October 18th, 1995. Friday.

"I don't get why Professor Snape gave me an Exceeds Expectations," Tess complained. Neat ink lined the parchment page, Snape's handwriting circling the grade letter 'E'. "It was Outstanding-level work."

"I got a Poor. That's failing," Selena grumbled, biting her fingernail.

They were rushing down the long stone corridors of the Dungeon, Potions finally over. The grimy stone walls were shadowed with the many students chattering, their voices bouncing off the ceiling caked with dark substances Selena cringed to think about. The girls ascended the stairs in the Dungeon Entrance, emerging in the Grand Staircase. Selena braced her messenger bag against her side, fighting against the flood of students, most of the First Years frenzying around the hall, still lost after a month of school.

Tess waved her friend's past comment away, sweeping past a group of Seventh Years. "I accidentally added chopped daisy roots instead of minced daisy roots, and suddenly I'm knocked down a grade! Do you know how long I studied for this assignment? I must have spent hours - I left a dent in the couch from sitting so long!"

Selena gave her friend a less-than-sympathetic look. In class that day, they'd had to brew a Shrinking Solution. She'd studied the potion for quite some time as well, and still managed to fail. Snape had taken one look at her browning potion (which was supposed to be an "ill-looking green") and quickly flunked her.

The two Gryffindors turned into the library, walking down the aisles of dusty, giant books. Selena was trying to establish more of a study ethic, like Tess, Elizabeth and Bronwen. Maybe part of that was because her sister was already nearly as good at Charms as her, but she didn't mind the motivation. Especially not with how much homework the Third Years were being assigned. There was a Hogsmeade visit the next day, so Selena intended to get her homework done early.

The dark-haired girl ran her fingers over the spines of each book, occasionally opening one and skimming down the pages. "I need to find something on Palmistry for Divination. I don't understand Life Lines at all... I also need a book on unicorns, for Professor Grubblyplank's exam next week."

Tess hummed, handing Selena a few books. "Check these. Ah-ha! Perfect! Stars of the South Sky! I've been looking for you..."

They rounded the corner, to go into the Potions section - Tess wanted something on antidotes - but stopped short upon finding Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood searching through the books, arguing.

"No, I don't think they have a book on the facts of Higglypunk. Why? I've told you, Luna, they don't exist! No, they are not the reason that hiccups happen. I don't know if they come in purple, why are you asking me?"

Selena and Tess exchanged a look, grinning. Ginny and Luna were a year above them, Ginny regularly saying hello, being in Gryffindor. She was a Weasley through-and-through, her fiery red hair pulled back in a pony-tail today. Luna was more eccentric, her wand tucked behind her ear, silvery hair in waves.

Tess shut her book on star constellations, smiling. "Hey guys."

The two girls turned, and Ginny gasped. "Oh! Good, we've been looking for you two! Hermione insisted that I ask. Look we have a meeting about-"

Luna tiptoed closer. "Er, Ginny, I think you should tell them more... privately?"

Ginny nodded, pulling the two Third Years closer to the back of the library. They stopped by a window overlooking the cold ground, grass dead, sky an ominous gray. Selena leaned in, curiosity piqued. Ginny lowered her voice. "Look, we're tired of Umbridge's boring lessons. We've decided to form a group, to teach ourselves defense against the Dark Arts if she won't. We're all meeting at the Hog's Head Inn, tomorrow, to go over the rules and such. You two got your forms signed for Hogsmeade, yeah?"

Tess nodded. "'Course."

Luna sighed, relieved. Her turnip earrings swung as she tilted her head. Her voice had a dreamy quality to it, as usual. "Okay, then we just have a few more people to tell. We've told... the Patel Twins, Crim Wellington, and some other people."

"Don't tell anyone else, leave that to us, alright?" Ginny said, her brown eyes glancing between them. "We don't need word getting back to Miss High Inquisitor."

Selena nodded. "Alright."

Luna smiled. "Alright. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a search for the rare Higglypunk book. No one seems to have it."

October 19th, 1995. Saturday.

Tess poked her head in the door of the Gryffindor dorm, reddish-caramel hair up in bun with earmuffs on. "Sel, we're leaving."

Selena grinned, closing her Divination book, running to the door, grabbing her coat and mittens on the way out. "Are Alisson, Renee and Elizabeth already on the way there?" Tess confirmed her suspicions. Their friends had been caught by Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley about the meeting in Hog's Head earlier that day. Selena shivered with excitement as they left the Common Room and traversed the Grand Staircase. There was something exhilarating about this meeting, organized right under Umbridge's nose.

Once outside, Selena pulled her hat lower, the cotton barely covering her ears. "It's f-f-f-freezing."

