Catherine's recollection of navigating the distance between the DADA classroom and the Gryffindor Tower was hazy at best. As she stumbled out the door, she found herself nearly collapsing into the waiting arms of James and Sirius, who had been anxiously pacing the corridor. Supported by them, with Remus carrying her belongings, they hurried towards the Common Room as swiftly as possible. Peter had darted ahead to ensure the path was clear and to alert the other Gryffindors. Fortunately, most students were either in the Library or on their way to dinner, and the few who remained were taken aback by the news and showed immense sympathy for Catherine's misfortune.
"Let's bring her to our room!" – Sirius suggested, pulling the young witch towards the boys' dormitory.
"Are you out of your mind?" – Lily nearly shouted as she hurried towards her classmates the moment they stepped inside – "She can't stay in your room; you're all boys! She has her own bed, and we'll take care of her!"
"But we can't get into the girls' dormitory!" – Sirius protested.
"How do you even know that?" – Lily asked, incredulous, gently guiding her shocked classmate towards their shared room.
"It doesn't matter!" – the boy shook his head, refusing to release Catherine's hand – "We want to take care of Flame too! She needs us!"
"She needs some rest first!" – insisted Lily, her tone softening – "I'll let you know if she needs anything, I promise! But for now, let her have a moment to cry it out and process everything. Trust me, it's something that will help her the most at the moment."
Judging from Sirius' expression, he clearly doubted the red-headed witch's assertion. Nonetheless, he relented and entrusted Catherine to the care of the Gryffindor girls, returning to James and the others to update them on the situation.
Lily gently assisted her friend up the stairs, offering comforting pats on her back and whispering soothing words as she guided her towards the door of the third-years' dormitory.
"Catherine!" – exclaimed the other girls as they spotted them entering the room. Mary swiftly sprang into action, making space for her classmate by rearranging the covers and pillows on Catherine's bed and drawing the curtains closed.
"Poor thing!" – sympathised Gwyneth – "These boys had finally done it, dragging you into their silly fight! But Snape's really such a git! Although you did teach him a lesson! To think he's been beaten up by a girl!"
"Gwynnie!" – Lily interjected – "Now it's not the time!"
"Right, sorry, dear!" – the other girl quickly apologised – "But honestly, you don't look that bad! Plus, your hair will grow up in no time! I actually think that a short haircut will suit you a lot, although being a bit unconventional!"
"Besides, you can always wear that wig from the Halloween party in the meantime!" – suggested Mary – "Being a blonde for a while could be quite fun!"
Catherine remained silent, feeling as though she were observing the events unfold from a distance. Upon leaving Thorne's classroom, all her strength seemed to evaporate. She was vaguely aware of James and Sirius mostly carrying her, and she heard gentle words of comfort from them and the Gryffindor girls, but she couldn't muster a response. Eventually, they settled her into bed, closing the curtains around.
Later, Lily brought her some sandwiches and orange juice, which the young witch left untouched. Completely drained by the turbulent emotions of the day, she finally succumbed to sleep. Consequently, it took her quite some time to open her eyes, despite sensing someone tenderly caressing her cheek.
"Greg!" – she exclaimed upon recognising her brother in the tall figure stretched out beside her on the bed – "Are you daft? What if someone catches you in my bed?"
"Still won't top the scandal you've already found yourself in today." – he whispered – "Just keep your voice down; everyone's out cold."
"What time is it?"
"Around 2 a.m. I had to wait for the Common Room to clear out, and your mates were burning the midnight oil!" – explained Greg, shifting slightly as his right hand traced over Catherine's bald head.
"Please, don't!" – she murmured, feeling tears welling up once again.
"Can't we make it grow back with a potion or a spell?" – Greg asked softly.
"No, Thorne said that the hex would prevent magical remedies. All I can do is wait for it to grow back." – whispered Catherine desperately, then remembered something – "Greg! You won't tell Mum and Dad, will you?"
The boy sighed deeply before replying. "I won't tell them, but they're bound to find out sooner or later. Even if you skip Easter at home, your hair won't be back to its old self by summer. Besides, given the seriousness of the situation and the buzz around it, McGonagall might write to the Plantier family anyway."
"I thought she had some fake names and address. Only Dumbledore knows about me, right?" – asked the girl anxiously.
"The names might be fake, but the address is legit. I reckon Mum and Dad wanted a proper channel of communication with the school in case they needed to respond, to make your backstory more convincing."
"Wonderful!" – moaned the young witch.
