Hogwarts without the twins was hardly bearable. Umbridge was barking mad and I was only counting the days until exams were over.
However, I was quite proud of the legacy the twins had left. There was no going up to the fifth floor in the east wing because Umbridge couldn't figure out how to get rid of the swamp they left behind. And seeing the two broom-shaped holes in the office door in our Defense classroom was a reminder of their great escape. Mostly, I would spend my classes with Umbridge staring up at those holes until Filch finally replaced the door.
But everyone using their Skiving Snackbox purchases showed just how many products Fred and George had sold this year. I still had no interest in vomiting or bleeding to get out of class but couldn't help feeling mighty pleased with the sheer amount of people who did.
Another stark reminder was the eventual return of Montague, apparently severely disoriented from his trip into the Vanishing Cupboard.
"Should we say anything?" Alicia asked when we saw Montague's parents arrive at the castle one day looking extremely perturbed with their dazed son in tow.
"And take the fall for something Fred and George did? No way!" Lee seemingly made the argument we didn't want to refute since none of us did come forward to Umbridge or even Madam Pomfrey.
But another thing all together that I noticed was the consistent letters Harry seemed to be receiving from my father. The handwriting was undeniable but Harry always stuffed the letters into his robes and would leave the Great Hall under my questioning gaze.
One day when I had had enough, my stern gaze landed on the two Gryffindor prefects who both surprisingly looked nervous.
"Ron, what's going on with Harry? Why is dad writing him so much?" I figured Ron would be the most willing to confess but he bowed his head into his breakfast before stuffing his mouth full of food to avoid answering.
"Oh, this is ridiculous!" Hermione fumed so I turned my attention to her instead. "Harry wanted to keep it from you so you won't get anymore upset but he should know by now that you worry just the same as he does."
"'Ermnee," Ron tried to discourage her but his mouth was still full of food and Hermione ignored him.
"Your father actually talked with Harry the day the twins caused that diversion. Harry used the Floo in Umbridge's office to talk with Snuffles, Remus and Joss. He's been worrying about his father since he used the Occlumens charm against Snape and saw one of Snape's memories of being bullied by Harry's dad. And ever since, Snape hasn't been meeting Harry for his Occlumency training," Hermione huffed and my mouth gaped open.
Suddenly, I was annoyed with Harry and everyone else who seemingly knew what was going on, and lost my appetite for breakfast. I decided to stand up and head off early for class since I had no idea where Harry might be by this point and figured I would corner him later.
I heard Hermione and Ron arguing behind me but didn't pay them any attention.
I was even more bitter about things when it led me to not being able to concentrate in Double Herbology. But I was forced to put a pause on my brooding when Professor Sprout made us prune back the Venomous Tentacula. I didn't want to end up with purple hands full of venom which is the first stage of the poisoning from the plant used mostly for fertilizer.
I also had Astronomy that night so it wasn't until that evening up in the common room where I finally had the chance to confront Harry. I assumed Ron and Hermione must have warned him because Harry only tensed his shoulders slightly when I approached him with my stern gaze, but otherwise didn't look surprised.
Ron and Hermione gave us some privacy by going over to join Neville and Seamus which left Harry looking uncomfortable.
"Look Marnie—" he started but I cut him off.
Knowing Harry all this time he only ever had one explanation to give me whenever he left me in the dark. But being the older sister here, I no longer had any patience for hearing about Harry wanting to protect me or spare me from his pain.
"Harry, I'm not some fragile little girl. I understand we have both had a pretty horrible time of it lately, but that's all the more reason why I want to hear if you're upset or in trouble," I paused and saw Harry's argument disappear behind his eyes.
"Alright, I apologise for not telling you about why Joss has been writing everyday. Hermione told me she explained the whole Snape thing. But I didn't really know how to talk about it since I didn't want to spoil the thought of my parents and Sirius in your mind. I saw them Marnie. My dad was hexing Snape and making a spectacle of it when they were at school. I mean, that's pretty horrible and I just needed to ask Sirius about it. Remus and Joss were also there when I used the Floo. They told me that Snape and my dad had a pretty intense rivalry. But they also told me that I should still be proud of my father and not judge him too harshly from when he was at school. But I'm his age right, from that time?" Harry explained sounding unsure of himself.
