The Saberhagen Quartet I: Sharada's Revenge

Chapter 3

The Open House &

Devious Plans

The rest of September flew by quickly for the Saberhagen students. Timothy had gotten detention from Professor Bolar five times for answering out of turn, and the Sharktooths kept getting rewarded for their work. Timothy hated this.

"I couldn't practice for Tryouts!" he fussed that evening. Cassidy was studying for a Transfiguration Quiz. They had to vanish and reappear in another spot in the classroom. Besides teaching Transfiguration, Professor Bolar taught the students how to apparate. They had to study the theory and do research on the consequences of apparation without a license.

"Ewe, this guy left his body behind and only his head appeared. The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad fined him 1,000 galleons!" she said, writing the information down on her parchment.

"Nice info Cass," said Persephone, who quickly wrote down the information. Timothy was pouring over a notebook in his lap.

"Okay Mr. Devious, what on earth are you doing this time?" Melissa asked. "I thought you gave up on stealing that book. We got in trouble for it. Detention! Don't you remember?"

"If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again," said Timothy smugly. Cassidy sighed.

"Here we go again," she muttered.

***

"Are you still pouring over those plans?" asked Cassidy later that evening, settling herself into a cushiony armchair. Timothy sat on the floor on top of a cushion that defiantly looked foreign. It was a Japanese floor cushion and the notebook he had earlier was open in his lap, and his face was contorted with a look of severe concentration.

"We can't get caught this time, or we'll lose points again, and probably be banned from all school related things,"

Persephone warned.

"Maybe I should write father and ask him for advice. He was good at snooping around and doing things without getting caught...hmm," said Melissa, sucking on the end of her quill.

"Do you guys remember the Open House is coming up? Our parents are going to be here. You don't have to write him Melissa, ask him to his face!" Cassidy said.

"Good idea," said Melissa, standing up. Just then Jade and Tian-lei burst into the Common Room, their cheeks rosy from the cold October air. They both huffed upstairs and out of sight.

"I wonder what they are up to," said Melissa loudly as she heard the door close.

"Maybe they are fruit cakes," said Persephone. "You know, they are les--"

" I do not think our roomies are gay Persephone, god your mind is sick," hissed Melissa. "And if they were, I wouldn't care."

"Yes you would," said Timothy. "I saw you when you were with your father shopping for wands. A girl made a pass at you and you got furious and red-faced. It was funny."

"Ha ha," said Melissa sarcastically. "Be real Timothy I did not act like that." She was a little pink in the face.

"Liar!" said Timothy jokingly.

***

"Now how on earth are our parents going to get here? Our school is 3 kilometres below sea level. That is a little deep, isn't it?" said Cassidy.

"And when will they know to dive? They have to go out to the middle of the North Sea to get here," said Timothy, Saberhagen! A History, open in his lap.

"They will get here because the ship is going to get them! We've got the best ship in the world, its beautiful silvery sails, and it's titanium plating..." said Melissa.

Tian-Lei and Jade approached the group. Tian-Lei looked rather flustered while Jade looked pleased. Melissa felt her stomach jolt. She thought she was going to barf.

"Professor Spencer wants everyone to come down stairs to greet their parents," said Jade, while Tian-Lei hung onto her arm.

'That is just sick, they are gay at 11,' thought Melissa as they hurried away.

The four headed down so they could go outside. Melissa looked up at the sky dome. The stars were shining brightly down on her. Just then the Saberhagen ship, the S.S Saberhagen Star Fisher pulled into dock. Parents were disembarking. Some parents had chosen to Apparate, and they were appearing randomly around the lawn.

Melissa saw two blond haired people appear instantly. She hurried down the steps towards them.

"Mum, Dad! Over here!" she called. Narcissa opened her arms and gave her daughter a hug.

"How are you honey," Narcissa asked with a smile. Melissa grinned.

"I'm so happy!! And did you guys bring my Quidditch Tryout form?" she asked. Narcissa reached into her leather handbag and pulled it out.

