Chapter Six: Letters
Michelle cracked open her eyes and was immediately scared out of her wits by a huge pair of blue eyes staring back at her. She reacted by promptly screaming, jerking backwards and falling right out of bed.
"Don't do that! I think you just took a few years off my lifespan…" Michelle cried from the floor, holding a hand to her heart.
Elisa was laughing loudly, "How long was it, Kailey?"
Yeah, you laugh now, I'm gunna get you later. Evil people.
"Twenty-six seconds," She replied, "That breaks your record, sorry Elisa. She beat you,"
"What are you two talking about?" Michelle glared at them and pulled herself from the cold floor of the Hogwarts girl's dormitories.
Elise smiled and dug through her trunk in search of a pair of socks. "You broke my record of how long it took you to wake up when someone stares at you. I had the winning time of only thirty-one seconds, but now it's gone. You're good," She found the socks and slipped them on. "Come on and get dressed, breakfast is only served for another half an hour,"
"What time is it?" Michelle glanced at her watch. Seven thirty four. Too early for her liking.
came through the door with the Giant Squid on your shoulders,"
"Yeah, I know. Hey, thanks for holding the doors for us. Peter's sisters said that once the doors close, they lock and you can't go to class,"
"No," Michelle leaned in closer, hoping no one would care that they were talking. "My sister is a fourth year and she claims that all that happens is that if you get to class late, you lose points,"
Way too early for me to be in a very good mood, or for others to be so bright and cheery. This is going to be a very long seven years with these girls…
I think the voice of reason in this room is missing, wonder if it'll end up being Lily or me?
She dressed quickly, but as she buttoned up her cloak she noticed something missing.
"Where's Lily you guys?"
Kailey stood by the door, waiting patiently, well, for the time being at least. "She woke up way before any of us. I was just waking up as she was leaving, she said that she would try to find an older student to follow but she'd save seats for us if we wanted to hurry up. Though we have to find someone to follow too, or we might miss the food,"
Merlin forbid…0000000000000000000000000000000
They didn't miss it though; one of the older Gryffindors was nice enough to show them the way. Lily waved to them from the table, she had been sitting with Remus and eating some jelly on toast. He looked a little better than he did last night.
Maybe Remus was just really nervous last night. Everyone was, it's hard to tell if he vas scared or maybe he's ill. Could be either one really.
Remus moved over to make room for the three new arrivals so that they wouldn't have to ask a particularly moody looking sixth year boy to move down a little. They all sat down and pulled all sorts of breakfast towards themselves.
"Have we missed the mail?" Kailey asked Lily, looking uneasily at the ceiling.
I hope not.
"No, it should be coming soon," She ignored the "darn!" from Kailey and turned to Michelle, "I let Snickers go into the common room when I left earlier, I hope that's okay. She was scratching at the door to go out."
Michelle swallowed her mouthful and nodded, "It's alright, I want to keep her in my sight until we get to know the castle better. If she gets out now, I'll probably get lost trying to look for her,"
There was a gasp from a group of first year Hufflepuffs and they looked up. The mail was here. Kailey's eyes widened at the multitude of birds and she shielded her head from attack. Michelle laughed quietly, she wasn't expecting her parents to send her something on the first day, so that way she wasn't disappointed when they didn't.
There was a loud Bang! from the other side of the room as Sirius, James and Peter rushed into the Great Hall. Sirius's face blanched at the sight of the owls still swarming the place and he turned around to run back down the hall, but James grabbed him by the cloak and literally dragged him to some empty seats nearby.
"Sirius, you don't know that they will. Maybe they won't care… And if they do, just… try and get it over with quickly. We won't laugh at you. I mean it." James tried to consol a very twitchy looking Sirius while Peter looked confused.
Well he's being really nice to his friends, maybe James really isn't so bad after all.
"What are you two talking about?" He mumbled and began stuffing his face. They ignored him due to the fact that there was a large owl soaring down towards Sirius holding a red envelope and Sirius had gone deathly pale.
A Howler. Poor guy.
It landed in his plate, though there was no food present on it and held out its leg. He didn't take it.
