Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series at all. Just Hayden. She's my baby forever and ever.
Author's Note:
HELLOOOOO.
Holy shit, I can't believe it's already September and for the first time in 15 years, I don't have to be concerned about school. It's bittersweet and so very saddening to see my friends starting college and I'm working more hours just to be able to afford to go next year. I miss it already.
Thank you to everyone who favorited, alerted, and reviewed the first chapter! It was such a surprise to see. *Hearts*
To all of you starting school, good luck! Do great! Heads up, shoulders back, and do the best that you can! To those of you who aren't in school, I hope life is treating you well and that you are happy. To those of you coming back for this second chapter, please enjoy. Read on!
Edited as of: January 25th, 2018
No Promises.
Chapter T.W.O
_"Connections"_
"Everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow." -Unknown
It was a bit difficult to convince the Twins and Lee to go up to the Tower without me. All three boys were curious—read nosy—about where I was wandering off to right after the Feast ended and were determined to follow after me. No amount of vague words, threats, or bodily harm would get them to leave, so I took drastic measures and turned my wand on them, promising the most painful hex I knew if they didn't go upstairs without me. They relented at that, but not without backwards glances and scowling faces. I had a very strong feeling that all three of them, if at least the Twins, would be up waiting for me to return to continue badgering me.
I was only thankful Professor Snape's sixth sense didn't kick in at that moment. It'd be a new record for me to get detention before classes actually started.
My hand was throbbing painfully at my side, pieces of skin around my fingers burning red, but thankfully not blistering. It still stung like a bitch, though. I was half tempted to just let it heal naturally since it wasn't a terrible burn, but then I remembered how hard I struggled to eat left handed and I came to the quick conclusion that I wasn't feeling starting classes in pain from holding a damn quill since I couldn't write left-handed to save my life and that I definitely learned my lesson about touching other people's wands.
Damn things were as picky as their masters.
"The wand chooses the wizard, Ms. Walters. Not the other way around."
Ollivander wasn't kidding when I first met him in his shop four years ago after getting my cedar wand. And here I was thinking he was just a tad bit crazy in the head when in actuality he really knew what he was talking about. The man deserved more credit than he was given.
I waved to a couple of Ravenclaw students whom I had shared a few classes with over the years rather consistently as they marched their way up the stairs to the fifth floor where I knew their Common Room to be. Clothes of red were mixed in with them, while clothes of green and yellow branched off towards the dungeons and basement respectively. It was getting close to curfew, so I had to make this quick. I was almost positive Madam Pomfrey would give me a free pass or something if I somehow did stay past curfew, but I wasn't going to test the strict Mediwitch so late at night. It was best to get in, have her lecture me and heal my hand, and be on my merry way.
The Hospital Wing doors were closed, but light shone dimly from underneath the edges, most likely from one of the many candles Madam Pomfrey liked to have spread out around the room. Pushing the doors open, I peeked inside, glancing around for the Madam before spotting her near the arched windows, waving her wand to put out the candles placed there. She turned as I walked in and frowned mightily at me.
"Now, really, Ms. Walters!" She said in exasperation as she marched towards me. "Classes haven't even started yet and I'm already being graced by your presence! What have you done this time, hmm? Did young Malfoy hex you again? Are you sick? Did you drink something you shouldn't have? Come on, out with it!"
"Your patience with me holds no limits, Madam," I said, snickering at all of her accusations. She was right to ask me all of those things as they have happened on more than one occasion. "I have not been hexed by the Ferret, I'm not sick, and I haven't drunken any suspicious potions as of yet. I'm actually here for something new."
She arched a greying eyebrow expectantly. "Is that so? Well, what is it then?" I wordlessly held my hand out for her. She carefully took it into her wrinkled, but smooth, hands and watched as I opened up my fingers, revealing the burns. Her lips pinched. "Dare I ask how you got these? They're not terrible, but they're awfully close to second degree burns from the looks of it."
I grinned sheepishly. "Ferret and I got into a fight at the Platform and I might have grabbed his wand without magic."
Madam Pomfrey gave me an impressive glare. "You should know better, Ms. Walters," She scolded severely, dropping my hand and walking swiftly towards the medicine cabinet in her office. She pulled open one of the many drawers and pulled out a tiny white bottle. Opening another door produced tape and gauze. "A wizard's wand does not take lightly to being manhandled like that, especially if said wand belongs to a Malfoy."
"Ferret just needs to learn how to keep his mouth shut and watch what he says." I would never have gotten away with such talk with any of the other teachers. Madam Pomfrey took it all in stride.
"You need to learn to control your temper, young lady," She snapped right back. "Young Malfoy should do the same, as well, but you antagonizing him every step he takes only makes matters worse for both of you." She impatiently motioned for me to hold my hand palm up again. Opening the bottle, she carefully tipped it, letting an orange paste drip out onto her ready palm. My lip curled at the color. I've never liked orange. Especially that specific shade. I winced as she applied the paste, the burns sizzling beneath the medicine and I thought I saw steam actually rising from my hand.
"Why not just use magic to heal the burns?" I asked curiously.
"Wand burns are different than normal burns, Ms. Walters," Madam Pomfrey said stiffly, gently lathering the orange monstrosity up and down my fingers and my palm. "Certain wands, once bonded to their wizard, will not be pleased to be taken away from them as roughly as you took Mr. Malfoy's. Dragon Heartstring cores, for example, are quite the temperamental wands despite their fierce loyalty."
