Chương 64: Chapter 64: Ancient Magic (3)
Catherine was running rather late for Transfiguration and received a stern scolding from Professor McGonagall. The Head of Gryffindor had heard enough to understand that her student was somehow involved in yet another incident with Slytherins. The black-haired witch was then directed to the last table, where she worked quietly for the rest of the period.
After the morning classes had finally concluded, the third-years made their way to the Great Hall for lunch. Catherine seethed with frustration over the fifteen house points that Professor Sprout had deducted. Nevertheless, somewhere deep inside, her rational self, acknowledged that she could have reacted differently, and that she had left the Herbology teacher with little choice. Strangely, this rationalisation only fuelled Catherine's anger further.
"At least you didn't get a detention." – James chimed in, attempting to lighten her mood – "And as a completely unexpected bonus, Evans finally behaved as a true Gryffindor and gave Snivellus quite a tongue-lashing!"
Surprised, Catherine looked at James and then quickly glanced at Lily, who sat eating tomato soup with a grim expression.
"I can't believe I missed that!" – the young witch sighed with regret.
"I can fill you in on all the juicy details," Sirius smirked. "She has a strong voice for such a delicate girl."
"Catherine!"
The third-years turned around to see Alice Fortescue, Marianne Trundle, and Tabitha Meadows from Hufflepuff standing there with serious faces.
"Hi, Alice!" – the Gryffindor girl greeted the round-faced Hufflepuff.
"These are Marianne and Tabitha. I am not sure if you know each other." – Alice gestured toward her classmates, who smiled and nodded at Catherine.
"Ah, no, I think we have never been formally introduced." – said the young witch – "Do you need anything?"
"Oh, sorry, we interrupted your lunch!" – Alice quickly apologised – "We just wanted to thank you on behalf of Hufflepuff. What happened to Grace is just… Anyway, we were speechless and couldn't react, for which I am very much disappointed with myself."
"There's no need to thank me. I did what I felt was right, and I also had some things to settle with Volumnia." – Catherine smiled – "You should not blame yourself for not being quick enough. I had so many fights with Slytherins, it became a reflex for me now. It's completely natural to be stunned by such a barbaric display."
"In any case, we were lucky that you were there for Grace. She told me you lost some house points, and we are truly sorry for that." – Alice's eyes watered a little – "Therefore, we wanted to invite you for some tea and pastries when we go to Hogsmeade. It's gonna be our treat, of course!"
"Flame's going to be with us when we visit Hogsmeade!" – Sirius interjected. Catherine looked at him and sighed. It was a miracle her friend managed to stay silent for a whole minute.
"I'd love to have tea with you!" – replied the Gryffindor girl, disregarding Black's cry of protest – "But you really don't need to pay for me!"
"We insist!" – grinned Tabitha.
"Great! Looking forward to it!" – Alice beamed and winked and Sirius - "Don't worry, Black! We'll return her to you in perfect condition."
"Why do you always try to run away from your best friends?" – Sirius asked angrily once the Hufflepuffs returned to their table – "I thought we would explore Hogsmeade together!"
"Jeez, leave me some breathing room!" – moaned Catherine – "I need to be with other girls from time to time!"
"Why?" – asked the young wizard stubbornly.
"Just because… I don't know… to talk about girls' stuff, do girls' things!" – answered the witch, rolling her eyes.
"You can talk with us about everything!" – insisted the grey-eyed boy – "And I can do whatever girly things you want to do!"
"Really? We are going to talk about boys and try makeup with me?" – the girl teased him, torn between frustration and laughter at her friend's ridiculous stubbornness.
"Yes!" – Sirius refused to give up.
"Sounds tempting, but count me out!" – laughed James, who had just finished his stew – "Seriously, mate, sometimes you do act like a puppy! Let Flame have her tea with the badger posse! She'll spend the rest of the day with us anyway!"
"How very noble of you." – the girl scoffed – "And please don't ever use 'badger posse' again!"
"Then, what about the Helga-squad?"
"Oh, Merlin!" – the girl sighed, shifting her attention towards the Cottage pie in front of her.
***
In the evening, Catherine took a break from her homework to assist Sirius with the map. The meticulous work from the previous year was well-represented on the large parchment, featuring the intricate plan of the entire school — its towers, 142 staircases, and six secret passageways leading to Hogsmeade.
"The parchment is big enough. We can always add additional premises or passages if we discover them." – concluded the boy pragmatically – "On Saturday, after Quidditch practice, I plan to go and make a better sketch of the Whomping Willow. Do you wanna come?"
