Out of The Shadows (Golden Trio Era) {1}

Third Year Feast

The trio rejoined Ron in the Great Hall, Mikayla sat across from the red head and beside Harry who was across from Hermione. "Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore began his yearly speech. "Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin, whose kindly consented to fill the post as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor!" Everyone began to clap for Lupin, granting him luck on what is now known as a cursed job. Mikayla flickered her gazed toward Snape, the greasy haired Professor was sending death glares at Lupin that were usually reserved for Harry. Everyone knew Snape has wanted the job since he started teaching, but each year he fails to do so. He has become more and more bitter over the time the foursome knew him. Hermione beamed brightly remembering his quick thought of giving them chocolate after meeting the Dementors.

"Psst! Potter! Potter!" The foursome all turned our heads towards Malfoy, who was calling at Harry."Is it true you fainted?" He asked mockingly, fake concern in his eyes. A boy next to him, which Mikayla knew as Pike, pretended to faint dramatically after Draco spoke. "I mean you actually fainted?" The Slytherins laughed harmoniously, Mikayla rolls her eyes turning to face Malfoy, "Shut up, Malfoy." She nudged Harry to turn away from him which Harry obeyed as Mikayla stuck her mind finger up at Draco. Draco scoffed at the pair. "How did he find out?" Harry groaned embarrassingly, Mikayla shrugged and told him not to worry about it. But Harry should know by now that it's hard to keep anything a secret at Hogwarts. "Just forget it," Hermione whispered at him sending glares at the blonde Slytherin boy.

They tuned back into Dumbledore, who was talking about our previous Care of Magical Creatures teacher."-our Care of Magical Creatures teacher of many years has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, i'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." Everyone clapped for Hagrid loudly, the Gryffindors were the most enthusiastic about the news, Mikayla whistles before the foursome whooped for Hagrid. Hagrid stood up, making a bit of a mess on the table, as he knocked over some glasses and cutlery. Hagrid, sat back down and his face was ruby-red and he staring down at his enormous hands, his wide grin hidden by his black beard.  "We should've known!" Ron roared, pounding the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?" The foursome were the last to stop cheering and, as Professor Dumbledore started speaking again, Mikayla saw Hagrid wiping his eyes on the tablecloth.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."  He paused and they remembered what Mr. Weasley had said about Dumbledore not being happy with the dementors guarding the school. "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued. "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises—or even Invisibility Cloaks," He added blandly looking straight at Harry, causing Ron and Harry to exchange looks. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors." He said. Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry and Mikayla, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall and nobody moved or made a sound. "But you know, happiness can be found in even the darkest of times." Dumbledore swiped his hand slowly behind a candle, causing the candle to go out. "If one only remembers to turn on the light." Dumbledore swiped again and the candle relit itself.

Everyone began diving into their food, Mikayla plated up a scoop of mash potatoes, a handful of mixed veg and a slice of chicken. The massive plate in front of her made the food on it look even less. Mikayla mostly picked at her food sadly, she couldn't get rid of the images the dementors revealed of her father and mother from swimming around in her mind. "Psst! Mikayla." Mikayla turned around to face her sister, Avery, trying to catch her attention, Mikayla raised an eyebrow. "We need to talk, meet me in Myrtle's bathroom after the feast." Mikayla nodding accepting Avery's request to speak. Mikayla dropped her fork on her plate after only eating a small few bites, Dumbledore dismissed the students and Mikayla told her friends she was going to talk to Avery.

The sisters shared a hug, in the furthest cubicle from the door, in the bathroom. "You look so different." Avery stares at her sister who was now a golden brown, a lot skinner than went she moved out of the O'Brien Manor yet her body had matured a lot particularly around the hips and chest, and she was now standing at 5ft 4. Avery however looked the same, she had grown a little taller but that was pretty much it. "Egypt is a wonder." Mikayla laughed before turning very serious. "What happened to your face?" Avery looked down at her feet, Mikayla began getting a horrifically lurching feeling in her stomach, "Aunt Cassetta, when I stuck up for you and Mam when she called you two weak and failures." Mikayla let out a breath of relief, once she was informed that her father handed laid a hand on Avery. "You don't have to defend mam and I, you know the truth and that's all that matters. I don't want you to get hurt for me and I know Mam would feel the same way if she were here." A tear fell from Avery's right eye, and ran slowly down her cheek. "As for the next time Aunt Cassetta comes over, come to the burrow." Mikayla held her sisters shoulders to give comfort and instruction, Avery nodded understanding. "I Love You, Sis." She spoke sadly yet had a smile plastered on her face. "And I Love You, Av." They sisters hugged again, this time the hugged lingered longer than usual. "Draco asked me out." Avery informed her sister, Mikayla beamed brightly, yes she didn't get along with the sleek blonde haired boy, but he made Avery happy which was what Mikayla couldn't ignore. The girls giggled like the school girls they are as Mikayla congratulated her sister. "Next is finding you a mans." Avery spoke in a valley girl accent causing Mikayla to laugh at her while shaking her head. "What about Fred?" Avery wiggles her eyebrows at her sister jokingly, Mikayla filled her in what had happened between her and Fred during the summer and the advice Mrs Weasley gave her. "Now we just need to find a man you're attracted to, so you can see if Fred gets jealous and if he doesn't at least you'll still like the guy you're with." Mikayla told her sister she didn't want to play with anyone's heart, where Avery scoffed in response, "Sis, you being single is playing with every guys heart in the school from 2nd years to 5th!" Mikayla rolled her eyes at her sister exaggeration.
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I'd like to dedicate this chapter to lilmama_2bhadd who has given this story a load of support. Thank you for reading. Enjoy the book!