Louanne Delacour

The Vial

October 31st, 1993

Finally, our first trip to Hogsmeade. People had been raving about it ever since the announcement on the bulletin board. I felt bad for Harry, who wasn't allowed to go. He'd talked to McGonagall in an attempt to have her sign his permission slip to no avail. I didn't quite understand his home life, or why his parents didn't sign it for him, but I wasn't about to ask either. His story was known to me, but only barely.

"Louanne!" A voice sounded behind me. I paused in my steps and turned around.

"Oh hey Neville," I adjusted my bag. I'd just gotten back from breakfast, and an extremely early morning study session in the library. "What's up?"

I started walking again to the common room as he followed next to me.

"Oh well, I was just wondering..." he paused.

"Yes?"

"Well I was just wondering if you could help me in Defense Against the Dark Arts...since you do so well in it and all," he let out sheepishly.

"Oh? Well I'd love to, but you've been doing really well at all the practical work lately." He blushed. We stopped in front of the portrait hole, said the password, and went in. "How about tonight after dinner, we can start on the homework together?" He beamed.

"Thanks! Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks," he said, and ran up the boys' dormitory stairs.

"You already said...that- never mind," I turned toward the circle of chairs and sofas. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and a couple younger kids occupied the area. "Hey guys," I said happily.

The three murmured a sad greeting.

"Well you guys are awfully cheerful. Shall I get out the streamers and balloons? Perhaps fire whiskey too?" I said sarcastically. I sat down next to Harry, closest to the fire, and sat my bag down on the floor. Hermione shot me an incredulous look. "Only kidding...or am I?" I smirked. She rolled her eyes, trying to hold back a smile. "Why are you all sulking so much? It's Halloween!"

"I can't go to Hogsmeade. I thought we told you? And why are you so happy all of a sudden?" Harry asked.

"I forgot about that. And- well, not to brag but I did get all of my homework done, I'm passing all my classes, and It's feast night!" I sat upside down on the couch, my legs dangling on the back of it. "If everybody's going to be all sad about you not going to Hogsmeade, then I'll just have to hang out with cooler people." I joked. That made them smile. Probably because I looked weird upside-down.

"Everybody with a permission slip, line up over there," McGonagall ordered. I ran to the teacher last-minute to hand her my permission slip. She gave me a stern look. "Next time, I will not accept it if it is late. Is that understood?" I nodded in understanding. "And how is your...extracurricular work doing?" It took me a moment to realize what she was talking about.

I lifted an eyebrow. "What? I don't- oh!" She sighed. The animagus thing. "Oh yeah, that. Um, the transforming potion is finished. I ended the first 'phase' of it today," I rambled. "I had to restart because I took the mandrake leaf out, and I didn't even start it on the right day- because well, full moon cycle and all that- but I have everything I nee-"

"-I don't need to hear all of it right now," She cut me off. "Come by my office later and we can discuss it privately." I gave an embarrassed smile and nod. Hermione and Ron came over just before we were due to leave.

"What were you two talking about? That was one weird conversation," Ron inquired. Hermione went wide-eyed and stared at me. I'd never intended to keep this a secret for longer than a few days once I got everything. I also figured they would have put the pieces together by now.