YN, the twins, and the rest of the school returned shortly after New Year, and the halls became crowded and noisy as ever. Lessons started again the next day and the last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours in the grounds on a raw January morning; but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing, while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs.
Ravenclaw played Slytherin a week after the start of the term and to everyone's surprise; Slytherin won, though narrowly. Thenceforth, despite having plenty of time till their next match, Cedric steadily increased the number of Quidditch practices. One such evening, after a draining practice, the Hufflepuff Quidditch team entered the common room, out of breath, their faces flushed due to the cold winter air. Wayde and Ernie soon took their usual places by the warm common room fireplace, where YN sat, in the midst of her notes, books and Arithmancy charts.
'Any luck with that?' Ernie asked, turning his back to the cracking fire.
YN offered a sheepish smile.
'Still having trouble with this.' she pointed her quill at the bottom of the parchment 'Guess I'll have to ask 'Mione to help me out a bit.'
Ernie furrowed his eyebrows.
'So she's taking Arithmancy, then?'
'Yeah?' YN said, as equally confused.
'That can't be right.' said Wayde, plopping himself down beside the two.
'Are you questioning my sanity?' YN smiled, leaning away from her notes and charts.
'Well she's taking Divination with me and Susan,' Wayde explained 'and half of the lessons are at the same time as yours.'
'Are you sure?' Ernie raised an eyebrow 'Cause she's never missed Muggle Studies.'
'Well she can't be at three places at once.' said YN, perhaps questioning the two, perhaps herself. 'Right?'
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YN decided that the mystery that was Hermione's impossible timetable was tomorrow's problem, and focused on her charts instead. The next morning however, when she found herself at the Gryffindor table in the attempt of getting to the bottom of it (and hopefully get some help with Arithmancy while she was at it), she found no sign of the bushy haired female, but a rather upset Ron. He made it very clear he couldn't care less about Hermione's whereabouts, but wasted no time explaining why.
It appeared Scabbers, Ron's rat that's been in the Weasley family for years, was gone. Gone for good. And all evidence, that being the blood stained bedsheet and a single ginger hair, pointed to Hermione's cat, Crookshanks. YN knew the two, much like their owners, have been at each others' throats since day one, yet she never expected such outcome. But Ron had taken the loss of his rat very hard indeed, and it seemed like the end of his and Hermione's friendship.
'Come on, Ron, you were always saying how boring Scabbers was.' said Fred bracingly 'And he's been off-color for ages, he was wasting away. It was probably better for him to snuff it quickly. One swallow - he probably didn't feel a thing.'
'Fred!' YN and Ginny said indignantly.
'All he did was eat and sleep,' George piped in,' Ron said it himself.'
'He bit Goyle for us once!' Ron said miserably.
'His finest hour!' said Fred, unable to keep a straight face 'Let the scar on Goyle's finger stand as a lasting tribute to his memory!'
'Show some empathy!' YN scolded, lightly tugging at his ear.
'Yeah, imagine you lost YN.' Ron said wailfully.
'Ronald Bilius Weasley, are you comparing me to a rat?'
'Oh, come on, Ron.' Fred said, suppressing a laugh 'Go down to Hogsmeade and get yourself a new rat.'
But Ron seemed to have forgotten all about Scabbers as Harry entered the Great Hall, his new Firebolt in his hand. Heads turned his way, and whispers turned into excited muttering. Harry found his place at the Gryffindor table and Wood, his Quidditch Captain, basking in the reflected glory of the Firebolt, placed it in the middle of the table and carefully turned it so that it's name faced upwards. Soon enough, even people from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were coming over to take a look. One of them being Cedric Diggory, who came to congratulate Harry on having acquired such a superb replacement for his Nimbus, and wished the Gryffindor team the best of luck for their upcoming match. Just as he was about to leave he took a second glance at YN.
'Better chance to catch you here than at your own table.' he said, oblivious to the look one of the twins was giving him.
All YN had to offer in return was a sheepish smile.
A fine little crowd had gathered around Harry, to take a peak at his new broom. Percy's girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater from Ravenclaw, even asked if she could hold it.
'Now, now, Penny no sabotage!' said Percy, heartily as she examined the Firebolt closely. She left, not long after, and Percy wasted no time to follow after her.
'Harry- make sure sure you win,' said Percy in an urgent whisper ' I haven't got ten Galleons. Yes, I'm coming Penny!' and he bustled off to join her at the Ravenclaw table.
'Ten Galleons?' YN raised a brow at the twins 'Did I miss something?'
At quarter to eleven, the Gryffindor team set off for the changing room, the rest of the school followed not long after, heading for the stands.
'No weather luck when we're playing.' Ernie pointed out, squinting his eyes at the sun.
And indeed, the weather couldn't have been any different from their match against Gryffindor; it was a clear, cool day, with a light breeze, and instead of Dementors, excitement in the air, which only a Quidditch match could bring.
'We're rooting for Gryffindor right?' Hannah asked, as they made their way down to the stadium.
'Well, we shouldn't really be taking sides...' said Justin, carefully picking his words 'But if I cheered for Ravenclaw today I wouldn't be able look Fred and George in the eye.'
