Hogwarts Next Gen

Chapter Two

    The group made their way to the Grand Hall and took their seats, at their respective tables. Ronnie at the Hufflepuff, Bruce at Slytherin, Gil at Gryffindor, and Mich at Ravenclaw. Evan and Fin plopped down next to Ronnie.
   "Who do you like?" Fin questioned. Ronnie looked over at him in confusion.
   Next was Evan's question, "Who does my brother like?"
   "Who does my brother like?" Fin asked.
   She was able to muster out a, "I have no idea."
   "Who does Bruce like?" Evan asked.
   She snorted a laugh, and thought, 'Gil'. He thought he was slick but she knew her best friend. She was pretty sure even Mich knew, Gil probably knew. Then again, all the boys were very oblivious, Mich hadn't even noticed she was in love with him. "I have no idea." she repeated.
   The two younger boys seemed dejected, but soon perked up, when the food appeared. Ronnie talked with some of her other friends, before the headmaster spoke, "This year will be a little different. 4 students from each year will be transferred to another school and 4 students from that school will take their place." A few people gasped, but he continued, "you can sign up now for the exchange program, but if you get chosen a parent or guardian will have to give you permission."
   Murmurs spread throughout the hall, the grouped awaited dismissal, ready to see each other again. Before too long, the headmaster began to speak again and allowed the students to leave, all the students retreated to their rooms and like the years before students could stay in any room. Ronnie ran over to Mich, Bruce, and Gil, and said, "Who's house are we sleeping in?"
   "Slytherin got the least?" Bruce suggested.
   Ronnie agreed, "I am not dealing with all the new kids."
   "Slytherin it is." Gil said, before letting Bruce lead the way to the Slytherin dorms.
   Mich finally addressed what everyone was wondering, "Who's all signing up for the exchange thing?"
   "I for sure am." Ronnie announced, "A whole year without my dad hovering over me? I'll take that any day."
   Mich looked down, thinking, 'Yeah, a whole year without me, you'd love that."
   Bruce opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Ronnie, "Of course, you guys would have to come with me." Mich looked up, "I couldn't live without any of you." she finished while smiling.
   "Well it looks like we're all going." Gil announced.
   Bruce turned to him and they made eye contact, he blushed, "I guess we are."
   "I didn't consent to this." Mich joked.
   Ronnie laughed and sat down, "Well, then. Do you want to give up everything you know to come with us?"
   That was the question. Did he want to give up his comfort? This was all he had ever known. Was he ready to leave? Was he able to leave? Would he give it all up for her? He knew what he had to do. Mich looked her straight in the eyes, "As long as you are." She smiled just as he did.
   The group spent the rest of the night dancing around and talking about adventures they might have. They talked of what might happen, of where they may go, of what they might see, and much, much more.
   "What do you mean I can't go?" Bruce raised his voice.
   As fate would have the four were chosen to go to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Each of their parents were called to come give permission for each of their kids. Although, as fate would also have it, Bruce's dad wasn't willing to let him go.
   "I mean, I'm not letting you go to France by yourself." Matthew, Bruce's dad, said, angrily.
   Bruce looked to his mom for support, "Mom, don't tell me you agree with him."
   Sarah gave him a look of regret, "I hate to say it, but I do."
   "I didn't want to have to do this but," Matthew and Sarah shared a look just before Bruce yelled, "Laurie!"
   Within moments Laurie burst through the door, with her wand drawn. "What?" Laurie yelled. She surveyed the room seeing no danger, "Okay, what's going on?"
   Headmaster Preech had been watching since the beginning and looked at her, saying, "It's good to see you again Mrs. Black. It appears we have a disagreement, in which you are required to help."
  "Hello Martha, it appears so." Laurie replied, holstering her wand. "So Bruce, explain what's happening."
   Bruce got up and walked over to her, "Your brother is refusing to let me go to France, so that I can be cultured and get an education."
   "You can get an education right here, where it's safe." Matthew interrupted.
   Laurie sighed, "He's going."
   Matthew gaped, "And why is that?"
   "He's going because even if he can get an education here, he won't ever get the cultural experience he would there. Also, if we had the opportunity you would have hated dad if he didn't let us go. Tell me I'm wrong, do it. I dare you." Laurie finished with a challenge, she knew he wouldn't take. Even if they were siblings and adults, she was a fully trained auror, and he worked in the Muggle Protection part of the Ministry.
