Disclaimer: I no own J. K. Rowling's masterpiece.
Author's Note:
HAPPY FREAKING TURKEY DAY, EVERYONE. Do enjoy stuffing your faces all of this weekend for me since I'm not a huge turkey lover and really only show up for the Hawaiian Rolls. xD Safe travels to those leaving their homes to go visit family and to those who are traveling across the states! Traffic will be a bitch. You have been forewarned.
Anyways! On to the chapter! Read on, lovelies.
No Promises.
Chapter S.E.V.E.N
_"Plans"_
"He who walks out of step hears another's drum." -Ken Kesey
It came as no surprise to me when Angelina caused the biggest spectacle Tuesday morning at breakfast after finding out Harry had once again landed another detention with our favorite Defense Professor. McGonagall had never swept from the staff table as fast as she did then. We lost ten points between Harry and Angelina with McGonagall threatening to take the title of Captain away from Angelina if she couldn't control herself.
Terra was holding in her laughter so hard that her face was beginning to turn strawberry red. I didn't see what was so funny to the blond, but I stopped myself from asking her. Angelina was going to need a lot more self control and patience for this year if she didn't want to lose her spot on the team before the holidays came around.
Harry literally could not control himself whenever he was in Umbridge's presence. The cuts on the back of his hand were perpetually bleeding at this point and were causing him some obviously serious pain. After finding the recipe for Murtlap Essence, I copied it on a piece of parchment, slipped it to Hermione, and left it up the brilliant witch to tend to one of her best friends.
Umbridge continued to stalk our classes regularly with her trusty clipboard and false smile. She seemed especially fond of being in all the classes Harry was in, which is nice for me since I only had a few classes to share with him at the beginning of the week before we branched off. I hadn't seen her in Arithmancy or Potions yet, but I considered that a relief. So far, it seemed only Trelawney was in some sort of sinking boat right now. I silently hoped she would be the only one with her job being threatened.
She was finally put in her place when she came to evaluate McGonagall's fifth year Transfiguration class Tuesday morning.
I noticed her the second I walked through the door, sitting in the corner with her ankles crossed primly and smiling at the students who made eye contact. I made sure to avoid looking in her general direction whenever she looked my way as I took my spot at the back of the room.
"Excellent," Ron whispered as he and Harry sat down in front of me. "Let's see Umbridge get what she deserves."
I suppressed a smirk.
Professor McGonagall marched into the room without giving the slightest indication that she knew Professor Umbridge was there.
"That will do," She said and silence fell immediately. "Mr. Finnigan, kindly come here and hand back the homework—Miss. Brown, please take this box of mice—don't be silly, girl, they won't hurt you—and hand one to each student—"
"Hem, hem," Professor Umbridge said delicately, using that annoying, silly little cough she had used her first night here to interrupt Professor Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall ignored her. Seamus handed me my essay and I frowned at the sharp A at the top. It was still technically a good grade, but it was only one letter grade from a T and I didn't like how close it was.
"Right then, everyone, listen closely—Dean Thomas, if you do that to the mouse again, I shall put you in detention—most of you have now successfully Vanished your snails and even those who were left with a certain amount of shell have the gist of the spell. Today we shall be—"
"Hem, hem." I refrained from glaring in the woman's direction.
"Yes?" Professor McGonagall asked, turning around with her eyebrows so close together, they seemed to form one long, severe line.
"I was just wondering, Professor, whether you received my note telling you of the date and time of your inspec—"
"Obviously I received it," McGonagall interrupted, "or I would have asked you what you are doing in my classroom." She turned her back firmly on Professor Umbridge. Many of us exchanged looks of glee and I snickered lightly. "As I was saying, today we shall be practicing the altogether more difficult Vanishment of mice. Now, the Vanishing Spell—"
"Hem, hem." I was going to murder this woman in her sleep.
"I wonder," Professor McGonagall said in cold fury, turning on the woman, "how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking."
Professor Umbridge looked as though she had just been slapped in the face. She did not speak, but straightened the parchment on her clipboard and began scribbling furiously. Looking supremely unconcerned, Professor McGonagall addressed us once more.
