Meeting the Malignant Magpies
the first year at Hogwarts
List of Contents
Preparations
Before They Met: At Hazelnut Forreth
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty...
Being a Witch
First-Years at School
The Arrival of Anne
The First Encounter
Weighing a Wand
Annoying Snape
Tonks Changes Her Appearance
'Tis Too Hot!
A Cat's Fight
Merry Christmas
Back at School
Mysterious Communications
Logic, Human Behaviour and a Bet
A Test of Courage
Quidditch
Transfiguration Practise
Looking For Filch
Who Will Win the Quidditch Cup?
The End of the Year
Magic, as some people say, is something for fairytales. It doesn’t exist in the real world. It is children’s stuff or worse. You can cheat people with magic tricks. It is devil’s art, some say. It is what we can all see, the wise say. Magic is everywhere, and, for some people, magic is what their world consists of. These people are called magicians, witches, and wizards. Every child knows them – or do they? Most children meet magic in fairytales. Witches have warts and are ugly and old and want to eat little children. Magic is something dark and sinister.
Muggles are so weird! Magic isn’t sinister at all, it shouldn’t be. It can be dangerous, but everything can be dangerous. You have to learn to control your abilities. You have to find friends and something to protect to be able to use them well. And where should little witches and wizards learn their magic? There is only one school in Great Britain renowned for its work, and we, the authoresses, will take you, the readers, there. We will take you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and we are proud to present to you a cycle of stories.
Let us introduce the teachers first. Why don’t we listen to what they say, today, when a new school year is about to begin? It is the 31st of August, in the year 1982. The teachers have gathered in the Great Hall, which has been polished and cleaned by House-Elves. The caretaker, Argus Filch, has a young kitten. He loves this kitten and it trusts him. He calls her Mrs Norris. Both the man and the cat are ragged creatures, and over the years their appearance will be increasingly shabby.
There are many teachers, and it would take too long to present them all. Two men are very young and very ambitious. There is one Hunter Preston, a tall man, fair skin, light hair. He is a majestic person, but he has a mean twitch around the mouth. He teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts. A dark man about the same age, maybe a few years younger, wearing all black and looking furious all the time, is Severus Snape. He’s the potions master, and he’s a genius in creating new potions. He is also the one everybody mistrusts for reasons only Dumbledore knows exactly. Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, is an impressive man. He looks benign, and his blue eyes are mostly warm. Beware the second they become piercing! He can be hard if he needs to. There is also Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, the Muggle Studies teacher Emerson Dicket and several others you, reader, will meet for sure over the years, following our stories.
“Colleagues, let me say that I really look forward to working with all of you. However, we will have some students next year who will require a…special treatment”, Dumbledore began the meeting. Some colleagues shifted nervously on their seats. “Not again children of…of You-Know-Who’s followers?”, piped up a tiny little wizard. “No, Flitwick, nonsense!”, the sharp voice of McGonagall answered him. Flitwick, the Charms teacher, shrunk back. “No. It is nothing related to Voldemort”, Dumbledore calmly said. “Really, Dumbledore, do you have to say the name?”, thundered Emerson Dicket. He was a man in his thirties, grubby-nosed and sandy-haired. He looked homely and friendly, and his voice was only deep because of the big resonance ground in his rather round belly. “I think, Emerson, I can call Voldemort by his chosen name any time.” Dumbledore twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. “You can, but you’re the only one here. Let us quit this subject, won’t we?”, McGonagall soothed. “Yes, yes, Minerva is quite right. We have more important things to discuss. Do we have the list of students?”
McGonagall produced a roll of parchment seeing Dumbledore’s questioning look. “Read the names, please, Minerva, and we’ll see who is coming to us for the first time”, Dumbledore asked. McGonagall cleared her throat and began: “Alret, Hengist. Appleby, Jessa. Bagoony, Ashraf.” “Not the Bagoony of the famous Quidditch family!”, Madam Hooch, the flying teacher, interrupted. “Oh yes, he is indeed. We should have an eye on him. If he is as fast as his cousin Mohay, he’ll be a competitor for Charlie Weasley”, McGonagall answered with equal fervour. “Hear, hear, Minerva says someone is better than her best seeker ever since James Potter!”, Dicket laughed. Most of the assembled teachers chuckled. McGonagall herself shot a dark look at Dicket but simply continued to read her list: “Banks, Roland. Bantam, David. Bennet, Eliza. Biggs, Sean. Cook, Sebastian.” This time the horror and the disgust on Snape’s face got clear. “Severus?”, Dumbledore enquired gently. “Just a son of an old acquaintance, nothing more”, Snape mumbled. Professor Sprout promptly moved a bit away from him. Snape’s lips curled in contempt. Dumbledore frowned. “Go on, Minerva”, he said. “Cullen, Brian. Day, Stella. Dean, Nelly. Evans, Basil. Fairchild, Julian. Fetters, Stephen. Flatley, Mike…”
The names continued in an undisturbed sermon up to the point when the last name was read: “Wood, Patience.” Flitwick looked up from his half-doze. Even the historian Binns rose. Usually nothing but his own subject was able to hold his interest. “Is she the daughter of Rupert Wood?”, he asked with more agitation than anyone had ever seen. “Yes, I think so”, McGonagall answered slightly puzzled. “Ah, he was the only student who followed my footsteps.” Binns obviously rejoiced in the thought of having had one student interested enough in his boring, sleep-inflicting lessons of history. “Are these all our new students?”, Dumbledore asked carefully. McGonagall nodded. “These are all from the list.” “Ah, yes. Exactly. Well, my dear friends and colleagues, I beg you to leave. Only the House Teachers should stay for a moment.” Most of the teachers filed out of the Great Hall, leaving Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Preston and Snape behind.
“It has been considered most unusual that I hired both of you”, Dumbledore addressed the two younger teachers. “Especially after the defeat of the Dark Arts. Hunter, Severus, I trust both of you, but I also want you to live up to this trust – just as you have done last year. You know, we had some nasty letters by parents complaining about your being here. But we need you. However, you are not our first problem this year. The other teachers are not aware of what is going to come, but I am and I want all of you to be acquainted with it.” “What is it, Albus?”, Flitwick asked worried. “We will have the last Moon Child with us”, Dumbledore explained. A gasp was the answer. Preston’s eyes had widened. “A great responsibility, isn’t it?”, he asked hoarsely. “Yes. She doesn’t know. She mustn’t know until the time is right, and therefore I only tell all of you to have an eye on her when she arrives. I don’t know which house she will be in, but you must all be prepared.” “Will we know who it is?”, Snape asked. “The teacher whom it concerns will know, yes. I don’t want special treatment for the girl. She is, after all, just a student. Her abilities are still sleeping, so to speak. Let us hope it will never be necessary to wake them.”
Dumbledore was left alone in the Great Hall. Was he right to inform the staff? But then, even though the Dark Forces were thrown back since last year’s fabulous defeat, he was convinced it was not over yet. Voldemort had been too powerful, too cunning to be defeated by a one-year old baby. The poor boy lived now with his aunt and uncle and cousin, safely, Dumbledore hoped. It had been the worst day of his life when the news of the quadruple loss had come. Lily and James Potter killed by Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew killed by Sirius Black and Sirius discovered to be a Death Eater, a traitor, and carried to Azkaban. What a tragedy! Only Sirius had survived, but after some time at Azkaban everybody lost their minds. So, in the end, Sirius would be lost as well. And these had been his most promising students. As had Voldemort, he reminded himself. And now he had again a child at his school with special abilities. She must not know it, unless it was necessary. It would make her life unspeakably complicated, let alone the decision of who was to take care of her life after the awakening. Things were complicated this term, and Albus Dumbledore felt every year of his age.
“Albus?”, asked a gentle voice. “Yes?”, the headmaster answered automatically. “Did you notice we were one student short of the usual number?” “Yes, Minerva. I know. I can’t control everything, you know.” Minerva McGonagall only smiled. “You can control everything, and I bet you have something in mind. Did you think it wise to let Hunter and Severus know?” “Yes”, Dumbledore firmly said, offering no further explanation. “I still do not see why you hired them”, McGonagall pursued her point. “I trust them. I trust Severus with my life.” “And Hunter?”, McGonagall seized the chance. Dumbledore sighed heavily. “I am not sure what to make of him. He was such a subdued child. Do you remember him as a student? He never found friends easily. But neither did Severus. I think that was what made the circle attractive to them. Being important at least for somebody.” “We always have the one or other child that feels neglected”, McGonagall thoughtfully stated. “Yet not every student with that disposition turns out bad.” “Minerva, what are you afraid of?”, Dumbledore asked, eyeing his deputy headmistress carefully.
“I fear our Moon Child will turn out bad in the end”, McGonagall confessed. “She will have friends”, Dumbledore chuckled. “How can you be so sure? This is nothing you can control. Remember how dearly we wished the Marauders would get a little less close? It only tied them stronger together!” Both teachers smiled in remembrance of the famous Marauders. “However, we have some muggle-born students this year, Minerva, haven’t we?”, Dumbledore changed topics. “Sure we have. Why do you ask?” “Well, we should send them the usual letters and something else. I think it is difficult not to know where to go but to have to buy loads of things.” Dumbledore nodded to McGonagall, which was the sign for her to leave and write letters. Dumbledore himself also busied himself with writing a letter. “Dear Florence, please act according to our plan. Yours sincerely, Buzz.” He chuckled to himself. This was maybe his most daring plan so far, but he had the strong feeling it would go perfectly well.
Before They Met: At Hazelnut Forreth
Anne’s family consisted of mainly four people: Her mother Margaret (“Don’t you dare call me Maggie. My name is Margaret.”), her father Frank (‘The Wizard of Oz’), her elder sister Glenda (‘The Witch of the North’) and Anne herself. In addition the Symmons had 7 House-Elves who took care of the house and of the children. Christopher was responsible for opening the door and serving the guests. Simon was the kitchen House-Elf cooking all the meals that have ever been or ever will be served at the Symmons’ mansion. Cliff was the gardening House-Elf, especially useful when it was time to de-gnome the garden. Dusty was responsible for cleaning everything. Claire did all the household shopping. Gilbert and Sullivan took care of Glenda and Anne and provided the family and guests with entertainment. The mansion itself was a big and old house. Twenty-two chambers provided room for a lot of guests. All rooms were filled with antiquities, the most beautiful and elaborate moving pictures and fine furniture.
Nobody really knew what Frank and Margaret did for a living but they must most certainly have had a job for they had more money than you can dream of and were never at home. Margaret Symmons left the house every morning at 9 o’clock. Most probably to meet with friends, go shopping or have her hair done. She wasn’t seen until midday. Margaret spent the afternoons chatting with friends on the phone or at some hen parties. Her husband Frank left the house even earlier. There was no proof of his existence for the rest of the day until he came back in the evening. He didn’t like to have company then and was left alone. Glenda was one year older than her sister Anne. She resembled her mother. They had both very long blond hair that looked like gold. They were both tall and fair. The only mark on their beauty was their cold light-blue eyes. Anne looked a little like her father for they both had dark hair and dark-brown eyes. Though her father’s hair had turned more and more grey over the years. Frank was taller than Anne. Those who got a chance to compare their eyes would see that there was something wrong with Anne’s eyes. Unless Anne wanted to nobody was able to look into her eyes but could only stare at them. Anne was the least favourite of all her family members. One day she decided to at least like herself if nobody else would do so. Anne was quite happy with this thought and managed her life with her family very well until she got a letter from Hazelnut Forreth School for Witchcraft and Magic:
Hazelnut Forreth
School for Magic and Wizardry
Dear Miss Symmons,
Get your things ready. We await your arrival on August 25th. Ask your sister
for further information.
Yours,
N. O. Time
(Co-Headmaster)
“Well, we’ll have to go to Irration Alley then to buy all your stuff, Amy.” Frank told his daughter. “Anne.” Anne corrected him, however Frank didn’t listen. “We can get Glenda some new things there, as well.” Margaret added. Irration Alley was located in Edinburgh. Edinburgh wasn’t too near to Cumbria but it was no problem to get there – travelling by floo powder. “First we’ll get you your wand.” Frank informed Anne removing the dust and cinder from his clothes. While Margaret took Glenda Frank directed Anne to Mr. Lavelo’s Wand Warehouse. “Well I don’t think that I know anyone of you. Lavelo is the name.” Mr. Lavelo introduced himself. He shook Frank’s hand. “Symmons.” Frank said. Mr. Lavelo knew that Frank hadn’t entered the shop to make friends therefore he turned to Anne. “And you need a wand.” Mr. Lavelo scanned her from top to toe before he asked. “Which hand is your wand-hand?”
“Er – the right hand, I suppose.” Anne told him not being sure if it really was. “You look like a phoenix feather pedwood 8 ¾ inches.” Mr. Lavelo told her and took a box from one of the shelves. Opening the cover he offered it to Anne. “Have a try.” Carefully Anne took the wand. “Wave it, we haven’t got all day.” Frank barked at her. Anne waved the wand. The end of the wand exploded and the room was filled with red and green sparks. “No.” Mr. Lavelo shook his head and took away the wand. “I was sure it was phoenix feather. Try unicorn hair willow 10 inches.” Another box was offered to Anne. With trembling hands she took the wand and moved it slowly. A silent ‘plop’ could be heard. “I knew it was phoenix feather.” Mr. Lavelo said content. He showed Anne another wand. “Maples 7 inches.” Anne took the wand and waved it. This time she produced a little breeze messing around with the pieces of parchment lying around the Warehouse. “We are close, very close.” Mr. Lavelo whispered looking through some boxes. “Ah, this will be the one. Phoenix feather holly 10 inches.” He turned around and Anne took it out of the box. She had merely touched it when it sent rainbow-coloured sparks up in the air producing a kind of mini-firework. This time it wasn’t scary like it had been the first time. Anne clasped the wand and held it up in the air. “There you are, that’s your wand.”
Frank paid for the wand and took it. “I’ll carry it for you.” The moment he touched it it stopped sending sparks up into the air. “Hurry up. We’ll go to Ration Alley now.” Frank told Anne. Anne followed her father down the street. She felt awkward with all the scary witches and wizards around. She had always known that she was a witch but she had – except for her closest family – never met another witch or wizard. Ration Alley looked much friendlier than Irration Alley. Anne thought it funny that her father seemed to have met some old friends or rather far relations in Irration Alley but didn’t seem to know a soul in Ration Alley. “The bookshop must be somewhere around here.” Frank whispered looking around. “Should be that one.” Frank grabbed Anne’s hand and dragged her to a big house. “Hurry and get your books. I’ll wait outside.” He ordered. Anne was amazed. She had never seen so many books before. A clerk approached her. “Can I help you?” A tall and young woman asked kindly. Her blond hair was curled and swung merrily around her motherly face. “I’m looking for these books.” Anne passed her the list. The clerk waved her wand whispering. “Hazelnut Forreth first year.” Slowly a pile of books came floating by. “There you are. Isn’t it great to be a witch?” The clerk asked winking her eye. Anne gave her a smile. Anne paid for the books and joined her father who was waiting impatiently outside of the shop. Anne thought he would take the books just like he had taken her wand but of course he didn’t. Anne had to carry them all by herself – one thing she could say was it was very heavy literature.
They walked back to Irration Alley. “Your Mom will buy the robe with you.” Frank informed Anne and left her in front of Monsieur Bontustan’s – a very ‘exquisite’ shop for robes and other magical clothes. Anne waited in front of the shop for an hour. Some wizards and witches whispered conspicuously when they passed Anne. Twice she was sure to have overheard her family name: Symmons. When her mother finally arrived she was laughing heartily with Glenda. “There you are. Get in.” Margaret commanded. Anne entered the shop. Monsieur Bontustan welcomed them warmly. “Bon jour, bon jour et bon jour. Madame Symmons you look so young. If I didn’t know better I’d say you took your sisters for a little shopping.” Margaret didn’t blush. “Yes, indeed.” She replied. “C’est petite Mademoiselle Symmons. You need a robe. Let me take your measurements, s’il vous plait.” He took a tape-measure. She put her books on the floor. Anne had to stretch out her hands. Monsieur Bontustan didn’t write anything down. After two minutes he had finished. Anne went back to her books and picked them up again. “Now, Mademoiselle Symmons...” Monsieur Bontustan started. Anne turned around thinking he addressed her again. Relieved she noticed that he was talking to Glenda. Anne took a deep and relaxed breath. ‘Thank God I have everything.’ She thought to herself. ‘And I resisted killing The Wizard of Oz, Margaret and The Witch of the North – a very successful day.’ Anne thought on. She smiled to herself. ‘And a most fantastic wand.’ Anne was very excited about the fact that she had her own wand now. It spelled freedom for her. It was the promise of. the voyage to a brave new world – a world that was all Anne’s, a world she had to share with nobody – not even her family. “We’re going home now.” Margaret interrupted her daughter’s thoughts. Anne got up and followed her mother and her sister who were joined by her father again. Anne hadn’t even noticed that he had returned to the robe shop.
Her family became very annoying telling her that she had such an intelligent, talented and fair sister to show her everything. Glenda was the prototype of a show off and a classic example of a person with temperament or rather a hysterical person. “First I’ll show you how to pack your stuff. You’ll practice with my luggage. But hurry up.” Glenda ordered her sister. “I certainly won’t pack your stuff. I’m not your slave, Glenda.” Anne informed her sister. “I told Mum and Dad to have a House-Elf instead of another baby.” Glenda started. “Unfortunately for you they decided in favour of a baby. And before you go on annoying me. My stuff is packed since the day we bought it.” Anne tried to say in a calm voice. “You’re doomed to failure if I won’t help you. You better be nice to me or…” Glenda had a sort of superior undertone. “Cut it off.” Anne barked. “I’m not a baby any more!” Anne snapped at her sister. “Well, you behave like one.” Glenda shouted at her throwing a book after her. In normal families this would have been the point where one of the parent would come to stop the dispute. Unfortunately Anne’s family was far from being normal. Glenda and Anne were alone most of the day and had to get along without any help or supervision. ‘Who’s behaving like a baby?’ Anne thought. Glenda was very upset and kept throwing things at her sister who was very busy not to get hit by anything. This scene was repeated every day. Glenda didn’t need much to get upset, and throwing things at Anne seemed to be her idea of having a good time. Anne didn’t enjoy it as much as her sister.
“Get ready girls! I’m leaving in five minutes.” Frank called upstairs. He went out to his car where Anne stood. She had been awake since five o’clock in the morning. She hoped that one of her parents would have a cheering talk with her. Nothing of that sort had happened up to now. It was nine o’clock. “Ah, you’re already outside, Amy.” Frank said. “Anne.” Anne corrected him. “Oh sure, get your luggage, Amy!” Amy was Frank’s sister. He often called Anne by his sister’s name. “It’s in the car dad.” Anne sighed. Frank went to the car and opened the trunk. Anne was used to that kind of control. “Did you forget anything?” Frank asked in a voice that was anything but caring. “How do I know?” Anne gasped. “It’s in the nature of forgetting not to remember.” Anne defined. Her father gave her one of his rare smiles before he went back into the house. “Margaret, Glenda! Bye! Have a nice day!” Anne heard her father shout then he came back outside. “Get in the car.” He ordered her. Anne did as she was told. Both Margaret and Glenda hurried out of the house with half a dozen suitcases – each. Frank put the luggage in the trunk while Margaret and Glenda got in the car. Frank placed himself behind the steering wheel. Anne couldn’t believe that they were on the way to Cumbria station.
Anne, bored with the drive, watched out of the window. “I’m so glad to be back at Hazelnut Forreth School for Witchcraft and Magic. I missed Jodie all summer. It’s great to have a friend like her. She knows who the best part of our friendship is.” Glenda said arrogantly. ‘Yeah,’ thought Anne ‘Jodie knows that – that’s why she didn’t send one owl all summer.’ “And the teachers are so proud of me. They are very lucky to have me in their classes. And Hazelnut Forreth School for Witchcraft and Magic is so proud of having me there, as well. I know that not everybody can be as bright as me – and you can be sure that there’ll always be a room in my heart for those poor disadvantaged students – but…” Anne had had enough. She stopped listening to Glenda’s ode to herself. When they finally arrived at Cumbria station Anne had a feeling that they had driven for hours but the station clock told her that it had only been 27 minutes. Anne carried her suitcase alone. Frank and Margaret carried Glenda’s luggage. Glenda herself ordered them to hurry up. There were a lot of people on the station. Anne wondered how many of them were leaving for Hazelnut Forreth School for Witchcraft and Magic. Glenda stopped in front of an old telephone booth and opened the door. Glenda stepped in and with a ‘pop’ she had disappeared. Margaret was the next to ‘pop’ out of sight. Then it was Anne’s turn. ‘All right,’ she thought “Nothing bad will happen.’ Anne closed her eyes, heard a short ‘pop’ and was pushed out of the way by Glenda. “Get off.” She hissed “Dad’s coming with the rest of my luggage.” There she was on a real magic station. She looked around. She was surrounded by hundreds of wizards and witches. This sight was fascinating. The Hazelnut Forreth Express seemed ready to leave any minute. Anne opened the door and looked for an empty compartment. She took a cosy compartment and opened the window to look for her parents. She espied them at the other end of the train. They were busy helping Glenda to get all her luggage in the train. Anne watched them for a while. When they had finished Anne waved her hand in their direction. They didn’t see her. Anne sat down. The train began to move. “Off we go.” Anne whispered and tried to look optimistically into the future.
Hazelnut Forreth School for Witchcraft and Magic was a new school. It was only one hundred years old. From the outside it looked like a big villa from the beginning of the 20th century. There was plenty of room in it. Anne thought that it must be enchanted. Big stairs led up and down the different floors. There were several wings: two dormitory wings (one for girls and one for boys), another wing with common rooms, a hospital wing, a wing for the teacher’s private rooms and several wings for the classrooms and offices of the teachers. You couldn’t get lost for there were magical signs, which showed you the way you had to go. You just asked ‘girls’ dormitory’ and it would show you the way to go. “You’ll get lost. I tell you!” Glenda shouted at Anne. “No I won’t, there are signs all over the place. You’ll have to be very stupid to get lost.” Anne told Glenda. Glenda gave her an arrogant smile. “That’s why I have to take care of you!” Glenda informed her little sister. Anne turned around and went away. Suddenly she stood before one of the common rooms. She went in. “You look upset.” somebody told her. “Just a little.” Anne whispered. “Don’t you know that it is part of the rules not to be upset and if you are you have to tell someone the reason.” The somebody continued. “It’s all about Glenda. You know she is very dominant. She shouted at me: ‘You’ll get lost. I tell you!’” Anne imitated her sister. The people in the common room giggled. “I bet she’s an angel at home.” Someone threw in. “No certainly not.” Anne sighed and sat down.
The next morning Anne had breakfast at a big table with other students. “I’ll be the best student this year I know. Last year the teachers had sympathy with this child who lost his grandmother one day before the exams, of course they had to make him the best student. But this year there is no grandmother who’ll give her life just to make her grandchild the best of his year.” Glenda said. “It’s obvious that I’ll be Queen of the Seasons again. There is hardly any alternative. Look at those beasts over there. They belong in a zoo rather than a school.” Glenda informed them. Anne couldn’t stand it any longer. Accidentally she knocked over her orange juice. “You stupid git! Look what you’ve done.” Glenda shouted and pasted her one. “Never do that again!” Anne said calmly. “Of course I’ll do it again if it’s necessary.” Glenda told her. “You better don’t or I’ll…” Professor DiMaggio the headmistress of Hazelnut Forreth interrupted Anne. “Calm down girls, nobody’ll hit someone else. Behave yourselves.” Anne stood up and left the room. She was too proud to cry in front of all of them. She went to her dormitory but she didn’t only cry but also think of revenge. After an hour Anne went down to one of the common rooms.
