Signals From Behind Closed Doors
“You think he’d run out of things to say about himself,” you groaned, slinging the bag over your shoulder. “Merlin, can he rave on about himself.”
The four of you stepped out of Lockhart’s class, footsteps heavy and sluggish after one of his long rants of how he saved a village from a creature (you were too bored to remember what it was). Term had begun a few weeks ago and you were ready to toss yourself off of the astronomy tower. You were looking forward to the upcoming Hogsmeade trips later in October, but time seemed to go by slowly.
“You have to admit that he’s an amazing subject for our mischief,” said Fred, thrusting his hands into his pockets. A small, brown ball rolled in between his fingertips as he pulled it out and tossed it into the class, just before the door could close.
It was silent inside for a few minutes until a moderate pop sounded from inside and a horrible stench seeped out from beneath the door. Rampant footsteps ran towards the door and just before the door was pulled open, the twins grabbed your wrists and pulled you behind a tapestry hung across the corridor. As soon as the three of you were hidden, the door burst open, and out sprinted a disheveled Lockhart: blonde hair a mess, dust-covered cloak ruined and an almost visible trail stench followed him as he stormed off somewhere. His screams were gibberish and undecipherable as he tried to cover himself.
You couldn’t contain your laughter any longer and snorted. The two redheads joined you in your laughter and doubled over in a fit. While Lockhart was still outside of his classroom, crying somewhere about his ruined outfit and hair, the twins ran inside and planted another contraption.
“I’ll stand guard, you two just hurry and get the hell out as soon as you can,” you explained as they nodded and closed the door.
Suddenly the thumping of a heartbeat appeared from down the corridor. Someone was walking towards the classroom and all you could do was hope that it wasn’t a teacher. And, as if luck were on your side, the moment the two disappeared into the classroom, the clicking of heels sounded louder. Turning the corner was none other than—
“Miss Lupin?” A voice echoed from behind you. You tried your best to not freeze on the spot as McGonagall’s questioning voice sounded from behind you.
You sneezed and sniffled into your sleeve, the older woman blessed you. “Oh, good afternoon, Professor McGonagall.”
“Good afternoon.” She nodded. “May I ask why you are standing out in the hallway?”
“Ah,” you sighed, showing a bit more anguish in your voice, “I was looking for Professor Lockhart, but I don’t think he’s in his office. Do you perhaps know where he may be?”
At the mention of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, her lips pursed and the look she held looked as if she were refraining from rolling her eyes. “I do believe he was running to the lavatory. Something about an awful stench he got sprayed with after battling Godric knows what creature he has in his classroom.” She scrunched her nose and pinched it. “It does smell awful.”
You sneezed again, rubbing your nose slightly to play into your role. “That must be what’s triggering my nose.”
“I hope it’s that and not a cold, dear.” She smiled warmly before bidding you farewell and walked past you to another corridor.
You coughed, waited, and heard a bird whistle from inside the classroom. You whistled back. A second later, the two opened the door and popped their heads out. They looked both ways and got out of the classroom quickly.
“That was a close one,” sighed George.
“Good thing you alerted us quickly, we were just about to walk out when you sneezed,” said Fred as he clapped a hand on your shoulder. “Merlin, I’m starving — let’s hope Ron hasn’t eaten the whole lot.”
Fred walked on your left, George joined on your right and the two of you walked towards the Great Hall for lunch.
- - - - -
The full moon was approaching and you could already feel the moon’s pull. Dread sank lower into your core as it did. You were supposed to be studying at the library but found yourself unable to concentrate. Instead, you were sitting in the Slytherin common room and watching the aquatic life of the black lake swim by. It was one of the few calming hobbies you did, especially when full moons were around.
The door to the Slytherin common room opened. Prideful footsteps echoed behind you as you continued to watch the glowing fishes do somersaults. You were too unconcerned with whoever may have entered that you weren’t expecting someone to sit in the armchair adjacent to yours. In the corner of your eye, you managed to see a bed of platinum blonde hair. When the boy didn’t say anything, you moved your gaze from the window to him.
“Is something the matter, Draco?”
He looked at you, glancing up and down a few times as he thought of something in his head. “I’m just thinking.”
“Thinking about what?”
“You play quidditch, right?”
That was random. You looked at the boy quizzically as he did the same. “I play quidditch here and there with Adrian whenever we have the time. Why?”