"Are you trying to bestow a lesson on me, Madam? If so, I'm afraid your advice will be voided for future accidents that will not be my fault." The Mediwitch grumbled under her breath, but didn't respond to my jab and wiped the residue paste away with a towel conjured from thin air.
"You are to keep this on for at least two days before you can wash it off," Madam instructed, capping the bottle shut. She gave me a scowl and a stern look. "Don't let me catch you washing that off early either, young lady. I have eyes and ears all around the castle despite my confinement to this Wing." She put the bottle down on a bedside table and began wrapping the gauze around my fingers individually.
"You're confined here?" I arched an eyebrow sarcastically. "I never would've known. I'd just assume you hated people since you're hardly seen anywhere else."
"Joke all you want, Ms. Walters," Madam Pomfrey said, snorting under her breath, "but if I truly hated people, I would've never applied for a job as a school nurse."
"So you do hate people."
"Only when it's nosy children like you, Ms. Walters."
I pressed my free hand against my chest, feigning hurt. "You wound me, Madam."
"You'll survive," She said sardonically, lips twitching. She taped the bandage securely and released my hand. "Move your hand around. Gently, Ms. Walters, for Merlin's sakes. Is it secure enough for you to go about your day as you normally do?" I experimentally flexed my fingers and rolled my wrist. There was the slightest twinge of discomfort around my fingers, but I figured that was normal and was pleased that it would be easier to hold things now.
"Your work is as excellent as always, Madam," I praised, lowering my hand. "I hardly feel anything."
Madam Pomfrey nodded, pleased. "Good. Now, I think it's time for you to be off to your Common Room. It's getting late and classes start bright and early tomorrow morning."
"If I didn't know any better, Madam, I'd think you're trying to get rid of me too quickly. You're not gonna insist I spend the night in here? No parting words goodbye?"
Madam Pomfrey was unimpressed with my teasing, her lips pursing in annoyance, but her eyes were flashing with suppressed mirth. "If you need to stay overnight in the Hospital Wing because of a measly burn, you're more helpless than I thought you were, Ms. Walters. And as for your parting words, I expect I'll see you back in here over the next couple weeks, so there's no need for the heartfelt goodbye that you're looking for."
I let loose a small laugh, grinning at one of my favorite Professors. "It's good to be back, Madam. I've missed these talks with you."
Her eyes softened just the tiniest bit. "It's good to see you as well, Ms. Walters." Her eyes hardened before she shooed me towards the door. "Now off you go! Go to bed and get yourself some rest for tomorrow." She cut me off as I opened my mouth. "And no, I am not writing you a pass for you." She waved away my protests with a wrinkled hand. "If you run into Severus or any of the other teachers, I will vouch for you if you're threatened with detention. Now shoo!"
I laughingly waved her goodbye and hurried out of the Hospital Wing as the doors clicked shut behind me and the final light from inside was smothered. A resonating chime from the clock tower had me cursing under my breath. Curfew hit at nine and it was already almost ten o'clock now. Sneaking a peek around a corner and seeing no one in sight, I hurried up the first series of stairs that would lead me up to Gryffindor Tower. Four years of climbing seven flights of steps made it a quick trip up the staircases without thankfully running into any teachers or roaming prefects. Or Mrs. Norris.
This is the year I give that grouchy little shit a good kick. Without getting caught. Somehow. It'll happen, though.
The castle was completely silent with the occasional snore of a portrait making itself known and a slight chill wafting through the air that not even my uniform sleeves could ward off. Torches along the corridors were lit to provide some form of light, but seeing up the stairs proved a bit more challenging as said light could barely reach the steps. I hopped over the trick step that had caught me only once before and that was back when I was an inexperienced first year. My footsteps were soft, but they still echoed in my ears as I climbed.
Halfway up the fifth staircase, the jingling sound of a bell made me stop. I cocked my head at the sound and smiled. There was a pair of colorful water balloons hovering in mid-air in front of me, the water inside sloshing about as the balloons swayed from side to side. Someone failed to smother a cackle, though I had a feeling he wasn't really trying to hide his mirth from me.
"Hello, Peeves," I greeted amusedly. There was a sharp popping sound and a short, wicked looking ghost with glowing orange eyes appeared, a wide smirk spreading across his lips. The bell attached to his hat gave another merry jingle that contrasted with the ghost's mischievous expression.
"Out past curfew, you are, Haydie," He commented, tossing a water balloon in the air innocently before catching it. His smirk widened even more at the slight cringe I gave at his nickname for me. "Should warn a teacher, I should. Peevsie is a good ghost, after all."
I gave him a fake incredulous look. "After all these years of supplying you with flash bombs, you'd rat me out so quickly? That's low of you, Peeves."
Peeves gave a cackle and floated closer to my level, unblocking the way for me to continue going up. "Peevsie would never give a supplier out. She helps us create mischief, after all, and mischief makers stick together, we do."
I smiled. "That explains why you like the Twins so much." I pointed to the balloons still in his hand. "What are you going to be doing with those? Saving them to pelt at the poor first years tomorrow morning before breakfast? Or are you targeting a teacher this time? Ohhh, if it's Snape, please let me be there to watch."
