Chapter Four
Elizabeth found herself in Defense Against the Dark Arts, sitting beside Ron Weasley as she waited for her first lesson with Professor Moody to begin. The anticipation in the room was palpable; even the usual chatter was softer, tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension. After all, this wasn't just any teacher—this was Mad-Eye Moody, legendary Auror and, according to Elizabeth's father, one of the most skilled and fearless wizards of his time.
As Moody clomped into the classroom, his wooden leg making heavy thuds against the stone floor, the room fell silent. His magical eye spun wildly in its socket, surveying each student with an intensity that made many of them squirm in their seats. Elizabeth, however, met his gaze steadily. She had known Moody for years, but something felt... different about him today. There was a sharper edge, an almost unpredictable quality to his movements. It was as if he was more on guard than usual, even within the walls of Hogwarts.
"Right," Moody growled, setting down a large tank in the center of the room with a clang. "Today, we're going to be covering something a bit... advanced. But I think you lot can handle it. Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't just about fancy wandwork and jinxes. It's about surviving. It's about knowing what kind of magic you might face out there."
He looked around, his magical eye swiveling to look at the back of the room while his normal eye focused on the students in the front. "I'm talking about the Dark Arts. And the spells you'll need to recognize... and defend yourselves against."
Elizabeth felt her pulse quicken. She knew Moody was no-nonsense when it came to these things, but seeing him here, in a classroom, speaking with such gravity—it felt different. More real. She glanced at Ron beside her, who looked equally captivated, his gaze fixed on Moody with a mixture of fear and awe.
Moody's gaze landed on her for a moment, and he gave her a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment of their shared connection through her father. "Miss Greye," he said, his voice a low rumble, "I expect you've heard a fair bit about this already, haven't you? Your father's seen his share of curses in the field."
Elizabeth straightened, aware of the curious eyes around her. "Yes, sir," she replied, her tone steady. "He's mentioned some... but never in much detail."
"Smart man," Moody muttered, almost to himself, before addressing the class. "There are curses out there that no wizard should ever have to face. Curses that leave scars—on the mind, on the soul. They're called the Unforgivable Curses."
A collective shiver ran through the room as Moody waved his wand, opening the top of the tank to reveal a spider inside. It scuttled around frantically, its spindly legs clattering against the glass. He pointed his wand at the creature, his expression fierce.
"The first curse... the Imperius Curse." His voice was steady, filled with grim authority. "With this curse, you can control another person's actions, make them do anything you wish. They'll have no choice. No free will."
Moody flicked his wand, and the spider suddenly stood on its hind legs, dancing awkwardly across the surface of the tank. The class watched in horrified fascination as the spider performed under Moody's command, utterly at his mercy.
Elizabeth's stomach churned. She'd heard of the Imperius Curse from her father, of course, but seeing it here, even on a spider, made her feel unsettled. Beside her, Ron's face had gone pale.
Moody released the curse, and the spider dropped, trembling as if it too were aware of what had just happened. Moody's eye scanned the room. "Think it's funny, do you? Making someone dance like a puppet on strings?"
No one answered. The only sound was the spider's faint, nervous scrabbling in the tank.
"Now... the Cruciatus Curse," Moody continued, his voice growing darker. He raised his wand again, and the spider jerked upward, its body convulsing in pain. It twisted and writhed, its legs curling inward as though it were trying to escape its own skin. The sound of its suffering filled the room, and several students looked away.
Elizabeth gripped the edge of her desk tightly. The Cruciatus Curse was something her father had mentioned only once, with an expression she had never forgotten—a look of horror and regret. Seeing its effects, even on an insect, made her realize why he had spoken of it with such dread.
Moody's gaze landed on Neville Longbottom, who was watching with a look of profound horror, his hands clenched tightly on the table. "Longbottom," Moody said, his voice softer, but still carrying an undeniable weight. "It's not pleasant, is it?"
Neville shook his head, barely able to hold back tears. Elizabeth's heart ached for him; she knew his story, as did many others in the school. She could only imagine what memories this lesson might be bringing up for him.
After a tense pause, Moody released the spider, allowing it to crawl weakly back to the center of the tank, its tiny body trembling. The entire room seemed to collectively exhale, as though they had all been holding their breath.
"And finally," Moody said, his tone deadly serious, "the Killing Curse. Avada Kedavra."
Without warning, he pointed his wand at the spider and spoke the words. A flash of green light filled the room, and the spider went still, its body limp and lifeless. There was no sound, no thrashing—just silence. It was as though the life had been plucked from it in an instant.
