Sisters Separated by House
Chapter 1: That Fateful Day
"What the hell is this?"
"Let's just deal with it together – we've got to get used to the idea."
"Fine. Let's just get through this bloody task."
"Ladies, I am thoroughly unamused by your latest round of antics. This is a classroom, not a zoo, so stop trying to make it into a menagerie," Professor McGonagall grabbed two young female students by the scruffs of their robes and dragged them out the classroom door and into the hall. Once there, she dropped the girls untidily onto their behinds. "I have tried to get through to the two of you, but you insist on carrying your house animosity into my lessons. I believe Professor Dumbledore is already expecting you in his office. I want you to march up there, hand in hand, and don't forget your candy store inventory."
"Yes, Professor," the taller of the two girls replied with false meekness, reaching for the black and green-robed girl's hand.
"And remember, Ms. Ianevski, any broken fingers will count against Gryffindor in the House Cup," Professor McGonagall glared at the crimson and gold robed girl.
"Ah, bloody hell," the girl muttered.
"Watch your language, little miss."
The green-eyed girl began to snicker.
"Fifteen points," McGonagall began… the redhead began to snicker as her blonde rival stopped in her tracks.
"… Will be taken from both Gryffindor and Slytherin houses."
"Bloody hell!" the girls shrieked together, the turned to eye each other; blue eyes met green, "This is all your fault!"
"Mudblood!"
"Deatheater!"
A voice floated into the girls ears, "My office, now, ladies… and I do believe that I am in the mood for chocolates…"
As the girls trudged up the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office, the blonde stopped abruptly and held the other girl up.
"Come on now, what's your get? The headmaster's waitin' on us, and I don't want any more detention than needful," the taller one complained.
"I'm no Deatheater."
"Sure, MacGarry, no more than I'm a real wizard, right?"
"Listen up you half-muggle mongrel, I come from one of the finest, oldest lines in wizardry. There are no Deatheaters in my family, and I'll surely not be the one to start a trend."
"I don't want to hear the cover story. We're here. Now what did he say he wanted?"
"Chocolate frog."
The door slid open, revealing the final stairs that would lead the pair to the Headmaster's office. MacGarry started to mount them, but was held back by Ianevski. MacGarry stopped and frowned down at her companion.
"What now? Are you afraid that Dumbledore's famous patience for half-wits, giant orphans, and mudbloods has finally run out?"
"No, but you should probably be afraid of his intolerance of prejudice against muggles and the muggle-born."
"Oh and why's that? He standing right behind me, is he? Or could it be that you got some of your Gryffindor muscle to protect you from one lone Slytherin?"
"I'd say, for both of you, time and luck have run out."
"I can't believe that you two are here in my office again. And from Professor McGonagall's class, no less. I hate to say it, but I have truly lost my patience with the two of you. You have so much potential, you're the top of your year in your Houses – if you would stop sniping at each other long enough to see yourselves, you'd see how ridiculous it makes you look," Professor Dumbledore spoke quietly at first, his voice rising slowly with every word as he watched the two girls.
"Yeah, well, next year, we'll be sure to be in separate classes, so you won't need to worry over us any more," the Gryffindor replied. The Slytherin nodded as well.
"No, ladies, I do not believe that will solve your problem. Besides, I think that time together is just what two little prima donnas like you two need, Brenna. I think that both Gryffindor and Slytherin Houses will benefit from your joint efforts, don't you think, Andrea?" Professor Dumbledore said.
Andrea turns to Brenna, "You had to open your mouth, didn't you, ya filthy mudblood!"
"Piss off, Deatheater!"
"Half-blood mongrel!"
Professor Dumbledore slammed his hands down on his huge wooden desk, "ENOUGH! The two of you WILL get along, so help all of us. Because you have refused to work things out on your own, I have a special assignment for you to complete together."
