Halle Potter and the first year of madness
AN: Hi guys hope you're enjoying the story so far. Thanks for all the faves, follows and reviews. Means a lot. Hopefully we can get a few more reviews.
Also please let me know if there are mistakes. I read over my last chapter and saw so many.
Please point them out so I can fix them.
This chapter is gonna be quite rehash especially if you've read Poa but like I said it's to advance the plot but I'm doing my best to make the rehash bits as AU as possible. Please still read and enjoy.
/
Halle's first week at Hogwarts was amazing. Herself, Ronnie and Neville had gone exploring bits of the castle and luckily they hadn't been disturbed by any teachers, ghosts or portraits. They found themselves walking around finding new parts of the castle especially with the help of the castle's sentient mind to change doors and even corridors.
Of course, they had not explored it all within two days but they were largely happy with their progress. The trio had even managed to find a few more secret passageways with keen eyes. None as exciting as their first discovery but they were pleased nevertheless.
On the Sunday they had enacted out their plan in the morning before breakfast. Neville suggested that the earlier they go the better. He had told them that whoever was looking after the plants was using unnatural and magical light to tend to them, meaning that their growth pattern would be much different and would most likely require much more significant and regular attending too.
He did take into consideration that the room could've been magically enabled to tend to each plant too but Ronnie insisted that they check that for the next weekend if they saw no one.
With that said the three left Gryffindor tower early and headed for the passageway on floor seven. Halle went through the passageway and headed down to floor 2 to hide in the right side cupboard, whilst Ronnie went down and staked out the entrance on the castle first floor and Neville staked out the castle seventh floor.
They had found out that Floor 1 and Floor 7 were the only two entrances, the rest were just walls. They had checked each floor to ensure no one was in there before waiting at their posts and had longingly waited for an hour and a half as agreed.
To their surprise no one showed up.
Halle sat in the cupboard listening intently to hear footsteps, feel the lift move or hear the door open but there was nothing but silence. She had even dared to venture into the greenhouse but saw nothing but the plants. Her senses suggested that she was alone too.
The only noise that occurred is when the platform raised to floor 7 and Halle came face to face with Neville.
"Anything?" Asked Halle.
Neville shook his head and revealed that no one had even glanced at the entrance.
The two of them afterwards went back down and met Ronnie on the first floor who told them that no one had come through either.
"So do you think we can check it out a bit more then?" Asked Neville looking toward the two girls.
Ronnie turned her head towards Halle.
Halle thought for a moment. She wanted to be certain that no one would discover them in the secret passageway before they started looking at anything properly.
"Lets wait until next weekend like Ronnie suggested. Just to be on the safe side. We'll stakeout the passageway a bit more and check the greenhouse again to be certain and if no one shows up we can look." Said Halle.
"Sounds like a plan." Said Ronnie eagerly.
/
The trio had found themselves enjoying the rest of their Sunday in peace.
The following week came and Halle felt good.
Monday saw Lena Kadam approach Halle leaving the great hall. She had given Halle sometime to approach Dewei before approaching Halle herself.
Dewei was currently nowhere in sight.
Since her confrontation with him she had barely seen him other than their classes. Every time she managed to catch him in the hall he left without a word, if he wasn't already gone. In the common room he was practically a ghost.
She had felt bad for throwing his letter at him and had wanted to apologise. He wouldn't let her talk to him in the hall so she had tried to apologise in class but he didn't ever sit near her, not even before she had thrown the letter.
Dewei usually sat at the back or the front of class depending which was closest to the door.
It bugged her a lot that she even cared about his reaction or the fact that she felt sorry about the situation. He didn't deserve her apology but she felt the need to apologise nevertheless.
Lena had asked Halle if she had talked to Dewei and Halle gave her the honest answer and told her what happened. Lena's face became disappointed but she thanked Halle nevertheless and still gave her a smile before retreated back into the hall.
Halle felt bad for Lena. She probably just wanted her family to be together. Step siblings or not, family was family and once that bond was broken it was hard to mend.
Tuesday went by in a flash without one hassle and by Wednesday the novelty of being Halle Potter was starting to wear off. She barely caught anyone staring.
It was a great week for her until Thursday came along and they had started their flying lessons with the Slytherins.
The morning started with Draco Malfoy snatching Neville's remembrall and by the afternoon the lesson had ended with Halle being on the Gryffindor quidditch team which was exciting news for her but Neville had got extremely hurt in the process.
She was upset but good things came out of the lesson. As well as being the youngest seeker in a century, she hadn't been expelled, she had saved Neville's remembrall and she had finally found something she was good at.
