A Wonder

“Have you seen Ginny?” Ryleigh asked as she glanced around. It seemed more than a few of them weren’t at the Halloween feast, notably Harry, Ron and Hermione as well as Ginny.

Luna shrugged and shook her head. “Nope.”

Ryleigh sighed. Ginny had been acting … strange. Not that she had much room to think so, having only known her for two months now. For all she knew this could be completely normal for her and she was simply not used to it, but something felt off about it. She would disappear at random and zone out all the time. 

Ryleigh had come to think of Luna and Ginny as her best friends and while one would think she’d spend more time with Ginny being in the same house, as it turns out the girl was gone so often she saw Luna more. 

“Maybe we ought to go and look for her?” Luna offered as she glanced around the room.

Ryleigh thought about it, they probably weren’t meant to be wondering around the halls, especially with all the professors here as well. 

“Yeah. Yeah let’s go.” Ryleigh said, her anxiety on the subject building as the minutes went by. 

She and Luna stood then and made their way to the doors where they were promptly intercepted by Professor Snape who raised an eyebrow. 

“And where do you two think you’re running off to?” He asked.

“Can’t find our friend Professor, thought we’d go and look for her.” Luna supplied honestly and Snape raised his eyebrow even higher.

“We’ll perhaps the Weasley girl is off running after her brother and his delinquent friends?” 

“Respectfully sir I don’t think so. She doesn’t really have an interest in all the sneaking around that they do…” Ryleigh said just as honestly and she thought she saw a smile peak out from the corner of Snapes lip. 

“That may be so but I can’t have you two wondering the halls alone.” He said and they sigh, dejected. 

“Come along then I’ll help you look.” He said and they looked at each other surprised. 

“Oh don’t look so shocked, last Halloween a girl was nearly killed by a troll I’m only trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.” 

“Thank you Professor.” Ryleigh said and offered him a smile which he ignored and opened the large doors leading them down the hall.

They searched for a good while before she could tell Snape was beginning to become genuinely concerned. The hospital wing was clear, the classrooms all seemed to be empty and they hadn’t found her in any of the halls.

“Maybe she wasn’t feeling well and went back to the dorms?” Luna suggested and they nodded in agreement, heading toward Gryffindor tower. As they turned down the second floor hall they nearly ran right into the girl. She looked dazed and perhaps a bit lost as she walked right into Snape. 

She nearly fell back but he caught her by the shoulders roughly. 

“Ms. Weasley.” 

“Oh Ginny!! We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Ryleigh called as she ran over. “Where have you been?” She asked and Snape watched, awaiting the answer. 

Before the girl had a chance to respond they heard Filch shout down the hall.

“I’ll kill ya!!” 

All four of them looked in that direction before rushing down the hall, Snape in the lead. As they rounded a corner they were met with Dumbledore McGonagall and Lockhart all pushing through a crowd of children. As Ryleigh peaked through the kids she could see Harry Ron and Hermione standing in an opening with Filch and what looked like Filches cat hung from the wall. 

“Argus” Dumbledore said firmly as they approached. 

The teachers seemed to freeze in place as they read the writing on the walls. Snape held up an arm as to not let the three girls trailing behind him pass any further forward. 

“Everyone will return to their dormitories immediately.” Dumbledore said and the crowd began to shift and scatter, only to pause when he spoke again. “Everyone but— you three.” He said and Ryleigh couldn’t see but she assumed he was referring to Harry and his friends. Snape spun around to look at them, whispering a, “go on now.” Before turning back to walk toward Dumbledore as McGonagall ushered everyone away.  

Ryleigh looked to Luna with a worried glace to Ginny but Luna said nothing. 

“Ravenclaws, follow me” called out the Ravenclaw perfect and Luna mouthed a “sorry” before she jogged off in the other direction. 

Ryleigh looked back at Ginny who looked much more herself now and took her arm, leading them toward Percy who was leading the path back to Gryffindor tower. 

“So where we’re you then Ginny?” Ryleigh asked and the girl just shrugged. 

“I was… on my way to the great hall I suppose, I don’t remember much honestly. Think maybe I’ve come down with something.” She responded with. 

“Should you take you to the hospital wing?” Ryleigh offered.

“No, I feel fine now. I think I’ll just get some sleep.” Ginny said just as they reached the door to the common room and Percy had said the password. 

Ryleigh watched worriedly as Ginny walked past her brother and up toward the girls dormitories. 

Xx

The next day Ryleigh spent the entirety of potions class glancing over at her friend. She seemed to be acting normal as of now at least but while Ryleigh couldn’t put her finger on it something still seemed wrong. 