"What? Professor, with all due respect –"
"Brenna, stop. You have shown little respect for the staff and your own House in continuing this feud with Andrea. Few first years have ever managed to lose as many points for their Houses as the two of you have in the first two months of term! So listen carefully, you two, as this assignment could possibly decide if you be allowed to return to Hogwart's for your second year. You will spend Saturday and Sunday getting to know one another, helping each other with your homework, and finding out your strengths and weaknesses. Not only will you be together, you will begin keeping a joint diary – that I may peruse, if I see fit, so you had best make things work. You will not associate with your Houses on those two days, you will have minimal contact with students from either of the other two Houses, and as for sleeping arrangements, Professor McGonagall has kindly offered to let the two of you sleep in the entry room to her quarters," Professor Dumbledore's eyes bored into the girls.
"Is that all? Can we go now?" Andrea was tired of the lecture, and it showed.
"Almost, my dears. You will continue this diary at my direction until the end of term. Get used to one another, because you will be helping each other in each of your classes, strength or weakness," Dumbledore finally sat down.
Brenna stood up, "Oh, like that'll do anything. We'll get through this and have done with each other before you know it."
Andrea looked at Brenna, "Are you so sure? This sounds like a pain to me."
"Have off. Let's go get what we need so we can finish this fool's errand."
"Ladies that will be unnecessary. Your things have been moved to Professor McGonagall's rooms already, and your evening meal awaits you there," Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Have fun, you two."
Brenna and Andrea looked at each other, turned to the door, and left to go to their temporary lodgings in the teacher's wing.
Diary Entry 1: Andrea (Friday)
Friday night. Not much doing… I'm writing here simply because I've no idea if or when this will be checked.
And I surely want my entries to be apparent. Not like she'll keep up with her entries. I'm surprised she can even write.
Let me lay this out straight: this is an assignment, so I'll do it. Maybe even learn enough about the mudblood to use it against her in the end. Just kidding… maybe. Let's see if she pisses me off.
I am a Slytherin, I shouldn't have to get along with a Gryffindor, and a mudblood at that. I do, however, have to stay at Hogwart's, because Beaubatons would drive me nuts, so this assignment is it for me.
I have what I need, I just have to get through this weekend without trying to kill Ianevski… or make it look like an accident.
Oh, she wants the diary now. Best leave enough space on the page for her scratching.
Diary Entry 1: Brenna (Friday)
Finally. Got the damn book from her. You'd think she was writing a bestseller, you would, if you'd seen with the thing.
Haah! Like she'd ever get close enough to harm me, let alone kill me. And learn things to use against me? Please… as if I'd put anything remotely resembling incriminating in this book.
I'm tired, it's been a long day, and I'd rather be asleep when the Professor returns from dinner. Good night.
Saturday dawned early… the two girls did not. Unfortunately for them, Professor MacGonagall did.
"Get your rear ends out of bed and down to breakfast. I'm not your mother, you know. Get your robes and go down to the Great Hall. When you get there, you'll find by the teachers' table a small table, just for two… no candles, though, as we can't be assured that you wouldn't try anything with them. Also, take your school things with you. When everyone else is finished, you will remain at your special table and work together all day. You will take your lunch in the Great Hall, but you will return to these quarters and take your supper here, alone together," Professor MacGonagal pointed to the door, "Now, shoo!"
Brenna and Andrea rolled off the twin couches and looked at each other. Brenna stood first.
"Shall we go, then? Wouldn't want anyone to take our seats," Brenna stretched as she said this, and looked at Andrea.
"Yes, let's," Andrea stood also, grabbing her robes and school bag, "Don't forget your potions book."
"Well, yeah, and don't you forget your charms homework. I'm getting a little sick of your objects getting stuck in my hair… I know that you aren't doing it on purpose… cause you can't!" with that, Brenna ran out of the room.
Andrea chased after her, "I wouldn't drink my pumpkin juice if I were you!"
Professor MacGonagal slammed the door to her quarters shut, muttering to herself, "This is why I never had children. Am I too young to retire?"
All eyes were on the two girls as they entered the Great Hall holding hands.
"You filthy mudblood! How dare you touch an heir of Slytherin!"
"Aah, the snake child needs the courage of the Griffin! Can't ya stand on yer own, ya cursed Deatheater!"
