Potterbook | *Started*

Owen Pepperidge | Disused Classroom

It always astonished Owen how little he knew about Hogwarts. He’d been walking now for five minutes and he had yet to reach the end of the corridor. The place was huge.

Dumbledore’s advice had been as helpful as first year Herbology. Owen had learned a grand total of nothing. What did he mean by “ask your friends” anyway? It didn’t even make sense...

To distract himself from the tedium of work, Owen had taken to a new pastime. Most students spent Christmas at home or playing exploding snap with their friends in the common rooms. Some studied, some slept, but Owen had started to spend his time exploring the castle. Or, in other words, getting lost.

Owen rounded a corner and found himself back where he started. Great.

Sae had mentioned something to him once about making a “decent” map of the grounds. The idea involved charming the ink so that it would adapt to the shifting staircases and other Hogwarts’ eccentricities. Perhaps it was about time that he held her to that. A map would be so handy right now.

An unusual door handle caught his eye. Owen wasn’t known for his perceptive nature or his eye for detail, but this stuck out like a sore thumb. All the classrooms on this floor were unused and so all their doors were covered in a thick layer of dust. This one, however, was not.

Owen opened the door and peered through. Curiouser and curiouser.

Someone had removed all the tables and chairs from the classroom, leaving only the bookshelves, cupboards, and a strange object in the middle covered in sheets. Owen walked closer; he was intrigued. He didn’t even notice the door swing shut behind him. Something about the object called to him. It was like it wanted to be looked at.

“Let’s see what you are then,” Owen murmured.

He grabbed hold of the sheet and pulled it off in one almighty swoosh. He stared at the object in amazement, and Owen’s reflection stared back.

“Woah,” he said, admiring The Mirror’s craftsmanship. He stood and stared for a while. Finally, his wonder gave way to words. “Does my scarf really look like that from the side?

Spoiler

I may have gotten a bit carried away xD Sorry for the monster post!

Sae Carrow | Ravenclaw Common Room

The Ravenclaw Common room was quiet and warm, even more than was its usual condition. Sae had never spent an entire term break at Hogwarts before, and it surprised her how alone it felt.

At least she had the company of Matt, and Owen when he wasn’t running around the empty castle doing whatever curious Gryffindor boys did. In fact, most of Sae’s afternoons were spent lounging in the Ravenclaw Common room with Matt, her cat Felix, and a stack of books.

This particular afternoon, Matt was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace flipping muggle playing cards into piles and ordering them into sequences as he practiced his muggle tricks. Sae lay on her stomach on one of the couches, a book spread open in front of her and Felix curled up on the small of her back.

“Did you know,” she was telling Matt as she flipped through the books pages that detailed the history of mental illness in brilliant wizards, “Felix here is named for Felix Felicis.” The golden orange cat’s ears twitched at the mention of his name. “He was the luckiest little kitten. He came out of the first facility mom and dad were in,” she trailed off, a dreamy air overcoming her.

“Liquid Luck,” Matt said as the entire stack of muggle playing cards flipped out of his hands and fell over the rug he was sitting on. “I could use some of that.”

Sae giggled as she watched him snatch cards away from the fireplace and blew on them as their corners burned. She pushed herself onto her knees and began pulling the flowers out of her hair so she could work on re-braiding it. An annoyed Felix grumbled and readjusted himself on the couch cushion behind her.

All of the white daisies that had been in her hair lay in a neat pile in front of her a moment later. One of the first year Hufflepuff boys who hadn’t been permitted a term break due to poor marks had given them to her after Sae during their transfiguration tutoring session that morning. Just as Sae began to brush out her hair - which was actually quite wavy and lovely when she didn’t keep it in braids - the common room door burst open and none other than Owen blew in.

“You two have to come with me,” he insisted, a curious urgency in his eyes that always emerged when he discovered something peculiar or spectacular.

“How did you get in here?” Sae asked as she began to split her hair into sections in order to fashion it into her usual two braids. “Or have I lived the last four years unknowlingly a Gryffindor?”

Owen stared at her for a moment, a slight redness flashing over his cheekbones. “Matt gave me the answer to the door.”

Sae glanced at Matt, a slightly amused look on her face.

“What, am I not supposed to do that?” he asked, genuine concern filling his eyes.

Sae giggled and turned back to Owen as she finished her first braid. “What’s on your mind?” she asked. “Finally come to appreciate the delicate intricacies of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack?”

“What?” Owen asked, his eyebrows lifted in confusion. “No, I’ve found a mirror! In an empty classroom!”

“Sounds like storage,” Matt said as he focused on gathering his muggle playing cards that were still spread over the floor. “There are mirrors all over the castle.”

“I think this is a magical mirror,” Owen insisted, tugging excitedly at the scarf wound around his neck. “Just come see it.”

“Well, where is it?” Sae asked as she began to slide flowers into her braids. She gave Felix a pat and stood, clasping her hands in front of her waist. Matt stood beside her, shoving his deck of cards into his pocket.

Owen turned toward the door and stopped. “Let me just, try to remember.” He stood for a moment, muttering to himself as he counted back his steps. “I think it... I would know the corridor if I saw it!”

“Doesn’t Hogwarts have a zillion corridors or something?” Matt asked, obviously apprehensive about getting lost in the castle as night approached.

Owen sighed and turned back around to face them. “If only you’d actually made that enchanted map you were on about, Sae.”

She tilted her head slightly to the side, her eyebrows knit together. “Enchanted map?” she asked. She reached around her back, into her robes, and pulled a folded stack of parchment from inside the hem of her skirt. “Is this what you mean?” She unfolded it and tapped the center with her wand. “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

The tip of her wand glowed as ink seemed to spread from it across the page, spelling out The Marauder’s Map across the top. She unfolded it, revealing an extensive map of the castle and its grounds. Small namecards moved through the halls, with miniscule footprints following them. She pointed to the Ravenclaw Common Room where three familiar names stood in a circle near the door.

“It was second year that I put it together?” she said, as if asking the boys a question they would have no means to answer.

“You solemnly swear that you’re up to no good?” Matt asked as he peered over the map, watching ‘Albus Dumbledore’ pace his office. “I wouldn’t exactly call you a Marauder, Sae.”

“Yes,” she said. “I had a brief interest in Wizard Pirate lore second year. I suppose I took it a bit seriously. You didn’t notice? I freed quite a few dozen house elves and Snape would have had me expelled if it weren’t for Dumbledore.”

She glanced up to see both Matt and Owen staring at her in disbelief. “Where was that room, now?” she asked, oblivious as always.

Allen Selwyn | Gryffindor Boys’ Dorm Room; Christmas

Whatever antics Allen had thought Alice was capable of pulling, he never thought she’d be capable of this. When he woke up to an empty dorm room on Christmas morning, he figured she might have gone back to the Slytherin Common Room to fetch her presents; but that wasn’t his problem, was it? He rolled over, trying to go back to sleep and ignoring the suitcase Alice had brought in yesterday; it was squeaking rather violently.

“Ugh...did she invade a mousehole or something?” Allen murmured into his pillow. The suitcase squeaked again, then fell silent. Ah, blessed silence. Now he could snuggle into the blankets and go back to sleep--when the door swung open loudly, shattering any thoughts of sleep. A boy with black hair and green eyes stood there, a pair of spectacles too large for him settled on his nose. He looked slightly red in the face, and his face was round; almost feminine. Allen and he stared at each other for one moment, before the pale-haired werewolf broke the awkward silence. “Um. I think you have the wrong dorm room.”

