Rajani spends the rest of her summer grounded with only textbooks and Hindu novels to keep her company. Needless to say she's more than ready for school when September first finally rolls around.

Her mother had collected her new textbooks and gotten her a new set of robes - so they won't be so tight around her chest - from Diagon Alley for her, so Rajani hasn't been out of the house in weeks.

Rajani is quick to bid her mother goodbye on the platform and rush into the train, hoping to say hello to her friends before she heads for the prefects' compartment for the start-of-year meeting.

She finds Cadfael in one of the last cabins on the train, and she decides that they're probably friendly enough now that it wouldn't be weird to pop in and ask how his summer went.

"It was odd." He replies, looking a bit uncertain. "It's always odd being home these days though." He adds quietly, and Rajani remembers that his brother had passed away a few years prior. She quickly changes the topic.

"Tell me about it. Though at least next year we'll be able to use magic during the summer! I'm planning on taking my Apparition test in January, what about you?" She asks cheerfully.

Cadfael does seem to relax slightly as he replies. "I am as well. I feel bad for people born after December, they have to wait until next year." He observes lightly. "Alas doesn't even turn seventeen until August next year."

Rajani winces. "Yikes, I can't imagine going another summer without magic. I'll have to wish him luck with that before we leave next year."

"Raj, prefects." A familiar voice chides from behind her, and she turns to grin at Gabi.

"Just saying hey to my friend. I'll see you later Cad." She waves, ignoring the stunned look on Cadfael's face as she walks off with Gabi.

"Welcome to sixth year, the most boring of all the years." Gabi jokes as they wind their way back to the front of the train. "How many classes are you taking?"

Rajani grimaces. "Only five unfortunately. Didn't get the OWL I needed for one of them."

Gabi makes a sympathetic face. "Is it going to impact your career path?" She asks as they pass a couple of nervous looking first years.

Rajani shrugs. "I don't think so, it was suggested as useful by Professor Snape but not listed as required on the pamphlet." She sighs. "Still, it's infuriating, and it will slow my ascent through the department."

"You'll get there ultimately." Gabi says idly. "You're a Slytherin, it's what we do."

That does make Rajani feel better - Gabi is right after all. Slytherins don't let things like grades stop them from achieving their goals.

Trevor and Eugene are already in the compartment when Gabi and Rajani arrive, sitting with two other students Rajani recognizes vaguely from the common room.

Eugene waves them over. "Hey girls! Alana, Hector, these are Gabi and Rajani."

"I go by Raj." Rajani corrects, offering a handshake to who she presumes are the two new Slytherin prefects.

Both students return the handshake confidently, and Rajani can't help but grin as she notices that they're the only two new prefects currently present who don't look nervous.

Her good mood very quickly evaporates, unfortunately, when a familiar whirlwind of energy bursts in through the door and jumps up onto one of the seats.

"And that's Tabs. Learn to dread patrolling with her." Trevor whispers, and Rajani giggles.

"Hello everyone! I know we're not all here and there's ten minutes still until we leave but I wanted to introduce myself!" She waves eagerly. "My name is Tabs, and I'll be your Head Girl this year! So don't hesitate to come and ask me any questions you have!"

Trevor pretends to gag. "I question Dumbledore's sanity, approving her for Head Girl." He groans dramatically, low enough that Tabs won't hear it.

Rajani makes a face. "I no longer have any idea who's going to make Head Girl in our year, if those are the choices being made by the professors. Gabi would have been a much better option."

"Agreed." Eugene and Trevor chorus, and Gabi smirks proudly.

Alana looks like she wants to ask something, but the last two prefects choose that moment to enter the car, and they draw every eye considering they're both dripping wet despite the day being completely clear.

"How on Earth?" Even Tabs is momentarily stunned into silence. "Um, anyway, I guess if we're all here - Terrence could you dry off and get up here? - if we're all here we can start!"

"I'm not getting on the seat." Terrence replies flatly, waving his wand and drying off both himself and the girl next to him, who looks partly sheepish and partly excited. She also looks familiar, though Rajani can't say where from.

"Well at least Terrence was a good choice for Head Boy." Gabi observes as the Ravenclaw seventh year stares at Tabs in annoyance until she hops off the seat and lets the new prefect sit down.

Terrence then turns to face the car as the train starts moving. "Alright, let's make this quick. I know we all want to finish our patrols quickly and go sit with our friends."

Rajani grins slightly. She'd always liked Terrence's no-nonsense attitude, and if anyone can balance out Tabs it's probably him.

The meeting is thankfully brief, with Terrence going over the rules and Tabs eagerly dropping in tangential information. And while all the seventh years are paired with the fifth years to show them the ropes, the sixth years are allowed to partner with whoever they want for the patrols.

"So how was the rest of your summer?" Eugene asks as they wander down their assigned route. "I haven't seen you since the wedding."

Rajani makes a face and he laughs. "That bad huh? What happened?"

Rajani explains the situation with her OWLs, and Eugene laughs.

She glares at him. "Glad my misery is so amusing to you." She grumbles.

He puts his hands up defensively. "Sorry! I'm sorry, I am. It's kind of ironic how you probably put in the most effort towards studying other than Clary but you still didn't get all your OWLs."

"And you did I suppose, Mr. Perfect that you are." Rajani snaps in reply.

Eugene flushes. "I... yeah. Sorry, that was kind of mean, wasn't it?" He acknowledges. "Just, kind of funny. If you think about it."

"Foot, meet mouth." Rajani responds threateningly, and Eugene quickly changes the topic.

"Okay, message received. We liked the color scheme you guys used for the wedding, think you could get us the name of the suppliers your parents used?"

Rajani raises an eyebrow. She's still annoyed at Eugene but she figures talking is better than walking in silence for the next hour. "I can ask my parents. But it's just silver and green." She points out. "You could probably find that scheme in any wizarding wedding shop considering they're our House colors."

"You guys had some really nice compliments too though. And Queenie loved the glass swans you had as well."

"Those were because Sahana's patronus is a swan." Rajani explains. Or was, i doubt she can cast one anymore. She thinks snidely to herself. "It was a clever idea though, I'd like to do something similar when I get married."

Eugene grins. "That is clever! I guess Keaton never managed a corporeal one then? I only saw the swans."

