Recap: Sirius's careless comment bothers the Marauders especially Remus who feels self-conscious about his relationship with the Marauders and if they really accept him as who he is. Lily convinces him otherwise. Dorcas rampages around the school in a frenzy, stealing peoples owls and checking them because she hasn't gotten a special letter from someone. ;) Remus is nervous entering his 4th year advanced Defense class and Frank Longbottom feels stupid when he realizes his friends are all advancing up and he's left behind. Peter Pettigrew tells McGonagall something he shouldn't have.
Chapter 36: The Owl Whisperer
"Is it Myr-?"
"No."
"Marlene please don't joke around." Dorcas pleaded. "I promise I'll stop asking if you-"
"Dorcas seriously, it's just a letter from my mum." Marlene told her setting aside the letter and looking at Dorcas's crestfallen face. "Look Dorc, it's not the end of the world. I'm sure there's a reason his album hasn't been released yet."
"But Mar he releases it every year around this time!" Dorcas insisted. "And I've asked everyone and practically turned over every owl in the castle to make sure someone didn't get the album before me or if they misplaced it or-"
As she said this a Slytherin first year who was walking by, jumped back away from their table and scampered away towards his own table, his letter clutched tightly in his hand.
"See they all think I'm crazy." Dorcas sighed setting her head down. "I can't go anywhere without people running away fearing for their letters and owls and debating whose owl I'm going to attack next."
"Eric's bet 3 galleons you're going to attack Karima's owl next just so you know. She always gets her copy of Forever around this time." Dorcas obviously did not appreciate this information because she started pouting again. "Or-" Mary added hastily "it's because they're all jealous that you're the new owl whisperer," She and Lily had been sitting nearby listening to Dorcas complain for the past hour wordlessly, until now. "I bet you'd like Care of Magical Creatures. Hey Dorc do you think you might want to swit-"
"Mary!" Lily suddenly swatted a surprised Mary with a book and then sent a quick glance at Dorcas who had covered her face at this point- probably quietly crying.
"I was just asking-" Mary started apologetically looking between them.
"You're taking Care of Magical Creatures and that's final!" Lily decided pulling her friend. "Come on we're going. I'm sure Professor Kuren is perfectly nice-" she threw a pitiful look towards Dorcas. "and I'm so sorry Dorcas. I'm sure Myriad will show up- after all he knows you're his biggest fan."
Dorcas smiled a little as Mary and Lily left arguing loudly about Mary's loud mouth and how Care of Magical Creatures was a wonderful class.
"Okay, Dorc- calm down." Marlene put down her danish not being able to stand the look on Dorcas's fac. "Listen to me. What if- you know he's not releasing an album this year?" her friends eyes grew as wide as galleons as she said this so Marlene quickly added. "All the big bands do it. The Hobogoblins didn't release an album for three years before Mummy Crawl and you remember Glowing Embers new album, Stupefy? They're both-"
"What if something happened?" Dorcas stood up, breathing hard, suddenly pacing in place. "What if Myriad lost his voice or maybe he can't think of lyrics or- what if he's been kidnapped and everyone just thinks he's on vacation- Marlene," Dorcas stopped and looked Marlene in the eye. "Marlene what if he's gone?"
Marlene resisted the urge to roll her eyes and took Dorcas by the hand. "Okay that's all I can handle for today. Come on we're going to get your mind off of Myriad- and," she added throwing a serious look at Dorcas "if I hear one more word about him or music I'm going to personally destroy the limited edition Myriad poster I got you for your birthday."
Dorcas gasped clinging to Marlene. "Oh Marlene you didn't-"
"Dorcas." Marlene warned.
"Okay. Okay." Dorcas grinned. "No Myriad-" her eyes grew wide. "I mean- uh because...well would you look at that- we're going to be late to Divination!"
Marlene shook her head following her friend who had proceeded to sprint towards McGonagalls class, as if Marlene would personally chase her down. Marlene McKinnon didn't run. Flipping her hair she fell in step with the Ravenclaws that had just turned around the corner.
"Marlene!"
She turned to face Theresa Mendez, or more normally known as Tess, and smiled. "Hey Tess."
"Marlene," Theresa smiled suddenly launching into a frenzy about her afternoon yesterday. "Oh my Merlin I started the reading yesterday and I'm so excited for this class- like I already know what we're going to do first; it's going to be tea leaves, you know drinking tea and reading the dregs because apparently in the old times that was the only way to see what your future held. And then after that is foroing- but I'm okay if we just skip right over that to get to mist recollection because then we get to my personal favorite-"
"Woah slow down Tess, we haven't even gotten to class yet." Marlene laughed. She had never been interested in Divination, but at the time it seemed like a much better option to dealing with animals in Care of Magical Creatures or math in Arthimancy. Frank had mentioned that Astronomy took place late at night and Marlene who valued her beauty sleep above anything else had decided that was simply not the best course for her.