The boy ignored him and brought in a bag filled with what looked to be presents, and then threw them onto Allen’s neighbouring bed; the one where Alice slept during Christmas. Allen sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Hey, um. I don’t think you understood me--”

And got a pillow in his face. “Shut up, will you? I don’t like going around as a boy. It’s weird! And I miss my hair.”

“Wait...wha...?” He stared. And stared. Then stared some more, before it hit him. “You...Alice?!”

“Who else?” She shoved a big box at him. “Here you go. Merry Christmas. The house elves were very generous. I don’t want so many things, anyway.”

“But...you’re...Alice...”

“Just take it!” What proceeded was a series of boxes all laid out between their beds. Allen stuffed his face with custard pudding while she bit into a drumstick. He stared at her.

“I wanted some meat!”

“It’s my present! Now scram!” She shoved more sweets at him, before digging into the bag she’d brought with her. “Let’s see, that takes care of all the house-elves...which means this is from someone I don’t know.” She waved around a thin package, and glanced into the bag again. “...which means that dirty sock must be from Dudley. Merry Christmas, Dudley!” She nodded to herself and threw the bag in a corner of the room, not bothering to fish out the sock. “Now we’re all done.”

“What’s in that?”

She took the tag and glanced at it. “Says it’s from an ‘unknown admirer’.” She glanced at it, narrowing her eyes. “It looks suspicious...”

“Just open it!” He urged her on, making her glance suspiciously at him as well before pulling the ribbon open from its tie and letting a silky material fall to the floor. No; it was smoother than silk. Alice picked it up and stared at it, looking disappointed. A note also dropped out, 'from an unknown admirer'. Allen gawked, recognizing the material. “That’s an Invisibility Cloak!”

“This is a whassit?” She stared at him. He grabbed the cloth from her and threw it over himself; and heard her gasp in surprise. He pulled it off himself and grinned at her pale face. “You just. Disappeared!”

He stuck her tongue out at her. “Like I said, this is an Invisibility Cloak. You can use it to sneak around and stuff. Someone must know you really well to send you this stuff.” He made a face and stared at her wryly when Alice grabbed it from him. “What horrors are you planning to inflict on Hogwarts with that?”

“You don’t want to know!” she chirped, making him cover his face with his hands.

“You’re not even denying it...”

Rose Marie Lovelace | Slytherin Common Room ; Christmas

Christmas break had been uneventful. Just some letters from Mother and days of lounging around the castle. Of course, Peeves and I bonded pretty well. Turns out we were both crazy pranksters. I didn't get anything for Christmas, but I guess that was alright. Mother explained over the break about my dad's newest illness- a Muggle disease called cancer. I wasn't sure what it does, but it didn't sound good. So all the money for my presents had gone towards dad's medical care stuff. Which was totally fine by me. I didn't want anything anyway. I decided to go find Alice and Allen- they're probably still in the Gryffindor Boys' Dormitories. I got up from the couch, ignoring the "Merry Christmas!" calls I got from several of the other Slytherins. I wasn't much in the mood for wishing other people well. I really just needed to find my friends.

Spoiler

Sorry it's so short! I lost the link to the Gdoc, which means I can't write too much without the help of Celt and Scar and everybody...Sorry again! Try to enjoy.

Spoiler

Hey guys. Long post, again. Also, check the DT, guys! Click Me!

Professor Snape | Dungeons / Slytherin Common Room:

Snape had been unable to find Potter for almost a week now, and it was driving him mad. With his missing Potions ingredients, Dumbledore’s bizarre clue that led to Alice Potter, and now the very girl in question missing for several days? To say he was suspicious would be an understatement. Which was probably why he was head to his House’s Common Room right now.

When he entered the common room, he found Devereux sitting on a chair by one of the many fireplaces. She looked up as he approached. “Have you seen Potter?” he demanded, sneering at her. She cringed and quickly dropped her gaze to the book she was reading.

“No, sir, I haven’t seen her today.” The girl’s voice was curt and a little dismissive. Snape ignored that, eyeing her for a long moment. When she didn’t reply, he snorted and stormed off towards the door, completely unaware that Samara was reading a book he’d taken off her months ago.


Samara Devereux | Slytherin Common Room/Entrance Hall/Grounds:

Samara kept her head down as she half-watched, half-listened to Snape as he left the Slytherin Common Room, robes billowing out behind him. She hadn’t seen Alice at all since she’d gotten back a few days ago. Nor had she seen Allen. It upset her yet made her curious at the same time. What could they possibly be doing without her?

With a sigh, Samara snapped the book shut and went up to her room, where she stashed said book away in her trunk and went back downstairs and out of the Slytherin Common Room. Where were they? Hadn’t they said--well, Alice at least--said she’d meet up with her when Sam got back from the Christmas holidays? Well. Apparently she’s forgotten, and it was really starting to bug Samara.

“Ugh, where did you go, Alice?” Samara muttered, wandering aimlessly up towards the entrance hall. No one was out in the halls and the Entrance Hall was almost empty--except for Allen just disappearing out the front doors trailed by a dark-haired boy wearing glasses. Samara frowned, staring towards the front doors. “What the hell?” she said, looking around the Hall. Who was the black-haired boy? And why was he with Selwyn? He didn’t look like anyone she knew. The others in the Entrance Hall were all too busy talking amongst themselves and going about their business to notice two boys going outside.

She debated with herself for a moment before turning towards the front doors and following the pair outside. The area just outside the doors was empty, but she could hear voices and footsteps coming from a narrow, covered walkway somewhere off to her right. Scowling, she took off after them, fast at first, then slower lest they hear her.

“Do you really think this is a good idea...?” Allen said to the other boy, looking unsure. Samara crept along the walkway, peering around a corner. She could only see their feet; everything else seemed to just...not be there. It made her even more curious. What were they up to? “I mean, poking into this whole Stone business sounds a bit dangerous...”

“Oh shush.” The voice sounded like it belonged to a girl trying to be a boy. Well, it sounded like that sort of voice, anyway. Not that there weren’t voices like this, but...wait--Stone? Surely Allen hadn’t told this strange boy about that, had he? Besides, she couldn’t even see anything other than feet right now.

“But--” And then suddenly they were there and she could see them; all of them. And what in the name of Merlin’s spotted underwear? The black-haired boy was giving Selwyn a very... Alice-esque look. She could see his face over Selwyn’s shoulder.

“Shush!” the strange boy said as Samara stepped out of her hiding spot and approached them. Allen swung around and groaned, leaving Samara frowning in confusion. What was up with these two? It was like catching Selwyn and Alice out at plotting something---wait a minute.

“Who are you?” Samara demanded, narrowing her gaze at the other boy, completely ignoring Allen in the process. “Why are you hanging out with Selwyn? And why the hell couldn’t I see all of you a moment ago?”

The boy scratched his chin nervously. “I-er. I’m Harry!” He gave her a sheepish grin--a very familiar look to Samara by now. “And I’m hanging out with Allen because he’s my roommate and all, you know...and er. That’s a secret! And you ask a lot of questions!” He looked away, not meeting her eyes, and started whistling.

