...So...technically...I'm back. yay! So I'm not properly writing this story again, but I have about six chapters lined up to be published...soo... Hopefully by the time they're all out, I'll be back into the swing of things. anyway...enjoy!
Chapter 6
Once everyone had settled into the Hogwarts schedule, the days passed by quickly.
Anica and I made an arrangement with the Prefects (after many protests on their behalf) where we were allowed up an hour after curfew so long as they knew where we were and what we were doing.
Xinia had finally agreed to take the towel off her head, but she did her best to cover it up. She always wore it up in a high bun and attempted to put her witches hat over it, but eventually gave up.
"My hair doesn't even grow quickly!" she complains. "It's going to take forever to grow this out!"
Ruth hadn't been able to get the right colour that Xinia used, so she had to wait until she went home because her parents didn't have an owl to send it through.
Kimmy didn't speak to us much, except for the occasional rude remark she made when she was with Parkinson's group.
Quinn and Jamie and the rest of the first years settled in pretty well. I kept an eye out for them but mostly stayed out of the way, not wanting to be the overprotective older sister. Cameron, Isabella and Charlie and the two boys became close friends, and I often saw them eating together in the Great Hall or walking off to the library or their Community Hall or some other part of the castle as a group.
Anica, Xinia and I kept exploring and mapping the castle on the Marauder's Map. Xinia was still working on replicating all the spells and jinxes on the original map to the new ones, but apart from that, they were mostly complete.
Meanwhile, the boys were training every day to get a spot on the Quidditch team. George was helping Nick and Dylan by telling them what Priya looked for and whatnot, and I occasionally saw Owen on the pitch as well.
Sometimes the three of us would join them, and we had a friendly game between the six or sometimes seven of us. Anica and I also helped the boys by showing them some techniques and skills the others weren't familiar with. Of course, we didn't give all our secrets away, but we helped.
Occasionally, Bailey, Xander and Xandler would join in as well, and we managed to rope Wyrene in after a bit. We formed teams with me, Anica, Xinia, Wyrene and either Xander or Xandler, depending on the day, and George, Owen, Xander or Xandler, Nick and Dylan. Bailey would just hover about looking for the Snitch.
One or two times we were joined by Fred, and he played as Seeker. I later discovered he had been training as well, almost more often than the boys. I'd be surprised if he didn't get the spot.
The potions lab was still in the back of my mind, but it was always pushed away by something or other, and the topic wasn't breached again.
On the day before Quidditch tryouts, which I wasn't participating in but would still watch, I was wandering around the castle while Anica and Xinia were off doing Transfiguration homework (I think). Most likely, Xinia is doing homework, and Anica was watching.
It wasn't often that I was alone, but today I didn't mind. As I turned around a corner on the fourth floor of the castle, I suddenly heard something coming from one of the rooms. I paused and cocked my head to the side, trying to figure out what it was. Then I realised. It was music. Piano, it sounded like. Intrigued, I followed the sound until I stood outside of an old classroom no one used anymore. Standing outside, I could hear the piano clear as day, but I didn't recognise the piece. Not that I expected to, having next to no knowledge of musical instruments and all that stuff. But I could tell whoever was playing the piano - because someone definitely was, I could faintly hear their deep breaths - they were good.
Curiously, I pushed the door open quietly. I did not expect to see Fred sitting on the stool, fingers moving across the keys. I was so surprised that I just stood there for a moment, still outside the room. Fred hadn't noticed me, and he kept on playing. It wasn't until he finished that he saw me, and when he did, he jumped violently, abruptly standing up.
"How long have you been there?" he asks.
I attempt to look sorry.
"Not long."
He just stood there awkwardly, obviously gauging my reaction.
"Uh, that was really good," I say, suddenly feeling just as awkward. "I didn't know you could play."
He shrugs.
"I can't really. I just made that up. I haven't really learnt how to play."
I raise my eyebrows.
"You made that up?" I ask incredulously.
"Um, yeah," he rubs the back of his neck, glancing around the room, not meeting my eyes.
"Huh," I say stupidly.
I mentally roll my eyes at myself. Why was I being so awkward?
"Do you like, play any other instruments?"
"Sort of, yeah, I guess."
I breathe out a laugh.
"You don't sound very sure about that. Do you, or don't you? It's not that hard of a question to answer."
He huffs.
"Yes. I play the violin. I don't think I'm too bad at the guitar either."
"Cool, Xinia plays them as well, I think. I don't really pay much attention," I tell him, trying to break the tension.