"Come on, Sirius. Get it over with before more people get into the hall,"
Sirius gulped and took the slightly smoking letter.
"What's that?" Lily asked, not having a clue to what the red envelope meant.
"Plug your ears, Lily, this won't be pretty," Elisa mumbled, hands in place.
"Why-"
"YOU COMPLETELY DISGRACED THE FAMILY! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU DO THIS AFTER THE WAY YOUR FATHER AND I RAISED YOU! I WOULD BE IN THE RIGHT MIND TO TAKE YOU OUT OF THERE THIS INSTANT! OR WE SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE YOU TRANSFERRED TO SLYTHERIN! YOUR FATHER AND I WERE RIGHT! WE SHOULD HAVE PUT YOU IN DURMSTRANG! AT LEAST THERE YOU WOULDN'T BE A GRYFFINDOR! IF YOU PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN YOU WILL BE DISOWNED FORTHRIGHT! DON'T YOU DARE COME HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!"
The letter exploded with the force of a firecracker. Tiny shards of paper and ash rained down on the entire Gryffindor table, ruining anyone's not finished breakfast. No one laughed. After the initial shock, James patted Sirius on the shoulder and blew on his head, powder spiraling into the air.
Even some of the teachers looked shocked. Professor Dumbledore walked to Sirius's side, bent low and spoke quietly to him. Sirius nodded without taking his eyes off of the black spot on the tablecloth. James gave the headmaster a smile, which he returned, but it was a sad smile.
Michelle couldn't remember ever feeling sorrier for someone.
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Michelle looked at her schedule as Professor McGonagall passed it to her and her fellow first years.
8 o'clock: History of Magic with Hufflepuff
9 o'clock: Defense Against the Dark Arts with Slytherin
10 o'clock: Charms with Hufflepuff
11 o'clock: Potions with Slytherin
12 o'clock: Transfiguration with Ravenclaw
1 o'clock lunch
2 o'clock: Broomstick lesson with Ravenclaw
3 o' clock: Herbology with Hufflepuff
4 o'clock: Care of Magical Creatures with Ravenclaw
11 o'clock Thursdays: Astronomy
She glared at the first period History of Magic; her sister had always claimed that it was so boring that almost no one did well in the class because of the fact that they could not stay awake to hear the lesson. They had the most classes with the Ravenclaws and she couldn't complain.
At least it's not three periods with the Slytherins.
Though Potions would be murder, she hoped that she might be good at it to make up for the bad luck.
Glancing up, someone caught her eye as they sat down across from her. Camille Yazinka. Where had she come from? Michelle didn't recall seeing her anytime after the feast. And she had never come to bed. Where was she last night?
The girl sat, looking thoroughly depressed and forlorn across the table. She wasn't eating. The teachers had swept the ashes from the food a minute ago. She wasn't eating, but staring down the table with vacant blue eyes. Even her posture seemed to be absent of any energy; she was slumped against the table, shoulders hunched and arms crossed with her head resting on clenched hands. She looked so sad that even Grace McNulty, sitting beside her touched her shoulder and asked if she was feeling well. Camille looked at the girl slowly, and then put her head back on her hands with a non-committal shrug.
Michelle was just about to voice her concerns to Lily or one of the others when Professor McGonagall appeared behind Camille holding out her own course schedule and an official looking envelope with a stamped seal in the corner. The stamped marking looked familiar to Michelle, and it took her a moment to recognize the symbol. When she did, her concern doubled.
It's a Saint Mungos letter.
"I believe, Miss Yazinka, that this letter holds what you have been hoping for. I have spoken to the headmaster and you will be allowed to go this weekend,"
Camille stared at the Transfiguration teacher for a second then took the letter with shaking hands, suddenly tearing the paper open. Her eyes flew back and forth down the parchment, her expression becoming more shocked and pleased by the second. She spun around in her seat and hugged the professor round the waist. It was as if time had stopped, no one in the hall moved. Everyone knew of Professor McGonagall's strict ways and formidable temper.
