Hey guys! I'm so sorry it took me forever to update! I've recently had a lot of work and not much time off, so I hadn't had a chance to update! Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to cut back to one chapter a week just because I'm too busy. I'm really sorry! But anyway, I hope this makes up for it a little. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6

September 7, 2030

When the weekend comes, I couldn't be happier. Hogwarts is amazing and I love the classes, but I already need a break.

Anica and I manage to sleep in till 9 am before we get up on Saturday. As we're getting ready for the day, I revel in dressing in my own clothes. I put on a pair of fitted black jeans and a comfy teal sweater. I keep my hair down, letting it fall in waves halfway down my back. As usual, I put both my necklaces on, my three rings and a little makeup.

Anica leaves her hair down as well, dressed similarly to me, except her sweater is light green and she's wearing a pair of black converses.

We head to the Great Hall together, quickly finding Xinia. She's sitting at the Ravenclaw table, lost in a book. I sit down next to her, Anica across from us.

"Morning," I say, trying - and failing - to stifle a yawn.

Anica laughs at me, before covering her own mouth. Xinia just rolls her eyes, putting her book away.

"So what are we going to do today?" she asks.

I shrug, looking at Anica.

"Dunno. Thought maybe we could explore the castle. Find out all its secrets."

They both laugh. Anica pours herself some coffee while I dig into some bacon.

"Sounds good," Xinia says. "By the way, have we had a chance to talk about the boys yet?"

I glance at Anica, and I see a similar expression on her face. I sigh, dropping my bacon - Woah, I'm getting serious - and turn to face Xinia.

"Xin," I start. "We've talked about this."

"I know," she agrees. "But I've chosen to forget what you said."

Anica groans, gulping down the rest of her coffee.

"You know we're only 11 right?" she says. "We do not need boyfriends."

"Yes, we don't need them, but -"

"I will hex you if say one more thing about boys," I warn, interrupting her.

"Fine!" she huffs.

I quickly scoffed down the rest of my breakfast before leaping up.

"Come on!" I say excitedly. "Let's explore!"

The girls laugh, getting up and following me out of the Hall.

We spend most of the day wandering all the corridors of the castle, glancing into classrooms and other places.

From inside, you can tell that the castle is mostly supported by magic. Some floors and corridors simply defy gravity and space, some leading from the ground floor to the third in a matter of steps. There are a total of eight floors, including the dungeons. Several times when we come back a certain way, we notice a door or a picture has disappeared.

As we're walking past a portrait of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger - otherwise known as the Golden Trio - on the third floor, I suddenly stop in my tracks. I walk back to the start of the portrait, where it hangs on the wall of the castle.

I can't put my finger on it, but something about the way it's sitting doesn't look right.

"What's up?" Anica asks.

I run my fingers along the golden frame, inspecting it.

"Does something seem off to you about this Xin?" I ask.

She lightly pushes me out of the way, inspecting the frame.

"Hmm," she murmurs.

For as long as I've known Xinia, she's always been interested in buildings and machines and how they work. It then extended to all objects, even ones that served no purpose. She was always looking at them, trying to figure them out.

Just then, she lets out an excited gasp.

"What?" I demand.

She's now moved to stand on the other side of the portrait and it looks like she's trying to pry it open.

"Um, Xin? It's probably magical. I doubt you'll open it like that."

"Oh, of course," she exclaims.

Xinia is muggleborn, so she'd been raised with muggle things like electronics and the like. When we met, she introduced me to music and movies and a few other things. Then when she met the twins, she did the same thing. Despite knowing about magic for four years, when Xander started Hogwarts, she still hasn't quite got used to it yet.

"Besides, why do you want to open it?" Anica asks. "It's just a portrait."

"Bloody hell," Ron suddenly exclaimed, looking down at us. "' It's just a portrait?'" he repeats.

"Shush Ronald," Hermione said. "They're only first years."

"I killed Voldemort -"

"In my first year," Ron and Hermione finish. "Yes, Harry, we know."

Anica, Xinia and I exchange a look.

"Um," Xinia says. "Does your portrait open by any chance?"

Hermione looks at her in surprise, Harry and Ron looking at each other behind her.

"Why would you think that?" Hermione asks.

Xin shrugs, pointing to the side she was inspecting.

"That side isn't sitting properly on the wall. And on the other side, it looks like there are hinges behind it. That suggests it's door-like."

