A/N Please no jokes about the little trick Amy decides to pull when she first talks to Bea in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Return to HogwartsThe next morning Amy spent getting her trunk all packed up.
"So which broom are you taking with you. Your old reliable Thunderstick or your Quasar?" Shiki wondered.
"I'll probably take both with me. IF necessary I can always donate my Thunderstick to the school. It's still in good shape and it's faster then a Quasar. This year will certainly be busy that's for sure. Especially for me. After all I have responsibility galore to handle."
"You'll manage though Amy. I have faith in your abilities. If you weren't capable to handling all the responsibility then they wouldn't have put it on your shoulders."
"Thanks Shiki. You are about the best sister a girl could have. Are you going to return early with me?"
"No I want to meet the train when it comes in. I'll probably ride over with Hagrid or something after the first years are collected."
"It will be a bit of fun before the students arrive."
"Knowing you I'm sure it will be," Shiki commented. "What are you going to do train the Fat Lady to only open the Portrait Door when you are standing there such that it locks out everyone else and then sneak off for the night?"
"I would never do that Shiki. That sounds like something a Marauder would do and I don't think I've pulled enough pranks, gotten enough detentions, or lost enough points to qualify for Marauder Status. You know I usually saved my energy for One Super prank a year maybe served five detentions and only lost about fifty points over the course of my entire career."
"Your grandfather would probably joke that you weren't trying hard enough," Harry joked before he left.
"Well Grandpa Potter was the Marauder King after all," Amy shot back.
About Ten Thirty a carriage pulled up in front of the house and Dobby stepped out.
"Hi Dobby," Amy said.
"You all set to return Amy Potter."
"You Bet Dobby," Amy said. "What brings you by came to see your daughter."
"Well that and help you with your return."
Dobby and Dionia then loaded Amy's luggage into the carriage and Amy boarded it with the box of books in her lap. The carriage went right to the school. She arrived about 11.
"I see you have arrived Amy," McGonagall said.
"That I have Professor. It will be necessary for me to visit with Madame Conway for a little bit."
"OK. I will arrange for your things to be taken to the tower. The password is Wiggleworth."
"Thanks professor," Amy said. I've got a very sneaky plan
Amy then headed for the Quidditch Pitch where Madame Conway had her office.
"Oh hello Miss Potter. You all moved in without difficulty?"
"I'm getting there Madame Conway. I brought the Quidditch Guides like I promised."
"Oh good I was wondering if they would arrive in time. On Monday of next week not tomorrow is a quidditch captains meeting so we can get the various schedules out of the way early. It will be at 8pm in my personal quarters. It's a very strategic meeting but I prefer to hold it somewhere informal. You ever visit the professor's personal quarters."
"I visited Professor Translet a couple times, my dad lets my cousins and I utilize his quarters as a private common room. I was once in McGonagall's on semi official business and I'm a regular in Hagrid's cabin."
"I see. You still have your Thunderstick I assume," Madame Conway said.
"Yes I do Madame Conway plus my boss at work gave me a Quasar before I left work yesterday. I brought both brooms with me. I was thinking of donating my Thunderstick to the school."
"A very noble idea Miss Potter but the school doesn't accept donations of brooms. My suggestion would be to use one broom as a practice broom and the other one for matches. That way you are prepared if anything should happen like the sabotage your second year."
"Did we ever luck out on that one Madame Conway."
"That we did Miss Potter. I have lots to do before tonight so I suggest you run along."
Amy then returned to the castle and headed for the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Why hello Amy," the portrait said when she arrived.
"Oh hi Bea. How was your summer?"
"Long and very boring," Bea said. "Yours?"
"It wasn't bad I spent a lot of it in Diagon alley working at Quality Quidditch Supply."
"I see you are wearing the all important Prefects badge. Somehow I had a feeling you would become one," Bea commented.
"Oh I spoke with McGonagall on the way up and she asked me to let you know that she gave you the wrong password. Wiggleworth was supposed to be the next password after this one. The real password is Flintishot."
"Are you sure Miss Potter?"
"Yes I am honest Bea."
"OK Amy," Bea said as she opened the door.
"I can't believe she fell for it. Oh well time to hit the shower."
Amy then headed out of Gryffindor and over to the prefects bathroom after she gathered her stuff from her trunk.
"Whoa this room is something else. I bet the swimming pools Muggles use for the Olympic Games is smaller then the bath tub in here."
She immediately turned on a few of the taps such that she had a nice aromatic bath. As she opened a nice scarlet tap she saw Myrtle exit.
"Hi Amy. Taking advantage of the privileges of being a prefect huh. This is one of the best bathrooms in the entire castle."
"I can imagine just by the size of it."
"I'm surprised you didn't come here over the summer."
"I was busy the entire summer working."
