Chapter 5 - Friends like these

When I broke the news later that day just before Transfigurations class to Imelda, I was taken by surprise when she jumped up in excitement and her hug nearly tackled me to the ground.

"I'm so glad you've come to your senses Riley! About bloody time." She was beaming, but quickly readjusted herself to her usual bossy self. "Right so you'll need to get in a few hours of decent practice before try-outs next week Friday. I know you're a decent flyer, I still don't think as good as me, but I take it you've never actually played a game of quidditch."

I very quietly said, "Well I've never even seen a game of quidditch, I don't know any of the rules." Imelda rolled her eyes into the back of her head as if she was in pain.

"Riley, we've wasted a whole week of preparations while you've been making up your mind. But I've never backed down from a challenge. Tomorrow the Slytherins and Ravenclaws are having a practice game at noon. I highly suggest you attend."

I nodded like a scolded child at her words, but secretly I was happy that she didn't tell me to just forget it.

"Are you planning on trying out for the Slytherin team Dagworth?"

A familiar voice poked itself into the conversation. I turned to find Garreth Weasley striding towards us. He had evidently also grown taller over the summer and his Gryffindor uniform was slightly too short at the ankles. "I'd be happy to teach you a thing or two after class."

Imelda scoffed, "If your quidditch skills are anything like your potion making skills I'd be concerned having you as a teacher."

I laughed at Imelda's tease.

Garreth grinned and elbowed her, "Don't worry Imelda, I'll take it easy on you in the next Gryffindor versus Slytherin game with my skills."

"I didn't realise you played Garreth?" I tried to break some of the tension as I could see Imelda wanting to bite back.

"I'm actually a Keeper." He winked at me with the flirtatious comment and Imelda scoffed and walked off.

"Is Keeper one of the positions?" I asked innocently.

His eyes widened at my question. "Merlin Riley, I have my work cut-out for me. Meet me after class later today and I'll take you through some of the basics." He squeezed my arm and made his way into Professor Weasley's classroom.

I was excited to learn something new and perhaps get my nose out of the books. I had spent so much time over summer reading late into the night. Trying to find anything that could help me understand the ancient magic, but to no avail. All the history books kept saying the same thing, about rumours of ancient magic and its deadly power. Nothing helpful. My frustration eventually got the better of me one night when I threw the book across the room, and it accidentally knocked over my glass of water. The glass had smashed on impact with the floor, and I grunted at my clumsiness.

My mother knocked at the door, "Riley, is everything ok?"

She came in and found me cleaning up the mess.

"I'm ok, just being clumsy again mum, sorry."

She had a worried look on her face.

"It's very late dear, I appreciate your studious efforts to keep up with school during this time, but you should also enjoy the summer. Why don't you make some plans with all the new friends you've made?"

I disposed of the broken shards and looked out the window into the night, the moon was shining so brightly that I could see the sunflower fields in the distance.

I hadn't told my mother about everything at Hogwarts, including my ancient magic and near-death experiences. It was already an awkward conversation with my parents when they found out that I had magical abilities. Even more awkward when they then decided to tell me I was adopted. They hadn't planned on telling me, but as I started to become a young woman my magic started to express itself and of course they were concerned. They didn't know much about my biological parents, they found me as very small child, only three years of age, wandering the streets alone one night. They had tried for children for many years and so thought that I had come into their lives as some sort of miracle. I love my parents, they have always treated me with kindness and care, but it did make me sad to hear that I was abandoned by my biological parents. Obviously learning that I was adopted only created more questions about my heritage and my ability to wield ancient magic. My parents were muggles, apparently that's what you call non-magic folk. You can imagine their surprise when Professor Fig showed up at our house and invited me to attend a magical school called Hogwarts. He was able to explain all the unusual things that had been happening to me was because I was a witch. My mother nearly threw him out the house for such an insult. The term witch had a very negative connotation attached to it, especially during the Victorian era. Somehow my parents managed to accept who I was and agreed that I should attend this school for the gifted as my father had so eloquently put.

My mother approached me and put her hands on my shoulders.

"I have been keeping in contact with some of my friends, I have been writing to them." I responded.

"Some? What about that Sallow boy? I remember you mentioning him in your letters last year. Why don't you invite him for dinner? Your father and I would love to meet him."

Why did she have to mention him?

"We're not-not friends anymore," the tears started to form in my eyes.

"Oh Riley, I'm so sorry my dear. What happened? I know he meant a lot to you."

She knew me too well.

Even though I didn't give away details in my letters about my adventures at Hogwarts, she could obviously read between the lines when I wrote about Sebastian. She held me in her arms, there's nothing like a mother's hug.

"Gone."

I couldn't manage to string together a full sentence between my shaky breaths. She just continued to hold me, and right then, that was all that I needed.

"My sweet Riley, I know what this feels like. It's something that unfortunately all of us go through at least once in our lives. It's hard to say goodbye to the people we care about. But know that the people that stick around, and that are there for you, are what counts."

She smiled down at me. "You are starting to become a young woman now Riley, and with that comes new feelings, new adventures and all the challenges that accompany these changes. You'll understand when you're a bit older, but sixteen is a difficult age for most. Change is inevitable. Now is an important time in your life when you decide the type of person you want to become, and I can't wait to see the woman you become."

Her words comforted me, I smiled back at her and nodded.

"Come, let's go have a cup of tea and a muffin, that always makes you feel better.

"Riley come on or we'll be late!" Natty was practically pushing me into the Transfigurations classroom while I had dazed off. "You can sit next to me, I hear Professor Weasley is going to teach us about human transfigurations today, and you know how much I love this topic." She winked at me.

Natty had already perfected the skill and could turn into gazelle at will. She had learned to do so at her old school in Uganda before she transferred to Hogwarts in her fourth year when her mother was offered the teaching position of Divination.