His orange eyes gave a menacing flash. "These little things were actually for the annoying kitty cat that likes to follow Peevsie around the castle whenever its not trailing after icky little firsties." He cackled under his breath. "Peevsie has been waiting for this day and he will take great pleasure in drowning the little rat with water."
While the idea of Mrs. Norris being thrown in Peeves' line of fire was wonderful, a pink monstrosity of a woman flitted across my mind's eye and I barely suppressed the snicker that was threatening to make an appearance. Oh Merlin, it was too good to pass up. We were almost to the seventh floor, so I had to be quick before Peeves zoomed off to go cause havoc.
"Did you hear that we got a new teacher?" The Poltergeist perked up exponentially at that, looking very interested. "Yeah, she's our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." I gave my companion a shifty look, as if I was about to bestow upon him my greatest secret. "It's been going around that she's a Ministry official, too, and that she works directly under the Minister himself."
Peeves hummed, blinking slowly as we came to a stop at the top of the seventh floor. He hovered at my face level, crossing his legs and rubbing under his chin. "New Professor, you say?"
It was a struggle not to nod enthusiastically at him. "Yep. She's a tiny thing, that woman. Brown hair and wears pink clothes." Peeves grimaced at the color. I mentally agreed with him on the woman's color choice, as well. "You can't miss her, even if her height is rather pathetic." I had no room to talk since I probably only had a couple inches on the woman. I gave Peeves the final nudge he needed. "Why don't you...get to know her, Peeves? Maybe introduce yourself to her first thing in the morning before breakfast? She is new, after all. I'm sure she would love to be greeted the Peeves way."
Wide lips stretched even more to accommodate the shit eating grin on his face. I knew I had him then. "Is that so?" He purred, looking excited. "We wouldn't want to disappoint our new Professor, wouldn't we, Haydie?"
I shook my head. "It would be a travesty." I wiggled my fingers at him in goodbye as the ghost zipped off in a hurry to no doubt prepare himself for the morning to come.
"You shouldn't encourage that thing, dear," A woman said in disapproval from behind me. "And do you have any idea what time it is? Curfew hit an hour ago!" I turned and gave the Fat Lady, Gryffindor Tower's entrance and protector, a winning smile.
"I wouldn't encourage anything nobody else wouldn't do," I appeased her. "And I was in the Hospital Wing visiting our resident Mediwitch. She promised to vouch for me this time, so I'm not getting into any trouble tonight." I held up my bandaged hand as proof for her to see. She held her frown, but rolled her eyes.
"What's the password, dear?"
"Mimbulus Mimbletonia," I said proudly, happy that I at least had gotten that out of Lee before banishing them earlier. She gave a short nod and swung inwards, allowing me to step through.
The common room was warm and inviting, an air of tranquility hovering around and exuding a feeling that could only be described as home. Red chairs were spread around the room, some occupied by night owls who were reading from their school books, and round tables being pushed closer to the wall to add a bit more privacy for the older students who would no doubt be making themselves at home at those tables once classes really got going. The heat of a fire was present against my skin, scaring off the goosebumps that had dotted my arms.
Glancing around, I was surprised to see that the Twins and Lee weren't huddled around the fire waiting to ambush me. Maybe they actually went to bed early tonight instead of staying up late playing Exploding Snaps and talking business.
But that just means I'll have to somehow dodge them at breakfast tomorrow.
Yeah, that was hilarious. I'd get an Outstanding in Transfiguration before I ever escaped the Twins' grasps.
I was almost to the winding staircase that would lead up to my dormitory when a sharp voice halted me. "Why are you only just now getting back?" I twisted to look over my shoulder, blinking. Hermione stood from her pushed back seat, looking thoroughly unamused and with her arms crossed. Harry and Ron were seated around the table that I had apparently missed in the corner of the room, green and blue eyes locked on us.
I frowned at Hermione. I liked the girl, but sometimes she pushed buttons that really shouldn't be pushed. "No offense, Hermione, but I don't need to report to you every time I do something. You're not my mother."
Brown eyes narrowed into slits and she puffed out her chest slightly. It was only then that I actually saw the Prefects badge that was pinned to her uniform. I arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. She made a frustrated noise.
"It's my job as a Prefect to up-hold the rules and you are breaking a rule by being out past curfew!" She said snippily. "I want a reasoning or I will dock points from you."
I laughed loudly at that. "I have nothing to lose from House points, Hermione," I informed, though not unkindly. "If anything, I couldn't give a rat's ass more about House points. The only thing I have to say about that is be prepared." She gave me a confused look.
"Prepared for what?"
I gave her a cheery grin. "Classes haven't even started yet and Gryffindor is already in last place because you docked points off me for being out late. Do you really think any Gryffindor will be pleased when they hear about that? You certainly won't be anyone's favorite Prefect then."
"This isn't about being a favorite, Walters!" Damn, she really wasn't letting this go. She was taking her duties a bit too seriously, in my opinion. Ron, whom I noticed also had a shiny Prefect badge resting on the table in front of him, piped up.
"Give her a break, Hermione," He said, standing up to stretch. "Let her off tonight and catch her some other time. Classes haven't even begun yet and you're already threatening House point deductions." Harry followed his example, rising to his feet. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and wondered if he had been properly sleeping over the summer.
