CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒
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We were woken up early in the morning by Arthur, he said that we're going to have to go home. I packed my things after taking a bath and changing in new clothes.
Arthur packed the tents using magic, there's no need for handwork.
We were halfway out through the campsite before passing by Mr. Roberts, who belonged to one of the families that were tortured last night.
"Arthur! Merry Christmas!" Mr. Roberts waved at us as I snorted.
"What happened last night was probably terrifying if we were caught, look at him! He could barely be sane." Ron whispered to me as I nodded in agreement.
"Oh, he'll be alright, he's just disoriented for a while, seemed that they did a big thing to make him forget about everything," Arthur walked ahead, him holding on to his little walking stick.
We arrived downhill where the Portkey laid, what surprised us was that there were so many families around it.
"Dad! It's packed, how are we supposed to go home?" Ginny asked, pointing at the people around the Portkey.
"Rest assured that I've always got ways, Ginny." Arthur said, before walking towards the people. We followed him, pushing past everyone who was on our way.
"Basil! We're in need to go home as soon as possible, you still have Portkeys?" Arthur greeted him as Basil slouched before smiling.
"You're lucky you're my good friend, Arthur. Have a safe trip home." Basil gave us a salute before giving us an old rubber tire.
"Hold on, kids!" Arthur announced as we held on the Portkey.
I felt the uncomfortable clenching of my stomach due to the motion, I felt like throwing up again. It was a good thing I haven't ate anything.
We transported back at Ottery St. Catchpole, the same forest we've walked into before meeting the Diggorys.
A few more minutes, we finally caught sight The Burrow. I could hear Fred and George exclaim in relief of being home.
I saw Molly ran over to us once we reached the frontyard, realizing that she has been waiting for us.
"Thank goodness!" Molly cried as she hugged Arthur, dropping a piece of parchment on the ground. "Arthur, I've been so worried!"
I picked it up and saw a newspaper, an article entitled, "SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP" along with the photograph of the Dark Mark in the sky.
Just the picture alone made shivers run down my spine. I folded the newspaper as I was pulled into Molly's arms, I felt comfort and ease.
"You're alright, my boys, my girls!" Molly sniffled as she hugged each of us, before turning to the twins after.
Molly immediately gave them a tight hug, I heard Ron laugh at the sight of his brothers being hugged to death.
"Ouch—Mom, you're - strangling us!" Fred and George yelped, their heads banging with each other after they moved to struggle.
"I shouted at you before you left! It was the only thing I've been thinking about! What if You-Know-Who's caught a grip on you, and the last words I told you were all about your O.W.Ls?" Molly sighed before wiping her tears.
I felt the need to laugh at the cute moment, but hearing Molly's words made me feel a pang in my heart, especially because Fred only has a few years to live, now it's my chance to save him.
"Molly, dear, we're all perfectly fine, don't worry. Come on, now." Arthur rubbed Molly's back as he led her inside the house.
We followed inside as Bill, Charlie and Percy went in their rooms, while the trio, the twins, Ginny and I sat on the living room.
I unfolded the newspaper in my hands as I continued to read the article, Ginny and the rest reading them with me.
"What do they mean by this? Why are they saying as if the Ministry's at fault?" I spoke up, furrowing my eyebrows at what I read.
"Dad, you've got to see this!" Ron yelled as Arthur walked over to us and took the newspaper I was holding.
"Ministry blunders, culprits not apprehended, lax security, dark wizards running unchecked, national disgrace? Who wrote this?" Arthur scowled before searching the page for the journalist. "Ah, Rita Skeeter."
That annoying curly haired bitch.
"Of course it's rubbish written all over it, that woman has issues." I scoffed, they agreed with my statement.
"Molly, I'm going to have to go into the office; this is going to take some smoothing over." Arthur announced, standing up.
"I'm going with you, Dad. Mr. Crouch would probably need help." Percy walked down the stairs, apparently he hears everything if the Ministry's mentioned.
"Arthur, you're supposed to be on a holiday! I'm sure they could handle that without you!" Molly walked out of the kitchen, the worry on her face from earlier was back.
"I've got to go Molly, I'll be back sooner." Arthur walked upstairs into his room.
"Mrs. Weasley," Harry asked as we turned to him, "Hedwig hasn't arrived with a letter for me, has she?"
"Hedwig?" Molly asked distractedly. "No, no, the last time she visited was when you needed food."
Ron and Hermione looked curiously at Harry. I saw Harry look at us with eagerness in his face.
"All right if I go and dump my stuff in your room, Ron?"
"Yeah, I think I will too," Thankfully Ron got the memo. "Hermione? Nicolette?"
"Sure." Hermione said quickly, we stood up from the couch and went upstairs before the others could be curious and ask us questions.
