Chapter Three
Sleepless Nights
"You look like you've seen the grim."
"Thanks Draco, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."
I rolled my eyes at Draco who just sauntered up to me. We were waiting for Madam Hooch to show up so that we could start our first Flying Lesson, much to my disdain. The thought of flying just contributed to my sour mood. I had finally received an owl from Mother and Father, after almost two weeks of waiting. While it didn't outright say that they were disappointed in me showing up in Gryffindor, the green scarf that she had included spoke wonders.
"You nervous?" Draco asked, bumping his shoulder into mine and I gave him a look of disdain.
"What do you think?"
While Draco loved to fly, I hated it. Something about putting all of my faith in a piece of wood made my stomach turn. Father tried to take me when we were younger but after the third attempt where I threw such a fit we both almost fell off the broom, he gave up.
"As long as I don't make a fool of myself, I'll be fine." I muttered and he looked at me, a frown on his face.
"Have you been sleeping-"
"Well, what are you all waiting for?" Madam Hooch called, cutting Draco off before he could finish his sentence. I let out a breath of relief, I really didn't need him to mother me. Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up."
The class immediately split up with Gryffindor on one side and Slytherin on the other. I gave Draco a half smile as I took the spot in between Hermione and Harry. My stomach was doing summersaults, the brooms that we were going to be flying on were old with twigs out of place- nothing like the manicured broom Father had at home.
"Stick out your right hand over your broom, and say 'UP'"
"UP!" Everyone shouted.
My broom twitched on the ground but didn't jump to my hand like Harry's did next to me. After calling it twice more, it finally did. Just having the broom in my hand made me feel sick.
Madam Hooch then showed us how to mount our brooms, taking time to correct our grips.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle- three- two-"
Neville, in a nervous panic pushed off the ground hard before she got a chance to blow the whistle.
"Come back, boy!" Hooch called and we all watched horrified as he shot straight up in the air. Higher and higher he went. My stomach dropped as he let out a shout then slid sideways off the broom-
CRACK. Everyone winced as he fell to the ground face first in the grass a couple of feet away from us. We all rushed towards him, Madam Hooch rolled him over, checking the whimpering boy over.
"Broken wrist." She muttered to herself. "Come on, boy- it's alright. Up you get."
She then turned towards the rest of us, her expression firm.
"None of you is to move while I take this boy to the Hospital Wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'. Come on dear."
Everyone was silent as she ushered Neville back into the castle. I immediately dropped the broom I was holding, glad that we didn't have to fly. At least for now.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked, coming to my side and I gave him a half shrug.
"Just glad we don't have to fly." I mumbled and he nodded, looking thoughtful. Something caught his eye and he perked up.
"Ooh, watch this Lyra! This'll cheer you up."
Before I could stop Draco he darted forwards and snatched something off of the grass. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him!" He held up a small glass ball that was filled with white smoke. My eyebrows raised at the Remembrall that Draco was holding. I must have been preoccupied with my own letter when Neville had received it this morning.
"Give that here, Malfoy." Harry said quietly and the whole class stopped talking to watch. I immediately knew that this was not going to go well. Everything in me told me to stop Draco from further escalating the situation but I was frozen.
"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find-" Draco smiled nastily. I knew that Harry was just goading Draco on, even if he did have good intentions. "-How about- up a tree?"
"Give it here!" Harry yelled, actually getting mad and he lunged at Draco who leapt onto his broom.
Draco gave a firm push off of the ground and we all watched as he rose higher and higher in the air. Even though I had seen Draco fly a million times before, I felt vaguely sick seeing him so high up.
"Come and get it, Potter!"
Harry grabbed his broom but Hermione tried to stop him.
"No! Madam Hooch told us not to move- you'll get us all in trouble!"
Much like Draco, Harry had made up his mind. The raven haired boy mounted his broom and kicked off with complete confidence. Some of the girls screamed as Harry rose up and turned sharply to face Draco midair. Draco's expression fell, clearly not expecting Harry to rise to the challenge.
"Give it here, or I'll knock you off that broom!" Harry called. My fingernails bit into my palms as I watched them.
"Oh yeah?" Draco taunted.
I gasped out loud as Harry leaned forwards on his broom, shooting towards Draco who just managed to get out of the way.
This was not cheering me up at all.
"No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck, Malfoy." Harry called.
"Catch it if you can, then!" Draco shouted and threw the glass ball high in the air.
