Battles of Darkness and Strife

Talks and Nightmares

Paige POV

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After the feast, I trudge up the stairs to Ravenclaw Tower. I'm extremely exhausted and I'm quite sure Anthony is as well, based on the fact that he's not talking anymore. I was very prepared to hex him to the stars if he didn't stop. As we're walking, I feel a tap on my shoulder. 

"'Scuse me, but do you know where, uhh... Ratchenvraw Tower is?" A fairly tall boy looks confusedly at me. He has curly hair and a pair of glasses are tucked into his pants pockets. His tie isn't tied properly and his robes are partially hanging off his arms. 

"Do I know you?" I ask warily. I recognize his voice and him in general, but I can't remember where.

"I think we met on the train," he explains. "I'm Leo, Merrily's boyfriend."

"Oh, now I remember you!" I gasp. "Of course we'll show you the way. And it's pronounced Ravenclaw, by the way."

Leo runs his fingers through his curls awkwardly. "Ah, sorry about that. Dyslexia's a- nevermind." I shrug and Anthony, Leo and I hurry up the various flights of stairs to Ravenclaw Tower. Once we find the eagle, I turn to Leo.

"It's going to give us a riddle before we can go in," I say. The eagle opens it's beak and begins to give the riddle. 

"No matter what, I come to you round, Floating up, floating down, A single pop, I'm on the ground, Then comes your unpleasant frown. What am I?" I must say, I'm quite stumped at this one and I bite my lip in concentration. Anthony's eyebrows are furrowed and Leo is tapping his leg and his eyebrow is cocked when his eyes brighten.

"Oh, I think I know this one!" he exclaims. "Is the answer a bubble?" 

"Precisely." The door opens and I am greeted by the wonderful familiarity of the Ravenclaw common room. Everywhere, there are books and papers. Students old and new wander around and greet old friends. 

"Hullo, long time no see!" I am engulfed in a hug by Pip. "Who's this?"

"This is Leo, one of the American exchange students," I say. 

"Ah, yes I recognize you from the sorting," Pip smiles happily. "You'll love it here; Ravenclaw is the best house."

Leo grins excitedly. "Really? I don't know, I heard that most people here are really smart."

Pip presses his lips together. "Well yes, but it can sometimes mean that you're witty, clever and creative as well."

"That makes more sense now," Leo agrees. "I like to build things. I once turned a bed into a rocket ship!"

"No way!" Pip shouts. "Can you do that to mine?"

"Sure!" With that, the two boys rush upstairs, leaving Anthony and me alone to ourselves.

Hogwarts is doomed isn't it?" I sigh. 

"Well..." I roll my eyes.

"Go join them, I know you want to." Anthony pumps his fist and he runs upstairs to go aid in the destruction of our dear tower. 

I myself, sink into one of the couches near the fire. The sense of normalcy around is misleading; you'd never have guessed most of these students had just survived a war. I despise it. How can anyone ignore the losses people had to suffer because of Voldemort, his followers, and in many cases, the Ministry. My heart aches for my friends, namely Zachary, Cedric, and my father Sirius.

I must have looked like I was crying because I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was the new boy, Leo. 

"Are you okay?"