Chapter 3

A Change of Tradition

Judy looked outside, her head leaning against the cold glass, as their carriage passed the statues of boars, flanking Hogwarts' gates. Fred sat beside her, on the other end of the bench, his eyes also on the darkness, only broken by the flashes of lightning in the gale outside. The silence between them was quite a contrast to the whispers between Willow and George, sitting opposite them. Having spent the entire train ride sitting opposite each other, her friends now sat together, with George's arm draped across Willow's shoulder as she leaned against him. Judy's lips curled up in a small smile as the sight warmed her heart.

Fred opened the carriage door as soon as it stopped in front of the castle and hurried up the steps and into the castle. George quickly followed, holding onto Willow's hand as they ran and laughed as the rain poured down on them. Judy was the last to leave the carriage. She closed her eyes and looked up, savouring the touch of the droplets on her skin. Her robes were soon drenched as she calmly climbed the stone steps. She looked up at the ancient stones as she walked inside the castle, for the first time in all her school years admiring the craftmanship and magic that had once built this castle.

'Ms. Byrne!' Professor McGonagall said sternly as she approached her. 'What are you doing?!'

'Professor?' Judy asked confused.

'Look at you...soaked to the bone!' She whisked her wand at her and Judy's robes warmed and dried within a second. 'I will not have you start this term with a cold...or worse pneumonia.'

'I...thank you,' said Judy, still confused about the fuss the other witch was making. 'Are you all right, Professor?'

'What? No...I mean yes...' she sighed as she composed herself. 'I am sorry, but I just spent cleaning up this hallway after Peeves decided to bombard the students with water bombs. I do not have the time to tend to students who are foolish enough to take their time and get drenched in this gale.'

'Right, I'm sorry Professor,' said Judy in an apologetic tone, feeling sorry for her Transfiguration teacher that Peeves had already made such a mess at their first evening back at Hogwarts.

'Is anything troubling you that I should know about?' asked Professor McGonagall curiously. Judy couldn't help but wonder what she was implying and how much information about her task Dumbledore had entrusted the other witch with.

'Just some teenage drama,' Judy assured her. 'Nothing important.'

'Right,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Well, then you better hurry inside. I expect the first years here at any moment...Merlin's beard, I hope none of the boats flooded and sank...'

'I am sure none did, Professor,' Judy said reassuringly, before making her way into the Great Hall.

Too many candles to count floated in the air, bathing the impressive room in a warm glow. The four long house tables were all set with golden goblets and plates, waiting for Dumbledore's sign to be overladen with food and drink. Most of the students had already found their seat and their excited chatter reverberated through the Great Hall.

Judy walked past the Slytherin table, noticing Odelia and her friends glaring at her, probably since she was all dried up and they looked like drowned cats. She wondered if they'd been hit by one of Peeves' water bombs. Judy then looked at the Ravenclaw table, noticing Abigail casting a longing glance at the Slytherin table, before turning her attention back to her fellow Ravenclaws. Chelsea and Connor sat opposite Abigail, too taken up by each other to have even noticed the slip of attention of the girl sitting opposite them.

Judy couldn't help but glance at the Gryffindor table at the other end of the room, noticing the twins talking animatedly with Lee Jordan, no doubt about Quidditch. Judy smiled, hoping Fred was distracted from what had happened between them that morning.

'Hello everybody,' she beamed at her house mates, intending of letting go of what happened as well and enjoying her last start-of-term feast to its fullest.

'Ah there she is,' said Aidan with a grin, 'we were wondering if you'd lost your way in that gale outside...'

'I ran into a flustered Professor McGonagall,' Judy explained as she sat down next to Willow, who had saved her a spot.

'Is she still cleaning up the mess Peeves made?' Aidan asked curiously.

'She was just about ready,' said Judy. 'So she decided to dry me off in stead.'

'Lucky you,' Shania reacted. 'Would you look at this?' she said, gesturing at her frizzy coupe. Willow rolled her eyes, before taking out her wand and casting a wordless spell. 'Will!' Shania exclaimed with widened eyes as she felt her head. She smiled as she felt her straightened hair.

'Don't tell me you forgot this entire summer that we are allowed to do magic out of class now...' she said in an amused tone.