Rajani laughs. She hadn't noticed, but Eugene is probably right. "Well they are very difficult to produce." She points out. "You might not manage it either."

"Please, I have plenty of happy memories." Eugene boasts. "But you're right, I won't be able too. I'm not continuing with Defense this year."

Rajani blinks, taken off guard. "You're not?"

He shrugs. "It's not needed, and with how volatile the teachers are I didn't think it would be worth it. Queenie isn't continuing either, didn't she tell you?"

Rajani pouts. "Fine, Clary and I will make sure to run circles around you both with our patronuses next year." She threatens, and Eugene laughs.

"Sure you will. I think Cad is taking it as well so there will be some Slytherin presence."

"Probably a ton of lions though." Rajani groans. "Thinking they're all going to single-handedly save the world."

"I hope when Harry Potter gets to school he's in literally any House but Gryffindor. They don't need the ego boost - they already think they're the best, no need to throw a world-saving baby in there." Eugene agrees. "But hey, you can sit at the back and make fun of them, that's something at least."

Their patrol route ends up taking them past the compartment where Queenie is sitting with Clary, Lenox, Nia, and Elspeth and they stop in to chat for longer than they probably should considering they're technically working.

"How are the new little prefects?" Queenie asks curiously. "Any Head Girl or Boy material? We really need Slytherins back in charge."

"Your brother was Head Boy two years ago, it hasn't been that long." Clary points out. "But yeah, any Head Boy or Girl material?"

"Thanks for the confidence." Eugene teases.

"Well Jemma is inevitably going to be Head Girl unless something drastic happens this year." Lenox points out. "And while you certainly could be Head Boy, both Ward and Roberts are also viable candidates."

"Not Weasley?" Nia asks. She shrugs when they all look at her increduously. "What? I don't pay as much attention to this crap as you guys do. His brother was Head Boy, why not him?"

"I mean, Tabs is Head Girl so we probably shouldn't be ruling anything out." Rajani grumbles. "But to answer your question, he's way too lax when it comes to Gryffindors. And way too harsh when it comes to opposing Quidditch players, especially if there's a game coming up. Not great Head Boy qualities."

Queenie snorts. "Wait, isn't Tabs that Hufflepuff who doesn't know how to shut up? She's the Head Girl this year? Who made that decision?"

"Headmaster Dumbledore I assume." Eugene scoffs. "He's going a bit batty in his age if you ask me."

Queenie giggles. "Eug, don't let anyone hear you say that." She scolds lightly.

"We better get going anyway, maybe see you guys later?" Rajani begins backing out of the car. Seeing Eugene and Queenie flirting set something ugly off in her gut and she suddenly wants to be anywhere else.

Eugene follows her a moment later after saying a less abrupt farewell to their friends. "You okay Raj?" He asks. "You kind of bolted back there."

"Just want to finish patrol, that's all. I want to talk to the new kids before we arrive at Hogwarts, haven't really spoken to them before." She says airily, waving Eugene off as she walks slightly ahead of him. She's honestly not sure herself why seeing Eugene and Queenie flirting made her as uncomfortable as it did, she just knows she needed to get away from it.

Hopefully the two new kids are fun to talk to, so she has an excuse to stick with them for the part of the train ride when they aren't patrolling. Or she can chat with Gabi and Trevor and pretend to lose track of time, they're both fun to talk to after all.

Her and Eugene do manage to keep up some small talk for the rest of their patrol, and when they return to the prefect car the other four Slytherins have already returned.

"Hey guys, grab a seat, meet the newbies." Trevor waves them over easily, and Rajani is glad she doesn't have to come up with an excuse for staying, which definitely would have tipped Eugene off that something was wrong.

Not that she even really knows if anything is wrong.

The new prefects - Alana and Hector, as they reintroduce themselves - prove almost as fun to talk with as Gabi and Trevor, though Rajani genuinely does get sidetracked when she ends up engaged in a flirting contest with the older boy, both of them using increasingly ridiculous pick up lines to try and get the other to crack and start laughing.

Hector cracks before either of them, and Rajani decides she likes him more than Alana, who's a bit stiff and stone-faced throughout the competition.

"So you two ready for fifth year?" Gabi asks once Trevor has finally given in and Rajani has secured her victory.

Alana shrugs, and Hector follows suit.

"It's just OWLs." Alana replies. "I'm not really that worried. I'm top of the class in our year."

"Were. Twice. Saundra beat you out in second and third year." Hector remarks, smirking at the glare Alana sends him, and Rajani reaffirms that he's her favorite.

"I still can't believe that walking disaster was allowed to be prefect." Alana grumbles, shooting an irritated glance towards where the Hufflepuff prefects are gathered, though notably both Tabs and the new female (who Rajani assumes must be Saundra) are not present.

"Probably blowing up the train as we speak." Alana growls.

"You're cheerful." Eugene quips teasingly. "But on that note I'm going to head out. You're sticking around right Raj? You can confirm we finished with Tabs or Terrence when one of them gets back."

Rajani hums affirmation, and Eugene heads out. Alana follows him soon after, still looking quite grumpy.

"She does seem cheery. Any reason for that?" Trevor asks once the door closes behind the other girl.

Hector shrugs. "She has mood swings. Especially when Saundra comes up." He answers. "She's a great study partner though, so no one really complains about it."

"She was good on patrol." Gabi reports. "I think she'll do Slytherin proud, ultimately. When she matures a bit."

Trevor snorts. "I seem to recall Emily saying the same of me and we all can see how well that predicition came true."

"You're actively working against it though, doesn't count." Gabi returns snidely.

Rajani is successful in her bid to remain distracted by the other Slytherin prefects for the rest of the ride to school, getting to know Hector and trading jabs with both Gabi and Trevor. She checks in with Terrence as he returns first from his own patrol and asks him if they're planning on continuing to allow people from the same House to pair up.

Terence nods. "Yeah, we get what Bill and Willow were going for but we were working on the schedule for the first couple of weeks and it's way too much of a pain to maintain. You won't always be with Slytherins, obviously, but you'll get to patrol with them on occasion."

Rajani beams, thankful for the change. She hasn't actually gotten to patrol with any of the Slytherins, so it will be nice to actually enjoy her patrol partner for once.

