The Footsteps of my Father

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The Footsteps of my Father

Chapter Fifteen

-The Three Musketeers -

"Ari!" Sindaria stopped, turning back to face the doors to the Great Hall. Liriel and Raven both halted, noticing that their friend had stopped. The mass of first-years continued to flow out of the Great Hall. Sindaria craned her neck, trying to see around the other students. Suddenly, a gap appeared in the mass and Dominic ran through, followed by Draco, Alex, Brandon, Malcolm, and Graham.

"Hey!" she cried, grinning broadly.

Dominic ran up to her, grinning. "Ravenclaw, huh? Not bad . . . not bad."

"Glad you think so."

"Well, at least we can still speak to each other," Draco said and Sindaria looked at him. He was giving her another odd look, as if he wasn't sure about something. He opened his mouth to speak, but then quickly closed it again.

However, before Sindaria could say something, Alex said, "Hopefully we have some classes together!"

Sindaria nodded. "That would be brilliant."

Dominic glanced over her shoulder and then back at her. "You'd better go. I don't want you to get lost on your first night here."

Sindaria smiled. "Thanks. I'll see you in the morning, then?"

Dominic nodded. "Of course." He gave her a quick hug and then headed down a flight of stairs, his friends trailing behind him.

"Ooohhhh, you are soooo lucky," Raven whispered as they filed behind the rest of the first-year Ravenclaws, heading up flights of stairs to their common room.

Sindaria just smiled.

Suddenly, the mass before them stopped and they peered between the heads to try and see what was going on. Sindaria squeezed herself between the students, Raven grabbing the back of her cloak, and Liriel grabbing the back of Raven's. The three of them waded up to the front and saw that they had stopped in front of a rather large portrait.

The portrait was a picture of a small sitting room. In the center was a rather large and comfortable chair and a refined-looking lady sat in it, engrossed in a book. She wore a long, velvety dress and matching cloak. Her light-colored hair had been piled above her head, the curls trailing down the back of her neck. The walls surrounding her were lined with bookshelves, floor to ceiling. The lady suddenly glanced up from her book, taking off her reading glasses and setting them down on the table, along with her book. She smiled warmly at them. "Hello."

"Hello," the first-years chorused.

"A new batch of Ravenclaws. I am very pleased," the lady said. "I am Lady Kalina and I do hope that each of you stop by once or twice to chat. It does get rather boring at times, sitting here." A few of the first-years chuckled and all of them nodded. "Wonderful. Password?"

"Excel," the Prefect said.

Lady Kalina nodded and the portrait swung open, revealing a tunnel, torches lining the sides. "Follow me," the Prefect said and the first-years entered the tunnel.

As they walked, Sindaria looked up and saw that the ceiling of the tunnel was draped in dark blue cloth, giving the tunnel quite a distinguished look. Of course, it was nothing compared to the common room.

A light appeared at the end of the tunnel and they walked out into one of the most amazing rooms that Sindaria had ever seen. The students around her were gasping in awe, their eyes and mouths wide. In front of them, leading down to the floor of the common room, was a beautiful marble staircase, marble pillars on either side, stretching up to the high ceiling. Dark blue and silver shimmering cloth hung from the ceiling, the light from the huge marble fireplace glinting off of the silk. Dark green ivy of some sort covered the mantel, coming from two potted plants on either side of the fireplace. A beautiful tapestry of mountains, a shimmering lake, and a vast forest hung above it.

Two large windows, one on each side of the circular room, covered the wall, floor to ceiling, the arches reaching up and disappearing in the hangings. The walls were all covered in dark blue, purple, and silver cloth. Marble pillars stood around the room, the same green ivy on the mantle curling around them.

The carpet beneath their feet was a dark blue and as they walked around, Sindaria could feel her feet sinking a bit, the carpet was so plush. In front of the fireplace sat a large couch and several plush chairs, all in a slightly lighter shade of blue. Silvery pillows sat on them and Sindaria though that they all looked quite comfortable. At various spots around the room, there were dark wood tables, all with several chairs pulled up to them. A bookcase filled the wall next to an arched opening, and Sindaria grinned. So many books! The arched opening in the back was framed by two marble pillars and through the archway there were two marble staircases, leading to the left and right. A small window sat between the staircases, moonlight streaming in.

