Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but you probably already knew that.
Well, well, well. What have we here? Lezgarth's voice echoed around the dungeon where he taught Potions. He was smiling evilly as he entered his classroom. A Ravenclaw, three Gryffindors, and someone from my very own house, out of bed after curfew? I may just have to report this to the Headmaster. He smiled even more as he looked around at our nervous and guilty faces. What, may I ask, are you doing here at this time of night?
Lily looked quickly over at me for support before turning to Professor Lezgarth. We were just coming down here to get our supplies that we left here...
That may be true for you, Miss Evans, and the other students from your house and from Slytherin, he said with a sneer, but I don't recall ever having Ravenclaw for Potions today...
Delrei gulped. I was just accompanying them down here... to get their... stuff... She said in a small voice.
Well, well, well. We shall have to see what the Headmaster has to say about this... I dare say you will all be getting detentions...
I'm sorry! I whispered to them as we marched to the Headmaster's office.
Lily shook her head. Don't be!
But I made you come down here! I wailed. What happens if we are expelled?
It's not your fault! We came down here out of our own will! Lily argued. Delrei nodded her agreement. she added, I doubt that we will be expelled for picking up our supplies from a previous class... She smirked.
*****
S-so you think they can't expel us for something like this? Peter squeaked as we stood around waiting just outside of Dumbledore's office.
Don't be silly! Of course we can't be expelled! We haven't really broken the rules, and we haven't put any of our lives at stake! Lily snapped at him.
I've heard that the punishments can be pretty severe for rule breaking, though... Remus added worriedly.
But Dumbledore's a nice guy! He wouldn't let us be punished severely for such a little thing. Don't worry! He won't let us be punished. Delrei said confidently.
Yeah, he wouldn't, but it's not up to him to decide our fates, I mumbled miserably. They looked at me, surprised. It's up to the heads of our houses...
Suddenly, Dumbledore's office doors flew open and the Potions Master reached out and grabbed us, pulling us into the room and shutting the door behind us.
I caught these rule breakers down inside my classroom way after curfew! He spat.
I see... Dumbledore mused calmly.
I demand to see some punishment! Who knows what they could have been up to? I don't trust those Gryffindors... And the Ravenclaw is most certainly a liar! Lezgarth roared.
I would like to hear their side of the story now. Professor, if you would excuse us...
Lezgarth growled, turned on his heel and stormed out of the office, slamming the door shut after him.
We were just picking up our supplies that we had left there from before, Lily explained. Dumbledore just raised an eyebrow.
Is that so? We all nodded. But why didn't you do that before curfew? His question caught us off guard. We should have thought up a better excuse.
That's not really what happened... Peter said quietly.
What did happen? The Headmaster asked kindly.
Dalene found this weird torch, and we all went down to investigate, and Remus figured out how to open this secret door in the Potions room, and we found this room-
Ah, yes, Dumbledore cut him off, smiling. I see you have noticed that Hogwarts has many secret passages and rooms, some even I don't know about. That room though, is one of my favorites. You see, he continued when we had all looked at each other, confused, it can only be found by friends who are loyal and true.
I smiled at my friends. the Headmaster said sternly, now on to the more serious subject of your punishments. I do not have control over punishments; only the head of your house can do that. However, I believe that since nothing too serious happened, you can get away just with points taken from you houses.
Sighing heavily, we made our way back to our common rooms. As I was just turning the last corner before I reached the dungeon stairs, I almost ran into Sirius and James.
How was your detention? I asked.
Sirius growled. McGonagall made us clean up the hospital wing bedpans with no magic.
Where were you coming from? James asked, noticing that I was just making my way down to the Slytherin domains when I should have been there hours ago.
We were caught, I answered simply.
By Lezgarth?
I nodded. We got points taken off from our houses.
That's all that happened? James asked incredulously.
Yup, as far as punishment goes. But Dumbledore told us this weird story, too... Of course, they were wondering what it was, so I had to tell them.
That's awesome! Sirius exclaimed. So it means that we are all true and loyal friends, then?
I guess so, but- I stopped when I heard footsteps. I motioned for them to be quiet, then tiptoed over to where I heard the footsteps stop.
I still can't believe that Albus let him into Hogwarts! This doesn't seem like him at all! I recognized this person as Professor Flitwick immediately.