"What's the matter, Harry?" Ron asked, slamming the door behind him. We sat on Ron's bed while the boys sat on Harry's.
"There's something I haven't told you," Harry started, "On Saturday morning, I woke up with my scar hurting again."
Ron and Hermione had gone quiet, shocked with Harry's sudden outburst. While I stayed calm, in which I knew exactly why.
"But he wasn't there, was he? You-Know-Who? I mean, the last time your scar kept hurting, he was at Hogwarts in our second year, wasn't he?"
"Which is why I'm confused," Harry frowned.
"But I was dreaming about him, he was there, with Peter—or Wormtail, and another one I couldn't recognize. I can't remember all of it now, but I think they were plotting to kill someone."
"I should've killed that rat when I had the chance, well I did, but unfortunately Remus happened and the rat got out of the trap." I huffed, crossing my arms.
"I'm sure it's just a nightmare, Harry, you defeated him in second year!" Ron sighed.
"Yeah, but was it, though?" Harry massaged his temples.
"It's weird, isn't it? My scar hurts, and three days later the Death Eaters are on the march, and Voldemort's sign's up in the sky again." Harry frowned, leaning on the pillows.
"Don't - say - his - name!" Ron hissed.
"And remember what Professor Trelawney said?" Harry continued, "At the end of last year?"
"Oh Harry, you aren't going to pay attention to anything that old fraud says, are you? I told you, Divination is just a foolish subject!" Hermione's discomfort decreased as she snorted after hearing the mention of Professor Trelawney.
"You weren't there," Harry shook his head.
"You didn't hear her. This time was different. I told you, she went into a trance, a real one! And she said the Dark Lord would rise again, greater and more terrible than ever before, and he'd manage it because his servant was going to go back to him!" Harry raised both his hands in frustration.
"And that exact night, Wormtail escaped."
Ron and Hermione turned silent again, while my frustration only increased.
"Now I'm feeling guilty, I was so fucking close in killing that nasty rat!" I slid down the floor in shame.
"It's not your fault, Nicolette. You tried your best." Hermione hummed.
"I'm sure we wouldn't have caught him even without Remus, he's hard to catch. It's still disgusting that I lived with him for years and considered him as family!" Ron sneered.
"Anywys, why were you asking if Hedwig had come, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I wrote to Sirius about my scar," Harry shrugged. "I'm waiting for his answer."
"Good thinking!" Ron said, nodding. "Of course, Sirius always know what to do! Not to mention, he escaped Azkaban!"
"I hope he'd write back to me quickly," said Harry.
"But we don't know where Sirius is...he could be in Africa or somewhere, couldn't he?" said Hermione reasonably. "Hedwig's going to struggle delivering his letter."
"Sirius is probably in a safe place, that man is full of wonder, no one would ever find him unless he reveals where he's currently staying." I grinned, feeling special of knowing something they don't.
"Yeah, I know," Harry sighed as he fidgeted with his sleeves.
"Cheer up, Harry!" Ron stood up, "I reckon you want to play Quidditch outside? It'll be fun, three on three, Bill and Charlie and Fred and George will play, you can try out the Wronski Feint!"
"Ron," Hermione looked at him with a stern look, "Harry doesn't want to play Quidditch right now, he's worried, and he's tired. We all need to go to bed,"
"Yeah, I want to play Quidditch," Harry immediately sat up before going outside the room. "Let's get my Firebolt."
Harry and Ron walked outside, we followed a minute after, Hermione muttering "Boys." while I just laughed at her annoyed face.
A week has passed after the Quidditch World Cup and the rise of the Death Eaters. We would just hang out with each other, specifically Ginny, Hermione and I, because the boys would always be out in the garden playing Quidditch.
We sat on the dining table on Sunday evening, tomorrow, we would finally return to Hogwarts. Percy would explain everything that happened in his workplace, which he's low-key boasting about.
"Why are they all sending Howlers?" Ginny asked, mending her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi with Spellotape on the table.
"Complaining about security at the World Cup," Percy scoffed before taking a bite of his food.
"They want compensation for their ruined property. Mundungus Fletcher's put in a claim for a twelve-bedroomed tent with en-suite Jacuzzi, but I've got his number. I know for a fact he was sleeping under a cloak propped on sticks."
"Mom, don't stress about Dad, he could handle it, he's a strong man." Charlie shook his head, making us turn to Molly who was staring at their fascinating grandfather clock.
I chuckled at the way it was designed, at each hour were the Weasleys faces put, and there were words written such as 'work' or 'school.'
"The Ministry's working him too hard. He's not going to enjoy his dinner if he doesn't come home soon." Molly sighed.