"That's not important, Flame." – Greg said, enfolding his sister in a tight embrace – "Do you know how worried I was when Lily told me what happened at dinner? I hate to harp on it, but can't you steer clear of Slytherins? Why do you insist on getting mixed up in Black and Potter's shenanigans? What if you had been seriously injured? Who knows what Snape is even capable of?! Rumour has it he's mastered more hexes and curses than half the seventh-years!"
"I'm not afraid of Snape!" – Catherine snapped, attempting to wriggle free from her brother's grasp – "It's too late to do anything about Slytherins. I'd rather they hate me for what I can do to them, than simply because I'm Muggle-born!"
"But you're not Muggle-born!" – Greg countered – "Although, given what you apparently did to Snape's face, no one would doubt that part of your background."
"He should count himself lucky I didn't set him on fire!" – hissed the girl.
"Light forbids! That would have been a total disaster!" – Greg remarked, adding contemplatively - "Though, I must say, I'm surprised you didn't."
"Me too." – admitted Catherine – "I just wanted him to suffer as much as possible, and I wanted to feel it in some way... I suppose that's why I resorted to punching him. I was so furious, I can barely recall what was going through my mind."
"This is truly scary, sis!" – Greg observed, though Catherine detected the underlying concern in his voice – "Get some rest now. Everything will look brighter tomorrow. Most students are horrified by what Snape did to you, and I doubt anyone will dare to laugh or tease you."
With that, Greg swiftly departed from his sister's bedside, slipping out of the girls' room without a sound, leaving Catherine to sink back into a deep slumber.
Catherine spent most of the weekend indoors, feeling too self-conscious to venture downstairs even for meals. Despite knowing the boys had already seen her without hair, she couldn't bring herself to face them again. Moreover, her right hand was badly bruised, serving as a painful reminder of her physical altercation with Snape's nose and chin.
Eventually, with Sirius threatening to camp out on the stairs to the girls' dormitory, Catherine relented and donned a hoodie and a pair of jeans before finally leaving her room. As she was promised, Gryffindors were incredibly supportive, with everyone rallying against the Slytherins and Snape in particular. James displayed his solidarity by proudly showcasing Catherine's now blue knuckles, boasting about her formidable brawling abilities.
"I prefer not to be known as the girl who punches people like a Muggle." – Catherine complained, edging closer to Remus, who seemed to be the only one among the boys behaving normally. Finding solace in his presence came naturally to her.
"Well, if you hadn't done it yourself, one of us would have! Snivellus would have been punched either way." – shrugged Sirius – "Frankly, his nose was ugly enough as it was. You might've done him a favour!"
"That's the least of his worries." – growled James darkly – "We'll ensure he faces consequences for what he did."
"That's enough!" – Catherine snapped angrily – "I don't want to get into another war with Slytherins! I'm certain he knew I was involved in the prank with the letter! However, even though we're all to blame, I'm the one left looking like a boiled egg! I did what I felt was necessary as a payback at the time, so just let it go!"
"Flame's right! Your recklessness hurt her as much as Snape's hex did!" – Remus interjected, his expression visibly upset.
"So what now? You expect us to stand by and do nothing?" – Sirius retorted, his annoyance evident as he tried to ignore the truth in Remus' words.
"I expect you to concentrate on collecting the ingredients for the potion!" – hissed Catherine, her green eyes flashing with irritation.
Remus gently squeezed her hand, his amber eyes meeting hers with concern.
"You've been through a lot, Flame. How about you take it easy on yourself for a while?" – he suggested softly, his disarming smile having its usual effect on Catherine.
"Moony has a point!" – James said, settling into a seat beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders – "I know this sounds terrifying to you but, why not let us take care of you for a change? We'll ensure the Thestral hair turns out just as good as ours, I promise!"
Catherine sighed inwardly, but unable to come up with a valid excuse to refuse James' offer, she decided to go along with it for the time being. The truth was, she felt a sense of security in the warmth of her Common Room with her friends, who never left her side. She was certain that if it were not forbidden, they would even sleep in the same room as her.
Lily, Gwyneth, and Mary might not have been as overbearing, but they certainly went to great lengths to lift Catherine's spirits and cheer her up. Lily, in particular, showed exceptional concern, ensuring her friend had plenty to eat and persistently urging her to finish every last bite. While most of her attentiveness stemmed from genuine care, Catherine couldn't shake the feeling that at least a small part of it was driven by guilt of knowing it was Lily's best friend who had caused the ordeal.