"Oh Marlene, you're going to love it!" Tess whispered as they paused at the Divination room. There was no door, but simply a trap door that Marlene assumed dropped down into the Divination classroom.
"In we go." Tess grinned jumping right in with a flourish unlike Marlene who shuddered at the thought, imagining all the dust that had been clogged up for generations under the trapdoor.
"Um hi," A Hufflepuff whose name Marlene didn't know tapped her on the shoulder. "do you mind- we're all waiting."
She indicated the long line that had formed behind her- students waiting to get in the class.
"Oh sure." Marlene said closing her eyes as she stepped into the trapdoor where she found she had to once again do some work- work that involved climbing down a old rope ladder. As she climbed down she tried not to imagine how many hands had touched it that morning- or ever. When she finally reached the ground the first thing she did was inhale what seemed to be incense and heavy perfume all at once. Marlene coughed immediately retching at the scent, muttering to herself. "Great, just what I needed. The smell of sweat and musky perfume in the morning."
"It's actually sacrificial fire incense that's been known to clear and make way for the inner eye." the Hufflepuff girl from earlier, who was right behind her, told her with raised eyebrows.
Marlene laughed. "Whatever."
The girl shook her head and turned to whisper something to her friend, but this didn't bother Marlene. She could care less what people said about her, as long as they didn't bother her, she wouldn't bother them. She turned at the sound of Dorcas's voice calling her over to the table where she was already sitting next to Theresa.
"It's three to a table." Dorcas told Marlene as she took a seat next to Tess. "Hurry- before Troy get's here."
Marlene rolled her eyes as the bulky Slytherin, Troy Mulciber, with mismatched teeth walked in. Tess laughed, setting down her bag, and looking eagerly around the class. "Have you heard anything about the new professor?" she asked quietly. "I heard she's the best Divinator in the entire Wizarding World- second to Cassandra Vblatsky of course- speaking of her did you hear that Micheal Duke found her special card?"
"Really?" Dorcas gasped. "So he's the one getting the lifetime supply of chocolate frog's then?"
Tess nodded. "Liam went bonkers when he found out. He even bought an entire cartful of frogs on the train here too- I was so sure he was going to get it."
Marlene pretended to look interested in the girls discussion about chocolate frogs, but she had already heard enough about it from James who had been quite disgruntled over the fact that he hadn't been the one to win the unlimited chocolate frogs. As she scanned the classroom her eyes fell on the Hufflepuff from earlier sitting at the front with two other girls, Liam, Remus, the chocolate frog winner himself and quite a few other familiar faces.
"-we'll be starting prediction theory right after," Tess was saying to Dorcas who looked interested. "-ew wait did you say lacewing flies?"
Tess laughed. "I promise you won't even be able to taste it. And actually there's a little bit of Flobber worm incense in it too but only because it causes the inner eye to be opened.."
Marlene sighed. Again with the inner eye. That was going to be her trigger word this year. Perhaps she should have taken Ancient Runes instead. "Dorcas do you think it's too late to change classes-"
"And pray tell, why would you ever want to change my class?"
Marlene looked up and wished she hadn't. "Uh-"
"Professor Dante." The man told her. He was tall with cinnamon hair and dark purple robes that brought out his light amber eyes, eyes that were boring intently into Marlene's. Marlene suddenly found herself unable to breathe or speak for that matter. How could anyone be so gorgeous?
"P-professor." She managed very well aware that her face was slightly pinker than it had been a few seconds ago. Curse being female- curse beautiful men who happened to be her professors.
"Ms. McKinnon, I assume." Professor Dante looked down at her scrutinizing every detail. "So you think my class is boring? Uninteresting? Not worthy enough for Marlene McKinnon?"
Again Marlene couldn't get the proper words out of her mouth.
"Shall we begin then?" Professor Dante clapped his hands and immediately Marlene was lost in a powder of magenta. Or that's what she assumed it was. It was glittery and pink and swallowed the entirety of the room. She was thrown back- flying mindlessly into the pink wonder.
"Hey!" Marlene protested. "What's going on- where-?"
When it cleared up the world around her had changed. She was surrounded by cherry blossom walls, a grand staircase spiraling downwards at her right, the familiar marble floors that reminded her of a smooth glass of cinnamon milk..she was at her house- or more specifically the house that she remembered when she was only five years old. McKinnon Manor- she was in McKinnon Manor, as it was when she was so young.
Marlene spun around wildly taking in every detail that she hadn't been able to remember before. There on the cherry blossom wall was where she had spelled her name with her moms wand because she had been mad at her mum for not letting her wear makeup! Marlene turned around- and there was the ugly pot her Grandma Mage had brought that dad had promised they would get rid of as soon as she left. And Marlene gasped running towards the family portrait. Her mom, dad, Ajay, Christian, Kirk, Chris, Cameron- and Adam stood in a crooked line all trying to fit in the frame. Wait did that mean Adam was...here? Her Adam was here!
