Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Fourth Year: Winter Holidays

December

Not only was the castle colder than ever before but this year, no amount of Christmas decorations could lift the deep tension beginning to flow through the corridors. Since November, two more students had been petrified, and now lay eerily still in a closed-off portion of the hospital wing.

When Mrs. Norris was first found, Bambi was quick to assume that it was something to do with the twins, but after Colin Creevy was brought in later that week, she had no more room in her mind for wishful thinking. Nearly Headless Nick and Justin Finch-Fletchley were found sometime after Colin, and like with Mrs. Norris, Harry was there at the crime scene.

People had begun calling him "The Heir of Slytherin", and started keeping a fair distance away from him, Ron, and Hermione anytime they were spotted in the halls. Bambi thought this was ridiculous. Harry couldn't be the descendant of Slytherin... He was too nice to be someone descended from a famous blood-purist. But, she had to admit, that some things lined up. The news had spread like wildfire through the school that during the first and last meeting of the dueling club, Harry spoke to a snake.

"Another attack?" Bambi asked in a hushed voice as she and her friends gathered in a corner of the common room, far from the curious eyes and ears of their housemates.

George nodded, "Yeah, poor Justin and Nick. It's getting worse, isn't it?"

"I didn't even know ghosts could be petrified," Fred added, leaning in.

"It's absurd," Bambi said, glancing over at where Harry was sitting by the fire, staring into the flames. Hermione and Ron were trying to cheer him up, but it was clear Harry was deep in thought. "Harry wouldn't hurt anyone. He doesn't seem like the sort of kid to release a bloodthirsty thing on innocent students."

"But then, who here would?" Angelina, who was sitting nearby sighed, "I know you all think this is Malfoy, but as much as he's a little prat, he's only twelve. The point is, people are scared, they're just looking for someone to blame."

Bambi frowned, "But then why Harry? Just because he can supposedly talk to snakes?"

"Talking to snakes is a pretty big deal, Bambs," Alicia pointed out, "Especially considering Slytherin's whole thing with Parseltongues."

Bambi crossed her arms, feeling frustrated and helpless. "It's not fair. We need to figure out what's really going on."

Fred nodded. "We've been trying to gather information, but it's not easy with everyone on edge. Even the teachers seem nervous."

"Especially Lockhart," George added with a snort. "He's been less helpful than ever."

"That's saying something," Bambi muttered, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, what can we do?

We can't just sit around and wait for another attack."

"Maybe we can't stop the attacks," said Fred, "but we can keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Stick together and make sure no one's wandering off alone."

George nodded in agreement. "And keep supporting Harry. He needs his friends right now more than ever."

Apparently the twin's idea of "Supporting Harry" was different than what Bambi had in mind. They made it their goal to march ahead of Harry anytime he walked through the corridors, shouting, "Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through!", much to Percy's disproval.

"This is not a laughing matter," Percy said coldly to them one day while they escorted Harry to class.

"Oh, get out of the way, Percy," said Fred, "Harry's in a hurry!"