It works. He laughs lightly, offering me a grin.
"I thought you two were meant to be best friends or something," he says.
I shrug.
"Yeah, well. She doesn't bring anything to Hogwarts, and she never mentions it, but I think I saw a violin at her house one time I was over. I got distracted before I could ask about it."
"She should bring them," Fred says. "There's a bunch of rooms around the castle she could practice in, and I'm pretty sure there's a room set up for muggle instruments somewhere."
"Really?" I ask. "Where?"
"Not sure. Somewhere on the fifth floor. I saw someone with a flute coming down the corridor one time. She was obviously in a rush because she was trying to set it up as she was walking, so I assumed the room was around there somewhere."
"Huh. I've been exploring the castle for over a year and haven't found it. Damn."
He laughs, then looks at me in confusion.
"Wait, really?" he stares at me for a moment. "Is that what you guys always do? You and Xinia and Anica, I mean."
"I mean, not always," I chuckle. "But yeah, I guess. We pretty much know everything about the castle. Well, at least I thought we did."
"Huh. Well, you learn something new every day," he grins.
"You sure do," I eye the piano Fred's standing next to.
He shuffles awkwardly.
"Yeah. Um, I know it probably seems stupid, but, could you maybe, like, not tell anyone? That I play the piano, I mean. Or, anything…" he trails off awkwardly.
I frown.
"I mean, sure, but why?"
He shrugs.
"People already think I'm weird. Not that I care, mind you. I just don't want them teasing me or anything. I'm not ashamed. I just don't want-"
"Jerks to be jerks?" I finish. "It's fine. I get it. I won't tell anyone. My lips are sealed," I mime pulling a zip across my lips and throwing the key away.
Fred laughs, and a moment later, so do I.
"You should hang out with us all some time," I suggest.
He nods a little, and I try not to laugh at how awkward he's making this. I turn to the door to leave before he interrupts.
"Thank you," Fred smiles.
"No problem," I grin, before leaving.
As I walk, I pull out my map to find out where everyone is. Unsurprisingly, the boys are on the Quidditch pitch with Owen, Ciena is in the library, and Anica and Xinia are in the Community Hall. Not particularly feeling like helping the two of them with Transfiguration homework, I decide to visit the Quidditch pitch.
When I get there, I see Xandler had joined the four of them. I looked around for the other two, but they were nowhere in sight.
"Where're Xander and Bailey?" I ask him as he flies down to talk to me.
"Off doing stupid Prefect duties," he tells me sulkily.
"Oh, poor Xandler," I frown exaggeratedly. "Quick question," I pipe up as a thought occurs to me. "Do you happen to play a musical instrument?"
He scrunches his eyebrows, looking at me in confusion.
"Yeah, why?" he asks.
"How come I didn't know that before now?" I ignore his question.
"A lot of people play musical instruments, it's not that big of a deal," he answers. "Why the sudden interest?"
"No reason," I say. "I just can't believe I didn't know. What do you play?"
"Same as Xinia, violin," he tells me. "You do know she plays the violin, right?"
"Yes," I answered indignantly.
"Uh-huh," he laughs. "Anyway, you gonna join us?"
"Can't," I answer. "My broom's back in my dormitory and I'm not getting it."
"No problem," Xandler grins, and pulls out his wand. "Accio Gena's broom."
I look around in expectation, but nothing happens.
"Was that supposed to do something?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
He gestures impatiently for me to wait. I huff but do. About a minute later, I hear faint screaming.
"What did you do?" I narrow my eyes at Xandler.
He swallows nervously.
"Okay, so admittedly, I'm not the best at that spell," he says.
"What spell?" I exclaim in outrage. "You better not have done something to my broom," I warn.
But just then, I see something speeding towards us. My eyes widen as I realise what it is; my broom.
"See?" Xandler grins. "Everything's fine."
I roll my eyes. But then I realise something.
"Wait, am I supposed to just, like, hop on as it flies past me?" I ask sarcastically. "It's not slowing down."
Xandler winces but shrugs nonchalantly.
"Of course, that's what you do."
I glare at him.
"You better have a spell to slow that thing down," I warn, watching my broom steadily approaching.
"Just grab on, you'll be fine once you're on it," Xandler says, laughing slightly.
"You little-"
I cut off as the broom suddenly jerks to the side, less than a metre away from us. The jerk brings it towards us, and on instinct, I reach out.
That was a bad decision.
