Hello You

Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard as he quietly mulled on what his close colleague had just reported to him.

“And you believe it was Mr. Murphy or his younger sister that attempted to compel you?” he asked as she sipped her tea.

“I believe it was Aine Murphy, but I don't think she is aware of it. It seems like her brother has more control over his – I've haven't spent enough time around Aine to notice it before.” Minerva explained.

“How did it feel?” he questioned.

“it was... it was as if all of my irritation and disappointment in Mr. Murphy was melting away being replaced with – I can only describe it as a warm feeling. Then it was stopped so abruptly- I was able to focus again.” she explained placing her tea cup down.

“Interesting. Why do you think she stopped?” he mused loudly to himself.

“I am not sure, perhaps a lack of concentration.” professor McGonagall answered “I have asked Professor Sprout and she said she's never noticed an issue with Aine before...”

“Perhaps. We should keep an eye on the siblings for the time being.” he decided before giving a too calm close eyed smile.

“perhaps” she sighed.

--

“Are you going to pout the whole evening or tell us what happened this afternoon?” Jameson questioned as Corrinne aggressively scraped her plate.

Although it was George's scheduled dinner night, Aine decided to eat at Ravenclaw table to cheer up Corrine who- had received 2 weeks of detention from Professor Flitwick. It was just their mighty trio enjoying dinner together – Oliver had joined Connell for dinner in the infirmary.

Aine felt exhausted and couldn't come up for a practical reason as to why – she knew she was worried about her brother but Madam Pomfrey is the best at healing bones, he would most likely be discharge tomorrow afternoon. Still her mind felt far – unable to focus on the pasta in front of her, she felt as if she was being watched. Her eyes drifted to Gryffindor table where ginny was talking to Neville and Harry, as Ronn and Hermione were muttering to each other with their heads close together.

George had not arrived yet but she still felt like she was being watched.

“there's really nothing to tell.” Corrine hissed at Jameson “those sad excuses for wizards couldn't keep their mouths shut, and I was handling it but then- “Corrine sighed cutting herself off.

“And then?” Jameson pressed as Corinne gazed towards Gryffindor table, biting her lip in thought, Aine followed her eyes and saw she was looking at Katie Bell? Placing a hand on Corrinne shoulder gently, encouraging her to continue.

“Warrington called me a dyke and then I spat in his face but he ended up grabbing my face – I think if Connell wasn't there he was going to- I don't know.” Corrinne explained her voice quiet and defeated.

Aine gasped at the indication as she began to caress Corrine's face to search for any marks or cuts, pulling her closer in her arms.

“He said what!” Jameson stands almost falling over in complete shock.

“Do I need to repeat it?” Corrinne shoots him a glare.

“No! Of course not. It's just why would he say that to you? I mean- How could he?” Jameson responds confused and flustered, Aine can see the gears in his head turning. She can feel Corrinne tense up again in her arms and decided there is too much panic.

“Jameson.” she locks her dark brown eyes with his green, voice firm “it was to be cruel; he is a cruel rude boy.” Aine caressed Corrinne’s face, pushing her hair back.

For Aine it was understood immediately, she had an idea that was itching in her head but was waiting for confirmation, for Corrinne to come to her when she was ready and not this horrible way.

For Jameson it was more like a quick light bulb that suddenly flashed on.

“Oh... Corrine.” it came out soft as he rounded the table placing an awkward arm around her shoulder, sandwiching her in the middle.

“I was gonna tell you guys eventually- it's just was all new.” Corrinne mumbled, eyes watering. Aine understood she didn't like crying in public, that she viewed it as embarrassing – she pulled her face into her chest.

“It's okay.” Aine squeezed tighter. “It doesn't change anything about you to us.”

“Yeah, you're still the emotionally constipated, hot headed, know it all-” Jameson was cut off by Corrinne pulling herself out of Aines arms and slapping him in the chest.

