THE HOGSMEADE WEEKEND
DADA classes became everyone's favorite after the first class. But as always, Draco was the one who disliked the person whom everybody else liked. It seemed like he wanted to be unique by doing that.
"Look at what he wears?! Look at the state of his robes.!", he said to Natasha as she went to argue with Draco for the matter. "Please don't tell that, you are happy with such teachers."
"I will be happy as long as he teaches good. Even you can't deny that, he is better than the other two we had!", Natasha argued.
"My father will definitely hear about this.", Draco ignored her argument and went away shaking his head. The DADA classes were getting more and more interesting as the classes passed. Next class, they covered Red Caps, nasty little goblinlike creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of castles and the potholes of deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten lost. From Red Caps, they moved on to kappas, creepy water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds.
The other classes were becoming more and more advanced and interesting. Arithmancy classes were the favorite of her optional classes and she enjoyed it as much as potions. The worst part was the look that was given by her classmates after they have a divinations class. Ron informed her that, the professor was predicting her death in nearly every class. Parvati and Lavender always looked as though, she was going to drop dead any moment. They seemed to spend their free time at the north tower, and returned back with looks as though they knew things that others did not. They kept insisting Natasha that, she meet Professor Trelawny and get some advice. But Natasha ignored their rant. But the Black dog was still lingering in her mind.
Care for magical creatures class was becoming a bit dull after the disastrous and action packed first class. Hagrid seemed as though, he lost his confidence. His next class was about flobberworms, which had to be some of the most boring creatures in existence. "I have no idea why people will want to look after them. I mean, as far as I can see there is absolutely no use in keeping them.", Ron said after a class.
"I am sure that, they will have some use Ron. I don't think that. Hagrid will not bring any creatures that are not useful in any way.", Simran argued.
"But he has not explained any use till now, has he?", Ron asked.
At the beginning of October, the Quidditch captain Oliver Wood started their training sessions. He called a meeting of the team members. He seemed totally excited when he addressed his team mates. He seemed very determined to win. "Team! This is the last chance! This is my last chance to win the Quidditch cup. "I'll be leaving at the end of this year. I'll never get another shot at it.", he said.
"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now. Okay, so we've had the worst luck in the world — injuries — then the tournament getting called off last year. . .." Wood swallowed, as though the memory still brought a lump to his throat. "But we also know we've got the best — ruddy — team — in — the — school,"
"We've got three superb Chasers.", Wood pointed at Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell.
"We've got two unbeatable Beaters."
"Stop it, Oliver, you're embarrassing us," said Fred and George Weasley together, pretending to blush.
"And we've got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!", Wood rumbled, glaring at Natasha with a kind of furious pride. Natasha blushed. "And me," he added as an afterthought.
"We think you're very good too, Oliver," said George. "Spanking good Keeper," said Fred.
"The point is, we had very big chance of winning the cup for the past two years. Ever since Natasha joined our team. But we did not get it due to some unfortunate circumstances. Oliver looked sad at the last word, but then Natasha said, "We are going to win the cup this time, Oliver. I promise that, I will try my level best."
"Oliver, this is our year.", said Fred.
"We will make sure that, we will get the cup this time.", George said.
The practices were held with full determination by the whole time. They wanted to give their captain a proper send off. Then one Sunday, after Natasha returned from a tiring practise, she found the three of her friends talking with each other excitedly. Even the rest of the common room seemed really excited for it.
"What happened?", Natasha asked her friends.
"They just announced the date for the first Hogsmeade weekend.", said Simran excitedly. Natasha grinned at this.
"When is it?", Natasha asked excitedly.
"Halloween.", said Ron. Natasha groaned silently. It was the day in which her parents died. But she knew that, she should go. The days that followed saw Natasha being surrounded by many boys asking her out. Natasha was overwhelmed and confused as to how to deal with the situation. She was approached by boys from all the houses. Even three girls approached her for a date, she turned them down telling them that she did not lean that way.
