Disclaimer: It all belongs to Jo Rowling, as you should very well know by now. Power to the Gryffindors!
A/N: Well, here we are. Chapter three. Don't you just love minor characters? Susan and her family are my obsession. They are just awesome! I love her fiesty spirit, and it was fun to bring her to life. Finally, Hogwarts gets realistic... come on, don't tell me you and your friends never bet on anything before... Oh, and I don't know if anyone in Britain actually says, "B.S.!" However, we use the phrase a lot here, and it felt natural for her to say. If you have any other suggestions, by all means share them... perhaps in the form of a review? Hint hint? Hee... you can never have too many reviews! Thanks!
Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchley were in a heated debate when Hannah and Ernie found them aboard the Hogwarts Express.
"The Death Eaters could be anywhere, you dolt! 'Dya honestly believe that they'll take a break because school's starting?" Susan was hollering with a look of total disbelief oh her face, which was deeply flushed. Hannah grinned as she sat down next to her, choosing to observe rather than join in for the moment.
"They haven't done anything all summer!" Justin returned in outrage.
"Except break out of Azkaban again," countered Susan defensively.
Justin waved this aside with his hand and said, "But there weren't really guards; you know what I mean, no one's been killed or kidnapped or anything."
Susan gave a shrill laugh, staring at Justin incredilously. "Are you so naïve as to believe that everything that happens is reported in the Prophet? Last year is MORE than enough proof that that publication is total b.s.! What, it IS!" she cried in response to Ernie's laughter.
"And to think, I used to consider you shy and quiet," the prefect said, chuckling. Hannah shook her head, laughing as well. Susan Bones was the group newcomer, but Hannah had gotten to know her fairly well over their fifth year, largely due to the D.A.. The girl had quite a fiesty spirit, and she possessed a stubborness to rival Ernie's ego. Susan was the House debate champion, though Hannah couldn't understand how a person could argue for fun. Susan got great joy out of debating, and Hannah always backed off when she got that manic glint in her eye. A dangerous smile was playing on Susan's lips, and words were spilling out of her mouth at an amazing rate.
"Not everything goes to the paper, honestly. My Aunt works in the Ministy, as you very well know, and there's a lot of funny stuff going on that keeps getting traced back to known Death Eaters. Without the dementors to guard Azkaban, the Ministry won't be able to contain anybody they catch, especially with this whole power shift and everything. These people are like the ultimate in power, and there's nothing we can do about it!" Susan threw up her hands in frustration; the mere thought of it was painful for her.
"Well, if its any comfort to you, Harry wants to start the D.A. back up again," Hannah said in hopes of calming and comforting her friend. Susan always got worked up in thinking about the Death Eaters because her Uncle and his entire family were killed for their efforts in the most recent war.
"But why--" started Justin, but Ernie headed him off.
"Just in case. And apparently Harry needs it, according to Hermione, though I haven't got a clue what she meant by that."
Hannah shrugged; she was at a loss as well. "She and Ron made it sound like something happened to Harry over the summer," she commented, crinkling her brow as she attempted to recall the actual conversation.
"Hmm, no clue; Auntie's said next to nothing about him recently," said Susan, seeming determined to move to a different topic. Hannah stared at her inquisitively; she could always tell when Susan was trying to hide something.
"Speaking of Hermione," Ernie piped suddenly, "Are she and Ron going out?
"I dunno," said Justin, brightening. "They look pretty close."
Susan frowned. "But they're always fighting," she commented.
"True," agreed Justin, "But what if its like... I dunno... like flirting?"
Hannah shrugged. "I thought they were going out last year, so shows what I know."
"Well, I think this calls for a bet," said Susan matter-of-factly, mischeif playing in her smile.
Justin laughed and dug a coin out his pocket. "Galleons in," he commanded cheerfully. "Give 'em to me if you think they are going out already."
As Hannah passed him one of her last coins, Ernie said hesitantly, "I don't know about this."
"Come on, Macmillan," encouraged Susan. "Make it an even split; there's no way they've already started going out."
Ernie flipped the galleon over in his hands several times before handing it wistfully over to Justin. Susan began to complain in mock offense and stuck her tongue out at them teasingly. Justin smacked her playfully on her arm and then leaned over to look out the window. "Ah, we're here. Finally, I'm starved," he added, and his stomach grumbled as if to emphasize the statement. Hannah laughed appreciatively and told the others to hurry so that they could all ride together. The train pulled to a stop and the Hufflepuffs rushed through the throng of students to find an empty carriage to take them up to the castle.
All of the returning students milled about the great hall, greeting old friends and marveling once again at the Enchanted ceiling, which was a brilliant shade of blue. Hannah, Susan, Justin, and Ernie found seats together between a group of fourth years and Zacharias Smith and his Quidditch buddies at the Hufflepuff table. They were just discussing how hungry they were when the new first years filed in, trembling anxiously.
Hannah sighed with honest delight, remembering her own Sorting fondly. She had been terrified, of course, her pigtails quivering in a mix of excitement and apprehension. Hannah had spent a moment silently cursing her father for having a last name starting with the letter "A", which meant that she had to go first. As she clambered onto the stool, Hannah had shut her eyes as tight as she could, and the hat began to whisper in her ear. "Loyal... hard working... determined... without a doubt a HUFFLEPUFF!"
