“It wouldn’t work anyway, they are both female cats.” “I’m glad that Snape has no children. They wouldn’t know anything about the facts of life.” Hengist commented. “On the one side is a female creature and on the other side is a male creature. Everything is fine and uncomplicated until they get together. Therefore you should always stay on your side and make sure that the male creature remains on his side and then everything is fine and that is why you’ll keep away from Hengist.” Snape sighed inwardly and gave himself a pat on the back. “Keep away from men and by this prevent chaos. And I thought you wanted to explain the facts of life to me. Well, I’m glad you didn’t.” Patience stated happily and left. Snape gasped. “You insolent creature!” Snape barked. Patience turned to face him. “How dare you…asking a question like that…making fun of me.” “I didn’t make fun of you. I really didn’t know why you wanted me to stay away from Hengist. Well, you want to prevent chaos.” Patience said without the slightest sign of fears. “It was obvious that I was talking about the facts of life.” Snape protested. Patience gave him a disbelieving look. “You wanted to embarrass me – that is clear.” Snape told her. “It is clear that I wanted to know why you told me to stay away from Hengist. It’s not my fault if you over-interpret our relation.” Patience barked and went back to Hengist and Anne who tried not to look at Snape and bursting into laughter at the same time. “That was brilliant!” Hengist commented. “Better than pink underwear.” Anne added. Hengist and Patience gave her a look that said ‘you are not sane’. “Never mind.” Anne whispered realizing that it was only a joke to herself. She had promised not to tell about the trick and she thought it best to follow this order – not because she really thought it to be a Weasley family secret but because she was afraid that she never again would be able to remain silent in one of Snape’s classes. Out of three one would always think of Snape in pink underwear.

“Here are Ashwinders created. You just let a magical fire burn unchecked for some time and a thin, pale-grey serpent with glowing red eyes will appear. It will slither away and leave an ashy trail behind itself. The Ashwinder lays eggs before it will collapse into dust. The eggs are brilliant red and give off intense heat. You’ll have to freeze the eggs. They are used for love potions and as a cure for ague.” Snape explained. The Gryffindors giggled. Snape gave Patience a dark look. Still he was angry with her. Hengist made a mental note of getting some of these – of course as a cure for ague. Anne thought about the possibility of mixing those two up and instead of curing ague falling in love. She wondered how many witches and wizards had gone through that. “…that includes you as well.” Snape barked in the direction of Hengist, Patience and Anne. The three set off and followed the crowd to the next enclosure. “The Lobalug lives at the bottom of the North Sea. It is used by Merpeople as a weapon because it can defend himself with poison. Some dark witches and wizards are known to extract this poison and use it for potions.” Snape lectured. “It’s almost five o’clock now, time to go to the exit and meet with the others.” All students sighed as Snape said that. Snape led them back to the exit.

“My feet will kill me.” Catherine moaned. “Would save us the trouble of doing it ourselves.” One of the Slytherins commented. Patience put her head on Anne’s shoulder since Snape had forbidden her to go near Hengist. “I’m glad it’s over, Anne. That was a very tiring day.” She yawned. “Anne, I was talking to you.” Patience said when Anne didn’t react. “Sorry, what did you say?” Anne asked. “Where have you been Miss Symmons?” Patience asked looking in the eyes of her friend. “Just thinking. what did you say?” “I’m glad that this is over.” Patience replied. “Are you sure it is over? I have a feeling that something is soon to come.” Anne whispered. She was tired just like her friend. “We leave the way we arrived. Everybody back to their partners.” Kettleburn called. “I think I can’t go back with Banks. We would get much too close.” Patience whispered to Hengist and Anne. “I don’t think so.” Snape spat at her. Snape was the first to leave. Then Patience and Banks, Anne and Vargas and Hengist and Cook. When all the Slytherins and Gryffindors had arrived in Hogsmeade and before professor McGonagall returned Snape made an announcement. “I forgot, Gryffindors, you will of course write an essay on one or several potions made with animal or animal-related ingredients. You’ll hand it in on Monday morning before breakfast.” There was no use complaining. Snape had set his mind on these essays.

The students were very tired after their visit to the zoo. Patience, Hengist and Anne had decided to enjoy the remaining hours before curfew outside lying on the lawn. Their nemeses Banks, Cook and Vargas had saved enough energy to still be able to be up to no good. “Certainly Snape will ask them about the zoo…” Vargas mused. Banks and Cook nodded. “Wouldn’t it be a pity if they had forgotten by the next potions’ lesson?” He asked rhetorically. “Let me do it, Ramon.” Banks begged his friend. Vargas looked at him. “Well, there’s not much you can mess up with this one. Go ahead…and Sebastian, you better step back – just in case.” Banks drew out his wand, waved it and pronounced oblivi-a-te clearly.

“I’m so -ired.” Anne said, yawning. “Wha- are you?” Hengist wanted to know. “-Ired.” Anne repeated. Patience laughed. “You mean ‘-ired’!” She tried to correct her friend. “Wha- has happened -o us?” Hengist asked worried. “I don’- know, maybe we’re jus- -ired.” Anne thought aloud. Patience shook her head. “Tha- canno- be! Someone mus- have bewi-ched us.” She looked around. “I don’- see no one.” Hengist said. Anne nodded. “We are all alone, no- a soul is ou- here with us.” “We be--er search the surroundings for the culpri-.” Patience decided. The three got up and turned every stone and checked behind every blade between Hagrid’s hut and the castle.

