Chapter 3: A plan
I hope you all are enjoying my book so far! It's hard to create a new story line when J.K Rowling wrote so much and ended it all! If you guys have any reviews or ideas for adventures please feel free to tell me! I'd love to hear your thoughts! I'll try to keep a continuous posting going on! Enjoy. Also, this chapter will begin our story adventure and it will have a mixture of some of my favorite stories in one!
Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter stuff! Credit goes to J.K Rowling's brilliancy!
My heart continues pounding and Aurora wraps her fingers around mine, sheltering the brisk wind from reaching my fingers. A smile spreads across my face and it stays there until she suggests we leave.
"Jacob might be looking for us." I nod, understandingly even though all I want is to stay there as long as possible. We walk off the balcony and out of the room, the door disappearing after us. I had just had a first interaction with a girl other than one in my family. We walk down the hallway, shoulders brushing. The door swings open and we walk inside the common room, Jacob the first to spot us. He's biting on his lip and staring at us, his blue eyes flaming. I glance down at my feet and sit next to him on the couch.
"I'm going upstairs. All that work today has drained my energy. Goodnight." Aurora bids farewell and climbs up the steps to the girl's dormitory. Jacob silently watches her until you can no longer see her. He turns his blonde head in my direction and sets down his Magical Creatures book.
"Sooo? What did you guys do? Kiss?" He makes kissy sounds at me to make me angry. I shake my head no and pull my book out of my bag.
"No we did not. And it's really none of your business what we did." I retort angrily and open up my book to fulfill Hagrid's assignment. After reading the first four pages, I shut my book and walk stiffly up the stairs, Jacob's eyes following me. I guess I was mad at him for prodding but I still wanted to brag about what had happened. Maybe I'll tell him tomorrow after letting off some steam. I change into my white and blue striped pajama pants and a white t-shirt before sliding under the covers, seeking a warm refuge. Sleep quickly takes over me and the next thing I know, everything is dark.
I awake early this morning, my covers halfway off the bed. My flat mates are still asleep but a faint light is shining in from downstairs. I slip on my slippers and walk quietly down the steps, pausing halfway to see who was awake. Nobody was down there except for a young girl with caramel hair who was kneeling on the floor by the fire. She appeared to be whispering but her words were unclear. I walk to the bottom step and approach her carefully but one of the old floorboards squeak. I curse under my breath at the maintenance man who was supposed to fix this. The girl stops talking and turns to see who has disturbed her. It was Aurora and she was talking to the fire. In the fire was a woman's face, though it disappeared before I could make out who it was.
"Oh! Albus, you scared me! I couldn't sleep so I came down here." She explained hastily. I nod my head and sit in one of the plump armchairs, resting my arms on both arm rests. "So how'd you sleep?" I shrug, still groggy.
"Okay, I guess." I watch her as she moves her way over to the couch nearest me, sitting on one of the pillows.
"Good. I was getting restless like I usually do. So I came down here." I nod again. The movement was easy for me to do since it required little effort. But there was something bugging me in the back of my mind.
"Who was that woman, you were talking to just then? In the fire?" I ask curiously, my eyes shifting between the floor and Aurora. Aurora's face goes white and she covers it up easily with a soft snort.
"What woman? There was no woman. You must be seeing things! You should just go back to bed. You'll feel so much more energized after!" She smiles and shoos me off to my dormitory. I slump my shoulders as I walk up the steps. She watches me all the way up and then kneels down on the ground again. I stop walking and peer around the corner to watch her. I knew she was lying. She had started fiddling with her hands like she always does when she's nervous. She pulls out a stone from her pocket and-
I feel a hand on my shoulder and I jump, startled. Aurora must have jumped too because I heard something drop on the wooden floor and a small curse along with the sound of someone scrambling across the ground. I look up to see Jacob perched over me, his blonde hair sticking out in random places, his blue eyes weary.
"Gosh Jacob! You scared the crickets out of me." I whisper and he grins.
"Good." We walk down the stairs to the couches where Aurora is sitting, looking guilty about something, hands in her pockets.
"Jacob Finnigan, don't you ever scare me like that again." She says sternly, eyes on the fire. He chuckles and she stands up from her seat, the couch pillows lifting a little with some of the weight gone. "I'm going to get dressed. I'll meet you in the Great Hall." We nod mutely and she swiftly walks up the steps and round the corner.
"We should get dressed too. I want to get there early before mail." I drag Jacob up the steps and we change quickly into trousers, a white collared shirt, our grey Gryffindor sweaters with the crest of Gryffindor and our sneakers. I tidy up my hair and we walk out of the dorm, down the staircase and out of the common room.
"So, why were you spying on Aurora?" Jacob asks, still prodding me for information. I sigh, shrugging limply as we walk down the fifth flight of stairs.
