Song: Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra and Anita Baker
Today was the day Kellah had been waiting for, a flying lesson with Slytherin House, and she could hardly contain her excitement. In class today, she would have the chance to see both Malfoy and Harry. Whenever they were in the same room, the energy seemed to shift, and everyone's attention was drawn to them.
It was only breakfast, but she couldn't wait to feel the wind rushing through her hair as she learned to take flight. The idea of flying on a broomstick was fascinating to her. Any mode of travel that wasn't walking was highly valued. Her parents' consent was the only thing preventing her from choosing a bike or rollerblades.
No matter where she turned, the conversation seemed to steer toward flying lessons. Malfoy continued on and on about it, not giving anyone else a chance to speak. Even though he was handsome, his bragging about his brooms and unbelievable stories of escaping Muggle's notice made him less likable. Among the purebloods and half-bloods, stories like that were the norm. As Seamus recounted the freedom of flying over the countryside, Ron reminisced about the thrill of flying on his brother's hand-me-down broomstick and accidentally colliding with a hang glider.
Kellah longed for a tale to share with her friends. She regretted not discovering her magic before the summer, wishing she could have explored it more. She struggled to catch up with the group, which seemed light years ahead. That's why she and Hermione were studying Quidditch Through the Ages. Neville was beside them, listening to every word and trying to embed it in his memory. Broomstick riding was a common pastime among pure-blood wizards, but he had never tried it before. Perhaps his grandma thought it was safer for him, considering his tendency to be clumsy.
Harry's fingers traced the schedule's edges as he read it, the paper crinkling under his touch. "Flying lessons with the Slytherins. Typical, I can make a fool of myself in front of Malfoy."
"Malfoy is the one going to make a fool of himself," said Ron.
Kellah reassured Harry. "You'll be great."
Harry's nervousness was palpable; he fidgeted with his robes and avoided eye contact, even tempted to distract himself with Quidditch Through the Ages. As she watched him play with his food, she heard the clink of his fork against the plate and noticed he had only taken a small bite of toast.
The other boys in the room filled it with the sound of their voices as they continued to discuss their love of flying. Eventually led to a heated debate about Quidditch. However, Dean soon interrupted with a quip about football, his eyes lighting up with amusement. Ron wasn't convinced that a sport with only one ball could hold his interest.
"Trust me, it's worth watching," Dean said politely, suggesting they watch it together someday.
"No thanks, I'll stick to Quidditch," Ron said, declining the offer.
Unable to hold back, Kellah interjected with her opinion. "You won't have to watch alone, Dean," she said, touching his shoulder. "My favorite team is West Ham United."
"Mine too," he said, and they both laughed. "My headboard used to boast a rather nice poster of them until Ron got his hands on it and tried to bewitch it."
"I was trying to make them move. Make it bloody brilliant," Ron urged.
"Hermione and I can handle it without trouble," Kellah said confidently.
From above the book, one could see the intensity in Hermione's eyes. "What am I volunteering my services for?"
"Dean's West Ham poster so that it can move. Don't pretend you weren't listening," said, Kellah.
"Fine, we can do it tonight, but only—" The sound of the owls flying with mail cut Hermione's sentence off.
As everyone quickly retrieved their mail, Milkway struggled with the bulky Daily Prophet paper. It was an elf owl, the smallest breed and endangered as well. It was so adorable but sad. The creature plopped down, wheezing, and Kellah deftly removed the mail from its leg.
"I don't think your owl can carry all that weight," Hermione said.
This caused Kellah to become irritated. "You don't have an owl, Hermione, so you wouldn't know I can buy an enchanted tag so he can carry more."
"Serves her right," Ron said smugly, a triumphant smirk on his face.
Hermione returned to her book, turning the page so hard it nearly ripped. Harry pretended to eat, not wanting to get involved.
Neville had a lovely package from his grandmother, delivered by a barn owl. The glass ball was a thing of beauty, with intricate patterns etched into its surface, and the white smoke within it only added to its allure. The smoke swirled and undulated, creating a hypnotic effect on those who saw it.
"It's a Remembrall. Gran bought it because I'm forgetful. If I hold it right like this and it turns red means, I forgot som—." Inside, the Remembrall smoke transformed into a vibrant red, filling the orb with an eerie glow.
Neville's hand reached for his temple as he tried to jog his memory. As Kellah looked at Neville, she noticed the missing item. He furrowed his brow, trying hard to remember. It was adorable. "You forgot your robe."