“You are so stupid. You cannot even perform the simplest spells. Sometimes I think you’re a squib and don’t belong to this or any other wizarding school.” Vargas shouted. “I will never let you perform another spell.” He announced. “What do you think happened to them?” Cook asked carefully. “I don’t care what happened to them. I’m worried about what will happen to us if anyone will find out.” They entered the Slytherin common room.

“I don’- think we will find anyone. He, she or they will have gone as soon as they saw us ge--ing up.” Anne declared. “And I think we be--er go -o Madam Pomfrey -o ge- our ‘-‘ res-ored.” Hengist added. “Bu- I wan- -o know who did tha- -o us!” Patience insisted. “There will be plen-y of -ime once we’ve re-rieved our consonan-.” Anne reminded her. She finally gave in and followed her friends to the hospital wing.

“How did that happen?” Madam Pomfrey asked concerned. “Someone mus- have bewi-ched us.” Hengist explained. Madam Pomfrey nodded. “Which consonant can’t you pronounce?” She asked. “-“ Anne replied. “What was that, my dear, I couldn’t quite hear it?” Madam Pomfrey said. “Maybe because I can no longer pronounce this…” She paused for a moment to find a word to describe a ‘t’ which did not contain one. “…plosive.” She finished. “Sorry, what was that, my love?” She asked again. “I give up.” Anne decided and let herself fall into one of the chairs. Patience, in the meantime, had grabbed a piece of parchment and had written the letter – or plosive – ‘t’ on it. She held it up so that Madam Pomfrey could read it. “Oh, yes, now I see.” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she saw the letter. “The ‘t’, why didn’t you say so.”

“Funny, I didn’t know that professor Flitwick was practising the memory erasing charm again. You must know that if it is pronounced incorrectly it will wipe out the memory of the ‘t’ and probably some other parts of your memory as well.” She explained. “Good to know that.” Hengist was the first to speak again. His ‘t’ had definitely come back. “It’s great!” Patience exclaimed. Now everybody stared at Anne. “You will never hear another word from me concerning this business.” They continued staring. “Well, then, here you have it: ‘t’.” she produced a clear ‘t’ and everybody was happy.

In the evening the students hurried back to their dormitories. Nobody was hungry. All they needed was sleep. “Anne why don’t you come to the dormitory? Aren’t you tired?” Patience asked softly. “No, I’ll stay up a little.” Anne replied. She trembled with two of her fingers on her nose and stared at one corner of the common room. Patience knew that that meant that she was thinking and decided to leave her alone. Anne stood up and left for the library. She had some pieces of parchment, a quilt and several large books – everything she needed for the essay. She wrote until it was time for dinner. She yawned, packed her things and put the books back into the shelves. She went to the common room and sneaked into the dormitory. All the girls were sleeping. Anne gave her friend a smile and left. None of the third years showed up that evening – no one but Anne. The professors looked tired as well. Anne ate a little. When the others had gone she remained in the Great Hall. “Aren’t you tired like your classmates, Miss Symmons?” Dumbledore asked in his warm voice. “A little.” Anne replied. “You should go to sleep now. It has been a long day.” Dumbledore advised her. “I can’t sleep – not yet.” “You met a Galimatthew today – professor Snape told me so. There is no reason to worry about the predictions of a Galimatthew.” Dumbledore assured the student. “Sure.” Anne replied indifferently. “Is there something else that is troubling you, Miss Symmons?” Dumbledore asked placing himself next to Anne. “I think it’s hard to go to sleep after such a day. There are so many things that go through my head.” Anne told the headmaster. “Yes, take your time.” Dumbledore raised and left the Great Hall.

The next potion’s lesson Snape was especially furious. “The essays you returned are awful. You show no knowledge or understanding of potions at all. The essay, however, that made me most furious was the one of Miss Symmons.” Snape stared at Anne. “Miss Symmons has since she lacked the intelligence to produce a text relating in any way to the given topic decided to write something comical.” Snape told the sniggering Slytherins. He took several pieces of parchment and started to read. “‘Potions. Bottle fame, brew glory and even stopper death. Softly simmering cauldrons with shimmering fumes bewitching the mind and ensnaring the senses. That is potions.’” Snape stopped to give the Slytherins the opportunity to laugh. “‘Even in a zoo you aren’t safe. Some dried pieces of that creature and some powdered pieces of that creature and again there is a potion. I don’t think that that is good.’ – Well, Miss Symmons, I don’t think that that is good. You’ll have to try hard not to fail potion’s this term. Fifty points will be taken off Gryffindor for your insolence.” Snape barked and threw the essay on her table. He returned the other essays with mean comments.