"The girl's dormitories are to your right and the boy's dormitories are to you left," the male Prefect announced. Cho Chang had joined him at his side. "My name is Francis. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask me or Cho for anything. That includes if you need help in your studies." He smiled. "We have quite a reputation for being intelligent, so let's keep it up, shall we?" A few of the first-years chuckled. "I suggest that you all get to bed rather quickly, for it will be quite an exhausting first day tomorrow." Francis left the first-years to explore, and explore they did.

Sindaria ran up to the bookcase, her eyes flying over all the various titles. She saw several Muggle books and noticed that Liriel was looking at a Muggle book called Moby Dick.

Raven walked up, looking at the books and then at Liriel, who was engrossed in the book. "Hello? Earth to Liri," Raven said, waving her hand in front of Liriel's face.

Liriel looked up and smiled. "Oh, sorry. This is quite interesting."

"Why do you read those Muggle books?" Raven asked.

Liriel shrugged. "Muggle stories have always fascinated me, and I am quite amazed at how they get along without magic, and their perceptions on magic in their books," she said, laughing.

Raven sighed, shaking her head, but she was grinning. "Don't let any Slytherins hear you say that."

Liriel laughed. "Don't worry, I won't. However, there seems to be a certain Slytherin that Ari, or should I say, Aremis, has her eye on."

Sindaria blushed slightly, but she quickly covered it up. "Dominic's my best friend."

"Aremis?" Raven asked.

Liriel nodded, looking at Raven. "Porthos, Athos, and Aremis were the three Musketeers. Porthos, because you are feisty and love to play pranks."

Raven grinned. "That sounds like my kind of person!"

Liriel looked at Sindaria. "And Aremis, for you, because you both share a love for the world. Of course, as the year progresses, we shall all become what we wish, and at the end, we shall see how closely we are to these fictional characters."

Sindaria smiled. "Yes, quite."

Liriel looked around the room and found Cho. Glancing back at her friends, she said, "I'll be right back." She then hurried over and began speaking with Cho, motioning to the book in her hands.

"So, are you positive that there is nothing between you and Dominic?" Raven asked and Sindaria looked at her. Raven was smiling, an interested look upon her face.

Sindaria smiled, folding her arms in front of her. "Raven Sanders, you like him, don't you?"

Raven shrugged, grinning. "Who doesn't? Now I can see what Jen was talking about. You know, there's a dance coming up right before our winter break. Know who you're going with?"

Sindaria nodded. "Dominic."

"Oh!" Raven cried. She pouted. "No fair. I wanted to go with him." Then she grinned. "I'm going to try for Draco!"

Sindaria arched her eyebrows. "Draco, huh? Sure you don't want to go with another Ravenclaw?"

Raven shook her head. "Nah! Going with a Slytherin will be much more fun!"

Sindaria shook her head, laughing, as Liriel walked back over. "What's so funny?" Liriel asked, smiling.

"Oh, we're just talking about the Niveus Ball," Raven said, grinning. "Me and Ari, or should I say, Aremis, are going to the dance with Slytherins."

"Oh, really?" Liriel asked, arching an eyebrow. "And who might be those unfortunate souls?"

"Dominic and Draco," Raven said and Liriel's eyes widened.

Liriel laughed. "Of course. I should have guessed." She stifled a yawn. "Well, I'm going to head up to bed. Coming?"

Sindaria nodded. "Yes, I'm rather tired."

Raven cocked her head to the side, thinking and then she shrugged. "Sure, why not."

The three girls walked through the archway, heading up the stairs. "So what did you talk to Cho about?" Sindaria asked as they walked.

"Oh, I just asked her if we're allowed to borrow the books," Liriel asked, holding up Moby Dick. "She said yes, as long as they are returned within a reasonable amount of time."

"Are you going to sit in those chairs all day, reading?" Raven asked as they stopped on the landing for the first-years.

Liriel laughed. "Not all the time."

Raven shook her head, laughing. "Well, I'll just have to fix that. Now, let's see." Raven began walking down the long curved hallway, looking at the nameplates by each door. The hallways was exactly like the tunnel that they had entered through, draped with cloth, torches on the walls, except the floor here was the same plush carpet as in the common room. "Ah! Here we are!" she said, pointing to a dark wooden door. The nameplates shone in the torchlight, their names glinting. "Hmm . . . there's another girl here with us. Her name is Marissa Nettle. Well, I suppose we'll see who she is once we go in." Raven pushed open the door, revealing another spectacular sight.