“Want to know what Glenda is like at home?” She asked. The people in the common room nodded. “In the morning when she gets up she puts slices of cucumber under her eyes. She has to lean her head back that they don’t fall down.” Anne showed them. “Then she sits down to have breakfast. Somebody has to feed her the toast. She can’t find her mouth when she doesn’t see it.” Anne hadn’t finished her sentence when Glenda walked into the room. Instinctively she took a vase and raised it. For a second Anne was paralysed but then she ducked. It was too late. The vase hit her on her shoulder and broke. Anne tried to get out of the room. Nobody helped or stopped Glenda. She had no chance to escape. Glenda had another vase in her hand when DiMaggio entered the room. “You won’t need that.” DiMaggio said and took away the vase. “You two’ll come with me.” DiMaggio ordered. Glenda and Anne followed her to her office. It took them ten minutes to get there. “Sit down!” DiMaggio told them. “You better stop your foolish behaviour. You’ll clean the toilets – all toilets and you better work together!” DiMaggio informed them. Glenda and Anne had to start immediately. “It’s all your fault. I told mum and dad you weren’t ready to come here. You’re ruining my reputation. I’ve never had a detention and now I’m cleaning the toilets.” Glenda didn’t stop but Anne didn’t listen any longer. Anne did all the work while Glenda stood next to her giving her little sister a lecture.
Anne tried to behave herself the next couple of weeks but a month before Christmas she could stand Glenda no longer. “Sit straight. No that’s wrong. Didn’t you learn anything? You’re a stupid git…” Anne interrupted her sister. “You should hear yourself!” Anne stood up. “Do this Anne, do that, no you’re doing it wrong. You’ll have to do it again…” Anne enacted parts of her sister’s lectures. The crowd cheered around Anne. Anne felt relieved and great to let it all out. She started to laugh herself for Glenda was a really ridiculous person. “Miss Symmons!” The voice of DiMaggio interrupted her. Anne turned around she was now broadly grinning. “I’m afraid you’ll have to leave this school!” DiMaggio informed her. Anne was shocked. “Come to my office please.” DiMaggio said and went away. Anne followed her. “Sit down. I’m writing to your parents to pick you up as soon as possible. I’ll take this letter to the owlery. You’ll wait here.” DiMaggio said in a severe but not unfriendly voice. Anne nodded.
When DiMaggio had left for the owlery. Anne looked around the room. There was a picture on the wall. Many people were on it. They all smiled. She read the lines beneath the picture: final-year class of Hogwarts 1860. Anne stood up and looked for professor DiMaggio. There was a list of names written on the bottom. This helped Anne to find DiMaggio. DiMaggio stood next to a friendly looking wizard. She looked very beautiful, especially her eyes. Anne couldn’t look at her any longer for the man next to her caught her attraction. He waved at her. Anne waved back. The wizard mouthed something that looked like ‘welcome’. “Welcome?” Anne asked. The wizard nodded. “Sorry, it’s rather good bye than welcome. I got myself expelled.” Anne sighed. The wizard gave her an encouraging smile. DiMaggio opened the door. Your parents will be here any minute now. You better get your things packed.” DiMaggio suggested. Anne nodded and left the room. DiMaggio went to the picture and looked at the wizard who stood next to her. “Oh Buzz, are you sure we’re doing the right thing? They are only children.” DiMaggio sighed. Buzz had an encouraging smile for her as well.
Anne’s parents waited for her in one of the common rooms. “Let’s go!” Her father said and gave Anne some floo powder. When they arrived at home Anne found a letter. She opened it and read it aloud:
Dear Ms Anne Symmons,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a
list of all necessary books and equipment and a ticket for the Hogwarts’ Express.
Since the term has started a few weeks ago we hope to welcome you as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy warty…
Little Hangleton was a quiet village, and the Alrets had a nice little house there. Mr Alret worked in a bank, Mrs Alret was a housewife and their son Hengist was about to start high school. Hengist was a small boy for his age (11), and he was constantly aware of that fact. His school fellows mocked him because of it, and because of his curls. “Alret is a girl!”, was the constant yell whenever Hengist walked across the school yard. He hated it. He had no real friends, which was no wonder at all. When he had been in the first school year, his mother had always walked him to school and had been anxiously waiting for him to come back. When he had been in his second and third school year, she had persisted in this habit. Hengist had been more than ashamed of her. Only when he had finally told her so, had she given up. But it was still in the minds of the boys of Hengist’s age. At home, Hengist read a lot. He created his own fantastic world. Who would have thought his fantastic world would invade the real world?
One day when Hengist came home with a new cut on his arm and some bruises, his mother hurried out of the front door into the garden to meet him. “Hengist, darling, you’ve got a letter!”, she called and waved with a strange-looking envelope. Hengist took it from her. It was thick parchment. Who on earth wrote on parchment these times? In an age when people rather typed letters than wrote with ink, this one was written in a curly, decorative green writing. Very nice, Hengist thought. It was addressed to him, which he thought wonderful. He could not remember having ever received a letter that was addressed to him personally. Having walked into the kitchen, he threw his bag carelessly into a corner and ripped the envelope open. He saw a little late that on the back of it was a coat of arms. “Mum, did you see what was the coat of arms?”, he asked.
His mother had silently put away the bag. Now she came near. “It was something like a lion, a snake, an eagle and a cat”, she said and shrugged to indicate she didn’t know more. Hengist sighed and tried to put the pictures together again. All he achieved was a confirmation of what his mother had said and some words that seemed to be Latin and made absolutely no sense to him. So the letter would have to make up for this loss of information. He found two pages of the same thick parchment in the envelope. One was apparently a list or something. Hengist put that away for the time being. But the letter was much more interesting. It said:
“HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY. Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards).
Dear Mr Alret,
we are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and
equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31
July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress.”
Hengist stared at the letter. “Is this a joke of Dad’s?”, he asked incredulous. “No, dear, this isn’t dad’s hand. Neither is it mine”, Mrs Alret answered. “May I read it as well?” “Sure”, Hengist handed the letter to his mother. She read and frowned. “Well, that explains some things”, she murmured. “Mum?” “Do you remember when Grandpa made you furious and his toupee suddenly flew out of the window?”, Hengist’s mother asked. Hengist grinned broadly. “Sure I do. That was funny!” “And we all wondered how it happened. Seems you were responsible for it. Oh, how proud I am, a wizard in the family!” She hugged her son tightly. Hengist wriggled free. “Mum, there’s a problem. They say I shall send an owl. What do they mean?” Mrs Alret re-read the letter. “Maybe this list mentioned here says something helpful”, she suggested. Hengist doubted it but read it to his mother:
“HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY. Uniform. First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils’ clothes should carry name tags.
Set Books. All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Wafling
A Beginners’ Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment.
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN broomSTICKS.”
“broomsticks! I don’t think you will sweep the floors at that school”, Mrs Alret laughed. Hengist grinned lopsidedly. “I still fear it’s a prank. I mean, you and dad wanted me to go to St Mary’s School for Boys, didn’t you?” “Sure. Still, I’d prefer that. Bill Mason is going there, too, you know.” Hengist pulled a face. That was indeed a good reason to be all for this strange school – if it existed, that was. His father protested it was not a joke and he had no clue who could have sent the letter. Moreover, he stated: “There is no stamp. It must have been delivered personally.” The next day was a Saturday, and Hengist woke up from a strange noise. He sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes. The semi-darkness of the room gave no hint to the origin of the raps on glass. Glass! Hengist jumped out of bed and pushed away the curtains. There was an owl. A real owl, sitting on the window sill and obviously expecting to be let in. Hengist opened the window, deliberately forgetting the fits his mother would have when she knew what had been in the house.
The owl had carried a parchment envelope similar to the one of the day before. “Ah! Have you brought this as well?”, the boy asked, showing the owl the ripped envelope. The owl inclined its head for a second. “And what now?” The owl was waiting for something. Hengist stretched out his hand carefully. The owl watched him but let itself be caressed. “Do you want food or drink?” Again the owl inclined its head. “You’re a clever owl, really”, Hengist smiled and walked out of the room, not without commanding the bird to stay where it was. Hengist sneaked into the kitchen to fetch some dry bread and some water in a saucer. In fact, Hengist had some experience in avoiding the one creaking step. He used to sneak out as a young child to gaze at the stars. So his parents slept comfortably and were not aware their son was talking to a strange owl. “There you are”, Hengist addressed the owl which was still sitting where he had left it. It seemed to thank the boy. Hengist meanwhile opened the letter, this time careful enough to preserve the coat of arms. The letter was written in the same green ink as yesterday’s.
“HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY. Dear Mr Alret, by finding you are muggle-born we thought it wise to send you some further instructions. Being not acquainted with wizards, you might find it difficult to believe in magic or in your own abilities. In addition you will have troubles finding all the things required for school. Please send your answer with the owl which delivered this to you. We are looking forward to a positive report of your coming to our school. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall.”
Hengist grinned. “Nice way to help me. Where are the instructions?” The owl had finished its snack and clipped its beak against the seemingly empty envelop. Hengist looked into it again. “Oh, right, there it is! Thanks, owl. I’m sorry, I fear you have to stay till after breakfast, because my parents need to consent to my going to this… Hogwarts.” The owl hooted gently in approval and made itself comfortable on top of Hengist’s chest of drawers. “Very well. Let us read the instructions, what do you think?”, Hengist asked the owl which hooted sleepily and seemed to listen. “To get to Hogwarts, you are required to take the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross Station, London. Your ticket will be sent to you a couple of days before the journey starts. The train leaves at 11 o’clock on September 1st. As you do not live in the vicinity of London, we advise you to take some days there with your parents or alone to buy all your things at Diagon Alley.”
Hengist grinned. “Sure, there’s a street by that name! I never heard of it, and our geography teacher made us learn the whole map of London, heaven knows why!” The owl had buried its beak under her wings and was sleeping. Hengist smiled and read on, whispering: “To get there, you will have to take the lead. Your parents, being muggles (non-magic people), will not know how to find it. You need to go to Oxford Street and there you – and you alone – will see an entrance with an old sign saying it is the Leaky Cauldron. Ask the landlord, Tom, for directions to the Alley. This will be the easiest way, especially since you do not have a wand yet. In Diagon Alley you can get everything on your list. Take your time and enjoy your stay there!” Hengist folded the parchment again. “So this is it. There is a street hidden and the entrance hidden and my parents are muggles. And I’m a wizard. Really, if this is a joke, someone has had a lot of trouble creating all this. It’s far too real for being a mere prank!” His mother, passing in the corridor in front of Hengist’s bedroom, heard this and opened the door. She didn’t see the owl, which was fortunate. “Are you talking to yourself?”, she asked amused. Hengist started to speak when she saw the new letter on the bed. “A letter! That early in the morning. Is it… is it from Hogwarts?”, she asked curiously. Hengist nodded and gave it to her. “Well, then… I think you should follow these instructions. Dad says he’s going to write to St Mary’s.” Mrs Alret smiled and left the room again, saying she would prepare breakfast now. Hengist smiled at his reflection in the mirror. It showed his freckled face with the sherry-brown eyes and the brown curls. His eyes sparkled. “No bullies anymore!”, he vowed, then laughed about himself.
Mr and Mrs Alret had decided to spend a week at London. Naturally, it was the week before the 1 September. They had booked rooms in a hotel near Oxford Street. It was a sunny August day when they set out to find Diagon Alley. They walked along Oxford Street, occasionally stopping to look at windows. Hengist most frequently stopped to scan pubs, but every time he did so his father told him he could see it, too. Moreover none was called “Leaky Cauldron”. “I begin to think it only was a joke”, Hengist grumbled. His father grinned. “Not one of mine, but if it was, the person is really good.” “Hang on, it wasn’t!”, Hengist gasped suddenly and stopped so abruptly his mother ran into him. “What? There’s nothing there, darling”, she said puzzled. People around them stopped and stared, shaking their heads. Hengist didn’t care. He walked towards the old wooden door like in a trance. His parents watched him anxiously, and passers-by laughed openly about the boy walking towards a solid wall of a book shop. But it wasn’t a solid wall, not at all. To Mr and Mrs Alret’s utter surprise a door opened for Hengist. “Come, please”, he said to his parents who followed his plea. A general gasp of the curious people outside was the answer when the three vanished into the solid wall. “Wow!”, Hengist exclaimed.
The interior of the Leaky Cauldron was strange and fascinating. It looked old and crooked, but very cosy. A blazing fire gave light and warmth. The people sitting and chatting wore long robes in all colours. Some looked very much like fairytale witches. Some looked like goblins – although Hengist thought that must be the dim light. Behind the counter a friendly man greeted them. “Hello friends. My name is Tom and who are you?” “I’m Hengist Alret, and these are my parents. I want to ask you for the way to Diagon Alley”, Hengist boldly said. But Tom’s face was so kind he had no fear. “So you’re a new Hogwarts student, aren’t you? Funny you shouldn’t know the way”, Tom smiled and came around his counter. “Maybe they are muggles”, an old woman suggested. “Ah, Doris, and how should muggles get in here?”, Tom retorted. “But my parents are”, Hengist explained. Doris gave Tom a “there you are”- kind of look. “Well, then follow me. You will have to change your money at Gringott’s, the wizard’s bank”, Tom told them as he led them out through the backdoor. They stood in a yard surrounded by a brick wall. “When you get out of here and into the Alley, you just turn right and there’s Gringott’s can’t miss it”, Tom smiled, showing his lacking teeth. “Thank you, Mr… eh, Tom”, Mr Alret said. Tom grinned, took a wand out of his robe pocket and prodded some stones in the wall. Mr and Mrs Alret gasped in surprise. The wall slid open and gave way to a buzzing avenue full of people wearing robes and pointed hats. Tom nodded to the three standing next to him. “If you want to get back, just get into my pub. There’s an entrance from the Alley as well.” “But why can’t we get out there?”, Hengist wanted to know. “That’s because if a muggle should enter this pub without being related to young wizards like you he shan’t get through to Diagon Alley.” Tom patted Hengist’s shoulder. ”Now have a nice time, boy. And you too, sir and ma’am.” He vanished into his pub again.
“Shall we go in there?”, Mrs Alret asked, her voice quivering a little. “Of course, mum!” Hengist had already stepped into the street. It was lined with crooked houses and strange shops, there was a newspaper agency and of course the magnificent white building of Gringott’s. “I wonder why we have to change money”, Mr Alret said while they walked over. They entered the bank and Mrs Alret stifled a cry. “What are these?”, she asked lowly. A passing woman stopped and smiled. “Goblins. Never mind them, they’re not too friendly, but they’re very clever”, she said, nodded and hurried on. “Goblins. What else will we meet here?”, Mr Alret asked shakily. “Do change money, dad”, Hengist urged. He was keen to look at the shops and see if he could really buy all the things he needed. Mr Alret raised his eyebrows, took a deep breath and walked up to one of the high counters. “Yes?”, the goblin in charge asked in an unfriendly tone. “I want to change money”, Mr Alret clearly said. The goblin looked up from the letter he was writing. “Muggles, eh? Over to the third counter on the left side. Gadelock will help you.” With that Hengist’s father was dismissed. He sighed and walked to Gadelock’s desk. “Mr Gadelock?”, he politely addressed the ugly goblin. “And what do you want?”, the goblin retorted. “I want to change money.” “A muggle. What do you come here for?”, the goblin wanted to know. “Change money”, Mr Alret repeated, getting annoyed with the goblin. “Right you are. Money.” Gadelock extended his claw and Mr Alret placed some money into it.
The goblin wrote some numbers on a sheet of paper. “Got a child?”, Gadelock asked. “Yes.” Mr Alret was surprised and answered therefore instantly. “Going to Hogwarts, eh? Should open an account here for him”, Gadelock instructed. “Why?” “Wizard money is different from muggle money. Your child will need wizard money”, the goblin patiently (for a goblin) said. Then he counted coins on the desk. “These golden ones are called galleons. The silver ones are sickles and the bronze ones are knuts. You can pay everywhere in the world where there are magical shops or areas.” Mr Alret took the coins. “And you think I should open an account here. Hm. Maybe I really should.” “Then do so at once, you can have money transferred from your muggle bank to ours. Name?” “Hengist Alret. That’s my son.” And so Hengist got an own account at the wizard’s bank – of which he knew nothing, however. The following shopping trip proved to be exciting. The bookshop held loads of books on magic, and Hengist decided it would be best to have some general information on the magical world before going to Hogwarts. The clerk presented him some useful books which his parents were glad to buy. “I definitely like Flourish and Blott’s”, Hengist grinned. They had gone to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour to buy some ice-cream. “I begin to like it here”, Mr Alret confessed. Mrs Alret still looked sceptical. “Well, we have to buy robes for you, and there’s a shop selling them”, she said instead of joining her husband’s praise. Hengist pulled a face but obeyed.
After a whole day of shopping he had indeed everything he needed for Hogwarts. And tomorrow he would go there. For the first time in his life, Hengist was looking forward to going to school.
When Patience Wood received her letter announcing she was accepted at Hogwarts, her younger brother Oliver started a tantrum because he also wanted to go. Patience told him he had to wait four years, then he might join her. “Mum, Dad, which house do you think I’ll be in?”, the girl asked, reading the letter over again. Her parents had been at Hogwarts as well. One of the older Wizarding families in Britain, the Woods were also one of the few families who had stood against Voldemort’s terror. Rupert Wood smiled down at his daughter. “That is something you will get to know at Hogwarts. I think we should first go and get your school robes and the other things you’ll need.” Even little Oliver’s face lit up because a trip to Diagon Alley always meant fun. Joan Wood put some money into her pocket and took a small pot with something that looked like greasy flour. “We’ll travel by Floo Powder. Be sure you pronounce the name Diagon Alley clearly!”, she warned her children. “Patience, you’ll go first”, her father said. Patience grinned. She liked the reeling feeling of travelling by Floo Powder. As much as she hated roller coasters, the muggle version of going too fast, she loved the wizarding version.
She arrived after a dizzying whirl of green flames had transported her, in the middle of Diagon Alley, exactly in front of Gringott’s, the Wizard’s bank. A second later her mother arrived, shortly after followed by Oliver and her father. “What now?”, Patience asked excitedly while Oliver’s eyes were directed towards Quality Quidditch Supplies. “That’s what we’re going to do last”, Rupert smiled and ruffled his son’s hair. Oliver sighed. “And where are we going first?”, the boy asked. “To Madam Malkin’s”, Joan Wood decided. “Joan, might not Oliver and I go over to Quality Quidditch Supplies and look into the window? We won’t go in, I promise, Helena”, he added quickly, seeing the beginning frown on his daughter’s forehead. Patience, used to being called ‘Helena’ by her parents, nodded and followed her mother to the shop where the best robes could be bought. It was embarrassing, Patience thought. She had to stand on a something she couldn’t define and was measured everywhere while Madam Malkin herself was talking to her mother and exchanging memories about her mother’s first school robes. Patience was bored.
But the next shop they had to go to was much more exciting – though it looked rather boring to Oliver from the outside. It was <i>Ollivander’s</i>, the wand shop. Mr Ollivander himself came hurrying to greet the Woods. He even remembered Rupert’s and Joan’s wands. “Yes, yes, and now your daughter will go to Hogwarts. Hm. Let’s see, your wand arm is the right arm? Fine. Wait, I’ve got something here. Phoenix feather, maple, 10 inches. Try it.” Patience waved the wand, but nothing happened. Oliver chuckled. “Seems you really have to learn something at Hogwarts!” Rupert scowled at his son. Ollivander smiled. “No, master Oliver, the wand chooses the wizard – or the witch, in our present case. Try it again, Miss Wood, this time with Unicorn hair, yew, 9 inches!” Patience waved, and out of the wand shot a fountain of silver stars. “Wonderful!”, Ollivander exclaimed. Rupert paid him, and they went to the Apothecary to buy Potions supplies (‘Cool! I can brew poison now!’), then to Flourish and Blottsto buy the set books and finally to a shop for magical creatures. “Helena, now choose a pet for Hogwarts”, Joan told her daughter. Patience, accompanied by Oliver, went along the numerous cages of owls and the glass basins full of toads towards the cats. “Mum, can I have a cat?”, she asked. Joan consented very readily. She had already feared her sometimes odd daughter would chose a toad – and Joan Wood hated toads. Now Patience watched the cats carefully. They were lively or lazy, smooth or gruffy, green-eyed or blue-eyed and some really ugly. Then she saw a little grey angora kitten with the most beautiful clear green eyes. The kitten looked up and meowed a little, trying to reach up. Patience put down her hand and the little animal licked it softly. “That one”, Patience said, taking her cat up and caressing it gently. “Seems she likes you. Poor thing, her mother died when she was just a few days old”, the clerk told her. “How will you call her? I never give my animals names”, he quickly added. “Bethesda”, Patience said. The kitten had nestled into her arms as if it had never been anywhere else. When they had visited Quality Quidditch Supplies and bought a new quaffel to practise with, the Woods went home again.
On the first day of September, the station was full of strange faces – muggles, of course. A tall, brown-haired man pushed a trolley past all of the people and stopped in front of the wall between platforms nine and ten. “Okay, Helena”, he said, turning to a small red-haired girl. “Just run through it. Mum and I’ll follow with the luggage.” The girl pressed a little cat against her. She took a deep breath and ran on. The kitten struggled protesting because the girl held it too fast. “Here we are, your train!” Other parents were there as well. “Joan, look, there’s Andromeda, Andromeda Tonks! And Ted! How are you?” Rupert hurried towards a couple overlooking their daughter’s luggage being put onto the train. “Rupert. What a surprise!” the woman called, extending both her hands to greet Rupert. “How is Petronella?” “Very well, thanks. And why are you here? Can it be that your daughter will go to Hogwarts?” “Yes, Nymphadora will start school this year. I see your eldest is also going.” “Yes. Patience, this is Andromeda Tonks, my.. cousin, shall we say?” Mrs Tonks nodded. “That’s my daughter, Nymphadora,” she said proudly. The girl she pushed forward had long blond curls and looked mutinous. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use my first name. I hate to be called Nymphadora. Just call me Tonks, okay?” she said stiffly. Patience grinned. “No problem.” “Good. I’m sorry, but I have got the last place left in a compartment,” Nymphadora told Patience. Patience nodded. “I will find a seat, don’t worry,” she said, trying desperately to appear more confident than she really was. “See you at Hogwarts, then,” Nymphadora said and vanished into the train. Rupert said goodbye to his relations and pushed Patience’s trolley forward.
