Author's Notes: It's been some time but I really had no time to work on this. RL is just now slowing down that term is over and I'm soon entering my fourth and therefore final year of training.
The marks I got in the last report will appear in the final report so I had to push myself a little more than usual.
Once I gave up to try and find a sorting song for this one, I actually got along fine with this pesky chapter. It just didn't want to co-operate at first. ^_^ I envy all those here in Germany who have holidays ... I still need to work two more weeks before I get a three week break ...
I'm really excited about 'Halfblood Prince'. My version of book six will probably be complete AU now since I've gotten the main plot down already. It just needs to be put in words. ^_^ Enough of that, now onto Review responses and the next chapter ...
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Chapter 08 - Returning and Defence or New Student and Pixie Problems
Ginny continued with her strange behaviour over the next three weeks but the others still let her be and didn't pressure her if she asked to be left alone. Sirius and Remus were worried and questioned Molly about that.
She just told them that young girls sometimes were like that and told them not to worry too much. Harry, Draco, Carya and Hermione often played two on two Quidditch matches when Ginny locked herself in her room.
The four kids never noticed that Ginny sometimes watched them from her window. The girl didn't know what to do anymore. She wanted to be with her friends, wanted to love Draco but she still distanced herself from them more every day.
The weeks went by and soon they had to pack all their belongings. It was finally August 31st and tomorrow they would go back to Hogwarts. Since they hadn't heard from Dobby again they slowly forgot about the whole incident.
On their last evening even Ginny joined their happy round in the library. The children finally wanted to tell Sirius and Remus about their new abilities.
"Moony, Padfoot? Can you keep a secret? It's really important that you don't tell anyone! No one at all!" Harry started and the others looked at the two adults expectantly.
"Well I don't know what this is about but I promise that I won't tell if it's something not dangerous," Remus said while Sirius was looking at them questioningly.
"Eh, it's not that dangerous but still ... well I think we just have to try you, hm? And I believe that Padfoot simply forgot that we'd already told him about this once," Carya said and her godfathers nodded, watching the kids expectantly.
"Should we tell them or show them?" Draco asked suddenly.
"I think showing them would be the easiest way since we don't have to talk for that, eh?" Harry said and the others agreed.
Sirius and Remus were really curious now because the children did look proud and uncomfortable at the same time. They watched them intently when Carya began counting backwards from three to zero. Half a second later there were no children anymore but five animals.
In their places sat two black wolves, a red kneazle, a dark brown falcon and a silvery white ferret. Remus was gaping and Sirius opened and closed his mouth several times before he was able to utter a pathetic,
"How ...? Why ...? When ...?"
Wolf-Carya tilted her head a bit and then transformed back. The other's followed her example.
"Eh, the 'how' is simple, Padfoot. Just like everyone else. The 'why' should be obvious. For one it's kind of our parents legacy and for another it could come in handy while sneaking around in Hogwarts. The 'when' is a bit more complicated.
We, that is Harry, Ginny, Hermione and I, started training only a few days before we found you in summer last year just like we told you back then. Draco started around easter last year. The four of us finished around last christmas and Draco with our help this summer. Does that answer your question?" Carya asked.
Sirius remembered the four kids telling him at the 'Leaky Cauldron' and kept silent after that. Remus was torn between awe, pride and anger. They both were astonished that the kids had actually managed this at an age of thirteen though while the Marauders needed until fifth year to get it right.
They were also proud because they continued what their parents had started and they were angry because it had indeed been very dangerous. Remus finally settled on a short lecture how dangerous it had been and then let pride and awe take over.
"Could you transform again? I'd like to look at your forms more closely," he told them and the grinning kids just did that.
"I can't believe it. You're beautiful. It's a bit funny that Draco is a ferret but he's really cute. And I bet you'll use him for the same as we used the rat, eh?" Sirius teased, "And with a falcon and a kneazle around you'll have no problems at all.