"Adam!" Marlene whispered the thrill of meeting Adam running through her veins. With each step she shouted his name louder hoping- praying that he would hear her and run into her arms like he used to. "Adam! Adam! It's me!"
She took a right along her room and left across the house-elves corner where Adam's room stood. Eyes wide she pushed open the familiar open only to fall down screaming into a liquid pool of magenta that quickly bubbled rising into the air before it assumed the form of Mr. Potter.
"Mr. Potter?" She asked taking a tender step towards him only to scream as his head toppled off. She stepped back, realizing that the room she was in was getting smaller and smaller- no shrinking as the four walls were threatening to close her in...
"HELP ME. SOMEONE HELP ME!" Marlene screamed panic rising in her chest. She couldn't die like this, she had so much to do, she was still so young-
Breathe.
Marlene did.
Open your eyes.
She did. Dorcas and Tess were looking at her expectantly. Marlene was ready to splutter out anything to explain why she was screaming, but instead she heard the words 'Dorcas do you think it's too late to change classes-" begin to come out of her mouth, once again.
Marlene blinked and stopped herself. What was this deja vu? What had just happened? She looked around to make sure she was still in the Divination room. There was no pink glitter, no walls closing in, no magenta Mr. Potter...
Tessa turned to her, concerned. "Marlene, are you okay?
Dorcas touched her forehead. "Are you sick Mar- you look peakish."
"I-" Marlene began when suddenly she spotted Professor Dante walking towards them? Marlene blinked. What had just happened?
"Names?" Professor Dante asked acting calmly like none of this was weird to him as it was to her..
"Dorcas." Dorcas smiled shyly. "Dorcas... Meadowes."
"I'm Theresa Mendez, but I go by Tess so that's what I'd liked to be called- sir." Tess told him solemnly.
Professor Dante chuckled turning to Marlene. "Name?"
Marlene blinked. "Marlene. Marlene McKinnon sir."
Professor Dante nodded before walking past her to introduce himself to the others, leaving Marlene quite breathless and confused.
"Merlin, Marlene!" Dorcas squealed. "How are you so calm? I thought I was going to die- did you even look at him?"
Tessa grinned. "Professor Dante is-"
"Hot." Dorcas offered, winking.
"Hot." Tess agreed "And he loves Divination- he's mine."
"Nu-uh." Dorcas complained. "I don't know if I like Divination yet- he could be mine."
"Oh please you've already claimed Myriad!" Tess laughed loudly.
"Tess I told you I'm not allowed to be talking about him right now."
Marlene could only stare at the professor during the class. Had something really happened or was she just seeing things? She had been at her house, her old house, the one her five year old self remembered- but it couldn't have been a dream. She had seen things, thing she couldn't even remember so vividly in her own dreams- it had felt so real and Adam...
She had imagined it.
Yes.
She had to have imagined it. There was no way.
"I just need to get some sleep," Marlene muttered to herself as class ended and she headed towards the trap door. "Just get some sleep and everything will be alr-"
"Ms. McKinnon."
Marlene turned to her professor boldly now that she was able to form a coherent sentence. "Yes, sir?"
"Are you thinking about changing my class now?"
Marlene's eyes widened. She hadn't imagined it! "You-"
Professor Dante only chuckled. "See you tomorrow Ms. McKinnon."
Emma Vanity had only been gone for six minutes when she arrived back into her dorm- but it took her half a second to realize that someone been searching through her belongings. But they wouldn't find anything, Emma had made sure of that. She had figured that her behavior on the train would have her own room-mates suspecting her. Or specifically one of her roommates.
Nikita Zabini.
Nikita had been suspicious of her since the train ride to Hogwarts and she hadn't made it a secret to anyone. Even Lucius was suspicious, eying Emma as she sat in the common room, or inquiring about where she had been at all hours of the day. She had a strong suspicion that Malfoy had put the underclassmen to work at spying on her as well. Perhaps it was why she kept seeing Regulus Black pop up whenever she was on her way to the Library. And Edmund Parkinson never failed to flirt with her as she past him in the Great Hall- which ended up in him following and assisting her with whatever bag she was carrying on her that day. And where there was Parkinson there was always Alcoste Rosier. He was the boy that happened to be there as Romeo Carrow struck up a conversation with her or Derek Mercado inquired about her health as they were playing Quidditch.
But in the 7 years Emma had been a Slytherin she had learned to lie and manipulate, hide and if need be warp the truth.
One usually learned these things after being sorted into Slytherin, to say the least, but Emma had mastered it.
So despite Nikita's interfering and Lucius's inquiring she had been able to hide away her fears and doubts. Nikita could try to find out all she wanted but Emma knew she wouldn't find anything that would prove she was hiding something. And to say she wasn't scared of Nikita Black was an understatement but Emma had taught to lie to herself just as well as she knew she lied to others because there was just something about ignorance that made it so much easier to pretend.