“Hey there, if it isn’t Rupert Wood!”, someone called out. “Arthur Weasley! What a joy to meet you!” “Well, my second son Charlie is at Hogwarts. My eldest left last year. And you?” “My daughter Patience starts this term.” “Bet she’s gonna be in Gryffindor”, a tall boy said, smiling down at Patience. “Helena, dear!”, Mrs Wood cried out tearfully. The train would start soon. Mr Weasley and his son helped the Woods to put Patience’s luggage into a compartment. “I’m Charlie, Helena”, the boy introduced himself. “Oh, I’m not called Helena, I’m Patience.” Charlie grinned. “Why does your mother call you Helena?” “I don’t know. Maybe she likes it better”, Patience shrugged. Her kitten rolled itself into a knot and went to sleep in the girl’s lap. “What’s her name?”, Charlie asked friendly. “Bethesda.” “Patience, just a question. Dad told me you were living at the border to Wales, is that true?” Charlie softly caressed the sleeping kitten while speaking. “Well, yes. We do live at Alberbury. Why?” “Your accent”, Charlie grinned. Patience started to laugh. “Oh my god! My accent! Actually I wasn’t born at Alberbury but in Scotland. My brother, too. We lived there until last year. There you go!” “That explains everything. A Welsh girl with a Scotch accent – not very likely, is it?” They laughed both. “I have to see if the others are okay and not destroying the train. Only joking”, Charlie hurriedly added, seeing Patience’s eyes go wide. Then Charlie, prefect of Gryffindor, left her alone. Wondering what it would be like, Patience stared out of the window.
On their arrival at the Hogwarts station a giant of a man called: “Firs’ years up ‘ere!” Patience, now wearing witch’s robes and hat, still had Bethesda in her arms. “Ah, keep her away from me, will yeh?”, the giant asked, pointing to the cat. “Can’t ‘ave ‘em, make me sneeze.” Afraid of offending the giant who introduced himself as Hagrid the gamekeeper Patience kept as far away from him as she was able. The boats crossed the lake far too fast for Patience. She had no clue what would happen next. Her mother had either been fussing around or telling off 7-year-old Oliver. Her father had simply smiled and said everyone should find out by themselves. “That’s a sweet kitten”, a voice next to Patience said. “I’m John King”, the boy introduced himself. “Patience Wood.” She thought of asking him about further details when John said: “I won’t like the lessons, I fear. I never quite liked school. If you can do magic, why learn how to do it?” He sounded very arrogant. Patience was lost for words, but that didn’t stop John chatting on until they reached the Entrance Hall and faced a stern-looking witch. “Welcome, First Years”, she said, eyeing one after the other. She stopped at Patience and her face became a bit more lenient. “You will soon enter the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. Your pets are not allowed in there, so please leave them here. Hagrid will take care of them.” Patience looked shocked. But Hagrid took Bethesda very carefully out of her arms. “I’ll see she’s all right”, he promised with a cheering smile. “They’ll sort you in alphabetical order”, John King whispered the moment the doors opened. Patience’s heart sank. “W” was to be last, she feared. What if she had to do magic? But no, it was only putting on a pointed hat. Very well. An then all of a sudden, a broad rim opened and the hat began to sing:
Then wonder about what you see:
A hat, pointed, battered, old,
To protect heads against the cold.
But lo! Behold! What do you hear?
Come, listen harder and step near.
I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
There’s no one smarter here, I bet!
For I can peep into your heart
And tell you where you make a start.
Perhaps it will be Slytherin
Where cunning and ambition dwell in.
Or maybe it is Gryffindor
Where for the brave the lions roar.
Hufflepuff may be your house
If you are patient as a mouse.
Old Ravenclaw will welcome you
If you have knowledge and wits, too.
So find now out where you will be
And put on this hat here – me!
Hengist Alret was the first to be sorted. He approached the stool and the hat with weak knees. What if it had only been a mistake and he was no wizard at all? What if this was a weird dream? What if his father popped out of the wall like one of the ghosts and said it was only a joke? But Professor McGonagall put the hat onto Hengist’s head. It whispered into his ear. This hat was really weird. But it placed him into Gryffindor, a house which was not bad after all. Hengist grinned relieved when he was allowed to run off to the Gryffindor table. Patience had been right, there was only one other girl left when she was called. With trembling hands she put on the hat. “Oh, that’s a surprise”, it mumbled inside her head. “You’re tricky, Miss Wood, you’ll have to prove yourself. I can’t imagine you to be entirely ambitious, so… GRYFFINDOR!” the Hat shouted. Relieved but also a bit disappointed, for her cousin Tonks had been sorted into Ravenclaw, Patience went to the Gryffindor table. Charlie Weasley smiled at her. Unfortunately, there was no one she knew except him. Ever-talking John King had been sorted into Hufflepuff. “Hi, I’m Nelly Dean”, her opposite neighbour said to Patience who introduced herself as well. “Funny”, said Charlie Weasley, “we’ve only got 4 girls, should be five.” Indeed there were next to Patience and Nelly only Ghewyn Rhys and Catherine Hayes. A ghost nodded approvingly. “There are ghosts in here?”, Nelly asked, turning a little pale. “Of course”, Patience answered. “We have a ghost at home as well, an old aunt of my grandmother’s, but she only turns up every five years with news from all our family.” “Weird!”, Nelly exclaimed. “WE haven’t got a ghost or something. My mother isn’t magic, you know, and father thinks she’d be afraid so he keeps certain creatures out of our house.” “I wish my father’d do the same, Auntie Caroline’s so annoying!”, Patience sighed.
“Do you know the teachers?”, a tiny boy asked eagerly. “I’m Hengist Alret, by the way.” Charlie intervened. “That’s easy, I’m starting on the left side. The black one is Snape, Potions, Preston, Defence against the Dark Arts, Binns History of Magic, Flitwick, Charms, Dumbledore you know, McGonagall, Transfigurations, who’s that? Oh, Trelawney and Sprout and Madam Hooch.” Not one of the first-years could have remembered the names as fast as Charlie pronounced them. “Never mind”, he consoled the 9 new Gryffindors. “There’s only one thing you must remember. The password to get into the common room. It’s ‘jiggery pokery’ for now.” They all burst into laughter. “Usually they choose highly complicated Latin passwords”, Charlie grinned. “Me and the Fat Lady thought this would be better.”
The first few days, Patience fell into bed every evening. It was all new to her and they had to keep so much in mind – not least the ways to the classrooms – she was tired to death every day. Her favourite subject was Charms with Flitwick. But she thought she could also have liked Potions if it hadn’t been for Snape. Kind Charlie Weasley had warned them never to offend two teachers: Severus Snape and Hunter Preston. Even though Snape hadn’t been long at Hogwarts yet – he was quite young, only 23 -, he had earned himself the fame of a stern and unfriendly teacher. Patience took care not to do so, but still… “Miss Wood, if you insist on giving toad liver to your potion you will melt your cauldron! Miss Wood, would you mind listening to me? Miss Wood, if you don’t manage to make that disgusting potion what it was intended to be we’ll try it on your cat!” That was what Patience heard every Potions lesson. She was thinking about home, about her brother Oliver, about Bethesda, and yes, her thoughts kept constantly wandering away from the subject. But much to Snape’s grudge Patience managed easily to undo her mistakes. Nelly Dean admired her for that, but as it was a lesson they had together with the Slytherins she was the only one.
There was one boy in Slytherin who was extremely annoying, but very dumb: Roland Banks. Every time Snape asked something he seemed to know the answer. He didn’t, though, or at least he knew only half the answer. One Potions lesson proved to be very interesting indeed. The students were required to brew a potion that made people hover a few feet above ground. Snape had thought of it himself, and he was convinced it was perfectly well to be done by first-years. He had written the ingredients on the blackboard. Patience concentrated hard this time. She did not want to be exposed as an idiot again. Moreover, she thought potions really interesting. Even at home, her father had sometimes tried new recipes, but Patience had never exactly paid attention. Oh no! Had she added three or four spoonful of butterfly wings? Patience sighed. It would show later, no doubt. Three would be perfect. She really should stop herself from thinking so much of home. But at home was her brother with whom she used to play Quidditch on a hill behind the house. She was to be chaser while he was keeper, sometimes even their father joined them. And Bethesda would run around after mice. Bethesda would enjoy Alberbury very much. Cats like the country more than a town, and young cats especially do. Patience threw a liberal amount of cardamom into her cauldron. The potion hissed dangerously, but so did Ghewyn’s as well. Ghewyn was working without day-dreaming. She did her homework and some extra work as well. She could answer every question. Patience sometimes wished she could be more like Ghewyn, but then…
People did not like the girl very much, it seemed. Catherine Hayes did, though. Pity. Catherine was nice, Patience thought. No one liked her enough to ask for sitting next to her. Ghewyn was surrounded by Nelly and Catherine, and she, Patience, sat alone. Joining the Slytherins was no option for her. Five or six beetle legs? Patience decided it would make no difference at all if she added some things more, some things less. When her mother was cooking she also said it wasn’t vital to have the exact amount. The relation was what mattered. At least the potion looked right. It was brightly orange and bubbling gently. Patience was proud of it. Snape swept by, looking into her cauldron. “Looks as if you finally had your thoughts together, Miss Wood”, he snarled. Melanie Pallet, the Slytherin sitting nearest, sniggered delightedly. Patience was strongly tempted to stick out her tongue, but resisted the thought. She was too happy to have received something like an acknowledgement by Snape to destroy that again by displaying open dislike to students of his house. “I would like to test some of your potions. Mr Vargas, Miss Wood, please fill some of your potion into a phial and take it to the front”, Snape ordered. Patience tried in vain to hide her excited smile. Vargas’ lips curled in disgust. “You have managed to do it right? I bet it has turned poisonous”, he whispered while they were carefully carrying the phials filled with bubbling orange liquid to Snape. “Both look well, and if your potion is neither orange nor bubbling, pour it away as soon as you can”, Snape advised the class. Roland Banks looked devastated. His potion was bubbling, but it was the colour of lilac.
“I will first try Mr Vargas’ creation”, Snape said and took a careful sip. Vargas and the whole class watched the teacher anxiously. Snape had taken pains to have the potion’s impact as little as possible. So he only hovered some centimetres above ground, and only for two seconds. “Very well done indeed”, he acknowledged. Vargas nodded haughtily and trotted back to his seat. Patience handed Snape her phial with trembling fingers. Snape tasted it carefully. He instantly knew something was wrong. But what was it? The potion looked right, smelled right, acted right, but it tasted different. It didn’t taste stronger, that would have been no real problem. A bit embarrassing, maybe, to hover higher and longer, but this was something else. The gasp of the class and the high sound of a phial shattered on stone floor made him aware that the effects were visible by now. “You are dismissed. Miss Wood, we will talk about this later”, Snape managed to say. His apparent coolness helped the class to disguise their emotions until they had left class. Patience hung her head. So potions were not like cakes after all. But who could have thought that would happen? It was unbelievable. Then she heard him call her name. “Miss Wood! Please call Madam Pomfrey”, Snape ordered, hardly suppressing his fury. “And be aware that 15 points will be taken off Gryffindor for this. In addition, you will have a detention this evening. You must learn to keep your thoughts on the potion you brew unless you want to kill people!”
Tears were running down Patience’s cheeks all the way up to the Hospital Wing. She was oblivious of people passing. “Patience? What is wrong with you?”, a kind voice addressed her. It was Charlie Weasley, walking downstairs. “I… I poisoned Professor Snape”, Patience sobbed. “You did? That’s nice. I wish I had that much sense”, Charlie laughed. “This is no laughing matter, Charlie”, Patience told him reproachfully. “I’m going to fetch Madam Pomfrey.” Charlie grinned and shook his head. “You will do the whole school a favour if Snape is knocked out for a week or so. Will do him good, the git.” Patience sobbed only harder and ran off.
Madam Pomfrey instantly followed the girl down to the dungeons. “Professor, it is only your colour that has changed”, the nurse stated. “You are not going to be ill or to die, if you thought of that.” “Nonsense! Who told you so?”, Snape spat. Then he caught sight of Patience’s guilty face. “So it wasn’t enough to make me the ridicule of your classmates, you wanted to spread it through the school?” Patience shrunk back. “No, sir, indeed, no! I thought you would die. I thought I had poisoned you!”, she tried to defend herself. In vain. Snape was so furious he could hardly sit still while being examined by the school nurse. His skin had gone the sapphire colour of a billywig and his hair was brilliant silver. “It will wear off in twenty-four hours or less, depending on how much you had”, Madam Pomfrey calmly said. “I took a sip only”, Snape admitted. “Then it’s nothing more than another ten minutes perhaps. Keep the door closed, though.” The nurse nodded to Patience soothingly and left. “Sir, may I go now?”, Patience asked shakily. “Go, but be here again this evening, eight o’clock, for your detention.”
Patience was happy that it was time for lunch. At least she could be sure to be alone in the Common Room then. In front of the large fireplace her cat was asleep. Patience knelt down next to Bethesda and caressed her gently. “You are the only creature that likes me around here”, the girl said sadly. “Hey, Patience, this is nonsense”, a kind voice answered her. Patience jumped up in surprise. Charlie Weasley stood with arms folded at the entrance. “You were missing downstairs”, he explained. “Aren’t you hungry? Come down with me, will you?” “No, I can’t. Is Professor Snape there?”, Patience asked. Her big eyes had filled with tears again. “That git has really frightened you. He’s all bark and no bite, except you call a little detention a bite”, Charlie tried to laugh it off. “I have to do a detention, Charlie. Imagine that! I’m not three weeks here and already have got a detention. And Snape has taken 15 points off Gryffindor!” “Doesn’t matter, girl, doesn’t matter at all. We’ll win enough points in the Quidditch season”, Charlie soothed her. “You’re absolutely sure you don’t want to go down for lunch?” Patience nodded. “Okay. I’ll bring you something later”, the older boy promised. Patience thanked him warmly.
In the evening, when 8 o’clock approached, Patience walked downstairs with her heart wildly beating. All through Defence Against the Dark Arts she hadn’t been able to really concentrate, but Preston hadn’t noticed. Dinner had been an awkward affair as well. She had been very hungry by then but dreaded being in the presence of Snape. The thought of having so many other students surrounding her had been helpful. But now she was about to face him alone. She stood in front of the door for a full five minutes, uncertain whether she should knock even though it was not yet 8 pm. Finally she knocked so hesitatingly it was hardly audible. “Yes?”, a voice nevertheless bellowed. Patience opened the door with trembling hands and entered. “Ah yes, Miss Wood. You see I am perfectly recovered”, Snape said instantly. Patience nodded only, too scared to speak. “You will learn to do this potion correctly tonight”, Snape coldly stated. He jerked his head towards a cauldron and the ingredients. Patience swallowed. “The same as we did this morning?”, she asked. “Of course. I wonder if you manage to concentrate for once!” Snape’s arrogance was the one drop too much. Patience suddenly wasn’t subdued anymore – she was furious. She wanted to show that git, as Charlie called him, what she was able to do. And so she set to work with full concentration. She even proved to be deaf to Snape’s biting remarks. And so she managed in the end to present to him a perfect potion. She was sent away immediately after the completion of the potion. Patience was glad to leave and almost ran upstairs. “Hey ho, missy!”, called a voice when she turned around a corner. “Oh, sorry, Sir Nicholas”, she panted. The ghost smiled benignly. “That’s okay. You didn’t run through me. Where have you been? It’s past 9 o’clock!” “I had a detention with Professor Snape”, Patience explained. Sir Nicholas chuckled. “Why do you laugh?”, Patience enquired. “It’s that early in the term and you already have a detention. Very promising, my dear!” And with that the ghost glided away.
As exasperating, but in a different way than Potions, was Flying with Madam Hooch and the Hufflepuffs. Although Patience avoided John King carefully he always managed to get near and talk incessantly. Patience even considered telling him to shut up. It was not really a good time. With no real friend Patience kept sending letters home every day and sitting in the garden all by herself, watching Bethesda chasing butterflies. She was dreaming about that again when Madam Hooch stepped near. “Come on, Miss Wood, you will make it, no doubt. Say ‘up’ and the broom will react.” Patience obeyed. To her surprise it worked the first time she tried. Madam Hooch smiled broadly. “Fine. Now, all of you try to get up into the air!” John King had to stay silent now, in case some flies might get into his mouth. Flying was wonderful, Patience decided happily.
For Hengist Alret everything proved to be both exciting and difficult. Not only had all the other students already had contact with the magical world, but he seemed always to be at a loss. Moreover, two of his fellow Gryffindors, Brian Cullen and Mike Flatley, took it upon them to mock him whenever they could. “Dress him in yellow and he’s a snitch!”, Mike often laughed. At first Hengist didn’t understand a word. But then he learned about the wizarding sport no. 1. So it was an insult after all. “It can be a compliment as well”, Connor MacLeod pointed out to Hengist one day. The red-haired boy had no close contact either, but he didn’t seem interested in it. “A compliment, indeed!”, Hengist only said. “Of course. A snitch is damn fast and almost impossible to see”, Connor explained. “And you mean I’m fast? When and where, pray?” “At Flying. Madam Hooch says you’re really good. The only one who flies better at the moment is Patience Wood.” Hengist grinned, nodding to Connor. “You’re right, maybe. Okay, I’ll take it as a compliment, then.”
Still, life was surprising. Food was surprising as well. Not the usual food in the Great Hall. But the sweets his classmates ate were strange. “What are these?”, Hengist asked one evening, pointing at a box Mike Flatley had. “That’s a Chocolate Frog. They really jump, but only once”, Mike informed him. “Weird”, Hengist commented. “What kind of sweets do muggles eat?”, Brian enquired between two Every Flavour Beans. “Oh, loads. There are crisps, which are not exactly sweet, and chocolate and cookies and jelly babies…” “What?”, exclaimed Patience who had been listening instead of writing her Transfiguration homework. “Jelly Babies”, Hengist repeated. Patience stared at him. “You mean muggles eat babies in jelly? Or jelly made of babies?”, she asked. That caused all the boys to burst into laughter. “You cannot be that naïve, no way”, Brian said. “Well, then do please explain if you know better”, Patience challenged him. Brian coloured and murmured he couldn’t. "Jelly babies are teddy bears made of fruit jelly”, Hengist grinned. “Oh, poor teddy bears”, Patience promptly replied without thinking. “They are tiny and very colourful and they are supposed to taste of fruits. But if you ask me, I could never really recognize fruits except of pineapple and orange and lemon. The red ones are indefinable, but I like them.” “Do you have some with you?”, Patience wanted to know. Hengist laughed. “Yes. Want to see them?” “Yes, please!” Hengist good-naturedly trod off to the dormitory to fetch his jelly babies while Mike, Brian and Patience waited for him to return.
“Haven’t you finished your homework yet?”, Ghewyn Rhys asked sneeringly, seeing Patience’s rolls of parchment spread over her table. “I’m lacking only one inch”, Patience replied. “I have written much more than required”, Ghewyn boasted. “I hope you didn’t repeat yourself”, Patience kindly said. Mike and Brian had to hide their broad grins, but they were not fast enough. Ghewyn threw her hair back and stalked off. “I’d be careful with her, she walks over bodies to get what she wants”, Mike stated lowly. Patience smiled. “I don’t think so. Maybe I should have told her about the jelly babies?” Hengist returned with a bag full of coloured teddies. “Help yourselves”, he told the others. Mike and Brian took some but Patience looked sceptical. “Try one”, Hengist urged. Patience took a red one and eyed it. “It doesn’t bite”, Mike grinned. “Or if it does, bite its head off”, Brian advised. Patience grimaced but tried the jelly baby. It tasted surprisingly good. “I see why you like them”, Patience said. Hengist grinned. “Want some more?”, he offered.
Anne gave back her Hazelnut Forreth schoolbooks and wanted to buy the Hogwarts’ schoolbooks. Still she didn’t feel too comfortable in Irration Alley. She was very happy that the book shop was located in Ration Alley – but then she thought that she could as well buy the books together with the other things she needed in Diagon Alley. So she decided to try and get rid of her Hazelnut Forreth robes. Unfortunately the clerk in the robe shop told her she couldn’t return her robe. Anne hoped the people at the robe shop in Diagon Alley were able to change it so that it would be more like a Hogwarts robe. She had never been to London or Diagon Alley before. “Madam Malkin’s.” Anne read. She shrugged and entered the shop. She cleared her throat because nobody seemed to be around. “Yes?” A female voice which belonged to Madam Malkin asked. “I’m changing schools. Could you change this robe into a Hogwarts one?” Anne wanted to know. Madam Malkin looked at the robe and then up at Anne. “Sure.” She replied. She went into a little room and returned with the slightly changed robe. “That will do.” Anne paid and left. Next she went to the Apothecary to get the needed supplies for Potions. When she had finished she went to the book shop to fetch her new school books. The Hogwarts’ books were different but equalled the Hazelnut Forreth ones in weight. Anne sighed. She was very curious to take a look at London. She strolled around the town. She was alone. Her parents were busy with more important things. She wanted to enter a big shop but she couldn’t get in. She never could get through automatic doors. She didn’t know why. She couldn’t pass a metal detector either: it would always give the alarm signal. She decided not to enter the shop and to go back to Diagon Alley.
Packed with her new books and the other things she’d need at Hogwarts, she went to platform 9 ¾. The Hogwarts Express was empty. Anne put her things safely away and sat down. She felt really lost. The Hogwarts Express began to move. It took her hours to get to Hogwarts. When she got out of the train, McGonagall waited for her. It was shortly after lunch. McGonagall led Anne to Dumbledore’s office. “We’re very happy to have you here now.” McGonagall told her. Anne didn’t believe it though. She thought McGonagall only wanted to be nice. The staircases seemed endless. The moving staircases and the trick-stairs scared Anne. “You’ll get used to that. Don’t worry.” McGonagall told her. Anne nodded in disbelief. Dumbledore’s office looked strange even for a wizard. It was full with pictures but Anne was so nervous that she didn’t notice that there was the same picture of Hogwarts’ final-class as she had seen in DiMaggio’s office. “Sit down, Miss Symmons.” Dumbledore invited her. “We’ll start with the sorting procedure. You put on this hat and he’ll tell us to which house you belong. Normally we do this in the Great Hall with all the students around but since you’d be the only one we thought it would have scared you too much.” Dumbledore explained. ‘If you think that would be scary then you should try it this way. I think it’s pretty scary, as well.’ Anne thought but didn’t say a word.
“Are you ready?” McGonagall asked. “Yes.” Anne said inaudibly. She took a deep breath. McGonagall put the sorting hat on her head. Anne was shaking. Suddenly the hat began to talk to Anne. “Very well, better late than never. I knew you would come sooner or later. Your head is full of strange ideas and thoughts, you’re a dreamer, ha, and a jester. I see hidden courage and you certainly have the nerve to do what you were planned for. But beware, there are things greater, stranger and worse than you have ever thought of. May it be that they prepare you well in GRYFFINDOR.” The hat had shouted the last word. Dumbledore and McGonagall smiled as the sorting hat was put back on his place in the shelf. Anne didn’t know what to make of those words she had just heard. She didn’t have time to think about it any way. McGonagall took Anne out of Dumbledore’s office. “Thank you, you did us a big favour.” Dumbledore said to the Sorting Hat. “I still think she should have been put to Slytherin.” The Hat protested. “That would have been the House in which she belonged.” He added with displeasure. “You know very well why we wanted her to be in Gryffindor.” Dumbledore reminded the Hat, which sighed.
