Violet Potter and the Basilisk Plague (Year Two)

Chapter Eighteen: This New Year 1993 Part Two

"Devon. What are you doing here and why do you still keep following me?" Violet asked him, now very annoyed. And Devon said, "It might very well be a good thing I did. For all any of you know, there might be something dangerous and full of dark magic hidden in this place. And I doubt very much that Professor Snape or Professor McGonagall would be all that impressed that you all managed to discover the secret passage to the Shrieking Shack. Especially not with so many strikes already against your brother and Ron Weasley."

"Oh well, you see, Hermione performed the two revealio security spells on the Shrieking Shack. There are neither dark wizards nor dangerous magical creatures hidden here." Victoria
explained. But how did you get down here so quickly?"

"I'm borrowing Edward's Whirlwind Glider. It's not a Nimbus 2000 like Harry has, but it's miles better than any of the Comets, and Cleansweeps for sure. I've used a temporary shrinking charm on it and hid it safely away. With a tree like the Whomping Willow, you just don't take any chances. Even with all of your friends, and your brother, you maybe shouldn't have come here. Not that I buy all the old stories and tosh about violent spirits. But my father had his theories, from back when he was at school, that something far worse might have been hidden out here.

See, the screams and howls came with a pattern---only ever occurred during nights with a full moon through most of the 1970's. Of course, it all might have only been an old coven legend. Still---you never know. There just...might...be...WEREWOLVES about!" Devon said jokingly. But Violet only said, "That is really not funny. Anyone living with lycanthropy suffers terribly for what they are even these days."

Something else that was left inside of the Shrieking Shack, aside from some very dusty old furniture, was a once grand old-fashioned piano, which had clearly seen better days, but still had some magic hidden within it. Apparently, Fred and George had already learned the trick. "Right, I reckon it's time to use the secret security charm George."

"Right-o, Fred!" George replied, grinning. Then he sat down at the piano and announced dramatically to the others, "Prepare to have your minds blown every magical way." And he took out his wand and pointed the very tip toward the piano and said, "Ludere Piano!" The piano keys then magically and precisely played out the secret melody. Violet, Harry, and Hermione all recognized it, having either come from a non-magic family or having been brought up by muggles. In her mind, Violet could imagine the opening lyrics so well...

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see...

"Bohemian Rhapsody!" Violet and Harry both said in unison. At least one of the Marauders had to have been a fan of Queen.

In that moment, everything in the Shrieking Shack began to change miraculously. It was like so much vibrancy, colour and life was being magically returned to this long lonely and empty, dull and seemingly colourless building. Almost like at the intro to the Phantom of the Opera when 1905 Paris transitioned back in time to 1870, to the Opera Populaire's glory days before everything began to happen.

There were still a few relics left behind of the individuals those frankly brilliant Marauders once were. There was even an old framed wizarding photo that had in all likelihood had permanent expansion and sticking charms placed on it, and in that old magical photo were four teenage boys, in one of their more advanced Hogwarts years by the looks of them. They all largely appeared to be happy and laughing in each other's company whenever it was the photo had been taken. Although one of them, who was much shorter, stubbier, and stouter than the other three was also smiling, something about his expression also appeared rather a bit forced on his part. Violet, and Harry now as well, stopped to stare at the messy-haired and obvious ringleader.