The broom was still in motion, and going much faster than I would have liked. As soon as I latched on to it, it started pulling me along. I gasped as the broom dragged me across the ground until it decided to go upwards. I held on for dear life as it pulled me up through the air.
"Son of a bitch!" I yell as Xandler starts laughing from below. "Help me up you dickhead!"
He hadn't dismounted his broom, so with a reluctant groan, he manoeuvred himself up and next to me. He tried to reach out to help me, but the broom jerked him out of the way.
"You're going to have to get on it yourself," Xandler calls out.
I send him the best glare I can while focusing on not falling to my death.
So, cursing and growling, I adjust my grip and try to swing my body over the broom. It takes a few tries, but eventually, I manage to get one leg over the handle and the top half of my body. With another swing and a grunt of effort I manage to pull the rest of my body up until I'm leaning over the handle, face pressed to the wood. I take a few breaths, curse Xandler into oblivion and finally straighten up.
The broom seemed to have calmed down by now, so I manage to get it under control. When I finally pull to a stop, I stay still for a moment, clenching my jaw. Then I speed off in Xandler's direction.
"You asshole! You stupid little mother-" I cut off as I almost run into the stands.
Cursing, I whirl around in pursuit of the older Gryffindor. Meanwhile, George, Nick and Dylan had smartly stayed out of my way but didn't offer to help. I made a mental note to kill them for that - after I had killed Xandler, of course.
I raced around the Quidditch pitch, trying to catch Xandler. Eventually, I gave up on that and pulled my wand out, casting the few offensive spells I knew. Unfortunately, he managed to dodge out of the way. I huffed, stopping to catch my breath for a moment. As my eyes followed Xandler, I suddenly got an idea.
Grinning, I set course for Dylan and Nick. Both of them had Beater bats and were lazily hitting the occasional Bludger that came their way. Deciding they had done enough practice for the day, I sped right past Dylan, yanking the bat out of his hands as I did. He held on for a moment, then let go.
"Promise not to kill me now that I helped you?" he calls hopefully after me.
I don't answer.
I race over to the nearest Bludger and fly around to line it up with Xandler. Then, I swing the bat, and the Bludger hits true. It slams into his broom, successfully sending him into a downwards spiral. Grinning from ear to ear, I watch as he struggles to get his broom under control. Luckily, he was pretty high, so about three seconds before he hits the ground, he manages to pull out of it, heading for me with a glare.
I laugh loudly, throwing my head back as my shoulders shake.
Once I calm down, I see that Xandler has stopped in front of me, arms crossed as he sits on his broom. Unfortunately for him, he loses his balance and has to put his arms down to steady himself. That just makes me laugh harder. He continues to glare at me until I calm down.
"Are we even now?" he asks unhappily.
I nod, still grinning.
"We're even. Don't you ever try to do that again, though, until you've mastered that spell."
"Charm, actually," he comments absentmindedly.
"Does it look like I care?"
He rolled his eyes before flying a little closer and holding his hand out.
"Truce?"
I sigh, but edge closer and shake his hand. Before letting it go, however, I suddenly dive down, making him trail after me. I let him go just in time for him to pull out safely. I laugh as the roles become reversed and he now chases after me.
When we finally call it quits the sun had long since hidden behind the clouds, and looking at my watch, I realised it was four in the afternoon. We came to a rest on the ground and started up a proper conversation as the boys packed their stuff away before we headed into the castle.
I caught up with the girls after taking a quick shower, and we chatted for a bit before heading to the Great Hall for dinner. Afterwards, the seven of us hung around in the Community Hall before calling it a night for the boys to have successful try-outs tomorrow.
Next day
As all the captains of the Quidditch teams were the same as last year, there was no need for complete try-outs. That meant everyone already on the team didn't need to do anything. But that didn't mean we weren't going to show up. No, almost everyone already on the teams was present in the stands to see the new talent coming through. The five of us took a spot among the stands as Priya called down the Gryffindors for their try-outs. As we watched, I saw Henry going down and frowned at the others.
"He's already on the team, what's he doing?" George asked, noticing him as well.
None of us was able to answer him, so we just watched. Henry approached Priya, and they had a conversation Priya didn't look too happy about. She was frowning and glancing at the Beaters that were trying out today. Finally, she nodded, and Henry walked off the field. She then approached the Beaters, and a moment later they seemed to be sparked up with energy.
"What's going on?" Xinia asks.