“How could you hand that in, Anne?” Hengist asked upset after class. Patience bent over the essay to read it. ‘There are innumerable ingredients for dark potions almost freely available in a zoo. All the dark witch or wizard has to do is get in and take it. The security didn’t convince me. There are far too many people in a zoo to watch them all. The same goes for the animals. It is a temptation not only for dark wizards. The ingredients are or at least can be produced easily – why not sell them? I have never been to a black market but I think many people would pay a lot to get some of these ingredients. Take fowndoods for example. It is used to make a depressing potion. I don’t want that to be available. The same goes for some other ingredients. What keeps dark wizards from brewing potions? Certainly not the lack of a recipe. There should exist no ingredients. 800 years ago, Kevin the Nugent, duke of trolls and king of ghouls, led the third great crusade to reclaim first Europe and then the rest of the world from the wizards and witches. Most of the young good witches and wizards who fought against Kevin Nugent never returned home. Supplied with forbidden ingredients for dark potions Nugent and his Dementor troops crossed Europe leaving behind bits and pieces of their enemies all over the continent. Years and years he had spent gathering the needed ingredients from zoos built to bring joy to the richer wizarding families. Carelessly they stored everything from fowndoods to the poison of Lobalug. And worse of all they even got hold of phoenixes. Sheer dumb luck saved our forefathers then. Nobody learned from history. Again we are storing – carelessly – some of the most fatale ingredients. Deprotion made from fowndoods, which made Lady Macbeth go mad and finally kill herself, Killing Dew made with the sting of a Manticore and Sneaking Death with the potion of Lobalug are just three examples for potions made fatale only by adding one ingredient from an animal living in our zoos. But we are safe, aren’t we?’

Patience looked up from the essay. “That is a good essay. I don’t think Snape read all of it.” Patience commented. Before either Hengist or Anne could do anything Patience had walked off to Snape’s office. She knocked and opened the door. “I didn’t ask you to come in.” Snape barked. “You didn’t read Anne’s essay.” Patience spat. Placing the piece of parchment angrily in front of the teacher. “I have no time to read the stupid work of a stupid student.” Snape replied looking darkly at Patience. “If you don’t take some time to read it I’ll give it to professor McGonagall. Wonder what she says after she heard that you took fifty points off Gryffindor for this essay just because you were too lazy to read all of it.” Patience told him in a calm but dangerous voice taking the essay from his desk. Snape grabbed her arm and kept her from leaving his office. Before he let go off her hand he took the piece of parchment. He read it – this time he read all of it. “Kevin Nugent and history – sounds more like an essay from Patience Wood, doesn’t it?” He scanned her for a very long time realizing that there were no signs of guilt. “You better hurry off now. You will be late for your next class.” Snape advised her. “Miss Wood, tell Miss Symmons to come to my office before dinner.” Patience nodded and left.

“How comes you know of Kevin Nugent?” Patience asked curiously. “You didn’t seem very interested in history and we definitely didn’t talk about Nugent in History.” Patience added. “There is this picture at my parents’ house – several pictures – showing the rise and fall of Kevin Nugent. As soon as I could read I read all about him and the Crusades – the Wizard Crusades – that is.” Anne explained. “Snape might think I wrote or rather re-wrote your essay.” Patience reported. Anne only shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what Snape thinks.” She replied indifferently. “Are you ill?” Hengist asked carefully touching Anne’s forehead. “No.” Anne told him as he removed his hand. “She didn’t sleep enough last weekend.” Patience observed. “You’re thinking ever since we left the zoo.” Patience reported. “Yeah this nasty Galimatthew. I looked it up in the library. Snape was right it is only telling nonsense.” Hengist informed his friends. “You could have told us earlier.” Patience complained. “I thought you knew and I didn’t want to create the impression that I didn’t believe Anne.” Saying this he put his hand on Anne’s arm. Anne looked at him. Silent tears filled her eyes. Before Hengist could apologize she ran away. “See – I made her sad.” Hengist didn’t know that Anne had started to cry because she had in fact lied to her friends or at least not told the truth about her doubts. “She needs some rest. She should go to the hospital wing and let herself be pronounced ill.” Patience whispered.

Anne didn’t show up for her next class. “Where is she?” Hengist whispered. Patience shrugged. Anne had sneaked out of the castle and gone straight to Hogsmeade. She hadn’t set her mind on a hot butterbeer, though, it might have done her some good. She went to Hogsmeade library instead. Throwing some floo powder into the fire she left for her home. “Mom! Dad!” She called climbing out of the fireplace. Dusty a tiny house-elf entered the room cleaning Anne from the dust. “Not now please. Where are my parents?” Anne asked pushing the house-elf softly away. “Your father has visitors, Missie. You can’t disturb father, Missie.” The house-elf told her. “It’s important, Dusty.” Anne told the house-elf. “Dad !” She called one more time. An angry Frank came downstairs. “No shouting at this house.” Frank ordered and turned to leave. “Dad, have I ever been locked up in a cell?” Anne asked a little scared. Frank hesitated. “You make such a fuss to ask a question like that?” He replied climbing the stairs again. “Was I?” Anne asked. “No, but it is a pretty good idea.” Frank replied without looking at her. Before Anne could say anything he had vanished. Anne sighed and returned to the hall with the fireplace. Dusty was still there. As soon as Anne entered the room Dusty started cleaning her clothes. “Never mind. I’ll go back now anyway.” Anne whispered patting the tiny house-elve’s head gently. “Missie shouldn’t leave school without permission of headmaster.” Dusty said looking sadly at Anne. “I told you it was important. I’ll go right back. Promised.” Anne told the house-elf. Dusty passed her some floo powder. Anne took it gladly, threw it into the fire and stepped in. “Biffido.” She whispered running out of the library.