I doubted it. Especially since Cedric's death was still recent enough to cause some pain to certain students, him and Cho Chang specifically.
"Ron!" She rounded on him, eyes blazing. "If I let her off, it'll only encourage other students to follow her example! Next thing you know, every single Gryffindor will be out wandering the corridors and we'll lose more House points if they're caught by a Professor than by me! You need to be taking this more seriously."
Everything she had said seemed to go in one ear and out the other with the red head. He nodded absently at her words, infuriating the brown-haired girl before she huffed and stomped her way up the girls' staircase. Harry nudged him sharply in the ribs, green eyes exhausted but reprimanding.
"Don't brush her off so quickly like that, Ron," I scolded, my tone still light. He tilted his head in my direction, indicating he was semi-listening. "Hermione does have a point, but keep in mind the line between serious and carefree. It'd be embarrassing if that shiny badge was revoked because you were too lax." His ears burned red around the curling strands of his hair. Harry steered him up the boys' staircase quickly before he could open his mouth and retort back at me.
Climbing the stairs, I quietly pushed open the door to the dormitory I shared with the other fifth year girls. Hermione's curtains were drawn around her bed, but Lavender and Parvati were still awake, Lavender making herself comfortable on the Indian girl's bed as they chattered in low voices. Both girls looked up at my entrance and waved at me. I returned the gesture, opening my trunk and grabbing a pair of pajamas. I speedily changed clothes, throwing my dirty ones in a small hamper by my bedside table and climbing underneath the warm, red covers.
"Goodnight, Parvati, Lavender," I whispered, not wanting to disturb Hermione in case she was sleeping.
"Goodnight, Hayden!" Came the hushed replies back. Charming my curtains closed, I closed my eyes and within minutes, I was slipping into dreams filled with mist covering a frozen glassy lake.
A chirping noise shattered the slow dream that I was having, piercing my ears and forcing me back into the world of reality. The chirping continued, growing louder in frequency until my hand whipped out and slammed down onto the alarm on the bedside table. The chirping stopped and blissful silence greeted me once more. Someone giggled in the room, my eyes opening and being greeted with the redness of my pillow being stuffed over my face. I heaved a groan, shoving the pillow aside and sitting up.
Parvati and Hermione's beds were already neatly made and empty, while Lavender's was still a mess of sheets and blankets. Lavender herself was glancing at me from her mirror as she applied a shimmery type of lip gloss to her lips, smacking them several times as she tossed the gloss back onto her bed. She smiled at me through the mirror, patting down her uniform and smoothening out non-existent wrinkles. She looked as put-together as she always does.
"Good morning, Miss. Bedhead," She chirped, spinning on her heel towards her bed. A wave of her wand had her bed making itself as pristine as the other two girls'. "Breakfast has already started, so I'd hurry before it's all gone." She was gone after that parting statement, the door shutting softly behind her.
It took me all of ten minutes to get dressed and prepped for the day, my school bag filled with more blank notebooks than my actual school books. It's easier to gauge which classes will require our books after the first day, though my Potions book was mandatory since it was Snape's class. Running my fingers through my unruly hair, I gave up on taming it and just let it fall normally around my face. Mentally checking that I had everything, I nodded to myself and hurried out of the room to head to breakfast.
Risking a quick glance at the message board in the Common Room, I paused in my steps at seeing a new sign posted and stopped to read it.
Gallons of Galleons!
Pocket money failing to keep pace with your outgoings?
Like to carry a little extra gold?
Contact Fred and George Weasley,
Gryffindor Common Room,
for simple, part-time, virtually painless jobs
(WE REGRET THAT ALL WORK IS UNDERTAKEN AT APPLICANT'S OWN RISK)
"Those two have lost their ever loving minds, I swear." I shook my head and pushed open the Fat Lady's portrait hole to leave the Tower. I could already see Hermione foaming out the mouth if she saw that already.
Just like last night, the smell of fresh food wafted out from the open doors to the Great Hall. This time, the smell of bread and muffins was the strongest thing that I could smell. Along with pumpkin juice, of course. Hermione and Ron were sitting next to each other, talking in low voices, but Harry was nowhere in sight, which I found odd. A quick glance at the staff table confirmed that Umbridge wasn't there yet.
I hope Peeves hasn't forgotten his plan.
I paused and shook my head. No way would that Poltergeist just forget the chance to torment a teacher so early in the morning.
"Well look who it is!" Two sets of arms wrapped through mine, gripping me in similar firm grips. I blinked in surprise up at the Twins, both of whom were grinning with straight teeth on perfect display. An awkward glance over my shoulder showed that Lee was right behind me, chuckling. Fred and George easily lifted me off the ground and waltzed over to their empty seats, my feet barely touching the floor and my shoulders hunched awkwardly. How they could carry me like this with my school bag as full as it is was beyond me.
"You're a sneaky blight, ya know that, Hayden?" George said, plopping me down gracelessly onto the bench. He slipped my bag off my shoulders and placed it underneath my seat, twirling his finger in the universal turn around motion. I rolled my eyes and did as he asked while they sat in their spots on either side of me.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I wasn't sure if I should feel offended yet or not.
