Ready?

“What does Umbridge want?” Jamie asked as he watched Draco soothe Emily.

“She’s questioning him... She’s put something in his drink- a truth serum, nasty, evil woman...” Alicia said immediately, glaring at the back of Emily’s head. “She wants to know where Dumbledore is... And-” She paused, her glare turning into a look of shock for a second. “And Sirius”

The effect was immediate. Emily’s sobs cut off and she sat bolt upright, staring at Alicia, pain and worry in her face. Draco shot Jamie a confused look and he shrugged his shoulders in response. Alicia opened her mouth to speak but a loud, echoing bang sounded throughout the castle. Hermione shrieked and grabbed Ron’s arm.

“What the- ” Ron said, wincing at Hermione’s grip.

“Second floor!” Alicia yelled and they sprinted from the Hall, several people behind them. People were running in every direction as what looked like a whole crate of enchanted fireworks filled the entire second floor. It was pandemonium. Dragons made from green and gold sparks were soaring overhead while breathing fire at anything that moved; Catherine wheels that were at least five feet wide were bouncing off walls; sparklers were writing swear words in mid air; firecrackers were exploding everywhere they looked and there was a large, smoking, evil- looking purple bat heading towards the open door behind Filch, Umbridge and Harry.

“Hurry, Filch, hurry!” Umbridge shrieked as several of the dragons followed the bat. “They’ll be all over the school unless we do something! Stupefy!” The rocket she had aimed at exploded. Draco had forced Emily and Alicia to duck just in time- both girls were crying with laughter at the two adults. Draco smiled at the emotion on Emily’s face. “Don’t Stun them, Filch!”

“Right you are, Headmistress!” Filch wheezed. Alicia was on all fours, banging the floor with her fist as the mop Filch was batting the fireworks with ignited.

“Come on! Harry- help me with her...” Jamie said as Harry appeared beside them. They both grabbed one of Alicia’s arms and headed towards a hidden passage further down the corridor. Fred and George were inside, listening to the mayhem.

“They’re wonderful fireworks” Hermione said as she looked round at them. Alicia was gasping for air as she sat by Jamie’s feet.

“Thanks!” Fred and, slightly surprised.

“You’ll put Dr. Filibuster out of business, no problem” Harry said, laughing quietly as the sound of more fireworks escaping met their ears.

“Cheers” George said, wiping tears of laughter from his cheeks. “Oh, I hope she tries Vanishing them next...” Alicia grinned evilly before vanishing through the concealed door.

“Professor! Professor! Here- let me help!” They heard her shout. The incantation was lost as the sound of dozens of people running for cover flooded the corridor. There was another bang and Umbridge was shrieking in rage.

“They multiply by ten every time you try!” George finished, tears rolling down his face again as Alicia reappeared, the shoulder of her uniform smoking slightly.

*

The fireworks continued to take over the school for the rest of the day. Jamie had the suspicion that Alicia was helping them whenever she had the chance. Wherever they went, they saw Umbridge chasing after some sort of Weasleys’ Wildfire Wiz- bangs.

“Oh, why don’t we have a night off?” Hermione said as she sat round the table with the others in the common room. Emily was shut up in her dorm. Alicia swept all of Jamie’s books into his bag immediately.

“It is the Easter holidays on Friday... We can do it then” She said, glancing up at the ceiling. A rocket shot past the window, leaving a sparkling trail of gold and silver stars.

“First, are you feeling all right?” Jamie said, looking at Hermione.

“Now that you mention it- I feel a bit rebellious” She said happily.

“And second- what is wrong with you and Emily? I know you’ve seen something” Jamie said, grinning at Hermione before looking at Alicia, who was still staring up at the dorm above them.

“I haven’t seen anything... Not since Dumbledore left” She said quietly, turning to watch as Harry and Ron left for bed. “And there’s nothing wrong with us...”

“Alicia, I saw the look Emily threw you at dinner... Not to mention the fact that Emily isn’t eating and she bursts into tears all the time... And I’ve seen you when you’ve been crying as well...” He said quietly, leaning closer as Hermione bid them goodnight.

“Did Draco put you up to this?” Alicia snapped, looking at him as a sparkler floated past the window spelling the word ‘POO’.

“Sort of” Jamie said calmly as Alicia hair turned dark blue. “We’ve both noticed the differences in the two of you, Ali... We’re just worried”

“Don’t be... We’re fine” Alicia said, putting a hand on his face. “Really... I’m going to bed, night... Love you” She kissed him and hurried towards the stairs before he could ask anymore questions. The dorm was full when she opened the door- Emily’s curtains were closed. Sighing, she climbed into bed, thinking about the future and why she couldn’t change the things she wanted to.

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