Halle Potter and the first year of madness
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It was the 20th of December. Christmas was just around the corner and most of Hogwarts was looking forward to the festivities, especially as their end of term exams had just finished.
Regardless of that Halle was not anxious for Christmas at tall. While she was a little excited for her first Christmas especially as it would be the first one, she would be allowed to celebrate and she would be spending it at Hogwarts, she was also reminded of the three powerful lurking threats somewhere around the school, the only obvious one being Snape.
On the plus side she would be spending Christmas with Ronnie and her brothers and oddly enough Dewei had decided he was staying too which Halle at first had thought was weird but then she figured that things at home would probably be awkward for him given that he lived with the Malfoy's and he and his brother apparently appeared to still be on bad terms.
Lu who these days seemed to always give furtive glances at her brother Blaise had cornered Dewei one day about the decision and had seemed rather upset by it.
She'd cornered Halle specifically after a quidditch session and told her all about her conversation with her brother which had been less than productive. Lu had been excited to go home for Christmas but learning that one of her brothers would be staying had dampened her spirit a little. She had apparently offered to stay at Hogwarts with him but he'd told her to go home.
Lu had simply asked Halle to find out if he was alright, to try and make sure he enjoyed his Christmas and to keep an eye out on Dewei. Unbeknownst to her, she had been doing that since October but Halle agreed to Lu's plea.
Draco Malfoy had been thoroughly surprised that his god brother had chosen to stay at Hogwarts especially as he had been determined to rag on Halle staying because no one wanted her at home. While Phina had been extremely frosty with Dewei Draco, sort of glossed over the fact that Dewei was in Gryffindor.
He never threw any snide comments in Dewei's direction. He never antagonised him for being surrounded by them.
This was probably the first time that Halle had actually seen Draco fully acknowledging Dewei's existence. Even when they'd first started following Dewei and Draco had been antagonising them about wanting a pureblood friend, he hadn't actually acknowledged Dewei whatsoever.
So, it was completely surprising when she saw a brief split of emotion on Draco's face at learning that they would not be spending Christmas together.
Had that look been sadness? Halle couldn't tell.
Halle assumed her own thoughts about Dewei's decision to stay were most likely probable and so she chose not to think on it too tough as the group had been busy this past month.
The quintet had still been researching nonstop to find out information on Nicolas Flamel and Fluffy.
Their research had been so busy that they hadn't even had another practice session since they had started.
Hermione and Ronnie had come up with plenty of research on defensive spell possibilities with the strategy of using all their school subjects as points of research. Hermione during the end of November had got Halle and Neville to work on some subjects too as their frustrations had been very noticeable in regards to the lack of information on Nicolas Flamel.
Neville had been a blast with Herbology of course, listing possible different plants that could be used defensively and their properties as well as how to get past them. He was also given a subject called divination which was the subject all about telling the future. That wouldn't be an option until third year and Hermione didn't think that there would be a defensive spell that could use divination but she had wanted to cover all bases.
Halle had been given Defence against the dark arts and the subject Care of magical creatures which also wouldn't be an option until third year.
While Quirrell was kind of a shoddy teacher, Halle was arguably one of the better students in the class and sifting through possible spells for defences and how to beat them had become therapeutic for her.
The books on comc didn't contain any information about Fluffy but she did find plenty of new creatures and took note of their defeats in case it became necessary to know as she took over Dewei's research on Fluffy.
Dewei who had found nothing on him either had allowed himself by Hermione to be moved onto a subject called Ancient Runes. He apparently already had some idea on the subject but didn't elaborate any further and he was given another subject called Arithmancy which Hermione had explained in the simplest terms as magical maths. Two other subjects that wouldn't be given until third year. Only he and Hermione were smart enough to deal with those subjects and the other didn't complain about it.
Ronnie of course had been given the potions detail and she had plenty to write down. She looked through numerous books and jotted down plenty of notes and course took notes from the passageway books when she was able to sneak off.
She was also given, much to her dismay Astronomy. Again, Hermione didn't think that there was anyway astronomy could be used to protect the package but she wanted all grounds covered.
She herself did most of the heavy lifting with Charms research, Transfiguration research, History of magic research which Halle was certain was more personal for her than for the package as their teacher, a ghost called professor Binns only really liked to drone on about Goblin wars and finally, she was also doing Muggle Studies' research. Another third-year elective.
Halle had asked why she was doing research on muggle studies and Hermione had replied with the whispered answer that muggles had certain methods that were much more sophisticated than wizard ones in general. If the muggle studies teacher had placed any kind of spell associated with the subject that would arguably be the game changer as Halle and Hermione had realised that a lot of wizards were very ignorant to the muggle world.
