── ⲇ ──
No one in the Gryffindor tower slept that night. They all stayed in the common room, The castle was being searched once again.
Y/n had been sitting in a corner, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the floor. Fred was sitting at her side, his head on her shoulder. She rested her head on his.
He would often whisper words of comfort into her hair, trying to convince her to sleep as he would plant small kisses on the side of her head.
At dawn, McGonogall had came back to tell them that Sirius Black had escaped again.
── ⲇ ──
The next day, it was obvious that Hogwarts now had tighter security.
Sir Caddigan was sacked and the Fat Lady had came back. Two trolls guarded her portrait.
Ron had become somewhat of a celebrity and he was clearly enjoying it. He was happy to tell anyone about that night if they asked.
Neville was in such disarray. Professor McGonogall was so furious with him that he had been banned from all future Hogsmeade visits and forbidden anyone to give him the password to the common room.
He was forced to wait every night for someone to come and let him in.
Y/n couldn't help but feel terribly sorry for the poor boy. She knew he had trouble remembering things, and Sir Caddigan always changed the passwords. Writing them down was a good idea, but he did lose them.
'Not purposely.' She'd remind herself.
── ⲇ ──
Two days after Sirius's break in, Neville had received the worst thing any Hogwarts student could receive.
A howler.
"Run for it, Neville." Ron had advised him. Neville grabbed ahold of the howler and sprinted out of the Great Hall.
The Slytherin table laughed.
Y/n sighed as she ate her breakfast. She could hear Neville's grandmother telling him how he brought shame to the family.
She glanced and her eyes trailed as she saw Ron and Harry walking off.
She shrugged it off and continued to eat.
── ⲇ ──
Back at the common room, everyone was reading the notice board.
The next Hogsmeade trip was next weekend. Y/n walked over to Ron and Harry. They were discussing quietly before she leaned down and whispered to them, "why are we whispering?"
She smiled as they shared startled looks.
"Harry!" They turned to look at Hermione. "Harry, if you went to Hogsmeade again, I'll tell Professor McGonogall about that map."
Y/n visibly rolled her eyes and sighed exasperatedly. "No doubt you will." She said.
"Can you hear someone talking, Harry?" Ron said, not looking at Hermione.
"Ron, how can you let him go with you? After what Sirius Black nearly did to you. I mean it, I'll tell." She said.
Y/n looked to her, a brow arched and arms crossed. "So now you're trying to get Harry expelled?" She spoke, furiously. "Haven't you done enough damage this year?" Ron added.
Hermione gathered Crookshanks up and made her way to the girl's dormitory.
Y/n sighed and looked to Harry and Ron. They were back to whispering once again.
── ⲇ ──
On Saturday morning, Y/n got dressed and went down to breakfast where she met up with her friends.
"Hey!" Alicia greeted her as Y/n sat down across from her. Y/n smiled at her. The group of six began to plan their trip.
And they bid goodbye to the twins as they made their way to Hogsmeade.
Whereas the twins stayed behind.
But not for long.
Once at Hogsmeade, they made their way to look at some pets. Apparently Alicia had been wanting one, but she couldn't choose.
Y/n tapped Fred and pointed to a picture of a Grindylow. "Look, love, it's you!" She told him, grinning. He laughed and posed beside the photo. "They sure got my good side."
"Sure they did." She laughed. Alicia walked back over and shook her head. "Didn't find anything." She sighed and they all walked out.
"Just, don't get a rat. Or a cat." George told her and he couldn't help but laugh. "Perhaps a rabbit." Y/n suggested and Alicia hummed. "Maybe next time."
Hand in hand, they stared at a few dresses from a shop window. The boys went off to Zonko's. They agreed to meet up to get ice cream.
And so, they ended the trip with ice cream and soon broke away from the twins as they headed back to Hogwarts.
── ⲇ ──
Y/n watched as Ron sped past her towards Snape's office. He was clearly out of breath.
"Never seen him run that fast..." she muttered and quietly laughed to herself.
She headed to the library and dropped off a book that she had borrowed for an essay.
Then when she headed towards the common room, she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Come to gloat? Or did you just tell on us?" Ron hissed. Y/n stepped up the stairs. "No. I thought you'd want to know." She said as she held a letter in hand.
"Hagrid lost his case. Buckbeak's going to be executed." She told them.
"He... he sent me this." Harry took the letter from her and Y/n walked over. "He lost the case?" She questioned, in disbelief. Hermione nodded.
"They can't do this!" Harry said. "They can't, Buckbeak isn't dangerous!"
"Malfoy's dad frightened the committee into it." Hermione informed them.
Ron fiercely said that they'll help with the appeal this time. Hermione flung her arms around him and apologized about Scabbers.
So, they made. "I'll help too..." Y/n sighed and puffed her cheeks. "And I'm sorry... about how I've been treating you." She muttered just loud enough for her to hear.
Hermione smiled, her eyes were glowing with tears, she was happy to have her friends back.
── ⲇ ──
"Have you ever seen something more pathetic?" Y/n heard Malfoy say as he was watching Hagrid speak to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Yourself." Y/n spoke from behind him, eyes narrowed.
She saw Harry and Ron making their way up to Malfoy but Hermione got there first as she smacked him right across the face with all the strength she could muster.
Brought back childhood memories for Y/n.
Hermione raised her hand again. "Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul, you evil"
"Hermione." Ron said as he tried to grab her hand but she swung back. "Get off, Ron!"
Hermione pulled out her wand and Malfoy stepped backwards. But he stepped back into the chest of Y/n.
She looked down at him, staring at him menacingly.
Crabbe and Goyle waited for instructions. "C'mon." Malfoy said and they left.
"Hermione, I didn't know you had that in you!" Y/n spoke, stunned and impressed.
"You two better beat him in the Quidditch finals." She told them. "I can't stand it if Slytherin wins."
"We will. Now, you three head to class and I have to head to mine." Y/n waved them off and she ran off to her class.