I felt like I couldn't breathe as I watched Harry dive for the ball, getting closer and closer to the ground. At the last possible second he pulled the broom up and toppled gently on the grass, holding the Remembrall up in his fist- safe and sound. Draco floated to the ground, dismounting next to me.
"What was that?" I hissed, smacking Draco in the shoulder but something behind me caught his attention. A large smug smile grew on his face.
"HARRY POTTER!"
Everyone spun around to see Professor McGonagall practically running towards us, her lips thin, expression severe.
"Never - in all my time at Hogwarts- how dare you- might have broken your neck-"
"It wasn't his fault Professor-"
"Be quiet, Miss Patil-
"But Malfoy-"
"That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Potter, follow me. Now."
Harry was white faced as he followed Professor McGonagall towards the castle. Nobody said a word until they were out of earshot.
"What the hell was that?" Ron turned towards Draco and I, his face red.
"Hopefully Potter's got himself expelled." Draco taunted. "I bet McGonagall is taking him to Dumbledore right now."
I elbowed Draco in the ribs, giving him a dark look. His smile fell off his face when he saw my expression. He opened his mouth to say something when a slightly frazzled looking Madam Hooch showed back up.
"Where is Potter?" She asked immediately and I was somewhat impressed that she even noticed that he was gone. Everyone started to talk at once trying to explain what had happened. "Enough- enough! Miss Malfoy, explain."
All eyes turned towards me and I could feel glares from both sides. The Slytherin's wanted me to omit the truth so that Draco would get away scott free, the Gryffindors wanted the truth so that he would get in trouble. My tongue was heavy in my mouth as I stood there, mind completely blank. Madam Hooch's strangely amber eyes were piercing as she waited for an answer. After what felt like an eternity, I finally spoke.
"Harry was caught by McGonagall flying. She- she took him inside." The words that left my mouth didn't feel like they were my own. I could feel all the Gryffindors glaring at me, furious that I was protecting my brother but I tried to keep my expression neutral as my stomach twisted uncomfortably.
"But-" Several of the Gryffindors tried to intervene but were cut off.
"Enough." Madam Hooch with such finality that everyone stopped talking. "I am going to talk to McGonagall- Class is dismissed."
She waved her wand, causing all of the school brooms to vanish and stalked back into the castle, expression severe.
"Nice going, Malfoy." Ron spat, his face red as he glared at Draco and I before rushing back into the castle. The other Gryffindors made similar remarks as they left, hoping to hear news about Harry.
It felt like someone had taken a knife to my heart as I watched them all walk away. My throat tightened and eyes began to sting as I watched them go. I hadn't expected to feel as… ashamed as I did.
"Thanks for that Ly! I was sure to get detention had you not covered for me." Draco said excitedly and I angrily snatched my school bag off of the ground, my face starting to grow red. I couldn't let them see me like this.
"Just leave me alone, Draco." I snapped at my twin and stormed off, ignoring his calls after me.
Lyra,
I understand your disappointment but please don't overthink it, your father and I still love you very much. As long as you stick with your brother and the other Slytherins you are going to be fine. Stay out of trouble sweetheart and trust your judgment.
Love,
Mother
Trust your judgment. I scoffed at Mother's words, my grip tightening on the letter and threatening to tear it. My judgment was clearly not supposed to be trusted. I had gone to dinner after the flying class fiasco only to last about ten minutes. None of the first years wanted to sit next to me, and after recounting what had happened to the older students… Well, none of them took too kindly to that either.
The moment I saw Harry Potter walk into the Great Hall, I decided to bolt. It wasn't even like I was hungry- though he clearly wasn't expelled, just seeing the raven haired boy made me nauseous with guilt and shame.
I wasn't even sure why I did it. Well, I was. Draco and I always protected each other growing up… but this- this was different. For once, I felt guilt the moment I had omitted the truth. The disappointment from the Gryffindors really twisted the knife deeper.
Merlin what was wrong with me.
It wasn't even like I wanted their approval.
"You're losing it, Lyra." I muttered to myself and shoved the letter back into my bag, ignoring the fact that it definitely crumpled. I ran a hand down my face, trying to force back the tears that once again threatened to bubble up again. I had just spent the last two hours fighting off tears- when did I become such a cry baby?
Checking my watch, my stomach dropped seeing that it was already eleven. I had decided to camp out in an empty classroom over going anywhere near the Gryffindor Common Room and clearly time got away from me as I spiraled out of control. Fantastic.