Hermione also said that she was fascinated to see what the subject looked like from a wizard's perspective.
Halle while she didn't share her enthusiasm about the subject, did have to agree about wizards being ignorant about muggle culture. Of course, Halle herself was just as ignorant about wizard culture but if she lived to see the end of her Hogwarts journey in seven years' time, she would at least be cultured in both her heritages, where as some wizards because of unwarranted prejudice wouldn't try to appreciate the culture that didn't have the privileges of magic to make life easy for themselves.
Their individual research went well. Hermione had decided that all five of them should search for Nicolas Flamel. However, Halle opted out to still find a way to get past Fluffy. If she could find a way, then it meant that Snape could find a way too if didn't already know.
Hermione was certain they wouldn't be going down that trapdoor and that was fine with Halle although she was unsure how they were going to make it difficult for Snape to get the package without doing so but nevertheless she would put in the work if it meant that Voldemort was not coming back.
She was thankful that the others felt that way too as each of them through November into December decided to use all their spare time research with her.
Unfortunately, their spare time was in for a shock.
Their day had been going just like any other except Halle had noticed something odd. She had actually noticed this a little a while ago during early December. Dewei had looked weird, perhaps tired? He was starting to look a little like his brother who Halle had still been keeping an eye on when she could and noticed that Blaise Zabini was looking absolutely drained these days.
She now understood why Daphne Greengrass had been so concerned about both brothers. Blaise looked absolutely awful and Dewei for the last couple of weeks was starting to catch up with him.
With all the research they'd been doing Halle hadn't too tough paid attention to it but before and after the attack it had become much more apparent.
He had woken up late for a start which was out of the ordinary for Dewei.
While Hermione and Halle were the more of the early risers than most of Gryffindor, Dewei was no slouch for getting up early either and he was usually the middle man for getting out of bed and yet Ronnie and Neville had beaten him that morning.
Halle had noticed straightaway that he had eyebags and had a strange look in his eye and when she had asked him if was ok, his face had become its usual impassive mask and he simply nodded his head. There wasn't even so much as a scathing remark or look.
After their breakfast they had gone to potions and nothing too strange had happened. Unfortunately, the air for Gryffindor playtime together had long since been over since the herbicide incident and no one seemed to want to revive it.
This of course had left the quintet more time to research but that research had been interrupted when Daphne Greengrass had come catapulting into the library in an unlike Slytherin manner and found them.
"Daphne? What's the matter with you?" Asked Dewei Bemused with the lack of her usual decorum.
Daphne always carried herself with elegance. So, it was unusual for her to break such practices.
"Dewei!" Huffed Daphne as she paused for a moment to catch her breath before she looked at the other four Gryffindor's unsure if she should speak in front of them.
"Daphne?" Said Dewei now actually looking concerned.
Halle could tell that something was wrong. Her eyes were wide and she was nervous although she was doing her best to hide it.
Halle had the feeling that something horrible had just happened to the girl as her fingers were slightly fidgeting.
Halle being closest to her was hesitant for a moment before deciding to boldly grab Greengrass's wrist as comfortingly as she could.
"Greengrass, just take a moment to breath. If you want, we can leave so you can talk to Dewei in private." Said Halle softly, trying disregard the fact that she was possibly invoking a Slytherin's rage by touching the girl.
Daphne Greengrass appeared shocked that Halle was touching her. She didn't seem angry however. There was a look in her eye that Halle couldn't decipher before she shook her head and slowly took her hand out of her grasp but there was no hostility in the action.
Daphne took another breath before addressing her friend.
"It's Lu!" Said Daphne, her voice was close to trembling but she didn't let one tremble slip.
"What about her?" Said Dewei, his voice had hardened suddenly.
"Dewei...she's... there's been an attack. She's in the hospital wing right now." Said Daphne solemnly.
For all the impassiveness Dewei could possess, his mask could barely keep in place as his eyes widened.
"What?" Said Dewei, his mind racing.
"We found her. Blaise Theo, Tracy and I. If you remember our previous conversation. I asked Theo and Tracy for support on the matter. Blaise insisted we go outside. We were near the bank of the lake. Suddenly there she was... She was in really bad shape. Tracy went and got professor Snape and he took her to the hospital wing. She's unconscious. As soon as professor Snape questioned us, I came looking for you." Said Daphne, her face now a complete impassive mask.
Halle had her own experience with putting on facades but it was disturbing sometimes to see how Slytherin children had practically been brought up to be emotionless or at least emotionless in public although it was better to say that Slytherins weren't brought up to be sentimental or perhaps just not normal in general.