"As I was saying, the Vanishing Spell becomes more difficult with the complexity of the animal to be Vanished. The snail, as an invertebrate, does not present much of a challenge; the mouse, as a mammal, offers a much greater one. This is not, therefore, magic you can accomplish with your mind before dinner. So, you know the incantation, let me see what you can do."
Umbridge did not follow Professor McGonagall around the class as she had followed Professor Trelawney; perhaps she thought that Professor McGonagall would not permit it, which was something I could definitely see the stern-faced woman not tolerating from anyone. She did, however, take many more notes while she sat in her corner, and when Professor McGonagall finally told us to pack away, rose with a grim expression on her face.
I ran into Peeves on my way up to Arithmancy after the disaster in Transfiguration. He was being his typical self, weaving between the suits of armor and forcing the arms to jut out in front of students with the hopes that they'll run into the metal. Many of them unfortunately did, completely unprepared for the surprise attack. They all left with bruised foreheads and nasty words for Peeves, who took it all in with wicked delight and a pleased smile.
"Be careful how badly you hurt the students, Peeves," I said warningly after he nailed a Hufflepuff girl hard enough to knock her to the ground. I helped the girl up, who thanked me with a teary nod before running off down the hall. "The Professors will only tolerate so much complaining from the Prefects before they come for you."
"Oh, I hope they do," Peeves said, delighted as he left a disgruntled suit of armor that half-heartedly swiped at him. He didn't even blink when the hand went straight through his side. "It's been dreadfully boring lately. Me thinks the baby firsties and grumpy teachers could use some surprises right now." He gave a lazy wave of his hand and zoomed down the opposite way I had come, pulling suspicious black pellets out of his pocket.
They'll definitely be getting some surprises soon, that's for sure.
I hadn't waited to send Finny back out with a letter to Mom requesting some of the things I required. I hated throwing Finny on an errand without him having a chance to rest, but he hadn't protested when I tied another letter to his leg and immediately took off for home. I could only hope Mom wouldn't raise an eyebrow at the few things I had asked her to send back, merely transferring the items to Finny and sending him back without too much of a fuss. I briefly regretted not sending him to Hailey instead. At least with her, I knew she wouldn't question my motives and would follow my instructions without hesitation.
I sighed and broke out into a jog to get to Arithmancy on time. Too late to regret that decision.
Mom's letter came back that weekend with a very firm warning for me not to get caught with whatever prank I was planning and to take care. Finny was practically panting with exertion when he hailed me down in the Great Hall with a brown bag clutched tightly in his talons, feathered chest heaving just a bit and round eyes half-lidded tiredly. I winced in pain for him, feeding him some leftovers to give him the energy to get to Owlery, and banished him so that he could sleep and rest for the next couple days.
Before I knew it, a couple weeks had passed by since with me being completely absorbed in my idea, living through my classes and doing my assignments before going back to the drawing board. I had yet to pull aside the Twins, wanting to work out all of the small kinks before confronting them. My only real problem would be convincing the House Elves, but I figured Lettie loved me enough to help convince the other House Elves that this was a wonderful idea and should be executed. I could do everything else myself.
Finally, during the final week of September and before the first Hogsmeade visit in October, I was ready.
History of Magic wasn't a big worry for me, so I had no qualms missing my first class to lay claim to an unused classroom and wait for the Twins to appear before they went to Herbology. They rounded a corner fifteen minutes later, heads bent together and holding something in both their hands. Drawing my wand, I peered out through the door, looking this way and that for errant students before firmly pointing my wand at their backs.
There was probably a better way to go about getting the two alone, but frankly, this was the easiest way instead of tracking them down and looking for somewhere private without anyone eavesdropping.
"Accio Weasley Twins." They both gave a lurch backwards and released startled shouts.
"Woah!"
"What the—"
"Silencio!" I quickly quieted their loud voices, closing the door behind me once they were inside. They both relaxed upon seeing me, both their mouths moving a mile a minute before realizing no words were coming out. They scowled and raised their eyebrows pointedly. I rolled my eyes and released the spell.