Samara blinked, eyeing the boy and tilted her head to one side. That grin had looked very familiar just now. Wasn’t that Alice’s trademark grin? Samara scowled and planted her hands on her hips. “Alice? Is that you?” she asked, watching the boy who had named himself “Harry”. She had a feeling now that it was, indeed, Alice. But...it was just up for her to prove it now...

The boy glanced back at her, and then sighed and shrugged, dropping all pretenses. “It’s that obvious, huh? Tch. I suppose Snape must either be near-sighted or I might just be lucky...”

“Lucky, I think,” Selwyn muttered, standing off to one side. Samara spared him a glance before fixing Alice with a stern look. The girl-pretending-to-be-a-boy merely grinned at her, making Samara sigh.

“Why’re you pretending to be a boy?” Samara asked, frowning at the pair before her. “And how did you disappear like that?”

“You saw that?” Allen again, muttering in the background while all Samara’s attention was on Alice. Samara ignored him, still looking at Alice, who just grinned. Again. She sighed, shaking her head and the other girl...who was currently a boy.

“We-ell...it might have something to do...with this Invisibility whatsit--”

“Cloak! Invisibility Cloak!” Allen flailed at her. “Why can’t you get the name right?!”

Alice thumped him on the head. “Be quiet! Do you want everyone to hear us?” Samara rolled her eyes at the pair and then went still as she heard footsteps approaching them. She cast her friends a startled glance.

“Shh! Someone’s coming!” she hissed before spinning around only to find Snape stalking towards them. “Uh oh....” She swallowed and moved to the side as the Potions Professor came to a stop before the trio.

“And just who is this? Selwyn, Devereux and...” Snape looked towards the other boy and frowned. “Who is this? I’ve not seen you around before. Name, boy?”

“Oh, u-um...Harry, sir. Harry P - Peverell.” Alice adopted the most innocent look she could and blinked up at Snape with wide eyes. “I was sick during the last term sir, so I haven’t been able to attend a Potions class...I hope I can make up this term!”

Snape glanced towards the other two before fixing ‘Harry’ with a sneer. “Is that so?” he asked in a very quiet voice. “Hmm. We’ll see.” Frowning, the Professor’s gaze flickered towards Selwyn and Samara, who were exchanging glances. “What are those looks about, you two?”

Samara snapped her head away from the other boy’s and frowned up at the Professor innocently. “What looks, sir?” she asked, tilting her head to one side. She had successfully distracted him from Alice-turned-Harry.

“Yes, what looks, sir?” Allen sounded slightly aggressive.

Snape gave him a warning look. “Nevermind,” he snapped and fixed his gaze back on the new boy. “Ten points each from you two Gryffindors and five from Slytherin, thanks to you, S--Devereux.” He eyed ‘Harry’ warily for a moment. “For acting suspicious on school grounds. Move along now.” He then went to turn away but paused. “Peverell, detention with me tomorrow night. Do not miss it.” This time, he swept off down the walkway, robes billowing out behind him and not even a glance back. The trio all exhaled in relief.

“...greasy old git,” Allen murmured behind his back. Samara and Alice exchanged looks and then simultaneously thumped Allen on the head. “Ouch!”

“I share your sentiments,” Alice said. “But he’s not a greasy old git. He’s just fond of detentions. That’s all.” Even as she said this, though, she looked as though she was already planning something for Snape. Allen gave her a wry look.

“Well, you say that, but--”

“Shush,” Samara muttered and swiftly turned back to the pair. “Will you quit squabbling like a married couple, already?!” She pointed at them, gaze stern. “You didn’t answer all my questions!”

“We’re not a married coup--” Allen started, face red, but Alice thumped him on the head again and sighed. What was that, four times? Samara giggled and Allen shot her a glare.

“I’m hiding because Snape’s after me for...something.” She scratched her chin, looking nervous. “And I got the...Cloak thingy, from someone at Christmas. It’s quite useful for sneaking around, actually...er, not that we’re going to use it to sneak around...well...maybe we are...er...”

“So....” Samara tilted her head again, smiling slightly at the pair. “What are you doing out here, then?” She smirked. “Other than not-sneaking, that is.” Allen scowled at Samara, who, again, ignored him--until he spoke, that was.

“She dragged me out here to see Hagrid about the Stone...” Allen pointed at Alice. “I’m not in favour.”

“Getting dragged around again, Selwyn?” Samara asked, smirking at him. “You make yourself sound like a puppy.”

“Eugh, don’t remind me of--!” He threw his hands up. “Never mind. Ugh...”

Samara raised her eyebrow at him, but decided not to question him over it. He probably meant Rockharrow Junior anyway. Instead, Samara fixed her gaze on Alice. “You’re going to see Hagrid about the Stone?” she asked, then grinning. “I’m coming too!”

“...tch. What is it about girls and poking their noses where they don’t belong?!”

Alice and Samara stared at Allen for a moment before exchanging glances, shaking their heads and exclaiming at the same time; “BOYS!”

“...says the one disguised as a boy herself...”

“Oh, shut up!”

Samara chuckled, listening to and watching the pair fight again--like an old married couple, indeed. They could deny it all they like, but they really did look and sound like a couple right now, what with the scathing remarks and the double-meanings. The insults that weren’t really insults. After a few minutes of listening to and watching them, Samara burst out into full-on laughter. They both turned on her.

“SAMARA!”

It only made her laugh harder.

Alice Potter | Dungeons; Detention with Snape

‘Harry’ stared sullenly at Professor Snape when she entered the room, because the look he was giving her was one of victory, for some reason. Alice didn’t like the malicious glint in his eye. She took a seat at the cauldron he’d pointed her to and looked up. Huh. He’s not making me clean up after Flobberworms today. Maybe he’s being nice to me? She looked around; Sammy and Allen had taken up seats far from her; and each other as well. It was like Snape wanted to keep them apart. Then again, when didn’t he?

“Peverell,” he said, and it was sickly-sweet. Alice almost made a face at his tone. “You will be making this potion today.” And he pointed towards the blackboard, a slight smirk on his lips. He looked self-satisfied or something, like he knew he’d caught her out. Her mouth twitched downwards as she stared at him. Yes. Perhaps tap-dancing would be a good thing to bring back.

She glanced towards Allen and Sammy again, both of whom were absorbed in making their potion. For some reason, the fumes coming from Allen’s cauldron looked rather sickly; and he didn’t even try to appear to care. He just kept adding in stuff randomly and stirring it about without a care in the world. Is he suicidal? Alice twitched, before bending to look at her own potion. For a moment the fumes overwhelmed her, and she wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, that smells horrible.”

“Anything to say to the rest of the class, Miss Potter?”

“Huh? Wha?” Alice looked up for a brief moment, before something clicked. Wait, Miss Potter? “What...are you talking about, Professor?”

Snape cast a calculating gaze over her and sneered. “I mean exactly what I said, Potter,” he snapped, stepping away from his own potion with only a wave of his wand over it. “Or are you deaf as well as stupid?”

“Uh...uh?” She glanced around, and found her reflection staring back at her. Red hair. Amber eyes. Freckles. Spectacle still rested awkwardly on her nose, but that hadn’t been part of the main disguise. She glanced back at Snape, and gulped at the expression on his face almost reflexively. “Uh...I...uhmmm...it was...just a joke...? E...hehehe...heh...”

