SORRY FOR THE LONG OVER DUE UPDATE! Once again, JK ROWLING OWNS ALL THAT IS HARRY POTTER MAGIC!
...AND THE STORY GOES ON...
" Hey Laura…come on…we got to go…"
" Mmm…it's not even light out…and where were you last night?"
" Never mind that, get dressed and come down, we have to meet Dumbeldore today…I'll wait downstairs…"
Laura got up, though rather reluctantly, and went to splash her face with cold water as to awaken her senses.
" All right lets go." Said Stephanie as she got up from the couch seeing Laura.
The common room was still pretty dark, and it was obvious they were the only ones awake in the Gryffindor tower.
" Soo…where were you last night?" asked Laura smirking.
" Sleeping"
" Did you have nice dreams?" Laura said looking over at Stephanie as she was blushing.
" Yeah…not too bad…" said Stephanie trying to hide her creeping blush as her thoughts wondered to Fred and the night they spent...
" Really? So what did you dream of?" asked Laura grinning, " You know, since you weren't dreaming in your bed…"
Stephanie ignored her difficultly, and said the password to Dumbeldore's office, " Sugared Bananers"
" Ok, ok fine, ignore me all you want, but one of these days, me, George and Lee are going to set a spy mission to get to the bottom of this…"
" Good morning Ladies." Said Dumbeldore as he graciously opened the door to welcome them inside his office.
" Morning Professor." They replied in unison. They took a seat in front of Dumbeldore's desk, and waited for him to commence.
" I am sorry to begin your year with so gravely, but it is imperative for you girls to train but keep it in ultimate secrecy. As you may have been aware, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and well…she must never know what you girls are up to."
Stephanie and Laura didn't reply but merely nodded.
" Now on a more pressing matter, your training. It has come to my attention recently that Snape has not been teaching you Occlumency." He gazed at the girls above his spectacles. " Although it was my fault I did not take action before now for …well I was unavailable, but I must stress the importance of you studying it as hard as you can."
Stephanie stared resolutely at the ground, her face hard like stone.
" As for your physical training—"
" Professor?" interrupted Laura.
Dumbeldore stopped talking good naturedly, and looked at her, letting her speak.
" Well, it's just…I don't quite understand why we need the physical training, I mean, physical fighting will only go so far, but as far as I know, spells can do much more."
" Aah yes…I thought it obvious…we don't know what is to come with this new battle, but for you girls to be able to resist any form of mind control, or injuries you may sustain due to dark spells, you would need to be in top form,"
Upon catching the horrified look on Stephanie's face he added,
" I apologize for the abruptness of my statements, but I don't know when we shall be able to speak again with Professor Umbridge around. Moving along, your training will take place in the Southern tower, the one that is used for 7th year Astronomy, and it will be at 4: 30 in the morning as to ensure it's secrecy."
Rage was building up in Laura, she wasn't expecting it, but it was so unfair. Not only were her and Stephanie chosen for this life or death situation, they were forced to grow up, they had to keep in secret and they had to wake up early…her anger and sadness she had felt towards Sirius was meddled in her fury somewhere as well…or rather it was the ultimate rage that wished to brake the surface.
"… Furthermore, Professor Snape has agreed to teach you Thursday nights before dinner."
He took a moment to look at the two girls who seemed white faced, yet courage shone brightly in their eyes,
"Laura, Stephanie, it is a great burden you carry, and I do not think you will every know how proud I am of you."
Stephanie thought she had seen a twinkle in his eyes, but then thought that it was probably a trick of light, for she couldn't imagine Dumbeldore tearing up.
Wait so who is our teacher for our training? Though Laura, for she had missed that part in her mindful wrath.
Stephanie stood first, and thanked Professor Dumbeldore, then Laura did the same, and they left the office. Once in the corridor, Stephanie leaned against the wall, her head leaning back against the stone, taking in a deep breath. Her heart had been beating so fast, she wondered how it hadn't exploded. She was scared. Suddenly, the danger of their situation hit her, and she could not put it any other way, but she was scared.
Laura hadn't paid attention for she was deep in thought about the unfairness of it all. She just stood there gazing ahead.
" Well that was something huh?" said Stephanie in what would have been a light hearted tone, but was a bit shaky.
