Burning Letters

The rest of the holidays went by fast. With the new books, the chess set, guitar and dungeon meant she could have fun. Besides everyone in fourth year and above reappeared on New Years Eve for the ball that Hogwarts held. Having the common room full and a few friendly faces to talk cheered her up, she'd ended up hanging out with Fred and his friends and found them all really funny. He thanked her for the potion, as did the others when they saw her in the corridor. She in turn thanked them for their presents.

The day after New Year her friends returned and the day after that classes started. Life had resumed it's normal pace for the rest of the week, with the teachers enthusiastically springing tests on them to make sure they hadn't forgotten everything meaning they had little time to chat till Saturday afternoon. Caly had defeated James in half an hour with her new chess set, who liked her a lot more than James' pieces when Al, Rose and Scor arrived back from practice. James went to talk with Colin and the Scamander twins leaving the four of them alone.

"How was practice?"
"Okay." Rose said whilst Scor watched Al who had stood up and walked off to his dorm.
"What's up with him?"
"He and Nikki had a race to the snitch and he won but for some unknown reason Maise decided to make Nikki the seeker for the game against Ravenclaw."
"No way."
"Yes way." said Scor. "He's been in an awful mood ever since." They lapsed into silence again.

"How was your Christmas then Scor?"
"What? Oh it was great! It finally felt like Christmas, I mean I didn't get many presents but it didn't seem to matter. It's so nice to be able to laugh without someone reprimanding you. What about you, weren't you the only one here?"
"Yeah, it was a bit of a drag until Christmas day itself but I'd say my best Christmas ever, even if Slughorn decided to tell the staff that James and I would be together."
"What?"
"I had to have Christmas lunch with all the staff, all my other meals I had in here but that one I had to go and eat on the great hall. But it was great 'cause I got presents."
"Oh yeah my whole family sent you them didn't they."
"Yeah, I like them all but my favourite came from Herb."
"Herb? The guy from your care home."
"Yeah, he sent me his wife's old guitar."
"You play guitar?"
"Yeah."
"Can you play something?"
"Sure I'll go grab it." She ran up and grabbed the case. She ran back down to her old seat and unlocked it. At the same time Al came back down."What's going on?" he said as he sat next to Rose.

"Caly got a guitar for Christmas and she's going to play for us."
"Oh, who sent it to you?"
"Herb, the man from the care home."
"Oh."
"Just be warned I'm a little rusty, I haven't played since my other guitar got smashed."
"But you got it for Christmas."
"Yeah I played for a week but I'm still out of practice." There was a pause.
"Are you going to play anything then?"
"I'm trying to remember a song, Scor." There was a bit more of a pause then.
"Okay got one." she started to play.

"Hey, hey, hey" she sung
"Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moon beam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided, you're the one I have decided who's one of my kind

Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight
Hey, hey, hey

Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me
You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can't deny
I'm so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna, and I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind

Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight

The way you can cut a rug, watching you's the only drug I need
You're so gangsta, I'm so thug, you're the only one I'm dreaming of
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be
I want the world to see you be with me

Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight

Hey, hey, hey
Tonight
Hey, hey, hey
Tonight ."

The common room burst into applause after she played the final chord. She looked around, previously unaware that Rose, Al and Scor weren't the only ones listening in. Caly went red as the applause carried on, along with the whooping and whistling. She glance at her friends and noticed they were all grinning at her like maniacs.

"That was awesome!" Al said when the applause eventually died down.
"Yeah you didn't say you could sing too!" Scor said in a tone of fake hurt.
"Jeeze is there anything you can't do?""Magic!" They all laughed at her response to Rose's question.

When February came the weather changed and the sun began to weakly shine. Caly barely saw Al, Rose or Scor now because they seemed to spend their entire time down on the Quidditch pitch. The match against Ravenclaw was in a week and if they won they would book themselves a place in the final because they had 200 points, Slytherin 90, Ravenclaw 10 and Hufflepuff 0, after Slytherin had beaten Hufflepuff in the first came back after Christmas. Al was in an increasingly bad mood about playing reserve seeker and frequently ranted about Nikki's inability to catch the snitch. Furthermore Fred and Maise had broken up because Fred was cheating on her with Olive. The three weren't talking to each other, and as Maise and Olive were chasers this was incredibly problematic. But Maise also had something against Scor which meant she refused to put him on the first team and Colin had been hit by a conjunctivitis curse and was in the hospital wing.

All in all the chances of winning the game looked bad as Caly took her seat next to James in the stands, this time on time. She couldn't see the players.

"Where are they?"
"What? Oh you missed that bit, well, they fly out when Nick calls their name."