Elizabeth felt a chill creep down her spine. The Killing Curse... the curse that had taken countless lives, the curse her father had fought against for years in his work as an Auror. Seeing it, even on something as small as a spider, was terrifying in a way she couldn't quite put into words.
Moody turned to the class, his eyes—both real and magical—piercing. "The Ministry calls these Unforgivable Curses for a reason. Use them, and you'll earn yourself a one-way ticket to Azkaban."
As he continued his lesson, Moody's demeanor seemed to shift. Elizabeth couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something off. He was as intense as she remembered, but there was a strange edge to his tone, a glint in his eye that felt... unsettling. It was like he was too focused, too driven. She wondered if her father had noticed anything unusual before Moody had come to Hogwarts.
The class sat in silence as Moody wrapped up his lesson, his final words ringing in their ears. "Constant vigilance," he repeated, almost like a mantra. "If you remember nothing else, remember this: be prepared for anything."
The Gryffindor common room was warm and lively that evening, with students scattered around, laughing, chatting, and unwinding from the day's classes. Carter Greye was leaning against the arm of one of the sofas, talking to Ginny Weasley.
As the two were talking, two very familiar figures appeared out of nowhere, flanking Carter on either side. Fred and George Weasley grinned down at him, their identical expressions of mischief unmistakable.
"Well, well, well," Fred drawled, nudging Carter's shoulder. "Look who's cozying up with our little sister."
George wagged his eyebrows, leaning in close. "Does our Carter here have a soft spot for Ginny, then?"
Carter blushed, rolling his eyes at the twins' teasing but grinning nonetheless. He looked up to both of them and had since his first year. As someone with two sisters, Carter had always admired Fred and George's sense of humor, confidence, and how they always had each other's backs. They were the older brothers he'd never had, and he liked to think they saw him as a sort of honorary younger sibling.
"Oh, come on, guys," Carter said, trying to brush it off. "I'm just talking to Ginny. Can't a bloke have a conversation without you two turning it into something else?"
Ginny crossed her arms, smirking. "Exactly. Just because you two can't talk to anyone without causing a scandal doesn't mean the rest of us can't behave."
Fred clutched his chest in mock offense. "Oh, ouch, Ginny! We are the epitome of respect and dignity, aren't we, George?"
"Absolutely, Fred," George replied, nodding sagely. "And as fine, upstanding young gentlemen, we simply couldn't resist offering our dear friend Carter here an opportunity."
Carter raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of opportunity?"
Fred leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret. "We've been working on a new product for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, you see. But we need a willing, brave, and noble Gryffindor to test it out."
George held out his hand, revealing a small, colorful sweet wrapped in shiny foil. "It's our new and improved Puking Pastille. This version is supposed to cause, shall we say, temporary gastrointestinal distress... but only for a short while."
Ginny wrinkled her nose. "You're not actually going to eat that, are you, Carter?"
Carter, however, was staring at the sweet in George's hand with a mix of excitement and hesitation. Testing one of the twins' inventions was almost like a rite of passage in Gryffindor, especially for someone who looked up to them as much as he did.
"I dunno," Carter said, pretending to weigh the decision seriously. "If I do this, you two better not leave me hanging when I'm puking my guts out."
Fred slapped him on the back. "Ah, you'll be fine! Besides, we've got the antidote right here." He patted his pocket with a grin.
"Nothing to worry about," George added reassuringly, though his eyes gleamed with mischief. "We'll be here the whole time. Just think of it as a quick trip to freedom from boring old classes tomorrow."
Carter laughed, taking the sweet from George. "Alright, fine. I'll do it. But you two better not be messing with me."
Fred and George exchanged gleeful glances. "Us? Mess with you? Never!"
Ginny rolled her eyes, giving Carter a look of both pity and amusement. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Taking a deep breath, Carter popped the sweet into his mouth. It tasted sugary at first, almost pleasant... but within moments, a queasy sensation settled in his stomach, and he felt his face turn green.
"Oh, Merlin—" Carter gasped, clutching his stomach as he doubled over, feeling the urge to retch rise swiftly. Just as he was about to lose his lunch, Fred and George burst into laughter, holding out the antidote.
"Alright, alright, here's the antidote!" George said, offering him the tiny vial.
Carter snatched it from his hand, downing the antidote in one gulp. Almost immediately, the queasy feeling subsided, and he managed to straighten up, though his face was still a little pale.