" Hmm"
" Guess we should head back to the common room and wait for the twins and Lee as though nothing had happened..." said Stephanie looking desolate.
" Mmm—yea—no, I'll meet you guys later, there is something I have to do." And Laura left without a word.
Stephanie did not ask questions. People deal with things differently, and she for one, needed some quick fresh air, alone, to think things over before she played her joker self for the rest of the day.
She headed towards the lake. The rippling surface of the water, a calmative for her thoughts. She wondered what Laura was thinking about. She wondered what would happen with her and Fred. She reached in her pocket, took out a pen, and her notebook, and with the soft grass calling her name, she sat and began to write. She wrote about nothing and everything as she often did.
Where had this notebook been? Who had read it?
These thoughts were too frightening to contemplate, for whomever had perused the pages of her notebook would have found something much more than a diary, it was a portal to her mind, the way she thought, the way she felt.
Finally, the cold of the morning driving her back inside the castle she headed back to the fire of the Gryffindor Common Room.
" Morning" said a gruffly voice.
George was the first one to come down from the dormitories, and he looked every bit sleepy.
" Hey there." Said Stephanie looking up from her novel. " Are they coming down soon?"
" Think so"
George sat down next to Stephanie on the couch that she had to fold her knees in, because she had been taking in the length of the couch for her comfort. He sat blinking at the dying fire, and fell back asleep.
Stephanie was coming back to her senses, and suddenly got a very wicked idea.
" Morning Step—what are you doing?" asked Lee as he came downstairs.
" Shhh!"
Lee smiled as wickedly as Stephanie had been earlier, and came to over to help.
" Where is Fred?" whispered Stephanie as she cutting wrapping paper.
" Sleeping," replied Lee in a low voice as he was transforming paper into ribbon, "apparently, he had a tiring night …dunno what caused it…but he seems drained of energy…"
Stephanie was growing redder, and Lee loved torturing her.
" Yeah…uhh… I don't know either…" said Stephanie biting her lip about to start laughing.
" Uh huh" Said Lee as he took that as a confession. " We should clear out of here before George wakes up again, or it's off with our heads, and I don't know about you, but I am rather fond of my head."
" Rite, but I say WE do the waking up first."
Stephanie and Lee approached their masterpiece with caution. To be clearer, they had wrapped George in Christmas wrapping paper from head to toe, so that he was completely mummified, and for a finishing touch, had added a ribbon on top of his head. Aah the jokes you play on your friends…
" GEORGE WAKE UP!"
" what—What—WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? ATTACK! ATTACK!"
Everyone in the common room was startled and turned to look at the commotion. George was hopping like a sausage, and Lee and Stephanie were leaning on each other, laughing with no sound.
" 'Tis the beginning of a good day!" said Lee after her had taken a couple deep breaths.
" What's going on?" asked an unnerved Angelina as she was coming down from the girls' dormitory.
" Oh, sorry I asked. Seriously George, how do you get yourself in these situations? I mean, I know you like to joke around, but well…when you had breasts a couple years back, I was scared for life…"
George shot Stephanie and Lee a death glare.
" Angelina, I don't GET myself in these situations, they just find me! Will you help me outta this thing?" he finished exasperated, as Angelina started ripping the paper and ribbon apart.
Five minutes later, George was free, and surprisingly so was his anger…
" Uhh…thanks Angelina…" he said shifting his weight.
" yeah…anytime…uhh well…I am off to breakfast…" she said just as uncomfortable.
Is this what Laura meant about George and Angelina? Thought Stephanie. Wow…this is …kinda creepy really…better work my magic…
" Yeah, so were we, why don't we all go together?" said Stephanie stepping in to help out her old mate, even though she had just Christmas-ted him.
" What about Laura and Fred?" asked Lee.
" Oh they know the way, and plus, I think Fred needs more rest." Said Stephanie nonchalantly.
" …yeah…you would know…" said Lee out of the corner of his curling mouth.
Stephanie made a point of not walking close to George and Angelina, and Lee following her lead, took the rear with her. They watched them in front of them, the way Angelina would play with her hands, and George would nervously run his fingers through his hair.
" You know, if we aren't careful, we might all be coupled off." Said Stephanie.