   "Fine, where do I sign?" Matthew grumbled, pulling his chair up to the desk. Headmaster Preech tried to hide her grin as she saw one of her former students in action. She was the one to encourage Laurie to follow her dreams. As Laurie made her way out of the room she secretly gave Bruce a high-five.
   Bruce and his parents made their way out of the room, Gil noticed Bruce seemed quite pleased with himself. Headmaster Preech, stuck her head out of the door and said, "Ms. Skeeter you're up."
   "It's Mrs. MacMillan now, and you know that, Headmaster." Kim replied, smiling.
   Headmaster Preech smiled and lead everyone in the room, "Ah, I do, but I'll always see you as Mrs. Skeeter."
   Kim chuckled, "Fair enough." They all took their seats.
   "All right, now I just have a few questions-" Kyle started, but was cut off.
   Headmaster Preech, "First off Mr. MacMillan it's good to see you've become not only a father, but have a very successful career. Secondly, yes, he will be home for Christmas, yes, owls still can reach him, yes, he will be sharing a dorm, and all classes with his friends, and no, he will not be in any danger."
   "Well, where do I sign?" Kyle asked completely convinced that it was okay.
   Kim smiled, telling Headmaster Preech, "You've always had a way with words." They both smiled before exchanging goodbye, and with that the MacMillans were gone.
   Next came Ronnie. "Ah, Professor Dorian, and Mr. Dorian, and Veronica, how are you?"
   "Hello Headmaster. We're doing great, what about you?" Blake smiled, he always loved being called Mr. Dorian.
   "Well I'm still in charge aren't I?" She grinned, the shared a laugh before they each took a seat. "I saw your game last night." She finished.
   "You did?" Blake asked, there was no way she took the time to watch it. She was in charge of a ton of kids and a whole school.
   "I did, and I saw the little boy out there who won the house cup for Slytherin 3 years in a row. I know you've grown up but you'll always be that little boy." She replied smiling, as she pulled out some forms.
   Blake suddenly got serious, "Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you. Now let's get down to business. I want to know if my little girl will be safe."
   "I wouldn't be sending anyone if it wasn't safe." She reassured them.
   "What about her medical history and everything, will that be sent to them in advance. I don't want her to have to tell them all herself." Caspian started.
   Blake finished, "What I think Caspian is trying to say is we want Ronnie to be as comfortable as possible." Caspian nodded as he locked hands with Blake.
   Ronnie took control of the situation, "I can explain it if i need to. I'm not embarrassed or afraid. I'm me, and I can handle it."
   "I know you are," Caspian sighed, he released Blake's hand and moved it to Ronnie's shoulder. "I just want the best for you, GumDrop."
   Ronnie smiled, "I know, pa. I'll be with Mich, Bruce and Gil. We'll take care of each other."
   Blake sighed, and answered for Caspian, "We love you. Is this really something you want to do?" he finished with a question.
   "It is dad." she grinned.
    Caspian swallowed nervously, and looked at Blake. Blake nodded, and Caspian sighed, "Alright, where do we sign?" Headmaster Preech handed each of them a piece of parchment and a quill. Blake scrawled his messy, as always, signature, while Caspian did a quick elegant signature.
   Preech collected the parchment and said, "Alright, we're all done, you three can wait in the hall, and I'll talk to the group as a whole when I finish with the Blacks." She held the door open for them and stepped out of her office to greet the Blacks.
   "Laurie, Parker, Michael. You're up." she opened her arms are Parker went in for a hug.
   Mich and Laurie entered first. Mich took a seat in front of the desk, and started reading the paper work. Laurie went and sat down and started a conversation with Mich, "You sure about this?" she asked one more time.
   "I'm sure, mom." Mich, he smiled.
   Laurie sighed, "Okay." She took the quill and scribbled her name right as her phone rang.
   Parker and Preech stopped their conversation. Laurie answered, "How soon do you need us?" They all waited in silence for a moment before Laurie spoke again, "Yes, sir. I'll get MacMillian on the way out." She hung up the phone and turned to Preech, "Martha, anything I need to know before I leave?" She asked, already making her way out the door.