The next moment a shockwave blew every student's mind as the teacher gazed down at the tiny girl hugging her stomach and smiled. It was a small smile, but one nonetheless. McGonagall reached down and patted Camille's shoulder, releasing the spell and Camille quickly twisted back into her seat, now looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"Thank you, professor," Whispered Camille.
She nodded and continued on her way along the table with the first years' schedules. The usual chatter returned as everyone went on with his or her breakfasts.
Kailey and Elisa were having a silent but violent fight about who was going to ask Camille what that was all about, Lily edging away from the two, trying to avoid their gesturing limbs. She gave Michelle a helpless look.
Those two could be very destructive. Remus and the other boys didn't really seem to notice the hug. All of them are busy comforting Sirius. I really feel bad for him, imagine, not being allowed to come home for Christmas…
Though when Michelle was forced to grab Lily and pull her back out of the way of one of Elisa's flailing arms, she decided to take it upon herself to do it.
Trying to think of the most tactful way of asking she leaned foreword a bit.
"So, Camille? Where did you go last night? I didn't hear you come up," She tried to sound politely curious.
Kailey and Elisa froze and smiled at each other, the latter still in a headlock.
Camille looked up and gave Michelle a calculating look, not a rude one, but perhaps one to see if maybe she could keep a secret. She lowered her gaze and her voice.
"My mother is an Unspeakable in the Spell Invention Department of the ministry. Recently, one of the charms she was working on backfired or something and she went into what the muggles call a coma," her voice filled with emotion. "I've been spending every day with her but … since I was on the train yesterday I wasn't able to be with her. The headmaster was nice enough to let me be with her last night,"
She picked up a glass of juice and took a sip, her blue eyes never leaving Michelle's face.
I can't even imagine what her family must be going through, if something like that ever happened to my mum, I don't think I'd even be able to get up and come to school.
"I'm sorry-" she started.
"But while I was there her condition changed, the Healers said that she either was beginning to recover… or that she wouldn't last the night. I had to spend the rest of the night home with my dad. Professor Dumbledor came to get me early this morning, so that's why you didn't see me,"
Comprehension shown on Lily's face. "So that letter you got…?"
"She's recovering! The healers say that she's awake!"
They couldn't help but smile back Camille was practically radiating happiness.
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At ten of eight the five girls started off together for History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs. By the end of their trip they were all glad that they had left with ten minutes to spare. They found the door with only a minute or so left before the doors opened.
Michelle sighed with relief, leaning against the wall and looking around. Most of the Hufflepuffs were already there. She recognized Amelia Bones and Casey Abbot talking nearby but besides those two she only knew one other.
Dominic Tarins turned around when the boy he was talking to pointed to Michelle. She gave him a little wave and he came over.
"Hi Michelle,"
"Hi!"
He stood facing her; they looked similar but not terribly alike. Dominic's face was a little rounder and he was an inch or two taller than she was.
"Hey, Dom, these are my friends. This is Lily, Camille, Kailey and that's Elisa. Girls, this is my cousin Dominic." They exchanged pleasantries and Dominic waved over the boy that had pointed them out to him. He had chocolate colored eyes and wavy brown hair.
"This is Jackson," He pointed to the remaining boy. "And that is Eric, there is another boy in Hufflepuff but I haven't seen him around,"
Jackson spoke up, "I saw him hanging out with the two other girls at breakfast,"
Just as the bell rang and the door swung open they heard footsteps pounding the stone floor. James was running at a breakneck speed towards the entering students with Sirius only a few steps behind. Though to Michelle's surprise, Sirius had a clump of Remus' sleeve clenched in his fist and was dragging Remus along behind him. The boy had that expressed shock and a touch of a smile.
I think he's having a little fun.
Lagging behind, panting and sweating was Peter Pettegrew. "Wait for me guys," he cried.
By the time James reached the classroom, everyone was inside in his or her seats. Michelle held the door open; her sister had told her that once the doors closed, you were considered late. Michelle didn't want points taken away from Gryffindor already.
"You're cutting it kind of close!" she hissed.
Sirius gave her a very thankful glance and hurried in with Remus in tow. He gave her an exasperated look, but his mouth was twitching. James waited at the door for Peter to pass in between them. As soon as he was through the door James grabbed Michelle's hand and rushed her inside. Lily was holding a seat for her and Sirius was right behind her with a seat for James. They hastened to sit down as the doors slammed shut behind them.