"You were being too loud," I cut them off before they could speak. "The whole castle would've heard you two screaming and cursing if I hadn't done that."
"There were definitely better ways to silence us than that," Fred sniffed in a mock offended tone. My face reddened and I purged the images that had jumped to the forefront of my mind. Now was so not the time for the hormones to be making their grand appearances.
Damn my sister and her dirty mind influencing me like this.
"What's that?" I asked, indicating Fred's closed fist. He hastily stuffed it back into his pocket.
"A product," He said vaguely, smirking as I scowled at him.
"So what can we do for you today, Hayden dear?" George asked, elbowing his brother in the stomach. I mentally beamed at the nickname, but kept my face carefully neutral. I wasn't going to let the Twins know I was growing fond of the nickname only they ever called me. They'd abuse the privilege on a daily basis if they knew.
My mask cracked as I gave a wicked smile. Fred and George perked at the look, leaning forward with curious blue eyes and eager expressions. "I swore to include you guys on what I was planning back in the first week of classes," I said, face practically splitting when their faces lit with realization. "Well, I finally have something firmly in mind."
"Oh?" George asked.
"Do tell," Fred goaded.
So I told them my small prank, throwing out every single detail and thought I had given to the idea. I was not by far a lazy person, but I wasn't always putting in the effort that was needed to stay ahead. That was mainly by choice. I was smart enough to get by with being lazy since I still got good marks while I was being lazy. It was a totally different story once something motivated me enough to get me moving. Mom once told me that I was a force to be reckoned with when I really put my mind to something.
That comment never failed to bring a pleased smirk to my face. It made my stomach warm every single time.
This may be one of my better ideas by far.
George straightened himself, whistling appreciatively. "I'm surprised," He admitted. I cocked my head in confusion, frowning. "We've never actually seen you prank anyone before. We didn't even know you liked pranking!"
"We just thought you got a sick pleasure of turning Malfoy's knees backwards," Fred said, chuckling. I recoiled, gaping.
"I'm not a Masochist, you two! Malfoy deserved all those Jinxes anyway!" I would freely admit from the safety of my mind, though, that I had jinxed Malfoy without him having said the M-word, but I had never done it without reason. If it wasn't because of his name calling, it was either his bullying methods or his rude ass attitude to anyone who wasn't a Slytherin.
"That's beside the point," George brushed off my comment easily. "Your idea is..." He paused and looked to his brother for the right words. My heart seemed to freeze in my chest and breathing was suddenly difficult. Did they not...?
"You don't like it?" I asked quietly, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice. My face blushed against my will and I willed my hands not to come up to feel my cheeks to see how hot they were. I didn't care if they don't like my idea. It was my idea. I didn't need their approval.
But I really really really want them to like it before I even think about initiating it.
"It's not a bad idea at all," Fred assured quickly, hands reaching up to pat my cheeks. It didn't escape my notice that they stayed there and I tensed just slightly in his hold. My breath came back quicker and I had to firm my lips to keep any wisps of air from slipping out of my mouth and into his face. God, I was so happy to be a religious believer in brushing my teeth three times a day. And that my teeth were blissfully straight. Thank Merlin for braces at a young age and a little magic to even out the little bit of crookedness that remained.
"It's just obvious that you come from a Muggle family," George said. It wasn't an insult and he looked happy that I didn't take it as one. His hands covered his brother's, his fingertips grazing the edges of my eyes. He better not smudge my eyeliner. I wasn't a professional, but I was super proud of my consistently perfect winged eyeliner. Not even George would escape my wrath if he ruined that success.
"How so?" I asked curiously.
"Some of the stuff you want to use," He said simply. He arched an eyebrow. "The condiments, mainly."
"It's a nice blend of Muggle and Magic," Fred added appreciatively. "It'll be difficult for the teachers to pinpoint whose idea it was since there are more Half-Bloods and Muggleborns than Purebloods who are exposed to the Muggle world."
I smirked. My lips tingled when they brushed against both of their fingers. What the Hell is going on with me? "McGonagall and Snape will definitely know it's me. Both of them have seen how I prank. They'll know who to blame."