"You know Harry, I don't really have that many memories of your parents or my mother from before. And it's been just me and my dad for a really long time. But I'm still not exactly like him or even like my mum from her school days. I see enough in the weird dreams that I get that we are very different people, despite the fact that everyone always tells me how much I look like her," I explained watching Harry continue to look perplexed. "We always knew James and Sirius were troublemakers, maybe more so than the twins even. They might have toed the line or even gone over it when they were young, but that was before they grew up and James married Lily and they decided to have you."
Harry smiled at this but I knew he was still strung out. I didn't know if it was just from whatever he had seen in Snape's memories or if there were other things like the looming fact that Voldemort was back and the Ministry was still unwilling to acknowledge it.
Shortly after Harry got up to return to the other fifth years who were all in a group studying. I walked by my group of friends but I could tell by the look on Angelina's face that she was going over quidditch tactics for the upcoming game this weekend. It was the last game of the season, deciding if Gryffindor would keep the cup or lose it to Ravenclaw.
XX
The morning of the match was filled with more anxiety than excitement. I walked with Harry in solidarity since he was sulking even more than usual. He was keeping up a decent enough face so not to ruin it for Ginny or Ron who were also walking with us, but I knew he was devastated still about his lifelong ban.
"Good luck Ange!" I hugged her stiff shoulders from behind when I made my way out to the stands with Harry and Hermione while Angelina whispered to the girls and Ron over their untouched breakfast plates.
I didn't take it personally that I didn't even think Angelina had noticed my hug or show of affection but instead followed my brother and most other students out of the Great Hall.
The three of us got all the way to the stands before we saw a very harried looking Hagrid looming at the base of the pitch.
"Hi, you three," Hagrid's smile was genuine but nervous and I frowned at him. "Would you come with me?"
I knew that despite Harry's perturbance from not being able to play didn't mean Harry didn't want to watch the match at all, especially since Ron was already looking green with panic this morning and Harry wanted to show his support for this best friend.
"I just need these two. Maybe best to keep this small," Hagrid looked at me worried so I didn't push it.
I did also want to support Angelina with her last match as captain and Alicia and Katie for their last match, so despite my worry for Hagrid I let him lead Harry and Hermione off without me.
"I'll fill you in," I nodded and gave Hagrid a meaningful look before ascending the stands to find Neville and Luna.
"Harry is going to miss Cho playing," Luna's dreamy voice said this in greeting and I swallowed my audible scoff without answering.
I knew Harry was no longer talking with Cho regularly, let alone dating her anymore, but she still rubbed me the wrong way.
The mood didn't uplift hearing Lee's unenthusiastic commentary or the fact that the Slytherin's started singing the Weasley is our King song with a few added verses. I thought maybe it was a good thing that Harry and Hermione weren't watching, especially once the game started and Ron let in the first goal of the game.
"Ron is looking pretty green, isn't he," Luna observed and Neville buried his head in his hands like he didn't want to watch the game even though he continued to watch it through his fingers anyways.
"Come on Ron!" I shouted with my hands cupped around my mouth.
"Johnson passes to Spinnet who passes to Bell. Come on Kate!" Lee's bias for his girlfriend shone through.
"Chambers steals the quaffle and is headed for Weasley. Look alive Ron!" Lee called through the microphone and I'm sure that was some sort of foul.
I held onto Luna and we both shrieked when Ron made the save, although rather clumsily. The game went along at the same nail-biting pace where Ron would let one in but then work up the nerve to save the next. Angelina was also able to rally the chasers who had been playing together for enough years to be seamless in their plays.
"Ginny sees it!" Neville called out and all three of us turned to watch Ginny pulling in front of Cho who was also going after the golden snitch.
"Come in Ginny!" I shouted as me and Luna jumped together in anticipation and Luna made her costume roar enthusiastically.
I almost didn't hear the eruption of initial applause over Luna's lion head. Once Ginny wrapped her hand around it and claimed victory for Gryffindor everyone around us started shouting wildly. I smugly watched as Cho landed a little ways away from Ginny and threw her broom onto the ground in frustration.
Instead of going out to the field like normal I walked back into the school to wait for my friends to come up and join the party. It felt a little less exciting that it hadn't been the twins who played in the game and won Gryffindor the Inter-House Cup. Or that they weren't here to supply the bootlegged drinks and candy from Hogsmeade.