"Where were you working?"
"Diagon alley at Quality Quidditch Supplies. It was certainly enjoyable. Of course I didn't get a lot of opportunities to visit the other shops except on my days off only those were study days."
Amy then took the time to really get covered in the lather. She stayed among the lather for a good half hour. She then put her dress robes on since she tended to prefer those for the start of term feasts. Upon her return to Gryffindor Tower she began to decorate the common room for the arrival of the first years. She even put a sign up that said no Slytherins allowed as a good reference to the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Amy was just putting a streamer of scarlet and gold up when she heard a slight pounding on the Portrait hole. She opened it to admit Harry.
"Hi dad."
"What did you do change the password on us?"
"Maybe," Amy said.
"Your grandfather would have really enjoyed that one. The common room looks pretty good."
"Ready for the feast dad?"
"I was except a situation came up and I have to go to Norfolk. The Minister himself asked me to go."
"Oh, will you be back in time for classes tomorrow?"
"I hope to but there is no way of knowing."
"Well good luck dad," Amy said.
They both headed for the Entrance Hall. Amy for a bit of a late lunch and Harry so he could go to the gates and get far enough beyond the barriers so as to Apparate. Most of the professors were on hand in the Great Hall when she entered.
"Where are Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick?"
"Snape is taking a leave of Absence and won't be back until after Christmas. Flitwick retired and Professor Spelita hasn't arrived yet. Come to think of it Professor Erlenmeyer isn't here either," Hermione told her. "Amy, just so you know with your father having to leave suddenly I will be handling the duties usually handled by the deputy head as far as the sorting goes."
Amy was just leaving the Entrance Hall after her lunch when a tall imposing man walked in. His skin was extremely dark and he had on Scarlet Robes. With him was a younger girl in normal black robes.
"Leslie, why you felt you had to come up to school with me I don't know. You won't even be sorted until tonight most likely."
"It will give me a chance to find my way around. I don't want to end up completely lost when classes start."
"You won't get lost Leslie just stick close to one of your classmates until you learn where everything is."
He then spotted Amy.
"Excuse me miss but could you tell me where I can find Professor Potter." The man said.
"He was called away on Ministry Business and won't be here tonight."
"I'm Professor Stan Erlenmeyer."
"Oh glad to meet you Professor. I'm Amy Potter the deputy headmaster's daughter."
"Glad to meet you Miss Potter. You're in Gryffindor I see," He said as he indicated the crest on her Dress Robes.
"That I am."
"I'm Leslie, his daughter."
"I figured that out. If you want I could show you around a little bit," Amy inquired.
"Not a bad idea Leslie." Prof. Erlenmeyer said.
Just then McGonagall walked out.
"Professor Erlenmeyer I assume."
"Yes I am the Highly Esteemed Potion Maker Stan Erlenmeyer. Finest Potion Maker in the 48 Contiguous United States."
"I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall the Headmistress."
"I'll see you at the feast Professor," Amy said.
"You been here long?" Leslie inquired as they headed off.
"I'm a fifth year but I spent most of last year at the Tokyo School of Magic as part of an exchange program. You're from the States I assume?"
"Yeah Lexington Kentucky. I was attending the Farwood Institute. Then my dad was asked to teach here for a semester so I decided to transfer here. My dad is only supposed to be here until Christmas but I'll be here until the year ends in June. After that I'll either stay here for my last three years or return to Farwood."
"Fourth year I take it?"
"Yeah I am actually." Leslie admitted.
"You play Quidditch at all?"
"No I don't. You?"
"Keeper, In fact I just became captain of the Gryffindor Team."
"If we are supposed to wear Black Robes why are you wearing Blue Robes?"
"Oh these they're a pair of Dress Robes my Uncle George's girlfriend made up for me. Technically I should be in Black Robes but I kind of prefer to wear dress robes for feasts. Part of it is probably the fact that my dad is the deputy headmaster."
"I find it weird just knowing my dad will be teaching me this semester. I bet you get off easily with things."
"Well I try to stay out of trouble so as not to make it awkward for the professors. The closest I've ever come was one time when my cousins and I were leaving early for Easter Break and Professor Snape caught us at the gate. Thing is we ended up using the fireplace in his office to slip out of here."
"How mad was your dad over it?"
"He had already given my cousins and me permission to leave early."
Before they knew it the time had come to head for the feast. Hermione was waiting at the door when they reached the Entrance Hall. Next thing they knew Hagrid's knock reverberated through the door.
"What on Earth," Leslie said.
"The first years have arrived," Amy said.
"The first years Professor Finch-Fletchley."
"Thank you Hagrid," Hermione said before she began her opening speech. She then led the first years into the waiting area. Amy meanwhile went into the Great Hall and took a seat at the Gryffindor Table. Hermione waved her up to the Staff Table.