I saw Nick and Dylan talking to each other with grins on their faces.
"Obviously it was good news," I say.
Then they turn to us, and Dylan holds up two fingers. Us girls don't know what he means, but George seems to as he suddenly lets out a whoop.
"There are two Beater positions now," he explains. "Henry must have given his spot up!"
Now understanding, the rest of us grin and give the boys a thumbs up. We stop when Priya calls the Chasers into the air. Among them is Owen, and although we no longer hang out with her much, we cheer her on as she plays.
Not long after, they're called back to the ground, and the Beaters are sent up. The five of us cheer loudly as Nick and Dylan fly around with their bats in hand. Priya gives them a few instructions, and then they get into it, hitting and swinging at every opportunity. They fumble a bit to start off, but with a little encouragement, they relax and start to get good.
A little later, Priya signals for the Chasers to join them in the air, and they do, filling up the field as they play. I mostly keep my eyes on the boys and sometimes Owen, and I'm happy to see they perform just as well as a lot of the older students trying out.
Unfortunately, they don't get much of a chance to show off their talents. I'd seen them practice and play before, and I knew that they weren't showing off their full capabilities. Knowing the boys wouldn't consider that, I decided to help. Just as Dylan flies past the stands, I cup my hands around my mouth and yell out.
"SHOW OFF!"
Dylan glances back at me with a puzzled look, then a moment later grins and gives me a thumbs up. He flies over to Nick, and I hope that they had a plan of some sorts. Suddenly Nick flies off over to the other side of the pitch, presumably in chase of one of the Bludgers. Meanwhile, Dylan stays where he is, but I see him looking around every so often. I don't know what their plan is, but they seem to be confident it'll work.
"Should we be worried?" Xinia asks from beside me as she watches the boys as well.
"Probably," Anica sighs.
"Don't worry," George reassured us. "I'm sure whatever they're planning can't be that bad."
We just stare at him, but he studiously ignores us. As one, we sigh and turn back to the field. Dylan had finally moved, and I saw him lining up his Bludger. I frown, noticing Nick doing the same with his. The others around us in the stands also seem to be watching curiously.
"What are they doing?" I hear someone ask. "They're too far away from each other."
The girl wasn't wrong. I can't see what the boys were possibly trying to do, but before I could question it any further, they suddenly swung, and the Bludgers went flying.
It looked like neither Dylan nor Nick had aimed at anything, as the Bludgers just went flying through everyone. The other players had to dodge around them and turn awkwardly to avoid being hit. Maybe that was their plan? Just to cause general chaos?
But then the Bludgers started nearing each other with no signs of slowing down. I watch them in confusion, wondering if that had also been part of the plan. At the rate the Bludgers were going, they would hit each other with a massive amount of force and would ricochet off in who knows what direction.
Most of the players had also stopped to watch the Bludgers. Only Owen and one other boy were still flying around, seemingly desperate to get as many goals with the Quaffle as possible. Unfortunately, that meant Owen was nearing the Bludgers, which were now getting close to the goal hoops.
My heart races as I watch in anticipation; not knowing what was going to happen.
Seconds later, there was a deafening crack, and the Bludgers hit each other. As expected, they instantly rebound in opposite directions. Towards the stands, I realise with a start. I only had a moment to think, Crap, before the Bludgers smash into the stands, causing students to scream and try and run away. I then realise the Bludgers aren't stopping. They're heading through the stands, regardless of the students or other objects they had to destroy, towards us.
Xinia seems to realise at the same time, and she immediately leaps up, yelling at everyone to run. I follow suit, pulling Anica up. Xinia has to snap her fingers in Ciena's face to get her attention off her book, but when she does, Ciena looks around with wide eyes.
"This is why I hate Quidditch!" she yells as we race down the stairs to the ground.
As we run, I keep an eye out for the Bludgers, spotting them about ten seconds away from reaching us. Nick and Dylan and the other Beaters race after the Bludgers to try and get them under control, but they have no such luck. Every time one of them gets close, the Bludger darts away, destroying more of the stands in the process.
"Why the hell did you tell them to show off?" Xinia whines at me.
I glare at her.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I said it!"
Suddenly a yell carries through the air.
"YOU ASSHOLES I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
I recognise the voice as Owen's and look around to find the cause of her shouting. I find it quick enough. Owen, still racing around with the Quaffle, had failed to avoid the rogue Bludgers. One of them had hit her, as she was standing in the wreckage of the west side stands, holding her shoulder and a broken broom, glaring in the general direction of Nick and Dylan.