"2 galleons she's a Ravenclaw," Ron mutters.

"What's wrong with that?" Xinia demands, folding her arms.

With her red hair falling over her shoulders, she looks a bit like her head could be on fire. When she's mad, I think that's a rather good description of her. Ron seems to notice as well, and he looks a little guilty.

"Nothing," he mutters.

"So do you open?" I ask, joining Xinia.

Anica walks up beside me, looking curiously at the portrait.

"What if we did?" Harry asked. "Why would we?"

"What if we ask nicely?" Anica asks.

"No."

Suddenly, I recall George mentioning something about how they got into the Gryffindor Common Room. I remember he mentioned something about a portrait and a password.

"I think we need a password," I say aloud. "Like the Gryffindor Tower. George said something about there being a portrait where they need to say a password to get in."

"Who's George?" Ron asks from the portrait.

I ignore him, turning to the girls.

"What do you reckon it would be?" I ask.

"Well it would probably have something to do with them," Xinia says. "But there are so many things it could be."

"Well, may as well start," Anica says, turning to face the portrait again. "Voldemort."

"Why is that everyone's immediate reaction to us?" Harry asks.

"Because he's the reason you're famous?" I answer. "Although I'm guessing that's a no."

"Gryffindor."

"Seeker."

"Quidditch."

"Dumbledore."

"We're not getting anywhere," I groan after about ten minutes of guessing random words.

"I don't know what else it could be," Xinia exclaims. "We've gone through everything."

Indeed, we'd listed everything we could think of that was associated with the Trio. But none of them seemed to work.

"Maybe it doesn't have to do with them?" Anica suggests.

"If it's not, we'll be here forever," I huff.

I look up at the portrait, taking in all the details of it. The trio is standing in front of Hogwarts, scratched up from the Battle of Hogwarts. A few parts of the castle are ruined or burnt, and there are bodies of Death Eaters in the background. Overhead, the full moon shines in the sky.

Wait.

The sky is blue, and the glint of the sun reflects on several surfaces of the castle. Thinking about it, I remember that the Battle didn't even take place on a full moon. So why would it be in the painting?

"Guys," I say. "Wasn't there something about the full moon?"

I watch the portrait, and notice Ron looks startled and Hermione looks surprised.

"That's it. Something to do with the moon."

I point at where it is on the painting, then voice my thoughts.

"The only thing is, what was it?"

"Werewolf," Xinia tries.

"Lupin. Remus Lupin," Anica says.

The Trios look continually more startled, but the portrait remains closed.

"We're close," I say.

Just then, Ron lets out a noise of surprise. I look at him and realise he's staring right at me. He points at me.

"What just happened?" he asks.

"What do you mean?" I ask in confusion.

"You're hair," he says. "It changed."

I glance at my hair and realise he's right. In my excitement, it had turned bright yellow. I quickly change it back, earning another gasp from Ron.

"I'm a Metamorphmagus," I say. "Don't you guys know two?"

All at once, their faces screw up in shock.

"What?" I ask.

"You're -" Ron starts.

"Be quiet Ron," Hermione interrupts. "Nevermind him," she tells us.

"But -" Ron protests.

Hermione shoots him a look that quickly shuts him up. I want to find out what they're talking about, but the matter at hand draws me away.

"Whatever," I sigh. "Ugh, what is it?"

I groan, rubbing my hand over my face. I wrack my brain for anything I can remember about Remus Lupin and the full moon, apart from the obvious.

"Wait weren't they Animagi?" Xinia suddenly exclaims. "Lupin's friends?"

"Yeah," Anica agrees. "They were illegal ones so they could help Lupin during his transformations."

I look at her in surprise.

"How do you know that?" I ask.

She shrugs.

"I read it somewhere."

Then, to the portrait, she tries again.

"Animagus."

"Animagi."

"What were their Animagi?" I ask.

"Um, I'm not sure," Anica says. "I think one of them was a rat."

"Yeah, no, don't even try that," Harry says. "He was a traitor and got my parents killed."

"Oh."

"Do you have any idea Anica?" I ask. "Xinia?"

They both shake their heads. I sigh.

"Wait, I'm remembering something," Xinia cries. "Hang on."

She taps her head in annoyance. Anica and I wait impatiently. I continue searching the portrait for any more clues, but I can't find anything.

