Disclaimer: I would hope you know this by now, especially if you've ever read fanfiction before. But, I am not J.K. Rowling, and I never will be. Because of that, I do not own anything in the Harry potter universe.

Chapter 10. Biscuits with Tea

"Expecto Patronum!" I say firmly. A small wisp of smoke comes out of my wand, and I groan.

"Good job Evans," Professor Barner says as he walks past me and Potter. He watches as Potter produces a similar looking wisp. He raises his voice and announces to the class, "May I suggest you share your happy memories with your partner? Maybe that'll help you come up with something powerful enough to create a corporeal patronus charm. And, I know we've been working on this for a while, but don't forget, this takes time."

Me and Potter take one look at each other, and both return to casting our charms in silence. He's still mad at me, and I'm not going to apologize for something that isn't my fault. It's not like I even wanted to be friends with him in the first place.

"Miss Evans, Mister Potter?" Professor Barner asks about five minutes later, "I said talk to each other, not glare when the other isn't looking."

"But sir!" Potter exclaims, "I can't work with her! She is insufferable."

"Excuse me?" I snap, "I'm the insufferable one?!"

"Yes! You are!"

"I'm not the one who hexes people for fun. Or is so self conceited and arrogant they can't see how dumb they truly are. Maybe that's why you can't come up with a happy memory!"

"Oh yeah? What's your excuse then?" Potter counters.

"Detention. Both of you. My office. 7:00." Professor Barner cuts in.

Potter's eyes go wide, "But sir! We have quidditch practice!"

"Think of it as team building then."

"Professor, I've never had detention before,"

His expression softens and he says, "Then I'd suggest you listen to my instructions. Be there, 7:00."

I nod, "Well I'll be there because I listen to the rules and accept the proper consequences for acting out in class."

"I guess I'll be there too," Potter says begrudgingly.

"Good, because I wasn't asking." Professor Barner replies, "Now, get back to work."

Professor Barner leaves, and I immediately turn to Potter, "Okay, what's your happy memory?"

"Seriously? Why would I tell you?"

"You heard Professor Barner, and besides, not talking is what got us in trouble in the first place."

"Fine," Potter mutters, "My happy memory is winning the quidditch cup last year."

I roll my eyes, "Well mine is me getting chosen as Prefect."

"Of course it is." Potter mocks me.

"Hey! Yours isn't working any better than mine."

"I know," he groans, sitting down, "Maybe it's just not happy enough?"

"Maybe," I respond as I join him at the table.

We stay like that for the rest of the lesson, and when we get up to leave, Professor Barner calls after us, "Seven-don't forget!"

I leave dinner early, and head over to Professor Barner's classroom 10 minutes early. I have never truly been in trouble for anything, and am very nervous about having detention. I pace back and forth in front of the classroom, until I hear a voice from behind me.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing Evans?"

I turn around and see Potter staring at me confused, "Uh, waiting?"

He shakes his head, "You truly have never had detention before."

"Yeah, I told Professor Barner that, did you not belie-" Potter grabs my arm and pulls me into the classroom, "-Hey!"

"First rule of detention Evans, you don't arrive early and wait outside."

I pull my arm away from him and am about to stick my tongue out, when I realize that would be childish, and Professor Barner is already coming out of his office.

"Thank you for being here, not that you had a choice. Now, I know that both of you are good students," I stare at him incredulously. Both? Yeah, sure. "And, I don't want to punish you for not getting along. At least not traditionally. So, tonight, I'm going to have you both work on your corporeal patronuses. Together."

"Oh thank you Professor," I exclaim, extremely glad we won't be cleaning the classroom, or helping out Filch.

Potter nods, "Okay. What's the catch?"

"Catch?" I ask worriedly "Is there a catch?"

Professor Barner laughs, "No Potter, there is no catch persay. But,"

"Hah! I knew it," Potter grins smugly.

"But," Professor Barner continues, "I would like you both to continue working together to get your corporeal patronuses. And as an added incentive, I won't put this on your permanent record."

I gasp, "You would remove it from our records!"

"That is correct Miss Evans, I have not yet put it on your records, and I will not, if you both continue working on your patronuses throughout this year."

"Why…?" Potter asks suspiciously.

"The patronus unit is only so long, and you are two of the most promising students I've had in my class. I know that you're capable of this, so I'd like to see what you can do when you put your minds together."