Some of the boys who approached were Marcus Flint, Cormac McLaggen of Gryffindor fourth year, Peter Jones of Hufflepuff fifth year, and Daniel Smith of Ravenclaw fourth year just to name a few. Natasha turned them all down saying that, she was not ready for this. All of them went away clearly disappointed but Natasha knew that they will try it more. Even Simran and Hermione got some boys asking them out, but they also turned them all down. Natasha knew that, she was sure of the reason why Simran turned them all down. Lavender said that, she was going with a Hufflepuff fourth year and Parvati was going with Cormac. But the other girls of her dorm turned the boys down.
One day, while going for a transfigurations lesson Natasha saw that Lavender Brown was crying holding a piece of parchment. "What's the matter, Lavender?" said Hermione anxiously as she, Natasha, and Ron went to join the group.
"She got a letter from home this morning," Parvati whispered. "It's her rabbit, Binky. He's been killed by a fox."
"Oh," said Hermione, "I'm sorry, Lavender.". Natasha and Simran also went to Lavender and tried to console her. Natasha knew that loss of a pet means something big.
"I should have known!" said Lavender tragically. "You know what day it is?"
"Er —"
"The sixteenth of October! 'That thing you're dreading, it will happen on the sixteenth of October!' Remember? She was right, she was right!"
"What does she mean, she was right? Who was right?", Natasha asked Simran.
"Professor Trelawny had predicted that, Lavender was going to receive some bad news today.", Simran said still standing next to Lavender trying to calm her down.
The whole class was gathered around Lavender now. Seamus shook his head seriously. Hermione hesitated; then she said, "You — you were dreading Binky being killed by a fox?"
"Well, not necessarily by a fox," said Lavender, looking up at Hermione with streaming eyes, "but I was obviously dreading him dying, wasn't I?"
"Oh," said Hermione. She paused again. Then — Was Binky an old rabbit?"
"N — no!" sobbed Lavender. "H — he was only a baby!"
Parvati tightened her arm around Lavender's shoulders. "But then, why would you dread him dying?" said Hermione. Parvati glared at her. Natasha facepalmed herself. "Way to go Hermione. You just made her even more sad.". she thought. Simran just shook her head at Hermione telling her not to continue. But Hermione did not seem to notice.
"Well, look at it logically," said Hermione, turning to the rest of the group. "I mean, Binky didn't even die today, did he? Lavender just got the news today —" Lavender wailed loudly. "– and she can't have been dreading it, because it's come as a real shock —". Natasha was relieved when Professor McGonagall opened the door to let the students in.
On the Sunday before the Hogsmeade weekend, the three of her friends decided to stay in the common room for most of the day, as they had a lot of homework to finish. Ron and Simran were struggling with their Divinations homework while Hermione had a big pile of work thank to all the extra subjects. She had to finish her Muggle Studies and her Divinations homework. Natasha decided to for a walk around the castle. She was walking around a corridor when she heard a voice from one of the rooms calling, "Natasha?"
Natasha turned and saw Professor Lupin standing near the door of one of the rooms. "What are you doing in the hallways alone? Where are your friends?", he asked.
"They are in the common room completing their work.", Natasha replied.
"Ah. Why don't you come in then? I wanted to talk with you about something.", the Professor said.
Natasha went inside the Professor's office, as she had nothing else to do and was curious as to what the Professor had to say to her.
"I have just taken a Grindylow for our next lesson.", the Professor said. In the corner stood a very large tank of water. A sickly green creature with sharp little horns had its face pressed against the glass, pulling faces and flexing its long, spindly fingers.
"Water demon," said Lupin, surveying the Grindylow thoughtfully. "We shouldn't have much difficulty with him, not after the kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle."
Natasha had read a little about Grindylows, but was seeing one for the first time. "How about a cup of tea? I was just making one for myself.", the Professor offered looking around for a kettle.
"OK.", Natasha said. She wanted to ask the Professor about the reason why he did not make her face the boggart. But she decided against it. Professor Lupin must have seen something in her face as he asked as he gave her cup of tea, "Is there anything troubling you, Natasha?"
