Insufferable

Tired from the events of the day Lirum didn’t fight. They simply followed Tonks back to the castle quietly. Neither of the two hadn’t realized how much time had passed from their library study session to the end of the lake side therapy session. Seeing how empty the halls were and how quickly the sun was setting they guessed it must have been dinner time. When the pair reaches the stairs the older started heading down.

“Hey shouldn’t we be going up, not down the stairs” the Ravenclaw asked

“Do you think I would let you go to sleep on an empty stomach? When was the last time you ate something? I found you hours ago at this point, and that after you came from a study session and subsequent breakdown, you had to have missed lunch as that’s where I came from when I found you; in my hiding spot by the way!” Tonks ranted as she strutted down the hall before coming to a stop in front of a portrait of a pear. “Revelio” one word and a wave of her wand and a door appeared.

“Where are we exactly? This can’t be the Hufflepuff common room, can it?” The Lirum asked

“Nope,” Tonks said as she threw the doors open and disappeared into the other side.

“Wa-wait you can’t just run off without me.” Lirum stammered and ran after her.

Tonks was standing in the Hogwarts kitchen grabbing a few bits of food that had yet to go to the great hall making a plate for each of them and handed one to Lirum.

“You better hurry up and eat you still have detention to get to.” Tonks said with a laugh

“I thought I was finally going to get to sleep! I completely forgot. This is the longest day of my life.” Lirum sighed exasperated

“You could just skip it what are they gonna do give you detention.” She shrugged leaning against a counter and started to eat.

“I can’t just skip it!” Lirum exclaimed taking their place beside her

“You skipped class but you won’t skip detention?” Some before taking another bite

“That was different!” Lirum defended before taking a few bites of their own.

“Why because you were running away from your problems then?” Lirum looked at her eyes as big as saucers. “Don’t look at me like that you know it’s true.” The Hufflepuff spoke.

“What if the twins are there?“ the tall Ravenclaw asked.

“All the more reason not to go.” She said before she nudged Lirum again and said, “or do and finally have that conversation with them.”

“I guess I have to go regardless” Lirum sat down their mostly empty plate.

“Swear to me you’ll talk to them if they’re there.“ the older girl demanded taking a small piece of food that was left on Lirum’s plate.

“Why should I,” they asked looking at the shorter girl.

“It’s the price for making sure your hair got back to this nice shade of green. I shared my favorite spot and taught you Rock therapy. The least you can do is try and sort this out so I don’t have to keep stepping in. Next year I won’t be around to save you, and Cedric will have to make sure you’re okay himself.” She ruffled Lirum’s bright green curls before she took both plates and dropped them in the sink. ”Now go we’re already close to the dungeons I’m sure you can find your way from here.” Tonks said and waved Lirum towards the door.

Lirum sighed not ready to face the rest of the night. Lifting themselves up and stood from the counter the two had been leaning against using as both the table and chair for their impromptu meeting and dinner date. Making their way to the door they heard loud talking and footsteps outside. Upon stepping out of they saw a wave of Hufflepuffs rushing past.

“How could this happen! A troll! In the castle!” Spoke a young Hufflepuff girl

“Calm down Hannah the teachers will take care of it. we need to make it back to the common room and make sure everyone together.” Spoke the tall brunette Lirum didn’t want to see. Their table partner and divination tutor Cedric Diggory.

“Speaking of witch has anyone seen Nymphadora” An older boy wearing a prefect pin on his Hufflepuff robes chimed In while he ushered students past.

“For the last time it’s just Tonks! Merlin people never listen.” Tonks said from the kitchen making her way over to the door. “Oh it looks like you might be getting out of that detention after all! What happened?” The purple haired girl shouted from behind Lirum and made her way to join the crowd.

“There’s a troll on the dungeons. Everyone is to make their way to their common rooms at once.” The prefect answered

“A-a TROLL! Wait where are the teachers? shouldn’t they be escorting the students back to their common rooms?” Lirum asked stunned and thought today was truly not their day.

“No prefects are escorting us while the professors handle the troll.” Cedric answered awkwardly while helping direct the younger Hufflepuffs since the prefect was busy explaining the situation to the two matamophamagi.

“That would mean detention would be canceled, right.” Tonks asked and leaned against the door to the kitchen far too casually for the situation at hand. “Also come on Cedric don’t you have something to say.”

“I-I’m sorry I really-“ he was cut off by his prefect beside him yelling.

“What how did you get detention this time?! Do you really think they would be so reckless, of corse detention would be postponed your not getting out of it though!” The prefect said with a huff

“Lucky you! Go to bed kid.” Tonks said ruffled Lirum’s hair and joined the rest of the Hufflepuffs on the way to her common room. “and remember what we talked about!” She shouted and disappeared with a wave into the crowd.

“What about me I’m just supposed to go back to my dorms alone? While theirs a troll in the castle? I’m locked out of my common room I couldn’t even go back in alone! How is this school allowed to keep its doors open!” Lirum rambled to themselves standing in the hallway watching more Hufflepuffs pass in the other direction.

“What do you mean by you’re locked out?” The Hufflepuff prefect asked, confused.

“I answered the riddle incorrectly earlier someone else has to open the door for me tonight.” Lirum admitted hesitantly and heard the Hufflepuff prefect sigh.

“You know the correct password though right.” He asked clearly trying to think of a solution. “I can’t very well let you stay in the Hufflepuff common room.”

“Yes into nonbeing, witch is to say, everything” the Ravenclaw nodded.

“I could help, you need to take a head count and keep everyone calm I can handle walking Lirum back to the Ravenclaw common room.” Cedric offered, taking a step back from the group. “We had some things we needed to talk about anyway.”