“I am not emotionally constipated!” she hissed raising her hand to hit him again.

“Wait!” Jameson coughed stopping her temporally “notice how you agreed with hotheaded?” he laughed as the second slap hit his head.

“Shut the fuck up.” she laughed before making a mischievous smile “at least I'm not a single big-headed loser.”

“SINGLE?” Jameson exclaimed “wait who? WAIT is it the chaser girl?”

Corrine and Jameson fell into friendly banter as she revealed that she was in fact dating the cheeky chaser girl Katie Bell and had been in secret for quite some time. Aine although shocked about the secret relationship still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of being watched again. She turned towards the professor table where they were all conversing with each other, then back to Gryffindor and again nothing out of the ordinary.

She shrugged and focused back on the conversation. ‘Oh well.’

-

Cedric Diggory’s frowned in slight annoyance but held back a sigh as George and Fred Weasley stood before him soaked in vinegar. They were in the middle of the Hufflepuff common room and it was dangerously close to curfew, some first year had taken pity on them and let them in. Cedric took a step back due to the overwhelming smell and crossed his arms as he eyed the twins.

“What exactly was the goal here?” he questioned, waving his wand drying their clothes.

“Forgiveness”

“chaos”

George (he assumed) shoot Fred a quick glare and smacked him with the bag that he was holding and Fred rolled his eyes.

“Are you looking for Aine?” Cedric understood “You know it's almost curfew, why didn't you just talk to her at dinner?” at this point his hands were om his hips.

“We were busy golden boy.” definitely Fred answered with a tone.

“It was supposed to be a surprise but we got...” George trailed off gesturing to the current state they were in.

Cedric liked the twins but he could attest that George is more agreeable than Fred, and he was on patrol tonight so he could just escort them back afterwards...

“Did you hear what happened to Connell?” he asked.

“Why do you think we were so busy.” Fred smiled at him mischievously and Cedric had to hold his back, letting out a sigh.

“Alright follow me, you can give your gift to her and then you gotta go.” Cedric started walking towards the girl's side of the dormitory. Cedric led them down the long hallway where they passed Mutiple circular doors, George noticed that there was also a huge staircase at the end of the hallway.

“what's that for?” he asked pointing.

“Oh, it's a shared balcony, but it's the girls one so you can't go up there.” Cedric explained as if it was obvious.

“oh” George shrugged as they finally stopped in front of a door that he assumed was Aine’s, as Cedric raised his fist to knock George noticed he could faint music through the door. They boys shuffled awkwardly as Cedric knocked again but firmer this time, they heard the music lower and feet pad across the floor. George held in a sigh of disappointment as her roommate open the door, she was blonde and her hair was twisted back into a bun, along with some pink cream smeared on some parts of her face, and was wearing fuzzy pajamas pants.

“Cedric!” she gasped of shock, holding the door slightly open as she stood in horror, George tried to look over her head.

“Hi Opal, I -” the door was slammed in his face and they heard skittering throughout the room along with muffled frantic arguing. The door reopened again but this time it was a tanned taller girl with a short dark pixie cut wearing a short blue robe, this one had more of a stern look.

“Can I help you Diggory and... guests?” she crossed her arms, obviously unimpressed by the late-night visitors.

“Hi Carin.” Cedric smiled brightly at her “You know the Weasley twins, right?” he gestured to Fred and George, she eyed them.

“Aren't one of you dating Aine?” she questioned as George sheepishly raised his hand. “Right so? Why are you here? It's almost curfew and now Opal is all embarrassed because you saw her in her pjs.” she placed an arm on her hip directing the last statement at Cedric.

“Right. Sorry about that.” Cedric blushed at the indication “Is Murphy in there? George wanted to see her.” he explained.

“She’s in the shower, probably be out in a few minutes..” she explained leaning back into the room. “If you want you can wait in here.” Carin answered pushing the door open wider with her hip. Fred smirked taking a step forward to follow but not before Cedric grabbed him by the arm with a stern face.