Suddenly, from behind them, where Allen was, there was a flash and Alice only had the briefest of warning before it exploded, covering the entire classroom, and the occupants, in gooey green... semi-liquid... thingy. She glanced back at Allen, who looked just as bored as before. He shrugged at her, as if to say, “what are you looking at me like that for?”.

“Selwyn!” Snape roared, turning on the boy. Allen cringed as Snape advanced on him. “Twenty points from Gryffindor and you have another month’s detention with me!”

“Well, I guess that’s better than being stuck with Rockharrow...” Alice could hear him mumbling, and wanted to slap him one on the head. Was he crazy? But she didn’t call out--she hardly needed Snape on her case right now.

“Pardon, Selwyn? I didn’t hear that.” Snape sounded slightly amused. “What was that about Rockharrow?” Of course, by the way Snape was smirking, Alice had to wonder if he knew something she didn’t. Probably nothing, she told herself and scowled. Snape leaned forwards and whispered something into Allen’s ear before moving away and back to the blackboard. Behind her, there was even more mumbling, something along the lines of ‘does it even matter whether I say anything or not?’ “Alright.” The students all turned to look at him. “Dismissed. Except you, Potter, and you, Selwyn. You two are staying for another hour.”

“Sure, sure, whatever,” Allen drawled from the back of the class, making Alice slump onto her arms on the desk. Why, Allen? Why? She wanted to scream. He wasn’t usually like this. What on earth happened between him and Snape?

“Selwyn,” Snape drawled in return, “you just earned yourself another detention.” The Potions Professor smirked. “Oh top of the extra month’s detention.”

“Thanks!” Allen almost beamed. Alice’s mouth started twitching downwards as she finally turned on him and fixed a glare on him.

“Allen...shut up. For one moment. Please. Or I’ll turn you into a puddle where you’re sitting. A human puddle.” She turned back to facing Snape and smiled angelically up at him, figuring at least a smile might make him more accommodating.

Snape’s smirk had grown when Alice looked towards him. “Potter, you just earned another detention--for threatening a fellow student.”

“...” Alice said nothing. She was going to do things to Allen when they got out of this. She was going to do many horrible things to Allen when they got out of the classroom. She was going to make sure he never got her into detention again. She was. In fact, so many of these malevolent thoughts was floating around in her head, she practically was filling the entire room with a maliciously dark aura.

“Potter,” Snape said, drawling again. “Do try to restrain yourself in my classroom.” He scanned the classroom, still smirking slightly. “I do believe I said you were dismissed, Devereux.”

“Uh...right.” Alice heard Sammy shuffling behind her and turned to look around; the other girl put a hand on the redhead’s shoulder as she passed. Alice looked up at her sheepishly.

“Thanks, Sammy.” She watched as the brunette left, and turned to face Snape, groaning inwardly. He was going to kill her, wasn’t he? Well, if he was, she’d drag Allen’s soul out of his body when she left. It was his fault Snape was so mad at them now! Stupid Allen! Stupid stupid stupid stupid....

Snape cleared his throat and stared at her, making her nervous. What was he going to do to them...?

Spoiler

Not posted recently because I was on holiday. But I'm back - with a monster post.

Word count: 1234.

Yes.

1234.

Lyka baws.

Matt | On his way to the Disused Classroom


It must’ve taken us about fifteen minutes to find what Owen was looking for. We were lucky to have The Marauder’s Map with us or we’d have been lost for over an hour.


We galloped through large corridors, jumped over vanishing steps and ducked under low arches. It was like playing limbo while running. I could’ve sworn the arches deliberately became lower as I approached them.


It seemed like we were on our way to a disused part of the castle. There were quite a few of them, especially since Dumbledore hadn’t quite finished the asbestos removal.


“Cover your mouths,” I murmured, with my own hands over my mouth. Owen and Sae exchanged glances. I assumed that my voice was muffled, so I said, nearly shouting in the hope they’d hear me, “Asbestos!”


“What a curious name for a spell,” mused Sae.


Owen galloped away as Sae and I tried to keep up with him. Eventually, we found him waiting outside a door, he opened it and dashed inside. Apprehensively, Sae and I stepped ins.


The room was large and empty. I expected everything to be coated in a thick layer of dust as if we’d had a lot of sno--


I buckled over, feeling a pang of homesickness. I didn’t long to be home - I longed to have a normal home. Ever since my parents caught me playing with the Muggle kids in the village, I wouldn’t be an outcast. I wouldn’t be despised. Alone.


I stood up, hoping the others hadn’t noticed--and they hadn’t. They were too busy gazing at a tall mirror with a golden frame. “Look at me, I’m--” Owen began.


“I don’t seem to be able to see you,” Sae replied. “I can only see myself and... mum. Dad. We all seem to be happy.They’re not mental anymore...” Sae reached out and touched the mirror, as if testing if it was a portal into the better side of the mirror.


I stepped forward. Owen and Sae made room for me in the middle as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.


“The mirror seems to be enchanted,” said Sae, watching my facial expression.


I didn’t look like how the mirror portrayed me. I was still tall with the same haircut and the same shaped face, but I looked... happy. The large scar on my neck wasn’t there anymore. I was laughing, and my parents’ hands were on my shoulders.


My father--solemn as always, seemed to be managing a slight grin. He too had the same shade of dark hair, cut in the same way.He looked at me almost proudly.


Was this what I should’ve looked like? What I wanted? I definitely wanted a happy family. I knew that much. But was this where I would end up one day? How would I get there? Perhaps it was a mirror that could tell the future. The future looked so much brighter than the present.


I turned around. Apart from Sae and Owen, I was alone in the room. Owen didn’t seem to be surprised about the fact that there were people in the mirror that weren’t there.


“I’m with... my family too...”


“Back again, Owen? With friends, this time?”


My blood froze. I turned around quickly and found Dumbledore--the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore--waiting there. How on earth did he get there? Were we all in such a rush to see the enchanted mirror?


Owen seemed alarmed--but not as frightened as I had felt. I remembered him mentioning that he saw the headmaster and that he didn’t seem angry with him. At all. Still, I felt worried.


“So, you, like hundreds before you have discovered the delights of the mirror of Erised,” said Dumbledore, smiling down his half-moon glasses. “And showed your friends too.”


“Erised? Is-is that...” I trailed off, pointing at the words written at the top of the mirror: Erised Stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on whosi.


Dumbledore nodded sagely. “Have you three realised what it does?”


“It’s enchanted,” Sae quickly replied, matter-of-factly. “I’m not sure, however. Perhaps it shows our families - it showed mine and Matt’s--”


“It can’t be,” Owen interrupted, “because it didn’t show me mine.”


“Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?”


“D-desires? Erised is desire, only backwards,” I said.


“Very good! However, this mirror will give us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if it shows what is even possible.”


I sighed. I should’ve known. The relationship between my parents and I had broken down. It was irreparable.


“The mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow. I ask that you three do not look for it again, however, if you do, you are prepared.” He smiled. “Off to bed now.”


I didn’t ever think I’d dare to ask him, but I said, “Professor Dumbledore? You know when you look at the mirror... what do you see?”


“I? I see myself holding a thick, woollen pair of socks.”


The three of us exchanged glances. “Socks?”


“One can never have enough socks,” said Dumbledore. “Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People insist on giving me books.”