With a quick glance downward, he nodded in approval at his uniform while he accidentally threw the Remembrall above his head. It began its descent from mid-air. Just then, Malfoy snatched the orb and sauntered away with a bag of snacks from home. Professor McGonagall quickly noticed this went straight for Malfoy. She had an eagle eye and was always on the lookout, missing nothing. Nothing escaped her observant eye. Sometimes the students wondered if she cast a spell to have eyes in the back of her head to always see when they caused trouble.
"Can someone please tell me what's happening?" said Professor McGonagall.
"Malfoy took my Remembrall."
Malfoy had a sour expression as he threw the Remembrall at Neville. Neville fumbled with the object, bouncing it around until he finally caught it on the fourth attempt.
"I was only curious," he said, his tone defensive, as he retreated with Crabbe and Goyle, their footsteps fading into the distance. She did not know why she was drawn to him, given how horrible he was, but she couldn't deny the thrill she felt when he went by. As she looked to the side, she noticed Harry's white-knuckled grip on his fork as he plunged it into a piece of sausage, then glared at Malfoy.
The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as flying lessons began later that afternoon. A combination of sunshine and a gentle breeze made it a beautiful day to be outside, but she knew it would be challenging to fly. The challenge ahead didn't intimidate her. Walking down, they noticed a spacious, level patch of land. She could feel the soft blades of the low-cut grass brush against her ankles as she walked. As the wind picked up, the trees in the forest swayed, creating an eerie, haunting sound. Hermione had told her the forest was off-limits, but the group paid no attention and strolled by as if it were just another part of the scenery. They stood tall, trying to mask their fear, but their wide eyes told a different story.
The Slytherin students were waiting for them, with twenty broomsticks lying in two rows of ten across the ground. Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Stand by a broom, now."
Kellah darted towards a broom. Madam Hooch wasn't the friendliest teacher around. "Now stick out your right hand and say up."
Kellah did as instructed, and, whoosh, the broom was off the ground. Harry, Malfoy, and Ron were faster than her, but no surprise there. Hermione's broom was all over the place before it finally obeyed. She sucked at it, which was new for her. Kellah was the potions queen, but Hermione insists it was a team effort that they nailed the boils cure potion on their first try as first years.
The broom wouldn't cooperate with Neville. He wasn't confident enough, and the brooms were like animals. You couldn't hide your fear from them. You couldn't hide your anxiety from them. It eventually came up rather slowly, like it was drunk, but it got there.
After that, Madam Hooch showed them the proper way to grip and mount it. Some wizarding kids were super embarrassed when they found out they'd been mounting their brooms wrong, and it got under Malfoy's skin.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a foot, and come back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle — three — two."
Maybe due to fright, Neville pushed off before the whistle blew. He was moving like crazy. Flying higher and faster than Kellah thought was possible. He seemed fine until she saw his stark white face. He was petrified with fear and slipped off but held on to the broom by his fingertips. Then he lost his grip and fell face-first into the ground from about ten feet. He's a survivor - lucky to be here. It could be suggested that wizards were constructed to be more durable than Muggles, or perhaps Neville's misfortunes were so great that his only remaining good fortune was his ability to stay alive in any circumstance.
Despite the odds, the broom flew steadily and continued on its merry way, disappearing into the depths of the dark forest, never to be spotted again. It's probable the broom became wild and feral, free from human influence.
It startled Madam Hooch to see Kellah running towards Neville's side. They noticed it was his wrist, and it appeared to be broken. Picking him up, Madam Hooch turned towards the class.
"Nobody moves while I take this boy to the hospital wing! Leave those brooms grounded, or you'll be out of Hogwarts quicker than you can say Quidditch." Running, Madam Hooch glanced over at Neville, who was breathing heavily and struggling to keep pace.
Kellah muttered "Quidditch" almost inaudibly.
Pausing in her stride, Madam Hooch scrutinized the students. "What was that?" she said, straining to hear other sounds.
"Nothing," the class replied in sync.
Suddenly, Kellah was hit with a familiar sensation, causing her body to shake and her head to involuntarily tilt back. She couldn't believe her luck as she witnessed Harry's daring chase after Malfoy and the capture of the Remembrall, all with her sight. Kellah quickly regained her composure and pretended to stretch her neck. Now armed with the knowledge of how to obtain the enchanted tag, she felt a renewed sense of determination.
"Did you see his face, the lump of lard? She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as the Slytherins laughed among themselves. The Gryffindors were another story. Ron struggled against Dean and Harry's hold, his face red with anger as he tried to lunge at Malfoy.