Michelle could hear James, Sirius and Remus catching their breath behind her, but Peter was silent. He may have passed out.
There was a collective gasp as Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard. But as her sister had warned, that truly was the most exiting thing about the class. About five or six minutes into the class lecture, the remaining Hufflepuffs crept into the room. It was obvious that they had gotten lost. However, the ghost didn't even look up from reading his notes on the origin of Magic.
Michelle became aggravated and tired, finally turning around in her seat and looking at James, who had a similar expression to hers on his face. She sighed.
"Hey James?"
He took his eyes off of Remus's notes, which were being written less and less frequently as the class droned on, and looked up at her.
"Hmm?"
"You know, I don't think that Professor Binns would have noticed if all four of you came through the door with the Giant Squid on your shoulders,"
"Yeah, I know. Hey, thanks for holding the doors for us. Peter's sisters said that once the doors close, they lock and you can't go to class,"
"No," Michelle leaned in closer, hoping no one would care that they were talking. "My sister is a fourth year and she claims that all that happens is that if you get to class late, you lose points,"
She turned back to the front and looked at her friends. Elisa and Kailey were playing hangman on one of her papers and Camille was curled up against Lily's arm, fast asleep. Judging by the look on Lily's face, if she hadn't been up all night with her mother, she probably wouldn't have tolerated it. Something told Michelle that she might have a formidable temper. She kept sending disapproving looks towards her other two friends. Lily, like Remus, was taking notes.
"Hey Michelle," James whispered so quietly she was surprised that she could hear him.
"Mmm?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Yeah…"
He paused, "Well, here's the deal. Me and Sirius and Peter I guess, are planning some… pranks for the Slytherins. Remus can too if he wants, but he seems kind of, well…"
"Shy?"
"Yeah, so we need some ideas on pranks and well… the doors on the train aren't soundproof, and I sort of … overheard you telling Lily that you're an Animagus,"
Michelle felt like her stomach had jumped up and slammed into her heart.
Mom always said to be careful about who I tell. I told Lily because she was my friend, but I don't want the entire school knowing about me. I'll have to swear them all to secrecy, I just hope that Lily didn't tell anyone yet, though I don't think she did.
Her uncertainty and nervousness must have shown, because when she opened her mouth to object to it, James held up his hand to silence her.
"Before you say no to whatever, let me finish," He lowered his voice again. "What animal do you turn into?"
She hesitated, but if he already knew then what was the harm in telling him the truth?
"A cat,"
"That's perfect, we need who can get around the castle unnoticed. Will you help us?"
"I dunno," she looked unsure, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes that was reflected in James's own.
"No one has to know that you're in on the pranks, no one but us. You know, the Gryffindor boys. Please? And any ideas for pranks would be great, all the one's that Sirius have come up with are a bit too complicated,"
"Alright, just on one or two conditions, okay?" she fiddled with the hem of her robes.
"What?"
"Whenever you're talking about me in my … other form, call me something else. Call me Freckles or something so that no one knows who you're talking about if they overheard. I don't need the whole school knowing about me. And I just want to know who you told,"
"I didn't tell anyone really, I wasn't one hundred percent sure who you were when I heard you talking on the train. But I recognized your voice when I heard you at the feast, on the train I told Sirius that I heard that there was an animagus in one of the compartments. I obviously didn't know it was you at the time. I'd like to tell him though, and Remus already knows of course. Peter doesn't, he didn't join the compartment until later, so I'd like to tell him too if he's going to be part of the fun. Like I said, I didn't really tell anyone, I was waiting to have you tell them once I had recruited you into the group,"
Michelle let out a huge sigh of relief, he hadn't told anyone. She would probably tell them tonight if James wanted her to. That could definitely be fun.
"Okay, I'll do it,"
He grinned, pleased that she was all right with it. With a spy on their side who was almost undetectable, they would be unstoppable.
How did I manage to have five people know about me in less than twenty-four hours of being here? I'm going to have to be careful.