The final few weeks of the summer holidays was a very odd time for Y/N. It was one of the few times that he was reading books that he knew he had to, but he really didn't want to. Every line he read made him hate Lockhart even more.
'They're very strange,' said Hermione, not long after they'd started. 'They definitely seem realistic, but his talks about himself always seem so enlarged. The people he speaks to are so lifelike, but then he talks about himself and says that his magnificent smile strengthens his spell.'
'Also noticed how he doesn't describe what the spell is,' said Y/N. 'He says he's used it many times before but skips what the incantation or spell actually is.'
'Hopefully he's saving it for his classes,' said Hermione.
'He didn't know he was going to be teaching when he was writing them. I just don't think he actually did any of it. Suppose we'll see from his classes.'
'To be honest, if he even teaches us one spell he'll be a step ahead of Quirrell.'
'If he doesn't try to kill me and Harry, he'll be several steps ahead of Quirrell,' said Y/N
'Sorry…' said Hermione weakly and Y/N shook his head at her.
'Not your fault, we were just talking. Just-' his mind wandered back to the Cruciatus curse.
'I should have been there,' said Hermione suddenly, snapping Y/N out of his thoughts. 'You needed me. I should have been with you. We're meant to be best friends, we're a team, I shouldn't have let Harry go.'
''Mione,' said Y/N, moving over and pulling her into a one-armed hug. 'What could you have done? Quirrell was much stronger than any of us. He was stronger than me and Harry. The only reason we survived is because Harry touching him made him burn, and then luckily Dumbledore appeared. You couldn't have stopped him.'
'No, but I could have been there for you,' she said, her eyes were swimming with tears. It hurt Y/N to see her like this. He thought she'd been doing okay with it. He pulled her tight, wrapping his other arm around her as she began to sob into his chest.
'It's okay, it's okay,' he repeated quietly as he ran his hand through her hair. They stayed that for a while, even after Hermione had finished crying, until she eventually pulled away, rubbing her eyes.
'Sorry,' she whimpered.
'No apologies,' said Y/N. 'I didn't realise it was bothering you so much still.'
'It comes in bursts. For the most part I'm okay, but I've read about that curse. It's horrible. I've seen pictures and stories about what happens to people hit by it. It's horrible. I asked Harry too, he said he'd never heard anyone in as much pain as you sounded like you were.'
'It was like…. thousands of knives,' said Y/N before he could stop himself. 'All red hot and just stabbing, sitting and then more and more. My entire body was on fire. After he hit me the second time, when Harry arrived, I was knocked senseless. It took me a few moments to remember where I was,' he looked up into Hermione's face to see her horrified.
'Y/N…'
He held his arms out for another hug and she moved into them.
'Sorry,' he murmured into her hair. 'I didn't realise how much I needed to talk about it till I started. I didn't mean to upset you,' but he felt her shake her head against his chest.
'I'm glad you feel like you can tell me. I don't want you to feel like you can't trust me. No matter what happens this year, we stick together, yeah?'
'Always,' said Y/N.
Before long, it was time to be packing up their things and heading down into the kitchen on the morning of September 1st. They'd written to the others to meet them on the train as Minerva would be apparating there with Hermione and Y/N.
'You both got everything?' asked Minerva as they finished hauling their trunks downstairs.
'Sure. Ves would rather I let her fly there,' said Y/N looking at her cage, 'but sadly she's going to have to get used to apparition.'
'What's it like?' Hermione asked both of them. 'Apparating, I mean.'
'Kind of like being pulled through a tube,' said Y/N. 'Your body feels like it's being squeezed and then you just sort of, move.'
Hermione looked nervous, but Y/N seized her left hand with his right and grabbed his trunk with the other.
'Can you get Ves for me, mum?' Minerva nodded as she scooped up the cage and together the three of them, stepped into the back garden.
'Grab my arm, both of you,' said Minerva. 'Side-along apparition is risky, never mind for two. I'll need you both to be touching me.' They released each other's hands and grabbed Minerva's arm and she turned on the spot.
That familiar compression and sucking feeling later and Y/N's feet hit the solid cobble of the London alleyway. Hermione staggered and Y/N caught her quickly, propping her back up.
Ves was hooting indignantly.
'Yes, yes, you can fly along outside the train Ves,' said Y/N, taking the cage back off Minerva. 'But only if you quiet down.' The owl narrowed its eyes at him but stopped hooting.
