A/F: I have a vague idea where this story is going, but I hope that we can take this journey together. I love Harry Potter in every way possible and writing it is the way I extend my love. I'm self-editing as of now, so if anyone see's any sort of foolish mistake; feel free to let me know in a review or private message. I won't get offended, I promise!
XOXO,
Emmie Rose
"Well I can't say I haven't been waiting for this," Professor McGonagall sighed, coming down the stairs of her private quarters and standing to the side of the desk. "Though I was hoping we could hold this off until at least Friday you three."
"I didn't do anything this time." Kaylie grumbled. Professor McGonagall gave her a raised eyebrow and she bit her bottom lip. "I'm just saying it's James' fault!" she exclaimed finally. I shot her a dirty look and she stuck her tongue out at me.
"My fault! Oh gee thanks mate, throw me to the Hippogriff!" I snapped, glaring at the side of her head.
"You are the one that dropped that thing," Kent sighed. He was picking at his arm. The goop had hardened at this point and we were all caked with it. Professor McGonagall gave us a sharp look and waved her wand. The goop vanished.
"Thank you Professor," Kaylie sighed, taking her own wand and tapping the end of her plait. It became loose and she begun to run her fingers through it, un-braiding it and letting it flow down her shoulders in tumbles and waves.
"You're welcome Ms. Scott. Now will one of you explain why you're here?" She gave us one of her infamous looks, her lips pressed into a tight line. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Kaylie looked between me and Kent and groaned a little.
"James was being a complete twat—pardon my language—but he wouldn't leave me alone and I was trying to concentrate on my Draught of Peace, since it will be on our O.W.L.S-"
"Is it really going to be on our O.W.L.S? Great, I didn't even finish and for once I actually didn't have anything to do with what happened," Kent groaned, glaring at the two of us.
"Yes, and now I'm going to have to stay up late tonight to make it up and beg Professor Vector to take it so I won't get a zero on this whole assignment," Kaylie snapped, glaring right back.
"Alright, continue," Professor McGonagall sighed, her voice rising above Kent and Kaylie's.
"So she hit me and I dropped a VomitSack," I relinquished.
"You dropped a what?" Professor questioned, blanching a bit.
"A VomitSack. It's like a muggle toy called a hackysack, but once it hits the ground it explodes," I explained with a small sigh.
"I take it its one of your Uncle's inventions?"
"Yeah, pretty much," I sighed. Professor McGonagall pressed her fingertips together and looked at the three of us.
"You will stay up here for dinner while I talk to Professor Vector and your Head of House about what she wants to do with you. And yes, I will speak to her about your assignment Kaylie. No need to get yourself in a tizzy," Professor sighed, noticing Kaylie getting worked up in one of her states. She stood up and waved her wand, conjuring a plate of sandwiches and a jug of pumpkin juice from thin air.
"Oh and James, your brother and cousin will be meeting with Hagrid tomorrow afternoon," she stated, turning to James. His eyes widened. I remember that day exactly because we accompanied James. Their parents trusted Hagrid with everything, so as each child came to Hogwarts it was Hagrid's job to explain to them their families' part in the uprising and the war. James has had to keep it a secret for the past five years.
"So soon?"
"Well Albus and Miss Weasley are rather inquisitive aren't they?" Professor McGonagall replied with a wry smile. "Oh and I will be, or rather Professor Longbottom will be, writing your parents about this."
Kent and I groaned loudly as Kaylie let out a huff.
"Mum is going to go ballistic! This is the soonest we've been in here yet," I groaned, anticipating the Howler I was most likely going to get. Professor McGonagall let out what could only be a laugh from her.
"If they get too upset at you James, just remind your father about the flying car," she stated before swiftly exiting the room. The three of us sat still for a minute. Flying car? I looked at the food on the table and launched myself at the sandwiches before grabbing a handful of crisps at the same time in order to quell my stomach before we could assess the situation.
"Merlin, I am so hungry I would've gone starkers in a snow storm just to get some food," I groaned in relief. Kent laughed and took a handful of food for himself.
"How much trouble do you think we'll be in?" He questioned.