I nod, "Okay, I'll do it."

Professor Barner turns to Potter, who says, "I'll think about it."

"Think about it!" I exclaim.

He nods, "I'll let you know at the end of class Professor."

Professor Barner nods, and walks off to his office, "Get to work."

I turn on Potter as soon as Barner's office door is closed, "Think about it? Come on Potter, this is a win-win situation."

He smirks, "Maybe for you, but I don't need or want a detention off my permanent record."

"Well how about learning a Patronus, you get to do that! Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Eh I guess."

I nod excitedly, "Yeah, and I've read that you can use them to send messages, that could work for some of your prank thingies."

He stares at me, "Are you seriously suggesting prank plans to me?"

I groan, "Potter, please. This is really important to me."

His expression shifts to something I can't recognize, and he mutters under his breath, but I only catch part of what he said, "Evans…..death….me"

I stare at him expectedly, "Don't make me plead Potter. I'll do anything, just please do this for me."

He partially smirks, "Anything? Well that's something I've wished you would say for a while." his smile drops, and he says, "I'll do it, no strings attached."

A grin spreads across my entire face, and I squeeze him into a hug, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Potter nods dazedly, "Yeah, sure thing Evans," he clears his throat, "You want to get started?"

I back away, and nod.

"Okay, so your memory was you being Prefect, and mine was winning the Quidditch cup. But neither of them are working."

"Maybe we just need to practice some more. Professor Barner did say that producing a corporeal patronus charm takes a lot of time."

"Okay." Potter agrees.

The two of us spend the rest of the detention practicing the charm, but when Professor Barner exits his office, we have gotten nowhere closer to mastering it. I guess I should've expected this, but this only means I'll need to spend more time with Potter. Which, I'd be fine with, if he hadn't acted as though he was doing me a favor. I guess he is… but still!

"Have you made a decision?" Professor Barner asks.

"Yes sir," Potter responds, "I'll do it as well."

"Well then, feel free to come practice in here whenever you want, and I'll leave this detention off of your permanent records."

"Thank you sir," I say.

"No problem Miss Evans," he smiles, "Now, head back to your common room you two."

"What is wrong with you lately?" a young boy I recognise as Nathan yells.

I spin around to see Nathan and Taylor by the fireplace in the midst of an argument, "Nothing's wrong with me!"

"Taylor! I don't know where you've been! You've skipped how many dinners in the past month?"

"I am fine Nathan," Taylor snaps, "You need to mind your own business!"

"Your business is my business. We're friends, we look out for each other, that's how it works." Nathan huffs.

It's not my place to butt into their fight, but I see Taylor hit Nathan when he tries to pull her into a hug, and I immediately rush over. I push Taylor and Nathan apart, and take a good look at both of them.

"Lily, let me go!" Taylor hisses, yanking her arm out of my grasp.

I turn to her with a concerned look, and before she can stalk off, I grab both her and Nathan's arms, and pull them out of the common room.

"Um Lily?" Nathan whispers, "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere a bit more private than the common room," I respond.

"No, I'm not going!" Taylor snaps, "There is nothing wrong with me."

"Well, if there was nothing wrong with you," I start, "then you wouldn't be resisting right now. Maybe I should go get Cas and she can sort this out?"

Taylor shuts up at that, and stops trying to pull her arm out of my grasp. I let go of her, now certain she is following me, and I lead the three of us out of the castle to Ogg's. I knock on the door three times, and Ogg opens it up.

"Hiya Lily, what's brought you here?"

"Sorry to bother you Ogg, I just need somewhere private to talk to Nathan and Taylor here." I say apologetically.

Ogg lets us in, and I lead Taylor and Nathan to the small table in the kitchen. I see Hagrid in there bustling around trying to make a kettle of tea.

"Hi Hagrid," I wave.

"And hello to yeh too Lily," he responds.

Ogg enters the kitchen as well, pretending to busy himself with cleaning the dishes, and I laugh internally, knowing he can't stay out of the drama that happens at school. That's part of the reason he is so willing to help students out, he always gets to hear their stories, which provides a laugh to his everyday gamekeeping.

"Ogg, just come sit over here," I say.

"Ah you know me Lily, thank you," he responds as he takes a seat between Nathan and Taylor.