But that didn't mean other students didn't have stashes of their parents' fire whisky that was still passed around the party that was all in celebration of Ron who made enough saves for the team to win.
When Harry and Hermione finally found their way to the common room I silently extricated myself from my friends who were imbibing heavily in their celebratory win. Katie and Lee were openly making out and I only missed hearing the twins who would no doubt be taking the mickey out of them for it.
"So what did Hagrid want?" I asked when Harry stepped away from Ron to get himself a drink.
"Erm—it's a very Hagrid sort of problem," Harry lowered his voice and I knew from his comment that it must mean some sort of magical creature since Hagrid always seemed to bite off more than he can chew with the pets he kept.
"Worse that a dragon?" I asked and Harry's face blanched.
"He has a half-brother, who is also a full giant," Harry's voice was even lower and I fought back to ask if I had heard him right; but I knew I heard him right even when I didn't want to believe it.
"Umbridge will lose her mind if she finds out. I mean giants do not take orders from wizards or anyone else for that matter," I whispered fervently.
"Well she's the reason he told us. Hagrid knows she's gunning for his dismissal so he wants to make sure Grawp is taken care of. You should see him Marnie, he's enormous! Hagrid doesn't have a clue and asked us to watch him—no actually to teach him English!" Harry stopped himself since his voice was rising louder in volume and he didn't want to be overheard.
I shook my head worriedly but Angelina came over and grabbed me by the arm before I could say anything else.
"It's a shame you couldn't play Harry, but Ginny was brilliant!" Angelina was a few drinks in and was glowing in her achievement for leading Gryffindor to victory.
"Yea she is," Harry's voice sounded contemplative like maybe he was thinking past just Ginny's quidditch skills.
"Come on Marnie, come celebrate!" Ange's smile was as infectious as always and I couldn't help but oblige her and take the drink from Alicia's outstretched hand when I was led back to the group.
Another drink in and I forgot about Hagrid's big problem in the Forbidden Forest or the fact that I was lonely without my two best friends. Instead I joined in my dormmate's victory and enjoyed one of the last celebrations of our entire school career.
It turned out I was happy I enjoyed the after-party since the next day started the intense studying for our NEWTs.
I threw myself into my books which was a good distraction from what was actually happening around me. Angelina, Katie and Alicia were always around so I found that was enough company, even when we didn't really talk. Lee didn't seem as committed to studying but would more often than not follow Katie because if not he wouldn't see her at all.
XX
"That was a nightmare compared to our OWL in Transfiguration!" Alicia huffed when the five of us walked out of the Great Hall a little worse for wear.
I noticed Alicia still had a few more freckles than usual on her face but figured I would mention it when she calmed down.
"Well it's behind us now. We better get studying for our Charms exam tomorrow," Angelina sounded dejected already like she had already crammed her brain too full to really take in any more information.
But I followed them all up, wanting to keep studying since I was set on getting all my NEWTs and felt I didn't really have anything better to do with my time. At this point I just wanted the exams to be over so we could graduate and leave. I felt I had a new life waiting outside of Hogwarts and it was exciting to think it would be starting soon.
But that night brought even more troubling news when the fifth years came running in after their Astronomy exam. They told all the seventh years who were still up studying and some other late-night students what they had seen. Apparently the Ministry had come for Hagrid and in defending the half-giant Professor McGonagall had been struck by four stunners.
"But why would they sack Hagrid now?" Angelina asked as the five of us listened intently to Harry, Ron and Hermione with Neville, Seamus and Dean sitting with them.
"Umbridge doesn't like half-breeds," Hermione spoke like she had bile in her mouth that tasted bitter.
"She blamed the niffler being set off in her office on Hagrid even though he was teaching at the time," Ron explained and I watched as Lee shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Oh blimey, that was me," Lee looked guilty but I knew it must have been Fred and George who gave Lee the idea, probably more of an order like they'd given Peeves to wreak havoc.
"How did you even get a niffler?" I asked, unable to curb my curiosity.
Lee smirked at this despite his still evident guilt. "Fred gave you the credit. He says that actually listening to all your tips from Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures has given him a lot of ideas for the shop."
I thought back to when we learned about nifflers in Care of Magical Creatures and how I had in fact told Fred that night about how interesting it was to be able to lure such a creature with only a shiny object, usually something of value like coins or jewelry.
xx
That night it took a while for me to get to sleep but was vividly aware of when I did start dreaming.