"No.", Natasha said suddenly and then took a sip of her tea. Then she decided to tell the Professor the truth. "I mean yes. You remember the day we fought the boggart?", she asked.
"Yes.", Professor Lupin nodded.
"Why didn't you let me fight it?", Natasha asked. "My answering the question might not have been the only reason."
"I am sure that, it was very obvious Natasha.", Professor Lupin said with a smile.
Natasha was surprised as she had expected the professor to deny doing it. "I-I don't understand.", said Natasha.
"I thought that, the boggart will take the shape of lord Voldemort.", Lupin said. Natasha was even more surprised when Professor Lupin said the name. The only people other than her she heard telling the name was Professor Dumbledore. "I thought of the panic it would have caused among the students. But clearly I was wrong."
"I did think of him first, but then I thought about the dementors.", Natasha said.
"I see," said Lupin thoughtfully. "Well, well . . . I'm impressed.", He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Natasha's face. "That suggests that what you fear most of all is — fear. Very wise, Natasha."
"Well, yeah.", Natasha was feeling happy and cheerful now. "The problem is when the dementors- "
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. "You can come in.", said Professor Lupin. When the door opened, Natasha saw that it was Professor Snape with a goblet in his hand. The goblet was smoking faintly. His eyebrows shot up when he saw Natasha.
"Ah Severus.", said Lupin with a smile. "Thank you for bringing it. Could you leave it in the table for me?"
Professor Snape put the goblet on the table. He was looking at Lupin suspiciously. He looked at Natasha as though asking her if she was alright. Natasha nodded at him, as if to try and say it's OK.
"I was just showing Natasha the Grindylow.", said Lupin pointing at the tank.
"Fascinating as it is, Lupin. I think you should drink the potion before it gets cold.", Professor Snape said.
"Yes, yes, I will.", said Lupin and drank the whole potion in one sip.
"Wonderful. If you need more, you can just ask me." Professor Snape said.
"I am sure that, I will need more for tomorrow.", Lupin said.
"Then I am sure that, you know where to find me. Please come to me after class hours.", Professor Snape said and left the room.
"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me,", Lupin said. "I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex."
"Why —?" Natasha
began. Lupin looked at him and answered the unfinished question.
"I've been feeling a bit off-colour," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."
"I heard that, you are also very good at potions, Natasha.", Lupin said.
"Yes. It is my favorite subject too.", Natasha said.
"You know,", Professor Lupin said with a smile. "Your mother was also brilliant at potions. She was one of the top students."
"Really?", Natasha asked excited to know more about her mother.
"Yes. She actually used to help me in my potions assignments too.", Professor Lupin said. "Well, Natasha, I'd better get back to work."
Natasha left the room with a cheerful face. She was very happy to learn that; her mother was also a potions genius like her. She then went back to the common room where, she joined her friends.
"Where did you go? Were you walking outside?", Hermione asked.
"I was walking around for some time, but then Professor Lupin called me to his place.", Natasha said and told what happened there.
"What do you suppose, Lupin drank from what Snape gave him?", Simran asked.
"I have no idea. It did not look like any potion I know.", Natasha said.
"Why the world did Lupin drink from the bowl? For all I know, Snape might have poisoned him!", Ron said.
"For the last time, Ron! Snape is not the bad guy here!", Natasha said angrily.
"Just look at the way he looks at Lupin. I have seen him angry. But never to the extent at which he sees Lupin and after the boggart class, it certainly has become worse.", Simran said. Natasha decided to end the argument here, as she did not want a fight between them.
All this time, Crookshanks was staring unblinkingly at Ron. Suddenly without any warning, he pounced on Ron. Ron shouted as the cat dug his four claws into Ron's bag. "GET OFF YOU CRAZY CAT! GET OFF!"
Ron was trying to get Crookshanks away, but it had out its claws deep into his bag. "Please don't hurt him!", Hermione said. Simran also tried to gently remove Crookshanks but it somehow managed to cling onto it. Just then Scabbers ran out of Ron's pocket. Crookshanks freed himself and ran after Scabbers.
