Chapter 11

McGonagall's Insight and the Imperious Curse

Everybody on the Hogwarts Express was abuzz with "What the heck is happening?" and "Why do we need dress robes?" and the occasional "Who's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher going to be?" But I wasn't as inquisitive, because I knew Dumbledore would explain soon enough.

And sure enough, as soon as the first years had been sorted, Dumbledore began to announce an event taking place at Hogwarts, when Moody came in. Moody was to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. "Well…dad'll be happy. He's old pals with Moody," muttered George. Shortly, Dumbledore announced that the Triwizard Tournament would be taking place at Hogwarts.

Fred and George were ecstatic…until Dumbledore announced that there would be an age limit-17 years old by Halloween. "No way! I'm still going for it!" growled Fred.

"Somehow, I doubt that'll work," I said.

"Shut up. We're still gonna try," George muttered.

"I know, but don't expect me to have faith in you," I retorted.

"I don't," said Fred.

With that, we walked up to our dormitories. As I changed into my pajamas, I got to thinking, "If Fred and George find out how to get their names in, and it works, I just might try it. We need a female face to represent the wizarding world."

Fred and George told me the next day that they planned to use an Aging Potion to get past whatever it is. "Well, it takes a while to brew, but I'll try and have it for you as soon as possible," I told them, thinking, "This isn't gonna work."

McGonagall started distributing schedules at breakfast, making sure we had enough OWLs to continue with our classes. She went through half the line before catching a hitch. Fred. "I was always under the impression that you did better in some of these classes that OWLs show," she stated, with a twinkle in her eye. "But I'll be happy to let you into Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms."

"Same to you Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said knowingly to George. "Practically top of his class in some of the OWLs he failed. But you still finished on top in Transfiguration and Charms. And Professor Moody will be glad to let you into Defense Against the Dark Arts with Exceeds Expectations."

"Ahh…Paige Summer," mused McGonagall. "I'm guessing you want to continue with Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Arithmancy?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You're clear. Here's your schedule and the note from Professor Dumbledore."

I quirked an eyebrow then ran along to catch up with Fred and George. "I'm supposed to meet Dumbledore in his office at 8:00. I wonder what that's all about."

"Dunno. But you won't get to help us sell Canary Creams tomorrow!" figured George.

"I'll help you tonight. But anyway…how many free periods do you have?"

"Four today…we've even got full days free!" exclaimed Fred.

"I've got three every day. One now…after break…and after lunch. This'll be great!"

"Time to work on products and sell…all in the same day," dreamed Fred.

We headed to the common room to sell Canary Creams. "15 Galleons!" exclaimed George, right before I rushed off to Potions. "We can start working on fake wands!"

When I got to the Potions dungeon, I was greeted by Cedric Diggory. "Turns out you're the only sixth-year to want to and be able to continue with Potions, and I'm the only seventh year in the same scenario. Snape decided to combine our classes, because he says it's stupid to teach two classes of only one student."

Just then, Snape came out of his office and told us to complete the Draught of Living Death. By the end of the class, both Cedric and I had produced ah-mazing draughts, but I do have to say mine was a bit better than his. "You have both produced satisfactory potions, yet the Auror has out performed the Healer," murmured Snape.

As Cedric and I left, we talked about the ever-popular subject of careers. "A Healer…so you'll be taking…"

"Potions, Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And you'll be taking…"

"The same…except Arithmancy instead of Herbology. But I'd also like to be a Curse-Breaker."

"Wow! Two careers! Is there anything this woman can't do?"

"Yes…I can't pass History of Magic. But I only want one of the two careers; I just don't know which one yet."

By then we had reached a fork in the hallway, and each of us needed to take a different fork. "See you Wednesday!" we both said at the same time, laughed, and went our separate ways.

In Charms, Fred and George wanted to know immediately who was in my Potions class. "Just Cedric Diggory."

"Pretty Boy?"

"He's nice."

"He's gonna start drooling in your cauldron."

"Oh, yeah. He'll be real attracted to me. The only time he really sees me, I'm sweating all the time, my hair is in disarray, and I smell bad."

"He'll find it sexy."

"And you're a Quidditch player."

"No I'm not."

"You're a coach."

"He'll be asking you to 'coach' him sometime soon."

"Will you guys just shut up? We're learning a non-verbal spell."

The argument about whether or not Cedric found my sweat sexy continued through Transfiguration and the rest of the day. It continued all the way into Defense Against the Dark Arts, but when Moody entered the room, it suddenly stopped. (Not much can stop Fred and George from being over protective.)

Moody showed us the Unforgivable Curses on the spiders, and then decided to perform them on each of us. Nobody was able to throw it off, until George, who partially threw it off on his first try, and completely off on his fourth. Fred was able to partially throw off the curse, and then completely on his third try. Lastly, I was up. I completely threw off the curse after just a couple of seconds.

"I can normally throw it off faster than that," I muttered apologetically. "Normally?" inquired Moody.

"Since I was five, Lu- somebody has put the curse on me. I was able to throw it off by age nine, and very quickly since thirteen. But the curse hasn't been put on me since then," I explained.

"Interesting, very interesting," mused Moody, as he dismissed us.

I was supposed to meet Dumbledore that evening, but McGonagall told me at dinner that he wouldn't be able to see me. I didn't really understand, but listened, because Dumbledore always has a reason for everything.

Lessons continued to be interesting, yet extremely challenging, in all subjects. To the dismay of my bodyguards (aka Gred and Forge…aka Fred and George), Cedric and I became really good friends. The Aging Potion was coming along nicely, and everything seemed to be going great. I couldn't wait for the day that Fred or George would become the Hogwarts champion…if they could get past Dumbledore's Age Line.

A/N: Paige is so naïve/oblivious. But that's why I love her! More overprotectiveness and Cedric/Paige romance to come!