Note: I've changed this chapter a bit!
--Chapter 14-Our Last Year--
Summer was coming to a close. Zarah was getting more jumpy by the day. The school letters were late and she was panicking. I'm not sure why. She said it was because the Head Boys and Girls will be mentioned in the seventh year's letters. Personally, I didn't really care. Sure the Head Boys and Girls get separate dorms from the rest of the students, but it's not something to get one's hopes up for. It took one of my mom's pep talks and a lot of hot tea to calm Zarah down.
And as the world works, the day after we managed to calm Zarah down, our letters came. Zarah squealed and started pacing around the kitchen, her letter in hand. I took mine and held it for a moment. It was heavier than normal.
I broke the seal and pulled out the parchment. The first was the usual letter saying that I'd be attending my seventh and final year at school. The second was the school list, which included dress robes for the Farewell Ball. The third was a letter that read:
'Dear Selene Lupin,
Congradulations! You've been chosen to act as Head Girl for the coming term. . .'
At first it didn't register. I mean, I saw my name, but it just didn't seem to sink in. It's like when someone tells you you've won a big contest or something, but just slightly different. I scanned the whole letter. It explained what my duties as Head Girl would be and who the Head Boy was (Ricky as it turned out).
"I'm Head Girl," I murmured and picked the envelope back up. Sure enough, there was a shiny badge in the envelope's corner that said "Head Girl" in fancy gold letters.
"What was that, Enna?" Zarah, still pacing, asked impatiently.
"I'm Head Girl."
"What?" she too the letter from my hand and read it over. "Merlin. . ." she whispered.
Just about then mum walked in, "Letters have come then?"
"Enna's been made Head Girl." Before I could stop her, Zarah shoved the letter at her.
Mum scanned the sheet quickly. Her eyes grew wide and she looked over at me in question. I mutely handed her my badge. She blinked a few times before squealing like a little girl. She flung her arms around my neck and kissed both my cheeks. Mum then started to dance around the kitchen happily.
Dad came sliding into the kitchen, "Nymphadora, are you alright?"
Mum grabbed him and did a clumsy waltz around the kitchen, "Enna's been made Head Girl!"
"That's wonderful!" Dad kissed my head as he and mum danced past me. Zarah and I laughed. We leaned against the counter to watch my parents.
I picked up the parchment lying on the kitchen floor. A note near the bottom I hadn't noticed before read, "The Head Boy and Girl are required escorts for the Farewell Ball. The Head Boy must wear his House colors. The Head Girl may wear any color they like along with a sash."
"Looks like I've got to do some color coordinating," I handed the parchment off to Zarah.
"So? It'll be fun! Searching for just the right dress robes to wear. . ."
"I've got a brilliant idea!" mum grinned happily. "Come on, let's head up stairs!" she gave dad a kiss before heading out of the kitchen.
"You'd best follow her," dad chuckled.
Zarah and I exchanged a glance before following mum up the stairs. She led us to her bedroom. As she went over to a closet she explained, "My mum bought me these one time I was at St. Mungo's for an injury. She went a bit mad, but that's my mother for you. You don't have to use any if you can't find one you like, but if you do find one, I'm sure mum would be happy to make what alterations are needed." She pulled the closet open. There were dress robes of every color imaginable all lined up neatly on hangers. Each shimmered slightly with a Preserving Charm that mum must have used to keep them like new.
"Are they all yours?" Zarah stared.
"Yep, but you can keep the one you pick. Merlin knows I'll never use a third of them. I'm really not a dress robe kind of witch anyway."
"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Lupin!" Zarah gave her a hug.
"Tonks, please. Mrs. Lupin makes me feel old." Mum grinned.
When Zarah was absorbed in the robes, mum pulled me off to one side. "Enna, your wand. What is it's length and what is it made of?" she whispered.
"Uh, it's ten inches long, made of willow and a phoenix tail feather. . .why?"
"No reason, love. Go on, go choose your robes."
By the end of two hours of trying on robes, Zarah and I finally picked out what we were going to wear. Zarah picked out a deep blue-gray set of robes made of shimmery material that moved as she walked. My robes were a rich raspberry color, and they were made out of a soft material that I couldn't name. The sleeves on the robes I chose were amazing! They had little slits on them, held together by golden buttons. Peeking out through the slits was ivory silk. Merlin, my grandmother has good taste.
When the adults of the Weasley and Potter families found out that Ricky and I had been made Head Boy and Head Girl, they had to throw a party. Personally, I think it was just an excuse to get together and eat a ton of food. But, hey, who asks questions when there is cake involved?
Missy was visiting the day of the party, so she tagged along. When we arrived, I was bombarded from congratulations from everyone in the room. Even Professor Longbottom was at the party. I know he's a family friend, but it was just a bit unusual seeing him outside school.
"They're certainly making a big deal over this," I whispered to William when he was finally able to make it over to me.
"Aw, let 'em," William shrugged and gave me a kiss. "Good to see you."
I smiled ridiculously up at him. Missy cleared her throat. "Oh, William, this is my friend Missy. Missy, this is my boyfriend, William Weasley."