"I can't. I'm going to teach Hagrid how to make a Treacle tart." – the young witch replied.
"You can bring me some after you're done!" – suggested the boy enthusiastically.
"Depends on how many of them will be ruined by Hagrid. He has an incredible talent for turning even the simplest recipes into a complete disaster. I don't know how he manages it." – said the girl – "Anyway, I need to save some tart for Moony."
"Why is it always for Moony?" – snapped Sirius – "You bake for him every month, and I asked you just his time!"
"Sirius, you ask me to bake you something at least once a week." – chuckled the black-haired girl – "Remus goes through quite a lot. This is the least I can do for him, and you know it."
"I guess I do." – mumbled the boy, tracing the lines of the Grand Staircase with his quill.
"Don't be sulky!" – Catherine ruffled his dark hair and gave him a quick peck on the cheek – "I'll bake something for you next week!"
"Rock cakes!"
"Alright, rock cakes!" – laughed the Gryffindor girl – "But you will be careful with the Whomping Willow, won't you? Moony said it was a very violent specimen, as well as quick."
"Yeah, don't worry!" – Sirius waved his hand casually – "I just want to make it look cool on the map, but I promise I'll stay at a respectful distance. Believe it or not, I don't exactly fancy the thought of being beaten by a moody tree."
"I believe you… that it won't happen on purpose." – mumbled Catherine.
"Stop badmouthing me under your breath and help me with this!" – laughed the wizard, tapping the map with his wand – "I think we should already place a conceal charm, or someone may ask what we're doing and why."
"This should be easy enough." – said Catherine and took out her own wand, making a circular motion above the parchment – "Velatus Obscurus!"
Sirius gazed at the disappearing lines of the map and frowned.
"Wouldn't it be cool if we can use regular words instead of a spell? Like a secret password?"
"I guess this is possible, but it's a different type of Conceal Charm. It should be similar to the one used on the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron." – said the young witch contemplatively – "I can find information on these spells, and we shall decide on what 'password' you want to have."
"Let's do it like that! I'll think of a mega cool password!" – Sirius grinned delighted.
"As long as it's not rock cakes." – shrugged the girl and headed towards the dormitory – "Good night, Sirius."
It was relatively early, and Catherine had hoped the other girls were not yet there, so she could have some time alone. However, when she entered the round, cozy room, a certain red-headed Gryffindor sat on one of the beds, surrounded by a bunch of golden-yellow cushions, immersed in a book.
"Hi, Lils." – Catherine greeted as she climbed on her own bed, which was placed next to Lily's – "How are you doing?"
"Fine." – answered the other witch, lifting her head, her eyes full of emotions – "Although, I'm not gonna lie, what happened today brought back memories I'd prefer to forget."
"I know what you mean." – sighed Catherine – "Sorry I contributed to your discomfort."
"No! You were right and that awful girl deserved it completely!" – Lily exclaimed – "I was mostly distressed because… well, I suppose you've heard what happened between me and Severus."
"I've heard you finally hold him accountable for the crappy things he does." – answered the black-haired Gryffindor, trying not to appear too smug about it.
"Yeah, although I was a bit harsh, considering he didn't really do anything." – said Lily.
"Just because Sirius was ready to hex him." – sneered the other girl – "Face it, Lily, he hates Muggle-borns. I don't care if it's because he wants to fit into Slytherin or because he genuinely believes pure-blood supremacy, but I don't see much of a difference. In any case, it's better for you to stand away from him."
"Things aren't so one-sided, Catherine!" – disagreed the red-headed witch – "It's pointless if I just stop talking to him. It's much more constructive if I help him grow up and become a better person, realising how nonsensical these ideas are."
"So, you're just going to forgive him?" - Catherine asked, disappointed.
"I already did." – confirmed Lily – "Plus, he's very persistent. He didn't want to let me go after dinner until I heard him apologise profoundly and forgave him."
"That sounds more like a psycho rather than a person who regrets his actions." – concluded the black-haired girl, earning a scowl from her friend.
Catherine shrugged and started preparing for bed. She glanced again at Lily and noticed a beautiful red rose in full bloom, placed in a water glass on the nightstand of the red-headed witch.
'This variety of roses is truly uncommon. It kind of reminds me of the one she gifted me for my birthday two years ago.' – Catherine thought, brushing her waist-length straight hair – 'It's probably from Snape. But where do they get them from? I haven't seen such roses in the greenhouses.'
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