"Who knows? Vector was completely livid," I declared, spraying food from my mouth in the process. Kaylie gave me a disgusted look.
"It's all because of you James," Kaylie grumbled. I opened my mouth to retort, but Kent let out a small shout.
"It's both your faults, now just shove it and eat," he groaned wearily. Kaylie stuck her tongue out at me before taking her own bite of sandwich. I retorted by opening my mouth at her while it was full. She gagged. I grinned.
"You're gross," she stated simply. I laughed at her and took a large swig of pumpkin juice.
"Speaking of, Rory is quite the looker. I wouldn't mind going to Madam Puttifoot's with that girl and I hate that place." I announced, waggling my eyebrows at Kent. He smirked as Kaylie made a noise of discontent.
"What? I can't fancy a lady?" I questioned, glaring at Kaylie. She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, with it shining in the candlelight it looked like highly polished broomstick wood.
"One, the whole Rory thing came out of nowhere James. And two, I wouldn't mind if you were truly fancying a girl, but you're leering. You hog." Kaylie replied with an air of discontent. She smoothed out the front of her robes and sat gingerly on the chair.
"Did you buy some beautifying robes with all those skirts, Kay? Because it was a waste of your money, they don't work." I announced, watching the robes fall to her form in a perfectly flattering way.
"Oh shut it and shove off James before I shove your wand up your nose." She snapped, erasing all the lady-like air she possessed seconds ago.
"Tsk, tsk, no such woman should speak like that. Why do you shove off to bed young lady?" I replied, clucking my tongue and shaking my head, causing a lock of my hair to fall into my eyes. Kaylie advanced towards me a few feet, before stopping and glaring.
"What is with you two today? You've been bickering ever since we sat down in Potions. To be completely honest, it's rather tiring," Kent groaned, looking between the two of us. Kaylie sat down again with a small 'hmph' and took a large bite of her sandwich.
"Can we just get along?" Kent finished, talking to us as if we were children.
"Once James says he's sorry for saying that no guy could find me attractive," Kaylie snorted, looking at me from the corner of her eyes. I sighed and looked between her and Kent, who was eyeing me wearily.
"Fine, fine, I take it back. I was just trying to get you riled up," I sighed, taking a big swig of pumpkin juice. The large portrait of Headmaster Dumbledore was looking at the three of us with an air of humor. He laughed and we looked at him quizzically.
"You three just remind me of some old students that often sat speaking with Professor McGonagall, though I don't believe they were quite as vocal with their arguments," he explained, examining us behind his half-moon spectacles. Kaylie furrowed her brow at him.
"Who?" Kent questioned.
"Oh, their names don't matter. But I can see, from the way you fight, that you care," he finished.
I looked at Kent and Kaylie. They both had expressions of bewilderment upon their faces. Kent's sandwich was hovering halfway to his lips. The door to the office slammed open and a de-gooped Professor Vector came thundering in followed by a very weary Professor Longbottom. He stopped when he saw our faces and cocked his head to the side.
"I was just telling these three that they remind me of some old students that you may know, Professor Longbottom," Dumbledore piped us. Longbottom's face changed to one of realization and he nodded.
"Yes, I can see where you would get that. But these three sure fight more with each other then they did. But I suppose that would be the fact that we have siblings included," he replied.
"Professor! I want reparation, but Headmistress said since they are in your house they are under your jurisdiction, even if it was my classroom," Professor Vector snapped.
"There, there Nettle, I will take care of it. But what do you suggest?"
"A week's worth of detention for the three of them and zeros on the assignment," she answered coldly.
"A zero! Professor, please, you can't give me a zero! Not during O.W.L.S year!" Kaylie gasped, her breathing becoming shallower. Kent and I exchanged looks. Kaylie was working herself into a full blown panic attack.
"Professor, I'll take two weeks detention if you let Kaylie make up her assignment," I announced quietly. Silence fell over the room. Kaylie was giving me a wide-eyed look. "It was my fault after all."
Professor Longbottom gave me an unreadable look. Kaylie was still gaping at me, the tears hanging in the corner of her eyes.