I'm really astonished at your forms, Harry and Carya. Wolves, really, your parents were a stag and a tiger. They were easier to recognise than you. Only your eyes could give you away. The scars are those white patches of fur, right?
Well if one doesn't know who you are then they would be unable to recognise you. You all look quite natural. No explicit markings and such. That's very uncommon," Sirius continued and grinned proudly.
In fact none of them had any special markings that you could recognise them by. They seemed quite usual like Sirius himself apart from the eyes. Even Hermione's amber-brown eyes as a falcon were glowing unnaturally bright.
The kids changed back and the twins hugged their godfathers. Remus told them how proud he was of all of them too. Both adults promised on their honour as Marauders not to tell anyone. They just told the children to be careful when going into the forest.
Remus also warned them not to go into the forest during a full moon since there were still a few werewolves around. All in all it was a really pleasant evening and when they went to bed they all were quite happy, even Ginny.
The next morning came far too quickly in Harry's opinion. He hated mornings but got up anyway. Carya had already shrunken her belongings and was now carrying the case with her Firebolt downstairs. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Draco followed her example and met in the kitchen for breakfast.
They would floo to 'King's Cross' around half past ten so they would have enough time to chose a compartment since the train wouldn't leave before eleven. But things never go the way you want them to.
Fate wanted that they ran out of floo-powder and Sirius had to get some new first. At ten to eleven the children as well as the two adults met before the fireplace and one after the other floo-ed to the station.
Remus went first and Sirius was the last to arrive. The group quickly made their way to the entrance of 'Platform-Nine-and-Three-Quarters'. Sirius and Remus went through the barrier right after Ginny and Hermione to help the girls find a compartment. Draco, Carya and Harry were to go next.
They ran towards the barrier and crashed into the wall. All people turned their attention onto the children.
"Sorry, lost control of the trolley," Harry mumbled and they were left alone again.
"Damnit, what's wrong with that barrier? Why can't we get through?" whispered Carya furiously.
"I don't know," Draco said and put his hand on the wall, "It's blocked by something. We have to wait until Sirius and Remus find us."
"We can't. People are starting at us ... I have an idea!" Carya said and whistled softly.
A second later her raven sat on her shoulder. She scribbled something on a slip of parchment and gave it to her pet. It would bring the paper to Sirius while the children would leave towards the 'Leaky Cauldron'.
If Sirius and Remus didn't show up until the early afternoon they could always try and floo to the 'Three Broomsticks' in Hogsmeade. Draco had told them that it was possible but didn't explain how he knew.
The twins suspected it had something to do with his escape from Malfoy Manor but didn't ask him further. Outside the station they found a taxi that brought them to 'Charing Cross Road' and they walked the last part.
Thankfully they didn't wear their school robes. Only the uniform they usually wore underneath them. Soon they reached their destination and settled down in a corner from where they could see the fireplace as well as the entrance. No one showed up until four in the afternoon.
Just then the raven had reached the two adults. They had apparated back to Black Manor thinking that the twins and Draco had been on the train too. They were even more surprised when Carya's raven dropped onto the kitchen table.
The animal was totally exhausted and was barely able to stretch out it's leg for Sirius to untie the letter. His eyes widened at the contents.
'Dear Padfoot and Moony,
we hope this finds you in time. We have to tell you that someone or something blocked the barrier at 'King's Cross'. We couldn't get onto the platform and therefore aren't on the train.
Don't worry, we didn't try anything stupid but since people were looking strangely at us, we took a cab and probably are now at the 'Leaky Cauldron'. We'll wait as long as possible meaning until about four this afternoon.
If no one comes we'll try and floo to the 'Three Broomsticks' and walk up to the castle from there. Draco told us he knew the way. If we don't see each other again today we'll write first thing in the morning.