Hannah shook her head to dispel these memories so that she could pay attention to the hat, which was now finishing its song about the four Houses that made up Hogwarts. While it had issued warnings about inter- House unity the previous year, the hat chose to stick with the traditional descriptions of the Houses for the time being. Hannah clapped appreciatively as two small girls were Sorted into Hufflepuff and then allowed her attention to drift, examining the different hairstyles of her classmates and trying to determine who were and weren't going out. After a few minutes, she realized Dumbledore had started his start-of-term speech, so she tried to focus on his words, wishing desperately for the actual feast to begin.
"Another year is upon us, and it is my duty to address you with words of welcome. So—welcome, greetings, and fondest salutations! We have a few important notes to go over, but have no fear, you'll get your marvelous feast in a moment. First, all students need to remember that the Forbidden forest is, as its name suggests, Forbidden, so please do not stray towards its bounds. You are also reminded not to use magic in the corridors, lest your Houses lose valuable points. Quidditch tryouts will be next Monday, and, as a final note, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. It is my great privelege to introduce to you Professor Vance. Thank you, professor. And now, let us eat!"
Hannah smiled in satisfaction as the plates before her filled with food; the hall was full of gasps from the new first years who were not accustomed to such magical occurrences. Justin immediately stuffed a warm buttered roll into his mouth, but Ernie and Susan were both still staring at the staff table. "Another woman, huh?" Ernie commented thoughtfully. Susan was watching the older witch intently. "She doesn't seem too bad," she murmured, turning back to her friends. "Though I think I've heard the name before," she added.
Hannah shrugged and took a small bite of potato. "So what 'dya reckon? I doubt she'll last."
"What, with the curse and all?" chimed Justin. "Oh, she'll never make it. Not in a million years. We've never had a teacher lasted more'n a year," he added, his mouth full.
Ernie, however, had taken a great interest in the new professor. "Don't underestimate her. Maybe she'll hold out longer than the rest."
Hannah looked over at Ernie's plate and tapped on it. "Stop talking," she ordered, "I don't want to hear another word out of you until you've eaten like the rest of us." Justin sniggered heartily into his goblet but refrained from comment.
"I agree with Ernie on this one," commented Susan, taking a bite of green beans. "She looks like she can take it."
Hannah noticed that Susan was starting to look mischevious and sighed. "Oh no, Susan, I'm down to my last three galleons, and I was saving them for the first Hogsmeade trip. Can't we just bet sickles or something?"
Justin shook his head and laughed. "No way, Botty. We play all or nothing. Send an owl home begging for more money if you feel the need, but you're not pulling out on us."
"But—we're prefects!" protested Ernie weakly.
"And neither of you have been as much fun since," countered Justin cooly.
"Besides, it didn't stop you earlier," added Susan, not missing a beat. "Now, hand 'em over. I'll hold on to these."
"Lose them and suffer," muttered Hannah as she handed over the golden coin.
"Betting, are we?" came a bright voice from a few seats over, where Zacharias Smith was grinning stupidly.
"Damn right, Z, so if you're smart, you'll pass over your galleon," said Susan casually without looking up. Hannah was amazed sometimes at how blunt Susan could be sometimes; she supposed it stemmed from the fact that Susan had hung out with the Quidditch players during her first few years at Hogwarts.
"What on?" asked Zacharias delightedly.
"New Defense teacher and the famous curse," Justin answered swiftly.
"Oh, I'm in," Zacharias said. "She'll never make it," he added breezily, tossing Susan a shiny new galleon.
"Oh, Zach," called Hannah, remembering her earlier conversation on the train. "The D.A.'s back on, we'll pass on info as we get it."
The tall Hufflepuff shrugged but said, "Cool. Just lemme know," before turning back to his athletic friends, most of which were seventh years.
Hannah returned her focus to her plate, and the conversation shifted to O.W.L. results. Dinner finished without incident, and Ernie and Hannah assisted in herding the new first years back to their common room. The fifth year prefects were in front and called out the password for the whole group to hear. "Pumpkin Juice!" A few first year girls tittered nervously, and within minutes, the common room was filled to capacity with chattering students. Hannah's favorite couch was taken, so the group retreated to a well-lit corner where they played a few rounds of exploding snap before bed. Ernie was the first to quit, claiming he'd fall asleep in class if he didn't go to bed soon, and Justin followed not long after. The girls moved to a now deserted sofa and talked for quite a while longer; Susan was a night owl and had no issue staying up into the wee hours of the morning, but Hannah was sufficiently exhausted by 1:00 when they finally retreated to their beds.
Right before Hannah had lost all conciousness, Susan asked her in a whisper, "What's up with you and Ernie?"
"Nothing," replied Hannah with a yawn, but she couldn't help thinking, not yet. Susan laughed and muttered something that sounded vaguely like, "Prefect love," and Hannah blushed. She fell asleep with the largest of grins on her face, and awoke the next morning in an exceptionally good mood.