“Ah, Miss Symmons. Nice to meet you. I’m Professor Binns your teacher for magical history. Welcome to Hogwarts. I hope you’ll like it.” A man told her and shook her cold hand. “I’m teaching you all about plants, Professor Sprout. Nice to have a new face around.” Another teacher shook her hand. Anne tried to give her best smile. “I’m teaching you transfiguration.” McGonagall informed Anne. “This is Professor Snape.” McGonagall led her to a tall man who wore black. She shook his hand last. “You’re from another school. You’ll have to work hard to catch up with the others.” He said in a very unfriendly voice. “Another Gryffindor I suppose?” Snape asked in the direction of McGonagall. McGonagall nodded. Snape wanted to leave for his next class but McGonagall called him back. “Professor Snape, would you please be so kind to take Miss Symmons with you. She is in your Potion’s class.” Snape bowed his head. Anne tried to smile but wasn’t very successful. She followed Snape in silence. “You better make sure you’ll remember the way to the dungeon. I won’t show it to you a second time. And I’ll give you a detention if you’re late.” Snape snapped at her. Anne swallowed not able to speak. When Snape brought her to the Potions lesson, the place next to Patience was free. Nelly Dean had become the intimate friend of Ghewyn Rhys, they did everything together. So Anne took the place near Patience.
“Hi, I’m Patience”, the red-haired girl whispered. Of course Snape heard it. “If you two don’t stop talking we’ll talk about a detention later”, he snapped. Patience went pale. Never had she heard something as unjust as that. She went red in her face but she also raised her voice. “Sir, I think this is not just. I simply told her my name!” Snape looked at her as if she were a very ugly kind of animal. “Tut, tut, Miss Wood, you are very insolent. 5 points off Gryffindor and come to me after the lesson.” Patience gasped and was on the point of answering sharply again when Anne next to her pulled her sleeve and muttered “sit down” between her teeth. Patience obeyed. “My name is Anne.” Anne replied. “Miss Symmons! It might have been the custom to talk during the lesson at your old school. At Hogwarts you’ll get a detention for doing it. To make sure that you’ll remember that you’ll go up to the hospital wing and clean the bedpans without magic after dinner.” Snape barked at her. After the lesson Patience went to Snape’s desk. “Well, let me see Miss Wood. I heard you were quite talented at Charms, yes? How about learning the Muggle way of cleaning this dungeon?” Patience knew better than to answer. Snape’s black eyes glinted dangerously. “Or maybe I should let you go for now, but keep in mind never to be that insolent again?” Even now Patience kept her face as blank as she was able. “You will come to sort out rat’s paws tonight at eight”, Snape said and turned to the blackboard to indicate their talk was over. Without a word Patience left.
In front of the door stood Anne. “That was very kind, thanks”, she said. Patience simply shrugged. “It could have been worse”, she sighed. “I simply cannot bear someone like Snape!” Anne grinned. “I can believe that very easily!” Anne didn’t think it very wise to ask Snape if he could show her the way to the hospital wing after class. “Do you know the way to the hospital wing?” Anne asked Patience. Patience shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t remember just now – the staircases keep moving and I haven’t yet figured out how to find a way if they do. We could ask one of the older students!” Patience told her. “Let’s go to the Gryffindor common room.” Patience suggested. “How did you know that I’m in Gryffindor?” Anne asked suspiciously. “Snape is the house teacher of Slytherin. He wouldn’t have treated you so badly if you had been in his house.” Patience explained. Patience and Anne entered the common room. A cat ran towards Patience. “Hey Bethesda. Meet Anne.” Patience took the cat and turned to Anne. “Is that your cat?” Anne asked. Patience nodded. “She’s cute.” Anne said and wanted to caress her but Bethesda spit at her. “Sorry, she doesn’t like everybody.” Patience explained.
Only one student sat in the common room: Charlie Weasley. “Excuse me.” Patience said. “Can you show us the way to the hospital wing?” Patience asked. “I hope you aren’t ill.” The student looked up and smiled. “No, professor Snape gave me a detention. I have to clean the bedpans – without magic.” Anne confessed. “I’ve never seen you before, are you the new student?” Charlie asked looking at Anne. “Er – yes.” Anne said. “Welcome at Hogwarts. As I can see you already found a friend.” He smiled at Patience. They had the same red hair. Anne wanted to ask if they were related but she didn’t want to sound too curious. “I’ll take you to the hospital wing.” The student promised and stood up. “I better leave those here. The Slytherins might just try to steal them outside.” He laid some charts and boards on the table. “You are one of the Quidditch players, aren’t you?” Anne asked. “Yes, that’s right. My name is Charlie Weasley.” Charlie told Anne. “That’s Anne – er – I don’t know your last name.” Patience said. “Symmons.” Anne said.
“Well follow me for a guided tour through Hogwarts castle, Patience and Anne.” Charlie opened the door. The three went out. “The different classrooms are located all over the castle. That’s why many students get lost. If you ever happen to get lost, just ask someone where to go. Perhaps you should make sure it isn’t one of the Slytherins they might send you in the wrong direction.” Charlie advised them. On their guided tour they met McGonagall. “Good afternoon, professor.” Charlie greeted her. “Good afternoon, Mr Weasley. Ah, you’re showing two of the first years the castle. Miss Symmons, I hope you enjoyed your first day so far.” McGonagall said. “Actually, Professor Snape gave her a detention. She has to clean the bedpans in the hospital wing after dinner.” Charlie reported. “What did you do that he gave you a detention on your first day, Miss Symmons?” McGonagall interrogated. “I talked during the lesson.” Anne sighed. “I told Patience my name.” Anne added. “That was all?” Charlie asked. Anne and Patience nodded. Charlie looked at McGonagall. “I’ll talk to Professor Snape.” McGonagall told them and went away. “If we keep our fingers crossed you don’t have to clean the bedpans in the hospital wing.” Charlie said cheeringly. “Are you sure that that was a good idea?” Anne and Patience asked at the same time. Charlie laughed. “He’ll give you a hard time but he doesn’t have to start on your first day. He hasn’t bitten anyone yet – as far as I know.” Charlie encouraged them. “Let’s go up to the hospital wing. Just in case McGonagall isn’t successful.” Anne loved the sight of the moving pictures. She could have stood in front of them for hours. “This is the hospital wing. Now be prepared to meet the life and the soul of the hospital wing: Madame Pomfrey!” Charlie announced.
“TATA!” Peeves the poltergeist shouted. Anne screamed. Patience started to laugh; she knew Peeves already. “Get lost you stupid git!” Charlie shouted at the poltergeist. “Are you all right, Anne? I didn’t know Peeves was up here, sorry!” Charlie apologized. “It’s all right. It just scared me.” Anne whispered. “What’s all this noise about?” A female voice called. “Oh my god, you’re ill. You better lie down.” Madam Pomfrey said. “No, she’s all right. Peeves frightened her. He shouldn’t be allowed up here.” Charlie explained. “These two are Anne and Patience, I’m giving them a guided tour through the castle.” Charlie added. “I know Miss Wood already, Weasley. Well, Anne, welcome to Hogwarts then!” Madame Pomfrey greeted them kindly. “We better go and have dinner now. It’s your turn girls, do you remember the way to the Great Hall?” Charlie asked. Patience and Anne found the way back – with a little help of Charlie’s. They sat down at the Gryffindor table. “Thanks for the tour!” Anne thanked Charlie. “You’re welcome!” He replied. Anne hadn’t eaten since breakfast and was very hungry now. “Do you like Hogwarts?” Patience asked her new friend. “It’s great!” Anne informed her. After the last crumb had vanished Patience and Anne left the common room. “I’d better go up to the hospital wing.” Anne suggested. Patience nodded.
“Miss Symmons, I’d like to have a word with you.” It was Snape’s voice. Anne shuddered. She didn’t like Snape’s cold voice. She followed him to a quiet corner. Patience waited. “Professor McGonagall talked to me. You were very lucky this time – no detention. But better be careful, the first rule-breaking…” Snape informed her. Anne swallowed. Snape left her. Anne ran back to Patience. “What happened?” Patience wanted to know. She didn’t say a word. Back in the common room they sat in a quiet corner and watched the others. Anne tried to be optimistic and thought ‘At least nobody threw a vase at me.’ She still had a bruise on her shoulder where the vase had hit her. “Hey there, are you all right?” Charlie asked in a low voice. Anne tried to smile but couldn’t. Instead of a smile thick tears ran down her cheek. Patience saw it and took Anne’s hand. Charlie took Anne’s other hand. “It’s all right. Have a little cry. It makes things easier. Snape just told me off for talking to McGonagall. He told me to mind my own business. I thought he’d talked to you, as well.” Charlie said in a brotherly tone. “Sorry, didn’t want to get you into trouble.” Anne sobbed. “Nay, Anne he doesn’t like me. My team keeps beating the Slytherins in Quidditch. Don’t worry about me. And don’t worry about Snape. You’ll get used to his way.” Charlie promised. “No!” Anne said. “You’re a liar. I see it in your eyes. You’re upset, as well.” Anne intervened still sobbing. “Okay, you’re right. But you’re not the only one. Next year there will be a lot of new first years. He doesn’t have time to follow a crusade against one particular student.” Charlie assured her. Patience looked at her watch. “Oh dear!”, she gasped. “Snape gave me a detention as well, and he hasn’t told me I do not have to do it.” Charley looked disbelievingly at her. “Snape has given you a detention?” “Yeah, and I better leave now, sorting rat paws…” And off Patience went.
She hurried down to the dungeons, almost tripping over Mrs Norris. Snape already waited for her. “Miss Wood?”, he asked sternly. “I’m sorry, I had to do so much homework.” “Well, if you start now you’ll be finished by nine”, the Potion’s master said and seated himself at his desk. Patience put on gloves – she hated to feel the dead claws – and began sorting them. Front paws were used differently than the back paws. “Sir, may I ask you something?”, Patience began shyly. “You just have, but go on, Miss Wood.” “In what potions are rat paws mostly used?” Snape began a lecture about the use of rat paws. Patience tried to remember everything, but she simply was too tired to pay enough attention. At least Snape’s voice kept her awake while sorting the potion’s ingredients. “That is enough, Miss Wood, you should go back to your common room.” Snape put away the sorted rat paws and let Patience out of the dungeon. Anne, Patience and Charlie sat in the corner until Charlie said. “You better go to bed now. We’re playing Quidditch tomorrow. You don’t want to fall asleep and miss the best parts?” He smiled. “Good night. And thanks for everything.” Anne said. “I hope we’ll win tomorrow. Good night.” Patience said. The two girls went to bed. Charlie took his charts and boards and sat at a table to look through them one more time. “This is our dormitory?”, Anne wanted to know. Patience nodded and put a finger on her lips. Too late. “Can’t you hold your tongue one night, Patience?”, hissed the voice of Ghewyn Rhys. “I just showed Anne her bed”, Patience defended herself. “Then whisper, if you must talk”, Ghewyn stiffly replied and, by the sound of it, turned. Anne grinned. “She’s a bit… strange, isn’t she?” Patience agreed instantly. “I have the bed at the door, because of my cat, and you can have the one next to me, in fact it’s the only free one, so you don’t really have a choice, but I’m sure the others would think of changing beds if you don’t want to…” “Patience! It’s alright. In fact, it’s perfect!” Anne had to chase away Bethesda before she could go to bed. “Hey flea farm. That’s my bed better get your things packed or I’ll introduce you to some nice dogs.” Bethesda spat at her again but jumped off the bed. Anne lay in her bed and thought for a while. ‘First day. What a day. All this trouble with Snape. Peeves the poltergeist. I found two friends. What a day indeed.’ Anne fell asleep.
“Out of the way mudblood!” A dark, lean boy with cold grey eyes pushed a fellow first year out of the way. The tiny first year looked like a timid mouse. He was shivering heavily. “Next time you’ll make way before I pass you, understand!” The boy snapped. Anne decided that she had watched the scene long enough. She stepped forward in the way of the boy. “Now who do you think you are?” She asked in a firm voice. The boy turned around to look if she had possibly addressed somebody else. He turned back to her. “You’re not talking to me Gryffindor, are you?” He asked in a very arrogant sort of voice. “Yes, I am Slytherin!” Anne replied self-confidently. He scanned her from top to toe. Anne did the same. The boy had short black hair and a pale face. His eyes were horribly cold like those of a fish. His mouth was thin. He had almost bony shoulders and his arms were only a few inches short of being too long. His legs ended in feet that stood firmly on the ground. “Out of my way!” He barked. Anne didn’t move. The boy raised his hands to push her just like he had done with the other first year only seconds ago.
However, Anne was faster. She had drawn her wand and pointed it at his face. “What did you say?” She asked in a calm voice. It took the boy a couple of seconds to reconsider the situation. “Nothing!” He hissed and tried to pass her. But Anne stepped on his robe to stop him. “You forgot something!” She explained. “Apologize to the other student.” Anne ordered. The boy glared at her. The tiny student tried to hide when the boy approached him. Just in front of him he stopped. “Sorry.” He whispered and turned towards Anne. He stepped closer and looked straight into her eyes. “Satisfied?” He asked with a very angry undertone. “Yes.” Anne beamed at him. “Nobody does that to Ramon Vargas.” The boy replied. Anne wasn’t at the least impressed. “You better remember that name.” He said in a cold voice and went away. “That was a close one!” Anne whispered turning to the student. “You’re a Hufflepuff, aren’t you?” She asked looking at the boy’s robe. He only nodded still terrified. “You’re alright?” She added and smiled at him. “Yeah, thanks. My name is Julian Fairchild.” They shook hands. “I’m Anne Symmons. You better keep out of his way for a while I guess.” She added before she turned away and left.
“Patience, what do you know about Ramon Vargas?” Anne asked as soon as she had returned to the common room. Patience turned towards her. “Not a lot, only that he spends some of his time with Roland Banks and Sebastian Cook.” She replied. “Roland Banks and Sebastian Cook?” “Banks is the one who’s always sitting in the first row and gives the wrong answers to any question.” “Oh, the blond one?” “Yeah, right. Aren’t too many of those.” “Yeah.” They laughed. “He stopped me after one charms’ class and told me off because I had corrected him.” Patience reported. Anne shook her head. “You’re joking!” “No, that’s the truth!” “What about Sebastian Cook?” Anne went on. Patience shrugged.
“You’re not talking about that horrible Slytherin boy, are you?” A small first year with loads of curls asked them. “All Slytherins are horrible, aren’t they?” Patience asked knowingly. “All boys are horrible.” Anne added jokingly. “You know anything about that Cook?” Patience went on. The boy wasn’t sure if it was wise to continue this conversation. The girls looked questioningly at him. He finally turned away mumbling ‘never mind’. “It’s obvious he had some kind of quarrel with Cook.” Anne observed. Patience nodded. “Only, I think he won’t tell us about it.” She sighed. “Who was that anyway?” Anne asked. “Honestly Anne, I wonder how you manage not to forget your own name. He’s in your house, he’s even one of your year!” Patience scolded her. “Right, you don’t remember his name either.” Anne replied. Patience nodded apologetically.
On the next day they had transfigurations. McGonagall watched Anne carefully. She observed her. Anne felt awkward. Her hands shook with nervousness as McGonagall knit her brow. “Professor, am I doing anything wrong?” Anne finally asked. McGonagall looked at her. “No, it’s not you or what you do, it’s your wand.” McGonagall replied and left her. Anne wondered what her wand had to do with the whole business. After the lesson McGonagall asked Anne to stay behind. “We have a meeting, the house teachers and the headmaster that is.” McGonagall informed her. Anne didn’t know why she was needed there. She followed McGonagall to Dumbledore’s office. “Ah Minerva, you brought our new student. Hello Miss Symmons.” Dumbledore greeted her kindly. “What is she doing here?” Snape snarled scanning Anne suspiciously. McGonagall ignored him. “Miss Symmons is very talented at Transfiguration. She certainly will be a useful member to her house.” Dumbledore nodded approvingly. “But she will need another wand.” McGonagall added. “What is wrong with my wand?” Anne burst out. Surprised she looked at McGonagall. “Could I have a look at your wand?” Dumbledore asked kindly. Anne swallowed. Slowly she took her wand out of her pocket and passed it to Dumbledore. He had a close look at it. “I see what you mean, Minerva.” He whispered. “May I pass it on to the other house teachers? I want their opinion.” Dumbledore looked warmly at Anne who nodded. Flitwick took the wand. Carefully he waved it – nothing happened. “What kind of wand is it? 10 inches holly and?” Flitwick listed questioningly. “Phoenix feather.” Anne added. Flitwick passed the wand to Snape who examined it.
“Where did you buy it?” McGonagall asked. “At Mr. Lavelo’s Wand Warehouse in Irration Alley.” Anne replied. “Irration Alley?” Snape repeated in disbelief. “That’s in Edinburgh.” Anne added. “I know where that is.” Snape spat at her. “What Professor Snape originally intended to ask was how did you happen to buy your wand in Irration Alley?” Dumbledore said in his friendly voice. Anne stared at him not knowing what to answer to that seemingly obvious question. “What do you mean by how did I happen to buy it there?” Anne finally managed to ask. “Did your parents take you there?” McGonagall wanted to know. Anne nodded slowly. Snape examined the wand even more carefully since he had heard where it had been bought. “You’ll get a new one, Miss Symmons. At Hogwarts we have different criteria to choose a wand for students. Your house teacher professor McGonagall will be so kind to take you to Diagon Alley this afternoon.” Dumbledore informed Anne. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know...” Anne started an apology. “It isn’t your fault, Miss Symmons.” Dumbledore assured her. “Severus will you please return the wand to its possessor.” Dumbledore asked. Snape looked at him. “I don’t think we should give it back to her, headmaster.” Snape whispered. “She legally bought it; who should have it if not her?” Dumbledore ordered rather than asked. Unwillingly Snape returned the wand.
Anne was back in Diagon Alley. It didn’t look as scary as it had when she walked around it all alone. McGonagall had put her hand on Anne’s shoulder guiding her safely along the different shops. “This is Mr. Ollivander’s wand shop.” She finally said. Together they entered. Mr. Ollivander greeted them very kindly. “One of your students I assume. A brave Gryffindor.” Mr. Ollivander gave Anne a big smile. “Let’s see which wand chooses you.” Mr. Ollivander went off to fetch a box with a 7 3/5 inches willow Veela hair wand. “Try this if you please.” Anne took the wand and waved it. A pile of boxes fell on the ground as she did so. Mr. Ollivander took away the wand. “How about this one.” Mr. Ollivander had returned with a brown box which contained an 8 inches yew unicorn hair wand. Anne touched it but it gave her a kind of electric shock. “Mmh.” Mr. Ollivander commented. He disappeared and they heard him talking to himself while he removed some piles of boxes. “I know it was here somewhere...or did I put it over there...no, no it must be with the other dragon heartstring ones... but where did I put those...I know, I know... right here...I knew it was here.” Mr. Ollivander returned. “Try this one, it won’t give you a shock – I hope.” Anne looked at Mr. Ollivander. She closed her eyes and touched the wand. She took it out of the box and waved it. Immediately a rain of tiny and fragile flowers set in. “That’s your wand: dragon heartstring ash 7 inches.” Mr. Ollivander said happily and a little relieved.
Snape had been wrong: Anne didn’t have to catch up on the learning matter. She loved to read and could easily remember what the teachers taught. Anne really enjoyed classes – all classes. She had decided to make clear that she was better than Snape thought. She was a little afraid that he might give her another detention. Sometimes she liked to think of it as a kind of competition. One week after she had arrived at Hogwarts Anne had a cunning plan. After dinner Anne went back to the common room and picked up several pieces of parchment and two pencils. And left the common room. “All right, what do we have here? ‘corridor’.” Anne said and scribbled corridor on the piece of parchment. “One, two, three, four,…” Anne counted the steps she had to make before she reached the staircase. “24!” Anne scribbled ‘24’ on her parchment. She started for the staircase. She counted the stairs as she carefully made her way down. ‘67’ Anne scribbled on the parchment. She walked to the library next. “105! That’s quite a bit!” Anne stated and scribbled ‘105’ on the piece of parchment. She made her way counting and re-counting through the castle. It happened that she passed Snape’s office still counting the number of her steps. “36, 37, 38, 39…” Snape opened the door of his office and stepped out. Anne was so busy counting that she didn’t notice Snape. Snape followed her. He overtook her and tried to make her stop. “45, 46, 47,…” Anne counted.
“What are you doing here?” Snape snapped at Anne. Anne raised her hand to indicate to him to wait. She had almost reached the next staircase. “54, 55, 56, 57!” Anne said relieved and scribbled ‘57’ on the parchment. Snape stared angrily at her. Anne knew that he wouldn’t repeat his question. “I’m looking for the shortest way.” Anne explained. “The shortest way to where to?” Snape asked half angry half irritated. “Everywhere!” Anne replied. “Everywhere?” Snape repeated in disbelief. “I don’t want to be late!” Anne added. “Why don’t you use the same ways the other students use?” Snape snapped. “Those’ll be the shortest!” “I’m not too sure about that, professor! Human beings are like sheep. If one does it all the others’ll do the same.” Anne explained. “If you think you can make fun of me, Miss Symmons…” “No, professor!” Anne interrupted Snape’s barking. “Human beings are easily manipulated.” Anne told him.
“I think you got yourself another detention.” Snape said casually. “For what?” Anne wanted to know. “It’s not forbidden to walk the corridors and count your steps. I checked that.” Anne added. “Then you’ll get it for being nosy! All this nonsense about sheep.” Snape snarled. “I tell you something. We’ll do an experiment. I roll up both my sleeves – just a little and we wait how many people do the same after one week! If you’re not convinced that human beings are sheep you’ll give me a detention.” Anne suggested. Snape stared at her. He didn’t know what to say. Finally he nodded. “But you won’t tell anyone not to roll up their sleeves, professor?” Anne asked carefully. “If you don’t tell them to do it, Miss Symmons.” Snape agreed. “I think you better continue your counting. I don’t want to be responsible if you can’t bring your scientific research to an end.” Snape said arrogantly and went back to his office. Before he entered it he turned around to look at Anne once more but she was already counting the stairs. Snape shook his head but his lips looked like they were smiling – just a little – but smiling.
After she had finished her counting Anne returned to the common room. She sat next to Charlie Weasley and began to calculate. Charlie was busy finding a new strategy for Quidditch. Late at night Charlie looked up. “Hey, what are you doing here? You should be sleeping!” Charlie told Anne. “What about you?” Anne replied. “You’re right!” Charlie stood up and went to the boys’ dormitory. “You better go to sleep!” He said to Anne. Anne took her pieces of parchments and went up to the girls’ dormitory.
When she woke up next morning she remembered the experiment. She got dressed as usual but rolled her sleeves up a little. Patience watched her. “What are you doing?” Patience asked. “Nothing, I like it better this way.” Anne informed her. Patience shook her head. The two went to the Great Hall to have breakfast after Patience had got dressed. Many students asked Anne what she had done with her sleeves. She told everybody the same as Patience. Some tried it and rolled up their sleeves. “Yeah, it’s really more comfortably this way.” Some said. Snape watched the action at the Gryffindor table his lips curled slightly. Throughout the day the latest fashion had spread. During dinner Anne couldn’t help but give Snape a triumphant smile. Instead of looking angrily back at her he bowed his head to honour Anne’s success. “Miss Symmons, you’re very intelligent it seems. Your success was overwhelming. Congratulations. No detention for you.” Snape told her outside of the Great Hall. “Thank you, professor.” Anne smiled. She wanted to turn away and follow the others to the common room but Snape called after her. “Miss Symmons!” Anne turned around again. “You showed me that it is not very wise to underestimate your abilities. I think it’s only fair to warn you not to underestimate mine!” Snape warned her and vanished.