"So, would you two like to explain why you decided to start fighting in the middle of the common room?" I ask them. I look between Taylor and Nathan, waiting for one of them to talk.

Nathan sighs, "I was only asking Taylor where she was at dinner, and she freaked out on me."

"He was prying into my life," Taylor retorts.

"I'm just worried about you!"

"I don't need your worry."

"Okay, stop," I say, "Taylor, you have been acting slightly strangely," I gasp with realization, "Does this have anything to do with Mulciber? Are you okay Taylor?"

"Yes I'm fine!" she yells, "Mulciber did nothing. Stop prying Lily! This isn't your business."

I turn to Nathan, "When did you first notice her start to act strangely?"

"I'm not acting strangely!" Taylor says at a higher than usual pitch.

"Um she's been weird for like a month or so."

I nod slowly, "That's about when she came to me….. Ogg? Can I erm talk to you?"

Ogg's face clouds with realiation, "Hagrid, watch Taylor," he says meaningfully, "And Nathan," he adds as an afterthought.

The two of us quickly move outside, and I close the door before whispering, "She came to me about a month ago saying that Mulciber had done something, or said something to her. And, I probably should've gone to a teacher, but she didn't want me to, and she seemed fine, she said she was fine. And, it's not like Mulciber did anything other than talk bad about me and her. But, I think he did something to her."

Ogg nods, "I think she might be imperiused."

"No." I say by default, "She can't be can she?"

"She was rather defensive that nothing was wrong, which is a symptom of the imperius curse, and her eyes are rather cloudy, though that could've been tears." Ogg explains quietly, "I can brew up a potion that'll remove any spells she is under, but it'll take a bit, and if she realizes what we are doing, the imperius curse will cause her to become more volatile to protect the curse."

"Okay, do it please," I say, "Wait, should I grab her sister?"

Ogg looks at me, "I could be wrong about the imperius curse, but if I'm not," he breaks off with a grim look, "I can send a patronus to her, what's her name?"

"Dorcas Meadowes," I say in a shaky voice.

Ogg waves his wand and sends a quick message to Cas, saying to come immediately down to his cabin because I was there and needed her help. He didn't mention Taylor, in case there were people listening.

"It'll be okay right?" I ask.

Ogg looks at me, "That'll depend on what she did while she was imperiused."

He has a grave tone in his voice, and I struggle to swallow the lump forming in my throat. I nod and push the door back open.

"Where'd you go?" Taylor's eyes narrow with an accusing look.

"I was just having uh women's problems..?" I mentally slap myself for my stupid excuse, and move to stand in front of Taylor and Nathan. Both Taylor and Nathan seem like they're about to question what I was really doing, so I quickly exclaim, "Ogg's going to make us some tea and biscuits, and we can continue our conversation."

"OOH! Biscuits!" Taylor yells.

I laugh, "Yeah, I know how much you love biscuits Taylor."

"So, how have you been enjoying your first year Nathan?" I ask, attempting to keep the conversation light, and away from any mentions of Taylor's recent behavior.

Nathan obviously missed what I was trying to do because his voice raises and he says, "Aren't we here to discuss Taylor's weird behavior."

I internally groan, when Taylor yells, "There is nothing wrong with me Nathan Platt!"

I wish, for not the first time, that I had taken the time to learn legilimency earlier in my school year. Maybe Pandora would want to learn that with me. Or, Mary might join me. I can't say anything to Nathan without tipping Taylor off, but luckily Hagrid jumps in and saves me.

"Me and Ogg are gettin' yeh biscuits ready for yeh. Discuss the hard stuff while eating 'em"

"Yes, exactly Hagrid," I respond, "Just because we have to discuss an issue between two friends, that doesn't mean we can't have fun too."

Nathan considers this, and then jumps into a long winding story of his first year. He starts from the beginning. And I mean the very beginning. He describes the exact moment he got his Hogwarts letter in painstaking detail, that in any other scenario I would tell him to get to the point. But, right now, I will take any distraction while Ogg brews up the tea and biscuits, and laces them with the potion.

Pounding on the door disturbs Nathan's story, and Taylor leaps up to open the door before I can stop her.

"Lily are you-" Cas's words stop dead in her throat, "Taylor what are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here, what are you doing here?!" Taylor exclaims, turning a glare in my direction.