The three of them made their way through the streets before arriving at Kings Cross Station.
'We're going to be really early,' Y/N said to Hermione as they began wandering towards the platform. 'Mum has to get to the school so we'll be waiting a while.'
'Doesn't matter,' said Hermione brightly. 'I'd rather be an hour early than 5 minutes early. Too stressful getting here with no time to spare. Unless you've forgotten, I wasn't here that much later than you last year anyway.'
Together they made their way though the barrier between platforms 9 & 10 and arrived onto the mostly empty platform with the scarlet steam engine. One of the attendants turned to head towards them but turned around almost as quickly and moved away up the platform.
'Was that the one from last year?' Y/N asked him mum.
'I believe it was,' she said, smirking. 'I think I might have scarred the poor boy.'
Hermione and Y/N both pulled their trunks over to one of the compartments and stored their belongings before returning to the platform. Y/N hugged his mum and she kissed his forehead before she turned to Hermione and shook her hand.
'Do try to keep out of trouble this year,' she said to both of them. 'I would much rather not have to deduct so many points from you.'
'I certainly don't think we're going to be smuggling any dragons around the castle this year mum,' said Y/N with a laugh, 'and I don't think 'Mione could live with herself if she lost us more points.'
'We'll behave ourselves, Professor McGonagall,' said Hermione formally, 'and if Y/N doesn't, I'll make sure he does.'
'Are you spying on me for my mother?'
Hermione shrugged as Minerva threw her a wink.
'Love you mum,' said Y/N after glaring at his best friend.
'Love you too Y/N. And Hermione, you're always welcome to join us for the summer or any other holidays. Always more than happy to have you.'
Hermione beamed and together, she and Y/N made their way onto the scarlet steam engine as Professor McGonagall began striding towards the magical barrier.
They settled into seats next to each other and Y/N flipped open his copy of 'The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2'. They read for a while before the platform outside began to swell with the mass of students gathering on it.
They stowed the book and quickly changed into their school robes, waiting for their friends to arrive.
'Haven't seen any of the Weasleys,' said Y/N as they got closer to 11 o clock. 'The red tends to stand out.'
'I think that might be the twins,' said Hermione, craning her neck to see further outside the window.
'So it is,' said Y/N, slinking back into his chair. 'Guess Harry and Ron will be here soon.'
And sure enough a figure with red hair did appear at the compartment soon after, but it wasn't Ron.
'Um. Hi,' said Ginny as she slowly opened the compartment door. 'Am I okay to join you guys?'
'Course you are!' said Y/N cheerfully as he stood up and helped load Ginny's trunk into the rack above them. 'Don't believe you two did more than see each other so, Hermione, this is Ginny. Weasley's youngest, and Ginny, this is Hermione, greatest witch of our year.'
Hermione went slightly pink as she smiled politely at Ginny. Ginny still seemed tense.
'Guessing Harry and Ron are around somewhere?' he asked her and she nodded.
'They were due to come through right after I was. I don't imagine they'll be long. Will they be joining you?' she asked, suddenly looking worried.
'Maybe,' said Y/N with a shrug, 'though I imagine if they're in a rush they'll just pick a compartment. But the easiest way to get past it is to actually hang around him, Ginny.' Ginny was shifting nervously in her seat however, checking the door.
'Tell you what,' said Y/N. 'If he walks in, I'll help you move your trunk and find you a new compartment. But until then, just relax.' Ginny nodded and settled herself gingerly back onto her seat.
Hermione and Y/N chatted idly for a few short minutes before, without a loud whistle, they felt the train lurch forward.
'Guess they must have found another compartment,' said Y/N as he watched the platform begin to pull away outside the window. 'Nothing to worry about,' he said brightly to Ginny.
She smiled at him but didn't seem convinced. So instead, he turned his focus onto classes.
'You got any classes you're looking forward to Ginny?'
'My brothers have told me a lot about Transfiguration. They say its really difficult and the teacher's quite harsh.'
'She's alright once you get to know her,' said Y/N. 'Though I might be biased. She's my mum,' he said to the confused look on Ginny's face. 'She's harsh, but she'll get results out of you, even if you don't want her to.'
'Are those Gryffindor robes?' Ginny asked looked at the red and gold across Y/N and Hermione's robes.
Hermione nodded; she'd seemed a bit unsure at first as if not fully sure what to say, but she definitely looked more comfortable now than she had before.
'Yeah, we both got sorted into Gryffindor,' she said brightly. 'Have you got one you'd like more than the others?'