'My Birthday isn't for another month,' Shania reminded her. 'So still a month before I become of age. But thanks!' she said truthfully.

'I should have known you girls would only use your new privilege to change your coupe,' said Aidan with a grin.

'Don't you start with me,' said Shania dangerously. 'I am starting with a clean slate with you, don't smudge it on our first night back.'

'I wouldn't dare,' said Aidan mischievously.

'Oh grow up Aidan,' Willow said disapprovingly. 'May be you should start acting more like your age, you've only got one more year left as a student.'

'Only if he passes his NEWTs,' said Shania amused.

'Let's say I intend to make the most out of this last year,' Aidan said amused, ignoring Shania's remark.

Judy laughed as the others chatted on. She enjoyed being back at school and with her friends and how it all always felt so familiar so quickly. She leaned back as she looked at the other side of the Hall, at the fifth table where their teachers sat. She noticed that not only Professor McGonagall's chair was vacant, but their was a second chair still unoccupied. It was the chair Lupin sat on the year before, she thought, her heart aching as she thought back on how their previous school year had ended...how Snape had intentionally let slip her uncle was a werewolf. Her eyes looked down the table and soon met Snape's eyes, who apparently had already noticed her. Judy wasn't sure which of them looked at the other with more dislike...she couldn't help but wonder how he was ever going help her with her task.

She startled as the doors of the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall led a soaked group of first years to the top of the Hall. Everyone looked at the anxious new students in silence.

'Looks like at least one of them fell into the lake,' said Aidan amused as they noticed a small boy with mousy hair, wrapped in Hagrid's moleskin overcoat.

'He's the only one of them looking happy to be here though,' said Connor amused, as Professor McGonagall already placed the Sorting Hat on top of a three legged stool.

They listened to the Sorting Hat, this year singing a song about the Founders of Hogwarts and how they had bestowed some of their magic on it to make sure students would always be placed in their most fitting Houses. The song was followed by a loud applause from all of the students and teachers.

Judy's gaze wandered as the sorting began, her attention drawn by the enchanted ceiling above them. A cloudy and stormy sight it was tonight, with forks of lighting flashing across the sky. Judy couldn't help but wonder if, in this heavy weather, her father had found a safe place to hide.

She closed her eyes for a moment as something tingled in the back of her mind.

'There there,' Sirius patted the Hippogriff as a roar of thunder made the sky tremble. 'It's just light and sound, boy,' he said soothingly, caressing Buckbeak's head. Though he was still the shadow of the man Judy remembered from her early childhood, the shadow was less dark than it had been when she'd seen him a few months ago. There was something about him, an energy, a strength, perhaps a hint of his former self shining through. He turned to look outside the cave they were sheltering in and for a moment Judy noticed a slight sparkle in his eyes.

'Tuck in!' Judy blinked as Dumbledore's voice quickly drew her back to Hogwarts castle. She smiled as the plates before her filled with food and the goblets filled with liquid.

'Are you all right?' Judy looked beside her at Abigail, who looked at her, worried.

'Yes,' she said truthfully as she did as Dumbledore asked them to and started on the delicious buffet before her. All the while lighting and thunder roared outside, making the windows tremble. The enchanted ceiling too reflected the violent weather outside. Judy hardly noticed, however, focusing on the delicious dishes in front of her and catching up with her house mates.

'You were there weren't you Judy?' Chelsea asked, suddenly. 'At the Quidditch World Cup?'

'I was,' said Judy, putting down her chicken leg as the tension of that day took hold of her stomach.

'Did you see them?' asked Connor interested. 'The Death Eaters?'

'I did,' said Judy, swallowing. 'They held up a bunch of Muggles in the air...'

'Are you sure you want to talk about this?' asked Willow, gently taking her hand.

'It was awful,' said Judy truthfully. 'People ran around, scared, screaming. I got separated from my family and someone knocked me over and I fell and broke my wrist...'

'How did you get away?' asked Aidan fascinated.

Judy looked up and met Fred's eyes from across the Hall, remembering him and George pleading her to come along with them that evening. Remembering her discussion with Bill and Charlie...Fred quickly looked away and turned his attention back to his friends. Judy swallowed as her throat constricted once again with emotion.

'I found my cousin again and we Disapparated,' she said as the first course disappeared and was immediately replaced with delicious puddings.