Love,
Carya, Harry and Draco'
Sirius gasped, looked at the clock and showed Remus the letter. Sirius and Remus immediately fire-talked to Dumbledore, telling him what the kids were doing. The headmaster informed Severus and the Potions Master went to the inn to retrieve his students.
Sirius threw some of the blue powder into the fire. "Professor Dumbledore's Office, Hogwarts!" he shouted.
"Hello Sirius, what can I do for you? Is something wrong? You look worried," Albus said.
Sirius couldn't answer so Remus took over, "Headmaster, we were kind of late this morning and hardly got to the station in time. It seems that Harry, Carya and Draco have missed the train because the barrier was somehow blocked and we didn't notice they weren't with us.
They wrote us a note, telling that they are currently at the 'Leaky Cauldron' and that they'll floo to Hogsmeade around four, which is now. Could you send someone to fetch them? We don't want them to run around out there alone," Remus told him and Dumbledore nodded.
"That I'll do, Remus. Don't worry. They'll be fine. Draco does know the way though and the twins don't panic that easily. I'll call you after the feast and let you know how they are," Albus replied and cancelled the connection.
He threw the same coloured powder into the fire and called, "Severus Snape's Office!"
"Yes Albus, what do you want?" Snape asked.
"Severus would you please go down to Rosmerta's and retrieve three of your students who have missed the train due to a blocked barrier at 'King's Cross'?" Albus asked.
"And you believed that? Nothing can block that barrier!" Severus said but didn't really believe what he was saying.
"Severus, I doubt, Mister and Miss Potter as well as Mister Malfoy would lie about this. If they couldn't get through the barrier then it might have indeed been blocked. They should arrive there within the next ten minutes. See you at the feast," the headmaster said and was gone.
Reluctantly Snape put on his cloak and left the castle towards Hogsmeade. Thankfully they were from his house and not from one of the other three.
Meanwhile the three children had floo-ed over to Hogsmeade and Draco had just rolled out of the fireplace. He was totally covered with soot and Carya laughed at him.
"Draco, you should see your face!" she teased.
"You're one to talk, here, take a mirror!" the boy shot back and then all three of them giggled.
Once they'd calmed down Harry did a quick cleaning charm over them and they headed outside. The kids looked around and the twins turned towards Draco.
"So, where to now? You said you knew the way," Harry said matter of factly.
"We've to go this direction!" Draco told them and they started walking.
Ten minutes later they saw someone coming down the road. Right into their direction. It took them a few seconds but they soon recognised their Head of House. And he seemed to be angry by the way he was walking.
The children wisely kept their mouths shut when he told them off for something they had no influence over.
~*~*~ Severus Snape POV ~*~*~
'Why me, why couldn't he send Hagrid or someone else. Perhaps Lockhart? Ugh, I still wonder where that idiot got the green hair. He didn't seem to be happy about that, quite the opposite. Could it be that they have something to do with it?' I mused and glanced at my students.
'They aren't looking at me. I know I was being unfair by telling them off like that. But firstly I have to keep up appearances and secondly it's their own fault they missed the train. Okay, perhaps not their own fault but it isn't mine either,' I thought.
They started whispering to each other but I still could hear what they were saying.
"You know, I wonder if Lockhart's hair is still green," Harry said.
"I'd hope so because I really dislike that idiot!" Draco added making a disgusted face.
I smiled inwardly, 'Good to know someone shares my opinion of that man.'
"It will, trust me. We met him on August 6th and now is only September 1st. That hex should at least last until the next weekend. ... Don't look at me like that. I don't make mistakes, understood? It will last a few days longer than today," Carya told the boys and looked actually hurt when they shot her doubtful looks.
'I really should have known. Only one person has the guts to pull such a thing in public - Carya Potter. If I ever wondered why she was in Slytherin here's the answer. I'd bet that no one except her and her friends know who exactly did that to Lockhart.
Now I can enjoy this even more. I still don't know why Dumbledore hired this person. Hell, Lupin or even Black would make better Defence teachers than him. Ah, here we are. Time for me to be the 'greasy git of a Potion's Master' the students know and love to hate.'