Gwyneth had told Catherine in confidence that the red-headed girl had a huge argument with Snape during Saturday breakfast, declaring she would never speak to him again unless he apologised. Lily's silence was likely the ultimate punishment for the Slytherin, far more severe than the fifty lost points or the month-long detention during which he was expected to collect every single fallen leaf from the school's vegetable and herb patches, as well as the nearby fields. He was also supposed to cut them into shreds and leave them for Professor Sprout to use as fertiliser. Apparently, Thorne insisted on personally overseeing the punishment, suggesting it was his idea, as he was known for devising such daunting tasks."
While feeling internally satisfied with the consequences Snape was about to face, Catherine couldn't be entirely happy because regardless of the punishment, her hair was still missing. This became painfully apparent on Monday when she followed Mary's suggestion and donned the blonde wig she had worn as Christine Daaé.
"I look very weird." – the witch complained as the Gryffindor third-years made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"I think you look just fine!" – Sirius chimed in immediately.
"Perhaps Marianne Trundle knows a spell to dye the wig black, if that would make you feel more comfortable?" – Mary suggested.
"It doesn't matter." – mumbled Catherine – "Everyone knows it's a wig anyway."
Despite her fears, most students were incredibly sympathetic, especially since they were unaware of her involvement in the love letter prank. The only ones who taunted her were the Slytherins, which was to be expected. All in all, the first day back to school went better than the witch had anticipated.
On Tuesday morning, the third-years of Gryffindor had double Transfiguration and while Professor McGonagall showed some concern over her student's misfortune, she was not cutting her any slack with regard to the task at hand – mastering the Hardening Charm.
"You're doing it wrong." – Catherine whispered to Peter, who was seated in front of her with Mary – "You relax your hand too quickly and don't allow the magic to fully petrify the ball of wool. Hold it a little longer."
"You're so skilled at Transfiguration." – James remarked as Peter's next attempt was finally successful.
"You're just as skilled, if not more so, James." – Catherine replied, slightly puzzled by her friend's newfound modesty.
"I may know how to do things but explaining them is another matter." – the boy smiled nonchalantly – "You'll probably make a great teacher someday!"
"That doesn't sound like something I'd do." – the witch laughed, immediately being shushed by Professor McGonagall.
"Thanks for the help, Flame!" – grinned Peter after class, as the Gryffindors made their way through the corridors – "It's been ages since I didn't have to do extra homework!"
"You just need to concentrate harder." – shrugged Catherine – "You perform well if you follow the instructions closely."
"Now look at that!" – came the nasty voice of Valeria Malfoy from behind. The Gryffindors turned around, facing a large group of Slytherin fourth-years. Lucius' sister and Lavinia Nott stood at the forefront, sneering with apparent delight. Lavinia, bitter after the failed love potion attempt and particularly because Greg had finally snapped and stopped speaking to her altogether, looked at them with obvious disdain.
"Just keep walking." – Remus whispered to Catherine, taking her hand and nodding to James, Sirius and Peter to move forward.
"Leaving so fast?" – asked Lavinia with an artificially sweet voice, as the corridor was getting more and more packed with students, everyone attempting to figure out why they were not able to pass – "Hey! Don't dare to turn your back on me! Accio wig!"
The blond wig flew away from Catherine's head straight into Lavinia's waiting hand. Slytherins erupted in laughter, while James and Sirius drew out their wands, ready for a fight.
"You've always been such an eyesore, especially for an arrogant Mudblood like yourself!" – chuckled Valeria, mockingly curtsying before the stunned Gryffindor girl, who was staring at her in disbelief – "It seems you fancy yourself a royal figure, so allow me to be the first to show you proper respect!"
Before anyone could react, Bellatrix Black appeared out of nowhere, placing a crown made of golden foil atop Catherine's bald head.
"Articulus Repellitus!" – shouted Sirius, but Bella evaded his Knee-Reversal Hex, laughing at her cousin.
"Long live Queen Egghead!" – the youngest of the Black sisters yelled scornfully.
The Slytherins bowed and curtsied mockingly, while Catherine fought back tears and struggled to remove the crown. Then, in a remarkable turn of events, Peter Pettigrew burst forward, his face flushed and sweaty, and bowed deeply before Catherine and their bewildered friends.
"About time to recognise her!" – he declared with a trembling voice – "Long live, Catherine Plantier – the queen of Gryffindor!"
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then, Greg McMahon's melodious voice cut through the tension as he, too, came forward and bowed low with a smile.
