Harry Potter (19 Years Later)

Chapter Five: Serena

AN: Sorry for the slow update guys, I know that we promised a quicker update for this chapter! The next chapter is already in the works, so it should come out quicker! Thanks for sticking with me, and of course, please tell me what you think about this chapter! I'd love to know any suggestions that you may have! Thanks!

Diana

It was nearly midnight when I left the castle, the dark shadows of the moon casting shadows along the ground as I walked along the grounds. I kept my back pressed against the hard stone as I snaked past the windows, trying my hardest not to make a sound. Yet, in an ancient building, I was finding it nearly impossible.

"Rose?" I whispered. Rose walked behind me, her head turning to look over her shoulder every few seconds.

"We shouldn't be out here Diana." She muttered. "It's breaking curfew. If we get caught..."

I didn't give her time to finish. "We aren't going to get caught Rose. And besides, Albus and Scorpius, told us to meet us out here."

"So? What does it matter? If we get caught, Lycretta won't care who told us to do it." She demanded.

"Come on Rose, just trust me." I said, laughing as Rose tip-toed forward. We walked further away from the castle, until we stood just In front of the boat shack, sheltered by the muddy bank. Unless there were teachers outside at midnight, there was no chance that anyone could catch us here. Rose climbed over to me, grasping my hand so she wouldn't fall into the lake. Her red hair looked almost black in the night, setting an odd light onto her pale skin.

I was no redheaded beauty, that was for sure. My dad always told me that I resembled my mother, but it was hard to picture. I'd never met my mother, she was an American, travelling the world. I assume that she still is, on an airplane somewhere, jetting off to yet another amazing adventure. Without me.

"Where are Albus and Scorpius?" Rose asked, raising her head to look around, despite the fact that it was pitch black. "They ditched us at Hagrid's too. Seems to me like they're getting into the habit of not showing up." I replied.

"Oh come on Di." Someone said from behind me. I whirled my head around, but there was no one there. Just the cold lake water, splashing up onto the muddy bank.

"We're not all that bad." Came the voice.

"If you're hiding Al, I swear..." I started. Rose stuck her hand out, and pulled down in a swift motion, almost as if she was pulling down a sheet. Not a second later, she held a black cloak in her hands, and Scorpius and Albus stood in front of me. A smile was stretched across Al's face, similar to the one that Rose wore.

"How did you know?" He asked.

"Dad's talked about it enough, mum's read me the story. I just guessed that you or James would have it by now. And it looks like I guessed right." She laughed. "But now tell me, why are we out here in the first place?"

"I wanted to talk to you guys away from the castle." Albus said. "I needed to show you this, away from anyone else."

Rose nodded. "I need to talk to you too. Yesterday, when we were at the boat shed. I heard a voice."

"A voice?" I asked. "What kind of voice?"

"I don't know. It was just suddenly there. It sounded kind of like a kid."

"A kid?" Scorpius scoffed. "Like, someone our age?"

Rose shrugged.

"Hearing voices is never good, not even in the wizarding world." I remarked.

"Where'd you hear that?" Al said, his face a deathly white, most likely from the freezing temperature.

"Some book." I replied, laughing. "But seriously Rose, be careful."

My best friend smiled at me, wrapping me tightly in a hug. "I want to find out where that boat went. It can't have just disappeared."

No one spoke. I was kind of leaning towards the "Rose is crazy" hypothesis, and close to telling her just that. It was a boat. Nothing more, nothing less. I shot Albus a look, earning a nasty one from Rose. The only thing that saved me, were the footsteps. They were loud and clear at this time of night, with the only competitor as the wind. I pressed my body up against the mud bank, getting grime all over my best school shirt. Scorpius followed suit, with Rose and Albus disappearing beneath the cloak.

"Someone's coming." I whispered. I could hear the footsteps more clearly now, they came from a small girl, her sneakers squeaking slightly as she walked.

"We've got to move!" Scorpius muttered, grabbing my hand. We shuffled towards the boat shed, quickly. I pull open the door, cringing as it squeaks. I pull my body directly behind the door, flattening my body against the wall. I stink. I can't stand the smell of the wet mud that now stains my blouse. Scorpius stands beside me, and I think that I can almost hear the stammering of his heart. I push the shed door closed with my foot, only to have it swing open seconds later.

A young girl steps into the boat shed, her long black ponytail swinging. I recognized her from the sorting test, her ravenclaw tie resting proudly on her neck. She presses the door closed gently, rubbing her hands together as she does. As she moves through the room, I try to slow my breathing. I can almost feel my heart hammering, threating to break out of my chest.

"Hello?" the girl whispers. I can almost feel her eyes hammering into my closed ones.

"Dad?" She whispers again. That part confuses me. I can't see anyone else in the shed, besides Scorpius and I, as well as possibly Rose and Albus. The girl whispers again, this time a little bit louder. "Dad? Are you here?"

"Serena. Finally." Comes a voice. For a second, I wonder if this voice is the one that spoke to Rose. With its dry and rough sound, it could creep anyone out. The girl-Serena, grimaces.

"I got held up..." She starts, but the man interrupted. "Hurry now, we don't have any time for excuses."

Serena nodded, a brisk head shake. Like she was scared of what anything bolder would bring. The girl stood up, and made her way towards the back of the shed, pushing past the boats. Pressing down on a rogue piece of wood, Serena disappeared.

I held my breath for a minute more, making sure that the girl didn't return.

"Rose?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I'm here." Came the reply.

"What was that?" I asked, my hands shaking as I pulled myself away from the wall.

"I have no idea."