Sixth year is looking promising.

Franziska takes a carriage with Leona, Tyler, and Jemma who she's rather surprised isn't riding with Evera and Drake.

Leona is less tactful in her confusion. "Why aren't you with your bestie and your boyfriend?" She probes curiously.

"Shouldn't you already know?" Jemma snaps, and all three of them look at her in shock. It takes a moment, but Jemma soon adopts a shame-faced look. "Sorry, that was uncalled for. Drake and I broke up this summer. We both need some space."

Franziska reaches out and tentatively rests a hand on Jemma's shoulder. "It gets better." She promises quietly. "Eventually."

Tyler clears his throat awkwardly. "Well, uh, Lola got an apprenticeship as a broom carver with the Black Forest Broomstick Company." He announces a bit too loudly into the mounting awkward tension permeating the carriage. "So... so that's cool. We had cake. Charles burned it but-"

"Wait, hold on." Leona interrupts, clearly seizing the attempt at normalcy and running with it. "Who the heck is Charles?"

Tyler blinks. "Uh, Maisie's boyfriend? Well, he's gonna propose soon, he's already asked everyone else in the family if we're cool with it, and I think he's planning some big romantic thing for it-"

Franziska holds up a hand. "Maisie is your oldest sister right? I kind of remember her being our sixth year prefect back when we were firsties?"

They keep the conversation focused on Tyler and his sisters for the rest of the short trip to the castle, and then Kiera and Tonks appear as they cross the courtyard, shouting about something that Franziska can't quite make out as they talk over each other. It become clear when Tonks morphs her entire face into that of a pig.

"She can do full face modifications now!" Kiera shrieks excitedly as Tonks attempts to squeal like a pig.

"That is so weird but also so cool!" Leona yelps. "Can you do a badger? Do a badger during quidditch games oh my gosh."

Franziska laughs as the three girls and Tyler start enthusiastically experimenting with Tonks' new abilities, but she slowly moves away from them so that she can walk next to Jemma.

"So you sure you're okay?" She asks quietly when she's pretty sure they won't be listened in on.

Jemma shrugs. "I guess? It's both a relief and completely awful you know." She sighs. "I probably could have timed it better, but I was hoping that we could both recover during summer break. Now he's just not talking to me and I don't think Evera totally gets it. Her and Jacob were never really emotionally invested in each other, they just made out a lot, so their breakup on the platform was pretty comfortable."

Franziska places a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Well, you've got us if things are really too awkward to hang out around Evera and Drake for a while." She points out, though she knows it's hollow. As much as her and Brandon's breakup had he wasn't her best friend. The situations ultimately are very different from each other.

Jemma gives a tired smiles regardless. "I know, that helps a lot." She says.

They arrive in the Great Hall then, a few minutes behind the rest of their friends as they'd taken a slower pace, and take the seats saved by Donaghan and Leona.

"You two took your sweet time. The firsties are probably coming through soon." Henry pipes up. "We were just swapping OWL results."

"I got seven." Franziska reports. "Missed Ancient Runes by that much - a P - and completely flunked Astronomy since I forgot to study for it." She laughs.

"I got all nine of mine." Jemma offers, somewhat shyly. "I'm only continuing six classes though."

"Welp, you got second highest." Tonks pouts. "I only managed eight, and of course mister second-in-the-school got all ten of his."

"And is continuing all of them for some inexplicable reason." Henry adds, making a face. "Why anyone would choose to do that to themselves-"

He's cut off as the doors to the Great Hall swing open and admit the newest class of first years. Franziska watches them pass, noting with amusment the mix of excitement and trepidation on the faces of the eleven-year-olds filing past. She remembers feeling that way.

"Man, it's been forever since we started, huh?" Tyler muses. "Weird to think we've only got two years left."

"And then we have to get real jobs in the real world." Henry adds with a shudder. "Which is terrifying to think about."

"It's terrifying to think of you trying to be an adult, yeah." Kiera teases.

Cian shushes them both. "The hat's going to sing, zip it."

Franziska turns her attention to the front of the room, where the ratty old hat is indeed gearing up for it's start-of-term solo.

Oh I'm not much to look at,
But I know where you belong.
You'll find that I have never
Made a placement that was wrong.

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat,
There's nothing I can't see!
I know who you are right now,
And who you yet could be.

Those who value chivalry,
Who are braver than their peers,
They will thrive in Gryffindor
And overcome their fears.

For those of wit and learning
To Ravenclaw will go.
They will build their wisdom there
Then challenge status quo.

For those who find that diligence
Is vital to progress,
Then Hufflepuff will help them learn
To always find success.

And those who hole within their heart
Ambition tightly curled,
They first are off to Slytherin
And then to change the world.

So sit and let me take a look,
There's no need to be stressed.
I will send you to the House
Where you'll become your best.

The Great Hall applauds as the Hat does the awkard attempt at a bow it always does at the end of its song, and the Professor McGonagall steps forward to call the students up to be Sorted.

Franziska half listens to the ceremony, her mind more focused on the words of the song. She's slightly bothered that all the Houses had something motivational - Gryffindors overcoming fears, Ravenclaws challenging society, and Slytherins literally changing the world - while Hufflepuff was written off as merely working hard.

"Hufflepuffs could absolutely change the world." She grumbles quietly as Slytherin cheers a new student.

"We can and have." Aidan confirms and Franziska blushes slightly at having been heard. "We're the House that's able to do anything with a bit of determination and elbow grease. We just don't get big heads about it."

They share a grin as "Langley, Christina" is Sorted into Hufflepuff and they both applaud.

It takes about twenty minutes to get through the full lot, with most of the first years being Sorted rather quickly for once.

"I do wonder how the Sorting Hat does it though." Tyler muses later as they're all settling in to the Feast. "I mean, decides which House to send people to."

"I'm sure he gets it wrong sometimes." Aidan notes idly. "It gets it wrong? I'm not sure how gender works for a sentient Hat with mind-reading powers."

"Legilimency." Tonks supplies. "Though I'm not sure how exactly it works." She adds sheepishly. "My mum kind of explained it to me once but I can't say I completely understood it if I'm honest."