"How about you all get two days detention and ten points taken a piece? I feel that's fair, don't you Nettle?" Longbottom stated calmly. Vector gaped at him.
"It was only a toy," he explained. Vector's face turned bright red and she was glaring at us mutinously.
"If that's what you wish, they have a three foot essay on the properties of moonstone due next lesson. It will be graded as your O.W.L.S will," she stated finally, turning on her heel and striding out of the room.
"I'll be writing your parents about this," Longbottom declared, once the door was shut. We all looked at our feet. Kaylie was still getting over the fact that she was given the opportunity to make up the assignment.
"I'll tell your parents about your suggestion as well, James. It was very noble," he added. I looked up at him. I knew in this moment it was Neville speaking to me and not my Head of House.
"Thank you so much, Professor. Really," Kaylie sighed, her hands still shaking. I slung an arm around her shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze.
"You're welcome Ms. Scott. Now why don't you three go back up to the common room? And count your blessings you didn't have the potions teacher I did when I was at school," Professor stated, standing aside so we could trudge out. I looked at Kaylie and Kent as we walked along the corridor to the main hall. Dinner was just getting out and the throng of students engulfed us. It was then I started to laugh.
"We dodged that bludger didn't we?" I laughed, slinging an arm around each of my friends. They both groaned and gave me identical shoves. I was right though, it could've been worse.
ӿӿKaylieӿӿ
I bid James and Kent goodbye as I branched off to go to the library. I needed to start on my Ancient Runes essay and really needed to check out Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms to complete it. I hefted my bag higher on my shoulder and ran a hand through my long, dark, hair. The Sleekeazy was wearing off, but for some reason it kept its ultra shine. I grabbed the ends and began to examine them for any split hairs that I would have to sever off with my wand. I ran into something solid and ricochet off, sprawling onto the hard stone.
"Oh Merlin! Sorry Kaylie!"
I looked up and wished the floor would just suck me into the depths of the castle. Luke stood over me, offering a hand. Body, why won't you work? Just lift your arm. Do it!
"Are you alright? Do you need to go see Madame Harvey?" He questioned, kneeling down next to me. I sat up and blinked a bit.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I was just…looking at my hair…" I mumbled lamely, flicking it back over my shoulder and feeling my cheeks heat up.
"No, I should've watched where I was going," he remarked. We were sitting at the entrance to the library and Madame Pince was looking like she was going to murder us.
"We better move," I remarked, pointing it out. Luke looked up and let out a small laugh.
"Yeah, well, I'll just catch you later," he remarked picking up the pile of books he got out.
"Oh! Hey, I came for Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms too!"
Luke looked down at the book under his arm and blushed.
"I got the last one," he answered sheepishly.
"Oh, well that perfectly alright, I'll just do my essay tomorrow," I answered hurriedly, giggling crazily.
"No, you shouldn't have to do that! We can share it." He smiled, proffering me his hand. This time I took it and let him aide me to my feet.
ӿӿJamesӿӿ
"So then Vector was threatening us with expulsion, but I performed a quick memory charm and took care of that. But we had to go to McGonagall's because everyone else heard it," I explained as Rory sat riveted in the chair next to me.
"You know how to do a memory charm?" she questioned, breathlessly.
"Please, he can hardly perform a proper banishing charm," Kent snorted as he came down from the dormitory, a worn Wizard's Chess set tucked under his arm.
"And his color changing charm is positively feeble!" Fred shouted from across the room.
"We got detention and some points taken away. Don't listen to any of the bullocks he feeds you Rory." Kent announced, dragging a chair over to the table that Becca was sitting at and setting up the chess set.
I walked over to Kent and smacked him upside the head.
"Ruin my match why don't you," I snapped. Rory laughed and walked over, slipping her arm through mine.
"Don't worry James, I still think it was incredibly brave of you even if you didn't do it," she giggled. Kent snorted and ordered a piece to move. I looked around the common room, which was packed as usual. Victorie sat in a corner, immersed in a book.
