"Why do we always have the worst schedule the first day back?" Fred fumed as he read over his schedule at the Gryffindor table the next morning at breakfast. "Look at this! Double History of Magic, Double Potions and Transfiguration."
"Transfiguration's not bad," Alanna pointed out.
"Well yeah, but look at our morning!"
"I wish we had some of our new classes," Alexandra said. "Especially Care of Magical Creatures."
"That's not until tomorrow," Fred said.
Albus and Rose sat down next to the three.
"What classes do you two have today?" Alanna asked.
"Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Herbology," Rose recited at once. "I'm really looking forward to all of them."
Albus looked less thrilled than his cousin as he took a roll and began to butter it.
"So, Al," Fred said. "How is it sharing a room with that Malfoy git?"
"He didn't say much of anything," Albus shrugged. "Just asked me which bed I wanted."
"He's probably sore he didn't get into Slytherin," Fred said. "Think they should just switch him there."
"The Sorting Hat obviously thought he belonged in Gryffindor," Alanna said.
"Yes, well," Fred shrugged. "I'm still not buying it. Where are James and Louis, by the way?"
"Still upstairs," Rose replied. "They're trying to charm a bunch of quills to do their homework for them."
"Brilliant," Fred said, jumping up. "Wonder if they've gotten anywhere." He ran off back to the common room just as Scorpius Malfoy sat down at the table. He sat away from everyone else, not looking up from his fried eggs.
"You don't think he's really as bad as they're saying he is," Alexandra whispered to Alanna.
"I don't think so," Alanna said. "He's in Gryffindor…"
"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt," Rose said. "But do you think you could tell Albus and I where the Charms classroom is? We'd ask James or Louis, but they're too busy with their quills."
"Sure," Alanna said kindly. "I'll show you. You coming, Alexandra?"
"I'll find you after I finish eating," Alexandra told her.
Alanna, Albus and Rose headed out of the Great Hall. Since it was still rather early, the Gryffindor table was rather empty, except for her, Scorpius and a few fourth years at the other end.
Alexandra was just finishing off the last of her porridge, though, when she was Wretermoust walking towards the table.
She felt her heart stop. He wasn't going to try to talk to her in the middle of the Great Hall, was he? But to her amazement, Wretermoust didn't go to her. He instead stopped next to Scorpius. He bent down to say something in the boy's ear. Scorpius looked away and didn't say anything. Wretermoust continued to try to talk to Scorpius, but Scorpius finally stood up, and after giving him a very horrid look, stormed out of the Great Hall.
Alexandra looked at Wretermoust who was staring after Scorpius, frowning.
….
"We've got her sighted in that cottage over there, Harry," Nate Heffley, one of Harry's Auror's said. "It's been enchanted so it's much larger inside than it looks on the outside."
"Perimeter secured?" Harry asked.
"Yes. She won't be able to apperate away from us."
"Good work," Harry nodded. "Alright, everyone. Ron, Jefferson, Maxwell, Lindon and myself will go inside. Everyone else spread out and surround the area."
Harry led everyone who was to raid the house up the hill to the cottage.
"We'll have to use the element of surprise," Harry whispered. "We'll burst through the back door; don't give them time to run. Remember, Claridina is our target. Are we ready?"
Everyone nodded.
Harry pulled out his wand, and with a loud boom, blew down the back door. The Aurors rushed in, wands at the ready.
The element of surprise certainly worked. About ten of Claridina's workers stood dumbfounded for a brief second before they could react. Harry and the others began to send stunning spells towards the workers, who fought back with killing spells. Harry desperately tried to spot Claridina, but she was nowhere to be seen. He looked up at the stairwell, narrowly missing a flash of green light, and spotted a light on in the room just off the landing. Without waiting, Harry ran the stairs and into the room.
There, Claridina stood. She looked alarmed for the shortest second, but then regained herself and put on her usual smirk.
Harry didn't wait. He pulled out his wand and yelled "Stupefy!"
Claridaina, taking out her own wand, blocked the spell, and send a wave of red light back towards Harry.
"Nice try, Potter," she sneered.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Now I'm offended," Claridaina said, ducking out of the way of the curse, which shattered the window behind her. "I thought that was reserved for Lord Voldemort."
She sent a killing curse to Harry, who jumped out of its way.
"It's over!" Harry yelled, sending another series of curses towards her. Claridina tried to avoid them, but her right arm got hit by the spells. She let out a cry of pain as her arm began to shrivel and bend. Harry took this moment to disarm arm her. He walked over to the woman, who was now standing defenseless in the corner.
"I've underestimated you, Potter," Claridina said softly, clutching her arm.
Harry said nothing. He picked up her discarded wand and stuffed it in his pocket. He held his own wand to Claridina.
"But," she said, releasing her arm. "I'm still on top."
Suddenly, she grabbed another wand from inside the potted plant she was next to. Before Harry could react she shot a spell at him that sent him flying to the other end of the room. She then pointed her wand towards the ceiling and blew the roof off. She summoned a broomstick, which had been sitting next to the wardrobe, and took flight.
Harry got to his feet and sent up a spell towards Claridina's fleeting figure. It looked like he hit her, for she sent out a scream of pain. Harry only hit her bad arm, though. Her arm must've been in bad shape, and much to Harry's shock and frustration, the arm detached itself from her body and fell back into the room.
"What happened?" Ron cried, rushing into the room with the other Aurors.
"She got away," Harry panted.
"Is that," Ron said weakly, looking at the bloody arm. "Her arm?"
Harry nodded. "I disarmed her, and had her cornered, but she had another wand stashed in the plant. She got a broom and took off."
"She's weak," Ron pointed out. "She'll have to lay low for a few days at least, which is good news for us; it'll give us more time to find her."
"Yeah, I suppose," Harry said, still feeling defeated. He pulled out the wand he had taken from Claridina. He frowned as he looked closer at it…it wasn't Claridina's wand…
"Ron," he said, feeling his blood grow cold. "Look at this wand."
Ron took the wand from Harry. He looked at it, and then his expression grew grave. "It's Luna's."