"Freign! Gougley! Get those bludgers under control!" Wood calls from the middle of the pitch.
"We're trying, Coach!" Dylan yells back as he has to perform a weird spin to avoid a Bludger.
I roll my eyes. I was still wondering how they managed to cause so much chaos with only one swing of their bats each. Looking at the stands, I saw they were pretty much destroyed.
"Well, they certainly made a first impression," I comment dryly, now that we were out of the way of danger.
Anica laughs while the others give me incredulous looks. I shrug.
After about ten minutes, the Beaters finally manage to wrangle the Bludgers down into their boxes.
Someone must have informed the staff because several Professors came down to start repairing the stands. Meanwhile, Dylan and Nick were getting an earful from Owen, Priya, Wood and McGonagall. I almost felt sorry for them. Almost.
"Idiots! What the hell were they trying to do?" Xinia complains.
"Don't know," I shrug cluelessly.
"Whatever it was, I doubt they'll get onto the team now," George sighs.
We watch as Priya dismisses them and calls for the others to come down. Nick and Dylan trail away miserably. Upon spotting us, they start making their way over. George jogs up to them, and he gives them an apologetic smile and one-armed hug before they join us.
"What was your plan?" Xinia immediately asks.
"Doesn't matter anymore," Dylan says dejectedly.
I nudge Xinia and give her a look. She rolls her eyes but refrains from giving them any trouble. I knew how much it meant to the boys that they got in, so they would be devastated that they screwed their chance up.
"Well, on the bright side," Anica pipes up. "I think you two officially made history with that stunt. The first time anyone's managed to destroy the stands, I'm sure."
"And the quaffle," Nick laughs half-heartedly.
"Wait, really?" George asks. "You guys destroyed the Quaffle?"
"Yeah, when it hit Owen, it also hit the Quaffle," Dylan says.
"Wicked!" George, Anica and I exclaim.
Xinia glares at us, and Ciena just looks thoroughly bored.
"Not wicked!" Xinia reprimands us. "They-"
"Save it, Xin," Nick sighs. "We know we screwed up."
"Yeah, we don't want a repeat of -"
"Sh!" I interrupt, realising what they were about to say. "We shall not speak of that!"
The others laugh, and the tense mood is broken. We go to turn around and walk back to the castle when suddenly Priya calls out.
"Freign! Gougley! Get your arses over here! You too, Jones!"
George looks at her with crinkled eyebrows.
"What did I do?" he asks in confusion.
A glare from the Captain silences him and the three walk over with nervous expressions. We watch as Priya talks to the boys then gestures for Nick and Dylan to go away. George stays and moves closer to the team, which I see Owen is now a part of. Guess she got the Chaser spot.
Suddenly I realise that they're two people down and that the boys had gone to join the other Beaters who had tried out.
"What's going on?" I ask, glancing at Anica and Xinia.
"Surely they don't still have a chance…" Xinia trails off, looking at the team as they seem to be in deep discussion.
Priya and Owen seemed to be arguing with George, Xander and Xandler. The boys kept gesturing towards Nick and Dylan, who looked increasingly more worried each time. Finally, Owen seems to give in to whatever the boys are saying, and not long later, Priya lets out a long sigh. Then she turns to the Beaters.
"By a," she hesitates slightly, "Unanimous vote, we have agreed on the Beaters this year," she announces.
I glance at Anica and Xinia, who look just as intrigued as me.
"And while how they went about it was extremely unorthodox," Priya sighs. "We agree that it was the best showcase of skills from the players, so...Friegn, Gougley, welcome to the team."
The three of us let out loud whoops as George cheers them with a massive grin. The boys themselves look stunned.
"You're serious?" Dylan asks Priya. "We got in?"
Priya rolls her eyes.
"Yes, now accept it before I change my mind."
Grins slowly make their way onto the boy's faces.
"Yes!" they yell, pumping their fists in the air as they hug each other.
George, Xander and Xandler go over to them and congratulate them. The four of us join them.
"I cannot believe you managed to get in," Xinia laughs in disbelief.
"Never underestimate us Xinny dear," Nick smirks.
Xinia throws him a glare, clearing her throat.
"Never underestimate us Xinia," Nick repeats, rolling his eyes.
"This calls for a celebration!" Xandler interrupts. "Quidditch room at seven tonight!" he announces.
"Hey what's going to happen to the other tryouts?" Anica suddenly asks. "None of the other houses got to do theirs."
