Year 3: In The Castle

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Felicity's POV

I stood between Ron and Seamus, tapping my foot impatiently on the cobblestone ground in the courtyard of Hogwarts as Professor McGonagall spoke.

"Now, remember," she said sternly, "these visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school, that privilege shall not be extended again." Seamus nudged my shoulder and whispered, "I think she's talking to you." I rolled my eyes and smiled, elbowing him in the side. "Nonsense," I scoffed quietly.

As soon as she finished speaking, Harry rushed up to McGonagall, holding his crumpled permission slip in his hand. She stopped him before he opened his mouth. "No permission form signed, no visiting the village," she informed him, "That's the rule, Potter."

The rest of the class began following Filch to the carriages, but Hermione, Ron, and I waited for a moment longer, sending McGonagall pleading looks.

"Well," Harry said, "I thought if you signed it, then I could-" Professor McGonagall cut him off. "I can't. Only a parent or a guardian can sign. Since I am neither, it would be inappropriate." Her voice softened a little, "I'm sorry, Potter. That's my final word." She hurried off after Filch and Harry shook his head. "Forget about it, guys," he muttered, "See you later." Before we could say a word, he turned away and headed back into the castle.

I sighed. "Come on," Hermione finally said, "We should go before we miss the carriages." The three of us caught up with the rest of the class, sliding into a carriage with Nev, Seamus, and Dean. "So where are you guys going first?" Dean asked conversationally. I was about to reply, but Ron beat me to it.

"Probably Honeyduke's Sweetshop first, then maybe Dervish & Banges, and Mione and Fel want to go to Gladrags Wizardwear, then Zonko's Joke Shop, then probably The Three Broomsticks, and Hermione wants to go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, then, of course, The Shrieking Shack," he told them in one huge breath. It was silent for a moment.

"Wow," Nev said, "We're only going to Honeyduke's and Zonko's." "What," I teased, "too chicken to go to The Shrieking Shack?" Neville flushed before responding. "No! Of course not. We just..." "Won't have time," Seamus finished. "Sure," I chuckled.

Within another five minutes, we reached Hogsmeade. Ron leaped out of the carriage excitedly and ran off to Honeyduke's, along with almost all the other students, leaving me cursing and Hermione dragging me after him. We finally reached Ron, who already had two full bags of assorted candy, and I slapped him over the head.

"Don't run off like that," I scolded, "We're supposed to stay in groups of three. Until next year, at least." He wasn't even fazed, just continued grinning. He held up the bags, looking satisfied. "Candy," he stated.

Hermione and I finally took a chance to look around, admiring the walls lined with various sweets. "Do you guys wanna meet in the front of Dervish & Banges in 15 minutes?" Hermione suggested. Ron nodded enthusiastically and ran off, presumably to fill his bag with more food.

After grabbing a bag of my own and selecting a few candies to share with Harry and Ginny, who couldn't come to Hogsmeade until next year, I paid and began walking a short way across the village to Dervish & Banges before and idea struck me. I stopped in my tracks and turned back around to the sweets shop, a grin slowly forming on my face.

At the beginning of the school year, Fred and George had given me an assortment of prank candy from their 'Skiving Snack Boxes', and, if I do recall correctly, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were still stuffing bags full in the shop. I walked quickly back to Honeyduke's and strode in, three small candies in my hand. I hummed tunelessly to myself, quickly spotting Malfoy and his minions. The room was absolutely packed, full of students all the way from third year to seventh year, so it was no problem slipping behind Crabbe and Goyle, giving the first a Fever Fudge and the latter a Puking Pastille.

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