Judy only watched as her house mates filled their plates and bowls and enjoyed the numerous flavours. Willow squeezed her hand gently, before letting go and helping herself to some treacle tart. She met Judy's eyes, knowing the dessert was her favourite, but she declined with a polite smile.

Dumbledore got to his feet again by the time the last remnants of pudding disappeared off the tables and the plates were left sparkling clean. 'So!' He smiled around at them all. 'Now that were are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for you attention, while I give out a few notices.'

Judy's eyes wandered to the twins again as Dumbledore summed up a list of additions to the objects forbidden inside the castle. She knew it was due to the twins that the items were now included in the four hundred and thirty-seven items, listed on a large piece of parchment in Filch's office. Dumbledore went on to remind them on the rules concerning the Forbidden Forest and that only third years and higher were allowed to visit the village of Hogsmeade.

'It is also my painful duty to inform you that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not take place this year.'

Judy's eyes widened and she looked sideways as someone spat out their pumpkin juice at this announcement. It was Cho Chang, one of Ravenclaw's best Quidditch players.

'This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy – but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts - '

A t that moment a deafening rumble startled the students. The doors of the Great Hall burst open and every student turned their head at the same time. A dark figure, hooded and cloaked, was suddenly lit by a fork of lightning shooting across the ceiling.

As he cast back his hood, Judy noticed his grizzled, dark grey hair. He limped heavily toward the teachers' table, one of his feet making a dull clunk. Judy noticed his scarred face, but most of all his eyes. They could not have been more different. One small, dark and beady. The other large, round and a vivid blue, swirling like mad.

Judy recognized the man of course as he limped toward Dumbledore and shook the Headmaster's hand. His appearance matched Tonks' description perfectly.

'That's Mad-Eye Moody,' Willow whispered in Judy's ear.

'I know,' Judy whispered back, as the man exchanged a few words with Dumbledore. 'My cousin works with him at the Ministry.'

'Dad says he does his name justice...always rushing into danger and everything...' said Willow as Moody sat down and started on a plate of sausages.

'May I introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,' said Dumbledore, his bright voice cutting through the silence. Only he and Hagrid applauded at this announcement, the students still too impressed by Moody's appearance. He did not even notice the lack of enthusiasm as he kept on eating and decided to wash his food down with a beverage from his hip flask.

Dumbledore continued his speech, announcing Hogwarts was to host the Triwizard Tournament this year.

'You're JOKING!' Fred said loudly. Judy couldn't help but smile as his comment broke the tension in the Hall and made most of the students laugh.

Professor McGonagall interfered as Dumbledore was tempted tot actually tell a joke. The Headmaster then continued to explain what the Tournament entailed. Judy's mind wandered as Lupin had already explained it to her in detail a few years before.

'Do you suppose this is what Fred and George's brothers were talking about?' Willow asked, as she too had stopped paying attention to the Headmaster's words.

'What do you mean?' Judy asked confused.

'Well, the twins said that Bill said they were going to have an interesting year and that he might take some time off to come and watch a bit of it...' Willow recalled their conversation earlier on the train. 'And Charlie...Merlin's beard, Jude.'

Judy's eyes widened as she remembered Fred told them that Charlie had mentioned he might be seeing them sooner than they thought as he hugged Ginny goodbye on the platform.

'He's coming to Hogwarts...' Judy said hoarsely, torn between excitement and dread. 'Fred is going to kill him...'

'He's not here yet,' said Willow reassuringly. 'Dumbledore just said the other schools won't be arriving till October and the selections of the champions won't be until Halloween. Charlie won't be here for probably another two months...that should be enough time for Fred to get used to the idea...right?' she added, a little less confident than Judy wished she was.

'I need to Floo him as soon as I can,' said Judy. 'He needs to know about Fred...and we have to figure out...I can't believe he didn't tell me about this...'

'When should he have told you? When he was worried about your life at the World Cup? Or casting you a wave at King's Cross?' asked Willow amused. 'Look at it this way Jude, if he's here you'll finally have a chance to spend some time with him and share more than just some fleeting moments.'

'And flaunt our love for the world to see?' asked Judy sarcastically.

