Chapter 31: Sid? James?

It was 6am and everyone was starting to get up for their classes. It was most of the girls who were already in the common room dressed with their books and equipment and it was the boys coming down slowly one by one. Ash who was holding her books next to Rhea was waiting for James so she could give him the reply, but the thing was everyone was coming down except James, almost all of the boys were down now!

'Where are they?' Said Rhea

'Where are who?' Asked Ash

'James and Sid, who else?' Replied Rhea

'Oh yeah… I don't know' Said Ash looking down

Eventually everyone started going to get to their lessons and Rhea and Ash were left downstairs waiting for James and Sid.

'I'm going up!' Said Rhea

'NO. Rhea don't go!' Said Ash holding Rhea back

'Why?' Asked Rhea

'Because we might not be allowed' Said Ash

'Ash… You're never like this! What's the matter?' Said Rhea

'Nothing… Let's just go up' Smiled Ash

Ash and Rhea looked around to see if anyone around was looking and they saw no one so they opened the door to the boys dorms and they walked up the stairs to the dorms and they knocked on the door but no one answered, so they knocked again and still no one answered…

'Just go in…' Whispered Ash before pushing the door

Rhea and Ash went in and they saw no one was there, they checked in James' bed and Sid's bed but they just weren't there!

'Where do you think they would go so early in the morning?' Asked Rhea

'I don't know, but it's probably something important' Said Ash

'I know Sid, he wouldn't even want to wake up that early unless it was for something important' Said Rhea

'Well do you want to go and search for them or do you just want to get to charms?' Said Ash

'Maybe their already at charms' Said Rhea

'Yeah right' Said Ash smiling

'It is possible!' Said Rhea

'James Potter and charms? NO WAY' Giggled Ash

'Well fine we'll just go there and we won't talk to them for the whole day' Said Rhea

'If you say so' Smiled Ash

Ash and Rhea then went back down and then they made their way to the third floor for charms with Professor Hart.

'Now today in this first lesson of charms, we are going to be working on different spells for different uses' Said Professor Hart as he took out his wand

'Where do you think Sid and James are?' Said Rhea as Professor Hart was talking

'I have no clue, their probably skiving or something' Ash said looking blank

'Well we could try and find them by skiving off ourselves' Said Rhea

'Rhea… I don't think teachers are that dumb…' Said Ash before putting her head down on the book

Rhea looked away and both Ash and Rhea were worried and bored as ever listening to Professor Hart going on and on about the year and what they were going to do.

'And that concludes my lesson, always be positive in my lessons and the year will go by very quickly!' Ended Professor Hart

Ash and Rhea got up together and grabbed their books and then they went off to their next lesson.

'Hey Ash, do you think Professor Yulk will notice if we're gone from Muggle Studies?' Said Rhea

'Not really… She's half deaf anyway' Smiled Ash

'Fine then, we'll go and find James and Sid then?' Added Ash

Rhea nodded and then they started going the opposite way to put their things in the common room and to go searching for Sid and James. Once the hallways were cleared, Ash and Rhea first set off to see if James and Sid were at the hospital wing. They walked through hallways where there were lessons and they couldn't see 2 boys anywhere so they kept searching. They reached the hospital wing and they went inside but there was no one inside. They were about to leave when…

'Hold on Ash' Said Rhea

Ash turned around to see what Rhea was looking at.

'Ash look… Isn't that James' writing?' Said Rhea

Ash went up to the piece of parchment and she picked it up.

'Yeah… That is but the writings blurred… looks like someone spilled something on it' Said Ash

'Why did someone spill something on it though?' Asked Rhea

'Must've been an accident or something, now come on we've got to go and find them' Said Ash as she grabbed Rhea and started going out of the hospital wing

Rhea and Ash continued running around, searching around.

'This is like trying to find a dog' Said Rhea

'Yeah I know but you can find a dog easier than 2 guys' Said Ash

'Where do you think they've gone?' Asked Rhea

'No clue, but honestly, why are we searching for them?' Said Ash

'I miss Sid and you know how he's a vampire… His life could be in danger' Said Rhea

'Sid's inside Hogwarts! How can he be in danger?' Said Ash

'I'm just saying, it could be a possibility' Replied Rhea

'Well there isn't anywhere else we can look for them… And it's nearly time for magical creatures!' Said Ash

'Well, have we missed out anywhere?' Asked Rhea

'There is somewhere, but I'm not even sure if we're allowed there' Said Ash

'You know what I actually can't be bothered finding them anymore' Screamed Rhea

'Well how do you think I've been feeling!?' Said Ash

'Come on, let's just get to magical creatures and see if they turn up at lunch or something' Rhea sighed

Rhea and Ash gave up and they went to their next lesson. The day went on and Sid and James never turned up. Not even for lunch, for dinner and they weren't at any of the lessons! It then became 11pm and Ash and Rhea were talking since they couldn't sleep.