'Gryffindor too I think,' said Ginny. 'All of my brothers have been through and you two both are as well. It'd be nice to be in a house with people I know.'
'You don't have to be in our house if you want to hang out with us, Ginny. If you ever need anything let us know. I'm happy to help and I'm sure 'Mione is too.' and Hermione nodded along with Y/N's words.
'Thanks guys,' said Ginny, blushing slightly. 'Do you guys know anything about the sorting ceremony? Fred and George told me we have to battle a troll.'
'They told Ron that last year too. I had to tell him it wasn't that. Have you read any of your schoolbooks?'
'I've read the transfiguration one and a little bit of Lockhart's.'
Y/N's mind wandered back to the diary he'd seen. He leant back and whispered to Hermione.
'Mind speaking to her about 'Hogwarts: a History'? I need a second.'
Hermione nodded and turned her attention onto Ginny. Y/N sat, adding to the conversation and nodding along before, quietly and as subtly as he could, closing his eyes.
He felt his mind wander outwards and began straying upwards towards Ginny's trunk and straight towards Ginny herself. It was hard to pick up on something fully concealed. The trunk was letting off something faint but that could be anything from her supplies for school.
Ginny didn't seem to have anything on her, and he could feel the journal on Hermione but nothing else. With a sigh of relief he opened his eyes. Ginny had gotten rid of the diary.
He zoned back into the conversation as Hermione was explaining about the other three houses. Before long Ginny excused herself to use the restroom and Hermione immediately turned to Y/N.
'Anything?'
Y/N shook his head.
'Nothing on her, or her trunk. Think she did tell her parents about it.'
'Good, I'd hate to see anything happen to her.'
'You've grown fond of her quick,' smiled Y/N.
Hermione shrugged. 'It sucks to not have anyone to a new place. She has her brothers, but they're all in the years above her. The one closest to her age isn't even here.'
'He's also best mates with Harry Potter.'
'What's that got to do with anything?'
'Ginny's crushing on Harry, hard,' said Y/N.
'Awwww,' cooed Hermione.
'Just don't tell her I told you, she didn't even properly tell me. I just guessed cause of how red she went the moment she saw him.'
'But that just helps prove my point. Not only is she afraid to hang out with her brother closest to her age, but all the rest are older. I don't know how afraid I'd have been if you weren't here with me. I'm just glad we can help her with it.'
Y/N nodded as the door slid back open and Ginny came back inside. They spent much of the rest of the morning chatting about classes and houses before a clattering outside the compartment announced the arrival of the lady with the tray of sweets.
'Pumpkin pasties?' Y/N asked Hermione as he stood up. She nodded, beaming at the fact that he'd remembered her favourite food. 'Anything for you Ginny? My treat.' Ginny shook her head immediately.
'No, its okay, thank you though.'
'Cool,' he made his way to the plump witch and bought two stacks each of Pasties and Cauldron Cakes before stepping back inside. He handed one of the Pumpkin Pasties stacks to Hermione before dumping the second and one of the Cauldron Cake stacks in Ginny's lap.
'But I-' she started.
'Don't care,' said Y/N. 'It's your first time sharing a compartment with us. I'm treating you.'
'Thanks Y/N,' she said quietly as she unrolled one of the stacks and took out one of the pastries. He turned to Hermione to see her beaming at him.
'What?' he asked her, confused.
'Nothing. Nothing at all,' she said brightly as she turned back to her food.
The rest of the trip passed mostly uneventfully. Right as they were given the warning that they were getting close to Hogwarts however, the compartment door slid open.
'Well, well, well,' came a drawling voice from the door. Y/N did not look up from the book he was reading.
'Where's the rest of your little club,' came Malfoy's voice again when no one in the compartment responded. 'We've got sidekick L/N and then his and Potter's girlfriends, but no Potter or Weasel.'
'The fact that you're just wandering up and down this train looking for them tells an entire story, Malfoy,' said Y/N.
'Are you telling me you don't know where they are, L/N? Did they not let their sidekick in on their little scheme?'
'Might surprise you to know this Malfoy, but I don't feel the need to keep my 'friends',' he air quoted that word, 'attached to me at all times cause I'm too much of a coward to face someone alone,' he still hadn't looked up. He heard the cracking of knuckles from the door frame. 'We've got 3 minutes till we reach the station, Goyle, it's not a threat.'