"Must be some pretty powerful charms." Leona observes. "Most non-magically-created witches and wizards never learn legilimency, even if they study it. Occlumency is a lot more common."

"I have a theory that that's only the case because a lot of jobs require occlumency, but very few need legilimency." Aidan adds.

Franziska notices that both Donaghan and Cian look completely baffled by the conversation, and she leans over to explain it to them.

"Like Tonks said, legilimency is being able to basically read people's minds, and occlumency is the ability to block people from reading your mind." She murmurs to them. "High level stuff, I think seventh year Defense class covers it?"

"Then I don't need to worry about it." Cian mutters, returning to his food.

Donaghan grins at his friend before turning back to Franziska. "Are you taking Defense this year?" He asks curiously.

She shakes her head. "With how uncertain the teaching is, and since it's not really needed for my career path, I figured I'd be fine with just Charms." She explains.

He nods. "I'm debating whether it's worth taking. Aidan was telling us on the train ride over some of the stuff NEWT level gets to learn and it sounds pretty cool. So I'm thinking of adding it into my schedule so I have four classes - three just seems like it's not enough."

"NEWTs are tough though, you should only do what you're capable of." Cian states, sounding like he's quoting someone.

Donaghan rolls his eyes. "I can do more than three classes."

"One of your classes is Potions." Cian counters. "For some unknown, God-forsaken reason."

"I like Potions!" Donaghan defends, voice rising slightly.

"I do too." Jemma pipes up, causing both boys to startle and look over at her, Donghan blushing slightly as he does. "Snape isn't exactly the best teacher, but the process of potion making itself is fascinating." She smiles and Donaghan turns an even darker shade of red.

Franziska decides to step in before the poor kid explodes from nervousness. "I can't say I understand either, but if you guys are happy then that's that. No shaming people for their interests Cian." She scolds lightly.

He gives her an irritated glance. "I'm not, I just don't get it. Why take extra classes when we'll have so much free time to practice now? We were getting good over the summer." He adds proudly.

"Still the Weird Sisters?" Franziska asks with a grin, and from Cian's smirk and Donaghan's groan she gets her answer.

"I think that's a cool name, sort of a mix of modern reference but with some solid historical vibes to it." Jemma says. "Though are there any girls in the band?"

"Still nope." Donaghan sighs. "We do have both a lead and rythm guitar, and a singer now since Kirley brought in his friend Myron. We still need a drummer though. Cian can only do really simple beats."

"And I don't fancy being onstage either." Cian agrees. "Heathcote says there might be a kid in the year below him so we're going to try and get him to join the music club this year to see."

Franziska smiles and picks at her food as Jemma eagerly inquires about the band. Cian is only too happy to explain their sound and the one song he's written so far - "Do The Hippogriff" which Donaghan insists is lots of fun to play despite it's rather silly lyrics.

"Myron helps with the lyrics, though he's got zero experience. He said he's going to work on it this year." Cian admits. "It is a fun song though."

"I'll have to come hear you guys play next summer." Jemma grins. "I love live music."

"Well I don't know if we'll have enoug for a set, but if you're fine with sitting in my garage and listening to a bunch of losers attempt to harmonize we can do that." Cian offers, and Jemma giggles.

Donaghan looks less than pleased.

That night Leona calls a meeting in the boys' dorm. All ten of the sixth years pile in just before curfew, pairing up on the boys' beds.

Franziska sits next to Jemma as Leona pushes one of the trunks into the middle of the room and stands up on top of it.

"Alright people, we only have one year until we're seventh years, and that means being in charge of running the first year first week surprise! We need to start brainstorming now if we're going to make sure our surprise is amazing. The floor is open, does anyone have any ideas?"

Franziska shifts awkardly. If she's honest she'd forgotten about that particular detail. Hopefully someone else has some ideas.

It seems, however, that everyone is a bit stumped. Leona frowns.

"Oh come on, we're better than this! We can come up with something unique!" She insists.

Donaghan uncertainly raises a hand. "Um, I don't know if this is too boring since it's just Muggle stuff, but with if we just did team-building games? Stuff like musical chairs or tug-of-war. In camp it was always a good way to get people talking to each other."

Leona looks pleased. "I like it! Kicking it Muggle-style, so the Muggle-borns won't feel overwhelmed either. Okay guys, we could do a whole bunch of little acitivties like that! Any other suggestions?"

With Donaghan's idea as a base everyone starts chipping in with their favorite games and they work to figure out which ones are known in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds.

They get a decent amount of the basics hashed out before one of the older prefects - Jemma refers to him as Connor - pops his head in and informs them they need to go to sleep.

Franziska follows the other five girls back to their side of the dorms, keeping as quiet as she can so as not to disturb the other years. Kiera and Tonks are less respectful - between Tonks tripping into one of the doors and Kiera's constant giggling over Tonks morphing her face into a mouse to "increase her sneaking skills" Franziska figures they've probably woken up half the dorm.

They do make it to their rooms and they all skip their nightly routines and just fall into bed after changing into their night clothes.

"Our firstie first week survival celebration is gonna be awesome." Leona whispers into the silence once all of them have settled in.

"Assuming Connor doesn't steal our ideas." Kiera observes. "He's a seventh year, right?"

"Yeah, he's in seventh, but he won't steal our ideas." Jemma assures them. "He's really nice, and he was telling me on the train ride that they already have an idea of what they want to do. So we're safe."

"Well good, our ideas are ours." Leona declares, yawning half way through. "We'll have more strategy meetings during the year for sure, we can't let down our firsties next year."

Franziska hums in agreement, suddenly too tired to properly form words.

She thinks maybe they're starting a little early on this whole first year party thing, but at the same time she remembers how much fun she'd had during their surprise back in first year. And she definitely thinks every first year deserves to have something great - so really it can't hurt to get started early.

She drifts off with their ideas running circles in her head, and she dreams of being a first year again, with their planned activities intermingling with exploding puffapods.

Myr is a bit surprised by their new schedule.

"Why is Muggle Studies only once a week?" He asks in confusion as he scans the schedule McGonagall had handed him when he arrived at breakfast. "And two hours instead of one?"

"Sixth year scheduling." Holly declares sagely. "Also known as the point in your life where you suddenly have way too much free time and you're constantly worried that you're forgetting to do something important."