'Well… What do you think has happened to them?' Said Ash in her pyjamas sitting on her bed

'I don't know, but I am so worried…' Replied Rhea

'Maybe their back now?' Asked Ash

'No, if they were back we would hear sometime from downstairs since its so quiet' Whispered Rhea

'We could go and try to find them again?' Said Ash

'What? Now at 11pm?' Said Rhea

'Yeah… But-'

'I don't want any points taken off us because of prefects' Rhea looked down

'It'll be fine, I know most of the prefects I'm sure they'll let us through' Smiled Ash

'Yeah… But that nerd Chloe is a prefect and she won't' Sighed Rhea

'Come on I know where to go and we won't be able to sleep until their back' Said Ash

'Fine… But one thing, why can't YOU sleep?' Said Rhea

'Because I'm worrying… Why?' Asked Ash getting up

'Why are you worrying I thought you don't even care about James or Sid' Smiled Rhea

'Urm… Well, their friends and I have to worry about them' Ash blushed

'Come on! Lets just go, but where do we go?' Asked Rhea

'Well we checked almost everywhere; we haven't just checked the boathouse, McGonagall's office or the dungeons' Said Ash

'Well we could try the dungeons first!' Said Rhea

Rhea and Ash then quickly started to make their way to the dungeons, also known as the way to the Slytherin corridor.

'Do you think anyone will be here?' Whispered Ash

'I don't know, maybe some sleeping Slytherin's or some prefects but other than that no' Whispered Rhea

'I've heard there are some knights that detect movement down here' Whispered Ash

'Well, why didn't you tell me that before, now I'm really worried!' Replied Rhea

'Who cares, come on we have to try and find James and Sid' Said Ash

Ash and Rhea started creeping slowly in their fluffy slippers and pyjamas and tried their best not to get caught by any prefects or knights. They eventually had went round the dungeons over 4 times and they were back to the door where they had started, both out of breath.

'Well, there wasn't anyone around and we couldn't find James or Sid, so where do you want to go now?' Asked Rhea

'I don't know but honestly I think we better keep quiet, someone could be listening in' Said Ash

As Rhea was about to say something, they both heard a whisper.

'What was that?' Said Rhea

'I don't know but that sounds… So snakey' Said Ash

'Come on we'll go boathouse before the whispers find us' Said Rhea

Rhea then pulled Ash and they ran out of the dungeons, those whispers seemed like they were following Ash and Rhea until they shut the dungeon door and they were back in the entrance hall. Then they ran up to the door where Rhea was about to open the door but then she hesitated…

'Do you think it's safe to go down to the boathouse?' Asked Rhea

'Well yeah, it's not out of bounds or anything' Replied Ash

'Fine if you say so' Rhea sighed

Rhea opened the door and then Ash followed on after her and they went outside, it was a cold night and it was damp on the floors and Ash and Rhea were running down stairs to get to the boathouse…

'Oh damn, it's chilly' Whispered Rhea

'I know but… Just put this night gown on' Said Ash handing Rhea an orange nightgown

'But… I don't like orange-' Rhea was interrupted

'I know why you don't like orange but it's orange or nothing' Panicked Ash

'No need to be so moody Ash!' Said Rhea

'I'm not being moody it's just… I'm annoyed at James and Sid' Ash stopped

'It's fine, I understand' Said Rhea as she stopped as well

'You can have the pink night gown if you want' Said Ash taking out the night gown

'No it's fine, Sid won't mind anything I'm wearing' Smiled Rhea

'Sid won't mind, but I don't want James seeing me like this' Whispered Ash

'Why?' Winked Rhea

'Because I'm a total mess and I don't want him to think I'm ug-' Ash stopped

'Someone has feelings for someone named James Potter' Smiled Rhea

Ash blushed and then Rhea started walking and Ash was next to her until they reached the bottom of the stairs.

'Well how are we supposed to get in?' Asked Rhea

'Turn the door handle perhaps?' Smiled Ash

Ash then went up to the old door and then tried turning the door handle and kept trying but it was locked from the inside.