"I came because Lily-"

I interrupt before Cas can make the situation worse. We should've just explained to her before, because I'm not sure this is much better than anyone overhearing a Patronus. "I just invited a couple friends here that way we could have a little Game Night with our biscuits and tea."

Cas's eyes widen at my use of our code word, but she nods along, "Yeah, um Mary and Alice couldn't come, so it's just me."

"Yeah," I agree, confirming Cas's beliefs that only she was called.

Cas subtly glances towards her sister, and with a small incline of my head, I tell her all she needs to know. Nathan has a look of confusion on his face, but he sees the solemn look on my face, and he keeps his mouth shut.

"Well this will be a terrible game night," Taylor complains.

"Sorry sweetie," Cas says, hugging her sister.

"Ogg, how are the biscuits and tea coming along?"

"Just a few more minutes," he says in a strained voice.

"Okay," I purse my lips. We just need to keep Taylor unsuspicious for the next couple minutes, and everything should be fine.

"So, what games are we going to play!" Taylor smiles.

She looks so much like she always does, that I can't believe that she could actually be under the imperius spell. "How about we play muggles truth or dare?" I ask.

"Fine. I'll start," Nathan says sharply, "truth or dare Taylor?"

I instantly regret my choice of game after hearing Nathan's dead serious tone. There is no question what he is going with this.

"Dare, duh," she responds.

"I dare you to tell me where you were at dinner today."

Taylor's expression turns angry as she examines our faces, "You set me up didn't you! And you called Cas here for what? Interrogation?! I'm perfectly fine!"

"No, of course not Taylor," Cas holds up her hands, attempting to comfort Taylor, "We're just here to have a game night."

"Then why are you looking at me like that!" Taylor accuses.

Ogg streams over to the table holding the platter of tea cups and cookies, and he attempts to pass the blue cup and plate to Taylor. She immediately pushes it away, and demands "How do I know you didn't lace it with veritaserum or something?!"

"I did no such thing," Ogg says dryly.

"I want the red cup." Taylor says sweetly.

I catch Cas's gaze, and mutter through gritted teeth, "Help me."

We simultaneously jump from our seats, and I grab the teacup and a spoon, while Cas holds her sister down. Taylor begins squirming, and Nathan runs to the back of her chair to help Cas keep her down. I dip the spoon into the cup, and move the spoon of liquid to her mouth, but Taylor breaks her arm out of Cas's grasp, and hits it out of my hand, punching me in the process.

"Let me go!" Taylor demands in a low gravelly voice, that is nothing like her usual sweet tone.

Ogg and Hagrid who had already moved to help restrain Taylor weren't able to push her arm back to her chair before she pulled out her wand.

Taylor points her wand at the ceiling, and yells, "Reducto!" before she attempts to sprint out of the cabin.

I realize what's happening seconds too late, and I see pieces from the roof falling towards us before I remember I'm a witch and could do anything to stop it. Luckily, everybody else has much faster reflexes than me. Ogg casts a shield spell around all of us, Hagrid moves to lock the door, Nathan lunges for, and grabs a plate with a teacup and biscuit, and Cas jumps on top of her sister, and tackles her to the ground.

Finally I come to my senses, and point my wand at Taylor, "Petrificus Totalus."

We all stay frozen where we are, heavily breathing, before Ogg exclaims, "Do it now! I can't hold this forever, and I'm not going to fix it if she's going to wake up and destroy it again."

Nathan dips the spoon into the teacup, and spoons the tea into Taylor's mouth. I watch to make sure she swallows it, and then ask, "How many spoonfuls should we give her?"

Hagrid answers me, "Three or four should be good."

Nathan gives Taylor three more spoonfuls of the tea, and we all step away from her unconscious body.

"Finite Incantatem." Cas says clearly.

We watch in suspense as Taylor opens her eyes and sits up. She looks around, with a complete look of shock on her face, and then quietly says, "Where am I? Who are you?"

Author's Note: Now I really want cookies. But sadly, I'm social distancing and isolating, which makes the food choices a little bit more limited. But, that doesn't stop me from hoping for and wishing for a Baked Bear ice cream sandwich. Because, they sell the best ice cream sandwiches. Well, enjoy the chapter, and the next one when that is posted, and have a wonderful day/night :)