When she had found Ronnie and Neville coming out of the hospital wing with a now repaired wrist she was elated to give Neville his remembrall and tell them on the way to dinner, the story of how McGonagall had taken her to meet the quidditch captain Oliver Wood and had even revealed to her that her father himself was a Gryffindor Chaser.
Ronnie and Neville rejoiced at the achievement. Fred and George had come and congratulated her on her making the team before walking off to find a new secret passageway. Halle wondered if they knew about theirs but decided against asking.
As the twins walked awayBlaise Zabini made his way over to the Gryffindor table and waltzed toward the end of the table.
Surprisingly Dewei had not left the hall yet. The moment he saw his brother, Dewei instead of leaving picked up his plate and sat next to Hermione Granger who was a few seats away from herself and the others. He then continued to eat the food off his plate in silence.
Before Blaise had the chance to do anything, the Malfoy's and the rest of their little gang came over.
"Having a last meal before returning to your Muggles Potter?" Said Draco smirking at her.
"You should enjoy it while you can. Your presence won't be missed." Said Phina sneering at her. Blaise sauntered over to the group but was eyeing his brother who was not looking remotely at him.
"Actually I'll be staying at Hogwarts for a while. I guess they just can't get enough of me." Said Halle flashing a toothy grin at the Slytherins.
"I'd be careful with who you're talking too, Potter. Peasants today honestly don't remember their place around their superiors." Said Phina viciously.
"Bold of you to assume you're not inferior to me." Said Halle with a sly smirk.
She of course didn't believe that, but she wanted to spite them for the sake of it.
Five snorts came out all except for Blaise who was still eyeing his brother.
"Bravery really is a trait for the most imbecile house." Spat Draco.
"You're one to talk, now that you're on the ground and surrounded by your little minions." Said Halle coolly.
She wasn't going to let them intimidate her. Luckily the teachers were all sat at the high table so the most they could do was talk.
"We could take you on anytime Potter. Hell I'll even challenge you to a wizards duel." Said Phina staring pointedly at Halle.
"We're not doing a wizards duel Malfoy. You'd end up in the hospital wing." Said Ronnie fiercely.
"Oh like Longbottom here? Am I gonna go flying around the castle screaming like a fat little pig too?" Said Phina.
She then flailed her arms in the air whilst mimicking Neville's screams.
Draco, Crabbe and Goyle burst out laughing whilst Pansy let out a large snort that sounded like a pig choking. Blaise didn't seem to find it funny.
Neville's face went a bright shade of red as he looked down to the floor.
Halle felt her insides burn as her fists clenched tightly. She was ready to chuck her plate at Phina for insulting Neville but before she could, Ronnie spoke.
"He's no fatter than those troll sized hands you've got, but you know what? I'd like to see you fly. So yeah we'll give you your wizard duel. I'm her second, and yours?" Said Ronnie viciously.
Phina sneered at her dirtily but Halle saw the pink tinge creep into her cheeks.
"Draco." She spat out.
"Good. Name a time and place and we'll be there." Said Ronnie eyeing her back with just as much contempt.
"Tonight. Trophy room. Midnight. Wands only. No contact." Said Phina still glaring at Ronnie.
"See you then troll." Said Ronnie waving them away.
Phina's glare hardened and she looked as though she were about to jump over the table but Draco grabbed her by the arm.
"It's ok Phina. Let the poor one have her inferior little insult. After all, it's all she can amount too anyway. If her insults were worth money, she'd still be poor. Let's go. See you at the finishing line Potter." Said Draco nastily before they walked away. Blaise stalled for a moment before he walked up to Dewei and whispered in his ear, when he was done, he walked off joining his fellow Slytherins.
Whatever he said made Dewei leave the great hall instantly, but Halle didn't care. She turned to Neville who still was looking down.
"Neville you're not fat, you're barely even chunky and I don't want to see you even listening to anything those slimy snakes have to say for a second. You're beautiful and amazing. Understand me." Said Halle fiercely.
She still felt like chucking something, the Slytherins were gone so she was channelling that anger into her words so hopefully it would ensure that Neville didn't take Phina's words to heart.
Neville looked up to Halle and nodded his head but she knew he would need a lot more convincing. She was about to shout unnecessarily but Neville stopped her.
"Are you going to actually duel her?" He asked, his voice timid and upset.
Halle paused for a second and turned to Ronnie who still looked red with anger.
"What exactly is a wizards duel?" Asked Halle who felt some of her anger simmer down. She had a feeling she knew but felt the need to ask anyway.
"Well proper ones would be duels to the death but you wouldn't know enough magic for that. The most you and the Malfoy's could do is send sparks at each other but trust me I have a better idea. We're not gonna let those little crotch goblins get away with…"
"Excuse me."