'Well, may be not around Fred,' said Willow kindly. 'But the rest...why would you care Jude? You two are in love and you've been hiding it for almost a year now...aren't you tired of keeping secrets all the time?'

'If you speak just a little louder, there will be no need to keep secrets anymore,' said Judy nervously.

'What are you two talking about?' asked Aidan inquisitively. Judy and Willow looked up from their conversation and only now noticed the other students were getting to their feet and leaving the Great Hall.

Judy and Willow waited for most of their house mates to pass, as there was already a line moving toward the double doors leading to the Entrance Hall. They then got to their feet and followed the mass outside the Great Hall.

'I reckon a couple of drops of Ageing Potion might do it, George...' Judy looked up at the sound of Fred's familiar voice, seeing him, George, Ron, Hermione and Harry walking a little ahead of them. He was so taken up by figuring out how to bypass the rule that no underage wizard or witch was allowed to take part in the tournament, that he had not noticed her a few meters away from him.

'Did you hear...?' Judy spoke to Willow, who looked after the two red headed boys with worried eyes. 'I'm sure they won't...'

'Yes, they will,' Willow retorted. 'You know they will do anything to take part in this.'

'They won't succeed Will,' said Judy reassuringly. 'I am sure the security measures have taken into account a couple of underage wizards trying to enter.'

The red haired witch sighed as they climbed the moving staircases toward Ravenclaw tower. 'Why did I have to fall for a Weasley again?' she said, half amused.

'Well, you've known them long enough to know what you were getting yourself into,' Judy replied with a smile.

'You would think that, wouldn't you,' said Willow as they entered the common room.

Judy followed her best friend up the spiral staircase leading toward their dormitory. Five four- poster beds with blue hangings stood against the walls. The other girls were already there, dressed in their pajamas and unpacking their trunks as they talked excitedly about the upcoming events.

'I hope Connor isn't thinking on participating,' said Chelsea worried as she put her socks in one of her drawers.

'I wouldn't worry about it,' said Shania reassuringly as she braided her hair. 'That boy is all about academics. He won't do anything to risk failing his NEWTS.'

'I agree,' said Abigail in a barely audible voice. 'I think Aidan is more likely to give it a try.'

'I sure hope not. That fool will get himself killed during the first task,' Shania remarked, unable to hide the concern in her voice.

Judy observed her roommates, as she sat on her bed. Duncan too had found his way to the dormitory and lay contently on her lap as she scratched him behind his ear. Willow did not participate in the chatter, as she unpacked her trunk in silence. Judy only hoped the twins did not succeed in their efforts, for all their sakes.

Judy sat in a lotus position on the rug in front of the hearth with a handful of Floo powder in her right hand. She'd taken it from the pot beside the mantle about half an hour ago, having left her dormitory after checking all of her room mates were sound asleep. She'd stared at the hearth since then, overthinking how she was going to tell Charlie everything that had happened and the advice Willow had given her...all the while listening and making sure none of the other Ravenclaws woke up from their dormant sleep.

The common room was dark, with a candle here and there alight, magically sensing there was still a student awake in the room. There was no moon- or starlight, as the storm still had not quite passed and thick clouds covered the stars.

Judy took a deep breath, rolling the dragon blood coral back and forth between her index finger and thumb, before leaning forward on her knees. She threw the Floo powder in the hearth and called 'the Burrow!'

Several living rooms flashed by before her eyes, before she reached the right one. The Weasley's living room was dark too, safe for a candle in the corner of the room, lighting up a wizard's chess board. Next to the candle two glasses, filled with amber liquid, shone warmly. Judy smiled, as she realised she'd guessed correctly that Charlie would be spending one more night at his parent's house, before returning back to Romania. He and Bill, looked up simultaneously from their board game. Though both of them were already in their pajamas, their eyes showed no sign of fatigue.

'Evening Byrne,' Bill said with a smile.

'Evening Bill,' Judy smiled back at him.

'What's wrong?' Charlie said immediately, as he got of his seat. He crossed the distance between them in a few paces and knelt in front of the hearth. 'Are you all right?'

'I'm all right,' said Judy quickly. 'No need to worry.

'Then to what do we owe this pleasure?' asked Bill kindly, as he too approached the hearth, with a glass of Firewhisky in his hand. 'Or do you want some privacy?'