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get inside!" I told them and scowled menacingly.
They looked slightly shocked in Draco's case and furious in Carya's. But she quickly covered up that emotion and got her face back to neutral. Yes, she's definitely a Slytherin. Although I bet she didn't mean to let me hear her last comment. But I was shocked to say the least. No one, not even Albus had ever seen that.
~*~*~ End Severus Snape POV ~*~*~
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get inside!" Snape snapped at the kids and scowled darkly.
"Hmmpf, one would think he'd be a bit easier on us Slytherin's when no one's looking, eh? It's quite annoying sometimes to watch him scowl and yell at us while his eyes tell you 'Ha, I got you there and you're stupid enough to believe me.'
I've never seen anyone do that this convincing. Sirius is a good actor but Snape's an expert in that." Carya mumbled under her breath.
Severus was stunned. How could it be that this girl could look right through him when no one else could? He quickly left, thinking about her comment while the three children went right into the Great Hall and at down at their table.
Five minutes later the carriages with the other students stopped in front of the castle and the other students from second year upwards walked into the Hall. The worried looks vanished from Ginny's and Hermione's faces when they spotted the twins and Draco.
Carya mouthed 'tomorrow' towards Hermione while Harry and Draco said the same to Ginny who had reached her place opposite to Harry and next to Carya. A few minutes later McGonagall brought in the new first years.
With them was a girl that looked like a second or third year. A new student it seemed. She had fair skin and blonde hair. And she didn't wear a skirt, just like Carya. The nervous kids stopped in front of the Sorting Hat and nearly all of them jumped when it started talking.
One or two of them even yelped. Most Slytherin's and Gryffindor's just shook their heads at those.
/Probably Hufflepuff material, eh, Harry/ Carya thought.
/Right, my dear sister. I doubt they'll be Slytherin's. What about that older kid? The girl/ Harry asked back.
/Hm, dunno, her eyes look pretty much like Hermione did, so I'd say Ravenclaw. But no one ever knows just like with us and Ginny/ the girl answered her brother.
SORTING SONG
This could be your song, tell me if you have one that I can use!
Soon all the new first years had been sorted. To Harry's and Carya's annoyance there was yet another Creevey child. Colin Creevey had stalked them the whole last year until Carya had actually hexed him.
They both desperately hoped that Colin had told his brother Dennis what would happen if he started to annoy them. Just like his brother the boy had been sorted into Gryffindor. That had to be a bad omen.
Then the headmaster announced a transfer student from Beauxbatons. She was the next to be sorted, right after the new First Years. It was the same girl that had come into the Great Hall with the new Firsties.
"Attention please! I'd like to introduce a new student. She has been transferred to Hogwarts from 'Beauxbatons Academy of Magic'. She will be sorted now. Miss Kathrin Williams, would you please come up here and put on the Sorting Hat?" Dumbledore asked.
The blonde haired girl walked up towards the head table and sat on the stool. She didn't look the slightest bit nervous and seemed to be very self-confident.
'Ah, what do we have here? Don't like the attention you get, eh? Well, let's see ... you're loyal, yes, but also very smart. Oh and you don't mind studying hard for your personal goals ... I know where you ought to be ... RAVENCLAW!' the hat yelled out and Kathrin joined the cheering Ravenclaws at their table.
/See, I was right dear brother mine/ Carya said and grinned evilly at her brother.
Draco caught that look and raised an eyebrow. Harry leaned over and explained it to him.
The headmaster once again asked for their attention. The twins and Draco as well as Ginny and Hermione knew what was to come now. He would introduce their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. This would be fun.
"Now I'd like to announce an addition to our staff. As you all know we will have a new Defence Professor this year. Please welcome Professor Lockhart!" Dumbledore said and Lockhart was now the center of attention.