"Long live the Queen of Gryffindor!"
One by one, the students followed suit, the chant echoing down the corridor. The outmanoeuvred Slytherins swiftly vanished from the scene.
After the heartwarming show of support, Catherine found herself more at ease with her temporary hair loss. Whenever a Slytherin attempted to mock her, a chorus would rise, proclaiming her the queen of Gryffindor. Though this solidarity provided some comfort, Catherine secretly longed for anonymity. The surplus of attention only heightened her self-consciousness. Nonetheless, she chose to discard the wig in favour of a scarf, expertly tied in a fashionable turban style with Gwyneth's help.
However, her composure faced a severe test on Thursday afternoon as she made her way to Ancient Runes. Standing before the door were Lily, who should have been in Arithmancy at that hour, and Snape, his posture tense as he stared fixedly at the floor, radiating palpable tension.
Catherine hadn't seen the Slytherin face to face since their encounter during the previous week. It seemed that Madame Pomfrey had fixed his nose and mouth, but judging from the way he looked at her, their feud was far from over. In all honesty, the young witch didn't feel particularly intimidated, but she did feel awkward. Her limited experience with human relations hadn't prepared her for how to interact with someone who hated her so much that he hexed her hair off, nor did she know how to behave towards someone whom she had punched.
Lily sensed the uncomfortable atmosphere and wasted no time, jumping between her friends.
"Catherine, wait! Severus wants to tell you something." – she turned towards the Slytherin, her emerald-green eyes flashing threateningly – "Come on! We already rehearsed that!"
Snape opened his mouth and murmured something incomprehensible.
"I beg your pardon?" – Catherine asked, her chin held high, arms crossed in front of her.
"I apologise for my ill-considered decision to use a Hair-Removing Hex on you." – he said slowly, articulating every word – "It is not a proper way to behave towards anyone, but especially not towards…a lady."
Upon saying the last part, Snape's black eyes blazed with such intense dislike that Catherine thought he might choke on his own words. After a few seconds of contemplation, the young witch met his gaze fearlessly and smirked.
"Unfortunately, Snape, I do not believe in empty apologies, and your regret is as genuine as mine about breaking your nose."
"Daisy!" – moaned Lily, desperately, but Catherine had already entered the classroom. Snape followed her example a few minutes later, and to the girl's surprise, he appeared much more relaxed when he sat next to her, going about his business as usual.
'Is he relaxed because Lily counted this as a successful apology attempt or would he have felt more humiliated if I had accepted the apology?' – thought the young witch, shaking her head in confusion, attempting to concentrated on Professor Oakenscript, who had just started explaining the particles and clitics in the ancient languages and how they were transcribed via runic symbols.
Eventually, the Gryffindor decided that her and Snape not being in an open war was good enough as an outcome. Therefore, she resolved to focus on much more important things, such as the upcoming Quidditch game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.
On Saturday, the Quidditch pitch was alive with energy as students wearing the respective colours of both teams gathered to witness the highly anticipated match between the two houses. The air was charged with excitement as the teams took to the sky on their broomsticks, ready to fight for the victory they equally needed.
Catherine was sitting, snuggled close to Remus, behind the Gryffindor cheering squad, led by Peter as usual. Though she wasn't cold, in the presence of so many people, she felt an overwhelming need for support, and Moony was always her rock she could rely on.
The game began with a fierce competition for the Quaffle, with both teams displaying impressive teamwork and strategy. Owen Spinnet, Daisy Diggory, and Philippa Finch, the Hufflepuff's chasers, showed remarkable agility, weaving through Gryffindor's defence with skilful passes and precise shots on goal. However, Greg McMahon, managed to block several scoring attempts, frustrating the Hufflepuff offense, including through performing a jaw-dropping Full-Stretch Save.
Meanwhile, James was scanning the skies in search of the elusive Golden Snitch. Despite Bennett Thornfield, who was the Hufflepuff's seeker, putting up a valiant effort, it was the Gryffindor who ultimately spotted the Snitch first, darting through the air with incredible speed.
As the match progressed, Marvolo Wood and Dominic Woods effectively controlled the Bludgers, creating openings for their teammates and disrupting Hufflepuff's offensive plays. Sirius, Patrick, and Marigold capitalised on these opportunities, executing seamless passes, and executing precision shots to widen the point gap even further to 60 to 0.
