Nepeta:
September was well into swing, and so was the school year. I could barely keep up with all of the work piling up on my desk! Feferi and I stayed up late every night to get it all done. The days were busy and tiring. I felt like it was neverending, and I loved it! Every class was a new adventpurr. Adventpurr? Meow. Anyways, I grew closer to Feferi, and also to Equius. We had the best fun exploring the castle over the weekends, and going to classes during the week. We spent our free time out by the lake or on the grounds, running and playing. I was having the time of my life! Meulin was right, Hogwarts was so much fun!
But I worried about Meulin. I liked Horuss, but some of the other people she was friends with, like Kurloz, well, I wasn't so sure about. I knew how Meulin went deaf, and it was Kurloz's fault. But I won't go into that.
The morning in question was very bright and sunshiny. Unusually so. I was on my way down to the greenhouses to visit Professor Vagabond, because he was just so silly and I liked him a lot. I tried to convince Equius to go with me, but he was busy, so I went alone. On my way down, I heard a weird sound. I raised my head to the wind and sniffed the air noisily. I heard the sound again. I whirled around to find... Kurloz. I jumped.
"Hi- hi, Purrloz." I said nervously. He smiled quietly. He signed something out with his hand. I shrugged.
"What are you saying?" I asked. He pulled out his wand and tapped his forehead. I heard a strange, scratchy voice at the back of my mind.
"MEULIN WANTS TO TALK TO YOU, NEPETA." it said. I stared at Kurloz. His eyes glowed purple. I gasped. I couldn't move my body. I was frozen. "GO UP AND SEEEEE HER." He let me go. I fell down onto the ground, but struggled back onto my feet.
"Okay." I squeaked. I budged pass him and ran all the way to Hufflepuff. The common room was warm and inviting, and the big, stuffy couch looked so perfect for a cat nap, but I ran straight to Meulin's room. I threw open the door and looked at her angrily.
"Meulin." I hissed. She looked up from her notebook.
"Hey, Nepeta. I need to talk to you."
"Your creepy boyfriend just mind-messaged me. I couldn't move, Meulin. What the heck?" I glared at her.
"Oh, Purrloz isn't my boyfriend, silly! And I told him to use sign language. Hmm." she said. "Anyways, I found a way. You can be a cat!" she said. I stopped.
"Meulin, you better not be joking. I can turn into an Animagus?"
"Yes!" she squealed. I grinned widely.
"Oh. My. GOD! How do I do it?"
"It's a series of six potions a week for three years." said Meulin. "They're easy enough to make. I have enough of all the stuff, and-"
"Three years?" I asked. She nodded.
"This is the best way I can find. And the easiest. This way, you keep all your thoughts and feelings, but you're a cat."
"Okay..." I said. How do we start?"
"Well, we can talk to The Disciple. She's head of house, and also a friend. Plus she was the potions mistress when I was a first year. Then the Condesce came." said Meulin wisely. I nodded.
I wanted to make sure to register myself as an Animagus, because doing it illegally was dangerous work. Meulin and I made our way up to the Disciple's office and told her about it.
"Well, Nepeta, it certainly is an undertaking. You don't have to do this alone. I'm sure that we can accomplish this together, if you want."
"Yes, that would purrobably be best. But Meulin wants to brew the potions herself." Meulin nodded, and the older woman smiled.
"Meulin is a very talented potions brewer. I'm sure you would be fine on your own, but I'm happy to have you girls in here every Sunday to brew up the new batch!" she said. I looked at Meulin for guidance. She nodded ever so slightly.
"Okay, Professor." I said happily. She smiled warmly.
"Nepeta, this is quite unusual. Students who find out how long it takes, or how the potion itself tastes, do not want to complete this task. Are you sure you do?"
I thought for a moment. This was what I always wanted, and now I had a wise adult, and a talented one at that, plus my trusted cousin, to help. "Yes." I said firmly. Meulin squealed.
"I envy your resolve, Nep!" she said. I smiled a little.
"So, when do we start?" I asked. The Disciple stood.
"I will tell Doc Scratch about what you are doing so that you can become registered. You two sit tight right here while I speak to him." She left with a flourish. I looked at Meulin. We jumped up and down, and I laughed.
"This is sooo exciting!" I yelled. Meulin made a little sound.