" Ah well, it's time George joined the club. Many good perks to joining the club." Said Lee grinning.
" Yeah, like what?" asked Stephanie looking at him curiously.
" Well, not that I need to tell you. I mean, I am sure I could just ask Fred to—Ow! What are you hitting me for?"
" You know very well why, now stop." Said Stephanie half serious but not mad.
"..No wonder Fred is tired, if you beat him like this…OW! OK OK I'll be good, I swear…freaking dominatrix…ok ok! That was the last one I promise.." said Lee putting his arms up.
" Anyways, things are good between you and—crap I forgot—what's your girlfriend's name again?"
Lee gave her a cross look.
" What! It's not my fault I don't remember, it's not like she's with us all the time, or that I am with you when you're on dates! And considering, you should be happy, because I don't think you would like me popping my head between you two for a game of chess when you're getting cozy, if you know what I mean…"
" Riite, well her name is…"
" Yes?"
Stephanie looked over at Lee, who had been caught between words, as anger was building on his brow, she looked over to the spot where he was intently staring and recognized Lee's girlfriend at once, but the guy she was kissing was definitely not Lee.
Stephanie grabbed Lee's arm and said, " I am famished, come on let's get to the Great Hall before all the food is gone…"
Lee would not budge.
" Lee…come on, talk to her when your rational…" whispered Stephanie.
" I'll be right back." Said Lee determindley.
Stephanie didn't know whether to go or stay, so she decided upon staying incase things got really ugly. From her angle she could see Lee's girlfriend getting startled when he tapped her on the shoulder. The other guy, some ravenclaw, was backing away. Uh-oh…the girlfriend was crying…Lee seemed to hold his own…he was coming back..
" All right, you're right Steph, I AM hungry." Lee said leading the way.
Stephanie jogged to catch up with him, and said, " Wait mate, what the hell was that? What happened with your girlfriend?"
" You mean EX- girlfriend."
" Oh…listen mate, I'm sorry…"
" No need. Seriously Stephanie, I feel somewhat relieved."
Stephanie looked at him suspiciously, and knew that the hurt would seep on sooner or later. She thought about what if her and Fred where to ever brake up—god that thought was frightening—and yet she was keeping a secret like Lee's Ex…granted it wasn't exactly another man, but…
When Stephanie and Lee walked in the Great Hall, they saw George and Angelina sitting as far apart from each other as possible, both rather red in the face. Stephanie sat in front of George, and looked at him inquisitively.
" Sooo, what happened with Angelina?"
" Damn women! Stupid-making fun of me- always so bloody sexy-has boyfriend-I make one comment…well she saw it as a criticism… but hey, a man's got to do what a man's got to do when it comes to Quidditch! Lee I don't know how you do it man, to keep a girl.."
Lee was forcing a smile and said, " Bah, I didn't keep her…as of this morning I am a free man! Haha…"
Stephanie grimaced at the fakeness of this tone and facial expression. George who had been in a rant barely noticed, but he did give Stephanie a questioning look, that she answered with a look that meant ' I'll tell you later.'
She started eating, starry-eyed, where is Draco? She didn't know why she cared, but she found herself wondering what he was doing. And where is Laura? She was abruptly taken out of her reverie when Fred came, all tousled hair, and kissed her forehead before he sat down next to her to eat breakfast.
" Hey there, sleep…well …?" asked Stephanie playfully.
" I am exhausted" said Fred smiling.
" Well I don't know why you're happy, I hate being exhausted, because then it just ruins my day, and I can't think, and …"
" It's all right George, it's not so bad to be exhausted.." said Fred smiling.
Lee just looked at Stephanie, with a blackmail sort of look, but she just flicked egg in his face and he stopped.
" So how come Laura's not with you?" asked Lee.
" Don't know. She wasn't in the common room, so I figured she was here already." Said Fred munching on toast.
---
Another day…come on, get up. Argh. I hate mornings. It was all a dream, I will open my eyes, and go about my day. I don't know a Sirius Black…god get up…
Laura was the last one in her dormitory, not like she cared. She rubbed her eyes, still red from some shaded tears. As she grabbed her clothes and towel to go and take a shower, and she turned she looked out on the grounds, and she could still imagine him there with her, by the lake, ages ago.