"Considering your idea is aimed at the toad, I don't see them ratting you out," Fred said thoughtfully. His fingers absently rubbed against my cheeks and I felt my skin burn. He grinned at my face, amused by how red it was. Cheeky God damn bastard.
"Who said I was just aiming to get Umbridge?" I asked, trying to distract myself from his fingers. They hadn't stopped moving. George's fingers were copying his brother's, though they were mainly weaving through the baby hairs that littered the side of my head. "I'm not telling you," I said sharply. Fred pouted and didn't push. George chuckled.
"Have you heard the latest scheme from Harry and his group?" He asked.
"No. Am I supposed to?"
"It's kind of important," George admitted. "Hermione asked us to meet up at the Hog's Head during the first Hogsmeade weekend. Says Harry wants to talk to us."
I was sort of suspicious. "What for?" I didn't like the gleam that suddenly lit up in their eyes and slowly forced them to release my face.
"They want to start a Defense group," They both purred, voices shaking with excitement.
A Defense group? They couldn't be serious.
"You're joking."
"Not this time," Fred said cheekily. He dodged the swipe aimed for his arm. "No, but we're actually being serious this time."
"We're going," George said. "Lee's coming, too. You should join us."
I hesitated. "I don't know, you two," I said, unsure. Mentally, I was rejoicing at this idea. It was a good idea. We would be able to practice spells and catch up on all the lost time Umbridge had taken us. We'd actually be ready for our O.W.L.'s and not go in with just the theory knowledge to back us up and make complete asses of ourselves in front of the proctors.
But I knew Harry's luck. He had the shittiest luck out of anyone that I knew. This would backfire on us and I just knew we'd get in a heap of trouble if the wrong person blabbed or we were caught by Umbridge, who was firmly against us using any form of magic.
"Don't be a chicken," Fred teased. "We're not doing anything illegal."
"We're perfectly in our rights to form a new club," George agreed. "We've just got to ask McGonagall, get the okay, and boom. We're golden."
Famous last words, you two.
"You two are the reason Filch is going to maim us alive when we get back to the castle," I hissed, watching the Twins and Lee scavenge around the shelves.
It was a cold, windy day. Fall was in full swing as wind whipped this way and that, flicking our hair into our eyes and stinging our cheeks raw with the cold. Lavender had woken me up early this morning due to the Twins causing a ruckus and demanding that I get up to leave for the village. Least to say, after bundling up in a pair of casual black leggings, a white thermal, and a zip-up jacket Dad had gotten me for my birthday, I wasn't in the best of moods.
Add on Filch excessively searching our person, the cold piercing straight through my skin, and me being denied any form of caffeine, I was ready to commit some form of homicide. There was always a first time for everything and I could care less if I got sent to Muggle jail or Azkaban if it meant I could go back to bed. I was secretly voting for the Muggle jail, though. I hated Dementors and wanted nothing to do with the vile creatures.
Though why the Twins wanted to go to Zonko's of all places this early in the morning is a bit much. It's too early to be thinking about pranking someone. And it's too cold.
Merlin almighty, I absolutely detested the cold.
"You worry too much," Lee said distractedly. "We've been doing this since third year. We're pros getting this stuff past Filch by now." I grumbled under my breath moodily as I trudged after the three boys to the check out counter. I really didn't want to go back outside to the cold wind, but I really didn't want to stay in Zonko's for the rest of the year either.
"Where are we having this meeting?" I asked, shivering instantly the second we walked out of the joke shop. Today sucked purely because of the cold. In the distance, I could make out multiple forms clumped together.
"Hermione said the Hog's Head," Fred informed. He and George had taken point on either side of me while Lee stood on George's other side.
"That bar is so suspicious," I mumbled, distracted. It irritated me that Fred and George were walking around in simple jackets with cotton on the inside and jeans—stupid Merlin damned space heaters—but being between them like I was, their body heat was soaking through the arms of my jacket and sides. It felt magnificent. I grasped both of their sleeves and tugged them closer so that they were just barely pressed against me.
"Are you cold?" Fred asked, surprised.
