Darwinism | hp

030: Ancestry

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Monday couldn't come fast enough. While Marilyn got out of the hospital wing fully healed on Sunday morning, Harry was kept until Monday morning, and every time Marilyn wasn't there, she was afraid she would hear that Black had snuck in and killed Harry in his sleep.

Returning to classes felt strange, due to Harry almost becoming a stain on the ground, but enduring Draco Malfoy, Mattheo Riddle and Theodore Nott was easy compared to the rest of Marilyn's life. Malfoy had taken off his bandages and was doing wild re-enactments of Harry plummeting to his death, while Theodore Nott pretended to be Marilyn catching him. Mattheo Riddle just made comment after comment after comment at her, which she found much more interesting than the other two. Nott and Malfoy looked stupid.

But things went by as normal. November crept past them, snow began to fall, and Lupin returned to lessons. Hufflepuff were beaten by Ravenclaw, meaning Gryffindor had another chance against them. December brought a happier Harry and Oliver Wood's previous obsession with winning the cup, working the team harder than ever.

The end of term was soon upon them, and with it, Christmas plans. Hermione and Ron were staying, both using excuses and not admitting it was due to wanting to keep Harry and Marilyn company, both of which never planned on going home for Christmas. Sandy, who had honestly vanished the second they got to Hogwarts, was going home, though Marilyn only found that out from Colin Creevey, her classmate. 

With another trip to Hogsmeade coming at the end of term, Marilyn and Harry found themselves alone in the castle. Again. Marilyn was in the common room alone, however, when Harry re-entered, he was beaming, a mischievous look on his face. 

"Oh, God." Marilyn grinned. "What're you up to?"

But he rushed past her and up the stairs, a loud bang sounding before he returning, grinning himself. "I've got to show you something."

She groaned, leaning her head back on the couch. "Harry, I'm really tired and sad right now."

He grabbed her arm, pulling her up. "Come on!"

With Marilyn beyond reluctant to follow, Harry dragged her down corridors and staircases, until they came upon a statue of a one-eyed-witch. Harry let go of her arm, and tapped the nose of the statue with his wand.

"Dissendium!" 

The wall behind the witch slid open, but only in a square, a ramp that descended into darkness.

Marilyn raised her eyebrows, peering over Harry's shoulder at the darkness.

"Here." He handed her one of her coats. "You'll need it. I'll go first."

"I get Hedwig if you die."

"No." 

He went down head first, no hesitation. 

"Harry?" Marilyn called into the darkness, but there was no sound back. "Oh, god."

She climbed up, and pulled herself up onto the ramp, taking a breath before plunging into the darkness. 

She slid down the stone slide for a while, before landing hard on cold Earth.

"Ow."

She heard a snigger to her left. 

"Harry! Harry, it's so dark, I'm gonn-"

"Lumos!"

Light issued from the end of Harry's wand, revealing his grinning face. 

"Are you going to explain what's happening?" She asked, as she stood, dusting dirt from her skirt. 

"We're going to Hogsmeade."