"I had to bribe your father into signing this, as it requires both our signatures.." Narcissa winked. Melissa smirked. Lucius shuffled his feet, looking impatiently at the both of them.

"Follow me!" said Melissa and they started up the lawn. Timothy and Cassidy were standing on the stairs whispering to each other. They were kind of close.

"Oi! Timmyboy! Cass!" Melissa called. Timothy stepped away from Cassidy and looked at Melissa. Cassidy was pink in the face.

"So..." said Melissa, prolonging the 'so'. Timothy and Cassidy looked nervous.

"What?" said Cassidy.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet my Mum and Dad. Ignore how my Dad is staring at you; he stares at everybody like that. My Mum is the one you want to get know."

"Hello there," said Narcissa. Lucius snarled deep in his throat. Melissa rolled her eyes.

"Let's head inside the castle," said Cassidy.

The five climbed up the stairs and entered into the Entrance Hall. Professor Ravenclaw was making an announcement and all the parents were listening, accompanied by their parents.

"The Elections for the Parent Committee will be taking place all next month. Our old committee's children have left the school so we need to elect a new one. You can run for the following jobs: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and there are 7 delegates and alternates that take care of each year. In order to run, you will have to spend time at the school and familiarize yourself with the students. If you have questions see Professor Bolar."

And she stepped down from the podium.

"I'm running for President," said Narcissa quickly. "I was Head Girl of Slytherin house in my days," she said. "Being a president isn't different. Your father can run with me. He has experience in running a school, don't you?" she said, turning to Lucius who nodded.

"I wonder what would happen if you guys did run. I could see Saberhagen being in a state of complete chaos if You-Know-Who returns," she said, glancing at Lucius. He looked away from her gaze. Just then Cassidy introduced her parents.

"Mum, Dad, these are Melissa's parents." Cassidy said.

"Nice to meet you," said Mr. McManus. "I'm John. I work at the Improper Use Of Magic Office. I'm head of the department."

"I'm Margaret. I help my oldest daughter run her herb shop that is in our backyard. She has clients all over the world. This is Cassidy, one of your youngest girls."

Misty and Marissa were arguing again. Amber was trying to get them to shut up. They ignored her.

"Girls!" called Mrs. McManus. "Have you met Melissa's parents yet?" she asked them. Misty elbowed Marissa. Amber sighed.

"I don't want them to meet anyone, they are crazy!" Amber cried.

"We are not crazy as Cassidy is. At least you weren't the one we tried to shut in the closet," Marissa said.

"Marissa," hissed Mrs. McManus. She turned back to the Malfoys. Lucius was looking at her with great dislike. Narcissa shook her hand.

"Oh, Margaret, ignore how my husband is staring at you. He stares at everyone like that." And indeed, Lucius was eyeing her haughtily, as if he were better than her.

Majel Ravenclaw walked over towards the group. She smiled when she saw the Malfoys.

"This is one clever girl you've got there. Her marks have been pretty high, higher than the Inoue boy's. I'm impressed with her work. Looks like she's going to be valedictorian if she keeps up her marks for the next six years." Majel smiled.

"Ah, is that true?" Narcissa said, looking at her daughter. Melissa grinned.

"Lets get us a table," said Lucius suddenly, startling them. He was annoyed.

***

"All Committee candidates must register before this night is over. I want to see your campaign posters by next week!" called Professor Ravenclaw.

Narcissa was filling out the form. Lucius was walking around bothering people. Then he saw Mr. Macnair and Mrs. Macnair with their daughter Tiffany.

"How come you didn't say hello to me!" Lucius said. Mr. Macnair turned.

"Hello then Lucius. Here's Tiffany, my little girl. She's been saying your daughter has been mean to her."

"Melissa may be a Malfoy but she isn't mean. She's only mean when she needs to be." Lucius said, defending his daughter.

Melissa walked over to them. Tiffany sneered at her. Melissa scowled.

"She's bothering me!" Melissa said. "Mr. Macnair, tell that sluttish daughter of yours to leave me alone!" Melissa folded her arms and didn't care that she had just sweared in front of three grownups. Lucius didn't care. Mr. Macnair swelled slightly.