It was all etiquette, dignity and pride with them.
Lu had arguably been one of the few exceptions to some degree. She carried herself with proper elegance but she was much softer than all of the other Slytherins she had, had interactions with and felt like a normal teenaged girl.
A sweet normal girl who someone had attacked.
Why? Lu was amazing. Why would someone attack her?
"Will she be, ok?" Asked Ronnie surprisingly concerned.
Ronnie hadn't forgotten Lu, saving them on the Hogwarts express. Hermione and Neville also looked concerned. Lu had been gracious enough to not get them in trouble after running into Fluffy and had come to check on all of them after the troll incident.
Daphne was taken by surprise by the Gryffindors concern.
'I don't know, Weasley. Madam Pomfrey is tending to her now." Said Daphne Mindfully.
Halle looked towards Dewei. She could see the struggle in his eyes, the struggle to run and be with his sister and the struggle to not have an emotional outburst.
'Thank you for informing me, Daphne. I shall walk with you momentarily." Said Dewei very formally. Daphne nodded her head and then took a quick second to glance down at the table. Halle caught the arched brow as she spied some of their books and notes before her eyes looked back up and connected with Halle's.
Daphne then looked away and walked out of the library.
Dewei then started closing his books and gathering his notes in a neat pile before addressing the table.
"I'm going to check on my sister. I think it's prudent that you don't come with me, as I'm sure one or all of you are about to offer. I don't know how long she'll be in the hospital wing so I probably won't return to take any notes tonight. Granger, you'll find them well organised and easy to understand even if you've never looked at the subject before. The rest of you probably won't. I shall be leaving now and I'm sure you'll all pester me at dinner as you usually do. So, until dinner." Said Dewei ceremoniously as he stood up.
The other four Gryffindors looked shocked at him. How could he be so calm and collected.
He picked up his bag and went to leave but Ronnie was the one to grab onto him this time. She didn't even seem to care that she was holding him by the hand.
"You'll tell us if she's ok right?" Asked Ronnie, looking him square in the eyes.
Dewei appeared to asses her for a moment before his eyes shifted onto all them, noticing the concern placed in all of their eyes. Dewei looked taken aback for a moment, so much he couldn't even scowl at Ronnie for touching him. He wanted to reply with some snarky remark but couldn't bring himself to do it and had to look away from all of their eyes.
He simply replied with a 'hm' and a nod and then walked out the library to go walk with Daphne to the hospital wing.
The four Gryffindors were left in silence as they watched their sort of friend leave the library. Dewei had been absolutely right, as all four of them were immediately ready to go with him. Not because they were under the impression that C.S was lurking around the school and could attack him at any given moment no, but simply to be emotional support because that's what you did for friends and all four of them had reason to like Lu.
"What should we do?" Asked Neville when it was clear no one else was going to speak.
"We're going to go back to the common room." Said Hermione all of a sudden and the serious tone she used alerted Halle and the others that she had something important to say.
All four of them collected their notes and returned their books before heading out of the library and heading back up to Gryffindor tower very quickly.
When they arrived to the common room Hermione headed for the spiral staircase and like they had over a month ago, Hermione led them to the boy's dormitory. Luckily both occasions no one had paid attention to the girls entering the boy's dormitory.
They shuffled in and Hermione closed the door. All four of them unanimously just walked over to the last two beds that belonged to Neville and Dewei and sat down on them, Hermione and Neville on his and Halle and Ronnie on Dewei's.
"What's the matter Hermione?" Asked Halle getting straight to the point.
"It's Greengrass. I have two problems. One she caught a look at our research and notes, but the glance was so quick that I don't know what she could've seen but whatever she did see will now be filed away in her brain and if it looked to her like what we were researching is blackmail worthy she could play that card at any time in the near future. It's how Slytherins work. We have to be careful with her now." Said Hermione earnestly.
"I don't think you should worry too much about her Hermione." Said Halle thoughtfully.
"Why not?" Asked Ronnie curiously.
"Greengrass seems nice... at least nice for a Slytherin." Added Halle when she got three looks of disbelief.
Daphne Greengrass didn't associate with the Gryffindors to be considered nice. She didn't usually show an ounce of kindness in their direction. Her only relationship with Gryffindors was in potions and even then, it was only a formal partnership until the lesson was done which Halle had experienced only once.
Halle still wasn't sure why Daphne Greengrass was still the only Slytherin ever partnered with Gryffindors because it obviously wasn't for her social skills with them but Halle had seen the softer side of the girl with a Gryffindor and she hadn't been visibly repulsed by her touching her less than ten minutes ago.