I am definitely going to love it here! Sindaria though, looking around the circular room. There were four four-poster beds, the drapings all in dark blue and silver. The curtains were currently opened, revealing well-made beds, covered in dark blue comforters and silver, very soft-looking pillows. Four small, arched windows were situated between each bed, a small ledge where someone could sit. Beside each bed were nightstands with candle-lit lamps and the cages with their animals on top. In the middle of the room was a large furnace, a railing surrounding it. Currently, there was a small fire burning, making the room was warm and cozy. Moonlight filtered through the windows, beams of light stretching out on the stone floor.

Sindaria spotted her trunk sitting in front of one of the beds and walked over. As she drew closer to her bed, she noticed that a uniform lay on the comforter. Smiling, she picked up the black cloak, looking at the white and blue badge with the raven in the center. Laying it down, she picked up the blue and white scarf, fingering the soft material. Picking up her uniform, she walked over to the railing and laid it over, putting her shoes underneath. Kneeling in front of her trunk, she opened it, pulling out her pajamas. Seeing that Raven and Liriel were both changing, Sindaria quickly changed, sliding her feet into warm slippers.

She walked over to Firaxis' cage. "How are you doing?" she asked softly.

Good, good. Can I stretch my wings now?

"Of course," Sindaria said, smiling. She opened the cage and walked over to the window, flipping the latch and pushing the window open.

Thank you. I will be back tomorrow morning.

"Okay. Have fun," Sindaria said as Firaxis hopped out of his cage and flew out the window.

Sindaria closed the window and walked over to Raven, who was busy feeding her owl.

Oh, an Animagus. Brilliant.

Sindaria blinked and then looked at Raven's tawny owl. "Yes . . ."

My name is Cortengelo.

"Blimey, that's long. Can I call you Cort?"

Raven looked at Sindaria, an extremely confused look on her face. "What are you talking about, Ari?"

"Your owl's name is Cortengelo. I was just asking him if I could call him Cort, for short."

Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "How . . ."

"I can speak with animals," Sindaria said and Raven's eyes went wide.

"Bloody hell!" she whispered, shocked. She looked at Liriel. "Liri! Come over here!"

Liriel walked over, looking at Raven. "What?"

"Did you know that Ari can speak to animals?"

"You can? Really?" Liriel asked, her eyebrows raised.

Sindaria nodded. "Yes."

"Can you do anything else?" Liriel asked, looking very interested.

"Um . . ." Should I tell them? I don't want to scare them away . . . oh, drat, I hate confrontations like this!! "Well . . . first you have to promise me that you won't speak a word about this to anyone and that you won't run away."

"Sure, of course," Raven said, nodding. "We're going to be best friends, right? We can't be keeping secrets from one another."

"Come on," Sindaria said, walking over to her bed. Raven and Liriel followed, sitting cross-legged on top of the comforter. "Swear to silence?"

They both nodded. "Oh, I know!" Liriel said, hopping off the bed and running over to her trunk. She opened it, rummaged through the clothes and books, pulling out her wand. She ran back over, climbing onto the bed. "Okay, put your hands in the middle." They did. She placed her left hand on top of theirs and pointed her wand at the overlapped hands. "Syrma cello," she said and a blue light engulfed their hands. Sindaria felt a tingling sensation and then it was gone.

"What was that?" Sindaria asked, drawing back her hand and examining it. It still looked the same.

"It was a Sealing Charm. Sort of like a Fidelius Charm, except it doesn't bind a location to a specific person; it binds a secret to people and they can't say anything about it to anyone except the people it is cast on."

"Bloody hell," Raven said, nodding in awe. "That's brilliant!"

Liriel smiled. "I thought so." She turned to Sindaria. "You can tell us now. No matter what, we can't say anything."

Sindaria nodded, taking a deep breath. Then she began to recount her tale, beginning when she was nearly ten and finding out that she was a witch.

When she was finished, Liriel and Raven sat back, their eyes wide. "Bloody hell," Raven whispered. "That's quite a tale."

"So you can really do all those things?" Liriel asked.

Sindaria shrugged. "I can do wandless and thought magic, and I can speak with animals, including snakes. That's really all I can do. The time thing; it's impossible, well, not impossible, but it's only happened once and I can't control it."

"So, what kind of Animagi are you?" Liriel asked, intensely interested.

"A snowy owl."

"Wicked!" Raven exclaimed.