"Ma- no. Mur- no. Damnit. They had a map," Xinia yells in frustration. "Something's map. Mo-. Ugh."

I glance at Anica, raising my eyebrows. She signals to give it a minute or two. Xinia paces up and down in front of us, occasionally muttering words, fiddling with her necklace. Just when I'm about to call her off to give up, she cries out.

"Marauders!" she exclaims, walking up to the portrait. "Marauders Map. That's what they had."

The Trio stare down at us, looking annoyed.

"Did she get it?" I ask.

"No," Ron replies.

"What? How can it not be that?" Xinia yells. "I swear it was that… Messrs Moony -"

Suddenly the portrait begins to swing open. Anica and I stare at Xinia in surprise. She looks just as surprised.

"Wait so what's the password?" Anica asks, not having been paying much attention to Xinia's rambling.

"I don't know," I reply. "Messrs?"

"Honestly? It was Moony! Stop zoning out when I talk," Xinia replies in annoyance.

"I didn't zone out!" I defend. "I'm just dumb."

Xinia gives me a dark look.

"Anyway, on the bright side, you're amazing, you opened the portrait, can we go in now?" I ask, not waiting for her answer.

I step into the passage the portrait revealed. Anica and Xinia follow me, and the portrait swings shut behind us, sending us into darkness.

"Someone light their wand before I freak out," Xinia says with a small shake in her voice.

I pull my wand out.

"Lumos," I mutter.

Light fills the room, illuminating the path in front of us. I hear Xinia sigh with relief.

I look down the passage in front of us. It keeps straight for a bit before turning off to the right. I turn to face the others.

"Shall we?"

Anica and Xinia reply with a nod. We start down the passage, following its's turns and slopes, until we meet a wooden wall.

"A dead end, are you serious?" Anica groans in frustration.

"Hang on," I say. "I think I hear something."

I step closer to the wall, pressing my ear against it. I can hear snippets of whispered conversation.

"There's something on the other side of this," I say.

Xinia then steps up to the wall and examines it like she did the portrait. I can hear her mumbling, but can't be bothered trying to form any words from it.

"So, what's your favourite subject been?" Anica turns to ask, losing interest in what Xinia's doing.

"Transfiguration or Char-"

"Shh," Xinia cuts me off.

She suddenly shifts her focus to the other walls, her hands running along the bricks. I lean back against the sidewall in impatience when suddenly, I hear a click. I glance at Xinia. She pushes me off the wall, finding a button where I was. The wooden wall begins to move forward, then slides to the left, light creeping through the opening.

"Good job, Gena!" Anica congratulates me.

Xinia stares at her.

I laugh, then move to look through the opening. I see a few people sitting at tables, surrounded by shelves of books.

"I think we're in some weird classroom," I say.

"Let me see," Xinia says.

I move out of her way to let her look. I see her shoulders lift in excitement as she turns back to face us

"We're in the library you idiot," she tells us excitedly.

"Seriously? Let me see," Anica demands. Then, "Huh. Is that really what it looks like? Kinda boring."

"Well, you guys can go back if you like," Xinia huffs. "But I want to go in. I see Ciena and Kimmy."

"And that's my cue to leave," Anica says.

"Come on, Xin," I protest. "We're exploring the castle. Not looking at books."

"Fine, but we're coming here tomorrow," she sighs, looking longingly back at the library before closing the door.

We turn around and head back the way we came, finally reaching the portrait.

"Do you reckon we just...push it?" Anica asks.

"Only one way to find out," Xinia shrugs.

She touches her fingers to the back of the portrait, pushing lightly. It swings open, revealing the third-floor corridor we came in on. When we exit, I check my watch for the time.

"We should get some food," I say. "I'm starving, and I want lunch."

Anica agrees so we walk off while Xinia says goodbye to the Golden Trio. She quickly runs after us when she finally notices we've left. As we enter the Hall, food is on the tables and the room is full. I spot Dylan, Nick, George, Ciena and Kimmy sitting at the Ravenclaw table so we go and sit next to them.

By some unspoken agreement we don't mention the secret passage we found, deciding to keep it to ourselves.

"Where were you guys?" Ciena questions halfway through our conversation.

"Causing chaos of course," I smirk.

The girls laugh, sharing a glance. In truth, we had done almost the complete opposite. But no one needed to know that.