We glance around at the destroyed Quidditch pitch. Bits of the stands were flying around everywhere as the Professors levitated and repaired the broken pieces. Madame Cheri was treating Owen while she spared glares at Nick and Dylan every few seconds. The other students were just standing around the pitch holding brooms and quidditch gear, looking a little lost. I spot the Captains huddled together, obviously discussing what to do next.
"Hopefully they can run them once everything is repaired," Xinia answers. "Looks like Wood is about to tell them now," she points out the coach as he crosses the pitch to the four seventh years.
"Okay, everyone," Wood calls. "We're going to have to reschedule try-outs. I know you're all disappointed, but I think it's for the best. We'll most likely have them next weekend, but keep an eye out on your notices. Thank you."
Complaints come from all around the field, but Wood just waves them off as he leaves. Many people send Nick and Dylan dirty looks as they go; however, a fair few people look relieved.
"No fair," Nick complains. "They get longer to practice."
"What are you complaining for?" I point out. "You got in."
"That's irrelevant Gena," Dylan rolls his eyes, but smartly, neither of them say anything more.
"Change of subject, anyone want to go to the library with me?" Ciena smiles.
Everyone looks around for the others' response.
"No," Xinia answers for everyone which kind of surprises me. "We're gonna go to the Community Hall."
"You don't want to go to the Library?" Nick asks tentatively.
Xinia rolls her eyes.
"I've already been today," she tells us.
I furrow my eyebrows as I try to do the math.
"But you've been with us all day," I point out in confusion.
She shrugs.
"Are we going to the Hall?" she asks as she turns around and starts walking off.
We look between each other before collectively following her towards the school.
We spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating the boy's victory, and our festivities carry on into the night in the Quidditch Room. By 9.30 most people have left not wanting to be caught out of their dorms and by ten only us, excluding Ciena, and Bailey's friends are left.
"You guys should go back to your common rooms," Bailey urges.
"Normally we would protest," Anica sighs. "But we really should be," she glances over at me. "Malfoy will kill us if we're out too late again."
I nod sadly before getting up and starting to leave.
"Boring!" George calls.
"Well, fuck you, George!" I retort without turning around.
"Language, Genie," Bailey calls after me.
I flip him off just before Anica, and I leave the room. We try to stick to the shortcuts and the dark places where we won't be seen easily, but unfortunately, we come to a section where we're completely visible. I stop Anica for a moment and cock my head to listen for anyone who might be around. Luckily, the only thing I hear is Anica's breathing beside me.
"We're good," I say quietly before beginning the trek across the bare section.
We dash, and fortunately, we reach the shadows again just as I hear approaching footsteps.
"Quick," I mutter, nudging Anica along faster.
We rush away and around the corner, only to stop dead.
"Goddamnit we were so close," Anica groans.
In front of us was Professor Potter, who was looking down at us with raised eyebrows.
"You were supposed to be in your common room twenty minutes ago, ladies," he announces.
We don't answer, knowing that nothing we say will get us out of this.
Then, suddenly, a miracle seemed to choose the time to grant us with its presence.
"Now, I would take points for being out past curfew, but unfortunately, there are none to take," he says, and I can see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Besides, that would be a bit hypocritical of me, considering all the times I was out after curfew during my school years. You're lucky I like you two," he says sternly, before waving us on.
We grin widely before scurrying away.
"Thanks, Sir," I call out quietly before we turn the corner away from him.
"Thank Merlin," Anica mutters once we're out of earshot. "I really don't want any more detentions."
I nod in agreement just as we reach the Founder's Statues. I check the corridor quickly before running my hand over Salazar's snake. A moment later, the passageway reveals itself, and we slip inside.
A few minutes later, we arrive at the end of the passageway. I do a quick listen out for anyone in the room and then shake my head. Anica says the password, and we descend the stairs into the room. Not a moment after the stairs shimmer out of existence, Naomi enters the common room and narrows her eyes at us.
"You told us you'd be back twenty-five minutes ago."
"We had Quidditch celebrations," I defended us. "Surely you didn't expect us to stick to that."
She raises an eyebrow before sighing.
"Just get to bed," she waves us off to our dorm.
I flash her a grin as we pass her and she just rolls her eyes. We make our way into a dormitory, trying to be quiet, so we don't wake the other girls. After changing into pyjamas, we slip into our beds and whisper goodnight before drifting off to sleep.
Next chapter out next week.