"Laurel?" Brandon guesses, but Holly shakes her head.

"Willow actually. She stresses pretty easily though so maybe it won't be as bad as she made it seem." She declares cheerfully. "Anyway I'm kind of looking forward to it. More free time means more time for hobbies! Emery and I are gonna spend a lot of time in the Greenhouses this year."

"Studying or snogging?" Evera teases, but to everyone's surprise Holly shrugs.

"Bit of both maybe? I don't know if he likes me though so we'll have to discuss it first."

Charlie clutches his chest dramatically. "Holly! I thought you loved me, how could you betray me in this way?" He cries dramatically, earning both laughs and looks of annoyance from the students around them.

"Well you had plenty of chances and you didn't take any of them." She responds, sticking her tongue out playfully.

"How old are we again?" Nabila sighs as the two devolve into giggles.

"Sixteen." Fiona replies, completely straight faced, and Nabila shoves her lightly.

"Don't encourage it." She grumbles, but she's smiling faintly.

Myr leaves them to it, going back to his schedule. There's a meeting time for later in the day with Professor McGonagall to add or remove classes as needed and based on OWL grades, but Myr thinks he'll keep the schedule he has - even if it's decidedly all over the place.

He's thankful that he managed to pass all of his OWLs, even if most of his grades were only As. He did get two Es though, in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts, which were also the only classes he planned on continuing which required E or higher so he's generally rather pleased with his results.

It does mean that he has a packed schedule on Mondays and almost nothing for the rest of the week though, which will take some getting used to.

"We're lucky though." Charlie observes, and Myr tunes back into the conversation. "We get our schedule meetings on the weekend since the first fell on a Friday this year. Bill had to go through a class he ultimately dropped since his was on a Friday night."

"Are you planning to add or drop anything?" Brandon asks curiously. "I'm honestly on the fence about continuing Ancient Runes - it's a really fun cluass but it's not essential to being a potion brewer and it's pretty difficult stuff. I don't want my other grades to suffer because of a class I'm taking for fun."

Drake pretends to fall over from shock. "Brandon, making reasonable decisions? Actually thinking things through? What universe have I fallen into?"

"Oh poo, I always think things-" Brandon cuts himself off when every person at the table gives him an incredulous look. "Okay, maybe not always but I'm working on it!" He defends himself, though he's grinning. "No impulsivity in potion making allowed, so I need to improve."

"Makes sense." Nabila agrees lightly. "Self-improvement is something we all should strive for."

"And with how much free time we get in these schedules we have plenty of time to do it!" Holly jokes.

They move on to comparing schedules after that and debating the merits of taking certain classes. By the end of it Myr is still pretty sure he's happy with his schedule.

The group ends up splitting up after finishing breakfast, and Charlie drags Myr, Evera, Fiona, and Drake out to the Quidditch pitch.

They pick up Oliver and Percy on their way out and Charlie finally tells them what exactly they're doing.

"So the new Slytherin captain is Alasdair Macmillan, also known as the arse who plotted to injure Oliver in our game against them last year. They're probably going to be playing pretty dirty this year so we need to be prepared." He waves broadly at the pitch in front of them. "So we're starting practices right now."

"We're short a Chaser though." Evera points out and Drake rolls his eyes.

"You would be the one to bring that up." He grumbles.

"Percy can fill in for now." Charlie decides cheerfully.

His younger brother frowns. "No way. The twins are around somewhere, I'm not getting on a broom hundreds of meters in the air."

Myr can't help but smile. The Weasley twins had been Sorted into Gryffindor the night before and both Charlie and Percy had been incredibly proud (despite the latter's complaining). Myr can already tell that the two eleven year olds are going to be a handful just from their enthusiasm the night before, but he thinks they seem like fun.

Charlie sighs. "They can't do anything Perce, they're off with that Lee Jordan they room with, exploring the castle. And if they do try anything I'll be here." He points out.

Percy is still frowning stubbornly. "Why not ask one of the reserve players? They're around somewhere too." He counters firmly.

Oliver grabs Percy's arm then, looks at him pleadingly. "But you're right here! Please Perce? I really wanna see you play! You were good in flying class two years ago!"

Percy flushes at the praise. "...Fine. But I really think you could get someone better." He mutters. "And I'll have to use a school broom."

Charlie lets out a squawking noise as he follows his brother and Oliver towards the Quidditch shed. "I plead with you but one word from Ollie and you're suddenly agreeing? I thought you loved me!"

"Doesn't mean I like you." Percy quips back smoothly and Oliver bursts out laughing.

Myr shakes his head and turns back to his friends. "I guess that's our afternoon planned then." He observes.

"Are you really that upset? It's quidditch." Fiona grins. "I certainly have missed flying around. Biggest downside to being Muggleborn is not being able to just grab a broom and fly around the neighborhood."

"You can next summer though! Assuming you know the disillusionment charm." Evera points out excitedly. "I can't wait to be of age, the Trace is so dumb."

Charlie and Percy return then, carrying everyone's brooms. Oliver stumbles behind them, dragging the chest with the balls behind him.

"Charlie you arse, making Oliver carry the heavy stuff." Fiona scolds, hurrying to help the third year with his load.

"He insisted." Percy says, smirking slightly. "Some big talk about how he'd been doing pushups over the summer?"

"I've got it!" Oliver insists, trying to prevent Fiona from helping him. However, Myr knows the effort will be in vain - once Fiona has decided to assist with something there's no stopping it.

Percy places Fiona's broom to the side and offers Myr his Cleansweep.

"How'd you know which was mine?" Myr inquires as he accepts his broom.

Percy shrugs. "I'm just that good?"

"I told him." Charlie announces loudly from where he's giving Evera and Drake their brooms. Percy shrugs, grinning sheepishly.

Myr just laughs and mounts his broom, taking off moments later. Evera and Drake join him soon after, and finally Fiona, Oliver, and Percy fly up once they've got the ball case settled.

On the ground Charlie picks up the quaffle and heaves it upwards. Evera dives to snag it and then circles back up to the rest of them.

"Alright guys, simple game to start. Chasers try to score on Oliver, Beaters try to stop them however you can. No rules, but please no hospital visits if possible. Every time a point is scored the quaffle needs to be flown across the field. Any questions?"