At this moment, James dived from seventy metres, performing a perfect Broomstick Spin. Before anyone could even react, the Golden Snitch was struggling in the Gryffindor Seeker's hand. The crowd in red and gold roared in delight. Their team had won in less than twenty minutes, bringing their house one win away from the dream of winning the Quidditch Cup. The players made a few triumphant rounds, greeting their fans before landing on the ground. One particular point of interest was Greg who made a deliberate effort to fly his broom past Lily, personally greeting her. This gesture left the usually composed girl with a face as red as her hair.
The gesture left a lasting impression, simultaneously dampening the mood for James Potter. Despite being hailed as the main hero for Gryffindor's victory, he appeared as grim as a storm cloud when he and Sirius left the Changing Rooms, making their way towards the castle where their classmates were already gearing up to celebrate.
"One would think we've lost the match." – chuckled Sirius teasingly.
"I can't stand him!" – growled James, kicking every pebble that appeared in front of his eyes.
"Who? McMahon?" – the other boy asked, grinning.
"Obviously! I hate how he pretends he's so modest when he's constantly showing off, especially in front of the girls! Have you seen him up there after the match?" – James ranted, ruffling his black hair with annoyance – "Wipe that stupid smirk off your face! You could show some sympathy!"
"I'm sorry, mate, but for the first time, this peacock of a wizard is not my problem! The less he's around Flame, the better!" – shrugged Sirius unapologetically.
"But now he's constantly around Evans!" – complained the other wizard sulkily.
"So? It's not like she wants to be around you anyway!"
"Weren't you supposed to be my best friend?" – snapped James.
"I am, but as Catherine likes to say: if I don't tell you the truth when you don't want to hear it, are we really that close?" – Sirius stated confidently.
"It's one thing to be honest, and completely different to make fun of me!" – James exclaimed, his face flushing with anger.
"I'm not making fun of you, mate!" – the other Gryffindor insisted, shaking his head with an amicable smile – "But lately, you've been giving off a hint of desperation. That might not be the best approach to win over a girl."
"Says the expert! I keep forgetting you've already won over countless hearts in your fourteen years!" – James retorted sarcastically.
"The number of Valentine's cards I've received speaks for itself." – the wizard grinned – "Three more than you, if I'm not mistaken. Besides, I'm not aiming to become an expert on girls. As long as I…"
James glanced in Sirius' direction and sighed audibly. Though unspoken, it was evident to the entire school that Sirius Black's attention was fixated solely on one person, a devotion that had persisted since their first day aboard the Hogwarts Express. James suspected his best friend refrained from voicing his feelings, perhaps out of fear of rejection and the potential strain it could place on his friendship with Catherine. James, himself, was uncertain about how Flame would react to such a confession. She typically gave the impression she wasn't interested in any romantic advances and promptly deflected compliments and suggestions, especially those from Sirius. Perhaps she, too, was apprehensive about jeopardising the bond they all shared. In any case, James sympathised with Sirius more than he showed, deciding to set aside his own concerns and ponder about Lily and the boys orbiting around her some other time.
"You know, I'll be damned if I let someone screw up our victory party!" – the Gryffindor Seeker roared, jumping up and down a few times to release all the pent-up frustration – "Let's hurry up and grab some food and drinks from the Kitchens! We're so fucking close to winning the Cup!"
"It's practically in the bag!" – agreed Sirius, amused by James' sudden burst of energy – "I'll tell you what – if we snag first place this year, I'll plant one on Greg McMahon right in front of everyone!"
"You better start practicing then!" – James joked, laughing heartily – "I mean your defensive spells, because the majority of the witches at Hogwarts will come after you if you steal a kiss from our virtuous little lord!"
After the commotion of the second Quidditch match subsided, James redirected his focus to other matters, particularly the promised training with Catherine. These sessions were meant to introduce him to the intricacies of wandless magic. Consequently, that particular Sunday afternoon, the two Gryffindors ventured to a secluded spot behind the vegetable patch. Among the tree stumps, perfect for sitting, with an occasional sunbeam piercing through the clouds, they began their practice.
Equipped with a handful of feathers for their exercises in the Levitation Charm, Catherine effortlessly demonstrated its wandless application. However, James's initial attempt mirrored Catherine's first try—nothing short of a complete failure.
"Fuck, why is it so hard?" – swore James, jumping to his feet and starting to pace nervously.
"Of course it's hard! What did you expect?" – asked the young witch.
"To be able to do it after half an hour?" – the boy said sulkily.
"Yeah, right!" – the girl rolled her eyes – "Being so talented in magic made you spoiled and lazy, James Potter!"