Liriel chewed her lip thoughtfully and then climbed off of the bed. She ran over to her bed and kneeled, pulling out a basket from beneath her bed.

When she came back to Sindaria's bed, she held a beautiful red and black snake. "Okay, here's a test. It's not that we don't believe you," Liriel added hurriedly, "It's just that I think this is wicked and I want to see you do it!"

"Can't Harry Potter do that too?" Raven asked, looking at Liriel.

Liriel nodded. "Yes, he's a Parselmouth."

Raven looked at Sindaria, frowning. "You're not going to go all evil on us, now are you?"

"Of course not!" Sindaria cried, exasperated. She grabbed one of her pillows and threw it at Raven, hitting her squarely in the face.

"Oh, you are going to get it!" Raven cried and began throwing pillows at Sindaria. Liriel laughed, jumping off the bed to return her snake and grab her own armament of pillows. Raven jumped off the bed, running to her bed and began hurling her pillows across the room.

The pillow fight ended up with the three of them lying on Sindaria's bed, laughing hysterically, tears in their eyes. They were all suffering the effects of the Tickling Charm, and none of them could stop laughing long enough to cast the counter spell.

And that was where Marissa, their fourth dorm mate, found them. Raven had rolled off the bed and was curled in a ball, tears streaming down her face. "P - please!" Raven managed through her giggles. "T- tickling charm!"

Marissa sighed, pulled out her wand, and aimed it at the three giggling girls. Liriel had just rolled off the bed and was now on the floor in a heap, her entire body shaking with laughter. "Finite Incantatem!" Marissa called and the charm was lifted, much to the relief of the three girls. "Honestly, you made a mess!" Marissa shook her head and, stepping over several pillows, walked over to her bed and took her pajamas out of her trunk, changing.

Raven and Liriel crawled back onto the bed and laid down, breathing hard. "That was brilliant," Raven sighed, grinning and closing her eyes. Raven leaned her head close to Sindaria. "Let's hope this girl isn't going to be a grouch all the time. I'd jump out the window."

Sindaria and Liriel chuckled and the three got up off of the bed. Walking around the room, they began picking up their strewn pillows. "I'm sorry," Sindaria said to Marissa, who was climbing into bed. "We got a bit carried away."

"Well, thank you for the apology," Marissa said, "but do try not to make any more messes. I want everything to stay neat. Good night." Marissa shut the drapes in front of Sindaria's shocked face.

"Well, that was quite rude," Liriel said, taking Sindaria's arm and leading her back over to her bed. "Let's get some sleep, shall we? We have a busy day tomorrow."

Sindaria nodded. "Right." She climbed into her bed, and Raven and Liriel followed suit. "Goodnight, Porthos, Goodnight, Athos."

"Goodnight, Aremis," her two best friends chorused and Sindaria closed her drapes, falling instantly asleep.

* * * * *

The next morning was chaos. Raven was hopping around the dorm, trying to put on one shoe while searching for the other; Sindaria couldn't get her tie to go on correctly; and Liriel, well, she was trying to help the other girls get ready. Marissa had already risen and gone downstairs, and Raven voiced her opinion quite loudly. "Thank the Lord she's already up! I wouldn't want her to see this!" Raven announced and Sindaria, while Liriel was fixing her tie, nodded in agreement, looking around the room that was covered in pieces and parts of their uniforms.

Finally, fifteen minutes later, they were dressed and walking to the Great Hall. While they waited at their table, Sindaria quickly braided Raven's hair and Liriel tied her own into a ponytail.

Suddenly, the feast appeared and they ate rapidly, not speaking much. When they were finished, Professor Flitwick walked around the table, handing them their schedules. "He's so tiny!" Raven exclaimed as Flitwick walked back up to the High Table.

"I know! But he seems really nice!" Sindaria said. The three girls huddled together, comparing their schedules.

"We're in all the same classes!" Raven said, grinning. "Brilliant!"

"Well, you can't very well split up the three Musketeers, now can you?" Liriel said with a smile.

"Hm, let's see," Sindaria said, looking at her schedule. "Looks like we have Herbology first." Sindaria grimaced. "I'm not too good with plants. My sister is, but plants seem to wither when I touch them."

"We can't all have green thumbs," Raven said with a smile. She looked down at her schedule. "Ooh! Double Transfiguration after lunch!"

"Do you know with which house?" Sindaria asked. Raven and Liriel both shook their heads.