'Let alone share a Butterbeer with them.' said Wayde, earning a few chuckles from the group.
The girls followed along as the boys pushed their way through the crowded stands, to where the rest of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team was. Hannah and YN found themselves giggling at Susan who kept stealing glances at Cedric, the blush never leaving her face. The babble that filled the stadium died down as the teams walked onto the pitch, and turned into a tumultuous applause instead. After a few brisk words from Madam Hooch, the Captains shook hands. Then, after a count of three the whistle blew and the 14 players kicked off into the air. Harry's Firebolt zoomed higher and faster than any other broom, and he soared around the stadium, already searching for the Snitch.
'They're off,' the sound of Lee Jordan's voice echoed through the stadium 'and the big excitement this match is the Firebolt which Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broom, the Firebolt is going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship-'
'Is Jordan advertising Firebolts now?' one of the older Hufflepuff players said, leaving the group laughing.
'Guys, we have to meet at the World Championship-'
'The Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and-'
'Jordan!'
'OK, OK. Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor heading for goal...'
Katie scored the first goal of the match and the Gryffindor end of the pitch, along with a handful of Hufflepuffs went wild.
'Harry spotted the Snitch!' Justin said, frantically pointing down the pitch.
Harry dived, aiming for one of the barriers, he was barely ten feet away when a Bludger, hit by one of the Ravenclaw Beaters, came pelting out of nowhere. Harry veered off course, avoiding it by what seemed an inch, and in those few, crucial seconds, the Snitch had vanished.
There came great 'Ooooooh' of disappointment from Gryffindor supporters, but the applause for their Beater from the Ravenclaw end. Even the Hufflepuff team admitted that was an impressively accurate hit. George vented his feeling by hitting the second Bludger directly at the offending Beater, who was forced to roll right over in mid-air to avoid it. YN and the boys, found themselves clapping again, for George or the Ravenclaw Beater, that they didn't know.
'Gryffindor lead by eighty points to zero, and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting it through the pressure, see it turn - Chang's Comet is just no match for it. The Firebolt's percision - balance is really noticable in the long-'
'JORDAN! ARE BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!' Professor McGonagall's voice echoed throughout the stadium deafeningly.
'He's doing a really good job , though...' Wayde said rubbing at his ear, and YN found herself chuckling.
The game was moving at a faster pace; Ravenclaw were pulling back, they had now scored three goals, which put Gryffindor only fifty points ahead.
'If Gryffindor lose this match, they're out of the running for the Quidditch cup.' said Cedric, his eyes never leaving the pitch.
'Are they even still in the run, though?' Hannah leaned forward 'Considering they lost to us?'
'But Ravenclaw beat us.' Ernie pointed out. 'So if they get enough points...'
YN moved her eyes to Harry, who dropped low, narrowly avoiding a Ravenclaw Chaser, frantically scanning the pitch. Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, was right at his tail. She seemed to have decided to mark Harry rather than search for the Snitch herself.
It happened in matter of a few moments, mere blinks; Harry was racing towards the Ravenclaw end of the pitch before he pointed his wand at the three dark figures at the bottom of the pitch. Dementors, YN initially though, but they weren't floating - Harry bellowed out a spell unknow to her, and something silver white, something enormous, erupted from the end of his wand. The rest of the stadium stopped and stared, yet Harry tore on, and not a moment later the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle announced the end of the game; he had caught the Snitch.
In complete disarray, the Gryffindor supporters raced down the stands, YN and her friends among them. They raced across the pitch as a gaggle, lead by Ron and bore down upon poor Harry. And it was as though they lost sight of him the moment they reached him, engulfed by the cheering crowd.
'Who though this was a good idea?' Justin bleated, trying his best to stay in one place.
YN spun around, stood at the tip of her toes, but she the more effort she made the less she saw. Yet in search of him she caught a sight of someone else entirely, and she couldn't help but smile.
'Come on!' said George, breaking his way through the crowd. 'Party, Gryffindor common room, now!'
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The celebration went on all day and well into the night. At first Justin highly refused to join, constantly repeating that 'other common rooms are off the table', as the climbed their way up the Gryffindor Tower. But of course, he gave in. Because of his friends, or because of twins, they never knew. Fred and George disappeared for a while and returned with armfuls of bottles of Butterbeer, pumpkin fizz and several bags full of Honeydukes sweets.
'How did you do that?' squealed Angelina Johnson, as George started throwing Peppermint Toads into the crowd.
'How did they do that?' Hannah asked, but YN only smiled, knowing exactly how.
'You didn't steal these,' she dropped her voice to a whisper, stepping up to the twins ' did you?'
'That's where we draw the line.' George reassured, emptying one of his Honeydukes' bags before he turned her way 'You know that.'
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The fun went on; plenty of treats, noise and dancing. All until about one in the morning, when the twins suddenly came rushing to YN's side, pulling her and her friends along.
'Wha-' her breath hitched as they got pushed behind the couch.
Fred placed his finger upon his lips, telling them to stay put and stay quiet, as he seized one of many tapestries from the wall, and threw it over them.