"You're one to talk!" – smirked the wizard – "I'm growing tired of the lack of progress, though! How about we do a bit of practice duelling to clear our minds!"
"Alright! Since I have no hair, I'm hardly afraid of getting hurt during duels anymore!" – chuckled Catherine grimly.
"That's not funny, Flame!" – stated James angrily – "You know very well I would never hurt you. We can work on improving our reflexes!"
The two Gryffindors stood opposite each other, wands at the ready, and exchanged formal bows. They turned their backs simultaneously, each taking fifteen paces in opposite directions. Reaching their marked spots at the same time, they turned around to face each other, ready to cast their spells on the count of three. Catherine and James engaged in several rounds of cautious spellcasting, each taking turns to block the other's attempts.
"You need to get more serious, Flame!" – James shouted – "I could block that with my eyes closed!"
'Show-off!'- thought the girl, smirking. With a swift, jabbing motion of her wand, she retaliated, yelling "Vermiexpecto Reversus!"
James dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding the hex. His Quidditch-honed agility helped him spring back to his feet in a second, chuckling. "That was not very smart! If you had hit me with the Slug-Vomiting Hex, who do you think would have to clean up after and take care of me?"
Catherine stuck her tongue out at James, her body tensed and ready to deflect his imminent counterattack at any moment.
"Expelliarmus!"
The third-years' wands flew from their hands and landed in the feet of the bulky, red-headed Gryffindor wearing a Prefect badge.
"What the hell are you doing, Prewett?" – James shouted, his tone laced with anger.
"Fulfilling my duties as a Prefect, Potter!" – the fifth-year replied calmly, picking up the wands from the ground – "Considering you've already broken most of the school rules, I'm pretty sure you know duelling is not allowed."
"We were just practicing our defensive spells! There was no intent to harm!" – Catherine tried to explain.
"You don't owe him any explanations, Flame! I'm sick and tired of newly appointed Prefects always attempting to show their dominance!" – the boy interjected, his frustration evident.
"Shut up, James!" – the girl snapped, annoyed – "There is no grand scheme of the school authorities being out to get you!"
Fabian Prewett burst out laughing at the sight of James' sulky face.
"You're quite fierce, Catherine Plantier!"
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment." – the witch said with a small smile, as the older boy returned her wand.
"It is in my family. In fact, you remind me of my older sister, Molly. The more she loves you, the harsher she is with you." – Fabian said, smiling as he tossed James his wand – "I understand you were practicing, but strictly speaking, it's still forbidden outside of class where teachers are in control and can prevent something bad from happening."
"Yeah, tell me about it!" – Catherine laughed mockingly.
"Well… sometimes it doesn't work that way." – admitted the fifth-year, embarrassed, glancing at his housemate's crimson turban – "I'm actually very surprised Snape was able to pierce your defence."
"As was I." – sighed the young witch – "According to Thorne, I had put so much power into my Shield Charm that it became easy to crack with enough force applied to a small spot."
"I see." – mused Fabian contemplatively – "Protego does indeed lack flexibility. If you wish, I can show you a better protective spell that would help against such attacks?"
"Really?" – Catherine asked, intrigued – "We'd be very grateful if you could spare some time to teach us, right James?"
"Right." – the dark-haired boy confirmed, frowning but still willing to learn a new spell.
"Great!" – smiled the Prefect, moving closer to the third-years and drawing out his own wand – "The incantation is Flexifortis, and the wand movement is in spiral shape. Let me demonstrate! Come on, Potter, do your best!"
James didn't wait to be asked twice and quickly cast a Leg-Locking Curse in Fabian's direction.
"Flexifortis!" – the fifth-year swiftly demonstrated, deflecting James' attack – "You'll feel the bouncing effect and agility of the spell when you cast it yourself."
That turned out to be true, as both Catherine and James experienced firsthand. Naturally, being among the most talented students at school did help them master the new defensive spell in just fifteen minutes.
"I think you both know how to cast it now." – nodded Fabian happily – "It's amazing how quickly the two of you can learn new spells! It took me twice as long! However, duels are still forbidden unless supervised!"
"Fine!" – snapped James – "We'll duel where you won't see us!"
The Prefect paused, torn between his duty and his feelings on the matter, but eventually shrugged and grinned at his housemates. "As long as I don't know, it's not my problem."
"Finally, a Prefect I can learn to like!" – smirked James, watching the other wizard walk towards the castle.