"Amy, when everything is ready if you wouldn't mind I'll let you fetch the first years."
"Ok professor," Amy agreed.
Fairly soon the time had come. Amy went into the Waiting area.
"Ok Everyone we will now be proceeding into the Great Hall where you will be sorted in front of the school. I don't know what rumors you might have heard about the sorting but it is painless. She saw Rebecca off to one side.
"Nervous Rebecca?" Amy inquired as she led the First Years into the Hall.
"Maybe a little bit."
The Sorting Hat then went into its song as Amy sat back down.
"Samantha Ankley."
"RAVENCLAW."
"Alexander Beauford."
"SLYTHERIN."
"Malily Black"
GRYFFINDOR
"Thomas Black"
SLYTHERIN
"Consuela Casamia."
"GRYFFINDOR."
"Elizabeth Conner."
"HUFFLEPUFF"
"So Amy, how many of your cousins are starting this year?" Julie wondered.
"Unless I have ones I don't know about I don't think I have any cousins starting this year."
Fairly soon they were into the later letters.
"Samantha Vanwicken."
"RAVENCLAW."
"Rebecca Warnorson."
Amy kept her eyes on her little friend since she considered the young girl to be a friend.
"You are certainly nervous Amy," Hillary noticed.
"Well I think of her as a," Amy started to say when suddenly she heard the sorting hat yell out
"GRYFFINDOR."
Rebecca then walked over by Amy.
"Well sometimes the Sorting Hat finds things you don't realize you have," Amy joked as Rebecca continued on.
"Where did you meet that one girl as it is?" Hillary wondered.
"Work."
"Work, what do you mean work?" Geoff wondered.
"I worked at Quality Quidditch Supplies over the summer."
As they were saying this Leslie was headed for the Hufflepuff Table.
"OK Everyone time for the start of term announcements. First off you probably noticed a few new faces. Professor Flitwick our long time Charms Professor had decided to retire so we have a New Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw Professor Spelita who unfortunately hasn't arrived yet. Also Professor Snape is on a leave of Absence until after Christmas and his replacement is our Visiting Professor of Potions Professor Stan Erlenmeyer. Some of you are probably wondering where Professor Potter is. He was called away this afternoon and hopefully will be back in time for classes tomorrow. Just so everyone knows the Forbidden Forest is known as the Forbidden Forest for a reason. Also at the request of the caretaker No Magic is to be used in the Corridors."
The feast seemed to go on for a while. Finally it was time to lead everyone to the Dormitory. Amy led the way with Rebecca keeping close behind her. Eventually they were outside the Portrait hole.
"This Portrait is a very important Portrait. After all behind this Portrait is the Gryffindor Common Room. I ask that you not give the password to your friends in other houses. Also the password changes periodically. Right now the password is Flintishot."
Bea didn't move.
"Nice try Amy but I took the time to check with McGonagall."
"Fine Bea Wiggleworth."
A loud whoop was heard from some of the older students when they figured out what Amy had tried to change the password to.
Amy then led everyone inside. They certainly enjoyed the decorations along the Walls.
"You must have worked a long time on it."
"Not too long really Dan," Amy said. "I spent the afternoon showing Professor Erlenmeyer's daughter around."
Amy was just getting into her Sleepwear when there was a knock on the door. Erica got up to answer it.
"You might want to consider getting some sleep," Erica told Rebecca.
"Here is the thing my trunk is missing," Rebecca said.
"How could your trunk turn up missing?" Amy wondered as she shifted into prefect mode.
"I don't know I know I had it with me in King's Cross Station this morning only it wasn't in the first years dorm room when I went up there."
"This is unbelievable," Amy said. "I've never heard of this happening."
She then grabbed some powder from a crock on the mantle of the Fireplace in the Room.
"Dan York?"
"Yeah Amy?"
"I have a student in my room with a missing trunk you ever hear of anything like this happening."
"No I haven't. What year is the student in?"
"She is a first year," Amy said.
"Any idea if your dad is back yet?"
"No I don't?"
"He would be the first person I would think of to check with. Beyond that all I can think of is see if by chance McGonagall is still awake."
"I'll check my dad's rooms and if he isn't there I'll see if I can find McGonagall."
"What would your dad have to do with my problem?"
"Two things Rebecca. A he is our head of house. B he is the Deputy Headmaster."
"Oh," Rebecca said.
Amy then led Rebecca downstairs and into the Hall she was soon outside of her dad's quarters.
"Moony Padfoot and Prongs."
The Door opened and Amy and Rebecca headed in.
"Wait here," Amy suggested.
"Amy, are we even supposed to be in here. This is a professor's private room after all?"
"My dad gave my cousins and me permission to hang in his quarters outside of class and I gave you permission to enter."