"Well, Dad feels he's got to make up for his mistake at the match, doesn't he?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you dare blame your father for what that wretched Skeeter woman wrote!" Molly fumed.
Harry, Hermione and I sat silent as we didn't want to interfere with the"family feud."
"If Dad hadn't said anything, old Rita would just have said it was disgraceful that nobody from the Ministry had commented," Bill leaned on the chair, before continuing.
"Rita Skeeter never makes anyone look good. Remember, she interviewed all the Gringotts' Charm Breakers once, and called me 'a long-haired pillock'?"
"Well, it is a bit long, dear," Molly said gently. "If you'd just let me—"
"No, Mum. There's no way I'm cutting my hair." Bill rolled his eyes. I laughed, remembering Thor who loved his long blonde hair.
We finished eating dinner as we decided to lounge into the living room. I sat next to Hermione who was reading another book while I just laid on the carpeted floor. I saw Fred and George sitting in a far corner of the room, whispering at each other while writing on parchments.
"What are you two up to?" Molly asked them with a stern gaze.
"Homework," Fred smiled.
"Don't be ridiculous, you're still on holiday," Molly squinted her eyes at the twins.
"Yeah, we've left it a bit late," George shrugged.
"You're not by any chance writing out a new order form, are you?" Molly glared at them, hands on her waist. "You wouldn't be thinking of restarting Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, by any chance?"
"Oh come on, Mom," Fred sighed, "If the Hogwarts Express crashed tomorrow, and George and I died, how would you feel to know that the last thing we ever heard from you was an unfounded accusation?"
All of us chuckled at his comment, this time, I tried to feel carefree without worrying about Fred which was years away. I've got more problems to fix.
"Oh, your father's coming!" Molly's eyes brightened up, looking at the clock.
Arthur walked inside the house a few seconds later, as he sat on the couch exhaustedly.
Arthur began to talk about the Ministry, in which Percy and Hermione interfered with. I doze off to sleep, the cold wind of the rain outside making it easier for me to go to dreamland.
I woke up the next morning by Hermione, said that we're about to board on the Hogwarts Express. I yawned as I walked down stairs, still feeling drowsy after taking a bath in the cold weather.
"By the way, I don't remember walking up to our room, did you levitate me or something?" I asked Hermione as she packed her things.
"Ginny and I carried you, the boys didn't want to after Ron said that you slapped him once and they wouldn't like it if you were mad in which you always were. They're cowards, honestly." Hermione rolled her eyes.
I grinned at the thought of them carrying me, I love my girls.
We ate our last breakfast at The Burrow as Molly greeted us a 'good morning.' I enjoyed every bit of Molly's cooking, I'm going to miss this for sure.
Arthur bid us goodbye as he hurriedly wore his cloak after being called at the Ministry, he apparated.
All of us finished eating as Molly got us ready since she's gonna accompany us to Hogwarts Express. We walked out The Burrow as I held Chucky and Marvel on my right arm.
We gaped at the sight of a taxi in front of us, they were surprised to see a muggle vehicle, while I was surprised of seeing a taxi after a long time.
Our things were placed inside the trunk as some of us needed to carry our things because it wouldn't fit in. Thankfully I only had to carry Marvel and Chucky with me.
Unfortunately, after a long ride in the taxi, Fred's trunk suddenly opened, their Filibuster's No-Heat Wet Start fireworks came off, resulting Crookshanks to claw at one of the taxi drivers.
And I forgot that I also had a cat, damn it.
So throughout the whole ride, Harry, Hermione and I were luckily able to survive from Crookshanks and Chucky clawing spree. Ron was lucky to seat farthest from Crookshanks and Chucky.
By the time we arrived at King's Cross, I frowned when a claw mark was on my arm. I left this station with a mark last year, and now I'm entering this station with a mark again, how lovely.
"Today's packed, this is going to be difficult." Ginny sighed.
"We have no other choice, it's better if you group yourselves when entering the platform. Have a great year at Hogwarts!" Molly smiled at all of us.
I took this time to hug her and thank her for letting me stay at her home for the summer. I waved at them as I ran inside the barrier with the trio.
I felt the relief when I saw the familiar scarlet shade of the Hogwarts Express. We immediately went inside the train to look for vacant compartments.
We found one and slid inside, sitting down after putting our trunks on the top of the seats. We sat there as the train began to be filled with students, their voices mixing with the spluttering rain water on the windows.
I sat there for a moment before seeing Daphne pass by, I stood up as I excused myself and followed Daphne.
"Daph!" I called out, Daphne turned to me as she pulled me in a compartment.
"Nicolette! I was so worried for you, you bitch! After that night at the World Cup, thank goodness you're alright!" Daphne sighed as she hugged me.