When I was back in bed, I couldn’t help wondering if Dumbledore was really truthful. I guess we’d discuss it at breakfast.


Matt | Christmas | Breakfast


I--


I got a letter. From home. Which was never, good. The likelihood of it being something good - especially at Christmas - was about zero.


Apprehensively, I opened the letter.


Matt. Joseph. Ungrateful child of mine.


Your mother was cleaning your room and she found a cube with coloured squares - in its packet. A Rubik’s cube. How dare my own child possess a muggle toy? When you came home from playing with the village, you had changed. You were never that same child that was once mine.


I wish that you were the accident. Not the other child. She would not dishonour her own family.


The Edmunds? Caught with anything to do with a muggle? Never. Our family has contributed so much to the wizarding world through potions, discoveries, helping The Dark Lord. The Dark Lord has not been destroyed, despite what it appears. If he could see this, he would be very angry. I pray that one day, you come to your senses.


At age 11, I thought you would realise that mingling with muggles was wrong. Clearly not, if you were housed at Ravenclaw.



At age 13, I thought you would become to show the true Slytherin qualities I believed you had. Clearly not, when you picked to do ‘Muggle Studies’.


At age 15, this.


You have disgraced me, child. Expect more scars on your return home.



Father.


My own father? Had sent me this? I couldn’t take it any more. I hit my head on the table twice. Before I did it again, I felt a warm, comforting hand on my shoulder, but I threw my head at the table again. My face landed in the bowl of cereal.

((By the way, in case you haven’t realised. If SAMARA is back at Hogwarts, then it’s Start of Term.))

Professor Snape | Dungeons, Potions Classroom; Detention:

Snape eyed Potter as she fidgeted and crossed his arms over his chest. They seemed to stare each other down until Snape looked up, away from the redhead and towards the only other person in the room. Apparently, something had attracted his attention. “What was that, Selwyn?” The Potions Master asked. “Something to share?”

The boy in question shook his head, casting Potter a look. She didn’t seem to notice it as Snape’s gaze drifted back to the redhead. She shifted uneasily, still saying nothing. Selwyn, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to say something and yet was restraining himself. Probably something to do with the Wolfsbane comment Snape had made earlier. He remembered it well; ‘Be quiet now or do you want me to add something extra to the Wolfsbane again?’

“Potter,” he snapped, drawing the redhead’s attention. He sneered as she looked up, clearly startled. “I’ve heard a few things... You’re the one who’s been sneaking into my class and office stores to steal my Potions ingredients, are you not?” Her gaze wandered off to a different corner of the classroom before he had even finished the sentence.

“Maybe, and maybe not,” Potter mumbled, still refusing to look back at him. “You haven’t gotten any proof though, have you, sir?”

“Is that so, Potter?” he asked, sneering still. He leaned forwards and planted his hands on the desk in front of her. “Why is it, then, that all the ingredients taken were to make a potion similar in use to the Polyjuice Potion?”

“I used charms, professor,” she said, suddenly pouting. “Not a potion. You can’t prove anything with that.”

Snape snorted and snapped his fingers. “Milly,” he called, and a house elf appeared, wringing her hands. “Tell me what you found in Miss Potter’s possessions when I asked you to check for me?” He didn’t look at the elf as she began rattling off a list of Potions Ingredients, but before she could get more than one or two out, Potter fixed the elf with a look. Snape’s gaze narrowed. “Potter?”

“Oh - oh!” She tore her eyes away from the elf and fixed them to a spot hovering above Snape’s head, and smiled angelically. Except, her gold eyes had the glowing mischief of the very devil in them. “I’m sorry, professor. I’ve never seen a house elf...before...”

Snape’s gaze narrowed even more. “Is that so?” he repeated, looking towards the Elf. “Milly. What did you find in Miss Potter’s possession?” The Elf looked between the redhead and Snape, shaking slightly. The Potions Professor raised an eyebrow. “Milly?”

Milly lowered her head, not meeting either of their gazes and began again, right where she’d left off. Snape smirked with every item she added to the list--but Potter once more interrupted before the elf could get more than three or four ingredients out. “Professor. I could easily have bought all of those at Diagon Alley, don’t you think?”

“Indeed, you could have,” he conceded. “But it still does not explain where all my ingredients have gone, let alone why they were taken or who took them.” He eyed Potter again. “Potter, do you know where they are? Or who might be taking them?” He watched her knowingly for a long moment, but she simply shook her head, still refusing to meet his eyes. When she did not reply, he pushed off the desk and began pacing. “Nothing?” Snape paced a few moments longer before he came to a stop and cast a Tempus charm. He snorted and looked up. “Dismissed. Get out of my classroom.”

Fiona sat with Maggie at the Slytherin table, staring at her plate, which was nearly empty. She looked over toward the Ravenclaw table, where Marcus was sitting. She got up, taking the necklace her mother had given to her for Christmas off her neck. She walked over to the table, ignoring the looks she received from her peers. She walked up to him, gently tapping on the shoulder.

“Marcus, right?” she asked. He turned to stare at her, much like the rest of the Ravenclaw table. Blue stared at her through her eyelashes, concentrating on the book on her lap, but watching the scene unfold infront of her.

“You’re in my Runes class, right?” Fiona asked, “well. I was wondering if you could do me a favour.” She kept her voice in a low, hushed tone, as almost every student was watching.

“Okay?” he asked, slightly confused. You couldn’t blame him. It was there first words Fiona had said to him in, well, three years.

“My mother gave me this necklace for Christmas and I don’t like my mother. I’m sure there’s a nice girl at home that would adore this. Or sell it or something.” Fiona dropped the necklace on the table in front of him, “I just never want to see this again.” Wit that, Fiona turned around and headed back to her table.

Spoiler

Sorry for being so late to post! It's a rush post though, so it might feel a little jerky in places. Sorry! ;D

Alice Potter | Slytherin Table at breakfast the next morning

Alice snorted into her pumpkin juice as she stared at the Daily Prophet's main article that morning. "Gringotts break-in still being looked into, but no clues found yet?" She glanced up at Samara, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know anything about this, did you?"

"Yeah, but I thought it wasn't anything important." The other Slytherin girl opened the paper and skimmed the article briefly before folding it up. "Something about a high-security vault being broken into on the 31st of July..." She frowned, looking confused. "That date seems familiar for some reason..."

"That's because it's my birthday..." Alice murmured, and then shook her head. "But that's not really the point--that's also the day I went to pick up my stuff at Diagon Alley!" She bit down viciously on a carrot as she continued. "I don't believe in coincidences."

"Yes, we know, the whole world revolves around you, your royal highness." Alice had hexed Allen's tongue into giving her titles and compliments after the detention fiasco last night. Except, she couldn't really adjust the tone of voice he said them in and only kept wondering why on Earth she'd even bothered to hex him. Right now, she wished it would wear off. Soon. "I bet the break-in was in your vault, princess."

"You know, that's disturbing - "

"Yes, I know, Sammy. Ugh." She glared at Allen, as if it was all his fault she was stuck listening to all that sarcasm. In a way it was, but it was her fault in the first place. "Allen, would you shut up for a moment? And that's not what I'm getting at. My vault isn't empty, but I know about a vault that was emptied that day." She scowled, stabbing into her food. "I know Hagrid won't say another word about the Stone, but I just know he must've removed it from that vault."