"I'm freezing," I complained lowly, sighing as I felt marginally warmer with them closer. "I hate feeling this cold. It's why I rarely leave the castle once the fall and winter roll around."
"This isn't so bad, though," Lee exclaimed, looking around George. "It's over sixty degrees right now!"
"That's cold to me, Jordan!" I snarled at him, narrowing my eyes. "Anything under seventy degrees is too cold!" I paused when something wrapped itself around my neck, covering my mouth and nose. George looked deeply concentrated as he tightened a scarf around my neck firmly and grinning when I only looked up at him in confusion.
"This way you'll at least get a little bit warmer," He said, winking at me. I flushed and quietly adjusted the scarf, mumbling a thank you into the warm fabric. It smelled vaguely of what I assumed to be gunpowder and something sweet. Sugar? It was a weird combination, but it was oddly a very pleasant smell.
The Hog's Head was nothing at all like the Three Broomsticks, whose large bar gave an impression of gleaming warmth and cleanliness. The Hog's Head bar comprised of one small, dingy, and very dirty room that smelled strongly of something that might have been goats. The bay windows were so encrusted with grime that very little daylight could permeate the room, which was lit instead with the stubs of candles sitting on rough wooden tables. The floor seemed at first glance to be earthy, though as we stepped onto it, I realized that there was stone beneath what seemed to be the accumulated filth of centuries.
And there standing in the center of the room was a large crowd of students who were whispering amongst themselves and casting wary eyes around. To my great pleasure, Terra was among them, standing alone with crossed arms and silver knitted hat drawn low over her forehead that gave her eyes an almost hooded appearance.
"This place is disgusting." None of the three boys disagreed with me. Our entrance caused a few heads to turn in our direction. Fred casually walked up to the bar where the barman had frozen in the act of wiping out a glass with a rag so filthy it looked as though it had never been washed. That just set the deal that I wouldn't be drinking anything from this establishment ever.
"Hi," Fred greeted, counting his companions and skipping over me when I gave him a glare filled with death if he ordered me something. "Could we have...twenty-five butterbeers, please?"
His order was given a glare from the bartender, who threw down his rag irritably and started passing up dusty butterbeers from under the bar. I could only watch as Fred thanked the grumpy man and forced everyone to cough up their share of gold for the drinks. Inbetween the moving students, I noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting together against the wall. Harry looked vaguely sick and Hermione was whispering quietly to him.
I left the Twins and Lee, making a beeline for the blond, who had finally noticed me. "I'm glad I know someone here," She murmured quietly, casting irritated glances at everyone. "I'm not a speaking terms with a lot of these people."
"I'm relieved Hermione thought to invite you," I admitted. It pleased me that the bushy-haired girl had thought to invite the Ravenclaw even though they had hardly spoken a word to each other.
Terra shrugged. "She only invited me because I overheard her talking to Luna and Padma about it. Besides, I feel like this will benefit me more than Umbridge's class even though I'm pretty comfortable with how I stand on defensive spells."
Once all of the drinks were handed out and everyone had found a seat, the chatter died down. I took my spot between the Twins while Terra planted herself beside Padma and Luna. All of our eyes were upon Harry.
Hermione slowly got to her feet, hands clasped firmly in front of her. "Umm...Hi." Her voice was higher-pitched than normal. "So, you all know why we're here. We need a teacher." She stopped and corrected herself. "A proper teacher. One who's had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts. Well, I thought it would be a good idea if we, well, took matters into our own hands" She paused, looked sideways at Harry, and went on, "And by that, I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just theory but the real spells—"
"You want to pass you Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. too though, I bet?" Asked Michael Corner, who was watching her closely. I snorted.
"Of course she does. This year is critical for us," I reminded him, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice. "You'd have to be stupid to not take this year seriously."
Hermione gave a weak cough, drawing the attention back to her. "I want more that that, I want to be properly trained in Defense because...because..." She struggled and took a deep breath. "Because Lord Voldemort's back."