Halle, Ronnie and Neville looked up to see Hermione Granger.
"Oh goody. You." Said Ronnie dryly.
"You shouldn't be wandering around castle at night. If you're caught, you'll lose points for Gryffindor. That's rather selfish of you." Said Hermione stuffily.
"I don't remember the part where it was any of your business. Cheerio." Said Halle facing away from Hermione.
"You were saying?" Said Halle irritated.
Again she felt bad for being rude to Granger but she was extremely annoying. She honestly didn't care about losing points right now. The Malfoy's had insulted her, Neville and Ronnie and came looking for trouble.
She was gonna give as good as she could get.
"I've got a plan." Said Ronnie devilishly.
/
When nightfall arrived Halle laid awake in her bed listening to the soft snores of her roommates. At 11:25 she arose herself out of bed. She looked to her right to see Ronnie with a bag in hand and gave a nod to Halle.
The two closed the curtains around their beds and crept out of the room silently. They stood on the spiral staircase for a moment listening for any noise.
Halle tugged on Ronnie's shirt for a moment. Ronnie turned to her.
"Just go over this plan one more time for me." Whispered Halle.
She was nervous about this plan of Ronnie's and wanted to make sure that she didn't mess up.
"Right. We're going to the trophy room before the snakes get there. We're going to set off smoke bomb potions which will have 24-hour dye powder in it. When they get there and open the door there going to be covered in smoke. What we have to do is seal the gaps under the doors and keep ourselves from being covered. That's why I've got this stuff. It's going to keep us protected from the smoke. The Malfoy's aren't going to say it was us because they'll have to admit they challenged us to a duel which is also against school rules. And even if they do all we've got to do is make sure we're not seen by the portraits, ghosts or obviously filch and Mrs Norris. So, we're going to take the passageway down to 1. There's no portrait opposite the suits and we'll be by the landing so we just walk up to 3. The trophy room is close and the darkness should keep us for the most part unnoticeable to the portraits. We'll keep our heads down so that they don't see our faces if we're seen." Said Ronnie firmly.
Halle didn't even hear a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"And we're doing what again?" Asked Halle, her voice still a quiet whisper.
"Ok I'm going to do the potion bit and you and Neville are going to seal the doors." Said Ronnie matching her hushed tone.
"How?" Asked Halle.
She knew Ronnie had gone over this but she assumed the nerves were just getting the better of her. They were about to break some school rules and she had already gotten off breaking one today, she was definitely pushing boundaries by breaking some more.
"I told you. Everything we need is in my bag. We have seal solution, absorbable cloaks and the potions. See once I add the dye it's going to take a few minutes for the potion to smoke up and then I'll have to remove the cork.
You keep it on to start, cause it's going to bubble up first. You and Neville are going to use the seal solution on the cracks of the doors so the smoke doesn't escape. We're also going to wrap the cloaks around us so that if the smoke surrounds us before we get out of the trophy room, the cloaks will absorb it and we'll be dye free. We make our way back through the passageway, and to the common room. Hopefully the fat lady will be asleep." Said Ronnie.
Halle could only nod her head.
Ronnie carefully studied her for a moment.
"Halle if you don't want to do this, we don't have to. We can always put this stuff away and go to bed. I don't mind." Said Ronnie.
Although Halle could tell she did mind but she knew her friend was also being sincere.
She didn't want to go back to bed. She couldn't bare the idea of giving the Malfoy's the satisfaction of knowing she had backed out even if the plan didn't actually entail a wizards duel but seeing the Malfoy's get in trouble would definitely knock them down a peg or two and she didn't want to back out of that.
"No I want to do this it's just the getting caught part that's making me nervous, but The Malfoy's need to know that we're not gonna let them scare us or push us around." Said Halle firmly whilst taking a deep breath.
She didn't say the words that she was worried about getting expelled and having to go back to the Dursley's but she chose to ignore the feeling.
The Malfoy's couldn't just get away with treating anyone the way they wanted. Of course the smart idea would've been to inform their head of houses but Snape made it very clear how he felt about her and as for McGonagall…. well there wasn't necessarily a reason to not go to her but the event had already been set in motion. Perhaps if they weren't caught and expelled tonight then at some point they could talk to their head of house and do something about the situation.
Although she had little faith in that idea as no doubt McGonagall would have to go through Snape and Snape even if he did have a shred of decency, probably wouldn't sort the Malfoy's out because she had asked him too.
"I know. I'm nervous too but I'll take full responsibility if we do get caught. It's my idea, so if we get caught it's my blame to take and I'll tell them that you and Neville were just trying to stop me. Don't worry, ok." Said Ronnie in a steady voice.