YN and the gang exchanged looks, confused, almost baffled, before she poked her head through and took a peek. That's when she saw Professor McGonagall, in her tartan dressing gown and hair-net, and the look on her face which instantly pulled YN back down. They kept their ears to the ground, looking at one another. All the commotion outside their little hiding place slowly died down; Professor McGonagall's demands, followed by whines of discontent, creaking of chairs, couches, clinking of bottles, rustling of paper, feet being dragged across the floor, and feet scattering....
The portrait slammed once again and they flinched under their tapestry, anxiously waiting for whatever came next...
They heard hurried footsteps and before they knew it their cover was janked off, revealing two, all too similar faces.
'All clear.' said George, grinning.
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As quietly as possible, the twins escorted them outside the common room, to a secret staircase hidden behind a turning bookshelf. That's where they parted ways.
The group walked in silence for a while, on the tips of their toes, the sound of their feet echoing to the high ceiling. And they took their time, glancing around, taking in the unfamiliar place. On occasion they stole glances at one another, their lips stretching as their eyes met, surpassing chuckles.
'That,' Hannah said, grinning at her best friend 'was close.'
Justin, on the other hand looked fairly distressed, and marched in front of everyone else.
'Imagine,' he hissed, taking two steps at a time 'just, imagine what would have happened-'
'We're fine, aren't we?' said Ernie trying to keep up with him.
'Never again.' Justin half whispered looking back at his friends 'Never again!'
He surely would have meant it, if he knew no one in Gryffindor Tower had slept that night. If he knew that the night of the match, the night of the party, the nigh they were in the Gryffindor common room, Sirius Black had broken in again. Apparently, all thanks to poor Neville and his list of passwords he simply couldn't memorize.
And so the Castle had gone under lock and search once again, and once again Black had escaped.
'A dolt, Longbottom.' said Justin one evening as they gathered by the common room fireplace 'Writing all the passwords down with Black on the loose-'
'Zip it, Justin.' said Hannah, harshly 'I'm more than certain you would've done the same.' and she glanced back down at her book, mumbling 'A week's worth of passwords, seriously.'
Everywhere they went they saw signs of tighter security; Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the front doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius Black, Filch was suddenly bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything from tiny cracks in the walls to mouse holes. For once in her life, YN took Justin's words seriously, and kept her distance from the Gryffindor common room... though only for a while. Twins had informed her that Sir Cardogan had been sacked. His portrait had been taken back to its lonely landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back. She had been expertly restored, but was still extremely nervous and flinchy, and had only agreed to return to her post on the condition that she was given extra protection. And so a bunch of surly security trolls had been hired to guard her.
YN couldn't help noticing the statue of the one-eyed witch on the third floor, which the twins used frequently for their secret Hogsmeade visits, had remained unguarded and unblocked. And, to her knowledge, being one of the few people who knew about it, YN felt a familiar surge of guilt from her gut. She shared her concerns with the twins, but they instantly dismissed any queries.
'We know he's not coming through Honeydukes.' Fred said dismissively 'We'd've heard if the shop had been broken into.'
'You guys keep sneaking in and nobody's got a clue...'
Two days after the incident, the owls swooped into the Great Hall, carrying the post as usual... or so YN though before she focused on the commotion at the Gryffindor table. Neville broke into a run, sprinting his way out the Great Hall, clutching onto a scarlet envelope - a Howler, the very worst thing a Hogwarts student could receive over breakfast. The Slytherin table, behind YN, exploded with laughter at the sight of him. The whole school heard the Howler go off at the Entrance Hall - Neville's grandmother's voice, magically magnified to a hundred times it's usual volume, shrieking about how he had brought shame on the whole family.
This time Justin kept silent, but the sight he gave out said more than enough. Instead of watching from afar YN made her way to the Gryffindor table, and found everything out firsthand from Ron, who became the main event overnight. For the first time in his life, people were paying more attention to him Harry, and it was clear that Ron was rather enjoying the experience. Though still severely shaken by the night's events, he was happy to tell anyone who asked, what had happened, with a wealth of detail.
'She's given him detention, banned him from any future Hogsmeade visits and forbade anyone to give him the passwords into the Tower.' said Ron, looking in the direction Neville had run off in 0He sits outside the common room every night, waiting for someone to let him in.
'That's a bit harsh, even for McGonagall.' said YN, following his gaze.
'And that Howler to top it all off.' Ron said, shaking his head; he had an experience of his own when it came to Howlers.
'Ron, Ron.' Seamus Finnigan, Ron's fellow Gryffindor called 'Tell us about Black again, will you?'
'Right.' Ron turned his way, clearing his throat 'I was asleep, and I heard this ripping noise, and I though it was in my dream you know? But then-'
YN was left with a certain unease. Memories of last year came within the mind's reach, and the fear they brought along, the uncertainty; it felt all too familiar. She about the hushed conversations the grown-ups had among themselves even when they though no one was listening, though back to her Grandfather's words, and the look on his face... She hated being kept in the dark, she hated the 'blissful ignorance'. She was almost certain, there was something bigger than all of this, all they made it up to be, something none of them had a first clue about.