The day of flying lessons, all of the First years were gathered at the table. Mail came through, and Nevile received a package from his grandmother. When it was unwrapped, it was clear that it was a Remberal, a glass ball filled with white smoke. "It's a Remembrall!" Nevil exclaimed excitedly, directing his explanation to Harry who clearly looked confused. "Gran knows I forget things, this tells you if there's something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this and if it turns red-oh..." I cringed when the glass inside the Remberal turned a deep scarlet. As Nevile tried to remember what he forgot, a pale hand snatched it out of his grasp. I was instantly on my feet, my wand ready to be drawn if Malfoy stepped out of the line. However, I had no need to as Professor McGonagall swept onto the scene.
"What's going on here?" She demanded, her black eyes shifting between us.
"Malfoy's got my Remberal, Professor." Bitter that he was caught, Malfoy scoffed and tossed the item back onto the table carelessly.
"Just looking." He defended, before he and his lackeys sloped away.
TIMESKIP
It was dinner time now, and Harry had just informed Ron and I that he was going to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. "You're joking." Ron stated. "Seeker? But first years never...you must be the youngest house player in-"
"About a century." Harry but in before shovelling pie into his mouth. "Wood told me."
Ron was so amazed, so impressed, he just sat and gaped at Harry. "I start training next week. Only don't tell anyone, Wood wants to keep it a secret." Fred and George then walked into dinner. They found us and practically ran over.
"Well done." George congratulated softly. "Wood told us. We're on the team too, Beaters."
"I tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch cup for sure this year." Fred added in the same tone. "We haven't won since Charlie left, but this year's team is going to be brilliant. You must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping when he told us."
"Anyway, we've got to go, Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school."
"Bet it's that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week. See you." And with that, the twins left.
"I'm on the team as well." I added, leaning closer. "I'm a Chaser. Wood'll explain it later." I then looked up when a certain weasel-like boy approached us with his lackeys.
"Having a last meal, Potter?" Malfoy asked haughtily. "When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?"
"You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you." Harry retorted. I glared at the pale boy. However, due to the teachers being seated at their table, all they could do was try to be intimidating.
"I'd take you on anytime on my own. Tonight, if you want. Wizard's Duel. Wands only, no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"
"Of course he has." Ron stated, whirling around to the boy. "I'm his second, who's yours?" Malfoy sized up his 'friends'.
"Crabbe. Midnight, all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room that's always unlocked." Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle disappeared.
"What's a Wizard's Duel?" Harry asked. "And what do you mean you're my second?"
"Well, a second's there to take over if you die." Ron commented casually. And I could feel Harry's fear.
"Don't worry." I assured, placing my hand on his shoulder. "This isn't a proper Wizards Duel. With your's and Malfoy's abilities at the moment, the worst you could do is spark at each other."
"And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" Harry asked.
"Toss your wand and deck 'im."
"Excuse me." A voice spoke up. The three of us turned to see Hermione.
"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?" Ron complained.
"I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying-"
"Bet you could."
"-And you mustn't go wandering around the school at night, think of the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's really selfish of you."
"And it's really none of your business." Harry but in.
"Goodbye." Ron added.
TIMESKIP
It was about half-past eleven that night when I made my way downstairs. Harry and Ron were there as well. They ambled down in their bathrobes, while I was just wearing my pyjamas, a long sleeved shirt, tracksuit pants and slippers. My hair was pulled into a messy bun on the top of my head. "You two ready?" I asked.
"I can't believe you're doing this Harry." A voice said from one of the chairs. A lamp clicked on to reveal Hermione.
"You!" Ron huffed, "Go back to bed!"
"I almost told you're brother, Percy?" My eyes narrowed at her. "He's a Prefect, he'd put a stop to this." Hermione turned to me. "You shouldn't be condoning this, you're a Fourth year."
"I don't have to listen to you." I snapped, "As you have so clearly said, I am a fourth year, which means I am older than you. I'm going to make sure these two idiots don't hurt themselves." I glanced back at the boys, "Come now." I pushed open the portrait of the Fat Lady, climbed through the hole and waited for the others to follow. However, Harmione couldn't let this go. She followed Ron out of the common room, still complaining.