"You're tall," Missy stated.
William laughed, "It comes with being a Weasley, Missy. It's nice to meet you. En's told me a lot about you."
Missy smiled shyly. Just about then Everett came rushing over. His light brown hair was distinctly wind swept like he'd just come in from the out of doors. "Hey, Missy! Joseph, Liam, and I need a fourth player on our team! Could you help out?"
"Sure. Bye, Enna!" she followed Everett off through the crowd of people.
"So," William draped his arm around my shoulders, "What have you been up to this summer?"
"Nothing whatsoever. It's been nice."
"I went to France. Again. You'd think that we could go to Egypt for once, but no, Mum's got to go visit Aunt Gabrielle." William rolled his eyes.
I laughed, "Come on, let's go get something to eat before the food's gone."
Later that night, when dinner had been finished and dessert was on its way, Mr. Weasley called for a toast. When every one had settled down enough to be mostly quiet and butterbeer had been passed out to everyone, Mr. Weasley declared, "I have the honor of congratulating two remarkable teenagers on their honor of being made the Head Boy and Girl of Hogwarts.
"To Ricky and Enna! Hogwarts is lucky to have you! Congratulations and good luck!"
Everyone took a polite sip from their goblets and clapped. Someone else (I'm pretty sure it was Ron--it could have been Harry, but that would have surprised me. . .Slightly.) called, "Have a hell of an easy year!"
"Here, here!" Ricky and I cried simultaneously and drained our goblets.
The morning of September first, mum woke me up early.
"Is something wrong, Mum?" I asked. Mum put a finger to her lips and motioned for me to follow her. She led me outside to our back porch. It was a chilly day, especially for early September. All I had on were flannel pajama shorts and an old t-shirt. "Mum?"
"Shh, we don't have much time before we've got to leave, so let me talk. . .Enna, there's been a rumor flying around the ministry. Witches and wizards from every department I visit seem to believe that someone is plotting to have all the werewolves in England brought someplace. I'm not sure where exactly, but someplace they wouldn't be a 'danger' to 'normal' people."
"But they're just rumors, right?"
Mum gave me a tight smile, "Love, sometimes the worst of rumors prove to be true. The one I'm talking about could mean danger for you. You are the daughter of a werewolf after all. Here." Mum handed me a wand and what looked like a leather capital 'I' with buckles with two small loops on either end. Oh, I got it. It was to strap around one's leg to hold an extra wand. Mum used one of these for work! I think. I held up the leather by a strap. It was slightly worn, but still in good shape. "The wand's a double of the one you already have so you shouldn't have any trouble with it. Keep it with you at all times. Even when you don't have the original with you. Especially then."
"Alright." I carefully placed the wand in the loops. "Mum?"
"Yes?"
"What about dad?"
"I've told him of course. But he's a fully trained wizard, and you're still at school. . .I'm not sure how forceful these people will be."
"If this happen," I stuck the wand in the loops.
Mum nodded vaguely, "If. . .I don't want to loose you, Enna. I love you too much."
I hurried upstairs to get dressed. As I was finishing securing the buckles around my leg Zarah woke up. "What's with the leather, Enna?"
"I'll explain later." I told her, fixing the hem of my skirt to hide the wand from view.
When we were on the Hogwart's Express, Maddie introduced us to her new kitten, Ember. Ember was the daughter of her old kitten-now-cat, Coal--the black one she had last year. True to her name, Ember was various shades of fiery ginger. My Pygmy Puff, Primrose, didn't really trust Ember as much as her mother so she spent the whole trip on my shoulder.
After Missy left us to go to the boats with the rest of the first years, I told my friends what my mum had told me early this morning. When I finished explaining what that could mean for my father, Missy, and me, they all had very grim looks on their faces. William held on to my hand so tightly that it hurt.
"You're really gonna wear that leather thing all the time?" Maddie asked me.
"Mum told me to, so I will." I trust her. Especially if she's worried. "Please don't tell Missy."
"We won't." James promised.
"And we'll all watch out for her," Sirius promised in an oddly serious tone.
"No matter what house she's sorted into," Angelique concluded.
William gave me a kiss in parting when we went to our separate tables for the Start of Term feast. Harry greeted us all, and Professor Byrd led in the first years. They all looked so small and nervous that I couldn't help but smile in a amused sort of way. They all stood in one big group around the area with the Sorting Hat. Professor Byrd called each new student up.
More than half way through the list, Missy's name was called. She walked up to the stool and sat down. Byrd placed the Sorting Hat on her head. A few moments later, it cried, "Gryffindor!" Missy, looking quite happy, gave the Hat back to Byrd and came over to sit with me. Soon enough Everett was called up. The Sorting Hat was barely on his head when it shouted, "Gryffindor!" Everett sat down in the seat opposite me.
"Being a Weasley's so predictable," he grumbled.
"William and Angel aren't in Gryffindor," Veronica pointed out.
"I guess not," Everett ran his fingers through his straight brown hair. I grinned slightly. Ricky did that when ever he was annoyed or nervous. It's so interesting that siblings can be so much alike, yet so different at the same time.