"Be right back Rory, I'm going to go see if Vic knows where Kay is," I explained. Rory furrowed her brow but settled back into her arm chair, allowing her grey cat to curl in her lap.
"Hey Vic, have you seen Kay?" I questioned, sliding on the bench next to her. She looked up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"When I left the library she was still there," she smiled, her eyes twinkling.
"But it's past curfew and she's not with us, so she always follows curfew," I remarked, with a slight frown.
"She's a prefect, remember? She has a different one than the common masses," Victorie laughed.
"I always forget she got that bloody badge," I snorted. Victorie frowned and looked past me.
"Rory keeps staring at you," she remarked.
"Yeah, we're hanging out this weekend with Kent and Becca," I replied. Victorie's perfect features scrunched into confusion.
"You are? When did that happen?"
"Today," I laughed, giving my cousin a small shrug and walking back over to Rory.
"Kaylie not around?" Rory asked rather coldly.
"No….she's in the library…" I answered, staring at Rory in confusion. She brightened up at this and scooted over so I could squish in the same arm chair as her. I sunk into it and pulled her legs over my lap.
"So what do you want to do this weekend? I can take you up on my broom," I suggested as Rory beamed at me.
ӿӿKaylieӿӿ
I carefully walked back to the Common room, taking as many secret short cuts as I could and attempting to avoid any teachers. It was far after curfew, but Luke and I just lost track of the time. We were in a back corner, studying away, and by the time we looked at our watch it was rounding eleven thirty. I was on cloud nine.
"Flabbergast," I sighed to the Fat Lady. She raised her eyebrows at me but swung forward anyways. I climbed through the portrait hole. The common room was empty except for Victorie, who was slumped over a book in the corner, fast asleep. I walked over and gently nudged her awake.
"What are you still doing down here?" I questioned when she woke up and blinked at me. She gasped when she realized who she was looking at and sat bolt upright.
"Kaylie! You're back! It's late, but you're back. I've been waiting for you!" She gasped, automatically smoothing down her hair.
"Why would you wait for me Vic?" I questioned, sitting next to her and beginning to straighten out her messy books.
"Because James is going out with Rory this weekend," she replied slowly, looking at me like she was handling a near-detonated pack of Exploding Snap cards. I stared at her. Was this supposed to mean something to me?
"So? James can obviously date who he pleases," I answered stiffly.
"Aren't you upset?" Victorie questioned.
"No…though I'm a little mad because Kent obviously isn't quite over her yet."
"You're mad because of Kent?" Victorie screeched.
"Why else would I be upset?"
"Because James was the boy you fancied!"
I stared at her. James? She thought I did all this for James? I started to laugh.
"I don't fancy James! That's plain barmy!" I announced in between giggles. Victorie looked at me blankly.
"If you don't fancy James then who do you fancy?"
"Luke Masters," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks go bright red.
"LUKE? As in my sisters friend Luke!"
"Yes! Will you shut up Vic? You'll wake the whole house!" I hissed, slapping a hand over her mouth.
"I was so off! I'm never off! Boy, you're lucky Dom fancies the Hufflepuff Quiddich Captain now, because she would hex you if you went after a boy she was into." Victorie sighed, gathering the neat stack of books I made. She stooped down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"We will make this happen. You can tell me all about it in the morning, over breakfast," she declared, skipping up the steps to the Girls Dormitories.
I watched her light up the steps and into her dorm before sitting back on the cushioned bench and staring into the dying embers of the fireplace. I couldn't help but wonder if it was safe to go up to my own dormitory or if they were all still awake chattering. To be honest, I knew that they were probably still awake because we always used to stay awake gossiping after the first day of classes. Who was seeing who now, who had a change for the worse over summer, stuff like that. They were probably up chattering about how Rory was going out with the debonair and handsome James Potter. I wasn't going to deny what I've heard girls whisper about him and I'm not going to ignore the fact that he is rather handsome. He has perfectly mused black hair, deep brown eyes and the Quiddich helped tone his body, and his smile and charm can sway a giant. Sometimes I think he's part Veela and not just Victorie because he can charm anyone that comes in his path. Too bad I didn't think of him in that way. I guess I can always just perform a silencing charm on the curtains around my bed. I let out a hefty sigh and gazed around the common room at the discarded parchment and broken quills. How come I felt like all the air had been let out from under my wings?