"Don't you care about Gryffindor? Do you only care about yourselves? I don't want Slytherin to win the House Cup, and you'll lose us all the points I got from Professor McGonagall for knowing about Switching Spells."
"Go away." Ron insisted.
"All right. But I warned you. You just remember what I said when you're on the train home tomorrow, you're so-" Hermione cut herself off. I looked behind me and saw that the Fat Lady was gone, off on a nighttime stroll to visit another Portrait. We were all locked out of Gryffindor Tower. "Now what am I going to do?"
"That's your problem. We've got to go, we're going to be late." The three of us headed to the end of the hall, however, we didn't make it far when Hermione appeared at my side.
"I'm coming with you."
"You are not."
"D'you think I'm going to stand out here and wait for Filch to catch me? If he finds all three of us I'll tell him the truth, that I was trying to stop you, and you can back me up."
"You've got some neve-" Ron started loudly.
"Shhhh!" I hissed.
"Shut up, both of you." Harry said sharply. "I heard something."
"Mrs Norris?" Ron breathed.
"No, I can't hear her." I muttered. It turned out that it was Neville. He was cured up on the floor, fast asleep. He snapped awake when we approached.
"Thank goodness you found me!" He cried. "I've been out here for hours, I couldn't remember the new password to get into bed."
"Keep your voice down Neville." Ron scolded. "The password's 'Pig Snout' but it won't help you now, the Fat Lady's gone off somewhere."
"How's your arm?" Harry asked.
"Fine." Neville replied, showing his arm. "Madam Pomfrey mended it in about a minute."
"Good. Well, look, Neville, we've got to go somewhere, we'll see you later-"
"Don't leave me!" Nevile cried, scrambling to get to his feet. "I don't want to be here alone, the Bloody Baron's been past twice already."
"Listen!" I hissed. "You two come with us, but you better be quiet! If either of you get us caught, I'll hex the both of you!" Hermione was about to speak up, but I hissed her quiet. I then continued to lead our small group towards the trophy room. When we arrived, it was creping close to midnight. Malfoy and Crabe weren't there yet, maybe Malfoy realised what a wuss he is and backed out.
"He's late." Ron muttered, glancing at his watch, "Maybe he's chickened out." There was a noise, causing the younger ones to jump as I drew my wand. A voice floated into the room, but it wasn't Malfoy.
"Sniff around, my sweet." Filch crooned, "They might be lurking in the corner." I paled, my hair turning white. If Filch was here, that means Mrs Norris was as well. The five of us almost tripped over each other trying to get away from Filch's voice. "They're in here somewhere. Probably hiding."
"This way." Harry mouthed. We all followed the black-haired boy down the long hallway, hoping not to be seen. We were doing fine...until Neville lost his nerve. He broke into a run, yelped, and then suddenly tripped, grabbing Ron in the process and toppled into a suit of armour...which promptly crashed. I cringed. Why did the First years have to be so reckless? "RUN!" Harry didn't have to tell us twice. We broke into a sprint, booking it and not looking back. We swung around corners, kept close to the wall as we thundered down halls. Slowly but surely, Harry fell back, leaving me to lead the group. I lead the group through a secret passageway, bursting forth from behind a tapestry near the First Year's Charms classroom.
"This should be far enough away." I panted. "Filch doesn't know all the passages."
"I...told...you." Hermione gasped, clutching her chest. "I...told...you."
"We've got to get back to Gryffindor Tower." Ron told me, looking up at me with worried eyes. "Quickly as possible."
"Malfoy tricked you." Hermione said to Harry, "You realise that, don't you? He was never going to meet you. Filch knew someone was going to be in the trophy room, Malfoy must have tipped him off."
"Yes, Granger, I think we've figured that out." I snapped at her. "Now, let's get out of here, the Ghosts roam all night." We had barely gotten a couple of steps before the school's resident poltergeist decided to annoy us. He burst through a door right in front of us, causing us to pause. He spotted us and let out a squeal of delight. "Peeves! I hissed. "Please, be quiet!" The poltergeist cackled.