Fred clapped him on the back, laughing. "You're a brave one, Carter! I think you just earned your spot as honorary Weasley."
Carter grinned, a sense of pride swelling in his chest despite his recent ordeal. "I'll take that as a compliment... but next time, maybe warn me just a bit more."
Ginny smirked, patting his shoulder. "I tried to tell you. But you Gryffindor boys never listen."
Fred threw an arm around Carter's shoulders, still grinning. "Welcome to the club, Carter. Anytime you want to test out one of our new products, you just let us know."
"Yeah, who knows," George added, "maybe one day we'll have you running the Hogwarts branch of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!"
Elizabeth Greye made her way to the Great Hall, her stomach rumbling as she thought of lunch. Normally, she'd use this time to catch up with her siblings, but with this year's schedule, she didn't have any breaks with them. Instead, she found herself gravitating towards the Gryffindor table, where Ron, Harry, and Hermione were already seated.
She had known Ron since they were in diapers—her family and the Weasleys were close, and she'd spent countless summers at the Burrow, tangled up in some sort of mischief with him and the twins. Harry and Hermione, however, she hadn't truly gotten to know until last year, after the whole ordeal with Sirius Black. That year had changed everything, bringing truths to light that left an impact on all of them. Her father, Christopher Greye, had even played a part in secretly leading the Aurors away from Sirius, protecting his old friend as best as he could.
As she approached the table, Ron spotted her and waved her over with an easy grin. "Oi, Elizabeth! Over here!"
Elizabeth smiled, sliding into the empty seat beside him. "Hey, guys."
Hermione looked up from her book with a welcoming smile. "Hi, Elizabeth! How's your day been?"
"Busy," she replied, pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice. "I feel like I've barely had a moment to breathe. And I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of Moody's... teaching methods."
Ron snorted, rolling his eyes. "You and me both."
Elizabeth laughed. "He's definitely different, I'll give him that."
Harry, who had been quietly eating, looked up with a curious expression. "You know him, don't you? Moody, I mean. Your dad and he are friends, right?"
She nodded, her expression softening a bit. "Yeah. My dad, Moody, and... Sirius were all close back in the day. They were sort of like their own little group of troublemakers. But my dad always said that Moody was one of the best Aurors he'd ever known. Though... he seems a little more on edge now than I remember."
Hermione tilted her head thoughtfully. "That makes sense. He's seen a lot. I've read about some of his missions... he's practically a legend."
"Yeah," Elizabeth agreed, looking down at her plate for a moment. "But even legends have their scars."
Ron stuffed a roll in his mouth, then glanced at Elizabeth with a twinkle of mischief in his eye. "Just be careful, Elizabeth. He's got that eye of his—he'll catch you even if you try to sneak a nap in class."
"Oh, please," Elizabeth scoffed, grinning. "I would never nap in his class. Besides, that eye of his is terrifying enough to keep me wide awake."
Harry chuckled, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice. "It is pretty unsettling. I swear, it's like it can see right through you."
They all shared a laugh, but there was a weight behind their amusement, a shared understanding of the dangers that had brought Moody into their lives in the first place. The events of last year still lingered in the back of Elizabeth's mind, and she knew they did for the Golden Trio as well. Sirius had been the catalyst for so much change—for them, for Harry, and even for her father, who had quietly defied the Ministry to protect his old friend.
Elizabeth glanced over at Harry, feeling a pang of sympathy. She knew how much the revelation about Sirius had meant to him, and she couldn't help but feel grateful that her father had been able to play a part in helping him find some semblance of family.
"So, any plans for this year?" Elizabeth asked, changing the subject with a light tone. "Or are you three planning on sticking to just 'normal' levels of trouble?"
Hermione shot her a stern look, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I, for one, intend to keep us all on track with our studies. This is a very important year, you know. O.W.L.s are just around the corner!"
Ron groaned, rolling his eyes. "Please tell you aren't like this too, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth raised her hands defensively. "Don't look at me. I'm just here to survive."
Harry chuckled, nudging Ron. "Face it, mate. We're stuck with study enthusiasts now."
Elizabeth playfully swatted Harry's arm. "Oh, please. I just don't want to fail out of Potions because Snape has it out for me. Honestly, he's determined to see us all suffer."
Ron smirked. "Maybe it's because you hang out with us. Snape hates anyone with 'Gryffindor tendencies.'"
Hermione huffed, looking over her book. "It's true, though. He's completely unfair in his grading."
Elizabeth sighed, stabbing her fork into her shepherd's pie. "Tell me about it. I'm almost tempted to add a bit of green to my wardrobe just to get on his good side."