An elbow to her ribs grabbed her attention. Luna nodded up toward Snape, who was looking at her and seemed to be waiting for something. 

“I’m sorry professor I.. I wasn’t listening.” She said sheepishly. 

“I asked you how many Valerian Springs go into the forgetfulness potion we are brewing right now.”

She looked down at her cauldron, then back up at Snape, “2 sir.” She said and he hummed. 

“That’ll be 5 points from Gryffindor for your lack of attention.” He said and she sighed, “be grateful you knew the answer or it would have been more.”

He then continued to instruct them, add the springs, stir, three times, clockwise, then wave their wand.

“Now then, we will leave these to brew and return to them in 45 minutes.” He said. “Until then you should all begin you assignments for later.” He said and sat back at his desk. Taking a handful of papers and going through them. 

An hour later the class had been dismissed and they were cleaning up their stations and filing at Snapes desk to hand in their potion. Luna waved goodbye as she left toward her next class. Ryleigh was moving slowly placing her quill and books into her bag. Then taking her potion and bringing up to Snape as the final student. 

“You were unfortunately distracted today Ms. Walsh.” He noted as he looked at her potion. 

“I am sorry professor.” She said twisting the buckle on her cloak. 

“Hm, see to it you’re more focused next class.” He said and nodded, placing the potion off to the side. “Acceptable.” 

She was about to exit before she stopped. 

“Do you have a class now professor?” She asked and he looked at her. 

“Sorry I— I was hoping to get in some extra practice with the cauldron but I can just—“ she explained and began to leave.

“No.” Was all he said and she froze. 

“No?” She asked.

“I have no class right now. Practice away. Who am I to stunt your learning.” Then he went back to the papers on his desk and she went back to hers. 

Opening the textbook she flipped to her marked section. 

‘Wide eye potion’ she read through the steps and checked her ingredients. 

She looked up at Snape who was paying her no mind at all. 

“Professor?” She asked and he hummed but didn’t look up. 

“If I were to brew this could I leave it until tomorrow?” She asked and he finally looked up at her. 

“What is it?” He asked.

“Wide eye potion.” She answer and he looked at her questioningly.

“And why might you need that?” He asked, placing his papers down on his desk and sitting upright. 

“I don’t sir, I just thought it was interesting and thought I might give it a try.” She explained.

“Hm..” he said thoughtfully. “That’ll be fine.” He finally decided. 

“Thank you. And I’m sorry about before, i… it won’t happen again.”

He looked her up and down then and after a moment of quiet he said, “finish this properly and you might be in line to earn some extra point for your house.” 

She smiled at him and then went back to her recipe. 

Xx

When she finished the potion the next day she handed to the professor who examined it, then took a thin piece of glass and extracted one drop onto his finger. Tasting it. 

Finally he looked over at her. Handed the potion back to her and nodded. 

“15 points to Gryffindor.” Then he spun around, his cloak flowing and walked away.

Xx

Ryleigh was in the library when Luna approached her, her eyes wide and smiling. 

“Are you going to the game today?” She asked sweetly and Ryleigh scrunched up her face. 

“Not much into quidditch.” She responded and Luna laughed. “What’s funny?”

“You rhyme a lot.” Luna explained. 

“Do I?” Ryleigh asked, unaware this was a habit she had.

“Just something I’ve noticed.” Luna said. 

“We’ll I’m going to go and I thought you might want to come with me.”

Ryleigh thought about it and really she hadn’t anything else to do so she nodded and lifted a hand for Luna to take, pulling her from her seat on the bench. 

They made their way to the quidditch pitch together. 

“Want to sit with Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?” Ryleigh asked as they approached the seating towers. 

“Doesn’t matter to me.” Luna shrugged, and Ryleigh believed her as the girl could make herself comfortable absolutely anywhere. 

“Let’s sit with the ravenclaws today then.” She said and they walked toward the Ravenclaw stands. 

Ryleigh was most definitely in the minority regarding her stance on quidditch. She’d gone to all the games this year, mostly at Ginny or Lunas request, as evident today, but she really didn’t get the hype. In all honesty all it looked to her extremely dangerous. Not only were there next to no safely protocols, no nets, no way to catch a student who goes falling hundreds of feet. Only one ref and teachers in the stands who don’t intervene even when perhaps they should. 

