The Girl Who Never Lived¹ | h. potter

💎Chapter 14💎

Hermione returned one day before the term began, to which Ciara thanked her profusely for her Christmas gift, reading it every second she got the chance.

While that had Hermione beaming with joy and pride, they had to inform her of what had happened over their break. She was torn between horror at the idea of Harry being out of bed, roaming the school three nights in a row and disappointed that they hadn't at least found out who Nicolas Flamel was.

While the boys justified the fact that it was a holiday, and holidays weren't meant for researching, Ciara just hung her head and said a soft, "Sorry, 'Mione."

After that, they set to researching and nearly turned the library upside down in their search for Nicolas Flamel. Though, it was usually just Ciara, Hermione, and Ron, since Harry had to practice for the upcoming Quidditch Match; Gryffindor v.s. Hufflepuff. It was on a particularly wet and muddy day that Harry, after getting himself cleaned up, told the trio of researchers the bad news.

They had been sitting in the common room, Hermione and Ron trying to teach Ciara how to play chess; Hermione being the opponent, and Ron coaching Ciara. "Don't talk to me for a moment," said Ron the moment Harry sat down, "Ciara needs to concen —" He caught sight of Harry's face. "What's the matter with you? You look terrible."

Ciara's head snapped up and she realized he was right.

Harry did look terrible. His skin, which usually sported a slight tan, now looked ashen, as if he just watched someone die. Ciara swallowed.

This couldn't be good...

Speaking quietly so that no one else would hear, Harry told the three about Snape's sudden, sinister desire to be a Quidditch referee.

"Don't play," said Hermione at once.

"Say you're ill," said Ron.

"Pretend to break your leg," Ciara suggested.

"Really break your leg," said Ron.

"Wait, lets not-"

"I can't," said Harry. "There isn't a reserve Seeker. If I back out, Gryffindor can't play at all."

"Respectfully Harry," Ciara said, placing a hand on his knee, "I'd rather lose the house cup than have Snape kill you.

Harry scowled, the idea of losing the house cup clearly revolting to him.

And it was at that moment that Neville toppled into the common room. How he had managed to climb through the portrait hole was anyone's guess, because his legs had been stuck together with what they recognized at once as the LegLocker Curse. He must have had to bunny hop all the way up to Gryffindor Tower.

At the sight of the poor boy, everyone in the common room started laughing, except for Hermione and Ciara. While Hermione ran up to Neville and performed the counter curse, Ciara scowled at the common room.

"Shut the hell up, the whole bloody lot of you!" She shouted and everyone fell silent. "If you were in his position, who you like it if everyone made fun of you for something you couldn't control?!" No one answered, until another first year, Lavender Brown, spoke up.

"What does it matter," she questioned, "It's only Neville."

Ciara saw red.

"Locomotor Wibbly!"

Lavender, who was standing up, nearly crashed into the ground as her legs wobbled beneath her. Parvati Patil, who was sitting next to her, grabbed her arm to keep her from falling and sent Ciara a stunned look. No one, not even Hermione, had been able to master the Jelly-Legs Jinx. Her and one of the other dorm mates, Sophie Roper, threw one of Lavender's arms over their shoulders and hastily went back up to the dorm. Ciara sighed and suddenly noticed that the whole common room was staring at her, mouth agape.