The name evoked many reactions. Cho Chang's friend shrieked and slopped butterbeer down her front, Terry Boot gave a twitch, Padma and Terra shuddered, and Neville gave an old yelp that he hurried to turn into a cough. I resisted the urge to flinch and moved closer to George, who was the closest Twin to me. His eyes cast me a sympathetic glance before looking to Harry.
"Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?" A blond Hufflepuff asked in a rather aggressive voice. I knew immediately that I wouldn't like him and would have many problems with him in the future.
Hermione looked like she had feared this kind of resistance would pop up. "Well, Dumbledore believes it—"
"You mean Dumbledore believes him." He gestured rudely to Harry.
"Who are you again?" Ron asked with obvious dislike.
"Zacharias Smith," He introduced promptly, "and I think we've got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Who's back."
"You read the Prophet, don't you?" I asked sarcastically. Blue eyes cut to me. "You should know that paper is full of shit. You'd have to be dumb, dumb, and dumber not to see all the signs that He's back." A hand closed over mine and gave a warning squeeze. For the hundredth time, my cheeks warmed.
"It's okay, Hayden," Harry interrupted as Zacharias opened his mouth to retort. He openly met the Hufflepuff's disbelieving face. "What makes me say You-Know-Who's back?" He asked. "I saw him. But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened last year, and if you didn't believe him, you don't believe me, and I'm not wasting an afternoon trying to convince anyone."
Zacharias gave a dismissive scoff. "All Dumbledore told us last year was that Cedric Diggory got killed by You-Know-Who and that you brought Diggory's body back to Hogwarts. He didn't give us details, he didn't tell us exactly how Diggory got murdered, I think we'd all like to know—"
"So you're gonna believe a paper over the greatest wizard of all?" Terra asked derisively. "You don't deserve to be here if you only came here to be nosy about Cedric Diggory's death, Smith."
"If you've come to hear exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone, I can't help you," Harry agreed, his eyes narrowed on Zacharias's aggressive face. "I don't want to talk about Cedric Diggory, all right? So if that's what you're here for, you might as well clear out." He didn't move from his seat, only continued to gaze intently at Harry, who was casting angry looks at Hermione.
"Is it true," A girl with a long plait down her back asked, looking at Harry, "that you can produce a Patronus?"
"Yeah," Harry said, slightly defensive.
"A corporeal Patronus?" Something in her words seemed to stir realization in Harry because he gazed at her with curiosity.
"Er...you don't know Madam Bones, do you?"
The girl smiled. "She's my auntie. I'm Susan Bones," She introduced herself. "She told me about your hearing. So, is it really true? You make a Stag Patronus?"
"Yes."
Lee looked incredibly impressed and I found myself reciprocating that emotion. "Blimey, Harry! I never knew that!"
I'd always heard from teachers, particularly Professor Lupin, that just producing a Shield Patronus was difficult. The idea of even attempting a corporeal one was out of the question for those of us still in school. I'd bet anything that very very few people at the Ministry could even produce something corporeal. If this actually worked, I was hoping Harry would attempt to teach us his ways with the Patronus Charm. It was a great spell to know.
"Mum told Ron not to spread it around," Fred said, grinning. "She said Harry's got enough attention as it was."
"Did you kill a Basilisk with that sword in Dumbledore's office?" Terry Boot demanded. "That's what one of the portraits on the wall told me when I was in there last year."
Harry was getting flustered. "Er—yeah, I did, yeah."
"And in our first year, he saved that Sorcerer's Stone from You-Know-Who!" Neville said to the group at large.
"And that's not to mention all the tasks he had to get through in the Triwizard Tournament last year," Cho added in her own two cents, eyeing Harry with an adoring look. He seemed to freeze under her attention, focused entirely on her before snapping himself out of his trance. He started to feebly deny all of their praise, looking very uncomfortable with their words before Zacharias opened his mouth once more.
"Are you trying to weasel out of showing us any of this stuff?"
"Will you shut up and let him talk, Smith?" I snapped. George squeezed my hand again and I carefully extracted it from his gentle grip. He was making it hard to focus on being angry. "You're being hella annoying right now with your pushy and insensitive questions."
"Well, we've all turned up to learn from him, and now he's telling us he can't really do any of it," He retorted.
