Chapter 7 Hiding in Hogsmeade

By: a.Bluestar

A swift breeze cut the morning air of the first Hogsmeade visit of the term, and for those who would be going to Durmstrang, the ONLY Hogsmeade visit. Students crisscrossed the halls, grabbing their heavier robes and jackets. The chilly air had just moved in that morning, taking the students by surprise. The torches that lined the hall seemed to have been hastily lit to offer a bit of respite to the students. The anticipation of the students to have their first visit seemed to work wonders against a chill that would normally have half the students arrive late to their first period classes.

Across the long stretch of lawn that sprawled to the walls of Hogwarts two figures stood out in the grayed landscape at an opened gate. Matt had particular inclination to get stated as early as possible THIS day.

Matt grinned, standing beside Chris Lunem. Both were wearing their jackets by the gate opened to the path leading to Hogsmeade.

"Not such an unexpected cold front, was it, Chris?" Matt said in a soft

puff of vapors lingering before his mouth. Chris remained typically stoic as he

stared down the path to Hogsmeade.

In the Gryffindor common room Steffanie looked around frantically, as Maria and Jacqueline sat at the hearth waiting. Unexpected as the cold front had been, both Maria and Jacqueline did a quick survey of their dressers and produced a heavier set of robes. Steffanie, however, hadn't yet managed to produce her own set. Michelle Newtgen came down the stairs as Steffanie tried to think of which bag had her robes.

"I haven't even unpacked my winter robes yet! Where did I leave that suitcase..." she said aloud as she buzzed around the room.

"Well, you could always borrow one of mine Steffanie. I've already got mine in my closet and I have a few extras." Michelle offered.

Steffanie stopped for a moment, almost imperceptibly, and then continued to rummage through her things as if she hadn't heard Michelle. After a moment Michelle shrugged and headed out, waving a quick goodbye to Maria and Jackie.

"Why didn't you take one of her robes?" Jacqueline asked. Maria turned to Steffanie with a knowing look. This was a story Maria knew all too well.

Steff stopped looking for her robes for a second turned to Jacqueline and then looked at Maria. "You tell her, I need to find my robes."

"Tell me?" Jacqueline said, confused. Maria laughed while Steffanie went back to looking, accidentally overturning a bag with several rolls of parchment and quills.

"Don't you remember Second Year when Steffanie borrowed a quill from Michelle for that essay in Charms?" Maria asked, sitting up and turning to Jacqueline. Jacqueline nodded yes.

"Well, I happened to accidentally misplace it after that essay," Steffaniebroke in, elbow deep in a suitcase, a sock resting on her head. "She never said anything about it, just made this face at me like she had sort of expected it."

"Steffanie doesn't borrow things from her anymore." Maria said, fighting off laughter. Jackie too, stifled a giggle, though a low squeak could just be heard.

"Got it!" Steffanie said, holding her robe up triumphantly over her head,her arms covered in socks and scarves. Maria and Jacqueline burst into laughter and Steffanie looked at them and raised an eyebrow.

"What's so funny?"

In the courtyard Sarah met up with the rest of the girls, wearing a particularly puffy coat. Maria was amazed to see a coat so thick, especially this early in the year. It was chilly, but not quite Antarctic enough to warrant quite so drastic protection. Justin showed up a moment after they ran into Sarah. The group stood around for a moment, expecting Matt to show

up.

"Has anyone seen Matt today?" Maria asked, a hint of impatience in her voice.

"Hmm, I think I saw him leaving the common room pretty early today." Sarah said, her index finger on her lower lip.

"Early? Matt?" Steffanie said, like the words used together were offensive.

"Well, we should probably get going, I'm sure we'll see him there." Justin said.

"You just want to look at that new Nimbus Broom..." Jacqueline said, rolling her eyes. Justin laughed nervously and shrugged.

"Well, we've got a match with Gryffindor soon..."

Maria failed to notice Justin's continued explanation as she noticed Sirius heading towards the gate followed closely by James Potter. Some distance behind them Lily Evans and Remus Lupin looked to be following, but without James' efforts to keep up. Sirius seemed to be in a particular huff as he whirled his arms about while James jogged along behind him. Maria strained to hear what she could and wandered slightly away from the rest of her group.

"-half suspect your mother is actually just a particularly vile boggart, Padfoot." Maria heard James say.

"I don't understand why Dumbledore can't just accept permission from MY parents." he continued. Sirius just steamed ahead.

"Well, obviously we aren't just going to sit idly by and let your mother-"

Maria was cut off as Jacqueline grabbed her arm.

"Everyone's leaving. Come on, I want to show you this hairpin I saw!"