"WELCOME HOGWARTS." came the booming voice of Nick Jordan. "TODAY IS GRYFFINDIR VS RAVENCLAW. IF GRYFFINDOR WIN THEY WILL BOOK THEIR PLACE IN THE FINAL FOR THE 20TH YEAR IN A ROW! AND HERE COME THE RAVENCLAW PLAYERS. CAPTAIN AND SEEKER- 7TH YEAR DANIEL CORNER, THE CHASERS- 6TH YEARS JIMMY GOLDSTEIN AND EWAN TIREL AND 4TH YEAR DELILAH HART, TWIN 5TH YEAR BEATERS- ABIGAIL AND AARON DOEN AND KEEPER- 4TH YEAR REAGAN DOART. THE SUBS- SOPHIE HOWN, 7TH YEAR FOR KEEPER, 4TH BONNIE STUART FOR BEATER, 2ND YEAR RILEY DOART FOR CHASER AND 1ST YEAR EMMA CORNER FOR SEEKER.

AND NOW THE GRYFFINDORS CAPTAIN AND CHASER- 5TH YEAR MAISE JORDAN, CHASERS- 6TH YEAR OLIVE MADON AND 3RD YEAR ROXANNE WEASLEY, KEEPER-5TH YEAR KAY WOOD, BEATERS- 5TH FRED WEASLY AND 1ST YEAR ROSE WESALEY AND SEEKER- 4TH YEAR NIKKI MADON. SUBS- 3RD YEAR JAY WOOD FOR KEEPER, NO SUB FOR BEATER BECAUSE 2ND YEAR COLIN CREEVY IS IN THE HOSPITAL WING AND 1ST YEARS SCORPIUS MALFOY FOR CHASER AND ALBUS POTTER FOR SEEKER.

ALBUS POTTER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERB CATCH AT THE END OF THE MATCH AND MANY WONDER WHY MADON WAS PICKED OVER POTTER. WHO KNOWS? I DO KNOW THAT JORDAN AND CORNER HAVE SHAKEN HANDS, THE QUAFFLE HAS BEEN RELEASED AND THE GAME HAS BEGUN!

SO, JORDAN TO WEASLEY TO MADON TO WEASLEY TO JORDAN TO WEASLEY BACK TO JORDAN WHOSE PASSING…NO NOT TO ROXIE! GRYFFINDOR LOOSE POSSESION TIREL WITH THE QUAFFEL TO HART TO GOLDSTEIN, GOOD PASS OVER MADON TO TAKE IT BACK TO TIREL. OHHH, GOOD BLUDGER FROM ROSE WEASLEY TIREL DROPS THE BALL TO JORDAN TRIES A BACK PASS TO WEASLEY WHICH IS INTERCEPTED BY HART. WHO SHOOTS AND SCORES 10-0 TO RAVENCLAW."

The game continued with Maise's grudge against Olive showing more and more. She refused to pass to her so would either fly into trouble or pass to Roxie who was always blocked because the Ravenclaws, smart as they were, had picked up on the fact she wouldn't pass to Olive and were guarding Roxie. This meant that Kay was being constantly bombarded with shots that he couldn't always save. His best option was to throw to Olive when they scored but that only got them so far because Maise wouldn't catch anything Olive threw to her and Roxie was still blocked off.

By the time it was 120-0 they were realised that they were pinning their hopes on a very bad seeker. Nikki wasn't very bad really but in comparison to Daniel Corner she was. Nikki had had to break the rules twice to prevent Corner catching the snitch but in comparison to what the score was at the end it would have been better to have let him catch it then because when he did catch it the final score was 330-0. The worst part was that the snitch had been hovering by Nikki's knee and she didn't notice. Not even after all the yells. Gryffindor weren't out of the running yet because they were in second, Ravenclaw on 340, them on 200, Slytherin on 90 and Hufflepuff looking at a 10th consecutive bottom place finish. But that didn't stop the glum feeling in the common room. The worst part was when Maise stood up on the plinth and apologised.

"Guys." she said through tears. "I am so sorry, I was so selfish. I'd resign but McGonagall won't let me. I should never have carried my grudges out onto the pitch but it's not over yet Slytherin need to win by 120 points to make it to the final. Which is why Nikki I'm replacing you with Albus, I'm sorry but I made a mistake to keep you on, I don't know what I was thinking. But tomorrow this all goes behind us, tomorrow we train harder than ever because we are going to win this cup! Ravenclaw won't put half our team in the hospital wing so we will be able to win!" She got off the plinth hiccupping slightly and sat back down.