The table erupted in laughter, each of them sharing in the camaraderie that had been forged through their shared experiences and mutual respect. Elizabeth felt a warmth settle in her chest. She'd missed her siblings, but there was something comforting about sitting here with these three. It wasn't the same, but in its own way, it felt just as familiar, just as meaningful.
As lunch drew to a close, Elizabeth felt grateful for these moments, for this friendship that had grown unexpectedly but steadily. She'd started the year thinking she'd be lost without her siblings' company, but sitting here with Ron, Harry, and Hermione, she felt like she'd found a new place to belong.
"Alright," she said, pushing back from the table and grabbing her bag. "I've got Charms next. Try not to cause too much trouble before dinner."
Ron winked. "No promises, Greye."
As Elizabeth left the Great Hall, her mind still buzzing with laughter and lingering warmth from lunch with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, she started down the familiar corridor towards Charms. The hallways were beginning to fill with students rushing to their next classes, and Elizabeth, juggling her bag and a few stray rolls of parchment, was moving quickly to avoid the crowd.
Turning a corner a bit too swiftly, she suddenly collided with a solid figure, her bag slipping off her shoulder as she stumbled back slightly.
"Oh!" she gasped, steadying herself and looking up. "I'm so sorry, I—"
She stopped mid-sentence, her face breaking into a smile as she realized who she'd bumped into. Standing in front of her, with his usual warm smile and slightly windswept hair, was Cedric Diggory.
"Lizzie!" Cedric said, his expression brightening as he steadied her by gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You alright? That was quite the impact."
Elizabeth felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, though she tried to play it off with a light laugh. "I'm fine. Just in a bit of a rush. Guess I need to work on watching where I'm going."
Cedric chuckled, taking a step back to give her some space. "Charms, right?"
She nodded, glancing down at the scattered parchment she'd dropped. Before she could bend down to retrieve it, Cedric was already gathering it up, handing her each roll with a soft smile.
"You've got a lot on your hands," he observed, a hint of amusement in his tone as he handed her the last parchment. "Trying to tackle all of Charms in one go?"
She grinned, taking the parchment from him. "Something like that. It's either that, or Professor Flitwick has it out for me. He's been piling on the practice spells lately."
"Well, you're one of the best in the class, from what I hear," Cedric said, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Professor Flitwick probably just sees your potential."
Elizabeth looked down, a little embarrassed by the compliment. "I think you might be giving me too much credit, Cedric. But thank you."
They fell into step together, heading down the corridor towards the Charms classroom. Cedric walked a little slower than usual, matching her pace, and Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how comfortable it felt to walk beside him, even in the midst of the bustling hall.
The two walked towards charms together in a comfortable awkward silence.
As they reached the door to the Charms classroom, Cedric stopped and looked at her, his smile softening. "Good luck in class, Elizabeth. Try not to get too buried in all those spells."
She grinned, feeling that familiar warmth again. "I'll do my best. Thanks for helping me out... and for letting me bump into you."
He laughed, giving her a little nod. "Anytime."
With one last smile, Cedric turned and continued down the corridor, blending back into the flow of students heading to their own classes. Elizabeth watched him go, feeling her heart flutter slightly. She shook her head, laughing quietly to herself. There was something about Cedric Diggory that always managed to brighten her day, even if she wasn't quite sure what it meant yet.
Madelynn Greye sat comfortably in the Slytherin common room, her books and parchment spread out on the table in front of her. The dim, green-tinged light from the lake outside cast a calm glow over the room, and the gentle crackling of the fire in the hearth was the only sound as most of her housemates were otherwise occupied. She was deeply focused on her Transfiguration essay, meticulously detailing the theory behind advanced human-to-animal transfigurations, when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
"So... what's he like?" Draco Malfoy's voice was tinged with curiosity, and he leaned over the edge of the table, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Madelynn looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Who's 'he'?"
Draco rolled his eyes, flopping down onto the armchair beside her with an exaggerated sigh. "Oh, come on, Maddie. Viktor Krum, obviously. You were assigned to show him around Hogwarts earlier, right?"
Madelynn hid a small smile, feigning exasperation. "I was, yes. But why are you so interested in him? You hardly even know him."
Draco shrugged, leaning back in his chair, though it was clear he was trying to act nonchalant. "He's only one of the best Seekers in the world," he said, as though it was obvious. "And he's here. At Hogwarts. I mean, it's not every day we get to rub shoulders with international Quidditch stars, is it?"