I quickly threw my bag over my shoulder and tucked my robes under one arm. Cracking the door open, I peaked out trying to spot any patrolling prefects or teachers. The way back to the Gryffindor Tower was anxiety ridden but I managed to get back somehow undetected. Of course when I got back, I didn't expect to see the Fat Lady gone and someone curled up on the ground a few feet away from the portrait.
"Oh this is fantastic." I huffed and walked over to the person on the ground. My eyebrows shot up in surprise when I saw it was Neville. He looked mostly unscathed from the accident earlier today, though uncomfortable on the ground.
I waited in front of the empty portrait for about five minutes before turning back to Longbottom who was still on the ground. Why did it feel like today was actually cursed?
"Longbottom… hey, Longbottom." I shook Neville's shoulder and his head shot up. Both of us let out cries of pain as his head smashed right into my chin.
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry!" Neville exclaimed and I held out a hand stopping him. I touched my lip gingerly where I had bit it and winced, there was a little blood on my fingers and it was definitely swollen.
"I deserve that." I muttered and his already wide eyes grew wider when he realized it was me he was talking to.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't-"
"Seriously, it's fine. Please stop apologizing." I whispered and to his surprise, I laid out my robe on the ground across the corridor from him. "How long has the Fat Lady been gone?"
He glanced at the empty portrait and paled even further.
"I've been out here for hours, I couldn't remember the new password to get into bed. I- I didn't realize she's gone." He looked like he was about to cry.
"The password's 'Pig snout'." I said and he nodded.
Silence stretched between the two of us, making my stomach knot uncomfortably. I couldn't believe I was about to say this.
"I- uh… I'm sorry about my brother." I muttered after what felt like an eternity.
"What was that?" Neville asked. I couldn't tell if he actually didn't hear me or didn't comprehend what I had just said.
"I said I'm sorry for Draco's behavior… and mine."
His eyebrows furrowed and he looked at me confused.
"After- after you fell Draco decided to try and hide your Remembrall. Harry got it back for you but I didn't do anything to stop him. I should have stopped him but it's hard and… and it's just he's my twin and- never mind. It's stupid. Just ignore me." My face burned with embarrassment and I pulled my legs up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.
Something about his wide brown eyes and confusion just made me feel so… so small.
"Well… uh thanks." Neville's face was bright red and we both looked away from each other.
The two of us sat in silence once more. I checked my watch periodically, hoping that the Fat Lady would show up soon. What was she even doing so late at night? It wasn't until a little after eleven thirty did anything happen.
"-I warned you, you just remember what I said when you're on the train home tomorrow-"
"Wait!" I called scrambling to my feet. "Don't let it… close." I finished lamely as the portrait swung shut behind the three students who had stumbled out of the portrait hole. The frown on my face deepened seeing that it was Ron, Hermione, and Harry. The last people I wanted to see.
"You!" Ron exclaimed, his voice a yell whisper. Before I could ask what was going on, he pointed a finger at me. "What are you doing here?"
"I was locked out of the portrait-"
"Lies!" Ron exclaimed, his ears turning red and I took a step back surprised. I glanced at Harry and Hermione confused but both of them were looking at me suspiciously. "You're here to get us caught!"
"Caught for what?! I've been stuck out here with Neville because the Fat Lady is gone! Now we are all stuck thanks to you." I hissed back and all three spun around to see that the Portrait hole was in fact, empty.
"Now what am I going to do?!" Hermione's voice rose an octave, her face white.
"That's your problem." Ron snapped and tugged on Harry's arm. "We've got to go, we're going to be late."
"Wait! Don't leave us!" Neville scrambled to his feet. "I don't want to stay here! The Blood Baron's been past twice already."
Ron was losing his patience. He checked his watch then glared at the three of us. He looked at Harry.
"We've really got to go."
"We don't have time for this. If you are coming with us, come with us. If not then stay. I don't care either way." Harry shrugged and Ron shot me a furious look. He opened his mouth to say something but Harry cut him off, his tone firm. "We don't have time to argue. We have to go."
Harry and Ron started to make their way down the hall and Hermione and Neville trailed after the two. I sighed to myself, knowing that I was probably going to regret this decision and chased after the group.
"If any of you get us caught, I'll never rest until I've learned that Curse of the Bogies Quirrell told us about, and use it on you." Ron hissed as we made our way through the castle.
Somehow, the five of us didn't get caught by anyone. It wasn't until we made it to the trophy hall on the third floor did Ron and Harry stop. Harry and Ron both took out their wands, keeping an eye on the doors, clearly waiting for… something.
"He's late, maybe he's chickened out." Ron whispered after a minute and I frowned.