Out of breath she reached Hogwarts. She was in no state to attend any of her classes. She decided to go up to the hospital wing and be consoled by Madam Pomfrey. “Oh my dear, you look pale and there is cold sweat on your forehead. You better lay down before you faint. I’ll bring you a hot chocolate, dear.” “Thanks, Madam Pomfrey.” Anne whispered giving the friendly woman a bright smile. “You’re welcome my dear. Now, lay down and relax.” Anne did as she was told. She turned to look out of the window. She only turned back when Madam Pomfrey arrived with the hot chocolate. “Be careful, it is still very hot.” Somebody knocked at the door. “Ah, your first visitor.” Madam Pomfrey whispered cheerfully. Anne bent forward staring at the door. Nobody knew that she was there – at least she hadn’t told anyone. ‘Perhaps it is the wizard of Oz.’ Anne thought to herself. But no, it was professor McGonagall. She sat next to Anne. For a while she just looked at the student. It wasn’t an examining or worse a scanning look but a warm and friendly look that filled Anne with confidence. “What vexes you?” McGonagall asked friendly. “Nothing.” Anne replied. “If it is about the Galimatthew…” “The Galimatthew is telling tales. Professor Dumbledore told me so and Hengist, too.” Anne interrupted the professor. She sounded a little unnerved. “Professor Snape mentioned that you weren’t sure if you have never been locked up in a cell.” McGonagall told the student. “Can’t he keep anything to himself?” Anne spat. “He was worrying about you, Miss Symmons.” That was more than Anne could bear. “I am fine. There is no need to worry about me – and especially not professor Snape.” Anne barked. “Well, why are you in the hospital wing, then?” McGonagall inquired. “To get a day off.” Anne replied angrily and left. It was too late for her last class and so Anne decided to go back to the Gryffindor common room.

“Here you are.” Hengist said in a relieved voice. “Forgive me, will you?” He asked carefully opening his arms hoping to be embraced by Anne. She took a deep breath. “Of course.” She managed to say. Thankfully she fell into Hengist’s arms. “Now that this is settled you can go down to Snape’s office.” Patience told her cheeringly. “That son of a bat is the last person I want to see.” Anne replied. “I stepped into his office and forced him to read your essay and now you refuse to go and see him?” Patience said in a rather upset voice. “Don’t scold me. I’ll go to his office.” Anne gave in. “And will you talk to him?” Patience asked suspiciously. Anne nodded. “Promised.” She whispered and trod off. Carefully she knocked at the door. Snape opened it. “Come in, Miss Symmons.” He invited her. His voice sounded coldly. He didn’t ask her to sit down. Again he took up the essay. “Kevin Nugent.” Snape said scanning Anne. “Miss Wood wrote this essay for you.” He added. “I wrote that.” Anne said in a steady voice. “Don’t you think you’re rather insolent?” Snape asked dangerously. “If it was insolent to write this essay…” “Not another of your lies.” Snape interrupted her. “It was I who wrote this essay.” Anne repeated in the same steady voice as before. Snape gave her an angry look. A knocking was heard. “Yes.” Snape barked. Dumbledore poked in his head. “Ah Miss Symmons, here you are. Sorry, Severus I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I was told that Miss Symmons was with you.” Dumbledore stepped inside. “Professor McGonagall told me you were a little upset today. Of course we thought it was the Galimatthew – until I got a letter from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I am asked to calm you down since you seem to worry about the safety of their zoos.” Anne looked sadly at the headmaster. “I just wrote them back that they should think of something and that they shouldn’t think that just because the last case of zoo robbery was 800 years ago doesn’t mean it could happen again. Kevin Nugent should be taught more intensively. I’ll talk to professor Binns about it. I’m glad I got this off my chest. Sorry to have interrupted you Severus.” Dumbledore apologized and left. Snape turned to Anne. “You wrote a letter to the Ministry?” Anne nodded. Snape turned away and grabbed a chair. “Sit down.” He invited her. He placed himself behind his desk. “You did write that essay after all.” He said in a low voice. “I told you so.” Anne replied. “How comes you know about Kevin Nugent?” Snape wanted to know. “I read about him.” “Why?” Anne thought this to be a rather odd question. “There was a picture of the third crusade in my parents’ house.” “Why was there a picture of that in your house?” Anne shrugged. “The fifty points will be returned to Gryffindor. The essay is all right. Forget what I said about failing potion’s this term. You may go now.” Snape said as Anne stood up Snape overtook her. He put his hand on the handle. Anne turned to him. “I’m sorry for not reading your essay and suspecting that Miss Wood wrote it. I hope you’ll forgive me.” Snape whispered. Anne turned towards the door again. She didn’t say a word. Slowly Snape opened the door and let her out.