“Fine. Cedric since you seem to know them would you please escort them to their common room and come straight back I’ll be waiting for you to return.” The prefect said exasperated as the last few Hufflepuffs passed the three still standing at the kitchen door.

“Let’s go then, right Lirum.” Cedric said grabbing Lirum and pulling them in the direction of the stairs.

“You really want to go with me? Isn’t it still dangerous we’re just two third years wondering the halls together with a troll on the loose?” The Ravenclaw asked, awkwardly still wanting to avoid him after the evening’s study session.

“Yeah, I do. I wanted to apologize for earlier. I was trying to be playful and I hit a nerve and I should have stopped.” He answered looking at the ground as they walked.

“You’re going to put your life on the line to apologize to someone you don’t even know?” Lirum asked, baffled.

“Mostly that but also, honestly I kind of want to see a troll. Plus I get a chance to get to know you. We never really spoken even though we’ve been in the same classes for two years. This year we’re even sat together in divination but aside from our one study session, or Professor Trelawney asking questions you’ve never talked.” Cedric answered with almost a debonair excitement.

“Why would you want to know me?” Lirum asked quizzically.

“You're joking right? The Guindelirum Ollivander? The perfect Ravenclaw? The Metamorphmagus? Mysterious, witty, sarcastic, and truly unique? Ringing any bells?” Cedric joked counting his made up qualities on his fingers as he talked wildly with his hands. “Oop, sorry I’ll stop with the perfect Ravenclaw bit!”

“It’s alright but, that seems like a bit much. Uh it’s not like I’m some famous wizard like that first year Harry Potter or like Gilderoy Lockhart.” Lirum replied as they began to climb the first of many sets of stairs.

“No but you do belong to one of the most famous and popular families for wand making and that’s very impressive and a valuable skill! What’s the worst thing that could happen just having one conversation.” Cedric pointed to Lirum and gestured to both their wands as he spoke emphasizing his point.

“Ok, what would you like to know? Don’t be to disappointed if I’m not as impressive as you seem to believe.” Lirum started hesitantly.

“Well Guindelirum How do you always stay top of our class in everything?” Cedric asked turned at the top of the first set of stairs waiting for the next set of stairs to turn their way.

“Just Lirum please, my names just so long and only my grandfather really calls me that anyway. I study all the time. during meals, in between classes, during classes, after dinner in my dorm.” Lirum answered as they watched the next set of stairs align with the platform.

“Sorry, well Lirum why don’t you ever talk to anyone?” Cedric asked stepping on to the second set of stairs.

“I’m to busy studying, and reading, and doing assignments.” Lirum answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“That doesn’t sound healthy. Do you ever do anything but study.” Cedric asked as the pair started up the third flight of stairs.

“Yes when we’re out of school I help my grandfather with his wand shop. I’m helping to keep the family business as well as the craft of making wands alive” Lirum answered chest puffed with pride.

“So all you ever do is work?” The Hufflepuff asked as he stopped on the fourth floor having to wait one more time for the stairs to change to the correct direction.

“Well yeah, of course I do. I couldn’t be the perfect Ravenclaw if I didn’t right? You said it yourself I have to do this to keep up!” Lirum tried to put on the cheery voice meant to convince everyone they could handle the crushing weight of being A Ravenclaw. Rushing up the last set of stairs to the fifth floor corridor that would lead them home to the Ravenclaw common room.

“That can’t possibly be healthy. Lirum wait“ the brown haired boy ran after the metamophmagus.

“I’m just really tired, and would love to get some sleep. Sorry, can we just hurry a little Cedric?” Lirum chimed trying to convince him everything was alright.

“I-I guess you’re right it’s late. let’s get back we still have class in the morning as well.” Cedric spoke as the door to the tower came into view.

“Do you remember the password I told you earlier? ‘It’s into nonbeing, witch is to say, everything’ if you say it wrong we’ll both be locked out here.” Lirum ranted hoping to have avoided the conversation from earlier. Coming to a stop in front of the entrance to Ravenclaw tower.

“Yes I understand-“ Cedric started

“We’ll hurry up we have class in the morning and you still have to go back to your own common room.” Lirum insisted impatiently waiting in front of the door.

“Swear you’ll start taking breaks, talk to me again and not just to study!.” Cedric stopped just far enough away the eagle knocker wouldn’t come to life.

“What come on stop joking-“ Lirum said and crossed their arms ready to be in bed already.

“It’s not healthy what you’re doing. You have to take a break sometimes.” Cedric stood firm not budging an inch.

“This isn’t funny.” The Ravenclaw started again hoping the boy would just come forward and let them go to bed.

“I’m not joking what kind of Hufflepuff would I be if I let you keep doing this. You’ve got to take brakes at least in divination-“ the Hufflepuff started his outrages plan.

“I’ll fail if you distract me there! You’re literally my tutor because it makes no sense!” Lirum argued. Penelope and Percy would kill them if they found out they weren’t even paying attention in class.

“No one understands that class! Professor Trelawney is a complete nut and everyone knows it. Her class doesn’t make sense to anyone!” Cedric said like it was common sense once again making grand gestures with his hands.

“Fine. Just let me in please!” Lirum conceded their already failing maybe having him follow them around will dissuade the twins from their harassment. Upon hearing Lirum’s words the Hufflepuff boy took another step forward causing the bronze eagle knocker came to life and speak

“Where do vanished objects go?”

“into nonbeing, witch is to say, everything” Cedric said looking full of himself as the door opened and Lirum finally made their way to bed.

Once safely in their own dorm Lirum collapsed onto their soft sky blue bed and listened to the wind whipping around the tower. Relaxing into the sound as it whistled softly against the window. Their eyes settled on the tree in front of the lake where they met Tonks the only other metamorphmagus they’ve ever heard of. Thinking about the intense day they had and how it will affect what will happen in the coming days.