"Do you always ask so many questions?" I ask, exasperatedly. Jacob nods and we walk into the Great Hall, greeted by the aroma of fresh cinnamon bread and fruit. I sit next to Teddy who is occupied with showing off his talent {Metamorphmagus} with all the older girls at the table. I roll my eyes and bite into my bread, the warm gooey cinnamon melting on my tongue.
"Mmmm." Jacob moans loudly and shoves the whole loaf into his mouth. I laugh and continue eating until Aurora joins us in her casual clothes: Dark skinny jeans, a pink floral top and pink ballet flats. Her long brown hair is in a braid, cascading down her back and her cheeks look flushed as though she's been running.
"Sorry I'm late. A Slytherin boy spotted me leaving the common room and drew his wand out of his pocket. He chased me all the way down the stairs." She sits down and shrinks in her seat, tired. I clench my fists, angry. Whoever messes Aurora messes with me. Jacob notices my fury and tries to calm me down. "Really Albus, I'm fine." I sigh, surrendering. After finishing breakfast, the owls come flooding in again, screeching and dropping various things. I get two letters and open the first one slowly. It's dad's original handwriting scrawled on my parchment.
Albus. I'm so proud of you for making Seeker! I'll send you your broom tomorrow. I still don't believe James would steal this girl from you. He mentioned liking someone else in his year before leaving but I don't remember her name. Hah! That does sound like Uncle Ron. Just remember to use the blanket in a secret place where nobody can see you. And some tips? I don't have any on the brain for Quidditch except lay low and watch the game so you don't get pummeled. Once you see the golden snitch, charge and don't let anything stop you. And for charms? Read your spell books in the library. I didn't get a head start like Aunt Hermione did so I wasn't caught up until second year. One more thing. Your mom, me, Uncle Ron, Lily, Aunt Hermione and Hugo are all travelling to Romania to visit Uncle Charlie, Aunt Fleur, Uncle Bill and Uncle George. Aunt Fleur just had her baby girl so we're going to see her. Her name is Evangeline Abigail Weasley. So I won't be able to write you. But after that, we're travelling to Grandma's house for Christmas! I love you son, good luck on your first game.
P.S. Feed Fred, he's looking a bit tired.
-dad
I smile and open the next letter, a small letter in the calligraphy of Lily.
Dearest Alby. I've missed you so. Mum tells me we'll be able to see you during Christmas break but then we'll have to part again. I hope you're having fun there. Dad told me you met a girl. Tell me all about her! Is she nice or pretty? Do you like her? I wish I was there. But mum says I can go next year with Hugo. I wish I could go now but I guess if I go next year, you can help me get to class and help with Charms and astronomy classes. I'm no good at astronomy. It seems like rubbish to me. I just want to grow up and be a great witch just like mum. I miss you dearly Alby. Please do write often!
-lily billy
I smile at her letter and the small lily drawn at the bottom of the page. I tuck both letters into my pockets and excuse myself from the table.
"I'm going upstairs to take a nap." I turn abruptly and walk out of the Great Hall, up the stairs and into the common room. I jump up the stairs to my flat and dig through my trunk to find my map and blanket. I set the parchment on my bed and throw the blanket over me. I walk around the room, my head popping out of the blanket. I walk past a mirror and only see my head. I gasp and stare at my reflection in awe. All of my body was gone except my head which wasn't covered by the blanket. I cover my head as well and notice my head has just disappeared. I know what this is! It's an invisibility cloak. My dad told me about this when he was little. He used it everywhere especially after curfew when you were supposed to be in bed, he, Ron and Hermione would escape the castle in this to visit Hagrid. I grab my map and walk out of my dorm. I was going to test this map out in the room I had visited last night with Aurora. I tip-toe out of the common room and down the corridor to the wall. I close my eyes and think of the place Aurora and I had been in yesterday. The door forms and I pull it open slowly, walking inside and letting the door shut quietly. I wonder what Aurora and Jacob are doing in my absence. It was Friday, after all. First years get Friday's off. I sit on the bench pushed against the wall and take out my map, still covered in the cloak. I tap it with my wand.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." I whisper and it unfolds, the ink spreading across the blank parchment. I see McGonagall pacing in her office conversing with Professor Slughorn and Hagrid. I wish it says what the people are saying too, that way I could see everything. I notice Jacob walking aimlessly on the first floor, hovering near a bunch of older Ravenclaw girls. Suddenly I hear the door open and creak shut, a girl with brown hair emerging from the outside. It was Aurora. I watch her as she walks over to the balcony, opening the doors and walking outside. She grabs the similar stone out of her pocket and turns it over in her hands. An old woman appears, huddled over in a rotted out green shawl and grey dress. Hey wiry grey hair in a messy bun.
"Mrs. Bagshot." The old lady whispers, introducing herself. Aurora rolls her eyes and places her hands on her hips.
