The Unlikely Quartet

Chapter 9: Teenagers

All too soon the Christmas holidays were over and their school friends had arrived back to the castle the day before classes started.

"Hey Tills, nice Christmas?" Georgia asked from where she was curled up with a book in a squishy armchair in the Gryffindor common room.

"Yeah it was fun, it's been good to spend time with Megan outside of school" Tilly smiled, Megan was her big sister and in her fifth year, stressing over her O.W.L's "Didn't see you on the train to Kings Cross though, what happened?"

"Change of plan" Ruby shrugged, sitting up to make space for Tilly to sit on the sofa too, she'd taken to hiding from the Twins as they were planning to prank someone and she sure didn't want it to be her. "We decided to stay and have Christmas here"

"I'm missing mam and tad but it's been great having the castle pretty much to ourselves" Georgia explained

"I bet" Tilly agreed, joining the girls in front of the fireplace. "I'm still in holiday mode" she sighed "I'm not ready for classes to start back yet"

Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the students, the start of January brought the start of classes and their Professors were clearly well refreshed from the break and were just as intense as ever with their teaching. Cramming as much knowledge into them as they could each lesson in preparation for end of term exams. The amount of homework each week was quickly stacking up and Tilly and Georgia found themselves helping Ruby and the twins keep on top of their work, as Wood had come up with a strict training program that required his team of Gryffindors practicing three nights a week for their upcoming match against the Hufflepuffs, giving them all less time for homework.

It was how early one Saturday morning Georgia found herself sharing a table with Tilly, in a quiet corner of the school library out of the sight of Madam Pince so they could at least whisper while they studied without being glared at.

Georgia opened up her Transfiguration textbook "So, where shall we start?" She asked the other girl in a hushed whisper before getting out her parchment paper and quill to make a start on her homework, even though she could quite happily go to bed and sleep until the following day - she had decided to spend a few late nights sitting out in the Quidditch stands watching her three friends at practice and now she was seriously regretting it as not only was her homework falling behind but so were her sleep patterns.

"Georgia, you look worn out my darling!" Tilly piped up from across the table, earning her a shush from Madam Pince so she apologised and got back to looking for her items to help her get on with her homework, occasionally watching Georgia who was doing a terrible job of hiding her yawns from her.

"I'm fine" Georgia reassured her, letting yet another yawn out, shaking her head and rubbing her eyes as she refocused on the parchment laying blank on the table in front of her.

"You're a terrible liar" Tilly laughed quietly, taking in the dark circles under her eyes, before glancing round to make sure no one was watching them. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a small vial containing a bright orange potion.

"What's that?" Georgia asked inquisitively.

"Invigoration Draught" the other witch explained passing it across the table "Here. Drink it and it'll boost your energy for a while"

Georgia took the vial, staring at her friend with awe "Did you brew this? This is a fifth year level potion"

Tilly blushed and ducked her head before nodding "Megan helped, but yeah"

"Wicked" the brunette grinned, causing Tilly to laugh again.

"Those twins of yours have definitely left an impression on you" she smirked.