Allen and Sammy glanced at each other and then back at her. Sammy spoke, saving them all another bout of awkwardness. "About Hagrid..."

"...yeah, about Hagrid..." Alice pulled a wry face. "I think someone needs to hex his tongue into not talking about the Stone. I don't think we're the only ones who know about it."

"Just make sure you're not the one doing the hexing, oh queen of the dungeons."

"Shut up," Alice mumbled. "I'm just worried about him. Is that so hard to understand?" It had been infernally easy to get the information out of him; for someone who was probably at least a few decades older than the three of them, the groundskeeper had absolutely no guile or wit to him. It worried Alice; technically, he was her first connection to the magic world.

She still kept remembering what happened yesterday.

Flashback to yesterday afternoon...

"So we're still doing this, right?"

Allen still kept mumbling nervously after Snape had gone, looking around furtively like a scared mouse. She was half tempted to set the rat she'd found earlier on him, but decided not to; the rat deserved better than that. Speaking of the rat, she was thinking of naming it Scabbers. "Yes, we're still doing this, and if you back out now, I'll forever call you Tweety Bird."

"Tweety Bird? What?" He stared at her, like she'd gone mental, before he sighed and rolled his eyes to himself. "What are you then, Sylvester?"

"Maaaaybe." Alice grinned, straightening her black wig so it looked more natural. "Do I look okay? Do you think Hagrid will recognize me?" This last was aimed at Sammy, who rolled her eyes.

"Yes," she replied, matter-of-fact. "Well, maybe if it's Hagrid he won't. But you're not really fooling anyone with that disguise, you know." She shrugged and shook her head, as if to say 'I give up talking any sense into your head". Alice stuck her tongue out at the other girl and stared up at the large oak door of Hagrid's hut.

"Well then...here goes." She took a deep breath and raised her small fist to knock; but before she even made the first knock the door swung open to reveal the huge man behind it. He looked surprised to see the three of them and stepped back into the three "Oh! 'Ello you three. Anythin' I can do fer ye, Al'ce? And wha's wiv the 'air?"

Alice glanced at Sammy, who looked back at her with a narrowed 'I told you so' look in her eyes. "Um, it's nothing...just a joke..." Alice shrugged, letting herself sigh in defeat, and then looked up at the groundskeeper. "Were you going out, Hagrid?"

"Oh, it's nuthin' much." He ushered the three of them in and closed the door behind Allen's back, who jumped slightly and yelped. Maybe not quite Tweety Bird, but he did sound horribly like a puppy. "Anythin' I can do fer ye?" Hagrid repeated, bustling to the back of the cabin. "Maybe ye'd like to see unicorns--"

"Hagrid, we're wondering what you know about the Philosopher's Stone," Alice blurted out, making Sammy widen her eyes at the Potter girl in surprise. Allen squeaked again; Alice suddenly realized something. He was scared of Hagrid. Not that it mattered now. "Hagrid, we--"

"How'd you know about it?!" Hagrid said, looking more than visibly worried. "It's suppose' to be between Professer Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel and no one else--"

"So the Headmaster is in on it as well! I knew it was important!" Alice clapped her hands together cheerfully. "Are the teachers in on it too?"

"Of course they--!"

Hagrid stopped, looking furious with himself. Alice blinked up at him innocently. "Hagrid?"

"Sorry Al'ce, but that's all yer getting out of me!"

End of flashback

"Finding out that the Headmaster was involved was too easy." Alice scowled. "I mean, he didn't even try to cover up. He just blurted out their names. And I have a good idea what he took from the vault."

"You do?" Sammy blinked at the redhead. "How?"

"I might be just jumping to conclusions right now, but I have an idea. Let's go up to the third-floor corridor tonight." Sammy's eyes widened. But before she could even retort with a sensible answer, a strange sound started coming from the staff table, and the girl turned around. Professor Snape was singing.

He was tap-dancing as well.

Marcus Moore | Great Hall: Breakfast

"...What?"

Marcus blinked at the necklace. What? Why? Just.... He didn't get it. A Slytherin out of no where decides to give him an heirloom?

Um. No.

Marcus glanced at the table as the Slytherin Fiona turned away from looking at him.

"Maybe it's cursed!" Blue said, still peeking over her book. She inhaled and started going off, "I've read about curses. And actually--"

"Maybe." Marcus patted himself down for a handkerchief of some sort. He found one in an inside pocket and instinctively wrapped it up, pulling the ends up together to form some sort of pouch. He sat there in thought, still holding it closed. "Is there a ribbon or--"

Blue was quick to hold out a ribbon from somewhere Marcus was unsure of, her eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. After a moment's pause, Marcus took it from her and started tying it around the ends.

"Are you going to give it to someone?!" Blue hissed at him. "Who? Is it a girl? It is a lovely necklace. I would love--"

"It's for someone else," Marcus said, flushing. He stacked up his books and got out from the table. "See you later."

Marcus walked in Fiona's direction before Blue could trap him into listening to another paragraph of babble. He stopped behind Fiona, and just as she was turning around, Marcus set it on the table in front of her. "Figured you'd like it."

And he dashed out of the Hall as quickly as he could.

Julius & Kaius Rousseau | Hufflepuff Common Room:

Julius watched his brother as the other boy leaned to the side, eyes on the door. Kaius looked a little worried, and Julius was concerned about his brother. “What in the name of Merlin are you looking for?” he asked, prodding his brother in the ribs.

“I think she would’ve found it by now, right?” Kai completely ignored the question aimed at him, and had replied with one of his own. Julius scowled at him, giving the other boy a swift shove. He fell off the chair with an ‘oof!’. He scowled at his brother, who didn’t even bother to muffled his laughter. “JULS!”

“What?” the green-eyed boy gasped, only now trying to control his amusement. “I had to get your attention somehow.”

Kai sighed and picked himself up, dusting off his rear. He gave his brother a shove as he reclaimed his seat and bent over the homework they were supposed to be working on, and were mostly ignoring. “Do you think she found it, Juls?”

Julius was suddenly completely sober, and no longer amused. “Duh, of course she did,” he snapped, shoving his homework to the side. “Let’s just hope she’s smart this time and doesn’t get caught with it again.”

Kaius snorted. “With the Snake as a Head of house?” He shook his head. “That’s like putting a mouse right under his nose. He’ll know. Somehow he always does.” Kaius shot his twin a glance. “I mean, have you seen the way he looks at us in class? And in the Hall? It’s like he’s trying to burn a hole through my skull.” He shuddered, falling into his twin, half on purpose. “She won’t last long before he finds out she has it again.”

Julius sighed. “Fine,” he muttered, shoving the other boy off him again. “I suppose you’re right.” He glowered at the table full of failed potions essays. “Let’s get this over with. I hate writing essays for Potions. Seriously, five foot essay limit? Snake’s trying to kill us.”

“Oh, shut up,” Kai grumbled, glaring at his own parchment. “Leave the killing to the Snake; he’s good at it. Ex-Death Eater, remember?”


Samara Devereux | Great Hall; Dungeon Hall, hours later:

“...that was you, wasn’t it, princess?”

“Snape... Tap-dancing...and singing,” Samara said, slight disbelief crowding into her tone. “That’s a new one....” She suddenly turned on Allen. “And of course it was her! Who else has the guts to hex our Head of House?”