When Anne had left Dumbledore stepped inside the office again. “Why did you talk to Miss Symmons?” He wanted to know. “It was about her essay.” “Did she mention Nugent in her essay?” Dumbledore wanted to know. Snape nodded. “I wonder if she knows that he is one of her ancestors.” Dumbledore thought aloud. “I don’t think she does. At least she didn’t tell me. And if she knows she doesn’t seem to be proud of him.” Snape replied. “No doesn’t seem so. We won’t have to fear her.” Dumbledore sighed. “She is unforgiving, headmaster. She might turn against us in her anger.” Snape remarked. “She might be unforgiving but she is not violent. Is she angry with you, Severus?” Snape didn’t answer. “Or are you angry with her?” Dumbledore investigated. Snape remained silent. “She’s just a child. I’m sure her dislike for you will disappear with the years.” Dumbledore assured him.

The next attempt at frog-catching took place during lunch break. But it seemed the two escaped frogs had warned their brethren not to turn up until it was safe – that was to say, until there were twilight and shadows. But luck was with the trio of conspirators when they arrived for Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall told them to try and transfigure frogs into teacups. “Mind the cups don’t have legs any more,” she warned sternly. Ghewyn raised her hand. ”Yes, Miss Rhys?” “What would happen if we tried to transfigure an animagus?” she asked. McGonagall’s eyebrows shot up. “Transfigure an animagus? Oh, Miss Rhys, that would be  just another spell for transfiguring the person. I cannot tell the exact outcome, but it might be fatal.” She turned quickly into a cat, emitting the usual ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’, and when she was her usual self again she said: “You see, I as a cat would not like it at all to become a footstool, or the like. I might also add that turning into an animal and back again can be performed by oneself, whereas the transfiguration into a thing can only be undone by another witch or wizard.” Ghewyn frowned at her frog. What if this was the lost prince she hoped for? She cooped up the frog and looked at it critically. It didn’t look very royal, to be sure – but then… Nelly and Catherine were also reluctant to perform the spell, while all around them frogs turned into porcelain cups, with more or less success. “The poor princes,” Nelly whispered, looked at her frog and took a deep breath. “Okay – kiss me, frog,” she said, closed her eyes and kissed the frog. Nothing happened. The frog struggled in her hand. “Alright, mine is no prince at all,” Nelly resolved.

But Ghewyn shook her head. “Kiss it again and throw it against the wall – maybe that’s the trick!” “I don’t want to kiss it again,” Nelly complained. “Will you quit your private conversation?” McGonagall sternly asked them. Subdued, the three looked at each other. What was there to do? Finally Ghewyn decided they should all do it together. In hurried whispers she explained to her friends what was the plan, and so all of a sudden three frogs found themselves hurled through the classroom towards the wall. They bounced off unharmed – as frogs. But the class was staring at Nelly, Catherine and Ghewyn as if they were lunatics. “Why did you do that?” McGonagall asked perplexed. “We…” Ghewyn felt suddenly very foolish. “We thought they might be princes,” Catherine revealed. McGonagall seemed to have a hard time not to smile. “And what could possible make you think that?” she asked. “Professor Dicket,” Nelly whispered. “He has told you about Muggle fairytales, hasn’t he?” McGonagall enquired. “But didn’t he tell you that these had only a tiny core of truth in them?” “Yes, he did,” Ghewyn had to admit. “Yes. And most fairytales are simply reminders of what magic there had been once, even in Muggle lives, until they shunned it completely out of fear of the unknown.” McGonagall sighed. “I never thought to live to see students of mine act that foolishly. Fetch your frogs and make them into teacups, if you please.” But there was no detention and no points taken away, as the Gryffindors saw thankfully. “Kiss me, frog,” Mike and Brian said in one voice and everyone burst into laughter.

February arrived and with it came spring. Anne had killed at least a dozen plants in the last couple of weeks. Sprout was desperate she didn’t know what to do with this girl. “I’ve never seen anyone who was so fatale to plants.” Sprout told Anne and shook her head as another plant died in Anne’s hands. Anne sighed. “Patience, have you ever thought about leaving Hogwarts?” Anne whispered. “We’re in our third year, Anne. It’s a long way until we’ll have passed our final exams.” Patience told her friend. “No, I meant quit it. Just go away and never come back.” Anne explained. “C'mon just because another of these stupid plants died you want to quit? You must be crazy.” Patience said seriously. “It’s not because of this plant. It’s…” Anne stopped. “Snape?” Patience asked. Anne nodded. “I wrote my parents about it. They told me to trust Dumbledore and Dumbledore trusts in Snape. I’m sure he had nothing to do with the attack on Bethesda.” Patience had put her arm around Anne’s shoulder. “I guess that means that many, many other plants are doomed to die at Hogwarts.” Anne sighed and leaned on Patience. “Hey what do you think about a picnic instead of lunch in the Great Hall?” Patience suggested. “Sounds like a good idea.” Anne replied. “Clear your places and wash your hands.” Sprout called that was the sign that the lesson was over. Anne put the dead plant in the trashcan. ”You know at least I don’t have to do too much to clear my place.” Anne said jokingly. “I’ll go and fetch a basket.” Patience said. “Who needs a basket.” Anne replied and went straight to the Great Hall. She listed the things she wanted to have. “Did I forget anything?” Anne asked. Patience shook her head. With one wave her wand Anne made the requested things fly. Patience looked at Snape. He disliked foolish wand-waving. He looked angrily at Anne. Anne ignored him but Patience saw a triumphant smile in her face. Outside the castle they sat down in the grass. “No small talk with ants.” Patience reminded her friend. Anne smiled. “And ignore Gryffindor bees.” Anne added. They laughed a little. Patience giggled. “What are you thinking of?” Anne asked curiously. “Preston was in Hufflepuff.” Patience burst out. “By the way, I forgot to tell you. Fang ran over Preston when I was excluded from Herbology you know the lesson you dealt with…” A cushion hit Anne. “Don’t you ever say that name again.” Patience warned her laughingly. “Hey we have transfiguration tomorrow. What would John say when his pencil becomes a needle again?” Anne asked grinning. “And what will McGonagall say?” Patience threw in.