This game, as she was coming to notice, was just as bad. The bludger was chasing Harry and no one was doing anything about it! It crashes right into wood and no one said anything. Then Draco went flying and crash landed, and despite the general prat that he was, he’s still a kid who’s hurt, but no one did anything. And then finally the bludger made Harry crash and they only ended the game because he’d caught the snitch! She couldn’t possibly fathom why Madam Hooch alone hadn’t done anything let alone any of the other professors in the stands. The poor boy had broken his arm, and the ever incompetent Lockhart had only made it worse. 

She and Luna walked back toward the courtyard together and she complained about it, nearly forming a full fledged rant.

“I just think it needs more refs, and some updated rules? It’s not safe is all I’m saying.” She finished with a huff. 

“I agree, Harry could have been seriously hurt.” Luna said softly as they took a seat on the bench. 

 “But that’s just it! Harry was seriously hurt!” She complained. “I’m sorry, I’ll stop.” She laughed. 

“Do you want to study before we head back in?” She asked and the other girl smiled and nodded. They found a spot in courtyard to set up their spot. The crisp November air settling around them, not to cold but also not warm.

“Charms then DADA?” Luna suggested.

“Suppose so.” Ryleigh complained. 

Xx

The next morning Ryleigh was seated with Ginny at breakfast when they heard about Colin being petrified. 

“Awful…” she said sadly to Ginny who nodded in agreement. 

Xx

By the time December rolled around Ryleigh couldn’t wait to get home and be with her family for Christmas. The longer that these attacks went on with no information the less and less she wanted to be here. 

She was late, well not really but she wanted to be early to potions and at her current rate she would not be. As she rounded the last turn before the classroom she slammed full force into Professor McGonagall, knocking the woman back just slightly and herself down to the ground. 

“Oh my!” The woman said as she gathered herself, then rushed over to her side. 

“Ms. Walsh, are you alright my dear?” She asked as she checked her over. From the doorway to her target classroom Professor Snape emerged and walked toward them swiftly.

“What happened here?” He asked in his low tone. 

“You scare you students so much Severus they rush to get to class early.” She said her voice full of sarcasm as she helped Ryleigh to sitting.

Her eyes were wide and her vision swam as the woman pulled her upright. She’d hit her head hard on the stone floor but aimed to push forward.

“I’m.. so sorry Professor McGonagall…” she said softly, reaching for her scattered books.

“Oh no apologies dear, are you alright then?” She asked. 

“Yes, yes I’m fine.” Ryleigh said as she gathered the final textbook into her bag and used the stone wall to pull herself up again. Both professors watched her carefully as she wobbled and gripped the wall for support. Her vision swam again as she tried to take a step forward and promptly crumbled to her knees, only to be caught by the professors together. 

“Hospital wing it is then.” McGonagall said and Snape nodded. 

“No! I mean- I’m fine, just got a bit dizzy is all. I don’t want to miss class.” She said lamely as McGonagall took her bag of books and handed it to Snape then wrapped a careful arm around her body and began to lead her down the hall. Snape raised an eyebrow at her comment as he took the bag full of textbooks. 

“Ms. Walsh I will not have you dizzy and making a dangerous mistake in my classroom. You will go to the hospital wing like Professor McGonagall said and you will aid yourself as to better return for your end of term exams next week. 

“I will have Ms. Lovegood bring you your missed work. Although I’m sure the library you’re lugging around in this bag would be enough to sustain you.” He commented and McGonagall laughed quietly along with Ryleigh.

“They’re all potions books I took from the library..” she mumbled in embarrassment. 

“A Gryffindor protégé have you Severus?” McGonagall said with a clear snark reserved for the potions master. 

“The girl has an undeniable understanding of the art yes.” Was his simple response.

She simply watched them play volleyball with the conversation, fascinated. 

“Ms Walsh?” Snape asked, all the sudden in front of her face. 

“Huh?” She asked.

“Have you heard me at all?” He asked. 

She finally noticed that they had stopped moving and where standing in an empty hall and both teachers had knelt down to meet her eyes.

The halls were empty indicating that classes had begun. She swayed as she looked around. 

“Woah…” she whispered as she felt two pairs of hands steady her. “I think I hit my head a bit harder than I thought.” She finally said and even Snape cracked a smile. Then it all faded to black. 

Xx

Such a silly reason to wake up in the hospital wing, was the fist thing she thought when she opened her eyes and remembered why she was here. 

She could still feel a dull throbbing in the back of her skull but she felt generally much better than she had before. It looked to be late evening now, she noted as she looked out the large windows. She pushed the blankets off of her and stood up. She was still a little dizzy but not nearly as much and she was not wanting to spend any extra time here. No offense intended to madam pomfrey. 