I slowly stood up and looked at my watch. I needed to get to bed, I didn't get to do research on Thestrals that was due next week so I was going to wake up early and get it done before breakfast. I don't want to get behind on the first day, but then again this was the most first day homework we've ever gotten. I trudged up the spiral staircase and reached for the doorknob, but stopped when I heard my name mentioned.
"He said he was going to take me up on his broom this weekend. I don't even think Kaylie's done that," Rory was saying triumphantly.
"Well that's because Kaylie doesn't like to fly. Everyone knows that," Lizzie commented. I gave a silent cheer to Lizzie's guts when it came to her friends. "And what happened to Kent?"
I held my breath, hoping they would continue on with the direction that the conversation was going.
"I don't know. James just seemed more interested and it is James Potter after all. Plus, Kent seemed pretty interested in Becca over there," Rory replied. I bit my lip as she spoke about James. It was like she was just interested in him because of what his name is and not who he was. I deliberately cleared my throat and jiggled the doorknob. The chatter became silent. I composed myself and opened the door, slipping into the circular room. Becca and Sarah were clustered on Rory's bed, but they weren't talking anymore. They were oddly immersed the copies of Witch Weekly spread out on the bed. Sarah was painstakingly painting Becca's toenails in the new color changing nail varnish from Wizard's Wheezes that changed according to what mood you were in.
"Hey Kay! Where have you been?" Lizzie exclaimed, putting her book aside and bounding on her knees. She looked at me with her eyes wide. I rolled them to show her that I did, in fact, hear the words uttered behind closed doors.
"I've been at the library," I sighed, sitting down on my trunk and carefully removing my boots. I flipped the soles upside down and began to attack them with a scouring charm. The little posse on the bed broke into a fit of whispers. I finished my shoes and stored them in the bottom of my allotted wardrobe.
"Problem ladies?" I questioned, unbuttoning my school skirt and stripping off my tights and putting them into my laundry bag.
"Not at all Kaylie. You've been in the library this whole time?" Rory questioned, casually flicking through her magazine at an unnatural pace.
"Yeah, I was studying and lost track of time. What's with the inquisition?" I replied turning around to look at them.
"No inquisition, James was just saying to me that it was weird you weren't back yet," Lizzie remarked quickly, smiling at us all.
"James seems to talk about you a lot. Anything going on there?" Rory questioned, putting down her magazine and looking at me harshly. I blinked and began to unbutton my school shirt.
"You know there isn't Rory. We're mates that's it," I sighed, turning back around and pulling out my flannel pajama pants and a tank top. I slipped them on and deposited the rest of my clothes in the laundry hamper. The girls started whispering again. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at them. Lizzie gave me a small smile and patted the bed. I walked over and sat on the bed, drawing my knees up to my chest. Lizzie examined me and grabbed her wand. She flicked her wand, drawing the curtains closed. She flicked it once again, muttering 'muffuliato'.
"Rory mentions your name in a negative way after every James related sentence," she sighed.
"I don't even fancy him. Honestly I don't Lizzie…I fancy someone else," I admitted, biting my lower lip so I wouldn't smile so big. Our night in the library was still playing in loops through my head.
"I won't pry…" Lizzie sighed, leaning against her headboard.
"No, cancel the spell. I want Rory to hear this, because we both know that they're itching to hear any word that comes from this bed. Just ask why I was so late again," I smirked. Lizzie flicked her wand at the curtains. I gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand in thanks. At least one girl was on my side.
"So, why were you so late tonight? Were you really studying by yourself?" Lizzie asked loudly, giving me a large wink. I planted a palm on my forehead and shook my head. I didn't mean ask so obviously.
"Because I ran into Luke Masters when I was going into the library. He happened to check out the last copy of the book I needed, so he offered we share it. We're going to continue tomorrow after dinner," I explained, finally allowing myself to giggle like the school girl I was. Lizzie's jaw dropped. She wiggled on her legs and readjusted herself.