"Still what if we get caught?"
Amy checked the room but didn't see any evidence her dad was back.
"Let's go," Amy said. She then led the way to McGonagall's quarters.
"It's pretty late Miss Potter."
"Sorry Professor McGonagall but Miss Warnorson has a problem and it has to be dealt with."
"What is your problem Miss Warnorson?'
"My trunk is missing. The minute I noticed it hadn't reached my room I went in search of Amy since I knew she was a prefect. She checked with someone and then we checked to see if her dad was back. After that we came here. All my stuff was in it including an autographed set of Hogwarts Guides."
"I will get right to work on this one Miss Warnorson. I can't imagine how something like that could have happened. I will let your professors know tomorrow so you won't lose points over something you had no control over. Oh speaking of which Amy here are the Schedule sheets for the Gryffindors. In the morning at breakfast make sure they get distributed. Your father will be away for a couple days. He already arranged for Remus Lupin to cover for him."
"Thankfully it isn't a full Moon," Amy commented.
"Agreed Miss Potter."
They then went back to the Common Room. Amy then located her Schedule in the Stack.
"Well I'll be outside tomorrow morning and inside in the Afternoon."
"What about me?" Rebecca wondered.
"Let's me see," Amy said as she searched for the Schedule Sheet for Rebecca. "Tomorrow morning you have History and Charms, Tomorrow Afternoon Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration. Tuesday you have Double Defense in the Mornings and your afternoons everything except potions."
"Why couldn't they give me fun classes like you have?" Rebecca wondered noticing her electives.
"Care of Magical Creatures and Politics are third year and above classes but you might be able to take Japanese it's a fun class."
The two girls then went to bed. The next Morning Amy headed for the Great Hall right after she took a shower in the girls bathroom in the tower.
"Morning Professor Lupin!" Amy said as she started to distribute the schedule sheets to the Gryffindors.
"Morning Amy. You in my classes today?"
"No I have Defense Tomorrow."
Rebecca came in looking a little interesting.
"I had to borrow clothes from my roommates due to lacking something as important as my trunk. Of course I'll probably flunk my classes being without my books and so forth," Rebecca said as McGonagall walked up to her.
"Miss Warnorson, Your Trunk was found smashed to bits on the train."
"Ugh was anything salvageable?"
"We don't know yet. You will be given Special permission to go into the village today to see what can be salvaged. Don't worry about missing classes today since I excused you so you could go into the village"
"I don't know where the village is Professor."
"I'll escort her to Hogsmeade Professor," Amy said.
"That is thoughtful of you Miss Potter. I'd like to have an adult on hand though in case of trouble."
"I'd go along except I have classes," Remus said.
"Remus, where would someone find Padfoot?" Amy wondered.
"He is with your father in Norfolk," Remus responded.
"Knuts," Amy said. She then had an idea. After Breakfast they went back to Gryffindor where Amy called her mom on the Fireplace.
After their first Class Rebecca met up with Amy outside of Hagrid's and they went into Hogsmeade. Ginny was waiting for them at the Station. The Stationmaster was also on hand.
"It's really weird that this even happened." The Station Master said.
Rebecca started to sort through the rubble that had been her trunk. Her Hogwarts Guides were salvageable but her other books were too coated in ink to be spared due to the fact that every bottle she had packed was smashed. Also a lot of her clothes including Robes were shredded and torn.
"Well I have some books to use but I will definitely need to get a new supply of ink Also my parchment is a mess. I probably should get some fresh parchment."
"I'll go through your parchment Rebecca and see what can be used and what can't be used," Ginny volunteered.
Rebecca meanwhile was going through her other things.
"Well these are useless," She said showing the small bits of glass that used to be a set of phials. She also saw that her telescope was bent out of shape.
"My 90 Galleon Telescope useless."
"Reparo," Ginny said and the Telescope was quickly restored to normal.
"Thanks Mrs. Potter."
"Well it looked repairable to me," Ginny said.
Her scales also had survived the damage. The very last thing she found was her wand.
"Thank goodness this survived," Rebecca said.
"Well what basically needs replacing?" The Station Master wondered.
"Some of my books, clothes, writing equipment."
"I think I can help you with books at least some of them," Amy said.
"I made a list of books that my roommates had so that will help."
Due to it almost being lunchtime they headed for The Potter home to have lunch. Afterwards they went up to Amy's Room where Amy went through her book shelves to see what she had on hand to loan Rebecca. She also looked through her old School Robes to see if she had any that would fit her friend.
"Well what's next?" Rebecca wondered
"Go to the Stationary store and get you some new ink and so forth. After that we will return to School. You will need to replace your cloak and hat but we can do that later. Besides My family has a special discount at Sadia's Dress and Formal Wear in Diagon Alley."