"I'm thankful that you're doing good, anyways, why didn't you owl me?" I asked as we sat on the seats.
"Astoria and I were kept on a lookout, especially because of the whole Death Eater thing, my parents were worried, not to mention they're part of the sacred families, they would always be included." Daphne crossed her arms as she stared outside the window, we felt the train began to move.
"Your parents haven't been stressing out, haven't they?" I worriedly asked.
"The truth is, they were. Anyways, could we change the topic? I don't want to ruin the start of our fourth year with these things about You-Know-Who." Daphne massaged her temples.
"Of course, so tell me the details about what happened to you this summer." I said as I raised an eyebrow.
"Other than owling you, I've been playing the piano for a while now. It was difficult at first, but when I learned about the notes, I played it like a professional!" Daphne grinned.
Daphne and I spent the whole train ride to Hogwarts talking about our summers. We've also changed our robes. Both of our summers were fun, and we talked about that we would have more fun at school together this year.
But of course, I've still got my mind set on Cedric this year.
I walked back to my compartment with the trio, but not before passing by Draco, who acted like he didn't even know me. I decided that I would do the same to him.
I stumbled upon the trio in our compartment, with Ron who had a noticeable scowl on his face.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked before letting out an 'oh' sound. Of course, it had something to do with Draco.
"Malfoy had to boast and degrade us, he's so annoying. His father should've sent him to Durmstang, hoping he would die with hypothermia." Ron scoffed as Hermione sighed.
Harry just sat there, playing with Chucky who was laying on his lap. We finally arrived at Hogwarts, we went outside with our things as we sat at one of the carriages. Marvel and Chucky both on my lap.
I tried to joke around to ease the tension we all had, especially since Ron still remained nerved at what happened.
I laughed with them as the carriage stopped and we went down. We were talking a bit more before hearing a voice.
"Here we go again." I mumbled.
"We could finally talk again, Potter! How's your summer, by the way? Figured you'd stay home after your reputation went down because of your rabid of an uncle! I bet you're ashamed, now that everyone knows about it." Malfoy snickered as Crabbe and Goyle behind him howled, attempting to act like werewolves.
I thought he knew about Sirius for a moment, until I realized he was talking about Remus.
"Let him be," Hermione said as we kept walking.
"Not choosing to talk to me, huh? Why? Are you too ashamed because your only family is a poor dirty werewolf? Oh no, what if you're one too? Fighting the urge to bite me?" Malfoy smirked while Crabbe and Goyle laughed.
I looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione who was doing nothing but glaring at him. We stood there for a second until Harry ignored him once again, and told us to walk now.
We were walking away until we heard Malfoy speak again.
"Running away now, aren't we? And it seems like you brought a new recruit with you. Why? Lonely of having only two friends in doing monkey business that Dumbledore called 'saving the day'? Brilliant! No doubt, she looks like a mudblood. At the way she dresses, disgusting." Malfoy spat.
I stopped in my tracks as Hermione told me to keep walking. I walked towards Malfoy who looked a bit surprised but maintained his straight face.
"For your information, we were walking. Walking and running are completely different, unless that blood criticizing head of yours would never understand, oh, and Harry didn't recruit me," I paused for a second.
"Maybe it's your thing, but never his. After all, Harry has friends because people choose to be friends with him. Unlike you. A little advice for you, stop obsessing over Harry. People would've mistaken that you fancy him." I sneered at him.
The smug look on his face were erased as he glared at me.
"Being brave, new girl? I don't need new friends like Potter right here. What are you doing in Hogwarts here anyway, Granger is already enough of a mudblood to be here. Then you increased the population of mudbloods." Malfoy raised an eyebrow at me.
I scoffed with a small smile recalled the conversation we had at the World Cup. Oh, how the tables have turned.
"Pardon me you little shit, I've been here since last year. It's probably because of how ignorant you are in your surroundings that's why you never see me and you only have Crabbe and Goyle by your side." I sneered, I chose not to mention what he said once about befriending Harry.
"You're almost right but you're wrong at the 'ignorant' part. I never see you because my eyes don't recognize mudbloods like you. But it's a surprise, really, I could recognize Granger!" He laughed before walking away with his trolls.
I was about to lunge into him but Harry and Ron held me back. It's fine if he insults me, but if he drags Hermione, hell will break loose.
"Stupid ferret." I gritted my teeth.
"You should get used to this, you're quite lucky you didn't have too much classes with him last year." Harry said.
"Very lucky." I scoffed.
"Bloody hell, he'll never shut up! " Ron mocked as Harry chuckled.
"Let's go, we can't be late for dinner!" Hermione said as she pulled us to walk to Hogwarts.