Jackie said, beaming. Maria nodded and followed along.

Once at Hogsmeade the students all seemed to have quickly made their way to the destinations of their choice. Any other visit students would be milling about the streets in groups and chatting. This day, though, the cold and lack of any snow to play in made it just a blustery day on which you stayed indoors.

That being the case, Jackie had quickly pulled Maria into Glinda's Accessories Sparkles and All, despite Maria's desire to find out more about what James had been talking about. Justin managed to sneak off to Balder's Bludgers and Broomsticks with another Hufflepuff Quidditch player. Meanwhile Sarah and Steffanie had headed to the Three Broomsticks to chat about the upcoming announcement of house representatives.

The Three Broomsticks was absolutely buzzing with activity, as it seemed to be the most popular choice to warm up. Groups of students filled the room and the air was filled with a buzz of conversation. Steffanie looked about for a spot to sit and noticed Bellatrix Black sitting in a corner, across the table a boy with black hair sat with his back towards Steffanie.

"Say, isn't that the new girl you showed around? Bellatrix, wasn't it? Maybewe can sit by her." Steffanie suggested, failing to see another pair of openseats in the establishment. Sarah looked at Bellatrix tensely for a moment before she turned to Steffanie.

"I really don't think that's such a great idea. Besides, she's chatting withSeverus and I'd just as soon avoid another talk about the Celtic sacrificial rites and uses of goat's blood in day-to-day curses." Sarah said with a hint of discomfort.

"Oh, that IS Severus. Strange, I'm really surprised to see them talking witheach other. I'd reckon Bellatrix would want to talk to someone more like James, you know?" Steffanie said still watching the table, Severus looked over his shoulder to another table, his hooked nose visible under his oily coif of hair.

"Well, she doesn't seem to think very highly of Sirius or his friends from the talks we've had." Sarah started. "But I really don't feel like talking about it anymore."

Steffanie noticed Sarah's look of discomfort and decided pursuing this line of conversation wasn't the best way to spend their Hogsmeade visit. Just then Steffanie noticed a hand waving at her from across the room. Remus stood at a table with Lily Evans. He looked slightly bedraggled, but cheerily waved Steffanie over nonetheless.

"Look Sarah, Remus is inviting us over." Steffanie said happily, Sarah still seemed to be watching Bellatrix, but finally noticed Steffanie.

"Hmm... actually, I think I'll take a look around for a bit, if you don't mind. I've been thinking of getting myself a new cauldron." Sarah said quickly, glancing at the door. "I'll catch up with you later."

"Oh... okay!" Steff said brightly, though confused at Sarah's sudden departure. She made her way over to Remus and Lily.

"It was a very nice hairpin Jackie, but do you really think Justin would pick up any hints while he's so focused on that new Broomstick for the Gryffindor match?" Maria said, walking out of Glinda's. The afternoon seemedto have only inspired a stronger wind and Maria and Jackie held their robes' collars.

"I guess you're right..." Jackie sighed. "Well, where to now?"

Maria paused. "Well, I'm a bit hungry. Maybe we could grab a bite to eat?" she thought, still a bit curious as to where James and Sirius had gotten off to.

Maria and Jackie began to head off down the street when they noticed Sarah heading out of the Three Broomsticks. Jackie began waving and Maria called her over. Sarah noticed and smiled, heading over.

"Hey guys!" Sarah said brightly. "Where you heading?"

"We were just going to grab something to eat." Jackie said. Maria nodded, and then added, "Did you happen to notice if-" she started, then realizing it would be odd to ask about James and Sirius out of the blue. "...eh, Matt was in the Three Broomsticks?"

Sarah shook her head. "Not that I saw. It was actually rather crowded. I needed some fresh air. But Steffanie is in there with Remus and Lily."

"Oh." Maria said. "So James, Peter, and Sirius were with them?"

Maria added nonchalantly.

Sarah paused for a moment to think. "I really didn't notice them if they were. But they weren't sitting with Remus or Lily if they're in there."

"Alright, just wondering." Maria said and turned to Jackie. "Should we try and find another place to eat?"

"Maybe so, The Three Broomsticks sounded packed, and we can see if we can find Justin on the way." Jackie said, beaming. She'd been a lot perkier since Justin received notice he couldn't enter the tournament. "Did you want to come with us, Sarah?"

Sarah looked a bit surprised for whatever reason. "Oh! No thanks. I was justgoing to take a look around the shops, maybe get some supplies and whatnot. I'm not all that hungry at the moment anyway." She said smiling. Maria nodded. "All right then, see you later then!" Maria said and she and Jackie walked off a side street in search of another place to eat.