"Someone catch that Rat!", Ron shouted. George lunged and tried to catch Crookshanks, bur he missed. It looked like, the cat was very determined to catch Scabbers. Scabbers then went through a hole that, Crookshanks could not fit into. It just stood there, and hissed. Ron and Hermione rushed over for their pets, George had taken the cat and gave it to Hermione. Ron with great difficulty, took Scabbers by its tail.
"Look at Him! Look how week he is looking! He was like this, since you brought that stupid cat!", Ron shouted at Hermione.
"Crookshanks is just acting on its instincts Ron! Cat's always chase rats!", Simran said joining them.
"You too Sim! This cat is just unnatural. There are bound to be hundreds of rats in the castle. I don't see it chasing any of them!", Ron said.
"Just because you don't see Crookshanks chasing other rats doesn't mean that, the cat is not doing that!", Hermione argued.
"Calm down, three of you! I don't want fight between friends just because a cat is chasing rats!", Natasha said. She was done with these arguments. The three of them shut up after that, and just glared. But then Ron marched through the common room and out of sight up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. Even the other two girls just marched into the dormitory. Natasha just sighed and sat on one of the couches.
"These fights are becoming really common nowadays.", Neville said looking at Natasha. He was sitting and doing his transfigurations homework in a nearby table.
"I know, Neville. I feel really bad when they do this. I have no idea how to approach this problem. Both their arguments have a point, and just cannot prove the other wrong.", Natasha said.
"I am sure that, they will find a way.", Neville said.
"I hope so.", Natasha said and went to the dormitory.
Things calmed down a bit the next day, and the four of them started talking to each other again. It was as if they had completely forgot the argument they had the previous day, and Natasha was very happy for that. Then came the weekend they had been waiting for. It was the Hogsmeade weekend, and all of them woke up early in the morning to get ready. They knew that the trip was going to be a really exciting one. After the breakfast, they all left the great hall to the gates. Professor McGonagall was standing near the gates, and was checking the forms. When Natasha went and gave the slip to the professor for verification. The professor examined it and said, "I see that, you have got the slip signed, Natasha. But I think it would be better if you stayed inside the castle."
"Why is that Professor?", Natasha asked.
"I came to know that, you did receive the information about Black targeting you. It would be good for your safety, if you stayed inside the castle.", the Professor said.
"But, Professor. Black certainly can't catch me in a crowded place like Hogsmeade, can he? He will be caught easily.", Natasha argued.
"That is a good argument, Ms. Potter. I am allowing you to go now.", she said. "But if any security problems arise, you will have to stay inside the castle.". Natasha just nodded at the professor and hoped that such a situation will not arise.
After the four of them reached the village, they started roaming around. It was one of the most beautiful places that Natasha had ever seen. Houses and shops were made up of both wood and brick. The amount of magic present in the village was almost comparable to Hogwarts. Having never seen a magical settlement before, Natasha was spellbound by all the sights. Hermione and Simran also had the same look of wonder in their faces. Simran had said that, her school was in the middle of an enchanted forest, with no apparent human settlement for miles around. It was in some remote forest in India called Nagarhole. So, she also had not visited any wizarding village. Hermione was also the same case as Natasha, even Ron who had already visited many wizarding settlements were staring in awe.
"This is a really beautiful village. More than I expected.", Hermione said.
"One of the best in the world.", Ron agreed. Simran and Natasha just nodded their heads. They then went to Honeydukes to by some sweets. The amount and variety of seeds that were available were very big. Natasha and Hermione wanted to eat some acid pops, as it had an interesting name, but Ron thankfully stopped them from it. "Fred gave me one when I was seven, it burnt a hole right through my tongue. I can remember Mum walloping him with her broomstick.", Ron said. "I know that, it heals after sometime, but trust me you won't like the burning even a bit."
"Then why do they sell such stuff?", Simran asked curiously.
"I have absolutely no idea. Some crazy people like the feeling I think.", Ron said.