I know, but he must have thought about this a lot and weighed all the consequences before he let him in. Professor McGonagall's stern voice responded.
Doesn't he know how dangerous a werewolf can be?! Flitwick demanded.
I'm sure he does, but the student is only a danger once a month. Special precautions will be taken to avoid any... dangerous situations. McGonagall replied calmly.
I looked back at the two boys whose eyes were as wide as mine. Did you hear that? I mouthed back to them. They nodded silently. I heard the footsteps moving again, but this time it was back the way they came from. I motioned to James and Sirius, and they quickly ran up the stairs toward the Gryffindor Common Room.
*****
Once again, I was woken by a very shrill voice in the morning.
Why are you yelling at me? What did I do? I asked, still half asleep.
You were going to be late for breakfast, she replied, sneering. And as we all know, Slytherins must never be late for breakfast!
Well, OK, Miss Whoever-You-Are! I said grumpily.
Just to let you know, I, unlike you, have a well-known and respected name.
Oh, am I supposed to be able to mind read now? I asked sarcastically. Just to let you know, you never told me your name.
she responded curtly. Narcissa Black.
Oh great, I thought, another Black.
****
After having breakfast and being lectured about Goblin rebellions by Binns, I met up with the Gryffindors as we made our way down to a double period of Herbology.
Just how many people are you related to, Sirius? I demanded as we crossed the lawn near the lake.
What do you mean? He asked, startled by my tone.
I was woken up by this Narcissa Black character, and I figured that she was somehow related to you, but then she said she had a well-known and respected name,' so I was wondering what the hell that meant! I said all on one breath.
Sirius responded, sounding amused. Well, I come from a family of all pureblood Wizards and Witches, and there is alot of intermarriages between them. Yeah, she is related to me.
Well, that sucks for you. She is a stuck-up little brat, I declared.
Yeah, I know. Also, my family isn't exactly... on the good side of the law, Sirius added quietly under his breath so no one else could hear him except for the five of us.
Unknown to us, Lily had come up behind us while we were talking, making a sixth person. What do you mean? She asked, frowning.
It's just... Sirius shook his head. Nothing. It's nothing. Seeing our doubt-filled eyes, he added, Look, just forget I said anything, OK?
*****
Severus had saved a spot for me in Herbology, which was right next to where James and Sirius. While Sev was busy getting everything ready, I turned to my friends from Gryffindor.
Who do you think they were talking about last night? I asked as I looked up some weird fungus in the Herbology book.
No idea, James said as he peered down at the same page I was on. Is this supposed to cure boils, or cause them?
I'm not sure, Sirius answered, grinning evilly in Lucius's direction, but why don't we find out?
You would get into trouble, Lily added. And we really don't need any more points taken from Gryffindor.
Trouble is our middle name, said James, grinning.
Lily rolled her eyes. You guys are so immature.
*****
One hour later, I was sitting at the Slytherin table eating lunch with Severus and watching Lucius entertaining more people. I also noticed that Narcissa was giving him her full attention, almost forgetting to eat.
Dalene? Are you feeling all right? Severus asked me.
I asked, not realizing that I had been staring.
What was so interesting over there? You almost stopped eating.
Oh, I was just watching Malfoy being a jerk, and Narcissa hanging on his every word, I said disgustedly.
Sev laughed. Yes, that sounds like them. I've heard rumors that they are supposed to be married since they are both from pureblood Wizarding families...
Oh, yeah. They'd make a cute couple, I scoffed. Malfoy always making up stories and Narcissa always believing them. What a sad place their house will be.
*****
In Potions, I got stuck with Narcissa Black when Lezgarth decided that we needed to meet new people from our House and paired people up randomly. Although I doubted that he really paired us up randomly...
It was then that I noticed that I was screwed if I had to stay with her for the rest of the year. She was terrible at Potions. Our Insomnia Solution turned the wrong color, boiled over causing some people's hands and feet to break out in ugly red welts, and eventually exploded, covering the walls in a thick yellow-green goo.
I put my head in my hands and groaned. I was going to fail this class for sure.
*****
After an hour in McGonagall's classroom, I headed back outside for another Flying lesson. Luckily, we had it with the Gryffindors this time.