Anne swallowed. She was scared. But if Snape wanted ‘war’ he could have it. Anne didn’t like the idea, though. She liked the idea of being kept from something by her own fears less. You’ve gone too far, Anne!” Patience shouted at Anne when she heard the story. Patience had been one of the few who hadn’t adopted the rolling up of the sleeves. “A private crusade against a teacher – Snape – I’d be scared to death if I were you!” Patience told her friend. “I’m scared – more than I ever thought I could be. I’m not a genius and I’m far from being wise but there is one thing I know for sure: Never ever let your fears take control of your life. Your fears mustn’t keep you from doing anything. If you give in once you’ve lost – you’re lost.” Anne advised her friend. “You’re crazy,” Charlie intervened. “But you’re right. Just be careful, don’t go too far. I’m not sure if you can do it – or anyone else – at least you have enough courage and pride to try it.” Charlie said. He looked unhappy. “You’ll be alone!” He added and went back to his charts and boards. “No.” Patience whispered. “You won’t be alone. I’ll be with you. You’re right. Never let fears control your life.” Patience shivered. The next potions lessons were hell. Snape demonstrated his superiority. Anne had to pay attention every second of the class.
One of the first spells the Gryffindor First Years had to learn was the levitating spell “Wingardium Leviosa“. Patience was already looking forward to that lesson. Anne had told her that she had practised the spell already at Hazelnut Forreth, and Patience herself had also tried it. Unfortunately her mother had been very angry with her when seeing that the levitated ‘object’ was Oliver. Now the two girls were sitting in Flitwick’s classroom and waiting impatiently for the lesson to begin. Flitwick climbed his usual stack of books to be seen by the class. “Good morning all of you!” he cheerfully called. The class was silent immediately. “Today we will learn one of the most basic techniques of wizardry: levitation.” Everyone grinned and imagined himself or herself making objects fly in an instant. The feathers in front of them were a mere trifle, they would deal with them in no time. It proved to be different, though. Flitwick showed them how to do the nice wrist-movement and how to pronounce the spell. Brian was the first to try it on his feather but managed nothing. Mike, his friend, grinned and cleared his throat: “Wingardium Leviosa!” he said – and the feather rolled over. Mike frowned and blew against the feather which of course made it fly – off the boys’ desk. Flitwick smiled only. “Fetch that feather, Mr. Flatley, that was not your wand but your breath making it fly.” The whole class laughed, but now everyone tried hard to make the feather fly.
Patience tried it as well, but she must have done something wrong. It didn’t work. Patience sighed. “You try it, Anne.” Anne aimed at the feather and said the spell. It worked. The feather hovered elegantly over their desk. Patience laughed and applauded her friend. Anne bowed mockingly and promptly lost aim, making the feather drop again. But Flitwick had seen her success and awarded Gryffindor 5 points. Patience, in lack of the feather, tried to levitate her pencil, Miraculously, it worked better than with the feather. Flitwick saw it and hopped down his pile of books. “Miss Wood, do be careful,” he warned. “You might hurt somebody if the pencil drops too fast. Make it glide down, that’s it, very good indeed!” By now Anne had got the taste of it. When Flitwick went away to show Nelly the wrist movement again, she whispered something into Patience’s ear. Patience giggled delightedly and nodded. Together they did the wand movement and whispered “Wingardium Leviosa!” “What is this? Let me down!” squealed a totally bewildered Professor Flitwick who had literally lost the ground under his feet. The class roared with laughter. Anne and Patience directed Flitwick over to his pile of books and made him glide down on it gently. “I should take points from Gryffindor for this, Miss Symmons and Miss Wood,” Flitwick said with an effort to stay earnest. He knew how ridiculous this must have looked, but he had enough humour to laugh about himself from time to time. Both girls now hung their heads. “But as this is such an amazing success for first year students I will overlook it. However, you also won’t receive the 50 points you might have earned if your aim had been, say, a table or a chair and not myself!”
It was certainly not in Anne’s nature to be ‘a good girl’. She didn’t do really bad things but she couldn’t resist a joke – and she certainly had a ready mind. “Miss Symmons!” McGonagall shouted after Anne, who ran very fast downstairs. She was obviously late for her next class. Anne stopped and turned to face McGonagall. “You’re not supposed to run up and down the stairs and corridors in the castle.” McGonagall informed her. “But there are no stairs and corridors to run up and down outside, professor. I’m late, excuse me.” Anne said and ran away. “You should leave earlier instead of…” McGonagall shouted after her but Anne had already gone. Anne had Herbology next. “Sorry, Professor Sprout.” Anne said when she entered the room. “Where have you been?” Patience asked. “I forgot my gloves.” Anne explained. Patience and Anne liked Herbology. Patience liked plants and Anne was happy to be allowed to talk to her friends. “I bet this one will die, as well.” Anne told Patience. “Just because all your plants have died so far that doesn’t mean that this one will die as well.” Patience said jokingly. “It’s very depressing to see all your plants die - especially those you already knew when they were little seeds.” Anne sighed. “Yeah, they grow up so fast.” Patience threw in. Both girls giggled.
“Very well, now you have to water it!” Sprout told the girls. Anne and Patience went to fetch some water. The watering-can was so heavy that both girls had to carry it. When they came back to their table Anne let go of the watering-can. “No!” Anne shouted. The watering-can hit Patience and she let it go as well. The water spilled all over the ground. Patience rubbed her leg. “What was that for?” Patience asked. “Look what that cat of yours is doing.” Anne told her and pointed towards their plant. Bethesda was very busy to digging a hole in the garden mould in the flowerpot, spreading the mould all over the table. “Stop it you stupid…” Anne shouted angrily but Patience interrupted her. “Stop shouting at Bethesda. It isn’t her fault.” Patience told her. Anne was very angry both with Patience and Bethesda. After dinner Anne went back to the common room. Patience sat next to her and Bethesda joined them. “Go away!” Anne snapped at them. “We’re sorry, Anne.” Patience said and Bethesda meowed. Anne gave a little smile. “The damn plant would have died anyway.” Anne sighed. Patience smiled. Bethesda went away.
“Patience, didn’t you tell me once you had a cousin in Ravenclaw?” Anne asked one evening, cuddled into her favourite armchair. Patience was playing with her kitten, chasing a cloth mouse around the room with her wand and letting a happy Bethesda catch it every now and then. “Yes, well, not exactly a cousin, but some relation, why?” “There’s a strange rumour going on, she might be a…” “Exchanging gossip, are we?” Brian Cullen called over. “Sure,” Anne replied coolly. “Tonks of Ravenclaw?” Brian nosily asked. “Yes,” Anne again said. “We saw it, Mike and me,” Brian boasted. “Saw what?” Patience wanted to know. “How she changed her nose!” Mike said in a mysterious voice. “Her nose?” Patience asked, giggling. “I can understand if she has changed her hair colour or something, and that made her nose look different.” “No, not her hair – well, she changed that too, remember, Brian?” Mike grinned broadly. “Where did you see it?” Patience wanted to know. “In the corridor when we were… er… we were….” Brian was at a loss what to say. “Going somewhere,” Mike rescued him. Anne and Patience exchanged an amused glance but waited for the boys to go on. “That doesn’t matter anyway,” Brian went on. “We saw a bunch of Ravenclaws waiting in the corridor, and Tonks was there, her hair was still curly and blond, but a second later she had short black hair and everyone gasped and then burst into applause. And guess what? When we passed she turned to us and had a pig’s nose!” Mike nodded fervently. “Hang on,” Patience slowly said, “that means Tonks is…” “Exactly that was what I wanted to tell you,” Anne cut across her. “Great! I need to ask her tomorrow!” Patience resolved.
She was as good as her word. Before breakfast, Patience headed for the Ravenclaw table andstopped next to her cousin who still had short black hair, but no longer a pig’s nose. “Hey, nice hairstyle,” Patience said. Tonks grinned up at her. “Yeah? I’m not quite satisfied, but I fear the more vivid colours won’t be allowed around here.” “You’ve got still 6 years to try, so don’t hurry too much or you’ll run out of colours,” Patience joked. “So it’s true, you are a metamorphmagus?” “Yep. I always knew, used to make my dad go berserk when I did it in public,” Tonks told. “I think it is cool,” Patience said, her eyes sparkling. “I wish I could do that. You know, I’m really glad you’re …” Patience trailed off. “Family?” Tonks asked. Patience nodded. “Yes, something like that. But I didn’t want to say I ‘m going to boast with our relationship, I…” “Calm down, it’s okay, it’s fine. I’m glad we’re family, too. You’re at least not as boring as the rest of the crowd!” Patience laughed. “Thanks. My brother sings a different tune.” “I’m an only child, I couldn’t tell,” Tonks thoughtfully stated. “Anyway, I have to be off to Gryffindor. See you!” Patience hurried over to her friends, and Tonks looked for a moment where she was heading, then turned to her own friends and finished her breakfast.
“'Tis too hot!” Jack Smith remarked “Daily Prophet says it’ll be the hottest week in the whole century.” Ghewyn Rhys informed them. “I’ll simply stay here if I moved I’d drop dead on the floor.” Nelly Dean complained. “Don’t moan. Do something.” Patience suggested. “That’s the first reasonable thing I heard today. ‘Let’s do something’” Anne had jumped up from the floor where she had been sitting and listening. “Now what are we supposed to do?” Brian Cullen asked. “Remember we are witches and wizards…” Anne reminded them. “…sure there must be a spell.” Patience added and got up too. “We could use some help.” Anne declared. No one moved. “You’re still on this?” Anne asked her friend. “Of course I am!” The two girls walked over to the library. On the way they met Charlie who was just returning from quidditch practice… “Gosh, it’s hot out there. What are you two up to?” He wanted to know. “We’re up to cooling down this place.” Patience informed him. “Cool idea. Need help?” Charlie asked happily. “Course we do.” “The others are just too lazy.” Charlie gave them a smile. “I’ll just shower. Where will I find you?” “Library.” “Right, see you there then.”</p> <in><p>The two girls entered the library – it was boiling in there. “We'll die before we find anything.” Patience commented. “Then we’ll take some books and look through them elsewhere.” Anne suggested. “It’s the same everywhere except the dungeons.” Patience intervened. “Exactly!” “You don’t want to go down to the dungeons. Snape will be there.” Patience reminded her. “If I can choose between that son of a bat and this heat I’ll choose the flying mammal.” Anne and Patience selected some books. “You’re melting in here.” Charlie remarked as he arrived. “That’s why we decided to go down to the dungeons.” Anne informed him. “What?” Charlie sounded very surprised. “Anne decided that.” Patience added and followed her. “Snape will just kill us when we show up there.” Charlie intervened. “Better than heat – don't look at me like that, that’s what she says.” Patience reported. Charlie rolled his eyes. Reluctantly he followed the two girls. “I don't think it is a good idea to go down to the dungeons.” Charlie tried to intervene. “‘Tis too hot outside, 'tis too hot upstairs. The Dungeons are not the bat’s own.” Anne declared. “If I have to die I am happy to die with two pretty girls such as you.” Charlie replied ironically. “Since we have to die anyway why postpone it?” Patience added. Anne turned around. “If you don’t want to go down to the dungeons why don’t you simply tell me?” Anne complained. Patience and Charlie looked at each other and turned to Anne again. "We don’t want to go down to the Dungeons.” They said with one voice. Anne sighed. “If you want to be boiled – fine.” She continued her way down to the Dungeons. “Our friend is kind of stubborn.” Charlie remarked giving Patience a smile. “We’ll be witnesses to a clash of fanatics.” Patience replied.
“Fanatics?” Charlie asked. “Yeah, each vies with the other to be the best.” Charlie gave a short a laugh. “What is it?” Patience wanted to know. “I just remembered an old movie called ‘Pat and Mike’ – you know that movie?” Patience shook her head. “Mike is the trainer. He tries to force Pat to do what he wants while she tries to force him to do what she wants. Mike says one day: ‘I don’t know if you can lick me or I can lick you but I tell you something together we can lick them all.” “What happens?” “Well, they are very successful – and they get married in the end.” Charlie reported. Patience laughed. “I think that will never happen.” Patience thought aloud. “They say: Love quarrels!” “He’s way too old, Charlie!” Patience reminded him. “Oh, Patience, one day you’ll learn that love has nothing to do with age.” Charlie watched Anne. “Don’t worry she will never fall for Snape.” Patience assured him realizing that he didn’t like the thought of Anne loving Snape at one point in the future. “I think she prefers red-haired guys.” She added smiling at him. “You’re kind of saucy. What about you? You go for dark characters?” “Actually, I prefer blondes.” “What a pity.” Charlie commented. “Where’s Anne gone?” He added looking down the corridor of the Dungeons. “You don’t think that Snape already got her?” Patience asked. “No, we would have heard him shouting.” Charlie replied. “Honestly if you were a little slower you’d go backwards.” Anne scolded them. She stood in the doorframe of the classroom. “You never get rid of a nuisance.” Patience whispered as Anne disappeared into the classroom.
“Do you want to repeat this?” A cold voice asked behind her. Patience and Charlie turned around and looked into Snape’s face. “You never get rid of a nuisance. Who could Miss Wood mean by ‘nuisance’?” Snape inquired from Charlie. “Are you coming or what – oh, hello professor.” Anne said and vanished into the classroom. “Now I can see the nuisance.” Snape whispered. “What is she doing in my classroom?” He added impatiently. “We were looking for a cool place.” Patience replied. “It’s too hot in the other rooms of the castle. We wondered if we could spend some time in the classroom.” Charlie explained. “Looks more like you wandered in the classroom. What are you up to any way?” he asked taking one of the books Patience was carrying. “‘Spells – how charming’” He read the title. “We’ll try to find a spell against this heat.” Patience explained. Snape turned around and walked over to the classroom. “If you think you can find such a spell.” He said sounding not very encouragingly. “At least we try.” Patience spat. Charlie kicked her hard. “He’ll kick us out of the Dungeons if you go on like that.” He hissed. “Anne will get us thrown out of here before you can say ‘cool off’.” Patience hissed back as they joined Anne and Snape in the classroom. Anne was already busy looking through one of the spell-books. Snape put the book next to her. Patience and Charlie took the seats next to Anne. “You better not make a mess in here.” Snape warned them. “Professor, you don’t know by any chance a spell against this heat inside of the castle?” Charlie asked. “I certainly don’t.” He replied. “We could use some help professor.” Anne told him. “That’s hardly my problem, Miss Symmons.” He snarled. “Not yet, but it will be if the other students invade the cool Dungeons.” Patience remarked casually. “Like locusts they’ll invade.” Charlie added in a whisper. “There wasn’t a stone left standing!” Anne said sadly. “All right, you won.” Snape spat and sat down next to them grabbing one of the books. For hours they searched the books until…
…“I think this one might work.” Snape said. “What kind of charm is it?” Patience wanted to know. “A temperature-decreasing charm. Snape revealed. “Who’ll perform it?” Anne asked. “You don’t think that I would let two first years and a sixth year do a spell!” Snape exclaimed indignantly. “But we are allowed to watch aren’t we?” Anne added a little offended. “When will you do it?” Patience wanted to know. “Right now.” Snape went upstairs closely followed by Charlie, Patience and Anne. Admiringly they watched the professor performing the charm. “Coolio” After a short pause Patience broke the silence. “It made no difference.” She complained. “Silly girl, of course it will take some time to cool down.” Snape scolded her. Patience sighed. “Well, then let’s go back to the Dungeons.” Anne suggested. “Yes, you’ll have to return the books to the library.” Snape spat. The three students went down to gather the books and return them immediately to the library. “Let’s go outside. We’ll sit in the shadow and have some fun.” Charlie suggested. He was the one least keen on returning to the Dungeons. “Oh yes, you can tell us everything about today’s Quidditch practice.” Patience said merrily. “I’m sorry, I’ll have to pass.” Anne remarked. “No, let’s do something that we all enjoy.” Charlie suggested. Patience nodded. “Let’s talk about you then, Charlie, which brings us nicely back to Quidditch then! I was only joking.” “I guess I would like to hear two pretty girls talk about myself, but since you have only been joking.” Charlie said in a fake sad voice. Anne blushed because she felt Charlie’s eyes resting on her. “Well, let’s get outside, we won’t have problems finding a topic to talk about once we are comfortably seated. “Let’s go to the Wishing Oaks.” Anne suggested. “That’s a great idea, we’ll go there.” Charlie ordered not waiting for Patience’s opinion. “You like the Wishing Oaks, don’t you Anne?” Charlie asked most kindly. “That’s my favourite place. They are so tall I think they touch the sky.” Anne replied dreamily.
The next day proved to be very – cold. “Girls, is it just me or are these arctic temperatures?” Charlie who wore a rainbow-colour shawl asked entering the common room. Anne had put on her gloves and Patience wore her Gryffindor shawl covering her ears. “We’re having a cold-wave.” Anne informed him. “Mind you, only inside of the castle.” Patience added. “How could that happen?” Charlie asked. Patience and Anne frowned. “Of course I know what happened but after all it was Snape who performed the spell.“ “He wants to freeze us all.” Anne observed. “And what would that be good for?” Patience wanted to know. “Well, he can make a fortune with Frozen Brits – in a couple of centuries that is.” Anne thought aloud. “It’s five o'clock, don’t you think we ought to do something about that.” Charlie cut in. “Yes, we tell Dumbledore what that son of a bat has done.” Anne suggested. The looks of Patience and Charlie advised her to add: “I was only joking.” “Better we tell Dumbledore that we are behind this and leave Snape completely out of the business.” Patience told them. Charlie nodded consent. “Well, might prove useful if he owes us something.” Anne tried to see the whole thing positively. “You dragged him into this – if I may remind you.” Patience scolded her friend. “No, no, no, it was Charlie who asked him first! And you all agreed to have him on the team.” Anne reminded them. “It really doesn’t matter now, girls. We’ll be snowmen and –women if we don’t do anything.” He intervened. The girls nodded. They left the empty common room. It was especially early in the morning and the other students and teachers were most probably still asleep. Charlie knocked at the headmaster’s door. Dumbledore opened after a few seconds he wore a nightcap and a bathrobe covered with all kinds of teddy-bears. “Hello, what can I do so very early in the morning for three Gryffindor students? Come in.” He invited them. “It’s about the heat, headmaster.” Charlie started. “Well, it seems to have cooled down over night, isn’t that most wonderful.” Dumbledore replied delightedly. “Well, magic, isn’t it.” Patience said. Dumbledore turned to her. “Do you want to tell me something, Miss Wood?” Dumbledore asked in his most kind voice. “Well, it’s kind of our fault, professor.” Patience confessed. Charlie nodded. He kicked Anne softly. “And we’re sorry we cannot reverse or stop it. We thought maybe you…” Anne didn’t have to finish her request. Dumbledore nodded. “Of course, I’m glad that you told me right away. Honesty, isn’t it wonderful!” Dumbledore replied obviously being in a good mood. “Now, you three stop worrying and go back to bed. By noon everything will be fixed.” The students were relieved. Not every teacher would have been so nice.
Breakfast was almost the same as ever the only problem was that all liquids had frozen. The butter was hard as a brick. Your fingers stuck to all metals lying around the table. “Is there anything one can eat?” Roland complained. The three students blushed a little. “You think Dumbledore can fix this?” Patience whispered. Charlie nodded. “If anyone can fix it then it is Dumbledore.” “Well, it’s nothing that concerns Snape. He sits at the table most comfortably.” Anne complained. She wasn’t right though. When Snape had woken up that morning he had felt the cold just as our three students. He had gone as fast as he could to Dumbledore. However, he didn’t confess. “Some students already told me that they have done it. Don’t worry Severus, by noon everything will be back to normal again.” Dumbledore assured the teacher. “Who told you?” He asked as if he didn’t know the only three students who could have possibly known. “That only concerns me and the students.” Dumbledore replied. So basically Snape was just as much concerned as they had been. The only difference had been that he had woken up later.
“We’ll roast marshmallows and chestnuts for breakfast.” Dumbledore suddenly suggested. The students clapped. “And we’ll have hot chocolate.” Dumbledore added happily. Hot chocolate was the headmaster’s favourite drink. “We’ll have an early Christmas as it seems.” Charlie whispered relieved. “It’s not right to think of Christmas in the middle of summer.” Patience remarked. “Why not? It’s Sunday morning for ever – and the Fourth of July, Merry Christmas and Hap…py New Year!” Anne misquoted. Patience rolled her eyes. “That’s ‘Showboat’” Anne explained. “You’re watching too many muggle movies.” Patience told her. “They’re showing those on ‘magic excursions’.” Anne defended herself. “Isn’t that the three star travel company?” Charlie asked. Anne blushed and shrugged. “You have to pay a year’s salary to get on one of those!” Charlie remarked looking at Anne. She sighed. “Where did you go to?” Charlie wanted to know. “I can’t remember, I was too little.” Anne lied. In fact it hadn’t been too long ago since she had travelled with ‘magic excursions’. She had been sent away so that her mother could take better care of her sister Glenda who would shortly join Hazelnut Forreth. She had been sent to Disneyland – well it was kind of Disneyland created for little wizards and witches. You may imagine that normal Disneyland being a lot of fun for muggle children offers little to magic folks. To prevent any use of magic the wizard children are sent to a special and magical resort. ‘Magic Dingdom’ had been and in fact still is the name of this place. Its location? Well, well, if you are a wizard or a witch you will know and if you are not you will never go there so either way I won’t have to bother to tell you. In the meantime breakfast was over. All the students rushed outside to join and enjoy the heat. Even the teachers walked around the castle grounds.
“You think he’ll take points off Gryffindor?” Anne asked concerned. Charlie shook his head. “Who, Snape or Dumbledore?” Patience wanted to know. “That son of a bat had better be quiet or I’ll tell Dumbledore who performed the spell. He had better be thankful soon.” She remarked. Of course Snape was thinking about this possibility. He was sure it wouldn’t have cost him his job but it definitely wouldn’t have been too good for his reputation. Nevertheless he decided against it. For what reasons? There were various reasons good and bad. It just seemed to be the best to be done. He was glad that he came to this conclusion because thanking and apologizing weren’t things he liked to do. He was much better at scolding and punishing. The world was almost back to normal at noon at least the food and drinks weren’t frozen any longer.
Sunday afternoon had a healthy little storm in store which cooled down the outer-world – but not to another extreme. The air was sweet and instead of running inside like the other students the two girls stayed outside enjoying the touch of the welcome drops and getting sulking wet. Those who looked out of the window on that day and there where only a few people who did that saw that the world lay in peace there. Nothing was wrong. There was no place for sadness and every creature breathed pure happiness. Like a promise of freedom the raindrops filled the earth. Those who knew what would come wished to remain in this state for ever and looking back many will see this as one of their happiest memories.
A Cat’s Fight
Although the students liked kittens, they had a natural dislike for the caretaker’s kitten, Mrs Norris. There was something so repellent about it no one asked to caress it. Bethesda, for example, was caressed and cuddled most of the time. Moreover, it was obvious Filch was almost jealous of everyone seeming to like Mrs Norris. One night Patience woke up to murderous screams from the Gryffindor Common Room. It was the price she had to pay for her bed at the door. Silently she climbed out of her four-poster bed and tiptoed downstairs. She had not even disturbed Anne. In the Common Room she saw in the dim light of the remains of the fire in the fireplace a bundle of brown and grey hair, hissing and spitting and screeching. “Will you leave my cat alone?”, Patience asked in a very authoritative tone. Mrs Norris didn’t care, but Bethesda stopped fighting for a moment. That was a bad decision! Instantly, Mrs Norris’ claws scratched once across the back of the young angora cat.