Ron then brought something called Cockroach clusters much to the distaste of the girls, then as a retaliation Simran ate something called ice mice which Natasha knew symbolised Scabbers. Ron was disgusted and angry at that, but Natasha managed to calm all of them down. "I don't want you guys starting a fight again. I am just so tired of all this."
They then tried the other sweets which were good for everyone's tastes. Some of them were, charm chocs, crystallised pineapple etc. They then again went for a stroll around the village till they decided to have lunch at the three broomsticks. It was a nice establishment, and was crowded with Hogwarts students and villagers. Hermione swore to Natasha and Simran later that she had seen an ogre sitting in some table though they both did not see such thing. They first had a glass of butterbeer and then ordered the full meals that was available there. They had shared three meals between the four of them and still they were full. Hermione then talked about taking a visit to the shrieking shack which was supposed to the most haunted building in UK. But Ron said that, they will visit the building during the next weekend, as he wanted to do something new the next time. They agreed to this arrangement and again went for a stroll in the village. `They reached back to the castle before one hour to the feast. The great hall was decorated with pumpkins, bats and many other things.
The food was delicious. Natasha kept glancing at the staff table. Professor Lupin looked cheerful and as well as he ever did; he was talking animatedly to tiny little Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher. Professor Snape looked to be in a fouler mood. For some reason he seemed to be getting more and more angrier as the days went on. The feast finished with an entertainment provided by the Hogwarts ghosts. They popped out of the walls and tables to do a bit of formation gliding; Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, had a great success with a re-enactment of his own botched beheading which Natasha found very disgusting.
"He really has a bad sense of humour, doesn't he?", Simran asked Natasha.
"Sometimes, he does. He usually does this during the beginning of the year feast though.", Natasha said with a nod.
The four of them followed the rest of the Gryffindors along the usual path to Gryffindor Tower, but when they reached the corridor that ended with the portrait of the Fat Lady, they found it jammed with students.
"Why isn't anyone going in?" said Ron curiously.
"Did the fat lady decide to take a stroll again?", Simran asked trying to peek over.
"I am sure that, she won't do it on a day like this.", Natasha said.
"But then, why is there a big line to the portrait?", Hermione asked.
"Let me through, please," came Percy's voice, and he came bustling importantly through the crowd. "What's the holdup here? You can't all have forgotten the password — excuse me, I'm Head Boy —"
And then a silence fell over the crowd, from the front first, so that a chill seemed to spread down the corridor. They heard Percy say, in a suddenly sharp voice, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick.". Now Natasha knew that, something was very wrong.
People's heads turned; those at the back were standing on tiptoe. "What's going on?" said Ginny, who had just arrived. "I think something happened to the fat lady.", Natasha replied.
"What do you mean?", Ginny asked with wide eyes.
"Nobody has any idea.", Simran replied.
A moment later, Professor Dumbledore was there, sweeping toward the portrait; the Gryffindors squeezed together to let him through, and Natasha, Ron, and Hermione moved closer to see what the trouble was.
"Oh, my —" Hermione grabbed Natasha's arm. The Fat Lady had vanished from her portrait, which had been slashed so viciously that strips of canvas littered the floor; great chunks of it had been torn away completely. Natasha was horrified at the scene that she was seeing in front of her. "Who could do such a horrible thing?", Natasha thought. Ron was looking at the door, and had grabbed Simran's arm. Simran did not seem to notice that, and was looking at the door with a horrified expression. Dumbledore took one quick look at the ruined painting and turned, his eyes sombre, to see Professors McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape hurrying toward him.
"We need to find her," said Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for the Fat Lady."
"You'll be lucky!" said a cackling voice. It was Peeves the Poltergeist, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry.
"What do you mean, Peeves?" said Dumbledore calmly, and Peeves's grin faded a little. He didn't dare taunt Dumbledore. Instead he adopted an oily voice that was no better than his cackle. "Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful," he said happily. "Poor thing." he added unconvincingly.
"Did she say who did it?" said Dumbledore quietly.
"Oh yes, Professorhead," said Peeves, with the air of one cradling a large bombshell in his arms. "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves flipped over and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."