"Your daughter just insulted my daughter!" he said. Tiffany began to cry. She was putting it on to get Melissa in trouble.

"I'm sorry Mr. Macnair but it is the truth. She is a slut. I saw her trying to hit on Alexander Thomas, the captain of the Sharktooth Quidditch team. He punched her in the stomach and she wound up in the Hospital Wing five minutes later," Melissa said.

Lucius was trying his hardest not to laugh at the look on Tiffany's now furious face.

"Your daughter hangs around the worst children!" Tiffany said.

"What, you jealous of my friends because they aren't sluts like you are?" Melissa asked. From across the room she heard Natasha Simmons burst out laughing. Misty and Marissa joined her.

Everyone was watching them now. Narcissa looked up from the form. Mrs. Inoue stopped nagging Timothy. Octavia Ravenclaw looked up from her book. All motion stopped.

"Tiffany is a slut, Melissa's right!" Natasha said loudly. Misty and Marissa roared with laughter. Cassidy was clutching a stitch in her side. Timothy's jaw dropped.

Melissa grinned evilly. Lucius was laughing now. It sounded more like a humorous cackle than a laugh, but still, he was laughing.

***

It was very late when the parents went home. But before they did, Melissa pulled her father aside and asked him something.

"Dad, how do you get something out of someone's office with out them noticing?" she asked.

"Why you should know the answer to that, as my parchment and quills disappear when you are at home. I know Draco doesn't write all the time. Just get to it the way you get to my stuff."

"Hhmm," said Melissa. "Thanks! That helped. See you soon Dad! You guys have to be here all next week!" she hugged him, and then he hurried over to Narcissa, who waved.

"Bye!!" Melissa called as her parents vanished into thin air.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Melissa asked herself.

***

Quidditch Tryouts were next week. The new week approached them and Melissa was surprised to see her parents in the stands ready to cheer her on. Alexander Thomas, Thomas Peterson and Alexia Clark were outside, sitting at a little table in the top box. Madam Anderson was with them.

"Our House Team Captains will be selecting the new team members based on their skill. Alexia Clark for Lionfish, Alexander Thomas for Sharktooth, and Thomas Peterson for Lightfoot." Madam Anderson said.

"We will read names off our lists," said Alexia. "This is random, so be ready."

"Tiffany Macnair," said Alexander. Melissa's stomach did an angry lurch.

'So, the slut thinks she can play Quidditch?' Melissa thought furiously.

Tiffany mounted her broom. The Sharktooth Beaters flew around, pelting the Bludgers away from her. Tiffany scored a spectacular goal past the Keeper. Melissa booed as loudly as she could.

Then Timothy went. He pulled off another save that was amazing. Cassidy and Jade did pretty well with scoring their goals.

***

The results were announced at dinner. Timothy, Cassidy, Persephone, Jade and Melissa all made the team.

Timothy was still planning to steal the book, but this time they would have to do it very carefully. He had been spending most of his time in the library, trying to figure out how to breech the night time security.

"I've got it!" he said loudly. Melissa put down her book and hurried over to him. Persephone and Cassidy came over to their table.

"What? You've figured out how we are going to breech the security? You know Naomi checks beds at night to make sure we are all sleeping," said Melissa.

"I've figured it out. All we have to do get some Mortimer's clay and say the incantation that's in this book. The clay will transform into human replicas of us. Then when we don't need them anymore, we say this incantation," he pointed at a paragraph in the book.

"Where the heck can we get some Mortimer's clay?" asked Cassidy. "I hear that stuff is illegal."

"My father has some," said Melissa. "I remember when Draco and I were little, we made replicas of ourselves and terrorized our father. It was fun."

"But how are you going to get the clay?" asked Persephone.

"We can apparate to my house and swipe some," said Melissa. "Or better yet, Timothy can go with me because this is his idea," said Melissa.

"Guys, this isn't very wise," said Persephone.

"Stop being so worrisome Sephie," said Melissa. "It will be fine."

'This is going to be the worst mistake of our lives.' Persephone thought.