I heard the voice I had heard many times before in my dreams and mind, and I realised I had heard this specific conversation whenever I faced against any dementors.
"Squib lover thinks she can save him. She knows too much," Bellatrix Lestrange loomed over me with a hungry look in her eyes.
Immediately I knew what was about to happen and started to panic. There was only one instance my mother had ever been defenceless at Bellatrix's feet.
I don't want to see this!
I was appalled in the few seconds my mind raced before Bellatrix cast the Unforgiveable Curse.
Mum, please! Mum, I don't want to see this! PLEASE!
"Crucio!"
Suddenly my entire body was alight like wildfire; like my insides were boiling and my mind was stretching past its limits.
I bolted awake at the sudden pain and threw off my blankets like they were constricting me. My breathing was laboured and I looked around my dorm room, trying to ground myself and see if I had waken anyone else up.
Thankfully, somehow, I hadn't screamed to alert Angelina or the others. I suddenly had the overwhelming urge to climb into bed with Fred but knew he wasn't tucked into his four poster in the boy's dormitory.
Feeling scared at what I had just seen and frustrated that I had been shown this particular memory, I cast a Silencing Charm and instead cried myself back to sleep.
When I woke up feeling sore and groggy the next morning, I was only relieved it was the very last exam and it happened to be my best subject. Professor Sprout had prepared us well and I was able to discern the poisonous plants from those that only mimic their properties. The rest of the exam was more theoretical, asking questions like: Why did the Ministry for Magic prohibit the use of nightlock in Sleeping Draughts in 1896? What were the terrible list of events leading to this decision?
I was able to write almost two feet for my answer and exhaled rather loudly when I finished and wrapped up my exam scroll. It was the last step in my education at Hogwarts and I was more relieved than I wanted to admit. A part of me felt melancholy that I would be leaving something so pivotal in my life behind. It was akin to feeling loss, especially when my memories of Cedric lingered in the halls of the school. I smiled at the thought of just how many memories I had made here, trying ever so desperately to push back on the scarring memories of my dream last night.
My seven years with the twins pulling pranks and getting into mischief. Hanging out with Angelina, Katie and Alicia; spending hours talking about everything we didn't want to discuss in front of the boys. Reconnecting with Harry and being his big sister…
Hogwarts had been the setting for most of the big events in my life and now it felt like leaving it behind was just as big of an impact.
"Hey Marnie!" I turned to see Ginny walking along with Luna. "Are you all done with your exams?"
"Yea, I just finished with Herbology," I replied, falling into step beside them.
"I guess this means we can go back to sharing books," Luna exclaimed and I nodded.
"Now that I'm done exams I can go back to reading for fun," I smiled, earning a scoff from Ginny.
"I don't know how you get along so well with my brothers if you read for fun. Honestly, what do you and Fred even talk about?" Ginny's question was playful and I swatted her shoulder good-naturedly in return.
We continued walking through the corridors, me letting the other two lead the way since I had joined them in their venture. But we all froze at the sounds of a familiar voice shouting in one of the classrooms.
Ginny stepped forward, quickening her pace as Luna and I followed close behind her.
"Harry is everything okay?" Ginny peaked her head into the room since the door was already open ajar.
"Nothing that concerns you," Harry bit back and I was surprised he was being so rude; Luna obviously agreeing.
"You're being quite rude, Harry," Luna stepped in beside Ginny and I wondered if I was even visible to him since both girls were an inch taller than me and I was behind them.
"Wait, they can help!" Hermione exclaimed and at this moment I chose to step forward.
"Help with what?" Harry apparently had turned his back because he whirled around at the sound of my voice.
"Marnie—" he paused for a half a second before returning to his previous frantic state. "It's Sirius. We need to get to the Department of Mysteries right now!"
That was a loaded sentence in itself with a lot of unknown variables but then I considered every other school year with Harry in attendance and figured this might be on par with Harry going into the belly of the school to battle with a giant snake.
"How can we help?" Harry again hitched his permanent looking scowl and looked grateful for my comment.
I figured he might have been expecting me to push back against him, but I didn't want to stall when it seemed Sirius might be in danger. I had been left behind when Harry went against Quirrell-Voldemort; petrified by a basilisk; unconscious from a dementor attack; and a spectator for a silly tournament when my boyfriend was murdered. There was no way I was staying behind this time.