Bethesda screamed in pain and Patience lost all consideration. She caught first her kitten by the neck and put her into an armchair. Patience didn’t care for the blood dripping on the cushion. Then she did the same with Mrs Norris. But instead of putting her into an armchair she went to the door and opened it. The Fat Lady swung open sleepily. “It’s a bit late, don’t you think so?”, she asked yawning. Patience didn’t react. She was scolding Mrs Norris and calling her the worst names imaginable. Just when she was walking out into the corridor, Filch emerged from the shadows behind a pillar. He scared Patience so much she began to scream. That, of course, woke Professor McGonagall who came out of her room. “Mr Filch, Miss Wood, what is going on?”, she asked, looking at both of them. Patience still held the cat in her arms. Filch looked furious. “She has insulted and mistreated my cat”, the caretaker accused the student. “Oh no, I haven’t. Your precious cat has hurt my cat and I need to go back and take my Bethesda to Madam Pomfrey!” Patience would surely have run off if Professor McGonagall hadn’t made her stay by gripping her shoulder. “Give Mrs Norris to Mr Filch”, she demanded. Patience did so. Mrs Norris eyed her viciously out of her red eyes and hissed. Patience loved cats, but in this case she was more furious than sympathetic to that cat. Filch began again: “She called my kitten a bitch and worse and she was accusing her falsely of nearly murdering her fluffy angora kitten.” “Falsely! Come with me to the Common Room and see for yourselves!”, Patience burst out. “It is the best idea I’ve heard so far”, McGonagall agreed. Even Filch obeyed the professor’s stern stare. The Fat Lady swung open when McGonagall gave her the password. Patience hurried to the armchair where she had placed Bethesda. McGonagall gasped seeing the bloody wound on the cat’s back. “If this really was Mrs Norris, Mr Filch, you will have to keep the cat inside for the night.” “Why me and not her?”, Filch asked promptly. “Bethesda should be kept inside as well, Miss Wood”, McGonagall continued unimpressed. Patience nodded fervently. She would see to it that the bitch, Mrs Norris, would not be able to lay a claw on Bethesda again. “Take your cat to Madam Pomfrey, Miss Wood. Mr Filch will not give any notice to anyone else about all this. Be careful not to wake someone when you get back into your dormitory!” McGonagall and Filch vanished. Patience took the trembling Bethesda carefully into her arms. “My poor little kitten, what has she done to you?”, she murmured close to Bethesda’s ear. The Fat Lady swung open reluctantly.
“Are you coming back soon?”, she asked. Patience shrugged. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell, because I have to take my cat to Madam Pomfrey.” “Then hurry. I’ll stay awake to let you in again”, the portrait promised. Patience did hurry. The nurse wasn’t sleeping, which surprised Patience. “Madam Pomfrey, can you help poor Bethesda?”, Patience asked anxiously. The nurse nodded, examining the cat carefully. “Sure I can. Do you want a hot chocolate?” “Yes, please, if it is no trouble for you”, Patience politely accepted. “No problem at all, dear. Sit down and talk to your cat. I might have to call help, though.” With these words, Madam Pomfrey bustled away to fetch the chocolate. Then she said she would be back in a minute and left. Patience spoke to Bethesda soothingly, not caring what she said but keeping her tone as gentle as possible. When the door opened again, Patience almost jumped up. Madam Pomfrey was there alright, but also… “Hagrid!” Patience was relieved. Nobody knew more about animals than Hagrid – well, maybe old Professor Kettleburn, but that was not important. Hagrid bent over Bethesda. “Poor thing, has been caught badly”, he muttered. Madam Pomfrey sighed. “I feared you’d say so. Can we help her?” “Sure. I’ll jus’ ‘ave ter give ‘er a bit of ointmen’, like”, Hagrid said. Patience had listened with halted breath. “And she won’t be ill for long?”, she asked finally. Hagrid chuckled and patted her shoulder. “No, she won’t. Promise yer she’ll be runnin’ aroun’ tomorrow.” Madam Pomfrey asked for direction how to do the ointment and Hagrid told her some herbs. Patience nodded understandingly. “Camomile is against inflammation, isn’t it?” “Yes. Did you learn that in Herbology?”, Madam Pomfrey enquired. “No. I read it in a book on potions”, Patience explained. “Do you want to help me doing the ointment?”, the nurse offered. Hagrid nodded appreciatively. Patience agreed. So she and the nurse prepared the ointment and Patience was allowed to spread it on Bethesda’s back herself. “Well done, Patience”, Hagrid said. “Thank you. Thank you both”, Patience sincerely answered. “It’s okay, gal”, Hagrid grinned and left. Madam Pomfrey put a bandage around Bethesda. “See to it the bandage is clean. And now go to sleep, both of you”, the nurse smiled and saw Patience and Bethesda off. Patience managed to get into her bed as noiselessly as she had left it.
In the morning she was almost not to be roused. Anne had to shake her and shout into her ear to wake her. “What is it?”, Anne asked, laughing. Patience rubbed her eyes. “I didn’t sleep very much, because of Bethesda”, Patience yawned. “What? Did that cat make a fuss? I didn’t hear anything!”, Anne exclaimed. Then she saw the bandaged Bethesda and gasped. “What has happened?” But Patience was already on her way to the bathroom. At breakfast she told Anne in a low voice what had happened. “Hm. Isn’t it strange Filch always shows up where his cat is? And vice versa?”, Anne thought aloud. Patience shrugged. “You can find Bethesda where I am as well”, she pointed out. “Yes, but do you know when your cat needs you? Do you feel that?” “In a way, I’m sure I would”, Patience said thoughtfully. “But I see what you mean. We should watch this, shouldn’t we?” Anne agreed instantly.
Merry Christmas
The Christmas break was just about to start. Anne and Patience were very busy getting all their things packed. “I hope my family missed me.” Anne said. “I bet they did. I’ll miss you over Christmas!” Patience said. “I’ll miss you, too. Let’s send an owl every day!” Anne suggested. “Good idea!” Patience said. With this in mind it was almost easy to say good bye after the Hogwarts Express had arrived on platform 9 ¾. Patience’s family was there to pick her up. They waited with the Weasleys. Charlie helped the two girls out of the train. They hadn’t much luggage though. Charlie carried the three tiny suitcases towards the Weasleys and the Woods. The Weasleys hugged their son. Patience was hugged first by her little brother Oliver. “This is Anne.” Charlie introduced Anne. “She came from another school in November.” “Nice to meet you.” Arthur Weasley said and shook her hand. “Patience mentioned you in every letter. You’ll have to come and visit us one day.” Mrs Wood invited her. “Are your parents around here?” Charlie asked looking for somebody who looked like Anne’s relation. “Can’t see them!” Anne answered. “Don’t worry, darling. We’ll wait with you until they arrive.” Mrs Weasley assured her. “That won’t be necessary. They’ll be here any minute.” Anne replied. The Weasleys and the Woods stood there talking for a while. When they had finished Mr Weasley asked. “Anne we just talked about it. Why don’t you go with the Woods? We’ll send your parents an owl to tell them where they can find you.” “I’m sure they’ll show up.” Anne repeated. “I’ll wait for them.” The Weasleys and the Woods said good-bye and left the station. Anne sat down. “Perhaps they really forgot me!” Anne whispered. After a while Anne was the only one left on the station. She looked on the ground. “Here she is, I’ve found her, dad!” It wasn’t Glenda’s voice. Anne looked up. It was Charlie. “You’re still here? My mum wanted us to look for you!” Charlie explained in a brotherly tone. “Ah, here you are! You must be hungry! Why don’t you come with us and have something to eat. We can send your parents an owl. They might pick you up after dinner. What do you think?” Mr Weasley asked. Anne nodded. Charlie took her little suitcase and they went off to Diagon Alley. Thanks to floo powder they arrived at the Weasleys only a few minutes after they had left the station. It smelled pleasant at the Weasleys. “Ginny, boys, come and meet our guest!” Mr Weasley called. The house shivered. Anne thought it was an earthquake. Five boys and one little girl filled the room. Boys of all ages and sizes, but all with the same red hair.
“This is Ginny, those are Fred and George, our oldest Bill and Ron.” Mr Weasley told Anne. “Family, this is Anne. She’ll have dinner with us tonight. The crowd cheered. They all shook hands and they most probably would have gone on shaking hands forever if Mrs Weasley had not called for dinner. “I sent an owl to your parents.” Mr Weasley informed Anne before they entered the kitchen. The meal was marvellous. Anne had never tasted anything as delicious as that. During the meal Anne had time to look at the different Weasleys. She had already known Mr and Mrs Weasley and, of course, Charlie. Next to Anne sat Ginny. Ginny was two years old. Her red hair was in a mess. Next to Ginny sat Mrs. Weasley. Anne liked her. In her opinion she was the prototype of a good mother. Next to her sat Ron, three years old. Anne noticed that he ate only one pea at a time. Next to him sat Mr Weasley. He talked to his children. Next to him sat Fred and George or George and Fred – Anne couldn’t distinguish the two. Their faces were full of freckles. They were five years old. Next to them sat Percy. He had bat ears. He was six years old. Next to him sat Bill. He was 19 years old. Anne enjoyed this dinner. Her family ate only very seldom together and apart from that there weren’t that many of her family. When Mr Weasley asked her about the last months at Hogwarts, Anne wished that the Weasleys would adopt her. There was a knocking on the kitchen door. Mrs Weasley opened it. “Ah, you must be Anne’s father, come in.” Mrs Weasley invited him. “I’m afraid we don’t have time to stay. Anne please come quick. I wanted to thank you for taking care of my little girl. She missed sending us an owl with the date of her arrival.” Frank told the Weasleys. Anne was shocked. She had sent them four owls with the exact date and hour of her arrival. “Of course I’ll pay for your expenses.” Frank offered. “Never mind!” Mr Weasley intervened. “It was very nice to have your daughter around.” Mr Weasley gave Anne a cheering smile, which she returned. “Thank you any way.” Frank said. “Good bye!” He left the room. “Thanks for everything. Dinner was delicious. Good bye.” Anne said. “Bye, Anne.” came with nine different voices. “See you after Christmas!” Charlie added. Frank didn’t speak to Anne until they arrived at home. “There’s something to eat in the kitchen, Amy.” Frank said casually. “Anne, my name is Anne, do you want me to carry a nametag?” Anne shouted at her father. “That’s not the way to talk to your father, young lady. A name isn’t of such a big importance.” Frank lectured Anne. “Then it might not be important to pick me up at the station as well?” Anne shouted crying. “And what was all this stuff about honesty? You lied to the Weasleys. You made it look like it had been my fault. I sent you four owls, but you just forgot. I hate you all of you.” Anne shouted and ran to her room. She didn’t talk to her family at all. She only left her room to use the bathroom and fetch something to eat. Even Christmas and her Christmas presents were of no interest for her.
Back at School
On the morning Anne was supposed to go back to Hogwarts her parents found a note on her bedside locker.
…since I didn’t remind you of my departure you most probably forgot. I went to London by myself…
She felt a little bit lonely on platform 9 ¾. She hoped that Patience would show up soon. They had written to each other every day as promised. Anne was, of course, several hours too early and had to wait for a very long time until the first students showed up with their parents. It wasn’t Patience, though. The first familiar face that entered the station was Charlie Weasley. “Hi Anne.” He greeted her. “Hello Charlie.” Anne didn’t sound very happy. She was tired and she shivered because of the cold. The Hogwarts Express hadn’t arrived yet. “Give me your suitcase, we’ll look for an empty compartment.” Charlie said when the train finally had arrived. “We can share it with Patience.” Charlie added. Anne nodded. She was happy to get in the warm train. They sat down in a little compartment at the very end of the train. “I forgot. I’ve a Christmas present for you.” Charlie said and gave Anne a small parcel. “Thanks, but I don’t have anything for you.” Anne admitted and wanted to give Charlie the small parcel back. “Never mind. It didn’t cost me a fortune. Open it. I want to know if you like it.” Charlie told her. Anne unwrapped it. It was a book: ‘What makes you special – apart from your magical abilities.’ “Thanks.” Anne said. Charlie smiled at her. “Ah, here you are. I was looking for you two.” Patience entered the compartment. Charlie took her little suitcase and put it in the luggage rack next to Anne’s and his own suitcase. When they arrived at Hogwarts, Anne was almost happy again. She hadn’t had time to look through the little book, yet. Now she was too hungry not to go to have dinner with the others. The Great Hall was full of noises she had missed when she sat alone in her room at home. McGonagall came to the Gryffindor table. “May I have a word with you, Miss Symmons?” She asked in her usual tone. Anne nodded and swallowed at the same time. She stood up and left the table. Charlie turned to Patience. “What has she done?” He asked. “Nothing, not that I know of.” Patience told him. McGonagall and Anne left the Great Hall. “Your parents sent me an owl. They told me you had run away from home. They wanted to know if you are here.” McGonagall informed her. “That’s not true. I didn’t run away. I left to come to Hogwarts.” Anne told her, upset. McGonagall raised one of her eyebrows in disbelief. “Well, of course you don’t believe me. I’m just a child and that means I’m a liar as long as I don’t say what is written in a letter which was sent to you by adults.” Anne didn’t shout this time. She was very upset and tears filled her eyes. She turned without another word and went back to the Great Hall. “What happened?” Charlie asked. “Nothing.” Anne whispered. “But you’re crying. You can’t tell us that it was nothing.” Patience added. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Anne said. As she had practiced this behaviour during the break, Patience and Charlie couldn’t make her speak another word. Later that evening Anne had a little time to look through the book Charlie had given to her. He had written something on the first page: ‘This should serve you as a constant reminder!’ There were many pictures in it, different wizards and witches. Each was accompanied by a little phrase ‘You’re special because there is no one else in the world who is exactly like you.’ Anne felt a little better but at the same time guilty because she hadn’t been very nice to Patience and Charlie that evening.
Mysterious Communications
“Hey, wake up!”, hissed Anne into Patience’s ear one night. Patience opened her eyes and was instantly wide awake. “What is it?”, she whispered. “Just get up and follow me”, Anne instructed her. Patience made sure that Bethesda was fast asleep and curled up in her bed, then closed the door firmly behind her so that the cat had no chance to escape. Anne was already down in the Common Room. “I think we should watch Filch at night. In daylight it isn’t that obvious, don’t you think so?” Anne looked enquiringly at her friend. Patience nodded. “Sure, we have watched him these past weeks and nothing special has happened. I mean, you cannot take the stories seriously that Mrs Norris calls Filch to the spot where mischief is done!” Both girls giggled. Then they set out on their excursion. “What would enrage Filch the most?”, Patience asked. Anne grinned evilly. “Dung bombs”, she answered, showing her friend two of the mentioned things. Patience was delighted. This could prove to be fun – provided they weren’t caught. Then she spotted a blond head not far away. Hurriedly she dragged Anne into a niche which was conveniently near. “What?”, Anne asked in amazement. “There’s Banks”, Patience hissed. Indeed he was there. There was no reason why he should be walking around the castle at night, but, to be honest, there was none for Patience and Anne as well. The two girls decided in a whispered conversation to follow the Slytherin. They walked as far as the cloister, which lead to the library. “This is the very moment”, Anne said, grinning, and let go off one of her dung bombs. It exploded instantly. The smell was disgusting. Patience held her nose and shivered in the cold. Roland turned and screamed something about who was there. The girls hurried off behind a statue. Yes, there was Mrs Norris. Patience gritted her teeth. She would dearly love to kick that animal for once. Anne put a hand on her wrist to stop her from any movement at all. Mrs Norris sat there, eyeing Roland with malicious delight, and seemed to wait. And sure enough, only some moments later Filch appeared – right next to the statue behind which the two girls ducked. Anne quickly stifled her cry of surprise.
So there were secret passages in the castle – not that she hadn’t thought of it, but now it was confirmed. “Thanks, my dear”, Filch cooed – if that man could produce something like a coo. Mrs Norris got up and strolled around her master’s legs. “So you think it funny to sneak out at night dropping dung bombs, boy?”, Filch asked the totally stunned Banks. “Pretty stupid not to have run away”, Patience commented mercilessly. Filch turned and stared into their direction, but not even Mrs Norris had reacted. Anne scowled at Patience. “Come with me!”, Filch ordered. Banks, not even trying to defend himself, trod off behind the caretaker, followed by Mrs Norris like a watchful police sergeant. Anne counted silently to fifty, then the two girls sneaked out of their hiding place and followed the little procession to Filch’s office. They tried to look through the keyhole, but the light was too dim to make anything out. They could listen perfectly, though. Filch was lecturing Banks for the use of a dung bomb, and at last the blond Slytherin had found his speech again. “I haven’t dropped it, I swear, it must have been someone else!”, he protested. Filch coughed. “My cat has found nobody except you there, Mr Banks, and that means you are the culprit, doesn’t it?” “No. There must have been other students around”, Banks tried again. “Mrs Norris would have given me notice of any other student lurking around where he or she should not be”, Filch calmly answered. The scratching of a quill on parchment told the eavesdroppers that Filch was writing a note. “Detention for Banks!”, Anne whispered delighted. Patience smiled only. The sound of Filch walking towards the door brought the girls quickly up and running away. They hid this time behind the banister. Banks looked totally crushed. “I wonder why he was out?”, Patience wondered lowly. Anne shrugged. “Maybe wanting to have some time with no one calling him a pea-brain”, she suggested. Tired, but satisfied with themselves, the Gryffindor girls went into their beds, undetected by either Filch or his cat.
In the morning, they discussed the matter again. Anne decided to ask Banks. “I see you have had a note by Filch”, she said coldly after Potions. Banks blushed. “What would that be to you?”, he asked. “I wonder why”, Anne said bluntly. Patience giggled, which caused Banks to stare at her in disgust. “I was on my way to the library”, Banks explained curtly and wanted to go. Quickly, Patience and Anne made it impossible for him to pass them in the corridor. “Tut, tut, and what did you want to do in the library at night?”, Patience mocked him, imitating Snape. Anne applauded her. Patience grinned. Roland sighed. “I wanted to meet someone, and that is all nosy Gryffindors will know!” He brushed past the girls, knocking Patience into the wall. She didn’t care, though. The information was much too interesting to be angry with Banks – well, too angry with Banks. “So he wanted to meet someone there. Curious. Very curious”, Patience almost sang. Anne laughed. “Maybe that son of a bat is establishing a secret club”, she suggested. Patience gave it a thought, then denied the possibility: “He’s not of the sociable kind, you know. But maybe some Slytherins have formed a kind of club. Maybe the older ones initiate the younger ones in a way.” That was possible, Anne had to admit. “And Mrs Norris and Filch have a secret communication. That’s funny as well”, she added. Patience grinned. “So many secrets to uncover! I hope the time will be enough for all of that!”
The thought of Slytherins meeting up prevailed in the minds of Anne and Patience. “How can we possibly find out? If it’s meant to be secret, they surely don’t want us lurking around”, Anne said, ruffling her hair. Patience gnawed her under lip thoughtfully. Suddenly she jumped up, making Bethesda fall to the ground so that the cat spat at her and walked across the room to Charlie Weasley. Anne watched her in amazement. “Charlie, do you know some Slytherin better?”, Patience asked the older boy. Charlie, caught in mid-talk with a fellow Gryffindor stopped and stared at her. “I happen to know some, yes. Why?”, he asked. “Because Anne and me want to know something about them”, Patience said evasively. The other Gryffindor understood. “I’ll leave you. We’ll talk later, Charlie!” “Thanks”, Patience beamed at him. Charlie got up and followed Patience over to where Anne sat. “What is it, then?”, he asked, sounding a bit unnerved. “They meet secretly, and we want to know to what purpose”, Patience informed him. Anne nodded fervently. Charlie grinned. “You’re sure you want to know? I mean, they’re Slytherins, it could be nasty!” “Doesn’t matter. We need to know”, Anne insisted. Charlie nodded. “Then I’ll ask someone I know. I’ll tell you as soon as I know!” Both Anne and Patience knew they had to content themselves with that promise.
Logic, Human Behaviour and a Bet
One day Snape caught Anne. “Well, Miss Symmons, Miss Wood, this doesn’t look like the potion I asked you to brew.” Snape snapped at the two. “It looks like the potions of the other students, professor.” Patience informed him. “Well, Miss Wood, your friend favours the theory that it hasn’t to be right just because everybody does it. Isn’t that correct, Miss Symmons?” Snape snarled. “Yes. I guess you’ll present the theory that students are stupid next, but before you do this, may I introduce to you another theory – not my own though, I’m afraid?” Anne asked. Snape nodded. Anne took a deep breath. “If all the students do it wrong it might be the fault of the teacher.” Anne suggested. Snape’s lips curled. “You tell us about your theory now, professor.” Anne added quickly. “My theory is that you are the stupidest students I ever taught.” Snape snarled. The end of the lesson saved their lives. “There was something wrong with the recipe.” Anne told Patience. “You think he gave us a wrong recipe to make us look stupid?” Patience asked. “I don’t think he did it on purpose. That’s not his style. Where does he get all his recipes from?” Anne asked. “I think he has books in his office. He prepares the lessons there.” Patience informed her friend. “Then we better check it out and compare it with the same recipe in another book.” Anne said casually. “Are you mad?” Patience asked shocked. “You don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to, though it would be certainly easier with you.” Anne said. “They might expel us! Breaking into the office of a teacher. We won’t get in there any way.” Patience suggested. Anne remained silent. Anne felt a little guilty because she had already gone to see which spells Snape had put on his office – just in case she needed to get in there some day. She knew very well that she could get in there without any difficulties. “Does that mean you’re joining me tonight?” Anne asked carefully. “I told you before: you’re not alone!” Patience reminded her. The two girls smiled. After dinner that night Anne and Patience hid near Snape’s office to make sure that he wasn’t in there when they broke in. They had made up their beds as if they were lying in them so that everybody in the dormitory thought they were fast asleep. “He’s leaving.” Patience whispered. Patience and Anne stopped breathing. Anne followed Snape. “It’s all right he went to his private rooms.” Anne whispered when she came back. They approached the door and Anne opened it with four waves of her wand and some spells. Anne sneaked into the room. Patience went into the room, as well, but one eye and one ear observed the corridor. “It must be this one ‘1000 and 1 recipes for potions’.” Anne whispered. “There it is. It’s exactly the same as Snape has written on the board.” Anne took a pencil and wrote down the title and the author of the book. “Tomorrow we’ll check it in the library.” Anne informed Patience. “Hurry up. Anne, I think I hear footsteps.” Patience whispered. Anne put back the book, took the parchment and the pencil. “Okay, we better hurry now. I can hear footsteps, as well.” Anne whispered.