Who hadn't noticed his green hair before or read about that in the 'Daily Prophet' certainly did notice it now. Many students snickered slightly as did the whole Slytherin table. When Carya looked up at the head table she saw Snape and nudged her brother under the table.
"Psst, look at Snape! He's almost smiling. I bet he hates Lockhart just as much as we do!" she told her 'brothers'.
It was fairly obvious to everyone that Lockhart felt very uncomfortable. Dumbledore gave his annual start of the year speech and reminded everyone of the rules before telling them to tuck in. The feast was just as good as ever.
When it was time to go to bed they students were still amused about Lockhart. He had disappeared as soon as he could but some students would probably have the pleasure to see him teaching in that condition.
The twins, Draco, Ginny and Hermione hoped they'd be among those who had Defence on a Thursday or Friday just to see him with green hair. The twins and Draco were tired and went straight to bed this time.
The next morning was coming far too early as it always did. Harry and Draco would have loved to stay in bed a bit longer but since Slytherin's are never late unless it benefits them they were all in the Great Hall by the time the schedules were handed out.
Carya couldn't suppress a small sound of delight when she found out the times for their Defence lessons. Snape who was standing just a few feet away noticed that and saw the devious glint in her eyes.
He now knew that the green hair wasn't the last Lockhart would have to endure this year. And he was somewhat grateful for that. It would make bearing that idiot much easier. He also wouldn't tell Albus about who had turned Lockhart's hair green in the first place.
"Harry, Draco, Ginny, look at this. We get to see him two times with green hair! Today and tomorrow too!" she whispered. And I already have something else in mind for our 'beloved' Defence teacher," she said with an evil glint in her dark blue eyes.
Draco and Harry liked this look but only if they were on her side whenever she got it. This kind of look meant trouble and embarrassment for everyone that was her target - in this case it was Lockhart.
Whatever she had in mind it would be fun to watch. Today would be used to observe the man and next week, perhaps even tomorrow she would strike the first time. Hermione still thought that they should give him a chance but she should change her mind after today's lesson.
Hermione was currently talking to the new girl in her dorm - Kathrin Williams.
"Oh please Hermione, call me Cat. I don't want to be called Kathrin here. Had enough of that crap at Beauxbatons, really!" Kathrin said.
"Eh, okay. It's Cat then. But I'd ask you not to give me pet names, okay? I like my name just the way it is," Hermione answered unsure what to say.
She didn't tell that she'd allowed her friends to shorten her middle name from Melody to Mel sometimes that summer. She wanted to know more about the new girl at first.
"So, Cat, what do you think about Hogwarts, it's houses and the students in general?" she inquired politely.
"Hm, I don't really know any of the students so that will have to wait. I've heard about the house rivalry of course but that's just crap, really. Why condemn a whole house just because there had been one foul person in it, eh? In fact I know only one student here and he's a Slytherin," Cat said matter of factly.
"Really? May I ask who?" Hermione inquired curiously.
"Eh, o ... okay but don't tell anyone, promise? "Cat asked and Hermione nodded, "He's on the Quidditch Team and I met him in the summer. His name's Terence Higgs," Cat whispered into Hermione's ear.
Hermione looked at her disbelieving. She didn't know Terence that well but she knew he was a good looking guy who was one year above them. Suddenly she realised that Cat was blushing faintly.
That was indication enough for her that the new girl seemed to be quite attracted to the former Slytherin Seeker. Once breakfast was over Hermione dragged her new housemate over to her Slytherin friends and introduced her briefly.
"Hey guys, I want you to meet someone. This as you know is Kathrin but she prefers to be called Cat. I think we'll be good friends. Cat, these are my best friends. The blonde over there is Draco Malfoy, the red-head is Ginny Weasley and those two are Harry and Carya Potter," Hermione introduced them.