"Who are we waiting for?" I asked. I was getting a little tired of all of his glares.
"Don't act like you don't know." Ron spat and I rolled my eyes.
"Look, I don't know how many times I have to say it but I actually- do. Not. know. What you are talking about. So please-"
"Shh!"
Harry cut me off and a noise in the next room caused all of us to freeze.
"Sniff around, my sweet, they might be lurking in a corner."
Harry's eyes met mine and both of us lept to action. Harry waved madly at us to follow him as quickly as possible and I pushed Ron towards the door away from Filch's voice. The five of us did not stop running until we were near the Charms classroom, as far away from the trophy room as we could get.
"I- I think we lost him." Harry panted leaning up against the wall. I was bent over, trying to catch my breath.
"I- told- you." Hermione managed to get out while gasping for air. "I- told- you."
"We've got to get back to the Gryffindor Tower as quickly as possible." Ron said. I wiped my forehead with my sleeve and straightened up.
"Malfoy tricked you- you realize that right?" Hermione asked Harry and I was about to protest when I realized that they weren't talking about me. "He was never going to meet you-"
"This whole thing was about Draco?" I asked, cutting in and everyone turned to me.
"You actually didn't know what was going on?" Harry asked, surprised. I shot him my most annoyed look and he ran a hand through his hair looking a little guilty. "Malfoy challenged me to a Wizard's Duel. We were supposed to meet at midnight in the trophy room…"
I felt my eyebrow twitch. Of course that was what this was about. Ron's distrust suddenly made a lot more sense.
"Oh for Merlin's sake- of course it was a set up. I could have told you that from the start you dolts. Draco wouldn't risk getting caught out of bed at night- much less dueling in the Trophy Room after curfew. What were you going to do anyways? Shoot sparks at each other? He knows just as many spells as you do." I scoffed and Harry's face went a little red. Before he could come up with some sort of retort, a unfortunately very familiar squeal of delight filled the corridor.
We all looked up to see Peeves floating above us, a large smile on his face.
"Wandering around at midnight, Ickle Firsties? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty. You'll get caughty."
"Not if you don't give us away, Peeves, please-"
"STUDENTS OUT OF BED! STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"
The five of us ran like our lives depended on it, down the corridor and tried the first door that we ran into. Just our luck, it was locked.
"This is it! We're done for." Ron moaned as we all pushed helplessly on the door. We could hear footsteps as Filch ran, trying to find us.
"Oh, move over!" Hermione snarled and snatched Harry's wand. She tapped the lock. "Alohomora."
Click. The door swung open and we all pushed in, shutting the door as quietly as possible. As the others pressed their ears to the door, trying to listen in to Filch and Peeves, my blood ran cold. Both Neville and I were frozen with fear as we looked at the monstrosity in front of us.
It was bigger than any creature I had seen before, filling up the entire corridor. The forbidden corridor. The one that we were explicitly not supposed to go in. With good reason it seemed. The three headed beast blinked a couple of times, trying to figure out what was going on. My heart stopped when the six eyes cleared up and landed directly on the five of us. At first it seemed shocked that there were intruders but from the low rumbling coming from the giant dog, it was clearly getting over that.
"-I think we'll be okay- get off Neville!" Harry snapped and turned from the door.
"We've got to go. We've got to go now." I felt faint as the other three took in the creature's appearance. Harry didn't need any further prompting. We all fell backwards as the door opened- Harry then slammed it shut.
Filch was gone but we didn't care. As a group we took off running, not stopping until we got back to the Gryffindor Tower.
"Where on earth have you all been?" The Fat Lady asked but Harry ignored her, panting out the password. We all scrambled into the familiar common room and collapsed into the chairs. I placed a hand on my chest, trying to calm my heart down. That was too much for me. The others looked just as shaken as I felt.
"What do they think they're doing? Keeping a thing like that in a school?" Ron demanded breaking the silence. "If any dog needs exercise that one does."
Hermione let out a huff. "You don't use your eyes do you? Didn't you see what it was standing on?'
"The floor? I wasn't looking at its feet, I was too busy with its heads" Harry retorted and she stood up.
"No, not the floor, it was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding something. I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could have all been killed- or worse expelled. Now if you don't mind I'm going to bed."
I blinked, a bit surprised that she had managed to see that in such a short notice. Not bothering to say anything to the boys, I followed her up to our dorm. Hermione's curtains were drawn shut and I collapsed onto my bed after drawing my own. The adrenaline was starting to fade leaving me shaky and exhausted. For the first time in two weeks sleep came easy.