And she was right.

Chapter 4

Clay Swiping...fails

"Now guys, how on earth are we going to leave the castle without the grownups noticing we are gone?" Cassidy asked.

Timothy pulled out a small chain that had something like a globe hanging from it. "This is a teleporter. Since we can't apparate as of yet, we can use this."

"My parents are going to freak if they find us," said Melissa. "Only for Mr. Devious," she said. Timothy smirked.

"Alright then, put your finger on the globe and think hard on where you want to go," said Timothy. They closed their eyes. Minutes later, there were fish all around them as they floated upward quickly. Then all motion stopped. They were thrown onto someone's lawn. A cold breeze whipped through Melissa's hair. She pulled her fur-lined cloak tightly around her.

"You two stay out here and watch for signs of my parents. They aren't here," said Melissa. "Warn Timothy and me if you see them coming!" Melissa whispered to Persephone and Cassidy.

Timothy and Melissa started up the lawn. The grass was slippery under their feet. They heard voices.

"Oh no, they just got back," Melissa muttered. "Hide!" she pulled Timothy's cloak and they fell into the rosebush. Lucius came around the corner with his wife hanging onto his arm. Timothy shuddered inside the bush, and Melissa popped him. Melissa's stomach gave a lurch as her father approached the bush. He plucked a rose from one of the branches and handed it to her mother, who went slightly pink, and then they left the garden.

"Whew, I thought he would see us," Melissa said, sticking her head out of the bush.

Timothy didn't say anything. Melissa looked at him.

"Now getting inside is going to be easy," she said.

"While you were busy being quiet, I was uncovering trapdoor under the dirt. It leads straight into the dungeons of our house where my father keeps his illegal stuff. You stay here. I'm going in to get the clay." Melissa slipped inside the trapdoor and the top of her white blond head disappeared into darkness.

***

Professor Ravenclaw was sitting at her desk, looking very upset. Her granddaughter and her friends had left the castle with out permission, and her teleporter was gone. She didn't know where they could have gone.

"What have I told Persephone about disappearing like this!" she shouted. Professor Spencer jumped. "How many times do I have to tell you Selena, to watch the kids in your house!"

"I have 70 kids to watch! I can't keep my eyes on them all the time!" Professor Spencer cried. She stood up.

"I bet my son is behind this," said Professor Inoue. "Timothy always got in trouble in his primary school in Japan. He had a group of friends that were girls and they did this all the time."

Amber strolled into the office. "Professors, I found this in Timothy's bag," she said.

She handed them the notebook with all the plans written in it. Professor Inoue's jaw dropped.

"This is Timothy's writing," she said. "I knew he was behind it!"

"The four of them are going to be in serious trouble! It says here that they went to Malfoy Manor to steal some Mortimer's clay so they could steal some old book without Naomi knowing they aren't in bed." Professor Ravenclaw said. "I'm mailing Melissa's parents. They must know about this."

***

Lucius Malfoy was enjoying his dinner when a letter appeared in front of him. It bore the Saberhagen Coat of Arms, and the handwriting was very neat. He broke the seal.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy:

Your daughter has left the school grounds without permission. Her friends are with her. We do believe that they are at your place of residence to steal some Mortimer's clay for very devious plans. Please find them and return them to Saberhagen so they can be punished.

Majel Ravenclaw

Headmistress

P.S. I want to have a conference with you.

Lucius was furious. He stood up quickly, and hurried out of the dining room.

"Lucius please," Narcissa said. She was too late.

***

Melissa was reaching up on the self to grab the bag of clay when she heard footsteps. She froze, turning around. In the doorway, her father stood, looking very furious.

"Father?" Melissa said, a quiver of fear in her voice. Lucius walked over to her and slapped her across the face. She fell onto the floor and could feel tears welling up in her eyes.

"You may be able to get away with everything else, Melissa Jade Malfoy, but you can't get away with breaking school rules," he said coldly. Melissa looked down into her lap, feeling terrible.