"What are you going to be doing oh great leader?" Drake shouts down.

Charlie grins. "Judging you all."

And with that he releases the bludgers.

Evera and Drake are of course already a well-oiled machine, but while it takes him a few stumbles to properly get into the right mindset Percy proves surprisingly formidable on a broom as well. He never takes shots on the goal but he's quite good at assists.

Myr and Fiona coordinate their attacks, and an hour into the game Myr has a spark of inspiration.

He'd been considering the ways Slytherin might cheat, and while most of them would possible result in bodily harm he finally comes up with something he could do without risking his friends' physical well-being.

He enacts his plan as Percy passes to Drake. He goes into a straight nosedive betwee them, lining up his bat for a swing.

The quaffle goes flying across the pitch away from the hoops Oliver is guarding.

"Foul!" Percy shouts angrily.

"No rules!" Myr shouts back, grinning manically. Percy doesn't look pleased but he turns and takes off in the other direction.

"Great move Myr! The snakes would totally do that!" Charlie shouts from the stands.

"The snakes ." Evera shouts back. She'd managed to grab the quaffle before it hit the turf, but she's barely five meters off the ground.

"Agreed!" Charlie yells back. "Now go score!"

Charlie wraps up the exercise after another hour and a half, and Myr is pretty sure his skin has fused with his bat from how tightly he's been holding it. He and Fiona had pulled a few other dirty tricks during the game and he honestly feels awful even if it was useful and the chasers all adapted. He can tell from her expression that Fiona feels equally bad.

"That was so fun! Percy you were great, I knew you would be!" Oliver enthuses happily as they all touch down, dismounting his broom and dragging his roommate into a one-armed hug.

"If you want to see real skill-"

"-you should watch us play!"

Two figures emerge from the stands, wearing identical Cheshire grins. Myr smiles at the sight of the twins but he sees Percy jerk away from Oliver and narrow his eyes suspiciously from the corner of his eye.

"They are pretty good. Beaters." Charlie confirms.

"How long were they here?" Percy demands, his lips pursing in annoyance.

"Just the last half hour. And I told you they wouldn't do anything didn't I? They just wanted to see the team."

"Yeah Perce, we just-"

"-wanted to watch! After all-"

"-we'll be playing with them next year!"

Charlie ruffles the twins' hair affectionately. "Myr and Fiona still have a year on the team you know, you probably won't start playing until your third year." He points out.

"But we're better!" One of the twins complains.

"Fred that's both rude and completely unsubstantiated." Percy snaps.

"I'm George!"

"No you're not!"

Charlie quickly steps between the two of them. "Okay I think that's enough of that. Perce, didn't you want to get some reading done for your classes ahead of time?"

Percy brushes past the group, pausing only to place the borrowed broom down.

"Oh don't you know brother dear-"

"-he goes by Percy now."

"It's all very important, just like him." The twins burst into giggles and Myr sees Percy straighten up slightly before he vanishes from sight into the castle.

"Why do you two always have to antagonize him?" Charlie sighs.

The twins looks annoyed. "We don't!" The one that Myr mentally decides to call George since Percy had said the other one was Fred says.

"He just overreacts-"

"-and you have to admit it's kind of funny." George finishes with a grin. "He's only thirteen, but he acts like he's so mature and sophisticated."

"Completely unsubstantiated, what kid talks like that?" Fred giggles. "We're just poking fun."

Charlie sighs. "I know, just maybe ease up for a bit, Percy has a really heavy schedule this year."

The twins both salute. "Sir yes sir!" They chorus.

Myr grins. "Well no harm done I think. Did you two want to actually see who the better beating team is?" He offers.

They end up collecting a couple other players and Myr nearly misses his scheduling appointment he gets so caught up  in the unexpected pickup game.

It's Fiona who reminds him fifteen minutes before he needs to be at McGonagall's office.

"Oh shoot. Hey, does anyone want to try beating?" He asks. A Ravenclaw girl steps up and he lends her his broom.

"Just give it to Fiona or Charlie when you're done." He points them out and she thanks him profusely before taking off.

Once again Myr finds himself racing to McGonagall's office, and he finds the situation rather amusing when he has time to think. His muscles are already aching from the hours of Quidditch he'd just played and they're not particularly pleased with this unexpected sprint.

He makes it a few minutes early but her door is open so he heads inside.

"Professor? I'm supposed to talk with you about finalizing my schedule?" He asks uncertainly.

Professor McGonagall waves him in. "Sit Mr. Cadwallader. Just allow me to locate your OWL records so we may proceed."

Myr waits patiently, kind of glad to be able to sit down and relax.

"Ah wonderful. Congratulations on your scores." McGonagall copliments him when she finds the papers she's looking for.

"Thank you Professor." Myr swells slightly. McGonagall isn't one for praise so it means more than even his mother's excitement over his grades.

"Now then, did you want to alter your schedule at all Mr. Cadwallader? I personally feel you have a very well balanced class list at the moment but you should do what you feel is best for yourself and your future."

Myr momentarily thinks back to the Sorting Hat's song from the night before. The talk about overcoming fears had led to a rather interesting discussion, and Myr isn't sure he's really overcome anything.

He shakes his head, both to dislodge the thought and to respond to McGonagall's inquiry. "I agree with your assesment." He says, and smiles slightly when the thought that he's talking like Percy flits across his mind. "I like the classes I'm taking and I think they'll be useful no matter where I end up job-wise." He adds, carefully avoiding formal speech just so he doesn't make himself laugh.

McGonagall nods. "Then that will be all. As always if you have any concerns do not hesitate to speak with me."

"Yes ma'am, I will." Myr agrees before excusing himself.

He debates heading back to the Quidditch game but ultimately decides to return to Gryffindor Tower. It's nearly dinner time anyway and he's honestly rather tired of Quidditch for the moment.

Owen is stretched out in front of the ever-lit fireplace in the common room and Myr joins him on the floor, rubbing behind his ears in greeting.

Owen rolls onto his side so he can knead Myr's shoulder as he purrs a greeting.

"Is sixth year so tiring you're already floored by it?" A curious, joking voice pipes up. Myr recognizes Angelina Johnson, a second year hoping to make the Quidditch team. She's standing with a young Asian girl who Myr knows is one of Angelina's roommates.