As everyone finishes lunch we split off, the boys heading outside, Ciena and Kimmy heading back to the library and the three of us off to explore again. We walk out of the Hall, walking past a statue of the four Founders. We pause in front of the huge hourglasses that represent our points. I notice with glee Slytherin is coming first.

"Wyrene was right," I comment to Anica. "Slytherin is definitely the best house."

"Hey, we're not far behind," Xinia defends. "Plus, when you two actually start causing chaos, I'm sure you'll lose your lead."

"I'm insulted you think we'll let that happen," Anica sarcastically defends us.

Anica then walks up to the statue of the Founders and pats Slytherin's snake on its head.

"This snake will give us the power to win!" she insists, oblivious to the movement behind her.

Next to me, Xinia's mouth drops as we stare at the statue.

"What now?" Anica asks.

"Turn around," I say.

She does, gasping when she sees what we're looking at. Slytherin's statue had lowered into the ground, revealing a ramp leading down into darkness.

I glance around the corridor, making sure no one is around. There doesn't seem to be anyone, so I think we're good.

"What did you just do?" Xinia asks.

"Nothing," Anica says. "I was just petting the snake."

"Sometimes I wonder if you have a brain," I sigh. "That obviously caused...that to happen," I wave my hand at the passage. "That's so cool," I say, walking up to the statue of Ravenclaw.

I pet the eagle perched on the statue's arm, expecting it to open. Nothing happens, however. I narrow my eyes in confusion. Xinia walks up beside me, repeating the action. This time, it opens. Instead of going down though, the statue moves to the side, where a section of the wall lifts open to reveal a set on stone stairs.

"How did you do that?" I demand.

"Maybe only people from that house can open it?" Xinia responds.

Just then, Slytherin's statue rises up again, concreting itself back in place. Xinia walks over to it, petting the snake as Anica did, but nothing happens.

"You try," she tells me.

I lay my hand on the cool stone, running it along the surface of the snake. I feel a small hum beneath my fingers before it slides down again, revealing the passage.

"Must be right, Xin," Anica says.

"When am I not?" Xinia questions.

I roll my eyes.

"Don't get cocky."

"Shut up and come on," Anica says, and I realise she's already in the passage. I quickly follow her, expecting Xinia to be right behind me. However, when I turn around, she's still standing in the corridor.

"What are you waiting for?" I ask. "Hurry up, before it closes again."

"Will I be able to come in?" she asks. "I couldn't open it."

I pause.

"I hadn't thought about that," Anica says, coming up beside me.

"Just try," I say. "I'm sure nothing bad will happen if you can't."

Cautiously, she steps inside. She seems to be alright.

Just then, I hear a small humming from the statue.

"Hurry up," I say. "It's closing."

Indeed, the statue has shifted so that there is only just enough room for Xinia to slip through.

"See? You're fine," I grin.

She rolls her eyes, pulling her wand out.

"Lumos."

The passage slopes down, twisting around to the left. Anica takes the lead while I follow, Xinia at the back. We walk for a little bit until we reach a T-section. One passage continues ahead, while the other turns left.

"Which way should we go?" Anica asks.

"Hmm," Xinia wonders.

She lifts her wand, shining it down both paths. There doesn't seem to be anything different about them, except that they go different ways.

"When I reach one, say 'straight' or 'left'," I suggest.

"Three, two, one,"

"Straight," we say in unison.

I shrug, laughing a little.

"Straight it is then."

We continue forward for a small while until reaching a stone trapdoor. The passage is quite tall, so the door is about 7 inches above Anica's head, making it about twice that for Xinia and I.

"Well that's a bit of a problem," I comment, moving Xinia's wrist so her wand is shedding light on the door.

"Damn being short sucks," Xinia complains.

"Yup," I agree.

Anica laughs, reaching up. She can lay her whole hand on the door, so she pushes a little. It doesn't budge.

"Push harder," I suggest.

Anica glares at me.

"Why don't you try shortass," she snaps.

"For that exact reason," I laugh.

She rolls her eyes, reaching up with her other hand. She feels her way across the door, stopping at the right corner.

"It's locked," she sighs.

"Anica put me on your back," Xinia says, trying to look at the lock.

"Why can't you go on Gena's back?" she protests.

"Because, as you so lovingly pointed out before, she's a shortass. Now, turn around."