   "They leave in a week's time." she said.
   Laurie nodded, pecked Parker on the lips and Mich on the head before leaving. "I love you both."
   "Love you too," Parker and Mich both replied. They heard a few words exchanged before a crack signaled they were gone.
  Preech brought in the remaining parents and kids, and proceeded to explain when it was happening and how. A week from then carriages would be brought from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and they would be transported there. They would dress in Beauxbatons outfits and attend Beauxbaton classes. To make it more normal they would share a dorm with each other and 2 Beauxbaton students, they would be their guide. Their schedules would be the same as the 2 students so they could help them get around.
   The next day the group was sitting at the Hufflepuff table when Headmaster Preech walked in and strolled over to them.
   "Morning, Headmaster, what did you need?" Ronnie asked, while smiling.
   Headmaster Preech looked grim, "I need to speak to Mich and Gil in my office." She gulped.
   "Okay, we'll head that way now." Gil said, while shoving his toast in his mouth.
   Mich made eye contact with Bruce, giving him a worried look.
   "Mich, let's go." Gil grabbed onto Mich's shoulder.
   Mich stood and they both bid their goodbyes before heading to the Headmasters office. As they walked Mich asked, "What do you think happened?"
   "She just called us to her office, it doesn't mean anything happened." Gil tried to assure Mich.
   Mich was nowhere as near optimistic as the other, "What if our parents both died, what if we're being kicked out, what if we're being executed?" MIch rambled on.
   Gil placed his hand on Mich's arm, "Dude, everything will be fine. There's no need to worry. Trust me." As he finished they approached the Headmaster office.
   The headmaster looked grim. "Come in." She said, while sitting.
   The Boys entered while looking nervous, they both took a seat in front of her. She continued, "Last night both of your parents took part in a rad in northern London. They were ambushed, and they barely made it out with their lives. Parker and Kim are picking you both up to see them at St. Mungo's Hospital. In the paper you will likely read about the attack, one of the dark wizards was killed. He was about to perform a killing curse on Auror MacMillan when Auror Black killed him, and took his wand, before subduing the others. Although they were both injured immensely. I'm only telling you this because I don't want you to be surprised tomorrow when the paper comes. Parker and Kim will be here soon, please go and gather your things, and come back here immediately."
   Mich and Gil stared back at her in disbelief, or maybe it was fear. They didn't know what to do, they just nodded and stood. They made their way out of the office and headed down the hall in silence. Neither of them knew what to say, nor did they want to say anything. They both grew up knowing if Mich's mom was gone, then Gil's dad was gone too, they were partners after all. They also knew every time they left they would be leaving to willing go and put themselves on the line. They were always there for eachother though.
   Mich finally broke the silence, "We won't be able to tell Bruce and Ronnie that we're leaving. They'll be worried."
   "They will be, but I want to see dad, and I'm sure you want to see Laurie." Gil looked grim.
   Mich nodded. They immediately grabbed some clothes and a couple essentials before throwing everything into a Gil's backpack. Mich grabbed both of the boy's wands that were thrown onto the bed.
   "We should write a note." Mich said breaking the silence.
   Gil nodded in agreement, "They'll want to know." Gil grabbed a quill and a scrap piece of paper. 'Don't worry, we'll be back, love Gillywater and Bob Marley'
  They made their way out the door. After speeding down the hallway, they say Gil's mom. Her face was teared stain, and Michael's ren was trying their best to comfort her. "Don't worry Kim, it'll be fine. Trust me." Parker turned to the boy's as Gil and Mich approached.
   "Where's mom?" Mich asked as he hugged Parker.
   Parker hugged him before hugging Gil, "We're going to go see her and your dad." they directed the last part at Gil.
   They all walked into the Headmaster's Office, and moved over to the fireplace. Parker walked over to Preech and said, "Do you think they'll be okay?"
   "I know they will." She replied with the utmost confidence, she finished, "Trust me."
   Parker swallowed nervously, but still nodded. They all made their way over to the Floo powder, and each went through saying, "St. Mungo's Infirmary"
   Kim was the first to come through and waited on the others, as Gil came through she wrapped an arm around him. Mich came through followed by, Parker.
   When they walked through the door Gil gasped.