Cat raised an eyebrow when Hermione mentioned the twins names. She'd heard many things about the 'famous' twins. She was really curious how they really were although she thought that they would be very arrogant because of their fame. Little did she know that these two were the most mischievous kids right next to the Weasley twins.
"Hi, so you're the new one then. I hope you'll find friends easier than Hermione did. She'd quite some difficulties because most Ravenclaws always have their noses in books. Well after a little 'incident' we became really good friends, right Hermione?" Carya said and with her last sentence teased her friend.
Hermione blushed a bit when she thought back to that troll attack. These days she would have been able to fight it off alone but back then she had to rely on the help of others in such cases.
"Yeah, that's too true. But I don't regret it. One couldn't wish for better friends. Well, we must be off. The prefects are looking at us strangely. You know how the Ravenclaws are when it comes to rules," Hermione answered.
She and Cat walked towards the Ravenclaw Common Room.
"What did you mean by that thing with the rules and Ravenclaw, Hermione?" Cat asked curious.
"Eh, well I don't know how to tell this but most Ravenclaws stick to every single rule that is in the Student's Guide. I did so too in the beginning but since I know Harry and Carya, well ... I softened up a bit. You don't mind, do you?" Hermione queried slightly worried about Cat's reaction.
"Hell no! Rules are made to be broken! Okay, not all. Those that are necessary for survival shouldn't be broken, but the rest? I don't care that much about rules, really. Good to know you think in similar ways, Hermione.
I had feared you would be like your description of Ravenclaws when you started your explanation," Cat told her.
They soon reached the armour that guarded the entrance to the Ravenclaws Common Room. Hermione told the password and both girls went to their dorm to retrieve their books for today's classes.
Hermione had already decided she would drop her additional extra class, which was Care of Magical Creatures because it bored her to no end. That meant a free study period first thing on Wednesdays. They didn't meet Hermione's Slytherin friends again until they had Charms - one of their combined classes that day.
This too was the only class apart from Defence where they all would be together because Cat didn't have Ancient Runes and Latin but Divination and Muggle Studies instead and Hermione had already dropped out of Muggle Studies before the holidays had begun.
Cat would soon realise that the Potter twins were okay. She would find out how exactly they were on Friday during double Defence. But for now she just observed them, trying to figure out what Hermione had meant with 'couldn't find better friends than them'.
Charms was funny. They were learning the banishing Charm and had heard what the clumsy Longbottom from Gryffindor had done in first period. Naturally the professor was very careful to stay out of the way.
He never had those problems with this class. The Ravenclaw's were quite good at Charms and the Slytherin's had talent in this field too.
"My turn, Harry. Hand me that pillow, please," she said and Harry complied, "Here it goes ... 'Pello!'," she said and the pillow went flying towards the window but bounced of the wall next to it.
Carya grinned and her brother mirrored her expression. This was fairly easy since she had already mastered this spells 'Dark Version' in first year. Not many knew that she had used the 'Repello-Charm' on Ron Weasley in first year. They only had seen him flying out of the twins compartment.
Cat was slightly impressed how easy it seemed for them to complete this. She was fairly good at it herself but not that good. She watched Hermione who was just as successful as the twins or that Malfoy boy they were friends with.
'Hm, I have to admit they are good at Charms. Not that I would tell them, it would only blow their overgrown ego more than it already is. ... Perhaps I should give them a chance. Hermione seemed okay and she's their best friend after all,' Cat thought and almost missed the end of class.
Their next Period was Defence against the Dark Arts. No one knew what to expect. The twins, Ginny, Draco and Cat were disgusted by the looks on some of the girls faces. Even Pansy Parkinson and Padma Patil looked like that.
Hermione was indifferent. She had decided to give Lockhart a chance and that she would do. Although she knew he would have a hard time because of the twins. They were determined to make his teaching life a living hell.
Lockhart was late. The Ravenclaw's shook their heads. A teacher shouldn't be late. When he appeared he had hidden most of his hair under his wizard-hat and refused to take it off. Lockhart started talking but only those who liked him really listened.