Halle wanted to object but she didn't want to even comprehend the idea of Ronnie getting expelled. She also knew if they were caught she would instantly speak up before Ronnie had the chance so instead of trying to argue with her she instead said the first thing she could think of.
"Where did you get all this stuff anyway?" Asked Halle pointing toward her bag.
A smirk formed on her lips.
"My brothers and I have quite the standing arrangement. See they're the troublemakers of the family. Always pulling some form of prank. This year they'll be allowed to go to Hogsmead. The wizarding village that we pulled up to on the express. See only third years and above are allowed to go but my older brothers told us all about it and even gave us some of their old zonko products. Fred and George have been obsessed ever since. First year, they owl ordered a bunch of stuff and caused havoc on the school. Mum was furious so she took most of their stuff but they managed to keep a hidden stash of it. She even banned them from going to Zonko's when their first trip arrives this year but they have Lee and they'll probably still find some way around it." She said letting out a chuckle before continuing.
"Anyway point is, a few years ago I started experimenting past my potion kits. Nothing too dangerous or out of my league of course but I started making more complex potions but most of the time I had to steal Percys books. Mum was reluctant to let me make some of the potions I wanted to make and obviously ingredients are expensive.
Now my brothers, although they like to pull pranks they also like to make them. That's where I come in. They send me ingredients and instructions, I send them potions that help them make new and improved stuff. They also send me extra ingredients for my own personal use. See my brothers are very good at charms and potions but filch makes it his personal mission to stop any of their plans, so last year they recruited me to send them stuff so they didn't have to sneak around to do it.
So whenever I ask for something all I have to do is give a potion or two in trade. The cloaks they made themselves. The solution and the smoke potions is something I made for them last year when they had their dung bombs taken from them and I always keep a few vials of everything I make for myself. I got them to give me the dye. Trust me when I say they have a whole stash of other things too than just Zonko products." Said Ronnie with her smirk broadening.
"How do you guys get away with that?" Asked Halle in awe.
"Oh well dad works a lot. And mum has a job too. She's a seamstress. Although she's home based, but she makes knitwear and sells it, usually to Pinky and Porky's but she has some personal clients too. Point is a lot of her time is taken during the day when she's cooking, cleaning or knitting. Not to mention. When I didn't have tutoring by ministry officials I had time on my hands to create potions." Said Ronnie.
"What's Pinky and Porky's?" Asked Halle.
"Oh well for example we got our robes from Madam Malkins. She's an established seamstress but there are others of course. In particular she focuses on all designs, whilst mum focuses on knitwear. Whilst it's not as established or glamorous it has a market for those who aren't as wealthy and Muggleborns. So to answer your question.
There is an area specifically more catered to Muggle style living, Nullmag village. It's in London. It's an area for any Muggles, Muggleborn and Muggle raised. Anyone can go there buts it for Muggleborns/Raised to adjust better to magic without giving up their Muggle culture either and for Muggles who give birth to magical children but need to time to adjust that magic is real. The place is run by Muggleborns. They have shops there too but school supplies mostly remain in Diagon alley so it's more an area just to shop for muggle stuff but with a touch of magic as well. It's a really pretty place. Any who one thing that Wizards and Muggles don't have much in common about is clothes.
Most wizards wear tailored robes, suits or clothes reminiscent of normal clothing but made of magical fabrics. Now if you're from the muggle world you'll probably be wearing normal muggle clothes. Some wizards do wear muggle clothes because they're cheaper or they have to fit in with Muggle society. Pinky and Porky's is a clothes shop/bakery. Two brothers and a sister own it. They love mums designs so they pay her for her knitwear. She gets a lot of sales in the winter specifically." Finished Ronnie.
"Cool." Said Halle.
She liked the idea that there was a place for Muggles/Muggleborns/Muggle raised. She would've asked more but just then they heard a noise but to their relief it was just Neville.
"Sorry I'm late, Seamus took forever to fall asleep." Said Neville.
Halle could hear the anxiousness in his voice too.
Ronnie who had a watch on looked at the time.
"Don't worry it's only been ten minutes. We've got time." Said Ronnie as she took out the cloaks from her bag and handed them to herself and Neville. They were jet black with strings to tie and hoods a bit too large for their heads. The length of the fabric reached down to their feet meaning they would be covered fully.
"Ok let's do this." Said Halle.
They tip toed down the spiral staircase and into the common room. As they approached the portrait, they were startled by the voice of Hermione Granger who was sat waiting for them in an armchair.