'There is most definitely someone inside, the boathouse wasn't locked before and somehow it is now' Said Ash

'SEE! I was right' Shouted Rhea

'Whatever Rhea' Grinned Ash

'Well how are we supposed to get into the boathouse now?' Asked Rhea

'We could use the other way, but I've heard that it is quite grim' Said Ash

'Okay then let's go!' Smiled Rhea

Ash led the way to the back of the boathouses where there was also another identical door, but that wasn't locked, as soon as Ash turned the handle the door opened as if it was bewitched and wanted Ash and Rhea inside. Rhea and Ash crept inside the boathouse and it was a damp place, but since they went round the back they didn't know where exactly to go, since it was quite dark, damp and there wasn't anything good to see inside. With the tip of both Ash and Rhea's wand lighted up, they started moving forward to see if they could get any further and see why the entrance at the front was locked.

Moving forward Ash and Rhea were searching and they were making no progress.

'Well where do we go?' Asked Ash

'Well, instead of going in circles we could try ACTUALLY moving forward?' Replied Rhea

Ash sighed and then let Rhea be in front of her so then Rhea could lead the way. Of course Rhea did have a better sense of direction than Ash (You will hopefully find out soon sometime)
They made their way forward and then they came to a screen, with door. The door looked open and this area was quite old until.

-SCREAM-

Ash screamed as her wand lowered down and she saw a skeleton. The skeleton was on leaning on the screen and behind the skeleton was blood… It was as if this person died here, more like murdered here.

'Ash, don't ever scare me like that, WHATS WRONG?' Said Rhea

Ash who didn't talked showed Rhea by shining the light on the skeleton and as soon as Rhea saw she screamed. Ash and Rhea both backed away.

'Who-who do you think it-it is?' Said Rhea

'I don't know…' Shivered Ash

'Do you think anyone knows about this?' Asked Rhea

'Probably, I mean everyone knows about everything at Hogwarts…' Sighed Ash

'Let's just go, I don't want to be a suspect of murdering someone' Said Rhea pulling Ash

'This isn't the end of this' Thought Ash

Ash and Rhea went on until they eventually came to a door…

'Do you want to open the door?' Asked Ash

'One second, I thought I heard something' Whispered Rhea

Ash and Rhea listened closely and put their ears on the door to see if they could hear inside any better and when they listened in they heard someone. Well they thought it was a someone but it could have been anyone. They couldn't recognise the voice mainly because the door wouldn't let the voice through, only small sounds.

'Lets go in' Whispered Rhea

'Keep your wands out… Open the door on the count of three. 3… 2… 1' Whispered Ash

As soon as Ash said 3, they opened the door and they saw a dark room, there was small lighted candles in places and there was water in the middle of the room with boats floating on top.

'There's no one here' Said Rhea

'Well, what were the noises we heard?' Said Ash

'Maybe our imagination?' Said Rhea

'You really think we would imagine the same thing at the same time?' Sighed Ash

'I don't know, this boathouse could play tricks on you' Smiled Rhea

'Rhea… This is a boathouse, it can't do anything except store boats' Signed Ash

As Ash and Rhea were talking, all of a sudden there was a noise, something moved and Ash and Rhea stopped talking and everything was silent.

'What was that?' Whispered Ash

'Who's there?' Shouted Rhea

There was no reply but then they heard someone move…

'There is obviously someone here Rhea' Whispered Ash

'But who? Peeves?' Asked Rhea

'He never comes here; it has to be someone we know' Whispered Ash

'Do you think its James and Sid' Whispered Ash

'I don't know, if it was them, why would they be hiding from us?' Whispered Rhea

'Maybe they want to scare us?' Smiled Ash

'But why would they want to do that?' Sighed Rhea

'Because their boys…?' Smiled Ash

'Well, we'll pretend to be scared to see if it is them?' Smiled Rhea

Ash nodded and smiled and then they turned back to the empty room where other noises were heard …

'Rhea I can't take this anymore' Shouted Ash

'What's wrong Ash, why are you crying?' Shouted Rhea

'It's too scary here and I don't like it' Cried Ash

'Don't worry, we'll be fine' Shouted Rhea

'We'll just get out of here' Smiled Ash

'Fine then! Who cares about Sid and James' Smiled Rhea

'I do' Thought both Rhea and Ash

Both Rhea and Ash walked out of the room and they decided to stay outside the door, to see what would happen after they had walked out. After they had walked out there wasn't a sound like before, everything had just become silent and there was no sign of anything living, until…

'Do you really think we scared them away?' Said a voice coming from no where

'I know Ash, and she doesn't really get scared that easily, even after what we saw in the cave and the maze' Replied another voice

Ash and Rhea both looked at each other… How did they know who they were? Ash and Rhea then continued listening in to the conversation between the mysterious voices.