"That's not what he said at all," Fred growled, blue eyes flashing.
"Would you like us to clean out your ears for you?" George pulled out a long and lethal-looking metal instrument from his Zonko's bag. I balked at the pointy end, wondering when the hell he had even grabbed it.
"Or any part of your body, really. We're not fussy where we stick this," Fred agreed, tensed as if he was readying himself to actually do it.
"Moving on," Hermione called hastily. "The point is, are we agreed we want to take lessons from Harry?"
There was a general agreement amongst us. Zacharias folded his arms moodily and said nothing, though I think that was because he was too busy keeping one eye on the instrument in George's hand, which he hadn't put away yet.
The next ten minutes was spent arguing on a place where we could practice and when. A good portion of the people here were Quidditch players and they were quick to making their protests about these meetings interfering with practice known. Katie Bell actually suggested the library at one point as a meeting place and I snorted.
"The day Madam Pince lets us pull out our wands among her books is the day she will turn over in her grave."
Eventually, it was decided that Hermione would go looking for a place to practice and would notify us all when she did find something. I had my doubts that she would find something good enough for all of us, but I kept that negativity to myself. She pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, hesitated as if she was steeling herself for protests, then said, "I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. I also think," Here she took a deep breath, "that we all ought to agree not to shout about what we're doing. So if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge, or anybody else, what we're up to."
That drew some alarmed noises. Fred snatched the parchment from Hermione and cheerfully put down his large, messy signature with George copying him once he was done. If it had been anyone other than Hermione, I would've ripped the parchment to shreds and proceeded to walk out of the bar. However, I knew how Hermione was with her things and I had no doubt that she wouldn't just leave this lying around for just anybody to see. I wrote down my name in my usual small, loopy print, childishly writing a smiley face beside it.
"Oh, don't be such wusses, you guys," Terra said, rolling her eyes. She leaned over my shoulder, taking the quill from my hand and signing her name underneath mine. "This is Granger you're doubting right now. She's not gonna leave this on the Gryffindor table and walk away. Just put your names down and be on your merry way." The others were more agreeable to sign after that, silently agreeing with the blunt Ravenclaw.
"Keep in touch, Hermione," I said as I stood up, the Twins, Lee, and Terra following suit. "I'll see you around." I waved goodbye before maneuvering through the throng of people and leaving the pub.
"I hope she knows what she's doing," Terra said once we were out of earshot of the pub. "This could go terribly wrong if Umbridge hears about it."
"Don't go taking your words back now," I said reproachfully. "We'll be fine with Hermione acting as Secretary."
I hoped so, at least.
"Not that I don't mind you guys coming with me," I drawled slowly, looking over my shoulder at the pleased redheads behind me, "but why are you guys following me to the kitchens?"
"We're bored," They said. "And we're hungry."
"You just ate!"
"You should know how our stomachs work right now."
I sighed, exasperated.
After the meeting in the Hog's Head, I hadn't wasted any time rushing back up to the warmth of the castle. Terra had stuck around some more down in Hogsmeade, making a beeline for Honeydukes to indulge her sweet tooth, while the three boys trailed after me at a much slower pace. I spent the rest of the day in bed, dozing in and out of sleep and skipping all of today's meals, which definitely hadn't been approved of by the Twins once I had finally come back downstairs later in the night after curfew hit.
Currently, I was making an attempt to sneak down to the kitchens, but the lovely pranking duo had decided to accompany me for one reason or another. I wasn't necessarily complaining since they kept me company and they were more eyes to watch out for teachers, but I didn't understand why they were firmly against me going by myself. The castle was pitch black and silent. I was confident I would be able to escape a patrolling Professor or Prefect before I would be spotted.
Probably thinking of being the Knights in shining armor or something. Idiots.
I was eagerly looking forward to the leftover food that was saved over for students like us who were night owls.
"Do you hear that?" Fred suddenly whispered. I halted instantly along with George, tilting my head and listening. There was no sound for a couple seconds before I heard it. A steady rhythm tapping against the floors and the swishing of fabric. Footsteps and someone's robes. I cursed under my breath.