She berated the three of them for sneaking out and trying to fight which made Neville look down. Hermione clearly hadn't heard the conversation on the staircase.
"Mind your business Granger and go back to bed." Said Ronnie furiously.
"Come on let's go. We don't have time to argue." Said Halle and the three of them walked toward the portrait.
Hermione wasn't ready to give up and followed them out of the portrait. She berated them more but only Neville had a reaction. The girls were irked. They whispered that they would have to walk using the stairs instead of the passageway. There were of course portraits around the staircase but their faces except Hermione's was covered but if the Malfoy's did talk, they could verify one Gryffindor most likely with three other Gryffindors.
At some point Hermione tried to go back but the Fat Lady had gone to another portrait and she trailed after them, threatening to tell on them.
Ronnie made sure to threaten her in return but all four trailed toward the third floor. Luckily most of the portraits were sleeping and the few ghosts that flitted past didn't see them. They made their way quietly to the third floor and the trophy room. The Slytherins weren't there.
Ronnie checked her watch. It was 11:47. They still had time.
Instantly she set down her bag and started pulling out the smoke potions and some clear jars with clear paste and handed them too Halle and Neville.
"Ok seal the doors. Just grab the solution and put it at the bottom of the doors." Said Ronnie.
"We'll be able to get out right?" Asked Neville nervously.
"Yes, it's just to block the smoke from getting out. Even if the door was left open it wouldn't come out either." Said Ronnie.
Halle and Neville took the jars and began to paste the bottoms of the doors which thickened and spread around the doors.
"What on earth are you doing?" Asked Hermione but they ignored her.
Ronnie began putting in green dye into the yellow potion which began to bubble in the vial and slowly turn green. She had a second one which she put red dye into as well.
Before Hermione could ask again they heard a noise coming from inside the room.
They all froze. A groaning sound was coming from the corner of the room.
As Halle pulled out her wand and went to approach the noise, it presented itself.
Falling from behind a trophy cabinet was not one but two boys. Boys she both recognised.
"Zabini?" Said Halle surprised at the two brothers.
Dewei seemed to have a black eye and a busted lip and Blaise had an open cut with blood trickling from his head.
"What happened to you two?" Asked Hermione in shock.
"And where's your snake friends." Asked Ronnie also holding her wand out.
"They're not coming Weasley, it's a set up." Said Blaise through gritted teeth as he brushed off his clothes.
"Filch will be making his way any minute now." Said Dewei also brushing himself off.
"And what happened to you two?" Asked Ronnie suspiciously.
"And what are you doing here?" Asked Halle.
"I'm pretty sure he just said Filch is coming." Said Blaise irritated.
"Yes, but why are you telling us?" Asked Halle.
Both brothers shared a look but before either could reply they heard a noise.
They were right, it was Filch. He was right by the door.
Ronnie quickly pointed toward the other door as she threw the potion toward the door they had come through. As the door opened the potion smashed and thick green smoke began to swarm the room. They heard filch curse as he wailed about in the smoke. The noise was enough to wake the castle. They closed the door quickly and ran through an armoury and into a corridor and another. They found a secret passageway that they had found on the weekend and hurtled through it but as they went to go towards the landing but they found Peeves. Before he had the chance to see them Halle ran in the opposite direction to the door at the end of the corridor and the others followed.
It was locked and Neville let out a squeal while Ronnie slumped hopelessly.
"Oh, move over." Snarled Hermione. She took Halle's wand and uttered a spell "Alohomora" and the door unlocked.
They piled in. They weren't far from the stairs. They just needed to avoid Peeves.
"Ronnie how long will the smoke last?" Whispered Halle
"About ten minutes max." Said Ronnie.
"What happened to him?" Asked Hermione.
"The smoke is thick. he's waddling around not being able see nothing." Said Ronnie.
"Will he be ok?" Asked Hermione.
"He's fine. The potion isn't painful, he's probably more angry that we got away." Said Ronnie annoyed.
"Yeah well with the noise he's making Peeves we'll probably be attracted. We wait a few minutes and then we head for the common room." Said Halle.
"Can we head for it now?" Whispered Neville, his voice full of fear.
Halle and the others turned to face him but immediately saw why he was scared. In the room was a large three headed dog that was snarling at them.
The others were in complete shock, even Blaise and Dewei couldn't move. Halle using Ronnie's tactics took the other vial in her hand and threw it at the monstrous dog. It stopped and snarled more viciously but couldn't see them. She screamed at them and they all moved toward the door before slamming it shut.
Halle saw red smoke coming from under the door but they began to run before it could touch them but before they could even make it to the stairs they found their path blocked by a tall imposing figure.
It was Colubra Zabini and she looked furious.
/