'And I know Rhea, she's faced vampires and I know she wouldn't get scared, not even if a dead body dropped down from a tree' Said the first voice

Rhea smiled and then whispered to Ash 'I know that one is Sid'

'That means the other one is James, do you want to still listen in or go?' Whispered Ash

'We'll be nosey and listen' Smiled Rhea

They looked back through the door and they could still hear James and Sid talking out of no where.

'Do you want to get out of the cloak, I mean honestly its boiling!' Shouted Sid

'Fine then but don't blame me if someone sees us' Replied James

And with that Sid randomly came out from under a cloak, Rhea recognised him as soon as she saw his perfect black hair and… his fangs?

'Why the hell has he got fangs now?' Whispered Rhea

'I don't know… You tell me' Replied Ash

'God I honestly hope he's not murdered someone, or even worse turned another girl into a vampire so he could fall in love with her instead of me, just because he likes vampires better than mortals' Rhea whispered for ages

'Rhea, don't be stupid. Sid loves you and anyways you-' Ash stopped

After that James came out smiling, but there was only one thing noticeable, his arm.

'What's wrong with James' arm?' Whispered Ash

'I don't know, he got hurt?' Whispered Rhea

'I know, but somehow it looks different today and I don't know why…' Ash whispered, slightly shaking

Before Rhea could say anything, Sid turned to the door and she pulled Ash to hide.

'What's the matter?' Whispered Ash

'Sid's coming' Replied Rhea

'Someone's scared of their boyfriend' Smiled Ash (still whispering)

'No I'm not; I just want to see what they talk about when both of us aren't there!' Grinned Rhea

Ash nodded and then they stayed quiet hiding, as Sid was coming closer and closer to the door.

'What's the matter Sid?' Asked James

'I swear… I swear I just saw Rhea' Said Sid

'More like you're having hallucinations because you're missing her too much' Laughed James

'Well, I haven't seen her all day, so obviously I am missing her' Sighed Sid

'Don't worry, we'll see them in the morning' Smiled James

'But… Is it weird I can smell her perfume?' Sniffed Sid

'Missing her way too much, but she was here a few minutes ago' Said James

Sid walked away from the door back to James and said 'Aren't you missing anyone?'

'I don't think I am…' Grinned James

'Not even a special someone?' Smiled Sid

'Nope I don't think so, and if there is, I don't think she would want me to miss her anyway' Frowned James

'I think someone would want you to think about them though' Smiled Sid

'Oh really? Who?' Smiled James

'The girl you think about most of the time?' Smiled Sid

'Who? Ash?' Grinned James

'Well obviously, didn't you see your face when you saw her just a few minutes ago?' Smiled Sid

Rhea looked at Ash and saw that Ash was looking down smiling and she was blushing…

'Someone has a crush!' Smiled Rhea

'No! Of course I don't' Blushed Ash

Rhea smiled and she knew when her best friend was lying or not, and of course Ash was a really bad liar as well. Rhea and Ash then returned to the random conversation between Sid and James.

'What about my face?' Blushed James

'You were smiling so much when you saw Ash you were VERY happy' Said Sid

James blushed and looked down… When he saw an envelope… With his name on it so he picked it up.

'What's that?' Asked Sid

'I don't know, but it has my name on it' Replied James

'Well, you should open it' Smiled Sid

Ash then panicked for a moment and checked her pockets and her night gown, to see that her letter for James was missing.

'My letter's missing!' Shouted Ash

Her voice echoed and then Rhea covered Ash's mouth. As well as James and Sid turning towards the door.

'Did you hear that?' Asked James

'Yes, I did' Replied Sid

'I swear that sounded just like Ash' Smiled James

'Well what do you think? They're probably still here!' Replied Sid

Rhea on the other hand was telling Ash to just shut up and that she should never shout again and that she was really annoying and everything.

'I'm sorry I didn't mean to!' Whispered Ash

'Right now we have to try and stop them from noticing us' Replied Rhea

'Or we could casually walk in as if nothing has happened' Said Ash

'Well you do that, and I'll stick with hiding' Said Rhea before pushing Ash to the door

'Er… James I think you may want to turn around' Said Sid as he saw Ash

Before James could see anything, Ash quickly moved behind the door.