"Shut it, Malfoy," Parvati snapped, her eyes flashing with anger.
Pansy Parkinson, the ringleader of Malfoy's fan club, made a snide comment. "Ooh, sticking up for that fat crybaby, you must like him."
Malfoy bent down and picked up a small, glinting object from the ground. She didn't need to look to know he had the Rememberall. "Look, it's the stupid thing Neville's too daft to use."
"Give it back!" Harry yelled at Malfoy, his frustration evident in his tone.
"I'll leave somewhere for Neville to find. How about on the roof?"
Hermione attempted to intervene as Harry mounted his broom.
"No!" shouted Hermione Granger. "Madam Hooch told us not to move — you'll get us all into trouble."
Kellah felt a rush of excitement as he flew off without a care for what Hermione was saying. She longed to be the center of their attention, fighting over her. Watching Harry chase after Malfoy, she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. With determination in her eyes, she approached the two minions, Crabbe and Goyle. "Five Galleons, Harry gets the Rememberall back."
At the sound of this, Theodore Nott's attention was immediately caught, and he leaned in, arms crossed.
Crabbe and Goyle didn't say a word, only indicating their disagreement by shaking their heads. Pansy teased her. "You're such a Harry fangirl."
"You're so inbred it looks like you hit an ugly stick on the way out your mom's cunt," she said, rolling her eyes.
The words took everyone aback, but Ron showed his approval by nodding. Pansy was so shocked that she was at a loss for words.
With a protective gesture, Daphne Greengrass positioned herself between Pansy and Kellah. "You won't win," she scoffed, "but if you do, we owe you ten galleons each."
Hermione intervenes. "First, Harry is starting trouble now you. And Kellah, you don't have the money."
"Don't worry," she said with a reassuring smile. "I am destined to be the winner."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Of course, you'll win. Malfoy's going up against my best friend The, Harry Potter."
As if on cue, Harry arrived with the Rememberall, descending gracefully from the clouds. The sound of cheers filled the air as Kellah planted a kiss on his cheek, overjoyed. The kids let out an ooh of excitement. Despite wiping the kiss away, Harry's cheeks were still flushed. With an angry look, Malfoy descended the skies, but his expression softened into a smile.
"HARRY POTTER!" Kellah spun around to face Professor McGonagall, who was walking with her arms crossed and a disapproving look on her face.
Hermione did not join in the protests of the Gryffindor kids and instead looked around at the situation with a critical eye.
"It wasn't his fault," Parvati said, her brow furrowed with concern.
Kellah's eyes sparkled as she said, "It was worth it."
"But Malfoy-"
"Enough! Come with me, Potter."
Kellah extended her hand as McGonagall and Harry departed. "I'll have my ten gallons now, each."
The Slytherin kids were angry, but Crabbe, Goyle, Daphne, and Pansy still gave her ten galleons each. Theo smiled, grateful he didn't get involved in the bet. With the money Kellah had earned, she could finally afford an enchanted tag for Milkway, making his load lighter.
Harry animatedly shared with Ron and his twin brothers how he secured a spot on the Quidditch team at lunch. The youngest seeker in a century, and that first year's never made the team. Even the possession of a broom is forbidden for the first years. The news of Harry making the team only served to magnify her crush on him. He was the type of guy that all the girls fawned over. Kellah knew that she didn't fit the traditional beauty standards, but she was comfortable in her skin. She was pretty average-looking, with no particularly striking features. Though she was still in the early stages of puberty, it was clear that she would be a real head-turner once she fully developed. She crossed her fingers, hoping that, at the very least, she would be lucky in that department. Some kids begin as adorable cherubs and develop into unattractive adolescents.
Malfoy left the Slytherin table accompanied by his two burly sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle and made his way over to Harry. Pansy, who was just a few steps behind Daphne, shot Kellah a glare.
"Eating your last meal, Potter?"
"Tweedle dee and tweedle dum seem to have given you a boost of courage now that you're back on solid ground," Harry said calmly.
The sound of their knuckles cracking was the only response from Crabbe and Goyle, who knew they couldn't cause a scene with so many teachers at the High Table. Pansy let out a frustrated sigh, feeling invisible to Harry and Malfoy. Daphne's eyes rolled in exasperation.
"Don't worry, I'll take you one-on-one tonight," Malfoy sneered. "Let's have a Wizard duel. Sure, that's something you haven't heard of being raised by Muggles."
"Of course, he knows," said Ron, turning to Malfoy. "I'm his second."
