Hogwarts Mystery [HP APPLY FIC]

year two, chapter three

"Morning, Winnie!" Nadine beamed at her friend, stopping next to her at the side of the corridor full of students scrambling to get to breakfast before all the hot food was gone.

Winnie was engrossed in the makeshift bulletin board that covered the wall outside the Great Hall, propped up between the two suits of armour that stood guard there.

(The board usually didn't last long before it was blown to bits by some spell or another, so it was worth reading while you could.)

"I was going to join Penny for breakfast, but I'm so late. I took an age getting ready this morning because I couldn't find my wand," she said sheepishly, earning a distracted laugh from Winnie. "What's got you so interested?"

"Nothing, really," she shrugged. "Just curious. There's a lot going on this term."

"I'll say!" Nadine exclaimed. "Between Quidditch trials, the Gobstones club, and..."

'Join the Ghostly Apprenticeship Society! Write your name on this flyer for a chance to become an apprentice to a ghost and learn tips and tricks from Hogwarts' greatest. We are welcoming years two and three to this merry society as organised by Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. (Take that, Headless Hunt.)'

"You don't happen to have a pen, do you, Winnie?" Nadine asked, already knowing her pockets would be empty. "Or a quill, or something."

"Hold on." Winnie rustled around in her bag before producing a pristine quill and ink.

"Thanks, you're the best!" She hastily dipped the quill into the pot of ink, spilling it a little in her rush. She impulsively scribbled her name along the line for the Ghostly Apprenticeship Society, noting that several other students she knew had also signed up (including Barnaby).

"That should be fun," Winnie commented.

"Do you want to do it together?"

"No, it's not my thing. Besides," she smirked. "You and Barnaby can do it together."

Nadine's laughter echoed throughout the hallway as they turned to enter the Great Hall, Winnie's over-interest in a certain poster slipping under Nadine's radar.

When they reached the tables, Winnie left Nadine to chatter to Penny. She paused, hovering for a moment before deciding to go for it.

She marched up to the Gryffindor table, where the boy she identified as Evan Wright was in the middle of telling what appeared to be a very engaging story.

"And that's when I said, 'maybe you should try peeling your own newt skin layers then'."

"No!" The girl and boy next to him, who Winnie knew to complete his trio, cried out at the same time.

"What did he do?" The boy (Caleb?) demanded.

Evan grinned, clearly waiting for this question. "He went kind of grey-ish purple and gave me another five newts."

Winnie waited until their laughter had subsided to intervene.

"My name is Winnie Whisp," she declared, being bolder than she felt. "I saw your poster?"

"As did I," the voice of McGonagall spoke crisply over her shoulder, and Winnie resisted a flinch at the shock.

When she spun around, she saw Professor McGonagall stood directly behind her, mouth pressed into a thin line.

"Tell me, Mr Wright, why there is a poster on the notice board, signed with your name, detailing your future as a 'Cursebreaker' and encouraging others to join your ranks?"