"Well, you can also become one and change the system." – Catherine suggested teasingly.
"I think that magic carpet flew away a long time ago." – chuckled the boy – "With all the trouble we've gotten into during the years, neither you, me, nor Sirius stand a chance of becoming a Prefect! Maybe it's not too late for Moony, though."
"Don't tell him, or he'll start worrying from now on; there are still two years before that even becomes a possibility." – the witch warned her friend with a smile – "Speaking of which, I believe Sirius and Peter should have already managed to sneak out enough food for Remus' birthday party. Let's go!"
"Yeah, you're right. Is it your turn to trick him into coming to his own celebration?" – James asked, grinning.
"I believe it is." – Catherine sighed – "The issue, however, is not so much in tricking him to come out as in persuading him to stay. You know how he is when he needs to talk with more than three people who are not us."
"That I do understand." – James smirked – "We're the best people anyone can talk with, why bother with the rest?"
'And you wonder why Lily calls you a toerag!' – thought the young witch with smirking, as James threw his arm around her shoulders, and the two of them headed back to the Gryffindor Tower.
Remus was cleverly decoyed into his own birthday celebration, where, to everyone's relief, he was seen genuinely enjoying himself. Meanwhile, Catherine and James discreetly relocated their duelling practice sessions to the vicinity of the Forbidden Forest, where other people were rarely seen, Hagrid being the notable exception. With the arrival of milder temperatures towards the end of the month, they also increased their jogging sessions, taking advantage of the warming weather.
On March 27th, the Gryffindors threw a grand celebration for James' fourteenth birthday, culminating in a late-night feast. The highlight was a magnificent lemon and elderflower cake, masterfully baked by Catherine. Naturally, everyone was quite groggy the next day, except for Lily, who had firmly refused to participate, much to James' disappointment.
"Are you sure about this, mate?" – Sirius whispered to his best friend during breakfast.
"Yeah, it's the perfect opportunity to sneak into Hagrid's hut." – James affirmed with a decisive nod – "As long as you're fine with it!"
"I am, but I can't shake the guilt of not telling Flame." – admitted the other wizard, stealing a glance down the table where Catherine sat, her gaze fixed sleepily on her untouched toast.
"She'll freak out and suggest another plan, equally perilous, but this time she'll be the one in harm's way." – chuckled James, affectionately observing the young witch who had just spilled half a jug of orange juice over the toasts – "We shouldn't wait any longer. Even if I sneak in with Flame during her baking lessons, nobody knows if I would be able to get the Thestral hair with them also inside the room!"
"You're right, I just hope she won't get mad because frankly, I fear her way more than the salamanders!" – agreed Sirius, watching as Peter and Remus attempted to assist Catherine in cleaning up the sticky mess she'd made.
With that, the Gryffindors finished their breakfast and slowly made their way outside for their double Care of Magical Creatures class. Professor Kettleburn had told them last time that they were about to start studying salamanders, which were arguably much more exciting creatures compared to what they had dealt with thus far. Excitement buzzed through both Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, who shared the class that term, as they eagerly chatted while awaiting the arrival of their teacher.
As Professor Kettleburn finally appeared, he ushered the students to a small clearing adjacent to Hagrid's hut. There, inside a massive bonfire, a dozen of scarlet lizards were playing amongst the flames.
James and Sirius found a spot as far from Kettleburn as possible, leaving their schoolbags on the ground. They took out pieces of parchment, quills, and a small silk pouch.
"How much should I give them?" – asked Sirius whispering.
"Not more than two pinches." – James replied quietly – "The Igniflare Dust is very potent, and we don't want you spending the week in the Hospital Wing."
"No guarantee it won't happen once Catherine finds out." – the other wizard chuckled nervously.
"Gather 'round, students!" – the Professor's voice boomed above the chatter – "As you already know, today we're going to meet some very intriguing and useful magical creatures! Take a look at the fire, and you'll spot a whole bunch of scarlet salamanders, which are the most common variety. Who can tell me how long a salamander can survive out of the fire? Miss Evans!"
"Up to six hours." – answered Lily promptly from the front of the group.
"Correct! Five points to Gryffindor!" – Kettleburn smiled brightly – "As you're probably aware, salamander blood has numerous practical applications, but caring for these creatures requires a certain degree of finesse. Does anyone know what you should feed a salamander when they are not in the fire? Yes, Miss Evans?"
"It's generally recommended to feed them pepper, but only when we make sure they are not near fire." – Lily responded confidently.
