Ancient Runes was not the exciting class Alexandra had thought it would be. It was just a bunch of boring translations that made absolutely no sense to her. Alanna, of course, found it fascinating and hung onto every word Professor Green said, while Alexandra and Fred engaged in a rather intense game of hangman.

"Sort of wish I'd taken Muggle Studies," Fred sighed as the three filed out of the classroom.

"James knows all about them from his dad; would've been an easy class."

"But you wouldn't learn anything," Alanna said.

Fred gave her a disgusted look.

After eating a satisfying meal of lamb chops in the Great Hall, Alexandra, Fred and Alanna headed into the common room to begin on their rather sizable load of Defense Against the Dark Arts homework they received earlier that day.

"How were Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes?" James asked as they sat down at the table next to him and Louis.

"Care of Magical Creatures was great," Fred said. "Ancient Runes may possibly be on the same caliber as History of Magic."

"Told you to take Muggle Studies," James said. "That's what I'm doing next year."

"I suppose you'll you that period as a nap class," Fred grinned. "You're house practically looks like a Muggle family lives there. You have that big box thingy…what is it?"

"A television?" James said. "Or do you mean the thing with the keyboard; a computer?"

"Not sure," Fred shrugged.

"Why do you have all those Muggle things?" Alanna asked.

"My dad likes them," James explained. "He grew up with Alexandra's dad, remember, so he was around them. Said since he never got to use them growing up he's making up for lost time now."

Alexandra shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hey," Louis frowned. "What's Albus doing talking to Scorpius?"

James turned around looking horrified as he watched his younger brother chat with Scorpius as they came down from their dormitory.

"No idea," James muttered.

It seemed their conversation had ended, though, for Scorpius headed towards the portrait door and Albus headed over to them.

"What was that all about," James snapped as Albus took a seat next to him.

"What are you talking about?" Albus frowned.

"Why were you all chummy with Malfoy?"

"Chummy?" he repeated. "Hardly. He just asked me about our Transfiguration homework."

"Oh," James sighed, relieved. "Gave him the wrong answer, I hope."

"No."

"Why not?"

"He doesn't seem completely awful, you know," Albus said. "And he's really smart. In Charms today, the only one who knew more answers than him was Rose."

"Well of course he's smart," Fred said. "His ol' dad's probably been training him in the Dark Arts since he could walk."

"Don't you go making friends with him, Al," James warned.

"Now really," Alanna said. "Have you ever thought that maybe he's not the person you think he is?"

"Not really, no," James said.

"Let's change the subject," Fred said quickly. "Can you believe they discontinued the Hogsmeade trips?"

"I know, that really sucks," James agreed.

"You couldn't even go anyway," Fred pointed out.

"What Hogsmeade trips?" Alanna asked.

"Usually," Louis explained. "Third years and older are allowed to go into Hogsmeade village on certain weekends if they get their parents permission."

"But since Claridina Wretermoust attacked there, they won't let students go," Fred finished.

"Luckily," Louis grinned. "We can get in on our own, right James? You still have your dad's map, right?"

"Dad's map?" Albus frowned. "He never gave me a map."

"I nicked it from his office, you git," James said, taking out the map from his bag. He cleared his throat. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

"Wow," Albus said, amazed, as the map revealed itself.

"Shows you how to get out of Hogsmeade," Fred said. "So, when do you think we should go."

James looked down. "We can't."

"What do you mean we can't?" Louis sputtered.

"I-I promised my dad," James said. "He found out I took the map, but he told me I could keep it so long as I didn't use it to get out of the castle while Claridina was still on the loose."

"Shame," Fred sighed. "Just as well, though. I don't really fancy going past those dementors again."

"Oh, they were awful," Alanna said. "When I first saw them in Diagon Ally this summer, I thought I was never going to be happy again."

"My dad told me he'd teach me and Al how to do a Patronus," James whispered.

"What's that?" Alexandra asked.

"It's the only thing that can repel a dementor," Alanna told her. "I read about it in our Defense Against the Dark Arts book. It's supposed to be really complicated, though."

"My dad said we probably wouldn't be able to do a full one," Albus said. "Just enough to keep the dementors away until we can get inside."

"Teddy could do one when he was fourteen, remember," Fred said.

"Well, we'll see," James shrugged. "Anyway, I'm hungry. Who wants to come with me to the kitchens to grab a bite?"

"I will," Fred said, standing up.

"But we have to write two essays by tomorrow," Alanna said.

"I'll finish them," Fred assured her. "They may not be great, but they'll be done."

"Honestly," Alanna said as him and James hurried out of the common room.