“You have 15 minutes. If you're not done by then I'm still dragging your asses back to Gryffindor tower.” he explained before turning to Fred completely staring up at him “and keep your hands to yourself Fred.”

“Thanks mate, we will be quick I promise.” George answered as Fred just shrugged him off.

“Yeah, yeah don't make me regret it.” Cedric replied and walked back towards the common room.

Upon entering the dorm George could see opal and Carin sitting on one of the beds cross legged together, Carin was rubbing opal’s back as she let out a small moan.

“The one night I decide to put on blemish away early.” Opal complained.

“I know, I know it's okay.” Carin eyed the twins before pointing to a bed across from them.

“that's Aines’ bed, just be mindful Hazel’s snoozin.” She explained as she turned back to opal, whispering something in her ear. George and Fred approached the neatly made bed that was on the other side of the room, next to Aine's bed laid a girl face down in her own bed deeply asleep. George had remembered Aine told him about hazel and that she suffered from a vitamin deficiency that caused her to sleep most of the time, with the lights on and music playing apparently.

Now sitting on Aine’s bed, Fred eyed Carin “Georgie” he whispered quietly “do you think I have a chance?”

“Maybe, but don't.” George whispered back

“Why not?”

“Because she's my girlfriend's roommate, it will be awkward.”

“For who? Shes not my girlfriend.”

“Fred.”

“George?” Aine questioned as she stepped out of the bathroom. Her hair was tied back with a yellow satin scarf but George could see water droplets at the ends, she was wearing sweatpants and black tank that she fiddled with as she furrowed her eyebrows “what are you doing here?”

George noticed Fred had slinked from Aines bed to the other side of the room towards Carin and Opal, they had huddled closer to give him space on the edge on the bed. George internally rolled his eyes before shifting his focus back to Aine.

“I just wanted to talk to you.” he confessed as honestly as he could. “Privately?” he pleaded quietly after he noticed her eyes flick towards her roommates.

“Uh Yeah. Come on.” she gestured to her bed and crawled towards the center of her mattress gesturing him to follow. Once they were cross legged and comfortable, she leaned back towards the edge and drew the curtains around her bed followed by the uttering of ‘sillenco’.

It was awkward for a second as Aine gazed at him in curiosity and George licked his slightly chapped lips.

“I got this for you.” he pulled the small bag out of his pockets, and rushed it into her lap.

“Oh. Thank you.” Aine responded lamely as she did not even open it and placed it to her side. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Right.” George started slightly dejected, he had hoped sneaking out to Hogsmeade and buying one of her favorite sweets would make it easier. “I'm sure you heard about what happened with Ron” he continued as he wiped his hands on his thighs.

“Ah yes, I heard the story from other people.” she replies in dull tone before sighing “George I'm really tired and-”

“I’m sorry” George blurted out quickly, reaching for her hand. “I should've told you what had happened, the truth. I just didn't want you to get upset.” he successfully threaded his fingers into hers as he shuffled closer.

“George-”

“Aine. I just wanted you to sleep and have a fun night, I wanted you to feel safe. -”

“George. Let me talk.” Although her tone was firm, she still held his hand. He silently watched as she pressed her lips together, wondering what she was about to say.

“Listen. I am upset about last night, I understand why. But I am allowed to be upset.” she started in a softer voice. “Thank you for apologizing.”

“I really am sorry. I know we promised to be honest towards each other. I will try not to break that promise again.” George raised their hands to his lips, giving hers a small kiss.

“Okay. Thank you.” she gave him a small smile but still George had more to say.

“I heard about Connell, is he okay?” he asked softly, pressing his head against hers. Her grip tightened on his hand and she let out a small cry.