"Right again! Another five points to Gryffindor!" – exclaimed the Professor – "Indeed, as Miss Evans pointed out, it's crucial not to give salamanders pepper when they have access to fire. Otherwise, they may sneeze flames. Considering they are born from and bear a small amount of the essence of fire, or what they call true fire, it could be extremely dangerous to be in the path of their flames! The same goes for handling the creatures with bare hands. That's why we'll be using our dragon-hide protective gloves later to handle them safely."
Listening half-heartedly, James scanned the area, pondering when the best time would be to proceed with their plan. Suddenly, he noticed Catherine squatting next to the bonfire, a bit apart from the rest of the class, a gleaming red salamander trustfully playing in her bare hand.
'What the hell? Weren't they supposed to be too hot to handle?' – thought James briefly before hearing Sirius' voice in his ear.
"Now or never! Kettleburn turned away from us to distribute the pepper!"
The two wizards grabbed some Igniflare Dust and tossed it into the flames, which started hissing like a nest full of enraged snakes. James swiftly sought cover behind a nearby rock, while Sirius clenched his eyes shut with determination. Within moments, a torrent of fire shot forth, propelled by the irate, sneezing fire lizards. A chaos erupted with students screaming and running around, uncertain where the danger had come from. James Potter quickly retrieved his grandfather's invisibility cloak from his schoolbag and instantly disappeared under it. He sprinted towards Hagrid's hut, encountering Hagrid himself halfway, the Keeper of the Keys drawn by the clamour and hurrying in the opposite direction.
James reached the door of the small building and stepped inside, his gaze darting around anxiously. Everything seemed oversized, tailored to fit the specific needs of the giant, making the furniture and appliances appear disproportionately large for ordinary people.
Looking up amidst the hanging hams and pheasants, the boy spotted several braids resembling greyish horse manes. With agile movements, he leaped onto the table, but still found himself unable to reach the Thestral hair. Swearing under his breath, the young wizard descended and, with considerable effort, manoeuvred one of the massive chairs onto the wooden surface. This newfound height proved sufficient, allowing James to successfully pluck a few strands of Thestral hair from one of the braids. He nearly stumbled upon landing and hastily returned the chair to its original position.
Pulling the invisibility cloak over his head, the Gryffindor third-year hurried back to the clearing, darting behind the rock where his schoolbag lay. He swiftly stowed away the silvery cloak and the Thestral hair before joining the circle his classmates had formed. Finally allowing himself a deep breath, he shifted his focus to Sirius, who had agreed to endure an injury serious enough to create chaos capable of luring Hagrid from his home. Making his way to the front, James clenched his teeth at the sight of his best friend lying on the ground, his complexion as pallid as a vampire's, ugly red marks glistening across his hands and neck. Though thankfully his face remained unscathed, his eyes were shut, and his lips trembled as if in pain. Hagrid and Kettleburn were gently applying some green slime to the affected areas of his skin.
James looked around and spotted Remus and Peter standing nearby. Moony cradled Catherine, her complexion mirroring Sirius's pallor, tears streaming down her cheeks. A pang of guilt stabbed at James. Perhaps Sirius was correct; maybe they should have told her. However, the young witch would have vehemently opposed any of her friends risking harm, regardless of their successful acquisition of the Thestral hair.
"It's alright, lad!" – proclaimed the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, as Hagrid effortlessly lifted Sirius, turning towards the castle – "This should help ease the pain, and Hagrid will take you to the Hospital Wing. Fortunately, Dumbledore can heal this particular type of injury, as I doubt Madam Pomfrey could do much. I hope this serves as a lesson to all of you not to attempt such foolish pranks in this class! Creatures are not to be trifled with; they must be respected!"
"Sirius!" – cried Catherine, breaking free from Remus' embrace and rushing toward Hagrid, who carried her friend.
"Don't worry, Flame!" – the boy managed to mumble, pain evident in his voice – "I'm going to be fine before you know it!"
"Why would you do such a stupid thing?! What were you thinking?" – she hissed, her emotions oscillating between anger and concern.
"That salamander fire was weaker." – Sirius attempted to joke, earning an annoyed groan from the young witch.
"We'll talk more after you're healed. Do you need anything?" – she asked, wiping away her tears.
Sirius quickly scanned the area for James, who gave him a thumbs-up, prompting a sigh of relief, as he smiled playfully at Catherine.
"A piece of leftover birthday cake would be nice!" – the wizard said to the upset girl who was staring at him in disbelief.