"Wandering around at midnight Ickle Fristies?" Peeves laughed, "Tut, tut, tut, naught naughty, you'll get caught."
"If you don't give us away, we won't be. Please."
"Should tell Filch I should, it's for your own good you know."
"Get out of the way." Ron snapped, taking a swipe at the Poltergeist. I let out a groan, my eyes falling shut.
"STUDENTS OUT OF BED!" Peeves bellowed. "STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!" We made a run for it, ducking under Peeves and sprinting down the halls. At the end of the corridor, we slammed into a door. Ron yanked at the door.
"That's it." Ron moaned helplessly. "We're done for! This is the end!" Filch's footsteps were getting louder and louder.
"Move it, Ronald!" I scolded, pushing him away. I pulled my wand out of my robe pocket, "Alohomora!" I tapped the lock, it clicked, and the door swung open. We hurried through, closing the door behind us. We all pressed our ears against the door. I could hear a trio of voices, and I shushed the people behind me while I focused on the opposite door.
"Which way did they go, Peeves?" Filch ordered. "Quick, tell me."
"Say 'please."' Peeves reapplied.
"Don't mess with me, Peeves, now where did they go?"
"Shan't say nothing if you don't say please.
"All right...please."
"NOTHING! Ha Ha Ha! Told you I wouldn't say nothing if you didn't say please! Ha ha! Haaaaaa!" And with that I heard Peeves woosh off. Filch cursed in rage and stomp away.
"He thinks this door is locked." Harry whispered. "I think we'll be okay-get off, Neville!"
"Will you all shut up!" I hissed, turning to glare at the eleven-year-olds. "I don't want to be...caught…" My voice trailed off as my eyes widened. Behind us was a three-headed dog, a Cerberus. Each of it's eyes were trained on us, drool dripping down through it's three sets of yellowing fangs. Each of their thoughts were the same.
"Protect. Eat. Food. No one passes. Die, little humans." My hair turned white, sweat starting to bead down my forehead.
"Um...guys…" I breathed, my hand hitting the door behind us a couple of times before finding the handle. "W-we should go." My hand hurriedly twisted the handle to let everyone out. "Colloportus!" I shouted at the door, locking it instantly before the five of us turned tail and ran. Thank Merlin Filch was gone, so our footsteps didn't alert him to our presence. We thundered through the school soon returning to Gryffindor Tower. When we got to the portrait, we managed to have a stroke of luck and the Fat Lady was in her frame.
"Where on earth have you all been?" She demanded.
"Never mind that…" Harry panted. "Pig snout, pig snout!" The Fat Lady didn't respond, only swinging open reluctantly to let us in. We gathered our breaths as we fell into the armchairs scattered around the common room.
"What do you think they're doing?" Ron demanded, "Keeping a thing like that in the school? If any dog needs exercise, that one does."
"You don't use your eyes, any of you, do you?" Hermione snapped once she had regained her breath. It seemed her tempter and air capacity was one in the same. "Didn't you see what it was standing on." I leaned forward in my seat, glaring at her. My hair turning to a dark candy apple red.
"Well excuse us for being preoccupied with it's three heads." I almost growled at her. "That thing's thoughts were very very harmful, it intended to eat us."
"It was standing on a trap door." Hermione argued. "It's obviously guarding something." I sunk back into my chair, glaring at her but still conceding that she was right, that Dog was wanting to protect something. Hermione then stood. "Now, I'm going to bed, before one of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed, or worse, expelled." Hermione turned on her heel and almost stormed back up to her room.
"No, we don't mind." Ron muttered after her. "You'd think we dragged her along, wouldn't you?"
"Alright, time for bed boys." I sighed, pushing myself to my feet. "It's pretty late." Harry, Neville and Ron begrudgingly went to bed. That night as I laid under the covers, staring at the ceiling, my mind reeled as I wondered what the Cerberus was guarding. My eyes fluttered shut as my mind was plagued with dreams of the giant dog.