Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

6 Hogsmeade

It's almost time for their first visit to Hogsmeade. Ron suggested that Harry could ask Professor McGonigal to sign his form. Hermione disagreed with that but told Lucy she should ask if she is insecure about her signature.

In the next lesson of transfigurations, Professor McGonigal announces: 'Because I'm the head of Gryffindor, you will all have to give me your permission forms to visit Hogsmeade. Mis Jones, come to my desk when the lesson is over.'

'McGonigal?' Lucy asks, and McGonigal turns around.

'Lucy, I was informed about your situation. Dumbledore agrees that a signature from Charlotte is considered one from your guardian.'

Lucy nods: 'Thank you.' She leaves the room.

'You can go?' Harry asks: 'So Charlotte is considered your legal guardian?'

'Yes.' Lucy says happy. She sees Harry's sad expression. He couldn't go: 'I'm sorry. If you want me to stay with you, I will.' Lucy tells him. Harry asked McGonigal to sign his form because she is his head of house, but she said she couldn't.

'No, you go. You'll tell me how it was.' He says.

Harry must stay in school, and Lucy, Ron and Hermione walk towards the entrance. They follow a pathway that leads them along the dementors. Lucy looks ahead and sees the students shrink, showing the impact of a dementor.

When they get closer, she looks at Hermione, who gives her a reassuring smile. They walk as fast as they can past the dementors. It isn't as bad as on the train, but there are still a few faint sounds of screams. They sound so desperate. It's like nothing she had heard before.

'I find them scary, those black-coated creatures.' Ron says.

'I cannot imagine what being in Azkaban is like.' Hermione says.

Lucy immediately thinks of Hagrid and how he was sent there last year. They had accused him of opening the chamber of secrets. It wasn't him. It had been her. She means Voldemort, who controlled her.

First, they drink some butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks Inn. Hermione convinces her to get some new quills, and Ron wants to go to Zonko's. When they finally go to Honeydukes, it's almost time to return to the castle.

'You think he'll like these fudge flies?' Ron asks Lucy.

'Or these Pumpkin Pasties?' Hermione adds.

'You're asking me?' She asks, and they both nod: 'I don't know either. Can we take a lot of different things?'

'I guess.' Ron says.

'Here.' Ron says, showing Harry the candy: 'We didn't know what you liked so...'

'And how is Hogsmeade?' Harry asks.

'I wish we could bring you a butterbeer.' Hermione says. Ron tells him about Zonko's.

'What did you do?' Lucy asks Harry.

'I had tea with Professor Lupin. He told me about our next lesson, and then Snape came in with a potion.'

'And he drank it?' Ron asks.

'I believe so...' Harry answers.

After their meal in the great hall that evening, they return to the Gryffindor common room. Everyone from their house stands in front of the painting of the fat lady. 'Is the portrait closed?' Lucy asks.

Ron and Harry try to look for an answer.

'Out of my way... Out of my way.' Percy orders. When he gets to the front, he shouts: 'Can someone get the headmaster?'

Dumbledore arrives, and they move out of his way. Lucy can catch a glimpse of what happened.

'Oh my.' Hermione says. The fat lady is gone, and her painting is scratched with pieces of red fabric wholly torn off.

Professor Dumbledore starts telling the teachers what must be done and then looks at Peeves: 'Do you know who did it?'

'Yes, sir. He got outraged when she didn't want to let him through.' He answers: 'He was raged that Sirius Black.'