"YES! I am soooo happy for you!" she affirmed. We waited and talked excitedly. I watched minutes pass. My excitement turned a little sour as we waited. Then, The Disciple entered.
"I have the all clear. Doc Scratch Contacted the ministry, and they said they were happy that the youth were wanting to learn about this ancient art. I'm also very impressed, Nepeta."
"Okay. So, We brew the potion on Sunday." i said, quavering. She nodded.
"Yes, and then it sits overnight. You take it on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. In three years, you will be able to come and go as... any animal. But it will take a few more months if you choose...:
"A cat." I said animatedly. She smiled again.
"Great choice. Now, shall we brew up a potion?"
"YES!" I squeaked.
We spent the next few hours stirring and brewing and talking. I liked the Disciple, and I was glad that I was going to be an actual cat.
As we left the classroom, I looked at Meulin firmly.
"Meul. I want to keep this a secret. I want to surprise Equius. Do not tell." I said sternly.
"Oh course not, Nep! Why would I?" I pondered.
"You have a history of spilling my secrets." I said. She mocked hurt.
"Oh, Nep. Not this time, not with something this big." she said. I nodded.
"Thanks, Meulin."
Halloween was just around the corner. The autumn air made me feel alive and happy, and I prepared my costume.
It was a catsuit and my signature cat ears. But I made a tail for this one! I was so excited to show it off to efurryone!
On Halloween, Feferi, Eridan, Vriska, Equius, Sollux, Jade, and Jade's friends Kanaya, Rose, and Terezi, and I were meeting in the great hall for a fur a fun costume party. I was pawsitively trembling with excitement!
But Halloween was still a week away, and I was still working on putting the fur on my costume and making the shoes. Feferi, who was going as a mermaid, found a way to not walk. She used the Wingardium leviosa spell to float a few inches off the ground. Kanaya, who was furry good at charms, helped her move around in the costume. I was so excited! Feferi made all the scales individually out of fake nails, some muggle item you stick on your fingers. Feferi lent me a few so I could make claws. I did. They were purrfect. I just had to finish with my shoes and my hat. I know Equius was going as a horse, so I was excited to see his costume too! Costumes are sooo much fun!
I waded through a week of agonizing homework and classes. I stayed up all night to finish it and my costume. I sweat through all of Saturday, and by Sunday, it was finished. Halloween was on us.
I slid into my costume and helped Feferi with hers. She had some trouble with the tail, but it ended up great! We met Equius in the common room. His horse costume was so cool! He made hooved for his feet and had majestic mane and tail. We went upstairs to the great hall. Older students looked at us with amusement. I got quite a few compliments on my craftsmanship, and so did Feferi! Finally, Jade, Rose, Kanaya, Vriska, and Terezi appeared. Rose looked stunning as Rowena Ravenclaw. Her dress was beautiful. Kanaya and Vriska were lovely in their old timey dresses that Kanaya made herself. Terezi dressed as a Judge. Eridan arrived as a merman to Fef's mermaid. Sollux was dressed as Link from Legend of Zelda. Jade was a great dog, with fluffy white ears and a tail that wagged! We chased each other around a little, and then we laughed and talked. When it came time for the feast, We all changed out of our stunning costumes and went to the great hall. A spread like none other appeared on the plates and I found myself eating as much as possible. Halloween was so much fun, and it was nice to have made new friends.
October ended with a flourish, and moved on from my kitty costume to becoming an actual kitty. Meulin and I worked closely with Disciple to create the potion every sunday. I drank it once a day and then ate some chocolate to wash down the flavor. The potion was simply ghastly. I would rather eat slugs then drink it, but I resolve myself to. Only Meulin knew, for a while, but the Feferi started helping me keep to my regimen. This made us closer still. I was so grateful to have her.
Classes gradually grew harder, and I found myself swimming. I enlisted the help of Rose to tutor me a little. She found my puns and cat ears endearing, and I liked her. She helped me stay afloat in these difficult classes.
But Quidditch season was starting, and I was so excited!