But the ignorance settled down and her insecurities began to resurface as she eyed the two captains waiting for her at the Astronomy tower at the strike of midnight. Colton Breckbridge hadn't changed much since she last saw him. He was the same height if perhaps more buff with brown hair and warm eyes. He nodded nervously towards her as she greeted them with the secret word they had come up with for night meetings like these. To his right stood Elvis Lockhart. His tall 6' 2" long and lanky frame complimented his overly nerdy look; square glasses that adorned his deep blue eyes and chiseled chin; the only indicator that despite his frame he was quite the athletic.
"-and the captain this year?" Emma questioned when Elvis had cast the concealing charm on the door and on them (one could never be to cautious in matters like these). "What do we know about her?"
"Aria Griffins." Elvis told her. She couldn't see him but she knew he was sitting somewhere across from her, while Colton's concealed form sat on her right. "My year. She's a honors girl, no misconduct except for one outburst in our third year."
"Is she a prefect?"
"No, that would be Hestia Jones."
Emma nodded recalling the dark haired girl with pink cheeks she had passed in the corridor on her way here.
"Do you think she'll be a problem?" Colton asked.
Elvis stroked his chin. "It's hard to say. She's not the interfering or rebellious type like Maya- but it's hard to say."
Emma nodded and pulled the object she had hidden beneath the depths of her robes. Colton gasped and Elvis's voice was high pitched when he spoke. "How?"
"We got rid of it last year." Colton whispered sounding fearful when he asked. "Emma, why do you have it?"
Emma began shaking. "After we destroyed it last year I thought we would never see it. I got rid of everything- the incantations, the potion, everything. But it showed up in my bedroom just this summer after Maya died- and it wouldn't go away."
"This is powerful magic, otherwise it wouldn't have come back like this. " Elvis's voice was shaky. "I should have known it would take more than a spell to discard it."
"We could try vanishing it this time." Colton insisted, he has suggested the idea before, Emma remembered.
"Vanished items don't simply go away Colton." Elvis insisted. "We made her angry, we released her to this misery- that doesn't just go away with a vanishing spell."
"We did what she told us too Elvis!" Emma stood up. "Or Maya did at least. What more does she want from us?"
"I - don't know." Elvis sounded scared. "I don't know what she wants and I don't want to know. I don't want to be part of this anymore, Emma."
Colton must have grabbed hold of Elvis because Emma heard two bodies slam and a wand- she assumed was Elvis's topple on the ground. She looked at the door instinctively to make sure no one had heard. With a whip of her wand she destroyed the concealment charm to reveal Colton cradling Elvis's shaking form. Blood was gushing from his arms, and he was shaking his head, trying to free himself from Colton's strong grip.
Emma knelt down near him. As a fifth year Elvis was the youngest of the three of them. Emma was due to graduate this year and Colton had one more year before this ended- but Elvis didn't. He was scared. He was terrified and Emma understood why.
"Elvis- I promise you. I won't let anything happen to you." She brushed her wand against his wounds healing the scars. "What happened to Maya- she was the one who did it. Don't let yourself do the same."
Elvis looked up, eyes fearful. "I don't want to die."
"I know." Emma hugged him looking at the cursed book that lay in the middle of the room. The book that had caused so many problems for them. The book that had caused Maya Angus Hillbard to commit suicide. "I know."
"What about the boy?" Colton asked Emma. "He knows doesn't he?"
"He won't say anything." Emma assured him. "I've made sure of it."
Aurors made Lucas Anderson nervous.
So when the dark robes ministry officials walked into the Great Hall following the headmaster, Lucas inwardly cringed snuggling deeper into his seat.
"Luc-hold still." Aviva barked. She had been in a ruckus all morning after realizing that 4th year Transfiguration was harder than it looked. They were doing Polar Transfiguration and Aviva still hadn't been able to transfigure her book into a teacup while simultaneously changing the teacup into a book. She had decided that Lucas, who had been one of the first few to master the spell, was going to teach her and was currently transfiguring everyday objects around her as practice. This included Lucas's breakfast, his remembrall, his Potions textbook and one of the barn-owls that Lucinda was trying to fix back.
"Honestly Vi how do you manage to transfigure a live owl but you can't do polar transfiguration?" Lucinda asked stunning the owl that Emma had half-transfigured into a rodent.
"Honestly Lucy what will it take for you to shove off?" Aviva growled before sighing apologetically. "I'm sorry- I just, I should be able to do this. A third year did it before me and Lucas," she turned to glare at him pointedly "isn't being very helpful."
"Now Aviva," Sara Preston, the 6th year who regularly commented during Quidditch matches spoke kindly. "Let's not get angry- it could interfere with your spellwork. Try concentrating on the incantation with a open mind."