Sarah headed off down the main street and stopped by a small potions shop. Two barrels sat in front of it. Sarah stood watching them carefully for a moment. She cleared her throat.

"Really Matt, this is quite silly. Why have you been hiding? And Chris, thisseems very unlike you to humor Matt like this." Sarah said, producing her wand and tapping each barrel. The two barrels seemed to lose all shape and turned into two flimsy cloaks, under one sat Matt, Chris under the other.

"I just heard Maria was really steamed about the entire Sirius thing." Matt said, picking up his cloak and stuffing it into his bag. Sarah shook her head and looked over at Chris. "And you?"

Chris just shrugged. "I was just bored."

Sarah sighed. "And you two are supposed to be Ravenclaw... really..." Sarah said and headed down the street. Matt stumbled to his feet, "Hey! Hey! Wait up!" he said trying to follow Sarah. Chris just sat in the pile of his cloak and produced a dancing sickle from his pocket, watching it contently.

"Really? I think this entire process is very fascinating, personally. I'd only heard stories about the old Triwizards." Steffanie said, a warm butterbeer in front of her.

"I just think the entire matter is very detrimental to the Fifth, Sixth, andSeventh years. Which I find counter-intuitive considering the bulk of entrants will probably be taken from that group." Lily said, a cup of tea half empty in front of her.

Remus was sitting back in his chair, one arm folded, the other with a fist propped under his chin. He looked a bit ragged, and slightly pale, Steffanie assumed it must've been because of his condition, but didn't want to mention anything.

"Well, Dumbledore has already explained that OWLs and NEWTs will have to bemade up in a special summer-term, which I think was an entirely reasonable course of action. At this point everyone should be cognizant of their career paths enough to know the importance of NEWTs and easily be willing to sacrifice a bit of their summer to get this opportunity. It is quite an honor." Remus said, finally.

"Exactly!" Steffanie agreed, taking another sip.

"I still think it slightly undermines the school's unity to send some students away for an entire term. Not to mention the dangers that go along with this 'honor', Remus." Lily said, simply, waiting for Remus' reply.

"I'm quite certain Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen to any of his students. Plus the Ministry is certain to be mindful of any risks to their citizens. I wouldn't be surprised if they sent an escort. I've already heard Professor Velare may be accompanying the selected students." Remus said. Steffanie nodded, the notion of Velare had been brought up at the last Student's Association meeting.

"Yes, I'm certain every possible measure is being taken to ensure the safetyof the contestants." Steff added reassuringly. Steffanie suspected Lily's worry was inspired by James' strong likelihood in being chosen as a representative.

"I think it will be interesting to see how Hogwarts compares to the other European schools. To be honest I've been very unimpressed with the teaching techniques used here." spoke a soft throaty voice from behind Steffanie. Turning around, Steffanie saw it was Bellatrix Black, and Severus Snape just behind her looking impatient. "From what I've seen, it seems like a waste of Hogwarts time to even make the journey." she said with a soft pout that quickly turned into a dark smile.

Remus cleared his throat. "So, will YOU be attempting to take part in the Tournament, Bellatrix?" he asked coolly. "Give us a fighting chance?"

Bellatrix smiled again, smugly. "I suppose ONE of us Blacks shall need to regain some vestige of honor."

Lily began to say something, but was cut off as Bellatrix began again. "Well, it was nice to chat as always. If you'll excuse me, I've got to headoff." She turned and began heading to the door. "Come along Severus." Severus sneered, but followed along behind her.

As she was out of earshot Lily began, "What a vile-"

"Now, now Lily. We all know about Sirius' family already. There's no point in getting all riled up about it." Remus said calmly.

"Sirius' family?" Steffanie asked.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot that you were here for a moment Steffanie... Err, no offense." Remus said hastily. Steffanie feigned a smile. "That's fine." she decided was the safest response, and let the matter drop.

"Steffanie, Remus, Lily!" Maria called as she and Jackie entered. They made their way towards the table. Steffanie smiled and waved, though she noticed Remus perking up a bit as Maria approached. Just as Maria reached the table another voice yelled from the doorway.

"Hey Steff! Have you seen Sarah-" Matt yelled, but then stopped as he noticed Maria who turned around.

"MATT!?!" Maria said.

"Oh, er... gotta run!" Matt said and disappeared from the doorway.

"MATT! YOU GET BACK HERE!" Maria said and headed for the door. Steffanie looked at Jackie and both shrugged as Maria exited.

"Hey! You knocked my sickle down..." Chris said as Maria went past him.

Remus looked to Steffanie, "What was all that ab-"

"You don't want to know."