It took her another four waves of her wand and some spells to close the door again. The two girls hurried away, but the footsteps kept following them. “There’s no way escaping them.” Anne hissed. “The best defence is attack!” Patience whispered back. “Do as I tell you and play along and don’t laugh!” Patience told her friend. “Pretend that you’re sleep-walking!” Anne stretched out her arms and pretended to be walking while sleeping. “Where do we go to?” Anne whispered. “Back to the dormitories!” Patience hissed. “Whose dormitories?” Anne joked. Patience gave her a furious look. Anne started for Gryffindor tower. Patience followed her. The footsteps came closer. It was Preston. “What are you doing out here?” Preston barked. “I’ll give you a detention.” “Shh.” Patience said. “Anne is sleep-walking.” Patience reported. “Really?” Preston asked. Anne continued her way to the tower. Preston pulled faces at her. Patience prayed that Anne would remain silent. Anne didn’t move a single muscle in her face. “Where did she go to?” Preston wanted to know. “Nowhere in particular. She went down turned around and headed back.” Patience lied. “Well, we better make sure that she’ll arrive at Gryffindor tower safely.” Preston and Patience followed Anne to the fat lady. Anne wasn’t sure if she had to say the password. Patience said it just before Anne could open her mouth. “Lino Leum” The door swung open and Anne entered the common room. Patience followed her and closed the door before Preston could say another word. Anne went to the dormitory, got undressed and lay down. Patience followed her and did the same. Ten minutes later she heard Anne’s whisper. “That was a brilliant idea!” “Thanks” Patience whispered. The next morning brought business as usual – except for Patience’s and Anne’s library research. After dinner the two discussed what they had found. “According to the recipes I found ‘1000 and 1 recipes for potions’ is wrong.” Patience reported. “That’s the same I’ve found out.” Anne admitted. “They mixed up two ingredients and their quantities.” Anne added. Patience nodded. “What do we do now?” Patience asked. “We can’t go and tell Snape.” Patience reminded her. “No, we can’t, but we can inform the press.” Anne suggested. “They’re not interested in printing errors!” Patience said. “As long as it is no matter of life and death…” Patience interrupted Anne’s thoughts. “You can’t prove that!” “I don’t have to prove it. An anonymous will do the trick!” Anne intervened. Patience shook her head. But together they sat down and came up with this little lie:
Please help. I poisoned my whole family. I bought ‘1000 and 1 recipes for potions’ and tried one of the recipes. My family felt bad, went pale, and died. Actually, I feel very sick right now myself. Please warn the public that there is something wrong with certain recipes in ‘1000 and 1 recipe for potions’. You can’t help me any more, but I’ll die in peace if I know that you’ll take care of it.
Patience and Anne sent one of the school owls to the Daily Prophet. The two tried to behave as innocently as possible once the article had been published. Snape’s furious face told them that he had read the article. “Do we tell him that he had given us the wrong recipe?” Patience asked. “No. He knows it already.” Anne told her. It was enough for her to know that Snape knew she had been right.
A Test of Courage
“Why do we have to go to the library now? Don’t you think our potion’s essay can wait for another day or are you so keen on detentions that you need to get one tonight for being out on the corridors after hours?” Anne whispered to her friend Patience. “If you stop complaining we might be able to reach the library undetected.” Patience whispered in reply. Anne rolled her eyes but kept quiet – for five seconds. She grabbed Patience’s arm and stopped her.
“Look who’s there!” She whispered. Patience’s eyes followed Anne’s gaze and fell on two other students who were out on the corridor. “If you’re a ninny you won’t have to do it, but if you’re a ninny, you will never be my friend.” “I’m not a ninny…did you hear that?” Patience and Anne hid behind a statue. The tiny blond boy had turned around and might have caught them but he didn’t. “Who knows, it might have been the big book worm waiting impatiently for his next meal and striving through the corridors in search of his next victim.” The other boy a rather dark haired one mused.
“Big book worm?” Anne mouthed and shook her head. The two boys walked on. “What do you say, I’d rather get a detention for doing something really naughty!” Anne whispered. Patience grinned and nodded. “I think it is about high time the big book worm comes out of its hiding.” She decided. They hurried back to Gryffindor tower to fetch a linen. Out of it they folded a big worm, attached two eyes to its head and painted a huge mouth. They put the big book worm into a bag and hurried straight to the library.
“Shh!” Patience said. The two boys were still standing in front of the library door. “Sebastian wasn’t even half as scared as you are!” The dark haired boy said. “Yes, and why isn’t he here tonight?” The blond one wanted to know. “Well, I will need a friend if somebody close to me gets eaten by the big book worm tonight…” The blond boy shivered. He turned left and right. “I think I can hear a teacher coming. We should go back to Slytherin tower.” He set forth. “Why didn’t you say that you don’t want to be my friend. We could have spared ourselves this and had had enough sleep tonight.” The boy snapped.
“Isn’t that that Vargas guy?” Anne whispered almost inaudibly. Patience nodded. The two had finally entered the library and Patience and Anne could follow them. They had agreed that Patience would carry and act the head of the big book warm while Anne would take care of its tail. On entering the library Patience started making hissing noises while Anne scratched with her shoes over the floor as if something was moving on the ground.
“Can you hear that?” The blond boy whispered turning anxiously around. “Yes, I think that is you wetting yourself. Go ahead, once to the restricted section and back here. I will be waiting for you!” Vargas promised. “Why aren’t you coming with me, Ramon?” The boy wanted to know. “And why did I come at all, Banks?” Vargas turned to leave. “No, wait, I’ll do it!” The boy promised. “Good, Roland, very good.” Vargas replied.
“Restricted section!” Patience whispered and the two girls hurried ahead to give Banks a welcome he would never forget. The two hid behind a shelf pacing up and down until the boy arrived. It took him a horrible long time so that Patience and Anne almost believed he had turned around with fear before even though they had not yet scared him. He finally walked along. Patience hissed even more evilly than before and Anne tried to sound like a very impatient and hungry big book worm moving.
A big white head with an even bigger mouth was all Banks could make out before he turned and ran at full speed back to Vargas – screaming. “IT’S HERE, IT’S HERE. I’VE SEEN IT. IT’S AFTER ME. RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!” He passed Vargas and ran out of the library. Shortly before running into Vargas the two girls slowed down. Patience hissed better than before and Anne produced a very scary sort of crawling sound. The head of the big book worm popped up behind one of the shelves. Vargas turned to face it.
“Oh, very funny, Sebastian. The ninny has gone. You can stop your game now.” But the big book worm did not stop. Slowly and dangerously it approached the young boy who drew backwards. “That’s not funny. It was just about scaring Banks…” “Students have nothing to find during the night in the library! Where is Mr. Vargas?” They could hear professor McGonagall’s voice. Vargas turned around and ran shouting for the teacher.
Patience and Anne set of in the other direction stopping only in front of the door for the restricted section. “Maybe it is open.” Anne whispered and tried. The door opened easily and Patience and Anne hid inside. Professor McGonagall walked up and down the shelves. “If there is anybody here he or she better comes out or I will have him or her personally expelled.” She announced before concluding. “Well, obviously there is no one else here.” She looked at the two Slytherin students.
“But we have seen it. It was big and scary and hungry!” Banks tried to convince the professor. It didn’t help. Professor McGonagall took the two students to her office where she surely gave them a nice detention. Patience and Anne waited in their hiding before they dared to walk around the library. “When we are here anyway, I can just as well get the information I need to finish my essay.” As Patience put it.
When they returned to their common room they had to grin. “You know, tonight was a rather successful evening. We found what you were looking for and we scared two Slytherin students, maybe we should sneak out to the library more often…” Anne suggested. Patience nodded. “Only I fear after the story of the big hungry book worm has passed the houses, no one will dare to go there at night again…”
Quidditch
Professor McGonagall had to make an announcement the next morning at breakfast. “For the next Quidditch match we will need someone to do the commentary.” Charlie Weasley sighed. “That’s bad, the last one we had was an extremely nervous Ravenclaw who made a mess of everything. We played against Hufflepuff and he had to be taught the rules five minutes before the game started!” Patience looked shocked. “What! Someone who doesn’t know the rules!”, she exclaimed. Anne giggled. “Why don’t you do the commentary? I mean, you are so much of a fan…” It was intended as a joke, but Patience got up and walked straight over to the teacher’s table. McGonagall listened to her and seemed to be pleased. She nodded and said something only Patience could hear. But when she came back to the Gryffindor table she glowed with excitement. “Professor McGonagall said I should do a commentary the next Quidditch training. If I’m good, I’ll have the job!” Anne couldn’t believe her ears. “You didn’t ask her?” “Of course. Oh, wow, that’ll be fun, really.” “Quidditch. I never quite understood what is so exciting about that game”, Anne mused. This was exactly the wrong thing to say. Both Patience and Charlie began to talk about Quidditch and defending it against any critique Anne might come off with. Anne put her hands over her ears. “Stop it, both of you! It’s okay, I understand. If you don’t mind, I’ll join you in the training”, Anne cried. Patience looked pleased.
It was icy outside when the training began. Anne wondered how anyone could like being up so early in the cold and to fly, which must have made the players even colder. “Anne, you do know the rules, don’t you?”, Patience asked. Anne grinned. “Wait, there’s the egg, has to be thrown into a frying pan, and there’s two hedgehogs flying through the air, nasty when you’re hit, and there’s a golden coin of leprechaun gold.” “Yeah, that’s pretty much it”, Patience giggled. The team and Professor McGonagall were already at the pitch. “To be heard, you have to take your wand, point it to your throat and say Sonorus”, McGonagall instructed Patience who tried it at once. “Did it work?”, she asked curiously. The team began to laugh. “It worked”, McGonagall assured her, smiling a little. Patience climbed up the stand to have a better view. Then she began. “That’s keeper Alastair brown dodging off a bludger, where are the beaters? Oh, there they are. Hugh Nolan makes the bludger leave brown and sends it towards chaser Mary Bell. Chaser Tim O’Flaherty has the quaffel and he scores!” Patience screamed as loud as she could. Charlie Weasley, at the time unemployed because the golden snitch was nowhere to be seen dived down to talk to her. “Don’t scream so loud, we’ll be deaf when we’re finished”, he said jokingly. Patience didn’t care but cried. “And what is this? Totally occupied by talking to the audience, seeker Weasley misses the golden snitch.” Charlie turned in panic and Patience smiled at him. It had been a joke. “Not bad, Helena!”, he called over and went up to the higher regions again. “Not bad”, was also McGonagall’s decision after the training had ended. “You may comment the match Saturday.” Patience hugged Anne excitedly. What would her parents say, she, in her first year, commenting Quidditch? And Oliver! He already loved flying on his toy broomstick chasing bees and flies. Mrs Wood had often to heal Oliver’s hands for he had caught bees as if they were balls and they had stuck him. When Patience told that to Anne, her friend turned her eyes upwards. “Oh dear, this family seems to live only for Quidditch!”
Saturday morning Patience wasn’t as excited and glad as she had been some days before. Anne told her she should eat something, but Patience refused. “I can’t. I‘m so nervous.” Anne sighed. “That’s ridiculous. Look at the team they’re going to play. You simply have to tell the crowd what is happening.” “What if I cannot see who’s playing?” “Gracious God, Patience! They wear differently coloured robes! You can distinguish green and red, can’t you?” “Yes, I’m not colour-blind”, Patience said irritably. They went together over to the pitch, but Anne went to the Gryffindor stand while Patience climbed up to the teacher’s stand. It didn’t help much to see Preston, who shook his head sadly, murmuring something about her being much too young for the job. Snape’s face, rigid and stern, over a green and white striped scarf, wasn’t encouraging either. Gryffindor versus Slytherin, and she should comment it! Patience’s legs trembled considerably. McGonagall led her to her seat. “Good luck”, she wished. Patience took a deep breath and made her voice sound over the whole of the Quidditch pitch.
“And here are the teams!”, she shouted when the red and green players flew out of their stands. “Gryffindor led by captain Charlie Weasley and Slytherin led by Constance Drag.” The referee, Madam Hooch, made the captains shake hands. “And off they go!”, Patience announced. Now that the match had begun she felt a bit more on safe ground. This was, after all, only Quidditch. When she had watched matches with her father or listened to the commentaries on the radio, she herself had commented as well. So it was nothing new to her. “Slytherin in possession of the quaffel. That’s Gryffindor chaser Mary Bell – oh, wow, what a move, she’s got the quaffel and – SCORE!”, Patience yelled. The cheers from Gryffindor were overwhelming. “Now this is Slytherin beater Brian Lacey driving a bludger towards Gryffindor captain Weasley. Oh no, it almost hit him! What is this?!” The crowd watched in agitation. “The golden snitch!” Even that whisper of Patience’s was caught by every ear. “This is Slytherin seeker Greg Myers going near the snitch, oh no, he’s almost got it, no he failed, we’re lucky!” McGonagall growled: “Miss Wood!” Patience had completely forgotten she was not watching the game as a Gryffindor but as an objective viewer. “And that’s Charlie Weasley diving for the snitch, passing Greg Myers, and – no, the snitch’s disappeared. There’s a bludger coming towards Weasley, but beater Hugh Nolan saw it and drew it to Lacey, very well, hit him hard.”
“Miss Wood!!!” “Sorry. Now, there’s the snitch again. Weasley and Myers both go after it, now who’ll be faster? There’s the sign! Weasley!!! He’s got the snitch! Gryffindor won without Slytherin even scoring once!” Patience jumped up and down yelling the result over and over again. McGonagall mercifully made her voice normal again. Snape was rubbing his ears, for Patience, in her excitement, had turned to the teachers, still screaming “We’ve won!!!!” The Slytherin house teacher looked very angry. “Nice performance, Miss Wood”, he snarled sounding disgusted. Nothing could destroy Patience’s joy that day. “Professor McGonagall, may I go down into the pitch? Please!” McGonagall allowed her to go. Patience almost fell down the stairs to the pitch. “We’ve won!”, she shouted and embraced Mary Bell. “You’ve done a great job”, the chaser told her. “Yeah, you were wonderful!”, Hugh Nolan added, patting her head as if she were a doll. “Now that’s my girl!”, shouted Charlie Weasley. “You were great, little one!” As Patience was small enough to be taken up easily, he put her on his shoulders when the Gryffindor team left the pitch. Anne couldn’t help laughing at the sight. She awaited the team and Patience in the stand. “That really was a nice game”, she said. “Though I do not quite understand what all of you are so excited about. I mean, it was so short!” But, being reproached by the whole team, she joined in the celebration at last.
Transfiguration Practise
Patience and Anne had a natural talent for transfiguration. “If I have to transfigure another boxful of matches into needles and back tomorrow, I’ll go crazy.” Anne sighed. “Yeah it’s getting boring. We should ask Professor McGonagall if we are allowed to transfigure something else for a change!” Patience suggested. “She’ll never let us transfigure something else. We have to be thankful to be allowed to transfigure the needles back to matches.” Anne remarked. “You’re right. Funny, I’d like to know if we could transfigure something else.” Patience said thoughtfully. “We could try it with that cat of yours!” Anne joked. Patience gave her an angry look. “We should try it with something small. A pencil for example.” Patience reminded her friend. “Fine and what would you transfigure it into?” Anne asked and grabbed a pencil. She held it up and examined it carefully. “Something with teeth would be nice.” Anne thought aloud. Patience threw a cushion at her. “What, have you never heard of creativity?” Anne asked. “We can’t transfigure it into an animal yet!” Patience said reproachfully. “We could make it another needle.” Patience suggested. “You obviously haven’t heard of creativity yet.” Anne remarked. “Wait a minute!” Anne said and jumped out of her chair. “That’s it. It’s brilliant. I wished I had thought of it!” Anne was impressed. Patience looked irritated. “What are you talking about?” She asked carefully. “Your plan. It’s wonderful. You’re a genius!” Anne replied euphorically. “And my plan was...?” Patience asked even more carefully.
“You’re an old jester, Patience. You want me to repeat it, all right. We transfigure other things into needles and make it look like an accident of the others who try to transfigure their matches, but accidentally transfigure a pencil...” Anne held up the pencil. “or other stuff on their tables.” Anne explained. “Let’s try and see if we can transfigure this pencil!” Anne suggested and laid the pencil on the table. “You first, Patience!” Patience tried, but nothing happened. “No, I can’t do it.” Patience admitted. “It’s your turn, Anne.” Anne tried, but nothing happened. I think we’ll have to practice this a little longer. “Hey girls, what are you doing here?” Charlie asked kindly. “Just practicing.” Patience said casually. “Want to make the pencil fly?” Charlie asked interestedly. “No. We want to transfigure it into a needle.” Anne explained. “Oh, then it’s for McGonagall. First time I’ve heard she let’s first-years do anything else than transfigure matches into needles.” He informed them. Anne felt guilty. Suddenly the pencil moved. “Look what it’s doing!” Patience shouted. It had been her turn and she was very excited what might happen to the pencil. Patience’s and Anne’s eyes followed the pencil. It rolled to the edge of the table, passed it, fell off and stopped on the ground. ‘Pling-ling’. Patience and Anne knelt on the ground still watching the pencil, but nothing happened. “Great, you made it fall off the table.” Anne remarked disappointedly and grabbed the pencil. Charlie laughed. “Those two are meant for each other!” Patience and Anne practiced for one week. “At last!” Patience sighed. “I thought we’d never make it!” Anne confessed. “We’ll have fun tomorrow in Transfiguration!” Patience grinned. “Yeah, what will McGonagall say?” Anne added.
The next morning they had Transfiguration first. Anne sat next to Patience. “Ready?” Patience asked. “Ready!” Anne answered. Gryffindor had Transfiguration together with the Hufflepuffs. “See John King over there?” Patience whispered. Anne nodded and looked at John King’s pencil. Patience took her wand, waved it and murmured the spell. John King stared at his pencil, which had turned into a needle. “Ah, Professor McGonagall?” John said scared. Professor McGonagall looked at the needle. “Good you finally made it!” McGonagall praised him. “Er – but that isn’t the match, that’s my pencil!” John confessed. McGonagall retransfigured it. “I think you’ll just have to try it again.” McGonagall said in her usual voice and left him. Anne and Patience transfigured John’s pencil three more times. “You better put away your pencil!” McGonagall told him after she had retransfigured it for the fourth time. John put the pencil in his bag. Patience and Anne looked at each other and nodded. Patience took her wand, waved it and performed another transfiguration spell. “What do we have next?” Anne asked after Transfiguration. “Flying!” Patience said. “Oh no, I always get sea-sick on my broomstick.” “But you’re not a bad flyer!” Patience assured her. Madam Hooch waited for the two girls outside of the castle. “You’re last!” She told them. “Now, everybody sit on your broom and fly!” Madam Hooch ordered. Twenty students shouted ‘Up!’. Anne sighed and sat on her broomstick. Patience was already flying around. She loved nothing more than flying – apart from Quidditch perhaps.
The next day the two girls had Defence against the Dark Arts – with the Slytherins. Preston was in a bad mood. Patience had a bad day as well. “This Roland Banks is driving me crazy!” Patience whispered. “Another one of his stupid comments and I’ll kill him with my own hands.” She added. “You know, we could transfigure his pencil!” Anne said casually. This was extremely funny because Roland held his pencil in his hands and regularly he put it in his mouth. Patience grinned. Then she looked to Preston. “We can’t, he’ll see us.” Patience sighed. At exactly the same moment Hengist Alret fell from his chair. Everybody turned around. Preston went towards him and helped him to stand up. Anne waved her wand and performed the transfiguration. Roland was so busy grinning at the stupid behaviour of Hengist that he didn’t realize that his pencil had turned into a needle. “Funny, students simply fall off their chairs.” Patience remarked. Anne nudged her and pointed in Roland’s direction. Patience grinned evilly as Roland moved his pencil – now being a needle - towards his open mouth. It looked like slow motion.
“AAH!” Roland cried. He had pierced his lip with the needle. Preston let Hengist fall on the ground again and ran towards Roland. Patience and Anne couldn’t help laughing. “If you think that was funny than a detention will make you go crazy with laughter. You’ll dust the books in the library!” Preston barked at them. Anne and Patience had stopped laughing, but they were still grinning. “As Mr Alret seems to need sleep, Mr Banks tries to commit hara-kiri, and we’re only around to amuse Miss Symmons and Miss Wood, we’ll call it a day for today. Class dismissed.” Preston said angrily as he led Roland up to the hospital wing. Anne and Patience went up to the common room. Anne fetched a piece of parchment. “What are you doing?” Patience asked. Bethesda lay in her lap and wanted to be caressed. “I’ll just update my statistics – my detentions you know.” Anne explained. “Well how many did you get so far?” Patience wanted to know. “With the one Preston just gave me, it’s a total of fifteen.” Anne replied. “Wow, that’s quite a bit!” Patience told her. “That’s nothing compared to the list with the detentions I didn’t get!” Anne informed her proudly. “What do you mean ‘detentions you didn’t get’?” Patience wanted to know. “When I did something against the rules and wasn’t caught.” Anne explained. “You keep a list about those?” Patience said laughingly. “Just in my head!” Anne added. “Somebody might find it that would really be fatal for me!” Anne thought aloud.
Looking for Filch
“I asked Constance Drag”, Charlie whispered one evening into Anne’s ear. The girl looked up from her homework. “What did she say?”, she asked eagerly. “Where’s Patience?”, Charlie asked instead of answering. “She’s hurried to the library because she was due to give back a book and wanted to keep it to the last minute”, Anne explained. “We should wait for her, shouldn’t we?”, Charlie asked, making himself comfortable and opening a book on the table. Anne sighed and bent over her parchment again. “What are you writing?”, Charlie asked, flipping over pages. “I have to write an essay on ancient broomsticks for Binns”, Anne sighed. “broomsticks. Great. I can tell you which broomstick I’d love to have”, Charlie said dreamily. Anne snorted. “Shut up, Quidditch-fanatic!” Charlie grinned only, not in the least offended. The door-hole opened and Patience came in. “Did Madam Pince scold you?”, Anne asked compassionately. Patience laughed. “She didn’t. I was perfectly in time. I still had ten minutes!” The others laughed at that as well. “Charlie has found out something”, Anne told her friend. “Really? What is it, then?”, Patience asked, dragging her feet under her and calling her cat by slapping the chair softly. Bethesda jumped on her lap and Patience began to caress the cat. Charlie smiled at the picture, but was called back by an impatient cough of Anne’s.
“Yes, well, Constance Drag told me that the older students of Slytherin House call the young ones, each at a time, into the library and show them the book concerned with the history of their house.” “What is that for?”, Patience asked when Charlie stopped. “Why don’t we do that?”, Anne enquired promptly. “Because it’s nonsense”, Charlie retorted. “They have to swear to work for Slytherin. They have to swear to live up to the model Slytherins.” Patience giggled only, but Anne was furious. “What? They have to swear? And we just do it, we just are Gryffindors, and we are true to our house even without having sworn!”, she exploded. Charlie only shrugged. “Would you like it better to be sworn to be a good Gryffindor?”, he asked. “Of course not”, Anne instantly said. “Then why don’t you let them do their hocus-pocus? It does nobody harm, does it?”, Charlie pointed out. Anne nodded, but her eyes still glowed dangerously. Charlie did not remark on that and left the girls. Patience, though, had seen the signs of upcoming danger. “What are you going to do?” “Two things”, Anne replied, bending over to be able to whisper. “First, I want to attend a Slytherin meeting, and second, I want to attract Filch’s notice to this. And then I want to kidnap Mrs Norris to find out how she communicates with Filch!” “If you consent to leaving the last part out, I’m with you”, Patience promised. Anne considered that. “Okay. I’ll leave the cat alone. Tonight?” “Sure”, Patience said. They smiled at each other and started work again as if nothing had happened.