"Luke Masters, the Ravenclaw chaser?" She questioned in a breathless voice.
"The very one! I didn't even think he knew who I was until we were on the Hogwarts Express yesterday!" I exclaimed. It was nice talking to Lizzie about this. I usually don't have anyone to discuss boys with because James and Kent just look at me as if I've gone mad.
"That's brilliant Kay," Lizzie sighed, patting my hand. I bit my lip and pulled back the curtain. I was half way through the gap between our beds, when Lizzie grabbed my arm. I turned around and gave her a questioning look.
"I'm not saying that you weren't very fashionable before, but you really look fantastic…" Lizzy started, averting her eyes.
"Thanks Liz. I just thought it was time for a change, you know?" I smiled. She looked up at me, blushed, than looked at her hands again.
"Do you think you could give me a few pointers?" She whispered, looking frightfully at the other three beds. The other girls were all tucked away, but the way their blankets moved up and down they were obviously only feigning sleep.
"Well Victorie was the one that worked all the magic, no pun intended, but I'm sure she'd love to help you. But to be completely honest, you're really pretty on your own Liz. Maybe let your hair down once in a while, yeah?" I suggested, giving her a warm smile. She blushed and pulled the blankets higher over her shoulders while fingering the end of her bright yellow hair. I carefully placed my wand on my bedside table and picked up my brush. I began to run it through my waist length hair, teasing out the tangles and knots that have developed now that the hair potion had completely wore off.
"Do you really fancy Luke?" Came a soft voice from across the room. I looked over at Rory, who was sitting up and staring at me thoughtfully.
"You're honestly going nutters for nothing Rory. My relationship with James is completely platonic-er-we're just mates," I explained with a sigh. Rory nodded and settled beneath her covers. I took my wand and extinguished all the lamps that were dimmed around the room. What a first day.
ӿӿKentӿӿ
"Kent! Get up!" James shouted as a pillow collided into the back of my head. I raised my face from my pillow and blearily looked up at him.
"Go away, I'll skip class," I grumbled, flipping over and pulling the pillow over my face.
"Dude, its six thirty, but we're sick of hearing you snore. Plus I'm starving," James groaned. I waved a hand at him and let out a loud argumentative grunt. Suddenly I was hoisted upside down by my ankle.
"BLOODY HELL JAMES! PUT ME DOWN!" I shouted, now fully awake and attempting to pull down my pajama top. James was smirking, holding his wand aloft. Connor and Trevor were in fits of laughter, halfway in between putting on clothes.
"I HATE WHOEVER TAUGHT YOU THAT SPELL! NOW PUT ME DOWN!"
James smirked and swept his wand. I came crashing down on to the bed, bounced off the mattress and to the floor. The laughter stopped. I stared at the ceiling as three faces popped into view.
"You alright, mate?" James questioned hesitantly. I glared at him.
"Didn't really think that through, did you?" I questioned, sitting up and rubbing the back of my neck.
"Not completely, no," James replied, biting his lip and holding back a laugh.
"You owe me ten phony predictions for Divination," I snapped, looking at my opened trunk and all around it.
"Where are my bloody trainers?" I groaned, rolling on my stomach and checking under my bed.
"You still have time to go look for them. Check the common room," Trevor announced, going back to putting on his pants. I groaned, shot one more glare at my still sniggering best friend, and started to go downstairs. I spied my worn trainers underneath a table and grabbed them before glancing around.
The common room was pretty much empty still, except for a lone figure in the corner. They were fast asleep with her deep chestnut hair spread all over the open text book.
"Why is Kaylie down here in her pajamas? Or wait, weren't those your pajama pants?" James questioned, standing behind me and scuffing up his bed head.
"Note the books, don't be thick," I sighed. James smiled at me and trotted over to her. He sat down next to her and gave me an impish grin.
"Shall I levicorpus her too?" he whispered. I widened my eyes.