"Not a clue," Liriel said. She looked up as the students began standing, filing out of the Great Hall. "Come on. Let's go grab our books and get out to Greenhouse One."

The three girls stood up, Raven and Liriel heading out the doors. Sindaria, after taking a last sip from her orange juice, ran after them.

* * * * *

"Welcome to Greenhouse One, first-years!" Professor Sprout exclaimed. "Gather round, gather round." The Ravenclaws stepped up to the long table, watching Professor Sprout intently. In front of each of them was a small plant with tiny pink flowers on them. "Today, we are going to repot Dittany. Their roots are growing rather large for their pots and need more room to grow. Now, can anyone tell me about this plant?" Nearly everyone's hands flew up into the air. "Miss Vantura," Professor Sprout said.

Liriel smiled and several of the Ravenclaws that had had their hands up looked down at the table, slightly depressed. "Dittany root, or Dictamnus albus, is a fire plant known as the Burning Bush. During the summer, the flowers produce a gas that when lit, will make blue flames that don't damage the plant. It also has many healing properties."

"Very good! Ten points to Ravenclaw," Professor Sprout said, smiling and the depressed Ravenclaws perked up. "Now, you each have a few pots. I'd like you to each repot three, exactly like this." Professor Sprout dug her hands into a pot around one of the Dittany. "Now, make sure you grasp all of their roots; you don't want any of them becoming damaged. Then, you lift it like this, shake the excess dirt into pot it came from, and set it gently down into the fresh pot. Then, taking dirt from the bags hanging on the table in front of each of you, fill each pot up to the edge, patting the dirt like this. After that, take the watering cans in front of you, you'll have to share, and water them a bit." The entire time Professor Sprout had been explaining this, she had showed them also. "Now, work on your plants. Should any problems arise, don't hesitate to ask."

"So, what do you think Double Transfiguration is going to be like?" Raven asked as they repotted the Dittany.

"I don't know," Sindaria said, shrugging as she placed her Dittany in its new pot. She frowned at the plant. "Look, it's already wilting."

"Oh, posh," Liriel said, looking at the Dittany. "All the Dittany are doing that because they're being replanted. Give it time to adjust."

Sindaria nodded, but she still wasn't too sure. She filled the pot with dirt and turned to her next plant.

* * * * *

After cleaning up the dirt that had covered their hands and arms, the Ravenclaws headed to lunch. Eating rather quickly, they ran to their common room, grabbed their books and headed to the Transfiguration classroom.

When they entered, Sindaria's face broke out in a wide grin. "Alex!" she called and Alex Nott turned around from his seat up front, saw her, and smiled.

"Hey, Ari!" he said, standing.

Sindaria ran over to him, the grin still plastered on her face. "This is brilliant! Double Transfiguration with Slytherin!"

"Isn't it?" Alex asked, smiling. "At least we're not stuck with Gryffindor. Draco said that his first and second-year he had been stuck with Gryffindor. I don't know if I could stand it. I really don't know how Draco lived through the classes."

Sindaria nodded, sitting down at the desk across the aisle from Alex. Raven took the seat next to Sindaria and Liriel sat behind them next to a Slytherin girl named Evelyn. Glancing back at Liriel, Sindaria saw that she was already in deep conversation with Evelyn and Sindaria smiled. It's brilliant that we can all get along.

Alex took his seat as Professor McGonagall strode up to the front, facing them. "Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she began. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned." With that, she quickly changed her desk into a pig and back again. "Now, please take out your parchment. We will begin with notes and then have to try to change a match into a needle. Do not expect to have it happen the first time, for it is quite difficult. You will not be Transfiguring objects into animals or vice-versa until your second-year."

"That was bloody brilliant!" Raven whispered and Sindaria nodded, grinning. Gabriel said that Professor McGonagall was an Animagus and that I would be receiving training. I can't wait!

After taking a series of complicated notes, Professor McGonagall handed them all one match. After showing them how to change it, they began trying on their own.

"Ruddy match! Change!" Alex yelled at his match, which was just sitting on his desk, not changing in the least.

Sindaria focused on her match, pointing her wand at it, willing it to change. But the farthest she got was making a pointed, slightly-silver match. Raven couldn't get hers to change in the least; however, there were several 'pops!' around the room and Sindaria saw that Liriel, among a few other Ravenclaws, had managed to change their matches into needles.

"Well done!" Professor McGonagall praised. "Ten points to Ravenclaw."