“Ms. Walsh, where do you think you’re going?” Said woman asked as she approached.

“I’m feeling much better. Thank you, but I think I’ll head back now—“

“You will not.” The woman said in a stern voice. 

“You’ve not even rested a proper day.” Said the mediwitch with a raised brow.

“It’s just— well I was hoping to get in an extra potions practice…” Ryleigh finally said, dejected, she sat back down on the bed.

“I’m sure you’ll have all the time you need to get your practices in Ms Walsh.” Was her only response.

From the open doors to the hospital wing McGonagall spoke, startling both of them. 

“From what I hear you’re not in much need of more potions practice.” 

Ryleigh flushed in embarrassment as the older woman walked over to her bedside. 

“I do hope you weren’t making your grand escape Ms. Walsh.” 

“I— no…” Ryleigh looked the woman up and down now that she was closer. She was carrying Ryleigh’s bag and her personal potions set. 

“I found this is your dormitory. Thought you might want it as you rest. Nothing to complex though Ms Walsh.” She explained and rested the objects at the side of the bed.

“Thank you professor!” Ryleigh said excitedly. Then she looked between the two of them. “Would there be any way Ginny could bring be my missed work from today? For all my classes?” McGonagall nearly rolled her eyes but nodded.

“Ms Weasley is already collecting the work you missed with Ms. Lovegood.” Ryleigh smiled. “I had meant to ask you earlier but will you be joining us for Christmas or heading home dear?” 

“Home. But I was also meaning to talk with you about that, I live in Ireland Ma’am and I find it silly to take the train down to London and then floo back up to Ireland. Is there anyway I could… avoid that?” She asked and McGonagall nodded.

“Indeed. We’ll schedule you an advisor and  you can floo from their office. We generally organize regionally so someone will let you know where to meet for your floo.”

Ryleigh sighed contently. “Thank you very much.” 

Footsteps were heard pattering down the hall as Ginny and Luna both walked into the hospital wing. 

“Hey.” Ryleigh said as they walked over, bundles of paper in their hands. 

“We’ll I think we will leave you girls to it.” McGonagall said then she and pomfrey walked off chattering. 

The girls watched as they went and looked over to the lone curtained off bed before looking back at each other.

“Poor Colin…” Luna said.

“I know… do you reckon they’ll make him retake the year? I mean he’s practically missed half of it already…” Ryleigh asked. She looked to Ginny who simply shrugged and looked away. 

A stagnant silence engulfed them for a long minute before Ginny spoke again. 

“You know you could have gotten out of this work?” She said with an tone of teasing.

“Yeah. But I want to know it. It’ll help me not have to work quite so hard later on. and I’ll stay ahead of everyone.” Ryleigh explained. 

The other two girls laughed, “your Slytherin is showing Walsh.”

“What can I say?” She shrugged jokingly, “‘she’s cunning folks!’” She mocked herself and they laughed together. “‘She’s ambitious’”

Xx

On the friday before Christmas break the castle as full of whispered looks and private conversations as nearly the whole student body gossiped about Harry Potter speaking parseltongue. In all honesty Ryleigh couldn’t care less about that. She was just excited about going home for Christmas break and seeing her family. She was in her room packing before potions class when Ginny came in. 

“Are you leaving for Christmas?” The red head asked. 

“Yeah, you?” She asked. 

“Staying this year.” Ginny said with no further explanation.

Ryleigh looked up at the clock. “We’ll be late for potions, ready?”

Ginny nodded and follows Ryleigh as they made there way to the dungeon for potions. 

When they walked into the classroom they were early, as Ryleigh can planned if she was honest. She liked to get to class before the other students so she could sit where she liked, but she also didn’t want a repeat of her last “I’m late to being early” event of last week. 

Snape was already in the classroom which was unusual as he normally entered just as the class time began.

“Ms Walsh, your head of house has asked me to accommodate your transport to Ireland. We will meet at 8 am Monday morning.” He said abruptly and she nodded. 

“Okay, thank you sir.” She said and sat down next to Ginny, leaving a spot on her other side for Luna. 

Ginny pulled out her textbook, quill and parchment and Ryleigh followed suit. 

Xx

Late that afternoon she’d once again lost track of her friend as she and Luna wondered the halls looking for Ginny as seemed to become a habit. 

“Maybe she goes off to look for Nargles?” Luna suggested as the wondered. 

Ryleigh hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with this take on the disappearances. 

“Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.” Was Lunas second suggestion. 