"Ah, lovely, just fine. Freakin' mental, if ya ask me. And we're not even supposed to tell them what exactly we're doin' here. It'd be nice if the staff would step in and stop the lot of'em," Brenna muttered to Andrea, gripping her hand even harder.
"What's your much? You're going to hurt my hand, and what will that do to our assignment? Anyways, there's our table. Let's just get to it and eat, because I am ridiculously hungry. Dinner was cold by the time we got to it last night," Andrea replied, rubbing her stomach with her free hand. More hoots came from the House tables, and Brenna gripped Andrea's hand hard, "What is it with you, Ianevski? With the way your acting, I'd almost say that you were afraid of those kids. Aah, that's it – you don't like all the attention we're getting. You're afraid of the gossip and the name calling!"
"Shut yer piehole, MacGarry! Like you'd know anything about being on the receiving end of this crap. You're always the one who starts it! If it weren't for the damn assignment, I'd throw your hand down and join my friends. Like you wouldn't do the same," Brenna said venomously, glaring at Andrea as they rounded their table and threw their bags down.
"After this assignment, I'll have no friends! Hanging out with a Gryffin-dork, by choice or not, is intolerable to Slytherin House. I might as well ask MacGonagall to keep this table open for me afterwards, cause I won't be allowed at my own!" Andrea was yelling at this point, her hand going for her wand pocket.
"Oh, whatcha gonna do? Your hexes and charms are practically worthless at this point. But if you want a demonstration, I'd be more than happy to give it to you!" Brenna already had her wand at the ready.
"Aah, ladies, so glad you could join us. But it really would be better if you ate before you started helping each other with your homework. You don't want to defend against each other on empty stomachs, although I am happy that you two are so enthusiastic about your assignment," Professor Dumbledore said as he passed the girls on his way to the staff table.
The two girls stared at each other, mouths gaping – they'd almost been caught using attack magic against one another. An expulsion-worthy use of their wands at that point. For any other student, it would have been worth a reprimand and detention, but for Brenna and Andrea, with their history in their first two months at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would never have gotten a second chance.
Andrea was horrified, "They can't send untrained witches to Azkaban, can they?" She turned to Brenna, "And we're just students… But we'd better watch our backs, or else we'll be –"
"Yeah, out on our arses if we're not careful, I know," Brenna grated out. "Look, let's just eat and get this assignment going. The sooner we start, the sooner it'll be over. And I'm hungry, so move over and pass the food."
"Uncouth wench."
"You only say that cause you love me."
"Witch."
"Working on it. Now sit down and eat, before some other teacher comes over and decides to check on us as well. Like Snape," Brenna sat down and looked at Andrea as she started to eat.
Andrea plopped down in her chair opposite Brenna, "Oh well, could be worse. We could have to share a table with the one Hufflepuff who doesn't succeed in Herbology," she pointed to a young girl at the Hufflepuff table who was covered in boils and burns from a run-in with an acidic plant oil.
"Definitely. How does she know which hole to put the food in? She looks like she's covered in gaping mouths at this point. You should have seen her at lunch yesterday – Peeves kept on trying to feed the one between her left eye and ear," Brenna started giggling at Andrea looked horrified at the description.
"You know, you Gryffindors can be just as mean as Slytherins when you put your minds to it, Ianevski," Andrea looked at Brenna with a glimmer of respect in her eyes.
"Yeah, well, she and her friends were spying on Wood and the Weasley twins at Quidditch practice a few weeks ago, and we almost lost a game because of it. Luckily, Captain Dreamy saw through the deception and directed our team to a thrilling win. That, and someone might have fiddled with the Hufflepuff beaters' brooms," Brenna smirked at Andrea.
"Nice, very nice. How do you know that I won't run and tell on you?"
"Well, let me put it this way… I happen to know that you like a certain Hufflepuff Quidditch player, one that you kept your Slytherin cronies from injuring right before the first game of the term. You're almost brave enough to be a Gryffindor. Almost."