“I don’t know how you did that, Mister King. Please concentrate.” McGonagall sighed as she transfigured the needle back into a pencil. McGonagall had to do it because John hadn’t learned to transfigure anything back, yet. Patience and Anne giggled. McGonagall turned to them – she smiled. Everything seemed to be back to normal. After Transfiguration Patience and Anne went up to the common room to put away their books. “It was nice to play a little trick on John today.” Anne remarked. “I’d love to do something to Roland…” Patience sighed. “Well, what could we possibly do to somebody who is such a wannabe?” Anne asked. “I don’t know but it should get as close to hurting as possible.” Patience thought aloud. “We could make his next potion explode.” Anne suggested. “What’s the next potion we have to brew?” Patience asked. “A potion that makes a man handsome, I hope.” Anne said. Patience rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t know what we’re brewing next.” Anne said laughingly. “We could add something to his potion anyway. Perhaps Snape makes him drink it.” Patience suggested. “Mmh, that would be a solution to my problems. Roland dies and the son of a bat gets sacked. Yeah, I think we should try that one.” Anne said seriously. “You don’t mean what you just said.” Patience asked carefully. “No, I’d rather see Snape die and Roland sacked.” Anne told her friend. Patience stared at her friend. “Nay, Patience. I’m only joking. We better go and have dinner.” Anne said and stood up.

The next morning they had potions first. “Today you’ll brew hystotion. Well that is at least what you are supposed to brew. It is a potion to make somebody hysterical.” Snape explained and turned to the board to write the ingredients down. Anne almost lay on the ground with laughter. She and Patience had put a little jumping jack into Roland’s cauldron. Patience grabbed Anne’s arm. Anne tried to calm down. She still sat on her chair with the broadest grin you’ve ever seen. “You have to mix all the ingredients before you heat it up.” Snape added. Patience and Anne dedicated all their concentration on the weighing and mixing of the ingredients. But they didn’t miss the moment when Roland made fire under his cauldron. “CAPOW!” Roland’s potion exploded. Roland became hysterical immediately. And so did some of the other Slytherin students who got their portion from hystotion. Snape waved his wand and Roland and the others were back to normal. Snape stared at the class. “Who did that?” He asked and scanned every student. He looked directly in Patience’s and then Anne’s eyes. They didn’t show any sign of guilt. Snape got furious and shouted at the class for five minutes until the lesson was over. “Personally I think Snape was hit by some of the hystotion himself.” Hengist told them in the Great Hall. “I only wonder how somebody can be so stupid to play a trick on Roland in Snape’s lesson. If he’d caught you, Anne, he’d expelled you.” Nelly said reproachfully. Anne choked. “Why are you accusing me?” Anne asked her still coughing. “It sounded exactly like something you’d do.” Nelly informed her. “Have I ever made anything explode?” Anne asked her back. “Not that I know of.” Nelly had to admit. “But it might be the first time…” Nelly intervened. “Or you’re trying to put the blame on someone else.” Anne stated. Nelly suddenly looked very guilty.

Flora against Fauna

“Did you see that!” Anne jumped up. Both Patience and Hengist followed her indicating finger to see what she was talking about. “That’s the Whomping Willow.” Patience observed. “I know what that is, but did you see it?” “Well, of course we saw the Whomping Willow and, in fact, we can still see it.” Hengist replied. Anne shook her head. “The tree killed a bird.” She reported. “What?” Patience said in disbelief. However, at exactly that moment another bird came twittering by and with a nice swish and flick the tree had blown it to pieces. Tiny blue feathers rained on the ground.

“I don’t belief it!” Hengist said. Anne was already approaching the tree. “What do you think you’re doing?” Patience called after her and finally caught up with her. “I’ll kill that tree.” She replied. Hengist was totally out of breath. “But how, with your own two hands?” He asked. “You’re right.” Anne agreed. She turned and found an old branch. “Ramus Securi!” She commanded. She picked up a perfect axe. She swung it around. The air was cut. “That should do.” She said turning away from her friends.

“We must stop her. She’ll get expelled!” Hengist said. “Expelled? She’ll get killed.” Patience reminded him. He nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that.” After a short pause he asked. “But how can we stop her?” Patience looked around. “A spell, we need a good spell!” She decided. “Scomparo?” He suggested. “Great, and how would that help?” Patience turned away and pulled out her wand. “Locomotor-Mortis!” Anne fell noisily to the ground. Patience and Hengist reached her. “That was not funny!” Anne said turning towards them. “Finite Incantatem!”