"Change!" Alex yelled and suddenly there was an explosion. Everyone turned to see Alex staring at his flaming match, his dark brown hair smoking at the tips.

Professor McGonagall shook her head, walked over, and quickly extinguished the flame with a bit of water from the tip of her wand. "Just like Mr. Finnigan," Professor McGonagall said with a small smile.

Alex looked up at her sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Professor."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "It's alright, Mr. Nott; just be careful in the future."

After class, Professor McGonagall called Sindaria up to the front. "We'll see you back in the common room!" Liriel called and she and Raven left.

"Miss Olsen, I see that you alive and well. Very good. Now, about you being an Animagus. We received special permission from the Ministry for me to train you, and train you I will. Mr. Conner mentioned that you changed spontaneously. With training, you will be able to do it at will. Once we are finished, I will take you to the Ministry to get you registered. Monday and Thursday nights I want you to come here and we will work. Understood?"

Sindaria nodded. "Yes, Professor. Thank you so much."

Professor McGonagall smiled. "You'll do fine. I'll see you in class on Wednesday. We will have your first lesson on Thursday evening at eight."

"Yes, Professor," Sindaria said and left, heading back up the flights of stairs to Ravenclaw Tower.

As she was walking up the flights of stairs, she heard someone call, "Oi! Ari!" Sindaria spun around to see Dominic, Draco, Brandon, and Blaise standing at the base of the staircase.

"Dominic!" Sindaria said, grinning, running down to the platform, standing with the group of Slytherins. They stepped into the corridor, so as not to block the way for other students.

"So, how's your first day going?" Dominic asked.

"Brilliantly!" Sindaria beamed. Then she frowned. "Of course, I think I killed the Dittany that I repotted in Herbology."

"At least you didn't have to deal with Mandrakes," Draco said, smiling. "Those things are absolutely horrid with their screaming!"

Sindaria nodded, smiling. "Yes, I've read about them. They don't seem too pleasant. I think we're working with Scullcaps on Wednesday, though."

"So, Ari, know who you're going to go to the Niveus Ball with?" Blaise asked, smiling.

"She's going with me," Dominic said, grinning. "Sorry, Blaise."

"Well, then, what about your friend, the one with the brown hair?" Blaise asked.

"Liriel?"

Blaise nodded. "Right."

Sindaria shrugged. "So far she hasn't said much about the dance." Sindaria smirked. "Go ask her yourself."

Blaise blushed slightly but grinned. "Oh, I will."

"Are you going with anyone yet, Draco?" Sindaria asked.

Draco shrugged. "Who knows? There's always one girl or another every other day that's telling me I'm doing this or that with them. Why?"

"Oh, nothing really. Just that a certain Ravenclaw has you in her sights and is most likely going to ask you."

Draco quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, really . . . who?"

Sindaria shrugged, smiling. "Not telling."

"Ready for Quidditch?" Brandon asked, deliberately changing the subject, just to frustrate Draco.

Draco glared at him and then looked back at Sindaria. "Who?" he pestered.

"I can't wait until the matches!" Sindaria exclaimed. "The World Cup was bloody brilliant!"

"WHO??" Draco persisted and Sindaria winked at him.

"You'll see. Be patient."

"Hmph," Draco muttered, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Malfoys are not known for their patience."

"Well, then you're just going to have to break that stereotype, now aren't you?" Sindaria said, smiling.

"We'd better head to Charms," Blaise spoke up. Draco and Brandon nodded and, after saying goodbyes, they headed down the corridor towards the Charms classroom.

Sindaria turned to Dominic. "Do you have class?" she asked.

Dominic shook his head. "No, I'm done. Already had three classes."

"Sounds fun."

"Oh, of course," Dominic said, rolling his eyes. "I got a good nap during History of Magic."

Sindaria laughed. "Yes, from what I've heard, that class is a good nap-time class." She began walking up the stairs and Dominic matched her stride beside her. "Coming along for the ride?" she asked, smiling.

"I just want to see what the Ravenclaw Common Room is like."

Sindaria grinned. "Oh, it's quite impressive, let me tell you!"

"I'll just have to see for myself," Dominic said, smiling. They were silent for a bit as they walked. Then Dominic spoke. "So, I've never actually asked you formally to the Niveus Ball. Would you like to go with me?"

Sindaria nodded. "Of course, silly!" she said, punching him good-naturedly in the shoulder.