“Maybe she doesn’t…” Ryleigh said softly and shrugged. “Let’s go to dinner then.” She said and Luna nodded, leading the way in a skip toward the great hall. 

If there was one thing Ryleigh could say about Hogwarts it’s that the decorations for the great hall were always spot on. It was absolutely beautiful in there with the massive Christmas trees and twinkling lights. People were gathered and chatting together. Luna and Ryleigh took a seat at the edge of the Gryffindor table together, receiving their normal sideways glanced whenever Luna sat at Gryffindor table with her. The looks always seemed to roll right off Lunas back but Ryleigh had a more difficult time letting it go, as such, these things normally led to some sort of confrontation like the following chain of events. 

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” She side with bite coating her words. The three Gryffindor boys that had been staring rolled their eyes and went back to laughing with each other before they responded. 

“I have an idea why doesn’t Loony Lovegood go back to her own table and we won’t have to make a scene.” Said one boy with a smug look like his line was the best insult ever.

“I have a better idea, why don’t you point out the section in the rule book where it says I can’t sit with my friend without being harassed.” She said and crossed her arms over her chest. “Go on, I’m really curious.” She prompted when they said nothing. 

Finally they just scoffed and turned back around.

“I mean what do they care!?” Ryleigh said to Luna when she’d turned back around. 

“You don’t have to do that you know.” Luna said.

“Do what?” Ryleigh asked. 

“Fight with your house members for me. Honestly it doesn’t bother me.” Luna explained as she twirled her hair. 

Ryleigh looked at her, so sweet and carefree. 

“We’ll it bothers me. It’s not right how people treat you and I won’t have it when I’m around.” She finally decided on. 

Luna smiled at her and picked up her plate, taking some food and changing the subject.

Some time later they watched as Hermione and Ron came into the hall whispering to each other and very starkly without Harry. 

“Can’t wait to go home.” Ryleigh said as they finished up their meals.

“Me to, my dad and I have lots planned for the holiday.” Luna said illusively, not elaborating at all and Ryleigh chuckled.

“My mam and my brother and sister and I will go out right when I get home to search for the perfect tree cause it’s the last day the farm will be open.. the one we go to at least. But they promised to wait for me cause they just have no idea what a good tree is.” Luna and Ryleigh both laughed lightly. 

Xx

On Monday morning at promptly 7:50 Ryleigh was waiting with her one bag, mostly full of potions extra work, and her warm winter cloak on outside the cast doors. She watched as Luna climbed into a horse drawn carriage and waved goodbye as they took off across the frozen lake toward the train. On her right a fellow Gryffindor boy walked up and stood next to her. Seamus Finnigan stood, his scarlet and gold scarf wrapped tight around his neck. 

“Ireland?” He asked cheekily.

“Obviously.” Was her deadpan response. 

He chuckled and shook his head. “You really shoulda been in Slytherin Walsh.” 

“Maybe I should have been. But then, they say the sorting hat doesn’t make mistakes right?” She came back with. 

“Mr. Finnigan, Ms. Walsh, let’s go.” Said a voice behind them as Snape emerged from the castle, his cloak wrapped right around himself, he motioned for them to follow him back inside.

Ryleigh took off after him right away, jogging slightly to keep up with his stride. 

They made their way back to his office where his large fireplace stood. 

“Mr. Finnigan, I trust your used the floo network before?” Snape asked.

Seamus nodded, “Yes professor.” 

“Floo powder is there on the side, keep your elbows in and speak clearly. The network will be open for you again on January 3rd and only January 3rd. After then my personal floo will be closed and you will need to acquire your own transport back to campus via the Hogwarts express at 11 am.” He spoke as if memorized and Seamus nodded then walked toward the fireplace, taking a handful of the power and throwing down as he spoke. 

“Groves Street.” He said then disappeared. 

Despite her effort not her Ryleigh jumped back just slightly and Snape looked at her but said nothing.

“You’re turn Ms. Walsh.” He said.

Ryleigh nodded and grabbed a handful of the powder. 

“I’ll ask you what I asked Mr. Finnigan. Have you used the floo network alone before?”

“Once.” Was her quiet response. 

He hummed. 

“You’ll want to be specific to your street name when you announce your destination. Keep your elbows close to you body, hold your bad at your chest if it helps, and don’t just away from the flames, they cannot harm you. Do you understand?” He asked and she nodded hesitantly. 

“Thank you Professor, for doing this…” 

“Just doing as I was asked Ms. Walsh.” He responded, “Remember Jan 3rd.” 

She nodded once more and took a deep breath, dropping the powder and saying, “Aylesbury Park.”