"Nah, I just felt like being a cat for a bit. Their lives are much easier." Myr replies with a grin.

The girls end up joining him on the floor and Owen melts under all the attention. None of them move until they're nearly late for dinner.

Ana started her next mandrake leaf on August seventeenth, so she's ready to remove it for her third attempt on September fifteenth.

It's pouring buckets on September fifteenth.

Ana is ready to hex something into oblivion.

"It might clear up a bit tonight." Jerome suggests uncertainly. "Though I heard it's going to rain tomorrow too..."

Ana pulls out the sheaf of parchment she's been using for communication purposes for the past several weeks to scrawl down her response.

If it doesn't I'm just going to start over. No exams means I can practice anything I miss over Christmas break without any repercussions on my grades.

"True, you'll be seventeen by then. No more Trace." Amelia sighs. "I rather hate that I won't be able to do anything until the summer. Even Henry could technically go home and continue his magic over Easter break since he's born in March."

"At least you do get the summer." Shaun points out. "Jemma Finnegan's birthday is in July, so she still can't do anything for a full month after school ends."

Ana hums. She's always loved her birthday, but this year more than ever makes her quite glad of it being so early in the school year. She almost feels bad for anyone with a summer birthday.

"I'll be able to practice during Christmas break too! Which I'm really exicted about." Jerome declares. "Two of my classes may be all writing and memorization but I'm still taking Charms! I want to get an A on the NEWT for that class if possible."

"How you stay sane with only three classes I'll never know." Amelia observes. "I have six and I still feel like I have too much free time."

8 barely keep me busy. Ana agrees. I hate that they didn't let me continue Herbology.

"You didn't get the required OWL grade. And we aren't Hufflepuffs so Sprout won't give us any benefits." Amelia points out idly.

"You really think Sprout hands out favors like that?" Shauns asks doubtfully. "She doesn't seem the type to me."

"I'm pretty sure only Snape would." Jerome agrees.

Amelia shrugs. "Maybe. Regardless, you wouldn't get any anyway."

"It makes sense though. Finnigan was telling me about their classes and it's some dangerous stuff they're handling now." Jerome pipes up.

Shaun looks amused. "Did he just offer up that information or were you bugging him again?"

Jerome flushes. "It's not bugging! He sits near us when we study sometimes and I'm being nice!" He defends. "Amelia was there, she can back me up!"

"I was helping Henry study while you two were talking, I can't confirm details." Amelia replies. "Sorry Jerry."

Jerome pouts. "He only ever studies with us when you two are in Arithmancy." He waves semi-accusingly at Shaun and Ana. "You wouldn't be so judgemental if you actually saw us studying."

I do wonder why that is. He used to study with all of us last year. Ana points out. I can't recall anything that would make him want to avoid myself or Shaun.

Jerome shrugs. "I tried asking but he really wasn't keen on answering so I dropped the subject."

"I'm impressed you actually got him talking." Shaun says with a warm smile. "He's always seemed so closed off."

"It's his talent." Amelia notes, smiling over at Jerome. "He got me talking to you, didn't he?"

"I played no part in Ana joinin/g us though. It's not a foolproof power." Jerome grins, and Ana just rolls her eyes in response.

No one 'played a part' I just started studying with you.

Her friends don't get a chance to reply as the morning mail arrives then, and Ana is distracted when a letter is dropped in front of her.

"From your mystery pen pall?" Amelia guesses. "That's still a thing I suppose?"

Ana rolls her eyes. It is. I'm communicating with an active Curse-Breaker to learn about the job requirements so that I can streamline the process after graduating from here. She explains.

Amelia looks surprised. "Oh. I thought it was a secret boyfriend honestly, why didn't you just tell us that sooner?"

Ana shrugs. Now that she's put it in those terms her correspondance with Alec seems perfectly logical. It's just never felt like that's all it is - but Amelia doesn't need to know that.

"Probably because you've been pestering her so much." Shaun points out.

"Ana likes her privacy almost as much as you." Jerome adds.

Amelia has the decency to look ashamed. "Alright, I'm sorry. I may have romanticized the whole situation - but isn't the Curse-Breaker the older brother of that Slytherin you hung out with in first year? Or am I remembering incorrectly?"

Ana shakes  her head. It is Alec. Our families are friends so I figure if I'm stuck with them anyway I may as well get something out of it.

"No wonder you got on with a Slytherin for so long, you sure can think like one sometimes." Jerome teases. "Also the mail was late today - you probably want to get going to Divination if you want to be on time."

Ana nearly swears but the leaf under her tongue holds it for her. She tucks the letter from Alec into the inner pocket of her robes, grabs her bag, and hurries out of the Great Hall.

There are only three of them still taking Divination, and as the other two girls are both Slytherins Ana always ends up pairing with Professor Trelawney for exercises, which she can't really complain about.

It does mean she sits by herself while the other two whisper to each other a few tables away which she can complain about - they're not nearly as quiet as they think they are and it can be rather distracting with only the three of them and Trelawney present.

Luckily when she walks into class the tables are arranged around crystal balls, which means they'll be doing partner work.

She's the first one there, as usual, so she picks the table closest to the front and waits for the other two girls to arrive.

She actually knows Clary from other classes, as the brunette is rather loud in class, even if she doesn't answer many questions. The other girl is Elspeth, who Ana honestly didn't even recognize as a classmate at first, assuming she was a younger student wanting to ask Professor Trelawney something on their first day of class two weeks prior.

Now she actually notices the other girl in the three other classes they share and realizes she always sits in the very back of the classrooms, explaining why Ana had never seen her before.

Even with only three of them Elspeth still barely speaks, and Ana is pretty sure the other girl hates her for some reason based on how often she spots the girl glaring at her.

Or she's just a biased Slytherin, which is always a viable possibility.

The two Slytherins arrive a few minutes after Ana, and Professor Trelawney decends the stairs mere moments later.

"Welcome! Today we will be peering into our crystal balls, but not for ourselves! For today we begin to learn how to divine the futures of others!" She cries dramatically. "Normally I would tell you to take a partner for this, but since there are only three of you you can all work together, and I will observe! Come, gather around this table here!" She waves the two Slytherins towards Ana's table, and Ana frowns heavily. She really doesn't want to work with the other two girls, and by their expressions as they walk over they agree completely.