"Ah, come off it and finish your toast. Everyone else I heading off somewhere else, and if you don't finish your food, the house-elves will helpfully remove it," Andrea finished her sentence with a crunch as she ate her last waffle and slurped down her pumpkin juice.
"Yah, thanks mum. I think that I'm finished, anyways… the food here gets boring after a while, don'cha think? What I wouldn't give for some of my mum's fudge or my favorite muggle candy…" Brenna stared off wistfully.
"Oh, what's that, then?" Andrea said as she pushed her dishes and her partner's to the center of the table for removal. A green hand snaked up from the seemingly solid oak to grab the plates and cups. "It's still weird for me, because our house-elves at home just walk around the table taking the dishes."
"We don't have a house-elf for that stuff. We have one that helps Mum wif' the heavy cleaning, but that's it. As for the candy, I think I'll send an owl to my parents and ask'em to send me some Reese's peanut butter cups," Brenna patted her stomach and reached down into her school bag to pull out her potions and charms texts.
"Reese's peanut butter cups? That's your favorite muggle candy! That's my favorite muggle candy!" Andrea looked surprised and a little annoyed.
"Don't worry… we can both like'em. I won't tell your friends that your favorite candy is a muggle candy," Brenna smiled, sounding grateful for some common ground.
"Well, I guess its okay. Having the same favorite doesn't make us friends or anything, so that's fine," Andrea breathed a sigh of relief.
"Christ, don't sound too upset or anything," Brenna muttered, opening her books and staring at Andrea, "So, what do you want to start with, my worst or yours?"
"You only have one worst subject?" Andrea stared at Brenna incredulously.
"Very funny. Let's start with mine, since you probably won't admit to having one," Brenna said venomously.
"Works for me," Andrea smiled at Brenna, flipping her potions book open, "Shall we get started?"
The two girls worked through the day stopping only once at lunchtime for a half-hour. They had each found a mentor in the other for their worst subjects. Then they started to have fun with each other, practicing for their upcoming Transfiguration exam, giving each other tails, whiskers, and other assorted changes in appearance, then practicing defending against those unwanted changes.
The girls had almost begun enjoying their time together when Professor McGonagall came up behind them and interrupted their forays into Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Ladies, I believe that it is time for you to head back to your temporary quarters and take your supper before you write in your journal and go to bed. I'll join you later, and we'll discuss what you did today. Be ready when I get back to the quarters," Professor McGonagall said as she headed to the staff table.
Brenna stuffed her books untidily into her school bag, then passed Andrea's to her. Andrea looked at Brenna warily before accepting her things. "Thanks."
"No problem," Brenna actually smiled at Andrea as she said that.
"Let's go."
The girls walked in relative silence as they headed to the teachers' dorms. As they turned the corner to Professor McGonagall's rooms, Andrea walked ahead and opened the door for Brenna.
"Thanks, MacGarry. I'll get it next time, then," Brenna said as she walked through the open doorway.
"No problem."
"That's my phrase, girl."
"Did you patent it?"
"Very funny. Let's eat before it gets cold and the house-elves helpfully take it away and leave us hungry," Brenna dropped her bag next to one of the couches and moved to the small table laden with fowl, beef, potatoes, and other assorted main dishes and goodies. She pulled a chair out for Andrea and then for herself.
Andrea placed her bag on the other couch and eyed Brenna. "Look, if we're not careful, we're going to kill each other with kindness. I think that if we can prove to the staff that we won't kill each other before we graduate, we'll be able to get them off our backs, and maybe not even have to finish this damn project."
"I agree, totally. I don't, however, think that it will alleviate the torture of this weekend. It's completely ridiculous for Dumbledore and McGonagall to expect that one weekend spent together, sharing a journal will make us best friends," Brenna said as she started to pile food on her plate, motioning for Andrea to sit and do the same. Andrea sat and followed suit.
The meal went off without a hitch, with both girls using their best manners, please and thank you, as well as sharing a civil conversation about the cheaters on the different House quidditch teams. Neither mentioned opinions about the other's team, nor did they share any great secrets.
"But it's a start," murmured Professor McGonagall as she passed the girls who were by then fast asleep on their respective couches.