“Ahem.” The cough interrupted the other two and they turned on Alice. “Those Hufflepuff twins?” Samara stared at the redhead for a moment before she sighed and shook her head.

“Oh...right. Them.” She made a face and turned away from the other two. “UGH. They always ruin everything.” She scowled at nothing, prodding angrily at her mostly-empty plate. “I hate them. They always seem to be behind half the pranks that go on around here!” Here, she cast a dark look at Alice. “You’re responsible for the rest! Yes, you! Don’t think I don’t notice!”

“I wasn’t denying anything,” Alice said, chewing on an Every-Flavour-Bean that had popped out of nowhere; where did the girl hide all these things anyway? “Besides, I’m not as nasty as them, am I?” She made big eyes at Samara as she said this, looking as innocent as possible--for a prankster, that was.

“Oooh!” Samara exclaimed and threw her fork down. “You are impossible, Alice! I give up!” She stood and glared a little more at the redhead, trying to tune out Snape’s horrible singing--in German, mind you--in the background. “I’ve had it with you, Alice Potter. I’m going to class.” Samara snatched up her bag and stalked off, not looking at either of her friends as she left the room. She scowled as she left the Hall, listening to Snape’s horrid singing--something along the lines of ‘Ich bin erstaunlich’ or something.

Several Hours Later; Dungeon Hallways...

Samara stormed along the hallway, still annoyed with Alice and letting it show. The dungeons were pretty quiet at the moment. And well, it was lunchtime. And there wasn’t anyone else around--and maybe she could escape back to the Dorms and ditch the book before she was caught with it...again. Especially by Snape. Samara so did not want that to happen again. By Merlin, the last time had been horrible, too. And embarrassing. The Snake just had to contact her parents... Would he do that again if he caught her with the Dark Arts book this time?

Somehow, Samara over-shot the Dorm door and ran right past it, and right into someone. “OOF!” she exclaimed as she fell back, dropping her bag and the book falling out, opening to the page she’d bookmarked earlier. She looked up and gasped. Snape. She’d run into Snape, of all people! Behind her, although she didn’t notice, a certain pale-haired Gryffindor ducked behind a pillar. Samara scrambled to grab the book before Snape noticed, but it was too late; just as she grabbed it, his foot landed on it, keeping it pinned to the floor. “P-professor!”

“What is this, Devereux?” he asked, peering down at her. Samara hung her head and shifted backwards a little, sitting on knees. “This... Why do you have this again?” Snape had retrieved the book from the floor and was staring at the page it had fallen open to. The Professor’s gaze darkened. “I thought I’d taken this off you and told you to stay away from it!”

Samara’s head came up, and she sighed. Slowly, she stood up, shifting the strap of her bag further onto her shoulder. “I-I’m sorry, Professor,” she muttered. “I...it wasn’t intentional! I didn’t mean to have! I was going to give it back; I swear! I-”

The look Snape gave her just then shut her up--fast. And she snapped her mouth shut, eyes on the book. “Where did you find this?” he asked, gaze narrowing. Samara had a very bad feeling all of a sudden. “Where did you get this from?”

She swallowed, and said in a very small voice; “I didn’t get the book from anywhere... It just sort of...appeared amongst my stuff after I got back from the Christmas break?” Snape snapped the book shut, making her cringe. “I....don’t know where it came from. It just appeared in my trunk, alright!” The same name was even scribbled in the front of it; Samara had seen that when she first opened it, so it was definitely the same book.

Snape snorted and crossed his arms. “No more Dark Arts, Devereux,” he snapped. “No more, or I will inform the Headmaster of the situation and it will be dealt with.” Samara stared at him blankly for a moment, not really registering his words. And then it clicked. “Do. You. Understand. Me?”

Samara nodded once, sharply. “I understand, Professor,” she murmured, lowering her head. And then she waited. The detention part was coming now, and she knew it. So she waited. Snape didn’t disappoint, either.

“Detention,” Snape announced, sounding somewhat pleased. Samara jumped; she hadn’t been expecting him to speak just yet. And not that loudly, either. “With Hagrid. In the Forbidden Forest.” He sneered at her. “That should teach you not to read a Dark Arts book again.” Snape held up the book, a thoughtful look suddenly on his face. Samara suddenly felt cold. “Actually...” She couldn’t believe it as he held the book out towards her. “This may be helpful at some stage. In the future.” Samara stared at the book, then up at his face. He raised an eyebrow, and the look in his eyes... It was like he knew something she didn’t. “Take it already, you stupid girl.”

Abruptly, Samara snatched the book back and stuffed it into her bag. “Are you sure, sir?” she asked warily. At least the darn book was out of sight now. “I mean...isn’t it a bit, well, risky?” She frowned when Snape shot her a glare, as if to say ‘shut up’. She scowled. “Fine. Detention is when, sir?”

Snape suddenly smirked. “Saturday,” he said, smirk growing. “Midnight.” He moved to go around her. “Do not be late, or I will give you the exact same detention the next weekend.” He shot her a strange look, something that was almost a grin. Samara blinked, stared as he strode off down the hall, robes billowing out behind him. And she blinked again as he disappeared around the corner.

It was only after he’d left her sight that she realised he hadn’t been singing or dancing. And had that really, almost, maybe been a grin? From Snape? Aimed at her? No. Impossible. Snape didn’t grin--at anyone, and most certainly not her. He sneered. Or he smirked. He never, ever grinned.

“Okay,” she muttered, “okay. Either I’m going crazy--or Snape is.” She coughed and checked the time. “Oh, shit! I’m late! I’m so, so, so late!” She abruptly spun on her heel and raced back down the hall. Lunch was over and she was so very late for class.

Allen Selwyn | Lurking behind a pillar, Dungeon Hallways

Allen pressed back into the wall as Samara raced past, not even bothering to notice him. That little conversation had been enlightening in several ways...and disturbing, as well. What was Samara--no, Devereux--doing with that book? He remembered the scene between Rockharrow and her a few weeks back. Was the Gryffindor girl right after all? Was Samara trying to be a Death Eater?

And it was these questions he was pondering as a tall shadow loomed over him threateningly, engulfing his small form in brief darkness. He looked up; and it was Snape, staring down at him with the most evil look imaginable. Allen glanced up at the man with wide eyes, and gulped to himself. “H...hello, sir?”

“Selwyn,” he sneered, “spying on a teacher and fellow student, were we?”

If Allen had been scared a moment ago, the sound of the Slytherin Head’s snide voice was enough to send his temper roaring upwards in protest again. He sniffled to himself and straightened up, dusting his arms with all the dignity of a caught-out eleven-year-old. “I wasn’t spying, sir,” he snarled. “But I don’t intend on becoming a lab rat for your concoctions, professor. I’ve really had just about enough of them.”

Snape raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh? My concoctions?” he asked, scowling. How he went from evil grin to annoyed scowl, Allen would never figure out. “My concoctions are what keep you sane every full moon, boy. Do not test me, Selwyn, or you will find a little something extra in that potion tonight, and you will not like it. Do you hear me, boy?”

“Sane? More like drugged!” the werewolf lashed out angrily, severely irritated. “I hope you realize that your little experiments leave me defenseless. Rockharrow wouldn’t have found out if you hadn’t put all those ridiculous things in my potion!”