"Not unless you want her to hex your bollocks off. You tend to forget the time she made you dance for an hour straight last year," I laughed. James shrugged and grabbed the quill from under her hand. He flipped it around and began to tickle her nose with it. She twitched, swatted the air with a hand and flipped her head away. James began to shake with silent laughter and brought his arm around so he could tickle her again. She began to swat at it again but this time she brought her other arm around James' back and smacked him one hard upside the head.
"Oi! What was that for?" He exclaimed, falling on top of her back and massaging his head. I burst out laughing as the two of them attempted to untangle themselves but tumbled to the floor with James lying sideways on Kaylie's stomach. She was swatting his back and trying to wiggle away.
"Get your fat arse off me James! How the heck did you get into the girls dormitories?" She shrieked. James finally got to his knees and looked down at Kaylie with a perplexed expression, pushing his hair off his forehead.
"You're in the common room Kaylie," I announced, walking over. She looked around her and sat up.
"Oh right, I moved down here…" she sighed, raising her wrist so she could look at her watch. "Oh bugger! Is this really the time?" She gasped, standing up and trying to tidy her work to her OCD standards.
"I haven't even showered!" she groaned, attempting to order her notes by date and subject.
"Kaylie, it's the second day of school. Why the heck would you be up all night doing coursework? Are you behind already? Isn't that supposed to be Kent and I?" James snorted. Kaylie paused and looked at the two of us briefly before tapping the papers on the table so they were all even.
"No, I'm not behind at all. I just woke up at around three and couldn't go back to sleep," she sighed. She plopped down onto the bench and started to finger comb her hair.
"Usual nightmare?" I questioned, sitting down to Kaylie and nudging her with my shoulder. James sat on the other side of her and quietly began to organize her school books to her liking. Kaylie nodded and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"It was probably Hagrid's lesson yesterday," she remarked, looking at me from the corner of her eyes. I gave her hand a squeeze.
"Here, this pile is the books you'll need for today all organized by course schedule," James remarked, patting one of the piles he was sorting. Kaylie lifted her head and looked at James for a second before throwing her arms around his neck. James gave me a startled look and I shrugged. Finally he gently wound his arms around her and gave her a quick squeeze. Kaylie let go, took a shuddering breath, and stood up.
"I'm just going to go shower. I won't have time to eat so I'll meet you at Transfiguration, yeah?" she announced, gathering her belongings and scampering up the stairs. James and I looked at each other until the silence was broken by a few third years coming down the boys' dormitory stairs.
"Does your dad talk to you about the case?" I questioned, standing up and starting back towards the stairs. James shrugged and roughly ran both hands through his hair. We jogged up the stairs in silence while James contemplated his answer.
"Not really…but, he tells me that he has leads sometimes," James answered as we reached our landing.
"Do you think, if maybe I wrote him and asked would he tell me anything?" I questioned, pausing with my hand on the door handle. James stared at me, part in shock and part in amusement.
"I honestly don't know, because you're not of age yet but honestly it's worth a try. He told us about his past when we got to Hogwarts, that has got to count for something mate," James answered, giving me a small smile. I nodded seriously and yanked open the door. Trevor and Conner were lying sideways on the extra bed in our room, scribbling furiously on pieces of parchment.
"Doing summer assignments on the day of? Honestly?" I questioned, stripping off my pajama pants and pulling on a pair of trousers.
"No…we're just…adding to it? Oh bloody hell, we both had completely different answers for those questions assigned for Defense so we're changing it completely. We figured if we both have the same answer, Professor Wipple will have to give us some credit, right?" Connor admitted.
"Or you'll both get it wrong?" James laughed, standing in front of the mirror and attempting to tie his tie.
"You'd think after five years, I'd be able to get it bloody even," he groaned, throwing his sweater over it and tucking the end of the tie into his trousers with his shirt. I choked back a laugh.
"Just let Kaylie fix it, she always does," Trevor sighed, grabbing his bag and exiting the dormitory with Connor. James shot me a confused look. I shrugged and slipped my tie over my head and into my collar.
"You should just not untie it, like me," I suggested, bending over and tying my shoe.