The first Quidditch game of the year was between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. I stood in the stands as the brisk autumn air whipped my cheeks pink and brought my spirits up. The teams filed onto the field. Monsieur Nitram blew his whistle, and kickoff! The teams soared into the air. The quaffle was in Ravenclaw's hands, then it was stolen by Gryffindor. The scarlet chaser soared down the field and scored past the blue keeper. 10 points to Gryffindor. Ravenclaw had the quaffle, and, OH! Bludger to the chest. The chaser fell from the sky, only to be caught by Monsieur Nitram. The game continued. Ravenclaw had the Quaffle again. They soared down the field, and, the snitch was spotted! The blue and red seekers flew, neck and neck, toward the little fleck of gold in the sky. I watched, awestruck, as the Gryffindor seeker fell behind and Ravenclaw caught the snitch, bringing the game to a short and clean close. Rose, Kanaya, Terezi, and Sollux screamed their lungs out. I clapped and cheered. Next week, it would be Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin, and I couldn't wait!
November passed uneventfully, except Hufflepuff beat Slytherin but was clobbered by Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw was to play Slytherin next. I was sad my team was out, but excited for the season to kick into full swing!
The morning of the final game, Equius and I arrived at the pitch early, bundled up in autumn finery and ready to take on the weather. The stand slowly filled out, and I felt anticipation filling my body. Equius was silent. I watched the green quietly. Slytherin and Ravenclaw filed out onto the field, brooms in hand. Equius and I cheered loudly. I was rooting for Ravenclaw, but that's because I thought they were a better team this year. I watched as they kicked off, I watched as they spread around the field. I watched as the two teams stayed neck and neck for an hour and a half, and a began to lose hope. I even began to wonder if they even let the snitch out. The cold whipped through my coat and my fingers were red and raw. And as if it couldn't get any worse... it began to rain. Thick, wet drops fell from the sky. Mud splattered everywhere. The teams grew tired and miserable. I began to cry because it was cold and we'd been sitting out there for two hours. But just then, a flash of gold and the snitch zipped right by my face and out onto the field. The Ravenclaw seeker saw it first and soared after it. Slytherin notices but it was just too late, Ravenclaw won the cup.
A sea of blue poured out onto the pitch, screaming. I clapped and shouted from the stands, my hair wet and sticking to my face with rain. Equius' hair began to frizz, as it did when it got wet. We screamed and shouted and clapped and cheered. We attended the party in the Ravenclaw common room. Everyone was screaming and dancing late into the night. Everyone was muddy and wet and cold, but spirits were high. I felt immensely happy as I laughed and talked with my friends, and I finally felt like I belonged here.
Finally, fall break closed in, and I packed my things to go home. I couldn't wait to tell my dad about my time here, and everything. I kissed Meulin goodbye, took a container with my potion from Disciple, and left on the train with Jade, Kanaya, and a few others itching to see their parents. I was so happy to be home and in my dad's arms once more.
Terezi:
As I slowly settled into Hogwarts, others got used to me being blind, and stopped treating me like I was weak, which was nice. Jade and I became really close, and we made it our duty to stop coolkid Strider and his minions from playing pranks. We brought them to justice! It was lots of fun, but sometimes they managed to slip a prank past us, and we couldn't prove it was them.
Most of the time though, I could find clues to show who committed the crime, or Jade would have been conveniently in the right spot at the right time. And they never tried to prank me again. My favorite class quickly became Defense Against the Dark Arts. I adored fighting evil, but I also enjoyed History of Magic (not as much as Jade) and Charms.
When we weren't working, I tended to hang out with Rose, Kanaya, Jade, Aradia, and Sollux. Sometimes, Jade and Sollux weren't there, because they were hanging out with the ocean smelling girl, Feferi. School was hard work, but I loved all of it, and most of the spells seemed to come easily to me. The teachers loved me, but around the students...it was hard to live in my sister's shadow all the time.
Latula was friends with everyone, and everybody liked her. Most people just thought of me as her weird little sister. I had friends though, and they were all really cool. That's what's important, right?
It was a late October night, and Halloween was soon. I was going to be a judge. I tried to sleep, hugging Berrybreath to my chest. Lemonsnout was to be hanged for crimes against the state the moment I returned home. At the moment, he sat in solitary confinement in the bottom of my chest. Only Honeytongue and Berrybreath remained in favor, but I had suspicions about Honeytongue's involvement with smuggled magical goods.
Not for the first time, I found myself missing Pyralsprite. I didn't even think about bringing him with me-I don't even know where he is at home. I bet I stored him with my old FLARPing outfit, and though I miss both, I know I'll never take out either. Too many bad memories.
