A/N: Yes, I know it's been a while. But I do hope you all enjoy. Oh, and I still don't own the rights :-)

Lisa and I didn't find much in the library. At her request, I visited the Hospital Wing, but I checked out as normal. She was worried and so was I. Still, there were things that needed to be taken care of. Like our Stealth of Shadows potion.

With the arrival of the holiday season, I half expected Kendrick and Theodore to return home and change their minds about the potion. To both mine and Lisa's surprise, they stayed. The boys delivered on the ingredients, which forced us to come up with a plan for brewing it.

"If we were good at sneaking, we wouldn't need this potion anyway." Lisa grumbled at breakfast. Most of the castle had emptied, the students returning home to their families. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend my Christmas at Alderton Manor; the thought of my mother being gone was just too much to deal with. Besides, I was the best at potions and the others were relying on my natural ability.

"What would you suggest, then? Invite them to Ravenclaw tower?"

I watched with amusement as Lisa's face contorted in disgust. "Definitely not."

"Oh, come on! You have to admit they're actually pretty fun. Remember that day when Theodore got Michael's pot to explode in Herbology?"

A giggle escaped Lisa's throat before she could contain it. "Alright, maybe they're not all bad. Still, they're Slytherins, Scarlett. We can't trust them."

"What's that saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies...closer?"

"I wouldn't say they're enemies exactly."

"Did their birth charts tell you that?" I laughed at my own joke. Lisa, however, wasn't amused.

"One day, you're going to see how wrong you are about astrology, Scarlett. And when you are, I'm going to be there."

"And you'll shove it in my face every opportunity you get."

At that moment, the boys flopped down at our table. "Good morning, ladies." Theodore stated wickedly.

"Do you have to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Be so annoying all the time?"

"Pfft! Hey, Scarlett-how're the plans for the potion coming along?"

I shrugged. Lisa had managed to nix every plan I had presented: the Forbidden Forest ("You can't be serious!"), the Lake ("What if the rumors of the giant squid are true?"), the empty girls' bathroom (a ghost named Moaning Myrtle was apparently far too deplorable to deal with), and now our common room. The library was definitely out.

"Lisa didn't agree with anything, did she?" Lisa's face flushed at Theodore's question.

"None of them were safe or realistic!"

"The girls' bathroom was the best spot! We can deal with a ghost!"

"Have you met Myrtle? She's awful! Absolutely not!"

I sighed and played with my porridge. The lumpy concoction plopped noisily from the spoon to my bowl. I was beginning to think that the situation was impossible when Kendrick chirped, "I have just the place!"

"Really?" I asked with excitement. "Where?"

"You can all follow me when you're done with breakfast."

"It's not Myrtle's bathroom is it?"

"Honestly, Turpin." Theodore rolled his eyes dramatically. "If Kendrick says he's got it, he's got it. Savvy?"

"Isn't that a bit antiquated?" Theodore responded with a rude gesture, much to Lisa's chagrin. "Couldn't think of a better comeback, then?"

"Shut up, you two. Lisa, are you done? Because this mushy stuff is really unappetizing and I'm ready to go."

"I suppose so. Let's get this over with."

The four of us made our way from the Great Hall, up the moving staircases, all the way up to the seventh floor. "Are we going to Gryffindor tower? Because I don't think they'll be very happy about that."

"Has anyone told you how annoying you are, Turpin? Because you are."

"Shut up, snake!"

At that moment, Kendrick wheeled around and gave the most frightening glare I had ever seen to the two of them. Despite his age, his eyes seemed ancient, full of things seen and a great power. Shivers went down my spine and I began to wonder what I had noticed. Then, in a flash, it was gone. "Either the both of you stop bickering, or else."

No one questioned the "or else" he was referring to. "Ah, here we are. Now, everyone just focus and think of how much we need a place to brew our potion."

I could see the confusion in Theodore's and Lisa's eyes. My own brow furrowed as I pondered his instructions. Still, I filled my thoughts with a place to brew. Lo and behold, two massive oaken doors emerged from the wall we were facing. "What is going-"

"Room of Requirement." Kendrick stated cheerfully. "Found it when I was up here thinking of how badly I needed to be alone."

"You do seem to need an inordinate amount of time alone, Ken." Theodore muttered.

"And you seem to insist on shortening my name at every turn...Theo."

"Not bad, actually. And yes, but only because you deserve it."

"Well, I'm going inside. If y'all want to stay out here and banter, be my guest." I made my way to the doors, pushed, and found myself in a medieval looking laboratory. Groin vaults covered the expanse of the ceiling. Charcoal gray, heavy stones, lined the walls. Ingredients hung from low slung wooden beams, creating a pungent aroma. The room was mostly dark, with low light disbursing from the wall torches. Shelves of books, bottles, tubes, and boxes stood against the far wall. Long, oak tables with cauldrons were arrayed before me; each table had its own series of corresponding stools. Basically, it looked like a potions classroom.

"Y'all?" Kendrick asked with disbelief, trailing behind me, taking in the room around us.

"This. Is. Perfect!" Lisa squealed. "I know I've doubted you in the past but, wow!"

"Er, thanks, Lisa." Kendrick mumbled uncomfortably.

"So this is where you get the supplies from then, mate? Nice to know." Theodore stated with awe.

"Why am I not surprised that it was you this entire time?" I asked bemusedly. Kendrick certainly struck as me the real brains behind the operation. Sure, Theodore was charming and quite the salesman, but Kendrick had that quiet nature that exuded intellectual prowess.

He shuffled uncomfortably. I couldn't hide my amused smirk. Yes, this was absolutely perfect. And hopefully, if all went according to plan, we would be in business.