"It means, dear Hayden, that you are sneaky," Fred supplied helpfully. I glared at him, snatching a blueberry muffin that he was reaching for and taking a bite out of it, silently daring him to fight me for it. It was a petty way of spiting him. He gave a devilish smirk, but didn't reach for it and instead grabbed a bit of sausage and pancakes to put on his plate.
"I got that part, Fred," I said sarcastically after swallowing. "I want to know what you're talking about before I ready myself to slap you both if what you're insinuating is less than desirable."
"We never saw you come back up to the Tower last night," Lee said. He was stirring circles in his bowl of cereal methodically. He pointed to the two redheads. "They didn't even see you walk in at all until they heard Ron grumbling about Hermione threatening to dock points from you."
Fred and George made tsking noises, waggling their fingers at me. "Already losing points from our House, are you, Hayden? That's not very Gryffindor of you!" I swatted their hands out of my face.
"I'm probably the least Gryffindor out of all of us here," I said, finishing off my muffin. "How in Merlin's great name did you not see me? I walked right through the portrait like any normal person would." I pulled a bowl filled with chopped fruit towards me, glowering at the tan hand that was reaching for an apple slice. The offending hand wisely retreated, its owner grumbling under his breath.
Lee shrugged. "There was a point we went back up to our room to grab blankets before coming back down. You must've slipped in then."
"It's just as my handsome Twin said," Fred said, eyes twinkling.
"You're a sneaky blight," George repeated, eyes shining just as brightly as Fred's.
I've never noticed it before...but their eyes are so beautiful...
I froze in my seat, a piece of a half chewed green apple still in my mouth, which was thankfully closed and not wide open like it wanted to be. My heart did a weird stutter in my chest before resuming a normal beat, albeit it was a bit faster than normal. I barely restrained the blush from reaching my cheeks, though my ears felt very hot. Where in the ever loving glory of Merlin were these thoughts coming from?
Something was very wrong here.
"I'm hardly sneaky," I said neutrally, my tone even. I high-fived myself when I couldn't hear a trace of nerves in my voice. "I'm the loudest person in the whole House. You can't miss me."
"I think Harry's got you beat this time, then," Lee remarked, pointing. Harry was, indeed, making his presence known with a thunderous scowl on his face and footsteps loud as he dropped himself beside his two best friends, lips moving in an angry whisper. I noticed students from other Houses giving him disdainful looks, lips curled and eyes burning. Slytherin students, I noticed, were red-faced from holding in their laughter as Malfoy said something to them, no doubt that something being a nasty comment about Harry.
"What's gotten into everyone?" I mumbled mostly to myself. "I've never seen this much drama since our second year when Harry was accused of petrifying some students and being the Heir of Slytherin." All three boys looked incredulously at me.
"You haven't heard?" Lee questioned.
"How do you not know—"
"—about the latest hit with Harry?"
"I live with Muggles, you guys," I deadpanned, frowning. "I don't really get a Daily Prophet every week like everyone else. I cancelled my subscriptions at the end of fourth year after all that rubbish Fudge and the Ministry is forcing down everyone's throats." Much to my Mom's relief. She was getting tired of all the feathers being left behind.
"Over the summer, our buddy, Harry, got into some serious trouble with the Ministry," Fred began, but I interrupted him.
"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" He flicked my nose sharply and I recoiled away from him, leaning more against George to rub the sting away. His hand rubbed circles on my back soothingly. I refused to think too deeply as to why he was doing it.
"Let me finish," He mock demanded before clearing his throat. "Anyway, Dad says that Harry had used magic with a Muggle right beside him—"
"—and adding on that Harry is only fifteen, he got into trouble with the Statute of Secrecy and the Underage Wizarding laws and was expelled from school," George finished, dropping his hand. I gaped at both of them before looking around Fred to see that yes, Harry was still sitting there scowling up a storm and that no, it wasn't my imagination.
"He used magic in front of a Muggle? But why? If he was expelled, how on Earth is he even here right now?"
Lee leaned closer, beckoning me forward. I obliged his demand, tilting my head so he could whisper in my ear. "Apparently there were Dementors lurking around Little Whinging and went after Harry and the Muggle that was with him," Lee whispered.
I pulled back sharply, mind whirling. Dementors? In the Muggle world? That couldn't be right. The Dementors were supposed to be out in the middle of the sea guarding Azkaban, not terrorizing people who couldn't see them. What motive could they possibly have for even being so far out from Azkaban?
A hand curled around to the other side of my head, pulling me to the side. Shivers raced up my spine when George's ears just slightly grazed the skin of my ear. "Dad thinks the Ministry sent them after Harry that night." It was a sound possibility, considering the Dementors were under Ministry control. "But he says that a lot of the Wizengamot were shocked about the news. He says a good lot of them were concerned and it was those ones who convinced Fudge to clear Harry's charges completely."
"That doesn't sound fishy at all," I grumbled, freeing myself from George's grasp. "Why is it really hard to just accept He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is really back? A then fourteen-year-old boy can't bullshit something that serious to a whole group of students, teachers, and Ministry officials. Besides, Harry is an awful liar. Can't lie to save his damn life, that boy." Said boy was currently being accosted by Angelina Johnson, a beautiful dark-skinned girl who I heard had been made Quidditch Captain this year. She looked like she had swallowed something rather unpleasant as she spoke to Harry.
