Hogwarts Mystery [HP APPLY FIC]

year two, chapter two

Anya leaned over the papers she had spread out across the desks, running a hand through her long, blonde hair and exhaling deeply.

Bill Weasley, who was skimming through a book on Charms, looked up at her with a soft smile on his face. "Is this magazine causing you more trouble than you thought it would?"

She shook her head, sliding a sheet from one side of the table to the other. "No, it's not that. I've got the connections to produce it, and I know the profits will outweigh the costs, but I'm reviewing the submissions we've had from people who want to be writers, or editors, or photographers, or even just want to stir up trouble, and I think I've made a mistake."

"What's that?"

"I'm going to have to apologise to Achilles Spalding and tell him he's more than a prick with an inflated ego after all."

Bill let out a bark of surprised laughter.

"I'm serious!" Anya scowled. "He was talking about how good he was, and I really laid into him, but it turns out he's one of the most talented writers in the school by far."

A tentative knock on the door to the empty classroom they were using made Anya look up, hair falling into her eyes once again. She pushed it away with an irritated flick of her head.

"I can come back if this is not a good time," the girl suggested.

"No, it's alright," Bill welcomed her in. "How can we help?"

"I'm Nadine," she said, as if that explained it.

"Of course!" Anya smoothed down her uniform, even though it was already pristine. "Bill, would you be a darling and close the door behind her?"

He frowned, curiosity clouding his expression, but he did as she asked anyway.

"Thank you," Anya winked at him before turning her attention to Nadine. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to put this bluntly: I need an empath on the editing team."

Bill chuckled but it quickly turned into a fake cough at the look Anya shot him.

"You mean I can be part of the newspaper? That's amazing! Thank you so much!" Nadine was practically bouncing with joy. "I thought this was supposed to be an interview. Not that I don't want the job! I just—"

"It's alright," Anya reassured her. "You deserve the job. I've seen how you have a unique talent for co-existing with Slytherins and still maintaining a moral compass. Most people don't last a day once the smell of the dungeons sinks into their pores."

"You have a moral compass," Bill interjected defensively.

She raised an eyebrow. "Do I? I'm starting what is essentially a gossip column and encouraging the younger years to help me. If something gets me praise and puts down my enemies, I'm not sure I could stop myself from publishing it." She suddenly remembered Nadine's presence in a rush of shame. "Which is why we need Nadine. She can keep a lid on things that are unnecessarily spiteful."

"I think the fact that you realise this and are willing to act against it proves your morality," Bill muttered, picking up his charms book once more.

Anya ignored him. "I've called a meeting for all the interested parties I've decided to invite to write, photograph, edit, etcetera for the magazine, and we have a lot to cover before they get here. Are you up for it?"

Nadine grinned. "You bet!"

By the time the other students started filing in for the meeting, Nadine's head was spinning.

Anya had taken her through all her plans for the paper, and she'd been so kind and open about it all. (Was this what it felt like to have an older sister? She'd need to collect more data to be sure.)