"How did that happen?"
"One of my uncles is dating the owner."
They soon arrived back at School with what they could salvage or otherwise supply Rebecca with. They took the stuff to the Tower and Amy then headed for Transfiguration using her Eagle Form.
"As you all noticed our resident Animagus has decided to grace us with her presence," Hermione commented.
"I was on school business professor helping out that girl whose trunk had gotten smashed."
"I know but I didn't expect you to show up for class today," Hermione said.
"Well we postponed a Diagon Alley run for a different day. Some of her stuff has to be replaced but it can wait."
"You basically took her under your wing huh," Shiki commented. "Kind of like you did third year with Hitari Translet huh."
"Well she needed help and I was willing to provide it."
After Class Amy, Shiki, and Emily went to Amy's dad's quarters, shortly after that Elly and Abigale arrived.
"Myrtle told us to come here," Abigale said.
As they were hanging out Tammie, Arthur and Rubeus showed up. Joshua showed up last and he happened to have Leslie Erlenmeyer with him.
"I invited her to come along," Joshua said.
"This room is at least cozy compared to my dad's room down in the dungeons," Leslie commented. "As it is he won't let me hang out in them?"
"Different professors have different feelings about their space. My dad let's us hang in his room. Besides with Joshua being in Hufflepuff and Rubeus in Ravenclaw it gives us a chance to hang out as a family."
The gang basically hung out and at six Dobby brought a nice meal up. Around eight Amy was studying for her classes when she saw a black dog make an appearance.
"Hi Padfoot," Amy greeted him.
"I'm not surprised that so many are here," a voice said. Everyone looked up at the Figure who was just closing the door.
"Hi dad," Amy said.
"Friday after lunch you and Rebecca will go into Diagon Alley and finish replacing her stuff. That way neither of you will miss additional classes."
The party broke up at that point.
"Where have you been hiding?" Rebecca asked as Amy entered the Common Room.
"My dad's quarters with my cousins. Friday after Lunch meet me in the Entrance Hall."
"A Professor told me. It wasn't one I knew. Tall Dark messy hair glasses."
"That was my dad."
The next day Amy worked her way through classes. When she arrived in Potions She saw Professor Erlenmeyer was all set.
"Ah yes Fifth Year Gryffindor and Slytherin. From what other classes have told me you all use the Hogwarts Guide maybe once or twice a year if at all. Well I'm going to use it a little more often this semester probably once a week. AS you all are probably aware I will be here only for this First part of the year and after Christmas your regular professor will be back."
The Gryffindors were silent but you could hear boos and other taunts from the Slytherins. Amy made a mental note of who from Slytherin was Taunting and booing the Professor so she could make sure points were taken away. At the end of class Amy spoke up.
"I know Professor Erlenmeyer was trying to ignore certain students but Taunting Professors is against School Rules so I'm exercising my powers as a prefect and taking ten points per guilty student from Slytherin."
"Thank you Miss Potter for assisting in the enforcement of the School Rules."
Soon as Class was over Amy went to see her dad.
"Hi Amy how are classes going?"
"Well in Potions the Slytherins were taunting Professor Erlenmeyer."
"I see. How many points did he take?"
"He didn't but I made note of who was doing it and took ten points from each of them."
"You wanted to make sure they didn't get away with it huh."
"Well there is no reason they should."
"I'll make note of it."
"Well we better get to Dinner I guess."
"6:30 my apartment, You, Shiki, your cousins, and your latest protégé."
"Ok dad."
Amy then headed toward the Tower. She saw Rebecca leaving Transfiguration.
"Rebecca, Dinner my dad's apartment 6:30."
"Gotcha."
At 6:30 the Gryffindor Contingent arrived in mass. Rubeus and Joshua were shortly behind them. Leslie looked to be with Joshua.
"Miss Erlenmeyer," Harry greeted her.
"Evening Professor. Joshua sort of invited me."
"Well you know. After all Amy brought Rebecca so why can't Leslie come as well?"
"Actually Josh Rebecca was invited. Dad told me 6:30 here Me, Shiki, my cousins and my latest protégé."
"You could almost say Josh has a girlfriend," Abigale teased.
"Shut up Abby she is not my girlfriend. She is simply a friend who is a girl. Sort of like how things are between you and Raynor Vasman."
"Not really Josh since Ray and I have actually gone on dates."
"Your family is something else. I did owl my mom about how helpful you've been towards me Amy."
"You will find that my family has its true members and extended members. The extended is people like Abby and Josh, This one Merchant in Diagon Alley Sadia and her two daughters, my boyfriend Marcus, and probably Rebecca to an extent."
"What privileges go with membership in that club?"
"Well Extended members are added to my Grandma Weasley's sweater list and also get to spend Christmas at the Burrow with the family."