Anica obliges, Xinia hopping on her back. She reaches for the lock, placing her ear against it, beginning to turn it.

"May I point out that you are also a shortass?" I say.

Xinia ignores me, focusing on the lock. She fiddles around with the numbers for a bit.

"Ugh, the first one is always the hardest," she mutters.

Just then, I hear a small click. Xinia hears it as well. She turns the number back, and I hear it again.

"That's the first one," I confirm.

She mumbles a small thanks before quickly finding the other three numbers.

"0,8,1,0. That's the code," she notes, pulling the lock off.

She pushes the door up slightly, just enough that she can see out.

"What do you see?" Anica asks.

Xinia lowers the door again before jumping off her back.

"Community Hall," she says.

"Really?" I ask. "That's so much better than the Library."

Xinia smacks my arm lightly.

"Where in the Hall?" Anica asks.

"Under a booth, no one is sitting there," Xinia replies

"Will anyone notice if we go in?" I ask.

She shakes her head.

"I don't think so."

Anica then lifts the trapdoor and lifts Xinia out. She turns to me, but I suddenly get an idea.

"Hang on," I say.

I concentrate, then suddenly, I'm about four inches taller, easily able to reach the trapdoor. Anica looks at me in surprise.

"Why didn't you do that before?" she asks.

"It only just occurred to me," I shrug. "Plus, too much effort."

I reach up, grab the sides of the floor, and pull myself through the hole. Anica quickly does the same, shutting the trapdoor quietly behind her. Xinia turns to us but pauses when she sees me.

"Wait what?" she asks, looking up at me.

"Oh," I realise. "New trick I learnt," I say, returning to my normal height.

"Why don't you just stay that tall?" she asks, once again eye level with me.

"It's not pretty looking at all your grey hairs up there," I smirk.

Xinia reaches for her hair.

"I do not."

"She's right," Anica laughs. "Right there."

She points at a strand of Xinia's hair that is definitely not grey.

"Oh, and here, and there," I point at random spots.

Xinia glares at us.

"Shove off, I don't have any grey hair."

"What's that about grey hairs?" I suddenly hear.

We turn around, coming face to face with Ciena and Kimmy.

"Xinia," Anica laughs. "She's got them everywhere."

Kimmy inspects her head, frowning.

"No, she doesn't."

I glance at Anica and she rolls her eyes. I hide a laugh behind my hand.

"We were joking," I say.

"Oh."

"Come on," Xinia says. "Let's go sit with the others."

The five of us head to 'our couches', where George, Nick, Hailey and Owen are sitting.

"Where's Dylan?" Xin asks.

"He's got detention," Nick says.

"Are you serious?" I cry. "He managed to get detention before me? No fair."

"You shouldn't be wanting to get detention," Ciena says. "You should be trying to get all the teachers to like you so you can get good grades which means you'll get a good job so you don't end up poor and alone for the rest of your life."

Anica rolls her eyes while the others look amused.

"She's right," Kimmy nods.

"You know we're only in our first year right?" Owen points out.

"Yeah, we don't have to worry about that until like our seventh year," George adds.

Xinia looks at him in shock.

"Seventh year?" she cries. "O.W.L's are in our fifth year, and you should be studying for them as early as possible!"

Right at that moment, Dylan appears behind Xin.

"Not you too," he groans, sitting down ungracefully on the couch.

"Yeah, I've already got one sister who drives me nuts, don't give me another," Anica agrees.

"You guys aren't related," George says; confused.

"In spirit, we are," Xinia replies.

"Righto," he says, still confused.

"You'll get used to it," Nick slaps him on the back.

"You say that about a lot of things," Kimmy comments, sitting down next to George.

"Anyway," I say. "How was detention?" I ask Dylan.

He smirks.

"Fun. Potter had me cleaning trophies."

I groan, leaning my head back against the couch.

"So not fair," I mumble.

The group chuckles, moving into a boring conversation.

"Oh, I have an idea," Hailey suddenly says. "We don't really know Kimmy and George and you clearly don't know much about us so let's fix that. We can all ask each other one question at a time, and we have to answer. Unless it's too personal or something else like that."

Everyone agrees so we all sit down in our normal spots.

"Alright," Hailey says. "Let's begin."

So I really hope you're enjoying this story, and if you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to ask and review. I will try to update regularly again, sometime next week. Thank you so much for reading!