He soon passed out a couple of parchments for a quick test. Most Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's looked at him as if he'd gone nuts. What kind of test was this?
"This will be a quick test to find out how well you have memorised my books," Lockhart said.
/Harry, what's this? Does he think we're that interested in his person? That's crap, I won't answer anything of this piece of shit. Good thing I didn't read any of his books/ Carya told her brother and he nodded. He leaned over and whispered to Draco when Lockhart turned his back on them for a second.
"Hey, Draco, I've an idea. This is an insult and he'll pay, just wait!" Harry told him quietly.
Carya and Hermione as well as Ginny caught the strange glint in Harry's eyes when he talked to Draco.
/What's on your mind, beloved brother mine/ the girl teased Harry.
/Wait, see and enjoy, oh impatient sister/ Harry answered and grinned at her.
Twenty minutes later Lockhart collected the tests and quickly looked through them.
"I'm disappointed. Hardly anyone of you remembered that my favourite colour is lilac. And only Miss Granger and Miss Patil know that it is my secret ambition to rid the world off all evil," he told the class shaking his head.
Harry, Ginny, Draco and Carya gaped at Hermione who only shrugged at them. They knew this was the Ravenclaw side of her. Even when she didn't like a teacher she did everything to be on top of class. That was the difference between them.
Unfortunately Harry didn't get to go through with his idea. Lockhart made the stupid decision to let loose a bunch of Cornish Pixies who had been held in a cage on his desk. The students soon realised that Lockhart didn't know what he was doing.
Hermione did too and agreed with her friends opinion of that man. The class wasn't that successful in dealing with those creatures and Lockhart preferred to leave them to clean up the mess. The friends were by far the most successful and a few moments later the bell sounded.
Most students fled the classroom as soon as they could. Much to Carya's annoyance Lockhart had the guts to tell them what to do.
"Well, you six round them up and put them back to their cage. I have some business to attend to," he said and swept out of the room without awaiting an answer.
"I can't believe this idiot," Carya said while stunning one of the pixies, "First he lets these loose on us, then he has no idea how to deal with them and last but not least he tells us to remove the mess he made," she growled emphasising some of the words with a bit of venom.
"I hate him. He's not only an idiot but completely incompetent. Whose idea was it to let someone like that teach children?" added Draco.
Cat helped them as good as she could and gained a new respect for the twins. They really did know what they were doing and they knew some spells she had never ever heard of before. Five minutes later all pixies were back in the cage and Harry told them what he thought of this.
"I swear Ill hex him tomorrow. This was the last straw. First he drags me up that podium in Diagon Alley against my will and then he believes he can give me advice! Only Sirius and Remus are allowed to do that.
They are my godfathers after all. Lockhart will pay for this, that I can promise you. You can't imagine how much I dislike that man!" Harry stated on their way out.
Cat had to hurry because she was already late for Divination. Carya noticed and told her something most Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's who took Divination knew.
"Hey, Cat! There's a shortcut by the portrait of Uric the Oddball. Just go left right after you passed him and you'll be at Trelawney's classroom in no time. And it's not a trick. Most of Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's Divination students use that passage!" she shouted after her.
While running Cat thought about that. Should she risk it? Well she was already late and it didn't matter if it was a few more minutes, did it? She decided for once to trust a stranger and went through the passage Carya had mentioned.
To her surprise she arrived at the foot of the Professor's tower only moments later. And all the students were still waiting at the foot of Trelawney's tower.
"I see someone told you where the passage is. Sorry we didn't stay behind but those pixies were awful. They messed up my hair and I had to fix it before class," Padma stated.
Cat was a bit angry by that. This stupid girl had left to fix her bloody hair instead of helping her fellow Ravenclaws. She shook her head and the trapdoor above them opened. A stepladder fell down and the students climbed into the tower.
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Please Read and Review,
Carya
2005-06-30