"Look I overheard a conversation between her and Dewei last month and no I'm not going to tell you what I heard and no I wasn't ease dropping on purpose. Nevertheless, they know each other from toddler days. She really cares about Dewei. So much that she suggested that he talk to us about his feelings if he wouldn't talk to her. While I wouldn't go out of my way to tell her all my deepest darkest secrets, I do believe that she has Dewei's best interests at hearts." Said Halle sincerely.
Hermione gave her an assessing look before she continued.
"Well even so, she may care for Dewei but she certainly doesn't care for any of us. She also certainly didn't want to trust us enough to tell her friend that his sister was hurt in front of us. Which brings me to my next point. It's something about what she said that bothers me." Stated Hermione firmly.
"Which was what?" Asked Ronnie with interest.
"She implied that a previous conversation between herself and Dewei had taken place, assumedly Halle that's the one you just told us about. A conversation that specifically wasn't just about them. She implied it was about Dewei's brother. She said she asked Theo and Tracy, Nott and Davis for support on the matter." Started Hermione.
"I don't understand what's the problem with that?" Asked Neville peculiarly.
"She said Blaise insisted to go outside. Their conversation on whatever exactly they wanted to talk about was something that he wanted privacy on and they just happened to go to the exact spot where his sister had been attacked randomly out of the blue? That doesn't seem strange to any of you?" Said Hermione as she waited for them to respond.
Halle thought about her statement.
Surely Blaise wouldn't have done anything to his own sister, would he?
He had fought with Dewei but Lu?
Slytherin or not, there was no way he would attack her to the point that even Daphne Greengrass shuddered about it. Besides Lu was a seventh year she was way more experienced than Blaise could ever be although Hermione was right, it was odd how they had just come across her like that.
Friday was the day where the first years, the second years, the sixth years and the seventh years all had free periods some longer, some shorter than others. The third, fourth and fifth years had theirs on Wednesdays.
So assumedly no third to fifth year did this to her.
Probably only a sixth or seventh year could if Davis had to go get help instead of them being able to bring Lu to the hospital wing but why had Blaise insisted on going outside to have a conversation which Halle knew was in reference about his deteriorating state which obviously Dewei hadn't talked to him like Daphne had asked him too.
Surely for a Slytherin that conversation would stay private as possible meaning the common room unless they didn't want prying eyes and ears?
Halle supposed if she were a Slytherin then perhaps she wouldn't want another Slytherin listening to all her problems waiting for the perfect opportunity to be sneaky and use that information against her
"Are suggesting that snake Zabini had something to do with his sisters attack?" Asked Ronnie, her voice a mixture of incredulity and seriousness.
"I wouldn't say that, Ronnie. I have no proof and that's a big accusation, one that I'm sure even Dewei would detest. However, I think something suspicious is going on with him. I mean we've all seen how tired he looks of late. He's not even hanging around the other snakes anymore. Other than lessons he's practically like Dewei these days. You barely see him. Not to mention that business back in September. Him bailing us out of trouble and his unusually timed fight with Dewei in the trophy room. Add that to the C.S business surrounding Dewei and you've got two suspicious Zabini twins. We know for a fact that Dewei didn't do it and I doubt Blaise did but the circumstances of him finding her is still suspicious to me." Said Hermione firmly.
"You're right. It is suspicious. Something weird has been going on between those two and I've been trying to keep an eye on snake Zabini but with everything going on, I've been distracted." Said Halle thinking about all the times she had caught him looking at her and he had caught her looking at him.
"So do we talk to Dewei about it?" Asked Neville although he didn't sound like that was something he wanted to go through with.
"And get our heads ripped off? This last month has been the most tolerable he's ever been Nev, no way am I gonna question him about his slimy snaky suspicious sneak of a brother and get the brunt of his Gryffindor rage. Not to say that I couldn't handle it and even go toe to toe with it but it's cold and it's almost Christmas. So, no thanks." Said Ronnie adamantly.
"Ronnie's got a fair point there. Dewei has been rather quiet of late and hasn't even scowled at us with all the research we've been doing. Perhaps he enjoys the productivity, regardless that he thinks we're a nuisance." Said Hermione thoughtfully.
"Yeah, you would think it's about the education." Snorted Ronnie, causing Halle and Neville to smirk.
After moment Neville asked the question on all their minds.
"Ok so what do we do now then?" Asked Neville with an air of uncertainty.
Halle understood the feeling.
It wasn't like they could really do anything about the situation. Lu was in the hospital wing; Dewei was just about civil with them these days and Blaise Zabini was a Slytherin who was a part of the snake gang. They couldn't really get close to him to find out what he was hiding even if they tried.