'Well then I guess I'll just keep this to myself,' said Malfoy and Y/N looked up. He was holding what appeared to be a rolled-up muggle newspaper.
'How did you even get that? We've been on the train.'
'Father had it delivered to me. He thought I'd get a right good laugh out of it. Enjoy L/N,' he said, throwing it at Y/N before retreating from the door, laughing.
Y/N opened it and read aloud.
'FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES.'
'Two Muggles in London are convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower. Noon in Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss, while hanging out her washing, Mr. Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to police… about six or seven muggles,' He read out then raised his eyes to Ginny. 'This is your dad's car isn't it?' and he turned the picture to face her.
Ginny nodded, looking horrified.
'For Merlin's sake,' said Y/N.
'What were they thinking?!' cried Hermione.
'No idea, but I don't think we can really afford to worry about that now,' said Y/N as he watched them begin to pull up at Hogsmeade station. 'We'll have to hope they're heading here with it.'
'You'll be okay,' Hermione said reassuringly to Ginny who now looked terrified, 'and so will they.'
'She's right,' Y/N added. 'Head over to Hagrid once we hit the platform, he'll take you across the lake on boats, then you'll be walked into the Great Hall and just need to put on the hat. We'll keep you a space at the Gryffindor table.'
Ginny nodded, still looking unsure, but lead the way out of the train and onto the platform.
'Firs' years! Firs' years o'er 'ere!' came Hagrid's cries across the platform. Y/N and Hermione waved at him and he waved back but they couldn't really do much else as the throng of students carried them up towards what seemed like a fleet of horseless carriages.
Y/N helped Hermione into one and then hopped in after her, followed shortly after by Neville.
'Hey Y/N!' said Neville brightly as they clambered in and the carriage began off up the road. 'Hey Hermione. Did you both have a good summer?'
'It was perfect,' said Y/N, causing Hermione to go pink. 'How was yours Neville?'
'It was alright. Gran wasn't too happy with my exam results but she says that at least I passed. She was quite proud of my Herbology grade though.'
'Not surprised, you're a prodigy in Herbology mate. Only one who can contest you in that one is Hermione.'
'Neville's honestly better than I am at it,' said Hermione matter of factly, causing Neville to go red.
'Where are Harry and Ron anyway?' he asked, as he tried to hide his face.
'Oh boy,' said Y/N as he pulled out the muggle newspaper and handed it to Neville. 'Where aren't they?'
Neville's face slowly fell into a look of shock as he read. By the time he was done, he didn't seem to know whether to look horrified or impressed.
'They're flying a car?'
'Hopefully here,' said Y/N. 'Certainly hope they haven't just taken it for a joy ride. But if they are bringing it here, I wonder why. Ginny joined us fine and she said they were right behind her.'
'Ginny?' asked Neville
'Ron's younger sister, this years her first. We met her in Diagon Alley over the summer and she joined us in our compartment on the way over.'
Y/N felt something impact his shoulder and he turned his head to see Hermione's tangle of hair and head there. She had apparently fallen asleep.
'Probably can let her get a small bit of rest,' said Y/N craning his neck to see how far away the school was. 'She must need it.'
'You two seem super close. Are you… um…' said Neville, looking unsure.
'No, nothing like that. I mean I like her, I think, kind of like that? But I doubt she'd say yes.'
'I've seen the way she looks at you, mate. She'd definitely say yes, just take the chance,' Neville urged.
'Maybe soon,' said Y/N placing an arm around Hermione. 'We've got plenty of time. I don't want to rush anything.'
Neville looked as though he wanted to say something else but then simply shrugged.
'Your choice mate.'
They spent the rest of the carriage ride up to the castle idly chatting and once they felt the carriages begin to slow, Y/N shook Hermione awake.
''Mione, come on.'
'whereami,' she said very groggily as her eyes fluttered open. 'Oh hey Y/N, we going on another adventure?'
'In a manner of speaking,' Y/N laughed as she rubbed her eyes. 'Carriages are slowing, we're almost at the castle. We still need to do the sorting and the welcome feast yet.'
Hermione groaned before lifting herself up off Y/N's shoulder and straightening her robes as the carriages finally slowed and stopped. They hopped out and made their way up the marble staircase into the entrance hall. They crossed it and entered the Great Hall.