"That's definitely Vector," George deduced, already looking around for a hiding spot. Fred made a strangled hissing sound at his brother, gesturing frantically from behind a tapestry. George hurriedly grabbed my wrist and pushed me in before clambering in after me. Fred let go of the opening he had made and we were engulfed in darkness.
I immediately didn't like my current predicament. Like. At all. The female side of me was cheering and squealing and running herself ragged in circles.
The alcove we were in was small. Way too small for two grown ass boys and a short fifth year to comfortably fit in. By myself, I'd be fine, but with Fred and George being as tall as they were and being as toned as they were thanks to years of Quidditch...well...
Both boys were pressing as hard as they could against the walls at their backs and I, as usual, was right in between them. My face was burning with blood and my heart was speeding as fast as a race car rounding a curve. I could literally feel everything of the Twins. George's front that was pressed tightly against mine. Fred's front pressing firmly against my back. The leg—I wasn't sure whose it was—that was in between my legs to give one of them some room. It was partly the reason I was on my tiptoes and struggling to keep from dropping my weight back down.
Do not breath, do not breath, do not breath, for the love of God, DO NOT BREATH.
So much as a breath in and I would be pressed even more intimately against both of them.
"Breath, Hayden," Fred whispered in my ear, fingers gently rubbing against the backs of my shoulders and no doubt hearing the stuttering breaths I was taking. It made breathing even more difficult. Peppermint and gunpowder was strongly encompassing me, surrounding me with its scent and what I knew was purely Fred.
My hands came up and I weakly tried to put some distance between the two brothers, but it was difficult with such small space. The leg beneath me shifted and I squeaked a bit too loudly. A hand instantly slipped over my mouth. The scent of sugar wafted up my nose.
The footsteps were getting louder and louder until finally they passed us by. All of us waited for another minute before scrambling out.
I left the Twins in the dust as I practically sprinted to the kitchens, blushing the whole way. I was so red that Lettie instantly assumed I was sick and caused the biggest scene I'd ever seen of her before I had finally assured her I was healthy and was just there for food. I left before the Twins could even catch up with me, taking an entirely different path back up to the Common Room.
Monday brought about a new worry. Namely for the Gryffindor Quidditch team if the notice was interpreted correctly.
By Order Of
The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts
All student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded.
An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.
Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).
No student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.
Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.
The above is in accordance with
Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.
Signed:
Dolores Jane Umbridge
High Inquisitor
Fred and George's loud exclamations of "Fuck!" were heard all throughout the Common Room that morning and even I, who had never played a day of Quidditch in my time here, had to agree with them there.
Author's Note:
This is a day or two early, but I knew beforehand that I won't have any sort of access to Wi-Fi on Saturday, so I wouldn't be able to update. So early update for you guys! *Cheers happily*
Lots of hearts and appreciation to:
Faby0411: Of course Newt counts! I personally have never seen Fantastic Beasts yet, but I've heard it's very good!
Savage Kill: That's a typical reaction I get. xD
I'm VERY picky. I don't like coffee and I'm picky about what kind of candy I eat. I don't like the shit that gets stuck in my teeth. It's annoying to get out.
We're following the road that she hadn't quite come to terms with it yet. *Winks* THAT'S A SECRET. Though I will say, it's heavily inspired by Ben Phillips!
ElementalGirl1: I think it's by far one of the best pranks Ben Phillips has ever pulled on Elliot. xD
Reading To Be A Slytherin has definitely opened my eyes to Slytherins a bit more. I rewatched all of the movies and I realized how TRUE the author of that story hits to home. It shocked me to my core. I had to reevaluate what I had always first assumed.
I love all of those characters, but Newt is still a mystery to me since I haven't seen that movie yet!
Ussmaple: Thank you sooooo much! I'm glad you like it!
End of responses!
Last chapter's response: My favorite character is by far Luna Lovegood. I can relate to that girl on a SPIRITUAL level, I swear.
Question for this Chapter: Least favorite Harry Potter character?
Thanks for reading this chapters you guys! Reviews are loveeee! *Hearts* Happy Thanksgiving!
~OQ