Tess nodded, teeth chattering. "I agr-r-r-r-ree." It had snowed that night, everything covered with a blanket of white, sparkling snow.

At the Clock Tower Entrance, Professor McGonagall and Mr. Filch - and Ms. Norris - were waiting, collecting Hogsmeade permission slips from any students who didn't attend the first trip. Selena turned in her form, which the two scrutinized for a moment before nodding approvingly. Selena and Tess smiled, Selena elated. She hadn't gone to the first Hogsmeade trip, but this definitely made up for it.

The walk to Hogsmeade Villlage was long, but once they made it, Selena couldn't stop beaming. It was such a beautiful place, all cozy cottages and flickering lamps and snow-covered rooftops. Witches and wizards walked around, enjoying the autumn day, Hogwarts students giggling.

"The Hog's Head is this way," Tess said, pointing down Main Street. "All the way at the end."

Once they'd waded through the street, crunched through the snow, and arrived at the pub, the two paused. Selena glanced up, her breath pluming out in a pale cloud. "How... er... unique?"

"Hermione chose it, Elizabeth said," Tess muttered.

The Hog's Head Inn was a stone building, covered in snow, windows so dingy that Selena would've thought the establishment was closed. A wooden sign swung above their heads, creaking, a hog's head painted on it.

"Well... shall we go?" Tess asked.

Selena nodded, the two stepping forward and pushing open the door to the pub. It was warmer inside, much to Selena's relief. As she closed the door behind herself, her eyes took a minute to adjust to the dim lighting. When they did, she frowned at Tess. They seemed to be standing on dirt, the floor covered in grit. The windows barely let in any light, the room filled with wooden tables. At the tables, other Hogwarts students talked to each other - many of whom Selena recognized as she walked through the quickly-filling building. Renee and Alisson and Elizabeth were sitting at a table for three. The girls waved to each other. Selena and Tess found two chairs at the back to sit in.

Ignoring the man at the bar drinking beer, talking to a goat, Selena twirled her wand in her hands, thinking. How illegal can something like this be if we have to hold a meeting talking about it at the Hog's Head? The thought both excited and slightly worried her.

Tess was watching something across the room carefully, thinking as well. Selena turned, and shivered again. Sitting on a stool, facing them, was a purple cloaked figure, with no face visible.

"Is it a goblin, you think?" Selena whispered to Tess.

Her friend shrugged. "I can't see its eyes or mouth... Maybe a ghost? Maybe Umbridge?"

Selena cracked a smile, glancing at the door opening and closing. The Hog's Head was full of students in just a few minutes. Finally, it stopped. Some people murmured.

Then, in walked Ron, Hermione and Harry. And the meeting began.

Hello! Thanks to my three readers!

CharmedMillie

Gwen daughter of Arcus

lunalongbottom

Thank you, so much! It means a lot to me that you're reading. I'm a little sad all my other readers have ditched my story... BUT I HAVE YOU! :D

So, next chapter, I'm going to continue it. The reason I stopped was because the meeting goes on for a little, maybe, 3,000 words. SO! I will need to do a little cutting, so it's not like you're just rereading the book.

Now, tell me who your favorite character is! THAT DOES NOT COUNT YOUR OWN. ie, for me, I can't say Selena. Why? Because I made her.

Hmm... Does that cover everything? I know this chapter didn't have much in it... Again, another filler. Like... A filler sandwich. I had MAJOR-FILLER-MAJOR-FILLER, and the next is going to be a MAJOR. See? Woo-hoo!

I'm excited! So... Let me think... What do I need to cover? OH! No, I'm just kidding, ahha. What did you like best about this chapter? I tried to make it seem very Luna-ish... Kinda.

Well, what do you want to see? Want to see HAPPEN? Who do you hate? What couples are you rooting for? I'm going to post a... WHAT COUPLE DO YOU WANT TO SEE? quiz on my profile. I'm going to go make it once I'm done typing, so feel free to take it. Because if you're reading, then it's up. I hope...

Thanks for reading. Please review!

~Meghan

lunalongbottom: Thanks! I'm glad, and yes, I'm accepting characters. But, Dumbledore would've contacted them personally before then, seeing as she isn't registered in any magical school. She can still be in her third year, I'd just have to place her in another house. You can pick.

My Ravenclaws of that year, girls are: Bronwen

Slytherin: Maryana

Hufflepuff: Hazel and Lillian.

So, you have 3 choices. =)

THANKS!

~Meghan

12/11/17: I really used to be so hyper. Also, this event had originally happened in the books on October 5th, 1995, Saturday. I changed it to make the dates make sense with I had already written.