They had been doing that with Dewei since October and hadn't actually got anywhere with finding out what his deal was or what his relationship to C.S, who said that Dewei was nothing more than a pawn to get to her but she didn't believe that.
Nevertheless, they were stuck at a crossroad.
"I think in terms of our defensive research, we're quite on top of it already. I think I'm also brewing a few ideas, something that I'll get back to you guys on in due course. If you guys give me all your notes, I think we can start planning properly on how to deal with Snape. Even if Greengrass is a good friend to Dewei I still think it's better to wrap it up now before she decides to open her mouth about anything she might've seen. We'll still have to research for who Nicolas Flamel is I'm afraid. Although I must admit it almost seem pointless. It's like the man doesn't exist but I've not lost hope that we'll find something. As Gryffindors I firmly believe that we shall prevail. Perhaps we may need to look in the restricted section." Said Hermione pensively.
"Err Hermione, it's called the restricted section for a reason." Said Ronnie dubiously.
Hermione simply rolled eyes.
"I'm aware of that Veronica but we're already breaking the rules on a vast degree, why stop at books?" Said Hermione with a hint of irritation.
Ronnie didn't have an answer for that.
"As for Dewei well, I don't think we should bring up any type of theory to do with his brother whatsoever." Said Hermione.
"Agreed." Chorused Neville and Ronnie.
"Ok, so just for clarification, are we thinking that this attack is something to do with C.S and Blaise? or Voldemort..."
"Don't say the name." Hissed Ronnie.
"Or someone else entirely?" Continued Halle as though she hadn't been interrupted.
"It seems too coincidental to be the latter, of course we have no proof but with everything going on who knows. However, I feel as though it's the prior of those options." Answered Hermione grimly.
"Ok well I'm topping up everyone's potions in that case and I'm making at least three more healing salves." Stated Ronnie.
"Don't you have two now from the last batch you made?" Asked Neville quizzically.
'Yeah, but it's better to be safe than sorry." Replied Ronnie.
"Speaking of which where have you been making these potions of yours? Because it's certainly not in the dungeons and if a teacher or Filch catch you making potions outside of class, you're certainly going to get detention." Said Hermione folding her arms and arching an eyebrow.
"Oh well about that..."
Before Ronnie could come up with an excuse, the dormitory door opened and in walked Matt. He was by himself and was thoroughly surprised to see the girls in there.
"I'm not even gonna ask. Just came to get something from my trunk but seeming as you're all here might as well let you know that Professor McGonagall made an announcement like two minutes ago for all students to have a meeting with their head of houses." Said Matt as he bent down next to his bed which was next to Neville's.
He grabbed something and then let out a startled yell.
The others got up.
"You ok Matt?" Asked Neville concerned.
"Yeah, there's a bloody lizard near my bed. Scared the life out of me too but for the sake of my dignity and pride I need you lovely ladies and fine gentleman to pretend that you didn't just here me scream like a baby girl." Said Matt with a nervous chuckle.
"Only if you sir gentleman pretend that you didn't see us lovely ladies in your sleeping quarters." Replied Ronnie in silly posh tone.
"Of course, Milady. This shall stay our little secret." Said Matt bowing and matching Ronnie's tone.
He then pocketed whatever he was carrying and the five of them left the dormitory. No one noticed them leaving the boy's dormitory and they easily blended in with the full common room.
There was a buzz amongst everyone wondering what was going on, that continued for five minutes before Professor McGonagall was stepping through the portrait.
Silence swept over the Gryffindor common room immediately.
"I'm going to be direct and get down to the point. A student has been attacked and is currently being treated in the hospital wing. It was a horrifically vicious attack and is currently being investigated. Should the school find that any single one of you had anything to with the attack the punishment will be severe. I do not believe that any of you are responsible but should I find out that I'm wrong, then mark my words that being expelled will be the least of your worries. If anyone has any information on the attack you will immediately come and find me or one of your teachers.
Now regardless of this horrid incident, your weekend and the Hogwarts express on Monday will not be postponed. I will advise caution until the culprit is found. I do not need any of my Gryffindors in the hospital wing just before Christmas and I certainly expect them to uphold the honour and values of their house. None of you will bombard Madam Pomfrey over the next three days unless you have cause and injury. Any fake injuries will be punished with a month's detention and a severe loss of house points. Now does anyone have anything they wish to tell me?" Said Professor McGonagall in stern tone.
Everyone was silent.
"Well, if not then this meeting is adjourned. Troggin a word if you will. All of you enjoy your weekend and I wish you a happy Christmas from now. Good day to you all." Said Professor Mcgonagll leaving with Ashley Troggin in tow.
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