Madelynn set down her quill, folding her hands on the table as she regarded him with a gentle but knowing look. She knew Draco well enough to understand that he was fascinated by anyone with status or fame. But there was something else there too, something softer. She'd always thought of Draco as something of a little brother—more spoiled and entitled, perhaps, but one who genuinely looked up to her. She also knew that, despite his bravado, Draco was often lonely at home, struggling to connect with his parents in any meaningful way.
"Well, Viktor is..." She paused, choosing her words carefully, "he's focused. Reserved. He doesn't talk much, but when he does, it's usually thoughtful. He cares deeply about Quidditch, and he's got a certain... intensity about him."
Draco leaned forward, listening intently. "So, he's, like... serious?"
Madelynn nodded, amused at Draco's curiosity. "Yes, I'd say so. He's not much for idle conversation. But he's not rude, either. Just... careful with his words."
Draco looked thoughtful, his brow furrowing slightly. "Do you think he'd talk to me about Quidditch?"
Madelynn chuckled softly. "Maybe, if you don't pester him too much. He appreciates people who take Quidditch seriously, not just fans who want his autograph."
Draco's cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked away, pretending to examine the fireplace. "I wouldn't ask for his autograph. I'm not some... star-struck first-year," he muttered, though there was a hint of defensiveness in his tone.
Madelynn's expression softened, and she reached over to pat his arm lightly. "I know, Draco. You're passionate about Quidditch too, and I think Viktor would appreciate that. Just give him some space and let him approach you if he wants to talk."
Draco seemed to relax under her encouragement, glancing at her with a small, grateful smile. "You think so?"
She nodded, smiling back. "Absolutely. And who knows? Maybe he'll want to share a few tips. He's not as aloof as everyone thinks once you get to know him."
Draco's eyes lit up at the idea, but then he quickly masked it, straightening up in his chair. "Well, I suppose I could give him some space. No need to crowd him, right?"
Madelynn chuckled, going back to her essay. "Exactly. Just play it cool, Draco."
Draco watched her for a moment, and then his expression grew slightly more serious. "You're lucky, you know. Having someone like Krum to talk to."
Madelynn looked up, hearing something a bit deeper in his voice. "Draco... you're not alone, you know that, right?"
He shrugged, trying to maintain his composure, but there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "It's not the same. You've got your family, people like Krum... and me, well, I've just got—"
Madelynn cut him off gently. "You've got me, Draco. I know I'm not a Quidditch star, but I'm here. And you've got friends. Pansy, Blaise... and even my siblings, if you'd bother to talk to them outside of the Slytherin common room."
Draco's lips twitched in a small smile, his gaze softening. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."
She gave him a reassuring smile, picking up her quill again. "Good. Now, are you going to let me finish my essay, or are you going to keep interrogating me about Viktor Krum?"
Draco leaned back, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you to it... for now."
But as Madelynn went back to her work, she could feel Draco's presence beside her, and she knew that, for now, he was content just to sit there, basking in the comfort of her company. She'd always tried to look out for him, knowing the weight he carried as a Malfoy. And as much as he might act like the entitled heir, she could see the lonely boy underneath, looking for someone to guide him.
"Thanks, Madelynn," Draco said softly after a few moments, almost as if he didn't want her to hear.
She glanced over at him, her smile gentle. "Anytime, Draco."
The afternoon sun hung low over the Great Lake, casting warm, golden light over the rippling water and the grassy banks where the Greye siblings had gathered. It was one of those rare, perfect days at Hogwarts when they were all free from classes at the same time, and they'd decided to make the most of it. Sitting together by the lake, they felt a familiar sense of camaraderie and ease that only came when they were in each other's company.
Madelynn sat cross-legged on the grass, her sleek black cat, Salem, curled up comfortably in her lap. Salem's green eyes were half-closed in contentment, and she stretched lazily every now and then, kneading her paws against Madelynn's knee. She ran her fingers through her dark fur absentmindedly, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face.
Elizabeth lay on her stomach beside her, propped up on her elbows with her orange tabby, Arnold, sprawled out on the grass in front of her. Arnold, ever the attention-seeker, purred loudly as Elizabeth scratched behind his ears. Every now and then, he'd roll over, his fluffy tail flicking in the grass, demanding more affection.
Carter, the youngest of the three, sat nearby with his toad, Pebble, in his lap. He carefully held Pebble with both hands, occasionally whispering words of encouragement to his quiet little companion. Pebble sat contentedly, his wide eyes blinking slowly as if taking in the peaceful surroundings.