Malfoy's attention was fixed on Crabbe and Goyle, trying to decide which would be the least incompetent.
"I choose Crabbe," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Midnight in the trophy room. It's always unlocked." Malfoy then gave Kellah a smirk.
Ron and Harry exchanged a worried glance once Malfoy finally departed, taking his sweet time as if savoring his challenge.
"What is a wizard's duel, and why do I need a second?"
"Well, a second's there to take over if you die," said Ron with a mouth full of pie, not nearly as worried as Harry. Harry was braver than most but looked queasy.
"Neither of you know enough magic to do any harm? Duels are for real wizards like Dumbledore, not first-years like us. Glad you didn't turn him down, though.," said Ron, with pie crumbs coming from his mouth.
"Ahem, excuse me." It was Hermione Granger. Their expressions remained stern and unamused.
"Can't I eat in peace? First Malfoy, now you," said Ron, shoveling more pie into his mouth.
As Ron spoke, Hermione's attention shifted to Harry, something Kellah was not pleased about.
"I couldn't help but hear what you and Malfoy were speaking of," Hermione said.
"You could have. You didn't want to," Ron said.
Folding her arms, Hermione gave a disapproving look. "You can't wander around at night for a duel. You'll make Gryffindor lose house points."
Kellah's words were directed at Harry as she leaned next to him. "I think it sounds like fun. Malfoy deserves to be put in his place."
"The words of wisdom are appreciated, but my business is my own," Harry replied.
"Good day," said Ron dramatically, leaving with his pie. Harry followed, not wanting to deal with the two of them.
Kellah was determined to stay up for three reasons:
First, to assist Dean in making his poster move, and second, because Hermione was there, her expertise would be invaluable—reason three, to see if Harry and Ron were going for that midnight duel.
They worked tirelessly through the night to get the stubborn poster to budge. They constructed a makeshift fortress out of every cushion in the Gryffindor common room due to the lengthy wait. If Kellah hadn't convinced Percy to finally flirt with the Prefect Ema Sato that night, she would have been mad at the mere sight of it. To buy some time, she asked Hermione to demonstrate how to perform the spell independently. It came naturally to Dean, but Kellah was having a tough time. Unlike her peers, she struggled with the complexities of wand work. Ron and Harry's appearance in maroon and blue robes, respectively, was timely, just when she was about to give up.
"I can't believe you two," Hermione rose from the pillow fort, her pink robes swishing around her ankles.
"Go to bed, Hermione and Dean, Kellah. What are you two doing here?" said Ron, frowning.
Dean raised his poster high above his head. "Working on this."
"I was eager to see the duel, so I helped," said Kellah.
Dean's eyes flicked to her for a moment in a side glance. She was left confused about what it could mean.
Hermione rolled her eyes." Anyway, I almost told your brother, but then I had to help Dean, which I now think was a plot on Kellah's part."
Kellah couldn't help but laugh at the situation while Harry seethed in anger, rendering him unable to speak to anyone but Ron. "Come on."
The portrait of the Fat Lady creaked as Ron and Harry pushed it open and scrambled through. Hermione followed them, her determination to stop them giving her the strength to overcome her fear of trouble with authority. Kellah's heart raced at the thought of watching the duel and potentially embarking on a clandestine relationship with the champion. Dean was already awake and eager to show his loyalty to his new Gryffindor roommates.
As she spoke, Hermione's words came out in a low hiss. "You're all so selfish," she exclaimed. "Gryffindor could lose the house cup because of you, and no one wants Slytherin to win again. I mean, I just won points from McGonagall for knowing about Switching Spells. All my hard work."
"They can't let Malfoy off that easy," Dean added.
"Thanks, but no thanks, Hermione," said Harry, determined to handle the situation independently.
"Leave us alone," Ron shouted.
Kellah's attempt to comfort Hermione with a pat on the back was met with a shrug of rejection. "I warned you I shall remember you fondly as you're on the train back-"
Hermione stopped, and Kellah knew that wasn't right, so she turned to see what Hermione was looking at. Panic rose as they realized The Fat Lady had vanished, leaving them stranded outside. Now Kellah wouldn't be dragged around by Hermione. They were all locked out. The anticipation was palpable as the night wore on. Kellah was pleasantly surprised as she laughed and enjoyed herself like never before.
"Now, what do I do?" she panicked
Ron laughed. "That's a you problem, not an us problem."
Ron and Hermione were bickering back and forth when Harry yelled." Shut it! I hear something."