"The Ministry is corrupt," Lee said bluntly, pushing his mushy cereal away. "Fudge is too popular to be just simply opposed. Support from the majority of the population out rules those who are against it."
A fluttering of wings interrupted me as I opened my mouth to retort, causing all of us to look up. Hundreds of owls, all different sizes and colors, were gliding around looking for their students, dropping morning packages into waiting hands and flying out the open windows once their job was completed. I spotted Finny hovering near the ceiling and gave a short whistle, catching his attention immediately. I held an arm out for him to land on, no longer cringing when his talons dug a little too deeply to stick his landing. His grip loosened instantly once he was stable. He hooted in greeting, flapping his wings.
"Hello, sweet one," I cooed, rubbing his head of stuck up feathers. I offered him a piece of spare bacon from a nearby plate, which he took gratefully and clicked his beak in approval.
"You really love that owl," Fred said almost softly, eyes gleaming strangely. I ignored the emotion in his eyes, instead focusing on my lovely companion.
"Of course I do," I confirmed with mock indignation. "Finny's been my owl since first year. He's done a wonderful job for me, too, so of course I'm gonna love and spoil him rotten." Finny gave an almost primly hoot, chest puffing out proudly. I giggled at his reaction to my praise, scratching his yellow beak gently with a filed nail. He nipped my finger affectionately before I offered him a piece of sausage.
"Oh, there's McGonagall." Our Head of House was marching down the line of the table, handing out schedules with a stern look on her face. "She certainly looks pleasant this morning."
"Be nice, Jordan," I reprimanded. "I'd look like that, too, if I had to teach a bunch of snot-nosed children how to turn a tea cozy into a rat."
"So you're calling yourself a snot-nosed brat?"
"Shut up, Jordan."
"Ms. Walters." Professor McGonagall stopped beside me, handing over a piece of paper, which I took eagerly with my free hand. She gave Finny a calculating look before handing the Twins and Lee their schedules, wandering off to continue handing out the schedules. My eyes skimmed my classes and I almost groaned.
"Double Potions on the first day? And right in the morning, too? That's just asking for death to happen to someone." The three boys winced in sympathy, knowing how pleasant of a man Professor Snape was first thing in the morning. "Ugh, and a double period with Umbridge at the end of the day, too? I'm going to hate Mondays even more than I already do."
The Twins leaned over my shoulders to look at my schedule. "That's gonna suck for you," They chorused before they both pointed to my Tuesday classes. "It looks like we have Arithmancy on Tuesday afternoons before lunch, though!"
"I'll just be one step closer to losing my sanity having you two in a formula-based class," I muttered sarcastically. I folded the paper and shoved it in my pocket, climbing to my feet as gracefully as I could with an owl perched on my arm. I gave him one last nuzzle before sending him back off to the Owlery with a promise to give him a job soon.
"Oh, before I forget," The Twins cocked their heads at my tone. "You two should be more careful about what you post on the board in the Tower. I can almost guarantee that Hermione won't be pleased and that she'll be on the hunt." Both boys waved off my words, looking unconcerned.
"She'll be singing a different tune soon enough," Fred said confidently. "You're all starting your fifth year. You'll be begging us for a Skiving Snackbox real quick."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"It's your O.W.L year," George said simply. I arched an eyebrow, not understanding.
"You've got your first big set of important exams coming up, right? They'll be keeping your noses so hard to that grindstone that they'll be rubbed raw," Fred said with heavy satisfaction.
"Half our year had minor breakdowns when our exams finally came around," George said almost happily. I secretly wondered if he was a Sadist. He certainly seemed to be too happy about someone else's pain. "There were many tears and many tantrums. Madam Pomfrey had her hands full with all the students coming in and begging her for a Relaxing Draught of some sort before going to an exam."
"It's a nightmare of a year, the fifth," Lee agreed. "You'll discover a whole new world of breaking points that you never thought you'd had before."
Well that was certainly kind of them to inform me of what the whole year is basically going to look like. Hermione could turn beet red all she wants, but the Twins chose a good year to start actually selling their products. My year would do almost anything to get out of a stressful class, even resorting to faking a bloody nose just to get a moment away. Hell, I might even indulge in one of the Snackboxes at least once this year.
"This talk has been positively wonderful, boys, but I'm going to go suffer in History of Magic now," I announced, throwing my bag over my shoulders.
Fred and George glanced at each other. "Maybe if we get to Herbology early enough, we might be able to sell a few Extendable Ears." They both grinned and I found that I didn't like the evilness that was present in the expression. Surprising me with their next move, both boys latched onto my waist in a sudden side hug, squeezing the breath right out of me. Blood rushed to my face without my permission and Lee laughed at my expression. I glowered at him and awkwardly threw a muffin at him. Once I was released, I took a deep breath to calm myself.
"Now that the dramatics are over, I'll see you guys whenever."
"We'll see you at lunch," The Twins said confidently. I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Maybe," I stressed. There were some things that I needed to get from the library, so more than likely, I was going to spend my time holed up in there for most of lunch. Not that I was gonna tell them that, of course. Matching blue eyes flashed wickedly at me at the same time as smirks crossed their lips.