“Are you any good?”
You snorted, further surprised by his questioning. “I don’t like to brag, but I’d say so.”
“I say bragging’s okay. If someone has a skill or possession, they should do it.”
“It’s not something someone should base themselves entirely off of,” you explained, “if you remove that one brag, what would be of the person then?”
Draco seemed to think it over before he shook his head and got back on topic. “That’s not the point — do you think you and Adrian would like to try out for positions on the team?”
“Me and Pucey? I don’t think he’s the type to—”
“It won’t hurt to try it out, would it?” He pleaded, whining somehow kept to a minimum. When you didn’t answer, he took it as a no and began to walk back out of the common room, disappointment evident on his crestfallen face.
You weren’t sure why he wanted you to join the Slytherin quidditch team, but it wasn’t a bad idea. You haven’t been involved with any other teams or sports in Hogwarts since the start of your school career. Hell, why not?
Before he could leave, you called out for him. “Draco!”
He turned to look at you, eyebrows raised in interest. He said nothing as he waited for you to continue.
“Tell Flint that I’m interested. I’ll talk to Adrian, but tell him we’re a two-packaged deal. If I try out, he’ll have to join too.”
Draco simply nodded, but you could see the childish glint in his eye before he turned away and walked out of the common room.
- - - - -
So far, fourth year was becoming a pain in the arse. There was definitely more work to be done than last year, but you knew it wouldn’t be as bad as next year when you would have to take your O.W.L.s. Sure there were a lot of preparations now as a fourth-year student, but there wasn’t that looming presence constantly over you like the fifth-years had.
There was, however, a different type of presence that did. The full moon had been two nights ago and you were exhausted. Thankfully, you had only spent one night at the infirmary. Your body wasn’t depleted of all its energy, but you had developed a small fever (nothing a Pepper-Up potion couldn’t fix).
Now, you were relaxing beneath a regular willow tree next to the lake. The chilly winds of October were not entirely insufferable yet, but they were definitely getting cooler. As you looked out into the lake, you very carefully let soft flames encase your hand. It was a spell your father had taught you a few years back, a fairly simple one that needed concentration as to not burn the caster. The flames danced and flickered, swaying in the breeze as they remained immobile. They became almost serpent-like when you willed them to flow along your fingers.
“Y/N!” A voice rang from behind you, you didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. The familiar scents of your two best friends approached you. Adrian made his way down the declining hill towards you, footsteps steady as Solaris followed in tow.
You turned around, a lazy smile on your face as you waved at them, flames still suffused throughout the length of your hand. The other two Slytherins weren’t too surprised by the sight of it, it was one of your most common tricks after all.
“Do my ears deceive me, or did I hear Adrian say that the two of you are trying out for beater positions on the Slytherin team?” She asked curiously, her earthy brown eyes sparkling in intrigue.
“Your ears deceive you not, my dear sun.”
She hurriedly walks past Adrian to take a seat beside you. You quickly vanished the flames before Solaris clasped your hands in hers. She shook your hands excitedly, so enamored of the idea of having her two best friends join the team. Adrian took a seat to your other side, apparating a book he had started reading last evening, and flipped to the page he had left off.
A half-hour passed by, mostly due to Solaris asking the two of you questions about the sudden interest. You explained how Draco had approached you the other night and accepted the offer. Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team’s Captain and Chaser, gave the two of you a rundown on how try-outs were going to happen, so you and Adrian began to train till then. It wasn’t much of a wait, they were going to be held soon and you had to make sure your techniques were still up to par.
It wasn’t long after that that the bell rang in the distance, lunch break must be over. You and Solaris sighed, you mostly out of tiredness from your recent transformation, the other because she was not looking forward to class (Transfiguration not being her best subject, sadly).
“Aww, seems we have to get to Transfiguration now. McGonagall will have our heads if we arrive late again,” Solaris sighed as she glanced at her wristwatch.
“And who’s fault is it that we always do?” Retorted Adrian, a mock sneer tugging at his lip. Solaris playfully smacked his arm before she stood up, dragging you along with her.
“Y/N, conjure your flames again, I’m getting cold over here,” she whined. She hated the cold and swore to live somewhere in a much more tropical setting, she was, after all, more accustomed to warmer climates. You obliged and flicked your hand, the flame returning at once. The Slytherin sighed happily, snuggling into your arm as the three of you walked back towards the castle.