Lucius pulled her to her feet and took her into the kitchen, telling her to sit in a chair. Melissa was still rubbing her pink face from where she had been slapped. Her cheek stung beneath her fingers.

"Where are your friends, I know they are with you," he said.

Melissa couldn't speak. She saw her father's hand fidgeting, as if he were trying to fight the urge to slap her again for her rule breaking.

"If you don't tell me, your other cheek will be sore," he said.

"In t-the garden," Melissa choked out. Narcissa sighed.

"Melissa, why would you do such a thing? Causing a problem for those nice people at Saberhagen! They give plenty of chances. If you had done such a thing at Hogwarts you would have been expelled! You ungrateful girl!" said Narcissa.

"I'm sorry," Melissa said, trying not to cry. She looked up at the sound of footsteps. It was Timothy. Persephone and Cassidy were with him.

"It's my fault Mr. Malfoy," Timothy said. "You shouldn't be mad at Melissa, you should be mad at me. I know what Mum is going to do to me when I get back to Saberhagen."

"I told you we were going to get caught," Persephone said. "I just knew it. My grandmother's gift. She knows when the four of us are up to something," Persephone said.

"As for your punishment," Lucius said to Melissa, "You can stay at Saberhagen for Christmas. I'm telling everyone not to send you a thing, as you don't deserve a Christmas with this behaviour. Let's go to Saberhagen."

***

"PERSEPHONE!" Majel shouted. "I can't believe you would stoop that low to get in trouble!"

"Grandma I'm sorry!" Persephone cried. Majel slapped her.

"You know better!! This is the REASON your mother died, all for being devious. That's why Voldemort turned up to kill her and your father! You are going to die the same way young lady!" Majel screamed. Persephone continued crying.

"I CANT BELIEVE THIS!" Mrs. McManus shouted. "CASSIDY! You are the first girl in our family to do something so stupid! I'm got getting you a thing for CHRISTMAS!" Cassidy winced. Her mother always yelled at her, but this was the first time she was being very very serious.

"Mum, it's Timothy's fault," said Cassidy on the verge of tears.

"Timothy Akira Inoue!" Mrs. Inoue shouted. Then she went on in Japanese: ("I can't believe you would do something so stupid just wait until your sisters find out! They will tell everyone in the family estate, mainly your Uncle Ken, and you already know that we look foul in his eyes, you have just made it worse for yourself!")

"But Mum," said Timothy, continuing in Japanese: ("I have always been the way I am.. You know that! I'm sorry that I have this urge to break rules all the time. Don't be mad at me!")

The shout outs lasted for hours. Melissa felt so bad. She knew if Draco could see her now he'd be laughing his pants off. He'd be getting a lavish Christmas. She'd be getting nothing but howlers and she knew it. She'd be getting one from everyone in her family.

"Now, this is how the four of you shall be punished. We will still allow you to play Quidditch, but you have been banned from the library and you must be in the Common Room at 9:00 sharp, when dinner ends," said Majel.

"Thanks a lot Timothy," snapped Melissa, Cassidy and Persephone. "We HATE you!" they said in unison. Timothy sighed sadly.

He was still determined to get that book, whether they helped him or not.

***

Soon the Quidditch season began. Cassidy, Persephone and Melissa were cool towards Timothy during matches, but they were like fire towards him at other times.

Timothy had a crush on a certain someone and he knew she would never return it, not after what he had done. He felt so alone. He stood there waiting in line as children filled the stands around them. Then the doors opened and they took off.

Natasha Simmons sat on a broomstick next to a huge green chalkboard. She held a huge megaphone in one hand and was talking very quickly into it.

"Welcome to the first Saberhagen Quidditch match of the year, Sharktooth vs. Lightfoot! Are you all ready to see a match or what?" she said. The students cheered.

"And here come the Lightfoots! Peterson, Ravenclaw, Ling, McManus, Malfoy, Inoue and Anderson!" The Lightfoots flew out onto the field. Melissa, Cassidy and Persephone bumped into Timothy on purpose. It seemed as if they were still mad at him. He sighed.