Suddenly, Neville jolted awake from his curled-up position on the floor, where he had snored loudly. The group of them startled him. He dashed towards Kellah and Hermione, squeezing them tightly in a warm embrace. "You found me! I have been out here for hours and forgot the password."
"Keep it down, Neville. The password's 'Pig snout,' but it doesn't matter. Fat Lady's gone," said Ron.
"How's your arm?" said Harry.
"Good," said Neville, shaking it at them.
"Great - well, look, Neville, we have places to be," Harry said.
"Don't leave me!" said Neville." The Bloody Baron keeps passing by."
Checking his watch, Ron's eyes narrowed in anger at Hermione, Neville, Dean, and Kellah. Kellah didn't know why he glared at her and Dean. They were there for support.
"If we get caught, I'll learn the Curse of the Boogies and use it on the lot of you."
Just as Hermione was about to speak, Kellah put a hand on her arm, signaling her to stay quiet and not escalate things. It was probably about how to use the Curse of Boogies. In response to Harry's beckoning, they clustered together into a tight huddle of six. The darkness of the corridors was only broken by the pale, silvery light of the moon filtering through the high windows. The atmosphere was tense, with Filch and Mrs. Norris lurking about. When Kellah tried to grab Harry for comfort, he recoiled from her. She had only two options: Neville or Dean. Among all the options available, she settled on Dean. Ron wasn't even an option unless she wanted Hermione mad at her for the rest of the night.
Scurrying footsteps echoed through the hallway as everyone rushed to reach the third-floor corridor. Upon arriving at the trophy room, they quickly realized that Malfoy and Crabbe were not there. They waited a bit, watching the clock tick down to their meeting time. Hermione looked at the paper fortune teller in Kellah's outstretched hand, but instead of choosing a color, she crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash. Everyone was annoyed that their only source of entertainment was gone, so Kellah napped on the cold floor.
Hermione's irritation with Ron and Harry was so intense that she couldn't bring herself to say anything. The trophy window display was covered in a thick layer of dust, but Harry didn't mind as he continued his finger drawing. The word "pie" was spelled out in large capital letters. Ron's sudden outburst shattered the peaceful atmosphere as Neville twiddled his thumbs and rocked back and forth while Dean focused on improving his West Ham United poster.
"He's late, the great big chicken," Ron muttered, his frustration growing.
As Kellah shivered from the cold chill, Dean wrapped his arms around her to hold her steady. "Someone's coming this way," she whispered.
Suddenly, a loud noise came from the next room, causing them all to jump. As one, they halted their activities and raised their wands. Only Hermione and occasionally Kellah could cast spells, but the boys didn't care. They strained their ears to decipher the unfamiliar voice, certain it wasn't Malfoy's.
"Sniff them out, my sweet. I know they're lurking," Filch said to Mrs. Norris. The delight he took in torturing kids was sickening to witness.
Filch's arrival was met with an eerie silence, and everyone instinctively moved away from him as he headed toward the second exit. Neville was uncharacteristically quiet, and the only sound was the swishing of robes and the squeak of floorboards. Every so often, Neville found himself in a stroke of luck. Kellah could feel Mrs. Norris' presence right beside her. As Kellah stroked Mrs. Norris, Dean's eyes widened in surprise. She pressed a finger to her lips, indicating to Dean that they should keep the discovery to themselves since no one else had seen it yet. The cat nodded, flicked its tail, and pranced away.
Harry motioned for them to follow him, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Filch was getting closer, and Neville's nerves got the best of him. Sadly didn't take long. In his attempt to flee, Neville stumbled over a suit of armor and let out a small squeak before grabbing Dean's waist to steady himself.
"RUN!" The emptiness of the corridor amplified Harry's shout. The sound of heavy breathing and pounding footsteps filled the air as they ran like it was a competition. And it was as if one of them was caught. They were all in trouble. Kellah knew Hermione was a tattletale, so she grabbed her robe and hurried her along. As Dean carried Neville on his back, Kellah was surprised by how effortlessly he moved through the halls. Dean was trailing behind Harry, who was well ahead, all because of Neville's weight on his back. Kellah released Hermione, and together, she and Dean carried Neville to safety. They could close the gap between them and Ron and Harry. Hermione was lagging, but her eyes were fixed on the path ahead, determined to keep.
They found themselves in the Charms' class, feeling completely disoriented. Kellah and Dean put Neville down, and he was wheezing as if he had been the one running with an extra personal weight keeping them back. While everyone else was panting, Dean and Harry appeared to have boundless energy.
"We lost him," Harry said, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand and leaning heavily against the wall. Neville's face was red and contorted as he gasped for air.