Lucas rolled his eyes at the scene, Aviva didn't need help- she was just distracted and tired. All of yesterday she had spent at the Hospital Wing caring for Louis Braughlin who had been sentenced to bed rest by Madam Pomphrey for the entire week. It was no wonder she couldn't concentrate on anything. But Lucas had more pressing concerns. The Aurors were in deep discussion with the headmaster as they made rounds around the Great Hall talking to students and asking them questions. But why were they here?
"Curious right?" Irma Waters nearly scared him as she took a seat to his right. "I don't know why they're here all of a sudden. I heard they forced Dumbledore to let them in."
"Does he not want them here?" Lucas asked curious. "Any idea as to why they're here in the first place Irma?"
Irma shrugged adjusting her brightly colored hair. This year it was crimped dark hair streaked with pink. "Beats me. But I've got to give them the tour in a few minutes."
"The pain of being the Head girl." Lucas added sarcastically.
"You can never have it all." Irma rolled her eyes. "By the way I've talked to Damion and he's cleared you for the article you wanted to write."
Lucas grinned. "Really?" He had already started the second draft of his story as it was. "Are you really not going to be in the Holy Grail this year?"
"I've got a lot on my mind," Irma told him "And besides I'm interning with the Prophet- I hardly have time."
"Put in a good word for me!" He shouted after her as she headed towards the entrance where the Head Boy, Lucius Malfoy, was waiting for her.
"Did you see that?" Aviva was grinning proudly at Lucas's textbook that looked exactly the same as before. "It changed- a little of course, but it's something!"
Lucinda grinned. "You're doing great Aviva!" She turned to Lucas. "So she quit?"
"You're out of luck Lucy- she's named Damion head of Holy Grail."
"The little bint." Lucinda muttered before stalking away to the Slytherin table to no doubt voice her concerns to her step-brother. It was then that Lucas Anderson's eyes found Emma Vanity's and he remembered the conversation they had last year.
"I'm telling you there's something going on between the two of them," Lucas told Frank on their way to Slughorns' class. He and Frank had been studying the past hour and Frank had decided that he wasn't going to study anymore- so they opted to head to class early for once.
"Whatever you say Luc." Frank grinned. "They're just good friends."
"You didn't see them at Hogsmeade- they were practically giving each other goo goo eyes."
"I think you're giving Aviva goo goo eyes." Frank winked before eyeing the blond who was standing bored out the potions classroom. "Hey Marlene- what are you doing here?"
"None of your business Longbottom." the blond answered. "Off to classs- go!"
Frank rolled his eyes and walked in. Lucas was about to when the blond grabbed his arm. "Not so fast Anderson."
Lucas raised his brows, but followed the girl to the empty corridor where she spoke. "I need a tonic."
"Well Madam Pomprey has quite a collection of them." Lucas told her honestly.
"You know what I mean." Marlene spoke, her voice hushed. "I need one of those tonics."
Lucas understood. Oh. "How do you know I-"
"I've got friends." Marlene explained. "So can you help me?"
"Depends on the type of tonic."
"One to soothe your voice- for long periods of time. A voice enhancer- if you must."
"Ah." Lucas understood. He had just the thing. "But it's going to cost you."
"Money's not an issue." Marlene told him fishing out a handful of Galleons that sparkled in the corridor. "Name your price."
"50 Galleons." Lucas said automatically eying the Galleons greedily.
The witch blinked. "50?"
"You want the tonic right?" Lucas told her. He reached into his bag pulling out a light blue tonic that was just the thing for her.
"Perhaps." Marlene laughed. "But I also know other sellers who would give it to me for much less."
Lucas knew there was a girl in Hufflepuff who dealt in the business as well as an older boy in Slytherin...she could be bluffing. But the Galleons...
"Fine 45 Galleons."
"Maybe another time." Marlene turned to walk away, her blond curls bouncing behind her.
"35 Galleons." Lucas shouted a little louder than he meant too. Marlene turned. "35?"
"35." Lucas nodded. And the deal was done.
Except it wasn't.
His little exchange wasn't just between the two of them- a third person had been listening.
Emma Vanity.
"Did you just sell that second year a bottle of colored water?" She asked as soon as Marlene had walked out of view and Lucas had stowed the money safely away.
Lucas gaped. 'What-no."
"Oh Morgana- you did." Emma laughed watching as Marlene walked away happily. "I can't believe she fell for it."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Lucas told her quickly.
"Don't act like you don't know." Emma told him "I'm almost a 7th year majoring in potions- I think I would know the difference between a specialty brewed potion and a fake."
Lucas paused. "It's business- I need money so I improvise. As long as she's not in danger she'll be fine. It's a placebo." he added "She'll think she's singing better-that's just how my business works."