It was as magnificent as Y/N remembered. The sky above them mirrored the weather outside, showing a clear starry night, and the four long house tables sat steadily filling with students. At the far end, in front of Dumbledore's chair, sat the 4-legged stool. Neville went off to join Dean and Seamus whilst Hermione and Y/N moved towards the far end nearest the teachers and made space for Ginny to join them if she came to Gryffindor.
They were sat chatting about Harry and Ron's eventual arrival when they noticed that three seats at the staff table were empty.
'I know where Hagrid and mum are,' whispered Y/N. 'But where's Snape?'
'Maybe there's been an incident with the first years?' asked Hermione.
'What incident would require the Potions Master?' but Hermione was stopped from answering as the door swung open.
The long line of first years slowly crept in behind Professor McGonagall. They spotted Ginny at once, the flaming red hair causing her to stand out like a beacon. She looked nervous but not as terrified as her fellow first years. She was glancing around nervously and smiled when she caught Y/N's eye.
Walking alongside Ginny, was a very dreamy looking girl with very pale blonde hair and rather large eyes. She seemed to be supporting a very odd earring.
'Is that a cork?' he whispered to Hermione.
'I think it is,' she replied, squinting at the blonde girl.
McGonagall led them all to the front of the room and placed the sorting hat down on the four-legged stool just as Hagrid sidled in through the door at the back and made his way across to his seat. He waved at Y/N and Hermione again, who waved back just as the rip near the brim opened and the Sorting Hat burst into song.
Glamourous is not a word
That people use for me
But don't let that fool you, as most
Will eat their words, you see.
You can keep your witch hats pointy,
Your fedoras black and slick
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
I'll cut them to the quick.
There's nothing you can hide from me
I can read your mind
So try me on and I will tell you
What I therein find.
You may do well in Gryffindor,
Where courage is respected
Their bravery and daring
Are only to be expected.
Or perhaps it is in Hufflepuff,
You'll find your real friends
Where hard work and loyalty
Are the beginning and the end.
You might belong in Ravenclaw,
If you possess and value wit
Intelligence, knowledge, learning–
That's the place for it!
Or perhaps it will be Slytherin,
That will form your truest home
Their cunning and ambition
Lends them great renown.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
Don't get your knickers in a knot!
I've Sorted many, I'll Sort you
I'll give it all I've got!
The Great Hall rang with applause as the Sorting Hat finished its song.
'That's a different song to last year,' whispered Hermione and Y/N nodded.
'Mum told me it sings a new one every year. Bit weird if you think about it. I'd struggle to string two rhymes together.'
They went quiet as Professor McGonagall unfurled her scroll and began reading names. Slowly the line dwindled. Student after student being sent to their respective tables. The pale blonde girl next to Ginny, who was apparently called Luna Lovegood, was sorted into Ravenclaw. A while later and it was Ginny's turn. The hat had barely touched her head when it called
'GRYFFINDOR!'
Y/N and Hermione cheered and clapped with the rest of the table as Ginny made her way over, beaming, and slipped into the seat that Y/N and Hermione had saved across from them with a mouthed 'thank you.'
Two students later and Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll of names, scooped up the stool and made her way out of the Great Hall just as Dumbledore got to his feet.
'Welcome!' he called happily to the hall at large. 'To another year at Hogwarts. I have several things to go over with you. But they can wait. Tuck in!' and with that the plates, goblets and bowls filled with food and drink. Dumbledore, however, did not sit down, and instead he swept his way out of the hall.
'Wonder where he's going,' muttered Y/N watching Dumbledore leave. 'Seems in a hurry.'
They began eating the welcome feast, Ginny seemed to have a lot more energy than she had before and was happily chatting away about everything she could think of. Apparently the stress of being sorted was weighing heavier on her than Y/N thought.
Before too long, the Weasley twins appeared at their end of the table to congratulate Ginny for making it into Gryffindor, then they turned their attention on Y/N.
'So,' said Fred.
'Oh no,' said Y/N.
'Now, now, we haven't even said our piece yet,' said George.
'We've heard, from a certain source, that you are aware of what has happened to our dearest brother and Mr Potter,' said Fred.
'Would that source be Neville by any chance?' said Y/N.
'More Lee,' said George.
'Who heard it off Alicia,' continued Fred.
'Who heard it off Neville,' finished George.
Y/N sighed and pulled out the rolled-up muggle newspaper before handing it to Fred.
'I technically got this from Malfoy on the train, so skip the messenger and just tell people to shoot him instead would you?' and with evil grins the twins disappeared, reading the article.
'They're going to tell the whole school you know,' said Hermione as Ginny nodded.
