THE RAVENCLAW PRINCESS

chapter 9 - closet

It was the middle of October, a week after the awkward encounter with Fred on patrol, and Lyra was spending the afternoon with Hermione. The girls were researching in the library to help Hagrid for Buckbeak's trial.

Lyra sighed dramatically. Bored of sitting in the library for such a long time she looked up at Hermione and decided they were due for a good distraction. She tilted her head at the younger girl and questioned, "so, you fancy anyone, Mione?"

Hermione's head whipped up, eyes wide and fumbled, "What- I- no of course not!"

"Just a question, Mione. No need to get so startled," Lyra said goodnaturedly.

Hermione visibly relaxed then tentatively asked, "Are- I mean can I ask you something?"

"Of course, honey," Lyra smiled. She loved talking to Hermione and Ginny. It gave her pride to be someone they could go to like how she did with Dora.

"Well, I can't really talk about girly things with the boys because well- you know how they are."

Lyra nodded, encouraging her to continue.

Hermione spoke rapidly then, "so, I was wanting to go to the ball and I wanted to know if I could get dresses with you if you haven't gotten them already of course."

Lyra's smile grew tenfold, "Of course! Charlotte suggested going this weekend because we're already going to Hogsmeade so you want to meet us by the Great Hall? You can bring Ginny too so we can all go together!"

Hermione's smile grew as Lyra continued talking, "None of us have dates yet, though I feel like Mieko might go with someone. Charlotte has already been asked a few times but I dunno if she's going with any of them. Iliana and I are going solo though. What about you? Anyone you want to go with? Or anyone ask you?"

"Oh, no, no one has asked me," Hermione paused.

Lyra looked at her knowingly and asked calmly, "Anyone you may want to go with?"

"I dunno, no one in particular. But- isn't it- I mean wouldn't- wouldn't someone make fun of me for going by myself?"

Lyra looked her in the eye, "First of all, you won't be by yourself you can spend time with us in addition to Harry and Ron. Secondly, if anyone makes fun of you for anything they'll have me to deal with. In addition to being a prefect I had the absolute privilege of being trained by one of the best pranksters in Hogwarts history and I can make their lives horrible pretty fast."

Hermione's eyes widened but she stayed quiet as Lyra quickly added, "But more importantly I think sometimes it's more fun going with friends than with a date. Plus a lot less awkward, believe me."

Hermione's smile returned and the girls continued discussing the ball and their plans before returning to research for Buckbeak's trial, although most of the time Lyra kept trying to distract Hermione. Around seven, Hermione left for the Great Hall for dinner but Lyra stayed behind to finish homework and study for OWLs. Lyra hated studying and found most of her subjects incredibly boring however her desire to beat Adrian came with caveats such as studying late into the night.

Midnight came and went and Lyra found herself doodling in the margins of her Transfiguration textbook unable to focus. Sighing, she decided to call it a night and put her books, scrolls, and quills in her bag before leaving the library. Lyra tried remembering who was on prefect rotation while walking down the corridor towards Ravenclaw Tower.

Suddenly she heard voices up ahead. Lyra looked around and stepped into an empty classroom. Peeking out the window she saw Professor Sprout walking down the hall.

Lyra pressed against the wall next to the door and cast a disillusionment and quieting charm on herself. She held her breath as Sprout stopped outside her room. She saw the door open quickly. The older woman poked her head in, looked around quickly, then closed the door and exited the classroom. Lyra counted to twenty in her head before looking out the window again and saw Professor Sprout's retreating figure. She cast the counter-charms on herself and headed for the shortcut to her common room past the Astronomy Tower.

"Shh!"

Lyra frowned. That definitely wasn't Filch, and Sprout had already walked away in the opposite direction. Curiously she cast another disillusionment on her body as she slowly turned the corner. She smiled as she removed the disillusionment and said loudly, "Hey! What are you guys up to?"

Both boys jumped at the noise.

"Ly! I almost fainted!" Fred mocked, putting a hand over his heart.

"Almost? I'll do better next time!"

"A prefect out after curfew and not on patrols?" George mockingly gasped. "What has the world come to!"

Lyra rolled her eyes, "oh, give it a rest, Georgie. You both know I have already set a few pranks this year."

Fred scoffed, "planting dungbombs is child's play, Ly, and you know it."

Lyra ignored his comment and asked, "What are you guys planning?"

"Already did it!" Fred exclaimed, "Charmed the Slytherins' quidditch robes to be bright pink for tomorrow's practice!"

"Wish we ran into you earlier. Then you could've helped us," George said apologetically.

Don't worry about it. Next time just find me and I'll come help. You guys always know where I am anyway," Lyra said with a twinkle in her eyes motioning to the parchment in George's hands.

"Ah, yes. Our greatest find since coming to Hogwarts," Fred said.

"Not to mention the first of our successes without Dora helping us," Lyra added.

"The good old days when Lyra wasn't tied to 'rules'," George mocked.

Down the hall they suddenly heard comical laughter and jeering, "I think I hear someone!"

Eyes wide, the three friends pulled to look at the map. Sure enough, Peeves was coming straight towards them.

"Quick, this way," Fred whispered as he took the map from George's hands and started speed walking as quietly as he could away from Peeves with George and Lyra close behind.

Fred stopped in his tracks, continuing to stare at the map. George and Lyra turned to glare at him.

"Forge," George whispered urgently. "Let's go!"

Fred shook his head still staring at the map. Lyra looked at Fred then down the hall urgently.

"Fred, come on!" Lyra urged.

"No okay, okay. I got it! Here, get in here!" Fred spoke rapidly as he pushed Lyra and George into a broom closet. "We're not going to all fit so you two stay and I'll head him off."

"Forge!" George hissed.

"All three of us can fit!" Lyra whispered urgently.

Fred dismissed them and closed the door quickly before taking off down the hall.