Hogwarts: A Future

Chapter Thirteen: Unseen Goings On

'Hi Victoire, hi Dominique!' Rose called cheerfully across the Ravenclaw Common Room. Al tried to hide his amazement at the airiness and elegance of the Ravenclaw tower. Light seemed to emanate from the white marble of the room itself, and a starry ceiling glimmered overhead.

Their cousin's silver haired head rose from where she was studying with a group of other seventh years. She smiled and waved to the first years.

'Come on,' Rose led Rachel and Al over to another of the round tables.

'I thought everyone would be studying in here?' Al asked, staring perplexedly at the crowded room.

Groups of students were lounging around on sofas and in comfy armchairs; some played gobstones, or exploding snap, others were swapping chocolate frog cards. A wizarding wireless was on in an alcove, Al recognised the programme as 'The Adventures of Mildred Thrip' an episodic story which told the exploits of the heroine, Mildred, a fourteenth century witch. Sat around the wireless on pillows a large group of Ravenclaws of all ages, including Dominique, were listening intently, laughing when Mildred accidentally caused chaos in a muggle village by instead of fixing a milking stool she inadvertently enchanted all the milking stools, making them run amuck throughout the town.

Al grinned, he knew Lil would be glued to their wireless at home giggling at the description.

'Because we're all swots?' Rose raised an eyebrow.

'Yup.' Al affirmed coolly, turning back to the table. Rachel and Rose laughed.

'I think it's more about organisation,' Rachel said. Al looked at her incredulously. Rachel's parchment, which she took from her bag, and her note books were messy, covered in doodles and scrawls. As she placed her work in front of herself the table seemed to become automatically untidy. To hear about organisation from her was as unlikely as hearing the Giant Squid recite charms.

'Yeah, so we do work, but instead of leaving everything to the last minute we plan ahead. That way we have more time to relax.' Rose finished smugly.

Al rolled his eyes. 'So you're saying I won't see you two panicking when we've got the final exams?'

'Well, frazzled maybe. But not panicked,' sniffed Rose.

They turned to their homework, but with half an ear on the wireless Al found his concentration slipping. He had not realised he had dropped his quill and was listening entirely until Victoire spoke to him.

'It's nearly eight-thirty, Al. Time to go back to Gryffindor tower.'

Al started, looking up at Victoire with a jolt.

'Come on, I'll walk you back. I need a stretch of my legs.' Victoire strolled easily over to the door, and waited for Al to finished shoving his quill, ink and half-done homework into his bag.

'See you tomorrow, Rosie, Rachel,' Al called over his shoulder. The girls smiled. Their homework was already finished, and they had been listening to the wireless happily. To Al's surprise the chaos in front of Rachel had appeared to untangle. Now all her work sat in neat piles, still in a scrawling hand, but neatly organised and very clearly finished. He made a mental note to ask her how she did it.

Leaving the Ravenclaw Common Room with Victoire, Al wondered if he could ask his oldest cousin about the other first year Slytherins. He thought better of it. The last thing Al wanted was for Victoire to talk to them as the Head Girl. Instead, Al asked about a topic they both loved.

'Are you seeing Teddy in Hogesmede?' He asked, looking up at Victoire with a grin.

She grinned back, 'Yes, I'm meeting him at the Three Broomsticks.'