She turned to the bathroom, and let the water run down her face to wash everything away.
---
" Hey Fred, can I be totally honest with you?" asked Stephanie.
It was night time and the day had gone by as quickly as it had begun, and the couple was sitting completely alone in the room of requirements, set up as the Gryffindor common room, each reading something of no consequence.
" I would hope that you can." Said Fred kissing her lips, letter his tongue ride along the shape of her mouth.
Stephanie had to come back to her senses, and said, " Well there's something I have been meaning to tell you …in regards to my life and Dumbeldore…"
Fred sat up, looking concerned, when suddenly the door was opening.
" What's going on? I didn't think people could come in the room of requirements." Said Stephanie standing up suddenly. It was way after hours, and if they were found out of bed this late, nothing good would come of it.
Two people tumbled in, they weren't exactly looking were they were going, well at least the girl wasn't, her back was towards Stephanie and Fred. They were fiercely making out; the boy had blond hair…hair all too familiar…
" Malfoy! What the bloody hell are you doing here!" roared Fred getting up.
Draco looked up, first at Stephanie and smirked, then at Fred.
He knew Stephanie and Fred were going t be here, after all, he had seen them coming the night before. It was his plan to make her jealous by coming in with his hands full, ruin her and Fred's night by stopping whatever was going to happen, and not look like a total git who actually likes a gryffindor.
" Malfoy-poo, what are they doing here? I thought it was just going to be the two of us…" cooed Pansy Parkinson nibbling his ear, when she noticed Stephanie was there too, she suddenly got red in the face and said, "STEPHANIE! WHAT THE—"
" It's all right Pansy, they won't stick around." Said Draco staring straight into Fred's eyes.
Fred was getting angrier by the minute, " Get out!"
" Come on Fred, let's just go." Said Stephanie grabbing his hand.
Draco's eyes flashed at her and Fred's hand, and he casually put his arm around Pansy smirking. " Off you go little weasel boy."
" Shut it Draco. I don't know what the hell you think you're doing but—" Stephanie was by the door when Draco grabbed her by her other wrist saying, " You're not leaving so soon are you?"
" Let go of her Malfoy you great prat." Said Fred menacingly, as he stepped in front of Stephanie.
" Not my fault Stephanie looks like she wants to stay.." smirked Draco.
Stephanie frowned and looked at Draco as though she was had never seen him before. Draco just kept glaring at Fred.
" Next time you come near her, you'll have me to answer to." Said Fred gravely.
" And what are you gonna do weasel boy?" sneered Draco taking a step closer.
" I'LL KILL YOU, YOU IDIOT!"
Now it was Fred's turn to grab Stephanie's hand and they left together, once outside, Stephanie turned towards Fred and said in a half-joking manner, " Well, look who's a big tough man. Fred the macho."
" Doesn't sound too bad" he said smiling.
Stephanie walked closer to him smiling tenderly, yet in the back of her mind, she couldn't help wondering why all these occurrences with Malfoy kept happening. Out of all the students at Hogwarts she seemed to always run into the handsome Slytherin boy.
---
The following morning, Laura was awakened by the sound of a beak tapping on the window.
Mumbling and half asleep she let the owl in the room as dropped a letter on her head and left again. Squinting from fatigue she opened the letter to find Dumbeldore's handwriting.
Just incase it was difficult to wake up today, I sent this owl to remind you of your training.
Laura had totally forgotten about training, she woke up Stephanie and silently they both left their dormitory. They were both rubbing their eyes, and shivering in their more than revealing training attire, as Stephanie slipped on a sweater over it.
" So where are we off to?" asked Laura yawning.
" The astronomy tower, it's the safest for floo transportation." Said Stephanie heading out of the portrait hole.
" Why do we need the Floo Network?"
" Weren't you listening yesterday? Dumbeldore said that since we already had the training room set up at Sirius' flat he was going to be our coach..."
Laura felt herself suddenly wake, as if someone had dumped a bucket of water on her head. She was going to see Sirius again, after that letter… what was she going to do? Act as if nothing happened? Is that what he was going to do? What is Sirius going to think? Oh if only I had the strength to brush my hair more thoroughly this morning…