Despite the motivational speech, insane Quidditch practice schedules and Olive, Fred and Maise on speaking terms a gloom still hung over Gryffindor. They were really upset about loosing their lead in both the house and Quidditch cups. It also put a lot of strain on the 11 members of the Qudditch team, counting reserves. Caly had started letting them copy her homework because they spent most of their time practising. It took two weeks for something to arrive that took Quidditch completely of their minds.

They were sitting eating breakfast, with Al and Scor hastily copying up their Transfiguration homework. When the post arrived. Fawkes swooped down, dropped the letter on her plate and left without so much of a glance. She opened it curiously, knowing it couldn't be because she was yet to reply to his letter. She unfolded it and read

We will get it. Give it to us. Now! Then it burst into flame. Everyone looked up as she gave a mini shriek and dropped it, it burnt itself into nothing.

"What was that?" asked Scor looking shocked.
"I don't…I…I don't…I mean I'm not sure."
"What did it say?" asked Rose curiously.
"Er.. Something along the lines of we'll get it, give it to us… soon? No now."
"What is it talking about?" Caly leant forward and lowered her voice.
"I think, I'm not sure, but I think it's from the person who attacked us."
"Are you sure?"
"No, but, he wanted something. I mean, there can't be two people who want something of mine."
"Unless it's really valuable."
"Yes but I don't own anything valuable. Oh no."
"What?"
"I figured it out. God I am so stupid."
"What are you talking about?"
"Just before the match against Hufflepuff I was in the headmistresses office and after I came out. I was thinking about it and I'm pretty sure I realised what they wanted but I got distracted by the game and I've forgotten!"
"How could you forget something so important?"
"Well the Quidditch was very distracting."
"We need to go to professor McGonagall." said Rose.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't have any proof."
"But we saw you get the letter."
"Yes but you don't know what it said. I'm the only one who read it. I mean imagine I went to McGonagall and said I got a letter demanding something and I think it's linked to the attack but I can't show it to you because it burst into flame. Do you really think she's going to believe me? Doesn't it sound a little implausible?"
"Yes but-"
"No Rose." Scor cut in "Caly's right. She doesn't have any proof, at all. It's just her word."
"But she didn't have proof about the attack."
"Really? Because the state of them was normal wasn't it, the fact they had the same story was coincidental and the wand just flew itself there and snapped itself in two, did it?"
"But-"
"Come on Rosie." Al said "What does our dads always say, evidence is the first thing they need to convict someone."
"But we don't need to convict anyone."
"That's beside the point Rose. The point is that you need evidence to make people believe you." Rose sighed understanding she was out numbered on this.
"Fine but if anything bad happens."
"Don't worry about it."
"We're in Hogwarts, Rose! What's the worst that could happen?" asked Caly
"Do you really want me to answer that, given who my parents are?"
"Well no, but that was Riddle. It's different." Al, Rose and Scor all gaped at her."What?"
"You called him Riddle!"
"Well what am I supposed to call him? Lord Voldermort? Please it's not like it matters anymore besides I don't find his new name scary, just a little presumptuous." They kept gaping at her all the way to Transfiguration until they were distracted by their work.

From then on everyday she received a note that burst into flame the second she read it. They were always the same. Caly had to admit it worried her a bit. She seemed to be the only one who could read it because when Scor leant over to try and read it, it immediately burst into flame. She didn't understand why they would want something so badly and she was so frustrated and angry with herself that she had forgotten what she had worked out. It was there in the back of her mind, like a word on the tip of your tongue that you can't quite remember.

Caly picked up the letter in the morning out of sheer habit. She knew it wasn't going to tell her anything interesting, but it would burst into flame so she might as well read it. She flicked it open and froze when she read the message inside.

We may not hold one you hold dear but you hold dear your friends and therefore one's that they hold dear you hold dear. It burst into flame as normal and left her frozen.

"Caly?" asked Al, concernedly "Are you ok?" Caly shook her head and stood up. She walked out of the Great Hall leaving behind her bag. Scor, Al and Rose exchanged a confused look, then gathered her things and followed her. The looked around the Entrance Hall and saw her sitting on the steps staring out into the grounds.

"Caly, what's the matter? What's happened?"

"The letter." she was shaking. "It was different it said that they had taken someone one of you guys held dear to get at me." She stood up brushing away the tears that were springing up. "Rose was right we should have gone to McGonagall, whether we have proof or not. This is getting serious. We're in way over our heads. Something's going on and I don't think I can run from it but I do know that I'll need all the help I can get when it comes." Scor, Al and Rose stood numb trying to process what she had just said.

"Wait they've taken someone one of us three hold dear." said Scor shocked.
"Well technically two because Rose and Al are related everyone Rose holds dear so does Al and vice a versa."
"What? Whatever, that's not the point they've kidnapped someone?"
"Yes."
"Okay lets go to McGonagall."