"It's not so bad, Ev. Gryffindor's great! And we've got a killer Quidditch team." Ricky ruffled Everett's hair.
"Great."
"I've got power this year as well, my dear brother," Ricky grinned wickedly.
"As do I," I pointed out. "And if you abuse your power, I've got every right and ability to punish you."
Ricky scowled at me and turned to talk with Alice. I rolled my eyes and talked with Maddie, Missy, and Veronica for the rest of the meal. When Harry dismissed us, I tapped Ricky on the shoulder.
"Want to go take a look at our new dorms?"
"Don't we have a meeting or something?"
"Not until tomorrow afternoon." I headed towards the door of the Great Hall, kissing William on the cheek when I passed him. "Good night!"
"Night, Enna!" William called back over his shoulder as a flood of students forced him down the hall.
"Weren't you going to wait for me?" Ricky demanded when he caught up to me.
"You didn't seem to interested."
"I am! Alice just. . .detained me."
"We're not suppose to snog in the middle of the Great Hall! Especially on the first night back. It could scar the first years you know."
"We weren't snogging, Enna. She just wanted to know where I was going."
"You know you're not married, right? She doesn't have to know where you're going all the time."
"She doesn't usually ask."
"It's because you're with me, right?" I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," Ricky muttered and ran his fingers through his hair.
I laughed, "She has to get over this sometime soon. Come on!" I pulled towards our new portrait hole. A lady dressed like a Greek goddess greeted us. I gave her the password and she let us enter. The room we came to was pretty much bare except for a fire place and a rug. There were two flights of stairs in opposite directions. Over each read either, Head Boy or Head Girl.
"Race you!" Ricky raced up the boy's stairs. He called back, "See you soon, slowpoke!"
"Not fair!" I raced up the girl's stairs quickly as I could. Two flights of stairs later, I reached the Head Girl's dorm. 'Selene Lupin' shown softly in the lamp light on the door in small swirly letters. I opened the door slowly, slightly nervous. This would be the first school year I've ever had my own room. Not that was a bad thing really. No more Alice and Nina to deal with would be nice.
The dorm itself was lovely. The whole thing was decorated in crimson and gold. It had a large bed, closet, and its own bathroom. Plus there was a sitting area complete with fire place. I sat in one of the cushy chairs and watched the fire blaze for a moment.
Something glinted out of the corner of my eye. There was a curtain on the left wall of the dorm that nearly concealed a heavy wooden door. I opened it curiously. It led into a stone hallway, lit with lamps glowing with bright blue-purple fire and carpeted in a rich red.. I walked down the hall and knocked on the door that it led to. Ricky, looking very confused, opened it.
"Hello, neighbor," I grinned. "Apparently we've got a secret passage way connecting our rooms."
"Really?" Ricky walked passed me, down to my dorm room and looked around inside."So they do. Strange really. You know, since there's only a few flights of stairs separating us as it is."
I shrugged, "Could be some sort of emergency excape thing."
"In Hogwarts?"
"Sure, why not? But then again, it could just be another secret passage way the founders felt like putting in."
"True."
He walked half way back and sat down in the middle of the hallway, his back against one of the walls. Without glancing at me, he patted the space next to him. I walked over and sat down.
I could tell something was bothering Ricky, but I didn't say a word. He would eventually tell me, whether if it took a few minutes or a few days. He always did in the end.
We sat in silence for awhile. "It's our last year here," Ricky said finally.
"Yeah, it is," I replied.
"After June we'll be on our own to make our way in the world. . ."
"You're right," I whispered.
"Merlin, I can't imagine not being here at Hogwarts." Ricky closed his eyes, banging the back of his head against the stone wall gently.
"I can't either at the moment." I twisted a strand of my hair around my index finger.
Ricky sighed, "Honestly? I'm terrified of the thought."
"The being on your own bit?"
"Yeah, it does. I know it sounds really dumb and all--"
"Not at all! Ricky, I'm scared of that thought too," I told him gently. I honestly was. I was still unsure of what my job was going to be, where I was going to live, and other things like that.
"Really?"
"Yes, but what keeps me sane is that I know my friends will be there for me! And Ricky, we'll be here for you too! Zarah, William, James, Sirius, and even our sixth year friends."
"What about you?"
"Always. You're my best friend, Ricky. There's no question about that." I smiled at him.
"What if--"
"Even if we have a huge fight like last year, you'll always be my friend. I care for you too much to loose you over something trivial, Fredrick Weasley. The same goes for William, James, and Sirius. You four were my first friends. I won't ever forget that."
"Thanks, En." Ricky stared at the ground for a moment before looking up at me, an amused smile on his face. "So, how big of a deal did your parents make over the whole Head Girl thing?"
Hmm, not entirely sure I like this chapter, but it took me ages, so this is what it is! Sorry it took so long.
As you've probably noticed, I'm not allowed to post replys to reviews in chapters anymore. However, if you post a SIGNED review, I will get to you!
Til Next Time,
Anne