"Of course Abby and I tend to stay here After all we are from Professor Potter's side of the family."
"What about Marcus?"
"Depends on how things are with his family," Amy replied.
Dobby and Cronk arrived right then to set up the feast. Everyone had a good Meal.
"Well I'm heading for bed," Rebecca said when they got back about Nine thirty.
"I have Astronomy Tonight," Amy said.
"Ugh," Rebecca commented. "I have it tomorrow night."
Friday Amy was just leaving Double Politics when Rebecca nailed her.
"Amy, you want to go into Diagon Alley now instead of waiting until after lunch?"
"WE could," Amy said.
They Slipped off and Headed for the gates. Soon they were In Hogsmeade. Amy decided to use the Fireplace at the Train Station. They came out in the Leaky Cauldron.
"We better be careful The Ministry Law Enforcement Squad patrols the Alley."
"This could be bad."
"We'll manage," Amy assured her.
They took the time for lunch there. After going through the gate they headed for Sadia's Shop. Molly happened to be in there.
"Hello Amy. What brings you here I'd think you would be in school?"
"We have permission Grandma. Rebecca here lost a lot of her things and we came here to replace them. Her robes and other clothing were amongst the things she lost," Amy said before Telling Molly and Sadia the entire story. Sadia immediately went to work within an hour Rebecca had a weeks worth of School Robes and Two sets of Dress Robes.
"How much are we talking Miss Archer since I haven't been to the vault yet?"
"Weasley Discount Rebecca," Sadia responded.
They then headed for the Apothecary so she could get some new phials and she also picked up a Healthy supply of various potions ingredients. Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts to finish replacing her books.
After they got done they went to a clothing shop so she could replace what clothes Sadia couldn't provide like socks and other things. They were just arriving back at the Leaky Cauldron when Molly walked up.
"I was starting work on my sweaters for this year and something told me to make one like this," Molly said holding a very nice Pale Yellow with Maroon trimmed sweater up. She held it against Rebecca.
"It does look like it would go wonderfully with you."
Rebecca decided to try it on. It even fit nicely.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Rebecca said.
They then headed for the Fireplace.
"Hagrid's Hut," Amy said. Rebecca followed her and they came out right in the Gamekeepers Cottage at Hogwarts.
"Blimey girls don't scare me like that," Hagrid said.
"Sorry Hagrid but we were out shopping and since it was almost time for Tea I decided to come straight here."
"Did you get everything?"
"I think so," Rebecca said.
Right then the rest of the gang including Harry showed up.
"I'm surprised you didn't make a weekend out of it."
"WE didn't need the entire weekend," Rebecca responded.
"How much time was spent at the joke shop?"
"The only family we saw was Grandma and Sadia. We didn't even take the time to stop and see Florean."
"Rebecca, our grandmother makes sweaters just like the one you have on," Tammie commented.
"I know in fact she had made this one," Rebecca said.
"Arthur, what's the record for a person being made an honorary Weasley?" Rubeus wondered.
"Let's see six days I think," Arthur responded. "In other words my dear cousin I think Rebecca holds the record."
During all this Rebecca had taken the time to try a few spells.
"Joshua, where is Leslie?"
"She is either in the Common Room or talking to her dad. She didn't feel like coming here."
"Oh."
As they were heading for dinner Rebecca signaled for Amy to wait up.
"Something up Rebecca?"
"Flying Lessons started yesterday and I could use some additional pointers."
"I'll help you out this weekend for a bit."
"Great," Rebecca said.
The next morning they met up in the common room after breakfast. Amy had her brooms in her hand.
"Looks like you are well prepared."
"Yeah I am," Amy said.
They went out onto the lawn between the castle and Hagrid's hut.
"So what model are we working with?"
"Well you have your choice of one battle worn Thunderstick or a Quasar."
"Whoa, you managed to get your hands on a Quasar. You yourself told me how expensive they are."
Madame Conway was watching the whole thing.
"How fast are they?"
"The Thunderstick is a little bit faster but I've had mine since I was Twelve."
"I'll give the Thunderstick a try."
"Grooming her to replace Blackwell and Vernon Amy?" Madame Conway wondered.
"I had requested a few additional pointers. After all I didn't do all that hot the other day," Rebecca admitted. "Being a half blood I mainly attended Muggle Schools and was only in the wizarding world periodically so I have very little broom experience."
"Maybe I should do a little extra work myself on things." Madame Conway said. She then went through the basic lesson with her on mounting and take-off. For that she had grabbed a Firebolt 5 from the shed. Amy had watched her work and managed to come up with a few pointers. After a bit Madame Conway had slipped into her office and grabbed the old Quidditch set and released a Bludger along with the Quaffle. Amy had managed to block the Quaffle but the best she could do was yell out whenever the Bludger got close.