"Yes Grandma, we talked just this morning. Now, what were you saying about the Slytherin house?" She asks, folding her hands. I hear her mention Slytherin and I become even keener to listening.
"The Slytherin house has been planning for centuries to create an all pure-blood school. Finally, their plans are almost complete. We just need two more purebloods to join in. You, my granddaughter will serve well. Along with that Potter boy. He may not be pure but his intentions are. Anyone with a pure heart and a strong bond in magic will serve well at our new school." Aurora nods greedily. My heart begins to race. So Aurora had been tricking us all along. She wasn't kind and shy like I had thought. She was a true Slytherin, fooling us to believe she was Gryffindor. How the sorting hat overlooked such a vital detail was unclear. But that wasn't the problem. Hogwarts's worst fear was happening and I was one of the only to know about it. Indeed, Slytherin was going to overthrow Hogwarts and create a new school for only Slytherin. I was involved in a new war of the newest generation. Aurora makes Mrs. Bagshot disappear before walking out of the room with me following close behind. I was going to follow her. Then I was going to send an urgent letter to father before he leaves for Romania tonight. I walk stealthily behind Aurora who is walking down into the dungeons. She walks up to the Slytherin common room entrance.
"Salazar Slytherin lives." She recites without blinking and walks inside greeted by loud shouts coming from Scorpius, Aero and Gordon.
"Margaret Bagshot, so lovely to see you." Scorpius says in a charming voice. He was resting on a futon in the corner of the room, Aero and Gordon standing behind him, arms crossed.
"Scorpius! I spoke with Grandma a moment ago. The dream of Salazar Slytherin is almost complete. The last few details are simple. Convert the Potter fool to Slytherin and we will override Hogwarts and these filthy mudbloods." She narrows her green eyes. Who was this Margaret and why was she acting so different from the girl on the train and the girl last night? I continue listening as Scorpius and Margaret converse.
"What shall we do to make this Potter boy join our side? Imperius Curse?" Scorpius says maliciously, grabbing out his wand. I gasp and immediately cover my mouth.
"Who's there?" Margaret shouts, pulling out her wand. I slowly back up and walk out of the common room, running down the hall and up the stairs. I look at my map and find James at Professor Slughorn's office. I approach him slowly only to find him making out with a red headed girl in the corner. She looked like a fourth year. I grab his hair and pull him back. The girl's face is shocked and James tries to grab her arm but she swats it away and storms back to Hufflepuff common room.
"What the!?" James shouts and tries to turn around, whipping his head around so fast he could give himself whiplash.
"James, it's Albus." I whisper and take off my cloak, stuffing it in my bag along with my map after saying, "Mischief managed." James turns around and slaps me on the arm. "Ow, god what was that for?" I yell at him, rubbing my arm.
"Couldn't you tell I was busy?" He begins to walk off but I grab him back.
"Sorry. But listen. You know that girl Aurora?" He nods. "Well she's not Aurora. She's pretending to be. I overheard her talking with the Slytherins. She's Bathilda Bagshot's Granddaughter, Margaret Bagshot. She's a pureblood Slytherin. She and the rest of the Slytherin house are planning to override Hogwarts and convert it into an all pureblood school just like Salazar Slytherin intended to do when he came here. They are almost complete too. All they need is me. They're planning to use the imperius curse on me to make me evil or whatever." I say quickly, James' face shocked.
"Are you sure?" I nod.
"Positive."
"Okay, first, we need to tell dad. Then we need to tell Professor McGonagall." He stands up and I do the same.
"But, what if they don't believe us?" James shrugs and leads the way to McGonagall's office, the Lion stairwell not spinning.
"What's the password?" James shrugs and I widen my eyes.
"Unknown." He whispers and I roll my eyes at his cockiness.
"So what did you think was going to happen? Just waltz right up to the headmaster's office and think, oh! I'm so handsome! The stairwell will just appear just like the line of girls I have waiting for me every second of the day." I place a hand on my hip like a girl and pretend to bat my long lashes.
"No. Well, I do think I'm handsome but that's not the issue here is it?" I nod my head dramatically.
"Well? Think of passwords! Chocolate frogs? Animagus? "The stairwell appears and James saunters up the steps followed by me. Professor McGonagall is perched at her desk, scribbling away, her attention focused on her piece of parchment. I clear my throat and she looks up, surprised.
"Boys? How did you get in here?" She asks, standing up and smoothening out her green robes.
"I guessed the password." James says proudly, taking credit for my work again.
"Well, good for you Mr. Potter. What do you need?" She slides her square spectacles up her nose and looks at them with her pursed lips.
"We're here to talk to you about Salazar Slytherin."
Sorry I left it off there, it was getting long and yea. I hope you like the twist; I promise it'll get more interesting as we progress. If you have any reviews, please tell me although PM me if you really dislike it that way only I can read it! Thank you and I hope you like it so far!