"No! Then it gets all wrinkly, I'd rather have her do it for me…" James protested, slipping on his shoes and grabbing his bag.
"Shall we head to breakie? I'm starved," he remarked, opening the door and motioning with his hand. I rolled my eyes, cuffed him over the head, and made my way down the stairs with James thundering after me. Becca was sitting in front of the fireplace, chatting animatedly with Sarah. She looked up and brightened when she saw me enter the room and jumped up. She and Sarah giggled slightly as James and I leveled up with them.
"Morning," she stated, putting on a straight face.
"Morning, Bex. Did you sleep well?" I questioned, motioning for her to leave the common room. She shrugged and ran her fingers through her short hair.
"Pretty well, but only after your sister left in the middle of the night," she sighed.
"Was she screaming? She does that during her night terrors. Usually you just wake her up," James piped up. Sarah and Becca exchanged a look with raised eyebrows.
"Is something wrong with her? Like in the head?" Sarah questioned suddenly. I stopped walking, making Becca trip slightly because she had threaded her arm through mine. I shoved my fists deeper in my pocket.
"No, nothing is wrong with her in the head. She's one of the brightest in our year and you know that." James snapped before I could even open my mouth.
"We've just been through a lot," I mumbled.
"Oh…with your-" Sarah started, until Becca gave her a stern look.
"I'll help her next time Kent, don't worry," Becca sighed, looking up at me with doleful eyes. I gave her a small smile, but receded within myself. I wish I could help Kay in some way. Yeah, I still suffer from the pain, but I don't internalize it as much as Kaylie does. It worries me, but I can't even bring it up to Mum because she gets too upset.
It wasn't until we sat down for Transfiguration after breakfast that I pulled out a fresh piece of paper. Kaylie was complaining about having to always fix James' tie, but gave me an approving smile when I readied my quill.
"Nice to see I'm not the only one that will take notes today. Professor Halloway gets really strict this year," she smiled, giving James a stern look. James shrugged, but pulled out his own piece of parchment. I could see Rory frowning at the exchange from across the room. Professor Halloway marched into the room and set his worn leather briefcase on the desk, before turning around and writing the terms of the year on the board with a flick of his wand. The class' head bowed in unison and began to scribble what was written. I gently took out my wand and waved it over my paper, muttering a few choice words. Now it would only show notes if Kaylie looked over. It was a neat trick Fred taught James and me last year so we could pass notes in class. I sucked on the tip of my quill and thought about how I was going to phrase this. Finally I dipped it in my pot of ink and began to write.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I know you're a very busy man, being Head Auror and all, but I was wondering if I could ask you a small favor. Our first Care of Magical Creatures lesson was this year was studying the schools' herd of thestrals and as you can guess it was a difficult lesson for my sister and I to face. James then brought up that the case regarding the murder of our father was still open and active (don't get cross with James, he was just trying to comfort Kaylie and I). I know it's not my place and that I'm still not of age, but I was wondering if you could possibly give me any recent information regarding it. I would ask my Mum, but she get's rather cross and upset whenever Kaylie or I bring it up and I know her job is stressful enough for her.
I know my request is rather odd and abrupt, but it's not so much for me as it is for my sister. See, she still has night terrors, awful ones that wake her in the middle of the night and make it so she can't fall back asleep. She puts everything she has into her school work because it's just easier for her to put effort into something other then what happened. Every day she becomes more and more tense and anxious and it's affecting her. She near about has a panic attack if her books or paper, or Merlin forbids her clothes, aren't in the proper order. This kills me, Mr. Potter, because before my Dad passed (when I was about ten or so) he told me that if anything happened to him that it was up to me to care for my Mum and especially Kaylie, because we're twins and nobody could connect to her the way I do.
I'm not asking to jump on the case with you (but I would, if it means I could help), but I would like something that I can turn into a comfort for her. She deserves to have a normal life again, where things other than school, order, and lessons matter. Deep down I wonder if the information that this wizard was somewhat close to being put away would be some sort of a comfort for her. It's all I can think of to do to help her.
Thank you for your time,
Kenneth Scott