Dominic grinned. "Brilliant."

"Well, here we are," Sindaria said, stopping in front of the portrait of Lady Kalina.

Lady Kalina looked up from her book and smiled. "Hello, Ari. Hello, Dominic."

"You know him?" Sindaria asked, slightly confused.

Lady Kalina nodded. "Yes, I haven't been stuck here all of my time, you know," she said with a smile. "I used to be in the library and your friend Dominic would be a frequent visitor."

"How are you doing, Lady Kalina?" Dominic asked.

"Very well, thank you. This is a rather interesting read. It's called Oliver Twist."

Sindaria nodded. "Yes, I've read that. It's quite good."

Dominic smiled. "I'll just have to check it out, I suppose."

"Yes, you should," Lady Kalina said. "Password?"

"Excel," Sindaria said and Lady Kalina nodded, the portrait swinging open.

"Bloody hell," Dominic exclaimed in awe as they entered the common room. "This is amazing . . ."

"It is rather intense," Sindaria said with a smile.

Dominic's gaze landed on the bookshelf. "You even have your own little library. Brilliant!" He looked around, taking a deep breath. "This is just . . . wow. You Ravenclaws have quite a common room!"

Sindaria smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

"OOhh!!! It's Dominic!" a girl screeched, running over to the tall boy, enveloping him in a hug. A few other girls upon hearing her screech lifted their heads from their books and made their way over to Dominic.

Sindaria stood back, laughing, watching as Dominic was swarmed with first and second-year girls. A few of the older girls were smiling, working on their homework.

"Ari!" Dominic exclaimed, looking down at all the girls who just came up to his shoulders, all looking up at him with fascination. "A little help here would be nice!"

"Oh, I think I'll wait a bit more. This is rather funny to watch," Sindaria said, chuckling.

"What's going on?" Sindaria turned to see Raven and Liriel walking into the common room from the steps that led up to their rooms. They both broke into grins, seeing Dominic surrounded by giggling girls.

"Oh, come on!" Liriel cried and the girls looked up at her. "We're Ravenclaws! Not some giggling Hufflepuffs! Act more intelligent!" The girls frowned, glancing back up at Dominic and then dejectedly headed in various directions. However, there was one girl that stayed, lacing her arm around Dominic's. She was almost as tall as Dominic. The girl had long, fiery hair and bright green eyes and she seemed to be quite pleased with herself. Dominic looked quite uncomfortable, trying to break from her grasp. Finally he succeeded.

"Vicki, please," Dominic said, sighing.

The girl, assumedly Vicki, just smiled in a secretive manner and glided out of the common room.

"Who was that?" Raven asked, as she and Liriel had just joined Sindaria by Dominic.

"Oh, it's a girl named Victoria Wilkes. She's a sixth-year and has been infatuated with me ever since I came here. It's rather quite annoying, to say the least."

"Wilkes . . ." Raven muttered. "Now where have I heard that before . . . oh!"

"What?" they all asked, looking at her.

"My parents are both Aurors and I heard them talking one night about a raid that they had done against a group of Death Eaters. They had apprehended a few. One was Richard Wilkes . . ."

"Her father, possibly?" Sindaria asked.

Raven shrugged. "Quite. My sister, Jen, talked about her a lot. Said she was rather snobby and bossy."

Liriel nodded. "Doesn't sound like a very nice person."

"Oh, she isn't," Raven said darkly.

"My parents are Aurors too and I remember something about a man named Wilkes," Liriel said. "I didn't really hear much, though."

Dominic frowned. "Brilliant. Just what I need. A Death Eater's daughter after my blood."

The three girls laughed. "Oh, I doubt it's that serious," Sindaria said.

A few moments of silence passed between them and then Raven spoke up. "I'm going to the library. I'm meeting Fred and George Weasley there." She winked. "Pranksters. We're cooking up something quite interesting . . . See you around!" She waved and headed out of the common room.

Dominic looked at Sindaria. "I'd better go. I have a huge Potions assignment that I have to finish and it's going to take me all night, I'm afraid. What do you have tomorrow?"

"Um . . ." Sindaria thought. She rummaged through her bag, pulling out her schedule. "History of Magic, Charms, and Broom Flying."

"How about I meet you after Broom Flying outside?" Dominic asked.

Sindaria nodded, smiling. "Sure."

"See you then." Dominic left, glancing once more at Sindaria and Liriel before exiting through the tunnel.

