good adventure.
I'll try my best.
Padma…
Honestly Alex, you're such a spoilsport. Relax, I'm not going to do anything today anyway, it's nearly Christmas!
I know.
Mandy and I are going to Diagon Alley with Mother today to buy presents for Lisa, Sally-Anne, Terry and Edward.
What about Justin?
I might get him something as well. I already have my present for Mandy.
What is it?
It's a phoenix feather calligraphy quill for when she gets a new diary.
Aren't they very expensive?
The diary or the quill?
The quill.
Not as much as I thought they would be. Don't worry Alex; it's not too over the top. I hope.
I hope so too.
Oh, yuck. Lavender and Parvati just came down here. I think I'm going to go wake up Mandy.
I think that would be a good idea. Bye Padma!
Bye Alex!
December 27th
Hello Alex.
What happened to Christmas?
It came, it went. I barely saw Lavender and Parvati at all, they just kind of disappeared in the afternoon.
Are you going to tell me about it?
No, there are heaps more interesting things to tell you about. You remember how I told you that under the house there were all these passages?
Yes.
Well, Mandy and I have been exploring them and…
This had better not be dangerous.
Um… let's just pretend it isn't.
Padma!
We can take care of ourselves! So, anyway, we found this really weird one. It looks like a mirror, but it isn't.
What is it then?
It's some kind of door. Mandy stuck her hand in it and said that it felt like a waterfall or something. I want to know what's in it.
Promise me you won't go through that door.
You're no fun.
Are you sure you aren't in Gryffindor? I thought reckless stupidity was more their arena.
Don't let Parvati hear you say that. I gotta go.
Padma, don't go through that…
Bye!
*
Padma hoisted her backpack onto her shoulders, pulled her long dark hair into a loose ponytail and grinned at Mandy. Mandy grinned back, then turned the face the shimmery glow emanating from the mirror. She stepped forward hesitantly and pushed her hand into it. A strange tingling sensation flowed down her arm and she giggled. Padma, not wanting to be outdone, followed suit. After a minute the pulled their arms out, sat down on the ground and faced each other.
"Should we go in?" Padma whispered, not really knowing why. Mandy shrugged.
"I don't see why not. Your father wouldn't keep anything really dangerous down here, would he?" she asked. Padma shook her head vehemently. Mandy shrugged again and climbed to her feet. "One small step for wizard kind…" she said under her breath. Padma snickered, also climbing to her feet. They turned in unison to face the mirror.
"On three," Padma suggested. Mandy nodded. "One…two…three!"
*
The world spun around Padma sickeningly, and she struggled to keep down her breakfast. Next to her she could hear Mandy gagging as well. After a few seconds the world steadied and Padma felt herself slam heavily to the ground. It was rather like her first trip using Floo Powder, and she could tell anyone which one she preferred. Mandy stared up at the ceiling, trying to regain her bearings. Before they could even begin to recuperate, a shrill voice pierced the air.
"Padma! Thank god!" cried Parvati, her face and hair streaked with dirt. Lavender stood behind her, looking similarly woebegone. She smiled sheepishly at Padma and Mandy. Padma climbed unsteadily to her feet and looked around.
"Where are we?" she asked, dusting herself off. Mandy decided to lie on the ground a little longer. Parvati looked at Padma strangely.
"Aren't you here to save us?" she asked. Padma looked taken-aback.
"No, we just wanted to explore that mirror thing," she said. Parvati and Lavender exchanged worried looks. Padma frowned. "Why?"
"Was the mirror thing a kind of doorway in one of the room on the lowest floor?" asked Parvati slowly. Padma nodded, and looked even more confused when Lavender burst into tears. Parvati pursed her lips grimly. "Hasn't anyone noticed we're gone?" she asked. Padma started to shake her head, then frowned. Mandy sat up slightly.
"I was wondering why we hadn't seen you since Christmas," she said. Lavender's sobs continued, and Mandy shot her a glare. "Would you cut that out?" she asked brusquely. Lavender looked up, her lower lip trembling.
"We're trapped here," she said in a small voice. Padma looked disgusted with her.
"No we're not, we just need to go back through the door," she said, gesturing behind her. Parvati shook her head. Lavender's tears started anew, and Mandy looked backwards. She paled visibly. Dreading what she'd see, Padma turned around.
The wall behind her was blank.
"We're trapped," said Parvati bleakly.