“Anne, you cannot kill a tree that has grown on the grounds of Hogwarts for centuries!” Hengist reminded her. “But it kills birds!” She insisted. “There’s nothing you can do about it!” Patience intervened. “There is…” She pointed at the axe. “…if you won’t stop me again, that is.” She got up and took the axe. “But you’ll get expelled!” Hengist threw in. Patience dragged her back. “You’ll get killed!” “It will have to fight me first!” Anne replied. “Oh, yeah, and you think that will be a problem? One axe against hundreds of branches and twigs? Clearly you stand a chance!” Patience said sarcastically. Hengist nodded. “You will be dead before you reach the roots.”

“Sometimes a woman must do what a woman must.” Anne had said pathetically before setting off again. “Miss Symmons, what do you think you’re doing!?” Professor Sprout’s voice could be heard. Anne turned around in surprise as did Patience and Hengist. Anne hid the axe. “Nothing.” She replied nearly inaudibly. “You know that I don’t like when you walk these footpaths. Some very rare plants grow here. Go go go go, away with you!” The teacher ushered her out of the sensitive district. Patience and Hengist followed her.

Anne was weighing the axe in her hands. “Don’t say you still haven’t given up?” Patience wanted to know. Hengist grabbed the axe, reduced it and put it into his pocket, however, not without cutting himself. “Such an axe is very dangerous.” He said sucking his injured finger. “Yes, there would have been no need to prove that.” Anne commented. “Anne, sarcasm won’t get you out of this. You heard professor Sprout, you’re not to go near this area.” Patience reminded her friend. “But that tree, that tree is allowed to kill innocent birds!” “Cool down, we all love birds. However, you cannot go and kill a tree to save a bird.” Hengist tried. “A bird, a bird? You don’t know what you’re talking about. Thousands, maybe millions of birds that’s what I’m talking about.”

The three friends fell silent. “And if you talk to professor Sprout about it?” Hengist suggested. “She just cares about her plants!” “Then go directly to the headmaster.” Patience threw in. Anne shook her head. “He didn’t care about the birds in the past, why do you think he should care now!” She retorted. “What will you do then?” Hengist wanted to know. “Don’t know.” She replied. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

Early next morning Anne’s bed in the dormitory was empty. Patience sneaked into the boy’s dormitory and woke up Hengist. “What?” He asked on the way out. “Anne’s disappeared.” Patience replied. “Her bed is empty. We must go and find her. Now.” Patience dragged him towards the door. “I’ve not changed yet.” He protested. “Who do you think will be around at this unearthly hour except Anne?” Patience snapped. “Professor Snape.” He replied. At that moment the door to the common room was thrown open. “Hey there.” Anne greeted them.

She sat down on her favourite sofa and started to write a letter. Patience and Hengist sat down next to her. “Where have you been.” Hengist asked directly. “Just walking along the castle corridors.” She replied spreading some additional words on the piece of parchment. “You did not go outside then?” Patience wanted to know. “Nope.” She replied. Patience looked at Hengist who shrugged. They decided that Anne probably hadn’t done anything to the Whomping Willow and so they went to bed again.

Before breakfast Anne had posted her letter. Hengist and Patience were still tired. Professor Sprout ran into the Great Hall. “MURDERER, KILLER!” She shouted almost out of breath. Professor Dumbledore got up and approached her. “What has happened?” He asked in his normal voice. “Somebody has killed the Whomping Willow.” She said and burst into tears. “There, there. I’ll have a look at it.” Dumbledore disappeared and after a short while he returned with a grave face. He exchanged some words with professor McGonagall and then approached professor Sprout. She was petrified and so was the Whomping Willow.

“It’s not dead.” The headmaster started. “This must be a stupid prank. We will find out how it was done. We have the best specialist of de-jinxing.” He assured her. At that moment an owl with a letter entered the Great Hall. It dropped it at Dumbledore’s feet and disappeared again. It was an urgent owl from the Ministry. Dumbledore glanced over it, then smiled. He led professor Sprout outside. The students and teachers finished their breakfasts.

Shortly before classes professor McGonagall entered the Gryffindor common room. “Miss Symmons, could I have a word with you and your two friends?” The three followed her to Dumbledore’s office. “Ah, Miss Symmons, you might know why you are here.” Anne shook her head. “I received a letter from Arthur Weasley.” He held it up. Anne got a little nervous. “Then I might know what this is about.” She admitted. The headmaster nodded. “My dear Miss Symmons, I can see that you were not aware of the particularities of the Whomping Willow.” “It kills birds, sir!” She protested. Dumbledore shook his head. “It does not kill them, Miss Symmons, it just knocks them out. There’s no real damage done to the birds…”

Of course, Anne did not believe this and so they went outside to the restored Willow. Anne looked at the tree. It had a sort of evil expression – at least Anne thought so. “Ah, just in time.” Dumbledore pointed at a bird and with a short flick and swish he made it fly towards the Whomping Willow. The bird sang happily and landed softly on a branch. The Willow hesitated for a short moment before it kicked the bird with another twig. Dumbledore caught the bird. “See, it’s still alive.” He showed the bird to the three students. Anne saw it breathe. “Was it cross-eyed before?” Hengist blurted out. Dumbledore looked at the bird. “Probably.” The bird got up and flew away. Anne crossed her arms in front of her chest. “That was one against a million – at least.” Dumbledore nodded. “But don’t you think, Miss Symmons, that if the Willow killed so many birds you would have found some dead bodies or skeletons?”