"What was up with that one ball? It could have gotten us killed?" Rebecca wondered.
"If I'd known that she was going to release a Bludger I would have grabbed a couple of bats so we could send it off course. Trust me they can make a game of Quidditch really interesting."
"I bet how one can throw that one ball around while avoiding the blasted Bludger is beyond me."
"Here is the thing. During a game of Quidditch you have two Bludgers to avoid. Also only three players routinely are throwing the Quaffle which is the big ball. Those three are the chasers. The keeper has to Block the goal keep the other team from scoring. Two Beaters are in charge of keeping the Bludgers away from your team and close in to the other team. A few years ago The Team captain Josh Arnold and his counterpart loved to use a move known as a Doppler Defense on the other team and one time it caused the other teams Seeker to end up with a nasty concussion in fact he spent a couple months in a coma. The other team ended up Forfeiting since one of the Beaters was related to their seeker."
"Not good. Who was it against Slytherin?"
"No we tied against Slytherin that year it was against Hufflepuff."
Amy then finished explaining all the rules of Quidditch. They then made arrangements to fly a little each weekend. Amy was doing some research a short time later when she felt a couple hands go over her eyes. She couldn't resist taking a very slight nibble on one finger that had gotten too close to her mouth.
"Bloody Hell." A voice said in response to her little maneuver.
"Hi Marcus," Amy said when she turned around.
"Did you have to take a bite out of me?"
"You should have made sure you didn't have any fingers too close to my mouth."
"Sorry about that. How are you doing this year so far?"
"Well so far I've had some super hard classes to deal with plus one of my first year's had her trunk smashed to bits so she had to replace a lot of her belongings. I have a Quidditch Meeting on Monday in Madame Conway's room. That should prove interesting."
"It probably will. I see responsibility has taken its toll on Hogwarts resident Prank Mistress."
"Marcus, I what pulled two major pranks in my career. Charming Peeves not counting of course."
"That one you pulled your second year was certainly brilliant. Better then your attempt to change the aroma of the Potions Classroom."
"I succeeded in changing the aroma but I ended up getting the majority of it."
"Well those things happen."
"I just wish this year wasn't going to be so busy. I have the OWLS to prepare for and you have the NEWTS. Plus we both have Quidditch to worry about."
"I know, I was really hoping this year would be fairly pivotal being our last year until after you graduate."
"It probably will be Marcus but we will have to see what happens. I have a feeling this year will prove pivotal in that it will test how time can affect our relationship. It certainly passed the test of distance when I was in Tokyo and you were here."
"I know," Marcus said. "Then summer time we never see each other unless it's in Diagon Alley."
"I was there most days and I never saw you once. Of course you could have been there on a day I wasn't."
"Who were you out flying with earlier?"
"One of the First years wanted a few pointers so I gave her some. Of course Madame Conway had made it interesting by releasing a Bludger on us."
Amy spent most of the weekend on her homework. Monday Afternoon she walked into Transfiguration.
"Amy, have you started to prepare for the OWLS yet?"
"Maybe a little bit Professor."
"They are coming up in June after all."
"Talk about nutters it's the second week of school after all."
"Who knows maybe we will be lucky and She will end up taking another leave before the end of the year."
"The next person to say anything unkind about me will loose Gryffindor Twenty Five points," Hermione called out. "I'll have you all know I take the OWL's very seriously."
Amy's mind was on what they had covered in Transfiguration as she headed for Madame Conway's living quarters that evening. On one wall was a Board that had various Match Ups on it. The match-ups were G/S R/H R/S R/G H/S H/G Amy noticed that the dates hadn't been written down for the matches.
"Ah Amy you have arrived I see."
"That I have Madame Conway. Why aren't the dates for the matches down yet?"
"We will cover that during the meeting Miss Potter."
Fairly soon Marcus, Blackie Endicott, and Keiko Mayumi with Sarah Demenkus along arrived.
"OK Everyone let me first figure out who represents each house."
"I'm Amy Potter My dad is the Assistant Headmaster and I represent Gryffindor."
"I'm Marcus Flint Jr. I'm the Slytherin Captain and Keeper as Amy is the Keeper for her team."
"I'm Blackie Endicott the Hufflepuff Captain and I play Seeker."
"I'm Keiko Mayumi the Ravenclaw Co-Captain my position is Chaser."
"I'm Sarah Demenkus the other co-captain for Ravenclaw and I'm also a chaser."
"All we need now is a good beater," Blackie commented.
"OK First off we need to figure out the Schedule for the year. Keiko could you or Sarah explains why Ravenclaw has two captains."
"Well it's due to Keiko being a seventh year and she wanted to be captain but she didn't feel it was fair to the team with her being a seventh year so we chose a co-captain who likely would be around for a bit," Sarah explained.