As they settle Ana decides to take out her mandrake leaf and set it into a handkerchief in her bag. The storm doesn't look like it's letting up anytime soon and she really doesn't want to deal with the two other girls being impatient with her inability to speak.

"What the heck was that?" Clary asks, wrinkling her nose.

"Mandrake leaf." Ana replies flatly, not bothering to explain further. Clary can figure it out on her own if she wants to.

Elspeth maintains a neutrally annoyed expression as she sits next to Clary, and all three girls turn to face Professor Trelawney, waiting for further instructions.

However, the insect-like professor has nothing more to say. "Go on! Ana, why don't you begin? Try to look into Elspeth's future!"

Ana frowns, but wonders if it might be similar to the technique her Baba had shown her years before, when she was still studying Dark magic.

She places her hands on either side of the crystal ball and focuses on Elspeth across from her, feeling through the crystal for the other girl's magical signature.

The ball begins to heat up, and Trelawney abruptly yanks it away from her, laughing nervously.

"Actually why don't I start? So that we don't have any incidents?" She titters, faking levity rather badly.

Ana frowns and sees the other two looking at her curiously. Apparently using Dark techniques was not they way to go.

Ana focuses carefully on her Professor but as usual she can't really make out what exactly Trelawney is doing. She glances at Clary and Elspeth to see if their expressions will somehow clue her in but they look as confused as she admittedly feels.

Trelawney sighs. "Alright, why don't you all read the ninth chapter of your textbook! Then we'll try again, okay?"

"So what did you do that freaked her out so badly?" Clary asks once Trelawney has vanished into her office, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't think little miss perfect could do any wrong in the eyes of the teachers." Elspeth adds snidely.

Ana rolls her eyes and doesn't bother replying as she pulls out her textbook. If they're going to be rude she has no obligation to acknowledge their existence past the bare minimum requirements.

The three girls sit in silence as they read the assigned chapter, and then continue to remain awkward as they wait for the professor to return once they've all finished.

"This is ridiculous, I'll start." Clary finally declares when they've been staring at each other for what feels like it must be hours but was probably only a few minutes. "Gimme the crystal ball. I'll do Elspeth."

Ana shrugs and leans back in her chair. If they partner up maybe Trelawney will work with her for the rest of the class and she won't have to deal with the other two girls anymore.

Clary screws up her face as she gazes at the orb in her hands. "Um, I'm just seeing a lot of red. Sorry Els." She hands the crystal over to the other Sytherin. "I guess you look at Ana?"

Elspeth looks less than pleased, and Ana shares the sentiment though she keeps her expression neutral.

Elspeth holds the ball and turns to Ana. She's silent for a long time, studying the surface of the glass carefully.

Finally, after what feels like it must have been at least seven minutes, she speaks. "Something about a letter. I can't get more than that."

Ana blinks, genuinely stunned. "I... currently have a pen pal. It could have to do with that?" She suggests. She'd thought Elspeth was just squinting at nothing but apparently the other girl actually has some Sight. Which kind of pisses Ana off.

Elspeth shrugs. "Sure, let's go with that. Your turn." She hefts the ball over the Ana who barely manages to catch it.

"A little respect for the teacher's things maybe?" She grumbles, adjusting her grip so that the ball doesn't slip.

Elspeth shrugs and Ana drops the subject, focusing on Clary. She basically understood the book's instructions, but she is a bit worried that her Dark background will affect her attempt again. She steadies her breathing and then attempts to peer into the glass.

A moment later she nearly drops the orb again.

"What? Jeez, is it that bad?" Clary jokes.

"Or maybe she just realized she's awful at this and it's too much for her fragile ego." Elspeth drawls mockingly.

Ana glares at them both. "It looked like it cracked. That's your future, a crack." She snaps at Clary.

Clary frowns. "Well that doesn't sound ominous or anything."

"It's probably all nothing." Elspeth points out. "The Travers don't have any Seers in their line and I don't know anything about your family Ana-"

"Three generations back on the Vulchanova side we had one. It's in my lineage." Ana replies flatly.

Elspeth rolls her eyes. "Well the Selwyns are well documented to have had several Seers through the years. My point is the only one here with any real ability is probably me, but with a teacher like Trelawney we're not going to be able to learn much anyway so who cares?"

Ana bristles slightly. "It's a difficult subject to teach, and with an attitude like that of course you're not learning anything."

They wait in tense, angry silence for several minutes before Elspeth decides that class is over and she and Clary leave. Ana stays behind, deciding to practice with the crystal ball on her own.

Thankfully the rest of the day isn't nearly as trying. She has Ancient Runes with Aidan, who as always is interesting to talk with, and Arithmancy after lunch with Shaun.

"In one week the fall Apparition classes start, right? Are you two registered for those?" Shaun asks when they all gather in the library to study after classes are finished.

Ana nods. "Already done." She confirms.

Amelia frowns. "Did you take out the Mandrake leaf? I though you were going to wait and see if it cleared up tonight."

Ana sighs. "Divination required full speech capacity. I'm going to start a new one tonight before going to sleep. Hopefully I'll have better luck next month, otherwise I'll have to wait until next year to try again. I need to be able to talk for the second half of Apparition classes." She adds before anyone can ask why.

That night she finally gets a chance to open Alec's lastest letter, in which he details their latest excavation, wishes her luck with her Animagus attempts, and confirms that taking the Apparition test at school is far preferable to taking it on-site at the MInistry, confirming Ana's resolution to put off the Mandrake leaf until after she's passed the test.

She pens a quick reponse before going through her nightly routine and letting Dracula out onto her bed.

" about the rain. You going to try again?" Evie asks once she's settled into bed. A new part of her routine involves actually discussing her day with Evie and Amelia before they all head to sleep, which is odd but not entirely unwelcome.

"I am." She confirms, holding up the new leaf she'd retrieved before settling down. "Do anything interesting on your day off?"

She places the leaf in as Evie goes on about some new spell she's been practicing for Care of Magical Creatures, and Ana thinks that despite the dissapointments of the day, overall things aren't so bad.