“House Elves.” Anne replied. Again Dumbledore nodded. “Innocent until proven guilty.” Dumbledore quoted one of the Malignant Magpies favourite moral laws. “I suggest that you, Miss Symmons, remain here, close to the Whomping Willow and record the collateral damage.” Dumbledore left. “Hengist get me a quill and a piece of parchment, Patience get my camera.” Anne was just as serious as Dumbledore about it. She spent the whole weekend outside. On Monday morning she went to Dumbledore’s office. “Ah, Miss Symmons, have a seat and tell me about your findings.” She sat down. She unfolded the piece of parchment and pulled some pictures out of her pockets.

“I must admit that the Willow did not kill a single bird during the last weekend. All birds got knocked out and were thrown several meters away. As you can see on these pictures it doesn’t lack a certain brutality.” Dumbledore looked at the photos. He nodded. “However, all birds continued their fly after a short pause and provided that in the meantime they don’t get eaten by another creature they will survive. The Willow is as far as I know innocent.” Anne closed her plea. “I’m glad you were concerned about this. I had hoped to sometimes get a chance of talking about this. I must ask you to keep an eye on the Willow and must urge you to inform me when the effect should change.” They shook hands and went down to enjoy their breakfasts.

“There’s still one thing I don’t understand.” Hengist said. “She told us she hadn’t left the castle, but how could she bewitch the Willow then?” Patience shook her head. “Threw one of the windows, little genius.” “Wow, I think she’s more dangerous than I had assumed.”

With Easter everything was really back to normal again. “You know something?” Patience asked Anne on the Saturday before Easter. “I know a lot. What do you want to know.” Anne said casually. “I just thought…” Patience started. “Well, Miss Wood, that is something I didn't know yet.” Anne told her jokingly. A cushion hit Anne. “I just thought that you had no proper Christmas last year.” Patience reminded her. Anne nodded. “You want me to feel sympathy for myself?” Anne asked ironically. “Well we could celebrate Easter.” Patience explained. “You want me to first hide eggs and then look for them again? It’s a lovely idea!” Anne replied cheeringly. “Wait, isn’t Easter the thing with the painted eggs?” Anne wanted to know. Patience nodded and showed her a basket with eggs. “Exactly.” Patience whispered. “These are not painted. You should get your eyes checked.” Anne remarked. “I know. We are painting them.” Patience informed her. She put a paintbox with all the colours you can think of in front of Anne. Anne took a paintbrush and dipped it into the black colour. Patience stared at her. “What are you doing? That’s black.” Patience exclaimed. “I know the first one is for the son of a bat.” Anne stated. “You want to give him a black egg?” Patience asked carefully. “Nope, I want to throw it at him.” Anne said seriously.

“That would be the last thing that you do.” Patience reminded her. Anne nodded. “A wonderful way to die.” She said dreamingly. “Where will we hide our eggs?” Anne asked more seriously. “Well in and outside of the castle I thought.” Patience explained. “Well let me think of some good hiding places, then.” Anne thought aloud. Patience and Anne painted the Easter eggs. “Look a Gryffindor one.” Patience exclaimed. “Nay, Patience. Gryffindor is red with a golden lion not a sick dog.” Anne commented on Patience’s talent. “This one is for Bethesda.” Anne presented an egg with a mouse painted on it. “You don’t want to throw it at her?” Patience asked carefully. “You have no idea of fun.” Anne sighed. “Finished?” Patience asked after a while. “Yes.” Anne told her. “Then let’s go and hide them.” Patience suggested. Anne took her Easter eggs and left the room closely followed by Patience and her Easter eggs. “See you.” Anne said cheeringly and went downstairs. “Bye.” Patience called after her. Anne left the castle to hide some of her eggs outside. She went straight to Hagrid’s little hut. “Hagrid, do you mind if I hide some Easter eggs around your place, but don’t tell Patience. We’re having sort of an Easter-egg-hunt.” Anne explained to Hagrid. “Ye two are up te something good this time? It’s a little trick of ye, Anne, isn’ it?” Hagrid asked the girl smilingly. “No Hagrid. We just decided to celebrate Easter this year. That’s all.” Anne assured him. “Well if tha’ is all.” Hagrid said. Anne nodded. “Go and ide yer eggs. Te grown up girls ‘iding Easter eggs – who ‘as ‘eard of tha be’ore.” Hagrid shook his head. “Thanks Hagrid!” Anne said smilingly. Anne hid her eggs carefully. “Thanks Hagrid!” She said to Hagrid when she left. Patience strolled through the castle in the meantime. Bethesda accompanied her. “What are you doing with those eggs?” McGonagall wanted to know. “I’m hiding Easter eggs, professor.” Patience told her innocently. McGonagall looked surprised at her. “Anne didn't have a proper Christmas last year.” Patience explained. McGonagall nodded.