Emma nodded. "I'm not blaming you. I know plenty of people like you- but you didn't just sell her water did you?" She paced around him. "For a singing tonics- such as Ariel's voice, something which I may add is highly illegal to brew, you needed something to make it fizz the way the real potion does. Am I right?"
When Lucas said nothing she continued knowing she had gotten him. "I'd say you're a third year judging that you were just headed to Slughorn's right about now. You're doing basic potions and salilnity at the moment so you would probably think to mix aconite and seaweed to create the fizzing, but since you're not familiar with Desmonds law you wouldn't think to add Hebrews tongue to counter balance the subtle paralysis that can occur." she looked at him smiling.
Lucas had done just that. He had added the aconite and seaweed mixture to the potion to create the fizz Ariel's voice was known for. It was a good replication and he was quite proud of it but-
"Be that as it may be- the potion is still harmless unless the drinker has the gene for Scholtzyks- which is like 1 in a million." he told the older witch boldly. Scholtzyks' was rare, there wasn't a witch and wizard he knew that had it for a while. The last person to have the gene was a wizard on the Wizengamot and he was 85 years old and counting.
"Perhaps- but how are you so sure the girl doesn't have it?"
"I know."
"If you say so Lucas Anderson- but the next time you do something like that I'd think about it 10 times straight. You don't want to be the reason someone dies." Emma said quickly. "Now get to class- tell Slughorn you met Emma Vanity in the hall and you started talking about becoming a potioneer. It should save you from losing house points."
And with that she was gone. Lucas didn't see her for a while after that and when he had heard nothing about a student suddenly getting sick or paralyzed he assumed all was right- until that one fateful night of June 18th. Lucas had been heading back to the Ravenclaw common room after a particularly good Astronomy final when he saw a hooded figure slip from the darkness.
Naturally curious and his journalist instinct sensing a story, Lucas followed the figure.
It was headed towards the Astronomy tower where he had just come from, although it was empty now. The hooded figure stopped in the middle of the hall abruptly, and whispered something when two others appeared from the opposite end, dressed in the same fashion.
Oh this was getting interesting, Lucas thought, as he hid behind a tall pillar not far from the three to make sure he heard everything. Irma was going to get the story of her life tomorrow morning.
"Did you bring it?" one asked.
"Yes." A girl's voice spoke from underneath the hood. She held out a book and the light from the moon hit it just right for Lucas to see what it was. It was old, bindings torn in numerous places while faded gold letters sparkled from the cover and even then the symbol in the middled the book was clear- and Lucas knew what it was. It was dark magic- dead magic, unstable and dangerous. Who were these people and what were they doing?
The girl nodded. "We need to end it today- once and for all. You've got the spell?" she turned to one of the taller hooded figures who nodded.
"Let's go." the last one spoke, a gruff voice Lucas thought he knew.
And when they turned around the corner, for a brief second, Lucas saw her face.
"Lucas!" Aviva was shaking him now. "Merlin, you're like a flobberworm when you're thinking hard."
"What?" Lucas asked, looking at Aviva. She had proudly transfigured his book into a goblet while the goblet he had been drinking from had been turned into his potions book. "Oh nice."
"Nice?" Aviva repeated dumbfounded. "That's all I get Luc?"
"Wonderful. Flawless. Amazing. Teach me your ways, Aviva Bond."
"Much better." Aviva smiled. "Oh no- are they headed towards us?"
Lucas turned to see what she meant when he noticed the group of Ministry officials from earlier heading what seemed to be towards them. He panicked. Were they coming for him? Had someone told on him? He looked back to see Emma looking nervous as well- had she been the one to tell on him?
"Why are they coming towards us?" Lucinda wondered out loud. "Whoever did something- confess now. I mean it." She looked around nervously expecting someone to answer before she spoke quickly. Okay fine, I'll go first. I'm the one who wrote those anonymous articles last year. Sue me alright!"
"Everyone knew that Lucy." Lucas rolled his eyes but it was clear who they were coming for. Someone had finally figured out his potions were a fake and that he was swindling money from them. It was probably one of the Hufflepuff girls he had a sold a love potion to at the end of last year, she had been quite suspicious of him and he had asked for a bit too much...
"I'm sure Irma knows- or actually I take that back." Sara added quickly as the entire Ravenclaw table looked towards the head girl who was in deep discussion with Malfoy like she too didn't know what was going on.
"Luc- they're headed right here!" Aviva was gripping his hand so tightly he thought couldn't feel it anymore- not that it mattered. His heart was thumping loudly, he was so sure everyone could hear it and now they would all know what he was. A fraud. A swindler. A criminal.
The boldest ministry official, a woman in her late thirties with auburn hair and thick eyebrows stepped up right before Lucas, who took a deep breathe as he got ready to stand up and be escorted to Azkaban- for there was no worse place for criminal in the entire Wizarding world.