'And no one else is? 'Mione, you could have the world's greatest and best kept secret of all time, and Hogwarts would find out about it. Look at the stone. Everyone would know by tomorrow anyway, at least this way they heard it from me.'
The rest of the feast passed fairly uneventfully. Percy came to congratulate Ginny too and they managed to get that the new Gryffindor password was 'Wattlebird' out of him. Before long, Snape and Dumbledore both swept back into the hall, taking their respective seats at the teachers table and a few moments later McGonagall swept in. She looked livid.
He caught her eye and she gave him a look that told him all he needed to know.
'Harry and Ron are here,' He said turning back to his plate.
'Where?' asked Hermione, looking around as Ginny started and went pink.
'No idea,' said Y/N. 'But the look on mum's face tells me she just had to yell at someone pretty badly and who else is missing? Probably been locked away in a room somewhere so they can't show off.'
'Flying a car to the school, honestly, you'd have thought they'd just tell someone if they missed the train,' said Hermione in her usual disapproving tone.
Y/N shrugged. They continued with the meal and before long, the puddings that had appeared on the plates vanished and Dumbledore got to his feet. Hermione was almost falling asleep on Y/N's shoulder again and he poked her awake.
'I have merely a few start of year notices to give you,' called Dumbledore, 'before you are all free to return to your warm beds. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. Mr Filch has also asked me to remind you all that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. And that Quidditch trials will be held at the captain's request, please see your head of house for applying. Now I believe I have taken up enough of your time, off to bed with you all.'
Dumbledore sat back down and the Great Hall was filled with the scraping sounds of benches.
'You may want to go find your brother,' Hermione said to Ginny. 'Percy will lead you up to the common room with the other first years.' Ginny nodded and with a wave she moved off up the table towards Percy.
Together, Y/N and Hermione followed the rest of the Gryffindor's up to the tower, moving a bit slower as Hermione was dragging her feet.
''Mione. The longer you take, the longer you're going to need to be on your feet,' said Y/N smirking at her, but she simply gave a small wail and continued trudging after him. 'Fine,' he said and he crouched down held his arms out behind him. 'Get on.'
Hermione beamed as she hopped onto Y/N's back and he carried her up towards Gryffindor tower.
Y/N definitely wasn't in shape for this. Hermione wasn't particularly heavy, however the additional weight coupled with the steps was something he wasn't used to, and by the end he could feel his legs screaming at him. He placed Hermione down by the portrait of the Fat Lady and she beamed at him.
'Wattlebird,' he said to the portrait and then gestured Hermione inside. Hermione clambered inside followed by him. 'I'm going to go check if they're here already and if not I'll wait for them,' he said gesturing to the stairs. 'You go to bed'
Hermione opened her mouth to argue but Y/N interrupted her.
'You fell asleep on me in the carriage, almost in the Great Hall, and I had to carry you here. Bed' Hermione looked grumpy at this but nodded.
'Night Y/N. And thanks,' she said before moving off up to her dorm.
Y/N headed up to his own and poked his head in. No one was in there. He headed back down and saw the common room steadily filling up, no one else seemed to want to go to bed.
'What on Earth is going on?' Y/N asked Fred as he passed making his way back to the portrait hall
'Waiting for those two nutters aren't we?' said Fred brightly. 'They're probably going to be here soon.'
'Assuming mum didn't expel them' Y/N responded, making his way back to the portrait hole and crawling out. He slumped against the wall outside and began watching.
He didn't have to wait long however, as about five minutes later the familiar black- and red-haired duo turned down the corridor towards him.
'Not sure whether I'd have been happier to see you or Hermione waiting to tell us off,' said Ron as they got within earshot.
'For tonight, you're going to have to go with me. Cause what's about to happen is partially my fault.' Both boys looked at him confused as Y/N turned to the Fat Lady and said 'Wattlebird.'
And Y/N watched as both boys' face fell into shock at the storm of clapping that erupted and as they got dragged through the portrait hole into the common room. Y/N climbed in after them, skirted the outside of the room and slipped away upstairs to his dormitory.
He pulled out his journal to Hermione and wrote two words to her.
'They're here.'
He got changed into his pyjamas as the rest of the second-year boys came filtering into the room. He was just preparing to bed down when he felt the familiar pulse and flicking open the journal he read Hermione's response back to him.
'I heard.'
Smirking, Y/N bid the other boys good night and fell into a dreamless sleep.