'What are you talking about?' Asked James

'I swear I just saw Ash then!' Sighed Sid

'You must be having more hallucinations… God now you're starting to see someone I like!' James blushed

Ash from behind the door was also blushing, but once she knew James had turned she walked to the entrance again. Sid was about to say something when Ash put a finger on her lip as she was creeping behind James… She got closer and closer to James when…

'RHEA!' Screamed Sid

Sid had seen Rhea as she had also come out of hiding, James turned but at the same time Ash turned so he couldn't see her, she was behind him.

'Oh hey Rhea!' Smiled James

'What have you two been doing all day?' Said Rhea as she walked up to Sid

'We were… We were just doing interesting things' Said Sid as he looked at James

'Rhea… Where's Ash?' Smiled James

'She ran off, you know, both of you lunatics scared her away!' Grinned Rhea

Ash was making faces to Rhea behind James who was frowning.

'Well, I think she dropped this' Said James holding out the letter

'She might've dropped it but I think you should keep it, it has your name on. Honestly, she spent ALL night trying to write it for you so it must be interesting' Smiled Rhea

James blushed and looked down as Sid and Rhea were mouthing words and sentences to each other.

'Well do you want to get back to the common room?' Asked James

'Well we could hang around here for a bit, you could read your letter here if you want' Said Sid now holding Rhea's hand

James nodded. Rhea and Sid then went to sit down on the nearby bench to talk, but James stood up and carefully opened his letter to see neat writing on the piece of parchment, the letter said:

To James,
I'm worried about your arm, I know I shouldn't be , but it's a big deal to me Sorry I didn't mean to scribble so much! Well good to know most of your scars have healed, and I can see a difference myself, except your arm, aren't you worried? Anyways, I love how you're growing your hair, it suits you and I'm sure more girls will be more attracted to you! It was also nice being with you for a change, I'm glad you actually were comfortable with me there, and also I don't know about you but I'm also worried about that person who was following us… Never mind though. Just a note, I'll always be there for you! So if you need me, just look behind you and I'll be there for you…

Ash x

James looked up as he read the letter and then smiled to himself… He then re-read the last sentence of the letter… 'So if you need me, just look behind you and I'll be there for you' He folded the letter and put it in his pocket and then he turned around… That's when he saw Ash, sleeping on the nearby bench, so he went up to her and knelt beside the bench…

'Ash!' He whispered

'Ash, wake up' James smiled

But Ash wouldn't wake up, she looked like she was in a deep sleep…

'Just wake her up, I'm sure she wont mind!' Winked Rhea as she went up to Ash and tried waking her up

'What do you want Rhea?' Groaned Ash

'Wake up you lazy witch!' Screamed Rhea

'Well, that's just rude' Smiled Ash as she got up 'Where are we again?'

'The boathouse!' Said James

Ash jumped as she saw James 'Woah, Potter you scared me!' Smiled Ash

'What are you doing here?' Laughed James

'It was Rhea's idea!' Shouted Ash pointing at Rhea

'Ash, don't lie, you wanted to save James just as much as I wanted to save Sid' Smiled Rhea

Ash looked down and blushed and then looked up again 'No way!'

Ash smiled and then added 'What were you doing all day?'

'Oh… Nothing, why?' Said James

'Well maybe because you were missing all day?' Smiled Ash

'They didn't tell me either, so its fine!' Said Rhea

'Oh… Well now we've found them do you want to go back to the common room?' Smiled Ash

'Well yeah, I'm so tired and it's so late!' Yawned Rhea

So then altogether, Ash, James, Sid and Rhea went back to the common room where they said goodnight and then they went upstairs back to sleep. Ash and Rhea went straight to sleep as they were very tired, but James and Sid didn't, instead they got into their nightwear and went down to the common room to have a little private talk.

'Are we ever going to tell them?' Whispered Sid

'I don't know, but I think I'm going to tell everyone, when everyone is together' Sighed James

'But when is everyone going to be together?' Asked Sid

'I'm assuming tomorrow, as it is the weekend and everyone will be planning to go somewhere together!'

'Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you; me, you, Ash, Rhea, Rose, Hugo, Raj, Lily, Albus, Rachel and Andy have been invited by Priya to the room of requirement!' Smiled Sid

'Room of Requirement?' Said James confused

'Yeah, no idea why but I can't wait!' Screamed Sid

'Tomorrow?' Asked James

'Yes indeeeeeeeed' Said Sid laughing

'Well then we should get to bed now!' Smiled James

'Okay then! Lets go' Smiled Sid

Sid and James then made their way up to the dorms, and eventually fell asleep for a new day…