A/N: Okay so I said that the plot began this chapter. I lied! Hehe!
Looking In
Rated: Pg-13
By: Handsofftheshinyshirtitsmine Co Author: Cassie
Chapter 2
"That's our school." Hermione said, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Cassie and Dee stared at the castle looming before them their jaws slightly slack. Neither had ever seen a building as grand or imposing as Hogwarts in their rural New York home, and were more that a little subdued in its presence.
"Whoa." Cassie murmured, barley audible over a distant voice shouting "Firs' years over here!" Dee nodded, and she looked up at the top of the highest tower. "Its amazing..." She commented to no one in particular in an awed, breathy tone.
"Look, we have to go inside," Harry told the girls, motioning towards a group of horse-less carriages that were nearby.
"Alright" Dee replied. "But where should we go?" All heads swiveled towards Hermione, who had already demonstrated a know-it-all attitude worse even that Dee's.
"The cave..." She said thoughtfully "...the big one in the forbidden forest."
"What cave?" Ron asked.
"You guys have never been there. Its my refuge, its not far from the castle." Hermione replied hurriedly. "Get in our carriage and hide outside the castle. During dinner I'll come show you the way."
The small group hurried towards the nearest carriage.
"A cave" Cassie whispered to Dee. Being the girly-girl that she was the thought of staying in a cave in the middle of a forest dubbed "forbidden" was a bit more that Cassie could handle.
"I know!" Dee nodded, loving their adventure more with each passing moment. They piled into the carriage, and settled down among Ron, Harry, and Hermione in rather cramped quarters.
"Umm, how do these carriages move?" Cassie asked as they began to lurch forward.
"They're pulled." Harry responded. The blonde girl and her friend looked out the small window and then turned back.
"By what?" Dee hissed. "Magic?"
"No, it's an extremely long story." Ron said as the carriage began to slow.
"We'll explain it soon." Hermione promised. She then opened the door.
"For now, hide by those bushes!" She pointed out the door and then ushered Dee and Cassie out of the carriages. I'll be out soon."
Dee and Cassie slipped past the horde of students swarming towards the door, hurrying into the bushes.
"Ouch, Dee that was my foot! Cassie hissed.
"Sorry, branch was poking my leg." Dee apologized, clambering by Cassie and kneeling down beside her. The two remained cramped in the space, cold and weary, for what seemed like an eternity before they heard Hermione come out.
Dee...? Cassie...?" She called softly, making her way around the corner.
"Over here!" Dee replied, standing up and waving her arms. Hermione smiled and looked about quickly.
"C'mon!" She said, her manner more relaxed. "I have to be back in a few minutes." Dee and Cassie climbed out of the bushes and jogged over to meet Hermione lugging their bags. "Its not that far. One of us will come see you a few times a day, and we'll try to sneak you up to the common room or the showers now and then." She said as they walked quickly toward a forest looming a short ways away. "We'll bring you food and blankets and such by tomorrow night." She smiled kindly at them.
"Its really nice of you to do that. Dee commented.
"Won't we have blankets tonight?" Cassie worried aloud. They had just entered the forest, and Cassie was feeling chilled.
"Probably not, unless Ron and Harry bring them to you. I have duties that I have to tend to." Hermione responded. She had lit her wand so that they could see where they were headed, and they could vaguely see the outline of a dark cave ahead.
As they inched towards the cave, Cassie began to whimper. "Here are." Hermione said, ushering Cassie and Dee into the cave. "Either Harry or Ron will come back tonight or we'll all came tomorrow." She continued. Dee nodded. "Thank you." She replied. Cassie lingered near the mouth of the structure, continuing to whimper. Hermione lit a torch painted in the ground with the flame from her wand, and then smiled.
I'll see you tomorrow then." She said tom them, and she walked slowly away.
"This is... uhh... cozy." Dee commented, settling herself down on a rock after brushing the dirt from it. Cassie stared out the forest, her whimpering now ceased, and she was entirely quiet. Dee gave up the attempting to start a conversation, and fell into silence. The two passed the time looking in different directions, listening to the flame of the torch as it crackled, and the bugs as they chirped, each deep in their own mind.
"Someone is coming." Cassie whispered suddenly after a long while. Dee looked up from her converse sneakers as Cassie hurried away from the entrance.
"Do you think its Ron and Harry?" Dee asked. "Should we put out the fire?"
"No. Don't put it out. Its us" Harry's familiar voice rang out as her entered the cave, followed closely by Ron. Both carried pillows, blankets, and a bundle that the girls assumed contained food.
"Oh, blankets!" Cassie moaned, and she practically fell onto Harry in her excitement to see the supplies. Ron made his way over to Dee and knelt down beside her, handing her some of the many thinks pile din his arms.
"Sorry it took so long." He muttered. She merely smiled at him.
"Thank you." Cassie said, wrapping up in her blanket.
"Its very nice of you to bring us these things." Dee said, also covering herself with a blanket.
"Its nothing." Harry replied smiling at Cassie. Ron nodded; still not looking away from Dee.
"Are you guys going to stay awhile?" Cassie inquired, not thinking the thought of being in the cave without them.
"We can stay a little while." Ron said. Cassie let out a sigh of relief, and Dee giggled, knowing what Cassie was thinking. Ron and Harry settled themselves on the floor and huddled in a couple of the blankets they had brought.
"So how long have you guys been going to this school?" Dee inquired as she placed a pillow on the rock in an attempt to get more comfortable. Cassie shivered and pulled the blanket tighter to herself. Noting his Harry wrapped his arms about her.
"Since we were eleven." Ron finally answered. He continued to look at Dee, and she fidgeted a bit uncomfortable under his gaze.
"So when do you get out?" Cassie asked, relaxing as she warmed. Harry grinned. "Next year is out last year." He replied.
"This year is ours." Dee commented sadly, and Cassie nodded.
The four remained grouped together talking and laughing for several hours, before Harry stretched and yawned.
"We really should get back. We're going to get caught." He managed. Cassie's face fell and she moved a bit closer to him.
"So, umm, where are we going to sleep?" She piped, looking across at Dee, who looked tired but content.
"On the floor?" Ron suggested. Cassie whimpered a moment until Harry began to talk again.
"Maybe we can come up with something by tomorrow." He though aloud. Cassie grinned. "Thanks." She watched his as he stood, and then sighed. Ron too, stood, and abruptly kissed Dee on the cheek. She blushed furiously and waved feebly.
"Bye." Harry said as the two boys left the cave.
"He kissed you!" Cassie hissed excitedly to her stunned friend. Dee stared blankly ahead, her mouth agape. "Dee!" Cassie prompted, still earning her no response. "Dee!" She said again. She knelt down and looked into Dee's unblinking eyes. "Hello!" Irritated, she smacked Dee swiftly upside the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Dee yelped, snapping from her entranced state.
"Nothing, never mind." Cassie replied, knowing it not best to attempt to make conversation.