“Oh, George! He looked awful! He promised our dad he would stop fighting and now he's gone and gotten himself beat up!” The words are coming out fast, and her accent is becoming thicker each second “I mean it was for a good reason; it was to help Corrinne – and I think daddy will forgive him but it's just too much.” she lets out a deep sigh, letting her body melt into her bed and her head on his lap.

“I am so tired.” it comes out as a whisper to George.

“that's okay, just rest.” he comforts as he places an arm around her.

-

Connells knee bounced in place as he observed the headmaster’s office, it was more decorated than most professors' offices and a lot more used than his father's office at home. He was slightly confused on what he was doing here, he had already been punished by McGonagall and had just been released from the hospital wing about an hour ago.

Only when he heard the creak of the door opening again that Connell realized he was holding his breath. Professor Dumbledore glided from the corner of his eye and into his nice plushy armchair, he gave Connell a bemused smile.

“I'm sorry for my late appearance, it was rude of me to call you here and leave almost immediately after.” he waved his hand summoning a teapot and 2 mugs.

“Uh, its alright..” Connell began confused on why he was apologizing to him.

“How are you feeling Mr. Murphy, I was informed of your injuries.” Dumbledore offered him a mug. “Sugar?” he asked Connell.

“Thanks” Connell answered taking a spoonful. “I am feeling fine, madam Pomfrey stitched me up.”

Dumbledore smiled and took a sip of his tea, gazing at Connell as he gathered his thoughts.

“I am happy you are feeling better, but I did want to discuss something with you.” Dumbledore began again; Connell let out a sigh.

“Headmaster, I know it was wrong to fight with other prefects- and I know it doesn't set a good example! But I swear my reason were valid! -” Connell's rambling was cut off by a raise of Dumbledore hand.

“That is not the issue I want to discuss” he responded.

“Oh.” Connell still didn't fully relax “what is it?”

“Professor McGonagall reported to me after she visited you, and revealed something concerning your sister.” Dumbledore eyed Connell for his reaction.

“Aine? Did-did she do something?” Connell leg began to bounce but he quickly stopped himself.

‘shit’

“Well, it seems like she attempted to compel your head of house, if McGonagall was a weaker witch, she might've never noticed.” Dumbledore had placed his mug down.

“At first, I thought- I am not sure what I thought. But I am sure of what I remember in you Connell” he continued rising from his chair.

Connell had felt his blood run cold, his throat felt incredibly dry as he tried to think.

“What you remember in me?” he parroted shakily. Dumbledore nodded.

“When you started here, you were always fighting. I found it strange that it seemed like every time you would fight, it would almost start a chain reaction of some sort. I remember thinking the 3rd of 4th time it happened ‘it's as if he is projecting it on to the fellow student, like he has some sort of influence’” Connell immediately shot his head up as those words left his mouth.

Dumbledore met his eyes and held the gaze for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.

“I am one of the most powerful wizards in all of Europe. That ability will not work on me, but I guess it was brave of you to try.”

“I am sorry.” Connell answered with his head lowered.

“I appreciate the apology Mr. Murphy, but I would still like to continue this discussion” Dumbledore replied before sighing heavily. “I would like to offer an apology of my own actually, if we ‘the adults’ had noticed sooner, we would've been able to help you. Now you're a year shy of graduation and can barely control it.” he mused.

“But your sister...”

“I can control it” Connell deflected. “And Aine- she doesn't even know that she can do it. Isnt it better to just leave it be?” he argued weakly.

“Is that what you just tried to demonstrate? Do you think your sister unknowingly compelling people is a good example of control?” Dumbledore argued back.

“Connell. You and Aine have a very rare ability, and I can sense the fear within you.” Dumbledore explained calmly, he couldn't make his student accept help but he could try to convince him. “But I promise you; I only am here to offer my assistance. I know you can attempt control but if we train it, you wouldn't have to suppress yourself anymore.”

The office was quiet as Dumbledore waited for a response, his student eyes bouncing all over the room before landing back on the headmaster.

“There was an incident over the summer.”