She suddenly turned to the boy next to Lucas who had been studying quietly, and the entire Ravenclaw table, including a slightly confused but relieved Lucas, looked incredulously towards the Ravenclaw captain as she spoke his name. "Mr. Lockhart, I'm afraid we need you to come with us."
Mary MacDonald rubbed her eyes and stared at her schedule with the biggest eyes she could muster.
How could she have Care of Magical Creatures for 1st period?
"Ms. MacDonald, I was very clear that you needed to put your classes in by midnight on the third- which you failed to do so. Naturally, Care of Magical Creatures had a few open slots so we put you in the class."
"But professor I was in detention because you put me there-" Mary started defensively. There was no way this was her fault!
"Because you hexed Ms. Knightshade-" McGonagall told her sharply, her square glasses were perched on the edge of her nose and Mary's mind was idly wondering how long it would take to slip and fall.
"Because she said Gryffindor's couldn't do spells better than Slytherins!" Mary retorted angrily. Her morning had not been going well- at all. Michael had been avoiding her all week and she had a nagging suspicion as to why. Peter had mentioned something on the train and Michael avoiding her at the same time...it couldn't be a coincidence. On top of that Mary had been forced to attend detention with Professor Dante, the new Divination professor, who had made her not only clean out crystal balls till they sparkled, but also copy down old runes onto new parchment for he was also the Ancient Runes professor this year. His stuffy heavily scented creepy room made her head hurt which caused her to become sleepy and end up returning to the common room at late hours in the night. Fabian and Gideon had also assured her they would make time for her this year but so far both had been too busy with their newly started 7th year to keep their promises and Mary still hadn't received any letters back from her dad.
Mary MacDonald was absolutely ready to explode.
She honestly didn't know how she had managed to still stay alive until this point.
"Ms. MacDonald, although your concern and house pride is touching- I'm afraid you're still stuck with Care of Magical Creatures. Unless you find a student willing to switch classes with you there's nothing I can do for you. As I mentioned before Professor Kuren is a perfectly adapt professor..."
And so Mary left the Transfiguration Professor's office, fuming as she made her way towards her very first Care of Magical Creatures class.
The first thing that hit her was the smell. Already feeling sick and quite angry, she trudged sluggishly toward the stables where the rest of the class was circled around Professor Kuren. She was a young witch, only a few years older than most of the 7th years if Mary had to guess. Her hair was a deep red, although not as pretty a shade as Lily's, tied back in a messy knot on her head, which was partially covered with a large tan top hat. Her dark eyes were a startling sapphire blue that twinkled as she spoke animatedly at the group that had huddled around her eagerly. As Mary inched sadly towards the class she spotted Lily's brilliant red hair in between the jittery students.
"About time you got here!" Lily greeted her friend, studying her face for a moment. How did it go with McGonagall- seeing as you here, and you look quite pathetic I'm going to guess not well." Lily hugged her quickly. "I'm sorry, Mary."
"It's fine." Mary mumbled. She supposed it was alright that Lily was in the class with her. Lily had a way of making everything around her better- a fact that Mary envied sometimes.
"What is it?" Alesana Avery called out impatiently. She held a pair of dragon hides gloves in one hand and a fan in the other which she was using to divert the smell out of her face. Mary wrinkled her nose in disgust, the stench was suddenly overwhelming.
"Is it a gibbering toad?" Ashley Duncan asked nervously/ "Because we had enough of those on the train ride here." Mary nodded vigorously remembering the chocolate frog incident on the train. Everyone knew the Marauders had planned a birthday hunt for Peter's 13th birthday, but poor Peter kept getting confused and had ended up doing something wrong that triggered a Gibbering toad attack. Gibbering toads were known for their mustard mucus that took eons to wash away, and Mary wasn't surprised the Marauders had made sure to use them.
"What about a dragon?" Elvin Presque asked eagerly pushing Ashley aside. "Its Dragons isn't it? I knew it." He opened his duffle bag and let its contents fall out. Lily and Mary stepped back as they eyed the contents; a saddle, some gloves, boots and other dragon riding equipment that looked quite dangerous.
"Do we really need all that?" Mary gulped turning to Lily.
Lily shook her head. "I don't know. I've never seen a dragon before."
"No. No. And No." Professor Kuren said laughing jovially "It's none of that. Dragons aren't til 6th year Presque." she laughed again. "Anyway I want everyone to look over here towards these creatures. Now some of you might take a look at them and get a little shock at first, but fear not class- I assure you they are not as dangerous as they look. As for the way they look call it's not their fault." She shook her head sadly. "The ministry collected them off the coast of Magana this morning under illegal breeding and classified them as 'crossbreed' but I got special permission to show them to you all today. How exciting is that?" Professor Kuren smiled brilliantly at them. "I thought it might help in our evolution and breeds lesson and kick off the year with an awesome start. Aren't they beautiful?" Professor Kuren asked wiping a tear of her face. The class just looked at her blankly.
