The four found an empty carriage and put their baggage on the floor before settling in the seats. The horseless carriages had always unnerved Veronica because She knew they weren't actually horseless. At the beginning of last year, Luna Lovegood had informed them that there were these almost reptilian, horse-like beasts standing between the carriage shafts. After some research, they learned that the animals were thestrals, visible only to people who had witnessed death. Which is why none of them couldn't see them.

"So," said Mcnanmara, leaning back in her seat, "Is he back?"

"Potter? Yes if the rumours are true" Chandler replied

"I guess so," said Duke. "My uncle only tells me bits and pieces, and a lot of it I overhear."

"So, there still has to be some dark wizards out there right ." Veronica said, she was stroking the head of her cat through the bars of the carrier.

"Actually," said Duke, "But Umbridge is back."

"Umbridge?" Mcnanmara eyes widened. "Why would Hogwarts let her return?"

"Ministry probably behind it," Chandler said. "The idiot government."

Mcnanmara hid a smile, and Veronica grinned across the carriage at her.

"Well," said Duke, "I'd be pissed if I were Potter."

Veronica groaned. "See, it all comes back to Harry fucking Potter."

Duke opened her mouth to respond, but then she actually thought about it. "You know, for someone We've never spoken to before, Potter does come up in our conversations a lot."

"Don't give her anything to go on," said Chandler, but it was too late.

"You see!" Veronica cried. "I'm sick of it. I don't know Harry Potter. I've never spoken to Harry Potter. The only time I've interacted with him was when he accidentally bumped into me in the hallway outside Potions class. I have no reason to talk about Harry fucking Potter, but he always manages to sneak into my conversations. Well, I've had it? I Veronica Sawyer from this moment on will never mention him again."

Mcnanmara snorted. "Give her two minutes, and she'll be back to ranting about Potter and Gryffindor privilege."

"I won't," I said through gritted teeth.

"You will," said Duke. "The moment someone brings up Potter in conversation, you're done for. You're incapable of not giving your opinion."

Veronica folded her arms over her chest. "I can do this, and I will" She said.

"Everytime you mention his name, You'll pay us a sickle." Chandler said.

"Really?" A mischievous glint appeared in Duke's eyes.

"Don't take her up on that, Heather," said Mcnanmara. "She'll be bankrupt before Christmas."

"I can do it," Veronica cried. "I can go a whole year without mentioning him."

"I'm willing to take that bet," said Duke. "You can pay for your own Christmas present this year."

Mcnanmara sighed. "Why is this such a big deal now? Talking about Potter has never bothered you before."

Veronica folded her arms over her chest and said stubbornly, "I'm not a side character in his life."

Chandler's eyebrows shot up, and Veronica knew she was reading more into that comment than there really was.

"All right," said Mcnanmara. "I'll call you out on it whenever you mention Potter."

Veronica grinned at her. "Great. Then Not Talking About Harry Potter Bet begins…now."

"So," said Duke, leaning forward in her seat, "did you lot hear about Potter's trial for the use of underage magic? A load of dragon dung on the ministry's part. If Potter was going to lie about it, he'd come up with something more believable than dementors."

"I heard a group of fourth year Hufflepuffs talking about how they can't believe they attend school under a nutter like Dumbledore," said Mcnanmara. "Believe it or not, people are buying the Daily Prophet's headlines."

Duke smirked at Veronica "What do you think, Veronica?"

Veronica groaned and buried her face in her hands. "You're doing this on purpose."

"Of course," said Duke, beaming at her, "I'm a little low on funds at the moment."

" Your meant to be my friends " Veronica sighed.

" Ok lets not be to mean to her " Chandler said " We get enough shit from Cho and other students as it is "