It proved to be difficult to spy on the Slytherins at night. First, all Gryffindors seemed to have conspired to stay up especially long. After having finished their homework, Anne offered Patience to play Wizard’s Chess with her. Patience accepted, not knowing to what she had consented. Anne was a marvellous player. Patience had never been much of a chess player. She had excelled on the broomstick far more than at the kitchen table. Anne, who hated flying, was a general of the brand of Wellington on the chessboard. Patience’s chessmen, desperately screaming advice, had no chance. Patience was simply not able to defend her men against Anne’s cunning moves. The game was over fairly quickly. “You’re not the best opponent I ever had”, Anne grinned. Patience only smiled: “I know.” It didn’t bother her in the least if she lost or if she won – not at Wizard’s Chess. Quidditch was different, of course. The problem was how to spend the rest of the time. Their plan was fixed. It was not wise going over it again – someone might listen to their conversation. “What about Exploding Snap?”, Patience asked, her eyes beginning to get heavy and tired. Bethesda was asleep on her lap. “No”, Anne declined. “it might make the others awake again. Why not read something?” “Read? Hm. I’ve got a book on vampires upstairs. That should keep me awake”, Patience thought aloud, took Bethesda up and walked into the dormitory. Anne stayed and watched the boys at the fire. Hengist Alret looked a little forlorn, as he always did. When Patience came back with her book, but without her cat, Anne remarked: “See the boys there? Hengist doesn’t seem very comfortable!” Patience looked at the group obediently. “Well, let them do what they want”, she said disinterestedly. She opened her book and began reading. Anne grinned and did the same with her book on physics.
“Is this interesting?”, Charlie interrupted the girls. Patience stifled a scream quickly. Being roused so surprisingly from a book on vampires isn’t pleasant at all, especially not for someone with a vivid imagination. “Yes”, Anne answered, showing him the title of the book. “Oh. Well, I’d rather read what Patience reads there. Have fun, but don’t go to bed too late”, he told them and walked upstairs himself. Patience and Anne grinned at each other. One after the other, the Gryffindors went upstairs. Some called Good night, others walked past without taking notice. And finally, not far from midnight, the two girls were alone. That was when Anne got up, waited a few seconds to listen if someone was coming downstairs again, then pulled the cushion out of her chair and took a parcel out. “What is that?”, Patience asked curiously. “That’s the emergency packet”, Anne mysteriously said. Patience sighed. “You could be more informative, you know.” But Anne kept silent. At a quarter past midnight, they set off. The Fat Lady didn’t even comment on their night-time excursion. She was used to students sneaking out, and so far she had never given anyone away. “Where did you meet Banks?”, Ann whispered. Patience pointed towards the cloister. “Oh no! It’s cold there in the night!”, Anne groaned. Patience shrugged. She had taken her scarf with her. Anne smiled. “I’ve got the emergency packet, remember?” “What is inside it?”, Patience wanted to know. Anne only smiled mysteriously and left it closed. They had to wait for over an hour until a Slytherin emerged from the corridor they, too, had used. “Who’s that?”, Anne whispered. Patience frowned. “I’m not sure. It could be Ramon Vargas”, she replied. The boy walked towards the library, every now and then looking nervously over his shoulder. He was dark and lean with cold grey eyes. Patience held her breath when he passed the two girls hidden behind a statue. Vargas proceeded towards the door of the library, knocked three times, waited a moment and then knocked again twice. Anne suppressed her urge of giggling.
This was perfect, knowing the signal to get into the secret meeting. Vargas was let in by a hooded figure. “Scary”, Patience breathed. Anne nodded. They sneaked up to the door and tried to listen, but no sound came through the thick wood. “A pity the doors and walls are so well-built here”, Anne whispered. Patience giggled. “But there are the windows, remember?”, she reminded her friend. “True.” Anne opened the emergency packet and out came her wand, a handkerchief and her scarf. The scarf she put around her throat, her wand she pointed at the window next to the door and the handkerchief was used to do away fingerprints on the door handle. Patience watched her amused. “What was that for? Don’t you think the elves clean the castle properly?” “Oh, please! Don’t you know that fingerprints can give you away?”, Anne asked. Patience blinked puzzled. “Excuse me, that must have escaped me.” “Didn’t you watch muggle films?” “No, Anne. I never did. Do they show that thing with the fingerprints there?” Patience was interested. “Let’s talk about this later, trouble’s ahead!”, Anne hissed, jerking her head towards Mrs Norris. Patience grinned. “I’d say it’s show time”, she said happily. Anne shook her head. “I wouldn’t be so sure. The cat is too early, we don’t know what they’re doing”, she said. “I’ll try to keep her back, okay?”, Patience offered and without waiting for any answer she walked towards Mrs Norris. After all, this was only a kitten – an extremely ugly one, yes, but a kitten. Patience knelt down and extended her hand carefully. Mrs Norris’ back was stiff, so Patience was wise enough not to touch her. “Come, kitty cat. You’re not as mean as you look, no, you’re such a cute one, a really sweet one”, Patience cooed. Anne grinned and turned to the window. She had enchanted it so that sounds were getting out but not in. So she could listen to the proceedings inside.
The hooded figures surrounding Vargas were intoning what sounded like a hymn. In fact it was something in Latin, beginning with “Draco Slytherinus dormiens”. Anne grimaced and turned to Patience. “They’re talking Latin”, she hissed. Patience only shrugged. She was busy keeping Mrs Norris entertained. Unfortunately for her the cat didn’t trust her at all. It kept spitting and scratching and Patience’s hands were bleeding by now. Nevertheless she kept the cat beside herself. Anne had just heard the first words (“Swear to us you will always be true to the words of Salazar Slytherin, follow his words and believe in them. Swear to us you will always despise muggles and mud-bloods. Be cunning and wise…”) when heavy steps were heard behind a wall. Patience’s eyes widened. She felt that under her hands the body of Mrs Norris became rigid. And there was something very high-pitched emerging from the cat’s mouth. “She’s calling Filch!”, Patience mouthed to Anne. There was no time to be lost. Patience and Anne abandoned their stations and ran for dear life. If Filch caught them they would surely be deep in trouble. They ran upstairs towards Gryffindor, but on turning around a corner they saw the back of a teacher. Anne grabbed Patience’s sleeve and they skidded to a halt. This time there was no convenient niche to slip into. If the teacher had heard them – and how could he not? – they would be caught. The teacher turned. Both girls held their breath. “What are you doing outside at night?” “We’re… we’re”, Anne stammered, searching her mind frantically for any excuse. “We’re looking for my cat”, Patience explained, smiling apologetically. “Well, she has had a rumble with Mrs Norris, hasn’t she?” “Yes, sir”, Patience confirmed that.
The teacher, being Albus Dumbledore, chuckled. “Go to bed, both of you, Bethesda will be waiting for you. As to the Slytherin mumbo-jumbo…” Both girls exchanged a terrified glance. The headmaster’s eyes twinkled merrily. “I will have a word with Professor Snape. It isn’t convenient to have something like that going on. Go to bed, if you don’t have any more questions.” Dumbledore looked at both of them. Anne was on the verge of asking something else about the Slytherins. Patience bit her lip. “Professor Dumbledore, how does Mrs Norris communicate with Filch?”, she finally asked. “Ah, a very good question, Miss Wood”, Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “I believe you have noticed she calls in a very high voice, reaching, therefore, very far. She also has a telepathic way of calling. I found that out only after Mr Filch caught me walking at night into the kitchen. The kitten doesn’t yet know who is allowed to walk around at night!” Dumbledore seemed to find this very amusing. Patience and Anne did not. If it was so, there was no way escaping the combined evil of Filch and his cat. “Don’t worry. You will find ways of getting away from them, I dare say. Have a good night. Filch is on your heels, remember!” That made both girls start. They set off after bidding Dumbledore a good night as well. They arrived safely at the dormitory. Patience looked down at her heavily scratched hands. “I should do something about them”, she murmured. Anne smiled. “Want to have a hot chocolate?”, she asked. Patience shook her head. “I can do that myself. Remember I have a little brother, he gets scratched every second day. My mum taught me how to heal such things very early.” And so Patience healed her hands with her own wand. Anne and she went to bed and were fully satisfied with the outcome of the night.
Who Will Win the Quidditch Cup?
Anne woke up on, what seemed to her, a perfectly normal Saturday. The bustle in the dormitory told her, though, that something was different. This was no day for learning in the library. “Isn’t it marvellous weather?”, Ghewyn asked, throwing the curtains mercilessly open. Anne groaned and tried to turn. “Anne?” That was Patience. At least she was nice enough not to open Anne’s bed curtains but simple peer through them. “What?”, Anne asked sighing. “It’s just… Don’t you want to come down and have breakfast?” “That early? It’s Saturday, Patience, not a school day!” Patience grinned broadly. “Sure. That’s why I’m up so early. By the way, it is already half past eight, that’s not exactly late.” Anne was puzzled by that answer – and because of being puzzled, she was wide awake. “You’ve managed it. Okay, I’ll get up”, she gave in. Patience laughed only and retreated. Anne saw that the whole dormitory was already fully dressed and wide awake. That was very unusual. Nelly loved to sleep very long on weekends. “What’s wrong today?”, Anne wanted to know. Patience shook her head sadly. “You’re really lost, Anne. It’s the day of the match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. If we win the Quidditch Cup, we’ll have a very good chance of winning the House Cup in the end!”, she explained to her friend. “The what?”, Anne asked. Ghewyn, Nelly and Catherine giggled and walked away. “They think you mad or stupid”, Patience said dryly. “The House Cup is awarded to the house which has earned the most points during the school year. I don’t know what you want, but I certainly don’t want Slytherin to get the cup.” “Me neither. They’re much too arrogant just now. Okay, I will stoop as low as to watch a Quidditch match.” Patience refrained from starting a pillow fight and let Anne get herself dressed.
At breakfast, the Quidditch teams of both Gryffindor and Slytherin were the centres of attention. Most of the students knew very well just how good they played and there were bets running about who would win. The odds were against Slytherin. “That’s a good sign, isn’t it, Charlie?”, Patience enquired. Charlie Weasley frowned. “I’m not so sure. Being given all the credit of being best isn’t so good. It gives an immense pressure on the team. Look at them, they’re hardly eating anything!” Patience sighed. Charlie hadn’t eaten anything either, and she herself was also much too nervous to eat. “Good luck”, she wished the team when captain Weasley gave the sign to go. Anne shook her head. “I’ll never understand why you all like that game so much”, she murmured. Patience shot her an angry look. “Then don’t watch it”, she said sharply and left. Anne stared after her. She raised her eyebrows and sighed. Better go down to the pitch to watch the game. Although it was tempting to go to the completely silent and empty library to work for the exams. But neither Charlie nor Patience nor any of her fellow students would have forgiven that. Anne was only glad it was fair weather today. The Quidditch season always started in autumn, meaning it was sometimes stormy, sometimes rainy. During winter it was awfully cold. Only the last matches of the school year took place in comfortable weather, being in spring and early summer. When Anne had strolled down to the pitch she saw the stands were already filled. Over the Gryffindor stand a huge banner had been erected saying Weasley will win in large red and golden letters. Another, smaller banner showed the Gryffindor lion with a snitch in its front paws. The Slytherin stand displayed their mascot, the snake, with poisonous fangs exposed against a cowering lion and a banner pronouncing Slytherin is best. “You wish!”, Anne muttered as she climbed the stairs to the Gryffindor stand.
“So you have come at last”, Nelly greeted her. Anne nodded simply, making her way to a seat where she could see better. As yet, no one was in the pitch. There was only the brown casket with the four balls inside standing in the middle of the lawn. The teachers’ stand was well-filled already. Patience was easily visible with her red hair gleaming in the sunlight. Next to her sat Professor McGonagall, sporting a Gryffindor scarf. The dark figure of Snape was like a black hole between all the colours. Behind him sat a grubby-nosed teacher with sandy hair who was chatting merrily with everyone around him. “Who’s that?”, Anne wondered. “Who?”, Catherine asked, bending forward. “The teacher behind Snape. I never saw him before – or did I?” “You will have seen him, but you cannot know him yet”, Catherine explained amused. “I only know because an older student told me it was the Muggle studies teacher Emerson Dicket.” “Ah. Thanks, Catherine.” Anne took to watching the teachers again. “Do you have some room left for me?”, boomed a deep voice over the noise in the Gryffindor stand. “Sure”, Anne hurried to say and bade Catherine and Nelly to bunch up a bit. Hagrid made his way through the crowd. “Hey there, Anne”, he greeted her. “I thought yer din’t like Quidditch.” “Right. But I had to come”, Anne grinned. Hagrid chuckled. “Yer’ll be in trouble wif friends like Patience and Charlie and yer not liking Quidditch.”
A roar of the crowd told that the players were zooming in. Slytherin in their green and silver robes and Gryffindor in their scarlet and golden ones were easily distinguishable. Patience announced the players as usual, and Madam Hooch gave the signal for the match to begin. It was clear from the beginning that both teams were desperately willing to win. It was rough, very rough. “That’s Slytherin in possession of the Quaffle, Lovelace passes it to Mills who throws it towards Gryffindor keeper brown who manages to catch it, very well, and tried to throw it to Gryffindor chaser Bell who misses. Oh no! This is again Slytherin in possession and it seems brown won’t make it, he’s at the far hoop while Mills is aiming at the middle one and SCORES!!!” Patience hit the numbers on the counting machine furiously. Now Slytherin was ten points in the lead. “Nothing’s gained or lost so far, though”, she went on with her commentary, trying to be as neutral as she could. “Gryffindor is in possession and Bell and O’Flaherty managed to dodge two Bludgers and the Slytherin chaser McDougal on their way to captain and keeper Drag. Where did this Bludger come from? Slytherin beater Hanson must have flown very fast to be able to aim at Bell again who passes the Quaffle to Seamus O’Brien, a very young player I may say, and he SCORES!!! WE’RE SQUARE!!!” Now the boos and hisses from the Slytherin stands didn’t have enough volume to get over the combined cheers of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Anne found herself screaming with the crowd, much to Hagrid’s amusement. But it was awfully exciting. As soon as one team had scored, the other team tried hard to get a Quaffle through the loophole as well. So far, the score was Slytherin 50 to Gryffindor 40. And Gryffindor was in possession again.
“It’s almost an hour now and no Snitch”, Hengist Alret suddenly remarked. He, the muggle-born with no knowledge about Quidditch at all, had managed to become an expert by reading a lot on the sport. “An hour?”, Connor yelled. “But that’s nothing. Matches are known to have lasted for days and weeks!” “But not here at Hogwarts”, Hagrid quickly threw in, seeing Anne blanche. “Gryffindor is again in possession of the Quaffle, but, unfortunately, Constance Drag manages to catch it before we can score, sorry, professor”, Patience was saying. “Now there is the Snitch!”, she then added. Charlie and the Slytherin seeker Myers were both flying towards it. The snitch was hovering in the middle of the pitch and both seekers had to fly a considerable way. The Gryffindor beaters were chasing after the bludgers and drove them towards Myers. The seeker dodged one, but his broom end was hit by the other and he spun off course. Charlie forced his broom to fly faster. But Myers had definitely the better broom. The crowd was watching and Patience screaming on: “Weasley is losing his lead! The Snitch seems to be glued to the point- what is that? It’s vanishing again, into the direction of Myers! C’mon Charlie, get it!!!” Nobody reproved her this time. It was much too exciting to listen to small verbal blunders. “Myers is doing a highly dangerous manoeuvre, dodging a Bludger and catching the Snitch alternately. Will it work? In he meantime, Gryffindor chaser Bell has scored again. And O’Flaherty is in possession of the Quaffle. He SCORES!!!! NOW DO IT CHARLIE!!!” Things were so close now a dead silence had fallen over the pitch. Gryffindor was ten points in the lead with Charlie being behind Myers after the snitch. “It seems the Snitch is making fun of the seekers, letting them get near and flying off again. But what is that? A bludger driven by beater Nolan hits Myers’ broom again. He spins off course again, this time his broom seems to have taken damage. It is certainly flying slightly lopsidedly. Charlie Weasley is getting speed again and he stretches out his hand – HE’S GOT THE SNITCH!!! GRYFFINDOR WON!!!” The screams and shouts were deafening. The Slytherin looked devastated. Snape banged a fist onto the banister of the stand. With a very forced smile, he congratulated McGonagall and very angrily de-sonored Patience’s voice, guessing right she would forget it otherwise. Patience was jumping up and down like a mad bouncing rubber ball. “Get down and celebrate”, McGonagall advised. Patience hugged her in her excitement and McGonagall smiled broadly, waving to Charlie who was showing her the Snitch from his broom.
This evening there was a huge party in Gryffindor Tower. They had beaten Slytherin, they had won the Quidditch Cup and they would most certainly win the House Cup as well.
The End of the Year
It was only one month of the term left. Patience and Anne prepared for their examinations. Transfiguration was no problem. Flying should be easy as well. Patience and Anne feared Potions most. Anne was sure she would fail Herbology and, therefore, concentrated on Potions. “I wish the son of a bat would have taught us a potion to make plants stay healthy – or, if not healthy, at least alive. BETHESDA STOP EATING MY NOTES!” Anne shouted. “I’ll fail potions if that cat of yours keeps sabotaging my work. Perhaps Snape taught us something to get rid of stupid cats.” Anne added and looked through her notes. “No, nothing I’m afraid I’ll have to wait for the next term if I pass this time.” Anne sighed and looked angrily at Bethesda. Patience remained silent. She knew very well that Anne didn’t mean it. Anne liked all animals; she refused to kill a fly once: ‘A fly has the same right to live as we have!’. Bethesda was safe when Anne was around. “You know, we should stop our little tricks for the rest of the term.” Patience suggested. “Yeah. I think you’re right. Will be pretty boring though.” Anne remarked. Patience and Anne really stopped their making fun of others and their little pokes. Anne’s total remained fifteen.
The two passed all their exams. Potions were really difficult. Patience almost blew up her cauldron, but in the end her potion was all right. Snape made Anne very nervous. He looked over her shoulder all the time. “Sorry professor, I have to go on the other side of the table, it’s draughty over there.” Anne told Snape and went to the other side of the table. Luckily, Snape didn’t get the full meaning of what she had said. “Well, you passed. I couldn’t bear you one year more than necessary!” Snape told her arrogantly. Anne knew that she hadn’t been that bad. “If I was that bad, professor, it’s better for me to repeat the class!” Anne told him. “You like to play with full risk, don’t you Miss Symmons?” Snape snarled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Anne replied. “There is no need for you to repeat the class, Miss Symmons. Was that what you wanted to hear?” Snape spat at her. “The words were right, but you should work on your melody.” Anne told him and left the room. Potions had been their last exam. “I can’t believe it! We made it!” Patience sighed. “I’ll never believe that I passed Herbology. Sprout only wanted me to explain the basics of plant growing. I didn’t have to touch one single plant. I bet she was afraid the rest of her plants might die as well.” Anne said relieved. “Hey!” Charlie greeted them. “Passed all your exams?” He asked. “Yes!” The two girls replied. “What about you?” Patience asked. “Well, of course.” He said laughingly.
“It’s time for a little celebration!” Charlie added and took a box out of his bag. “My mum just sent me these. Those are muggle muffins. There’s nothing magic about them. My mum always wanted to cook like a muggle housewife. Brave enough to try one?” Charlie wanted to know. Anne stretched out her hand and said “Yes, your mum is the best cook I’ve ever met.” Anne took one muffin, but didn’t eat it yet. Charlie looked at Patience. “What about you?” Patience took one, as well. Charlie took the last one. “All together now!” Charlie said. They bit off a piece of the muffin at the same time. “Mmh, it’s delicious!” Patience exclaimed. “I’ve never tasted something as good as this.” Anne agreed. “My mum should have become a muggle housewife.” Charlie added. “Let’s go down to the Great Hall. The big feast is just about to start.” Patience said when they had eaten the muggle muffins. Anne’s smile vanished. She had tried not to think of the end of the term. The end of term meant that she had to go back home. She was still angry with her parents. She hadn’t sent them one single owl. They hadn’t sent her one single owl either. “Anne, c’mon!” Patience called. Anne stood up and followed them down. They met McGonagall. “Professor McGonagall, can I ask you a question?” Anne asked shyly. “Well, of course.” Anne turned to Patience and Charlie. “Will you go down and reserve a place for me?” Anne asked. “Sure.” Patience said and the two continued their way down. “Could I stay over the break at Hogwarts?” Anne asked. “Miss Symmons, don’t you want to go home and see your family?” McGonagall asked. “I think I’d rather stay.” Anne whispered. “Rubbish! Your parents just sent me an owl to ask me when you’ll arrive at the station. In fact they wanted to know if you passed all your exams. They’ll be very proud of you.” McGonagall said and went down to the Great Hall. Anne didn’t move. “Proud - they’ll never be proud of me!” Anne whispered to herself. “Tut tut, Miss Symmons, you don’t want to miss the big feast.” Snape said in his usual voice. Anne was so surprised that she turned around fast and lost her balance. Snape grabbed her arm and kept her from falling downstairs. “Now, now Miss Symmons, I didn’t mean to scare you. You look very pale. You better sit down.” Snape said, almost friendly. “No – thanks – but no. I’ll just go down to the feast.” Anne said irritably and ran downstairs. Anne sat with her friends. Charlie and Patience didn’t ask her about her talk with McGonagall. Anne would have told them if she had wanted them to know. “Look Snape is congratulating McGonagall.” Charlie whispered. “What a surprise.” Patience said astonished. Anne looked at McGonagall and Snape. McGonagall looked at Anne. Anne was sure that Snape told McGonagall what had happened on the staircase. McGonagall looked worried. Snape didn’t look at Anne.
McGonagall watched Anne all evening. Anne felt more and more sick. “I need a breath of fresh air!” Anne said and stood up. “You’re not allowed to leave the castle.” Charlie reminded her. “No.” Anne said. “Do you want me to come with you? You look a bit pale.” Patience offered. “No.” Anne repeated. Anne left the Great Hall and went upstairs to the common room. She opened the window, sat on the sill and started to cry. She let all go, all the fears and all the pressure. She didn’t go back to the Great Hall, but undressed and went to sleep. Anne woke up very early. She got dressed and decided to have another look at the moving pictures. She stopped in front of one that showed a market. A fat woman sold vegetables. A tall man sold potatoes. And there were playing children. “Ah, Miss Symmons, good morning.” Dumbledore greeted her in a warm voice. “Good morning.” Anne replied. “That’s the hour I love best. The castle is quiet and peaceful. Only you and your thoughts are around. I hope you enjoyed your first year at Hogwarts.” Dumbledore asked. “Yes, it’s wonderful. I think it’s the best place in the world.” Anne told him. “You know every time I stand in front of this picture I want to climb in and taste one of these beautiful apples.” Dumbledore told her dreamily. “Nature couldn’t make them so perfect.” Anne sighed. “Nature knows what she does. She gives us exactly what we need.” Dumbledore said warmly. “Yeah, I know we’ll only get what we deserve.” Anne whispered. “No, nature is grateful, she gives us all we need to survive. With little struggles, she prepares us for the greater ones. She’s on our side. But we have to be on our side as well. In the end all will make sense. – Oh, I have to go. I have an appointment with Sir Cadogan.” Dumbledore hurried off. Anne stared at the picture. “I don’t believe that all will make sense in the end.” She whispered and turned to go back to the common room. “Where have you been? You missed breakfast.” Charlie asked her. “Just a little walk. I’m not hungry.” Anne said. “Well, then we better go down to the station. Patience with Bethesda, Anne and Charlie went down to the station. Anne didn’t speak a lot. She was scared that her parents wouldn’t pick her up. The Woods and the Weasleys had talked about this possibility. They agreed that Anne could stay with one of them until her parents would turn up. “Ah, Amy there you are darling.” Frank said casually. “Say good bye to your friends. We’re in a hurry. Glenda will have just arrived at Cumbria.” Margaret added. Anne smiled at Patience and Charlie. “Bye!” They all said with one voice.