"What exactly are we looking at professor?" Mary asked impatiently. "I can't see."
"Well than put on your glasses, Ms. MacDonald." Professor Kuren told her. "You won't be able to see anything without them."
"You wear glasses?" Lily asked Mary incredulously. Mary blushed. She hated her glasses- and often avoided wearing them. Now thanks to Professor Kuren- everyone knew.
"Maybe we could see if you moved out of the way." Ruby Lyons said walking- no stomping towards the class. Her tone was evidently rude and Mary wondered if she like her had gotten this class against her wishes.
"Oh of course- silly me. Thank you Ms. Lyons." Professor Kuren laughed as Ruby rolled her eyes and folded her arms looking blankly in front of her. Yes, Mary agreed, she definitely did not want to be here. However even Ruby couldn't supress a light scream as Professor Kuren moved out of the way to reveal the creature.
"What are they?" Lily whispered beside her, her voice barely audible.
"An excellent question, Ms. Evans. This creatures here is the outcomes of illegal crossbreeding. Now who here can tell me what crossbreeding is?"
Not surprisingly it was Liam Carter who answered first, his hand shooting up in the air. Remus who had also raised his hand, a second too late, slowly let it fall.
"Two galleons Remus and Liam are going to be at it all term." Mary laughed, whispering to Lily.
"Shut up, Mary." Lily smiled. "They're just ambitious."
"Fine Ms. goody two shoes." Mary smirked.
"When two animals are forcefully made to breed an entire new species." Liam answered before turning to Remus who smiled back, narrowing his eyes.
"What did I sayyyy?" Mary sang as Lily shook her head and pretended not to hear.
"So as Mr. Carter just told us, these animals are combinations of two creatures that should not be breed" Professor Kuren added. "This is most likely to create a new stronger species. That is why the ministry considers them dangerous." Professor Kuren laughed. " It's like the ministry thinks the animals going to overthrow them or something."
"But professor," Remus raised his hand this time "If the ministry considers them dangerous shouldn't they be taking pre-cautions against those that cross breed instead of the innocent creatures?"
"Mr. Lupin is it?" Professor Kuren looked wonderingly down at Remus who nodded.
"You're quite insightful aren't you?" Professor Kuren smiled. "If only the entire world thought as you did Mr. Lupin- then perhaps it wouldn't be such a cold world after all."
"Professor," Ashley spoke up hesitantly at first "Do you mind if I- get a closer look? It's just- I love animals."
"Of course Ms. Duncan." Professor Kuren grinned. "Actually if anybody wants to take a closer look they would just need to form a line right around here."
"Come on Mary," Lily tugged on her. "let's get a closer look."
Mary shook her head. "No- no. no. I think I'm perfectly fine looking at them from here."
"But we've got to diagram them." Lily insisted. "It would only help if we got closer."
"You're only saying that because James Potter is over there." Mary told her winking. Lily gasped suddenly realizing that the bespectacled boy was indeed in their class and currently making his way towards Professor Kuren, Remus by his side.
"I am not." Lily told her. "I simply want to get a closer look."
"Whatever you say." Mary grinned. "I think dear James Potter would beg to differ-"
"You're impossible!" Lily shook her head. "I don't care- I'm still getting a closer look. You can just sulk back here all you want and- " Lily added "I'm not letting you copy off my chart."
"Ooookay Lily." Mary grinned as the redhead skipped towards the line eagerly leaving her graciously behind. Mary MacDonald was terrified of animals, and that was one of the reasons she was hesitant to take Care of Magical Creatures in the first place. A small incident with a dog at the age of six had left her fearing animals her whole life.
"Hey."
Mary looked up at the chubby boy in front of her and just as quickly looked away, pretending to draw her diagram.
"Mary, are you mad at me? Please say you're not. I didn't know you weren't going to tell McGonagall." Peter started apologetically. "If I had known you didn't want me to I would have never said anything-"
"Why?" Mary whispered. "Do I look like the type of girl that turns her friends in, Peter?"
Peter's eyes widened. "No I only meant-"
"You meant what?" Mary stood up, towering over the boy. "Because of you I had to tell McGonagall that my best friend might have killed someone and do you know how hard it is to hear myself say that? What if somebody asks me what I think- would I say yes? Should I say no? Should I lie even though I don't know myself if it's true?"
"Hey Pete, what do you think of this tail here? James thinks it looks more like a pukwudgie than a Worton- what's going on?" Remus asked suddenly noticing the tense situation. James seemed to notice too as he looked between the two of them.
"Nothing." Mary said looking away from Peter. She picked up her bag and parchment and stalked away towards Lily.
"What happened?" She heard James ask. "Did you fart in front of a girl again, Peter? Merlin I knew I should have let-"
"Nothing." She looked back to see Peter walk away from his friends who looked at each-other concerned.
Lily looked up at Mary as she neared them. "Are you joining us?"
Mary shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I am."