"Malfoy tricked you," Hermione gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she spoke.
Ignoring her protest, Ron declared. "We have got to get back to Gryffindor Tower now."
"He must have tipped off Filch," Harry said through gritted teeth as she pounded her fist into her hand. Malfoy, once the object of her affection, was now nothing more than a cowardly snitch in her eyes.
"The rat," said Dean, with a disgusted look.
Ron pointed a finger at Dean. "That's offensive to Scabbers."
Harry's patients had worn thin as he said, "Let's go."
Everyone explored the winding halls, hoping to find an exit. They breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had escaped unscathed until Peeves appeared. "Caughty, waughty itty bitty firstie wirstie.
"Get out of our way," yelled Ron.
"STUDENTS OUT OF BED!" Peeves bellowed, "STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"
With their heartbeats racing, they sprinted towards a dead-end corridor with a locked door. "This is the end," said Ron.
"Oh, move over," Hermione snarled, pushing Ron to the side. With a quick movement, she snatched her wand and tapped the lock. "Alohomora!" she said. The lock clicked open.
She heard the satisfying click of the lock turning before the door swung open effortlessly. They all rushed to get it.
"Which way did they go, Peeves?" they heard Filch say through the door. The wooden door creaked as they pressed their ears against it, trying to make out the hushed voices on the other side.
Peeves cackled with glee, his laughter echoing off the walls. "Say pweety pwease."
"Bah," he muttered. "Which way Mrs. Norris."
She meowed, but he didn't like her response either." Don't do this, not tonight." There was more meowing.
Peeves laughed harder." Hehe hahaha hohohoho."
They felt secure for the moment, but the hairs on the back of their necks stood up, and they knew something wasn't right. The sound of Harry's angry voice filled the corridor as he yelled at Neville to move. Just then, they both turned and saw a massive dog with three heads and drool dripping from its mouth. Despite the fear in the room, Kellah saw a kind and gentle soul in his eyes. She approached it, her fingers itching to feel its soft, furry coat.
Kellah was the only one who didn't freeze. Her hand was outstretched while everyone else was still. The room, which Dumbledore had cautioned them about, was where they found themselves, with Hermione having to remind her of the warning. She had heard rumors about the forbidden third-floor corridor, but she never expected to see what she did when she finally went down it. Kellah didn't care. The intensity of their screams made her ears ring. She reached out to the dog despite Hermione's objections, but Hermione quickly intervened, pulling her away and slamming the door behind them.
The sound of pounding footsteps echoed around her, but Kellah's own feet couldn't keep up. She turned to Dean and asked for a piggyback ride. He scooped her into his arms, and she leaned into his chest. Her soft breath tickled his ear as Kellah's arms tightened around his neck. The scent of his cologne filled her senses, and she found herself drawn closer to him. Her chest tightened, and she struggled to catch her breath as her face hovered inches from his. She looked up at Dean, who was lost in concentration as he ran, while she savored the feel of his brawny arms and the scent of his fresh musk.
Upon reaching Gryffindor Tower, they were greeted by the sight of the Fat Lady's portrait, her eyes scanning them with suspicion. "Where have you been?" she asked.
"Nevermind that pig snout, pig snout," yelled Harry.
Breathing heavily, they collapsed onto the ground in a state of exhaustion. Kellah feigned exhaustion and gave Dean a gentle pat on the shoulder.
"Who in their right mind would keep a thing like that locked up in a school?" she questioned aloud," said Ron finally.
Hermione's breathing returned to normal, and her lousy mood returned in full force. "It was standing on something."
"The floor?" Harry suggested.
"I wasn't looking at its feet. I was too preoccupied with the heads to pay attention to anything else," Ron confessed.
"No, a trapdoor," Hermione said.
"How did you catch a glimpse of that?" said Dean
Neville had dozed off on the couch in the common room, and the sound of students chattering and laughing around him didn't disturb his sleep.
Hermione was at her wit's end."Getting expelled or killed isn't on my to-do list, so I'm going to bed now," she said.
As soon as Kellah heard her cue, she knew what to do. Hermione marched up the staircase, and Kellah struggled to keep up with her brisk pace. She strained her neck to see what the boys were doing downstairs, making climbing the stairs to the girl's dorm more difficult. As Harry and Ron chatted, she caught sight of Dean carrying Neville to his room out of the corner of her eye.
In the dormitory, the peaceful snores of the other girls were in stark contrast to the hours she spent trying to soothe Hermione's nerves.