"I see," Madame Conway said. "OK If the Captains for Gryffindor and Slytherin could get together and decide when to hold your match we can get started.
"Well this should prove interesting we get to decide when the first match of the year will be," Amy said.
"If Gryffindor/Slytherin is the first match of the Season then it will be a very compact season since I was thinking as a change of pace to postpone the match between our two houses until June," Marcus told her.
"When in June?" Amy wondered.
"How about the 14th?"
"Sounds workable. SO basically we would be closing the season instead of opening it."
"Looks that way," Marcus said.
"Well have you made a decision?"
"Yes we have Madame Conway we decided to schedule the Gryffindor Slytherin Match for June 14th," Amy reported.
"I see," She said. "OK Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff your next."
The debate took a while but they chose March 22nd.
"Hufflepuff Gryffindor."
"This will be interesting Traditionally Gryffindor plays Slytherin first."
"Well Marcus and I decided to break with Tradition. So what do you think October or April?"
"Not April," Blackie said.
"October then I take it."
"Sounds fair enough. Now for a date."
"Your choice I chose the possible months?"
"The Twelfth maybe."
"Sounds like a deal Blackie," Amy said. "Gryffindor Hufflepuff October 12th."
"Knuts," Sarah exclaimed. "I was hoping to snag Gryffindor as an opening Match."
"Ravenclaw, Slytherin."
In the end Ravenclaw Slytherin ended up December 14th.
"Gryffindor, Ravenclaw?"
"April and May are our only options?"
"The Thing with April is you have the Easter Holidays in there and it makes scheduling a challenge," Keiko pointed out.
"Easter Holidays start the 11th with the Train leaving at 10 from Hogsmeade Station. What if we scheduled it for the Fifth that way it would be a good way to get everyone in the Spirit for the Coming week," Amy said.
"The one thing I don't like about April is Ravenclaw has Matches already in December and March with no matches schedulable in January and February so that would mean Ravenclaw would have three matches in a row," Sarah pointed out. "Blackie, you and Marcus want to join us."
"Sure, Sarah," Blackie said as He and Marcus walked over.
After a bit the October 12th was changed so Gryffindor played Ravenclaw, December 12th became Hufflepuff Slytherin, March 22nd Gryffindor Hufflepuff. April 5th ended up Ravenclaw Slytherin, May 17th was when Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw would play and Gryffindor Slytherin still closed things out.
"That was not how I had expected to do it," Madame Conway said after everyone had broken from the mass huddle.
"Well we were trying to work it so a particular house wasn't playing three matches in a row. Therefore it basically required us to Huddle and negotiate a little. Also one house could have ended up with a long delay between matches," Amy told them.
"OK Tryouts, Who needs to replace what players. Gryffindor."
"We need two Chasers."
"Slytherin."
"WE need one Beater, a Chaser, and a new Seeker."
"Ravenclaw."
"Right now all we need is a new Keeper."
Hufflepuff."
"WE definitely need a new Beater but I'm not sure what else at this time we need. I'll have to get back to you."
"OK Tryouts for Gryffindor will be Saturday at 1PM on the Pitch. Slytherin Sunday started at 10am. Ravenclaw, if you think you can squeeze it in plan on starting at maybe 6PM the same Saturday as Gryffindor. Hufflepuff I'll get you scheduled soon as I know what your needs are."
"What is the situation with First year eligibility this year?" Blackie wondered.
"Same as every year Blackie. Unless they are really exceptional they are not allowed on the team," Madame Conway responded.
"We all know Amy played as a first year."
"She was exceptional though."
Amy after the meeting went right to the Common Room where she snagged Theo, Anna, Davis, and Julie.
"So what's up Amy?" Anna wondered.
"I just got back from a meeting to get everything scheduled for the Quidditch season. Tryouts are Saturday at 1PM for new players. Our first match is October 12th against Ravenclaw."
"When will we be playing Slytherin?"
"June as the season closer. Marcus and I decided that prior to a massive group huddle that the other captains and I underwent to fine tune the schedule."
"Why did the schedule need fine tuning?"
"Two Scenarios could have occurred since at the time we were scheduled to play Hufflepuff first and Ravenclaw would have been playing Slytherin in December, Hufflepuff in March and either us in April or May and if they had played us in April it would have meant they would have Three matches in a row and if they had played us in May it would have meant a huge gap between games which I didn't really want."
"In other words the whole process was one big madhouse. Remind me never to accept the role of Team Captain," Anna commented.
"Who knows you might get out of it. Depends on what happens," Amy said. "Technically Davis should be Captain but Madame Conway appointed me."
"I didn't want the position that's why Amy."
Amy then headed for bed knowing she had History the next morning.