Family Ties

The teachers hadn't been bluffing about the massive workload they had warned of at the start of the year; Dean, Seamus and most of their year group were struggling to keep up with their homework, resorting to working on projects through the weekend. His free time was limited, which meant it was very difficult finding time to go into the Room again. Just before Halloween the workload was slipping just enough to give students weekends off. Thankfully weekends were popular times for Quidditch practices so the chances of a DA meeting being scheduled was remote.

A week after Dean had first entered the Room to learn about Gary, there was another DA meeting - which Dean enjoyed immensely. It was great to actually be learning some Defence Against the Dark Arts instead of just reading about it. Despite his close proximity to Ginny in the Room and the mixed feelings he got when she was partnered with Ravenclaw Michael Corner, he was desperate to get back to his search of the Room for information about Gary. He also wished Seamus would swallow his pride and apologise to Harry so he could come to the DA meetings, but Seamus was standing by his mother even though Dean suspected Seamus didn't fully believe that Harry was a lying show off; he just wanted to know the truth about what had happened the night Cedric died.

Dean was frustrated that he couldn't find time for the Room. He couldn't wait to move on to the next drawer in the cabinet; it was fascinating that every detail of his life was recorded, ready to be read by anyone who asked. It was just a pity there was no way to access his memories.

When classes ended on Friday, Dean bolted down his dinner, all the while scrutinized by Seamus who was beginning to think his 'obsession' with a dead man he'd never met was a bit odd. However he didn't say anything to him as he departed the common room at six o'clock, giving him plenty of time in the Room before curfew at nine.

When the Room opened for him he headed straight for the first filing cabinet again. He hoped the second drawer labelled 1962-1966 would have more substantial information. Once again he had to use the Alohomora Charm to open the drawer. The first divider contained something that gave him a flash of déjà vu; he had one of these, pressed into a scrapbook at home. A letter from Hogwarts, signed by professor McGonagall. The only difference was the name at the top; even the booklist was the same!

He went to school here... Dean felt a thrill of connection, what did you expect? It's the only Magical school in the country! The only other document in the divider marked 1962-63, first year, was the end of year report teachers wrote for their records. He was quiet in first year, showing an aptitude for Astronomy and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Clearly displayed on the top left corner was the seal of Ravenclaw. He was a Ravenclaw... Dean was disappointed they weren't in the same house, but reasoned that Ravenclaw and Gryffindor did get on well.

In second year, the records got a little more colourful. A detention and a stay in the hospital wing after venturing into the forbidden forest with someone called Damien Dickens...he got kicked by a unicorn when he tried to stroke it, broke a couple of ribs and spent two days in detention with Professor McGonagall. It didn't seem to stop him though; there were three more detentions for going into the forest in this file. Once he was caught by Hagrid, who warned him that next time he'd be very lucky if all he got was a kick from a unicorn, because there were much worse creatures in there. Hagrid had suggested to Professor McGonagall that a supervised trip might be the cure, which seemed to do the trick; there were no more reports of unauthorized wanderings into the forest.

In third year Gary seemed to come out of his shell. He took up Divination, which by the report became one of his best subjects. Apparently, a family tree investigation revealed he was distantly related to a famous Seer. He joined the Astronomy club (his best subject was his passion,) and he also became a Beater on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. His third year grades were the best so far; either he was working very hard, or was just naturally gifted and very intelligent, which was likely considering his house. Ravenclaw won the Quidditch Cup that year, though they narrowly lost the House Competition to Slytherin.

In his fourth year he joined the Inter-school Pen-pal programme, which was a stepping stone to the Exchange Programme. There were bundles of letters from Alan Myers, from an American magical school called Olympus College. The pair apparently had a lot in common including a love of Astronomy and musical talent, as they often talked of writing songs. Gary played guitar, Alan played piano. Dean looked over his shoulder at the broken guitar and smiled to himself. He'd always wanted to learn to play, but had never gotten around to it. His sister Vicky could play both guitar and piano, but she was learning at high school, and musical classes weren't taught at Hogwarts.

Dean turned back to the drawers and noticed Ministry-stamped parchment in the next folder in the drawer. Sliding it out carefully, he found himself looking at Gary's OWL results.

Woah, this guy really was smart!

History of Magic: P

Astronomy: O

Herbology: E

Charms: E

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Transfiguration: E

Divination: O

Potions: E

Muggle Studies: E

Arithmancy: E

History of Magic... like who cares? The guy didn't get less than an E in any of the other subjects!

Dean felt a tiny flicker of disappointment, knowing in his heart that he was starting to hold himself up to Gary's high standards.

I'll never get grades like that...I'm not even taking that many subjects.

There was also a copy of the Hogwarts letter for that year, confirming he had become a Prefect.

The next divider revealed that Gary did go on the Student Exchange Programme. He spent a month in New Jersey in January of 1968. Dean wondered vaguely why this programme had been discontinued. Probably something to do with You-Know-Who. Gary had definitely calmed down from his mischievous side after second year, the OWL results proved it, and the lack of detentions certainly pointed to an outstanding student.

Just one more section left - his last year at Hogwarts. There was nothing to suggest he'd ever quit the Quidditch team, but he hadn't become the Captain.

He was probably more invested in his schoolwork; he must have been, with grades like that.

Dean put his hand into the next folder and withdrew the two pieces of parchment inside. One was his NEWT results:

Astronomy: O

Herbology: E

Charms: O

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Transfiguration: E

Divination: E

Potions: E

Wow... those are amazing grades! I wonder what kind of career he could have with such fantastic results?

The answer was on the second piece of parchment. An application filled out for St Mungo's Healer College - stamp received July third 1969. Dean heard a loud thump outside the room and jumped out of his skin, whirling around. He'd locked the door when he came in, as a precaution. He had learned his lesson when Seamus had been able to get into the Room last time. The person outside moved on. Dean glanced at his watch, it was a quarter to ten. He was out of bounds, really late. He put the documents back into the drawer and crept to the door. He pressed his ear against it, listening for any sounds of someone outside.

He waited five full minutes before he dared to unlock the door to creep back to Gryffindor tower.