"So," Madelynn began, her voice breaking the comfortable silence, "how's everyone's week been? I feel like I haven't seen either of you properly in days."
Elizabeth looked up from Arnold, her lips curling into a smile. "It's been good, just... busy. Between classes and the whole Triwizard Tournament excitement, there's barely time to breathe. You know they're setting up for the first task already? I overheard McGonagall talking about it this morning."
Carter perked up, his eyes wide with interest. "Really? Any idea what it's going to be?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "Not a clue. But if the rumors are anything to go by, it's going to be something big. Dangerous, even."
Madelynn raised an eyebrow, gently scratching Salem under his chin. "Well, it's the Triwizard Tournament. They're not exactly known for playing it safe. Let's just hope no one ends up in the hospital wing—or worse."
Carter chuckled, shifting Pebble in his hands so that the toad could get more comfortable. "Knowing our luck, it'll be something absurd."
They fell silent for a moment, each of them watching the lake in quiet thought. The light breeze rustled the grass, and a few stray leaves drifted lazily across the surface of the water. It was rare for them to have these moments of peace, and each of them was savoring it in their own way.
"By the way," Madelynn said, glancing at Carter with a smirk, "I heard you've been spending quite a bit of time with the Weasley twins lately. Should I be worried about what sort of influence they're having on you?"
Carter grinned, his face lighting up with mischief. "Oh, come on, Maddie. They're not that bad. Besides, they've been teaching me all sorts of things. You know, practical stuff. Like how to sneak around Filch and avoid Peeves."
Elizabeth snorted, shaking her head. "So basically, they're teaching you how to get in trouble more efficiently?"
"Exactly," Carter replied with a cheeky wink. "It's called Gryffindor ingenuity."
Madelynn rolled her eyes, though her smile softened as she looked at her younger brother. "Just... don't get yourself into anything you can't handle, alright? I may be Slytherin, but I'd rather not have to come to your rescue in front of the entire school."
Carter's grin widened. "You'd love it, and you know it. The perfect chance to show off your prefect powers."
Madelynn laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe. But don't make me test them on you."
Arnold, perhaps sensing that the attention was shifting away from him, pawed at Elizabeth's hand with a plaintive meow, drawing her focus back to him. She laughed, rubbing his belly as he stretched luxuriously in the grass.
"What about you, Lizzie?" Madelynn asked, her gaze softening. "I noticed you've been spending more time with Cedric lately."
Elizabeth's cheeks flushed slightly, though she tried to brush it off with a casual shrug. "We're just... friends. He's a nice guy, and we've got a few classes together. That's all."
Carter let out a low whistle, grinning as he looked between his sisters. "Friends, huh? Well, if you ask me, it sounds like he's got more than just 'friendly' intentions. I mean, he did practically carry your books to Charms yesterday."
Elizabeth playfully swatted at him, though she couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "He's just being polite, alright? Not everyone's out to cause trouble like you."
The three of them laughed, the teasing light and familiar, a reminder of countless afternoons spent like this, just being siblings. It was a rare comfort, one that reminded each of them of home and the bond they shared. They may have been in different houses, but that never seemed to matter when it came to family.
Salem, now done with being petted, stretched and leaped gracefully from Madelynn's lap, prowling the grass as she chased after the occasional fluttering leaf. Pebble, in contrast, was perfectly content in Carter's hands, blinking placidly at the world around him. Arnold, never one to be left out, followed Salem's movements with keen interest, his tail twitching in excitement as if ready to pounce.
"Alright, alright," Madelynn said, watching her siblings with a fond smile. "I suppose it's time for us to head back before we get too comfortable out here. We'll be late for dinner otherwise."
Elizabeth groaned, lying back in the grass for one last moment of relaxation. "Five more minutes. Just five. The lake is so nice right now."
Carter grinned, stretching his legs out and leaning back on his hands. "Yeah, come on, Maddie. You're only young once."
Madelynn rolled her eyes, but she didn't argue. Instead, she looked out over the lake, feeling a sense of calm she didn't often allow herself to embrace. These moments, with her siblings beside her, their pets happily exploring, and the castle silhouetted against the evening sky—this was what made Hogwarts feel like home.
"All right," she relented softly, smiling at her siblings. "Five more minutes. But after that, I'm dragging both of you back to the castle, whether you like it or not."
The Greye siblings laughed, settling into the quiet comfort of each other's presence, content to let the world pause around them, if only for a little while longer.