"And there go the Sharktooths---Natasha's words were cut short by a tide of boos from the Lightfoots and Lionfish. "Thomas, Macnair, Pikes, Anderson, Bailey, Park, and Nakayama!" Natasha continued, naming the members of the team.

"Prepare to lose," Alexander said to Thomas.

"You are the losers," said Thomas.

"And now, here comes Madam Anderson onto the field to begin the game!" said Natasha.

A woman dressed in referee's robes walked onto the field, a crate under one arm and a broomstick under the other. She threw the lot onto the grass and kicked the crate open. Three balls shot out of the crate and out of sight. Then she threw the Quaffle up into the circle of chasers.

"And Lightfoot is in possession of the Quaffle!" Natasha said. "Melissa has it--passes it to Cassidy--Cassidy passes it to Jade--Jade SCORES!!!!"

The Sharktooths were booing. In the Lighfoot stands, Narcissa was waving a flag with a dolphin on it, the Lighfoot mascot.

"Oh no, Sharktooth in possession--Tiffany passes it to Ameko--Ameko almost gets hit by Bludger--Alexander has the Quaffle, he shoots, he MISSED!!" Natasha said. She was gripping the megaphone tightly.

Timothy smirked at Alexander, who promptly looked furious. Timothy tossed the Quaffle and Melissa caught it.

"Lightfoots are back in possession, Melissa passes it to Cassidy--Cassidy tears down the field--passes the Quaffle to Jade--Jade tosses it back to her--Cassidy's going for the goal--she MISSES!! Sydney has pelted a Bludger at her! Cassidy has fallen!" Natasha couldn't believe it.

Melissa couldn't believe it either. She flew over and yanked the club out of Sydney's hand. She wicked Sydney in the side with it. Sydney knocked it out of her arm. The two girls began to tussle in mid air. Narcissa looked up horrified. Lucius shook his head sadly.

Madam Periwinkle had rushed from her seat to tend to Cassidy, who had a cut lip and a bruise on her cheek.

While all this was carrying on, Persephone saw the Snitch. It glowed brightly over the top of Lucius Malfoy's head. She shot towards him. Chi-Hoon Park flew towards her. Persephone sped forward, knocked Chi-Hoon out of her way and snatched the Snitch off Lucius' head. He flinched in surprise.

"Oh my god," said Natasha. Persephone tore across the field holding the Snitch. Professor Spencer promptly grabbed Professor Ravenclaw and began to cry. Professor Bolar was fuming. That was the quickest match in the history of Saberhagen.

"WE WON!!" cried Misty and Marissa. Amber was waving her pompoms around joyfully. The Lightfoot Booster Club was singing: "2, 4, 6, 8, who do we annihilate? Sharktooth! 2, 4, 6, 8, who's going to celebrate? We are!"

The fury the girls had towards Timothy dissolved for that moment, but by the next day, it was back again.

***

"Ooh, here comes Mr. Get-Everybody-In-Trouble!" said Melissa the next morning at breakfast.

Timothy sat down and opened that same notebook. Cassidy snapped around from her conversation with Persephone.

"If you are going to do that, then we are not helping," she hissed. Melissa, and Persephone agreed. "And no I don't need you to help me, Melissa is doing fine assisting me," Cassidy snapped.

"I'm sorry," Timothy said.

"Oh really. You said sorry the last time, but you still got us into deeper trouble than you did last time. Now we won't have a nice Christmas thanks to you," Melissa snapped.

"Yeah, thanks to you, Melissa, Cassidy and I can't go to the Yule Ball in Switzerland!" Persephone snapped.

"That's a family tradition that we won't be part of this year!" said Cassidy

"And when I go I like to look at the cute boys.." said Melissa. "Which I can't do this year because I can't go because of a STUPID boy who likes getting in trouble!!"

The three girls got up from the table and walked away from him, muttering under their breath and looking at him over their shoulders.

"Cassidy.. I don't care if Melissa and Persephone don't forgive me, but it hurts to see you hate me.." Timothy said to himself, trying to keep himself from crying. After the girls left, he headed to Telepathy class.