They set off, Caly pretty sure of the route now. They walked in silence trying to digest the news. Caly was panicking inside. Why was this all happening because of her? If only she could remember, she'd hand it over in a heart beat, probably. Scor could only think one thing; 'Please let it not be mum. Please let it not be mum' but then again, he reasoned, it probably was mum. If they'd taken someone he held dear because the disappearance of a Weasley would be the front page of every paper. Al and Rose were both hoping it wasn't one of their family but they felt slightly reassured by the fact that there had been no news so it was unlikely anyone had been taken.

When they came to the gargoyle Caly said "Armando Dippet." and it sprung aside to let them up the revolving spiral staircase. When the four of them came to the top Caly knocked on the door. When there was no response she knocked again, harder. Still no reply. She looked at the others then poked her head around the door. She couldn't see anyone so she came in.

"Professor McGonagall?" she asked warily. Scor, Al and Rose came in behind her looking around.
"She's not here." said a drawling voice. Scor, Rose and Al all jumped but Caly kept her cool and looked up at the portrait.
"Hello Professor Snape." she saw Al start from her side. "Can you tell me where she is?"
"I'm afraid we can't Miss Hautly but we can tell you she won't be back till tomorrow." she looked at the neighbour and saw him smiling kindly as always.
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore, we'll be going then." Caly, Scor and Rose turned to leave but Al was routed to the spot, staring at his namesakes.
"Al." Rose hissed come on but Scor silenced her with a look. Both professors Snape and Dumbledore found this very amusing.

"Tell me what is your name, young man." Dumbledore said. "I imagine you are named after people after all your brother is James Sirius and he certainly seems to be making them proud."

"I…my name is Albus Severus Potter, sir." Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise and a couple of tears welled in his eyes.
"I must thank him, next time I see him." Snape looked down right confused.
"Is this some sort of joke?"
"Joke, sir?"
"Why would Potter name his son after me?"
"The eyes Severus look at the eyes." said Dumbledore gently. "Lily's-"
"Yes I know! But I can't see what would possess him to name his son after me."

"He said you were the bravest man he ever knew." said Al. "He told me so on the platform." Snape's eyes grew wide. "And I agree with him. I heard your story, you were braver than anyone. James used to make fun of me because he said I was named after a death eater but I'm proud of my name. I think it's better than his. The people he was named after pulled jokes and didn't really achieve much but I was named after the greatest wizard ever and the bravest man my father knew." With that he turned and walked out of the office. Caly, Rose and Scor exchanged a look and followed him.

Al was quiet for the rest of the day. He did his homework in silence and just nodded when they said they were going to go back tomorrow. Al seemed to be doing some deep, personal thinking and so they left him to it. The only thing that made him look up and interrupt his thought was the sight of James snogging a girl in his year. Even then he just pulled a face and walked off. As they played exploding snap Caly thought about names. It seemed no matter where you went your name was important. Al, Rose and Scor were proof of that. Their surnames haunted them wherever they went. Al's first name, too, made him stand out. He was named after two famous war heroes. How was he supposed to live up all that?

Next morning they decided they would see McGonagall straight after breakfast because the letter might give them clues as to who was taken. When Fawkes came Caly dropped her toast and eagerly took the letter from his beak. Ripping it open what she read made her heart sink.

If you tell anyone besides your little friends Albus Severus, Rose Nymphadora Weasley and Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy we will kill the captive and take another. We know you went to see McGonagall yesterday, did you really think it would be that easy? Do you really think it was a coincidence she was out of her office? We know everything that goes in Hogwarts. Tell a soul and they will die.

"Oh crap." she said as it burst into flame.
"What?"
"We can't see McGonagall."
"But we agreed."
"I know but the note said they'd kill their hostage and take another. We can't tell."
"What are we going to do then?"
"I don't-"
"Miss Hautly." Caly froze recognising the stiff voice of Professor McGonagall. She turned around slowly.

"Yes Professor."
"I hear you were in my office yesterday, looking for me. If no one answers the door you do not go in, do I make myself clear."
"Yes Professor."
"What did you want?" Caly paused, wondering whether to tell, but she couldn't someone's life was at stake.

"I wanted to….know you'd made any progress on finding the attacker or on how to use my powers." Professor McGonagall's face softened. "Yes of course, it must be very hard for you. I am afraid no progress has been made in either field I will keep you informed though." She walked away rather stiffly. Caly turned back to her friends.

"Brilliant lie." said Scor.
"Yeah I don't think I'd have come up with one that fast."
"Yeah." she said miserably. She glanced down at her plate where the letter had been. She sighed, her first year wasn't going at all liked she'd hoped.