"Oohh . . . Ari," Liriel whispered.

Sindaria turned to face Liriel, who had a dreamy smile on her face. "What?"

"He likes you a lot," she said.

Sindaria nodded. "Well, we're best friends."

Liriel winked. "I think it's a bit more than that."

"You think?" Sindaria asked, looking back at the exit.

"Most definitely."

* * * * *

That evening, the three girls were crowded around a table, working on their Transfiguration homework. They had to write an essay about three objects they would Transfigure if they were lost in the woods, and what they would Transfigure them into. Raven was pounded her head with one fist, trying to dissolve the writer's block that was currently clogging her thinking passageways. "Drat. I'm no good when it comes to writing," she muttered, scribbling on the parchment.

Liriel looked up over her tower of books. "Did you pick three objects?"

Raven sighed. "Working on it . . ."

Liriel looked at Sindaria, who was busy scribbling away. "What about you, Ari?"

Sindaria nodded. "Finishing it up now."

"Wish I were faster," Raven grumbled, picking up her book and promptly beginning to hit her head with it.

"Don't do that," Liriel said, laughing, taking the book from Raven. "You'll only hurt yourself. We'll help you in a bit. I'm nearly finished."

Raven nodded, sighing. She leaned back in her chair. Glancing up, Sindaria noticed a secretive smile on Raven's face. "What're you smiling at?" Sindaria asked, giving her a sideways look.

"Oh, you'll see . . ." Raven said, grinning.

At that moment, a loud screech filled the entire common room and everyone turned to see Victoria Wilkes leap from her chair, her entire body covered in ink and feathers.

Raven stifled her laughter, or at least attempted to. "Canary ink," Raven whispered to Liriel and Sindaria and they laughed. "If you use the quill, the ink explodes, covering you, and feathers begin to grow immediately. Eventually, she'll become a canary."

Sure enough, instead of a girl, there now sat a bright yellow canary on the ground. Everyone was laughing, except Vicki's friends, who scooped her up and ran from the room, heading up to their dorms.

"What happened here?" They looked to see Francis standing in the archway, his nightclothes on. "Why are there feathers all over the place?"

"Vicki just got turned into a canary," a girl piped up, laughing.

A smile formed on Francis' face. "Courtesy of Fred and George?"

A few people nodded. "Most likely," one said.

"Well, not to say she didn't deserve something after the way she treats everyone, it's still not right. I want you to clean up this mess," he said, frowning slightly. Then a smile broke out on his face. "What I would have given to see that." Without another word, Francis headed back upstairs.

Raven, seizing the moment, leapt onto one of the tables. "You there!" she said in a snobby tone, imitating Vicki. "Clean up that mess! And then scrub those steps! Clean, clean, clean!"

Everyone was laughing and Raven bowed deeply. "Thank you, thank you. Canary Ink; brought to you by Raven Sanders, Fred and George Weasley."

Several people clapped and Raven jumped back down. Sindaria was laughing pretty hard now, clutching one of her sides. Liriel just shook her head, laughing. Several people came up, congratulating Raven.

After the laughing had finally eased a bit, they finished up their essays, Liriel helping Raven finish hers and they headed up to bed.

Careful not to wake Marissa, in fear of the wrath she would release, they climbed silently into Sindaria's bed and Sindaria filled them in about the conversation she had had with the Slytherins earlier.

"Ooh . . . now I can tease him," Raven said, thinking of Draco. "I'll make him wait . . ."

"Blaise Zabini, huh?" Liriel said, smiling thoughtfully. "Hm . . . I rather like the idea of going with a fifth-year. Besides, that would be the only way I could go, since it's only for the older students, unless they invite you."

"Hope he asks you!" Raven exclaimed. "That would be brilliant. All three of us going to the ball with Slytherins!" She smiled, looking at Sindaria. "So what's with you and Dominic?"

"We're just really good friends."

"Uh huh," Raven smirked, nodding. "And I'm a serious person."

"It's true!" Sindaria protested.

Liriel and Raven were both looking at her with smiles on their faces. "We shall see," Liriel said, climbing off the bed. "Goodnight Porthos, Aremis." Liriel headed to bed.

Raven turned to Sindaria. "Goodnight. See you in the morning."

"G'night, Porthos," Sindaria said as Raven headed to bed. Sindaria changed into her pajamas, climbing back into bed and shutting the drapes. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.