"We need to keep students away from the Defense hallway," Hermione said and Ginny surprisingly voiced the same idea that came to my mind.
"We'll tell everyone that someone unleased Garrotting Gas."
Hermione looked taken aback at Ginny's quick idea but I smirked. "Fred and George were going to do it before they left."
Harry nodded before we split off with our own assignments. I was to join Ginny and Luna for heading off any students while Ron would stall Umbridge and Harry and Hermione would use Umbridge's Floo to check in at Grimmauld Place to see if Sirius was there.
I hoped to Merlin he was because I was starting to piece together the situation in my head and figured Harry must have had another dream concerning Sirius being tortured based on Harry using that specific word. Then there was my own dream of torture to consider, and my stomach immediately fell.
"Thanks," I heard just Harry's voice as he invisibly passed me standing beside Luna at one end of the corridor.
I could hear Ginny telling off some students from the other end but word must have gotten out concerning our ruse since we didn't see anyone approach us while we waited for Harry to return. My previous exam stress now seemed like mild concern compared to waiting to see if Sirius was safe or not.
"O'Hara, there you are, you good for nothing squib," Flint appeared suddenly with his shiny badge on his robes and a smirk that looked far too pleased for only running into me in the hallway.
I knew right away something was wrong and that Umbridge somehow knew about Harry being in her office.
"Let her go!" another surprising voice called out and I looked up to see Neville looking more confident than I had ever seen him as he tried to get Montague off of manhandling Luna.
However, another Slytherin by the name of Warrington came to Flint's aid and helped cart the four of us up towards Umbridge's office. My anxiety was replaced by anger as Flint roughly dragged me along and up the stairs.
But nothing prepared me for how livid I turned when we finally entered the pink chambers of Professor Umbridge.
"I ought to use the Cruciatus curse to loosen that tongue of yours Potter," her school girl grin was malicious, showing her true colours for how she wanted to treat the world to get it to kneel before her and her precious Ministry.
"NO!" I bellowed, earning me a hard kick in the shin and elbow to the stomach by Flint.
The dream I had had last night fully present in my mind as I fought hard against Flint to break free. The adrenaline coursing through me prevented the pain from registering as I fought harder against Flint's tight grip.
But Hermione's tear strung outburst stopped me dead in my attempt to break free. She was apparently going to confess what her and Harry were doing and I couldn't believe it. That is, until she went on with her bold faced lie.
"We need to reach Dumbledore to tell him the weapon is ready."
What weapon?
I wracked my brain for what Hermione could possibly have up her sleeve to stall this dire predicament. But whatever Hermione was thinking worked like a charm since she convinced Umbridge to accompany only her and Harry, leaving us alone with the thick-skulled Slytherin group.
Ginny and I shared a mischievous look once Umbridge carted the other two away before we each in turn sent a hex or spell onto the unsuspecting Inquisitorial Squad.
"Stupify!" I shouted for extra effect since I knew I could have done it non-verbally.
Flint's frozen body was enough satisfaction before the five of us, including Ron rallied together and went running out of the office.
"Where could they have gone?" Ginny asked but Ron pointed out the window, fortuitously spotting Harry and Hermione at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Without another word we dashed down to the Entrance Hall before making our way across the grounds.
"How are we going to get to London?" Harry asked out loud to Hermione while Ron replied like we were already a part of the conversation.
"That's what I wanted to know."
Harry looked put off that we had all made it down to them so quickly but I refused to obey or be dissuaded by his temper.
"We're coming with you Harry," my voice let no room for argument and I could tell that Harry was too impatient to come up with a plan to put any effort into an argument.
"So, we'll fly on those of course," Luna's unexpected calm voice cancelled out everyone else's squabbling and I worried for a moment that this was one of Luna's more abstract ideas.
But by the look on Harry's face I could tell he was staring at whatever Luna saw as well.
"Thestrals," I whispered sadly, not permitting myself to really think about why Harry could see the creatures after what happened last year.
"I'll help everyone find one," Luna added helpfully while Harry went over and grabbed his own hurriedly.
I knew Harry was in no mood to be the leader of this ragtag band but we were all invested if it meant we would save Sirius. Now I just had to fly over Great Britain on an invisible creature and hope I don't fall off before the real trouble began.