"I still can't believe you are an Animagus Natty, it's something that I would love to learn."

"Well if you keep wondering off to dreamland, you'll miss the opportunity. Come on, otherwise Professor Weasley will report both of us to my mother, and we got into enough trouble last year. I'm still grounded for all of the escapades, even though I had noble intentions."

She was referring to when she saved me from the Cruciatus Curse from that treacherous Harlow, Rookwood's right-hand man.

"Oh Natty, I'm sorry. I am eternally grateful for what you did for me, but also sorry that your mother is still making you pay the price."

I still felt guilty for that day, Natty ended up in the hospital and it took her most of the summer to fully recover.

"I would do it all again if it meant standing by your side and defeating more poachers. I actually look forward to the day."

Her positive outlook was something I always admired. We quickly made our way into the classroom just as Professor Weasley started her lesson. She referred to one of the chapters in our textbooks and flicked her wand so that the chalk magically wrote on the chalkboard as she spoke. I sat next to my friend and listened intently whilst taking notes with my quill. The lesson went by quickly and we already had an assignment which included an essay on the risks associated with human transfigurations that was due for next Friday. The whole classed groaned.

"Professor, we have quidditch try-outs next week Friday, not to mention all the other homework we have been given by our other professors." Imelda spoke out.

"Miss Reyes, might I remind you that you are now in your sixth year at Hogwarts. Your professors are preparing you for your senior year and your N.E.W.Ts. It is time to focus on your studies and less so on extra mural activities." Professor Weasley eyed me as she said this. Both Imelda and Garreth were about to argue further but Professor Weasley interrupted them "That will be all, thank you. Class dismissed."

I began to pack up my things along with the rest of the class when I heard the professor call for me, "Miss Dagworth, a word please." Natty gave me a what have you done now look. I didn't have time to respond and made my way over to the professor's desk where she was sitting while the rest of the class exited.

"Yes Professor?" I knew what was coming.

"How are you doing my dear?"

Ok. Not what I was expecting.

"Um, I'm fine Professor." She looked at me intently.

"I have received some complaints from your fellow Slytherin house mates." There it is. "They've informed me that you are experiencing night terrors, quite vivid ones from what they described."

I didn't want to dive into the details about my nightmares, I needed to first make sense of them myself first.

"Uh, well yes, Professor that is true. I am not sure why they are happening, they started once I returned to Hogwarts."

Her expression softened.

"I understand that your return to Hogwarts this year might've been tough on you. With everything that happened with Ranrok, the loss of our Professor Fig and now the disappearance of Sebastian Sallow, I can appreciate the impact this might have on you. It's very likely that these nightmares are a result of post-traumatic stress. It's not uncommon."

Oh Merlin, don't cry Riley, keep it together.

"I know you and Mr. Sallow spent a lot of time together last year. That's why I thought you ought to know that his uncle, his guardian, passed away unexpectedly towards the end of last year, the cause of which we do not know yet." My heart started to beat faster. "The school only found out about this over the summer, and we've been trying to get in contact with both Sebastian and his sister, Anne, but it appears they are no longer residing in Feldcroft. I wanted to ask you if you had heard from either of them and know of their whereabouts?" I gulped at the question.

"I'm sorry Professor, I have not heard from either of them since school ended last year. We, uh, drifted apart so to say."

I managed to keep my voice calm.

Professor Weasley let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I was hoping you would be able to shed some light on the situation. We are obviously concerned for the Sallow twins during their time of mourning. I will keep you updated with any progress we make."

I nodded, trying not to give away my guilt.

"As for the nightmares you have mentioned, as a short-term solution, I have asked Professor Sharp to provide you with a very mild Sleeping Draught potion, this should help you get some more restful night's sleep. Furthermore, I've also asked Professor Sharp to give you some extra lessons in Occlumency. I believe this should help you in clearing your mind and keep the unwanted nightmares at bay, in time. Professor Sharp will explain in more detail, you can expect an owl from him."

I wasn't thrilled about the idea of having more work to do, but anything to help with the nightmares.

"Thank you, Professor, I do appreciate the help." She smiled at me.

"Riley, help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it. So please ask for help when it is needed."

I knew Professor Weasley meant well and was only looking out for me, but I didn't want to share with her the voice I had started to hear. I just wanted a normal year at Hogwarts.

I made my way outside towards the Transfiguration courtyard to find my friends standing near the fountain. Garreth and Imelda still seemed to be arguing about who was the better quidditch player and Natty stood awkwardly between them. She looked grateful when I approached them.

"Riley, what did Professor Weasley want?" She asked interrupting the heated discussion going on around her.

"Oh, she just wanted to ask me about some additional assignments." I lied.

"More work? What are these professors trying to achieve? Do they want us to hate school?" Imelda was still fuming about the workload.

It did feel like a lot more than fifth year, we were only a week in, and you could sense the stress levels rising amongst all of us.

"Riley, shall we still meet later today, around five, near the quidditch pitch?" Gareth asked. Before I could even respond Imelda answered for me.

"Of course, she will be there, she needs to be prepared for try-outs next week. I shall also attend to make sure you aren't teaching her the incorrect rules. Can't trust a Gryffindor after all." She sneered. Garreth looked slightly taken aback at her comment but didn't argue.

"Ok I'll see you both later then."

He walked off and left us three girls to chat.

"I think I'll come join you as well," Natty said. "Someone needs to make sure Imelda doesn't strangle Garreth." I laughed.

"He just drives me crazy! I don't know what it is about him, but it's infuriating." Both Natty and I giggled at Imelda.

"What are you two laughing at?" I wrapped my arms around both their shoulders and started guiding us towards the great hall for some lunch.

"It's good to be back at Hogwarts," I said with a smile.