"We'll see." Heat raced through my body at the deeper tone they both used, but I studiously ignored the feeling, about to wave goodbye when a piercing screech of anger disrupted the Hall. Conversation froze instantly and everyone looked over each other towards the Great Hall doors. Professor Umbridge stood in the middle of the entryway, soaked from head to toe in what was no doubt cold water and looking none too pleased. Floating above her and looking like he was immensely enjoying himself, Peeves lobbed another water balloon at her, flattening her mousy hair to her forehead and ruining the hideous pink cardigan she was wearing.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Professor Umbridge screeched, flailing in place on the wet floor before steadying herself and glaring daggers at Peeves. "How dare you! I'll have you removed for attacking a Hogwarts Professor and Ministry official!"
Peeves cackled loudly, throwing his last water balloon at Umbridge. It exploded right before it hit her face, water splashing all down her front and leaving a trail of pink blush to fall down her cheeks. "Peevsie was just welcoming our new teacher person," He purred, baring his teeth in a grin as Professor Umbridge sputtered and frantically wiped the water and blush off her face. "Do you not like Peevsie's welcoming surprise?" He sounded like he couldn't care less if she liked it or not.
"I most certainly do not!" She exclaimed, face turning red from anger. "I will have you reported for this, I'll have you know!"
Peeves laughed, blew her a wild raspberry, and with a high-pitched popping noise, he was gone.
I was beside myself with laughter, unable to contain it as Umbridge's mouth fell open. Other students quickly joined me, no longer able to smother their laughter at the woman's misfortune of being a victim of Peeves. Even some of the teachers at the Head Table were hiding smiles behind their sleeves, pretending to cough into it to not give us students the impression that they found the situation just as funny. The Twins and Lee were some of the loudest ones, hooting and making a whole bunch of noise in general.
"Did you plan that?!" Lee choked out between laughs. The Twins were wheezing at this point, hands covering their mouths and tears gathering in the corners of their eyes.
I smirked, wiping away my own tears. "I would never plan something as obvious as that, Lee. I just gave Peeves a little nudge, is all." Professor Umbridge chose that moment to make a noise of fury before stomping away to no doubt dry herself off. Pleased with how today was already going, I waved goodbye once more before hurrying off to the third floor for my first class.
History of Magic was, by common consent, the most boring subject ever devised by wizards. Professor Binns, our ghost teacher, had a wheezy, droning voice that was almost guaranteed to cause severe drowsiness within ten minutes, five in warm weather. He never varied the form of our lessons, but lectured us without pausing while we took notes. Many, though, like me, gazed tiredly into space, day dreaming to hopefully pass the time quicker. The class wasn't hard to pass. Everything was found in that year's required book and a quick read of it was all I had ever needed to at least get an Exceeds Expectations in the class for the past four years.
What made this year the most boring by far was the fact that we would be sticking on one subject and one subject only for the whole year. That subject just so happened to be the Giant Wars, which was a topic I had never completely gotten into, so I was slightly interested in it. However, as stated about Binns' voice, ten minutes in had me dozing off at my desk along with half the class. Hermione was the only one taking diligent notes and shooting filthy looks at Harry and Ron, whom I could see were both playing hangman on a blank piece of paper.
An hour and a half later had us all escaping the classroom after we were dismissed and Binns disappeared through his blackboard. Not wanting to be lectured by Hermione, I quickly blended into the crowd of students and escaped down to the first floor to get down to the dungeons. Our first break was never very long, so I didn't waste time dawdling and face Snape's wrath for being late on the first day. Ten minutes later had us all sitting at our tables and Snape glaring us all into silence.
"Before we begin today's lesson," He said, sweeping over to his desk and staring us all down, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June, you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an Acceptable in you O.W.L. or suffer my...displeasure."
His gaze lingered the longest on Neville, who paled and gulped audibly. The Slytherins snickered loudly.
"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me," Snape went on. "I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying goodbye." His dark eyes rested on Harry's table and his lip visibly curled. Harry glared back at Potions Master, fists clenched under the table.
"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," He informed softly, "so whether you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students." His speech done, he began listing off today's lesson: brewing a cauldron of the Draught of Peace. Instructions appeared on the chalkboard with a flick of a wand, cabinets filled with ingredients were opened, and at his command, we all hurried to get started.
Now, let it be known that Snape was not a very kind man and took great pleasure in tormenting any Gryffindor unfortunate enough to capture his attention. His favorite by far was Harry for rather obvious reasons. I remembered a point in my first and second years where it used to be me in Harry's position, but I had never struggled in Snape's class as much as Harry did. Potions was just like cooking. Just a bit more specific. I liked to think that Snape secretly liked me and was testing me all the time. His class wasn't difficult, but Harry made it seem like a foreign science that was beyond any form of grasping a shred of common sense.
Harry's first grade in Potions was already going to be a Troll because he had no potion to turn in for grading after Snape charmed it away because Harry forgot the fourth line of instructions and therefore had his potion turn a dark, smoky grey instead of silver. His mutinous expression showed just how happy he was with the black-haired Head of Slytherin House.
"Cheer up, Harry," I said as we left the dungeons in a group. "It's only the first day. There's plenty of time to make up for one Potion grade."
"I hate that man," Harry growled. "I can't wait to drop his class at the end of the year once exams are done."