I shook all those thoughts off my mind and rolled over to sleep. Maybe for next year's Halloween, I'll get Kanaya to make me a dragon costume.
Halloween was hotter than I expected it to be, but I could smell candy in the air. Yum. My costume was a little different than a regular Judge's outfit, but that's because I had to wear some red. Red smells the best. Humans smell like red, but some of them have different scents that make them so much better! Like the Slytherin who hangs around the weird clown. His blood smells delicious. And coolkid always wears red when he can, but I can't think like that. He is the enemy.
The Halloween feast was amazing, and the food was delicious. I found myself deep in conversation with Kanaya later that night.
"Pardon me for asking, but I was wondering about the nature of your disability. How do you work around it so well?"
"I smell things and taste things," I told her honestly. I liked Kanaya, with her smell of jade and grass and all things green.
"I understand that, but how exactly does it work?" she pressed. I considered her question, unsure of how to respond.
"It's not something I can really explain to someone who hasn't been through the same thing, if that makes sense," I finally said.
"I also was wondering…" she trailed off and I had a pretty good idea of what she was going to say. "Not to press, but how exactly did you go blind? I've managed to figure out that you have some sort of history with Aradia, Tavros and Vriska, because you avoid the latter and aren't comfortable around the other two. Were they involved in your accident?"
"It wasn't an accident," I admitted. I couldn't believe I was actually having this conversation. "And yeah, we all used to be friends, but...they didn't know about magic. We all used to FLARP together-"
"FLARP?" Kanaya asked, a little bemused.
"It's a form of role playing, in which you are actually participating. We had two teams-Vriska and I, and Aradia and Tavros. It was fun, but…" I took a breath, and I knew I wasn't ready to go into all of the details. "It all went downhill from there." Kanaya was staring at me, I could feel her gaze.
"I am sorry if I intruded-" she began, but I waved a hand weakly.
"It's okay," I said, if a bit harshly. We didn't speak of it again for a very long time, and I did the best to banish the conversation from my mind.
Finally, the much anticipated Quidditch season started. Rose was incredibly confused by everyone's excitement, and spent more time reading with Aradia. Jade, Kanaya, Sollux, and I were all so excited for the season to start! The first game was Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, so Kanaya, Sollux, and I sat away from Jade and Aradia, the latter of which had been dragged to the game. It had been so hard to find Rose, but we had gotten her here.
I wondered if I could ever play Quidditch. It had been hard enough to convince Summoner that I could get on a broom, but I had enjoyed it so much. I tried to picture the game as it happened, and I think I had a pretty good image of what was going on. Suddenly, the announcer was screaming that the seekers were closing in on the snitch AND RAVENCLAW GOT IT! I think my ear drums nearly broke from all the screaming on our side of the stands.
Quidditch season continued, and Hufflepuff beat Slytherin, but we destroyed Hufflepuff. Currently, Ravenclaw was in first place for the Quidditch cup.
The final game of the season was Ravenclaw vs Slytherin, and Tension was high. All of my friends gathered in the Ravenclaw stands to cheer for our team. I screamed so loud my voice went hoarse as the game went on in the cold. I felt like it went on forever. Ravenclaw were the favorites to win, I knew, but Slytherin played dirty and had a really good Keeper. The game could go either way. Indeed, Slytherin pulled ahead by a few points with the Quaffle, but it was still close enough after more than an hour, and neither Seeker had even seen the snitch. It had begun to rain, which was really interfering with my sense of smell. I kept having to ask Sollux what was going on, which was probably annoying him. I didn't have a problem with that, though. But then there was the snitch and the Ravenclaw seeker seemed closer and then Ravenclaw won the Quidditch Cup! That was a great day. I only hoped I would be on the team the next year.
The leaves turned to a rainbow of colors that smelled amazing, and soon, it was time for me to leave Hogwarts for home. Mum was away on some kind of trip, so it was just Father and I in the house. I wasn't looking forward to that at all. And of course, there was the Harvest Ball with all the high purebloods, who were cruel and intimidating. I knew I couldn't tell my father about most of my friends-he could probably stand Kanaya, but Rose, Jade, and Aradia were muggleborn, and Sollux had one muggle parent and one muggle born parent. It was set to be a long and lonely break.