Snape snorted. “Ridiculous?” he snapped, suddenly pinning the boy to the wall. “I am trying to find a way to keep your kind sane and safe and to keep you harmless to others! Do you know what werewolves do to people, Selwyn? Do you know how they destroy lives and--”

“--Of course I know!” Allen cut him off, yelling. “I wasn’t BORN a werewolf cub!” He was crying, he realised, but it was too late to take back the tears or the words now. “Stop...treating me like an animal...”

Snape abruptly froze, staring down at the boy. There was a long tense moment in which the Potions Professor realized he’d made the situation worse. Slowly, he backed up, letting go of the boy and putting some distance between them. “I...” He coughed. “I don’t mean to treat you like an animal, Selwyn,” he said, keeping his voice low. He was suddenly very aware that there was movement in the hall and that someone could walk down the hallway at any moment. He coughed again, looking away. “I’m just trying to help, and I am sorry if it makes you feel....worthless, like something less than human.” Snape abruptly shut his mouth and made to turn away.

Allen smiled to himself humorlessly. “Thanks for trying to help...but it doesn’t really help a lot at all...”

“ALLLLEEEENNNN!” Alice’s voice came echoing down the dungeon hallway; she was running towards them, looking out of breath. “SOMETHING HAPPENED!”

Snape glanced towards the redheaded girl racing towards them and then looked at the boy. “Do you want me to escort you to the Shack tonight, Selwyn?” he asked in a low voice, raising an eyebrow. “Nothing extra in the potion this time. I swear it.”

Allen looked up from his gloomy stare at the ground, and finally smiled just a little, somewhat relieved. “Thanks, Professor. I don’t mind.” He glanced at the redheaded girl, who skidded to a stop before she suddenly slung an arm about his neck, intending to drag him away. Allen choked. “Al-ice...”

“COME ON!”

“You have the worst timing in the history of worst tim--uck!” He choked again as she dragged him away from the professor. Maybe, Allen thought to himself later on, just maybe the professor wasn’t so bad after all.

Maybe.

Leopoldina Rockharrow | The Great Hall

"No way will the Bats beat the Harpies, it's just not going to happen," Leopoldina said to Dmitri, brandishing a piece of bacon at him. "Have you seen the Harpies lately? Their last match against the Canons- not that the Canons are hard to beat- they caught the Snitch in-"

"Four minutes, thirty-seven and a half seconds," Dmitri said. "You're not the only person interested in Seeking you know." But he still gave her a half-smile. "Am I going to have competition for my spot on the team next year?"

"You bet you are." Leopoldina gave him a very serious stare, then continued to eat her breakfast and turned back to the other First Years. "Rose, get anything nice for Christmas?"

Rose began to answer and Leo stopped paying attention. Because something... funny... was happening to her face. She could see her jaw, jutting out to extreme proportions. Her teeth were receding and she screamed as her lips turned to sharp edges. Or tried to scream.

But it came out more like a honk.

Because she had a beak.

The whole Hall was staring at her. And laughing at her. And none so much as the redhead with the scar on her forehead and the blond boy beside her standing by the door to the Entrance Hall. Leopoldina had to run past them as she hurried to leave the hall, the tears exploding around her face.

"Leo! Leo!" she could hear Lavinia running up the stairs after her, her sensible, well-shone Prefect shoes slapping against the marble. "Leo, stop, I can turn it back."

Leo froze, exhausted, and turned with shame and humiliation to her sister.

"Oh, Leo." Before anything, Lavinia hugged her. "Sh. Sh, it's alright. Come on."

The reversal was easy for the best student in Fifth Year. And once her face was returned to normal, Leopoldina cried and sobbed and cried.

"I hate them," she said. "I hate them I hate them I hate them and I've never properly hated anybody before but nobody has ever been this mean to me. And I've tried everything, Lav. But I can't make them like me, and I can never get my revenges right."

"Quin and Ara got pretty good revenges on that Devereux girl, didn't they?"

"Yes, but that was the twins, not me. And it's Potter who I hate most of all and-" she began to cry anew, and her words became incoherent. Lavinia sat on the steps beside her with an arm around her waiting for her to cry it out.

"Do you mind if I step in?" came a voice that Leopoldina did not expect.

"Professor." Lavinia jumped up. "I'm sorry- it's just my sister- she's upset-"

"That's quite alright, Lavinia. Aren't you on breakfast duty?"

"Yes- yes- I'll-" she gave Leopoldina another serious look. "I'll talk to you later, okay?" She squeezed Leopoldina's hand and vanished.

"Now, Leopoldina, perhaps you might tell me what the matter is."

"Nothing, sir. Just a stupid prank."

"I am not an expert, but I do not think that girls- especially Rockharrow girls- cry over 'nothing.' But if you're quite sure..."

And, like any twelve-year-old looking for comfort amidst her tears, Leopoldina shouted, "Wait!"

And, like any kindly old man, Professor Dumbledore turned around and smiled at her.

Matt | Ravenclaw Common room

After receiving that letter from my father, I left my breakfast and stomped all the way up to the Ravenclaw common room. It was empty, apart from Sae’s cat, Felix. He was curled up in a cosy patch near the fireplace. I considered joining him, but I would probably scare him away.

I sat on a scarlet bean bag, watching the flames crackling and wave at me. Father’s letter remained in my hand, tightly scrunched up into a ball. Who was he to ruin my Christmas? If that was Christmas breakfast, I dreaded to think what the rest of the day would be like.

Alice.

Alice Potter. Alice Slimy Potter. That piece of scum. I wasn’t surprised that she survived against Voldemort - she probably threw up bubotuber pus at him when she was a baby. She’d probably attack me later in the day. Well, if I didn’t show her now, then she’d harass me to no end in a few years time. Not only had she made my life living hell, she made my teeth fall out! It couldn’t have been anyone else.

I threw the parchment in my hand at the fire but missed terribly. It bounced off the side of the fireplace and landed in front of Felix. Felix meowed indignantly and hid.

How can I get back at her?

Slimeball.

Then it clicked. Slime! She needed slime - not only would it make a better hairdo for her, the slime would find a home other than Snapescum’s head. The question was: [i]How[i]to get it...

Matt | Sometime after... Christmas? | Herbology

It may have been a while after I received that letter, and I was beginning to forget the dates, but that didn’t mean I forgot about revenge. Oh no. Far from it.

“I have an idea,” I whispered to Owen as we watched Professor Sprout do a demonstration on a strange looking plant that I had never seen before - and did not care much about. “I’ll show Alice never to even lay a finger near me.” I cracked my knuckles.

“Alice? Alice Potter?”

“A girl in the detention I had before Christmas.” Before I could carry on, Brussel Sprout told us to go and begin something with the plants. I had no idea what we were supposed to do, but Herbology was one thing I wouldn’t be needing later.

“I think we’ll need some Mandrakes--”

“But they’ll kill you if you handle them, Matt!”
“Fine. How does Bubotuber pus sound? We can put it in her pumpkin soup and make it explode or something. Or we could hire one of the pranksters to it for us if you’re worried,” I added, watching Owen’s expression.

“Careful you don’t hurt yourself with the bubotuber pus--”

“Pepperidge! Edmunds! Is this a bubotuber? I think not. Get on with it!” yelled Brussels Sprouts, and we quickly got back down to work. But I had a plan now, and there was no stopping me.

If the whole of herbology wasn’t watching, I might’ve done an evil-laugh.