The Merging: Hackles Academy Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.

Chapter 12

Saturday had finally arrived at Hackles and everyone had managed to have a drama-free week. Well mostly, that is. There was just Monday's catastrophe, but all of that had been sorted out now and all of the castle's occupants were looking forward to a stress-free weekend. The day had started off relatively normal, the students and the staff had their breakfast in the great hall, as per usual, but this time there was a bit of a change around.

The students had apparently decided to scrap the rules about mixing houses when they had all become closer and had decided that they didn't want to sit apart anymore. Instead, they were all gathered at the Hufflepuff table, which they decided on through a rather exciting game of rock, paper, scissors.

Hermione and Mildred had taken great pleasure in teaching the Purebloods how to play. This, of course, had shocked and confused the Hogwarts staff, and also Miss Drill and Miss Hardbroom, but for very different reasons. It was Severus that chose to voice his confusion first.

'Is that Draco Malfoy sitting next to Potter? And at the Hufflepuff table, too?' He had asked in disbelief.

'Yes! And look, HB. Ethel Hallow is sitting in between Mildred Hubble and Hermione Granger, and they're laughing together. It's actually quite odd!' Miss Drill added, shocked.

'This whole morning feels odd! I'll be more than pleased when this damn merge is over and the world is set to right again,' grouched Hecate.

Breakfast was interrupted when three people suddenly appeared in the middle of the great hall. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the intruders.

'Sorry! I thought that breakfast would be over by now,' laughed Pippa, standing in all of her pink glory.

'Poppet! Cissa! Rapunzel!' Cried Albus, as he grabbed hold of Julie's hand. She had been sat next to him at the breakfast table and as he stood up, he dragged Julie along with him, to where the three guests were stood waiting for them.

Pippa rushed to meet Julie and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek and hug, which had Hecate scowling into her breakfast. You could see her glare from where she was watching from the staff table. Julie and Hecate hadn't spoken since that night in Hecate's quarters. In fact, they had made it their life's mission to ignore each other as much as humanly possible, and so far they'd been extremely successful. But Hecate had a feeling that was going to change today.

Draco and Millie, who had been talking to their friends before Narcissa, Pippa and Lucius had turned up, also rushed over to greet them.

'Mother, Father. What are you doing here?' Inquired Draco. While Millie threw herself into Pippa's arms.

'Miss Pentangle, I've missed you!' She exclaimed. Pippa laughed and replied with a sincere, 'I've missed you too, Millie.'

'Dragon, I've missed you!' Said Narcissa happily, at the same time that Lucius could be heard saying in shock, 'Draco, were you sitting at the Hufflepuff table?'

'I've missed you too, Mother. And yes, Father, I was. I lost the stone, cutting, cardboard game, so I had no choice. But again, what are you doing here?' Inquired Draco.

'Julie and Pippa have invited me for a girls shopping trip and your father pouted until I brought him along too.' Narcissa rolled her eyes good-naturedly, before continuing. 'He has offered to take you and Mildred out for the day, though-'

Narcissa was interrupted by Lucius saying, 'I did not! You forced me!' But one well aimed glare from the Malfoy matriarch later and he was saying, 'Just kidding. I can't wait!' While wearing his biggest, falsest smile.

'OMG! A girls trip. How come I wasn't invited to this? You know that you're going to have to take me with you, right? Because my feelings are super hurt right now and I might just slip, and cast a hair loss charm in Rapunzel's direction, quite by accident, if you don't,' smirked Albus.