I winced. "He's really not that bad," I said, though my voice was weak. It was hard defending Professor Snape when he made it very obvious how much he liked Harry, which was to say he didn't like him at all. The man was very unpleasant and he made no effort to change it for the students. "He's just...he has high expectations for us."
"That's a poor excuse if I've ever heard one," Ron snorted. Hermione nudged him sharply in the ribs, narrowing her eyes at him. I glowered at the red hair and rushed ahead of them in a huff, slightly irritated that he so callously rebuffed my attempts of cheering his best friend up. Git. We'll see if I try again next time.
I wasn't feeling particularly up to being hunted down by the Twins and Lee, so I made my way back to the Great Hall, where I was flagged down by the three and saved my normal spot in between Fred and George. The whole time was spent talking about classes so far and me sharing how Potions and History of Magic had went as the boys chowed down on everything in sight and I ate all the fruit and bread around. The Twins and Lee didn't look too surprised by Snape's harshness.
"The man is unpleasant," Fred had said.
"We think he was just born like that," George hinted lowly. "You can't help how you were born, after all." I had laughed at that and we had delved into different topics. By the end of lunch, the Twins had smuggled my first Skiving Snackbox into my bag and shooed me along before I was caught, identical smug grins on their faces.
I was dreading going to Divination. I loathed the class and the teacher, Professor Trelawney, was a complete nutter who had no idea what the meaning of true Sight really was. Care of Magical Creatures had been my first choice back in second year when I was looking at electives, but I was not prepared at the time to be faced with the magical creatures that no doubt lurked around the forest and chickened out. Professor McGonagall had not looked thrilled when I told her I was picking Divination and Arithmancy as my electives.
I easily ignored the misty voice of our Professor, instead half-focusing on the reading that she had already assigned us. The text was rather dismal and horrendously boring, but I made an attempt to read and retain what the book was saying about dreams and prophecies. I was dismayed when she told us that we were immediately starting a dream diary that would last at least a month before we were dismissed.
I don't even remember what I did yesterday. How in Merlin's name does she expect me to remember a dream that fades away right when I wake up?
I was slightly annoyed with the amount of homework we already had. Binns had given us a foot-and-a-half-long essay on the giant wars, Snape was expecting a foot on the use of moonstones at the beginning of our next class, and now this damn dream journal.
The Twins had jinxed us. That's got to be the reason as to why we were already up to our chests in work. I could already hear them laughing somewhere in the castle.
The classroom for Defense was already almost full with students. I chose an empty seat in the middle area beside a girl with beautiful blond hair and brown eyes. She took no notice that I had sat beside her other than to politely move her bag from the seat I now occupied. In front of us, Padma and Parvati were directing a paper bird through the air with their wands, giggling and smiling at their creation. It gave a beautiful twirl through the air, paper wings crinkling. Seamus swiped at it and missed, but when it flew over Goyle's head, he sling-shotted a rubber band at it, grazing it only narrowly. There was a hum of magic and the paper bird burst into flames, falling weakly in front of the Patil twins as it burned.
"Good morning, children," Professor Umbridge called from the back of the room. My stomach gave a flip at the too sweet voice she was using and I felt only slightly nauseous.
This class is going to be longer than Potions will ever be.
Author's Note:
First of all, I struggled with ending this chapter. I was going to add in more scenes with other characters and introducing someone who is detrimental to a certain point in the plot later on, but obviously that didn't happen as this chapter is already almost 9,000 words. Yeah, we're gonna wait till next chapter to explore the horror that is Umbitch's classroom.
But that concludes the second chapter! Gosh, it was SO fun to write this. I LOVE writing the Twins and Hayden together.
Feelings are being seen over the horizoonnnnnnnnnnn. How exciting. x3
Lots of hearts and appreciation to:
just know i dream of Draco and ElementalGirl1
You both made my heart soar for showing approval for the first chapter. *Hearts* A huge gigantic amount of love and thanks to the six favorites and eleven alerts that I got as well! You all are the MVP's for life!
Responses:
just know i dream of Draco: Boiiiiii, I do, toooooo. I only recently found my appreciation for the Twins and let me tell you, I've found two stories that just make my heart soar ever time I read them. I'm just lowkey hurting that they haven't been updated in a while. I hope they are continued. *Prays for patience*
ElementalGirl1: AWWWWW. YOU'RE SO DAMN SWEET.
I'm so very thrilled that you're liking it so far! I'm doing my hardest to plan out everything for this story after reading To Be A Slytherin by Morgana Deryn. HO DAMN. THAT STORY HAS ME ON THE EDGE OF MY DAMN SEAT EVERY WEDNESDAY IT IS UPDATED. No but really. That story gives me SO much inspiration. I have no hope of ever living up to the legend of that story, but God I hope I can at least make a decent attempt.
Girl, I'm gonna enjoy making that woman SUFFER in this story, but obviously not over-doing it. That'd be lame and very typical. Umbitch will be in for a very nasty surprise once Peeves gets going with his pranks supplied by yours truly (Hayden). xD
End of Responses!
Last chapter's answer: I will never like that woman. Never ever ever ever. Not even when I'm dead will that woman have a place in my favorites or even my neutral characters.
Question for this chapter: Who is your favorite Hogwarts Professor, and why?
See you all in the next chapter! Thank you for reading!
~OQ