'Actually, I'd like to hear your opinion on this too...' Judy took a deep breath. 'Fred knows,' she met Charlie's eyes. 'About us.'

'How?' he asked confused.

'He saw me waving goodbye to you on the train,' Judy explained. 'And then he asked me...you should have seen the look in his eyes, Charlie. I couldn't lie to him anymore. I'm sorry.'

'No, don't be, love,' said Charlie quickly. 'He's your best mate, I shouldn't have asked you to lie to him in the first place.'

'You didn't,' Judy said quickly. 'We both agreed on this.'

'How...how did he take it?' asked Bill interested.

'Badly,' said Judy, feeling a sting in her heart. 'He was mad at me...and hurt...I don't know if he'll ever forgive me,' she said truthfully.

'Oh, I am so sorry, love,' said Charlie, his eyes showing his concern. 'I never meant to harm your friendship.'

'I know,' she replied. 'We both betrayed his trust. We never actually lied to him, but keeping this from him...it's not much better is it?'

'Well,' Bill said as he sat down in one of the big arm chairs. 'I suppose this is what you two expected. We've all seen him look at you, Jude. And perhaps telling him at a later point would only have been worse. I mean, the longer you would have kept this from him, the higher his hopes might have gotten.'

'Willow said the same thing...' Judy remembered. 'There's something else she said too...'

'What?' asked Charlie quickly.

'That there's no reason for us to keep this a secret anymore.'

'What?!' Charlie exclaimed. 'She can't be...you can't be serious, Jude.'

'Why not?' Bill intervened before Judy had a chance to reply. 'She is of age now, Charlie.'

'What?!' Charlie turned around to look at his brother. 'If I recall correctly, you were the one telling us to be careful last year...'

'She was a year younger then,' Bill retorted. 'And there were Fred's feelings to consider...'

'And now there's just our parents, her uncle and...dear Merlin, her father...' Charlie said with a hint of desperation in his voice.

Bill laughed. 'Ah...so that is what this is all about...you're scared to face all of them?'

'Well,' Charlie said in defeat. 'It's not like I have a lot of experience with this...'

'None to be exact,' Bill said amused.

'Thanks,' said Charlie sarcastically, as he turned back to Judy. She smiled at the look in his eyes. 'What do you think?'

'I don't know, Charlie. I guess we could be honest now,' she said. 'I mean, Fred was always going to be the hardest to tell. I don't expect any problems from Remus or your parents really...I mean, they want us to be happy, right?'

'What about your Dad?'

'I haven't a clue,' said Judy honestly. 'But I suppose we won't have to worry about that for a while. Merlin knows when I will see him again...'

'Yes, I suppose you're right.' Charlie admitted. 'I think we should tell them in person though, together.'

'I agree,' said Judy. 'I don't want to tell them by owl.'

'Well, then you two still have some time to think how you are going to handle this,' Bill offered. 'I take it Dumbledore has told you about the Triwizard Tournament?'

'He has,' said Judy confused.

'Well, you lot will be at Hogwarts then for most of the holidays. There's the Yule Ball at Christmas, so...it will probably have to wait till the Easter holidays.'

'Easter holidays it is then,' said Charlie finally.

'OK,'Judy nodded. 'I suppose I'd better go before anybody wakes up.'

'Jude, if there's anything I can do about Fred...'

'I think you best leave him alone for now, Charlie,' she said truthfully. 'I don't know if he's more angry with me or with you right now. He'll come to one of us when's ready.'

'OK, just know I am here for you...always.'

'I know,' Judy smiled at him. 'Have a good journey home. And I guess I will see you soon?' she said amused.

'You will, Charlie cast her a warm smile. 'I'll write to you soon,' he promised.

'Bye love,' said Judy gently. 'See you next time, Bill.' The older brother lifted his glass and took a sip with a wink at her. Then several fire places flashed in front of her eyes, before Judy pulled back with a quick intake of air.

She still held the blood coral in between her thumb and index finger, rolling it back and forth, as she stared at the ashes in front of her. She sat there for a few more minutes, before getting to her feet and lightly treading back up the spiral staircase. She cast her wand at the creaking door hinges, making sure there was no sound as she entered the dormitory. She quickly slipped into her bed and pulled the blankets over her shoulder. She took a minute to steady her breathing, before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.