Same routine today, students, Madam Hooch greeted us. Mount your brooms. Kick off when I blow my whistle.
I was glad that I got a slightly better broom this time. Three... two... one... Madam Hooch blew her whistle and we soared into the sky, a blur of black and green and red.
I wearily watched Sirius as he flew up behind Lucius and aimed a hex at his hair, which turned bright green as if he had gone swimming in a chlorine filled pool and didn't wash his hair afterwards.
After we had landed and dismounted, Madam Hooch pointed out Lucius's new hairstyle. What happened to your hair, Mr. Malfoy?
He looked at her suspiciously as she conjured up a mirror for him. What do you mean?
See for yourself.
He grabbed the mirror from her, gazed into it for a split second, then shrieked, My hair! What happened to my hair? Potter, Black, I know you're behind this!
Who, me? Sirius asked, putting on an innocent smile and a too-sweet voice.
Our Flying instructor looked oddly at him. Mr. Malfoy, you may go to the Hospital Wing if you wish, but I must say that you look rather good in green, she teased.
Cursing, Lucius left for the Hospital Wing.
Madam Hooch continued, he really did look good in green.
*****
I met up with Delrei and the rest of my friends in the library that evening. Delrei was propped up against one of the tables in the far corner studying for Defense Against the Dark Arts with Lily. Remus was writing an assignment that was already one scroll of parchment long. Peter was trying to do the same assignment because he kept looking over at Remus's scroll for answers.
Where are James and Sirius? I asked, frowning.
Lily answered simply.
Yeah, well some people are so immature, Lily pointed out airily.
What did they do this time? I questioned.
More fighting equals more detention, Delrei responded matter-of-factly. I tried to hide my smile. Lily giggled and Peter snorted. She looked at all of us. What? What did I say?
Yes, we knew that already, Miss Point-Out-The-Obvious, Lily answered somewhat shrewdly. I could tell Delrei was about to say something nasty in reply, so I spoke first.
What are you guys working on now? I asked, trying to get a get a good look at Remus's neat handwriting.
Homework, what else? He said with a slightly raised eyebrow, pulling away from me a little.
Peter declared, throwing down his parchment. Always homework, homework, homework! When will we ever get a break?
Hey, if you are having a problem now, I hate to see what you will look like at the end of the year, James remarked jokingly, coming up from behind us.
Did you miss us? Sirius asked as he flopped down on the ground near Remus and tried to sneak a peek at his parchment.
Not unless you are really into obnoxious stupidity, Lily answered coldly, looking disgustedly at James, who was sitting right next to her.
Hey, what's with all this tension? Someone needs to chill, James said, looking at Lily through narrowed eyes.
Let's just all be quiet so we can get our assignments done. I really don't want to fail my classes! Delrei cut in before anyone could say anything else.
Speaking of failing, that Narcissa Black is really bad at Potions, I said quietly. Pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill, I told them what happened when Lezgarth decided to pair us up.
When I had finished, everyone was looking at me sympathetically.
That's so weird that a Slytherin could be that bad at Potions, Remus mused. Normally, it's their specialty.
Sirius exclaimed, grinning. Do you know what this reminds of?
Do we really want to know? Delrei asked apprehensively.
One of those Muggle mystery books! Sirius continued, paying no attention to what Delrei said.
James teased his friend. You read books?
I'm not stupid, you know! Sirius said, looking hurt.
Yeah, it does sound like a mystery novel to me, Lily muttered to herself.
Sirius said, regaining his enthusiasm. And do you know what people do in Muggle mysteries? He looked around at us, then continued, dropping his voice down dramatically to a whisper, they solve them.
I laughed. It looks as though we have a Mr. Point-Out-The-Obvious as well! Delrei glared at me.
What are you saying? We should solve this? Lily asked. But what if it isn't anything at all and we just end up wasting our time?
We will have learned at least one thing interesting by doing this, Sirius persuaded.
By doing what, exactly? Peter asked nervously.
By spying, of course! Sirius declared proudly.
A/N - Thank you so much to all those who reviewed before - FroggyW9, rosethorn83, darkmarkgrl, and Taskemus, and to our newest reviewer - Ellen! :-) Reviews are very much appreciated!
